Fated Mates: Paranormal Romance Series Starters Boxset

by Hariharan, Laxmi

  Then what?

  She was never going to allow her dragon to mate with this immortal. No matter how much both woman and dragon wanted it.

  Even angry and upset as he was, she was still turned on by him.

  Best keep away from him. Let him hate her. Yeah, that's what she'd do.

  She turned to leave.

  "You smell of him." His voice lashed out.

  Her nerve endings screamed with tension. Her chest tightened.

  She halted halfway to the exit.

  Gulping down a lungful of air to steady herself, she thrust out her chin. "And why not? I belong to him."

  The next second, he gripped her arm and yanked her around.

  34

  Aaron

  Her words had crashed into him with the force of a wave.

  He'd seen Hope get engaged, had seen her agree to give herself to another man, and yet he was still alive. How was it possible he was still here breathing when his heart was being slowly twisted and trampled underfoot?

  He'd faced enemies in battle, had fought off fierce shifters and immortals, even survived the loss of his twin.

  None of it had prepared him for the sheer despair that weighed him down.

  Letting go of the wheel, he'd marched up to her and pulled her around.

  He brushed his hand over her lips, again and again, not caring that she'd see the emotion in his eyes and know how much he wanted her. She'd hurt him, and he couldn't hide his frustration at having reached this impasse. He wanted her. He'd die for her rather than live a life without her.

  Couldn't she see that?

  When he stopped and let her go, her lips were swollen. Her cheeks were flushed.

  "Damn." He ran his fingers through his hair and turned his back on her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Seeing him with you again… I don't know what came over me."

  A touch on his shoulder had him flinching.

  "Don't." He gritted out the word through clenched teeth.

  Her scent was driving him out of his mind. Her nearness made him ache with need.

  The last thing he wanted was to lose control.

  "I shouldn't have said that. I didn't mean it." Her voice was soft.

  "Sure you did." He stalked away, making sure to put distance between them. Reaching the wheel, he gripped it. "You knew exactly what you were doing when you got engaged to him last night, what it would do to me to see you kiss him."

  "Aaron, I—"

  Unable to stop himself, he turned, slashing the air with his hand, cutting off whatever she was going to say next.

  He let her have the full force of his glare. "You knew we'd have to spend the next few days together, that I would have to keep you at a distance when all I want to do is hold you, kiss you, make love to you."

  She went pale, blotches of red standing out on her cheeks. Her chest rose and fell with every breath. Her gaze was fixed on his lips.

  He could smell that vanilla and spice of her scent, laced with a muskiness that told him she was aroused.

  The knowledge turned him on.

  All the frustration boiled up and burst through him in a rush of liquid heat that had him hard and throbbing.

  He moved in closer, knowing he was crowding her, enough for her to take a step back, and another.

  Her knees hit a chair, and she sank into it.

  He followed her down, dropping to his knees in front of her. Slapping his hands on the arms of the chair, he leaned forward until his nose almost touched her. "You knew that I wanted you, that you belonged to me. And yet I can’t have you, for you are pledged to someone else."

  She swallowed, and he moved in close enough for his breath to flutter the fine hair on her forehead.

  Her pupils dilated, and she blinked.

  In the next moment, the vertical slits of her dragon kicked in.

  There she was. His dragoness. She belonged to him. Only him.

  Possessiveness a hot thrum in his blood, he gripped her thighs and wrenched them apart, then slid into the V between her thighs.

  "Aaron."

  Hearing his name on her lips sent lust shooting through his veins. Dense heat tugged his groin.

  The gold flecks in those green eyes swirled and caught fire.

  He widened his stance to accommodate his growing arousal.

  When her tongue flicked out to touch her lips, he couldn't look away from the glistening flesh. Those lips had teased him, had melted against his; he knew how she tasted.

  So did someone else.

  "Why?" He cupped her face, looking into her eyes. "Answer me."

  "You know why. I can't let my dragon mate with you. I will not take the chance of the mating bond hurting you. I can't let it kill you. Can't you see?" She placed her hands over his. "I didn't want to hurt you."

  "You'll trap yourself in a relationship that does not mean anything?"

  "At least you will be alive." She set her jaw.

  "Will I?" He wasn't sure what pushed him over the edge.

  Perhaps it was because her scent wrapped around him when they were this close, sinking into his skin, maddening him to the point he knew he'd have to taste or go insane.

  Or perhaps that very male part of him just wanted to show her what she would be missing.

  He closed his mouth over hers.

  He wasn't going to be gentle. He told himself he wanted to punish her. He wanted to show her exactly how good it was between them, that she was going to regret turning away from him. He wanted to plunder her mouth, to take, to hurt…

  As soon as his lips touched hers, he found himself softening.

  Coaxing her to open her mouth, he slid his tongue over hers, pouring everything he felt into that kiss. Her taste filled that empty gnawing space inside him, as only she could.

  His emotions, his hurt, his sheer want for her...his very essence bled into that kiss.

  Aaron didn't hold anything back.

  Just when he would have lost himself in her, he wrenched his mouth away.

  It felt very much like goodbye.

  It was over, over.

  35

  Hope

  That kiss had stolen her breath. His touch arrowed straight to her core, making her toes curl.

  He'd opened himself up fully to her, mind, body, and soul.

  It was like Aaron was taking the very essence from her.

  His touch brushed past her senses.

  Her dragon had stirred for the first time since the engagement ceremony.

  Happiness bloomed. Her dragon had wallowed in his presence, in his scent, his touch.

  Just for a few seconds, she'd shut out the world and her responsibilities, had pushed aside the crushing guilt that letting Aaron close would only put his life in danger. Only for that moment in time, Hope had let herself…feel.

  She'd loved it, cherished it, and regretted it all in the same breath. Her dragon gloried in the feeling of oneness that came with Aaron being so close.

  Then he'd torn his lips from hers and left her wanting more.

  Much more.

  Hope acknowledged how much the woman in her wanted him, all of him.

  She needed him as her mate. To let her dragon bond with his warrior spirit and ride the wave of emotions he'd shown her.

  He turned away, shoulders bowed. "Go to your cabin…please." Starting the cruiser, he concentrated on readying the boat.

  She'd felt the finality of that kiss and knew he was choosing to put an end to whatever was between them.

  It's what she wanted, too, wasn’t it?

  Then why did it feel like her heart was shattering inside? She should tell him that she had broken it off with Jason, that she'd never intended to go through with the mating, and that the ceremony had been an elaborate ruse on her part to make Aaron leave her.

  A goal she'd just accomplished.

  She felt like she'd lost something precious.

  The silence stretched.

  Perhaps it was for the best that he wanted her to stay
away. It would keep her dragon out of temptation's way.

  He finally turned to her.

  For the first time since she'd met him, she saw all expression wiped off his features. Those eyes, his piercing cobalt-blue eyes, were blank. He'd made sure to hide himself from her.

  Hurt welled up inside.

  She wanted to walk up to him and demand he look at her like he still cared for her.

  He did still want her. He must still love her. He must.

  He focused on the task of getting the cruiser underway. "We are only allies of convenience. Once we complete this mission, we'll go back to being in different political camps."

  She knew a brush-off when she heard it.

  Gathering what pride she had left, Hope left without another word.

  If she stayed…she only risked dropping all her barriers. She'd give in to the temptation of letting her soul mingle with his.

  His boat; he could steer it, she told herself as she made her way down to one of the cabins.

  Except for a few words exchanged when she took over the next shift from him, they kept out of each other's way.

  By the time Bombay was in sight, her nerves were stretched to screaming point, enough for her to make for the pier as soon as they had docked.

  She was halfway up the road leading away from the pier, when a woman came barreling down, rushing past her.

  Hope peeked over her shoulder.

  Then she wished she hadn’t.

  36

  Hope

  The woman had her arms around his neck. Her legs circled his waist. She was kissing him as if she would devour him whole.

  And Aaron?

  His hands were on her waist. His head tilted. He kissed her right back, taking his time about it.

  Heat boiled in her belly, threatening to pour through her veins.

  When he lowered her to her feet, he made sure to let her slide down the length of his body.

  Hope heard a growl, knew it was coming from her throat, but she didn't care.

  Jealousy was a living, writhing thing inside her, the taste of hate acrid on her tongue.

  She wanted to walk right up to the still-entwined couple and snatch her from Aaron's arms.

  More worryingly, her dragon should have reacted to seeing another woman all over her mate. But there was nothing, not even a whiff of a reaction from her animal.

  Worry twisted her gut. Her dragon was very upset with her.

  Digging her nails into her palms, Hope spun back on her heels. Eyes forward, don't look back, she admonished herself to keep going.

  When she reached the small terminal, she found a woman waiting.

  Her dark hair curled around her face and fell to mid-waist; golden-brown eyes twinkled up at her. She was…stunning.

  She sauntered over, hips swaying. "Hope?" Her voice was melodious, her grip warm.

  "And you are?"

  "Serena." Her lips curved up in a smile that reached her eyes,

  The animal in Hope sized her up and recognized the beast in the other. "You're a lion shifter."

  Serena drew herself to her full five feet four inches and placed a hand over one curved hip. "Welcome, dragoness." She inclined her head, acknowledging the hunter in Hope. "I see you met darling Charmaine already." She nodded toward the other female clinging to Aaron.

  "Darling Charmaine was very…energetic in her welcome." Hope bit down on all the other adjectives that were on the tip of her tongue.

  Serena threw that mass of hair back and laughed. The sun caught the glints of gold and brown in her eyes. "Don't mind Charm. She can be quite…needy."

  "Is that what they're calling it these days?" Hope smirked.

  She knew that woman was still holding on to Aaron. The immortal had made no move to disentangle himself.

  Fine, so he was getting back at her for what she had done, for having pledged herself to another man and for having kissed someone else.

  If only it didn't hurt so much.

  Rubbing a hand over her heart where it throbbed like she'd taken a physical blow, she followed Serena to a truck.

  The other couple veered off in the opposite direction. "Ah, so they're not coming with us?"

  "Charm brought Aaron's truck, so he'll drive them both back. You'll see them this evening at the naming ceremony to welcome our mayor's new daughter."

  "Naming ceremony? You sure I’m invited? It sounds…private."

  "Leana, our mayor, is nothing if not political. She knows she needs every opportunity to bring the species together. Her marriage and this naming ceremony is a means to invite the citizens to celebrate with her." Selena glanced at Hope before turning her attention back on the road. "Leana believes by sharing her joys and sorrows she forms a better connection with the citizens. During occasions like this species forget about differences and come together."

  "Your mayor is wise." Hope propped her feet on the dash, very much comfortable with this woman she'd just met. "But it seems wrong to attend a celebration when I should be out searching for Freya."

  "You have to eat, don't you?" Serena countered. "So, have dinner, meet the rest of the Guardians, and get debriefed on the plan for how we are going to approach the Elysians."

  "You sure you're not a politician?"

  She quickly realized this operation was no longer in her control. She was in the Council's territory as their guest. She'd have to fall in with their plans.

  "You sound like my brother." Serena laughed. "Besides, Aaron will be there and so will Charm, and every other eligible woman out to get his eye."

  "Hmm." Hope knew when she'd been outwitted.

  Serena chuckled. "Why don't you ask the question you are dying to?"

  "Am I?'

  "Yep." Serena grinned. "The answer is no. I've never slept with Aaron. He's too much like a brother. And no, I don't think Charm slept with him either, but not for lack of trying on her part. Aaron is selective."

  Relief coursed through Hope’s veins. She hoped it didn’t show on her face. "Selective?" If she said anything more, she'd be likely giving away too much.

  Serena saved her from saying anything more. "Charm has a thing for him. He's one of those who hasn't given in to her charms…pardon the bad pun." She chuckled, not seeming the least apologetic. "It makes Aaron irresistible to her, especially since word reached us that he's coming back with a dragon shifter in tow. The same dragon shifter who saved us from the Elysian attack on the bar."

  "So she came to check me out for herself and stake her claim." Hope completed Serena's sentence. "Not that Aaron seemed resistant to the idea."

  "Perhaps he's just playing it to get your attention."

  "Perhaps…"

  "Don't give much away, do you?" Serena glanced at her.

  "Not if I can help it." Hope leaned back in her seat, enjoying the feel of the warm breeze on her face. "But I do like you, Serena. I could use a friend."

  Golden-brown eyes gleamed as Serena canted her head. It reminded Hope of the lion shifter she'd met at Alex's bar.

  "You are Cain's sister?" Hope guessed as the pieces fell into place.

  "Guilty." Serena shook back her hair. "The family resemblance is both a blessing and a curse."

  "A curse? From where I am, it seems you have nothing to worry about, except a lot of attention."

  "Wait until those men see the family resemblance to Cain. The thought of an alpha lion shifter going after them for noticing his sister is enough to put most of them off."

  "Well, then, when a man wants you enough to face up to Cain, you'll know you are onto something." Hope held out her hand through the open window, letting her palm ride the warm sea air.

  "Perhaps." Serena sounded doubtful. "Guess it's like Aaron deciding he was going to face your dragon fire to come after you, huh?"

  Hope shot Serena a glance, wondering if she'd guessed at the connection between her and Aaron already. No. More likely she'd sensed something of the tension between them.

  "You going to tell me what h
appened?"

  "It's complicated." Hope turned her head toward the breeze.

  "It always is when it concerns a macho immortal warrior who's met his match, with a strong dragon shifter, no less."

  "There are other reasons why this can’t work." Hope played with the pendant around her neck. "Just me being who I am and he being who he is…" She couldn't bring herself to complete the sentence and share the real reason why.

  Her dragon stayed quiet, not pushing her to tell the truth either.

  Dragon 1. Woman 3.

  At this rate, she was going to end up taming her dragon.

  Besides, her animal was still not responding to her. Her dragon was angry with the woman at having pushed away her mate. She was fearful and hurt and having a good sulk.

  Hope wished she, too, could curl up in a corner of her bed, crawl under the covers and sleep until all this was over.

  If her dragon stayed like this, she was going to end up a nice, boring female who accepted the rules of her clan, married to a dragon shifter, and had little dragonlings running around.

  It should have made her feel proud and happy and all grown up. All it did was send a rush of such horrible despair through her. Tears pricked the back of her eyes, and Hope had to blink them away.

  "You are a desirable woman. Aaron is a hot, sexy male. The chemistry between the two of you is thick enough to light a fire." Taking her hands off the wheel for just a second, Serena clapped. Her eyes gleamed.

  "You always this direct?" Hope cleared her throat, a flush streaking her cheeks.

  "Life's too short." Her golden-brown eyes sparkled. "I am going to enjoy seeing you and Aaron dance around each other."

  Somehow Hope didn't trust Serena. Didn't trust the innocent set to her features. She reminded Hope too much of Eve.

  Leaning over, she tugged at Serena's hair. "You're going to cause me a lot of trouble, aren't you?"

  37

  Aaron

  Having dropped a reluctant Charm off at her apartment, Aaron pulled into the complex of buildings where he had his room before he’d moved above the bar.