Murdoch

by C J Matthew

  “Sweetling, I am a male.”

  After Ryan left to patrol the gates, she and Murdoch raided the refrigerator for a light lunch. “Do you trust me and the dragon enough to ride on him for thirty yards? I want to show you a big cavern in the cliffs but the only way in is to swim underwater.”

  “Like with SCUBA gear?”

  “I have a wetsuit for you, tanks and all the equipment. But if you’re up for it, I’d like to show you how safe and easy riding a sea dragon can be.”

  “Can we practice once or twice before we go into an underwater tunnel?”

  “Of course.”

  Over a grilled chicken salad and glass of milk, he drew a picture of his sea dragon’s back on a sheet of paper. “Here’s where the gills open. If you lay flat on my neck and hang on to these small side horns, your face will be right in the path of the backwash from the gills. It forms a stream of air and you can put your face in it and breathe. You’ll know you’ve got the right spot because it replaces the water and feels like wind on your face. We’ll practice on the surface until you’re ready.”

  After lunch, she slid on a colorful wetsuit over her t-shirt and panties, and carrying goggles, she followed Murdoch out on the terrace off the living room.

  “Okay, up on my back,” he said. She looked at him, then peered over the edge of the railing. “How are we getting down to the water?”

  “Jump,” he said. “You may want to close your eyes for the split second while I shift but you won’t fall. The updrafts are strong here, and we’ll coast to the surface and land like an airplane.”

  Terror washed through her. Followed by a bolt of red-hot rage. “You are out of your fucking mind,” she shrieked. “Let’s review. I climb on your back. You jump off a multistory terrace. I close my eyes while you turn into a beautiful but scaly dragon. While we drop, I try to figure out where to hang on. The dragon flaps like crazy to keep us from plummeting into the sea. He and I die, splattered on the rocks below.”

  “You don’t like my plan?”

  “Not a plan. A double suicide. I fucking hate it.”

  “You’re so cute when you talk dirty.”

  “Insane.”

  “You’d rather take the stairs?”

  She whipped off the goggles and smacked him repeatedly all the way to the medieval staircase. She followed Murdoch down past the entrance to the secure room, through a thick, locked door, and they kept going down and around the stairs. Finally, Murdoch stopped. Through another locked door, the stairs ended in a long wooden landing, a dock? Water lapped against the far edge and a small boat bobbed to one side, tugging against its mooring.

  Murdoch pressed a concealed control and the wall beyond the end of the dock rose like a garage door. Sunlight streamed in.

  “No more teasing,” he said. “It’s important to me that we learn to swim together, and you have a good time. How about I swim out, shift and come back as close as I can to get you? You’ll be in the cold water less than a minute. Or paddle out in the boat and climb aboard from there?”

  “I’ll jump in and climb aboard.”

  “What a woman.” He kissed her, left both his phones on the bottom stair and dove off the end of the dock. A minute later, the sea dragon’s head broke the surface of the water and slid toward the dock.

  She let out a wolf whistle. Wet, his green scales shimmered like precious gems. She stayed on the end of the dock and when the dragon was still, she slipped into the freezing water and followed the heat. She recognized the small side-horn she’d been told to hang on to, used it to pull herself onto the dragon’s neck. His body pumped heat, warming her and the water around him.

  The first practice went perfectly. She breathed in air from his gills while warmed ocean water flowed over her body. When the dragon raised his head and brought them to the surface, she said, “Okay, let’s go through the tunnel.”

  Excitement replaced fear. It was becoming an adventure. The tunnel was wider than she’d imagined, and shorter. In no time, they reached the other side and the dragon surfaced in a sparkling, glittering wonderland. She gasped, not knowing where to look first. He lumbered his enormous body onto a pile of gold coins, next to more piles of coins, loose gems, jewelry and what looked like over-flowing pirate chests.

  She slid down his scales, landed on her feet and scrambled for distance until she remembered this was going the other way. She turned to find Murdoch standing on a pile of coins watching her.

  “It’s beyond amazing,” she said. “Where’d it all come from?”

  “Do you like it?” He opened his arms.

  “It’s unbelievable. Magnificent.” She stumbled and slid toward him. Finally, she threw herself the last yard. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs circled his waist. Her fingers gripped his hair and hung on. The kiss was hot and deep. His tongue seduced hers and she moaned. He broke the kiss and moved his mouth to nibble on her earlobe while his talented fingers started to peel off the wetsuit.

  “Wait, just a minute?” She wanted him but wanted a couple of answers too.

  He jerked his head up, his brows knitted with concern.

  “Murdoch. It was truly exciting swimming underwater on your dragon. And this place? It’s beyond words. If you want us to make love here, I’d like that too. But first, please explain what all this is and what it means to you and to the dragon.” She shivered with the realization of how little she knew about him.

  He relaxed his shoulders. “I couldn’t think how to explain it, especially after our misunderstandings about money. You’re right. You need to know, deserve to understand what this means to me.” He led her to a long flat chest, sat down on the closed lid, and pulled her onto his lap.

  “All this is my main—sorry, our—main hoard. Collected over generations and passed down as dragons died. It’s a tradition to show your mate the hoard and gift her with the most valuable pieces. In the old days, dragons draped their mates in as much of their hoard as she could wear.”

  “Wow.”

  “Right. Another expectation is that the mate will be overwhelmed and overjoyed by the size and value of the hoard.” He made a subtle gesture indicating the dragon inside him. “And you, Annalisa, my Sweetling mate, just aced that one.”

  “Whew.”

  “I’d—we’d—be honored if you’d accept a piece of hoard jewelry and wear it. It doesn’t have to be an engagement ring. Think of it as a promise ring, or a necklace, or a locket to show we’re going steady.”

  “I’d be delighted. You choose the piece and we’ll go steady, for the time being.”

  Murdoch stood and sat her on the chest. He selected a priceless antique necklace from an overflowing domed travelling trunk nearby. With great ceremony he draped the piece around her neck and fastened the gold clasp at the back of her neck.

  “Now we get naked and celebrate?” she teased.

  “Exactly.”

  Chapter 19

  Murdoch

  Murdoch led his mate to a flat mossy area and, removing her wetsuit, he left it spread open beneath her while he took a minute to admire her beauty and all those voluptuous curves on display in her tight little muscle-shirt and bikini panties. Not only was she beautiful and desirable, the inner woman was phenomenal as well.

  She’d made his heart stutter by agreeing to wear his hoard jewelry. The necklace glittered in the dim light and his breath caught at the sight. Here she was, almost naked, lying in the middle of his hoard and eager to make love with him.

  Claim her.

  We can’t today. Too soon.

  The dragon roared his anger. Claim her now!

  We will. Soon.

  The dragon howled his disappointment. Annalisa was the first human mate in the sea dragon clan’s history, yet the beast had his facts correct, knew his lore. If Murdoch used the condom he’d brought along, this wouldn’t be a true claiming. For that, he needed to spill his seed inside his mate. And his heart told him she wasn’t ready. And she certainly wasn’t ready to risk get
ting pregnant.

  If he assured her, she’d probably believe that as a mythical shifter he couldn’t catch or spread any diseases. But without protection, he could very well impregnate her. And their offspring, male or female, would be born looking like a human baby but would also be a sea dragon shifter. A lot for a human woman to accept and adapt to.

  Ask her.

  Damn it. The dragon was persistent. What the hell. Since today had turned into a series of question and answer sessions, he’d at least explain the situation while he teased and pleasured his mate.

  Stripping his clothes off, Murdoch grabbed a handful of loose gems, some random pieces of jewelry and stretched out beside her. He pulled off her t-shirt, propped himself on one elbow and arranged a circle of matching emeralds around each of her nipples.

  “Can I bring you to a climax without knocking any of these off?”

  She chuckled, and the motion sent three gems sliding off her breasts. “Oops.”

  “Hold still.” He slowly bent over her, drawing out the anticipation. His tongue darted out and flicked one nipple. She gasped, and two more emeralds slid away.

  He tried to look severe. “Concentrate.”

  “I am concentrating.” She huffed, and all the remaining emeralds scattered. He swept the gems off her neck and abdomen, cupped one breast, working the nipple with his thumb while he suckled the other. Annalisa moaned. He kept worshiping her breasts, patiently alternating hand and mouth until she writhed.

  He released the wet nipple and slowed his caressing hand. Looking into her eyes, he said, “Annalisa Bartello, my dragon and I recognized you immediately as our fated life mate. That means, I will love you, unconditionally and completely, for the rest of my rather long life. No matter if you accept me as your mate or not. I’m committed to protecting you with my own life, providing for you with all that I possess, and showering you with my hoard. Again, it makes no difference what your commitment level is. I know this sounds intense. But it in no way translates to any form of stalking.”

  “Actually, that’s a lovely declaration.”

  “It’s the absolute truth. Remember, just this morning you had no idea sea dragon shifters existed. Not only do they exist, but one of them is in a lifelong committed relationship with you. When mates are two dragons, they can feel the immediate strong attraction and know what it is. I’m not sure if it’s the same with a human and a dragon. Have you wondered what you’re feeling?”

  Annalisa shoved at his chest and he instantly moved back to give her room. Rolling to her feet, she marched away from him. When she stepped on loose coins, she stumbled. With a disgusted humph, she plopped down on the pile of gold, her back to him.

  “I think I feel it too, Murdoch. But it’s such a crazy idea—love at first sight is stupid—so I’d accepted the physical attraction while trying to ignore the emotional pull.” She swung her legs around to face him, brushing stuck coins off her legs.

  “The truth is, I do love you,” she admitted, “and want to live with you forever. When I’m with you, I’m certain I can manage both my job and this relationship. With our combined strength, I just know I can have both. Same with kids. Never did I dream I’d want to start a family right away. But together, you and I can handle it.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “No, it’s much more than that. I know in my heart, we will be together forever, and we’ll thrive and laugh and love.”

  Murdoch ears rang, and his heart hammered in his chest. She loves us.

  You were right, big guy. Where’s the ring?

  He palmed the diamond ring from the same chest as the necklace and dropped to his knees in front of Annalisa. “I love you and want us to be together for eternity. For you to be the mother of our children. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes. I’ll marry you.” He slid the glittering diamond solitaire on her finger. An exact fit. Then he swept her into his arms and returned her to their wetsuit-nest. He kissed her, tried to show her what she meant to him. When they came up for air, he cupped her face in his hands and said, “About baby shifters—”

  “Oh, I’m on birth control, so if you’re healthy…sorry, guess that’s a silly question.”

  He stroked his thumbs across her cheeks and explained about shifter health.

  “I’ve never had unprotected sex,” she said, slipping off her panties.

  “Let’s find out how it feels.”

  He slowly worked his way from ravaging her mouth, to kissing and licking most of her body. She screamed with the first orgasm atop his hoard while his head was buried between her thighs. Before she’d recovered, he urged Annalisa up on her hands and knees and slid into her slick hot pussy from behind. Her tight muscles enveloped him. The sensation was so intense he almost lost it right then.

  He set a varied pace, thrusting in quickly then slowly pulling out until only the head of his cock remained. Another advantage of this position, both his hands were available. He stroked and fondled her nipples, then her back and her sweet butt.

  When she gasped a demand for, “Faster. Harder.” he obliged. And when his fingertips touched her clit, she exploded again.

  His cock felt every pulse, each squeeze and spasm as her body urged him to follow. He thrust deeper. Then, with a wild cry, he emptied into her.

  Positioning Annalisa on top of him, he envisioned their babies as he stroked her hair. “No pillows,” he grumbled.

  “We don’t need them,” she said. “Tell me another secret.”

  “I call this my main hoard because I have more.”

  “This fixation on wealth, it’s a dragon thing, right?”

  “’Fraid so.”

  She lifted her head and rolled her eyes at him.

  An hour later, they swan back to the hidden dock, Murdoch retrieved his phones—one missed call from Ryan—and they climbed up the staircase together.

  He pressed recall. “Hey Ryan, We’re back in the house. Everything okay?”

  “We need to discuss a departure time. The traffic toward the shipyards is messed up. We’ll need to leave earlier.”

  “Meet us in the library and bring your best estimate of the travel time.”

  Annalisa, back in jeans and a t-shirt, sank onto the couch, while he stood with Ryan beside the dying fire.

  “Too bad the helicopter isn’t here.”

  “Agreed,” Murdoch said, then shrugged. No way would his Annalisa agree to the expense of a last minute, chartered helicopter. Proving once again she was the perfect mate for a frugal dragon.

  “Everyone will expect you to drive?” Annalisa asked from across the room.

  “Yes,” Ryan answered. “Especially with Murphy out of town. When the Jetstream goes overseas, the helicopter stays parked at Logan airport, so Murphy can arrive back anytime he wants to and have a ride home.”

  “So…” she said in a slow voice, “how much is it…no wait, that’s not what I want to ask. Compared to doing exactly what the bad guy is expecting us to do, how risky is it to charter a helicopter, fly the three or 4 of us to the shipyard and then to the roof of the hotel where the ball is being held?”

  Murdoch gave Ryan a nod. “This is your question, security expert.”

  Ryan smiled. “The flight from here to the shipyards is as safe as anyone could hope for. Even me. Once we arrive by air, the risk on the hotel leg increases a little. The last leg, from the roof of the hotel back to here? That becomes the most dangerous. But again, unless the bad guy has a commando unit or several rocket launchers? Minimal risk.”

  Annalisa nodded slowly. “Then I vote we go with the safest plan. Let’s fly.”

  Murdoch grinned at Ryan. “Make it so.”

  This time Annalisa’s eye roll was epic.

  Chapter 20

  Annalisa

  A nervous shiver ran up her spine as Annalisa dressed for the ship christening in the one business suit she’d packed, and Bridget had managed to save. A helicopter was picking them up. She’d never flown in one before. She zipped closed her overnig
ht bag with new dress jeans and California State University at Long Beach sweatshirt for the ball. Certainly not a losing sports program, CSULB was her alma mater. The sweatshirt was the other major survivor of the crushed suitcase.

  She glanced down at her left hand for the umpteenth time since Murdoch had put the ring on her finger. Once again, the oversized diamond winked back at her. The flashy ring was so Murdoch. A wave of heat and love washed through her. And she was never taking it off.

  The chopper ride—now she understood the nickname—was scary, noisy, and fun. Another new fact, when you arrived at a shipyard function in a helicopter, it attracted lots of attention. The press, TV cameras, a cluster of Muirdris execs and yelling paparazzi rushed over to them.

  Ryan trotted ahead, swearing and barking orders into his phone.

  Murdoch smiled and waved to everyone. Before she could turn the ring on her finger to hide the stone, Murdoch put his arm around her in a move more effective than a bullhorn announcement. Flash units on every camera exploded with blinding light.

  Athletic looking people in dark suits and wearing ear-pods, hurried over to escorted them to the VIP box, situated front and center in the VIP section of the stands.

  She tried to take her seat between Vic and Murdoch, but her fiancé decided to introduce her, one by one, to every person in the box. Some kind soul shoved a glass of cold Coke into her grasp. Between handshakes, she took a quick swallow and the lady talking to her stopped in mid-sentence to gape at the diamond in her ring.

  Vic touched Murdoch’s elbow. “They’re starting,” she whispered and escorted them back to their seats.

  To kick off the ceremonies, Murdoch went down to the microphone to give a short speech. He stressed the eco advantages of this new ship and reaffirmed Muirdris Shipping’s commitment to bringing all their container carriers up to the higher standard.

  As his speech ended, a woman in a Muirdris security uniform signaled to Ryan, who was standing just behind Murdoch. Ryan nodded, returned Murdoch to the box, and hurried back to the woman. Annalisa only heard pieces of the next speech. Where was Ryan?