Red Captive (The Dragon Tributes Book 6), page 18
When Logan gets back, he’s carrying a large tray. “Ready?”
I nod, disappointed at how little I feel for the handsome shifter. I like him, but not in that way.
Why not? He’s freaking perfect.
Shit! Am I falling for Steel? I look over at him, catching his eye. His gaze burns into me. He is the one who looks away first. I realize that my heart is beating faster. That my breathing is a little elevated.
Crap!
This isn’t good at all. Thing is, my body isn’t in charge. My body doesn’t know what’s good for it. I do! I know what I need to do.
“Are you sure I can’t prepare you something?” Logan asks Steel.
“I’m good, thanks,” Steel says in a gruff voice. He doesn’t have to be so rude.
“Yum, those look good,” I tell Logan in a sing-song voice. I give Steel a hard glare, but he keeps his eyes facing forward.
There is a sizzle as Logan puts two juicy-looking pieces of meat on the grill.
I stand right next to him, smiling up at him. “Let me know if I can help you with anything.”
He touches the small of my back for a moment. “Your company is all I need. I’m glad I agreed to this. You’re not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. Not this! I didn’t expect to like you and to be attracted to you. I hope you don’t mind my being forward with you. I’m like that. I say it like it is.”
“I like you, too.” It’s true, I do, but I’m still not feeling that spark. Maybe it’s something that could develop. I hope so.
22
Steel
The male wraps his arms around Jen and hugs her tightly. It’s too close and lasts too damned long for my liking.
I am in charge of the human’s wellbeing. Of her safety. I start to step forward, getting ready to say something, when they pull away from each other. Jen is first, and Logan does so with reluctance.
“I’ve had such a good time,” he says. The male takes her hand as he speaks.
I would gag but hold it back. Holy fuck, but this is irritating to witness. This male is a huge fucking sap.
“Me, too.” Jen smiles.
He squeezes her hand. “I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by. Are you sure you have to go already? That you can’t stay a little longer?”
We’ve been here for hours and fucking hours. Enough already.
Jen nods. “I’m afraid I have to go. I’m sorry.” She looks like she means it, like she wishes she could stay. “It’s getting dark, and some of the staff need to get home to their families. If it were up to me…” She chews on her lip.
The male’s eyes move to her mouth. I don’t blame him for looking. Her lips are pink and lush. Jen is beautiful. Her mouth is one of my favorite things about her. I immediately think of her gasping for air when my fingers hit her G-spot. Of her mouth falling open as she came all over my hand. So fucking pretty.
Mine!
My dragon has decided that he wants her, but he can go to hell. I’m the one in charge. Not him! Dragons have no grasp of reality. Of what is possible and of what is not.
“I get it. I understand,” Logan says. “One thing before you go…”
“What is that?”
I roll my eyes. He’s going to kiss her. He’d better not kiss her. Not a fuck!
“Would it be okay if…?” He pulls on her hand, bringing her closer so that there is barely any space between them. “If I kissed you?” He’s looking at her mouth again and moving in.
“No.” I step forward. “No kissing is permitted, by order of the general,” I say, lying through my teeth. I immediately expect Logan to call me out on my bullshit, but he doesn’t.
“Oh!” His eyes widen for a moment. “I didn’t realize. He didn’t mention it…but yes, shit! Of course. I should have known.”
“Thank you for an amazing afternoon.” Jen stands up on her tippy toes and kisses Logan on the cheek.
My dragon gets restless. The bastard has been rearing his ugly head often since we saved Jen from the duke. He’s all kinds of possessive and protective. I wish he would stop already.
“I really hope I’ll see you again very soon,” the male says, making puppy dog eyes at Jen.
“You will.”
“I hope you pick me, Jen. We could have an amazing life together.” I’m pretty sure if he was in dragon form, his tail would be wagging, and he’d be drooling. “I know you have more candidates to meet. I’m not the wealthiest or the most powerful, but I would cherish you for all the rest of your days.”
I have to look away. It’s far too sappy. The male needs to grow a pair.
They say their goodbyes – at long fucking last – and we go to the vehicle. Logan trails behind us, staying ten feet back.
“Miss Harris,” I say, opening the door for her.
“Thank you, Steel.” She gets in.
We soon pull away. Jen waves at Logan. He walks behind our vehicle, waving like a complete asshole.
“He’s nice,” Jen says.
I grunt.
“You don’t think so?”
“It isn’t up to me, so what do you care what I think?” I practically bark at her.
“I value your opinion.”
“Well, then…” I rub my chin. “In that case, I think he’s… Actually, do you know what? Nice is a good word to describe him. That and soft…seriously fucking soft.” I’m being an asshole, but I can’t seem to help it.
“Logan isn’t soft. What’s soft about him?”
“Everything. He let you pick the movie. Big fucking mistake.” I shake my head.
“He’s a gentleman. A gentleman lets the lady pick on their first date.”
“Is that what this was? I thought it was a meet and greet. A date is different.” I sound like a jealous asshole. I’ve never been jealous. Not a day in my life. “For the record, the movie you picked was terrible. My eyes almost started bleeding. It was—”
She gasps. “‘50 First Dates’ is a classic. What are you talking about? Logan laughed his ass off. I knew he would enjoy it because he’s a nice guy.”
“You mean to tell me you’ve watched that movie before? You watched it, and you actually chose to watch it again? Like on purpose?”
“Yes, of course I’ve watched it before. I wanted him to watch it, too. I love Drew Barrymore; she’s one of my favorite actresses.”
“Nope, he didn’t enjoy it much at all. He watched you more than he did the movie. I caught him ogling your tits and your legs. That’s what he enjoyed watching. Not that movie. No fucking way.” I need to shut the hell up. I’m sounding more jealous by the second. I’m not! It isn’t that. Jen asked for my opinion and I’m giving it to her. I’m pointing out what she didn’t see.
She gasps again. “Bullshit! He was nice. Nice guys don’t…do things like that.” She shakes her head. Is she really this naïve?
I laugh. “He might be nice, but that didn’t stop him from looking at you a whole hell of a lot. Oh, and that crap about enjoying ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’…” I shake my head. “That’s all bull.”
“No, it isn’t! He enjoyed the movies. Why would he say he enjoyed something when he didn’t?”
I snort, but it quickly turns into a barked-out laugh. “He told you that to get on your good side, namely between your legs.” I’m being blunt but honest. Surely, she knows all of this?
Our driver’s eyes shift to the rearview mirror. I narrow mine on him, telling him to mind his own fucking business, which he does.
Jen gasps loudly. Her eyes are wide. Her mouth stays open for a few seconds as she glares at me. “I can’t believe you said that. Actually, I can. I think we should drop this whole conversation and right now, please.”
I shrug. “You asked for my opinion.”
“Well, I’m very sorry that I did. I won’t be asking you again.”
“Good.” I realize that I haven’t been searching for Lake like I normally would be and turn my gaze outside where it belongs.
We finish the rest of the trip in silence. It doesn’t take long before we arrive at the palace.
Jen is already out of the vehicle by the time I get to her side. She doesn’t even look at me as we start walking. We go through the reception, which is busier than normal.
We’re about to go down the hallway that leads to the elevators when a familiar voice calls out to Jen.
“Hey! Jen! Wait up,” he says, jogging to us.
It’s Rex. No! Fuck! Not now. Actually, not ever.
His eyes are lit up. His gaze is firmly on the human. “I was hoping to run into you.” He pulls her into a hug.
I’m not sure where it comes from. Actually, I do…it’s my asshole dragon. He is done with all of these males touching what he considers to be his. It doesn’t matter how much I explain to him that Jen is not for us, he refuses to agree or to believe it.
Rex’s hand goes straight to her lower back as he pulls her in…all the fucking way in. He buries his face in her hair and inhales.
Hoping to run into us? More like waiting for us. I snarl. It isn’t overly loud, but it is warning enough to have Rex leap back. He lets the female go. His eyes are wide.
“Not today,” I tell him. “Miss Harris is late for an appointment.” I take her arm and march down the hallway.
“Sorry, Rex. Next time,” Jen says over her shoulder.
“No problem,” the male says, sounding a little shell-shocked, which is good. It appeases my dragon somewhat.
I feel like a grade-A prick. I need to stop this behavior. I need to dial it back by fifty damned notches.
I push the button three times in succession as we reach the elevator, and the doors open almost immediately, which I take as a win. The sooner we get to the apartment, the sooner I can calm the fuck down. I need to calm down. I’m being ridiculous and acting completely out of character.
“What was that?” Jen asks as we go inside. I can’t say I blame her for calling me out on my shitty attitude.
“Me doing my job,” I tell her as we start to go up. I know it probably won’t fly but I need her to drop it.
“That was mean and rude and… I don’t know what that was, Steel, only that I didn’t like it.”
“That’s too bad, Jen. I’m doing my job, and it is my job to get you safely back to the apartment. It’s my job to keep you safe, full-fucking-stop.”
“Rex wasn’t going to hurt me.”
“You are vulnerable in public places.”
We march down the hallway that takes us to the apartment.
“I thought it was your job to keep me from running away. What happened back there didn’t feel like you were keeping me safe. Rex is harmless.”
Harmless, my ass.
“My job is to keep you safe, even if that means keeping you safe from yourself.” I unlock the door, and she goes inside.
“What does that even mean? You can keep me safe without being an asshole, you know? What has gotten into you?” She turns and glares daggers at me. She’s beautiful when she’s mad. I think I might be screwed.
23
Jen
The door clicks shut. We’re glaring at each other. It feels like dark clouds have descended all around us. Steel has never been this level of brooding before. He looks pissed, like he wants to break or kill something. He’s been such a jerk; it’s not even funny.
I don’t get it.
Why?
I don’t understand where this is coming from. What the hell is wrong with him? Then it hits me, and I have to hold back a giggle.
Holy shit! Holy freaking crap!
Steel is jealous. He’s jealous! No, surely not? I must have it wrong and yet, it’s the only explanation that fits. Here I am, wrestling with my emotions and all the while thinking that Steel has it together. That he is cool, calm and collected, when he isn’t. He might even be worse than I am about what is happening between us.
It makes me happy – ecstatic, really – to know that I’m not alone. He feels it, too. He feels it!
I fold my arms. “And what was that earlier about the kiss?”
He frowns. “What about it?”
He knows exactly what I’m talking about. “You said that kissing was not permitted by order of the general. That isn’t true.”
“I thought you didn’t want any of the candidates pawing you. I was protecting you. I mean, unless you wanted to kiss him. Did you want to kiss Logan? Was I out of line?”
“Yes, you were out of line. Completely out of line.”
“I could take you back there if you want to kiss that asshole so badly.” He points at the door using his thumb.
“When it comes to decisions about what I want to do with my body, I can make them myself, thank you very much.”
“Fine,” he growls, his voice low and deep. His eyes are darker than they’ve ever been. “I’ll take you back. You can fuck him, for all I care.” Steel’s whole body bristles. Every muscle is hard and pumped.
He’s jealous, alright.
Steel walks over to the door and starts to open it. “I’ll take you back. You can—”
I shove the door closed, and it bangs shut. “I don’t want to—”
Steel turns, putting his chest to my chest. I instantly feel hot all over. My breath hitches. I swallow thickly. “That’s not what I want.”
“What do you want, Jen? Tell me.”
“Things I can’t have. Things…” I shake my head. “We can’t have. We can’t!” I start to backpedal but Steel matches me step for step.
Using one big hand, he clasps my waist. In the next instant, his lips come crashing down on mine. We kiss. It’s searing. I’m burning up. Then he lifts me, and my legs hook around him.
I’m kissing him back like I might just die if I stop. The kiss is hot and heavy from the word go, matching how I feel inside. I thread my fingers through his hair. I mewl into his mouth. I ride him right through his clothes, rubbing myself against him shamelessly.
My back hits the mattress. His mattress. I didn’t even know he was walking. I was too lost in what we were doing. He grinds himself against me; my legs are still circled around his waist.
“Yes,” I moan.
He yanks my dress up, and there is tearing. Lots of tearing. I don’t care. Not right now.
There’s more ripping, and my panties are gone.
“Tell me to stop,” he says in a low growl that has my insides going to mush. “Do it now.”
“I can’t. I want you. Please…Steel…please.” I’m not above begging. Maybe this is just what we need. It’ll just be sex, nothing more. We’ll fuck like rabbits, and then we’ll move on.
Just sex. We can keep this strictly about the act. No emotions. No baggage. I know we can.
Then his hand is between my legs. “So wet for me,” he chokes out as his finger slides inside me. That wicked thumb is on my clit, rubbing me softly. Driving me nuts from the get-go.
I moan. Holy shit, I’ve gone from zero to a hundred in half a second flat.
He thrusts his finger in and out of me a few times, finding my G-spot immediately. He’s good; so good, it’s scary. I groan deeply.
Then he adds a second finger, and I groan harder, my back bowing.
“Tight as fuck,” he adds; his voice is filled with awe.
He kisses me again. I can’t get enough. I’m rocking against his hand, wanting more, wanting all of it. If he gets me off and walks away, I might just kill him. There will be a death. It’ll happen.
I groan deeper when he picks up the pace. Just as I’m about to let go, he stops. Stops! What the hell!?
“We can stop here.” He’s panting. “We don’t have to—”
“We do have to! We are doing this, dammit. We’re not friends. Nothing will change.” I sound desperate. I’ve never been this desperate, needy, on edge. I feel wound up tight.
Steel looks down at me; he rubs on my clit a few times, and I squeeze my eyes closed. “I need more…more.”
“Do you want my cock, Jen?”
I feel something leak out of me when he says those words. He’s right, I’m wet. How am I this wet? How am I this turned on?
I go up onto my elbows so that I can look him in the eye. “Yes, I want your cock. I want to feel you everywhere. I want to feel you between my legs tomorrow and maybe even the next day. Now get busy, big boy, or I’m going to hurt you.”
He chokes out a surprised laugh. “Okay, then.” Steel nods once. “I can’t wait to be inside you.” He pulls my legs up his body, then his finger is back between my thighs, just the very tip and ever so gently on my clit. He moves in easy circles, driving me insane.
Using one hand, he sits up and opens his pants, pulling down the zipper and freeing his cock. I’m not sure what happened to his jacket, but he’s still wearing his shirt and tie. I don’t care. I want him inside me; the sooner, the better. Naked is overrated. Hot, frantic sex is not, and that’s what this is.
His hair is a little mussed. His eyes are dark. There’s no denying that Steel is incredibly sexy. His pants slide halfway down his thighs; even that is sexy. His cock juts from his body while his shirt pulls tight across his broad shoulders and chest.
He lifts my legs up, putting them together and straight up in the air. Say what? This is new. He hugs them to his body. His thumb stays on my clit, rubbing ever so softly. Keeping me right there but not letting me go over the edge.
I’m still wearing my heels. My dress is ruined. It’s a torn mess. My bra is a white lacy number that doesn’t do much to conceal my breasts. My nipples look like they are trying to poke holes through the fabric. I’m naked from the waist down.
“So fucking sexy,” Steel growls as he puts his cock at the entrance to my pussy. “Are you ready for me?” he says as he teases me with just the tip of his erection.
“Yes.” It comes out sounding like an urgent plea. “Please.” I’ve never wanted to come so badly. More wet leaks out of me in a trickle.
His grip on my legs tightens, and he slowly pushes forward, entering me inch by solid inch. I moan as I feel the thickness of him stretching me open, filling me completely. I gasp at both the sting of being so full and the pleasure of how good he feels inside me.
