by Brenda Trim
“So much for cake,” he mumbled against her lips as they came to a stop in the large kitchen.
His mouth plundered hers as his large palms cupped her backside. The slide of his tongue against hers made every cell tingle. Shifting, she wrapped her legs around his waist and dropped the plate as he tugged her dress up to her hips.
“Nay, no’ you guys, too. What is it with this kitchen?” Kyran grumbled, his voice interrupting their moment.
“Shite. We canna get carried away in here. I doona think our fire and the gas stove are a good combination,” Breslin laughed.
“We are explosive,” Rhett teased as he carried her from the room while Kyran shouted they were a danger to the house.
Rhett’s mouth slanted over hers and plundered her depths. The sexual tension in her body ignited flames along her arms that spread with every step he took. His suit jacket caught on fire as they made it to the stairs.
“Wait. I doona want my dress to burn,” Breslin said as the flames began to spread.
“Then take it off,” Rhett said, putting her down. His shirt and jacket fell in smoking tatters to the floor.
She glanced around and didn’t spot anyone. Her keen hearing told her the guests were still enjoying the party. Why not, she decided.
“Good idea,” she said and turned around. “Unzip me?”
His hot hands blazed a trail down her back, unzipping her dress as they went. Her dress pooled at her feet then she was in the air and being turned in his arms.
“Who’s going commando now?” he growled against her throat as he quickly took the stairs to her suite of rooms. “Mmm, and no bra? Thank you, Flame. Less work for me,” he murmured as he trailed kisses along her neck.
“Canna catch on fire if I’m no’ wearing any,” she replied with a wink as his eyes roamed her naked body.
“I like the way you think, Flame.”
Her ample breasts heaved with every breath and pushed against his bare chest. Rhett kissed his way to her lips, making her breath catch. Rhett’s arms closed around her torso, melding them together.
They were lost to the growing passion as they reached the bedroom. Rhett kicked the door shut in the next breath. Breslin opened her mouth to tell him to hurry before she lost control when his head darted to her breast.
The muscles of his arms tightened against her body as his demanding lips closed over one aching nipple. Rhett was a maestro and her body the music as he licked and sucked his way from one breast to the next. She became a puddle of need in his arms as she writhed in sync with his orchestration.
Flames engulfed their upper bodies and when Breslin glanced down, smoldering orange orbs stared up at her. Rhett held her gaze as he bit down on her nipple and she gasped.
“You taste so fucking good,” Rhett growled, the sound guttural and raspy. Her eyes widened at the unfamiliar tone of his voice as she felt a shift.
“Rhett, baby?” she asked.
His demon stared back at her.
“You’re mine, Flame,” he declared.
“Aye, I’m yours,” she assured and held his gaze.
His skin went from translucent to a deep orange-red color and flames blazed in his eyes. Rhett’s demon was in control. It was scary and thrilling, and Breslin’s arousal surged. Her heart raced to the point of exploding from her chest. She didn’t know what to do or say.
Suddenly, tiny horns emerged from his skull and fangs filled his mouth. Breslin noted they were much larger than hers. He could easily shred her to bits but she wasn’t afraid. He looked nothing like her mate but the changes didn’t detract from his appeal. In fact, it made her want the demon even more.
Fire consumed Rhett’s body between one heartbeat and the next, incinerating her shoes, along with his remaining clothes. She moaned when he shoved his hard shaft against her core and her body urged her on.
“Safe room, now, before we destroy the rest of this floor,” Breslin panted.
“Mine,” was his guttural reply as he stalked to the room at the back of their closet.
Breslin’s eyes went saucer wide when she saw the contents inside the room. Not only did Rhett have a bed with soft, cottony sheets, there were countless red rose petals covering the crisp white linens. A side table with champagne and a platter of strawberries and cream sat beside the bed.
“When did you have time to do all this?” she murmured and caressed his heated cheek.
She saw a flicker of recognition then felt another shift. Rhett was in control again.
“The Rowans helped me. Everything fireproofed. I wanted this night to be special. No more fucking you on the hard floor or against the walls,” he confessed as he set her down.
Breslin opened her mouth to thank him but her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind when he started nibbling her lips. She leaned forward to deepen the kiss but his mouth darted to her neck. She dug her nails into his back and hiked a leg around his hip. Her core pressed against his hard shaft and it jerked against her flesh. His cock rubbed her clit in the most delicious way. A little more and she would cum all over him.
She screamed when she suddenly went airborne. Rhett tossed her to the mattress then crawled up the bed, leaving nips and kisses along her flesh as he made his way up her body. His fangs teased her inner thigh and her core clenched with need. When his mouth closed over her clit and he sucked, Breslin detonated. The sheets shredded beneath her fingernails as bliss flowed through her veins like sweet honey.
Rhett gave her sensitive nub one last lick then continued kissing his way to her mouth. The predatory gleam in his eyes gave Breslin pause. Every female in the house claimed their mate was the sexiest male in the compound. Breslin always thought their debates stupid. Now, she would argue until the day she died that there was no male sexier than Rhett.
When he reached her breasts, and sucked her nipple, she arched. That fast, her need skyrocketed again. She needed to feel her mate inside her. She writhed on the bed, consumed with lust.
Taking control, Breslin reached down and grabbed hold of his cock, guiding his body between her legs. She gripped and squeezed, causing a deep groan from her mate. His eyes rolled back when she glided up and down his shaft, spreading pre-cum along the length.
Suddenly, Rhett grabbed her hand and stilled her movements. She met his gaze and felt warmth spread through her system.
“Thank you for giving me a second chance. I will never stop trying to prove that you made the right decision,” he vowed.
Through their bond she sensed his truth. He meant every word. He saw her as a perfect female who deserved a male that would always be there for her. He wanted to share his life with her in every way. Breslin fell in love all over again with the complicated male.
“You’re talking too much,” she teased and kissed him deeply.
“My fangs ache to sink into you almost as much as my cock,” Rhett growled into her mouth as he plunged deep with one hard motion.
“Yes!” she yelled as he stretched and filled her.
She gasped from the pain as he took possession of her body. He thrust again and intense pleasure replaced the pain, and Breslin climaxed again. The rose petals on the bed caressed her back and legs as their bodies moved together.
Rhett plunged deeper, reaching the place that left her mindless, and another orgasm hit before the last ended.
“Fuck yes. Give me everything you’ve got,” he grunted and Breslin felt his beast resurface.
“Look at me,” she demanded and called to his fire.
His demon growled but she didn’t back down from the challenge. She lifted one leg and threw it over his shoulder, opening herself more so he could go deeper.
“You are mine and I am yours,” she declared, holding his gaze.
“Yes,” he roared as he latched onto her leg. His hand seared her flesh as flames danced around their bodies.
“Then take me. All of me, Rhett. Now,” she offered and began moving her hips as she released control of her fire to the demon.
<
br /> This wasn’t a competition. They were a team now. In every sense. She trusted him more than anyone, and he could trust her, too. She knew he could feel her emotions and read her thoughts. She gave herself completely to the fire demon.
She felt every delicious slide of his thick cock in and out her body. His hands roamed over her breasts. He pinched one nipple hard and kissed her neck. She was so close again and wanted more of him. She wanted everything he had to give. Once more, she felt the shift, and Rhett regained control.
“I need your blood,” he panted, clearly drained from the experience.
At hearing his words, Breslin’s fangs filled her mouth and she didn’t hesitate to sink them into the flesh at the base of his neck. His fangs pierced her neck. Their bodies convulsed as another climax assailed while they drank each other’s life force.
A heartbeat later, Rhett’s scalding seed jetted into her womb. Flames burst from their joined bodies and filled the entire room. Fire filled her system followed by the tingle of magic. Their bond was cemented. Rhett’s essence twined throughout hers. The gold band from the ceremony turned into a million, tiny, gold chains. They were linked at every point of their bodies.
Lava flowed through her body. The world dwindled away as Rhett’s devotion consumed her. He would never leave again. Breslin clung helplessly to him as her orgasm raged on.
What a fucking night, she thought. And this was just the beginning.
* * *
Rhett’s demon snarled one last time then fell to the background when the mating solidified. There was a contentment that wasn’t present before. His beast would always be a part of him, but the desire to dominate was gone. Mating Breslin was the crucial key. It brought the needed balance to his tilted world.
Their entwined souls waved throughout his body like a flickering flame. Instinctively, he understood it was an everlasting flame that would burn within for eternity. The knowledge was mind-blowing and the sensation went straight to his overeager cock, and intensified his orgasm.
Rhett braced himself for the onslaught of her thoughts and emotions now that their link was complete. He was prepared for an emotional beat-down from his mate after his fuck-up months ago. Staring into glowing amber eyes, Rhett’s heart swelled. Every thought and emotion was the opposite of what he expected. No hatred or disappointment was evident. Only the depth of her devotion to him.
Without warning, Rhett lost his strength and collapsed onto Breslin as unfamiliar powers surged from her to him. Breslin explained how Fated Mates shared a portion of their abilities but Rhett didn’t expect to inherit anything. He was a fire demon and already possessed control over fire. He shuddered as extreme heat followed by icy cold shook him to his core. And there was a metallic element mixed with it that he didn’t understand.
His energy rushed back with a vengeance and his cock jerked with renewed vigor. Her cinnamon and fire scent washed over him and he deeply inhaled the delicious fragrance. Thrusting deep, Rhett leaned down and kissed Breslin’s luscious lips and her spicy flavor filled his mouth.
She arched toward him as fire shot out of the puncture marks he left on her neck. A tiny ouroborus marked her as his. Tracing a finger over his mark, he was shocked when his chest began burning. He glanced down and watched as Breslin’s yin-yang symbol branded then inked into his skin.
“You marked me,” he muttered.
Expecting the walls to close in on the realization, Rhett was shocked when his soul settled in place. He was truly content for the first time in his long life. He belonged to this fiery female and she was his.
“Damn straight, I marked you, demon. Doona want you to forget you’re mine,” she teased then flexed her muscles, squeezing his cock. His arousal flared and his cock twitched inside the tight confines of her body.
“Not possible,” Rhett vowed. “You are the dream I fall asleep with and the purpose I wake up to.”
“Och, you had to go and get all mushy on me,” she teased. “I love you so verra much, Rhett. More than I ever thought possible,” she declared and claimed his lips.
“Time for you to show me how much,” he groaned and rolled to his back, taking her with him.
He reversed their positions so she was on top. His sexy mate smiled seductively as she gripped his hips with her thighs.
“Buckle up, demon. You’re aboot to take the ride of your life,” she replied and began moving her hips.
Chapter Twenty
“This salted caramel Frappuccino is delicious,” Breslin said on a sigh as she sipped the frozen coffee.
The summer evening was cool and clear. A perfect night for shopping in the city with the girls, and stopping for their favorite caffeinated beverages was a must. Not that they had to go far for their indulgence. Coffee houses adorned every other corner in Seattle.
Breslin laughed as Izzy skipped around them, singing and enjoying a sugar cookie shaped like a flip flop. As the physical manifestation of the Goddess Morrigan, her niece had a magnetic aura. Humans couldn’t help but smile and praise Izzy’s cuteness, and supernaturals practically bowed at her feet when Izzy touched their hands or faces. It seemed like a simple gesture from a child, but Breslin knew firsthand the calming effect of Izzy’s touch.
“Not nearly as good as Elsie’s hot Butterbeer,” Shae countered.
“Oh my God, that shit was the best,” Mack agreed as she surveyed their surroundings.
Humans kept a safe distance from the formidable female, not that Breslin blamed them. Between her intense expression and being decked out in leather on a summer night, she was intimidating as hell. The only light side to Mack was her snarky t-shirts. Today’s special said ‘Don’t Be Fooled, I Just Act Like I Care’.
“Just wait until you can add rum to it,” the spiky-haired female added with a grin. Yep. That was their Mack.
“Not much longer until our next little bundle is here,” Elsie replied as they walked down the sidewalk, enjoying their time together.
Breslin couldn’t believe how fast time passed. Shae was nearing her due date. Elsie was the first in their compound to have a baby and Shae was the second. Most in the home assumed it would be Cailyn or Illianna, but they were ecstatic over Gerrick and Shae’s good fortune. They deserved the blessing after all they’d been through.
“Hey, Nate? Can you take the bags to the car? We have several more stops before we’re done,” Elsie asked the majordomo.
Nate tossed his empty cup into a garbage can and met Elsie’s gaze. “What? You aren’t done shopping? What more could you possibly need?”
Most days, Nate’s attitude needed an adjustment. Zander was far more patient with the male than Breslin felt he should be, but she understood her brother’s reasons. It was reassuring to have a dragon around to protect his mate and vulnerable child.
Breslin laughed and stopped walking, cocking her hip. “Och, a female needs things, Nate. Surely you’ve noticed Shae has ootgrown most of her clothing. And then there’s the bairn. I willna have our little guy wearing those hideous onesies. Besides, we still havena picked oot the bedding for the nursery,” she explained. Males, she thought, shaking her head.
“Really, I don’t need anything else,” Shae denied.
Shae fit in fabulously with their group but she was still the shy, awe-struck female she’d been when she arrived at Zeum. She hadn’t quite adjusted to her new status of living among the royal family. She came from a simple life and wasn’t comfortable with the luxury that being mated to Gerrick provided.
“Nonsense, Shae. You will have everything you need, and then some. No arguments. Gerrick gave you his credit card, so let’s go charge it up,” Breslin encouraged and gave the female a shoulder nudge.
This outing wasn’t only about Shae. They all needed it. Elsie and Izzy needed to get out of the compound. It had been months since the queen had taken her daughter for an outing and Breslin felt it wasn’t healthy for either of them. She hated seeing them prisoners in their own home.
Unfortunately, t
here was good reason for them to stay inside the protective walls of Zeum. Elsie was targeted by the demons from the moment she met Zander, and Izzy had been hunted since she was in the womb. They all did their best to protect them but nothing was guaranteed when it came to the archdemons.
Zander conceded to girl’s night out but insisted Nate accompany them just in case Crocel pulled another stunt. Breslin feared Elsie and Izzy would never live normal lives and hoped this fun-filled evening provided a brief escape from the reality of their world.
“If you’re going to be a baby about walking six blocks to the car, I’ll do it,” Mack said as she attempted to pick up the bags at Nate’s feet.
Nate was a smart male and grabbed the bags before Mack reached them. Kyran would skin him alive if he didn’t do right by his female.
“No, I got it. I’ll be right back. Where can I find you?” the dragon shifter asked as he turned to walk in the opposite direction.
“We’re going to hit Barney’s as we make our way down Fifth,” Elsie replied.
Breslin practically jumped up and down from excitement. She loved Barney’s and hadn’t been there in months.
“Okay. Don’t go any further and be careful,” Nate instructed their group.
The females continued along, leaving Nate to juggle the multiple bags. Breslin window-shopped as they passed the stores. This district of downtown Seattle near City Centre was one of her favorite shopping areas. It was littered with fantastic shops, both human and realm owned.
“Oh, look! Sparklies, mama,” Izzy cried out as she dashed to a window that showcased jewelry.
“Those are beautiful, sweetie, but you don’t need them,” Elsie replied with a smile.
“I do, mama. I neeeeed,” Izzy whined.
They all laughed but Breslin froze when a thousand needles pricked her skin. Something wasn’t right. She searched the area for any sign of danger but came up empty.
“Feel that?” Mack whispered.