by Jodi Redford
Jace’s nostrils twitched. “Damn, that looks good.”
He started to reach inside the carton. She slapped his hand away and wagged a finger at him. “Nuh-uh, dragon boy. This one’s all mine.” Fully intending to stake her claim, she scooped up the biggest slice and sank her teeth into the gooey layer of cheeses.
Jace watched her with the unblinking intensity of a starving feral dog. Feeling a tad guilty for depriving him, she swallowed her bite of pizza and lowered her hand. Before she could offer him a slice, he leaned in and licked the grease from her lips. The move caught her off guard, stunning her, and she dropped the pizza slice.
Normally, just the thought of someone licking her face would majorly gross her out. But the teasing rasp of Jace’s tongue and the hungry little growls rumbling from his throat were unbelievably erotic and sexy. She whimpered and he nipped her bottom lip before pulling back with a grin.
“Thanks for the taste, sweetness. Sorry I made you drop your slice.”
He sure didn’t sound remorseful. Bending, she snagged the pizza from the linoleum and gave it a mournful glance. “Farewell, old friend. Wish I’d known you longer.” She pivoted toward the trash can and her gaze collided with Aiden’s. He stood in the kitchen entry, the car keys clenched in his white-knuckled grip. Fierce possessiveness brewed in his dark eyes. A dizzying sense of recognition flared within her. She knew that look, had shivered and responded to its call night after night.
Her dragon.
Aiden was her dragon.
The truth hammered into her brain, almost making her drop the pizza again. Knees wobbly, she crossed to the trash can and tossed the half-eaten slice in. Finding out the gorgeous hunk looming in her kitchen entrance was the same dragon who’d given her mind-blowing orgasms in countless dreams should be the least shocking of the bombshells detonated on her over the past three days. So why did the epiphany leave her uneasy?
Sucking in a deep, steadying breath, she turned back toward Aiden and Jace. “W-what would you like to drink? I have pop or milk. Or I could crack open a bottle of wine.” Both brothers just stared at her and she shook her head. “Guess that was a dumb question. We should probably go with the wine, right? I mean, pizza is Italian and it’s customary to accompany Italian dishes with wine.” Someone please stop my blabbering before I twist my tongue into a knot.
Aiden stuffed his keys in his pocket before stepping into the kitchen. “Wine would be great.”
Grateful to have a task for her spinning mind to concentrate on, she walked to the wrought-iron étagère outside the pantry. Inspecting the bottles occupying the lower faux-marble shelf, she bypassed the Zinfandel for the Cabernet Sauvignon. She reached for the corkscrew dangling from a side hook just as a large hand curved around her hip.
“Here, let me take care of that.” Caging her from behind with his big body, Aiden freed her grip on the corkscrew. His other palm slipped beneath the hem of her blouse, branding her with his heat.
Branding seemed the perfect descriptor, because there was no misinterpreting the marking of territory going on. She should probably be thankful he wasn’t a werewolf. Odds were he would have urinated on her.
His fingertips skated along the twin dimples at the base of her spine before reaching for the wine bottle. Skin tingling from the phantom imprint of his touch, she sidled sideways and unhooked three glasses from the built-in rack overhead. Her attention strayed to Aiden. There was something incredibly sexy about the way the muscles rippled and flexed in his forearms as he twisted the corkscrew. The bastard probably knew it too, if the ghost of a smile playing at his mouth was any indication. With a loud pop, the cork dislodged from the bottle. Aiden set the corkscrew aside and filled each glass without a single dribble of wine splashing out of bounds. Apparently when dragons weren’t busy torching villages or rounding up sacrifices they worked on perfecting their sommelier skills.
Aiden handed a glass to her, deliberately brushing his fingers over hers. The clomp of Jace’s boots announced his approach. Grateful for the distraction his appearance provided, she snatched one of the other glasses and shoved it at him. “Here, let’s toast to tomorrow being a better day.”
The three of them clinked glasses and Dana gulped down a healthy swallow of wine, the sharp bite of the tannins tingling on her tongue. Much like her skin tingled under the expert handling of her nighttime dragon.
Though she willed herself not to, she glanced at Aiden. He was watching her, his hooded gaze predatory. Did he know she’d dreamed of him almost every night for the past nine years?
Does he ever dream of me? The thought slammed her out of the blue, inciting a whole host of disturbing questions that made her ponder the possibility of soul mates and fate.
The wineglass wobbled between her fingers. She tightened her grip around the stem with steely resolve. No, soul mates didn’t exist, and the notion of some predestined fate was a load of BS. Because if it wasn’t, then God really did have a twisted sense of humor for setting her up with the one individual dead set on taking her away from everything she loved.
Chapter Twelve
“You are mine.”
Fleeing from the insistent voice, Dana raced across the mist-dampened grass. She sensed the piercing blue reptilian eyes tracking her from above and quickened her pace. The strong beat of wings disturbed the stillness of the night and she resisted the temptation to scan the ink-dark sky for her pursuer.
Not that she needed to. He was there.
She felt him in the marrow of her bones. Felt him in the hot rush of blood roaring through her veins. Felt him in every pounding contraction of her heart.
Ahead, she spied the safety of her house, the porch light glowing like a beacon in the night. Wheezing from the unbearable pressure on her lungs, she sprinted down the driveway. A vaporous cloud materialized, blocking her path. Navigating through its cloying density proved impossible. Desperate, she flailed at the imprisoning cloud, cursing it to hell and back. A plume of smoke billowed around her, enveloping her within a seductive cocoon of heat.
“Give in to me.”
“Never.”
“You can’t resist me.”
“Wanna bet?”
A talon curled around her shoulder, its lethally tipped claw slicing through her flimsy nightgown. The useless scrap of fabric dissolved into the ether. She spun, her indignant retort poised and ready. Before she gave it voice, firm lips slanted over hers. She moaned, inadvertently granting access to the wet, invading thrust of her pursuer’s tongue.
His kisses were incomparable. Masterful. She shook with her need for him—this consuming need to be taken and claimed. Her palm coasted along iridescent green scales until she encountered hot male flesh. Mmm, yes, this was the part of him she craved most.
He clutched her waist, easily lifting her. A second later she found herself impaled on the delicious thickness of his cock. He swallowed her cry, his talons tangling in her hair, holding her hostage to his possession of her mouth. Her body. Her soul. She hooked her legs around him and he growled in approval.
“Mine.”
Her pussy tingled in response and he rocked into her.
“Mine.” Gripping her buttocks, he slammed her down onto him. A gasp escaped her and he gyrated his hips, pressing his pubic bone against her clit. “Mine.”
Third time was a charm. She broke, climaxing hard in endless racking spasms. Harsh breaths pummeled her neck. “What did I tell you about challenging a dragon?”
The alarm clock’s shrill ring jostled Dana from the dream. Stretching out an arm, she flopped her hand on the snooze button, silencing the godawful racket. “Couldn’t you have waited five more minutes?” She rolled onto her back and winced at the ache between her thighs. Evidently her body didn’t know the difference between a dream and reality. “On second thought, an extra five minutes might have killed me.”
She rolled out of bed and staggered into the kitchen. It wasn’t until she was scooping coffee grounds into the machine that she remem
bered the break-in at the gallery, and the fact that she’d decided not to reopen until the walls were slapped with a fresh coat of paint. Not to mention she needed to replenish the damaged merchandise. “So much for listening to that damn alarm.”
Shoving the filter basket in place, she flipped on the machine and wandered into the living room. Through the bay window she could see Aiden pacing in front of the tent, his naked chest gleaming in the early morning light. Shivers of awareness skittered across her skin.
Mine.
She pushed away the taunting echo of her dragon’s assertion and stormed to the door, wrenching it open with the full force of her bottled frustration. “Stay out of my damn head, do you hear me?”
Aiden halted dead in his tracks and stared at her. And just like that, he silently answered the question that’d been burning inside her brain all night and half the morning. He didn’t dream about her, and he didn’t have a freakin’ clue what she was talking about.
Okay then. I’ve officially lost it.
Pivoting, she slammed the door shut. She managed two steps toward the hallway before a heavy knock on the door stalled her short. God, she really didn’t want to deal with this right now. “Go away.”
“Not on your life, sweetheart. Might as well let me in.”
“What are you going to do if I don’t? Huff and puff and blow my house on fire?”
Absolute silence from Aiden made her more than a little worried. “Oh, fuck it.” Squaring her shoulders, she stalked back to the door and swung it open.
He calmly disregarded her glare. “Mind explaining your outburst a second ago?”
“It’s nothing. I haven’t had my first cup of coffee yet. This early in the morning without caffeine, I tend to be cranky. Speaking of which, what are you doing up at the butt crack of dawn, sloshing through a pile of leaves? Without socks or shoes, no less.”
Running his fingers through his sleep-rumpled hair, he dropped his scrutiny to his feet. “I didn’t notice. Must have been preoccupied.”
“Apparently. I’m getting coffee. Want some?” She turned and walked away, leaving it up to him whether to follow or not. Behind her, the steady tread of his feet scrunched on the carpet.
Inside the kitchen, she grabbed two mugs from the cupboard and placed them side by side on the counter. “Cream or sugar?”
“Black is fine.”
“For some people. And the occasional dragon. Definitely not for me.” Crossing to the fridge, she pulled out her supply of cinnamon-hazelnut-flavored creamer. She splashed a healthy dose into her cup and topped it off with coffee before pouring a serving into Aiden’s mug. “So what are you doing up?”
“I’ve been thinking about the break-in. About the possible danger you’re in, and when the next strike might happen. I don’t like not knowing what the hell is going on.” He took a cautious sip of the coffee.
“That makes two of us,” she said grumpily.
Maybe too grumpily. Aiden’s electric blue gaze met hers over the mug’s rim. “Dana, I promise I’ve been straightforward with you. At this point, you know pretty much everything I do.”
Sincerity softened his expression. She believed him, and really, would it make any difference if she didn’t? At the moment, her true gripe—and concern—centered on factors that had nothing to do with the break-in or the fact that a posse of dragons was out to get her.
Okay, the dragon posse was definitely scary. But they didn’t freak her out nearly as much as the solitary dragon standing half naked in her kitchen, and all the unwanted, disturbing emotions he brought roiling to the surface.
She blew at the fragrant steam wafting from her coffee, praying he didn’t see the way her fingers trembled around the cup’s ceramic handle. Come on, Dana, get a grip.
“I need to leave for a while this morning, but I’ll wait until Jace wakes up.”
All other concerns vanished from her head as she frowned at Aiden. “If there’s something you need to do, don’t let me hold you up. I’m perfectly capable of fending for myself.”
“No, I’ll wait for Jace.”
Irritation festered inside her.
She wasn’t stupid. The dangers lurking in dark corners, waiting to spring at her with all the glee of a boogeyman, weren’t lost on her. But for God’s sake, Jace was sleeping less than two hundred feet away. What could possibly happen?
“You’re getting that stubborn look on your face again. The one that always precedes an argument.” Aiden rubbed his forehead wearily.
“Insisting that you or Jace be attached to my hip twenty-four hours a day is ridiculous and impractical.”
He freed the cup clenched in her hand and settled it on the counter before running his palms along her shoulders. If he’d intended the gesture to soothe her, he’d missed the mark. A colony of goose bumps cropped up instead. She attempted to hide her body’s reaction to him by scowling. “You know, I wasn’t done with my coffee yet.”
“I decided it’d be safer not having it within dunking distance of my crotch.”
She scrunched her nose. “Like I’d do anything that mean. Even if you are always telling me what to do.”
The corners of his mouth tipped upwards. “Are you insinuating I’m bossy?”
“If the dragon tail fits.”
Chuckling, he coasted a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I’m only trying to protect you.”
A sigh pushed its way past her lips. “I know, and it isn’t that I don’t appreciate the sentiment. It’s just I feel…itchy…having you around me constantly.”
Speculation and breathtaking carnality flared to life in his eyes. The hands riding the slope of her shoulders tightened a fraction before trailing toward her collarbone. He pressed a little closer, making her acutely aware of the thick, rigid cock nudging her belly. “You make me feel itchy too, sweetheart.”
Her nipples—the traitorous little buggers—strained against the flannel of her pajama top. Oh how tempting it was to rip off her shirt and rub all over Aiden’s hard chest. Instead, she dug her fingernails into her palms. “I bet you say that to all your sacrifices.”
“No.” He caressed the nape of her neck, his face descending until the rough stubble covering his jaw scraped along her cheek. His lips hovered near enough she could almost taste the rich coffee scenting his breath. “You’re very special, Dana.”
A warm glow coursed through her at his husky words. It was ridiculous, this raw giddiness. Same went for the thundering of her heart. Dragon or not, a male would say anything to get inside a woman’s pants.
She looked up and gulped. Oh boy. Forget about him getting inside her pants—the blistering intensity of his stare alone could disintegrate her undies. She licked her lips and pretended to ignore the way his eyes darkened. Too bad she didn’t have the same success pretending not to notice how his cock thickened and bumped her stomach. “Um…”
The front door squeaked open, allowing in a cool draft. “I smell coffee. And hopefully Danishes.”
Aiden blinked as if he’d suddenly awakened from a deep trance. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she pushed away from him and glanced at Jace. “Sorry, no Danish. But the coffee is hot and plentiful.”
Jace hitched his shoulder in a half shrug. “Guess beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Here, I’ll get you some.” She reached into the overhead cupboard and fetched a mug. “Your brother was just saying he needs to run an errand, but refused to let me out of sight until you got your buns out of bed.”
Cracking a yawn, Jace scratched his bare chest. “Looks like my timing was right on the money then.”
She snuck a sideways peek at Aiden and found him watching her with a hungry expression. One she suspected had nothing to do with imaginary Danishes. Jace’s timing was perfect. She suspected if he’d waited a second longer to traipse into the kitchen, she would have gladly offered herself to Aiden for breakfast.
Chapter Thirteen
Despite the unease twisting Ai
den’s gut at having to leave Dana for even a second, giving his body and his head a break from the immense chaos she wielded over their state of being was probably wise. Too bad he couldn’t do a damn thing about the state of his heart. A continent could separate him from Dana and still she would reign supreme over that particular organ.
Aiden rested his forehead against the steering wheel. Jesus, he’d gone and done the unthinkable. The epitome of stupid. He’d fallen in love with her. With his sacrifice. Correction, his and Jace’s sacrifice.
As if that weren’t enough shit to deal with, the dragon lurking within him was convinced he’d found his mate. The signs were all there. He could scent Dana from miles away. The overwhelming need to claim her, mark her as only his, remained a constant force driving him. He wanted to string his brother up by the balls each damn time Jace laid his hands on Dana—which seemed to be every other second.
His jaw rigid, he lifted his head and shifted the Navigator into reverse. After a quick check of the rearview mirror, he backed out of the driveway. He didn’t know why, but he’d been jostled out of sleep shortly before dawn with the certainty that they’d missed a relevant clue regarding the break-in. It was too early to say anything to Dana and Jace about it though. For all he knew, his suspicion was unfounded, nothing more than the byproduct of his overactive imagination and an overindulgence of wine the night before. The only way he could banish the niggling concern was by visiting the scene of the crime, and that’s exactly what he planned to do.
Forty-five minutes later, he pulled into the lot of Fancies. He cut the Navigator’s engine and climbed out, inspecting the gallery’s darkened front windows. Considering the way he planned to sneak inside, it was best if he avoided detection. Remembering the doorway that led to the back alley, he strode around the side of the building. A loud thump came from the area by the dumpsters.
Every muscle in Aiden’s body tensed in preparation of taking on whatever threat might spring from the shadows. Another thump sounded, followed by an orange and white blur that bulleted out from behind the dumpster.