“No,” she put her knife down, “don’t worry about it. There wasn’t enough time in the end. How is Rain? Has she warmed to the baby?” She put a small forkful into her mouth.
Storm chuckled. "Like you won't believe. She's driving her mom crazy because she wants to do everything. She wants to bathe him and change him."
“I’m so glad.” Jolene smiled. It was warm and beautiful. Her chocolate eyes were bright and so damned beautiful.
“If I ask permission, would you stay?”
Her eyes lightened up and she seemed to hold her breath.
“I mean for another week. I know you said you don’t have any more leave, but do you think your boss would let you stay?” He pulled in a breath. “You could meet little Fjord. I know Candy, my brother’s mate would really like to meet you and Rain has asked about you as well.” He put down his cutlery. “What do you say?” His heart beat wildly. He didn’t think Torrent would agree but his brother could go to hell. It was only a week. Only seven days.
Jolene sort of smiled. She looked down at her food for a moment before locking eyes with him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? You’ve had fun, haven’t you? We can finally go swimming.” The humans had found the aircraft remains and hadn’t been seen since. They seemed ‒ at least for the time being ‒ to have backed off.
“I need to get back to my job, to my life. I enjoyed myself. I enjoyed spending time with you, but…” she bit down on her lip, “I can’t stay. You know that. I told you about my pending promotion.”
“What about it?” Storm leaned forward, listening to her every word.
“I’m up for a promotion. Carla Jackson and I each manage the sales and marketing department. That’s what our company does. I’m not going to bore you with the particulars.”
“Not at all. You can tell me more.” He meant it. He wanted to know so much more about this female.
Jolene smiled. “You’d die of boredom.”
“I would not.”
“What I do isn’t important,” she laughed, “I’ll get into that some other time.” She must have realized what she had said because her eyes clouded. There wouldn’t be another time. There was a heavy pause. She pushed out a breath. “Anyway, Carla and I are both up for an Exec position. We’re pretty evenly matched. Carla is cutthroat…bottom line, she’s a bitch. I would have to leave if she got the job. I couldn’t tell my boss that of course.”
“Why not?” he blurted. Jolene was far too nice.
She shrugged. “I just couldn’t. You don’t do things like that.” Jolene took a sip of her wine.
“Of course you can. You should tell him like it is. Stand up for yourself. This Carla female sounds like she would do the same.” She sounded like she walked all over Jolene, which made him want to do something about it but there was nothing he could do. It frustrated him.
“She’ll do a whole lot more,” Jolene mumbled. “She’s an ass-licker of note.”
Storm felt horrified. “She likes to lick ass?” Who was this female?
Jolene burst out laughing. “Not literally.” She chuckled some more. “It means she likes to suck up. She sucks up to my boss all the time. It might win her the promotion. It doesn’t help that I left to come here at a crucial time.”
Storm felt like a dick all over again. “I’m so fucking sorry. What can I do to make it up to you?”
Jolene shook her head. “You don’t have to keep apologizing. I’ve had a good time. It was…dare I say, fun.” She smiled brightly.
“Stay then,” he urged.
“I can’t.” She shook her head. “Please understand.”
“I do.” He nodded. “I had to try one last time. I suppose it would be delaying the inevitable and I want you to still have every shot at that promotion.” He swallowed thickly. “I really meant it when I said I would grab you and never let go if I was ready to take that next step.”
She shook her head, smiling. There was this look in her eyes though. “What makes you think I’d be interested?”
“Your body, Sweet Lips…your body tells me all the time how interested you are.”
She snorted, her smile widening. “Good thing my body’s not in charge then, Golden Boy.”
Storm choked out a laugh. “Eat up.” He picked up his fork and pointed at her food. “Before it gets cold.”
Jolene rolled her eyes. “Carpaccio doesn’t get cold.” She laughed.
Storm had planned on going with the last piece of advice Crystal had dished out but, how could he? It wouldn’t be right. As much as he wanted to be the best. As much as he wanted no male to ever match up, he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t do it to himself and he definitely couldn’t do it to Jolene.
Worship her body, the she-dragon had said. Worship every part of her. Take your time. Make it about her. It’s not a race, or about how many times you can make her come. Once is enough if you put your all into it. If you put everything into it.
Only, that sounded too much like making love. Who was he kidding? That was making love and as much as he longed to make love to the sweet human in front of him, he couldn’t. It wouldn’t be fair because he couldn’t keep her.
“What are you thinking about?” Jolene asked, putting another forkful of food into her mouth.
“How I can’t wait to get done with dinner and about how much I’m looking forward to dessert.”
“Oh, and what’s for dessert?”
“You are.” He let his eyes dip to her cleavage before moving back to her gaze. “I was just wondering if you were particularly attached to that dress and if this table can take a bit of a hammering.” He gave it a little shake, pretending to check it.
Jolene giggled. “You’ve gone to so much trouble. We should enjoy it.”
“Screw the food. I’m going to miss you.” He meant it. He really and truly meant it. Maybe it was a good thing she was going.
Her pupils dilated.
“To hell with it,” he growled, standing and swiping the plates, cutlery, candles and all the other crap from the table.
Jolene stood up as well, chest heaving. Eyes wide. He could scent arousal. He gripped her hips and turned her, so that her front was on the table, her ass in the air. Oh, that ass. Rounded and plump. “Fucking perfect,” he growled as he pulled her dress up. “No underwear?” He could hear the shock in his voice. “That’s fucking rude, a lot naughty…and I love it.” He slapped her ass just enough that it would sting just a little. Jolene squealed and then giggled. The scent of her arousal grew stronger.
She groaned when he found her clit and rubbed softly while pulling at his pants and freeing his cock.
He was desperate to be inside her. Like his life depended on it. He snarled as he pushed inside her. Snarled again as he began to thrust. He pulled the zipper down on her dress, continuing to work her pussy. Loving the mewls and whimpers she was making.
Her channel was slick and tight, pulling him in. Clenching him hard. His balls slapped against her ass, which bounced with every hard thrust.
He peeled her dress down, her tits spilling out. Storm reached around and cupped her breast, her nipple hard against his palm. His balls were already pulling tight.
With one hand, he held her down. With the other, he found her clit and pinched it softly between two fingers. Jolene sobbed as her pussy spasmed around him. He roared her name as he came. His body jerked with the severity of his orgasm. He finally slumped over her, his dick still buried deep inside her. They were both breathing deeply. “Are you ready for the next course?” he asked.
Jolene shook with laughter beneath him. “How many courses are we talking?”
“A whole lot.” He grinned, kissing her back. “First the chicken.” He pulled out, making a grunting noise. “And then I’d like to finger your ass again,” he whispered in her ear, then pulled himself up, so that she could move.
Jolene pushed out a throaty laugh. “You are so crass,” she said, standing. She began fixing her dress.
“But you love it.” He grinned, bobbing his brows at her.
She nodded. “It’s grown on me.” Her eyes clouded but she looked away. If she was so sad about leaving, why didn’t she stay? Storm knew he wouldn’t be able to change her mind. The only thing he could do was make the most of the time they had left.
“Here, let me do up your zipper.”
She turned around, holding up her hair. If only he wasn’t such a damned pussy. If only things had been different.
Chapter 22
Storm carried her bag. It was lighter than when she’d first arrived. Many of her t-shirts, skirts, shorts, you name it, had been ripped to pieces. She was wearing her last pair of underwear. There was a lump in her throat. Her feet felt heavy and her heart heavier.
This was it.
The end.
She could do this. There was no way she was begging Storm to let her stay…for real. No way she was expressing her feelings for him. No way she was running after him. She'd done enough chasing in her life. It was her turn to be chased. There was someone out there who was going to love her and want her enough to pursue her. Someone who was going to appreciate her. Deep down she'd hoped that someone would be Storm. She swallowed down the lump.
He seemed completely relaxed. Head held high. Greeting the odd person. He slid his arm around her. It was moments like this that it felt like they were together. Really together. Sometimes when he looked in her eyes or touched the small of her back. When he kissed her. Especially when he kissed her. Whether hot and heavy or deep and tender. Those were the moments she felt the possibilities between them. When she felt herself wishing for more. It was stupid. She knew it was stupid, but she hadn’t been able to help it.
She spotted Beck and Flood. There were another two guys with them she didn’t recognize. Jolene waved and all the guys, barring Flood, waved back. Flood gave a deep nod of the head instead.
Storm tightened his arm around her and stopped walking. They’d technically said goodbye already. “This is it,” she said, trying hard to hold it together.
“Yes, this is it.” Storm swallowed hard. “You’re sure I can’t convince you to stay for another week?”
She shook her head. “No. Thank you. I had a really good time though.”
“Me too.” She wasn’t sure what she expected but having Storm fold his arms around her and hug her close was not it. A cocky smirk? Sure. An even cockier remark? Definitely. But this? No. He was breathing fast. His arms tightened even more. She hugged him right back, squeezing her eyes closed. Trying hard not to cry.
All too soon he was pulling away. “You need to take care of yourself.”
“Yeah, you too.” She nodded.
“I would tell you that everything you ever dreamed of is coming your way. A mate and babies…but I’m a selfish bastard. I don’t like thinking of you with another male.” His jaw had tightened. His eyes seemed darker.
She grit her teeth together to keep from talking. She didn’t have to be with anyone else. She could stay here with him. They could be very happy together. Shit! She was going to cry. Jolene sniffed and forced out a laugh. Amazed at how flippant it sounded. “I wouldn’t worry too much about that. You’ll mate the next girl you’re with. You’ll take part in another hunt, fully expecting to have a bit of fun,” she put on a voice, “and you’ll end up with her. Story of my life, remember?” She raised her brows.
“I wouldn’t be too sure.” He cupped her cheeks and looked her in the eyes. “I’m going to miss you, Sweet Lips.”
That lump in her throat grew impossibly big. “You’re going to miss my sweet lips alright.” It was her turn to make the silly remarks. It couldn’t be helped. It was that or cry.
“The sweetest.” His eyes were trained on her mouth. There were still no flippant remarks forthcoming. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her. It was sweet, soft and tender. It spoke of things that it really shouldn’t. Made her false promises. He ran a thumb along her bottom lip as he pulled back. “Go get that promotion and everything else you’ve been dreaming about.”
You. I’ve been dreaming of you.
“It’s all there waiting and you’re worth it.”
Shit! She sniffed and nodded. Then he was letting her go and taking her hand, so that he could lead her to the group of waiting dragon men.
He handed the bag to Beck. “You take good care of her.” His voice was a deep rasp.
“I will…” Beck narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want to take Jolene back yourself?”
“We spoke about this and yes, I’m sure. You’re okay going with Beck and the rest of the males?” Storm looked down at her as he spoke.
I want to stay.
You want me to.
Why won’t you admit it?
“Yes, I’m fine with that.” She nodded.
“You sure…” Beck began.
“Very sure,” Storm snapped. “Get my female home safe. Follow your orders.”
“Yes, my lord.” Beck handed her bag to Flood.
“Does everyone know what’s expected of them?”
They all responded that they did. One of the guys took a step forward. “I am Bay and this is Harbor.”
“Good to meet you both.”
“If you are ready, Jolene,” Beck said, his eyes filled with what looked like pity. “We can head out.”
“I’m ready.” She nodded, squaring her shoulders. She didn’t need pity.
Storm brushed his lips against hers one last time. This was it. She turned away, tears stinging her eyes, not sure how much longer she could hold them back. Maybe the pity was fine since she was about to have a pity party.
The four men spread out and changed into their dragon forms. Flood took to the air, he clutched her bag in one of his claws. Beck leaped into the sky, hovering above her so that he could pick her up. He made one screeching roar before lifting. Then they were on their way. It didn't take long for the tears to fall. Hot and heavy. Her heart felt like it was being ripped from her chest. Jolene forced her eyes on the horizon ahead. No looking back.
Chapter 23
“I had hoped you wouldn’t be here,” his brother said, from somewhere behind him. Torrent sighed before continuing. “I must say, I had really hoped to hear you’d decided to keep that female.”
Storm had watched until the flying formation was long gone. He couldn’t bring himself to leave. Everything in him screamed to follow. To bring her back. Jolene was his. She was.
No, that was just hormones speaking. Stupid instincts brought about because of the hunt. The sex had been good. Watching her go, not so much. He’d get over it though.
"You can still go after her, you know?" Torrent said, stepping in next to him. It was precisely what he didn't need to hear. An echo of his own thoughts.
“Why are you being so hard-assed about this? You have feelings for that female. Admit it.”
“I’m in lust with her. That’s all,” Storm growled, his hands tightening on the rails. “I don’t want to mate her so there’s no point in bringing her back. You made that clear from the start.”
“You don’t see her as yours?”
Yes! Fuck! What was he thinking? “No,” he growled, a little too harshly.
Torrent chuckled, making him want to punch the male.
“Don’t,” Storm warned.
“I’m sorry.” His brother shook his head, sounding genuinely apologetic. “It’s not just lust. I wish I could make you see that. I’m afraid that by the time you do, it will be too late.”
“I’m not going to change my mind.” Torrent didn’t know what he was talking about.
“You will and by then, someone will have snapped her up. Mark my words.”
Storm ground his teeth together at the thought of another male touching his…her…Jolene. “By then I will have moved on as well. These blasted hormones will be out of my system.”
"Granted. This whole thing started out as a hormonal issue. An instinctual problem, if you can call it that, but it has evolved since then into something far more. I understand why you might be apprehensive about getting into a relationship. In hindsight, some of my own issues, Lake to a lesser degree and Tide's too, stemmed from what happened with mom and dad."
“No,” Storm said. “That’s not it at all. I told you, I’m young. Years younger than you and Tide were when you mated. Lake doesn’t count, he’s always been sweet on Sky. Thing is, I don’t want to be tied down to one female for the rest of my life. I’m not ready to be a father.”
“No-one said anything about becoming a father.” Torrent got this sappy look. “Although it is wonderful. I’m talking about building a life with a female you love. Someone you love spending time with. I promise you it’s not the hardship you think it is. I think deep down inside you know that. You’re just afraid of the other side to love.”
Torrent was right; being ‘tied down’ to Jolene didn’t sound like a hardship. Even having a couple of kids with her didn’t sound all that bad. What was he thinking? He shook his head. “I have plenty of time for all that.”
“Okay.”
“That was too easy.” Storm narrowed his eyes. “Why aren’t you arguing some more?”
“You have clearly made up your mind and.” he shrugged, “it is not my place.”
“I have made up my mind.”
Torrent’s whole frame tensed. His eyes narrowed, seeming to track something on the horizon. Storm turned to see what it was. Was that? No! Surely not! “That isn’t…is that…?” He scrunched his eyes up, trying to get a better look.
“It’s Bay,” Torrent said under his breath. “At least, it looks like Bay. Hard to tell from this distance.”
“What the hell is he doing?” Storm growled, feeling his scales rub. “Why isn’t he with the others?” He felt his muscles bulge, preparing to transform.
“He’s moving fast. Too fast.” Torrent shook his head.
“Something must have happened.” Adrenaline coursed through him. “Fuck! Jolene. Something must have happened to…” His voice was thickening. Storm realized that he was shifting. He couldn’t seem to help it.
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