Blood Moon Dragon (Dragon Investigators Book 2)

by Shelley Munro

  Her mind drifted to Emma and her jubilation faded. Poor Emma and Jack. Maybe she could offer them her house as long as they wouldn’t mind her living there too. She’d suggest it tomorrow.

  “Hey, where have you gone?”

  “I’m right here, silly.” She pressed a kiss to his chin because she could. His stubble tickled her lips, and that was enough to bring on the happy again, her body language broadcasting her feel-good mood.

  “Your mind is busy. I can hear it ticking over.”

  “I was thinking I’d offer Emma and Jack the use of my house as long as they wouldn’t mind me staying in one of the rooms. I won’t be there for long.”

  “You leaving?”

  His sharp tone made her tummy tingle. Did he not want her to leave? She didn’t want to go, but Hone wasn’t forever material, not with his track record. The best she could hope for was to stay friends.

  “Cassie?”

  “I’m not sure what to do, to be honest. If I sign with Kevin again—”

  “Why do you have to sign with him? Aren’t there other managers who wouldn’t treat you like crap?”

  Another manager. Holy crap. “I must be slow because that hadn’t occurred to me. I’ll check it out tomorrow.”

  Hone exploded into action, rolling her under him and sealing her shriek of surprise with his lips. “I have the solution to stop that busy mind of yours.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.”

  He kissed her, the tempo slow and sexy and toe-curling good. A sigh tickled her throat as she opened to him and accepted the thrust of his tongue, the bite of sharp teeth at her bottom lip. That bite—his bite—shot down her body to land between her legs.

  One thing was true. His talented touch turned her into a wanton, and she’d never had as much fun with a man. Oh, she watched the envy on other women’s faces. Easy to see their astonishment. Emma suffered through the same thing, yet Jack didn’t notice anyone except his wife. That gave her hope…

  Aw, who the hell was she kidding? Hone was a player who quickly became bored with one woman, and she…she had a music career in another country. New Zealand didn’t rate as the land of musical opportunities, as much as she’d love to stay. Her home here could only ever be a vacation home.

  “Cassie, you’re denting my pride,” Hone whispered, a thread of pique winding through his words. “If you’re tired, tell me, and I’ll roll over and go to sleep.”

  “Huh! You’re having as much trouble sleeping as I am.”

  Hone rocked, his cock rigid against her stomach. “That’s true, but with me it’s sexual frustration.”

  “Poor baby.”

  “Now you’re mocking me. Do you know what happens to women who misbehave?”

  “No. What?”

  He moved so quickly she hung over his knee in the time it took to process his action. A second later, he applied his hand to her butt. Smack. Smack. Smack.

  “Ow!”

  “Jack and Emma will hear.” He punctuated his words with three more smacks at different angles and progressively nearer to her pussy. His big hand cupped the sex and rubbed it. Arousal took her by surprise, rendered her speechless. A finger burrowed between her legs, dipping into her heat.

  “Focused. Totally focused.”

  His satisfied chuckle tugged at her funny bone. The man was a menace to women. A menace and right now, he was her menace. Something fractured in the region of her heart, a frisson of pain, a smidgeon of lust and a gossamer thread of love blossomed.

  Well, hell.

  Hone smacked her again, the whoosh of heat no longer taking her by surprise. He smoothed his callused palm over her tender skin and dipped his finger close enough to her clit to make her gasp her delight. Not only was she enjoying the heck out of her time with Hone, she was learning about her sexual self. She didn’t mind a hint of pain with her loving. It ratcheted up the sensations.

  “More,” she demanded.

  Hone smacked her, striking her where butt and upper thigh met.

  “Not there. I feel empty. I need that big cock of yours.”

  “Why didn’t you say so?”

  He moved again, lifting and rearranging her body with ease. Doggy-style. He seemed to favor this position, and while she’d never enjoyed it before, Hone made the sexual journey fun.

  “Condom,” he muttered. “Where did we put them?”

  “In the side pocket of my handbag.”

  “Don’t move,” he ordered.

  He returned in long seconds, the cracking and ripping indicating he was donning the condom. “See what you think of this,” he said, seconds before he applied cool gel to her flesh. It coated her clit, and he stroked it into her channel with his finger, first one and then two.

  “Ow! Cold.”

  “Stop complaining.” He slapped one buttock.

  “You try it.”

  “I put lube on my dick.”

  “Condom-covered dick,” she pointed out.

  He stroked his finger inside her, tickling her nub enough to make her pay attention. The gel heated with her body and continued heating until her flesh burned, her clit burned, the flames of arousal burned.

  “Oh.”

  “I see I have your attention now.”

  His cock nudged her entrance, and he pushed deep with an unhurried stroke. “Damn, that’s good.”

  Too good. That burning sensation had every thought, every sensation, every particle of her being focused on the flesh between her legs. A shudder rolled through her as Hone’s cock caressed her clit with each thrust. “Faster. Please, Hone. Faster.”

  He laughed and pushed into her again, his strokes coming more often and striking her in exactly the right place. Of course, his talented finger with its precision work on her clit didn’t hurt. She gasped, briefly considered holding back to savor the sensation. Hone didn’t let her. He upped the pace of his strokes, the prick of his fingernails at her hipbones anchoring her in the moment.

  Up, up, up she rose until she toppled over and shattered. She gasped hoarsely, the pleasure prolonged and intense. Hone plunged into her now, his strokes fast and choppy, his hands gripping her tight. He cried out, stilling as his cock pulsed deep inside her.

  A sharp thump on the wall made her giggle. Hone grunted, the sound coming close to laughter.

  Emma would tease her in the morning and Cassie didn’t care. She yawned once he withdrew and dealt with the condom.

  “I might sleep now.”

  “Me too,” Hone agreed as he wrapped his arms around her.

  Cassie yawned again. How much longer would this last? One week? Two? Best she not worry about the future. One day at a time. That was the best way to go.

  One day at a time.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Three days later.

  The days away from Auckland had left her rested and full of enthusiasm to get her grandfather’s house ready for occupation. Although, something perturbed Jack and Hone. She kept disturbing the two men in a huddle. Sometimes with Emma, which left Cassie uneasy. Secrets. They had them. She didn’t.

  Cassie applied paint over the last part of the spare bedroom wall and stood back to survey the new decor. Rich, decadent cream. Not bad. She set down her roller and wandered out to see what was keeping Emma.

  “Hey, do I have body odor or something? The three of you whispering secrets is enough to make me paranoid.”

  Emma rushed into speech. “Fire-related stuff. The insurance company is refusing to pay out. They’re calling it arson and dragging their feet.”

  “But even if it is arson, that’s not your fault,” Cassie said.

  “Insurance companies have their own set of rules.” Jack shrugged, a tiny jerk of shoulders that spoke of disheartenment and frustration and irritation. “All we can do is keep up the pressure. There’s a vehicle outside.”

  “Might be the plumber,” Cassie said. “I rang him to sort out the kitchen and make it useable now that the new units are in place.” Cassie hurried t
o meet them, but Hone intercepted her, drawing her to a halt.

  “No, I’ll go. You wait here with Jack and Emma.”

  “It’s not necessary, but okay. If it’s the plumber tell him I want him to fix the taps in the bathroom too.”

  “The house is looking good,” Emma said. “Are you sure you don’t mind Jack and I moving in?”

  “It’s fine. I need to decide soon. I don’t want to leave the house empty again and I know you and Jack will care for the property. I’ll have to decide what to do with the land.”

  “How many acres?” Jack asked.

  “Just over ten. I haven’t even had a chance to check out the paddocks. There is a creek and a swimming hole we used to spend time at when I was a kid. It’s probably full of debris by now. Grandad used to clear it at the start of each summer.”

  “Jack and I can do that. You could lease out the land to a local farmer. What’s the fencing like?”

  “I have no answer to that either. With all that has happened since I’ve been home I haven’t bothered. I figure it will keep.”

  Voices in the kitchen indicated Hone’s return.

  “Can I go and speak with the plumber now?”

  “No wonder Hone spanks you,” Jack muttered.

  Emma let out a guffaw, quickly covered by her hand. Her blue gaze danced with hilarity.

  “No comment.” Cassie pushed her glasses up her nose and marched away before telltale mortification blazed in her cheeks. Hopefully the house would be ready soon and Jack and Emma could move out of Hone’s place. They’d all have privacy again.

  While Cassie spoke to the plumber and issued orders, Hone had a discussion with Jack and Emma.

  “I rang Dad. He says everything has quieted down with Auntie June, but we should keep our distance.”

  “Is it okay for us to lower security on Cassie?” Emma asked.

  “Dad says as long as one of us is with her at all times that should be enough. He thinks Auntie June burned out her anger at your house and we don’t have to worry about death by dragon.”

  “She destroyed our house,” Jack growled. “Now the insurance company is quibbling about payment and trying to say our occupation attracted a crazy. Someone needs to repay our losses.”

  “Dad says Samuel has promised to make good on the damage. Manu has his mother locked down, and she seems to have accepted she went too far.”

  “So Manu is acting leader?” Emma asked. “I understood he didn’t want the responsibility.”

  Hone slapped at an audacious fly buzzing around him. “He didn’t have a choice. He must be frothing at the mouth having to deal with this when he’d rather be in his lab.”

  “You guys in a huddle again?”

  Emma didn’t miss a beat, thinking faster on her feet than him and Jack. “We’re discussing furniture and the best place to buy it. Now that the painting is almost done, we can move in as soon as we have a bed and kitchen stuff.”

  “The electrician is coming tomorrow to sort out the wiring in the kitchen. If we order a stove today, you’ll have the basics. Where is the best place?”

  Emma rearranged her ponytail, pulling it tight. “Probably Manukau. We’ll start there. You guys coming?”

  “Dad wants us to drop by the office to discuss a new job,” Hone said. “I want you to watch everyone around you and listen to Emma. Okay?”

  “Sure,” Cassie said. “Believe me, the first clown I see, I’ll scream loud enough to wake the dead in this town and the next one over.”

  “Not funny,” Hone said, concerned yet unable to justify an order for her to remain at home, out of sight. “Everything has been quiet, but I want you to be extra careful.” Despite their audience, he drew her close and kissed the tip of her nose. “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  Her words should have relaxed him, but his dragon rumbled, writhing beneath his skin to highlight his uneasiness. Emma was a trained operative. He’d trained her himself, and Jack had helped. She was good at her job and would inform him if anything seemed wonky.

  “Right,” Emma said. “Practicalities. Will a king-size bed will fit in the spare bedroom?”

  “It will be a tight squeeze, but not, if you and Jack take the master. I’ll get a double for the spare room and keep the smallest bedroom as a music room. Don’t worry,” Cassie said, tapping her head. “I have the measurements in here.”

  Hone gave Cassie a quick kiss and shunted her toward the doorway. “We’ll wait until the plumber finishes.”

  As she and Emma pulled out of the driveway in Jack’s vehicle, a late model sedan drove past. The driver waved and Cassie returned the greeting. “That’s my neighbor. That must be his son.”

  “At least he’s not the nosy neighbor type,” Emma said. “Do you think he’d be interested in leasing your land?”

  “Maybe. I’ve got a bit of time. Once the house is sorted, I’ll walk the boundaries and see what needs doing. It was never an economical block. Maybe Matthew wants to grow Christmas trees on it. I wouldn’t mind having trees on the place. It might be nice.”

  “Are you leaving?”

  “Probably,” Cassie said.

  “What about Hone?”

  “Weren’t you the one who warned me about him? Said he didn’t do anything except casual?”

  Emma’s hands clenched and unclenched on the steering wheel. “He seems happy, less restless with you around.”

  “Doesn’t mean he’s ready to commit,” Cassie said even though her heart ached as she forced out the truth. Her phone buzzed, and she frowned at the screen. “Kevin. I should take this.”

  “Go right ahead. With this traffic, it will take a while.”

  “Kevin,” she said. “How are you? You still in New Zealand?”

  “Leaving tonight. Have you signed the contract yet? We need to make plans for this year. We’ve left it too late already. Probably won’t be able to book much in the way of concert venues.”

  Cassie opened her mouth to blast him for his negative attitude, aware that in the past she would’ve let it slide. As it was, she bit back her retort. “I’ll get on the contract tonight.”

  “Good, I need you to sign and get it back to me by the end of the week. Clock’s ticking.” He hung up before she could reply.

  Cassie pulled a face. “Kevin is an asshole.”

  “So why are you signing with him?”

  “I don’t think I will, but I’d be silly not to consider his offer. Two months ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated.”

  “Because you were a couple?”

  “Yeah, and in the glow of togetherness I failed to see he was using me. Trying to control me.”

  “I like this new Cassie.”

  Emma pulled up outside a store that sold everything from electronics to washing machines and bedroom furniture.

  “I even told my mother to stop pushing me around when I spent time with them over Christmas.” Cassie laughed at her friend’s wide-eyed expression. “She didn’t take me seriously, but I reiterated when she rang me a few days ago. Still not getting it. I might have to resort to telling Dad exactly what I do to get her off my back.”

  “If she learns you’re a well-known singer—”

  “She’ll probably lecture me and try to shove me toward the opera genre.”

  Emma giggled and the infectious gurgles enticed Cassie to join in. They were still laughing when they walked into the store.

  “I have a list.” Cassie plucked it from the handbag slung over her shoulder. She scanned it to refresh her mind. “Beds first.”

  “Jack said we should pay for the furniture. I agree.”

  “Emma, you guys lost everything in the fire. Use your money to buy clothes and… Look, you buy linens to go on your bed. I have no idea of your preferences. You’ll need a few towels. Would that salve your pride? You’re my best friend, and I’ve saved my money rather than spend it on stuff. It makes me happy to share with you.”

  Emma’s eyes were moist as she flung herself agai
nst Cassie and hugged her hard. “Thank you. I’m sure the insurance company will pay out eventually, but things are tight right now.”

  “Furniture today. Perhaps linen if we have time. What about dinnerware?”

  “Samuel and his sons have arranged a collection for us.” Emma’s expression tightened, a flash of fury.

  An instant later, her face cleared and Cassie blinked. Imagination. While it was good in songwriting, her vivid inventiveness saw things that weren’t true in real life. After all, why would a charitable act make Emma angry?

  “Okay, let’s do this. Now that the main work is done in the house, the sooner we furnish the rooms, the quicker you can move in properly.”

  “I’m over sleeping on the floor,” Emma agreed.

  With efficiency, they commandeered an employee, picked two beds and mattresses, a couch and two easy chairs, a kitchen table and chairs, a fridge, stove and microwave plus a dishwasher. Cassie arranged for delivery the following day.

  “We have time to visit the department store for bed linen.”

  Emma raised her chin. “Let’s do this.”

  Cassie hurried out of the store, jazzed by everything they’d achieved. Immediately, her skin prickled, and it wasn’t the change in temperature from air-conditioning to the muggy outdoors. “Is it my imagination or is someone watching us?”

  “Maybe they’re ogling our sexy bodies,” Emma said as she unlocked Jack’s vehicle and casually scanned the carpark. “I can’t see anyone obvious. You?”

  “No, let’s go to our next stop and keep an eye out.” She craned her neck and scrutinized the area behind them.

  Emma spluttered out a laugh. “Well, you’d make a good private eye. Can you be more obvious?”

  “Sorry. Isn’t that Manu?”

  “Where?” Emma’s voice was sharp.

  “It is.” She waved, and he lifted a hand in acknowledgment. “He’s coming over.”

  “Hi, Manu. What are you doing here?” Emma asked. “I understood work was keeping you busy.”

  “Not too busy to escort my two favorite ladies for coffee,” Manu said.