by Becca Van
“Why don’t you take a shower while I find you some clothes?”
Since it seemed she wasn’t about to make her great escape, she decided she might as well be comfortable and nodded her head. She didn’t dare speak, afraid her voice would come out sounding all breathy and sultry. Her hormone levels had spiked the moment Lance touched her, and she was scared she would give her lust away by talking. Plus, if she was smart, she could get them to give more information away, and she could make her escape when everyone was asleep.
He deposited her on her feet, and although she knew he was watching her, she kept her gaze lowered and headed into the bathroom.
Calysta turned toward the large shower, opened the door, and turned the taps on. When the water was the right temperature she pulled the shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor before stepping into the cubicle. A sigh of bliss emitted from her parted lips as she let the hot water flow over her head and body. When her hair and body was clean she turned off the water and dried off. The thought of putting the shirt back on wasn’t appealing in the least so she grabbed another clean towel from the cupboard under the sink and wrapped it around herself. It was big, which she was thankful for because it nearly wrapped her small frame twice and fell to her knees. She grabbed a fresh toothbrush from a packet, brushed her teeth, and slid the comb on the vanity through her hair.
She hoped that Lance and the others didn’t mind her helping herself, but gave a mental shrug. She didn’t really care and was just grateful to feel clean again.
She opened the door and stepped over the threshold and froze. Lounging on the bed was one hot hunk of a man. She’d hoped that he had left while she had taken her shower, but it seemed she was out of luck. Her breasts perked up, her nipples hardened, and her pussy clenched, causing cream to drip out onto her folds.
“How are you feeling, Calysta?”
“Lance?”
Lance sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. When he went to stand, she took a step back. He stopped and stayed sitting on the mattress.
She glanced around the room nervously and licked her lips as she tried to keep her breathing at a regular pace, but she was fighting a losing battle. The man was gorgeous and got to her in ways no man ever had before.
“Where exactly is your home?” She hoped asking again would get her more information. She looked up at the ceiling and for the first time realized she was in what looked like a cave. A luxurious cave, but a cave nonetheless.
“We live in the Wind River Mountains. I already told you that.”
“Why am I here?”
Lance rose to his feet and moved toward her and although she wanted to back up she remained still. She was an FBI agent and wasn’t about to let this man or any other for that matter intimidate her. Calysta didn’t get intimidated by anyone. That’s what she told herself, anyway.
He ignored her question and turned toward the closet. After rummaging through the clothes he shut the door and walked over to the dresser on the far wall. He opened several drawers and when he turned back to face her he was holding sweat pants and a T-shirt in his hand.
“Why don’t you get dressed? I’ll wait for you in the living room and then take you out to eat. You have to be really hungry.”
Calysta didn’t say anything but watched him warily as he placed the clothes on the bed and left the room. Now that he mentioned it, her stomach growled and she realized how empty her belly was. She frowned as she wondered how he would know how hungry she was.
She dropped the towel, pulled the dark blue shirt over her head and then stepped into the sweat pants. They were so long she had to pull the material up so she could see her feet and when she rolled the waist down so they weren’t so baggy around her hips and she let them go, but they fell down to her knees. She would have giggled if she wasn’t so frustrated. There was no way in hell she was leaving the room without anything covering her lower half. With a sigh of frustration she sat down on the edge of the bed. It didn’t matter that the shirt was all the way to her knees, she wasn’t the type of woman to display her goods for just any Tom, Dick, or Harry. She had more respect for her body and herself to just let anyone ogle her girly bits.
“Calysta, are you all right?” Lance asked and each word was louder as if he were walking toward her.
She looked toward the door and sure enough he appeared in the open doorway.
“What’s wrong, A ghrá?”
“The pants are too big. What did you just call me?”
“Love,” Lance answered as he rummaged in the dresser again. When he turned to face her he was holding boxer shorts in his hand. “Try these. They should fit.”
Caly took the boxers and stared at him expectantly as she ignored the endearment. He must have realized what she wanted because he sighed and turned his back to her. She quickly pulled the boxers on under the shirt and was pleased that although still loose, they were firm enough not to fall down.
As she stared at Lance’s back her eyes clung to the hard muscles showcased under the tight cotton T-shirt he wore and her body began to heat. Again, she felt a connection to him she’d never felt to any other man and her body was responding accordingly, which actually pissed her off. But no matter how hard she tried to pull her gaze from him she couldn’t seem to manage it.
Her breasts were aching as if demanding his touch and her cunt moistened, causing her clit to ache. Cream wept from her pussy and her internal muscles clenched in need. She wasn’t sure if she made a sound or her movement as she shifted from foot to foot drew his awareness but he turned back around to face her.
“Are you ready for some food, Calysta?”
She was ready for more than food but wasn’t about to voice her desires so she nodded instead of opening her mouth.
Lance held his hand out to her and though she wanted more than anything to touch him she was hesitant. She was already battling her wayward libido and didn’t know if she would be able to suppress the lust racing through her bloodstream for much longer. Each second she was in his presence the hunger for his touch grew. So instead of taking his outstretched hand she hurried toward the doorway and, being careful not to brush up against him, exited the room.
She heard his sigh of frustration but didn’t look back at him because she was sure she would do something stupid, like losing total control if she looked into his gray-blue heated gaze again. Once outside in the hallway she shifted away from the entrance so he could lead the way. The door to the ledge was closed, and she stifled a sigh of frustration.
From her peripheral vision and under her lowered lashes she saw him look her way but didn’t meet his gaze. He moved past her and strode down the corridor in his long legged gait. She couldn’t help but zero in on his delectable ass.
The heat in her veins grew and it was all she could do not to moan out loud as her muscles softened and the desire ramped up even more. It was hard to push the hunger down deep and ignore the way her body was responding to his proximity but she did her best as she followed him down the long hallway. When he entered the massive kitchen she nearly slammed into his back as he stopped in front of her and then moved to her side. His hand on her arm was enough to make her knees go weak and set her legs to trembling but when she looked across the room and saw all the other people her heart slammed hard against her ribs.
Sitting at the table as if they didn’t have a care in the world were the two missing women she and Reece had been searching for. Her mouth opened with shock and she was about to ask them what they were doing there, when her gaze shifted to the three men sitting on the opposite side of the table.
She snapped her mouth closed with an audible click as her teeth met and sidestepped out of Lance’s hold. Blood rushed through her ears and although she could see people’s mouths moving she didn’t hear any voices. She swayed on her feet as black pinpricks floated across her vision, and when she realized she wasn’t breathing, drew in a great gasp of air. The roaring in her ears diminished and she was able to
hear the chatter. The lightheadedness receded and after exhaling she inhaled deeply again.
Finally she found her voice and spoke. “What the hell is going on?”
“Come and sit down, mo chroí,” Aiden said as he pushed to his feet and walked toward her.
Caly crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him belligerently before turning her gaze to Lance. The urge to ask what Aiden had called her was strong, but she resisted.
With her arms still hugging her chest she took a step toward the other side of the room and it wasn’t until she was standing at the end of the table and empty seat which was as far away from them as she could get that she noticed how rigid she was feeling. With a conscious effort she loosened her muscles, unfolded her arms, and pulled back the chair before sitting down.
Lance and Aiden walked toward her and sat down at the long ends of the table on either side of her. From the way the other men around the table where eying her and Lance, Caly had a feeling she had taken the seat he normally sat in, but she didn’t care and wasn’t about to relinquish it to him. Right at that moment she didn’t want her personal space invaded, even if she admitted only to herself that the four men closest to her had sent her body into a yearning of lust.
Everyone began passing huge plates and bowls of food and after they selected what they wanted passed them on to the next person. When she’d seen the massive amount of fare she wondered if there were more people who had yet to come to the table, but seeing how much food the men piled on their big plates, she guessed that everyone who lived in this crazy place was already here.
Even though the others were talking quietly amongst themselves she was aware of the glances sent her way and started to feel like a bug under a microscope. She shifted in her chair and kept her head lowered even when Lance and Aiden piled food onto the plate in front of her.
The scents of cooked food assailed her nostrils and her empty stomach growled loudly. Heat infused her cheeks when all chatting ceased, but she kept her head down.
“Eat, Calysta,” Andre commanded from his seat next to Lance. “We can feel how hungry you are.”
Caly frowned and although she wanted to contradict his order in a fit of pique she knew it would be childish when she was so hungry.
She picked up her fork and took a mouthful of the fluffy scrambled eggs. Flavor burst on her taste buds and she moaned with delight at the wonderful taste. When she heard a low groaning sound she looked up to find Lance, Aiden, Andre, and Alex staring at her mouth. More heat crept up her cheeks and she averted her gaze with embarrassment.
It didn’t have anything to do with the way her pussy clenched and moistened nor how her nipples hardened and throbbed.
Yeah, and if you believe that you’re definitely going crazy.
Once everyone had finished eating she pushed her plate away with a satiated sigh and wrapped her hands around her mug of coffee. She lifted her head and found Lance studying her intently. This time when a surge of desire shot through her body she remained still. The last thing she needed was for the men she hungered after to realize the effect they had on her. She had a feeling she would need all her wits about her for what was coming. Plus she felt like they would run rampant over her if they knew how much their presence was making her feel.
When she noticed that all talking had stopped and the silence began to get to her she decided to take the bull by the horns.
“What the hell is going on?”
Chapter Seven
Andre was having a hard time controlling his dragon and his desire for his mate. Every time he inhaled the musky aroma of her lust invaded his nostrils and made his mouth water. Quite a few times through breakfast he very nearly pushed his chair back to grab hold of Calysta, sling her over his shoulder and race toward the bedroom, but he suspected she would scream blue bloody murder if he even placed a hand on her shoulder.
He pushed his lascivious thoughts to the back of his mind, wrestled his beast for control, and cleared his throat. “You are in danger and we need to protect you.”
His words must have been the catalyst to her memories of being hurt because her face paled and she blanched as she ran her hands over her chest and looked down. When she lifted her head he could see shock in her eyes. Her mouth opened and closed several times and she was panting.
Lance shifted his chair back from the table, clasped her upper arms, and pulled her over onto his lap. She pressed her hands against his chest and pushed back but Lance wrapped his arms around her upper body and held onto her. Her struggles ceased and although she tried to calm her breathing, Andre could hear her heart pounding rapidly in her chest as well as see the pulse in her neck fluttering wildly.
“You’re safe and you’re healed. Take a deep breath, mo chroí,” Lance whispered but Andre was able to pick up his words.
Calysta took a deep breath, held it for a moment before releasing it and she slumped against Lance’s chest. After repeating the process she took advantage of Lance’s loosened hold and jumped from his lap, backing away from the table.
Andre couldn’t stay away from her. He needed to hold her in his arms and reassure himself she was okay. Plus, his dragon was once more pushing at him to cement the tenuous bond they already had with her.
She met his gaze with a wary expression and when she held up her hands palm out toward him as if to ward him off, he halted.
“No one here will hurt you, M’fhíorghrá. Please don’t be afraid of us.” Andre watched as her fear turned to anger.
“I’m not afraid,” she refuted his statement and tipped her chin up higher, crossed her arms beneath her breasts and glared at him.
She was so damn tiny compared to them, but he could see and feel the passion racing beneath the surface of her skin. Although she tried to hide it she was just as hungry for him, his flight pod brothers, and his elder as they were for her. But first things first.
“We need to explain why we brought you here, Calysta. Won’t you please sit down and listen to us?” Andre expected her to argue but she surprised him when she dropped her arms to her sides and nodded before skirting around him and taking her seat again.
“I’m Belinda, but everyone calls me Bid.”
The tension in Andre’s neck and shoulders eased when Calysta looked over at the other woman.
“I know who you are,” Calysta said and then shifted her gaze to Niki. “And you. What I want to know is why you are both here. Don’t you realize that there are people looking for you, worried about you both?”
Nikita nodded her head. “Yes, and we are both sorry that we weren’t able to let the authorities know we are alive and well.”
“And why is that?” Calysta asked.
“You’re name is Calysta, right?” Niki asked.
“Yes, but call me Caly.”
Niki leaned forward in her seat and rested her elbows on the table. “I don’t know how much you know, but I guess starting at the beginning is as good a place as any.”
“Let me, baby.” The man to Niki’s right placed a hand on her shoulder. “My name is Randy and this is Rex and Russ. Ed, Eli, and Erwin are the leaders of our merry band.” Randy pointed at each man as he said their names. “We are dragon shifters and we are being hunted.”
Ed cleared his throat. “We were created by Merlin’s magic long ago to protect the human race but what the wizard didn’t realize was that a witch had formed her own band of evil men to try and take over the world.”
“I know,” Caly whispered.
“You do?” Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“Let me guess,” Aiden reached over and covered the hand Caly had placed on the table. Andre sighed with relief and hope when she didn’t pull away. “You had a visit from Lady Guinevere.”
Caly nodded and swallowed loudly.
“So you know all about our race and the hunters?” Andre asked.
“I doubt it.” Caly met Andre’s gaze before looking back at Niki. “You’re the missing d
eputy, Nikita Stravinsky.” She looked over at Bid. “And you’re the missing mayor’s assistant, Belinda Starling.”
“Yes,” Bid answered. “The mayor is dead.”
Andre heard Caly’s indrawn breath but when he studied her face she didn’t look surprised.
“How?”
“We killed him,” Russ answered. “The mayor was a hunter and he somehow found our lair and was in the process of trying to kidnap Belinda.”
“He was going to rape and then kill me,” Bid said in a hoarse voice.
“And the sheriff?” Caly asked.
“He and one of the other hunters kidnapped me. Sid Clam, the other hunter, killed the sheriff and then threw me into a car. I was to be the bait that drew my mates out so the hunters could kill the dragons.” Niki shuddered and then leaned against Randy.
Rex took up the tale. “Lord Jerome was the hunter leader of the mid-west region. When he and Sid tried to kill our mate, we rescued her.”
“What has any of this to do with me?” Caly asked.
Andre could tell by the belligerent expression on her face she wasn’t about to admit being theirs, even when she was pining for their touch. However, he wasn’t sure how to answer her without sounding like an arrogant ass so he kept his mouth shut.
Lance reached out, gripped her chin between his finger and thumb and gently turned her head until she was looking the elder in the eyes. “You know why.”
Caly tried to shake her head but she couldn’t with Lance holding her still. Her lips parted and she licked her lips and just like that his beast roared. He shoved his chair back and without even thinking about what he was doing he pulled his t-shirt up over his head and threw it to the floor. It wasn’t necessary for him to remove his clothes but his skin was feeling hypersensitive and he couldn’t stand the feel of the cotton on his flesh. He wanted to discard the rest of his clothes, too, but wasn’t sure his mate would appreciate him doing that so he ignored the urge.
Andre stepped back and then he called his dragon. Magic rolled over his body as his animal came to the fore and the man was pushed back His frame and muscles grew. Warm tingles and sparks rushed through and over his body. Power surged as his form changed from man to beast. He wanted to roar with exultation that his mate would see his inner form for the first time, but held it back so he didn’t scare her.