He nodded. “It is.”
“Is that why you’re hiding?” She shook her head. “No, I said I would wait for you to tell me. I’ll be more respectful.”
“You’re fine,” he said, raising his head with a groan. He turned to face her and put his other hand over hers. “You’re more than fine. You’re amazing. I just didn’t want to… I wasn’t ready to—”
“You did it to save us,” she said, eyes widening as she realized what he’d done. Whatever he was, he clearly had to keep it secret. Despite that, he’d revealed himself in order to save her life.
It only made her love him more. Which only made her feel even more off-kilter in this situation.
She wasn’t even supposed to fall for him in the first place. He’d made no promises. She knew he liked his life alone.
It was just that they had so much fun together. They shared so many interests. And they were a good contrast, him always staying on the safe side, her pulling them out to adventure.
She squeezed his hand again. “Thank you, if that’s what you did.”
He nodded. “I couldn’t let you get hurt. God, what am I going to do after this? Follow you around, making sure no one hurts you?”
She laughed. “Or you could just stay around. Come out of hiding sometimes to hang out with me.”
He let out a pent-up breath, then looked at her with those blazing blue eyes. “I’d like that.” He lowered his head to look at their hands, and his mouth turned down in stress.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” She pulled one hand free and gently tilted up his chin. He was such a big person that she could never have done it if he didn’t want to. His eyes met hers, and she felt nervous about the tortured expression there. “You know you could tell me anything.”
“Not without putting you in more danger,” he said. “I’m not supposed to be here. You’re not supposed to know about anyone like me. A lot is going wrong.”
“No, a lot is going right,” she said, staring into his eyes insistently. “No one deserves to live in the shadows. Hidden away and all alone.” She smiled, thinking of Xander. “Well, mostly alone.” She stroked his hand. “Still, I don’t know how you did it.”
“You can do a lot of things just trying to survive,” he said. “Then one day you wake up and you’re no longer living. Just a shell. And you’re not sure how it happened or what to do about it. Then someone comes into your life and your shell breaks. And the world is new and wonderful and awful at the same time.”
“I get it,” she said. “Leaving home was like that for me. Though, I get this is different.”
He nodded. “Listen, I have to tell you something, and it’s not going to be easy. You won’t want to believe me, but please don’t laugh. I’m not going to lie to you.”
“Okay.”
He took a deep breath. “I’m a dragon.”
She blinked in confusion. “What?” Of all the things she’d expected him to say, like he was a UFO or a ghost or something, dragon was the last thing she imagined.
And what did that even mean?
“I should probably tell you I can read thoughts,” he said. “I try not to unless someone is being really loud, like they want me to hear them, but yes.”
She felt blood rush into her cheeks. “Like what thoughts?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Not many. But yeah, you should know.”
She felt oddly violated by that. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because, as I said, I rarely hear them. You really want to know what I heard?”
She nodded stubbornly. “Women need their secrets.”
He sighed. “All I heard was you thinking I was hot a couple times. That’s it.”
She grinned. “Well, you didn’t need to read minds to see that one.” She eyed him carefully. “Plus, you think I’m hot as well.”
“Of course I do,” he said. “I think you’re so much more than that. That’s why I seem to have lost all sense and gotten us both into trouble.”
“But we’re fine,” she said. “No one saw, or if they did, they didn’t know what they were seeing.”
“That’s probably true.” He relaxed slightly. “Still, I’ve been too reckless.”
“No,” she said, scooting in closer. “As far as I’m concerned, you’ve been just reckless enough. I’m fine. I’m not running away, even though you told me you were a dragon. Though, um, I’ll need you to explain what that is.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Dragon? Mythical creature. Usually storming castles and hiding treasure in caves.”
She gaped. “That kind of dragon?”
He let out a choked laugh. “What other kind is there?”
“I mean, there are Komodo dragons,” she said thoughtfully. “Their bites are necrotic and cause flesh to…” She trailed off. “But this isn’t about that.”
Tristan looked vaguely disturbed. “Well, I’m not a Komodo dragon. I’m the other kind.”
“I see,” she said. “How come I couldn’t see you?”
“We can cloak. For flying,” he said.
“Why can’t you be out more, then? If you can disappear like that?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Because there are other dragons. I’m not supposed to be here. In their territory.”
“Where’s your territory, then?”
“I don’t have one,” he said, and then there was shame in his eyes for some reason.
“Why?”
“I told you my parents left us, right?”
She nodded.
“Xander and I… we’re unique. Even among dragons. I guess you could say wrong, more than unique.”
“Unique.”
“If you say so. Dragons like us are born in communities, raised to pair up and fight crime in the shifter world.”
“Shifter?” Her brain was starting to hurt now.
“You know, like werewolves? People that can turn into animals?”
“Ohh,” she said, feeling stupid for not getting it before. “You’re not always a dragon. You just turn into one.”
“Sort of,” he said. “My dragon is with me always. In here.” He touched his chest right over his heart. The gesture made her warm somehow.
“I see.”
“But Xander and I were born wrong. As twins, we couldn’t take our place with the other dragons. We didn’t… match up right.”
She could tell there was more to the story but also that he was getting overwhelmed with telling her. “That’s so unfair. It’s not your fault. Besides, twins are really cool.”
Tristan looked up at her ruefully, but a smile curved the corner of his full mouth. “Thanks. But it’s not how things are supposed to work.”
“So you don’t have a territory like the others?”
“No,” Tristan said. “Xander and I have had a few run-ins with the other dragons over the years. At first, we both had ideas about being heroes, proving ourselves on our own. But other dragons quickly broke us of that idea. They decided that we should be brought to the oracle, but Xander and I refused to go. Who knows what she would do with us?” Tristan shook his head. “No, we’re better off on our own. In exile.”
“Not anymore,” she said gently, getting him to look at her again. “I’m here with you. We can be out in the world. You deserve room too.”
“You don’t understand,” Tristan said. “There’s a whole other world out there, filled with shifters. Those men in the alley the night I first met you, they were wolves.”
“What?” She swallowed nervously. “I mean, I guess that makes sense. But damn.”
“Humans aren’t supposed to know about it,” Tristan said. “Well, those who aren’t mated to dragons.”
“Mated?”
“That’s something for another day as well,” Tristan said. “I’ve already probably told you more than I should have.” He tucked a curl behind her ear, and she shivered slightly at the touch. “But then again, you just call out to me. You always draw me out, make me take bigger ri
sks.”
“I can’t help it,” she said softly. “There’s something about you I just can’t leave alone.”
He exhaled slowly, slumping in either exhaustion or relief. “I couldn’t walk away from you either.”
“I’m glad it’s not just me,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not expecting anything, but—”
His lips closed over hers, warm and soft and urgent, and she melted into him and felt her whole body relax.
It was like nothing in the world could happen to her as long as he was there.
She pulled back, brushing her hand through his hair and sighing gently. “So your dragon, is he always invisible?”
“No,” he said. “But I can’t show you. It would be too risky.”
She nodded. “It’s okay. Tristan, you’re just Tristan to me. None of this changes anything.” She grinned. “I mean, it’s a big magical world out there. It’s kind of cool to think it’s bigger than I thought.”
“How can you take this so lightly?” His tone was slightly exasperated. “I kept secrets from you. I’m not what you thought.”
She kissed him, nipping at his lower lip and then swiping her tongue at the seam of his lips until he groaned and let her in.
His tongue took over hers, thrusting deep inside, heating her from her core outward. Then he pulled back, both of them breathing heavily.
“Did I ever thank you? For saving me?” She smiled at him, running her fingertips over his arm.
“You don’t need to,” he said. “Every kiss is more than I deserve.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head violently. “No, you deserve everything, Tristan. And as long as I’m around, you’re going to know that.”
She pushed forward, climbing into his lap so he had to let her. She snuggled in, and he finally smiled as he looked down at her smug face.
“I guess I better keep you around for a while.”
“I guess so,” she retorted, putting her hands around his neck.
He stroked lightly over her cheek, then trailed down to her shoulder, grazing her through her sweater.
She swallowed. “Are you… Are dragons normal? For sex I mean.”
His lips curved up in a teasing grin. Though he still had stress lines under his eyes, he seemed to finally be less nervous that she was going to run out and leave him. “Yes. Pretty much. Though, we can’t get STDs and we can’t get anyone pregnant unless we mate.”
“I see.”
“I wouldn’t have done anything with you if there was something that could affect you,” he said. “Most of the time, I’m basically human.”
“Except extra good-looking and extra strong,” she said, remembering the couch. She pushed herself up to nibble at his neck, making him gasp lightly.
She didn’t know where things were going to go from there. What would happen once he told Xander about what she knew.
Whether any outside dragons would find them.
Right now, her body just wanted to be one with him. Her heart wanted that as well.
“I’ve been thinking about what we did ever since last night,” she whispered in his ear, making him go rigid. “I don’t care if you’re a dragon or an outcast. I want more of you.”
He sighed as he reached down to tilt up her chin, making her face feel so small in his hands. “As I said before, I can never say no to you.”
“I mean—”
“But maybe that’s because you seem to match what’s in my heart,” he said, interrupting her. His hand found hers, squeezing lightly. “If you want more from me, then that’s what I’ll give you. Now or whenever you want.”
“Now,” she said breathlessly. In her experience, it was always good to live in the moment.
“Now.” He agreed, standing up and picking her up in his arms.
Her heart started to beat wildly as he carried her to the bedroom.
Chapter 16
Tristan loved the way Kelsie nestled into his arms as he carried her to the bedroom, delicate fingers gripping the collar of his shirt. Even her nails lightly grazing his skin as she did so was so hot.
He needed to touch her everywhere.
As he reached his room and kicked the door shut behind him, he noticed with some dismay that they were both a little dusty from their excursion to the junkyard, between the near catastrophe and just being there in the first place.
He didn’t want to get more dirt all over her by making love to her.
Which gave him an idea.
Instead of stopping at the center of the room, he walked past the bed, heading for the bathroom.
“Where are you going?” Kelsie asked, looking almost longingly at the bed.
“A slight detour.” When confusion echoed in her expression, he added, “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely make it worth your while.”
When he pushed open the bathroom door, they were greeted with the sight of the gigantic, plush master bath. And by the time he’d taken one step inside, Kelsie’s face was beaming with excitement.
“All in on the master bathroom,” she commented. “Nice.”
In fact, he had gone all in. The bathroom had a large, circular tub that was big enough to fit six people, marble tiles and rows of recessed lights above them, and a staggering glass-walled steam shower that could serve as a small office for most people.
He moved straight for the shower.
Kelsie squeaked a little as Tristan set her down. Already, her skin was slightly flushed, lips still wet from their kiss a moment ago.
He helped her out of her clothes until she was completely naked, so beautiful and sweet that Tristan could barely stand to look at her.
Then, before the cool bathroom air could reach her, he pressed several buttons on a digital pad inside, and hot streams of steam and water poured into the enclosed space from the roof and walls.
A second later, his clothes were off too, and he joined her inside, shutting the door behind him.
“Oh my God, this is amazing,” Kelsie exclaimed, moving toward the nearest stream of water and immersing herself in it.
Her eyes shut, and she mewled in relaxation as water cascaded over her skin in long rivulets, making her body shimmer and practically glow in the steam and light.
The dragon inside him was roaring. He’d hadn’t been this close to the creature in decades. Maybe ever.
All he’d ever done was ignore it.
Not tonight.
He strode across the shower, planting both his hands on the thick glass wall on either side of Kelsie, and her gaze shot to his, her body so small next to him like this.
He liked that.
She covered her breasts, holding their fullness in her hands as she looked up at him, nipples already hardening, begging for his tongue and fingertips.
He moved closer, letting the tension between them grow tighter. Around them, heat and liquid swirled like sexual mist. Kelsie’s eyes darted down to his hips, and she licked her lips before glancing back up again.
He leaned in, and his lips were so close to hers now they would brush if he spoke. It was like hovering too close to a bonfire. He could feel her harried breaths against his mouth. Could practically hear her heartbeat at this distance as Kelsie’s hands clung feebly to the slippery glass wall behind her.
And when he kissed her, everything turned upside down.
Or maybe it was right side up.
Kelsie sank into his kiss, and he kept himself propped against the wall, surrounding her as he took her mouth completely. All of her, all for him. She groaned against him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and the contact was electric.
Not wanting Kelsie to lose her grip or go anywhere but right where she was, right now, Tristan lowered his hands to her hips, holding her soft curves as he continued to thrust his tongue in to meet hers.
But he was ravenous. He really did need to touch all of her. So he moved across her cheek, placing light kisses that got more sensual and rougher as he moved to her ear, then lower to her neck.
“Good.” A second later, his mouth was occupied with sucking on the moist skin at her collar, dragging his teeth downward as he moved across and to the other side.
And while one hand kept her supported between him and the shower wall, the other moved to her right breast, skin gliding under his palm as the steam became so thick it was like making love in the middle of a hot cloud.
He stroked his thumb over her nipple, feeling it harden at his touch before he tweaked it lightly, making her moan in arousal.
But one hand wasn’t enough, and he used both now to squeeze her breasts, gathering them in his huge palms and then using his fingers to press into them.
Kelsie arched against the shower wall, slipping slightly lower, and Tristan moved one leg so his thigh was now between her legs, propping her up. Even in the shower, both of them covered with steam, he could feel the wetness of her sex against him, could feel the heat of her skin on his.
“Kelsie,” he uttered, pressing his leg into her with the barest amount of pressure, just enough to stroke into her clit. Kelsie shuddered from head to toe, her arms gripping him more tightly around his neck, fingers biting into his skin like fervent promises.
And when she ground her hips into him, electric heat seared his skin again where she touched him.
She was everything to him.
Tristan didn’t stop his kisses from covering everywhere he could reach her, owning and licking her skin even while his hands continued to stroke over her nipples. And as her sex slid across his leg over and over, he kept himself planted firmly around her, supporting her even as he couldn’t help but meet her part of the way by pushing his thigh up into her.
She groaned, the sound ringing off the walls and into his ears. And as they made slick heat between them, going faster and faster, Kelsie continued to tense, her legs shivering, coming slightly off the ground as she pressed more of her weight onto him.
Damn, if she wasn’t the most beautiful sight in the world. Naked, chest heaving with deep breaths, eyes closed in pleasure as she got closer and closer.
Dragon Next Door: Forgotten Dragons Book 1 Page 10
