Drakon's Prey (Blood of the Drakon)

by N. J. Walters

  When she threaded her fingers through his hair and held him to her, Tarrant wanted to roar with pleasure. What he did do was kiss a path to her other breast and tease the tender tip. He lost track of time as he nuzzled and licked and sucked the full mounds.

  Valeriya began to get restless, moving her legs against the comforter. Tarrant lifted his head and stared down at her. Her eyes were partially closed but shot open as soon as he left her. A fierce glow appeared in them. “Take off your shirt.”

  It was a command. He was used to being in charge, the one who gave the commands. But he could no more deny her than he could stop the sun from rising and setting daily. He stripped his shirt away and flung it aside.

  …

  Valeriya really wished she could see better. There was some dim light emanating from the baseboards in the room, but it wasn’t nearly enough for her to be able to see as well as she’d like. There were no windows in any of the rooms she’d been in, reinforcing her belief she was in a basement or bunker somewhere.

  She really had no idea where she was and no longer cared. She was with Tarrant. That was all she needed to know.

  He appeared even larger in the shadows. She couldn’t really see more than a vague outline. His shoulders were impossibly wide. She reached out and ran her hands down the slope of his arms, marveling at the size and firmness of his muscles.

  Knowing if she couldn’t see him well, he could see her no better, gave her the courage to keep exploring. Blanketed in the dark, Valeriya became bolder than she ever could have been with the lights on.

  She placed both palms on his chest. His skin was warm. She knew it was bronzed from seeing his face, neck, and hands. Whether that was its natural color or if it was a tan, she had no idea. The muscles in his abs rippled as she moved lower. God, the man was ripped.

  She really wanted a light on, but she wasn’t quite ready to be that exposed.

  Tarrant gave another growl. It sounded so real, more animal than human. The fine hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

  Before she could begin to second-guess her decision to get naked with him, Tarrant kissed her again. For such a hard man, his lips were supple and softer than the rest of him. He kissed and nipped at her bottom lip before sliding his tongue inside. She didn’t really like coffee, but she loved the taste of it when it was mingled with Tarrant’s unique flavor. She tangled her tongue with his and then did some exploring of her own.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him down. His chest pressed against her breasts in the most delicious way. Her nipples were puckered so tight they actually ached. She rubbed them against his smooth chest, groaning as the friction sent rivers of heat running from her breasts to between her legs.

  Tarrant ended the kiss, his breath warm on her face. But he didn’t stop. He just moved lower, kissing a path along her jawline, down her neck and over her collarbone. She held her breath, but he ignored her breasts this time, leaving a trail of kisses down her stomach. He circled her navel with his tongue.

  She knew what was coming next but didn’t stop him.

  He gripped the waistband of her sleep pants and eased them downward, taking her underwear with it. She could feel the heat creeping up her body and knew she was blushing. It was just as well he couldn’t see her all that well, otherwise she’d have been totally embarrassed.

  She’d had lovers before, but none of them had been like Tarrant. He was a force of nature—big, bold, and sexy. And right now, he was all hers.

  He skimmed his fingers over her ankles and removed her socks. She was naked and exposed.

  “Now you.” If she was going to be naked, so was he.

  Tarrant rolled onto his back and she heard him lower the zipper of his jeans. The shushing noise the material made as he slid it down his thighs seemed overly loud. He turned to pull his pants off and she got a glimpse of the shape and size of his erection.

  It was in proportion to the rest of him, which meant it was large.

  Her breathing increased. What had ever given her the idea she could handle a man like Tarrant? He was so far outside her experience.

  “Valeriya.” He caught her by the shoulders. “Look at me.”

  She had no choice. She stared into his face, wishing she could see his stunning blue eyes. They were more expressive than he probably believed they were. They could be icy one moment and as warm as a summer sky the next.

  “That’s it, sweetheart, just breathe.” She sucked in some air and concentrated on slowing down her breathing. Now she was embarrassed.

  “Again.” He rubbed his hand over her hair. It was such a gentle action, so incongruent with such a huge man. He really was special.

  “I’m sorry.” She hadn’t meant to kill the mood.

  He cupped one side of her face in his large hand. “I’m not. I have you naked in bed. Now, where were we?” He didn’t wait for her reply, but covered her with his body and kissed her.

  Valeriya was overwhelmed by his heat and the nearness of his body. His legs were between hers, and his thick shaft was nestled alongside her thigh. His chest was cushioned against her breasts. He had most of his weight resting on his forearms so she wasn’t crushed beneath him.

  She ran her hands over his arms, shoulders, and around to his back. He was more muscular, stronger than any man she’d ever seen. His cock flexed and pressed harder against her leg.

  She savored the kiss. It was surprisingly tender at first, as though he sensed she was nervous. As she relaxed and let herself sink into the mattress, he deepened the caress.

  It wasn’t long until kissing wasn’t enough. Every inch of her body was on fire for him. She wanted more and he was the only one who could give her what she needed.

  He broke the kiss and raised his head. His eyes seemed to glow. A trick of the light, for sure. One side of his body seemed darker than the other. She wondered about that until Tarrant started kissing a path down her body. As a distraction, it worked to perfection.

  He knelt between her legs and waited.

  When she opened them the slightest bit, she caught a glimpse of his white teeth as he smiled. Heat shot through her when he shoved his hands beneath her bottom and lifted. He lowered his head, and Valeriya forgot how to think.

  …

  She smelled so sweet. Tarrant inhaled the scent of her arousal before he dragged the flat of his tongue over the plump folds of her sex. She gasped and bucked her hips. He knew she had some trepidation about what was to come.

  If he wanted her more than once—and he did—he had to make sure she received the maximum amount of pleasure. And while he’d like to spend hours exploring her lush body, he knew he was close to coming. Now he needed her to find her pleasure as fast as possible so he could get inside her.

  Valeriya had the most wonderful curves. Her waist was supple, her hips rounded. She wasn’t exactly small, but he had more than a foot of height on her and over one hundred pounds. That she trusted him enough to allow him to touch her pleased him.

  A sly voice in the back of his head whispered that maybe she was tricking him. Maybe she was doing this to get closer to him.

  He ignored the voice and traced the slick pink folds of her sex. Her thighs trembled. Whatever her reasons, there was no faking her reaction. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  He found her clit and concentrated on stimulating the little kernel of nerves. He flicked it with the tip of his tongue, circled it, and then sucked on it. She bucked against his mouth. Incoherent words fell from her lips.

  He growled, sending the vibration through her clit. She screamed. She actually screamed as she came. Her entire body went stiff as a board and then seemed to collapse. She was laughing and crying at the same time.

  Tarrant wasn’t sure if he should be worried or not, but there was no time. He had to have her. He lowered her legs and levered his body over hers once again. He reached between them and guided the broad head of his cock to her opening. She shivered but didn’t stop him as he eased for
ward.

  Her body resisted him at first, and she tensed. He dropped his head forward and groaned. “Relax, sweetheart. I’ll take it slow.” At least he hoped he could. His cock was seconds from exploding. He had to feel her hot, wet heat surrounding him.

  “I’m trying.” There was a plaintive quality to her voice that he didn’t like.

  “Everything will be fine,” he promised. He kissed her sweet mouth and was relieved when she eagerly welcomed him.

  The second he felt her relax, he pressed inward. The head of his shaft breached her opening, stretching her to accept him. She stiffened and then moaned.

  Tarrant kept kissing her and stroked her face before cupping one of her breasts. He teased the taut nipple with his thumb. She moaned and undulated her hips, taking him in another inch.

  He wasn’t going to make it. His balls were trying to crawl into his body. He growled and pushed forward. Valeriya was slick from her orgasm and he managed to gain several more inches.

  He buried his face against her shoulder. His lungs were working hard as he sucked in much-needed air. She stoked his back and shoulders, as if trying to calm him. He could have told her nothing would work. Every touch was pushing him closer to the edge.

  Then Valeriya pulled her legs up alongside his hips. The motion pushed him deeper. He was almost there.

  He raised his head and peered down at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips moist, and her eyes wide and bright. “Finish it,” she told him.

  He could have denied any other woman. He was a skilled lover, able to control himself and his passion. But this woman made a mockery of his so-called skill. He pushed forward, burying the last of his cock inside.

  Her slick walls rippled and stretched to accommodate him. She fit him as snugly as he knew she would, better than he could have ever imagined. Her eyes widened and her lips parted.

  “Okay?” He’d pull out if he was hurting her. It might kill him, but he’d do it.

  She nodded.

  That didn’t satisfy him. “Valeriya?”

  She shuddered when he said her name. Her inner muscles clutched his dick. He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath, but it was too late. He came, spilling himself inside her. He swore, reared back, and plunged forward several times.

  Valeriya shocked him when she cried out. Before he could ask if he was hurting her, he felt the telltale ripples of her pussy. She was coming again.

  Tarrant lost it totally. He plunged into her over and over, his big body trembling, her smaller one shaking. He didn’t want to stop, never wanted to stop, but eventually not even he could keep going.

  He collapsed beside her, finding just enough strength to pull out so he wouldn’t crush her. Totally spent, he wrapped one arm around her and dragged her into the curve of his body.

  One word echoed in his brain.

  Mine.

  …

  Karina carefully set her phone on her desk when what she really wanted to do was smash it into tiny pieces. Her sister was missing. How had two men, both highly trained operatives, lost her sister? The woman was a children’s author. She could barely keep up in dance class and hadn’t lasted in ballet more than two years. She had no training when it came to evasion tactics.

  But the fact remained that the rental company had picked up the vehicle Valeriya had been driving, and her things were no longer in the cabin.

  Had her sister had help?

  Karina leaned back in her chair and pressed her fingers together. Maybe that was it. But who?

  Had Riggs double crossed her and taken Valeriya to Herman Temple? She didn’t think so, but there was no denying her lover was ambitious. Maybe Temple had gone after her himself. She didn’t doubt he had spies in her ranks. After all, she had them in his.

  Her phone rang again. She glanced at the number, not surprised to see it belonged to Riggs. She picked it up and answered. “Yes.”

  “Your sister is missing.”

  “How do you know?” she asked. She’d sent two of her own men to watch Valeriya. She realized now she should have sent more. There was a third possibility she hadn’t counted on. Maybe Darius Varkas had slipped back and taken her sister.

  Riggs made an impatient sound. “You know Temple has men watching your men. After they pulled out in a hurry, Temple’s men checked out the situation and just reported back. He’s not sure if she’s slipped her leash or if you’ve taken her in.”

  She heard the question in Riggs’s tone. He wanted to know if she had Valeriya. It was time to make use of her lover.

  “I don’t know where she is, and I don’t like it. She might not know much about the secrets and daily workings of the Knights, but she knows enough. If she falls into the hands of our enemies…” She let the implication speak for itself.

  “I’m heading to the mountains.”

  Karina allowed herself a smile. “I thought you might.” She stood and began to pace. “In the meantime, I’ll keep an eye on Temple myself. Maybe it’s time we had another meeting.”

  “I’ll be in touch,” Riggs told her.

  “You do that.” She ended the call before he did. She quickly pressed another number. It was answered on the third ring. Herman did like to play his silly games.

  “What can I do for you, Karina?” Herman was a good-looking man, considering his age, but she’d never been attracted to him. She’d always sensed he’d slit her throat if he thought he could usurp her position with the Knights.

  “I think we should meet later today to discuss the latest developments.” That was as much as she was willing to say over the phone. “I’ll stop by your office.” Once again, she ended the call first.

  She tossed her phone on the desk and smiled. She could just imagine how furious he was over having to wait around for her all day, having no idea what time she would arrive to meet with him. She was, after all, the leader of the Knights. He’d damn well wait on her.

  As for her sister, well, Valeriya wouldn’t get far on her own. She pressed the intercom on her desk. It was answered immediately. “Yes, Ms. Azarov.”

  “I want every resource at our disposal used to find my sister. Track her credit cards, car rental outlets, airports, everything.”

  “Yes, Ms. Azarov.”

  She tucked her phone in her pocket and left her office. Whatever it took to find her sister, she’d do it.

  Chapter Ten

  Valeriya had no idea how much time had passed when she woke. All she knew was that she was naked and alone. She shivered as a chill snaked over her. The covers were tucked tight around her, but without Tarrant beside her radiating body heat, she was cold.

  She sat up in bed, keeping the covers tucked around her. The ambient light still glowed from the baseboards, but it was too dark for her to truly see anything beyond shapes. She reached for the bedside lamp. The click seemed overly loud and the light too bright. She blinked several times to allow her vision to adjust.

  She’d seen motel rooms with more personality. The space was spartan, with a bed, a chest of drawer, a nightstand, and a chair that sat in the corner. The furnishings and bedclothes was all excellent quality, but it was all in shades of beige and brown. There were no books or paintings or personal items of any kind. And, of course, there was no window.

  Her suitcase sat just inside the door of the room. Tarrant must have put it there while she was sleeping. At least she had clean clothes. Her flannel pants, shirt, and hoodie were folded neatly on the chair.

  Valeriya sighed and rubbed her hands over her face. What had she done? It was bad enough that she’d slept with the man who’d kidnapped her—any shrink would have a field day with that—but she had feelings for him. Deep ones.

  Yeah, definitely big trouble.

  She shoved the covers aside and got out of bed. She didn’t like walking around naked, not when she didn’t know when or if Tarrant was coming back. It was one thing to be naked while they were making love. Quite another to just wander around with no clothing on.

  In spite
of Tarrant’s place being underground, the room was actually fairly warm. Not that it helped with the chill radiating from deep inside her. She feared that might never truly abate. She shivered as the air circulated around her, making her nipples tighten. It reminded her of what she and Tarrant had done. Suddenly, she wasn’t nearly as cold.

  She grabbed her suitcase and dragged it over to the bed. This was not the time to get aroused. She needed to get dressed and figure out what she was going to do next.

  She opened the case to find everything jumbled inside. He’d probably searched her belongings. He hadn’t hesitated to check her phone and laptop before disabling them, he certainly wouldn’t think twice about going through her clothes.

  It was more than a little disconcerting to think about him handling her underclothes. She ignored the flash of heat that crept up her face and pulled out a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved top, and clean underwear.

  Valeriya carried her clothes with her as she padded across the floor and opened the bathroom door. Like before, the baseboard lights came on low and she set her clothing on the vanity before turning on the overhead light.

  This room might be done in shades of brown, too, but it had a luxurious feel that appealed to her. Valeriya went back to the bedroom and dug around in her suitcase until she located her brush and comb and the bag with her toiletries.

  She went back to the bathroom and started the water in the shower running before she laid out her soap, shampoo, and conditioner. She noted there was an expensive brand of all three already in the shower. She grabbed one of the bottles and read the label. It was all natural and smelled like lemons.

  She shrugged and tucked her own things back into the small zippered bag. Since the toiletries were already here, she’d treat the situation as though she were in a high-class hotel and use them. She stepped beneath the hot spray and closed her eyes. The water cascaded over her.

  She’d really made love with Tarrant. Or had sex with him. Using the term “making love” was almost too intimate, implied too much.

  She groaned and rested her hands on the tile. If she was caught up in semantics, she was in bigger trouble than she thought.