Dragon Ugly (Dragon New Year) (7 page)

Cari wanted to give his hand a squeeze but she didn’t make a move. She wasn’t sure how he’d take the attention, so she kept her hands to herself. Instead, she decided to suggest something a bit easier for him to handle. “How about we take our dinners
and
desserts to go. Would that help?”

Conflict feathered across his face; his lips thinned and a crimson flush filled his cheeks. The fact that she was so in tune with his emotions should have scared her, and yet it didn’t. He drew in a deep breath and let out a soft sigh. “That would help…but I don’t want to kick you guys out of your table. You’re behaving; they’re…not.”

She looked at her friends who nodded in agreement. “Okay, we’ll order our dinners and desserts to go and take our check at the front. How’s that?”

Brent gave her a slow nod. “Okay, I’ll meet you guys up front in fifteen minutes.” He sped off, making Carissa wonder if she’d ever get to see him again after this. Or if she would still want to once the alcoholic relaxation wore off.

With a sigh she finished off her water and gathered up her purse.

“Well, I will say this,” said Anna, “it was a nice dinner. We should do this again, preferably during a calmer time. Say, the dead of winter when no tourist in their right mind would come here?”

Carissa gave her a small smile. But would Brent still be here then? She didn’t ask that question aloud. Jez and Anna would never let her hear the end of it. They got to the front and settled down on the bench, reserved for people waiting for takeout. They were the only ones there.

By the time Brent came up to the front with their orders, they were all anxious to go. He gave Carissa a smile as he handed her the bags. He leaned forward, bringing his face just a hair’s breadth away from hers. “There’s a surprise in your bag. Talk to you later, honey.” He strode away before she could respond.

In his wake, Carissa’s lips tingled and her skin heated, her pulse ticking upward. The air thinned around her as she struggled to get into some semblance of calm but she felt flustered and off kilter.

“I’m almost disappointed I didn’t get a prize in my Happy Meal too,” Jez teased. “Better be a good one.” And then they were off.

It was nearly midnight by the time Carissa got behind the wheel of her car. She called on a bit of energy from her wolfen counterpart to overcome her exhaustion, backed out of the space, and headed out of the parking lot. There were still a lot of cars out on the road, even at this time of night. Parties seemed to be everywhere. The downtown area was lit up like it was Christmas. Even now, she could tell that tomorrow at Scentify would be chaos—that was, assuming there was anyone alert enough to shop by tomorrow.

As she turned down her street she could see that at least here, her neighbors were asleep. Windows were dark, and the night time critters were out, scouring the neatly mowed lawns for any food. She had to brake to avoid a cat darting across the street. Its lamplight-green eyes glowed in the headlights as it stared at her car, almost as if to say, “How dare you attempt to hit me?”

Carissa could only roll her eyes and wait, while her wolf wanted to chase the cat and play with it. She shushed the canine and tapped the steering wheel as the cat took its sweet time hauling its ass over to the opposite sidewalk.

“Why’d we do that? Road kill kitty tastes really good. A bit oily though
,
”
the wolf said.

Carissa’s stomach bubbled as bile started the climb up her throat. She almost threw up at the suggestion. She didn’t want to consider what she did when in wolf form. The memories were always vague and blurry, for which she was thankful.

A sense of safety and comfort filled her as she arrived home. It may have been a rental, but it was still her space. She grabbed her purse and food bags, got out of the car and glanced up at the sky. It was a week until the full moon. Already the silvery crescent’s pull was starting to tug at her body. She could feel its magic shiver along her bones as her senses became keener. The bushes rustled. On alert, she wheeled around and inhaled deeply. The earthy perfume of a mouse rushed up her nostrils.
“Small pickings
,
”
her wolf told her.

Shaking loose the need to hunt, she headed up the stone walkway. The clicking of her heels echoed out into the night and an owl hooted overhead. Then in a flurry of wings and squeaking, the mouse was carried off. Carissa didn’t pay it any mind. That was the nature of life.

She unlocked the door and stepped into her home. The scents of peach, cinnamon and vanilla greeted her. She hung up her keys on a hook near the coat rack and placed her purse on one of the spokes before making her way toward the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she’d skipped dinner, despite the filling appetizers and salad she’d had.

Carissa grabbed a bottle of red wine and poured herself a glass as she looked through her food bag. At the bottom of the dessert package, she smiled as she spotted a small piece of paper. Unfolding it, she saw it was Brent’s phone number and email address. She flipped it over to read,
Call me after 1:00 if you’re still awake. I have the perfect way of helping you get to sleep.
She laughed and shook her head. She doubted that she’d need it just yet, but went to her purse, grabbed her cell phone, and saved his number.

She went into her bathroom and started the water, pouring in some sage, citrus, and mint bath salts, and then went back to the kitchen to get her food. Settling down at the table, she flipped on the TV and watched the late night news as she tucked into her meal. Her thoughts traveled to Brent and she wondered if he was off work yet. A look over at the clock on the microwave said no. She got up and went back to the bathroom to turn off the faucet before returning to her meal. Cari decided to save her dessert for tomorrow and went off to her bathroom, where she undressed and got into the tub. The water had cooled enough to be the perfect temperature: hot enough but not so hot to it would burn her skin.

With a sigh she closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the tub.

Brent.

A spark started in her gut as her stomach muscles tightened and liquid filled her pussy. Rather than push it away, she decided to see what would happen if she indulged it. What would it be like to fantasize about a man who actually wanted her for a change? Her blood began to simmer. She blew out a breath and allowed her muscles to become liquid. Arousal took center stage. Water lapped softly against her chin and warm currents and eddies brushed against her legs and arms, gliding like silk against her flesh. It reminded her of the feather-soft touch of a lover. Sky blue eyes gazed down at her, darkening in the center as desire flared in their depths. She trailed her fingertips along the outside of her arm, imagining it was Brent touching her. His fingers brushed against her collarbone, raising shivers and threads of desire.

Fantasy Brent guided her hand down the slope of her breasts to circle her pierced nipples. The edge of his fingers brushed against first one barbell, then the other, pinging the metal and sending lines of electricity straight to her core. Her stomach muscles bunched and relaxed as her arousal increased. The circle continued to trace around the areola, becoming smaller and smaller, skipping over the metal bar until her fingernail brushed against the tightened tip of her nipple.

Her thighs rubbed against each other as her skin tingled, becoming more sensitive to sensation. She felt the slosh of the water all the more keenly. The warmth of the bath helped to increase her desire, and she took her nipple between her thumb and forefinger and gave it a pinch, setting off sparks of lightning that shot to her womb. Her clit throbbed and plumped as it filled with blood.

She moaned as she squeezed the hardened peak again, then rolled the barbell between her fingers, setting off delicious shivers of fire through her body. Her back arced and she bit her lip, but she couldn’t hold back small whimpers, which echoed back at her from the walls of the bathroom.

Carissa moved her hand down to between her legs, teasing her thickened petals with soft touches, brushing her fingertip over the protruding nub. Fire flared through her groin as her vaginal walls fluttered. An aching deep inside of her made her muscles tense and relax. Her heartbeat sped up and her breath came out in huffs. Sweat beads bathed her face, trailing down her temple as her head shook back and forth.

Carissa tugged and rolled the nipple piercing, while her other hand spread her wet labia. She dipped her finger between her folds and worked over her clit, first with gentle brushes and then with pinches and circles. The shards grew large and larger with each roll and tug, until her nipple became too sensitive for further ministrations. She switched to the other tip and shuddered as her toes curled. Her finger increased its speed on the bundle of nerves. The pressure built as cracks began to break open inside of her.

Sweat drenched her face now as her teeth sunk into her lip. That small burst of pain only added to her pleasure, as her finger worked faster, keeping her just at the edge of completion. She needed something more. Blindly, she stopped teasing her nipple and reached out, patting around until she found the top of the wicker basket she kept near the tub. Lifting its lid, she opened her eyes and turned her head, searching for that one thing that would help push her over the edge. Her hands found the smooth casing of her favorite waterproof vibrator.

She closed her fingers around it, spread her legs wider and pressed the dildo against her opening. Just the feel of the wide, smooth head against her vaginal entrance sent a thrill along her spine. She rocked the sex toy against the skin, allowing it to make its way inside of her slowly, teasing herself. As it sunk inside, the tissues stretched to accommodate its girth. Her pleasure ramped up, coiling tightly within her. Webs of desire wrapped her body as she twisted and slid the barbell in her nipple. Gasps and shudders caused the water to lap against her body. The currents under the water beat against her unattended nipple.

Carissa pushed the vibrator deeper inside her pussy, in and out, over and over again, rubbing against the delicate muscles. Her vagina squeezed around the hard casing, pulling it further inside. She cried Brent’s name as the fire inside of her increased, incinerating her. All thought was burned away. Only one impulse remained—to reach the peak. The image of Brent’s face became clearer in her mind. She could smell him on the air, that unique male musk and watery essence. She wanted to taste his lips, feel the solidity of his body against hers. She wanted to rub her nipples against his chest, feel his cock sliding in and out of her vagina. She wanted to know the strong grip of his hands on her wrists, holding them down while he took control of her pleasure.

In a flash, she knew that he would slow the pace, tease out each moan and cry from her until she could stand it no more and she begged for him to fuck her hard and fast. She followed her instincts, matching the speed she knew he would use, until she felt the retreat of her orgasm. She gritted her teeth in delicious frustration as she felt the ghost of Brent’s presence in the room, dictating her actions. The cooling water against her body made for beautiful contrast. She was able to regain some of her composure. She took a moment to catch her breath, and steady the rhythm of her heart. She shuddered as she took in the sensations sliding through her body: the fullness in her pussy; the tightness, so close to pain throbbing her clit and nipples; the pulse of her blood in her veins; the eager scratching of her wolf, deep inside her. Her skin felt stretched and too tight, as if it were too fragile to contain such huge feelings. Her brain was a static weight, with no thought whatsoever, completely obscured by the veil of her passion.

Once she was sure that her orgasm had all but faded she started the process again, this time concentrating on her clit and vagina. Pulling the vibrator out until it had almost left her body completely, she batted water against her sensitive clitoris, letting the gentle waves stimulate the throbbing bundle of nerves. Then she thrust the dildo inside of her again. Arousal began to build again as she continued to fan her clit with the water and fuck herself with the vibrator.

Brent’s name became a prayer on her lips, pushing her on, until the pressure within became too much for her to hold. Her climax slammed into her in one clear break, shattering her body, setting off multicolored fireworks behind her eyelids. Everything inside of her felt broken, melted, fractured by the wave of pleasure. Every bit of air she sucked into her body hurt as her heart pounded like a drum against her ribcage.

It took awhile to get her bearings. The vibrations from the dildo sent cracks through her body, setting off pleasurable and painful quakes. With a weak grip she slid the vibrator out of her vagina and put it on the floor. The water was now lukewarm. Goose bumps rose on her exposed skin. She slid into a sitting position. Her stomach roiled for a few seconds before it settled.

She let out a yawn. With languid movements, she unplugged the stopper and stood up. For a moment she swayed on her feet as the world tilted on its axis. Carissa reached out and placed a palm on the wall to balance herself. She reached deep inside for her wolf’s help and a bit of extra strength. The animal conceded, opening the connection between them. Strength saturated her muscles and bones, bolstering her until she felt strong enough to stand.

She didn’t even have the vigor to think about what she’d done. Later, she told herself. Her wolf snorted in disbelief but didn’t push her in any direction. Carissa collapsed on her bed, without bothering to pull the sheets and covers up over her. She fell asleep with a small, sleepy smile on her face. All because of Brent.

Chapter Seven

Brent’s hands shook on the steering wheel as he wound through the streets at night. Even at half past midnight, there were still parties and revelers in the streets. It was Beltane, but it felt like New Year’s.

A sudden shudder quaked through his body and he blew out a breath. His heart tripped before kicking into overdrive. He pulled over to the side of the road as dizziness pulled at his brain, skewering his thoughts. It took a lot of strength just to swallow. A tap on his window grabbed his attention. He tapped around the arm rest, unable to control his fingers properly. When he found the button, he barely had enough energy just to push and hold it down.