The Bride Hunt Box Set: Books 1-3

by Charlene Hartnady

  Coal nodded once. He walked back the same way they had come, going the opposite direction as they hit a T-junction. They walked for another minute before he stopped at a door. It was big. Like everything else in this place. The doors were about three times the size of normal doorways. Ceilings were way higher.

  “Is this it?” she asked.

  “This is it.” He opened the door and gestured for her to go inside.

  “Well,” she felt a little awkward. “I guess I’ll see you later or tomorrow or something.”

  Coal sucked in a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You are mine.”

  “So you keep saying.”

  “This is my chamber,” he spoke slowly and carefully.

  “I don’t understand.” Oh! Shit! Wait, what? “You expect me to share your place with you? As in, live with you?” She shook her head.

  “It’s not a negotiation. Either you share with me or another male will take you.”

  “Pauline is alone.” She gestured back down the hall.

  “Flame has claimed her fully.”

  “Um.” What? Oh! “So, I need to have sex with you to get you to leave me alone. Is that right?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck like he’d developed a spasm. “If we rut, you won’t want me to leave you alone.” He smiled slightly. It lasted all of a half a second.

  “Oh really.” She folded her arms. “I highly doubt that. I’ll probably need medical help but I would be quite happy to be alone once the paramedics were done with me. I don’t do living together. I don’t do sleeping together. Sex, is fine as long as it’s quick, good and the person leaves afterwards.”

  “I don’t do quick. I do long and hard. Did you say good …?” He gave her a half smile. Lingering this time. Hello gorgeous, where have you been all my life? She didn’t just think that, did she? He didn’t just say that did he? Julie swallowed hard.

  His eyes narrowed and his voice deepened. Her nipples may or may not have tightened. “It will be better than you’ve ever had before and you will sleep with me afterwards. In my arms.”

  Yes!

  No!

  What the hell? “I d-don’t think so,” she stuttered half-heartedly.

  “I don’t just think so,” he took a step towards her, “I know so.”

  “You said you wouldn’t force me,” Julie blurted. She needed him to give her space. Needed this line of conversation to stop before she did something stupid like agree to having sex with him.

  Just like that, she watched him shut down. His eyes clouded and his neck muscles popped. His mouth pursed and a muscle ticked in his jaw. She almost apologized but pursed her lips instead. She didn’t owe him anything, least of all an apology.

  “Go inside,” he worked hard to keep the annoyance from his voice.

  What was he going to do with this female? Why hadn’t he just taken one of the others? One of the more agreeable females. Julie had decided that dragon shifters were without honor even though he had explained things to her. She seemed to understand, yet she had no clue.

  One minute it felt like she trusted him and the next not at all. Hot and cold. She ran at both temperatures and it was giving him a headache. Or he would, if he could get one. As it stood, he almost had a headache and for a shifter, that was saying something.

  At times she looked at him like a female did a male and then others she’d be looking down her nose, like he was something the mountain lion dragged in.

  Coal was used to taking what he coveted, but in this case he needed to back off. It was the last thing he wanted but he would need to force himself to be patient. It wasn’t that he felt anything for the human besides a passing interest. She should be thankful not willful. Insolent human. As much as he wanted to throw her out, he had been given a task to do and it would eat at him until he achieved it.

  The door behind them closed with a click. He tried to see his chamber through her eyes. It was big and facing one of the best views of the valley. His bed was enormous, the ceiling high. Even his tub was in his main living area. He enjoyed looking out across the vast mountains of the fire kingdom while bathing. There was a bathroom to the side with all the amenities, including a shower which he rarely used. A well-appointed cooking area was situated on the opposite side. They lived in the wild but enjoyed some measure of civility.

  They might be a private species but they still appreciated the luxuries of running water and electricity, which was generated by the nearby waterfall.

  Julie remained frozen in place, her gaze fixed on the large window that made up the whole front of his chamber. It was one-way glass.

  “Beautiful isn’t it?” He allowed his eyes to trace the peaks and valleys, the greens, browns and whites of the countryside. The sky was a perfect blue with wisps of clouds, streaked across a small section of the vast skyline.

  “Yes,” she breathed out the word.

  “You should see it during an electrical storm. The stars at night are enough to bring tears to your eyes as well.”

  “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.” Her eyes were wide. “It almost feels like we’re on top of the world.” Each word was softly spoken and filled with awe.

  “Shall I run you a bath?” he offered. “The view is better from in there.”

  “Um …” Her heart-rate increased dramatically. “No!” She shook her head. “Is there a more private tub that I could use … please.” He could scent her … not fear … more like nervousness.

  What was she nervous about? Was she ashamed of her naked body?

  Maybe she needed prompting. “I would not mind if you were to disrobe.”

  “Okay …” She didn’t seem too sure. She looked at him like he wasn’t in complete command of his faculties. “That’s good to know. I would still prefer privacy. A door that locks would be fantastic.”

  There must be something wrong with her body. Were humans so different to dragon shifters? He didn’t think so. They might be smaller on average but they were the same in the ways that mattered. Weren’t they? Maybe she was afraid that he would find her lacking or unattractive.

  Coal swallowed hard. “Through there.” He needed to back off. “It doesn’t lock but I won’t disturb you.” What if he did find her unattractive?

  She frowned. It was clear that she didn’t like the fact that the door didn’t lock. She really did think the worst of him. “Do they have any more of these dresses?” she asked. “I also had a toiletry bag.”

  A toiletry what? “There are some things …” He looked back at the door. A bag had been placed just inside his chamber. Coal picked it up. “Everything you might need will be in here. Let me know what else you need and I will make sure that you get it.”

  Julie took the bag from him. “Thanks.” She put it down and dropped to her haunches. She rummaged through the bag before taking out a pair of pants and a shirt. Then she rummaged some more. She looked up at him, a frown on her face. “I don’t see any underwear. The sizes are all over the place and bigger than I would normally wear. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining … clothes are clothes.”

  “I’m sorry about the underwear. We don’t wear any. It was an oversight. I will take down your sizes and requirements and will get you what you need as soon as possible.”

  She nodded. “I’m not the smallest,” she mumbled. “No bra … fun.” He wasn’t sure what she was unhappy about. Julie removed a smaller case from the bag. “Would you mind lighting a fire?” She pointed to the hearth. “It’s cold in here.” She rubbed her upper arms.

  He needed to try to remember that she was different. Humans didn’t have their capabilities.

  “Also,” she turned just before entering the bathroom, “you might want to make yourself a bed on the floor.” Julie disappeared behind the door before he could reply.

  A bed on the floor? He, the fire prince, sleep on the floor? This female was delusional. Coal would back off on a lot of things but they would be sleeping together. This was not negotiable. If

she was adamant about it, it would be her on the floor, not him.

  He walked towards the window. If she wasn’t going to use the tub, then he would. Coal turned the taps on and watched warm water fill the space. He threw in a scoopful of salt and herbs. Then he stripped from his pants and got in. Coal sprawled out in the still filling tub, feeling the stresses from the last few days leave him.

  This was one of his favorite things to do.

  He closed his eyes and let his worries take wing. His peace didn’t last as his mind began to wander. His brother would summon him tomorrow. What the hell was he going to say? That the female didn’t trust him, that she didn’t seem to like him much? Tension crept back. His neck muscles tightened up. He would worry about it tomorrow.

  One thing was for sure, he would win the female. He would. Of that there was no question. He was a warrior and of gold descent. He would remove all pressures on her for the time being. Allow her to settle and then he would aggressively go after her. Coal let his head fall back. He forced his mind to clear.

  Ten minutes later, the door to the bathroom opened. Her scent hit him. Citrus yet floral, a hot summer’s night indeed. She had a delectable smell. It made his mouth water for a taste. It was something, at least.

  Coal dipped his hands into the water and splashed his face. He allowed his head to dip under the water for a few seconds before coming back up.

  “Oh,” he heard her say as his head broke the surface of the water. It sounded like she let the word slip.

  Coal glanced back. Steam billowed from the room behind her. Her long dark hair was wet. It hung in tendrils around her shoulders. She wore baggy pants and a light pink shirt under an open sweater.

  By all that was scaly and green and clawed. By all that smoked and flamed. Pink was a good color on her. He felt his mouth gape. Her nipples dug into the thin material. He could make out the plump outline of her breasts. His mouth felt dry and his eyes overly large in his skull. Hell!

  He made a soft rumbling sound. No pressure! No staring. He lifted his eyes to her face. It was smooth and fresh. Her cheeks flushed. Her eyes … smoldering. So dark and lovely. Who knew that beneath all of that dirt and grime was such beauty. Her clothing was loose, except for around her breasts. There was no hiding them. No disguising those lush beauties.

  She crossed her arms and tilted her head upwards. “Don’t look at me like that.”

  “Like how?” His voice was husky. It couldn’t be helped. She was very different to dragon shifter females. Hugely different. Tiny yet curved in all the right places. She was plain until you really looked. Then you couldn’t stop looking.

  “You know how. You’re looking at me … well … like that.” She wrapped her arms tighter, trying to cover up. A shame!

  Why was she so skittish? She was ravishing. She should be naked. She should be underneath him, or in front of him or on top of him. Any position would do as long as he was inside of her.

  Coal clenched his jaw. Then he remembered her saying that it was cold. That explained the need to cover herself.

  “I’m looking at you like a male would look at a female, one he finds highly attractive. There is no sin in that.” Coal rose to his feet and stepped from the tub. “I believe you asked me to light a fire. I’ll do that now; you do not look comfortable.” He turned and reached for a towel.

  Julie squeaked. His gaze snapped to hers which was fixed on his cock.

  “Oh my dear god!” she was shocked. “It’s even bigger than I thought. Damn. Just damn. You aren’t ever touching me with that thing … just for the record.”

  “Here we go again,” he said, mostly to himself. “I am aroused by you. This is what happens to dragon shifters when they are aroused.” He gestured to his erect cock. It jutted from between his legs.

  “You could poke someone’s eye out or … how do you not fall over? How is there enough blood left in your body? Do you feel faint?”

  Coal felt his brow draw together. “I’m not sure I know what you mean. I feel fine and I can stand just fine.”

  She turned, giving him her back and she covered her eyes. “Maybe you should get dressed.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” he growled. “Turn around.”

  “No.”

  “Do it,” he said. “Is there something wrong with the way I look? Am I so hideous to you? So different from a human male that you have to turn away?” The idea stung. It made him feel turbulent inside.

  “That’s not it.” She turned back around. “You’re not hideous. You’re just really big … everywhere.”

  “So you keep saying.” Coal ran the towel over his body. Julie followed the motion with her eyes. Up and down and then up again. Her gaze was … heated. There was interest there, whether she wanted to admit it or not. Hah! The female found him attractive. That’s why she didn’t want to look. He had to suppress a grin. Warmth glowed inside his chest.

  “Put on some clothes already,” she practically growled. He had to bite his lip to keep from smiling. She found him very attractive.

  “Why?” he shrugged. “You have already seen me naked. This is how I look. I’m not ashamed. My cock is perfectly normal. You would need medical help, female, but not in the way that you think. You would need it to turn your eyeballs the right way around and to repair your damaged throat. Rutting me would be that good.” He tossed the towel over the back of a chair and made his way to the fireplace where he threw in a few logs.

  Once he had a pile of the things, he sought his inner flames and brought them forth. Heat and power filled him.

  “What the hell?” the human shrieked; she looked terrified.

  What now? They may as well be fire and ice, they were that different. Maybe she was right about them not being compatible. He hoped not.

  Chapter 12

  One second she’d been admiring his beefy ass. No, drooling over it. Tall, muscled with narrow hips and then that ass. It was made for holding. For squeezing. For ogling.

  Head out of the damn gutter, Julie.

  He tossed another piece of wood onto the fire and rubbed his hands together and then leaned forward. Julie had to stop herself from moaning. What a vision of pure masculinity. What a—

  Flames erupted from somewhere around his face. No, not his face, his mouth. They had to be coming from his mouth. They were long and bright. The logs in the hearth instantly sprang to life.

  “What the hell?” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh my god,” she added. Then she choked out a laugh, shocked.

  Coal turned, looking angry.

  “That was so hot,” she blurted without thinking. His back end was fine, from the front he was damn near off the charts. He was still a savage though. A caveman, barbarian shifter. He had a sweet side but he wasn’t ‘nice’. There was not a nice bone in his body. Bone … she had to suppress a laugh. Even that part of his anatomy was well put together.

  His frown deepened. “Of course it was hot. I breathed fire. You are a strange female.” He shook his head and walked towards her. She couldn’t help notice how his gaze moved back to her chest.

  Julie could almost see his jaw slacken and his pupils dilate. Men had always gone gaga over her boobs. Her ass may be on the big side and her looks pretty average but her breasts were great. She could totally win wet t-shirt contests with those babies.

  His jaw worked. His eyes seemed to darken. Then he looked up at her face. Julie expected the heat that had flared to dim but the opposite was true. His gaze grew even more intense. His cock gave a twitch.

  An honest to goodness twitch. Like it had a life of its own.

  Oh shit! A feeling of need zinged through her. It emanated from between her legs. It was pretty intense. She wanted him. She couldn’t have him though. Not without serious pain meds first. She also didn’t want him to get any ideas ‒ like ideas of her staying here, because it wasn’t happening.

  “Are you sure you want me to cover up?” He threw her a cocky grin.

  Julie couldn’t help but return it. “Yes, very sure.” No, please don’t! Give a horny lady a break.

  His grin widened as if he’d heard her internal dialogue. Coal stopped as he drew nearer to her. His grin disappeared and his angry-looking frown was back. He narrowed his eyes in thought and sniffed. His nostrils flared and he sniffed a second time.

  Then he took a step closer to her, and another, and another. Coal closed the space between them, moving into her personal space. His nostrils flared again but he didn’t make a sound. She could still tell that he was smelling her. “You are heavily aroused.” His voice was deep.

  Even though his words shocked her, it didn’t do anything to douse the need that coursed through her. His close proximity only made things worse. She could smell him. A unique smoky scent – go figure – with maybe a rosemary and sandalwood undertone. He smelled good. Really good.

  He wasn’t her type. He wasn’t her type. She normally went for the nerdy guys. The ones who did really well in school because they were overachievers. They rarely let her down. They made sure they got to the finish line at any cost. It wasn’t normally through straight sex but who the hell cared, an orgasm was an orgasm right?

  Right now, Julie wished she’d had one in recent months … a nerdy guy that was, even a lousy orgasm all on her own, for that matter. She’d been too busy working double shifts and trying to keep a roof over her head to worry about her body’s basic needs.

  Well, her body had decided it wanted to be paid back, with interest. She shrugged. “You’re naked and I’m …” May as well be honest. “I’m attracted to you.”

  What would she say if he hinted at sex?

  “I think we should rut.” His eyes were locked on hers.

  Talk about straight down the line. Oh hell! Her body screamed ‘yes’, over and over and noisily. He sniffed again, his eyes fluttered closed and he groaned. A soft rumble escaped him. It caused another hard tug of need to accost her. The tug seemed to pull on all of her erogenous zones all at once.

  “We really should rut.” He opened his eyes, staring deeply into hers.

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