Dragon Ugly (Dragon New Year)

by Selena Illyria

  Carissa studied Brent. He was so relaxed, so at ease. Without opening his eyes, he held out his hand. For a moment, she studied the large palm. Veins stood out blue against the flesh. The fingers looked rough, calloused. She accepted his hand and stretched out first one leg and then another, rubbing them along his skin. The silken glide of water against her flesh added to the sensation of his slightly furred legs. He was almost smooth, but not quite.

  Curiosity pinged about her brain. She wanted to know more about water dragons, more about him. “Tell me more about your people, about water dragons, please.”

  She picked up a loofah, squeezed in some shower gel and picked up one of his feet. She started to run the rough sponge over the sole.

  Brent lifted his head and opened his eyes. “Honey, you don’t have to—”

  She stopped him. “I want to. So, tell me more about dragons.”

  He laid his head back against the edge of the tub. He let out a soft sigh and closed his eyes as she began to massage his calves.

  “We live up in the Dragon Smoke Mountains. It’s the largest colony of dragons in the US. There are all sorts, some you’ve never heard of. There are metal, earth, chaos, fire, fairy—the list goes on and on and we live throughout the mountains, spread out to give each other space. It’s quite peaceful, except when the chaos dragons lose their minds.” He chuckled.

  She tried to picture a lot of werewolf packs living in the same area, but found she couldn’t. “Werewolves can’t do that,” she said. “There’d be so many fights for dominance, it would be insane. And all the unmated females would be fighting practically every night to keep the alphas or unmated males away. There’s supposed to be a new pack in Shadow Bay. I haven’t met anyone from it yet.”

  He shook his head. “Dragons have to meet each other to establish whether they are going to be friends or foes…or just trouble for one another. We have so few places to live, and with the advent of satellites, there are very few places left to hide.”

  Carissa switched to Brent’s other leg. “It’s the same for the wolves. And with the deforestation, the packs don’t know where else to go. As the forests are developed, it’s making it difficult for us to settle anywhere.”

  She shifted to her knees and moved the loofah up his thigh. He spread his legs. “This feels good. I never figured I’d enjoy someone else taking care of me.” His lips curled into a small smile.

  “Just wait until the massage. Now tell me more.” Carissa focused on rubbing the tension out of the muscles. She could feel his energy coming down but there was still a sliver of tension that had nothing to do with sex.

  “What do you want to know? And when do I get to help you relax?” He opened his eyes with a wolfish smile on his lips.

  “When I say so. Now…” She slapped his thigh. “Tell me about your childhood. Were you happy?” Other people’s ways of growing up always fascinated her.

  “Yeah, it was great. I could run around like a little maniac. I took to water like a fish. As a dragon, you learn early how to control your element. Although, I’m not that adept at all the water magick that some dragons have—not yet anyway. I’m still young by dragon standards so I still have a ways to go. But I can do this.” He lifted a hand and showed her his fingers, which suddenly had webbing between the digits. His nails had grown into points and become blue. She reached out and took his hand, mindful of the talons.

  “Why blue?” She turned his hand over to find the skin tanned with a sparing sprinkle of hair. “No scales. Wow, most shifters can’t control the change that well. If I tried to shift I’d be a very furry and unhappy wolf woman. And you wouldn’t like the smell,” she added with a chuckled.

  Brent grinned. “It’s a gift. I can sprout gills and grow a fin made of bone on my back if I go full dragon. But I wouldn’t be able to fit in the house if I did that. Now you answer my questions. What was your childhood like?”

  Carissa struggled to not shut down. He’d told her a few personal tidbits and she felt she had to reciprocate. But trying to decide what to divulge was difficult. “Um, it was just a normal upbringing,” she lied.

  Brent splashed some water at her. “That is a spanking offense. Now spill.”

  With a sigh, she told him what it was like growing up with parents like hers, forever accusing her of being frigid and square, always trying to make her open up and live the kind of liberated life they wanted for her.

  After she was done, Brent smiled. “At least they cared about you enough to try and make you comfortable with yourself. And they want you to be happy, not lonely.”

  Carissa tried to figure out a way rebut his claim. “But…I just wish they’d be more tactful, you know? It’s difficult to listen to them talk about sex. Other people aren’t so open about it. Plus, there’s the pack to consider. My parents weren’t exactly into the pack mentality. They like interacting with other shifters, exploring other worlds and cultures as far as sex is concerned.”

  He reached out and slipped a finger under her chin. The point of his talon pressed into her skin but she didn’t feel threatened in any way. “Sweetheart, there’s nothing about sex to be ashamed of. I want you to feel comfortable not just with me, but in your own skin. Be honest with me. Tell me what turns you on.”

  Carissa studied his face and searched it for warning signs. She guessed that he would be into some of the same things she was interested in, but now that she was face-to-face with him, would she have the courage to confess her kinks? She licked her lips and dropped the loofah. Tension now radiated along her limbs as her heart picked up its speed. She became excruciatingly aware of her nakedness, as if she had only just noticed it. This was no longer a relaxing little bath. But she found she didn’t mind. He wanted her and she wanted him. It was time to just give in.

  “Honey,” Brent said, looking her in the eyes. “I’m serious about this attraction, but also about whatever happens between us. I’m not here to fool around. I want to pursue this. I want to pursue you. Please, let me in.” The conviction in his face won her over.

  “I… Well, I guess you noticed the nipple piercings?” She let out a shaky laugh.

  Brent grinned. “Hard to miss, babe, and very sexy. I can’t wait to play with them.”

  She held up a finger. “No sex. This is about you.”

  “Fine by me. Tell me more.” He sat up, the water sloshed against the sides of the tub and dribbled over. He grabbed her hands and pulled her to him until she lay against his chest.

  “I…I have a fantasy about fucking in my favorite bookstore while it’s open.” Her cheeks flushed.

  His hands slithered down her back. The roughness of his palms contrasted with the smooth silk of the water. “Go on. I want to hear more.” He bent his head and placed soft kisses along her jaw.

  Her thoughts burst apart as he nibbled his way down her neck. “I…I…like bondage.”

  “Mmm, we have that in common. What else? Exhibitionism?” He sucked in a small patch of skin, sending rivulets of liquid heat down her chest, spreading warmth in its wake.

  “Yes,” she moaned as she pressed herself against him, loving the feel of his skin, slippery with water against hers.

  “Maybe some role play?” he murmured against her skin as he pressed kisses along her shoulder.

  “Yes,” she groaned as she tried to wrap her arms around his neck.

  “Phone sex?” Brent blazed a path down to her breast. He pressed open mouth kisses around her breast, sucking and nipping the flesh as he went, setting off sparks.

  Her pussy throbbed in time with his ministrations. She slipped one hand into his hair and grabbed a handful of wet silk as she tried to push him closer. Her nipples pulsed and ached with need for his mouth.

  “Brent, please,” she moaned.

  “What do you need, honey? Tell me, in explicit terms.” He pulled back. His warm breath brushed against her nipple. A jagged line of lightning shot straight to her clit with each huff of air. She squirmed closer to him and tried to
press her breast to his mouth for more contact. Much to her consternation, he moved his head away. “Tell me,” he ordered.

  “Please, suck my tit,” she groaned as she threaded her fingers through his hair to pull him closer.

  When he took the bud between his teeth and sucked the aching tip into the warm, wetness of his mouth, she moaned aloud. Sweet pleasure cascaded through her as he tugged, nipped, flicked her nipple and the barbell that ran through it. With his free hand he worked her other piercing, rolling the jewelry in its hole and tugging on it. Pain and pleasure melted together in a red hot fire that filled her body. A ball of tension began low in her belly, as her vaginal walls fluttered and clenched and her pulse quickened.

  Inarticulate sounds bounced off the walls, echoing back at her with each tug and flick of his tongue. “Goddess, so good. More. Please, harder. Brent, harder,” she growled out, her voice so ragged, she didn’t recognize it.

  She felt the wolf surge upward, as raw animal desire filled her body. She needed more contact, more stimulation. Carissa ran one hand down his back and slipped it between their moisture-slickened bodies to push it between her legs. Her fingers delved between her thickened folds to find her clit. She stroked the nub, rubbing it with strong brushes as he continued to stimulate her nipples. Her pleasure increased as she felt the backs of her fingers brush against his erect cock. An idea of how to make this pleasurable for the both of them struck her and she moved her fingers away and tipped her hips closer to him until her pussy pressed against his erection.

  She rocked her sex against his penis, trying to stimulate them both. Ribbons of tension slipped outward, filling her belly and wrapping around her growing orgasm. Delicious sensations surged within her as his muffled grunts filled the air. She gasped and moaned as she tried to claw closer to release. The wolf howled within, demanding more from them both. She could feel the shift coming on her. Pain and desire seared along her arms and legs. Her fingernails began to grow in sharp pangs until they’d turned into claws. She reached out and held onto his waist, digging her nails into his skin. The scent of blood mixed with the perfume of water and the bath salts and sweat. Moisture misted her face and neck, and clouded her vision until all she could do was close her eyes against the sting.

  Her world view narrowed down to Brent and the pressure that was growing through her body. The shift and tension bounced her chest and coiled in her stomach as she continued to grind against him. Pleasure turned to pain as her nipple became oversensitive, and Brent transferred his attention to the other one. More, faster, harder—she wanted it all. And yet she felt an emptiness in her womb. She wanted to feel that sweet pain as his dick stretched her to accommodate his girth…but now was not the time. For now, nothing mattered but climax.

  The cliff approached closer and closer with each move of her hips, until she could feel herself balancing right on the edge.

  “Brent,” she sobbed out. Carissa wasn’t sure what else she could do. The aroma of water rushed up her nostrils as the room temperature increased. She felt his hands grip her hips as she rubbed his cock against her folds. Tingles ran up and down her legs, swirling at the base of her back and racing up her spine. The buzz filled her head as she dove deep into the pleasure. She felt the glide of his cock against her clit, increasing the blaze. The flames filled every limb and wrapped around her torso. Her body felt too small to contain the pressure that threatened to burst.

  The conflagration burst inside of her, pulling her under. She howled in a long, loud sound that made the walls shudder.

  A roar followed her yowl and a wash of warm brushed against her sex. Brent wrapped his arms around her as she quaked against him. Stars burst behind her eyelids as she struggled to breathe. Her mind was filled with a numbed blissful silence. She let out a sob as she rested her head on his shoulder. Carissa could feel his heart pounding against her chest in an echo of her own heart’s rapid pace.

  “Goddess, that felt good,” Brent rasped out.

  All she could do was silently agree. Carissa couldn’t even pick up her head to nod.

  “Looks like we need another bath, or perhaps we can do this again in the shower.” He pressed a kiss to her temple.

  Carissa wasn’t even sure if she could stand.

  Chapter Eleven

  The buzz of satisfaction pinged around Brent’s body, but he didn’t pay it any mind. He’d turned a simple bath into something more. As he stood, he bent down and scooped Carissa up in his arms. A shower was just what they both needed, and a chance to make things right with her. He wanted to take care of her and give her what she needed, but his body was on fire and a dull ache throbbed in his balls. Any sense of being off-center had faded away. His dragon demanded a completion of the act—for him to come inside their mate.

  “Not like this,” he hissed. Carissa was on the verge of sleep. Her limbs swung freely. Having sex with her while she was on the verge of being unconscious was not what she needed from him. He saw that there was a seat in the stall, and he set her down, making sure to set her against the tiles, with her head leaning against the wall. Once he was sure that she was okay, he went to the tub and pulled the plug. Once the water was gone, he rinsed the basin and then went back to Carissa. He turned on the spray—making sure it was hot, but not scalding—and then stepped inside the cubicle and shut the door.

  Carissa lifted her head and blinked up at him, water sluicing down her face, turning her lashes dark. Her eyes became even darker. He sucked in a breath and let it out in a shuddering blow of air. She was so beautiful. He reached out and grabbed a bottle marked make-up remover.

  “Close your eyes.” He squirted some of it into his hand and used his fingertips to swipe it over her eyelids, under her eyes and over her cheeks. Brent wanted no artifice. She was already gorgeous with makeup, but he knew she’d be extraordinary without it. He was gentle as he washed away the day, making sure not to press too hard. The colors faded under his ministrations. Once her face was clear, he moved on, rinsing his hands and grabbing the shower gel and loofah.

  She wrapped her hand around his wrist, seemingly recovered from her orgasm. “You don’t have to do this. Tonight was supposed to be about you. I can help you.”

  Brent grinned. “No, this night is about us. So how about this? Tell me about yourself. I want to hear more. Tell me about school. What was your favorite subject?”

  He figured if he got her talking a little bit more about her childhood, he could distract himself from the fire crawling through his veins. His inner water dragon wanted to let loose and claim her completely, but he fought against it. They had to build a relationship first. Carissa was his mate, and that meant showing her that she was more than just another random pussy for the night. Brent wanted to shower her with attention, love, adoration—show her that she was highly prized—woo her, seduce her. That meant his own arousal had to take a back seat.

  “Brent, I’m supposed to be helping you,” she insisted.

  He shook his head. “You already have helped me. Now it’s my turn to pay you back,” he chuckled.

  She sighed. “You’re not gonna let me stop you, are you? Boy, you dragons are stubborn.”

  He laughed. “And the same can’t be said for werewolves?” He watched the movement of his hand, the contrast of the shell-pink sponge against her milk-chocolate skin was gorgeous. He vowed to go lingerie shopping and get her as many sexy pieces in as many colors as he could. He wanted to shower her with gifts that would help her explore her sexuality. In the back of his mind, her words came back to him about her fantasies. Oh yes, he was going to help her explore everything she’d ever thought of and anything that had piqued her interest. He took his time, memorizing each dip and hollow, taking in every beauty mark, and he made a vow to kiss and explore every inch of her.

  “There, all done.” Brent gave her a grin. She looked up at him with a smile on her face.

  “That’s it? Nothing else? Not going to give my pussy a little TLC?” She laughed. Wet curls framed h
er face and her dark eyes filled with mirth and desire.

  “Well, I’m done for now. I’ll get cleaned up. Why don’t you dry your hair and then I’ll help in any way I can.”

  “Interesting response.” She chuckled, rose on her tiptoes, and kissed him, then slid past him and left the shower stall.

  Once she was gone, Brent exhaled. A tidal wave consumed him. She left the scent of lotus blossom, bamboo and water in her wake. It was a beautiful, soothing scent that would haunt him even when he slept—that much he knew. He did a quick clean up, dried off and joined her in the bedroom. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. Drops of water slid down her neck and temples, tracing her jaw and the curves of her throat. Brent licked his lips, and resisted the urge to walk up to her and lick the droplets away.

  Fire churned in his gut, filled his cock with liquid heat and swirled around his balls. His veins had become molten lava. The arousal flared hot as he took in Carissa—his woman, his mate. Brent studied her form; she wore a simple shift that ended at her knees. It was a pale pearlescent color, almost translucent. He could see the dark outline of her nipples against the bodice. There wasn’t a shadow of panties, just a hint of a thin line of dark hair at the very center of her pubis, a trail that he could follow to her hidden treasure. He smiled. She was all his to discover.

  “Lie down on the bed,” she ordered.

  Her command made him look up. For a second he was confused. “Wh—?”

  “Your massage. It’s my turn to take care of you, now. Get. On. The. Bed.” She commanded. The dark brown depths of her eyes flashed, making it very clear an argument would win him no points.

  Biting back the need to take back control, he submitted to her, but not before giving her something to think about. He dropped the towel, allowing his growing erection the freedom to rise up. He wasn’t so erect that his cock would lie against his stomach, but all he needed was her hands on him to add that extra encouragement. Brent walked, back straight, head thrown back, a proud god of men who was presenting himself to his woman. His penis bounced with each step, making him feel a bit stupid.