Dragon Whelps: Earth Dragons Series: Book 3

by Hartnady, Charlene

  “You know this is just a…sex thing?”

  Macy bobbed her brows. “I know exactly what it is. The guys are only here for one night and then they’re headed back home to…” She frowned and then shrugged. “It just occurred to me that I have no idea where they are from. Not that it matters.” She giggled again.

  “Doesn’t that worry you? That this is a one-night thing.”

  “Not at all.” Macy shook her head.

  “That’s not like you.”

  “I’m living a little. I mean…look at him.” She widened her eyes. “I’m just hoping he’s big like that all over, and that he…” she bit down on her bottom lip for a second, “you know, is just as good at doing the deed as he is at kissing. It’s been years since I last had sex. There might be cobwebs up there.”

  Georgia laughed and shook her head.

  “Rock thinks I’m sexy. Just look at the women in this place ‒ and he wants me…” she pointed at her chest. “I mean reeeeally wants me.” She shrugged. “I’m hugely attracted to him as well, so, why the hell not?” She grinned. “They’re staying at Dalton Spring Heights and are here for a convention.”

  “I know. His friend over there told me.” Georgia glanced at Shale who was talking with Rock.

  “Nothing bad will happen to me.” Macy gripped her hand and squeezed. “If you don’t want me to leave you, though, I’ll turn him down and head home with you.”

  Georgia pushed out a breath. “I worry about you, that’s all.”

  “I think I can handle it. I’m sure I’ll be just fine.”

  “If you’re sure, then I don’t mind at all. I’ll grab an Uber home.” She held up her half-finished wine. “As soon as I’m done with this.”

  “Wait a minute.” Macy shook her head. “I said I’d pay for this whole evening. Drinks and the Uber. There and back. You can’t afford it, Georgia.”

  Nope, she couldn’t but she wasn’t going to admit to it. “I’ll be fine.”

  “No.” Macy shook her head, digging in her bag. “Here,” she held up a twenty, “that should cover the Uber and maybe even another glass of wine.” Her friend grinned suddenly. “Although I’m pretty sure Handsome over there would be more than willing to spot you a drink.”

  “I’m not taking your money ‒ and Handsome can kiss my ass.”

  “He sure looks like he wants to.” They both broke out in peals of laughter. Macy quickly turned serious. “Please just take the money or I won’t be able to go with Rock ‒ and I reallllllly want to.”

  Georgia felt terrible. She felt useless. She felt helpless.

  “Just take it, please,” Macy pleaded.

  “Okay,” Georgia whispered. “Thank you!”

  “Don’t mention it. I dragged you out here.” Then she smiled. “It needs to be said, Rock’s friend is hot.” Macy bobbed her brows. “He might even be more good-looking than Rock. Although I think Rock is so darned cute. But back to his buddy…wow! Handsome is a good nickname for him.”

  Georgia giggled. Where the hell had that come from? “That might be true but—”

  “But nothing! It’s been ages since you and Tate broke up. You should get back on the horse ‒ and that guy’s a freaking stallion.”

  Georgia choked out a laugh. “Easy, cowgirl. You head out with…Mr. Muscles over there. Don’t worry about me.” She held up the twenty.

  “You really should go for it,” Macy said in a singsong voice. “He wants you and he wants you bad. One night of fun!” Her friend turned serious. “You don’t have any fun anymore. I understand why that is, but maybe you owe yourself this one time.”

  Georgia smiled. “I’ll talk to him while I finish my drink.” She shrugged. “You never know.” She had no intention of going anywhere with Shale but if it helped Macy feel better about leaving, then she would say it anyway. She had a feeling that Mr. Muscles was going to be great for her friend’s confidence.

  “You mean that?”

  “I swear it. I’ll chat with Shale and if that leads somewhere, then so be it.” Georgia did plan on finishing her drink. Why not? Then she’d head home and get some precious sleep. “You go and enjoy yourself,” Georgia encouraged Macy, who beamed.

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m very sure.” Georgia slapped Macy playfully on the arm. “Now you get out of here. Just be safe.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to me,” she laughed. “Nothing bad at any rate. Hopefully lots of good stuff.”

  “What I mean is,” she lowered her voice, “make sure you guys use a condom.”

  “Georgia!” Macy made a face. “Of course we will.”

  “Have fun then.” They hugged and headed back to the two men, who were still chatting with one another.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow,” Macy said over her shoulder as she and Mr. Muscles walked away.

  “You were about to tell me,” Shale began but was interrupted.

  “Hiya!” It was a really cute brunette. She wore a tiny skirt and the highest heels Georgia had ever seen. She was smiling up at Shale, who… He didn’t react actually. Why not? She would have expected something from the guy, since the woman standing in front of him was mighty cute. It didn’t look like she was wearing a bra. Either that, or it was really cold in there and well, yeah, since it wasn’t cold there was no other explanation for the perky nips. “I’m Cheryl and you are?” Short-skirt fluttered her lashes. When Shale didn’t answer she went on. “Can I get you a drink?” More fluttering.

  Georgia took a small step back. This was the part where she left them to it. Shale was looking for a good time. This was his chance.

  Georgia was shocked when Shale shook his head. “My girlfriend might not like that very much.” He put an arm around Georgia’s shoulders. Say what? She was too startled to do anything but stand there, mouth gaping a little. Georgia had been so sure he would accept the offer of a drink.

  The brunette had wide blue eyes and full, glossy lips. She was pushing out her chest as if continued world peace depended on it.

  “Oh.” Short-skirt looked at her like the concept of Shale being with her was crazy. All wide-eyed and puzzled. She even gave Georgia the once-over, a frown appearing as she did. “I thought you were one of the guys in town for one night.”

  “I am. I brought my girlfriend along.” His arm tightened around her. He smelled amazing. Clean and manly. So good. He was warm too. Really warm.

  “Okay. I see.” She made a face. “I didn’t think she looked much like she was with you,” she mumbled. This time she gave Georgia a dirty look.

  What the…?

  She might be a freckly ginger with a little junk in the trunk, but she didn’t deserve that kind of a reaction. “Well, we are together. Very much so!”

  Short-skirt’s expression just got a whole lot nastier.

  Georgia felt her blood heat. “My man happens to love tits and ass with a side of sass. We’re very much in love, so you can beat it.” She wasn’t sure what came over her when she got up onto her tippy-toes and kissed Shale. She didn’t just kiss him. She went all possessive on him as well. Staked a claim! Big time! Georgia covered his mouth with hers. She stuck her tongue into his mouth, then grabbed his bicep with her free hand and put her arm around him with the other. Still clutching her wine.

  Good lord!

  His muscles were thick and hard. She may have moaned just then. In fact, she did moan…loudly. They kept at it for a good long minute. Long after the brunette had left. Georgia didn’t have to check. Short-skirt would be long gone. A kiss like the one they were sharing couldn’t be faked, even if everything else was. It was hot. It was heavy. It had her nipples tightening and other places tingling.

  She was out of breath when he finally broke the kiss. He broke the kiss. Not her. She’d still be pressed tightly against him, her tongue dancing with his, if he hadn’t.

  A smile toyed with the side of his mouth. His full sexy mouth. The mouth she was staring at right then. Almost in awe. “Do you want to get o
ut of here?” he asked.

  Chapter 5

  Shale watched her sober up in an instant. Her eyes went from hazy and lust-drunk to bright and… Was that fear that flashed in their depths?

  The female let him go and even took a step back. “I can’t.” She shook her head. “I have work in the morning. A ton of work. I’m getting up early and…,” She swallowed. “I can’t, that’s all.”

  He smiled. “I might need to head back to the hotel to change my shirt.” Shale turned, giving her a view of his back.

  When he turned back, she was clutching a hand to her mouth. Her eyes were wide. “Oh no,” she said through her hand, her words muffled. “I’m sorry,” she added, after taking her hand away. “Shit!” She looked down at her now empty wine glass. “I’m such a klutz.”

  “Here…” she closed the space between them and gripped his forearm, “turn back around.”

  She gasped. Even though she hadn’t meant it like that, the sound was still amazing to his ears. His balls tightened up some. He wanted to hear her gasp like that when his cock was buried inside her. Deep inside her.

  “You’re really wet,” she said.

  Words he wanted to whisper to her.

  “I didn’t think I had that much left in my glass,” she went on, “I need to find a dishcloth.” Before he could stop her, she headed to the bar, returning minutes later with a soda in one hand and a cloth in her other.

  “It’s not the end of the world,” he said, noting the determination in her eyes.

  “I feel awful. I think I ruined your shirt.”

  He shrugged. “It’s just a shirt.”

  “It looks expensive. Designer. That…” she pointed at the embroidered logo on the pocket, “logo looks familiar. I’m sure it’s designer.”

  It was. It had cost a fortune. It didn’t matter. Not in the least.

  “It’ll wash out and even if it doesn’t. I don’t really care.” He looked back over his shoulder at the red stain. He didn’t give a shit. So what! “I don’t like wearing shirts much anyway.”

  Her eyes brightened up a whole lot. She licked her lips and glanced down at his chest before looking back up at him. They were a touch hazy. Very beautiful. A gorgeous green. Only highlighted by her wild tumble of hair. A fiery, startling red he wanted to fist in his hands while fucking—

  “Turn around.” Her voice was no-nonsense and commanding. Fuck if he didn’t like it a whole damn lot. He did as she said.

  “Now hold still.” She got to work on his shirt.

  Shale held up his hands. “I really don’t mind—”

  “Well, you should, because I don’t think this is coming out.” She sounded so wound up.

  “It’s okay,” he tried, but her wiping only got more frantic. She stopped to soak the cloth with more club soda. “I mean it,” he added. “I don’t care about the shirt.” Shale turned and took the cloth and soda from her hands. He placed them on a nearby table, quickly turning back to face her.

  She looked upset, a deep frown marred her forehead. “I’m so sorry. I’m such a klutz. I—”

  Shale gripped his shirt in both hands and pulled. There was a tearing noise as he ripped his shirt open. Buttons went flying. The female’s jaw dropped. “There,” he chuckled. “Problem solved. The stain doesn’t matter anymore.”

  She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, her eyes on his chest…then on his abs…and back up to his chest. Her gaze slid slowly back down…down…back to his abs and lower to where his dick was hardening up. How could it not? This delectable female happened to be fucking the hell out of him with her eyeballs.

  Shale closed the space between them and put his hands on her hips. Her lovely full hips. ‘Tits and ass with a side of sass’ was true. Only, she was sweet and shy as well. Such a fantastic combination. “I don’t give a shit about the shirt. I’d trade ten like it for another kiss. Come back to the hotel with me,” he asked.

  “You don’t waste any time, do you?”

  “I’m only here for one night, so…no.” He shook his head.

  She frowned. “Why the urgency? Do you have a girlfriend or a wife back home?”

  Shale shook his head. “No! I’m single. I would never fuck around on someone.”

  She looked around them, probably noting how several females were standing close by…watching…waiting. “You do know that you could have your pick of women in this place.” She scrunched up her nose.

  “I happen to want you.” He kept his eyes on her.

  “Just like that.”

  “Just like that.” He cupped her chin in his hand and listened as her heart-rate sped up. “Believe it or not, I don’t fuck around all that much.”

  “Much?” She raised her brows.

  He smiled. “I didn’t say that I never fuck around.” Because of those bastard hunters, it had been almost a year since his last Stag Run. It might be just as long before his next one. “It doesn’t happen all that often, and most females don’t interest me.”

  She raised her brows. “Oh? Why’s that?”

  He shrugged. “I’m picky. I’ll admit it.” He let her go.

  “And you want me…is that it?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “You’re having a hard time with that part and I’m not sure why. You’re very sexy. Although we haven’t talked for very long, I can tell you’re intelligent as well.”

  “It’s such a pity I have so much work to get through or I might be tempted. That kiss was…” She bit down on her lower lip. “It was great.”

  Shale leaned in close, almost touching her. “It sure was.” He paused. “I want to kiss you a whole lot more, and not necessarily on the lips.” He spoke into the shell of her ear, noting how she broke out in gooseflesh. Her scent grew more intoxicating. Coconut with a hint of fruit. He wasn’t sure which kind, only that it made his mouth water for a taste.

  She inhaled sharply. “Again, I’m tempted but—”

  “But nothing! Forget about work. Forget about…whatever it is that’s got you so bogged down.”

  She sucked in a breath, probably to deny it.

  “I can tell,” he went on. “There’s a lot going on in that mind of yours. You look tense, seriously wound up, and I can help you with that.”

  She chuckled. “Oh, really now?”

  “Yes, really.”

  “You having sex with me will make all my troubles go away? Make them all disappear?” She laughed some more.

  “For a couple of hours, at least. Hell, I’ll make you forget your own name. I’ll make you come so many times you’ll turn into a puddle of jello. You won’t be able to be anything other than relaxed. My mouth and my hands will know every inch of your body. My cock—”

  “You can stop right there!” Her heart was racing. He could scent her arousal, despite all the patrons and warring scents in the place.

  “You pretty much had me when you tore open your shirt.”

  He choked out a laugh. “I did?”

  “Pretty much, yes. You have a good chest….and your abs aren’t too bad either. And ripping your shirt half off to prove a point was…a sweet thing to do. So, you’re here for one night only?”

  “One night only.” He nodded once, holding up a finger.

  “So, no exchanging of numbers? No ties, or tomorrows, or any of that?”

  Had he read this wrong? Was she more interested than she let on? Was she looking for a relationship? It hadn’t seemed that way. “No. If that bothers you then—”

  “No!” She shook her head.

  Thank fuck!

  “One night only would work best for me. I’m…not in a place in my life where anything more than that would be remotely possible. I don’t want to know anything about you. I’m not going to tell you anything about me. We need to get that out of the way up front. I don’t want to know what you do for a living, or what your favorite food is.”

  “Works for me.” He took her hand in his. “You ready to go, or do you want to stay for another drink?”
/>
  She widened her eyes. “Have another drink so that we can have deep meaningful conversations? I don’t think so.”

  “We could find things to talk about. General stuff. I could tell you what I plan on doing to you later.”

  Her cheeks flushed and her breathing picked up a whole lot. Good!

  “I’d rather you showed me.” She smiled. It was shy and so fucking sexy. He actually felt excited for what was to come. He’d been going on Stag Runs for many years. This feeling was rare.

  “I don’t do this kind of thing very often… Okay, I don’t do this kind of thing ever. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  He nodded once. “I got that impression. That’s fine.” He squeezed her hand, hoping she wasn’t going to change her mind.

  “I’m not sure when last I shaved,” she muttered, half to herself, her cheeks turning pink. “I think I shaved under my arms the other day, but I can’t be—”

  “I don’t give a shit!” He cupped her face and kissed her again. Shale didn’t waste any time, he went straight for it. Hot and hard. Her mouth was soft. Her body even softer. He wrapped a hand in her hair, giving it a light tug.

  She moaned, deep. His balls pulled tight. His dick woke up. “Let’s get out of here?” he said as soon as he pulled away.

  She nodded. “Yes, let’s.”

  He took her hand in his and led the way. Eager for what was to come. More excited than a kid on Christmas morning. “Just one thing before we go.” He turned back to her. “Do you remember my name?”

  “I do.” She smiled. “It’s Shale.”

  “Good. You need to know what to scream later.” He winked at her, eliciting a giggle. “Um…” Now for the hard part. Hopefully she didn’t slap him. “I can’t remember your name. I know you introduced yourself earlier but…” He grit his teeth for a moment.

  “It doesn’t matter.” She shook her head. “You can call me…Red.” She touched her hair.

  “Not very imaginative. I think I’d rather know your actual name.”

  She shook her head slowly. “Nope. It’s better if you didn’t.”