by Anna Santos
One kiss would dissipate all doubt and clarify everything. Though, there was the fear of being rejected by her. She was an independent woman with a successful career in New York. Alaska was the last place she probably wanted to spend the rest of her existence. But if she was his… Did she feel the pull? Would she accept him?
All would be clarified that night. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to kiss her.
When Barbara arrived in the living room, the twins were finishing the last piece of pizza. She was still flustered about Kayden seeing her wrapped in a towel. It didn’t seem as if it had any effect on him, though. Maybe the attraction wasn’t mutual. She didn’t want to look like a fool if she made a move and he turned her down. They still needed to live together for a while. It would be awkward. Nevertheless, if he kissed her back, and she ended up in his bed, it wouldn’t be less embarrassing.
She had been running away from flings and had her share of pointless relationships in her life. She wanted something steady. A boyfriend. Someone she could share her life with. A man to call her own. That hot piece of dragon had chosen to be away from civilization and probably didn’t want to commute that many miles to see her in New York. Alaska didn’t have any museums where she could work. Or did it?
She facepalmed herself mentally for being so needy. Was she willing to stay behind to stalk the guy? Was she that desperate? She was losing it.
“You have another pizza in the oven. Sit down, and I’ll get it for you,” Kayden said, getting up and pulling a chair out for her to sit.
Cody and Charlie smiled while chewing their food. Then, both cleaned their mouths, drank their beer, and got up.
As they walked to the door, Cody explained, “We are going to Farmer’s bar to see if there are any hot tourists around. It’s the perfect time of the year to hook up.”
“Way too much information, Bro,” Charlie complained as he put on his parka. “Have a nice one.” He snorted and grabbed Cody’s arm as he seized his parka.
The door shut, and Kayden and Barbara were left alone.
Kayden’s voice shattered the silence. “I saved this pizza for us. It has mushrooms, ham, and cheese. Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s fine. I’m not that hungry.” She rubbed her hands on her jeans and tried not to make eye-contact with him. It didn’t prevent her cheeks from getting redder, though.
Kayden set the pizza on the table and cut it into slices. He proceeded to grab her plate and place a generous slice on it. Filling her glass with water, he put a slice on his plate. “Are you still worried about Jason?”
“I’m feeling better. It’s so bright. What time is it?”
Kayden faced the window that had the curtains pulled back and watched the blue sky turn purple. “It’s not 10 p.m. yet. Are you tired?”
“No. I’m everything but sleepy.” Panicking, she fought the urge to cover her mouth for being so honest about it.
“You should eat, then. You’ll need the energy when we go out to trek up the mountain.”
She frowned and turned to watch him. “What are we going to see?”
“The view. It’s beautiful up there.”
Her heart leaped. His smile melted her completely. She stuffed the slice of pizza in her mouth to cover up her shyness.
“Jason and I always take a week to go on a camping trip to Angel of Shavano. It’s in the upper Arkansas Valley. We get to shift and roam around carefree. I have no idea if Jason will come here, but I know he would love it. It’s peaceful and isolated. Is it too hard during winter? It must be difficult to spend so much time without sunlight.”
“You get used to it. The cold doesn’t really affect the fire dragons. Plus, when everything is covered in snow, all it takes is the moon shining brightly over the snow to illuminate everything around us.”
“That must be amazing. I always wanted to see the Northern Lights. But those only happen during winter, right?”
“Even if they occur all year-round, they are mostly seen when the sky is clear and dark. Summer daylight makes it impossible to see them. Do you want another slice?”
Barbara nodded and reached for the slice. Their hands collided, and she shuddered, startled by the electric shock. “What was that?” The numbness and tingling sensation took over her hand, and she shook it to make it stop.
“It’s just static electricity.” Kayden smiled, and Barbara picked up her glass of water and drank it all. Frowning, he questioned, “Do you want more water?”
“I’ll get it,” she said, jumping from her chair and going to the fridge. When she closed the door, she crashed against Kayden’s hard chest. “I’m so sorry.”
He put his warm hands on her hips and steadied her. Heat shot up her body. She nibbled on her lower lip hard as her eyes narrowed in pleasure. Kayden lowered his head and spoke into her ear. “Why are you nervous?”
“I’m not ner-vous.”
“Do you fear me?”
“No.”
His arms laced around her waist and he breathed in her scent. His smile brushed against the delicate skin of her neck. “Be a brave little kitten and turn around, so I can kiss you.”
Her stomach dropped, and her heart raced out of control. She did as he told her and turned around to face him. His eyes were narrowed provocatively. His lips were curled into a smile when they parted. As his hands moved on her back and brought her closer to his chest, she tilted her head and offered her mouth for him to taste and devour.
It was impossible for Barbara to breathe from anticipation. Her eyes closed when their lips touched, and a wave of pleasure made her lose her balance. The floor spun beneath her feet, her fingers entangled in his hair and pulled him closer, so they could deepen their kiss. He tasted better than anything before.
Fireworks and an exuberant happiness took over her stomach and tingled throughout her skin. Excitement made her body tremble and her hands shake as she tightened her hold on Kayden.
Chapter Fifteen
No words could describe the happiness Kayden felt. Barbara was his. After all the time he had been alone, he had found his fated mate.
He lowered his hands down her back and placed them under her butt. Lifting her up, he seated her on the counter where he continued to kiss her and caress her back and arms. He wanted to devour her with kisses and lick every inch of her skin. She tasted like candy and fit perfectly against his body.
Gasping for air, he broke their kiss, so he could wander his mouth down her neck and over her t-shirt. His fingers gripped her hips and made her back arch as she secured her hands on the counter. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. He kissed her breasts, sensing the aroused nipples against his tongue through her t-shirt. She swayed her hips and moaned in pleasure. Her panting was long and soft, awakening every pore of his skin and hardening every muscle. She was delicious and sensual.
He kissed his way back to her mouth and tasted her lips once again. As his tongue swirled inside her mouth and his hands pulled her closer to his chest, his eyes were half-open, observing how she reacted to him. Drawing away from her mouth, he breathed out against her skin, watching how it left a trail of goosebumps. “Do you feel it, Barbara?”
“What?”
Kayden stood mesmerized by the transformation in Barbara’s eye color.
“Our souls in synchrony,” he answered in a heated whisper.
She opened her eyes wider and met his heated gaze. Her feline genes were taking over her features, and he could only imagine that it was because he pleased her and they were meant to be.
“My primal senses go wild every time you touch me. Why?”
“Your lioness knows we belong together,” Kayden explained. “Do you understand?”
Blinking, Barbara cupped his face between her hands. “Fated mates?”
“Yes. I can’t believe that you are finally in my arms… After all the time I’ve waited for you. But I need to know, Barbara. Will you accept me as I am?”
Barbara wrapped her legs around his wais
t and brought him closer. Leaning forward, she said near his mouth, “Kayden, if you are mine, I’ll be yours. Everything in my being draws me to you. I couldn’t stay away even if I tried. I’m tired of being alone.”
“You are no longer alone. I’m here.” He kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose only to take possession of her soft lips. “If we survive, I’ll never leave your side, honey.”
Barbara grinned but then turned serious. “Do you think the twins will accept me?”
“They want an excuse to go on with their lives. Plus, they like you. What about Jason? How do you think he’ll react?”
“He’ll be fine. You are his friend, and he’ll be happy for me. It’s thanks to him that we’ve found each other.”
“True.”
Her fingers caressed his cheek and brushed his lips.
“What are you thinking?”
“How long have you known that we were meant to be?” she asked.
“I’ve been feeling a pull since I saw you. I had to kiss you to make sure it was more than physical attraction.”
Barbara gripped his sweater. “This is all so overwhelming.”
He tucked her auburn hair behind her ear. “We’ll have a lot to talk about once you aren’t in danger. But for now, if you are no longer hungry, I would like you to get your coat on, so I can show you something.”
“Outside?”
“Yes. We still have a couple of hours of light. The days here are longer in the summer.”
Barbara smiled and kissed him. He committed himself to that kiss and imprinted that moment and sensation in his mind to treasure and remember forever.
Chapter Sixteen
The view from where Kayden had taken her was breathtaking. He had brought a quilt and covered her with it, even though the heat generated by being inside his arms was enough to keep her warm. Complete happiness was something she hadn’t experienced since she was younger and her parents were still alive. Around Kayden, that joy returned to her, and she felt as if she was in tune with the universe.
“What’s it like to live in Alaska?” Barbara broke the silence and gazed at Kayden’s handsome face.
His sultry voice caressed her skin. “It’s amazing. In the winter, I can fly in the skies, and the Northern Lights camouflage my existence from everybody who might be looking at them. Our scales reflect the light and in turn make us invisible. Alaska is freedom. In the summer, there are big lakes where we can dive and explore. The landscapes, the rivers, the mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. But, it’s also lonely.”
“And cold.” Barbara hid her face against the curve of his neck.
“Extremely cold for any other species. Dragons, especially Fire Dragons, have a higher tolerance to low temperatures.”
“Breathing fire might help, too.”
Kayden lowered his face and brushed his lips against hers. He drew her closer to his chest, protecting her from the chilly breeze. “Do you want to go back home?”
“It was a long walk, and I want to stay here with you for now. The view is amazing. I can understand why you fell in love with this place.”
“Moving here was a necessity. Eventually, it became my home.”
Barbara rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. Deep inside, she knew she couldn’t ask him to move to New York with her. It would be selfish. Yet she had her career there, dreams to continue her education, and grow in her field of study. “Can dragons truly become invisible in the skies while flying?”
“Yes.”
“What about diving? Is Nessie from Loch Ness real?”
“Most likely. It must be a Water Dragon. We can hold our breath, but Water Dragons can breathe underwater.”
“It must be really cool. I wish I could fly. I’ve skydived a few times.”
“You’ll fly with me. I can take you up into the sky.”
Barbara grinned and grasped the back of his head with her hands, combing the softness of his hair with her fingers. “I would love that.”
Getting up, Kayden held Barbara’s hand. “Come. I need more space to shift, and you’ll have to put my clothes inside the backpack.”
Barbara nodded and followed him to the vegetation.
He stopped and grabbed her hands. “I’m going to be big and scary. You don’t need to be afraid. I would never harm you.”
“Okay.”
Kayden stepped back and motioned to her with his finger. “Turn around. I’m going to get naked now.”
Barbara bit her lower lip as lust consumed her. She did what she was told and focused her hearing on his movements as her body tensed with desire.
A guttural and raspy voice was heard. “You can turn around now.”
Holding her breath, Barbara spun around, and her eyes widened in disbelief as a seven-foot-tall dragon with red and orange scales stood before her.
“You can come closer if you want.” He lowered his head and offered it for her to touch. “Are you afraid?”
“Amazed but not afraid of you.” She got closer to him and pressed her hand against the scales that shone on his neck. They had a glass-like feeling to them. “You are beautiful.”
“Put my coat on over yours. Bring the backpack and climb on me. We are going to fly.”
With her heart beating wildly, Barbara complied with his instructions and climbed up using his scales as toeholds. When she sat on top, she stroked his back and grabbed the scales on both sides of his neck. The scales on his back shifted and shielded around her body as she felt flesh pulsate under her thighs. It felt warm and cozy, almost as if she was a part of him.
“How are you doing this?”
“It’s the only way that dragons can be ridden. My body temperature will keep you warm. My scales created a compartment that will prevent you from falling or freezing. Cover your head with the hood, lean down, and hold on tight.”
Barbara nodded and squeezed her eyes shut. At first, she felt as though she had vertigo when the ground echoed and vibrated under his paws as if a mini-earthquake had just occurred. Steadying her heart, she opened her eyes and faced what was about to happen. Kayden’s large wings flapped once, twice, until he picked up speed and ran to the cliff. Jumping into the void, he spread his wings and waited before flapping them and moving up in the skies.
Once his wings moved, they rose swiftly. When they reached the highest altitude, Kayden turned sideways. His wings began to move very fast as they traveled at high speed. Mountains flew by under them, and Barbara couldn’t keep track of the birds that she saw. Flying with Kayden was beyond exciting.
They flew for a long time until her eyes burned, and she rested her head against the warmth of his skin and listened to the beating of his heart as if it was a lullaby. It had been the best day of her life.
Barbara began to feel the reduction in the speed of their flight. His wings started flapping less often. Raising her head, she noticed that Kayden was heading to a ground among some trees near his home.
Gently, Kayden landed. His scales returned to normal and released Barbara’s body. She climbed down and felt woozy when her legs touched the ground.
“Give me the backpack and turn your back to me,” Kayden requested.
Moments after, she heard him rummaging in the backpack. “Okay, you can turn around now.”
When Barbara turned, he was back to his human form and was dressed. Grabbing her hand, he led her to his home which was a lot warmer than outside. Without a word, he led her to her bedroom.
“Warm up here. I’ll be right back,” Kayden said.
She looked around and then at her clothes, wishing she wore something sexier than what she had. She took off the coats and her sweater, combed her hair, and moisturized her hands and chest.
Kayden entered her bedroom with a tray, holding a plate with pizza, two glasses, and a bottle of wine. He placed it on her bed and smiled at her before moving to the fireplace and lighting it.
Barbara relaxed as she sat on her bed and watched Kayden open the bottle and pour wine i
nto their glasses.
Chapter Seventeen
Once the pizza was gone, the bottle was empty, and the glasses were half full, Kayden put the tray on the floor and moved closer to Barbara. The light outside had dimmed, and only the flames of the fireplace glowed and warmed the bedroom. The air seemed heavy as they talked. Barbara’s eyes were mesmerized by Kayden’s moving lips. She knew he was also focused on her. He just needed to move his head closer, so they could end the aching of not being in each other’s arms.
Her hands touched his chest, her fingers dug into the fabric, sensing the muscles underneath. Her body tensed, and her lips parted, inviting him to come closer. Kayden moved his head to hers slowly, and she closed her eyes when their lips touched. Electricity sparked once again.
Passion soared and consumed her as their kisses became hungrier, and her skin longed for more of Kayden’s touch. Her hands pulled his t-shirt up, scorching their way down his smooth skin. She heard him moan when her feather-light kisses teased his neck and her aroused nipples pushed against his chest.
“I can’t stop touching you.” She sighed.
“Then don’t.”
Smirking, she removed his t-shirt and rejoiced in the vision of his ripped chest. “You are breathtaking.” Her lips explored, taunted, and sucked until they returned to his mouth and melted against the softness of his lips.
Kayden kissed her over and over again as his hands caressed her back and hips. Everything about his touch was gentle and erotic. Her arousal shot through the roof when his hands snaked under her t-shirt and cupped her breasts. His kisses descended to her cleavage.
Barbara surrendered to his touch and offered her body for the taking. After a moment of teasing, he removed her t-shirt and bra. Taking both breasts in his calloused hands, he massaged her creamy flesh. He dipped his head toward her breasts, kissing, playing, and sucking on her nipples.
It felt natural when she lay back on the bed, her fingers in his hair, moaning in ecstasy when his lips feathered kisses down her stomach and stopped at the edge of her jeans.