by Lucy Lyons
“Wait!” she heard Mr. Kaur call.
Wait, Steph, said Ryan in her head. She looked over her shoulder to glimpse Ryan standing in the doorframe of the patio doors. He had put on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. She couldn’t help but notice how devastatingly handsome he was in clothes that revealed every muscle in his upper body and hung about his hips lazily. But she was still angry with him for what he did and said so she wouldn’t stop—not for him.
“Steph!” called Ryan across the lawn.
She stopped on the broad lawn beyond the pool and surveyed the area. To the right was the long and high wall that surrounded the Kaur estate. To the left was a wind break of trees that stretched south. Neither the security men or the intruder were in sight. She turned toward the gate at the northern end of the property and spotted one of Kaur’ security at the gate, but the other she couldn’t see.
Steph! Called Ryan again this time inside her mind.
She shook her head.
They want to hurt you! Please, come back.
Steph ran toward the windbreak. There was at least some cover there, and if someone wanted to hide that is where they’d go. When she reached the line of trees she peered inside. It was a jumble of tree trunks, old leaves, vines and broken branches spread as far as she could peer into the leaf-shadowed depths. If it wasn’t for her stilettos sinking in the landscape’s soft loam she would enter.
What she’d give right now for a pair of sneakers.
A crack of a branch caught her attention and she turned her head to its direction. A sweep of her head caught the laser target on her chest and she dropped and rolled as a shot whizzed above her head.
Steph!
Black talons clamped around her waist and she was jerked upward into the air. With difficulty, she twisted to see Ryan’s blue scales.
“Hey!” she complained.
Would you rather be shot by the assassin? Hold your breath.
You’re not—
I am.
Steph, remembering the last time Ryan shifted to another location, sucked in a deep breath and shut her eyes against the sensation of falling that surrounded her. Absolute cold prickled her skin like an itchy rash forming. Her heart hammered in her chest and her lungs wanted fresh air desperately. She resisted the urge to breath, to scream, to protest this latest crazy action by Ryan.
And then a current of air buffeted her body and the sun shone on her face. She pulled in a deep breath even though the insane flight by the dragon left her lightheaded. Steph looked to the landscape below her and saw sweeping mountain peaks between rolling valleys of green. She caught a glimpse of a castle rising from the land and Steph wondered where he took her.
He swooped down to the ground and settled on his hind legs and shifted. The strange sensation of Ryan’s body reducing and his dragon hide turning to human flesh spread trepidation through her. She’d seen him change but it was different to feel his talons shrink and his claws turned into hands. She hooked her arms around his neck to keep from falling.
“Hello there,” he smiled.
“Let me go,” she sputtered.
Ryan lowered her to the ground and she swallowed hard when she viewed him naked.
“Where are we?”
“Scotland. See that small castle there?” He pointed toward the turret they’d seen on the flight in. “My family owns that.”
“Okay. But what do you expect to do? Walk in there naked?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“Why not? Don’t they have decency laws here?”
“I suppose. But seeing that my dad owns this land that’s not really an issue. Besides I have my lawyer with me.”
“Oh my god, Ryan Kaur, could you be more ridiculous?”
“Who is being ridiculous?” You insist on putting yourself in harm’s way and not accepting help from my father or me. I don’t know if you realize this, but you are in serious trouble because of me. I take that seriously. And I’m damn well going to make sure you are safe.”
“Don’t put yourself out on my account. I can take care of myself.”
“No. You can’t. Not against the dragons I saw. Steph, they want to kill you.”
“Why?” said Steph pointedly. “Why would they?”
“I don’t know. I just don’t. All I know is that the queen of the dragons went insane when she read my thoughts and found we went to bed together.”
“And what makes you think that we’re safe here?”
Ryan ran his hand through his hair and his face drew tight with tension. “This place is as good as any. The location is remote and few people come here. The only people who live here are the majordomo and a couple of maids.”
His obvious distress melted some of her anger away. Okay. He was trying to protect her. Ryan was facing things he never had to before. Still, that didn’t give him the right to kidnap her.
Or was it his distress? His smoky musk filled her nose with its intoxicating fragrance and it became difficult to remember why she was angry at him. Ryan put his arms around her waist and drew her to him and she did not resist. She should and knew it. But at this moment the comfort of his arms and the nearness of his body calmed her and chased away her jangled nerves.
“What you do to me,” he breathed in her ear. “All I want to do is take you to bed and keep you there day after day.”
“That’s a little silly, don’t you think?” she said. Or she wanted to say that. Instead she mewled and pressed her body against his. His stiffening shaft pressed into her thigh and all she wanted was him.
“Steph, Steph,” he whispered in a husky voice. He pushed up her skirt and brushed her mound with his fingertips as she whimpered. Her heartbeat quickened as pleasurable tingles gathered and swirled through her body. His fingers found her entrance and stroked her soft petals and when he thrust them in her she gasped. Ryan was just too good, too damned sexy to say no to at any time and despite them standing in a field where anyone could show up she wanted him. Now.
Steph kissed Ryan with all the passion in her soul. “I’ve got to have you,” she husked.
Ryan swept her into his arms and walked a few steps to a where a rocky outcropping gave them a small measure of privacy. He lay her down in the tall grasses and gave her a smoldering gaze that sizzled heat through her body. She didn’t know if she could stand another minute without him inside her.
“Ryan,” she pleaded in a throaty whisper. Steph pulled up her shirt and fingered herself through her lacy panties and gasped at the pleasure she drew from her fingertips. He dropped to his knees and pushed hers apart.
“That is so hot,” he said as he watched her slip her hand underneath the lace to her folds.
“I can be hotter.”
She slipped her fingers inside her entrance.
“Oh, god,” said Ryan. His face flushed and he pulled at his cock with his fist.
“Take me, baby,” rasped Steph. Her voice quavered as she spoke. “I need you.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ryan
With the pleading looking in Steph’s eyes and him between her legs as she pleasured herself he lost all self-control. The woman was beyond sexy. She was everything he ever wanted in a woman. All thoughts centered on taking her, every inch of her around him pulsing in need. His cock throbbed between his legs as he imagined her writhing and moaning under him. Reason fled as the need to possess her overtook him.
He surged forward and grabbed her hand with his and pulled it above her head, and used the other to guide himself to her sweet entrance. A throaty gasp escaped his lips as first the head then the rest of his cock slid into her wet heat. He leaned forward and took her mouth in a raging kiss, tongues tangling, breathing hard and moaning.
She bucked against his hips asking for more and he let go of her hand and held his body up by his two arms and thrust into her. She moved her hips in time with his meeting him thrust for thrust and the intensity of their mating mounted. Her core clenched around him as he pulled back and received
him eagerly when he pushed forward. As Ryan melded with Steph his balls tightened and pulsed with the rush that signaled his oncoming orgasm.
Her mouth opened as her body slammed hard against his urging him to spill his seed within her. Ryan trembled in holding back. He wanted to make sure she had her pleasure first.
“Come on, baby,” he gasped. “Come for me.”
He jammed into her again and again, fighting for control, yearning to lose himself in this woman not just now, but for all time.
“Ryan,” she cried as she pulsed around him, calling him to let go.
He did. The force of his explosion ripped all thought from his mind and he flew into a place where there was no space and time. He felt connected to all that there was but especially to Steph who burned like a shining beacon in his mind. Her intelligence, her courage, her strength of spirit wrapped around his as if they were one person. At the moment, he understood what it meant to love. He and she were part of each other, and there could be no separation between them ever again.
Slowly his vision cleared and he smiled at the woman below him. He bent and kissed her gently.
“Wow,” she said.
“Yeah, wow,” he affirmed.
“I mean. That was so intense. I saw stars.”
“I hope so,” he said with a grin.
“But—” and she stopped as if the words caught in her throat.
“But what?”
“Is that some freaky dragon magic? I mean the last thing I wanted, er expected was that we’d have sex in the middle of a Scottish field without caring who could watch us. I mean I couldn’t stop myself.”
“I’m no expert in this, but I think that’s what happens when two people love each other.”
“Love?”
Instantly he grew concerned. With the connection they shared he was sure she felt the same way. Did she or was that an illusion born of his lust for her? No. Though he desired her, he wanted so much more than sex. He wanted everything with her, being with her, conquering the world together if that is what it took. Ryan wanted no other woman by his side. Ever.
“I love you, Steph. And my dragon’s heart tells me I’ll love you forever.”
“Then heaven help us, Ryan. I love you too.”
He let go a breath he didn’t realize he held.
“Good,” he grinned. He stood and offered his hand to hers. “I suppose we should get to my castle.”
“Castle,” she snorted. “A dragon and a castle. Can we be any more cliché?”
“Nope. Especially when the dragon has a damsel in distress.”
She hit his arm playfully. “I’m no damsel. And my only distress is that I’ll never remove the grass stains out of this skirt and I’m going to be walking funny for a couple days.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you?”
“And don’t be proud of yourself for that either.”
“Okay,” he smiled. “I’ll keep my gloating to myself.”
“You damn well better.”
“Well, let’s get going.”
“Wait. You can’t walk to the castle like that.”
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Here,” she said. And she reached under her skirt and pulled out a silky sheath and held it up to him.
“What is this?”
“My slip. My mom is an old-fashioned gal. Insisted that I wear a slip. It’s a habit now. Thank goodness my mother had a couple. At least it will cover the essentials.”
Ryan took the garment with doubt in his eyes but stepped into it. Steph helped to settle it on his hips. It was a tight fit and the sheer silk left nothing to the imagination. He looked down at himself.
“This is ridiculous.”
“They wear kilts here in Scotland. Call it a French kilt and leave it at that.”
“A French kilt? Is there even such a thing?”
“Nope. But wear it with pride and people won’t question you.”
“I don’t know how much pride or dignity I can have wearing what amounts to a silk skirt.”
“You’re a tough dragon. You can take it.”
Steph picked up her stilettos that slipped from her feet during their lovemaking and they walked to the castle. Actually, it was a stout turret with a large building built at behind it. The slip had a curious effect and rubbed his cock sensuously as he walked arousing him again.
“Gee. Put that thing away,” complained Steph.
“Can I help it if my cock likes silk?
“Here,” she said pulling off her sweater. “Hold this in front of you.”
“How about if I wear it?”
“Your shoulders are too broad. It won’t fit.”
“What about this?” He draped it over his hip and knotted it the side. “See? French kilt.”
“Your fashion sense needs work.”
“Hey, I’m only working with what I got.”
“You got a lot to work with,” she said with a sly smile.
“Thanks,” said Ryan.
“Just don’t go gloating about that either.”
“Nice to know you don’t have any complaints.”
“Except for that walking funny thing.”
“You seem to be walking just fine. In fact-” Ryan made a show of checking out her backside, “you are walking mighty fine.”
They stepped through an arch that was part of a wall surrounding the turret. They entered into a paved courtyard. The curved outer wall merged with the front of the house on either side. There was a large double door in the middle of the facade of the building and two large picture windows on either side.
“Ouch,” said Steph as she stepped on a rock.
“Can’t have that,” said Ryan and he lifted her into his arms.
“Now wait. I can put my shoes on.”
“Nope, we are right here.” Ryan took a few long strides and deposited Steph on the lowest of the stone steps that led to wide double door. He took the rest of the steps and rang the doorbell.
They waited for long minutes until the sound of lock was heard in the door. It opened to reveal a short and portly, balding man.
“Mr. Kaur,” said the shocked man in a snooty English accent.
“Simmons. Good to see you. And this is my fiancé, Stephanie Brooks.”
“Ms. Brooks,” said the man neutrally. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” said Steph as she put her shoes on her feet.
“Have you had some trouble, sir?”
“Why?” said Ryan.
“Your clothes.”
“Oh. That. French kilt. Lost my shirt when I took it off to get some sun.”
Simmons gave him an incredulous look.
“At night, sir?”
Ryan looked up at the starry sky. “Well, at least I won’t get a sunburn.”
“And where is your car, sir? Did it break down?”
“No. We took an Uber. We asked the driver to let us off down the road so we could stretch our legs. Long flight.”
“Yes,” affirmed Steph, “long flight.”
“An Uber in this part of Scotland?” asked Simmons with doubt on his face.
“Simmons, are you in the habit of questioning your employer?”
“No, sir. It’s just that we had no word.”
“Then let us in, get the maids to draw us a bath in the large tub, and get us some food. I’m famished. What about you, Steph?”
“I could eat.”
“There, the lady is hungry, too. Are my and my mother’s rooms ready?”
“As always, sir.”
“Good. Steph, darling.” He held out his hand she took it. They stepped into an atrium where the walls were paneled wood. Ryan led her up a staircase of polished wood and down a hall to the second floor. When they got out of earshot of the majordomo she punched his arm.
“Hey,” he protested.
She glared at him. “When did I become your fiancé?”
“Um,” said Ryan. He wasn’t thin
king when he said it but it sounded like a good idea.
“Um is not an answer.”
“You don’t want to be my fiancé?”
“I didn’t say that. But a girl likes to be asked.”
“Does she now?”
She grunted in frustration. “What am I going to do with you, Ryan Kaur?”
He knelt on one knee and looked up into her eyes. “Steph Brooks, will you take a bath with me?”
She smacked him in the arm.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Steph
Steph thought she could get used to taking luxurious hot baths in large stone tubs. And most definitely she could get used to having the sexiest man on the planet between her legs showing how long he could hold his breath while tonguing her clit. She bucked her hips forward and his tongue slipped inside her. She panted because they had been doing this for the past fifteen minutes, with Ryan breaking for air every couple of minutes. The tease, release, tease, release was driving her insane.
Despite the fact she sat immersed in water sweat beaded on her forehead. Ryan broke the water again, and shook his head splashing water droplets on her. He rose and sucked the tip of her nipple causing a shock of electricity to surge through her.
“Ryan,” she whimpered. “Please.”
“Please?” he said with a smirk. “I thought I was pleasing you.”
She splashed water at him.
“You know what I mean,” she said.
Ryan lifted her up with his strong arms and she shrieked. He lowered her to his lap and rubbed the underside of his straining shaft between her pussy lips.
“You are a wicked, wicked man,” she rasped. What he was doing felt good but she wanted more.
He pulled her closer and nibbled on and behind her ear. “Baby,” he whispered. “Big bad lawyer. I thought you take what you want.”
“No, actually. We are taught to negotiate first, and then go for the jugular.”
“Mmm, well we can negotiate,” he said seductively.
“On what?”