Royal Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 1) (13 page)

“I don’t do quick. I do long and hard. Did you say good…?” He gave her a half smile. Lingering this time.
Hello gorgeous, where have you been all my life
? She didn’t just think that, did she? He didn’t just say that did he? Julie swallowed hard.

His eyes narrowed and his voice deepened. Her nipples may or may not have tightened. “It will be better than you’ve ever had before and you will sleep with me afterwards. In my arms.”

Yes!

No!

What the hell
? “I d-don’t think so.” It was halfhearted and stuttery.

“I don’t just think so”—he took a step towards her— “I know so.”

“You said you wouldn’t force me,” Julie blurted. She needed for him to give her space. Needed this line of conversation to stop before she did something stupid like agree to having sex with him.

Just like that, she watched him shut down. His eyes clouded and his neck muscles popped. His mouth pursed and a muscle ticked in his jaw. She almost apologized but pursed her lips instead. She didn’t owe him anything, least of all an apology.

****

“Go inside.” He worked hard to keep from growling.

What was he going to do with this female? Why hadn’t he just taken one of the others? One of the more agreeable females. Julie had decided that dragon shifters were without honor even though he had explained things to her. She seemed to understand, yet she had no clue.

One minute it felt like she trusted him and not at all the next. Hot and cold. She ran at both temperatures and it was giving him a headache. If he could get one, he would have one. As it stood, he almost had a headache and for a shifter, that was saying something.

One second she looked at him like a female did a male and the next it was down her nose. Like he was something the mountain lion dragged in.

Coal was used to taking what he coveted but in this case, he needed to back off. It was the last thing he wanted but he would need to force himself. It wasn’t that he felt anything for the human besides a passing interest. She should be thankful not willful.
Insolent human
. As much as he wanted to throw her out, he had been given a task to do and it would eat at him until he achieved it.

The door behind them closed with a click. He tried to look at his chamber through her eyes. It was big and facing one of the best views of the valley. His bed was enormous, the ceiling high. Even his tub was in his main living area. He enjoyed looking out across the vast mountains of the fire kingdom while bathing. There was a bathroom to the side with all the amenities, including a shower but he rarely used it. There was a cooking area on the opposite side. It was well appointed. They lived in the wild but enjoyed some measure of civility.

They might be a private species but they still enjoyed the luxuries of running water and electricity. The second, generated by the nearby waterfall.

Julie remained frozen in place, her gaze fixed on the large window that made up the whole front of his chamber. It was one-way glass.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” He allowed his eyes to trace the peaks and valleys, the greens, browns and whites of the countryside. The sky was a perfect blue with wisps of clouds, streaked across a small section of the vast skyline.

“Yes.” She breathed out the word.

“You should see it during an electrical storm. The stars at night are enough to bring tears to your eyes as well.”

“I’ve never seen anything quite like it.” Her eyes were wide. “It almost feels like we’re on top of the world.” Each word was soft spoken and filled with awe.

“Shall I run you a bath?” he offered. “The view is better from in there.”

“Um…” Her heartrate increased dramatically. “No!” She shook her head. “Is there a more private tub that I could use… please.” He could scent her… not fear… more like nervousness.

What was she nervous about? Was she ashamed of her naked body?

Maybe she needed prompting. “I would not mind if you were to disrobe.”

“Okay.” She didn’t sound too sure. She looked at him like he wasn’t in complete command of his faculties. “That’s good to know. I would still prefer privacy. A door that locks would be fantastic.”

There must be something wrong with her body. Were humans so different to dragon shifters? He didn’t think so. They might be smaller on average but they were the same in the ways that mattered. Weren’t they? Maybe she was afraid that he would find her lacking or unattractive.

Coal swallowed hard. “Through there.” He needed to back off. “It doesn’t lock but I won’t disturb you.” What if he did find her unattractive?

She frowned. It was clear that she didn’t like that the door didn’t lock. She really did think the worst of him. “Do they have any more of these dresses?” She asked. “I also had a toiletry bag.”

A toiletry what?
“There are some things…” he looked back at the door. A bag had been placed just inside his chamber. Coal picked it up. “Everything you might need will be in here. Let me know what else you need and I will make sure that you get it.”

Julie took the bag from him. “Thanks.” She put it down and went to her haunches. She rummaged through the bag before taking out a pair of pants and a shirt. Then she rummaged some more. She looked up at him, a frown on her face. “I don’t see any underwear. The sizes are all over the place and bigger than I would normally wear. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining… clothes are clothes.”

“I’m sorry about the underwear. We don’t wear any. It was an oversight. I will take down your sizes and requirements and will get you what you need as soon as possible.”

She nodded. “I’m not the smallest.” She mumbled. “No bra… fun.” He wasn’t sure what she was unhappy about. Julie removed a smaller case from the bag. “Would you mind lighting a fire.” She pointed to the hearth. “It’s cold in here.” She rubbed her upper arms.

He needed to try and remember that she was different. Humans didn’t have their capabilities.

“Also”—she turned just before entering the bathroom—”you might want to make yourself a bed on the floor.” Julie disappeared behind the door before he could reply.

A bed on the floor? Him, the fire prince, sleep on the floor? This female was delusional. Coal would back off on a lot of things but they would be sleeping together. This was not negotiable. If she was adamant about it, it would be her on the floor, not him.

He walked towards the window. If she wasn’t going to use the tub, then he would. Coal turned the taps on and watched warm water fill the space. He threw in a scoopful of salt and herbs. Then he stripped from his pants and got in. Coal sprawled out in the still filling tub, feeling the stresses from the last few days leave him.

This was one of his favorite things to do.

He closed his eyes and let his worries take wing. His peace didn’t last as his mind began to wander. His brother would summon him tomorrow. What the hell was he going to say? That the female didn’t trust him, that she didn’t seem to like him much? Tension crept back. His neck muscles tightened up. He would worry about it tomorrow.

One thing was for sure, he would win the female. He would. Of that there was no question. He was a warrior and of gold descent. He would remove all pressures on her for the time being. Allow her to settle and then he would aggressively go after her. Coal let his head fall back. He forced his mind to clear.

Ten minutes later, the door to the bathroom opened. Her scent hit him. Citrus yet floral, a hot summer’s night indeed. She had a delectable smell. It made his mouth water for a taste. It was something, at least.

Coal dipped his hands into the water and splashed his face. He allowed his head to dip under the water for a few seconds before coming back up.

“Oh.” He heard her say as his head broke the surface of the water. It sounded like she let the word slip.

Coal glanced back. Steam billowed from the room behind her. Her long dark hair was wet. It hung in tendrils around her shoulders. She wore baggy pants and a shirt. A light pink shirt and an open sweater.

By all that was scaly and green and clawed. By all that smoked and flamed. Pink was a good color on her. He felt his mouth gape. Her nipples dug into the thin material. He could make out the plump outline of her breasts. His mouth felt dry and his eyes overly large in his skull.
Hell!

He made a soft growling noise. No pressure! No staring. He lifted his eyes to her face. It was smooth and fresh. Her cheeks flushed. Her eyes… smoldering. So dark and lovely. Who knew that beneath all of that dirt and grime was such beauty. Her clothing was loose, except for around her breasts. There was no hiding them. No hiding those lush beauties.

She crossed her arms and tilted her head upwards. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like how?” His voice was husky. It couldn’t be helped. She was very different to dragon shifter females. Hugely different. Tiny yet curved in all the right places. She was plain until you really looked. Then you couldn’t stop looking.

“You know how. You’re looking at me… well… like that.” She wrapped her arms tighter, trying to cover up. A shame!

Why was she so skittish? She was ravishing. She should be naked. She should be underneath him, or in front of him or on top of him. Any position would do as long as he was inside of her.

Coal clenched his jaw. Then he remembered her saying that it was cold. That explained the need to cover herself.

“I’m looking at you like a male would look at a female, one he finds highly attractive. There is no sin in that.” Coal rose to his feet and stepped from the tub. “I believe you asked me to light a fire. I’ll do that now; you do not look comfortable.” He turned and reached for a towel.

Julie made a squeaking noise. His gaze snapped to hers which was fixed on his cock.

“Oh my dear god.” She sounded shocked. “It’s even bigger than I thought. Damn. Just damn. You aren’t ever touching me with that thing… just for the record.”

“Here we go again,” he said, mostly to himself. “I am aroused by you. This is what happens to dragon shifters when they are aroused.” He gestured to his erect cock. It jutted from between his legs.

“You could poke someone’s eye out or… how do you not fall over? How is there enough blood left in your body? Do you feel faint?”

Coal felt his brow draw together. “I’m not sure I know what you mean. I feel fine and I can stand just fine.”

She turned, giving him her back and she covered her eyes. “Maybe you should get dressed.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he growled. “Turn around.”

“No.”

“Do it,” he said. “Is there something wrong with the way I look? Am I so hideous to you? So different from a human male that you have to turn away?” The idea stung. It made him feel turbulent inside.

“That’s not it.” She turned back around. “You’re not hideous. You’re just really big…everywhere.”

“So you keep saying.” Coal ran the towel over his body. Julie followed the motion with her eyes. Up and down and then up again. Her gaze was… heated. There was interest there, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
Hah!
The female found him attractive. That’s why she didn’t want to look. He had to suppress a grin. Warmth glowed inside his chest.

“Put on some clothes already.” She practically growled. He had to bite his lip to keep from smiling. She found him very attractive.

“Why?” He shrugged. “You have already seen me naked. This is how I look. I’m not ashamed. My cock is perfectly normal. You would need medical help, female, but not in the way that you think. You would need it to turn your eyeballs the right way around and to repair your damaged throat. Rutting me would be that good.” He tossed the towel over the back of a chair and made his way to the fireplace where he threw in a few logs.

Once he had a pile of the things, he sought his inner flames and brought them forth. Heat and power filled him.

“What the hell?” The human shrieked, she sounded terrified.

What now? They may as well be fire and ice, they were that different. Maybe she was right about them not being compatible. He hoped not.

One second she’d been admiring his beefy ass. No, drooling over it. Tall, muscled with narrow hips and then that ass. It was made for holding. For squeezing. For ogling.

Head out of the damn gutter, Julie.

He tossed another piece of wood onto the fire and rubbed his hands together and then leaned forward. Julie had to stop herself from moaning. What a vision of pure masculinity. What a…

Flames erupted from somewhere around his face. No, not his face, his mouth. They had to be coming from his mouth. They were long and bright. The logs in the hearth instantly sprang to life.

“What the hell?” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh my god,” she added. Then she choked out a laugh, sounding shocked.

Coal turned, looking angry.

“That was so hot,” she blurted without thinking. His back end was fine, from the front he was damn near off the charts. He was still a savage though. A caveman, barbarian shifter. He had a sweet side but he wasn’t nice. There was not a nice bone in his body. Bone… she had to suppress a laugh. Even that part of his anatomy was well put together.

His frown deepened. “Of course it was hot. I breathed fire. You are a strange female.” He shook his head and walked towards her. She couldn’t help but to notice how his gaze moved back to her chest.

Julie could almost see his jaw slacken and his pupils dilate. Men had always gone gaga over her boobs. Her ass may be on the big side and her looks pretty average but her breasts were great. She could totally win wet t-shirt contests with these babies.

His jaw worked. His eyes seemed to darken. Then he looked up at her face. Julie expected the heat that had flared to dim but the opposite was true. His gaze grew even more intense. His cock gave a twitch.

An honest to goodness twitch. Like it had a life of it’s own.

Oh shit! A feeling of need zinged through her. It emanated from between her legs. It was pretty intense. She wanted him. She couldn’t have him though. Not without serious pain meds first. She also didn’t want him to get any ideas, like ideas of her staying here because it wasn’t happening.

“Are you sure you want me to cover up?” He threw her a cocky grin.

Julie couldn’t help but return it. “Yes, very sure.”
No, please don’t!
Give a horny lady a break.

His grin widened like he’d heard her internal dialogue. Coal stopped as he drew nearer to her. His grin disappeared and his angry looking frown was back. He narrowed his eyes in thought and sniffed. His nostrils flared and he sniffed a second time.

Then he took a step closer to her, and another, and another. Coal closed the space between them, moving into her personal space. His nostrils flared again but he didn’t make a sound. She could still tell that he was smelling her. “You are heavily aroused.” His voice was deep.

Even though his words shocked her, it didn’t do anything to douse the need that coursed through her. His close proximity only made things worse. She could smell him. A unique smoky scent – go figure – with maybe a rosemary and sandalwood undertone. He smelled good. Really good.

He wasn’t her type. He wasn’t her type
. She normally went for the nerdy guys. The ones who did really well in school because they were overachievers. They rarely let her down. They made sure they got to the finish line at any cost. It wasn’t normally through straight sex but who the hell cared, an orgasm was an orgasm right?

Right now, Julie wished she’d had one in recent months… a nerdy guy that was, even a lousy orgasm all on her own, for that matter. She’d been too busy working double shifts and trying to keep a roof over her head to worry about her body’s basic needs.

Well, her body had decided it wanted to be paid back, with interest. She shrugged. “You’re naked and I’m…” May as well be honest. “I’m attracted to you.”

What would she say if he hinted at sex?

“I think we should rut?” His eyes were locked on hers.

Talk about straight down the line.
Oh hell!
Her body screamed yes, over and over and noisily. He sniffed again, his eyes fluttered closed and he groaned. A soft rumble escaped him. It caused another hard tug of need to accost her. The tug seemed to pull on all of her erogenous zones and all at once.

“We really should rut.” He opened his eyes, staring deeply into hers.

She swallowed. Self preservation kicked in. “Not a good idea. I don’t want to be torn apart.”

His face clouded and his eyes narrowed. “How many times do I have to explain that we are compatible? We would be great together. It would be amazing. Let me show you.” He put his hand on her hip and eased her closer, to the point where they were almost touching.

“No. We’d better not.” It was more than just his physique. She didn’t need the complication.

“That’s a pity,” he growled. “Take off your pants and go and lie on the bed.”

“I said no sex.”

Coal squeezed her hip. His hand felt warm. “I won you. As your protector, I need to ensure that all of your needs are met. All of them, Julie. Right now, you need me to touch and lick you until you come. I may need to ease you more than once.”

Touch.

Lick.

Come.

Yes, please.
More than once. Count me in. “Um… I’m good,” she squeaked.

“No, you aren’t. I can scent it. Don’t fight me on this. No sex, you don’t have to touch me in return either. This would be about you.”

Yes, please
.

Wait just a minute. She shook her head. “I don’t understand. I mean, why? What’s in it for you?”

“What’s in it for me?” He frowned. “I get to have the enjoyment of making you come. Of hearing your soft moans. Of feeling you tighten around my tongue as you come on my mouth.”

Holy hell!

“I get to taste you. You have a very intriguing scent.”

She did? Oh god. Julie needed to tell him no. The words died in her throat. The dragons had kidnapped her. Coal was going to make her stay here, a prisoner really, for the next few weeks. In that time, he needed to take care of her and if that included plenty of orgasms at the end of his tongue, she was game. How could she say no to that?

She was attracted to him in a big way. So what was the big deal?

No sex and no sleeping together and they were golden.

“Okay.” She blurted before she could change her mind. The sexual tension between them was ridiculous. Only one way to solve it.

“Okay?” He sounded shocked. “You agree?”

“Yes.” She smiled even though her heart beat faster. She never discussed sex, oral or otherwise, in so much detail before actually doing it.

He grinned. “I’m glad we finally agree on something. I’m going to get dressed first.”

Julie had to laugh. “You’re seriously going to dress to make me come, yet will happily walk around naked for no reason?”

He turned serious. “You don’t want us to rut so I will put pants on to ensure that it doesn’t happen. I plan on honoring your wishes.”

“Sure thing.” She wasn’t worried about him taking advantage of her, despite her earlier remarks, she felt comfortable with him.

“Take off your pants and lie down on the bed.” He glanced at her sweats.

“Um… okay.” Julie watched as he walked towards a closet. He took out a pair of the same cotton pants. As he began putting them on, she walked to the bed and laid down. She grabbed the elastic on the sweats she was wearing but couldn’t take them off. This was all just a bit clinical for her.

The bed dipped as Coal kneeled next to her. “What are you waiting for?” His eyes were locked with hers. “Take them off.” He wore a pair of white pants this time. They highlighted his bronzed skin. Yummy! They rode low on his hips. His erection was still in full force and he had that whole V-thing going on.

Nerves got the better of her. Julie swallowed thickly and licked her lips. “I can’t.” She sighed.

“Why not?” he looked disappointed.

“I’m used to making out first and dry humping a little before the action starts.”

“What is dry humping?” His quizzical look was hilarious. Julie had to laugh. Coal didn’t look impressed. “Don’t laugh at me. Tell me what you want and how you want it. I want to please you.”

That had her mouth snapping shut and her blood racing. He was serious. One hundred percent serious. Julie nodded. “Good to know.” She managed to squeeze past the lump in her throat.

“Kiss me, touch me a little first.”

Oh wow! His features tightened. Like the thought of doing those things turned him on. Okay, by the huge tent in his pants she could see that it did.

Coal nodded. “It would be my pleasure. Don’t hesitate to tell me what you need.” There was a growly edge to his voice that only helped to fan the flames inside her.

“Okay.” Thank you, god. Thank you so very much.

His mouth closed over hers. He used one of his arms to hold himself over her while keeping the lower end of his body away. He grabbed her around the thigh with the other hand and pulled her leg over his hip.

He didn’t waste any time. His tongue plundered her mouth. Coal didn’t take prisoners. He left her breathless and panting almost from the start.

He broke the kiss almost immediately. “Can I touch you…anywhere?” His eyes were lighter, brighter. There were golden flecks in their depths. Mesmerizing, so beautiful. Oh, he had spoken to her. What had he said?
Touching.
“Yes, please.” She murmured looking at his full lips. So inviting.

She kissed him this time, nipping on his plump bottom lip before sucking on it.

Coal moaned. He liked that. She nipped him again, this time his top lip.

“Female,” a rough rasp. “Stop that. I can’t rut you so you should not be initiating sex.”

Her eyes widened. Coal looked angry. He was frowning deeply. Then he gave her a panty melting half smile. “We bite and nip at each other to initiate sex, as a part of foreplay. Teeth on skin is highly arousing to us. I will warn you this once. Bite me again and all bets are off.”

“No biting.” Her chest heaved with each breath. The air suddenly felt thin. “Got it.”

His smile widened before he turned serious, his gaze moving back to her mouth and then her throat. “Let me show you,” he growled.

He nuzzled into her neck and nipped at her flesh. Somewhere below her ear. A zing of need pulsed in her and she moaned. He kissed her on the same spot before nipping at her again. Then he licked down to the base of her neck and nipped at her there.

Her toes curled. She felt herself go from slick to completely wet in an instant. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried not to cry out.

“I’m going to touch you now.” Coal’s voice rumbled through her, his lips still on her skin. His hand squeezed her ass and he made a purring noise. “Your flesh is soft.”

“Hey.” She slapped at his hand. “That’s not very nice.” Soft? Really? Was this his way of telling her she was overweight?

He must have felt her tense because he pulled away. “You are soft compared to our females. It was meant as a compliment. You feel really good. I like soft…” he gave her ass another squeeze. “Soft is my new favorite.”

Was he just saying that to make her feel better?

He still looked really turned on. His face had that pinched look. His eyes were filled with lust.

Coal curled his hand over her breast, his nostrils flared and his eyes brightened. He growled softly, his lip curled back slightly to reveal a flash of teeth. It was wild and animalistic; it was also a turn on. What was wrong with her? Since when was barbaric a turn on?

He gave another squeeze, rubbing a thumb over her nipple which was hard enough to crack glass. Who knew that boobs were attached to other areas because her clit short circuited from his light touch. Her back bowed when he gave the nub a light pinch.

Wow!

By now she was panting. Coal observed her. His dark eyes narrowed. His jaw tight. “You are receptive. I love that in a female.”

Receptive.

“I will make you come easily.” Is that what he meant? No, he was wrong. She didn’t come easily. Maybe with oral stimulation but not sex. Not that they were having any, so it didn’t matter. As he spoke, his hand drifted down her tummy and passed the elastic of her pants where he stopped moving.

Coal licked his lips. His mouth was a thing of beauty. That bottom lip was made for sucking and nipping. She needed to remember not to do it though. No biting. It was strange. She’d never wanted to bite another human being, yet with Coal it was all she could think about, aside from orgasming and maybe having full blown sex.
Not happening, Julie
. No sex and no biting. It was probably because he had put a ban on biting and she had put a ban on the sex. Julie had never been one for following the rules.

Coal kissed her, his hand didn’t move an inch. She squirmed. She wanted to be touched. With every stroke of the tongue and every smack of the lips her need grew. Coal was a damn good kisser. She cupped his cheeks with her hands. His stubble catching. She grabbed the back of his head, his hair was short but really soft.