by A. K. Koonce
His eyes flutter closed, and he groans low and quiet and lustful. I know it’s a sort of warm and tingling sensation, and despite how much I need to save my magic, I can’t help but do it once more just to watch his carnal reaction.
Another growling sound of pleasure shakes through him and, suddenly, his hands are gripping my hips. The smooth feel of his erection against my stomach makes my core tighten as I stand there with my hands held caressingly against his neck.
The small amount of energy I used was worth it to hear the sounds of his pleasure.
In the quiet darkness, my fingers trail up the strong column of his throat before settling against his jaw.
He’s handsome. His features are carved from stone with beauty that’s too alluring to ignore. He really is a predator. Built to attract and built to destroy all at the same time.
For a moment, my attention lingers on his full lips. His lashes flutter open just as my tongue rolls across my lips as I think about every detail of his body that’s pressed nicely against mine.
I oddly don’t want to kiss him. The thought of it causes a sinking feeling to drop right through my stomach. I don’t want to kiss anyone. I don’t want sweet sentiments and love. Not at all. Not ever again.
But the hard way Chaos’ body is surrounding mine makes me wish I did.
His head dips low and fear strikes through me.
Fuck, he’s going to kiss me.
I arch back from him, still holding him and allowing him to hold me but my face is pulled as far away from him as I possibly can.
Confusion darkens his eyes
“I—I think you’re okay. It wasn’t as bad as it seemed.” My hands pull away from him, awkwardly raised just near his face.
He still holds me tightly against him as if he’s fighting a primal demand within him.
“Thanks,” he says slowly, his grip on me finally loosening before his hands slip sadly away from me entirely.
I turn around, letting out a long breath once he’s out of sight but still very much in mind. My fingers slip over the soft kitchen curtain and I pull it away. The cloth is offered to him, and he smirks as he takes it. He wraps it carefully around his lean hips. The golden skin of his stomach demands my attention, but I force myself not to let my gaze linger on his defined body.
I step past him and my shoulders lower as another deep exhale leaves me. The small bed meets my palms, and I push down until I’m comfortably lying on top of the blankets. My face sinks into the soft pillow, and all I want is for this night to be over.
It is very much not over though.
The bed dips low and his big body settles over mine. The air pushes forcefully from my lungs as he hugs his body against me.
“Not tonight. I just want to sleep alone, K.”
“K? Is that like a term of endearment?” A weird happy tone fills his words and my stomach sinks.
It does sound like a term of endearment.
Eww.
“I think I’m just lazy and didn’t want to put effort into your name, Chaos.”
“How endearing.” His big palms slip around me as his head settles low against my back. The trimmed beard makes my spine arch against the tickling feel of it.
We’re opposite of how we normally sleep. Instead of his hands pushing against my spine, they’re pushing between my hips, and I can’t help but shift against his heavy touch. His fingers tense against the sensitive skin between my hipbones, so low but not low enough. With a breath caught in my lungs, I wait for him push our boundaries, to skip the heated looks and teasing touches and slide his fingers right where I want them.
Big hands flatten against my navel, no longer sweeping against my flesh in a tingling torment that makes every fiber of my being ache. Warm lips whisper against my lower back as he brushes a chaste kiss over my spine. A shiver shakes through me.
“Good night, Low.”
The tension in my chest slips away on a heavy breath.
“Good night, K.”
A rumbling sound of amusement hums through his chest and against my back, and I think about how good he feels wrapped around me until I finally fall asleep.
Chapter Eight
Reckless Emotions
I slip out from beneath the sweet dragon before dawn even strikes the horizon. It only takes an hour of my time to run my errands this morning. Once again, I buy a couple pairs of jeans and shirts for the guys, but then, before I head home, I make one more stop. Grim saunters toward me as I trail up the worn path to the front door.
“Good morning.” I can’t help but always talk to him like a person. I probably talk to my little hellhound more affectionately than I do other people.
His soft fur meets my palm as I push between his ears, and he hums an approving sound. The warmth of his body skims against my legs as he leans into me before I slip inside. Bright lines of sunlight cast across the old boards and Chaos lifts his head from the blankets as the door clicks closed behind me.
“You left?” Confusion lingers in his eyes. “Without me? The whole point of me being here is to protect you from that mage.”
Aww. He’s trying to protect me from myself. Good luck.
“I got us breakfast.” I easily ignore his frustrated tone and the mention of food seems to be the perfect distraction.
He holds his curtain in place around his hips as he slowly makes his way toward me.
“What’d you bring?” The checkered cloth on top of the basket is pushed away as he peeks inside. His lips curl slightly. “Grapes? You got us grapes.”
I take a look myself, making sure I got everything I asked for. “And apples.”
His pretty eyes search mine as if this might be a cruel joke.
“I—I’m a dragon, Low.”
Wow. He’s playing the dragon card right now.
“Oh. I assumed you were a man too who needed more than just meat to survive. I guess I’ll just eat this myself.”
His fingers grip the edge of the basket as I start to pull it away.
“No. No, grapes sound—” His voice cuts out slightly like he can’t bring himself to say it. “That sounds really good. Thanks.”
A small smile pulls at my lips. It makes me happy that he’s willing to eat something he obviously doesn’t like just because I got it for him.
I pull out a chair at the table and he takes down two white plates for us. The ones with the chips and cracks in them. The only ones I have. But he knows exactly where they are.
Because, in his head, he’s lived here for months.
“What’s dragon years compared to human years?” I cut an apple for us and divide it out on a plate as he steals a grape and pops it into his mouth before sitting down.
“Um, I don’t know. I’m twenty-five, but my dragon feels older. Wiser. If you can believe that.” He winks at me and smiles even more when I roll my eyes at him.
“That is hard to believe.” I nibble on a slice of apple as he puts the whole thing in his mouth and chews approvingly.
“This is really good.”
I can’t help but smirk. It’s just an apple, but he’s sweet enough to show his appreciation.
He’s different from the other two. Less guarded.
“How long have you guys known each other?”
His gaze shifts to the sunlight outside, and I wonder if he’ll cut our small talk short and avoid my prying questions.
“Since we were kids. My mom and Kain’s mom grew up together; therefore we grew up together. Brothers by bond, I guess. We met Rime when we were teens. He’s from the north originally. When we met him, he … was alone. A lot in his life. And it showed.” A sigh skims from his lips like he doesn’t want to say more but he wants to explain too. “Rime isn’t good with trusting people. He’s never had to really. While Kain and I grew up as playful children, it was safer for Rime to grow up … as a dragon. He was alone, and to protect himself, he rarely ever shifted into his human form.”
My brows arch at his words. Rime’s more beast tha
n he is man. How terribly sad. I’m not the same, but I do know what it’s like to be alone and afraid.
What happened to him to make him so distrusting?
“I can’t imagine not having at least a family.” My lips part as I realize I said those words aloud.
Chaos steals another slice of apple, his fingers brushing mine just slightly.
“Well, that’s not true. He has us. We’re a family. The only family that matters. Among all the bullshit of his past, he has us.”
I nod, trying to push out the pressing feeling within my chest.
I’m—jealous in a way.
My family was there for me, but they never embraced me as a mage. They always hid me away because it was safer. The powers within me, and my emotions in general, suffered because of it.
I shove away that pitying feeling and choose snark instead.
“What’s Kain’s excuse then? Why’s he so damn charming?”
Chaos’ lips quirk into a smile that makes my stomach tangle, and my gaze clings there for a moment too long.
“Kain.” A humming noise catches in his throat, his attention held on the way I’m pushing the last bite of my apple into my mouth. “Kain is a mess. He’s been hurt too much for him to be as happy as he should be.”
He’s been hurt? He’s so handsome and strong, I can’t imagine anyone hurting him. But I know what it’s like to be hurt and to hide it.
“And you’re the stable one of the three? Carefree and full of happiness.”
His gaze holds mine, shining with color and life and energy that seem to buzz between the two of us. There’s a sadness there in his amber and sapphire eyes that seems to tear away the happy feeling leaving me with a twisting sensation of guilt.
“I guess.” He shrugs before standing, taking the jeans and striding away from me before he pauses for only a moment. His next words are spoken so low I barely hear his quiet confession.
“Or maybe it’s just easier to pretend.”
***
My arms fold across my chest as we wander up to the tree line we left Kain and Rime in. The thick branches overhead shadow over the two dragons. The moment I’m near enough, they shift in a swirl of red and white like winter snow mingling with fresh blood.
I’d like to say that I’m used to their nudity by now, but I might never be. I do applaud myself for pretending not to acknowledge their dicks.
“She show up yet?” Chaos nods to Kain.
“I doubt it.”
Three sets of confused eyes land on me, and it takes a moment longer for me to realize I said that sarcastic remark aloud.
“I mean, obviously she hasn’t.”
I avoid their narrowed eyes, and instead, I peer past them, meeting Agatha’s vacant gaze. She stands in her small front yard, staring directly at me. We’re concealed here. Completely out of sight within the forest, but it doesn’t stop the intelligent mage from keeping tabs on us.
“Morning, Low.” She waves as if she’s all too aware of the four of us lurking in the shadows. “That bitch show up yet?” Her voice sounds frail against the curse word, and it takes everything in me not to smirk at her fond new name for me.
I suppose I deserve that.
“No, she hasn’t. No sign of her yet.” I yell back to her.
She nods as she picks a plump tomato off a vine and adds it to her basket.
“Well, I’m sure she’ll turn up.” She ignores us as she pulls another nice round tomato from the vine.
Kain’s eyes narrow on the old woman as if he might tackle her to the ground and demand information from her.
I roll my eyes at how ridiculous my life has become lately.
Talking about myself in third person to my only friend in life. Prancing around in plain sight while I pretend not to exist entirely. I’m just digging my own grave really. But I can’t leave until I have the money.
“I brought you a snack.”
Rime and Kain both turn to me with rapt attention until they see the two apples in my hand. Once more, I’m met with scowling glares.
It’s like these assholes have never seen an apple before.
“It’s not going to kill you to eat fruit, I promise.”
Rime snatches the apple from my hand, his fingers skimming against my wrist before he takes an enormous bite.
“I’ll eat basically anything.” He doesn’t look at me as he chews, staring out at the dusty yard in front of Agatha’s cottage as if he might have missed his mage in the ten seconds it took him to engage with me. His teeth sink nearly into the core with another large and careless bite.
Kain slowly takes the other apple and with less enthusiasm, he takes a small, slow bite. Sunlight shines on his fiery hair making it brighter, making his forest green eyes darker, making him entirely too attractive for his own good.
But it doesn’t distract me from noticing that I received zero thank-yous for thinking of them.
Of the three dragons, it’s easy to see Kain is the leader. The alpha. It’s like he carries the weight of their problems on his shoulders and he watches out for them even if he doesn’t realize he’s doing it. I wonder what it’d be like to always have someone on my side like that.
“Everything okay at home?” Kain turns to me, and I realize I’m still studying the curve of his jaw when he tilts his head down to meet my gaze. “Everything okay?” he repeats slowly.
“Yeah. Perfect. Nothing to worry about.”
He shakes his head, his hard gaze shifting over every shadow.
“Good. We’ll take care of this. I—I’m sorry we dragged you into this.” The sincerity in his voice makes the guilt within me rise to an unbearable high, threatening to drown me for deceiving these innocent men.
The tightness in my chest doesn’t allow a single word to slip past my lips, so I nod instead.
“Take her home. Take care of her. If anything happens, just let me know.” Kain taps intentionally against his temple, and my brows lower as Chaos slips his hand into mine. I’m still watching Kain when Chaos starts to lead me away, back the way we came.
Fierce emerald eyes lock on mine, holding my gaze until I’m completely out of sight. I feel Kain’s attention burning across my flesh even after the silence and peace starts to settle in.
“What did he mean when he tapped his head?”
“You’re a curious woman. Take it from someone who knows, nothing good comes from too much curiosity.”
His words only make me more interested, about him more than anything. Chaos is the tallest of the three, well over six feet tall with the solid muscle mass to match. He’s unexpectedly sweet and gentle despite his bulky exterior. It doesn’t surprise me to know he’s a curious creature as well.
“I’m a beast tamer. It interests me.”
“So, you like to study us? Is that why you’re always checking Kain out?” He pauses for a beat. “I always thought Rime was the pretty one.” His shoulder bumps against my bare arm, his hand still loosely holding mine. The teasing lilt of his voice makes me smile but the honesty in his word circles my mind. He thinks Rime is pretty ...
He’s not wrong.
“I studied animals for years actually.”
“You’re good with animals.” His tone becomes serious but quieter. “My dragon side loves you. He’d try to steal you away for himself if I let him.”
Dragons are greedy by nature, but his comment has me openly gaping at him. No one’s offered to steal me away in a long time.
I’m older now. I don’t need someone to save me from my life.
Not that I’m doing such a spectacular job on my own.
“In our dragon form, there’s a bond that can be made. It’s so intense our thoughts and emotions link together.”
“Like telepathically?”
His lips part as he thinks through his thoughts.
“Kind of. It’s typical for a family to speak between themselves within their minds. Kain and Rime and I have been together so long we just synced up. It’s even stronge
r for mates.”
Mates. An intense love that syncs creatures’ minds, bodies, and souls. My heartbeat kicks up a gear at the sound of the serious word. I wonder if he’s ever felt that.
I’m bordering on information overload but I can’t help myself from learning more about him.
“Have you ever mated with someone before?” I try not to look at him as I ask the personal question.
His lips pull up into that half smile he always has. That sexy look that demands my attention.
“No. Dragons want to mate for life. Doesn’t always happen. It almost happened for Kain.” His mouth snaps shut as if he wishes he could take those words back.
Intrigue swirls through my mind, but I can tell he isn’t going to say more about that topic. Is that who hurt Kain? My stomach twists at the thought of someone hurting him.
“What about you?” His attention swings to me, hanging on my words before they’re even spoken.
Sinister’s name circles my head on repeat, sending my emotions into a frenzy of confusion and sorrow. He was my best friend.
And the years have passed so slowly I’m not even sure of what my own feelings for him were anymore.
“No. Not really.” I hate that I just said that. But it’s easier to say I never loved him than to explain the mess of a life I’ve led.
Falling in love with my ex-boyfriend’s brother isn’t something I advertise. Saying I ruined his life and mine sounds pretty terrible. Telling someone I’m on the run from said ex-boyfriend also isn’t exactly something I want to share. Especially with the man who’s currently holding my hand and sending me shy smiles that start to make my ovaries plot what our future dragon shifter babies would look like.
Why am I such a mess?
“I find that hard to believe. You act like you’ve had your heart broken. Destroyed.” Another small smile is passed my way.
Ignoring his entirely too correct statement, I look away from him.
This feels like a date… All of this. Every bit of being with Chaos feels like romance threw up all over my day.
I hate it.
I love it.
I hate that I love it.
My hand pulls away from his warm touch, choosing to fold my arms across my chest instead. For the rest of the day we walk and talk and I don’t even realize that we’re just roaming around as an excuse to get to know one another. It’s odd but he makes it so simple. Everything about Chaos is this easy feeling that I haven’t felt … possibly ever.
