The Bride Hunt Box Set Books 1 - 3

by Hartnady, Charlene

  No wait! Maybe that wasn’t a good thing. The guy was a dragon shifter. He had a colossal ego and he was her mate.

  Mate.

  She felt her heart-rate pick up. There had to be a way out of it. There just had to. She planned on fighting her attraction to him, which shouldn’t be too hard since he was an asshole. Once he realized that it was never going to happen between them, he would have to let her go and then it would be all smooth sailing from there.

  No sweat!

  There was another knock. Oh shit! “Come in!” she shouted, her voice a little high-pitched.

  A key turned in the lock and Sky walked in. Candy exhaled.

  “You look like you just saw a ghost,” Sky smiled at her. “You also look relieved. As expressions go, it’s a strange combination.”

  “I’m relieved.” Candy felt her whole body relax. “I thought you were someone else.”

  “You thought I was Torrent,” Sky raised her brows. “What happened between you two earlier? The male went for a four-hour flight after visiting with you. He came back completely exhausted and is mumbling one-syllable answers to everything. He’s in an awful mood.”

  “He thought he could just waltz in here and jump into bed with me.” She shrugged. “I set him straight.”

  Sky shook her head. “But you are his mate. Our king …”

  “I don’t even know him.”

  “You will get to know him.” She said it so matter-of-factly.

  “That’s not how humans go about it. We first get to know someone and then we have sex with them. It can take months … years to get to a point where we marry a person. It’s a really big step ‒ one not taken lightly ‒ so you’ll excuse me if I’m a bit weirded out by the whole thing.”

  Sky frowned, she looked confused. “Hmmmm. That’s not what I’ve been led to believe …” She paused. “The males often talk about the stag runs.”

  “What are stag runs?” After having talked with Torrent, Candy could guess.

  “As you know, there are very few she-dragons. Our males have needs.”

  “Oh.” Needs! Yup, as an escort she knew all about men’s needs.

  “They go into town every—”

  “Yup!” Candy laughed. “Torrent told me all about it. He mentioned the whole expedition by name though. A stag run.” She couldn’t help but smile. “What a fitting tag.”

  “Well …” Sky continued. “I have heard our males talk after coming home from the stag runs. Human females throw themselves at them. They never have a shortage of bed partners.”

  Candy could only imagine. The shifter guys were all tall and buff. They were pretty darned attractive. During the hunt they had seemed scary and aggressive but thinking back, now that she could think straight, they had all been really sexy. Her thoughts drifted to Torrent, to his wide shoulders, to that whole ‘V’ thing he had going on just above his pants. Aside from a banging body, he was really attractive. The two didn’t always go hand in hand. Those pale blue eyes, his full lips … he was rugged and handsome. All the guys she had seen here were. Even that dark beast of a guy who had saved her.

  “Are you even listening to me, Candy?” Sky put her hands on her hips.

  “Sorry, I missed what you said, would you mind repeating it?”

  Sky looked at Candy as if she had grown horns. “You told me that humans take ages to get to know someone before having sex with them. We just established that it’s not true. These females have plenty of sex with our males. They are willing participants,” she added, still clearly a little pissed that Candy had even suggested that any of the dragon shifters would force a woman. “Our males get one night twice a year and they have plenty of sex. There is no time to win a female over. It’s the females who are often the aggressors and rut our males even though our males are clear that there is no future for them together. It’s … what is it you humans call it? Oh yes, a ‘one-night stand’.” She raised her brows.

  “Okay,” Candy sighed. “You’re right. Women will have sex with guys for the sake of having sex. A one-night stand, a booty call. There are plenty of names for it.” Candy had never been one of those women. It was quite comical considering she had sex for a living.

  “Well then?”

  “It’s a bit different when it’s a potential relationship, when it’s two people who might just have a future. Things are generally more complicated. This whole situation is complicated.” Candy scratched the back of her neck.

  Sky frowned. “There are always plenty of females who beg the males to leave their contact details. Some of them beg to go with the males, they want a future, even though it was agreed up front that the relationship would be short-term and just sex. A booty call,” she smiled. “They want more, and this after just one night together. Human females are quite capable of developing feelings for a male quickly and easily. You are overcomplicating things.”

  Candy nodded. “I’m sure it happens regularly. Women are wired to want more; for that matter, I think everyone is wired to want more, especially after giving themselves physically. It’s part of the reason why sex can complicate things. In order to want a relationship with someone you have to, at least, get along with them and I’m not sure I even like Torrent.”

  Sky’s jaw dropped … her mouth literally gaped. It took a few seconds for her to regain her composure. “You don’t mean that.”

  “I don’t really know him, but from what I can tell, he’s just so full of himself. He can be a real jerk. You even told me yourself. Maybe not in so many words but …”

  “He is a king. He is used to everyone catering to his every need and obeying his every whim. I don’t think anyone has ever told him ‘no’ before and that includes the females he encounters on the stag runs.”

  I’ll bet! Candy snorted. “There’s a first for everything.” She folded her arms.

  “It has put him off balance. Just so that you are aware, Torrent is well within his rights to seek another female if you withhold sex from him.”

  It was Candy’s turn to gape. These shifters were sick. Not that she cared what Torrent did. She didn’t even know the guy. “Whatever,” she muttered. “I don’t even consider us to be married or mated. He can do whatever he wants. I won’t stop him.”

  Sky walked to the other side of the room. She just stood there looking out the window. Candy could see that she wasn’t really staring through the glass. The other woman was deep in thought. She felt like this room was too small, like the walls were closing in. She needed to go home. This had never been a part of her plan.

  “Torrent turned down a female today,” Sky finally said, her gaze still on the outside view. “Ocean is one of his favorites and he turned her down flat. It is a compliment to you.”

  Candy choked out a laugh. “If you say so,” she paused. “What kind of a name is Ocean anyway?”

  “I do say so,” Sky said. “Ocean is a perfectly acceptable name for a water she-dragon, just as Sky is a normal name for an air dragon.”

  “I didn’t mean anything by it,” Candy quickly added. Shit! Talk about putting her foot in it. She was acting like a bitch. She wasn’t normally like this, but then again, she’d never been in a situation like this before. “I think that Sky is a beautiful name. I’m sorry. I just wish I could get out of this room. I’m feeling claustrophobic and it’s making me cranky.”

  “That’s fine,” Sky gave her the ghost of a smile. “You are jealous. It is understandable. I would suggest sex but easing your male will also work fine, for the moment. Have him ease you as well.”

  “Ease?” Candy held up her hands. “I’m not even going to ask. Torrent can forget it.”

  “That’s a pity because it seems that he doesn’t want any other female. He wants you … his mate.”

  Candy had to suppress a sigh. She didn’t want Sky to think that she was relieved because she wasn’t. “Well, he’s going to have to wait a really long time because I’m not interested. I told him I want to go home and I stand by that.”
>
  Sky raised her brows. “Torrent is used to getting plenty of sex.”

  Candy made a squeaking noise. Why did Sky insist on talking about this to her? It was too much information. There was a part of her that wanted to interrupt the other woman to tell her just that, but she bit her tongue. If it made Sky feel better, then she would listen. The she-dragon had been nothing but nice to her since she arrived there. She’d gone out of her way to take care of Candy. Bottom line, she was ‘good people’. Candy nodded once.

  “The lesser males are used to being starved of sex and of operating on lower energy levels. They know no different. Torrent on the other hand will find it increasingly difficult to function at optimum level. It’s going to start becoming obvious.” She paused and licked her lips.

  Candy shuffled from one foot to the other.

  When she didn’t say anything, Sky carried on. “The idiot male decided to turn down sex in the weeks leading up to the hunt. He had this hair-brained scheme that it would hone his senses and make him hungrier for a female. It is going to backfire on him soon. You need to be aware that he cannot go without sex indefinitely, without recourse. He’s going to be forced to take another female soon. It won’t be a choice.”

  Candy didn’t know what to say or to think. She almost felt sorry for him but it didn’t mean she was going to just roll over and accept him into her bed.

  “On a lighter note,” Sky smiled. “You mentioned wanting to get out of this room.”

  Candy nodded. She practically held her breath. Had Torrent agreed to her going out? Maybe he was letting her go home. It was a pipe dream, but a girl could hope.

  “Pack your bags because …”

  Could it be? Was Torrent letting her go? Please. Please. Please.

  “Torrent wants you to move into his chamber,” Sky completed the sentence.

  “What?” No, no, no. “What?” she repeated, like a complete idiot.

  Sky tilted her head. “I’m here to help you pack and to escort you there.”

  “Um, please tell him thanks but no thanks.” Candy had never lived with a guy. She planned on waiting until she was married. Ironic considering her profession but totally true. Then again, Torrent was technically her husband … mate … No he wasn’t. He’d somehow married her by accident. It didn’t really count. Did it?

  Sky’s mouth fell open in another gape. “I can’t tell him that.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not moving in with him.” Oh god, he would probably expect to share a bed. The thought made her shake her head harder.

  “You must.”

  “I won’t.”

  “You have to!” Sky looked appalled. “It is the king’s wish. You are his mate, your place is by his side, in his bed.”

  Oh god! Flip! Candy swallowed hard. “That’s what I was afraid of. I think that it’s best that I stay here. That whole thing about needing a change of scenery … forget it!”

  “Please. Torrent is a good male. Once you see past that—” she nodded and smiled, “slightly arrogant exterior, he’s a wonderful and caring male. He also has a—”

  “I’m sure he’s awesome and wonderful and dynamite in bed but I can’t just move in with someone I’ve only just met.” It was Candy’s turn to pace across the room. She clasped her hands together tightly.

  Sky took a few steps towards her. “Give it a chance. Torrent is a male of honor, he will respect your wishes regardless of how weak he is. You will be able to get to know him if you move in with him. Perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised.”

  No way. Candy shook her head. “Does he have a separate room in his … chamber?”

  Sky shook her head. “The layout is similar to this.”

  “Only one bed?” Candy already knew the answer.

  “Yes, of course. Torrent is your mate …”

  “I’m afraid that I have to decline. Please thank him for his kind offer.”

  Sky’s eyes widened, making them look huge in her head. It was almost comical. “But …”

  “No buts, I’ve made up my mind.”

  After a few moments of deliberation, Sky nodded her head. She pushed out a deep breath. “I’d better go and inform the king.” She began to walk towards the door. “He won’t be happy.”

  Chapter 8

  Understatement of the century.

  Not happy. Hah! More like completely pissed.

  There was a sharp, bone jarring knock at the door. One single bang. After about three seconds the key turned in the lock and the door was flung open. The hinges were practically torn out and the wood creaked with the force of the impact as it crashed into the wall.

  The door was bigger than a regular one, yet Torrent took up the entire space with his huge body. His whole stance reminded her of a bull about to charge. He even snorted out a breath, making his nostrils flare. His eyes were an even more vivid blue. They were narrowed in on her. His mouth was set, his jaw tense.

  Her first reaction, on instinct, was to run, to hide, to get away. Candy had to force herself to stand her ground. She would stand up to him. She still had rights.

  The big man advanced, taking enormous strides. His movements were fluid, graceful even considering his enormous bulk. His intense gaze bore into her and for the second time since meeting him she felt like he was the hunter and she the prey.

  It became even more difficult to keep her feet rooted to the spot. Candy held up a hand. “Wait. You can’t just—”

  Torrent ignored her and closed the small remaining distance between them. He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder like she was a sack of goods. She made a noise that spoke of shock. He was essentially manhandling her so she was well within her rights. “Put me down,” her voice sounded relatively calm. Way to go, Candy. “Now!” A little more panicked.

  Torrent had turned and was walking towards the door.

  “Put me down!” All out panicked. She dangled halfway down his back. His ass was even more sculpted up close. His glutes shifted and clenched with each long stride. She wasn’t just checking him out, was she? What was wrong with her? “Put me down!” she shouted and began to beat her fists on his lower back and on his ass. Damn him and his ass and his pecs and abs and … just damn him.

  “Stop that.” A low growl vibrated against her thighs, which were on his chest.

  “Screw you!” she yelled.

  “Stop! Or I will be forced to punish you.” He slapped her ass, hard. It stung. The patch immediately warmed up. She’d have a red hand mark for sure.

  Candy yelped.

  Torrent rubbed on the spot, almost tenderly. It made her squirm. It made her … uncomfortable. It felt good. What was wrong with her? Tears stung her eyes but she wasn’t about to cry.

  He pushed open a door. It was at least twice the size of the one he’d almost broken. He slammed it shut, not as hard as before. It wasn’t easy being upside down but she tried to take in the space. Her head felt swollen from all her blood rushing to it.

  The chamber was huge. It had a similar design and layout, only there was more of everything. More couches, a bigger kitchen, a huge tub and a huge … bed. There were feminine touches, yet it came together in a manly way.

  The bed was humungous, probably one-and-a-half times the size of a regular king-size bed. It was a four-poster bed carved from a dark wood. The sheets were black and looked like they might be silk. The room was designed in dark, masculine colors. Blues, greys and black dominated, as did big motifs and rich fabrics like velvet and—

  She landed on the bed and bounced once. Candy turned, her eyes immediately locking with his as he got onto the bed as well. “What do you—?” she started.

  “Be quiet and don’t move.”

  “Like hell I—”

  He smiled, it was predatory. “I enjoyed spanking that sexy ass of yours and would like nothing more than to put you over my knee and make you scream out with every hard whack.”

  Shit! What the …! She wanted to retaliate just to see if he would follow up
on his threats but by the look in his eyes she knew he was deadly serious. The biggest problem was that the thought of him spanking her wasn’t nearly as horrible as it should’ve been. She was oddly turned on by his words. Candy didn’t move a muscle.

  “That’s better.” Torrent kept his eyes on her as he moved closer to her.

  What was he planning? She plastered herself against the sheets, which were indeed smooth, cool silk. Every muscle inside of her tensed.

  He straddled her, putting his hands on either side of her head. He was so damned close that she could feel his heat and yet, he didn’t touch her. Not even one hair on her body. “Do I have your attention?”

  Candy swallowed hard and nodded.

  “Good.” He leaned forward and the air froze inside her. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, she couldn’t think. His chest was heaving. Then again, so was hers. Why did he have to smell so good? This was crazy. She should be terrified, or angry, or something. The problem was that despite everything that had happened, she trusted him. Torrent was not about to hurt her in any way. He was different from human guys. God, like chalk and cheese. He had a gruff exterior and could act like a colossal jerk but she sensed that he was good deep down. She could see it. She also trusted Sky and respected the woman’s opinion. The newfound knowledge should’ve had her relaxing under his close scrutiny. It didn’t.

  His face was a couple of inches away from hers. His eyes moved to her mouth and he licked his lips. Was he going to kiss her again? Then he lifted his gaze to meet hers. “You’re staying here, with me.” a deep rasp that had goosebumps forming on her skin.

  She sucked in a breath, intent on arguing but he covered her mouth with his fingers. The guy could move really quickly. She couldn’t help but swallow again. “This isn’t a discussion. You’re staying here. We are mated, mated couples live together.” His gaze moved to the right of her, focusing on the mattress for a few beats before returning to lock with hers. “I am a reasonable male.”

  Yeah right! His fingers were still resting on her lips so she couldn’t say it.