by C. D. Gorri
He sucked her lip and bit down, swallowing her moan as she writhed beneath him. She tasted like honey and cayenne. His two favorite things. But, damn it, her pants were still on, and Callius needed them off. Now.
He flicked his tongue over the throbbing pulse on the side of her neck as his hands made quick work of her pants. He instinctively ground himself against the apex of her thighs, allowing her to feel his long, hard length against her.
Soon, yes, now. He spread her legs apart and ran his hands over her sex. She was hot and wet with need, he lay down on top of her and thrust his hips letting out a frustrated growl at the lace barrier that kept him from penetrating her sweet womanhood.
Callius hovered over his female and looked into her eyes as he grabbed the top of that pesky swatch of lace. He growled. At her nod, he tore the piece of lingerie in two.
“Finally, love. Es meus,” with one hard thrust Callius buried himself inside of her.
He growled as he pushed himself deeper. She was warm and ready, slick and tight. She seemed to cover his swollen length like a glove. As if she were created just for him.
He pulled nearly all the way out and pushed back in again, going all the way up to the hilt, reveling in the moan that escaped her lips. Gods, she was sweet, the shock of pleasure in her wide, silver eyes. Callius used one hand to anchor her hips and the other to pull her mouth closer to his. He needed to taste her, to complete the feeling of perfect completion as he drove into her.
It was like coming home. Five-hundred years, he waited to feel this. He lived in isolation, fear, and pain for too much of his life. Restless and listless. Without any place of his own. Now, finally, he was home, with her.
She rocked her hips into his thrusts with equal fervor. The perfect foil for him. No cowering miss, she met him every step of the way. He moved faster and harder with every grunt, and groan, and sigh. A hard, pounding rhythm that they both seemed to crave.
“Don’t. Ever. Stop.” The words seemed torn from her throat.
He wanted to mark every inch of her. To cover her in his scent. He felt his fingers bite into her flesh as he continued to pound into her. He intended to go slow, to be gentle, but he could not help himself. He plundered her body with an almost mindless need, blind to everything but the sensations shooting through his every nerve ending with each movement.
He growled as she bit her lip. Fred answered with a guttural moan and slapped her hands down on his hips. Her sharp nails dug into his skin, pulling him down harder and faster. She wrapped her long legs around his waist and thrust up, matching him every step of the way.
“Callius, oh, I think I love you, Callius,” she screamed his name.
“Say it again.”
“What?”
“Say it again, sweet Winifred,” he stopped moving despite the need driving him to fill her with his seed.
“Oh, no, no, don’t stop, please,” she was mindless with need. She thrust forward, trying to coax him into continuing, but he remained still.
“Please, I’d hear you say it again, my love.”
“Callius! I, I love you, Cal-li-us!” with each syllable he thrust into her, loving the tightening of her walls around him. She was slick and hot, and he needed her more than ever.
“Es meus! Sweet Winifred, my love, my life, my bond. Tell me you are mine!”
“I am yours!”
“Yes! Mine as I am yours.”
Her breasts bounced up and down as he drove into her. The sweat of their bodies made her skin shiny and slick. Her eyes glowed in the darkness, silver to his gold. Callius ran his hand over her body from her neck to her hips as he thrust harder and harder.
He ran a hand over her neck and breasts, pinching her taut nipples and growling when he felt her tighten and quiver in response. The pleasure built up until he feared he could no longer contain himself. Her walls tightened around him and he felt his Dragon fangs descend, he tasted smoke on his breath and growled in anticipation.
Then he bit down on the same place he marked her earlier that night. Callius sucked on her neck as she screamed her completion and then, he let himself go. She arched against him, her tight body wrapped around him as close as she could get.
He covered her in his smoky cinnamon scent as he gave her everything he had to give. His full weight, his full sex, his full heart, everything. He tossed his head back and roared her name as his body got caught in the most powerful release he ever experienced.
A spark of fire escaped his lips and he vowed in his native Dracan to love and treasure her. His true mate. His diamond rose. Far more precious than any treasure. His alone. Es meus.
“What does that mean?” she asked breathlessly.
“You are mine, my diamond rose, my mate, until the end of time,” his voice was deep and gravelly as he pushed up on his elbows. He took her hand and placed it on his heart.
“And are you mine as well?”
“Of course. I am yours alone, Winifred Castillo. Until the end of all things.”
Fred’s eyes filled with tears as she felt a warmth spread beneath her palm. That same bluish-gold light from before shone beneath her hand and pulsed up her arm to her neck where he marked her.
When she lifted her hand Callius’ grin grew even wider. Right there on his chest, where she had seen a mark earlier, was a rose just like hers. Only it was larger. A blue-gold rose the size of her hand just above his heart.
CHAPTER 10
Fred rose with the sound of the ocean crashing against the shore. It was like any other morning, only it wasn’t. She turned her head to find herself staring into the golden eyes of the man who claimed her heart and soul only hours before.
“Good morning,” he reached for her and kissed her softly on her lips.
She couldn’t help her smile. Especially when she thought about were those lips had been only hours before. Her Callius was insatiable. Mmm. Her Callius. She liked that.
“What worries you so this morning, my sweet?”
“I was just thinking, this is like a fairytale. Not all fairytales have happy endings.”
“Ah, yes, I see, but, my love, fairytales were created by normals to scare them into behaving a certain way. We are not bound by the false moral codes of normals, we make our own happy ever after. I am a Dragon and you are a Wolf and together we are the first couple of the Falk Clan.”
“The Falk Clan?”
“Yes. My brothers and I, and now you of course, are to have our own Clan. Here, in this place you have made your home.”
“Is that why you told Rafe you intend to make a Castle here?”
“There are many layers to things we said. You, mi Castillo, are my Castle, my Mate. But yes, in the literal sense we need a place of our own.”
Sadness threatened to surface its ugly head and Fred turned away to get her emotions under control. If only that lowlife ex of hers didn’t steal her cash! They could have stayed right where they were.
Change was difficult for her, she didn’t like the idea of having to leave the place she called home the last few years. But she’d be with Callius and that was definitely worth something. My mate.
“So, where were you thinking? I could access the database of my old job at the real estate office for you-”
“I’ve already found a place.”
“Really? Where?” She was curious. He never mentioned that. Then again, they were too busy to talk last night. She felt her cheeks heat up and knew she was blushing. Oh boy.
“Here of course.”
“But what do you mean? I told you, Mr. Kaepernick is kicking me out.”
His eyes narrowed and Fred was shocked at the rage she saw in them. His scent grew strong and he placed a possessive arm around over her stomach.
“No one is kicking my mate anywhere!”
“No! I just meant I had to leave because of Josh-”
“Do you like it here?”
“Uh, yes, of course.”
“Do you want to stay?”
“Um,
yes?”
“Then it is settled. We stay.”
“But how-” she started to ask questions, but then he was hovering over her. He traced a path along her neck and tugged the sheet off her body, exposing her to his eyes. Every thought left her mind.
“Callius,” she moaned as he began to touch her.
He seemed to know what she wanted before she knew herself. Anticipating her every desire with each tender caress. Fred had never experienced this kind of love.
And it was love. Of that, she had no doubts. She trusted in her Wolf’s instincts and she loved the Dragon as Fred loved the man. She was bound to him, not just by the diamond rose, but inside her heart. Her soul recognized something in his. As if they were two halves, only now becoming whole.
This time their lovemaking was slow and careful. His eyes bore into hers the entire time. He never broke contact. Fred’s heart ached with the tenderness he showed her. He was amazing. Wonderful. And hers.
“I love you,” she whispered in his ear as he slowly pushed inside of her welcoming heat.
She felt tears sting her eyes as he lowered his head and kissed her lips. She’d never belonged. Never had anyone of her own. Not after her brother had taken his own life. It was new and frightening, but she wanted it, wanted him, so very much.
He brought her to heights she’d never experienced before. He rolled onto his side and brought her with him. Never losing contact, he used his hand to lift one of her legs up high on his waist. Then, his fingers found her as his long, hard length continued to pump in and out.
Fred saw stars explode behind her eyes as Callius threw his head back and groaned out her name. She barely felt the tears on her face before she heard him whispering to her. She felt his warm erection still inside of her as he kissed her on the eyelids and temple. Soothingly. Lovingly.
“Shhh, my love, do not cry. I could not bear it if I caused you any pain,” his confusion made her smile.
“I’m not crying because you hurt me, I am crying because I believe you.”
“You believe me?”
“Yes, when you say you and I are mates.”
“I don’t understand. Of course, you are my mate, Fred.”
“I know!” She laughed through her tears and ran a hand along the side of his gorgeous face.
“I am still confused, my love.”
“It’s just, after Jeff took his own life, I felt guilty. Unworthy of love. You see, he had to watch me, raise me, really, and I guess I was too much for him. I was always getting into trouble. I never left him any time to be with his friends. I, I killed him,” the last was a whisper and she turned her head. Unable to look at him. to see the disgust that would be there. She’d murdered her own brother. She didn’t deserve Callius’ love.
Strong fingers turned her head and she was forced to look at Callius. His gold eyes glowed in the dim light of the chilly February morning.
“I am so very sorry for your loss. Death is a sad thing, it is true. But you are no more responsible for your brother’s death than I am for my father’s.”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t you wonder why I was held prisoner for five-hundred years?”
“Um, yes, but I figured it was some Dragon Shifter secret or something.”
“I have no secrets from you,” he eased off Winifred and pulled her close to his chest.
His strong arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace. She was sad to lose the connection they had when they made love, but clearly, they needed to talk. She listened to his heartbeat as he spoke. Her eyes half-closed as she concentrated on his words.
“First, I should tell you Dragons are immortal.”
“You can’t die?”
“No, we can die. We can be wounded and even killed in battle, but unless we choose death, we can live many, many lifetimes.”
“Who would choose death?” Winifred felt his body stiffen as she asked her question.
She was curious. She never heard of Dragon Shifters before. This was all very new to her and she wanted to know more about the man she gave her heart to.
“My father.”
“Oh, Callius, I am so sorry. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“I will have no secrets from you, my love,” he exhaled and kissed the top of her head before continuing, “Dragons live by a code. Service. Honor. Loyalty. My father pledged himself and, therefore, all his kin to the Chief of the Blackthorne Clan after my mother was killed in an attack on our home.”
“You see, back then, not all Dragons had Castles of their own. Some would choose to serve one chief in a grand castle while others, like my father, chose to live as normals do in small village.”
“Was your mother a Dragon too?”
“No, of course not. All Dragons are males. We must mate with females of other kinds, though mostly mates are normals. I admit I am grateful for having a Werewolf as a mate is most fortuitous.”
“Is it now?”
“Of course, you are, how should I put it, sturdier than most.”
“Gee, thanks a lot!” She swatted playfully at him and he laughed and tickled her belly. When the laughter and kisses subsided, he continued.
“When the Chief to whom my father pledged his loyalty died in battle, the throne was handed to his son, and with him all pledges handed down as well,” he hissed when he said the word son and Fred understood. She rubbed his chest in soothing circles until he settled down enough to continue his tale.
“Chief Dragomir is a tyrant. A dangerous one. Lazy, spoiled, and unjust. Shortly after becoming Chief, he brought several concubines to court. One in particular, was beyond the rest in beauty and value. He had one of his Dragons steal her after we’d won a battle for him.”
“Steal her? Sexist pig!”
“Yes, well, that was not uncommon in that day. Spoils of war and all that. Anyway, the Chief does not fight himself. My father was a very mighty warrior. He taught me everything I know. He was the one who captured the maid for Dragomir, but he made a mistake. He fell in love with her. Our own mother’s passing left him hollow and he found solace in her.”
“What were their names?”
“My father was called Castor and she was Igraine.”
“What happened next?”
“They were discovered. Their affair made public. Dragomir was humiliated. He had her beheaded unbeknownst to my father who was out waging another war for him at the time. When he returned to discover her dead, he fell on his sword. Choosing death over life without love.”
“That’s terrible! But how did you and your brother’s come into all this?”
“Dragomir is a vile, petty sort of man and a much worse Dragon. He was not appeased by the death of my father. Deprived of his ability to punish Castor, he decided that his kin should bear the weight of his wrath. So, my brother’s and I were bound to serve him. Five-hundred years of servitude. We were not allowed many freedoms. I am glad it is over.”
“I bet you are! But that’s so unfair!” Fred sprung up in the bed, startling Callius into sitting up, “The jerk! The creep! How could he do that? That isn’t justice!”
“Don’t fret, love, it is done with. Please, sit,” he smiled at her vehemence on his behalf and Fred felt foolish.
“No, please, do not be embarrassed. I am pleased you would fight for me, for I would surely kill for you.”
“Callius, seriously though, I am so sorry for all that you’ve been through.”
“It doesn’t matter now. I’ve found you and nothing else matters. My brothers and I are free. Your Alpha has agreed to have us build on his territory. All is well.”
“But you’ve been a prisoner for centuries? How do you plan to make a home? I mean, shouldn’t you look for a job first, save up, you know, be practical?”
Fred hated to bring it up, but she was a realist. Even if she was a Werewolf in love with a Dragon. Her Dragon. Mmm. But where would they make a home? How would they pay rent? She was already broke. She
had virtually no money and was about to be kicked out onto the street. It seemed impossible.
“Do you doubt my ability to take care of you?” He frowned and Fred rolled her yes. Men! She guessed Dragons were a lot like Wolves when it came to their egos.
“I am not insinuating that you can’t take care of me, but I imagine the world has changed since you’ve been an active part of it. Money is king. I don’t make much, but whatever I have is yours, Callius. I love you.”
Fred felt the truth in her words down to her toes. Her Wolf was strong in her mind and she knew it was because of the intense bond they shared. He was her mate in every sense of the word and she’d give him anything she had. She wasn’t afraid of hard work.
His silence worried her. His golden eyes were downcast, and she wondered if maybe she insulted him. then he looked up, a dazzling smile on his face. He walked over to where she sat perched on a chair next to the bed, unashamed of his nudity. He knelt at her feet and dropped a soft kiss on her lips.
“My sweet, Fred. I can’t tell you how it warms my heart to know you are as fierce and loyal as you are beautiful. My mate, you would give me your all and I would offer you nothing less from myself. But I should tell you my brother’s and I have amassed a small treasure trove over the years.”
“Yes, but Callius,” she began just as he laughed aloud and stood up in his full naked glory. Fred was rendered speechless for a moment.
“Come, let’s dress and I shall show you the financial portfolio Nikolai, my brother, has provided me with to make my way hereabouts. Do you have WIFI?”
Fred followed him into the small corner of her apartment that was both the kitchen and the office space. She was a little stunned to hear him talk about WIFI and even more when he grabbed her laptop and expertly clicked away on the keys.
That was nothing compared to her face when she saw Callius’ bank statements and stock portfolio. He was loaded. Like rich rich.
“Holy shit!”
“Will this suffice?”
Fred had never seen so many zeroes. Especially not any preceded by a dollar sign. He narrowed his eyes and crossed the space between them just as Fred’s legs buckled.