Dragon Next Door: Forgotten Dragons Book 1

by Bolryder, Terry

  “I think maybe you’re too careful,” she said. “I mean, if Xander’s okay being out in the world, aren’t you?”

  “A club is different,” Tristan said. “Even Xander only goes out at night. People don’t recognize people at night so much.”

  “You still had your hat,” she said, her lips curling up in a smirk.

  He looked at her, slightly flushed, whether from embarrassment or drinking, and nodded. “You’re right. I did. And perhaps you’re right about me being too careful too. I guess you’re pushing me out of my comfort zone, since to protect you, I have to be out in the world a bit.” He gazed out at the dance floor. “Maybe I like it.”

  She grinned, feeling warmth flood her heart at being able to help him. “Me too.” She stood, wishing she was wearing cuter clothes but not caring as long as she helped him live a little. “Come on. Let’s dance.”

  His eyes widened, and she saw that his lashes were so long, so curled and dark, that it really wasn’t fair. He was so beautiful.

  So sweet. So kind.

  He deserved to be out there living, not hiding in the darkness.

  After a few frozen seconds, he took her hand. His fingers wrapped around hers, and he let her lead him out to the dance floor.

  Kelsie wasn’t really the type to party. Not since college. But right now, she had as good of an excuse as any to cut loose.

  She released Tristan’s hand and began to dance to the music, feeling it pulse through her and letting all of her other problems float away. She moved sexily, not caring who was watching.

  Right now, she didn’t have student loan stress, customers yelling because their coffee wasn’t hot enough, or anything to bother her.

  She just danced.

  When the music slowed, she realized Tristan was just watching her, arms folded, posture rigid.

  “You don’t dance?” she asked, boogying in to bump his hips with hers playfully.

  “Not like that.”

  “Then how?”

  He came in closer, and she was instantly aware of his height. His heat. His muscles. The way those blue eyes stared intently at her as though she was the only thing in the world. “Like this.”

  His hand found her waist, and the other took her hand, lifting it to the side of them. His posture was straight, pulling her up with him, and she felt fully supported, transported to another time when men and women danced in a way that was so formal.

  “Wow,” she said, blushing. “Old-fashioned.”

  “That’s kind of me all around,” he said.

  “I like it.” She grinned up at him, then pulled her hand out of his and wrapped both her arms up around his neck. “But just since it’s crowded, how about this?”

  He nodded and began to sway side to side with her, keeping her safe in his arms.

  She felt only slightly disappointed that there hadn’t been a ballroom to twirl around in with him, somewhere he could show off his moves.

  But holding him like this, being able to touch him as music and the sound of laughter surrounded them, was okay too.

  More than okay.

  As they swayed and his big hands held her waist, she felt hot all over her body, and she was pretty sure it wasn’t just the margaritas.

  “You said we shouldn’t kiss,” she said as their bodies got closer together so their chests were touching. One hand rested on his shoulder while the other reached up to stroke through his hair. “You say you want to hide, but you come outside with me. You say I’m reckless, but you want to protect me. What are we doing here, Tristan?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, and his voice sounded choked. “I never thought I would feel about someone the way I feel about you. I just… can’t stay away from you.”

  “But you couldn’t be with me?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “How do you not know?” She felt frustrated but tried not to show it. He was the most amazing man she’d ever met, and he seemed to like her also. What was holding them back?

  Because right now, her body was warm and welcoming, and all she wanted to do was take him back to that beautiful apartment and show him exactly what—

  He cleared his throat. “I know I’m confusing.”

  “It’s okay,” she said, stroking his hair once more before lowering her hand to his shoulder so she could sway with him. “I understand if you don’t want me. I mean as more than a friend. We can still look at art together, and maybe I can get you out of that house and—”

  She was cut off by his lips, which suddenly lowered over hers as one of his hands brushed through her hair and then knotted at the base of her head, holding her tight. His other hand circled her waist, pulling her closer, and he let out a low curse as his lips parted hers and his tongue swept deep inside.

  She let out a muffled moan that was drowned out by the thumping music all around them. Tristan deepened the kiss, pulling her even closer, wrapping his muscles around her until she almost felt like a part of him as his tongue swirled and dipped, making her knees weak.

  God, how could he kiss like that? How many women had he kissed?

  “Only you,” he said, pulling back to look at her.

  “Only me what?” She felt dazed, her lips swollen. Wet between her legs in ways she’d never been before. Just from a kiss.

  “I’ve only ever wanted to do this with you,” he said before claiming her lips again, his hand tightening in her hair possessively, his other hand curling around her waist, stroking lightly against her side.

  “Oh God,” she murmured as he pulled back to change their position before sealing his lips back over hers. When he pulled back and kissed down her jawline, she buried her hands in his hair and let out a breathy moan.

  He jerked his head up, suddenly aware of where they were.

  She was a bit proud she’d even gotten him to forget for a moment. The guy deserved to just live.

  He pulled back completely, letting go of her as he ran a hand through his hair, mussing it further. He looked so gorgeous under the lights of the dance floor.

  “I…” She had no idea what to say. Was he mad? Did he want more? She did.

  “Home,” he said in a gruff voice. “We should go there.”

  “Yes,” she said, breathless. “That sounds good.”

  Right then, Xander walked up, looking annoyed.

  “Your friend ditched me,” he said irritably, rubbing the back of his neck.

  “What did you do?” Tristan asked.

  Xander put up both hands. “Nothing. Just asked what she did for work, stuff like that. She said she had to go to the bathroom and just disappeared on me.”

  “Did you come on to her?” Tristan asked.

  Xander shook his head. “No. I didn’t get a chance to.” His lips curled up wickedly. “I would have liked to. Cute little thing.”

  Kelsie snorted. She wasn’t sure anyone had called Janet “cute” or “little.” She was a force to be reckoned with. “I should go check on her.”

  Tristan continued to berate Xander to try and find out how he had upset Kelsie’s roommate, and Kelsie felt her phone buzz in her pocket.

  It was a text from Janet. I called an Uber and headed out. Enjoy your night with your boy toy.

  Kelsie typed out her reply. Thanks. You sure you’re okay? You left suddenly.

  I saw you and lover boy getting hot and heavy and thought I would leave you to it. Just don’t forget to check in once in a while and let me know how it goes.

  Of course, Kelsie texted back. So Xander didn’t do anything upsetting?

  Janet’s reply was quick. No, of course not. But I didn’t want to waste our time. Anyway, have fun with your beard-wearing mystery man.

  Kelsie laughed. Thanks, Janet. You’re the best.

  She wanted to push harder about why her roommate had just disappeared so suddenly, but she knew it wouldn’t work.

  So instead, she went back to Tristan, who still appeared to be demanding an explanation from Xander, glaring at his brother wi
th folded arms.

  Tristan already had her overnight bag over one strong shoulder because being sweet like that was just his way.

  “It’s okay,” she said, putting her hand on his forearm to try and distract him from glaring at Xander. “Janet just had to go home and work on things.”

  “Rude,” Xander said. “We were having a good time.”

  Kelsie smiled at him. “I’m sure lots of girls would love to dance.”

  Xander shrugged, but he actually looked a little bothered.

  But Kelsie couldn’t worry about that right now. Xander would have to figure out his own problems.

  Kelsie just wanted to get home with Tristan so they could continue what they started.

  “Come on,” she said, putting an arm through Tristan’s and then Xander’s and pulling them both toward the exit. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Xander pulled back, giving them both an apologetic smile. “I think I’m going to stay out a little while longer. Have some fun.”

  Tristan stiffened, glaring at his brother. “Not too much fun.”

  Xander’s shrug was apathetic. “I’ll do what I want. I’m not afraid like you, Tristan.”

  Tristan froze at that, and Xander looked as if he instantly regretted what he said.

  “Anyway, I’m headed out. I’ll see you two back at home.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and strode out the front door, giving them a wink just as he disappeared.

  Tristan let out a sigh as he turned back to Kelsie. “Sorry about that. And about your friend.”

  “No,” Kelsie said, squeezing Tristan’s forearm, feeling a shiver of excitement go through her at feeling his skin. “Nothing to be sorry about.”

  They left the club arm in arm, and when they got onto the street, Xander was nowhere in sight.

  “Is he going to be okay out there?”

  “Yes,” Tristan said. “He’s strong.”

  That was an odd way of putting it. “I see. So just you and me tonight, then?” She stroked his arm lightly, making the hairs rise. “I like that.”

  His breathing was slightly escalated as he waved down a taxi, waiting for it to stop before opening the door for her to get in.

  She took his hand and let him help her, then cuddled up against him when he got inside and sat down.

  He didn’t even try to move her, just put an arm around her possessively when the cab driver looked back to ask their address.

  Tristan gave him the address of a building near his, and the cab took off.

  Chapter 9

  Once they were back inside his home, Tristan couldn’t help panicking.

  Usually upon getting home, he would feel only relief. Another day of not getting noticed. Another day they wouldn’t have to move.

  Another day trying to forget he’d even been born a dragon.

  But Kelsie was making that impossible.

  When he’d seen her moving on the dance floor, curvy body swaying perfectly to the music, tawny skin glowing in the low lights, he’d felt something in him wake up.

  Something that didn’t ever want to let her go.

  But that was silly. She was attracted to him, yes, because humans were supposed to be attracted to dragons.

  But beyond that…

  He turned on the light in the living room and tried not to stare as Kelsie shrugged out of her sweatshirt and tossed it aside on one of the couches.

  Her thin tee shirt hugged every curve, highlighted the dip of her cleavage…

  She smiled up at him, curls mussed from dancing, cheeks glowing, eyes bright. “So what now?”

  He swallowed. He had no idea. The thought of seducing a human had never occurred to him. He’d been lonely, sure, but he’d always been aware that he should be alone.

  Him and Xander.

  But with Kelsie, it was different. From the night he’d seen her in the alley, he hadn’t been able to do what he was supposed to. He hadn’t been able to just forget about her.

  “I… I don’t know.”

  She flopped onto the couch, putting her feet up as she kicked off her shoes. “If you don’t bring women home, where do you hook up with them?”

  He’d been setting aside his shoes, but he froze at her words, suddenly realizing a man of his age would be expected to have actual experience.

  Oh God.

  “Wait,” she said, pushing off the couch and walking over to him. He stayed facing away from her, hands on his hips, but he could feel his cheeks burning. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to embarrass you. Hey, if you don’t want to continue what we did at the club, it’s okay—”

  Something about her gentle acceptance lit a fire in him, and he was determined not to let his lack of experience get in the way.

  He didn’t need to have loved another woman to know how to love Kelsie. His body knew. His heart knew. His soul knew.

  His dragon knew.

  He cupped her face and kissed away her gasp as he sealed his lips over hers. He continued, teasing and testing, swiping his tongue in to thrust against hers as his hand wound its way down to her waist, pulling her closer.

  He hovered just above her hip, but then Kelsie reached behind her and dragged his hand down until it rested on her soft, full butt.

  He bit back a groan, trying to focus on kissing her even as he felt himself harden in his pants. He backed her up, kissing her more and more voraciously, until her legs hit the couch and she fell backward.

  Her hands caught his shirt, pulling him down with her, and he found himself over her, knees on either side of her as he straddled her on the couch.

  God, she was tiny. He stroked her face, enjoying the little mewl she made, the way her round, innocent eyes sparkled with pleasure as she arched back, lifting her breasts.

  His hand hovered, but once again, she took the lead, bringing his hand down to cover her breast.

  He took over from there, eagerly squeezing the soft mound, lifting it as she let out a little gasp, palming her nipple when it pressed out to show in her thin bra.

  “Can I—”

  She nodded eagerly, rolling over as she pulled her shirt over her head. When she got stuck, Tristan helped her lift it over her head.

  She bared her bra strap, and Tristan stared at it for a second before flicking it open.

  When it fell away and she rolled back over to face him, her hands were covering her chest and her cheeks were flushed. “Wait. You’re… beautiful. And I’m so average.”

  He let out a little growl, grabbing her hands and pulling them away to pin them by her head so she couldn’t hide herself. Her breasts were beautiful, small brown nipples perked in the air, begging for his mouth to taste them.

  “Not average. Don’t hide yourself.” He released her hands and watched her embarrassed eyes watch him as he slowly lowered his mouth to her breast. “Mm,” he murmured as his tongue swept over the pebbled peak, and then he took her fully in his mouth. “Perfect. Beautiful.”

  Her eyes rolled back and she arched as his hands each caught one of her breasts, lifting and teasing them, one of his hands playing with her nipple as his mouth tortured the other.

  This was easier than he’d thought it would be. Kelsie writhed and made noises he hadn’t known humans could make.

  She looked so beautiful there. So perfect on his couch, trembling from his touch, bared from the waist up.

  He wanted all of her.

  His hands moved down to tug at the waistband of her pants, and she quickly reached down to undo them, wiggling on the couch as she tried to kick them off.

  He tugged them off for her, throwing them aside. Somehow, she always seemed to need him. Somehow, he loved it.

  “God, I want to lick you everywhere,” he said, breathing heavily.

  “Do it,” she challenged, looking up at him with fiery brown eyes.

  He kissed her ear, sweeping the earlobe into his mouth, testing her reaction. When he bit down slightly, sucking, she yelped, and he smiled wickedly and nipped and licked his way down to h
er shoulder.

  She squirmed extra hard when he bit her shoulder, and Tristan looked down to see her pressing her legs together, a look of tension on her beautiful face.

  He wanted to look at her forever. Have her be only his. Ensure he was the only one who ever got to see her like this.

  He would do anything for that to happen.

  His hand trailed down her waist lightly, traveling slowly lower to give her time to stop him. He kissed her more gently, caressing her sensitive neck and moving back up to claim her lips as his fingers teased just above her panties.

  She moaned, opening her lips so he could go deeper, and he loved the heat emanating everywhere they touched. Their mouths. Their chests. Their hips.

  She spread her legs slightly, pressing her hips up to buck, begging for his fingers.

  So he gave them to her.

  He slid down over her silky underwear, wanting to explore every fold but not wanting to take her too quickly.

  With how badly his dragon wanted her, there would always be time for more.

  He’d just have to work out the logistics later.

  She was so wet she’d soaked through the panties, and it made her more sensitive as his finger played at her cleft. He followed the reaction of her body as he moved up to the sensitive button of her pleasure.

  When he pressed down lightly, she unexpectedly came, crying out his name and flinging herself forward to throw her arms around his shoulders.

  As her body rippled in pleasure and she cried out his name over and over, Tristan felt like he was the one falling apart.

  Chapter 10

  Kelsie couldn’t believe what was happening as pleasure ripped through her, so strong and so desperate she couldn’t breathe.

  He was everything. So hard. So strong. The way he watched her, sensing everything, so quiet and so intent.

  It turned her on more than anything.

  She’d had a few boyfriends in college, but aside from some clumsy kissing and fumbling in the dark, she didn’t have much experience.

  And she’d never gone all the way.

  Tristan made her want to. Made the things that had seemed dirty or unpleasant feel like absolute heaven. Like a pleasure she could chase for the rest of her life and never feel sated.