by Anna Lowe
He ran his fingers along the edge of the fabric, then flicked the knot at the front, letting it fall away.
Heaven. He was six inches away from heaven.
“Please. Kai,” she breathed, guiding him closer. “Touch me.”
He ran his hands down her thighs then back up, trying not to rush. Guiding her legs apart, he leaned in slowly, puffing at her belly.
She threaded her fingers through his hair and tugged him closer. Lower.
He kissed her belly while reaching toward her center, seeking her folds. Touching her gently, then harder, while her body responded with shudders of delight.
“Oh,” she murmured, going limp against the wall. “Yes…”
Electric zings went through his body when he touched her core, and when he leaned forward to taste her, a thousand little lights blinked on and off in his soul.
Mine, his dragon hummed in his head. My mate.
He licked harder. Faster. Deeper. Desperate for Tessa to keep up the whimpers of pleasure he could barely hear above the roar in his ears. Desperate to make her feel good.
Cry for me, my mate, his dragon hummed. Tell me how good it feels.
She rocked against his hand and mouth, demanding more. He slipped one finger, then two into her, marveling at how tight and slick she was. How hungry for his touch. He started pumping in time to the flicks of his tongue until she was shuddering and crying out his name.
He slowed gradually, unwilling to let it end as Tessa went limp.
This is the first time we make her feel good, his dragon hummed. Doesn’t mean it will be the last.
No way would it be the last if he had any say in the matter. But what did Tessa think?
“Kai,” she murmured, pulling him back up until they were face-to-face. He grinned in satisfaction at her flushed cheeks and the hazy look in eyes.
“Yes, m’lady?” he said, turning on his best dragon manners.
She hummed a little, then nudged him backward. “That was good. Really, really good.”
He nodded, forcing himself to meet her eyes instead of admiring the red marks his stubble had rubbed into her thighs and breasts.
Her full, beautiful breasts. His dragon licked his lips.
She caught him by the waistband, popped the button of his jeans, and slid down the fly. “Really good — for me. Time to make it up to you.” She slid her hand inside his jeans.
“Okay,” he whispered, trying to keep his voice even despite the fireworks exploding in his groin. “Fine.”
She cocked an eyebrow in challenge. “Just fine?” She pushed his jeans and boxers down then cupped his balls.
He gulped, forcing himself to stay in control. “How about really good?”
Tessa pressed close to his chest to whisper in his ear. “How about I make it even better?”
Her nipples pressed into his skin, and when she grasped his cock, he sucked in a quick breath.
“Please.”
Please, his dragon begged.
“How’s that?” She stroked up and down. Every time she reached the tip of his cock and turned around, she tugged the foreskin, making his teeth clench, it felt so good. And every time she reached the base of his cock, she made sure her knuckles grazed his balls.
He wished for something to hang on to, because this woman was about to bring him to his knees. He hung on to her instead, trying not to show how close to coming he was. Probably failing, judging by the naughty expression on her face. But that was okay. This was Tessa. For her, he’d come undone. For her, he’d drop his outer defenses and let her see just how she affected him.
“Let’s take these off, shall we?”
When she loosened her grip and helped him step out of his jeans, her eyes widened at the unobstructed sight of him.
She likes what she sees, his dragon crooned.
He’d make damn sure she’d like what she felt when they took things to the next level, too.
She started stroking him again. Stroking and backing him toward the bed, kissing his ear as she went. Exhaling into his neck, driving him wild.
You sure we can’t take over yet? his dragon begged.
Not until she says so. Not yet.
It wasn’t as if he was suffering, though, and his dragon quickly acquiesced.
“I don’t suppose you have a condom in your pocket,” she murmured, groping around his thigh in a joke.
He hissed. Shit. There was no way he was going to make it to his place and back sporting a hard-on this size. And there was no way he would leave Tessa at a time like this.
She grinned and pushed him to a sitting position on the bed. “Well, I just happen to have gotten my luggage back today, and guess what I keep in my toiletry bag?”
He laughed, falling back in relief. Thank goodness for that.
The position made his cock jut up obscenely, and Tessa stared. When she licked her lips, he fantasized about her crouching over him and—
She shook herself a little and murmured, “Next time.”
Next time was fine with him, as long as there was a next time. And a time after that and after that…
She turned to root around in her suitcase, giving him a full view of her rear. A view that distracted him from the colorful clothes strewn out the sides of her bag and the corner of a little wooden box. Why look at that when he could admire Tessa? She even wiggled a little, making him fantasize about crouching behind her and taking her that way. Hot and hard and on all fours until she came, screaming his name and—
He turned his head away and added another wish to the next time list.
“There it is,” she murmured, turning back to him with a foil packet in her hand like a prize. She stepped back and stood over him, then held it next to his cock. “Think it will fit?”
“It better fit,” he growled, though it seemed pretty damn impossible.
“Well then,” she cooed, placing a hand against his chest. “Lie back, relax, and let me do the rest.”
He hesitated just long enough for her to tilt her head, making her hair cascade to one side.
A moment of truth, he sensed. Could he really coax his dragon into handing over the reins? Could he prove to her how much she meant to him?
For you, my mate, his dragon hummed.
He lay back on the firm mattress, waiting for her.
Tessa blinked a little, hesitating. It was as novel a position for her as for him, he sensed. Her hand trembled, and her chest heaved.
“Coming, m’lady?” he whispered.
She took a deep breath and stepped right back into power woman mode. “Coming. Coming.”
Me, too, he wanted to quip. His cock ached. His heart was beating like a jackhammer, and his eyes burned — a sure sign that they were glowing. That didn’t faze Tessa, though. In fact, her eyes seemed to glow, too. Or maybe that was what his dragon wanted to see.
She’d make a good dragon, he couldn’t help thinking as she ripped the packet open and unrolled the condom over his cock. He closed his eyes, relishing her touch.
Imagine doing this without the barrier someday, his dragon hummed. Skin-to-skin.
Yeah, that would be even better, but he wasn’t going to push his luck right now.
“Coming,” Tessa murmured, crawling over him.
She jerked her chin, and both of them wiggled up the bed until his head was nestled among the pillows and his body spread on the bed. Her eyes explored every part of his body as she slowly straddled him. They locked eyes, and she lowered herself gradually, drawing out the anticipation. She pressed down a little too high, but that was all part of the fun. Feeling the damp heat between her legs. Seeing her eyes narrow on his.
When Kai placed his hands on her hips and guided her lower, she dragged her body along his, extending that moist trail.
“You, woman, are cruel,” he murmured.
“You love it,” she countered, playing it cool though her voice was higher than usual.
She dragged up and down along his body, right over his cock.
Spreading her legs wider, letting his shaft find the notch between her folds just long enough to tease before sliding away again.
“Torture,” he lied as she slid higher again.
Good torture, his dragon agreed.
Her red hair flowed over her shoulders, and her breasts swayed tantalizingly close to his mouth. So close, he considered lifting higher to suckle. But Tessa closed her eyes, getting into the groove as her body responded to his, and he didn’t dare break the moment. Instead, he reached around her perfect ass, coaxing her into a wider straddle.
This is going to be so good, his dragon whispered, flicking its tail.
Like he needed an oversized reptile to tell him that. Kai soaked in the sheer beauty of the moment. Tessa’s beauty. Her pent-up need. Her determination to get this exactly right.
When she dragged her body higher and rose up on her knees, he held his breath. She moved into position, letting the crest of his cock nestle against her folds, and lowered herself inch by inch.
“Oh,” she murmured, tipping her head back.
Her sweet heat enveloped him, and he gritted his teeth. No pushing up. No forcing anything. Let her adjust, he ordered his dragon.
Yes, his dragon coaxed. Let me fill you, my mate.
“Yes,” she hissed, taking another inch of him.
She was so tight. All heat, all muscle inside.
“God, Kai,” she whispered, waking every nerve in his body. Her voice was music to his ears.
She started rocking. Rocking and murmuring his name. Arching her back. Pushing harder and harder until it was clear she wanted him to push back.
He gripped her hips and looked into her eyes. Was she ready?
Her emerald eyes sparkled. “Kai,” she begged.
He pushed upward, and she gasped, though he barely heard her over the sound of his own deep groan.
“Yes. Tessa.”
Chapter Twelve
“Kai,” Tessa panted, moving faster.
She’d never had a man seated as deep inside, nor one so big. She’d never, ever felt so good. Hazy, but good, because there was a magical quality to the sensations shooting through her body and mind. Was that a bonus of shifter sex or was it the spark-inducing chemistry between her and Kai?
Whatever the reason, she’d never felt so hot inside, so satisfied yet starving at the same time. Every thick, hot slide set off another wave of ecstasy. His grip on her hips was so tight, it hurt — in a good way. It felt as if he never wanted to let her go.
She rocked harder, pushing her hair behind her shoulders, though it just came cascading right back. Kai seemed to like that, though, so she did it again.
“Yes… yes…” She couldn’t help murmuring with every little buck. She couldn’t help touching herself, either, running her hands over her breasts, teasing her own nipples the way Kai had done.
The glow in Kai’s eyes intensified. Yeah, he liked that, all right. So she kept it up, smoothing her skin, squeezing her breasts. Ratcheting up the spiral of energy within.
“So good,” she hummed, moving her hands and hips at the same time.
“So beautiful,” Kai whispered.
As she adjusted to his size, her body screamed for more. She leaned back, changing the angle, and immediately groaned.
“God, Kai…”
She leaned farther back, seeking more friction, more heat, and Kai’s eyes flared each time. She tilted even more, propping her arms against his thighs. Her head lolled from side to side, tipping until she couldn’t see Kai anymore. She felt his eyes on her, though. They danced over her breasts, leaving a warm, laser trail there, then moved over her belly toward the point of their connection, where he watched himself slide in and out.
“Kai,” she cried, so close to coming, she could barely see straight.
He spread his fingers and dragged his thumb toward her clit, pushing her closer and closer to the edge. He circled her, then pressed the nub.
“Yes…” Up to that point, she’d been moving in a steady rhythm, but her fine motor control disappeared along with the last of her inhibitions, and the motion became more and more desperate. Jerky.
“So close,” she panted. Jesus, she was so, so close. But somehow, her body refused to let go. It hung on and on, letting her orgasm build.
She tipped far enough forward to peek at Kai. Why wasn’t her body letting her come? What was she doing wrong?
His eyes sparked and flared, but still, he let her lead.
A prince, she almost said. You are a prince.
He’d proven she didn’t have to fear him ordering her around. And suddenly, just as much as she’d wanted to claim the power position earlier, she was desperate to give it up. She wanted Kai above her, powering in. Hammering, even — harder than she could manage on her own.
After three more jerky bucks, she flopped forward, lying over him.
“Please,” she begged — yes, begged — and tipped her body to signal the switch. “Please, Kai.”
He slid his hands up to her waist and hesitated. “You sure? You’re doing great.”
She smiled. The man was truly a prince. A prince she wanted driving into her again and again.
“I want you on top. Need you on top,” she insisted. “Need you deeper.”
Harder. Faster, she nearly added, along with a whole string of dirty words she’d never considered using before but which felt exactly right at this moment in time. She wanted dirty. She wanted desperate. She wanted to come undone.
Kai held her gaze then nodded slightly. “Hang on.”
She’d nearly laughed off the warning — as if she needed to be told that. But, holy cow — the man meant what he said, because when he rolled, putting her back against the mattress, his cock hammered home, making her cry out.
He paused, and she saw lightning in his eyes.
“Keep going,” she whispered. “Please don’t stop.”
It hurt so good, she welcomed the pain.
When Kai pulled back then thrust back in, her vision flashed white before she could focus again — just in time for Kai to pull back again. Back, back, back, making her ache.
Don’t go! her body cried. Don’t go!
But he wasn’t pulling out; he was just preparing for an even harder thrust. And the second it came, she moaned. So loud, she pulled a pillow closer to muffle the sound.
“Not too hard?” he asked.
Her legs were wrapped around his waist, and she lifted them higher, spurring him on with her heels. “I want hard. Dragon-hard.”
The blue of his eyes blazed, giving her a hint of the beast within.
I will do anything you wish, she imagined the dragon whispering. I will worship you for the rest of my life.
She was probably just imagining that, but hell — her body was high on the best drug of all. It wasn’t her fault she couldn’t see straight.
He pumped back in, and she unleashed her cries into the pillow. Kai’s eyes grew brighter, his face fiercer with each successive thrust. Faster, too, until his rhythm became just as jerky as hers had before.
“Tessa. Tessa,” he grunted, slipping out of control.
Sweat glistened on his brow and chest, and the drop that fell to her chest might as well have been lava, the way it sizzled on her skin.
“Yes… Yes…”
The ache inside her grew and grew, and this time, she felt herself tipping right over the edge.
“Kai,” she cried, spasming around him.
He pumped again — Two times? Three? — then went stiff all over and released inside her with a low groan.
Tessa tipped her head back and closed her eyes, hanging on to the high. Kai’s shoulders were rock-hard under her hands, and his ass was immobile under her heels. But he might as well have still been thrusting inside her given the way her body shuddered again and again.
She mumbled. Cried. Pleaded with her body to let her ride that wave of ecstasy a little bit longer.
“Tessa,” Kai whispered, dropping down over her.
His body pinned her in place, but even that felt good. She arched against him through another two aftershocks of pleasure, then slowly melted away.
Surely, the games she’d played with other men didn’t count as sex. Surely, she’d been doing something wrong in the past. Well, she sure got it right this time. She and Kai both.
“Amazing,” Kai murmured, kissing her hair.
She hugged him fiercely, arms and legs reaching as far as they could to wrap him in an embrace, and listened to Kai pant.
“Good for you, too?” she whispered, needing to know it wasn’t just her who’d felt the earthquake.
He huffed into her ear. “Are you kidding? Great.”
She laughed out loud, and he chuckled, too.
“Thank you,” she murmured, kissing his ear. “Thank you.”
All the confidence that had left her after the attack in Arizona poured back into her soul. The backbone she was worried she’d never find again. And trust — the most precious gift of all. She could trust Kai. Not just with her body, she sensed. With more. A lot more.
He shook his head. “Thank you.”
He rolled to his side and scooped her into his arms, stroking her hair while murmuring those two words again and again.
Tessa closed her eyes and let herself drift on a velvety cloud of bliss. Had she really been mad at Kai a short time back? Had she really doubted him? She couldn’t remember why any more. Only that her fears had all been illusions. Her doubts, unfounded. Her hopes, confirmed.
“Just a second,” he said eventually, peeling away. “I need to get rid of this.”
She didn’t want to let him go, but he had to dispose of the condom, so she released her grip and rolled onto the warm spot he’d left, lying on her stomach like a turtle on a beach.
“Hmm,” he said, coming back. “You’re giving me bad ideas.”
She smiled into the sheets. “Great minds think alike.”
He touched her back and combed her hair with his fingers. “Just give me a minute to admire you first.”
She sighed with pleasure at his touch. Seconds ago, he’d been all power, all raging force. Now he was gentle and soft.
“Mmm,” she hummed as he started massaging her back.