by Anna Lowe
Watch this, her dragon murmured, sweeping into a barrel roll. Her snout pointed forward, but her whole body swiveled around it, doing a complete turn. And she didn’t stop there, rolling another quarter turn until she was sideways to Connor.
Oh, I like that, his dragon rumbled, turning at the same time.
They flew on in an erotic, belly-to-belly aerial move that made her dragon hum with pleasure. Blurry images of rolling in bed with Connor rushed through her mind, and Jenna had to take a deep breath to put them on pause. She could act on those urges when she got her man back on land. For now, she had to concentrate on flying.
When they broke apart, Connor swooped over, around, and under her. My mate, the gesture announced to the world. No one comes close. No one touches her but me.
My mate, Jenna crooned, wishing she could trumpet that message all over the state.
When Connor rose, she followed, feeling ever more peaceful. The human world and all its troubles seemed further and further away, and the dangers of the shifter world even more remote — especially with Draig’s yacht gone from the anchorage in the distance. A yacht she never wanted to see again, even if she and Connor ever did cash in on any part of Draig’s vast holdings.
Good riddance, her dragon snorted and sidled closer to Connor’s side.
They’d started out on a beeline toward the low pyramid of Lanai, then curved gradually toward the hulk of Molokai.
Someday, when you’re ready, we’ll fly over the islands together, Connor said. The cliffs and waterfalls of Molokai are amazing at night.
She couldn’t even formulate an answer except for thinking what a privilege that would be. Tourists with cash to burn might buzz over the neighboring islands on helicopter tours, but to glide over those sights in the sheer silence of night, and on her own wings…
Wow, she whispered, picturing it. That would be great. Then she laughed and added, Wait a minute. This is already great.
Connor chuckled. It is pretty great.
Slowly, they curved through every point of the compass until they were headed back to Maui. The rising sun was hidden behind the island’s tall peaks, but its light was streaming through the Central Valley in thick, golden rays. All too soon, she and Connor would have to land and hide from prying human eyes. Of course, that meant they could go back to bed and work off the thrill of flying in other fun ways. Then they could nap, eat, and be ready to set out on their next flying adventure the second it grew dark.
Connor laughed, reading her mind. Good thing we have the whole day off, huh?
A damn good thing. When she and Connor had just bonded, the others had reworked their schedules to treat them to a week off — a honeymoon, so to speak. After that, they’d both dived back into work — Connor as co-alpha of the Koakea clan, and she in her new surfboard-shaping partnership with her sister, Surf Chique. She’d been working six days a week to make up for lost time, but today was a day off. And that meant…
We have all day, she hummed as they flew along.
Life didn’t get better than that. Connor had won his place in his clan, and she had the fresh new start she needed, too.
The higher the sun rose, the lower they kept to the wave tops. Little splashes kicked up from time to time, spraying her wingtips.
Feels good, her dragon sighed.
It did feel good. Good enough for a dip.
The idea flitted through her mind, quick as a sparrow. She looked down into the ocean. A dip would feel great.
Yes, her dragon agreed. Just a little swim.
She looked at the horizon. They had a few minutes left. Why not give it a try? Draig was dead and gone, and turning into a shifter had definitely stirred something in her mermaid blood. She’d been swimming, diving, and surfing every day.
She thought it over, trying to calculate out the mechanics of diving from mid-flight.
Trust me, her dragon rumbled in a dangerously determined voice. Trust me.
After one more minute of deliberating, she finally gave in and called to her mate.
Hey, Connor.
He craned his long, dragon neck around and shot her a toothy dragon grin. Yeah?
Watch this.
A second later, Connor yelled, and she nearly did too. But hers was more a yelp of glee, because her dragon knew exactly what to do. She folded her wings tightly against her sides, threw her head forward, and dove.
Whee! her dragon hollered as she plunged into the sea.
A stream of bubbles followed her under, making her feel rocket-fast. And even when the momentum of the dive ended, the bubbles continued, because she knew instinctively how to kick, flap her wings, and churn her tail for maximum effect. She slipped through the water, as sleek and streamlined as a dolphin. As agile as a fish. As at home in the water as…as…
A sea dragon, that inner voice crowed.
She jerked to a stop, making the water roll and foam. She held up a wing. It wasn’t stumpy like Draig’s, but it was thicker than Connor’s, now that she looked. And her tail was longer, too.
Cool. I’m a sea dragon. She grinned.
Then it hit her. Sea dragons were bad, like Draig. Why would she want to be like him?
Not like Draig. Like me, her dragon insisted, zooming away again and showing off another impossibly tight turn.
Then she remembered what Cynthia had said. There were some famous sea dragons who did good deeds. Even a great sea dragoness.
Oh, I like that, Tessa had said. A kick-ass she-dragon who can fly and swim.
Jenna let out a shocked cough of bubbles. Could she be a kick-ass she-dragon who could fly and swim?
Ha. Watch.
Her dragon shot forward and turned in a spiral until she was dizzy. Then, with a sharp contortion of her core muscles, she twisted and zoomed off the other way. A short distance later, she spun around and torpedoed into the depths before snapping around and speeding for the surface.
Watch this, her dragon taunted.
She exploded out of the water, curved gracefully through the air, and dove back in with nary a splash. All in all, she was airborne just long enough to hear Connor’s frantic yell.
Jenna?
She splashed to the surface, chagrined. Poor Connor. For all he knew, she’d been attacked again.
Sorry! I’m fine.
What the hell are you doing? he boomed, hovering over her.
She paused, not quite sure what to say. Luckily, Connor spoke first.
“Wait a second. Do that again.”
Before she could even think about it, her dragon dove, eager to show off her tricks. She spiraled, turned, and breached out of the water, rising high enough to clear Connor before splashing down again.
A long-forgotten memory welled up out of nowhere, one of her father — or was that her mother? — holding her over the incoming surf at Seal Beach, back when she was tiny. She’d kicked at the waves with her tiny feet and squealed with glee. The kind of unbridled, unfiltered joy that grew rarer and rarer as she’d grown up. As a dragon, though, she felt it all over again.
Sea dragon, Connor breathed.
Her joy fled, replaced by fear. What if Connor hated that about her? What if she repulsed him?
But a second later, he broke out into a huge grin. A sea dragon. Holy shit, Jenna. I knew you were amazing, but… Wow. Is there anything you can’t do?
Live without you, she said without thinking. Then she looked around. Also, I’m not sure I can take off from the surface.
Connor laughed so hard, he nearly fell in.
Of course, I can take off from here, her dragon sniffed.
She pictured herself splashing and kicking like an albatross and decided to quit while she was ahead.
Hang on, she told Connor. Then she dove once more, built up some speed, and sped back up into the air with enough momentum to stay airborne.
Sorry, she said, shaking the water from her wings.
Connor fell into formation off her left wing, muttering Amazing again and again.
He looked at her. Who?
You.
They laughed, free as a couple of kids, all the way back home. Jenna was still laughing when they landed on the ledge and shifted back to human form.
“So how about we—” she started, then froze in her tracks.
“How about we what?” Connor asked in a way that made it perfectly clear what he had in mind. He was in human form again, all man — and hungry for his woman, judging by the heat emanating from his body. His touch made her tingle, and her body yearned for his.
But part of her was still replaying what she’d just done. She about-faced right into Connor’s chest, then peered around him toward the ledge.
“Holy crap. Did I just land here?”
He chuckled. “Sure did.”
All her landings so far had been in wide, open spaces where she had plenty of room. To land on that shallow an area seemed impossible.
Maybe impossible to you, her dragon sniffed.
“Wow,” she whispered, still staring at the cliff.
“Told you you’re amazing.” Connor laughed, hugging her from behind.
She covered his arms with hers and settled back against his chest, humming as his touches ventured away from her belly. Slowly, sensually, he explored her human body.
She closed her eyes, swaying in time to Connor’s movements, playing different options out in her head. Did she want to lead him to the bed and wrap her legs around him there? Or should she turn, kneel, and reward her man with a few tricks of her own? The other day, she’d drawn him over to the rug, gotten down on all fours, and let him rock her from behind, and she sure wouldn’t mind trying that position again.
How about all three? her dragon growled.
Connor laughed, reading her mind. “No need to rush. We’re bonded forever, you know.”
Forever had a new ring to it these days, like a synonym for free. Which, she supposed, was the power of love.
The power of destiny, her dragon whispered.
She tipped her head back and let her mind blur as Connor fluttered kisses over her neck and collarbone. Finally, she let out a lazy laugh. “Wow. It’s morning, but it already feels like a whole day has gone by. Flying, swimming…”
Connor chuckled and spoke in that low, dangerous rumble that never failed to turn her on. “We’re just getting started, my love.”
Her body heated, and she broke into a huge smile. That was true in more ways than one.
Connor scooped her up effortlessly and carried her toward the bed. “Just getting started,” he murmured once again.
* * *
Thank you for reading Rebel Dragon! If you enjoyed the story, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are the best way to thank an independent author for a story you’ve loved.
Did you know Rebel Dragon is also available in audio? Audio brings the story to life in a whole different way and can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime.
Rebel Dragon is just the first of the great new Aloha Shifters: PEARLS of DESIRE series. The action, emotion, and passion continues in Rebel Bear, Book 2. Click here for a sneak peek of Timber’s story, or order it on Amazon today!
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Sneak Peek: Rebel Bear
Up-and-coming supermodel Hailey Crewe can’t wait to escape the limelight and return to the modest, anonymous lifestyle she once led. Escaping literally? That was never part of her plan. But when an unwanted suitor — and her scheming mother/manager — go a step too far with a surprise Hawaii wedding, Hailey becomes a bride on the run. Before she knows it, she’s not only being hunted by a greedy oil tycoon, but by his creepy security force, too. A good thing she bumps into her very own Lancelot at exactly the right time.
Bear shifter Timber Hoving is just another Special Forces vet slowly adjusting to island time. That is, until an irresistible stranger rushes into his meticulously organized world. Before Tim knows it, his human side is wrestling with temptation, and his bear is head-over-heels in love. But Hailey’s first encounter with shifters is a terrifying one, and Tim can’t reveal the truth about himself without losing her. Worse, sinister shifter forces are closing in, following a ruthless agenda of their own. They’ll stop at nothing to capture Tim’s destined mate — dead or alive.
Rebel Bear is a fast-paced, emotion-packed paranormal romance filled with yearning, sizzling passions, and forbidden love. Ready to be swept off to sunny Maui’s suspense-filled shifter side? Get your copy of Rebel Bear today!
* * *
Rebel Bear - Chapter 1
Hailey smoothed her hands over the silky contours of her dress and frowned into the full-length mirror.
Her mother tapped her shoulder. “Don’t make faces, honey. It will give you wrinkles.”
Hailey’s frown deepened as she looked down. “I thought only the bride was supposed to wear white at a wedding.”
“It’s cream,” her mother insisted.
Hailey squinted into the mirror. Was that a trick of the bright overhead light? “It’s still too close.”
Her mother shrugged. “It’s Isabelle’s wedding, and if she wants her bridesmaids in cream, she can have them. Besides, it brings out the blue of your eyes.”
Hailey turned this way and that. The dress looked good. Almost too good, what with the way her long, golden hair flowed over the silky fabric. But she was just a bridesmaid, for goodness’ sake. A reluctant one, at that, because she barely knew the bride. On the other hand, Isabelle was known for having quirky tastes.
“I think she just made me a bridesmaid to be polite.”
“Nonsense, honey. She likes you. Her future sister-in-law.” Her mother winked.
Hailey just about stamped her foot. “Would you stop that? Just because I’ve seen Jonathan a few times doesn’t mean I’m marrying him.”
She nearly added, In fact, it’s been more about him wanting to see me. Their brief, long-distance relationship had barely given them time to talk in person, and it seemed impolite to break up on the eve of his sister’s wedding. She didn’t want to jinx Isabelle.
Her mother made a vague, mmm-hmm sound and tugged the shoulder strap of Hailey’s dress to one side.
Hailey tugged it right back. “Mom…”
Her mother huffed. “You know, you didn’t use to fuss so much.”
Hailey nearly blurted, That was when I was a kid and I had no choice. But that only would have gotten her mother started on her whole How can you be so ungrateful when I’ve done so much for you speech, so Hailey held her tongue and swung her jaw from side to side instead.
“Don’t do that. It’s not pretty.”
Her mother didn’t used to get on her nerves this badly. But lately…
“I’m not on the clock, Mom.”
“People will still be watching you.” Her mother smiled like that was a good thing.
Hailey made a face. People were always watching. Commenting. Sneaking pictures and whispering, It’s her! It’s her! Hailey Crewe! She’d had to live with that for the past three years, ever since her modeling career took off.
An accidental career she kept meaning to end, a lot like her relationship with Jonathan. She just had to find the right time to break the news. Hailey looked out the open window at surfers bobbing in the water off Waikiki, waiting for a perfect wave. They looked so relaxed, so free. So spontaneous. Everything she couldn’t be.
Not in her current life, anyway. She fingered her necklace and let her gaze drift to the craggy crown of Diamond Head. Hawaii might be just the place to make that break and start something new. She closed her e
yes, picturing it.
It was getting to be a little fantasy with her — making her career-ending announcement, then kicking up her heels and turning her back on it all. Make that, running away from it all. The intense schedule. The constant dieting. Sexist producers. How superficial it all was.
Of course, if Hailey did that, her mother would have a heart attack — or at least, fake one. Her agent would flip, and the media would whip themselves into a frenzy if she didn’t time it exactly right. Maybe when another top model hit the news with a record-breaking deal or shocking news, like a bombshell divorce or a drug arrest. Hailey didn’t wish any of that on anyone but, heck. If one of those things did happen, she’d grab the chance for a quiet exit, stage right.
She must have been smiling at the notion, because her mother chuckled. “Ah, I see you’re dreaming of your own wedding.”
That snapped her out of the fantasy with the force of a car slamming into a brick wall. “Marriage isn’t my major goal in life, Mom.”
“Which I can’t understand, not when you have a good man like Jonathan.”
Good meant rich, Hailey knew. As in, billions. She hadn’t even realized at first, but the more she’d gotten to know Jonathan, the more she’d realized how much money ruled his life.
“He’s only a few years older than you,” her mother went on, extolling his virtues. “He’s in good shape, and you look great together…”
Hailey rolled her eyes. Was that important?
Her mother sighed. “Would you stop fiddling with that ugly thing?”
Hailey bristled. Her pearl was a family heirloom, but since it wasn’t the round, shiny type — just an oblong, undulated pearl — it wasn’t good enough in her mother’s eyes.
Her mother tugged her shoulder strap down again. “You have such nice shoulders, honey. Nothing wrong with showing a little skin.”
“At a wedding?”
“Gotta make a splash.” Her mother grinned.
No, she didn’t. When would her mother get that? She’d had her lucky break and made it big. Modeling had lifted her and her mother out of poverty. Why did her mother always demand more?
