“Quit flirting and do it,” she grumbled to hide the catch in her throat.
“I’m showing you how simple this is, channeling energy into something I want. I want to burn you, Alex. I want to singe your flesh and taste your heat. That’s what the beast in me wants because he knows you can take it.”
The tattoo burned against her skin, squirmed with need. She pulled her hands away as a shiver raced up her spine.
“Let the flame off your flesh.”
She thrust her chin out. “How?”
“Talk to it. That tattoo is more than a drawing. It exists to serve you. Visualize letting it free. Can you sense what it wants?”
Digging deep inside herself, she focused on the intensity of the feeling flowing from the tattoo into her. It wasn’t alive, more like a manifestation of who she was now. Alex pictured the flame travelling to Collum. She closed her eyes. Ignored the noise around her. Felt the fire climb off her flesh. Felt it touch Collum as though it were her own hand. Startled, she opened her eyes to see fire wrapping around his hands, crawling up his chest.
His jaw was clenched. Sweat glistened on his top lip. She watched entranced.
“Call it back now,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t want to yet. I like how this feels. I feel powerful.”
He curled his fingers through her flame. Caressed the blaze crawling against him.
“Call it back now, baby,” he said as he closed the distance between them. “Or I’m taking you right here and now.”
She let him come. I should have had this feeling from birth. Fuck them for keeping her from it. Alex tested the heat. She reached into the flames climbing over Collum. Let them cover her skin. She could feel what he felt through the flame. It was agony. It was more pleasure than she’d ever thought to feel.
He grabbed her arms. Leaned down and smashed his mouth onto hers.
Their tongues met. Fire exploded behind her eyes. Her legs gave out.
Collum ripped his mouth away, drew himself back. “Take your fire back, Alex.”
“No.”
He planted himself firmly in front of her. “Do you want this?”
She matched his posture. “You know I do.”
“Good. Use that to learn to fight,” he growled. “Call your fucking fire back now.”
She did as he asked. Focused on her flame and visualized it crawling back to her flesh. A little piece of his fire seemed to follow.
As soon as the flame retreated, he grabbed her hands and pulled her along behind him to the edge of the clearing. “Now, throw it at that tree.”
“Throw the fire?”
“Yes. You can’t outrun Wind. Water can drown you. Earth will try to swallow you. You must be able to control your flame, and your emotions, to defeat them.”
She furrowed her brow, focusing her energy on the flame still crawling along her arms and legs. Visualized drawing it into her palm. Sparks ignited against her flesh. She pictured a ball. Commanded the sparks to join. Used the passion ignited by Collum to control her fire. Within seconds a fireball rested in her hand, waiting to do her bidding. She launched it at the coniferous tree Glenn had sat in earlier. The fire connected and shattered into the base of the tree like a lightning bolt. Bark flew in the air and the tree toppled over, smoldering at the base.
She jumped in the air and twirled around to high five Collum. “I did it. Holy shit. I can’t believe that. Did you see it?”
“Glenn’s gonna be choked. That was his favorite tree.”
She smacked his chest. “What? Are you kidding me?”
He actually laughed. She almost begged him to kiss her again.
“Ow. Take it easy, I’m screwing with you. Keep that control and you’ll do fine. But remember the tattoo is only a tool.” He tapped her forehead. “You are fire. And this today,” he swept his hand at the downed tree, “is only the beginning.”
“I know, I know. Can’t you let me have this little bit of excitement?”
“Keep practicing.” He turned away.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving.”
Alex couldn’t believe it when he started walking away. “You’re actually leaving?”
He swung back around and his dark gaze pinned her. “Glenn will be right back. I can’t stay out here with you all day, sweetheart. I have things to do.”
“But I thought . . .”
“What did you think? That we’d play in the flowers all day?”
“Wow, okay. I get it.”
“I don’t think you do. I’m not your college buddy or your girlfriend. I’m a dragon, Alex, and my instinct is to score your flesh with my claws until you beg me to claim you. That’s what my fire calls to in me.” He turned as Glenn flew into the clearing. “So, I am going to leave you with the only being in the world I won’t kill for being near you right now.”
She gaped at him. “What if I want the same thing?”
He replied without looking at her. “I’m not having sex with you in a field. That isn’t what we’re going to be.”
“We’re going to be something?”
“You know as well as I do that we are,” he said before leaving the clearing, and her, behind.
Chapter 16
Alex took her time heading home. What started out as a quick run at eight, dragged until after noon. She was proud of herself, annoyed at Collum, super turned on, and confused about how she could be, with everything else going on. She refused to look at Glenn, angry at him for ratting out her location to Collum. Thankfully, he didn’t try to engage with her. When he shifted back into his human form she noticed his purple silk shirt and matching dress shoes, but refused to give him the satisfaction of complimenting his outfit.
She ran into Domhall on her way back into the house.
He looked at her wet hair and said, “So, how was the run? Tempting?”
She ignored his jibe. “It was fine. I’m on my way to take a shower.”
“Doesn’t seem fine. You know, we can leave anytime you want, right?”
“What are you talking about? I need to be here to find the witch.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Collum isn’t the only one that can teach you. Some of us may have methods far preferable to his.”
She dripped water on Glenn’s perfectly polished floor and studied her grandfather. “Why did you agree my mother should marry the dragon? Why are you here, Domhall?”
“Who told you about that?”
“Aunt Quinn. If you hadn’t interfered, none of this would’ve happened and I might know who I am.”
His face twisted. Electricity in the room flickered on and off and a blue light surrounded him. “I’m here because you are my flesh and blood. You shouldn’t be here with him. No dragon should be near my blood.”
“But you agreed. You’re an elder. Quinn said it was the elders who forced my mother to be with that killer.”
“That’s all they are you know. Killers. Every one of them.” He spun around pointing at the walls. “This was his house too. She would have lived here—in this hovel.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
He shook his blond hair around his face. “You naïve thing. This isn’t even about you.”
Alex retreated from the crazed light in his eyes and stepped right into a hard chest. Heat formed a wall around her.
Collum spoke quietly. Placed comforting hands on her shoulders. “Dom, you’re frightening your grandchild. This isn’t the time or place.”
“You, you’re nothing but a beast.”
“I know, but I’ll keep her safe.”
“From who?”
“From you. Take a breath for me, buddy.”
“You aren’t the saint the
world thinks.”
“No, I’m not.”
Domhall shifted and the light around him changed to a pale aqua shade. “She doesn’t have to be kept safe from me. I’m her grandfather.”
Collum slowly pulled her behind him before replying, “Then stop scaring her, Dom. Get your shit under control.”
The light around Domhall faded. He backed away from them both. “I . . . I’m sorry. It’s this place. We shouldn’t be here.”
Collum simply nodded. “We’ll leave soon.”
Alex watched her grandfather leave without looking at her. She placed her face against Collum’s spine.
He let out a breath and stepped away from her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay, but what was that?”
“That was Domhall. I told you he was close to the edge. Promise me you won’t be alone with him again.”
“I can’t believe he would hurt me.”
“Maybe not intentionally. But he’s unpredictable. While he is inside the wards, it will prove . . . difficult for me to stop him if he loses it. Maybe hang out in your room until dinner.
“I don’t want to be alone.”
“Yes, you do.”
She breathed in the scent of him. “I think I’d know what I want.”
He placed his hands on her hair and curled his fingers around the wet strands. “Do you? Because I do. I knew the minute I saw you in that ugly housecoat in Quinn’s kitchen.” He nudged her toward her room. Said, “Now, go away before I do something I regret,” before pulling his cell phone out of his pocket and walking away from her, again.
As she hurried down the corridor to her room, she realized their time was inevitable. He was demanding and pompous, infuriating and bossy. And she was incredibly, unabashedly, excited by the prospect of being with him. She closed her bedroom door, wondering if she was ready.
Chapter 17
The knock on the door came at eleven that night. Alex had spent the day in her room. Glenn found her earlier and mentioned both men would be unavailable to join her for dinner. He’d brought her a tray of chicken and steamed asparagus. She’d been glad for the reprieve.
She’d fantasized about what she’d say when Collum came to her. About what she’d do. But fantasy was altogether different than reality. In her fantasy, she retained some control, but Alex knew he would not be the guy to let her lead. He’d sweep her away until all that was left was her core melting.
She opened the door. He stood there looking larger and more beautiful than she thought a man could. It was in his eyes. The way he looked right into her. It was haunting.
“I can't do it,” she told him when he moved to come in.
He stood before her with his legs parted and his eyes taking on the red glow again. His voice ragged. “Don't say no, Alex. Let me kiss you, like you want to be loved.”
Her breath caught in her throat and she backed into the room. Collum followed. Stalking. Predatory. With a wave of his hand, the door shut and the fireplace roared to life. He backed her into the wall, placed her arms above her head.
“Tonight, you're mine . . . One night, Alex.”
He covered her entire body with the length of his, driving heat over her skin.
She leaned in.
“That's it, baby.” Collum dipped his mouth and licked her lips. He held both her arms in his one hand. He grabbed her hair and brought it to their mouths. “Catch fire,” he exhaled on to her tongue.
Alex erupted. Jolted against him and moaned. Her tattoo writhed against her skin as sparks burst along her flesh.
Collum stroked the pulse at the base of her neck while grinding his body in a steady rhythm against hers. Her arms still held tight above her body, his tongue still tasting her. He hadn't even kissed her yet and Alex could barely think. His hand moved lower, pushing aside the fabric of her bathrobe.
She moaned louder, breathless. There was no way she could speak. The ends of her hair caught fire.
“That's it, let go with me. I've been thinking about this all night. Thinking about your little sounds.”
Collum pulled the robe off her body. She felt the muscles in his arms clench against her. His eyes turned completely red. He gripped her waist. Hands dipped to her thighs and back up. She shivered as he lightly traced over the fur at her core. His palm rough as it continued up to cup her breast. His teeth scratched against her flesh before taking her nipple in his mouth.
Her strength gave out just as Collum placed his knee between her legs. He let her arms go. She clutched his shoulders like a lifeline. Each suckle on her breast drew fire up from her core. She gripped the tattoos along his chest and arms.
When he raised his head, he was a man possessed. He smashed his mouth to hers and fit both hands in her burning hair. Their skin burned each other. As their tongues fought and their mouths fit together, Alex ignited. Liquid flame poured from her flesh.
She screamed into his mouth. Collum dragged one hand from her hair to stroke her passion higher. It was almost brutal—the intensity, the need to join. He pressed his fingers inside her and rubbed his thumb across her clitoris before letting go of her tongue to rake his teeth along her neck and push her harder against the wall.
Alex was lost to everything but his hands on her and the fire raging over her body. She knew nothing but the need to be claimed and to claim. Abruptly, he lifted her into his arms and laid her on the floor as he removed his clothing.
She watched greedily, took in the specimen before her. He was dark, untamed. His arms and legs thick with ropes of muscle. His chest carved from dragon bone. She'd never seen anything as brutal, as erotic.
“Alex,” he said, in a guttural, inhuman voice. “You are mine.”
She looked at his glorious, battled scarred body—a fallen angel who was going to take her to the edge of insanity. “I want this as much as you. Don't stop.”
He fell to his knees and traced the outline of her flames with his finger. The fire followed his touch.
“You’re going to come for me now.” He leaned down and took her clit in his mouth.
She thrashed on the floor. Her nails scored his scalp.
His hands forced her hips into place, as he tasted more. Thrust his tongue deeper.
Alex was burning up. Her blood turned to lava. She screamed in agony as she came. Waves of fire poured from her body on to Collum’s tongue. He sucked harder, breathing in her fire, consuming her. As her final waves pulsed onto his tongue, he lifted his head and roared. She reached up to grab his face and he thrust into her body. Ecstasy raged through her as their bodies joined.
As she pushed her hands into his hair claws exploded from her fingers. Flame climbed from her to wrap around them. Smoke from his body covered them.
“Collum?”
“Let it happen, baby. You can't hurt me.” He slowed his thrusting to match the tempo of her tattoo. It had begun crawling against him the moment they joined.
Nothing had prepared her for the sensuality of what was happening. Her blood was lava beneath her flesh. She ached. Breathed into his sinuous strokes. Could feel the waves of another orgasm beginning in her toes.
“Easy love,” he said. “I need more of you yet. Let me take all of you.”
Alex stared hard, lost in him.
“Give me your mouth, Alexedria.”
She leaned into him, confused for a moment, waiting for his lips to touch hers.
“Don't think Alex . . . feel.” Collum drew her tongue into his mouth and blew smoke from his body into hers.
The smoke moved inside her, found the nerve endings of her tattoo. She felt the aching, a calling to her fire. Her flame pulsed against his flesh, bit in, branded him.
With a final thrust they both shattered. As Alex lost control the room around them caught fire, their skin
singed in the heat. For a moment, it seemed they were nothing but molten energy in a room aflame with their passion.
As they came back down, Collum pulled his hands from her burning hair, and pushed through the flames to touch the floor. She watched him, fascinated as he closed his eyes. His breathing calmed, a blue light flowed from his hands. The flames on the floor faded. Alex's tattoo slowly released its hold on his skin and curled back to her body. Her skin cooled.
She reached up to touch his shoulder where the tattoo of a perfectly formed flame lay seared into his skin.
“What just happened?”
“Our fire claimed us.”
“But how did you stop the fire in the room?”
He shrugged. “I envisioned what I wanted to happen.”
“Is it always like that?” She groggily curled into him.
Collum stood, lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. “No, babe, it is never like that.” He stroked her hair and lay beside her.
“But how did you know I wouldn't hurt you? Did you know my fire would brand you?”
One side of his upper lip curled. “I am where fire began. Flame will always reach for me.”
Collum stretched out, caressed her. She let him, finally feeling safe and utterly full.
As she let go of the night, she remembered what he'd called her. “Wait, why did you call me Alexedria?”
She caught his grin as her eyes drifted shut.
“Because, baby, it's your name.”
Chapter 18
The woman climbed out of the lake; moonlight bounced off her glistening skin. Vines of ink twisted themselves around her body. They started at the base of her toe, crossed the foot, wound around the muscled calf of the right leg and skimmed her leg up to the edge of her abdomen, where a small flower dropped off and waited to be tasted. The tattoo continued around her hips, encasing them in a caress, before it whispered across the flat of her pelvis and small of her back. Each rib was covered in living art. Buds folded under the breast. More flowers dripped delicately down the arch of the breasts. The vine rested against her heart, traveled up to kiss the side of her neck and hide behind her ear. Then slid down the back of one shoulder, wrapped ever so delicately around her bicep, licked her elbow, and gently fell to her wrist where one final leaf slept. Waiting with practiced ease on the base of her finger.
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