Fireblood Dragon: Fire In His Blood Part 19

"Obviously," I say in a dry voice. "Humans do not run around naked, though. It's a little alarming to other humans."

Then it is good I am not human, isn't it? With that, he tugs at my s.h.i.+rt. I do wish to see my mate without these pants, though. I do not like them.

"That's a s.h.i.+rt," I correct him, then sigh. "Never mind." I pull my s.h.i.+rt over my head, only to squeak in surprise when his big hands immediately clasp my bra.

More pants?

I squirm as his fingers tease my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, his claws dragging against the worn, lacy fabric of my old bra. "Not pants! That's a bra. It stops my b.r.e.a.s.t.s from bouncing."

But I like it when they bounce. He looks fascinated as he rubs the small mounds of my b.r.e.a.s.t.s with his big hands. That is very attractive in my mate.

I'm having a hard time thinking at the moment, especially with the way his fingertip claws keep grazing over my nipples. "It's to stop my b.r.e.a.s.t.s from bouncing. Apparently men find that distracting on women."

Ah. This I approve of, then. You are mine, Claudia. He peels a strap from my shoulder. Though I do not want you wearing these pants while we are together. I like to see my mate's b.r.e.a.s.t.s quiver when I touch her. And I like to see these harden. His fingertips brush over one nipple through the fabric.

I suck in a breath and bat his hand away. "You're in a flirty mood, aren't you?" Flirting leads to s.e.x, and I'm not sure I'm ready to jump toward s.e.x again, despite his promise not to bite. But at his lascivious grin, I can't help but smile back. "Your mate wants a bath and dinner before she flirts back, sorry."

I will allow you to get clean, he agrees. Then I will put my mouth all over you like you did to me, and make you cry out again.

I'm blus.h.i.+ng hard at his frank words, and I avoid making eye contact as I finish undressing. Despite his flirtiness and the s.e.xual tension in the air between us, the call of the water is too strong to resist. Baths are rare luxuries in the After, and I plan on enjoying this one. I grab the soap and washcloth and a bottle of shampoo, and head to the water's edge and dip a toe in. Cool but not cold. Yummy.

I head in to my waist and hear the sound of nearby splas.h.i.+ng. I'm surprised to see Kael wading in next to me. "You going to bathe, too?"

I wish to be clean to please my mate. You enjoy cleanliness.

"I do," I admit. I sink deeper into the water, juggling my bottles. "A lake's not the epitome of cleanliness, but it'll do until we figure out how to get a bathtub up into our tower."

What is a bathtub?

I send him a mental image, complete with bubbles, of me sitting in the tub and was.h.i.+ng my hair.

And you wish to have this? He studies me with intense golden eyes.

"Heck yes," I tell him, then dunk myself in the lake, clutching my soaps. My dirty hair streams into my eyes and I juggle my soaps a moment longer before tossing the soap bars and the washcloth back onto the sh.o.r.e for now. I squeeze out a handful of shampoo and toss the bottle, too. The moment I begin to lather my hair, I can't help but moan at how good it feels. Even in Fort Dallas, it's a challenge to stay clean. There's a public bathhouse, but they charge a fortune for a quick dip, and you have to re-use someone else's water. And shampoo's far too expensive for me.

Having this entire lake to myself? Having shampoo?

This is paradise.

I feel Kael's pleasure before I even hear the rumble emitting from him. A moment later, his hands caress me under the water, sliding over my hips. I'm not even upset at his handsiness, because I like all the attention and affection. It's probably wrong, but I'm not sure I want to be right.

What is it you are doing? he asks.

I continue to lather my hair. "Was.h.i.+ng my hair with shampoo. It feels amazing to get clean again."

This is another human thing? He caresses my slick b.r.e.a.s.t.s, thumbs teasing my erect nipples. I gasp and squirm at the touch, but...I don't pull away. I don't know if I want to. You are making the sounds that you made when I was between your legs. I like this. It brings me pleasure.

Does he have to keep bringing that up constantly? Or is he doing it deliberately to make me blush? "Yes, well, I'm enjoying getting clean. And if you're going to rub your hands on me, why not soap them up?" That way I can be totally justified in allowing him to manhandle me. It's totally for cleanliness, not because his big, strong hands feel good. Just cleanliness.

Show me how to do this soap.

I dunk my head to rinse it free of shampoo, then wipe the water from my eyes. "How about I show you how to clean up, okay, big guy?" I wade to sh.o.r.e and grab the bottle of shampoo, then head back out to his side and gesture at his thick shock of hair. "You'll need to get that wet."

He immediately flings himself into the water and resurfaces a moment later, hair dripping.

I can't help it-I laugh. "You don't do anything by halves, do you, Kael?"

He grins at me, showing a flash of sharp teeth. It feels good to relax with him for a change, to have a moment of relief amidst all the stress of the world. Right now, our world exists purely in the confines of an outdoor bath. I'm enjoying myself. I'm not thinking about tomorrow or what the future holds. I'm just having fun in the water with the guy I'm attracted to.

"Lean in," I tell him, and when he does, I squirt a dollop of precious shampoo onto his thick hair. I re-cap the bottle and toss it aside, then begin to rub the shampoo into his hair, ma.s.saging his scalp. He rumbles with pleasure, his arms wrapping around me, hands moving to my a.s.s. He pulls me up against his thick erection, hidden by the water. "No," I say with a laugh. "Not right now, Kael. This is about getting clean."

I wish to put my mouth on you and pleasure you, Claudia. It would bring me much pleasure. I hunger for your taste.

My laugh dies in a breathless gasp, and my mind fills with images of him, his big hands pus.h.i.+ng my knees forward as he licks my p.u.s.s.y ravenously.

Oh, mercy.

"Bathing," I remind him. "We're bathing right now." But the words come out breathless, and I can't seem to stop touching him under the pretense of was.h.i.+ng, even as he nuzzles at my wet neck, his hands flexing against my b.u.t.t.

Can I not hold you while I bathe? I enjoy it.

"You can..." I breathe. He lifts his head, and I see that his eyes are swirling with the black of desire. He leans closer to me, and his mouth captures mine, even as he pulls me flush against him once more.

My Claudia. I sense your arousal. The scent of it hungers me. His tongue strokes against mine, a mimic of his c.o.c.k, and I whimper. Let me taste you.

"You have shampoo in your hair," I tell him softly. Even now it runs down his forehead into his eyes.

He releases me and dunks under the water again, shaking his head furiously. A moment later he pops up again and then clasps me close, water streaming down his big, golden body. Now I will taste you.

I tremble at the intensity in his thoughts. I run one hand down his shoulders, feeling his muscles and considering his big body. We stand in hip-high water, out in the open. Anyone could see us. More than that, I suspect that he wants more than just oral. He's going to want s.e.x, and this is a slippery slope.

I'm full of desire...and fear. "I don't know."

As if sensing my thoughts, Kael brushes his mouth over my cheek. "Claudia..." he murmurs aloud, startling me. Then, in my mind, he says, I wish only to bring you pleasure. There does not have to be pleasure for Kael in this joining. I simply want to taste my mate and enjoy her flavor. Let me do this.

I shudder, clinging to his wet skin as his hands settle at my waist again. I can't decide...and yet, I'm not leaving. So maybe I've decided, after all. He waits a moment and then leans in to kiss me again. When he kisses me, I open my mouth to his, acquiescing to his dominance.

One big hand slides down my belly, gliding down my wet flesh. He finds my mound and cups me there and breaks the kiss. I gaze up at him, hardly daring to breathe. The look on his face traps my gaze, all delicious black swirls of intensity.

And he presses a finger in, stroking into the curls of my s.e.x and between my p.u.s.s.y lips.

I moan, arching against him.

He continues to rub me, mindful of his claws, and I feel him dip into my core, where I'm aching with need.

You are hot and slick with mating juices, my Claudia. He rubs his finger up and down the folds of my p.u.s.s.y, wetting me with my own need. Feel how wet you are. That is not just water. That is my Claudia.

And he lifts his hand to his mouth and licks his fingers, his intense gaze still on my face.

I can feel the pleasure that rolls through his mind and whimper at the intensity of it. My Claudia, he tells me. Nothing tastes better than your sweetness. Let me lick you.

Here? Now?

Now, he agrees. He pulls me into his arms and heads for the sh.o.r.e of the lake. I will lay you down under me, spread your thighs, and feast upon your beauty.

My body trembles with the intensity of his thoughts, and his gaze pins me as he gently lays me down on the sandy sh.o.r.e. Then he looks down on me, full of admiration.

So beautiful, my Claudia. My mate is lovely.

He bends over and runs his mouth lightly down my stomach, caressing me. His big hands move to my thighs and pulls them wide, parting me for his attentions. His pleasure storms through my mind again, and I moan even before his hot breath fans over my p.u.s.s.y.

As I watch, he studies my folds and then leans in. His tongue snakes out and flicks over my flesh, giving me a quick taste. Then he rumbles with pleasure and sinks against me, his mouth burying between my thighs. I gasp in response, startled by the onslaught of sensations. Whatever I feel is being mixed with the thoughts he's allowing to leak from his own mind, and it's like my pleasure is being amplified by his. I can feel how erotic it is for him to taste me, how wild it makes him.

I writhe against his mouth as he begins to give my c.l.i.t long, slow strokes with his rough tongue, lapping at it slow and steady. My moaning turns to panting, and he increases the movements of his tongue, faster and faster. When he begins to rumble low in his chest again, I can't help but gasp because it makes things feel even better-the vibrations moving through his mouth seem to transfer directly to my c.l.i.t. My hands go to his head, and despite myself, I'm clinging to his hair as he works my p.u.s.s.y with his mouth. I savor every long stroke of his tongue, every flick, every swirl, every rasp against that most sensitive of spots. He begins to increase the intensity and pressure of his licking, as if sensing that I need more.

Of course he senses it, I realize breathlessly. He's connected to me in our minds. I send him what I want, frantic with need, and a moment later, he sucks on my c.l.i.t.

I come with a rush, crying out his name. My muscles clench tight, and I give a small scream of pleasure even as he continues to lick and suck at my c.l.i.t, dragging out my o.r.g.a.s.m. The world explodes in a haze where only Kael's mouth exists and I'm oblivious to everything else.

Slowly, I come down from my o.r.g.a.s.m, panting. My body gradually feels as if it's uncurling from the tension, and I lie on the sand, panting and trying to catch my breath. That had been wickedly intense. I glance down and see Kael is still between my thighs, gazing up at me with an expression I've come to think of as pure possessive male.

I enjoyed that, Kael tells me. Very much.

"What about you?" I tense a little in asking, but I need to know.

I receive my pleasure from the touch of your mind against mine. His claws idly stroke my inner thighs, possessive. The touch of your body against my own. I will give you my seed at another time, when you are less frightened of me. Until then, I am content to taste of your body. He leans in and gives me a wicked look, mouth hovering close to my p.u.s.s.y. Shall we do it again?

A weak laugh escapes me. "You're going to kill me."

He frowns, all playfulness disappearing. You are that fragile?

"Figure of speech. It wouldn't really kill me. It's just a saying."

Your speech is...charming. He slowly licks the ticklish skin of my inner thigh. We do not use physical speech as often as your kind. It is not convenient.

I s.h.i.+ver at his touch, nerves jolting in response. "Am I...very different than your women?" I brush my fingers through his wet hair. I feel extremely touchy-feely at the moment. Who wouldn't be after the kind of attention I'd just received?

The rumble of his amus.e.m.e.nt vibrates through my legs. In many ways.

"How?" I'm genuinely curious...and a little miffed. Is it bad that I'm different? "I've never seen one."

You have. Have you not seen the red dragons in the skies?

I go still. "The reds? The reds are female?" I knew they were smaller, more plentiful...and extremely aggressive. Most of the dragon attacks that decimated the cities were done by hordes of red dragons. I never thought they were the females, though. The idea is staggering with its implications.

They are. Red is a mating color for the drakoni. They turn red when they wish to attack a male. Aggression is a sign of mating.

If that's the case, there are a lot of dragons looking for a mate. "They always attack in patterns. They wait a few days... Do you know why?"

The madness is worst when the mating heat is upon you. This world makes them constantly aggressive.

"I don't understand... Why not take one of them as a mate? They're your kind. You didn't have to steal me."

The females are...changed by this world. They will not let a male close enough to fight for dominance. If they are not conquered, they cannot change to their two-legged form to mate. We do not mate in our battle-form, and females do not carry young in their battle-form.

"Battle-form?"

He s.h.i.+fts his weight suddenly, and the sun is blotted out as the ma.s.sive dragon-form moves over me, dwarfing my body. This is my battle-form.

"Your dragon form," I say, understanding now. I'm relieved when he s.h.i.+fts back, returning to his-mostly-human form. "Why such a difference in sizes between your two-legged form and your battle-form?"

He shrugs, the movement fluid and graceful. I knew once. I do not know it any longer. It has been lost to the madness. I have lost much of my mind to this world.

Such a terrible thing. And yet...I can't help but ask. "Did you have family back on the other side of the Rift?"

I do not remember. He watches my face. This troubles you?

I flick a few grains of sand off my belly and try to pretend confidence. "And a mate? Did you have a mate?" It shouldn't matter to me, but for some reason, it really, really does.

Never. You are the only mate for me. I do not remember much, but I remember this. My venom will only produce for one female. You are her for me.

I hate that I'm absurdly pleased. I hate that I'm also pleased that our minds are connected and I know he's telling the truth. Still, I worry that he might not be better with a drakoni female. If he only gets one mate, it kind of sucks for him that he's stuck with me. "I don't understand why you picked me to be your mate. You should have found a drakoni female."

I will take no one but you, Claudia. His grip tightens around my hips, and he leans his mouth against the vee of my p.u.s.s.y. Shall I convince you that you are the one for me once more?

I protest...but only a little. And after a moment's persuasion, I don't protest a bit.

24.

CLAUDIA.

Cooking's definitely easier with a dragon around, I decide that evening.

I yawn as I turn the spitted chunk of cow haunch over my campfire area. I'm burning some old papers I found in the office, and Kael makes it easy to get a fire. It's not a great fire because I don't have real fuel, but it's a fire. I toss another technical manual onto the fire itself, and the flames flicker low, so I gesture for Kael to fix it. He immediately changes to dragon form, tilts his head low, and blows flame on the fire, and then switches back to human form and puts his arms around my waist, pulling me into his lap. We're getting better at cooking as a team, I think. Kael's learning not to char my food while it's still running away (bonus!), and I'm learning not to freak out at his hunting methods. Earlier today, he listened when I told him not to kill the cow messily, and he let me butcher my chunk before he ate his portion.

Progress. Small, but progress.