by Siren Allen
Sin wiggled her toes. The pants and socks were too big. She was wearing all black. One of her favorite colors. Still, why was she wearing all black? Sitting up in bed, she stared around the room
You’re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. There wasn’t much furniture in the space she was in. Only a dresser, end-table, the bed she was sitting on and a wooden chest in the corner. Whose ever room this was didn’t own much.
Neither did she. Not really. The majority of the things in her cabin had belonged to the previous owner. Her cabin. It was really gone. She was going to have to start over. Maybe she’d offer Rhen a few more vials of blood to find her a new place.
A door opened. Sin’s gaze jerked to the closed bedroom door. Someone had come into the house. Rhen? Right now, she really hoped it was Rhen. She never thought she’d wish to see him this badly. Right now, he was her only ally.
“You got the chest, bed, and dresser,” a woman was saying.
Who the hell was she? Probably one of Rhen’s playthings.
“You have your stove. You got one of the new ones that Luis has been working on. It’s almost the same as the ones from the Mortal Plane.”
“On the Mortal Plane, we cooked our food over a fire,” A male responded.
“Oh. Okay.”
She’d recognize that voice anywhere. Kaede. Her dragon. Fuckity fuck-fuck. This wasn’t Rhen’s place. Now she remembered. She, Rhen and his crew had fought off the shredders and then tried to escape.
The dragon had shown up before she and Rhen could get on his bike and leave. They could’ve been long gone before the dragon arrived if Rhen hadn’t been flirting. She’d tried to protect Rhen from the dragon’s attack and ended up passing out. Again.
The voices sounded closer to the bedroom door now. Fearing they were about to enter, Sin laid down and pulled the covers over her head. She wasn’t ready to face the dragon and whoever the woman was he had with him.
“Even though you don’t need the stove, your mate may want to use it. It runs on gas, which you know is distributed weekly. Be mindful of that when you’re using the gas to cook and keep the house warm.”
“I don’t need the gas.”
“Why? Oh, right. You’re a dragon. How could I forget? Well, you get an issue anyway.”
“I’ll donate mine to the village.”
“You donate a lot of your stuff to the village.”
“I don’t need much. They do.”
Awww. Stupid dragon with a big heart. That would not sway her decision.
“I’ll tell Trix to add your weekly gas ration to the list of things going to the village. You’ll still have to do the work though.”
“I don’t mind standing guard.”
“For the gas ration, we ask that you or your mate help with something else. Or, you can just turn down the gas ration, since you’re not going to use it.”
“I’ll help out in the field. It may take my mate awhile to get acclimated. I don’t want her doing any work until she decides on her own how she wants to contribute around here.”
Fuck that. Your nonexistent mate has no plans on contributing shit to this place. Whatever this place was.
“That’s understandable,” the woman agreed with him.
Whatever bitch. Sin rolled her eyes. She couldn’t believe she’d passed out and ended up captured by her dragon again. What was wrong with her magic? Unless, no, that couldn’t be it. What that dragon had told her couldn’t be true.
He couldn’t seriously be her mate. Could he? Sin shook her head. Nope. He wasn’t. She wasn’t even going to entertain that idea. Then again, every time she’d tried to hurt him, she’d felt weaker and weaker until she started passing out from doing it.
The first time, at the train station, putting him to sleep had given her a slight headache and made her nauseous. Then when she’d tried to torture him, she couldn’t. All she’d done was cause herself to pass out and become his captive.
Fucking shit hole. Could it be? No. Ugh, why was she still trying to deny it? That motherfucking dragon was her mate. The bastard who’d tried to turn her over to TD was the person the Fates deemed worthy of her.
They must’ve been high when they made that decision. He wasn’t even her type. Yeah, she liked tattoos. And he was covered in them. Yeah, she liked men who had abs for days. And he had abs for weeks.
Yeah, she liked handsome men with chiseled jawlines and a big dick.... Fuck, he was so her type. Why me? Scratch that. Not me! Bottom line was, she didn’t like him. And if she didn’t like him, she didn’t have to be with him.
He couldn’t force her to be his mate. She was pretty sure that was illegal. And if it wasn’t illegal here, she’d just.... She’d just.... Damn it. She could hear the voices once again.
“I’ll be able to get most of those items for you by tomorrow. The rest may take a while.”
“I understand. This is short notice.”
“Let me see the bedroom so I can see...”
“My mate is resting.”
“I know. I just want to see how the furniture is positioned so I can...”
“You can see it when my mate awakens and says it’s okay.”
The woman chuckled. For some reason, that irritated Sin.
“You’re already protective of her,” the woman said.
“Of course. I’ll always be protective of her.”
Awwww. Stupid dragon. His words would not sway her.
“I can’t wait to meet her. And it’s good that you’re protective of her. That’s how mates should be. My mate was just as protective.”
Maybe this chick wasn’t so bad. Oh no. She said was. Her mate was just as protective. Past tense.
“He’s going to pull through, Caro.”
When the woman sniffled, tears formed in Sinclair’s eyes. Poor thing. Here Sin was, trying to think of a way to kill her mate, while this woman was trying to think of a way to save hers. Sin felt no guilt for her wants. However, she did feel bad for the other woman.
“It’s been two weeks since that fucking rabid wolf shifter clawed him up like that. He hasn’t opened his eyes. He hasn’t moved. Not once. He hasn’t....” The woman choked up.
Damn. Sin blinked back tears. Her dad used to say, just because you think you have it bad, just remember, there’s someone out there who’s going through something harder or more painful than you are.
This woman was suffering in a way Sin had never suffered. Sin didn’t have to know the woman to feel bad for her. Though she’d been on this frozen tundra for two years, she hadn’t lost her human decency. Yet.
“The medics will figure out what’s wrong with him,” her dragon said.
“Two weeks, K. Two weeks.”
“Don’t lose hope, Caro. You have to hold on to hope, for him. He needs you to be strong.”
The woman sniffled again. “You’re right. I’m sorry for breaking down like this.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’d be just as torn up if something happened to my mate.”
Liar. Or was he serious? He sounded serious. It wouldn’t sway her decision.
The woman cleared her throat. “I still have a few things to go over on the list...”
“Let’s do it tomorrow. Hopefully, my mate will be up and she may have a few things she’d like to add to the list. Go sit with Nachik. We’ll be okay here.”
Look at him, being considerate of her all while being mindful of this woman’s feelings and letting her leave so she can go be with her man. Nachik? That sounded like an Indian name. One she’d heard before.
“Thank you, K. Contact me when you’re ready to have more stuff delivered. I’m going to sign off and go see Nach.”
She’d seriously heard or seen that name somewhere before. The sound of a door opening and shutting drew her attention back to her situation. She was alone with her dragon. Again.
Maybe she should play dead. There had to be a spell that would slow down her heart rate. Then again, her silly ass would probably end up stopping her heart fo
r real. She wasn’t ready to face him yet.
She’d just pretend she was sleep. The bedroom door opened. Sin squeeze her eyes shut. The covers were pulled over her head. The universal sign of, I’m sleeping. If he was really a considerate mate, he would leave her alone.
She heard him moving around on the other side of the room. It sounded like he was fiddling around in the chest. The sound of his steps let her know he was to the left of her. Then she heard him messing around with the dresser.
This dude was unpacking. And he wasn’t being quiet about it. Rude. What happened to the considerate dragon who wouldn’t let ol’girl enter the bedroom because his mate was sleeping?
It was all an act. Her thoughts strayed to the way he behaved when she was cuffed to the bed. That definitely hadn’t been an act. She squeezed her eyes shut. No thinking about that. She was the one who should’ve been acting then.
Yet, that shit had become real, really quick. Just thinking about the way his tongue parted her folds and the way his fingers had slid in and out of her to a tempo she’d quickly began rotating her hips to, made her wish she’d allowed herself to have one orgasm before attacking him.
Ugh, quit thinking about it, she chastised herself. No. She wasn’t the problem. Her hot to trot twat was the problem. Just because it had been a while since she’d had a dick, didn’t mean she could have a meet and greet with any old random tongue.
Any old thick tongue that had applied just the right amount of pressure on her clit when he tongued her down. And to think, her pussy was the first one his tongue had ever touched. She was the only woman alive who knew what his tongue felt like.
That only aroused her more. Ugh. She didn’t want to be aroused by him. How did she even start this conversation with herself? Blame it on her wild imagination. Being here was only making it wilder.
Wait a minute. Why was the room quiet? No longer did she hear him moving around. Sin inhaled deeply. The scent of fire was close. Too close. He was standing right next to the bed. Why?
He pulled the covers down to her ear. She kept her eyes shut tight, but could feel his presence. Damn it, why was he leaning this close to her? When he spoke, his breath caressed her ear, causing a shiver to race down her spine.
“You can stop pretending you’re asleep now, mate.”
Stupid dragon.
Chapter Seventeen
SIN TOSSED THE COVERS off of her and sat up.
He moved out the way just in time to avoid being hit in the face. Bummer. Then again, had she hit him, she just would’ve ended up passing out. Hurting him only hurt her. Win-lose situation. Frustrated, Sin rolled her eyes at him.
“You’re beautiful when you do that.”
“Don’t talk. I’m not ready to do the talking thing yet.” Sin rubbed her hand through her tousled hair. “How did you know I was awake?”
“I didn’t, at first. It was just a guess. Then the scent of your arousal filled the room and...” He paused, eyes dropping to her chest.
She snapped her fingers bringing his gaze back to hers. “Eyes up here, dragon. And what are you talking about arousal for?” Her face heated in embarrassment. “I’m not aroused. There’s no reason for me to be aroused. Something’s wrong with that dragon nose of yours.”
He grinned. An adorably sexy grin that a big ass dragon like him shouldn’t be able to pull off. However, pull it off he did.
He tapped his nose and told her, “The nose doesn’t lie.”
“Apparently, it does. Especially if you think I’m aroused.”
“There’s one way to prove it.”
“Excuse me?”
“Let me see.” His voice was a fraction lower.
Oh my gosh. Sin cleared her throat. “Let you see what?”
“Between your legs.”
Did he really just ask to look between her legs? What the fuck was wrong with him? And why do I find that hot as fuck? What the fuck is wrong with me?
“No, you can’t look between my legs. You pervert.”
“There’s nothing perverted with wanting to see between my mate’s legs.”
Seriously? “Listen, dragon...”
“Kaede.”
“Huh?”
“Kaede. The name’s Kaede.”
“Whatever. Listen, dragon...”
“Or you can call me yours.”
“Listen, dragon!” She yelled. “You won’t be seeing between my legs again.” His chuckle irritated the hell out of her. “I’m serious.”
“I believe you.”
Really? “Why are you smiling then?”
“I’m laughing at something my dragon said.”
That’s right. Dragons had inner beasts. He was like two people in one. Curiosity killed the cat. But Sin couldn’t help but ask, “What did he say?”
“You sure you want to hear it?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.” She was so not sure. But she couldn’t back down now.
“Okay. He said, seeing you blush, makes him want to lick your pussy until your juices fill my mouth.”
Her pussy perked up at that. Down girl. You can’t handle him and his dragon. You’ve seen the beast he’s packing in his pants. He’ll rip you a new one and no other man will be able to fit after him.
“No, thank you,” Sin replied.
Kaede shrugged. “I’m just telling you what he said.”
“Well tell him I said, no.”
“He heard you.”
“Oh. So, uh, what did he say?”
“He said he’s waited this long for you. He doesn’t mind waiting a little longer. You’re worth it.”
Fucking dragon. She was speechless. Like for real, for real speechless. Her. The witch with the gift of gab.
“There’s clothes in the top two drawers for you,” he told her, moving the conversation along like they hadn’t just been discussing oral sex. He walked over to the dresser and leaned against it.
“The clothes were donated from some of the ladies who live here. If you don’t like them, I’ll go to the market and buy you whatever you want. I know you must be hungry.”
Her stomach chose that moment to growl. If he heard it, he didn’t say anything.
“I’m going to the main building to get you something to eat.”
“Main building? Where are we?”
“We’re at the compound.”
“Why am I here?”
“Because I brought you here after you tried to hurt me again and passed out.”
The smile disappeared from his face. This must be a sensitive subject for him. She would refrain from talking about that for now.
“What did you do to Rhen?”
Wow. Rhen must be a sensitive subject for him also. The look on his face now was murderous.
“Can you please not speak of that vampire to me again.” His voice was deeper, more threatening. Seconds ago, it had been flirty. She could add mood swings to the list of things she didn’t like about him.
He swiped his hand over his face. “I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Rhen is in the village. He and his crew will be staying here for a few days.”
“Really?”
“Do you think I would lie to you?”
“Yes.”
That tick in his jaw let her know this was a sensitive subject also. Dragons were hella sensitive. Since Rhen was here, she had a decent chance at escaping. But not with her dragon around.
“I’m tired.” She faked a yawn.
“You should eat something. You were passed out for a long time.”
“How long?”
“It’s a new day.”
“Fuck me sideways!” Sin exclaimed. She rubbed her eyes. A low growl filled the room. Her gaze jerked to his. The hungry look on his face had her clenching her thighs together. He took a step forward.
“Not literally,” she rushed to say. “I don’t really want you to fuck me sideways. It’s just an expression.” But being fucked sideways could be fun.
&nbs
p; He inhaled then closed his eyes. “Then why do you smell like that?”
“What do I smell like?”
He opened his eyes. They were darker now. Like they’d been back at her place, right before he devoured her pussy.
“You smell...” He inhaled again. “Mate, you smell like you want to be fucked sideways.”
She clenched her thighs tighter.
“You smell like you want to be fucked sideways, left, right, up, down....”
Up and down? Wow.
“If you’re not aroused, why do you smell like you want to be fucked in every way possible?”
Sin swallowed. Because my pussy is a traitor. She couldn’t tell him that though.
“I...I...” She didn’t know what to say.
Taking a step back, he rubbed his hand through his hair. “I’m doing what I said I wouldn’t do.”
“What’s that?” Being sexy without a permit?
Lowering his hand to his side he told her, “I’m projecting what I’m feeling onto you.”
I want you to project more than what you’re feeling onto me. I want it all on me. On my chest, my thighs, just not in my hair. Fuck. What am I thinking? Bad kitty. Calm down kitty.
“You’re not a shifter. You don’t feel the mating pull. It’s up to you whether we come together or not.”
Surely, he didn’t mean come together as in cum together. If she clenched her thighs any tighter, they would meld together and become one big ass thigh.
“It’s up to you whether we become one. Forever and always.”
Oh, he was talking about the lifelong journey side of the mating bond. Not the wild sex side. Good, that was good. So why was she still thinking about the wild sex part?
“But mate...” He lowered his head and took a deep breath.
He took a few more. A full minute passed and she was still waiting for him to finish his sentence. On one hand, she wanted to hear what it was he’d been about to say. On the other hand, she was enjoying watching him.
She’d seen him naked. She knew his frustratingly sexy body was a work of art. She’d also seen him in clothes before. Each time he’d stalked her to and from the Frozen Region, he’d been clad in all black.
It looked good on him. Being butt naked looked good on him. Yet, it was something about this gray T-shirt and gray sweat pants that had her body feeling some type of way. He wore this out in public?