Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 9)

by Jessie Donovan

  Placing her hands on her cheeks, she willed the heat in them to cool. She needed to be the distant clan leader for the meal. If Aaron understood how his touch affected her, he’d surely lord it over her. Or worse, he might kiss her and who knew what mess would result.

  Taking a deep breath, she thought about all the paperwork sitting on her desk. Remembering her hand cramp from writing tiny letters in impossibly short boxes, her heart rate slowed a little.

  Good. She should be able to handle Aaron professionally now.

  Her dragon laughed, but Teagan ignored her.

  ~~~

  Aaron turned his back on Teagan and took a deep breath. Resisting the female was exhausting.

  His dragon spoke up. Stop lying. It’s fun. You’re just upset that you nearly pulled her close and kissed her.

  You might fall for her pretty eyes and wit, but I have no interest in becoming a eunuch. I imagine she would be the one doing the kissing on her terms, or else sharp talons would skewer my balls.

  Did you not see her flushed cheeks and flashing eyes?

  He finished dishing out the chicken, potatoes, and veg. Just let me handle and survive this meal without too much commentary. Can you do that?

  To Aaron’s surprise, his dragon fell silent.

  Schooling his face into a neutral position, he carried the plates to the table and laid them down. Sliding into the seat across from Teagan, he motioned toward the food. “I assure you it’s not poisoned.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “That thought hadn’t crossed my mind until now. Maybe I should be worried.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He picked up a fork, took a bit of everything from her plate, and stuffed it into his mouth. Once he swallowed, he held up his hands. “Ta-da.”

  She smiled, and his gaze was drawn to the dimple on one cheek. At her voice, he quickly looked back to her eyes as she said, “That was easy. I expected more arguing before you wanted to prove everything was fine.”

  The amusement in her eyes, combined with her bloody perfect smile, made him want to poke her temper again. He felt more in control when she argued. It was easier to resist the desire to taste her lips when she was threatening various parts of his body.

  His dragon chuckled. Aaron ignored him and dug into his meal. A minute ticked by in silence as they both ate. Teagan was first to break the silence. “The food is really good. Where did you learn to cook?”

  Rather than make a quip, he decided to answer truthfully. Maybe then Teagan wouldn’t tempt him with another grin. “My mum. She said all males should know how to cook.”

  “She’s a smart female.”

  He smiled. “Aye, she is.”

  When he didn’t elaborate, Teagan asked, “What else did she teach you?”

  He couldn’t tell if Teagan was merely being polite or truly interested.

  His dragon spoke up. Just tell her. It wouldn’t hurt to get on her good side.

  At the curiosity in Teagan’s green eyes, the words spilled from his lips. “Everything, really. My father wasn’t big on being a parent in the first place.”

  Fuck. He rarely talked about his father with anyone. What the hell was wrong with him?

  His dragon chimed in. She’s a leader and you know she won’t share the information.

  Teagan swallowed her latest bite and looked at him again. “Was your mother a sacrifice?”

  Aaron decided what the hell. “No, I was born a few years before the program started on Stonefire. My parents were true mates that somehow went wrong.”

  “Care to tell me why or is that in the ‘no fucking way’ column?”

  He liked that she didn’t try to tame her language. “There’s not a whole lot to tell. My father was a bastard who liked to make my mum and me feel small and worthless through words. When I was old enough to stand up to him and threatened to fight him, he left and went to America to be with some of his distant relatives. We never saw him again and he eventually died there.”

  He waited for pity to shine in Teagan’s eyes, but she merely tilted her head. “Well, at least you and your mother are free from him for good.”

  “Yes, but I still worry about my mum after all these years. Most of her family lives in Italy, and she would be happier there. Caruso is her surname, not my father’s.”

  As soon as the words slipped from his lips, Aaron wanted to take them back. She would probably ask why his mother wasn’t there, and he didn’t want to spoil the night talking about Nerina and his own fuckup.

  It had to be the clan leader in Teagan that brought out his secrets.

  His beast spoke up. Or maybe you fancy her and want her to know all of you.

  Thankfully Teagan’s voice prevented Aaron from replying to his dragon. “Your look turned guarded just now. Should I prod or is that a conversation for another dinner?”

  “So you admit that you want me back?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe. It depends what’s next on the menu.”

  “I’ll keep you in suspense, and maybe the wondering will keep you from working past suppertime. Then I won’t have to talk with your gran and have her track down your whereabouts for me.”

  She swallowed her latest bite. “Do I want to know why my grandmother is already your ally? She should be on my side, not yours.”

  Aaron grinned. “She likes me and that’s enough.”

  Teagan sighed. “Her taking a shine to you is both a blessing and curse. Although if she focuses her time on you, then maybe she’ll leave me alone for a while.”

  “Leave you alone about what?” Teagan remained silent, so he added, “I poured my heart out about my father. You can surely answer one question honestly.”

  She pointed a fork at him. “Telling me he dashed off to America and died is hardly pouring your heart out.”

  “Are you sure you’re a clan leader? Because I don’t think you understand male dragon-shifters. That was major breakthrough territory.” She rolled her eyes and he continued, “So tell me—what does your gran go on about?”

  She searched his eyes and Aaron kept his face neutral. As persistent as he could be when he wanted, there were some things people needed to explain on their own terms. Maybe this was one of those for Teagan.

  His dragon snorted. Since when are you patient about anything?

  Shut it, dragon.

  Teagan brushed her hair over a shoulder, and his eyes moved to the graceful curve of her neck. If she wore her hair up, every male in sight would itch to trace the elegant lines. Under the table, his fingers flexed, yearning for the same.

  Then reach over and try it, his beast murmured.

  His hand moved a few inches before he clenched his fingers into a fist. He met her gaze again, but not before he noticed the flush on her cheeks. Blood rushed to his cock at the sight. For all her tough talk, she was extremely feminine and innocent in private moments.

  The contrast made him want to kiss her all the more.

  Teagan’s eyes flashed. Her voice was low as she said, “Maybe you should go.”

  He leaned forward a few inches. His voice was husky to his own ears. “What did I do now?”

  Her skin turned a darker shade of pink as she moved what remained of her supper around on the plate. “Your eyes keep flashing as you stare at various parts of my body.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  He reached out and took her free hand in his. At the contact, electricity raced through his body.

  He should release her fingers, excuse himself, and return to his own cottage. But as Teagan’s hand tightened around his own, he met her eyes and growled at the desire shining there. Teagan’s voice caressed his skin as she whispered, “My gran wants me to settle down and find a mate. But that’s not what I want right now.”

  He lightly brushed the back of her hand with his thumb. Each stroke of soft skin only made him want to kiss her more and see if she was just as soft everywhere else.

  His beast hummed. Yes, yes, kiss her. No strings attached. She’ll like the ide
a of fucking once and walking away.

  “That’s not what I’m looking for, either,” he answered. Aaron leaned over and kissed Teagan’s soft wrist. So close to her skin, he reveled in her feminine scent.

  As he lightly caressed her skin with his tongue, Teagan drew in a breath. Her voice was strangled as she asked, “What are you doing, Caruso?”

  He moved his lips to one of her fingers and kissed the tip of it. “I think calling me Aaron is better suited to this situation.” He flicked his tongue against another finger pad. “And I think we both need a little release without strings attached.”

  He waited to see if he’d misread the situation. If he weren’t drunk on the taste and scent of Teagan’s skin, he might’ve been able to see sense and walk away.

  But after tasting the female, he wanted more. Since she was clan leader and he was only on Glenlough for a short time, they could enjoy each other without forming attachments. They each had responsibilities to follow through. Hearts wouldn’t need to get involved. He wouldn’t be doomed to repeat his past. He could finish his assignment and return to Stonefire on time.

  His dragon growled. Don’t be so sure. I think you’ll soon be singing a different tune.

  Aaron barely noted his dragon’s words as he brought Teagan’s hand to his cheek and lightly rubbed it against his jaw. It was time to see if she was on the same page as him.

  Chapter Ten

  Teagan’s heart pounded as Aaron’s short whiskers tickled her skin. Just the feel of his lips on her wrist had made her wetter than she’d ever been in her life. She could just imagine what it’d be like to have him naked and over her. Hell, behind her, below her, and anyway she could think of.

  Her dragon grunted. We can have him. It’s always best to try them out anyway.

  Aaron moved her palm to his lips and flicked her skin with his tongue. She sucked in a breath at the hot, wet sensation. “Aaron.”

  “Is that a ‘Yes, Aaron’ or ‘No, Aaron?’”

  Her gaze trailed over his jaw, his broad shoulders, and his muscled arms. For the first time in years, she was going to do something spontaneous for herself.

  She met his eyes again. “As long as what happens between us stays in this house and no one else finds out, then it’s a yes.”

  In response, he took one of her fingers between his lips. He flicked and swirled her digit. Teagan moaned, and all too soon Aaron released her. His gravelly voice went straight between her thighs as he said, “So that means your entire cottage is now part of our deal.”

  “Are you really—”

  Aaron stood, tugged her up and against his chest. “I want to take you anywhere I can tonight. Inside this cottage, you’re not clan leader and I’m not one of your Protectors. Agree before anything happens. I won’t be ordered about in this arena.”

  She moved her hands to his back and slowly moved them down until she could grip his arse cheeks. “You’d better make it worthwhile, Caruso.” She pressed her breasts against his chest and loved how his pupils slitted. “So, my answer is yes, but for tonight only.”

  With a growl, he took her lips in a rough kiss. In the next second, he nipped her bottom lip and she opened. As his tongue entered and stroked the inside of her mouth, she pulled his lower body tighter against hers and rocked her hips. Aaron groaned into her mouth, and the sound made desire pound harder between her legs.

  She broke the kiss and pushed him away. Confusion flashed in his eyes, but as she tugged her top off and tossed it to the side, his eyes moved to her bra. Aaron licked his lips and her already tight nipples hardened further.

  Undoing the clasp on her back, she also removed her bra. In the next second, Aaron closed the distance between them and kissed her neck, the base of her throat, and then the top of her breasts. Her nipples pulsed in anticipation. He’d better not be in a teasing mood or she might just chance ordering him around to get what she wanted.

  As Aaron’s hot mouth took one of her nipples, she threaded her fingers through his hair and arched her back. Each swirl, nip, and suckle made her knees a little weaker. She wrapped her other arm around his neck to keep from falling.

  He finally released one and moved to the other. He bit slightly harder, and she cried out at the mixture of pleasure and pain. He soothed the sting with his tongue before nibbling again.

  The pressure built and she wondered if she’d come without Aaron ever touching her clit. She closed her eyes and focused on the pleasure, but before she could fall over the edge, he pulled away.

  Teagan opened her eyes and demanded, “Why did you stop?”

  He kissed one corner of her mouth and then the other before whispering, “I want to have all of you at my mercy.” His hands went to the top of her trousers. He ran his fingers just inside the waistband. The roughness of his skin against her eased her irritation and made her belly flip.

  Aaron looked up. He never broke her gaze as he undid the top button. The zipper opened bit by bit, the sound filling the room and making her heart pound. Most males ripped off clothes to get to the deed as soon as possible, but not Aaron. And oddly, his patience made her hotter.

  He placed his hand on her abdomen and ran it gently around to the top of her bum, the whisper of his fingers leaving a trail of heat in their wake. She could just imagine what he could do with those fingers if she were completely naked.

  When all he did was slowly rub her skin above her panties for a full thirty seconds, warming her skin and nearly making Teagan squirm, her patience morphed into something else. She frowned. “What the bloody hell are you waiting for?”

  He smiled slowly and a predatory look filled his eyes. “Anticipation makes things that much sweeter. You should know this as leader.”

  Well, two could play that game.

  She placed her hand over his jean-clad cock and gripped his hardness. She squeezed and Aaron bit his lip to keep from groaning. Teagan chuckled. “Then maybe it’s my turn to remind you of what anticipation feels like.”

  It may have been two years since her last sexual encounter, but with Aaron, the long stretch meant nothing. With confidence, she moved her hand toward the base of his dick and tightened her grip. In response, Aaron slid his hands inside her panties and cupped her bum. One hand moved further between her legs and lightly caressed her folds, and she sucked in a breath.

  His husky voice made her shiver. “You seem to forget that you’re the one mostly undressed, which means I can make you scream sooner than you could me.”

  Her beast hissed. Yes, let him try.

  I’m not giving up that easily.

  She was about to undo the fly of his jeans to even the playing field when he tugged down her trousers and panties, and they both fell to the ground around her ankles. Aaron’s gaze zeroed in on the juncture of her thighs, and her heart pounded harder.

  He took her hands in his and nodded toward the floor. “Step out of your shoes and clothes.”

  In other areas of her life, Teagan would never take an order from someone lower down in the hierarchy. But as she stood mostly naked in front of Aaron, she knew this was different. Inside this cottage, she was just a female and he a male. Clan politics didn’t matter.

  Still, she hesitated. She’d trusted before and been burned.

  Aaron’s voice filled the room again. “What happens here stays here, Teagan. I vow it.”

  Her dragon spoke up. I hear the truth in his voice.

  Taking a deep breath, Teagan bobbed her head. “I hope so.”

  His pupils flashed, but she focused on the moment. Otherwise, she might talk herself out of it.

  Teagan complied and kicked her clothes out of the way. Aaron held her arms out to the side and raked her body from head to toe with his eyes, complete with a growl. “Fucking beautiful.”

  Her entire body warmed as her pussy pulsed. There was something strangely erotic about being naked and perused by Aaron while he stood fully clothed.

  She expected her dragon to demand skin or equal footing, but her bea
st remained eerily silent.

  Before Teagan could think too hard about it, Aaron met her eyes again. She barely noted the flashing pupils as he ordered, “Sit in the chair and spread your legs.” He released a hand and lightly caressed her cheek. “I want you open and willing for me.”

  ~~~

  Aaron wasn’t sure if Teagan would respond to his order. While he had no trouble following a command while on duty, he enjoyed being in charge when a female was naked with him.

  The question was whether Teagan wanted it too or not.

  After another second, she turned, and he watched her curved hips sway as she moved to the nearest dining chair, moved it further away from the table, and turned to sit down with her legs closed. Before he could remind her to open her thighs, Teagan widened them. At the sight of pink, swollen flesh, he licked his lips. “I want to taste you.” He looked up. “But if I kneel, you have to keep still until I say so.”

  She hesitated before answering, “I’ll try, unless you do something I don’t like.”

  “I’ll just have to make sure you’re too far out of your mind to notice anything but the feel of my tongue.”

  Her lovely pale skin flushed, and he drank in the sight of Teagan’s pert breasts, the swell of her hips, and her long legs. He would save the image of her for future showers. For all the reasons he could never have her, she was clever and gorgeous, and he wanted to remember her.

  He approached Teagan and leaned down to her right ear. “Place your hands on the sides of the chair and scoot that fine arse a little further toward the edge of your seat.”

  Her ragged breath made him smile.

  His dragon grunted. You should undress first. I want her hands on our skin and maybe even her nails in our back.