Protector Dragon

by Liv Rider

  “Relieved to be safe?”

  “Yes, but also relieved that it’s over. I’ve spent so long worrying about my family finding out where I lived, and now they know and they did their worst, but they can’t hurt me. Not anymore.” He let out a shaky breath. “I think maybe it was for the best, you know, them kidnapping me.”

  “What?” His mate couldn’t be serious. “How?”

  “Because now we can all move on. I think otherwise I always would’ve worried about it in the back of my mind, you know. I even got to say goodbye, sort of.”

  “You’re a ridiculous man.” Thomas pulled him in for a hug. “Brave, but ridiculous. You got kidnapped and you think it’s a good thing.”

  “What was it you said? About humans being as powerful as shifters? That we could be smarter or more stubborn? I guess we can also be more ridiculous than shifters.”

  “You’re definitely more ridiculous.” Thomas kissed him. “I love you.”

  Joel went very still, then smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. “Oh.”

  “What? I love you. You know that, right?”

  Joel nodded. “I don’t think you said it before, when we talked about being mates and what that meant. I guess we got a little distracted by, uh, arguing over it.”

  “And then you got kidnapped.” The way Joel was smiling made Thomas feel giddy too. It felt good to say it. “I love you.”

  Joel’s cheeks were getting redder. “Stop it.” He rested his forehead against Thomas’ shoulder.

  “I love you.” Thomas pressed a kiss against his hair. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend the rest of my life with.” With Joel in his arms, he felt complete.

  “I never thought I’d be with a shifter. You’re the opposite of what I expected, but exactly what I need and want.”

  Thomas was sure his own smile was as goofy as Joel’s had been. “So are you.”

  Joel kissed him, pressing his body against Thomas’. Thomas was lost in the feeling and sensation, the warmth and joy. He’d never felt happier. Joel smiled when he broke the kiss. “Mmm, it’s pretty late, we should go to bed.”

  “You must be exhausted.” Thomas immediately felt a wave of concern. He should’ve realized Joel would want to get some sleep. “How much sleep did you get?”

  Joel laughed. “Not enough. But that wasn’t why I think we should go to bed.” His smile turned into a suggestive smirk.

  “Oh.” Well, he did like the idea of that. “Are you sure? You’ve had a rough day.”

  “Thomas, I swear, if you ask me one more time today if I’m sure about something, I’m—I’m heading back home to sleep in my own bed.” He pushed against Thomas’ shoulder. “I’ve heard about powerful protective shifter instincts, but could you dial it down a little?”

  His dragon, still radiating concern for Joel’s well-being, was taken aback. We mean well!

  I think he knows that. “I’ll try. No guarantees. I was panicking almost constantly while you were gone.”

  “That’s sweet.” Joel kissed him again. “It’s weird, but every time I felt panicky, I thought of you and I instantly felt better. I knew you were coming for me.”

  “I’ll always come for you.”

  “Great! Time to move things to the bedroom, then.” He tugged on Thomas’ hand.

  It took Thomas a second to realize his own double entendre. “I didn’t mean it like that!”

  “Too late.” Joel led him into the bedroom. “Unless you’d rather go to sleep?” Joel put his arms around Thomas again. “You must’ve had an exhausting day too, flying to Barnhill and back.”

  “Nothing I can’t handle.” It had been the longest flight for him in a while. “It was good to stretch my wings.”

  “You’ll have to take me flying again. It was amazing.”

  He certainly would if it made Joel beam like that. “I will.” He kissed Joel, deepening it as Joel slid his fingers through Thomas’ hair.

  His own hands were resting on Joel’s waist, but with Joel’s body pressed against his own, it wasn’t long before he was pulling up Joel’s sweater and t-shirt to get at the skin underneath. Joel smiled, breaking the kiss. “That’s a ‘no’ on going to sleep, then?” he asked, his lips not even an inch away from Thomas’.

  “We’ll go to sleep.” Thomas stroked Joel’s sides and felt him shiver when he found a sensitive spot. “Eventually.”

  Joel sighed happily, kissing Thomas again.

  Thomas maneuvered them over to the bed, trying not to trip and fall. Joel grunted when his shins hit the bed.

  “Wait.” Joel moved away from Thomas so he could pull the sweater over his head, followed by his shirt.

  Thomas reached out to touch him again, stroking his chest before wrapping his other hand around the back of Joel’s neck to pull him in for another kiss. It felt so good.

  “We’re never,” Joel managed after pulling away, “gonna get undressed if you keep kissing me.”

  “You’re very distracting.” Even now he still didn’t want to take his hands off of Joel. His skin was so smooth and warm; he never wanted to stop touching him. Joel pushed him away, shaking his head.

  “Just get your clothes off.”

  “Bossy.” Thomas did as Joel told him, sitting down on the bed and removing his socks. He flung one of them at Joel, who laughed.

  “Why weren’t you wearing socks this morning?” Joel opened his belt and buttons of his jeans. “When you shifted back? I know clothes can shift along with you.”

  “Yeah, but anything too tight or restrictive is annoying.” It was difficult to put into words. “Like it gets in the way. Maybe it’s because I have to shift into something so much bigger, but it feels easier if I wear loose clothing or nothing at all.”

  “You’ll have to show me some time,” Joel teased. “Prove that shifting naked really is easier.”

  Thomas tugged Joel closer by his belt. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were just interested in seeing me naked.” He kissed the skin above Joel’s belly button.

  Joel leaned closer. “Mmm, you’ve figured me out.”

  Thomas pulled Joel’s trousers down his hips along with his boxers. “You’re not the only one interested in seeing someone naked, you know.”

  “I’m not?” Joel’s hands were resting on his shoulders.

  Thomas kept tugging the trousers down until he’d freed Joel’s cock. It was half-hard and he wrapped one hand around the base. He heard Joel’s breath hitch. “Or should I take my clothes off first?” He looked up at Joel and smiled.

  “This is fine!”

  “Good.” He pumped his hand up and down and could feel Joel’s cock harden. Joel groaned above him, shifting on his feet, impatient for more. He licked the tip, then opened his mouth to let Joel’s cock slide inside his mouth.

  Joel moaned, his fingers digging into Thomas’ shoulders. “Oh!”

  Thomas closed his eyes, focusing on the sounds Joel was making so he knew how to make him feel even better. Joel liked it when Thomas took his cock deeper in his mouth, when he bobbed back and forth, and when he used his hand to stroke the base.

  It seemed that Joel liked everything Thomas was doing to him.

  “Thomas,” Joel managed, his hips rocking forward. “I—oh yes!”

  He didn’t want Joel to come already, so he moved his head back. He kept his hand wrapped around the base. “Yes?”

  Joel’s face was flushed. “I should lie down.” He let himself fall on the bed, right next to Thomas.

  Thomas smiled, getting up to help him with his trousers and boxers. His cock had hardened too, pressing uncomfortably against his own jeans. But the sight of his mate, naked and perfect in front of him, made him forget that discomfort.

  Ours. His dragon growled, sounding pleased.

  Thomas nodded. Ours. Forever.

  He joined Joel on the bed again, crouching over him and leaning down to kiss him, but Joel put his hand against Thomas’ shoulder and held him back. “What?�
�

  “Clothes.” Joel gestured at Thomas’ body with his other hand. “It seems a little unfair.”

  Thomas laughed, getting back up again. “Speaking of restrictive clothing,” he grumbled, taking off his clothes and letting them fall on the floor. They could worry about whose boxers were whose later. “Better?” he said, when he’d removed his underwear and stood up again.

  “Much.” Joel had pushed himself up on his elbows and was smiling. “Now you’re allowed to join me.”

  “Thanks for giving me permission to lie in my own bed.” Thomas pushed Joel down against the mattress, leaning over him as they kissed.

  Joel kissed him back immediately, wrapping both arms around his waist and hooking his knee behind Thomas’ thigh to pull them flush against each other.

  Thomas groaned into the kiss as their cocks rubbed together. Joel managed a pleased moan as well and began to rock up against Thomas. The friction and pressure felt so good, and Thomas had to stop kissing Joel so he could breathe. “Keep going like that,” he panted, “and this’ll be over in minutes.”

  “Mmm, try seconds.” Joel sucked in a sharp breath as he closed his eyes.

  Thomas leaned on one elbow, watching Joel. His mate moaned again, his eyelids fluttering and his fingernails digging into Thomas’ back. The sight of Joel enjoying himself like that only increased the pleasure flowing through his own body. He could watch Joel like this for hours, but there was no way he’d be able to last that long. He wanted to be inside Joel, to be one with his mate. When he tried to push himself away from Joel to reach for the nightstand, Joel whimpered and opened his eyes.

  “Wait!”

  “Lube,” Thomas replied and Joel relaxed his grip on Thomas’ body. He rolled over to open the bottom drawer.

  Joel lay next to him, still breathing hard. “Is it always going to be like this?”

  “Like what?” Thomas found the lube and a condom. He had to squint to check the date.

  “This intense.”

  Thomas turned away from the nightstand to look at his mate. Joel’s face and chest were flushed, and he was idly stroking Thomas’ arm. “Well, we are true mates.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Joel’s eyes went to the bottle of lube and he already raised his knees, spreading them to give Thomas more access. “But every touch, every kiss feels way more intense with you. I’m pretty sure I could come just from making out with you.”

  Thomas’ dick twitched at that mental image. “Don’t say things like that.” He knelt between Joel’s knees. He ran one hand up and down Joel’s left inner thigh. “I feel like I could come just from watching you enjoy yourself.”

  Joel smiled, raising one eyebrow. “Oh really?” His voice was husky. “I think I’d like to test that theory.”

  Thomas kissed Joel’s left knee. “Mmm, and I’d like to test yours.” Making out with Joel on the couch, dry-humping like a couple of teenagers, sounded like fun. Everything with Joel sounded like fun.

  “Deal.” Joel raised one arm, gesturing for Thomas to do the same.

  Thomas rolled his eyes as he dropped the bottle of lube to high-five Joel. “Deal. Can I go back to preparing you now?”

  “Yes, please.” Joel spread his legs further, squirming on the mattress as Thomas opened the bottle of lube and spread it on his fingers. His mate gasped at the first touch of Thomas’ fingers, but he smiled and closed his eyes when Thomas slid a finger inside.

  Thomas kept looking at Joel’s face as he fingered him, wanting to be sure Joel wasn’t uncomfortable or in pain when Thomas added a second finger. But Joel remained completely relaxed, gasping a few times and smiling, pushing his hips towards Thomas. It was obvious Joel was growing impatient for more.

  Joel’s moans grew louder at the third finger. He arched his back, and his hands clutched the sheets underneath him. “Yes. Yes.”

  Thomas had to look away for a moment. He was so close already. Judging from his noises, so was Joel. He tried to think of unpleasant things, like Joel getting kidnapped again, in order to cool his lust, but Joel’s soft moans didn’t help. “Are you ready?”

  “Hm-mm.” Joel nodded, his eyes fluttering open to look at Thomas. “More than ready. I want you.”

  His words weren’t helping either. At least there was nothing sexy about putting the condom on. Thomas kept his mind firmly on boring things, like annoying meetings and council members who had one last point to discuss when the meeting should’ve been over fifteen minutes ago. “How about you set the pace?” He moved to sit next to Joel with his back against the headrest.

  If Joel set the pace, there would be no chance of Thomas losing his self-control and moving too fast. Besides, he’d be able to touch Joel as much as he wanted to if Joel sat in his lap.

  Joel looked confused for a moment as he lay on the bed, then sat up suddenly. “Oh, right! Yes! Yes, definitely, yes.” He laughed as he straddled Thomas. “This will be fun.”

  “Mmm, it already is.” Thomas had his hands on Joel’s waist, not pushing him down, just stroking him.

  Joel reached down to wrap one hand around Thomas’ cock. “Okay, I can’t really see what I’m doing, so I’ll…” He lowered himself, then frowned.

  Thomas moved his hands down to spread Joel’s cheeks, making it easier for his cock to line up with Joel’s hole. “Better?”

  “Yeah.” Joel was frowning in concentration, looking down at their groins. “I can feel it, that’s it.”

  Thomas nodded. He could feel his cock slowly slipping inside Joel. “It is.” He kept his hands on Joel’s ass, even though it wasn’t necessary anymore. He gave it a light squeeze, making Joel laugh.

  Joel had one hand on Thomas’ shoulder to steady himself. “Stop being impatient.”

  “I’m not. I’m enjoying myself.” He was more than happy to let Joel set the pace. Slowly but surely he slid deeper and deeper, and Joel’s perfect heat enveloped his cock. Joel moved up a little, then pushed down harder than before, gasping when that drove Thomas’ dick even deeper.

  “So am I,” Joel panted. “Fuck.”

  “Good fuck?” He moved his hands back up, stroking Joel’s back.

  “Best.” Joel kissed him. “Best fuck.”

  Thomas could only nod in agreement as Joel repeated the move. This was the best idea he’d ever had. He could hold Joel, could watch his face, and could kiss him whenever he wanted. This was perfect.

  Joel kept moving to take all of Thomas’ cock inside of him, breathing hard as he did. “You feel so good,” he muttered, when Thomas kissed his cheek. “So good, Thomas.”

  “Mmm, so do you.” Thomas hugged Joel close.

  Joel had let go of Thomas’ cock, since most of it was buried inside of him, so he could wrap his arms around Thomas too. They clung to each other as Joel let the last few inches slide inside.

  “There you go.” He kissed Joel’s shoulder, then nuzzled his neck. He loved inhaling Joel’s delicious scent, and licked the sweat off his skin.

  Joel laughed. “Give me a second.”

  “You can have as many seconds as you want.” Thomas would happily stay like this for as long as Joel liked.

  Joel took a few deep breaths in and out, then began to move up and down. Slowly at first as he got a feel for what felt good for him and for Thomas, but soon he was rolling his hips and leaning on Thomas for support. “Yes,” he panted, right in Thomas’ ear. “Yes, yes, so good, fuck!”

  Thomas closed his eyes, letting the sounds and sensations wash over him and fill his body and soul. The pleasure was overwhelming, coursing through his veins, increasing with every move Joel made. “Please, Joel.” His own breathing was as ragged as Joel’s. “Please.”

  Joel shuddered in his arms. Thomas wasn’t sure if it was from the sex or because Joel was into hearing Thomas beg, but he was willing to do it again in the future to find out which one it was. He wasn’t even sure what he was begging for. He only wanted more of this. He rocked his hips up to meet Joel, trying to find a rhythm that was eve
n better. Once they found that rhythm, it wasn’t long before Thomas was speeding up his thrusts, holding Joel tighter and feeling Joel’s fingers dig into his skin.

  Joel came first, writhing and moaning in Thomas’ arms as he did. Thomas kept thrusting, listening to the little whimpers and feeling Joel sag against him. He was so close, just a little longer, a little more.

  He groaned into Joel’s neck as he came, pulling Joel down and burying his cock as deep as possible. Ecstasy took over, filling his body with more bliss than he had ever thought possible. The wave passed eventually and he was glad to be sitting down. He didn’t think he could move.

  Fortunately, Joel could. He pushed himself up, letting Thomas’ cock slide out of him. He slowly lay down on the bed, tugging on Thomas’ arm so he would join him.

  Lying down sounded good, so after tying a knot in the condom and throwing it on the floor, Thomas lay down next to Joel, scooting closer until they were spooning.

  Joel hummed with pleasure. “That was amazing.”

  “You’re amazing,” Thomas told him, stroking Joel’s stomach.

  “Mm, so are you.” Joel snuggled even closer. “I think I’m going to sleep for at least a day.” Then he gasped. “Shit, I haven’t even told Claire and Charlie that I’m back!”

  Thomas rubbed his arm as Joel began to move. “It’s the middle of the night. You can’t call them now. Do it in the morning.”

  “Oh yeah.” Joel settled down. Thomas wrapped his arm around Joel again, and Joel’s hand found his own, twining their fingers together. “I don’t even remember if I’ve got a shift tomorrow.”

  “Think about what you want to tell them before you call.” He kissed Joel’s shoulder. He loved his mate’s dedication to his colleagues and his work. “It can be the truth or as close to the truth as you want. They seemed worried about you when I went and asked.”

  “They deserve to know. I mean, except for the shifter part, obviously. But they know I didn’t exactly leave my family on good terms…”

  “It’s your call.” Part of him wanted to advise Joel on how to talk around the topic of shifters and how to dodge questions, but that was the side of him that was Keeper of the Peace. What Joel needed was a mate who trusted and supported him.