Dragon Ugly (Dragon New Year) (12 page)

“What…what was that?” she reached up and brushed her hair out of her face.

Brent leaned down and scooped her up in his arms. She felt his strength flowing into her, imbuing her with the ability to push back the fear and weariness. He kicked the door closed with the heel of his shoe and they collapsed onto the couch together. Brent peppered her face with small kisses in between murmurs of apology.

She cuddled into him, feeling his body shake against hers. He stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to show you that. That was Tor, on a partial shift on New Year’s. You felt what I went through that night when I saw him almost change. That was when he…” He sighed and changed the subject. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to let it get into you too. It’s been a shitty day.”

Carissa moved closer, trying to soak in the solidity of his presence. “That’s why you’re here. So I can take care of you.” Then her lips twisted into a wicked smile. “But don’t think that this excuses you from not saying good-bye to me on the phone.”

She reached up and caressed his jaw, feeling the slight roughness of the stubble she found there. It must have been a long day if he hadn’t shaved properly.

“Huh?” Brent gazed down at her, confusion in his blue eyes.

“You didn’t say good-bye when you called to let me know you were on your way. That was rude. We must rectify that.” Carissa let her touch trace down the column of his neck. She paused over his pulse-point and felt the strong, sure beat of his heart.

“Oh, I’m sorry honey. I was under pressure to get done and get out. The Snake being at Dragon’s Lair was just…
gods
.” He wiped a hand across his brow. Great weariness showed through the relaxation on his face.

“That bad, huh?” She moved away from him. “Tell me. But first you have to eat.” She got up and held out her hand, which he took. He rose and allowed her to lead him to the table. “Sit down and talk to me.”

He did as she ordered, a huge grin spreading across his face as his gaze roamed over the table. “Just what I need, comfort food.” He glanced up, a thick black brow rose in question. “Aren’t you going to join me, honey?”

Relief swept through her. He liked the food. She went to the opposite chair and sank down, ready to dig in. “I didn’t do much, just some basic spices. I wasn’t sure what your taste buds would like, so I didn’t try to get fancy.” Rather than cut into her steak, she watched Brent eat, taking in his facial expressions as he put the piece of meat into his mouth.

Bliss relaxed his features and she let out a sigh of relief. Carissa began to cut her own steak.

“It’s delicious, sweetheart. Just what I needed. So, yeah, The Snake. It wasn’t like panties being thrown at the stage or craziness. Nothing like that. It was just… How do I describe it? Just listening to him, just being in the same space with him, it was like I’d been turned into prey. Does that make sense?” he asked. Brent looked at her, apprehension and confusion on his face.

She nodded. “Yes. It happens when I listen to his music. You get hypnotized, right? I’ve never been to a concert of his, but I understand. It’s the sensation that all there is in the world is him. It’s great music for focusing your emotions, but it’s dangerous if you slip too deep into it.”

He blew out a breath. “Yes, that’s it exactly. I was attracted to him, honey. There’s nothing wrong with that. He’s a good-looking guy. But to feel like he could crush me? I’m a fucking water dragon; he’s a snake. There shouldn’t be a contest there.” He let out a chuckle and she couldn’t help but laugh at him.

“So basically it’s fine to find him good looking, but not to think he could hurt you? Snakes
do
have venom, sweetie.” The endearment slipped out so easily she didn’t even question it.

A crimson flush appeared in blotches on Brent’s cheeks. “Um, well, I could drown him.”

“But you’d need to be near water for that,” she pointed out.

“There’s water everywhere.” He puffed out his chest in pride.

“Tell that to the desert,” she said, before digging into her baked potato. She felt so at ease that she let her walls down and completely opened herself up to him. It felt wonderful to just let go and not worry.

He growled. “Fine, you have me there. So explain to me what a werewolf would do to defeat a dragon.”

Carissa’s head shot up and she narrowed her eyes at him. “Ooh, you’re playing with fire, reptile boy. First of all, we wouldn’t come at you from the front.”

He nodded. “Uh-huh. But last I checked wolves can’t fly and
we
can.”

“Yes, but dragons are solitary creatures. You only live together if you
have
to. We wolves hunt and live in packs. We have the edge in numbers. But you, little dragon, I think I could defeat all by myself,” she purred.

His eyebrow rose again. “Oh, and what would you do to me?” His voice dropped becoming deep and rough, intoxicating and dark.

She shivered as her nipples puckered and her stomach muscles tightened. Her body heated as goose bumps rose on her skin. A heavy pulse began in her groin and her inner parts tingled. Fire danced at the base of her spine as the room grew hotter. She met Brent’s gaze, finding the normally bright blue orbs had turned as dark as the night sky, with flecks of light blue glowing in the depths. Arousal was so swift it stole her breath. She could feel him pulling the control of the situation away from her, but Carissa refused to let that happen.

“First of all, I’d get you to take off your clothes,” she whispered. She wanted him to strain to hear her. Before he could respond she continued. “I’d have you take a long, hot bath to relax those sore, overworked muscles, and get you to forget all about the pub and The Snake. Then I’d get in with you, wash your back, your front and
everything
, and then I’d help you dry off.”

She paused, letting the silence draw out between them as she ate. The tension stretched until it became unbearable even for her. She felt the weight of his gaze on her. He wasn’t eating; he was just staring at her. Without even meeting his gaze, she knew she’d find expectation on his face. She had him.

“And?”

“I’d lead you to my bedroom and have you lie face down on my bed.” She stopped and allowed his mind to fill with fantasies. He gripped his fork and knife so tightly that his knuckles had become white. The tension between them increased until it was a taut line that felt like it could snap at any minute.

“Once you had relaxed on my bed, I’d blindfold you and then I’d begin to massage your back.
Just
your back at first.” She finished off her steak and then put the side plate with the baked potato on top of her steak dish. She dug into the potato with relish.

“And?” he asked, putting down his utensils.

Carissa felt a devilish thrill add to her desire as her arousal increased. “Well, you’ll just have to finish your food and get in that tub won’t you? But I’ll promise you one thing. We won’t have sex, not yet anyway.”

Brent pouted. “Why not?”

She shook her head. “This isn’t the third date.” She giggled at his outraged expression. “Besides, that’s not what you need. You’re feeling out of your element, not yourself. I can see how tired you are. As much as I’d love to sleep with you, that wouldn’t help either of us. Anyway, you’re my guinea pig, remember?”

He mumbled something under his breath, a small sound of disappointment. Then he said, “Fine. It’s true, I’m still not myself.” He sighed and went back to his food, finishing off his steak and potatoes in record time. “I’ll help you clean up,” he offered.

She shook her head. “Tonight is about you. Strip and get in that tub, mister, or you’ll get a spanking.”

His eyes sparkled with mirth. “I’d rather be the one doling out the spankings.”

At those words, a fever spread through Carissa’s buttocks as her sex clenched and her panties dampened. “Well, I haven’t been bad enough for that. Besides, what if I’m not into spankings?”

Brent’s gaze took her in from head to toe. “Oh, I know you are and I’m pretty sure we like a lot of the same things.” He gave her a wink as he stood up and stripped off his shirt, letting it fall to the floor. He strode off, shedding clothing as he went. Next to go were his shoes, then his socks, and then his belt. The harsh tearing sound of his zipper coming down split the air. The sound sent a jolt of electricity through Carissa. He had his back to her, but her mind supplied the image that was blocked from her view and she licked her lips. A thin strip of midnight curls would be visible between the silver teeth of the opening. The ruddy head of his cock would peek out, with a bead of desire already at the slit.

She watched as his thumbs hooked into the waistband of his jeans. He pushed down a little, showing off even more golden, tanned skin. Not a line to be seen. It confirmed her idea that he She in the nude. She thought about all that glorious flesh exposed to the kiss of the sun.

She could picture them on a secluded beach, her exploring his body with her hands and mouth, his hand tucked behind his head. She pulled herself out of the daydream to focus on the present. Brent shoved down his jeans to expose only his boxers.

She giggled at the little smiley faces that looked back at her as he walked away. She shook her head, gathered up the plates, and headed for the sink. Arousal simmered in her veins, heating her body and clouding her thoughts. All she could think of was Brent in her bathtub, lounging against the side, bubbles and water sluicing over his chest, his brown nipples already tightened into tempting nubs. His inky black hair, tipped with blue, would be slicked back as he relaxed. His dark lashes would form a fan on his cheeks as his eyes closed and the stress of the day drained from his face.

She hurried through the dishes and headed into the bedroom to make sure everything was ready. Then she joined him in the bathroom. He was just as she’d imagined. One arm rested in the water and the other was settled on the rim of the tub. Water dripped down on her floor in slow droplets. He didn’t even stir when she entered.

She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. He looked so perfect there in her tub. All she wanted was to join him. Her skin tingled and prickled with the urge to touch him, to feel his limbs slide against hers under the water. Carissa reminded herself of their earlier banter, of his compliments and desire for her. But she was nervous. She stood for a moment, not quite able to bring herself to undress.

Like a Band-aid, she told herself, just strip. She undressed quickly and stepped into the tub before she had a chance to change her mind. She settled across from him, with her knees up to her chest. To her relief, the water was still warm. She was worried it might have become tepid while they’d been eating.

Carissa studied Brent. He was so relaxed, so at ease. Without opening his eyes, he held out his hand. For a moment, she studied the large palm. Veins stood out blue against the flesh. The fingers looked rough, calloused. She accepted his hand and stretched out first one leg and then another, rubbing them along his skin. The silken glide of water against her flesh added to the sensation of his slightly furred legs. He was almost smooth, but not quite.

Curiosity pinged about her brain. She wanted to know more about water dragons, more about him. “Tell me more about your people, about water dragons, please.”

She picked up a loofah, squeezed in some shower gel and picked up one of his feet. She started to run the rough sponge over the sole.

Brent lifted his head and opened his eyes. “Honey, you don’t have to—”

She stopped him. “I want to. So, tell me more about dragons.”

He laid his head back against the edge of the tub. He let out a soft sigh and closed his eyes as she began to massage his calves.

“We live up in the Dragon Smoke Mountains. It’s the largest colony of dragons in the US. There are all sorts, some you’ve never heard of. There are metal, earth, chaos, fire, fairy—the list goes on and on and we live throughout the mountains, spread out to give each other space. It’s quite peaceful, except when the chaos dragons lose their minds.” He chuckled.

She tried to picture a lot of werewolf packs living in the same area, but found she couldn’t. “Werewolves can’t do that,” she said. “There’d be so many fights for dominance, it would be insane. And all the unmated females would be fighting practically every night to keep the alphas or unmated males away. There’s supposed to be a new pack in Shadow Bay. I haven’t met anyone from it yet.”

He shook his head. “Dragons have to meet each other to establish whether they are going to be friends or foes…or just trouble for one another. We have so few places to live, and with the advent of satellites, there are very few places left to hide.”

Carissa switched to Brent’s other leg. “It’s the same for the wolves. And with the deforestation, the packs don’t know where else to go. As the forests are developed, it’s making it difficult for us to settle anywhere.”

She shifted to her knees and moved the loofah up his thigh. He spread his legs. “This feels good. I never figured I’d enjoy someone else taking care of me.” His lips curled into a small smile.

“Just wait until the massage. Now tell me more.” Carissa focused on rubbing the tension out of the muscles. She could feel his energy coming down but there was still a sliver of tension that had nothing to do with sex.

“What do you want to know? And when do I get to help
you
relax?” He opened his eyes with a wolfish smile on his lips.

“When I say so. Now…” She slapped his thigh. “Tell me about your childhood. Were you happy?” Other people’s ways of growing up always fascinated her.

“Yeah, it was great. I could run around like a little maniac. I took to water like a fish. As a dragon, you learn early how to control your element. Although, I’m not that adept at all the water magick that some dragons have—not yet anyway. I’m still young by dragon standards so I still have a ways to go. But I can do this.” He lifted a hand and showed her his fingers, which suddenly had webbing between the digits. His nails had grown into points and become blue. She reached out and took his hand, mindful of the talons.