Teagan interrupted Colm. “He or she didn’t actually find it, did they? I think the clan would know if they had the mythical necklace stored somewhere.”
Aaron frowned. “I must’ve missed that day at school. What, exactly, is this mythical dragon egg?”
Teagan answered, “Only the treasured necklace from the supposed first dragon-shifter to ever set foot in Britain.”
“But we’re in Ireland,” Aaron drawled.
“As much as I hate to admit it, Irish dragon-shifters and British ones are descended from the same first settlers,” Teagan stated.
Colm spoke up. “The legend goes that the first female dragon-shifter who set foot in what is modern England produced three dozen dragon eggs all whilst wearing the legendary necklace. In a way, it represents the beginning of all of our clans.”
Aaron sighed. “But it’s all rubbish. Dragons don’t lay eggs, for one. And even if we did, a female still requires a male to help spawn the babies.”
Teagan rolled her eyes. “Leave it to you to take the miracle of childbirth and lower it down to ‘spawning.’”
Aaron smiled. “Technically, it would be dropping eggs.”
Teagan forced her gaze to Colm. “Ignore him. Tell me about this leader and the overview of the quest.”
“I bet it involved knights, swords, and sorcery,” Aaron drawled.
Teagan shot him a look, her eyes full of warning, and he focused on his food. It was easy to forget he and Teagan weren’t alone.
His beast snorted. Be glad, or she wouldn’t be so polite. You’re being a tad irritating.
She’s the one talking about bloody myths and dragon eggs.
Just listen to what the other male has to say. We can’t help Teagan if we don’t know what she might be planning.
Agreeing with his dragon, Aaron took a bite of pie and motioned for Colm to continue.
Colm tapped the paper in front of him. “Her name was Orlaith.”
All Aaron heard was “Orla.” But he didn’t think they’d be talking about Teagan’s grandmother.
“As in the first unifier of Ireland and my gran’s namesake?” Teagan asked breathlessly.
“Aye,” Colm said. “Which is all the more reason to use her ideas against your challengers. The other leaders may have forgotten that one of the bravest leaders in Irish dragon-shifter history was female, but they’ll soon remember.”
Aaron couldn’t help but say, “I know a fair bit of Irish history, but I’ve never heard of Orlaith.”
Teagan shrugged. “She’s a bit of a poorly kept secret. Most of the texts that mentioned her were burned a few hundred years ago, when males were trying to eradicate any knowledge of female leaders. Glenlough didn’t agree, and whoever was in charge must’ve preserved the records.”
Aaron waved toward Colm’s documents. “So what’s involved in this quest-like challenge?”
“Quite a bit. But I think if we modify the rules and a group of us plan a new quest, it may work.” Colm looked to Teagan. “Let’s go over the old version and then you can either give your approval or not. However, you can’t be part of the planning, Teagan. In this, you need to remain oblivious.”
She bobbed her head. “I know. But I’m anxious to hear about this old quest first.”
As Colm went over the full account, Aaron tried his best to keep his expression neutral. Some of the challenges, such as standing in the middle of a circle of burning logs to warm up a metal object to see a certain inscription, was bloody dangerous.
His dragon grunted. Teagan is clever. She won’t have a problem.
I agree, but what do you think will happen if one of the other leaders gets himself killed in the process?
It won’t be our problem.
I’m not so sure, dragon.
His beast fell silent and Aaron focused on Colm’s words. If Teagan agreed to an old-fashioned quest and series of puzzles to solve, then Aaron might need to adjust his tactics for her training sessions. Beating the crap out of someone wouldn’t be enough. No, he would need to think of ways to stretch her mind, too.
Chapter Thirteen
The next morning, Aaron completed his hundredth push-up and jumped to his feet. He’d hoped that the exercise would wake him up, but the long history lesson the night before was still taking its toll. Colm and Teagan had talked for hours, and in the end, Aaron had gone home to his own place to nab what sleep he could.
Slapping his cheeks, he headed toward his small kitchen. It was time for coffee.
Mentally poking his dragon, Aaron said, Wake up.
No. Too early.
Aaron prepared the coffee machine. Stop being grumpy.
We were supposed to have a night with Teagan. Instead, we listened to that male drone on about a long-forgotten quest. Of course I’m grumpy.
I was skeptical at first, but I think it’s a good idea. Nothing like giving the other leaders a good challenge.
His beast yawned. I’m sure they’ll think of a way to use it against her.
Since Grant McFarland is one of the judges, he won’t put up with the gender bias bullshit. His mate is proof of his belief in giving females a chance to do anything.
Grant’s mate, Faye MacKenzie, had once been head Protector of Lochguard until an injury had taken it from her. However, she now shared the responsibility with her mate.
His dragon grunted. I suppose. I’m going back to sleep.
As his beast curled up and ignored him, Aaron flicked on the coffee machine and leaned against the counter.
Before he could think of how to handle his next assignment mentoring some young dragon-shifter named Revelin Collins, someone knocked on the back door to his cottage. Frowning, he made his way to it and yanked it open.
Teagan stood there, dressed in a long, flowing dress that dipped to a low V, giving him a glimpse of the tops of her round breasts.
His dragon also took notice. Bring her inside and strip her.
Teagan’s voice prevented him from replying. “Can I come in or are you just going to stare at my breasts all day?”
Aaron cleared his throat and stepped aside. “What did you want?”
She entered. “Someone’s a bit tetchy.”
Aaron closed the door and ran a hand through his hair. “I haven’t had my coffee yet. Don’t push me.”
She tilted her head. “This isn’t my cottage, you know. There are no exceptions here about ignoring my authority.”
“I don’t care,” he muttered and turned back toward the kitchen.
His dragon growled. What are you doing?
I’m not ready to deal with her teasing right now.
And what about charm? She used the back door for a reason.
He stared at the coffee machine and willed it to finish brewing. Teagan leaned on the counter next to him. “What’s wrong with you? You’re quite grumpy this morning. Should I call the doctor?”
“I’m fine, bloody woman. I was up half the night listening to old stories. I don’t have the energy for you right now.”
She paused and he mentally cursed. He’d never been charming in the early morning hours, but Teagan didn’t deserve his anger. “Look—”
She put up a hand. “Don’t worry about it. You’re nothing compared to my brother when he misses a meal. He’s grumpier than anyone I’ve ever met then, although don’t tell him I told you that.”
He turned to face her. “Why are you here, Teagan?”
Running a finger down his bare bicep, she murmured, “You’re a little sweaty.”
He captured her hand. “Don’t change the subject.” He leaned closer to her face. “Why are you here?”
Her pupils flashed and Aaron’s beast roared. Kiss her. Don’t wait.
Teagan’s voice was barely a whisper when she replied, “I haven’t been able to concentrate all morning.”
They may not be in her cottage, but fuck it. There was no way he could be alone with her and not touch her. He traced her jaw with a finger. “And why is that, love?
”
Her eyes moved to his chest. As she caressed him with her eyes, blood shot straight to his cock. “I had looked forward all day to last night.” She met his gaze again. “To say I was disappointed I had to work would be an understatement.”
Aaron released her hand on his arm and placed a hand possessively on her hip. Rubbing in slow circles, he murmured, “And here I thought you had found a safer bloke to find your release with.”
She frowned. “Colm? No, he’s just an old friend and ally. Kissing him would be like kissing a brother.”
Smiling slowly, Aaron pulled Teagan against his body. “Good answer.”
She opened her mouth, but Aaron cut her off with a kiss. As she melted against him, he stroked the inside of her mouth and relished in the sweet taste that was Teagan.
If he wasn’t careful, he might become addicted.
Not wanting to think on that, he moved his hands to her waist, took hold, and raised her to sit on the counter. After sucking on her bottom lip, he stepped a foot away from her. Teagan blinked. “What’s going on? My time is short, Caruso. I don’t have time for games.”
“Aaron,” he growled out.
“Fine, Aaron. Same question.”
He took the hem of her long dress and slowly slid it up her thigh. “I need to make sure you’re ready.”
She watched the material as he inched it up her leg. Her husky voice asked, “Ready for what?”
Moving his hands further, he reached her inner thigh. Her skin was softer than anything he’d touched in a while.
Teagan’s voice was weaker when she repeated, “Ready for what?”
“To take you on the counter.”
Her cheeks flushed pink. “On the counter.”
“Since most people don’t use the back door, no one will know you’re here, let alone can they watch unless they sit on top of the garden wall.” He bunched her skirt around her waist and glanced down. With her legs spread, her beautiful, pink pussy was on display. “You’re not wearing underwear. Is this a daily thing? Because if so, I’m constantly going to wish I was your clothes since they’ll always be touching the most tender part of you.”
He lightly ran a finger through her folds, and Teagan sucked in a breath before saying, “I thought it might speed up the process.” She glanced down to his cock straining against his tracksuit bottoms. “I think it’s time you show me yours.”
As her hands moved to the top of his tracksuit pants, the last vestiges of Aaron’s tiredness slipped away. It seemed Teagan was as good as coffee for waking him up in the morning.
Hell, for waking him up in all ways.
His dragon spoke up. Another reason to see her every day. It’ll be better for your heart.
Stop thinking of my bloody heart. We have more important things to worry about.
Teagan’s fingers dipped under his waistband and brushed the tip of his dick. Aaron clenched his fingers to keep from reaching out to her. Teagan deserved a chance to do what she wished with him, and he was anxious to see what the clever woman came up with, especially since she always seemed to blush when sex was concerned.
~~~
Teagan’s previous sexual experiences had been secreted in a bedroom or maybe an isolated bit of forest.
Yet as she had her legs spread wide, exposing her center to the world with Aaron standing in front of her in the kitchen, she decided she liked taking her time and doing things differently. First on a chair and now on a counter. Maybe Aaron would even be open to sex in a lake. She’d always wondered what it’d feel like to do it while being surrounded by water.
Her dragon growled. Think about that later. Get him naked. I want his cock inside us.
Teagan ran her finger back and forth across the tip of Aaron’s penis. Whenever she lightly used her nail, his pupils flashed. She decided to see if she could read him as well as he’d read her two days before and use his cues to drive him wild.
Teagan slid her fingers down his hard length and encircled him. Aaron sucked in a breath and she smiled. “How about this?”
She squeezed him at the base and Aaron groaned. “Fuck, yes.”
Not releasing the pressure of her grip, she pulled up and then down. Aaron placed his hands on the counter to either side of her hips as she repeated the motion, but he never severed eye contact.
She heard his thundering heartbeat and saw his flashing eyes. Strong, contrary Aaron Caruso was weak at the knees from her touch.
For all the control she had over her clan, Teagan had never felt as powerful as she did in that moment.
She increased her pace, but Aaron cursed and took her wrist to still her movements. His voice was low and gentle as he said, “As much as I’d love to come all over your hand, I want to be inside you, love.”
As they stared into one another’s eyes, Teagan wished she had more time to spend with the dragonman in front of her. He was turning out to be the opposite of what she’d thought. Strong, stubborn, and irritating, yes, but also gentle, caring, and willing to respect her position.
Her dragon whispered, He would be a good fit.
Teagan couldn’t afford to think of the future beyond the next two weeks. That thought brought her crashing back to reality and she released Aaron’s cock and withdrew her hand. “So what now?”
“Time to get naked.” He guided her arm to his shoulder. She dug in her nails as he quickly took something out of his pocket and shucked his tracksuit pants.
Her eyes zeroed in at his long, hard penis curved against his belly.
She itched to touch him again and find exactly what drove him to moan.
Aaron ripped open a package and slowly slid a condom over his hard length. Teagan smiled. “Someone was prepared.”
Once done, Aaron slid his fingers into her hair. “Let’s just say I was thinking of ways to hunt you down before my balls turned even bluer.”
She took a condom packet from her bra and held it up. “And here I thought I was doing the hunting.”
Snorting, Aaron took the package and tossed it on the counter. “It just means I can have you again later.”
Her heart skipped a beat at seeing him naked once more. “Later?”
He moved closer. “Once isn’t going to be enough.” He took hold of his cock and lightly ran it through her folds. Teagan gasped and barely caught his next words, “And I remember a deal for an entire night’s worth of sex. It just means we’ll have to space it out to fit your schedule.” The bastard brushed her clit and Teagan lost her train of thought. Aaron chuckled and said, “We can discuss scheduling later.”
“Do I get a say in this?”
Positioning his cock at her entrance, he murmured, “Tell me no now. It’s your last chance to back out because once I start, I’m not going to want to stop.”
If she were a perfect clan leader, Teagan would push him away and resist temptation.
Her dragon growled. No one is bloody perfect. And if you never take a break, it will hurt everyone in the long run.
She made her decision and dug in her nails. “Don’t keep a lady waiting, Aaron.”
With a growl, he kissed her and inched his cock inside her. She clenched her jaw at his fullness, but he kissed her and she opened her mouth. His tongue caressing hers soon made her forget about everything but how deep he reached. Maybe there was something about half-Italian dragon-shifters.
Once he was to the hilt, he broke the kiss. “Fuck, you’re tight. I love how you hold onto me as if you won’t ever let go.”
A yearning she’d long buried deep, to have a partner at her side to help with the clan and eventually raising a family, broke free.
But she didn’t want to ruin the moment. Aaron was only there for sex, nothing more. She would have to take what she could get.
Teagan wiggled her hips. “Move, Aaron. Make sitting on this hard, cold counter worth it.”
He took her lips again before moving his hips. Each long, languid stroke made her cry out. Yet Aaron swallowed her cries, never breaking
their kiss.
Not liking the distance between the rest of their bodies, she pulled him closer until she could wrap her legs around his waist. Aaron kept one hand in her hair and moved the other to the small of her back. He pulled her closer to the edge of the counter and increased the motion of his lower body.
The tension built, but it wasn’t enough. She was about to end the kiss and let him know when Aaron ran his hand from her back to her belly and then lower. When a rough finger brushed her clit, she cried out. Aaron finally released her mouth and whispered, “Don’t hold back on me, Teagan. Never hold back with me.”
The words barely cleared her lust haze. However, when Aaron started a steady rhythm on her sensitive bundle of nerves, rubbing back and forth before circling the hard bud, she lost all train of thought. She was so close.
“Harder,” she whispered.
Aaron pressed his thumb against her clit and pleasure shot through her body as lights danced in front of her eyes. Combined with Aaron’s movements as she orgasmed, Teagan cried out louder than she ever had before with a male.
She’d barely come down from her high when Aaron stilled and growled as spasms racked his body. She knew the condom was necessary for many reasons, but she secretly wanted to feel him come inside her.
Quickly pushing aside that thought, Aaron finally slumped his shoulders, as if exhausted. Teagan leaned her head on Aaron’s collarbone and wrapped her arms around his back. She still had her legs around his waist, and when Aaron engulfed her in his strong arms, she sighed.
In this moment, she didn’t have to be strong, clever, and concerned with everyone else’s well-being. She was merely a female in the embrace of a male, listening to his heartbeat and reveling in his spicy masculine scent.
The yearning that had been overpowered by lust returned in full force. What she wouldn’t give for such closeness every day.
But she knew Aaron belonged with Stonefire, not with her.
For the first time, she wished he would stay.
His lovely deep voice interrupted her thoughts. “What are you thinking, love?”
Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 9) Page 14