Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition

by Michelle M. Pillow

  Her eyes were in a constant state of mischief, though he guessed the look was meant to hide her other emotions. His little bride was a great mystery. He knew she was up to something, he just couldn’t tell what. He would have to be careful until he figured her out. But, in the meantime, he’d just wait and enjoy whatever wild ride she had in store for him.

  Suddenly, her legs wrapped around his waist and she lowered herself letting her breasts brush by his lips. With one swift move, he could’ve taken her right then. He smelled it on her, wafting up from her hips like a perfume to tempt him into beastly madness.

  Chapter 4

  Olena grew nervous, wondering if she was pushing things too far. He was a man after all and she didn’t have a weapon to defend herself. But, seeing the restraint on his face and knowing the penalty for him would be great if he coupled with her, she relaxed. It was just a game, a game the Pirate Olena was determined to win.

  Wiggling her hips, she said throatily, a pout forming on her lips, “Aren’t you supposed to ask me something, Yusef?”

  Yusef smiled, simply stating, “Choose.”

  Olena grinned at him as if she hadn’t a care in the world, but it was an emotion she couldn’t feel in her trembling heart. The heat of his body spread into her limbs. The impression of his skin drove her to distraction. None of these things mattered. Once Olena chose a course of action she did not back down. That was what made her so good at her trade. That was what made her one of the most sought after thieves in galactic history.

  “Well, if you insist,” she purred. Threading her fingers into his soft black hair, she wound the locks around her fingers. His bronzed skin clashed with the white of her hands. Without untying the straps, she took much more time than necessary to work the mask off his head.

  When she saw his face for the first time, all well-thought-out plans momentarily fled her. He was handsome, breathtakingly so. He stared at her with the most gorgeously shaped eyes she had ever seen—and she had seen a lot. His dark gray gaze shifted before her, flashing with yellow.

  Now, that was something she hadn’t seen for a while. This man was a shifter.

  The thought brought her up short and she knew she had to be very careful. Shifters could be exceedingly dangerous, depending on what they shifted into. It was a genetic defense, so it wasn’t like he’d turn into a cute and fuzzy bunny. No, they usually shifted into strong, warrior beasts.

  “Why don’t you put me down,” she murmured, impishly throwing the mask behind her, “so I can unwrap my prize?”

  He didn’t readily respond. She was careful not to give anything away with her expression. Fear tried to work its way through her and her heart quickened.

  Yusef lowered her to the ground, letting her feel the entire length of his heated body, including the stiff arousal pressing from beneath the loincloth. She held her breath. Her eyes widened as the erection hit dangerously close to her lower stomach. Her nipples ached, reaching for him like little traitors. She was not supposed to desire him. The idea was to get him to desire her. Once she had him frustrated with need, he would be putty in her hands and give her anything she wanted for just a chance of fulfillment—a fulfillment that would never come.

  To her dismay, as he let her go, her knees weakened and she stumbled. His arrogant grin was not lost on her. She tightened a fist, automatically wanting to wipe the insolent look off his face. However, when she saw his eyes narrow in warning, she held back and smiled instead.

  “Well?” she questioned, gesturing at him. “Let’s see.”

  “I thought you wished to unwrap your prize.” His voice dripped over her body like warm syrup. His Qurilixian accent rolled softly from firm lips. Olena fought for control of her stirring desires. Those lips moved in such a way that she knew he would be able to shower her with toe-curling kisses—just looking at them made her skin tingle and her heart race.

  Olena took a step forward, forcing her legs to be still. Tilting her head, she licked her lips and looked him over. She lifted her hands to his chest and drifted down the hard length of him to the fur waistband of his loincloth. When her fingers reached his stomach, his muscles tightened. He grabbed her wrists.

  “What?” Olena pouted, before teasing, “Embarrassed? I’m sure it’s fine, supernova.”

  “Use your mouth,” he commanded, not taking the bait.

  Olena was stunned, but she hoped she didn’t show it. Swallowing, she let him bend her forward so that her face was close to his waist. She widened her stance and pushed out her backside. He held her hands out to the side, so she couldn’t cheat.

  Yusef groaned, as Olena swayed her hips beyond his reach. Lightly, she kissed his abdomen and dragged her tongue over his stiffening stomach. She worked her mouth over the fur, not liking the way the strands stuck to her lips. Taking hold with her teeth, she jerked her head back. When she stood before him, loincloth hanging from mouth, hair wildly tousled about her back and shoulders, she impishly winked at him.

  Unable to stem her curiosity, she peered down. Her eyes widened before she could hide her surprise. Now that was something she hadn’t seen before. It would seem this barbarian toted a large warrior all his own.

  Yusef stepped to her, spreading her arms wider as his hands remained shackled around her wrists. The material straps at her waist ripped free with the movement. Olena shivered at the sheer power of him. With a quick strike, he grabbed the end of the fur with his own lips and took it from her mouth only to growl, jerking it like a wild dog before tossing it to the side.

  Before she knew what was happening, he kissed her. It was a blistering caress that stole her breath and stopped her heart in her chest. It was a kiss full of passion and unleashed desire. Here was a man who knew what he wanted and went for it without thought. Before she knew what she was doing, Olena was kissing him back.

  Olena moaned. She had been kissed before, but never like this—never like she was the last woman in the galaxy. With her arms out to the side, she couldn’t fight him off. To her shame she realized, if not for his hold on her arms, she wouldn’t have been fighting him, but encouraging him.

  Angry more at her loss of control than at him, she bit him—hard. Yusef jerked back, his lip bleeding. He blinked, stunned. She licked her swollen lips, tasting his blood on them. She narrowed her gaze, silently daring him to punish her for it.

  Yusef touched his injured lip and arched a brow.

  “You didn’t say please,” Olena explained.

  “Please,” he growled under his breath, his gaze dancing with heat. Stepping forward again, he resumed the kiss where they had left off. Only this time he bit back. Olena gasped, her leg lifting to kick him in reflex. He dropped her arms, only to wrap her in his forced embrace. Her leg missed its target, moving instead to intimately rub the side of his naked hip.

  “Let me go,” Olena demanded against his mouth, struggling as she tasted their intermingled blood on her lips, not knowing how much of it was hers and how much was his.

  “Please,” he whispered, leaning over to lick her wound. Nudging her lightly with his jaw, he said again, “Please.”

  Olena couldn’t refuse the rolling sound of his seductive words. The crystal pulsed between them, but this time she ignored her suspicions as he once more claimed her. Her blood simmered, and the sensation of passion pooled between her hips to create a feeling of desperation and longing.

  His kiss was gentle, probing and soothing. She melted into his arms, forgetting the battle as he called her unwillingly to a truce. She couldn’t think against his onslaught of tenderness. She wanted him, like she had never wanted anything. The fog, that had tried to invade her thoughts all night, had crept into her brain during that kiss and now held her in its mist—unwilling to let her think, only feel what its master wanted her to.

  * * *

  Yusef knew he was pushing her, waiting for the eruption that appeared to be simmering under her fiery surface. Maybe it was her flaming red hair, or perhaps it was the way she seemed so sure s
he was in control of the situation. Whatever the reason, he wanted to push her, and keep pushing her until she ignited into a passionate explosion. If he boiled this little vixen’s blood, he knew the rewards would be great.

  He felt her weakening in his arms. Pulling back from the kiss, he looked into her passion-hazed eyes. She wanted him, nearly as badly as he wanted to possess her.

  “Now,” he breathed hotly against her lips. “Let me see what I have won.”

  She shivered, as if too stunned by the feel of his lips to move. He caressed her cheek and neck. He trailed his hands over her gown, her flesh burning him through the silk as if the material didn’t exist. He flexed his fingers, letting his palms do most of the touching. They moved down her hips, over her waist only to come up, cupping naturally around her smaller breasts. The soft globes fit beautifully into his hands and he touched them as if they already belonged to him.

  His bride gasped. Yusef kept his eyes locked to hers. He ran his finger up her delicate neck, so fragile he could have strangled the life from her with little effort. But he would never cause her pain. Well, except for the bittersweet agony building inside their bodies.

  Taking the dress, Yusef tore it. The material ripped loudly, causing her to jump in surprise. He tossed the gown aside. Her nipples puckered as the warm air of the tent hit the naked flesh. The buds beckoned him, tempted him.

  Yusef stepped back, boldly taking her in. Her skin was white and flawless. She looked so pure compared to his tanned flesh. Undergarments hugged her hips, taunting him with their lacy barrier. Oh, how he’d like to bite them from her as she had done to his loincloth. Freckles dotted her shoulders, like light and airy kisses. He promised his mouth he would kiss each and every one of them in time.

  Her body was well-built, muscular and strong, but still gentle and soft—just like her playful eyes. There was a quiet innocence to her gaze, but with their growing physical connection Yusef felt deeper inside her emotions than mere appearances allowed. He knew the looks she gave him weren’t all true, and yet it wasn’t all an act.

  By the calluses on her hands, though they did not appear rough, he could tell she worked hard. Already he concluded this woman knew how to use a gun. He felt the bump on her trigger finger as if she’d fired one often.

  She lifted her hair off her back and gave it a small shake. His eyes instantly went to the shower of red waves. Yusef swallowed, already tortured by what was to come. Still, he couldn’t think to stop it.

  Questions swam in his mind. He wanted to know who she was, why she came to his planet. He understood it was partly their combined fate that brought her to Qurilixen, but he wanted to know her other reasons. Was she hiding from something? Was she looking for something? There was more to her, and he instinctively knew he wouldn’t discover the answers easily.

  * * *

  Olena dropped her arms as she watched him devour her with his eyes. It made her hot to see his desire for her, unfiltered in its brazen intent. A wave of guilt overcame her, for she knew she would never succumb to him. She would use him and then leave him behind just as soon as she had a chance. He was a means to an end—and her end was escape from this exile of a planet.

  Thinking of that goal, she blinked away the crystal fog, fighting it. It was clear her feelings had something to do with the stone around his neck, as well as the wine they had given her to drink. It had taken her a moment to place it, but she had tasted something akin to that unique blend of herbs before. Psychiatrists liked to use them because they opened the mind and loosened the tongue, a practice that was illegal in many quadrants. Narrowing her eyes, she stiffened her resolve. This man had tried to drug her, tried to take away her will.

  Her eyes shone brightly with an innocence she did not feel. “Like what you see?”

  His response was a bestial growl. He didn’t look away.

  Taking a finger to her lips, she felt the drying blood on them. The straps still wound up her arms and she left them there. She kicked off her shoes. Sucking her finger, her eyes growing wide, she turned to pose shyly for him.

  Her eyes fell on the tub. It had been a long time since she had a water bath. The Galaxy Brides’ ship had a decontamination unit, which basically sucked the germs and oil off your skin in a swift puff of air and sweep of lasers.

  Olena blinked as she murmured in her most sultry of tones, “I think I got myself dirty, Yusef. Maybe you should clean me up.”

  * * *

  Maybe you should clean me up.

  Yusef couldn’t help the fever that ignited in his body at the request. He knew he was going to regret it. His warrior instincts told him to be careful, that this woman was cunning, that she was going to be trouble.

  Her lush, full lips called to him. They pursed when she talked, begging to be touched. He saw the swollen cut where his teeth had bitten her and he felt the matching sore on his own lip.

  The firefly pin atop her locks glistened when she moved. The little black gemstones sparkled like stars, winking mischievously at him. Reaching for her, he glided a hand down her cheek, cupping her jaw. Not heeding his own instincts, he let his lust do the thinking as he obeyed the naked vixen staring at him.

  Chapter 5

  Olena froze, not allowing the shiver that tried to overtake her at Yusef’s gentle caress. Slowly, he drew his hand over her shoulder and down her arm. Taking up the tattered ends of the winding straps on her wrists, he backed up, leading her to the steaming tub.

  Olena let him look at her, unashamed of her body. It was just bio-material. She wasn’t a fool. In the end, he would want the same thing all men did—her complete submission. She would never do it. She’d been a man’s slave once. Once was enough.

  Yusef was unaware of her turmoil and she liked it that way. When he looked at her, she gave him a beautifully dazzling smile. Bringing her forward, he tried to kiss her.

  Olena moved past him, impishly denying his offered mouth. She shrugged out of her panties and got into the bath. Standing naked before him, she waited.

  Yusef did not have to be commanded. He stepped into the large basin joining her. Slowly they sank into the warm water. Their backs to opposite sides, they faced each other with her legs resting to his side. Olena closed her eyes, momentarily content to enjoy the water.

  Soon, his fingers were on her feet, lifting them to his chest so he could lather them with soap. His soft touch took her in for a moment, entranced her mind with the pleasure of it. He let his hands roam, gliding up her calf. When he touched the intimate curve of her knee, she stiffened, ticklish.

  Opening her eyes, she moved to bathe him as he did her. When she lathered his feet, she found herself working up to his hair-roughened thighs. The soap slid erotically on their skin, and felt delightful. Their touches stayed on task, heating and building fires wherever they journeyed. From the thighs they discovered hips, from the delectable hips they discovered stomachs, and from flat stomachs they found chests.

  Yusef took his time, teasing her breasts, learning their feel, testing their response. By his open expression he was not disappointed. As he ran his thumb over a sensitive nub, her body jerked in pleasure.

  Soon they were kneeling in the warm water. Her hands moved in circles over Yusef’s shoulders. His mouth was inches away from hers, parted, ready to kiss her but holding back. He worked his large hands over her back, massaging her closer to his chest.

  The raven strands of his hair were on his shoulders. The dark tips wet. The texture of his flesh mesmerized her. It was hypnotic to her fingers. She couldn’t stop touching him. The smell of him, of the soap, drove into her senses.

  It was insanity. She knew it. Being with him would go against every code she lived by. It would ruin the balance of her life. But she could no more stop herself than she could stop the march of time or change the will of the seasons. He was desert heat to her arctic cold. They would never survive together, yet here they were—touching, feeling, stroking, burning.

  His tenderness cracked the ice block t
hat had settled over her heart years ago. She couldn’t fight this kind of passion. He didn’t demand anything from her, only gave. How could she refuse such a gift? No one had ever treated her like she was delicate, like she was a real woman.

  Desire overwhelmed her, scaring her.

  Olena didn’t know if it was the man, the wine in her veins, or the crystal glowing brighter with each passing moment, that was driving her onward. All she knew was that her body would never be the same. As her desire had begun to respond naturally to his, she forgot her plans, forgot they shouldn’t be doing this. She forgot to hate him.

  Slowly, she leaned forward, her arms winding slowly around him as she kissed him.

  * * *

  Yusef held her, enjoying himself as he let her make the first move. Her lips were open and sweet, pouring a tender vulnerability over him. Her body pressed more firmly against him as he leaned back in the tub to support her weight. Her legs adjusted over his waist, careful to keep him from touching her with his arousal.

  The mischief faded from her emerald eyes and he saw the raw agony of pain staring at him. In that moment, a veil was lifted, baring her soul to him. He detected her longing for him, but also the deeply buried fear. Her eyes moistened with tears as she looked deep into his gray eyes. Whatever it was that she had planned by luring him to the bath, she was not following through with it.

  He growled into her opened mouth. Her lips quickened to a fevered pace as she moaned into his. He found her hips, naturally urging her body closer, seeking to tame the ache she had created. He paused in their kiss, opening his mouth as she slid next to his arousal. The water caressed them, burning hotter near his erection.