That did it.
Thunder needed to get back to bed. He needed a whole lot more rest today. He had to be strong enough by tomorrow. Aside from needing to get the human back to the comforts she was used to, he needed to send that team out just in case Cloud had somehow survived his lightning bolt. Tammy had been right, he’d reacted out of pure self-preservation. The silver wedged in his back and a female to protect, he’d thrown the full force at the other male. Still, there was a chance he still lived and a chance he might come back from whatever dark place his mind occupied. Thunder could hope.
He climbed from the water, his arms shook a little as he took his weight onto them. Thunder shook his head. Blast, but he was a weakling. He hated the way it made him feel. At least he had managed to take himself to the bathroom this morning. He joked and teased Tammy but the truth was, he was embarrassed about needing so much of her help. He could not wait to give her a taste of his true strength. To prove to her that he was a strong male. One of the strongest of his kind. Thankfully, such things didn’t seem important to her. Not his status and not his power. She seemed to genuinely be interested in him. She had shown him glimpses of herself. Was opening up and starting to trust him. It made him happy and excited and worried and in equal measure. What would Blaze say? It wasn’t something he would dwell on now.
After waiting a few minutes to air dry ‒ for the most part at least ‒ Thunder wrapped the blanket around himself. His hair was still damp and he felt a few droplets run down his back. He walked slowly ‒ his top speed at the moment.
It took a while and he was out of breath by the time he made it back. Tammy was throwing logs into the fire. He sat heavily, the mattress dropping under his weight. Then he pulled his legs onto the bed and made himself comfortable.
Tammy was tidying up around the bed. He moved onto his side, tracking her movement. Her presence relaxed him. He enjoyed her company. He could feel himself calm, his heart-rate slow. Yes, a nap was exactly what he needed.
Wait just a second.
Tammy wasn’t wearing her sweater. She was in a powder blue t-shirt. Come to think of it, from the way her breasts looked in the shirt, he didn’t think she was wearing her coverings either. His gaze settled on the sharp points of her nipples as they speared the fabric. On how her breasts swayed as she walked.
Fuck! His cock twitched. Thunder moved onto his belly and turned to face the other direction. It was the first time she’d taken her sweater off, aside from when she’d bathed. She was right to call him a pervert because he was a pervert. A serious pervert. She really was starting to trust him and starting to relax around him and all he could do was stare at her and imagine what it would be like to slide his hands under her shirt. All he could think of was squeezing her flesh, of sucking on her nipples.
He tried to get comfortable but a hard dick was not conducive to a comfortable position. Or sleep for that matter.
Unfortunately, Tammy moved into his line of vision. She bent over to pick something up. That ass. Oh, that ass. It was what dreams were made of. The dirty kind.
Thunder groaned and turned his head to face back the other way. She was such a sweet female and he was such an asshole.
“Are you okay?” Her voice was laced with concern. “Are you in pain?” The bed dipped as she got onto it.
Great! She was in bed with him. It was just the three of them. Him, Tammy and his raging hard-on. He wanted to groan again but knew she would get the wrong idea. Somehow he managed to hold back a low growl as well, one that would speak of his extreme arousal.
He couldn’t get the outline of her breasts out of his mind, or her plump nipples, or her sweet heart-shaped ass. He couldn’t shake the image of how her hair would looked spilled over his pillow. He was sure her eyes would darken with pleasure as he plunged into her.
“I’m good,” he finally managed to croak. “I need to sleep,” he added, as he closed his eyes. For the first time he found himself hoping she would leave. That she would go and sit by the fire or … just go. Somewhere else, anywhere else. His attraction for her, coupled with his body’s need to heal were a powerful combination.
He groaned again … softer this time.
“You’re so tense,” she half whispered.
He jumped when she put her hands on him. It’s just your back, dickhead! This doesn’t mean anything. Down boy. She’s not coming onto you, so take it easy and calm the fuck down.
“Wow!” she exhaled. “Really tense.” Tammy began to massage his tight muscles. She started at his shoulders. “Your wounds are looking so much better. They’re properly closed.” Her voice sounded strange. She ran her hands down his back and back up.
Fuck!
His dick throbbed beneath the weight of his body. It wanted freedom. It wanted her.
“How does that feel?” Her voice was soft and tentative.
He grunted a sound of affirmation. It did feel good. Far too fucking good. As far as his body was concerned, it was game on.
“I’m glad, but you’re still so tense.” Her hands stopped moving for a second. Part of him screamed out for more while another part ‒ the logical, rational part ‒ screamed for her to stop.
“Um … it would be easier if …” She swung a leg over him and straddled his ass. Mother fucker! As in, she put her pussy on him. Granted, said pussy was covered in jeans but still. His mind went into overdrive. His eyes widened and his dick gave a lurch. Her hands were back on him, massaging, kneading. Working some kind of magic. He growled. It couldn’t be helped. His chest vibrated something fierce.
By Claw and by Scale. By all that was green and winged.
All he could think of was turning around. Of putting her onto her back and … not a good train of thought. Not good at all. She moved to his lower back. Her touch firm and rhythmic.
What the fuck!
He growled again. Softer and lower this time. What was she doing? This felt like … this felt … “Maybe you should stop,” his voice was thick with desire.
“Doesn’t it feel good?” Her voice had a nervous edge.
“It feels too damned good. It feels like …” he let the sentence die, like she was coming onto him.
Her hands kept moving.
“What’s going on?” he had to ask. This wasn’t like her. Her MO was to flirt a little and then to run. To fuck the hell out of him with her eyes and then blush just as hard. This was different. This was a definite come on. It had to be.
She gave a deep sigh. “I just …” She stopped massaging him, pulled her hands away. After a few more seconds she got off of him and sat next to him instead. “It was a stupid idea.”
He looked up at her. Her cheeks were heated. Thunder turned, scrunching the blanket over his dick so that she wouldn’t see how seriously turned on he was. Not that she was looking at him. She was looking everywhere but at him. “Were you coming on to me?”
A tiny nod, almost undiscernible. “Um … I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have. I … you … me … we …” She made a groaning noise and put a hand over her eyes. “You said it, we’re two adults, I just thought that …” She shrugged. “I guess I assumed that you were just as attracted to me as I am to you and … it was stupid,” she rolled her eyes. “I thought maybe we …” she gave a laugh. “Never mind. Forget this happened.”
“It’s not stupid.”
“It was.” She pulled a face. “I’m really embarrassed now. I just … please forget it.” She looked everywhere but at him. Her cheeks blazed. So damned adorable. “I’m such an idiot.”
He had to fight his instincts, the ones that screamed for him to take her up on her offer and to do so immediately. He could think of nothing better than to strip her naked and to sink into her glorious heat. Of making her come a multitude of times and in a multitude of ways.
He wanted it so badly, he gripped the blanket to stop himself from reaching for her. Tammy scooted to the edge of the bed, a look of embarrassment etched on her face.
“I am attracted to you,”
She sucked in a breath and those stunning eyes met his. “I don’t understand why we can’t ...” She narrowed her eyes like she didn’t believe his admission. “Let’s just forget it okay?”
“I broke a couple of rules when I came after you. The main one being that I shifted. I changed into my dragon form after claiming you. It is grounds for an immediate disqualification.”
“I don’t know what that means.” Her eyes looked so big. Her skin so pale.
“It means that there’s a good chance we can’t be together. You will most likely be sent home once we return to my lair.”
“But that’s crazy. You had to shift otherwise you would never have made it in time. You came after me, rescued me.” Her gaze was raised to the ceiling in thought. “You had to change.” She gave a shake of the head.
“I’m hoping that Blaze will understand and that he will give me permission to pursue this… us.”
She frowned but nodded. “Okay, well, I’m not sure how I feel about a relationship. You didn’t seem interested in me at all, earlier when we were by the fire. Never mind that, I just thought that maybe we would relieve some of the … tension … you know…” She looked down at her hands which were folded in her lap.
“Still jaded?” He gave a smile.
Her frown deepened. “Something like that. I guess I struggle with trust.”
“That dickhead really pulled one over on you.” He touched the side of her arm, not trusting himself to do any more. “Look,” he paused, considering his words carefully. “Let’s get back and first ensure that this can actually go somewhere and then we can look at taking the next step.”
She gave a nod. “I need to be honest with you. You’re not really my type. I’m not sure I want more than just a physical relationship but we can talk about it in a couple of days.” She seemed to notice how her admission affected him because she touched his arm, looking worried. “It’s not you, it’s me … I just don’t know that I want to take that step with you … or with anyone for that matter,” she quickly added.
Disappointment was a big, bitter pill to swallow. That asshole had really hurt her. “Well, that’s something you need to figure out then because I like you.” He grabbed her hand. “I really fucking like you. Don’t freak out but it wouldn’t take much for me to fall for you. Just in case you misunderstood me earlier, you’re exactly my type.” He didn’t believe her when she said that he wasn’t her type. It wasn’t him being arrogant. There was definitely something there. It had to come from both sides. She was just afraid. Thunder was sure of it.
She chewed on her lower lip.
Thunder squeezed her hand. “If we get the go-ahead, we can take it slow. One thing is for sure, we are not having a purely physical relationship.”
“We’re not?” Her cheeks reddened up all over again. Then she shrugged like it was no big deal. “It’s probably for the best anyway.”
He disregarded the comment. Thunder shook his head. “Don’t misunderstand me, I want to be with you in that way. You need to let me know if it’s what you want too because I don’t want to fall for you and end up hurt. Be sure, Tammy. You need to be very sure.”
She nodded. “Okay. I’m really scared though.”
“Life isn’t always easy. It sometimes takes courage. You need to be willing to take a chance and to be brave. We can do it together.”
She wanted to say something else but he put a finger over her lips. “Think on it.” Thunder couldn’t help it, he leaned forward and kissed her. Her lips were so soft. It took everything in him to pull back, especially when her eyes drifted shut and her breathing kicked up a notch.
A musky scent hit his nostrils. It was a scent he recognized. Adrenaline surged through his veins. His scales scratched beneath his skin and his nailbeds tingled but he was still too weak to shift.
He heard the flap of wings. One pair of wings to be exact.
There was also heavy beating of a beast’s heart. A dragon.
No! Fuck no! It wasn’t possible. How had Cloud found them? Thunder pulled Tammy behind him. The female had a bewildered look, not sure why he was manhandling her in such a manner.
There was a cracking noise.
“No!” Tammy whispered, as she realized what was happening.
“How touching,” Cloud said as he walked towards the foot of the bed. For a moment, Thunder was tempted to leap to his feet. To fight. To flee. To do something ‒ but what could he do against the male?
Remnants of the silver still ran through him. He was still weak. They didn’t stand a chance.
“I can see by the look of shock on both of your faces that you thought you had killed me. Sorry to disappoint. Your aim was off. Not by much, you almost ended me.”
“How did you find us?” Thunder asked.
Cloud smiled. “It took me a while to heal and then I followed the trail. Thanks for that by the way. You bled most of the way here.”
Thunder felt like an idiot for not realizing that he had bled, that he had left a trail.
Cloud looked about the cave. “Then again, I guess I have myself to thank for making you bleed in the first place. Although, I should have made you bleed a bit more since it took me a day or two to scout the area.” His eyes focused behind his shoulder. On the female. His female.
“Don’t do this.” Thunder had to try.
Cloud locked eyes with Thunder. He had that look about him. Tammy had described it as haunted. It was the best description he’d heard. The male laughed. “If only you had told me that. Don’t do it. No. If only, my king.” He gave a sweeping bow, a mocking bow. “You didn’t say any of those things. You gave your blessing.” His face twisted in anguish. That female …” he pointed to Tammy and Thunder growled. Cloud ignored him. “Is mine. I will get her with child as soon as possible and take back what was ripped from me. The time for being patient is over.”
“I’m so sorry Wind died.”
Cloud visibly blanched.
“I should have dissuaded you. I wish I had but, in the end, it wasn’t my decision to make. It was yours. Both of yours. You knew of the risks and chose to follow that path.”
“Chose,” Cloud spat. “It was never a choice. I went to you so that you could tell me that I was being stupid. I had to talk her into it,” his voice choked up. “Did you know that? She didn’t want to take the drug, but I … she wanted it too in the end.” His eyes filled with tears and he squeezed them shut for a beat. When he opened them, they were hard and fixed on him. “Childless couples are made to feel inferior. We are made to feel like losers. I am a warrior.” He beat his chest. “I didn’t feel like one,” his voice came out softer. “You,” he pointed at Thunder, “made me feel like less … like nothing.”
“I’m sorry that you felt that way. It was never my intention to make you or any other male ‒ couple for that matter ‒ to feel that way.” Thunder wasn’t perfect but he had always treated all of his subjects as equals. Yes, they encouraged mated couples to have young but it was a given that not all would manage it. Females were rare, a fertile pair was almost unheard of. He felt sorry for them. He would never ridicule them. Tammy was right, this was the way that Cloud saw things. It wasn’t necessarily the truth though. “I should’ve dissuaded you that day. It is something that I must live with but that was my only form of wrongdoing. At the end of the day, it was ultimately your decision, both you and Wind’s decision to go ahead. To take the chance. I’m so sorry that it didn’t work out. That the cost was so great. I will do anything to help you through your suffering.”
“You can’t help me!” Cloud spat, his face red with anger. “You can’t bring her back. What you can do is take responsibility for my mate’s death and hand over that female,” he pointed at Tammy who whimpered, pressing herself against his back, trying to hide away from Cloud.
“She isn’t mine to give.”
“It’s only a matter of time before you win her. The mighty king Thunder. She is mine now.” He sniffed the air. “You haven’t claimed her fully yet.” He smiled. “I’m glad … not that it would have made any difference.”
“Don’t do this, Cloud. I might be weak now, but it won’t last for forever. If you take her now, I will end you.” He could see that he was not getting through to the male. Cloud was too far gone. Too angry, too sad, too crazy to see things any way but his own way. He was going to hurt his female. Force her into mating him. He would justify his actions to himself.
It wouldn’t do much good but he would fight. He had to try to stop Cloud. The male had a bag slung around his shoulder. The strap was loose and the bag rode low on his body. It would pull tight when he changed into his dragon form. He saw a blade sheathed there. A silver edge, he was sure. If only he could get his hands on it, he might just stand a half a chance. He knew the bag would be filled with more weapons as well. Thunder needed to proceed carefully.
Cloud smiled. It was the smile of a crazy man. His eyes turned wild. They even glowed. “Hand her over and I’ll let you live.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Suit yourself.” He lunged at Thunder, moving almost too quickly for his eyes to register. So damned sluggish. The backs of his fingers touched the handle for a split second. He was too slow.
Cloud backhanded him. It took a moment to register that he was flying through the air. Thunder crashed against the far wall. Pain exploded through his shoulder. The room winked in and out of focus.
Thunder shook his head to try and clear it. He staggered to his feet, trying hard to summon his power. Too damned weak. As Cloud came at him, he realized his mistake. Maybe it wasn’t too late to change tactics. The other male punched him square in the nose. Blood gushed from the broken appendage. It ran down his throat, feeling hot and thick. He staggered backwards, his back hitting the wall. Screams flooded the cave. Pain flared.
Chapter 13
Tammy screamed as Thunder’s nose crunched under Cloud’s fist. Blood. Oh Lord but there was so much blood. It ran down his face. Splattered on his chest. His eyes looked dazed. He staggered backwards, hitting the wall hard with his back but somehow managing to stay on his feet.
-->