Finding Faith (Return 0f The Dragons Book 1)

by Grace Brennan

Lindsey let out a long sigh. “A lunch date with your mate. Gah, my heart can’t take it. Okay, go. Wouldn’t do to piss off the girl with the fire.”

  Shaking his head at her, he didn’t reply as he left her office. What could he say, after all? She was one hundred prevent right. With that in mind, he quickened his steps as he headed for the backdoor.

  There was definitely a form of fire he wanted from Olivia—but it for damned sure wasn’t her dragons’.

  Chapter 18

  Olivia

  Olivia leaned forward in her seat, trying to take everything in at once as Cody drove them through the gates and into his troop’s lands. Her heart was racing with a mixture of anticipation at seeing his home, and fear at being surrounded by his people.

  She knew in her heart that they weren’t all that different from her, and that Cody would protect her. But knowing all that didn’t completely stem the fear.

  Sometimes she wondered if she’d live with some sort of fear her whole life. She hoped not, but if she did, she’d learn to accept it somehow.

  Cody reached over and took her hand, lacing their fingers together. She tore her eyes away from the scenery to give him a smile, and he returned it with the one she loved so much.

  “You okay over there? I know going into new places, with new people, can be daunting for you after everything you’ve been through. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, let me know, and I’ll bring you back to town.”

  Heart softening at his words, at how well he understood her new quirks already, she squeezed his hand. “I’m okay right now. Just really interested in seeing where you and your people live.”

  He chuckled. “Our homes are really no different than anyone else’s.”

  Just after he spoke, they drove past the tree line and the homes became visible. Shaking her head, she looked around her in awe. “Not entirely the truth. These homes are beautiful, Cody.”

  “Thanks.”

  Tearing her eyes away, she quickly glanced over at him. “Oh, your family probably built all these, didn’t they?”

  He nodded as he steered them around a curve in the road. “We did. And we do all the maintenance and upgrades on them too.”

  “Makes sense,” she replied absently, captivated by the homes they passed.

  They came in all different shapes and sizes, but all of them were charming and inviting. But her gaze was glued to one at the end of the road. It was larger, and built in a log cabin style, but on a grand scale.

  Surrounded as it was by the trees, with the mountains in the distance, it was perfect. The people who lived there were incredibly lucky to have a home like that.

  Peering around, she wondered which one was Cody’s. Would it be large or small, be brick or wood? She couldn’t find out.

  And then he pulled into the driveway of the log cabin home she’d been admiring, and her mouth popped open. He lived here?

  “This is your house?” she asked, turning to look at him as he put his truck in park.

  He nodded. “It is. Well, mine and my sister’s. Lindsey lives here, too.”

  “Holy cow,” she breathed.

  Mouth curling on one side, he looked over at her, searching her eyes. “You like it?”

  “Are you kidding? Yes!”

  Laughing, he opened his door. “Well, let’s get you inside so you can see it all.”

  Without waiting for him to open her door, she hopped out and took his hand without reservation, heat curling inside her as he twined their fingers together again. They climbed the porch steps, and she waited impatiently as he opened the door.

  And once they were inside, she had to fight to keep her mouth from hanging open. He led her through the house, and room after room, her awe grew. It was all soaring ceilings, large windows with beautiful views, and stunning stone and woodwork, with a fireplace in nearly every room.

  The whole home was gorgeous, but the kitchen was truly a masterpiece. Her fingers were itching to cook in there.

  “You’ve been awfully quiet,” Cody said, breaking the silence they’d been in as they walked through his home. “Was bringing you here too much?”

  Tearing her eyes away from the view from the large windows in the living room, she shook her head as she glanced at him. “Not at all. I’ve just been admiring your home. It’s absolutely gorgeous, Cody.”

  Relief and satisfaction mixed together in his dark brown eyes. “I’m glad you like it. I want you to be comfortable here, Liv.”

  “I already feel that way,” she replied, thinking about what he’d said about her own house earlier.

  That he wanted it to be safe for her sister and her friends. He hadn’t included Olivia in that, and she didn’t think it was because he’d worded things wrong, as he’d said. She thought that maybe, he had his eyes on a future with her.

  One that he saw them living in this very home.

  Stepping closer to her, he brushed her hair back from her face, his knuckles trailing softly down her cheek. “I’m glad you feel that way.” He studied her eyes for a long moment. “Why did you wear glasses when we met? Don’t get me wrong, they were sexy as hell, but I know shifters don’t need them.”

  “You thought they were sexy?”

  “On you? Absolutely.”

  She smiled as her cheeks flushed, but a moment later, it faded away. “After Fernandez and his men were killed, we were free to move on. That meant leaving the protection of the Blood and Bone Enforcers. And even though the man who imprisoned us was dead, leaving the safety we’d found there scared us. So, we all had some sort of disguise. Mine was the glasses, and I’d dyed my hair brown.

  “We decided to ditch the disguises when we decided to get the house fixed, and I got rid of the brown hair dye. But I kept forgetting I didn’t need the glasses anymore. So, I’d put them on in the morning and forget I was wearing them until someone pointed them out.”

  “That makes sense. And I knew you’d dyed your hair, but the reasons behind it never clicked until now.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “How’d you know that?”

  “I told you, I know about everything that happens in this town. And I’d heard all about the woman who came into the grocery store as a brunette with long hair and black framed glasses. I knew that was you the moment I saw you in the shop, even though your hair wasn’t brown anymore.”

  She chuckled as she shook her head. “It’s gonna take some time to get used to the small-town mentality. I bet you know even more than others though, because of your troop.”

  “I do. I have to make sure I know of any threats, so I can protect my people. I know it might not seem like it, based on what happened the other night at the drive-in, but you guys couldn’t have picked a safer town. I’ll always keep you protected.”

  Leaning into the hand still caressing her cheek, she smiled into his eyes. “I know. And just know you guys have all the dragons on your side now, too. Between both of our people, we can’t lose.”

  “I hope it never comes to that. I know what you guys have been through, and I’d rather not be the cause of you all going through more. I want to protect you, Liv. I can protect you.”

  Warmth built up inside of her, lighting up her soul. Leaning up on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips gently to his. “I know you can, Cody. I’m just saying, let me return the favor if it’s ever needed.”

  A low rumble built in his chest, vibrating through the hand she had pressed against it. But it didn’t scare her like it would have in the not too distant past. Instead, it made her smile. It wasn’t a threatening sound—more like his gorilla talking to her, and she loved that more than she thought she would.

  Cody started to swallow the sound down, and she shook her head quickly. “Don’t. Just let him talk.”

  “He doesn’t scare you?” he asked, pulling back slightly and looking at her with surprise in his chocolate eyes.

  “No. No part of you scares me, Cody. Including him.” His chest vibrated her hand again and she smiled. But a moment later, her br
ow furrowed as she caught the doubt in his eyes. “Do you not believe me? Or… is it that he makes you nervous?”

  Exhaling heavily, he shrugged, uncertainty crossing his handsome features. “He didn’t used to. Back when he talked to me, I mean. Now… I guess since I’m never sure what he’s thinking or feeling, it makes it hard to guess what he’s going to do. I don’t feel like that about him with you,” he added hastily. “I’ve felt his emotions for you. He’d never hurt you.”

  Olivia bit her lip, conflicted because the part about his gorilla not hurting her was something she already knew. An animal could never hurt their mate. They were programmed to do the exact opposite of that.

  Should she tell him she already knew, because she knew they were mates? Did he know yet? He’d said his animal talked to him the other day—could that have been what he said?

  She didn’t know what the right thing to do was, so in the end, she ignored all of it, smoothing her hand down his chest. “I know he wouldn’t. And I think you should try to trust in him more. I know the tragedy you went through changed both of you to an extent. But if your gorilla had gone out of control or turned crazy and mean, you would have felt it long before now. I think he’s probably more like the animal you remember than not.”

  Giving her the half smile that weakened her knees, he stroked his thumb down her cheek. “You’re amazing, you know that, right?”

  Before she could reply, he leaned down and kissed her, softly at first, then firmer as he deepened the kiss. The warmth that had been making her insides glow burst into flames, racing through her blood and over her skin as she slid her arms around her neck and pressed her body against his.

  This kiss felt different than the others they shared before. It was even more intense and potent, and it felt like they were connected on a deeper level, like their souls were merging into one.

  He ran his tongue across her lips, and she didn’t hesitate, immediately opening for him. She tangled hers with his as soon as he swept in, and the blood in her veins boiled as her core tingled and tightened.

  Cody tangled the fingers of one hand in her hair while the other slowly slid down her back, coming to rest at the curve of her ass. Arching into him as their kiss turned wild, she scraped her fingernails gently against his scalp, feeling like no matter what she did, she couldn’t get close enough to him.

  Pulling his mouth from hers, he trailed his lips over to her ear, biting down gently on her lobe. She moaned, and as though the sound startled him out of the moment, he pressed his forehead against hers while they both fought for breath.

  “I didn’t mean to push you,” he said, his voice raspy and strained.

  Her words were breathless when she replied. “You didn’t. At all. I’m fine, Cody. More than fine.”

  Pulling back just a bit, he gave her smile, the heat in his eyes keeping the flames of her own fire stoked. “Good. But maybe we should eat our lunch before I do end up pushing you further than you’re comfortable with.”

  Biting her lip, she stared into his eyes as she thought about how to reply. Did she really want to stop? The answer to that was a resounding no, but then that begged the question—how far was she ready to go?

  All of the trust and desire she felt tangled up with the deep emotions she already felt for him, and she knew the answer.

  She wanted Cody. Every single bit of him—his heart, his body, his forever. And she wasn’t willing to wait any longer than she had to. It already felt like she’d waited a few dozen lifetimes.

  “Lunch sounds good,” she finally replied. “But there’s one room in your home you haven’t shown me yet, and I think we should check it out first.”

  Brow furrowing, he cocked his head. “Which room? I’ve showed them all to you except…” his words trailed off as he realized what she was saying. “Are you sure, Liv? We don’t have to if you’re not one hundred percent sure. I can wait. I’ll wait forever for you if I have to.”

  God, this man. He could make her melt with the words he said. “I’m positive. I’m ready, Cody, and I don’t want to wait longer. I want you too much.”

  He searched her eyes for a long moment, and then he grinned slowly. “Well, never let it be said that I won’t give my lady what she wants.”

  Heart leaping as he placed a quick kiss on her lips, she followed as he took her hand and led her up the stairs, her heart fluttering madly.

  There wasn’t an ounce of fear or hesitation inside her as he pulled her into his bedroom. Just anticipation and desire that were nearly overwhelming her.

  The moment he kicked the door shut behind them, she leapt into his arms. Catching her with a muffled chuckle, he immediately began kissing her again. But there was no slow start as he eased her into it this time.

  No, it was all instant passion and deep kisses as they plastered their bodies together. It was like they were trying to devour each other, and neither of them seemed capable of keeping their hands in one spot for long before exploring more.

  One of Cody’s hands slid down her side, his thumb brushing against her breast, and she moaned into his mouth, twisting his shirt in her fists. He started backing her up slowly as his hand paused at the hem of her shirt, before slipping under to rest on her skin.

  Olivia’s whole body felt like it was tingling and burning simultaneously as his hand slid up. The roughness of his calloused hand on her bare skin felt amazing, and she thought she was prepared after that. That she knew the level of heat and desire she could feel when he touched her.

  But she was wrong—in the best possible way.

  He cupped her breast, and even through the fabric of her bra, it sent sensations zinging through her that had her breath catching. He squeezed gently, massaging the fullness, before lightly pinching her nipple, and she dug her fingers into his sides, her head falling back.

  Taking advantage of her position, he trailed his lips down her throat and passed her collarbone before her shirt halted his progress. Impatient to have that barrier between them gone, she pulled back and yanked her shirt off.

  His breath caught as he saw her standing there with only her bra as a barrier, but she didn’t give him time to do anything about it. Needing to feel them skin to skin, she pulled at his shirt, growling with frustration when it became clear that he was too tall for her to get it off of him without help.

  Giving her a knowing smile, he reached behind him with on hand, grabbed a fistful of his shirt, and tugged it over his head. Swallowing hard as she caught her first glimpse of him, she trailed her eyes over his broad shoulders, muscular chest, and the six-pack she wanted to trace—with her fingers or tongue, she didn’t care which, so long as she got to trace it.

  He had a gorilla tattoo on his left pec, and she reached out to touch it with a smile, intending to explore once she did. But he pulled her back into his arms, and she gasped into his mouth as their chests pressed against each other.

  Like he was reading her mind and knew how desperately she wanted all barriers between them gone, he unclasped her bra as he kissed her. Placing his hands on the straps, he slowly trailed his fingers down her arms, pulling her bra off as he went.

  A shiver danced up her spine at his soft touch, and her core tightened as he pulled back, gazing at her with fire in his dark eyes. She’d never felt more vulnerable, yet more powerful, as she did in that moment.

  Swallowing hard, he met her gaze. “Fuck, you’re even more beautiful than I imagined, Olivia.”

  The raspy quality of his normally smooth voice wrapped around her, raising goosebumps on her skin. “So are you.”

  His mouth quirked on one side. “I’m not beautiful, Liv.”

  Smirking, she walked closer, placing her fingers on his shoulders before trailing them slowly down his chest all the way to his jeans, following their progress with her eyes. Raising her gaze, she met his eyes. “Sexy, then. Sexy as fuck, sexier than any man has a right to be. Seeing you like this right now, feeling your touch, it all makes my blood feel like molten lava is flowin
g through my veins.”

  His brown eyes took on a faint red hue, and she smiled when she saw it. Maybe it should freak her out, but it didn’t. If anything, it amped her up even more.

  There was part of her wondering where all this boldness came from, because she’d never been like this before. And she never would have expected it after everything that happened, and the deep fear she had of trusting men after that ordeal.

  But the rest of her already knew the answer. It was Cody.

  With him, she had no fear or unease. She had no worry, and nothing to hold her back from being unapologetically her.

  He accepted her unequivocally, without reservation.

  He still looked off balance from her words, and she found that she liked it. Wanting to keep it that way, she reached down and flicked open the button of his jeans, smiling when he gave a strangled groan.

  Grabbing her wrists, he held them in one giant hand, the other grabbing her hip and pulling her into him. “What’s the rush, sweetheart?”

  Gasping as he let go of her wrists and her bare chest pressed against his, she swallowed, trying to find some moisture for her dry throat. “Why the slow pace?”

  He shook his head slowly, his eyes roaming over her face as his calloused palms slid over the skin of her back. “I didn’t realize I was going too slow for you,” he replied, his lips slowly pulling into a smile even as he gazed sincerely into her eyes. “I want this to be good for you, Olivia.”

  “I don’t think there’s any scenario where it won’t be. Slow, fast, gentle, rough. I want all of it at some point, but right now, I just want you.”

  The red in his eyes glowed brighter. “Then that’s what you’ll get.”

  Before she could reply, he bent down, picked her up, and tossed her on the bed. She hadn’t realized he’d backed them up all the way to the bed, and a startled squeak escaped her throat as she bounced on the mattress.

  Giving her a look with so much heat it could melt steel, Cody slid his zipper down, finishing the job she’d playfully started. Hooking his thumbs in the waistband, he shoved them and his boxers down, and when he stood to his full height again, she couldn’t breathe.