by Jane Godman
She pressed her hand to Torque’s chest, feeling his heart beating beneath her palm. “You’re beautiful.”
He pulled her close, pressing his face to her hair as though he was inhaling her. Placing a hand on each side of her face, he dropped a single kiss on her parted lips. At his touch, white-hot fire scorched through her. The need for more became a burning ache and she moved closer.
She was in control of what she was doing, but at the same time, she was lost in sensation. Her body had shifted to autopilot. Every muscle was tense, every nerve on high alert. Torque’s eyes locked on to hers with an intensity that took her breath away. His mouth on hers was harder this time, demanding everything she needed to give. A soft sound escaped him as he parted her lips with his tongue. A groan that came from somewhere deep in his chest. It sounded like he’d found forever.
That noise was everything Hollie had ever wanted. Her whole body vibrated with pleasure as she slid a hand behind his head. Heat built in the pit of her stomach, radiating outward until the pressure became a sweet, unbearable pain. The air around them crackled with electricity as Torque’s tongue caressed hers.
Hollie came alive in the storm that broke over her. Torque’s touch sent a lightning bolt straight to her heart. She gave herself up to the tempest, allowing it to consume her, emerging on the other side of a moment that changed her life.
When she raised her head and looked into Torque’s eyes, she saw confirmation of her own thoughts. “I haven’t changed my mind, Torque. I still want you.”
Chapter 7
Even though Hollie had accepted his true identity, there were still reasons why Torque needed to keep his distance. No matter how strong this attraction was, Khan was right. There were too many barriers between them. Hollie had a regular job, Torque was a celebrity. She was mortal, he was immortal. She was human, he was a dragon. So many lifestyle differences to overcome.
That was before he even started on the sorceress and seer who had sworn to destroy Torque and everything he touched. Happiness would never be for him, that was what Teine had told him all those centuries ago. If she couldn’t have him, she would make sure no one else did.
Even as his head was reminding him of all the reasons why he should gently remove Hollie’s hands from around his neck and leave the room to spend a sleepless night on a sofa, Torque’s lips were returning to hers. Over and over.
It didn’t matter what his rational self tried to tell him, she was in his blood. His mate was in his arms, and everything else faded away.
“Hollie...” He made one last attempt at doing the right thing.
“No more talking.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “Unless it’s to tell me what you like.”
The sound that began deep in his chest was a groan of surrender. “You, Hollie. I like you.”
Sliding a hand behind her, he eased them both down the bed until she was lying on her back and he was on top of her. Using his knee, he pushed her legs apart and settled between them as he returned to the heaven of kissing her. Tugging her lower lip between his teeth, he suckled the plump flesh before thrusting his tongue deep into her mouth. Hollie murmured with pleasure and arched up to him.
She took one of his hands in hers, sliding it under the crisp cotton of her blouse and sucking in a breath as his calloused fingers moved over the soft flesh of her stomach. When he reached the swell of her breast, Torque covered the plump mound and pushed aside the lace of her bra. Finding her nipple, he rolled it between his thumb and forefinger.
Her breathing was becoming erratic and Torque lifted his head to watch her face. A faint flush tinted her cheeks, and her eyelids were heavy. Pleasure jolted him. Mine.
Lifting her blouse higher, he bent his head and lightly flicked his tongue over the exposed rosy tip. Hollie shuddered with pleasure and Torque’s erection jerked in response. She brought her legs up to cradle him, holding him pelvis to pelvis. When she rocked against him, Torque hissed out a warning.
“If you do that again, this won’t last long.”
Her laugh was shaky. “Good, because I don’t think I can wait.”
“Clothes.” He seemed to have lost the ability to speak in sentences. “Off.”
In a flurry of activity, their clothing was flung aside. When they were both naked, Torque ran his hands up from her hips to her breasts. She looked so pale and dainty in contrast to his muscular hands and arms. So why was he the one who felt helpless every time he looked at her?
He drew in a rasping breath as Hollie mirrored his movements, spreading her hands over his torso, raking her nails over his flesh. It was too much. Too much raw heat and sensation powering through his veins, flooding his whole system. He grabbed her hands, bearing her onto her back again as he moved over her. Skin on skin. Heat on heat. Pleasure spiked and demanded release.
Not yet.
He moved slowly down her body, kissing along her neck, down her collarbone, until he reached the soft flesh of her breasts. He sucked at her rock-hard nipples, biting them and flicking them with his tongue, first one, then the other. Hollie dug her nails into his shoulders, crying out in delight.
Torque slid lower, licking and nipping the curve of her waist, her jutting hip bones, and the flat plain of her belly. Gripping the inside of her knees, he tugged her legs apart, holding her open to his gaze as he kissed his way along her inner thighs. Hollie writhed wildly in his hold, lifting her hips and offering herself to him.
Torque paused, his heart expanding as he gazed at her. She was perfection. Long-limbed, slender, pretty as a portrait. Elegance and light. Her emerald eyes glimmered at him from between half-closed lids, her lips were the color of rubies, her hair had the sheen of spun gold. The thought snagged a memory, then drifted away. There was no room for anything except his craving for her.
He wanted her so much it was an ache, but he was determined to make this moment last.
“So beautiful.” Using his fingers to part her outer lips, he gazed down at her. “Pink and sweet...” He ran a finger through her center. “And so very wet.”
Hollie’s toes curled and her head thrashed from side to side. “Please, Torque.” She buried her fingers in his hair. “No more teasing.”
Obediently, he lowered his head and drew her clit into his mouth. As she began to tremble wildly, he sucked hard on the little nub. Panting, Hollie raised herself up on her elbows so she could watch what he was doing. Almost immediately, he felt her thigh muscles begin to tremble.
She threw her head back, her whole body bucking uncontrollably under the force of an instant climax. Torque didn’t stop. He kept his mouth on her, circling her clit with his tongue, absorbing the ripples that crashed through her. He kept the waves coming and still continued to suck her.
“It’s too much.” Her voice was almost a sob. “No more, Torque, I can’t...”
He eased up, slowing his movements and withdrawing gradually. His own breathing was coming harsh and fast as he moved back up the bed. Hollie gazed up at him with a dazed expression before wrapping her arms around him. Reaching a hand between them, she curved her fingers around his rock-hard shaft and stroked.
Luckily, a tiny part of Torque’s brain was still clinging to a slither of reason. Leaning over the side of the bed, he snagged his discarded jeans with one hand. Hollie murmured a protest at the interruption.
“Condom.”
“Are dragons always this well prepared?” Her voice was husky with a combination of laughter and residual breathlessness.
“This is my human side.” He tore open the foil packet. “My dragon would choose to live dangerously.”
Her hands traced molten lines of fire along the muscles of his back as he reached between them to get the protection in place. His erection felt like a steel girder, lying hot, hard and sheathed, pressing against her. Torque could feel Hollie’s heart hammering a wild beat into his chest.
&
nbsp; He couldn’t wait any longer and Hollie’s hands on his shoulders indicated she didn’t want him to. Sliding his hands under her buttocks, he lifted her to him. She used a hand to guide him and he slammed all the way into her waiting warmth.
Hollie gave a little cry and he paused, looking down at her in concern.
She shook her head, her eyes tightly closed. “Don’t stop.”
He smoothed a finger over her furrowed brow. “I need to know you’re okay.”
“I’m okay.” She opened her eyes. “It’s perfect. New. Different, but perfect.”
Different, but perfect. The ultimate high. If he hadn’t known before that she was his mate, he knew it now. Adrenaline flooded his body, powering him into action. He surged into her in heavy, powerful strokes. Hollie slammed up from the mattress in time with his movements. Every thrust increased the pressure, built the intensity, destroyed a little bit more of the control. Hollie went wild, writhing beneath him, clawing at his shoulders and upper arms. She called out his name, tensing as she came again.
Torque felt the tendons in his neck straining, his facial muscles pulling tight. Thrusting powerfully one last time, his body convulsed in time with Hollie’s as his own climax hit. He pulsed deep inside her, and Hollie clenched around him, holding on tight. It was like lightning striking his spine and sending aftershocks along his nerve endings. The room started to spin as he rocked into her, gasping out her name. Everything faded except this. His heart was ready to burst. He couldn’t believe he’d wasted so much of his life not experiencing this delicious joy.
Gradually, he came back down to earth. He could draw a breath, his heart was starting to beat normally. But he would never be the same again.
* * *
Returning from the bathroom, Torque lay on his side facing Hollie. Gently, he brushed long strands of hair back from her face. A glimmer of a smile touched her lips when he leaned over, kissing her lightly.
She turned into his embrace, her eyes widening as her gaze traveled down his body. “Um, is this a dragon thing?”
He was harder than ever. Huge and throbbing. “I’m a dragon, but this has never happened to me before.”
She ran her tongue along her lower lip. “I’m human...but I feel the same. I still want more.”
As Torque reached for another condom, her blood felt like honey, running thick, slow and sweet through her veins. What she was feeling went beyond arousal. A thousand wonderful sensations blossomed from Torque’s touch, warming from her toes to her fingertips. Her naked skin was fever-hot, and the cooler air in the room felt like ice in contrast.
Patience wasn’t an option. They both needed fast and hard. Hollie didn’t stop to question why. This was her new reality. Her new perfection.
She pulled Torque toward her and he pressed deep inside, muffling a groan as he began to pump his hips.
“Too good.” His lips crushed hers as they rocked together.
Her own breath caught at the back of her throat. How could it be even better? She ground her pelvis against his, lifting to meet him, matching his demands.
When he pulled out, she called his name, trying to draw him back to her. Flipping her over onto her front, he drew her hips up so she was on her hands and knees. “Oh, yes.”
She spread her knees wider, arching her back as he moved into position and drove into her from behind. He felt even bigger and thicker from this angle and she pushed herself up as he buried himself to the hilt. He held her steady as he pistoned into her in a series of frenzied thrusts. The pressure built, instantly taking her to the breaking point. Hollie clutched at the bedcovers, helpless to do anything other than hang on.
Barely recognizing the animal sounds that issued from her lips, she jerked, letting out a strangled gasp as every part of her body constricted and then slowly released in shuddering, luscious waves. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she shattered into a million pieces, writhing in place for a few seconds before going limp. Torque gave a low growl of appreciation, his grip tightening just enough that his nails bit into her skin.
“Feels like heaven when you come around me,” Torque murmured, grinding his pelvis against her.
Hollie gasped and shuddered through her climax as he thrust harder and faster. He drove in hard one last time and held himself taut. Then his whole body started to shake and he buried his head in her neck, nipping the skin lightly with his sharp teeth before collapsing on top of her.
As his hands slid away from her hips, Hollie sank forward. Torque slipped to one side of her, draping an arm over her back.
“I don’t know what just happened.” His fingertips were warm and slightly rough along her spine.
She turned her head to look at him. “Nor do I, but it was wonderful.”
His expression lightened and he reached out a finger to touch her cheek. “It was, wasn’t it?”
Her body was reeling and her head was spinning. This was Torque, the man she had worshiped from afar for years. He had also just confessed to being a dragon. She really needed to take some time to process what had become of the life she thought she knew. But she couldn’t. Not while Torque was looking at her with a touch of anxiety in his expression. As if he was afraid he hadn’t met her expectations.
She traced the perfect lines of his lips with her finger. “I want more of that.”
He looked startled. “Now?”
She laughed. “Maybe not immediately, but sometime soon.”
“I promise you there will be more and it will be soon.” He drew her close and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “And dragons always keep their promises.”
Lying in the semidarkness with him felt comfortable and right. And un-dragon-like. “Where are you from?”
“It’s a long story.”
She tilted her head to look at him. At the bladelike planes of his face and the grim set of his lips. “I’m not going anywhere.”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “I’ll tell you the abridged version. It began when the world was young and time was new, when elves and faeries walked the earth without hindrance. When humans understood the need for magic and sorcerers were all-powerful. In the land now known as Scotland, a sorceress reigned over the Highlands. One day, she entered a cave and spoke the words of a spell. The ground shook and split and flames roared up from the cracks. When the blaze died down, there were two huge eggs in its place, one white and one black. The following day, the eggs hatched into two dragons. The white one was the Cumhachdach, or the mighty, and the black was the Moiteil, or the proud. They were the founders of the first of the Scots dragon-shifter clans.”
“Clans?” She tilted her head to look at him. “Like a family?”
“Exactly.” He traced circles on her shoulder with the palm of his hand. “I am the only remaining member of the Cumhachdach.”
Although his voice was neutral, she knew, from the tension in his body, that this was not a subject he wanted to discuss. Leaning on one elbow, she pressed her lips to his and felt him relax slightly.
“Maybe we should get some sleep? I have some plans for later that may need you to conserve your strength.”
He smiled, drawing her back down to him. “I’m not good at sleeping, but I’ll gladly watch while you get some rest.”
* * *
When they were able to get back into Torque’s apartment building, Hollie took time out to view the damage. It was minor and the concierge explained his theory that a bogus delivery driver had started the blaze.
“The guy gave me a stack of paperwork to fill out. When I’d finished it, he was gone. Soon after that, the fire alarm went off.” The concierge showed them the point where the fire had started. “He didn’t think it through. This lobby is mostly marble—it’s not going to burn easily. And a building like this is going to have a sophisticated fire prevention system.”
“It doesn’t sound like the Incinerat
or,” Torque said when they were alone again. “He’s good at this. Surely, if he wanted to burn this place down, he wouldn’t make any mistakes.”
“It was him.” Hollie sounded certain. “This was just to let us know he’s in town.”
When they reached the apartment, she took his hands in hers. Standing on the tips of her toes, she reached up and drew his head down until their lips were almost touching. Torque was enchanted by her, bound to her body and soul. He’d even managed to get a few hours of sleep with her in his arms. It seemed Hollie’s presence was the antidote to Teine’s centuries-old insomnia spell.
“I want you to do something for me.” Her voice was a whisper.
“Anything.”
“Show me this legendary paperwork of yours.”
“I can think of other things we could be doing.” He slid his hands down to her waist.
“I’m guessing that’s the laid-back attitude that got you in this administrative mess.” She took his hand and led him toward the room he used as a study. “I’ll strike a deal with you. Let me see what I’m up against, and then I’m all yours.”
He gave an exaggerated sigh. “You’re strict.”
She grinned mischievously. “Well, if that’s what you want...”
This was what his life had been missing. This easy, comfortable warmth. When they’d woken up that morning, he wondered if things would be awkward. It wasn’t exactly an everyday situation. How would they deal with the whole human-dragon thing? But they’d slipped into their own natural rhythm. Maybe it was pretense. They were living in the moment and ignoring the big stuff—the crazy guy lurking in the shadows, the imbalance in their DNA, the ridiculous age difference, that whole mortal-immortal, dragon-human thing—but they were having fun. And Torque had forgotten about fun. He was one of the most famous men in the world, and he was enjoying himself for the first time in... He tried to remember.
A thousand years? Two? It didn’t matter. He was going to relish these precious moments, even though he knew they couldn’t last.
Half an hour later, Hollie was seated on the rug with paper piled all around her and a look of intense concentration on her face. Torque, who had wandered away to the kitchen, returned with sandwiches and soda.