by G. A. Aiken
Ghleanna’s mouth dropped open. “You rude bastard!”
“Sleeping!” he yelled into the bed.
So unbelievably pissed, Ghleanna paced around the room for nearly a whole minute until she yelled, “This discussion is not done!”
Snarling—at her!—Bram pushed himself off the bed and stormed over to her. “What, Ghleanna? What is it you just have to say now? At this moment?”
“Kiss me.”
He took a step back. “What? Why?”
She had absolutely no clue! “Because I said so.”
“No.”
“Are you going to tell me you don’t want to?”
“Maybe I don’t.”
“Liar!”
“I don’t need this.” He headed to the door.
“Scared, are you?”
Bram stopped. “What?”
“I asked if you’re scared. Frightened. Like a little mouse.”
Bram again faced her. “The only thing that scares me is how Rhiannon uses me to torture your brother, because he’s a murdering bastard.”
Ghleanna walked across the room and stood in front of Bram. “Then kiss me if you have the—”
Before she could even finish her challenge, Bram had slipped his hand behind Ghleanna’s neck and yanked her in until their toes touched. But he only stared into her eyes, not making any further move.
“What are you waiting for, peacemaker?” she asked, a little breathless.
“I’m waiting until I am ready.”
“So I’ll be waiting until the end of time for you to do something so simple?”
“There is nothing simple about you, Captain Ghleanna. And let no one convince you otherwise.”
Bram couldn’t believe Ghleanna. Such a maddening cow! And the worst part was that he’d wanted to kiss her for half a century at least! Now he had her but he was so mad at her he couldn’t see straight. And, if he were to be honest with himself, he was incredibly jealous. She was so comfortable with other soldiers, how could he ever hope to get close to her when they had so very little in common? When he’d dropped down on the bed, he’d figured it was over. His obsession for her. His quiet waiting. Waiting for her to notice him. And if all this wasn’t over, he’d make it over. He had to. How else was he going to live the next few centuries without her if he didn’t?
But he should have known. Ghleanna would never allow herself to be ignored. To be pushed aside. Not the Captain of the Dragon Queen’s Tenth Battalion.
And yet who was Bram? The peacemaker. The merciful one. The one who didn’t eat humans passing him on the road just because he’d missed his morning meal.
So, was he really going to let his peace-loving and, at times, non-violent nature stop him? Him? Bram the Merciful?
He, who had traveled all over the Southlands, Outer-plains, and Desert Lands, on foot. As human.
He, who’d escaped the Sea Dragon Emperor’s dungeons with all his parts intact and wits about him?
He, who’d managed to not only survive Queen Adienna’s reign but the takeover of her daughter?
That dragon wasn’t going to take the kiss that was being offered to him because Ghleanna didn’t know what she had right in front of her.
He was many things, but Bram the Merciful was not a fool.
With his hand still gripping the back of Ghleanna’s neck, Bram leaned in, tilted his head to the side, and placed his lips against hers. He pressed his tongue to her mouth, stroked her lips until she opened to him. He pressed further, allowed his tongue to slip inside and he tasted what waited there. Gods, so wet and warm, he could almost taste the flame burning inside her.
Ghleanna slid the fingers of her free hand into his hair, leaning her body into his naked chest. He could feel her nipples harden under the soft cotton of her shirt, feel her pulse race under his fingertips.
And he knew in that moment that he would never be over Ghleanna. Not ever.
Ghleanna gripped the silver strands of Bram’s hair in her fist and melted against his body as she’d never done before with any male.
Good gods, this dragon had a mighty kiss. Yet what she found fascinating was how slowly he took it all. His lips easing around hers; his tongue lazily dipping in, swirling. The dragon took his time and she appreciated that. It was a rarity with most males, she’d found. Especially in her world, where everything was about moving fast and getting things done. Even fucking. Even a kiss.
Deciding to follow her instincts, Ghleanna pulled her hand away and lowered it to Bram’s groin. She reached for his cock, ready to play with it through his leggings and then play with it without them. But he caught her hand, held it.
“No.” He stepped away from her, looked around the small room. Ghleanna tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn’t release her. Instead, he yanked her over to a desk tucked into a corner. He pushed her up on it, keeping her legs dangling. He gripped her leggings and yanked them off her body. She wore nothing underneath since she’d had nothing to put on and Bram stood there for several moments, his hand gliding up her thighs, brushing against her pussy, stroking it with his fingers.
Ghleanna reached for him again with her free arm, but Bram said, “No.”
And then she understood.
She placed her hand against the desk, palm flat against the wood. Her free arm kept her propped up so she could watch, but otherwise she relaxed back and let Bram take the lead. Because for once . . . she didn’t have to.
Chapter 13
Bram slipped a finger inside Ghleanna and watched her. She stared back, panting, her bottom lip catching between her teeth.
Gods, she was so hot . . . and wet. He couldn’t believe she was already wet. From arguing with him.
He turned his finger, curling the tip and rubbing a little spot inside her. He watched her, enjoying the way her back arched, listened to the groan she let loose.
“I should leave you alone,” he murmured while he slipped another finger inside her, continued to play with her. “You need your rest. You’re still healing.”
“Don’t you dare stop.”
Bram grinned and pulled his fingers out of her. “But I have to stop.”
Ghleanna groaned again, but this time there was real frustration.
“I’m fine,” she told him. “I swear. I feel great.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure. I am extremely sure.”
“Lie back, Ghleanna.” She did. “Close your eyes.”
She lifted her head. “Why?”
“Because I told you to.”
Her eyes narrowed a bit and Bram was certain she was going to argue with him, but she again stretched out on the desk and closed her eyes.
“Now do me a favor,” he murmured. “Just relax.”
And exactly how was she to relax? But she kept her eyes closed and waited.
“You aren’t breathing, Ghleanna.”
“I’m not?”
“No. But you should.”
“Of course, of course.” She forced herself to breath and continued to wait. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long. She felt Bram’s mouth press against the inside of her thigh, teeth grazing the skin. She shuddered and tried to spread her legs wider but he held her legs in his arms, and he was controlling how far she could open or close them.
The thought made her shudder.
“Are you in pain?” he asked, his breath—but not his mouth—brushing her pussy.
“What? No. No. I’m fine. Really. Fine.”
“Just checking. We don’t want any relapses.”
“There won’t be.” And she knew she was begging. “I promise.”
“Good.”
Ghleanna still had her eyes closed, was still stretched out on the desk. Then she felt Bram’s mouth pressing against her, his tongue sliding inside her. And, as he’d done with that kiss, he took his time, rushed nothing. He used long, sweeping strokes of his tongue to carefully lick out her pussy. She moaned, unable to stay still on the desk, her body writhing under
neath his mouth.
She should have known, shouldn’t she? That he’d have this talent. That Bram would know how to bring tears to her eyes and pleasure to her body. He’d be as careful and determined with her as he was with everything else in his life.
Ghleanna gripped the back of Bram’s head, her fingers digging into his hair.
“Bram,” she begged through her panting. “Bram . . . please.”
He didn’t reply but his finger returned, pushing up inside her, twisting and turning until it found that spot he’d discovered earlier. Ghleanna choked out a gasp, her body beginning to shake, her legs fighting to close. But Bram never lost control. Not of her, not of the situation. Without moving her from that spot, he twisted her around and tore her apart until Ghleanna came hard, her fist shoved in her mouth to stifle her scream since she had no intention of entertaining every Fin within hearing range.
When the climax had passed through her, Bram was moving up her body, kissing and licking his way across her flesh, spending extra time on her scars. Maybe Addolgar had been right—Bram did seem to enjoy her scars.
His lips moved over her throat, past the gold collar she wore until he slid over her jaw and took her mouth. Ruthless. There was no other word for the way he kissed her. There was nothing merciful in that kiss. He must keep his merciful side for every place but his bed.
And she had to admit—she really liked that about him.
Bram felt the way Ghleanna kissed him and he knew she wanted him. And the gods knew he wanted her. He wanted to be inside her so badly. But giving her pleasure by enjoying her pussy was vastly different from fucking her. He couldn’t fuck her. Not until she was better . . . right?
Making up his mind, he pulled back but Ghleanna came with him, her free arm around his shoulders, her chest lifting from the desk.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“Leaving you alone.” He took a breath, tried to steady his legs. “You’re wounded and it would be wrong to—”
She tore off the material keeping her arm tied to her body and reached for him.
“Ghleanna, what are you—”
“Don’t leave me like this, Bram. Please.”
“But—”
She licked his throat, nipped his chin. “You can’t leave me like this,” she whispered.
“I can,” he reminded her. “I should.”
“Please don’t.” She kissed him again and by the gods her tongue was talented. “We both know that once won’t be enough for me,” she reminded him when she pulled away. And it was true. She-dragons were demanding of their lovers, why should Ghleanna be any different?
“And if I hurt you?”
“You won’t.” She grinned. “I’m incredibly sturdy. It’s in the bloodline.”
She reached down and gripped his cock through his leggings and they both gasped, her hand stroking the length of him.
Bram began panting, his legs shaking. He caught her hand, held it.
“Evil vixen,” he accused her.
“I do what I must to get what I want. Perhaps you can punish me for my evil ways . . . later. But for now . . .”
Bram pushed his leggings down until his cock sprang free. Then he gripped Ghleanna by her hips and dragged her ass to the very edge of the desk. Still holding her tight, he brought her close until he could push inside her, his cock hard and demanding. One good shove and he was there, both of them stopping, mouths open, their breathing shallow as they gazed at each other in unabashed amazement.
He had never imagined she would feel like this. So hot and wet and, gods, so tight!
Ghleanna brought her hands up, stroked his jaw, his neck and Bram kissed her. He pulled her tighter against him until he was buried balls deep. Until he knew nothing would be getting between them anytime soon.
Ghleanna surprised herself with a squeak. A sound she’d never made before. But she’d been unable to help herself once Bram filled her. She shuddered around him, kissed him harder and nearly wept when he began to move inside her. His strokes long, powerful, and as always it seemed, in complete control.
Knowing that for once she didn’t have to do anything but enjoy the ride was a rather heady experience for her. All day, every day, Ghleanna planned and plotted and executed. She led three hundred dragons into battle whenever they were called by their queen and every decision she made affected the lives of those dragons. But for once . . . for once she didn’t have to do anything. She didn’t have to think, question, or kill. She just had to enjoy. And enjoy she did.
Bram still had tight hold of her hips when he began to take her harder, faster. And she didn’t mind. Did her wound hurt? A bit. But it was nothing she couldn’t handle. Nothing she wouldn’t risk to experience the best bloody fuck of her entire life.
She came hard, her body stiffening in Bram’s arms, her cry of pleasure caught in her throat. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and let the climax rip through her. When she gave that last gasp, Bram laid her back out on the desk and then he was pounding inside her, taking her brutally until he came, his body shaking over hers, his head dropping between her breasts.
Ghleanna stroked Bram’s hair and let out a soul-deep breath. They didn’t speak. Perhaps there was nothing to say. Instead, after a few minutes, Bram picked her up and stumbled to the bed, dropping them both onto it. He pressed his hand to her wound and she patted it. As she’d predicted, the wound had not opened. She had not been further damaged. She was fine. More than fine in fact.
He stayed inside her, managing to get off his leggings and boots without moving away from her.
Once Bram was completely naked, he began kissing her neck, her jaw, her mouth, and slowly, taking his time, he began to thrust inside her again. This time, she knew, would again be on his very controlled terms.
And she had no problem with that.
Chapter 14
Bram woke and he knew Ghleanna was already awake too. He knew because he felt her sucking his cock into her mouth. She was under the fur cover, but he opened his eyes and watched as the fur rose and fell while she manipulated his cock the way she manipulated her damn battle axes.
One hand reached back and he gripped the headboard. Gods, her mouth! Her beautiful, wonderful mouth. Everything about Ghleanna was wonderful, beautiful, amazing, perfect . . . absolutely perfect. Perfect, perfect—
“I have been waiting over an hour for—” The Empress of all Sea Dragons in this region halted to a stop after walking into Bram and Ghleanna’s room unannounced.
Helena stopped. Ghleanna, however . . .
Helena’s mouth opened, closed, opened again. Then she rolled her eyes and snapped, “When you two cretins are done molesting each other, we are waiting for the next draft of your truce proposal, peacemaker. And I don’t like to wait!”
With Ghleanna turning him inside out, all Bram could manage was a, “Uh-huh” along with a thumbs-up.
Disgusted, Helena spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
“Barbarians!” he heard Helena yell from the hallway. “Every Land Dweller is a bloody barbarian!”
If she said anything after that, Bram didn’t hear it. He couldn’t hear anything over the roar of the rushing wave in his head as his body bowed and he came in Ghleanna’s mouth. She sucked and licked until she’d milked him dry and then she crawled back out from under the covers, licked her lips, and grinned at him.
“Did I hear something?” she asked, cheeky cow that she was. “A little earlier?”
Bram caught hold of her face between his hands and held her in place while he kissed her, tasting himself on her lips, knowing she’d taken all of him in.
“You are such a naughty She-dragon,” he laughingly accused her while he pushed her back on the bed. “What am I going to do with such a naughty She-dragon?”
Bram had left her alone so he could finish that stupid truce. And feeling remarkably well, Ghleanna headed back to the soldier’s training room. When she entered, the soldiers stepp
ed back, bowed their heads in respect.
“Captain Ghleanna.”
“Captain.”
“Lady Captain.”
Ghleanna grinned. Oh, yes. She had all sorts of things to keep her busy until Bram was done.
She picked up a battle axe, gave it a few practice swings, feeling complete with a weapon back in her hand, then asked the roomful of soldier dragons, “Who’s first then?”
While the senators argued and debated about issues they had absolutely no control over—why did he need to be here again?—Bram stared off across the chamber and wondered when this would all be over so he could get back to Ghleanna. Get back inside Ghleanna.
They’d only spent a few hours together in the big scheme of things, but gods! That female. She turned out to be everything he’d ever dreamed of. In bed and out. And not everyone fucked well while human—but she did. A good thing since it was one of his favorite pastimes.
“So,” the Empress asked over the shouting of the senators, “you and the Cadwaladr?”
Bram looked up at the dais she sat upon and replied, “Aye.”
“Shocking. I thought you’d find someone more . . . feminine.”
She smirked and returned her attention to the arguing senators but Bram asked, “Why?”
“What?”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you think that?”
Her eyes widened a bit and the Empress stammered, “Well, you are so . . . and she is so . . . and the two of you together are so . . .” She gazed at Bram a moment, forced a smile and a laugh and said, “Oh, nothing!”
Bram had focused on the arguing senators again when one of the royal pages rushed into the chamber. He stood in front of the Empress until she motioned him closer. He whispered something in her ear. And, while Bram watched, her pale human skin turned bright red with rage. Helena jumped to her feet and rushed from the chamber, her entourage scrambling to catch up with her.