The three of them clinked glasses and Dana gulped down a healthy swallow of wine, the sharp bite of the tannins tingling on her tongue. Much like her skin tingled under the expert handling of her nighttime dragon.
Though she willed herself not to, she glanced at Aiden. He was watching her, his hooded gaze predatory. Did he know she’d dreamed of him almost every night for the past nine years?
Does he ever dream of me?
The thought slammed her out of the blue, inciting a whole host of disturbing questions that made her ponder the possibility of soul mates and fate.
The wineglass wobbled between her fingers. She tightened her grip around the stem with steely resolve. No, soul mates didn’t exist, and the notion of some predestined fate was a load of BS. Because if it wasn’t, then God really did have a twisted sense of humor for setting her up with the one individual dead set on taking her away from everything she loved.
Chapter Twelve
“You are mine.”
Fleeing from the insistent voice, Dana raced across the mist-dampened grass. She sensed the piercing blue reptilian eyes tracking her from above and quickened her pace. The strong beat of wings disturbed the stillness of the night and she resisted the temptation to scan the ink-dark sky for her pursuer.
Not that she needed to. He was there.
She felt him in the marrow of her bones. Felt him in the hot rush of blood roaring through her veins. Felt him in every pounding contraction of her heart.
Ahead, she spied the safety of her house, the porch light glowing like a beacon in the night. Wheezing from the unbearable pressure on her lungs, she sprinted down the driveway. A vaporous cloud materialized, blocking her path. Navigating through its cloying density proved impossible. Desperate, she flailed at the imprisoning cloud, cursing it to hell and back. A plume of smoke billowed around her, enveloping her within a seductive cocoon of heat.
“Give in to me.”
“Never.”
“You can’t resist me.”
“Wanna bet?”
A talon curled around her shoulder, its lethally tipped claw slicing through her flimsy nightgown. The useless scrap of fabric dissolved into the ether. She spun, her indignant retort poised and ready. Before she gave it voice, firm lips slanted over hers. She moaned, inadvertently granting access to the wet, invading thrust of her pursuer’s tongue.
His kisses were incomparable. Masterful. She shook with her need for him—this consuming need to be taken and claimed. Her palm coasted along iridescent green scales until she encountered hot male flesh. Mmm, yes, this was the part of him she craved most.
He clutched her waist, easily lifting her. A second later she found herself impaled on the delicious thickness of his cock. He swallowed her cry, his talons tangling in her hair, holding her hostage to his possession of her mouth. Her body. Her soul. She hooked her legs around him and he growled in approval.
“
Mine
.”
Her pussy tingled in response and he rocked into her.
“
Mine
.” Gripping her buttocks, he slammed her down onto him. A gasp escaped her and he gyrated his hips, pressing his pubic bone against her clit. “
Mine
.”
Third time was a charm. She broke, climaxing hard in endless racking spasms. Harsh breaths pummeled her neck. “
What did I tell you about challenging a dragon?
”
The alarm clock’s shrill ring jostled Dana from the dream. Stretching out an arm, she flopped her hand on the snooze button, silencing the godawful racket. “Couldn’t you have waited five more minutes?” She rolled onto her back and winced at the ache between her thighs. Evidently her body didn’t know the difference between a dream and reality. “On second thought, an extra five minutes might have killed me.”
She rolled out of bed and staggered into the kitchen. It wasn’t until she was scooping coffee grounds into the machine that she remembered the break-in at the gallery, and the fact that she’d decided not to reopen until the walls were slapped with a fresh coat of paint. Not to mention she needed to replenish the damaged merchandise. “So much for listening to that damn alarm.”
Shoving the filter basket in place, she flipped on the machine and wandered into the living room. Through the bay window she could see Aiden pacing in front of the tent, his naked chest gleaming in the early morning light. Shivers of awareness skittered across her skin.
Mine.
She pushed away the taunting echo of her dragon’s assertion and stormed to the door, wrenching it open with the full force of her bottled frustration. “Stay out of my damn head, do you hear me?”
Aiden halted dead in his tracks and stared at her. And just like that, he silently answered the question that’d been burning inside her brain all night and half the morning. He didn’t dream about her, and he didn’t have a freakin’ clue what she was talking about.
Okay then. I’ve officially lost it.
Pivoting, she slammed the door shut. She managed two steps toward the hallway before a heavy knock on the door stalled her short. God, she really didn’t want to deal with this right now. “Go away.”
“Not on your life, sweetheart. Might as well let me in.”
“What are you going to do if I don’t? Huff and puff and blow my house on fire?”
Absolute silence from Aiden made her more than a little worried. “Oh, fuck it.” Squaring her shoulders, she stalked back to the door and swung it open.
He calmly disregarded her glare. “Mind explaining your outburst a second ago?”
“It’s nothing. I haven’t had my first cup of coffee yet. This early in the morning without caffeine, I tend to be cranky. Speaking of which, what are you doing up at the butt crack of dawn, sloshing through a pile of leaves? Without socks or shoes, no less.”
Running his fingers through his sleep-rumpled hair, he dropped his scrutiny to his feet. “I didn’t notice. Must have been preoccupied.”
“Apparently. I’m getting coffee. Want some?” She turned and walked away, leaving it up to him whether to follow or not. Behind her, the steady tread of his feet scrunched on the carpet.
Inside the kitchen, she grabbed two mugs from the cupboard and placed them side by side on the counter. “Cream or sugar?”
“Black is fine.”
“For some people. And the occasional dragon. Definitely not for me.” Crossing to the fridge, she pulled out her supply of cinnamon-hazelnut-flavored creamer. She splashed a healthy dose into her cup and topped it off with coffee before pouring a serving into Aiden’s mug. “So what are you doing up?”
“I’ve been thinking about the break-in. About the possible danger you’re in, and when the next strike might happen. I don’t like not knowing what the hell is going on.” He took a cautious sip of the coffee.
“That makes two of us,” she said grumpily.
Maybe too grumpily. Aiden’s electric blue gaze met hers over the mug’s rim. “Dana, I promise I’ve been straightforward with you. At this point, you know pretty much everything I do.”
Sincerity softened his expression. She believed him, and really, would it make any difference if she didn’t? At the moment, her true gripe—and concern—centered on factors that had nothing to do with the break-in or the fact that a posse of dragons was out to get her.
Okay, the dragon posse was definitely scary. But they didn’t freak her out nearly as much as the solitary dragon standing half naked in her kitchen, and all the unwanted, disturbing emotions he brought roiling to the surface.
She blew at the fragrant steam wafting from her coffee, praying he didn’t see the way her fingers trembled around the cup’s ceramic handle.
Come on, Dana, get a grip
.
“I need to leave for a while this morning, but I’ll wait until Jace wakes up.”
All other concerns vanished from her head as she frowned at Aiden. “If there’s something you need to do, don’t let me hold you up. I’m perfectly capable of fending for myself.”
“No, I’ll wait for Jace.”
Irritation festered inside her.
She wasn’t stupid. The dangers lurking in dark corners, waiting to spring at her with all the glee of a boogeyman, weren’t lost on her. But for God’s sake, Jace was sleeping less than two hundred feet away. What could possibly happen?
“You’re getting that stubborn look on your face again. The one that always precedes an argument.” Aiden rubbed his forehead wearily.
“Insisting that you or Jace be attached to my hip twenty-four hours a day is ridiculous and impractical.”
He freed the cup clenched in her hand and settled it on the counter before running his palms along her shoulders. If he’d intended the gesture to soothe her, he’d missed the mark. A colony of goose bumps cropped up instead. She attempted to hide her body’s reaction to him by scowling. “You know, I wasn’t done with my coffee yet.”
“I decided it’d be safer not having it within dunking distance of my crotch.”
She scrunched her nose. “Like I’d do anything that mean. Even if you are always telling me what to do.”
The corners of his mouth tipped upwards. “Are you insinuating I’m bossy?”
“If the dragon tail fits.”
Chuckling, he coasted a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I’m only trying to protect you.”
A sigh pushed its way past her lips. “I know, and it isn’t that I don’t appreciate the sentiment. It’s just I feel…itchy…having you around me constantly.”
Speculation and breathtaking carnality flared to life in his eyes. The hands riding the slope of her shoulders tightened a fraction before trailing toward her collarbone. He pressed a little closer, making her acutely aware of the thick, rigid cock nudging her belly. “You make me feel itchy too, sweetheart.”
Her nipples—the traitorous little buggers—strained against the flannel of her pajama top. Oh how tempting it was to rip off her shirt and rub all over Aiden’s hard chest. Instead, she dug her fingernails into her palms. “I bet you say that to all your sacrifices.”
“No.” He caressed the nape of her neck, his face descending until the rough stubble covering his jaw scraped along her cheek. His lips hovered near enough she could almost taste the rich coffee scenting his breath. “You’re very special, Dana.”
A warm glow coursed through her at his husky words. It was ridiculous, this raw giddiness. Same went for the thundering of her heart. Dragon or not, a male would say anything to get inside a woman’s pants.
She looked up and gulped.
Oh boy
. Forget about him getting inside her pants—the blistering intensity of his stare alone could disintegrate her undies. She licked her lips and pretended to ignore the way his eyes darkened. Too bad she didn’t have the same success pretending not to notice how his cock thickened and bumped her stomach. “Um…”
The front door squeaked open, allowing in a cool draft. “I smell coffee. And hopefully Danishes.”
Aiden blinked as if he’d suddenly awakened from a deep trance. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she pushed away from him and glanced at Jace. “Sorry, no Danish. But the coffee is hot and plentiful.”
Jace hitched his shoulder in a half shrug. “Guess beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Here, I’ll get you some.” She reached into the overhead cupboard and fetched a mug. “Your brother was just saying he needs to run an errand, but refused to let me out of sight until you got your buns out of bed.”
Cracking a yawn, Jace scratched his bare chest. “Looks like my timing was right on the money then.”
She snuck a sideways peek at Aiden and found him watching her with a hungry expression. One she suspected had nothing to do with imaginary Danishes. Jace’s timing
was
perfect. She suspected if he’d waited a second longer to traipse into the kitchen, she would have gladly offered herself to Aiden for breakfast.
Chapter Thirteen
Despite the unease twisting Aiden’s gut at having to leave Dana for even a second, giving his body and his head a break from the immense chaos she wielded over their state of being was probably wise. Too bad he couldn’t do a damn thing about the state of his heart. A continent could separate him from Dana and still she would reign supreme over that particular organ.
Aiden rested his forehead against the steering wheel. Jesus, he’d gone and done the unthinkable. The epitome of stupid. He’d fallen in love with her. With his sacrifice. Correction, his and
Jace’s
sacrifice.
As if that weren’t enough shit to deal with, the dragon lurking within him was convinced he’d found his mate. The signs were all there. He could scent Dana from miles away. The overwhelming need to claim her, mark her as only his, remained a constant force driving him. He wanted to string his brother up by the balls each damn time Jace laid his hands on Dana—which seemed to be every other second.
His jaw rigid, he lifted his head and shifted the Navigator into reverse. After a quick check of the rearview mirror, he backed out of the driveway. He didn’t know why, but he’d been jostled out of sleep shortly before dawn with the certainty that they’d missed a relevant clue regarding the break-in. It was too early to say anything to Dana and Jace about it though. For all he knew, his suspicion was unfounded, nothing more than the byproduct of his overactive imagination and an overindulgence of wine the night before. The only way he could banish the niggling concern was by visiting the scene of the crime, and that’s exactly what he planned to do.
Forty-five minutes later, he pulled into the lot of Fancies. He cut the Navigator’s engine and climbed out, inspecting the gallery’s darkened front windows. Considering the way he planned to sneak inside, it was best if he avoided detection. Remembering the doorway that led to the back alley, he strode around the side of the building. A loud thump came from the area by the dumpsters.
Every muscle in Aiden’s body tensed in preparation of taking on whatever threat might spring from the shadows. Another thump sounded, followed by an orange and white blur that bulleted out from behind the dumpster.
The bushy tail attached to the blur identified the fleeing feline culprit. Allowing his muscles to once again relax, Aiden continued down the alley until he came to the rear entrance to the gallery. After a quick scan to ensure the cat was indeed the only witness around, he stretched the fingers of his right hand. Familiar tingling raced through his tendons and cartilage. Shimmering scales appeared, forming into a talon.
Wasting no time, he inserted one razor-sharp claw tip into the key slot with a satisfied smile. Having a built-in lock pick had its advantages.
With a deft flick, he sprang the bolt from its housing. Shifting his talon back into its human form, he twisted the doorknob and walked inside the gloomy rear hallway. He stepped over the yellow crime-scene tape that cordoned off the gallery’s main room. His attention automatically veered to the graffiti splattered across the once-pristine white walls. Impotent rage welled inside him all over again.
Whoever did this—Drakoni or not—would pay. By the time he was finished with the perpetrator, the bastard would know just how stupid it was messing with a dragon’s woman. He stalked to the nearest wall, his narrowed eyes fixed on the word
cunt
and
whore
scrawled in black paint. Angry flames shot from his nostrils. Those offensive words would earn the creep a pair of busted kneecaps. He swiveled, surveying the opposite wall. More crude profanity, but none of it incriminating enough to hint at a Drakoni being responsible. Not that he’d expected it.
Still, there was something stoking his suspicions. Something staring him in the face. He was just blind to it at the moment. The frustration bottled inside him threatened to blow its gasket. Dragging impatient fingers through his hair, he sat on the edge of the low table that’d displayed the colorful frogs.
He wasn’t certain how long he sat there mulling over puzzle pieces that refused to click together, but he’d burrowed deep enough in his thoughts that he damn near jumped out of his skin when a hard rap pounded on the front window. Jerking his head around, he stared at the woman standing with her nose pressed against the glass. The sun glinted off Claudia Knoxville’s wild hair, highlighting the pink streaks.
“Un-fucking-believable.” Growling, Aiden lurched to his feet and stormed to the entrance. He unlatched the door and swung it open just far enough for him to reach out, snare Claudia by the belt loop, and yank her inside the gallery.
She swung away from him, a cocky smile curving her glossy red lips. “Aren’t we a little grabby? Wonder what your pretty sacrifice would say about that.”
He advanced on Claudia. Other than a tiny flicker of wariness in her exotic, almond-shaped eyes, she showed no outward signs of fear. Didn’t surprise him. She’d always come across as one hell of a ballsy broad. He bared his teeth in a menacing display. “Couldn’t resist returning to admire your handiwork?”
Claudia frowned. “You think I did this?” Her focus drifted to the damaged walls and she snorted. “Holy hell, you’re an idiot. This is
so
not my style.”
“Maybe you didn’t wield the spray can. But I’m willing to bet you know who did.”
She swaggered to the low table and propped one knee-high black combat boot on its edge, assuming the stance of an extremely bored badass. “Do I look like I’m psychic?” A husky laugh floated from her. “That gives me an idea. Maybe you should ask your purple-haired friend to give her crystal ball a good shake and see what it coughs up.”
Angry smoke funneling from his nostrils, Aiden crowded over Claudia. “If you don’t come clean with me,
you’ll
be the one getting a good shake.”
Adopting a sultry pout, Claudia tossed her hair back. “Honey, don’t be making promises you can’t deliver on.”
He clenched his jaw and stepped away from her. Indulging in this sparring match would get him nowhere. “What are you doing here, Claudia?”
“You mean in Michigan, or in your sacrifice’s gallery, exchanging nice pleasantries with you?”
“Both,” he said, deliberately ignoring her sarcasm. “But let’s first start with what the hell you’re doing impersonating a sword smith.”
“Impersonating? I’ll have you know I personally designed each and every one of those gorgeous babies.” She scowled when he sent her a doubtful look. “What, you think your little sacrifice is the only one with some artistic talent?”
“I always thought your
talents
ran more toward petty theft and grand larceny.”
“Honey, don’t believe everything you hear.”
He clenched his jaw, his patience stretched to the snapping point. “Fine, you’re the next da Vinci of the sword-smithing world. That doesn’t explain the convenience of you working the same festival as Dana, and the fact you ran from me the other day.”
Claudia dropped her boot from the table and planted her hands on her hips. “I wasn’t running from you. I just wasn’t ready to talk to you yet.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “And now you are?”
“Yes. I need your help.” She spit the last part out like it was rancid. “I’m trying to track down Tucker. Lord, the lengths I stoop to for that kid.”
Her answer caught him off guard. “What the hell does your brother have to do with any of this?”
A carefully controlled mask of innocence settled on Claudia’s face. “Did I say he had anything to do with your little melodrama?”
“You wouldn’t be here if he didn’t.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave her a measuring look. “If you’re worried about ratting out your brother, I might be willing to let his involvement slide if you both cooperate and tell me who’s behind everything.”
“The big, bad clan Alpha offering the Knoxvilles amnesty? My ancestors must be howling in their graves right about now.” A scoffing laugh hooted from Claudia.
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you finished?”
Her laugh trickling into a chuckle, she wiped her watering eyes. “Yeah, guess so.” She glanced at her fingers before swiping their mascara-smudged tips on her skintight black jeans. “I have your word Tucker won’t be prosecuted for anything he might or might not have done?”
Corralling his impatience at her evasiveness, he nodded.
“Good. I also want your sworn oath you’ll provide protection for Tucker.”
His eyebrows arched. “Protection from what?”
“Not
what
. Whom. That son of a bitch Kinnit.”
A hot ball of fury gathered in Aiden’s gut. “He’s the one behind this?” His arm arched out in an angry slash, indicating the vandalized walls.
“I have no idea. All I know is he was blackmailing Tucker over some bad business that went down a few months back, and lo and behold, my brother decides to fall off the face of the earth two weeks ago.”
The same time the council announced their intentions for him to honor the Drakoni contract. Mighty big coincidence. “You think Tucker is here to do Kinnit’s dirty work.” He phrased it as a statement of fact rather than speculation. There was no doubt in his mind that kind of arrangement would be right up Kinnit’s alley. Still, he felt compelled to play devil’s advocate. “Could be your brother is holed up somewhere, trying to stay out of range of Kinnit’s radar.”
Claudia dug into her back pocket and held out a folded piece of paper. “This is a recent log of purchases on my brother’s credit card. The last entry is from a convenience store five blocks down the road.”
Aiden snatched the paper and scanned it. “How the hell did you get a hold of this?”
“I have my sources.”
He handed the page back to Claudia. “You realize what you’ve shown me shines an accusing light on your brother. I won’t prosecute him according to Drakoni law, but it doesn’t save him from human laws. He’ll be charged for breaking and entering. Not to mention the vandalism.”
Her mouth tightening, Claudia shoved the paper away in her pocket. “Tucker didn’t do this. I’m almost certain of it.”
“Let me guess. It’s not his
style
,” he bit out mockingly.
“No, it isn’t.” Claudia strode to the opposite wall and pointed to the offensive words painted there. “He knows I’d kick his ass for ever calling a woman that. And trust me, my brother is very afraid of me.”
He grunted at the note of pride in her voice. It was a safe bet that a lot of males were terrified of Claudia Knoxville. “You haven’t spoken to Tucker at all these past two weeks?”
Claudia scowled, apparently reading his skepticism. “Damn it, Fortune, I’m not blowing smoke up your ass. My brother is missing and Kinnit is responsible. I know it.”
Heaving a frustrated breath, she stomped forward and shot him a fierce glare. “I would rather chop off my big toe than ask you for a favor, but I’m desperate.” Grim determination hardened her features. “You’re the only one who has any power over Kinnit. Help me prove what a backstabbing weasel he is and make him pay.”
Aiden broke away from her stare and glanced at the wall. Rage—black, cold, and purposeful—crested on a fresh wave. “You have my word. If Thomas Kinnit is behind this, no power on earth will stop me from crushing him like a bug.”