To Be Fated, page 30
In the upper right corner lays a picture of the gorgeous woman. She has a pear-shaped body, beautiful brown eyes, and a bright smile. Her hair is lighter than Kara’s, but nearly the same length, just past her shoulders. I expect to feel something, maybe jealousy, that I’ve given Galen his claim to her, but I feel nothing. I have my little treasure; I only hope she’ll be able to carry my dragonlings. I’ll know soon enough.
“I thought I should at least provide a meal for the distraught woman.”
Galen’s expression turns grim. “Yes, all three of them need to be fed well.” He takes a heavy breath. “I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have let Victor go without warning or consequence.”
“We need to talk about that. It seems he’s conspiring with vampires. I’d rather they be less immortal and more…fucking dead. But not now. I want to get back to my pet.”
“Pet?” He turns in his seat to look at me, and I make sure I keep my stare back even and carefree. I don’t lie to my brothers, but for her, I’ll make an exception.
“I can’t help that I have urges of what I’d like to do to her, and I do believe she will enjoy it.”
“You couldn’t pick a more…submissive pet?” I huff a rough laugh at his question.
A broad smile grows on my face. “You have no idea how right you are to question that, brother.” He smiles back at me and then turns back to the computer.
I tap his chair and turn to leave, but his voice stops me in my path. “I’m sure I still have my pet’s collar somewhere.” It’s been years since Galen has kept a woman, but as dragons we tend to hold on to our keepsakes.
“No.” The answer comes easily. “I want her to have her own.”
A perplexed look crosses his face but only for a moment and then he busies himself again with the computer. With his Isabella.
In time, I’ll buy Kara all the little trinkets a submissive should have. I’ll get her a collar adorned with a small lock etched with my name: Drago’s treasure. A grin pulls at my lips. I’ll buy that first. In the silence I glance to where I expect my other brother to be, only to find his chair empty.
“Where’s Cyrus?” I’m aware he doesn’t appear to be interested in this woman, but I’m certain he would at least be interested in researching her. He is, after all, always searching for something new and different to occupy him.
Galen looks back at me with a perplexed look. “He didn’t send you here?”
“What do you mean?”
“He went to look for you.” My blood chills at his words. “He’s curious about the girl you took.” Galen looks behind me as if she’d magically be there. “To be honest, I’m a bit curious as well.”
I’m vaguely aware of the fact that Galen is still speaking, but I’m not listening to a damn thing as I turn my back on my brother, consumed with growing concern.
If Cyrus went to look for me, then he went to my bedchambers, which I left unlocked. He went to Kara. He’s curious about my little treasure. My dragon breathes fire in my chest. I revel in the burn as it scorches my throat. Before I’m even conscious of my actions, my legs are pushing me through the opened study doors and down the hall.
He better not have fucking touched her.
DRAGO
My rage boils and my dragon fights against me as I stare at my closed door at the end of the hall. A possessiveness like I have never known consumes me. His talons dig into my chest, clawing to escape and go to our treasure. Mine. He snarls.
As I force him back, the fire burns up my throat. Cyrus is in there with her. I shove the door open so hard the wood bangs off the wall, startling my Kara. With wide eyes, she stares back at me from the head of my bed. My shirt, a crisp white button-down, is far oversized on her and makes her appear all the more fragile. She’s rolled the sleeves up her forearms. Her damp hair has dried somewhat, and color has returned to her cheeks. Without trying, she’s stunningly beautiful.
Her eyes widen even further, and she somehow manages to scoot back farther from me and press her back against the headboard. It’s only then that I realize I have my fists clenched and I’m practically breathing fire. I slowly calm myself as I glance around the room.
A low growl stays buried beneath my chest as I search the room for any hint of Cyrus. He’s not here, but he was. My nostrils flare; I can smell him. Lucky for both of them I can tell he didn’t touch her. Or at least he didn’t fuck her. With great effort, I relax my posture and look back to Kara. She shifts her weight under my stare and pulls her legs into her chest and under the shirt. Startled at the very least, she swallows thickly but maintains my gaze.
“I didn’t touch anything, if that’s what you’re thinking.” My lip pulls up at one side. What a sweet little liar.
“Tell me, treasure, what did you do then, while I was gone?”
“Nothing.” She’s far too quick to answer and her voice is a higher pitch than it’s been with me.
Deceit is not a good look on her. The fire of the room crackles as I pace my way to her.
There’s no way he came in here without her knowing. The question is: why is she keeping that information from me? She shakes her head calmly, but her heart races and I can easily hear it pounding.
I don’t take my piercing gaze away from her gorgeous hazel eyes.
“Is there anything you’d like to tell me?” I offer her an out as the adrenaline rushes through me and the sickening feeling of being lied to washes over me.
“No.” She swallows loudly and glances at the door that I left cracked before looking back at me. “Have you brought food? I’m hungry.” Her request snaps me out of my predatory gaze.
Apparently keeping secrets from me has made her more submissive. I enjoy that. More so than anticipated. “If it’s all right, I’d like to eat,” she says as if eager for my approval and permission. Her eyes beg me to change the subject, and I know right then and there, Cyrus will answer for this. Not her; not my mate.
As if on cue, the door opens wider with a push of Adora’s hip, she enters with the tray carefully held as the dainty china clicks with every small movement.
I meet her at the entrance, accepting the tray and placing it on the bed in front of Kara.
“Thank you, ma’am?” Kara scoots closer to the tray with her eyes on the older woman.
“Mrs. Adora, dear.” Her voice is much softer and sweeter addressing Kara than she was with me. She carries a gentleness with her as she speaks, although her eyes widen, no doubt assuming a certain situation has occurred, given Kara’s state.
Adora barely glances at me although the questions in her eyes are apparent. I’m quick to dismiss her. “Thank you. You may leave us now.”
As soon as the door closes, Kara reaches for a square of cheese and I bark out the order to stop, a little too loud and a little too abrasive. With wide eyes she stares back at me, clearly taken aback.
“I merely wish to feed you myself.”
Her shoulders relax with obvious relief, but it’s short lived as I climb into the bed beside her. Her heart races as it did before, but the moment I get close enough to feel the heat from her body, the scent of her arousal greets me. Her cheeks are flushed and her heart pounds with desire. I position myself with one leg off the bed and the other tucked under me. I’m close enough to feed her, to touch her, to kiss her. As my cock hardens, I attempt to control the tempting thoughts that ride through me.
Swallowing thickly, I dare to push just a little. I position myself in front of the tray and pat my lap. “Come sit, my little treasure.” Her eyes go round as she looks from me to the tray, all the while that racing heart gives her away. After a moment, she very slowly obliges, settling her ass in my lap. Her warmth is electrifying. With her back to my front, desire stirs the flames deep within my chest. I can barely breathe as she steadies herself by placing her small hand on my thigh. I grab her waist and move her to the center. Her lush ass sits perfectly against my cock.
In a desperate effort to focus on her wellbeing, I snatch the square of cheese she wanted and bring it to her lips. Her hands move up to take it from mine. “Uh, uh.” I shake my head and admonish her. “I want to feed you. I will give you all that you want.” My voice is low, my tone giving away my desire. Her lips are parted slightly, and her eyes reflect rebellion as much as they do everything else she’s feeling.
I stare back into her eyes, thinking about what a bastard I am. It would be all too easy to allow her peace and quiet, to ease her slowly into being my companion, rather than push her as I’m doing. Patience will award me riches, but so has thievery and fire.
After a moment Kara rests against my chest, plants her hands on my thighs, and opens her mouth wide enough for the morsel. As her lips part, her chest rises, and my eyes inadvertently catch a glimpse of her breasts. Want and need heat inside of me.
They’re perky yet small with hardened rose-pink nipples pressing against the fabric. I stifle my groan and pray she can’t feel my dick hardening beneath her. As I slip the piece of cheese into her waiting mouth, her eyes go wide and her back pulls away just slightly from me. Fuck, she definitely felt the change beneath her ass. She stills and slowly chews while looking straight ahead.
The intoxicating smell of her heat is laced with disappointment because it’s far too obvious that she’s terrified. It’s dimming. She’s already losing it. I choose to simply ignore all of it and grab another square of cheese to continue feeding her. “Open.” She immediately obeys, and those pink, plump lips part for another bite. I smile as she closes her eyes and enjoys the taste.
“Do you like it?” She quickly nods and lets a small moan of gratitude slip into the air between us. Her eyes pop open and her hand covers her mouth as she realizes her action. Again, I choose to ignore the look of regret in her eyes. “Good.” I reach for a slice of ripe plum. “Would you like to try this next?”
“Please, Lord Arrington.” I stop my movements as my eyes travel over her face. I don’t know why, but I don’t like her calling me that. She is not a guest, nor a servant. Something deep inside me whispers that she may only be a guest, she may leave me soon, but my dragon and I disagree. I want this to be different. Something about her calls to me. Galen had his pets call him Master, but I don’t want that. I decide on something more to my taste.
“I’d rather you call me Sir.”
“Yes, Sir.” My dick jumps in my pants and her face flushes red. She looks down and bites her lip to hide a smile. What a little vixen. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
I slip the sliver of fruit into her mouth. I repress my groan as her hot tongue licks the tip of my finger. A satisfied sigh fills the room. “You like that more?”
“I enjoy both.” She looks up at me through her thick lashes. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
The question catches me off guard. I want to tell her about her heat, my desire for a mate and dragonlings, and how she is the only hope I have of such things… But I’d rather not, given I have no idea if we are truly mates. I settle on a simple truth. “Because I want to.”
She takes a moment to consider my words. “Thank you. Could I have some more?”
“Of course.”
Time passes easily, piece by piece. I continue to feed her, enjoying the feel of her warm body and the small sounds of satisfaction from her lips. Then I remember my brother and the fact that she’s yet to tell me he was here.
“I have a question for you, treasure.” I tilt the spoon up so she can taste the soup. She swallows with a sign of contentment. Her tongue darts between her lips and then she finally looks up at me.
“Yes?”
“Is there anything that you’re deliberately hiding from me?” Her heart hammers against her chest as she looks back down at the tray of food. “Open treasure. You need to eat more.” I want to make sure she knows she gets to eat regardless of punishment. I will never deprive her of necessities. She hesitantly opens her mouth for me to slip in a slice of sharp white cheddar. There’s still some prosciutto and sweet salami left, as well as some kumquat jam and Marcona almonds. Plenty to slowly treat her, and test her, and flirt with her in this manner.
“Yes.” I wait for her to continue, but she doesn’t. She turns her head, refusing eye contact and concentrating on the dark comforter.
“I see,” I say as I reach for a chocolate truffle and hold it up for her to eat. After all, she did answer my question with honesty. “Dessert treasure? Unless you’re full.”
Her eyes dart to mine with surprise. She accepts the chocolate and I give her another while asking, “What is it that you’re keeping from me?”
“I was asked not to say.” Her voice is sorrowful as she answers me.
“Hmmm.” I press my lips together and pick up another chocolate, but she shakes her head and fiddles with her fingers in her lap. “Are you full?”
“Yes.” A moment passes between us, and I take the break to settle her in the middle of the bed and move the tray to the dresser before returning to her. She brings the sheet to her lap as armor, as I war inside with how I should handle this.
I don’t care for that fact that she’s keeping things from me. And I especially don’t like that I have to pry information from her only to be given short responses. However, the fact that she keeps her word is admirable.
After clearing my throat, I pry more. “Answer me this.” I climb onto the bed and sit next to her, this time she doesn’t shy away, but stays where she is. “Did anything happen that frightened you while I was gone?” I highly doubt Cyrus did, but I still need to ask. For an odd reason, the weight of the world seems to settle against me as I wait for her answer. I do not wish to kill my own brother.
She shakes her head and answers, “No.” As relief slowly washes over me, she adds, “For a moment I was a bit scared, but everything was fine.” I stare at her, wanting more, and then I realize the best possible solution.
“From now on, my treasure, if someone asks you to keep something from me, I want you to tell them that you can’t.” It’s then she realizes I know at least something and a spark flashes in her eyes. I’m careful as I bring my hand up and brush her hair from her face.
“I wish to know everything about you and everything that happens to you. You will do that for me, and I will ensure they understand that it is not prudent for you to keep secrets from me, is that understood?”
A shy smile plays at her lips. “I can do that, Sir.”
Fuck. I love that she added that “Sir” for me. Even more so that she seems to be enjoying the game. I scent the air again and her heat has nearly vanished. She’s still aroused, which is nice, but not what interested me in the first place. It’s possible it will come again in a few weeks. I will keep her until then.
She yawns drowsily and quickly covers it with her hand. She truly is a beautiful creature.
“I need to reward your good behavior treasure.” I watch her out of the corner of my eye as I climb off the bed toward the nightstand and blow a gentle flame onto the large wax candles throughout the room. Some are large pillars of wax a few feet high and the flame slowly grows nearly a foot tall. Others are smaller and sit atop the furniture. I walk the length of the room and light them until the room is lit with a warm glow. She watches with wide eyes as the flames slip from my lips effortlessly like a whisper of treacherous secrets.
“And then you can sleep.”
“W-what is my reward?” Her voice is laced with apprehension.
I smirk at her and answer, “A touch of fire that only a dragon can give you, my little treasure.” She swallows thickly while pulling her legs inward and wraps her arms around her knees. Her breathing becomes shallow as she stares at me, the fire echoed in her gorgeous eyes.
“Are you...” she whispers but doesn’t finish. I can smell her fear.
“I’m not going to fuck you.” Her breathing stills with my statement. “I don’t think you’re ready for that. Are you?” Her hazel eyes dance with uncertainty.
Shock overwhelms me. Is she truly debating it?
She may think she’s ready, she may want physical affection, but not sex. Not yet. Not until she knows exactly what the consequences of that may be. I won’t push, although my dragon is desperate for her.
“Then what is my reward?” she asks breathlessly.
I stare at the button-down shirt she’s wearing; it’s made of natural fibers, which is good. Anything else could melt or ignite. And I know she isn’t wearing any perfumes or lotions since I bathed her myself. “Massage. It’s therapeutic and I think it would do you some good.” I make my way back to the nightstand and cock an arrogant brow. “Undress again and lay on your belly.”
“Could I lay under the blanket?” Her hands are already at the buttons. Good girl. Who would’ve thought she’d be so eager to please me?
“Just your bottom half.” For now. I climb on the bed and take a candle from the table as she lies just like I told her to. I tilt the candle and let the wax fall into my palm. It’s primarily cocoa butter designed for such things, and I rub the liquid between my hands.
I knead her shoulders and neck as I ask, “Fire is a magical thing. Do you know some people worship fire?” Small moans escape her. I smile knowing she’s enjoying herself as the tension melts away. “Dragons have been worshipped and loved for their ability to create a flame from nothing. We’re feared just as much for the same reason.” I straddle her upper thighs and move my hands down her back, massaging circles into her stiff muscles. “But few know what pleasure fire can give.”
“Mmmm.” I chuckle deep and low and wipe the residual wax off her back, continuing to rub and knead her tense body. My fingers graze along the flesh that was struck by the whip. No evidence remains.
Her body slowly relaxes under me. The moment sleep seems to tempt her, I stop, knowing she will thoroughly enjoy what I plan and will sleep far better when I’m through with her.
“Roll over treasure.” I lift my ass off my heels and stand on my knees, still straddling her. She looks back with a weary glance before rolling and covering her breasts. Her bottom half is still covered by the blanket. I sit back on my heels and prepare for a bit of a demonstration. As soon as her eyes are on me, I breathe fire over my forearm, letting the flames lick and bite their way down my path. I quickly wipe the path with my other hand and hold it up for her to see.
