Blood Dragon Read online

  The shifter followed close on her heels. She pushed the button for the fifth and highest floor. “You said you don’t get out much. Is that the case for dragon shifters in general, or specifically you?”

  “Both.”

  Cryptic.

  The elevator dinged as they reached her floor. The door opened. Ceri put her hand on the edge of the door as it opened. “Both? As in…?” She raised her brows, moving into the door of the elevator and essentially closing him in.

  “Dragon shifters are only permitted to…mingle with humans twice per year.”

  “Otherwise you’re homebound?”

  “Yes.” He nodded, stepping towards the exit. Towards her. His scent was incredible.

  “Why do your males mingle with humans?” It seemed an odd thing to do. She could guess but hearing it from him would be way more fun.

  “We have very few female dragons.” He shrugged.

  “So ‘mingle’ is not the right word?” She smiled to show she was only teasing.

  Another one-shouldered shrug. His eyes glinted with mischief. More of his scent enveloped her. Drool-worthy. She swallowed down her need to drink from him. Her gums itched. She’d eaten just two short days before. She didn’t need blood. Not so soon. She wanted it though. Wanted his blood.

  “You said you don’t get out much and that it’s not only because you’re a dragon shifter. There’s more to it then?”

  “I haven’t been into town for a couple of years now. Single males go on the Stag Runs religiously.”

  “Stag Runs?” She laughed. “I guess it’s a good name. Why don’t you go on them?” She knew she was prying. If he had wanted to tell her, he would have. Then another thought occurred to her. “You’re single, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, very much so. The Stag Run is not my thing. Males come into towns like this one to rut and…” He let the sentence die.

  “You don’t like rutting?” She frowned.

  Bay smiled, he had this strange look about him. His eyes seemed clouded. His demeanor, down somehow. “Don’t answer that.” She put up her hand. “It’s none of my business,” she laughed, trying to shove aside the heaviness that suddenly filled the space.

  She waited for him to say something. To answer her or to change the subject… something, but he just looked uncomfortable. Ceri stepped out of the elevator and into the hallway.

  She didn’t have to walk far. “This is mine.” She stopped at the first door, using the keycard to open it. “Come on in.” She pushed the door open and leaned against the jamb, allowing him plenty of space to enter in front of her.

  His eyes locked with hers. They heated. He was definitely interested, so why was he acting like being there was the worst idea? More importantly, why did that intrigue her so much?

  Chapter 2

  What the fuck was he doing there?

  What was the point?

  To chat. There was no way this stunning, beguiling, utterly sensual creature only wanted him there so that they could chat. A human? Maybe. A Vampire? Forget about it. He didn’t know much about the species, just that non-humans saw things differently.

  Bay didn’t feel like chatting much himself. In fact, the more he thought about what he wanted, the more upset he felt. He wanted to give this female pleasure, wanted to see the expression on her face as she let go. Wanted to see her beautiful green eyes hazy with passion.

  He could scent her interest in him. Could see it. Pity, she was barking up the wrong tree. He should just wish her a good night and leave. Except his feet carried him further and further into the hotel room.

  Bay swallowed thickly as his eyes landed on the bed. The room was spacious with a desk and chair, as well as a lounge area, but all he could see was the damned bed. He really should leave. “Take a seat.” Carmine walked in beside him and gestured to a sofa. “The minibar has a nice selection, unless you would prefer a tea, coffee…soda maybe?” He watched as the column of her neck moved. She was nervous. A female like Carmine should not be nervous. She was sure to get plenty of offers and on a daily basis. Then again, he’d seen it with his own eyes. Those human males had been falling over their feet just to get near her. Non-humans would be no different. Just look at him as an example. He really shouldn’t be there and yet he couldn’t help himself.

  He did as she said, choosing the single wingback chair. Why was he torturing himself? Torturing them both? “I’ll have a whiskey. Neat.”

  She nodded once, taking two tumblers from the cupboard. Then she leaned right over, ass in the air, as she opened the small fridge. Her long legs unveiling even more as her dress pulled up, all the way up.

  Holy fuck.

  Giving him a spectacular visual of her pussy. Pink and oh so fucking pretty. Bay put his hand between his legs and gave his cock a squeeze. He didn’t know what he had expected to find. In truth, if a female was going to bring life back to his shaft. This was certainly the one to have done it. But there was nothing. Not a stirring. Not a rumbling. Only a familiar hunger, deep down inside. Did he enjoy rutting? Yes. Did he want to rut? Abso-fucking-lutely. Could he do it? Did he have the physical capability? No, that basic function was taken away from him years ago. Whether he deserved it or not was a debate he had with himself on a regular basis. It wasn’t important right then though. Bay shuffled in his seat, trying to get comfortable. Trying to quell the raging need that coursed through him.

  Carmine straightened up and air could fill his lungs once more. He pushed out a heavy breath. She uncapped the tiny bottles and poured them into the tumblers. Whiskey for the both of them. Then she sauntered to Bay in three easy steps and handed him one of the glasses. Their eyes locked. The need in hers was apparent, he was sure it would match his own. Her delicious scent wrapped itself around him. Funnily enough, the masculine scent was all but gone. It hadn’t really bugged him, but she scented way better right then. Too damned good.

  Bay tipped the glass in her direction and then downed the contents. The whiskey burned its way down his throat.

  She raised her brows in question but did the same, licking her lips and placing the glass on the table.

  “So, we’ve had our drinks,” Bay said. He should leave. He didn’t want to.

  “Are you going to leave now?” She could obviously sense his hesitancy.

  “No,” he fingered the hem of her dress. “I’d like to stay a little longer and I think it’s time we cut to the chase.”

  “Agreed.” Her eyes were bright with excitement. Pity she was going to be disappointed in the end. Disappointed in one way maybe, but he’d leave her very well sated. That much was for sure.

  “Do you want me to make you come?” Bay just out and said it. Screw all this dancing around.

  She laughed, tilting her head back slightly. Even that was as sexy as fuck. “Most males would have used the word fuck or rut. I like you, dragon, and yes, I would like it very much if you would make me come. I would’ve been more upfront from the start, but I got the distinct impression that you would have run a mile.”

  Bay couldn’t smile back. Disappointment ate at him. The female was right. He should have run, should run now but he couldn’t. He needed this, even if no physical pleasure could be derived from this for himself. He wanted the vampire to have pleasure. He would at least enjoy giving it to her. Bay nodded. “I’ll make you come. More than once if you would like, but it needs to be on my terms.”

  Her eyes widened and she pushed out a breath, clearly startled. Then the one side of her mouth quirked up. “You have got to be the most interesting male I have ever met. Most would have had me on all fours already.”

  He had to hold back a cringe. Given the opportunity, she would have been on her knees. He felt arousal deep in his belly. Felt a zing of need but there was no rush of blood to his groin. No erection. “Here’s the deal.” He leaned back in the chair so that he could take her in. “I give you pleasure. I touch you.”

  She frowned. “So, I don’t get to touch you back? Is that what you’r
e saying?”

  “You get to feel.”

  “I think I might enjoy touching you though—”

  He shook his head. He didn’t want this beautiful vampire to know his greatest shame. To see pity instead of need written in her eyes would fuck him up. “I touch you. That’s the deal. Otherwise, I walk out.”

  She licked her lips. “Can we kiss?”

  He shrugged. “If I kiss you, then yes, you can kiss me back.”

  “What if I want to suck your dick? Or ride you?”

  Bay had to squeeze his eyes shut at the images that accosted him. His damned cock remained just as flaccid as ever. This was such a bad idea. Bay shook his head. “No! Take off your dress and lie on that bed.” He pointed at the king-size. “You can touch yourself, or clutch the bedsheets, I don’t care either way. The only thing I want you to do is come. Can you do that, Carmine?”

  She nodded once and cleared her throat. “I think I can do that.” Then she took a step back and peeled the dress from her body, pulling it over her head.

  Bay drank her in. He didn’t need a working cock to know she was sexy. Didn’t need one to know that he wanted her with every fiber of his being. “You are beautiful,” he murmured. Her breasts were pink-tipped. Ripe peaches indeed. Not too big and not too small. Utterly breathtaking. Her skin was like porcelain. The scent of her arousal made his mouth water. Nectar and honey. She turned, giving him a fantastic view of her ass. Two globes of perfection. Tight and spank-worthy. Not that he was into that kind of kinky shit, but a female like this could convert the fucking dead.

  Well almost.

  She lay down on the bed, her throat working. She chewed on her lower lip, eyes on the ceiling.

  He was going to make the most of this. The most of her. “Open your legs.” His voice was a rough rasp. It wasn’t like he did this sort of thing anymore. Not like he would do it again any time soon.

  Her breathing hitched and the edge of her mouth turned up, just a fraction. “Are you always this bossy?”

  “Only when it counts.”

  She smiled and did as he said, sliding her legs open, revealing utter perfection. Soft pink folds, already glistening with her need. Carmine planted her feet on the comforter. Her chest heaved.

  “You’re already turned on and I haven’t even touched you yet.” A fact.

  The vampire nodded. “We’re receptive and a highly sexual species. I haven’t had sex in a good couple of weeks.”

  “Weeks.” Bay snorted out a laugh. Then he put up a hand. “I’m sorry.” He didn’t want her asking questions. Didn’t want her to know how long it had been for him.

  “So you—” she began. Her eyes flared and she made a soft yelping noise as he closed the space between them and pushed his tongue into her channel. Deep inside.

  Fuck!

  By scale and claw, she tasted better than she scented. So damned sweet. Carmine made a keening noise and grabbed at the comforter. There was a ripping sound as her nails tore through the material. She moaned as he tongue-fucked her. All out groaned as he moved to her clit. It was plump as fuck. Fit in his mouth, against his tongue perfectly. Bay licked and sucked, alternating between the two. He’d let her come quickly this time. Just this time, though.

  By the sounds she was making, he knew she was close. Bay suckled her, simultaneously rubbing his tongue across her nub. Her legs closed around his head and her back bowed. She was strong, her grip tight. Not like humans. Delicate and weak. This was something different. He found himself intrigued and watched as she threw her head back and groaned. Long and deep until she finally slumped back, she was breathing heavily. “Oh. My. God!” She sucked in more air, like she couldn’t get enough. “That was so good.”

  Actually, he was rusty. The next one would be better.

  She lifted her head. Her long hair was tussled. Her green eyes, cat-like eyes, were bright. Glowing slightly. She smiled, almost lazily. He was shocked to see fangs. By fire, but they were long and sharp as fuck. Sexy as anything.

  “I’m sorry.” She touched a finger to her lips. “This is normal for a vampire. I’m just really turned on and—”

  “No need to explain.” He shook his head.

  “You’re okay with it? With me?”

  “More than okay.” It shocked him that she was so self-conscious. Her. This ravishing creature.

  She nodded. “Thank you.” She cast her gaze down. “I guess we’re so used to being called names. Things like bloodsuckers and monsters. We’re called filthy and—”

  “I don’t see you as any of those things.”

  “Undress.” Her eyes tracked down his torso.

  Bay gave a single shake of the head. If only! If fucking only.

  She wanted him. Ceri wanted him so badly. She wanted his cock deep inside her. Wanted her fangs deep inside him. Somehow, she just knew he wouldn’t mind if she drank from him. She’d never been with anyone other than a vampire. Drinking and fucking went hand-in-hand. She wasn’t sure she could do one without the other. “I want you inside me,” she moaned.

  Bay nodded once. He kneeled between her parted thighs, taking her in with his eyes. Ceri had to stop herself from squirming under his scrutiny. She had never had a male look at her with that degree of hunger. Of pure unadulterated need. It was feral and almost unnerving. It was also arousing. She dug her hands into the already destroyed comforter, trying to stop herself from reaching out and touching him. His shirt pulled tight on his well-muscled frame. She wanted to rip it from his body. Wanted to feast, not only with her fangs but with her eyes as well. He was magnificent. From his blue eyes ‒ they had this silvery edge to them ‒ to his masculine jaw. His lips were made for kissing.

  He leaned over her, not actually touching her. His eyes burned into hers as his lips sought hers. Hungry and demanding from the start. She couldn’t close her eyes. Couldn’t stop looking into the depths of his. Then his fingers were breaching her pussy.

  By blood. By all that was red. The air caught in her lungs as he found her spot. Found it immediately and went to work on it. Her eyes widened in both shock and pleasure. She broke the kiss as her fangs lengthened all over again. Her throat felt dry but there was no time to think about it.

  Extreme pleasure. It rushed through her. She realized with a start that she had wrapped her legs around his hips. He hovered above her. His whole body remained poised. For a second she thought he might stop. She unlocked her legs, planting her feet in the comforter. It wasn’t like she could move much since his hand held her in place. Fingers still pumping. Slowly. The tips brushing against her g-spot. She groaned so deeply, it almost came out sounding like a growl.

  His thumb brushed against her clit. Once. Twice. Then nothing but the slow, lazy brush of his fingers. Deep inside her. The slick sounds her body was making filled the room.

  “Feels good,” she pushed out between pants.

  Bay leaned in, he kissed her neck. He nipped her softly. A zing of need raced through her. The need to come. The need to bite and be bitten. Her fangs lengthened even more. It would be amazing if he bit her. Really bit her. Too much to hope for or to ask for. He nipped her again and her pussy clenched around his fingers. Bay stopped moving, circling her clit with his thumb instead. She arched her back.

  “I want you,” she choked out, having to grip the comforter to keep herself from cupping his jaw. From running her hands down his chest. She wanted to cup his balls. Wanted to feel the hard length of him in her hands…inside her.

  “I want you too.” It came out sounding choked and desperate. His eyes were narrowed and clouded. Filled with need. His jaw was tight.

  He began to pump his fingers again. Just the right combination of hard and deep. Yet, soft and careful. His thumb found her clit and rubbed. The strokes both soft and firm.

  Good lord! No male had touched her like this. He knew where and just how to do it. There was that familiar coiling sensation in the pit of her stomach. Her eyes were wide and her breathing ragged.

  The
dragon looked down at her with such an intense look in his eyes. It was clear he wanted to watch her come. The realization turned her on even more. Vampire males normally put her on her knees and took what they needed. Her orgasm was a byproduct of that. Any foreplay was normally to get her wet enough for penetration. They would drink from her at their climax, ensuring she finished as well. It was almost clinical. A means to an end. This was different. This was intense. Unreal. That look of longing in his eyes. The way he watched. The coiling intensified. Her body began to tense, preparing for release.

  Her cries grew louder. Her fangs felt impossibly long, her mouth impossibly dry. Her legs were around his hips again, but she couldn’t bring herself to move them this time.

  Then she was falling, a cry torn from her as her head rocked back. Her eyes felt like they had rolled to the back of her skull. His fingers kept working their magic. It felt like he was touching her everywhere. Her body tensed. There was a ripping noise as pleasure flooded her.

  Without thinking ‒ how could she in a moment like this ‒ she leaned forward, sinking her fangs into his flesh. Whether his neck, his arm, his chest, she wasn’t sure.

  Rapture. Delicious rapture hit her tongue as her orgasm intensified, her muscles pulling impossibly tight as she sucked in another gulp of hot, rich blood. Dark chocolate, chili all wrapped in a delicious smokiness. Never had she tasted a better combination.

  This mouthful burned on the way down. Heating her and heating and heating and— By fang! Ceri pulled back, her mouth on fire. Her whole body burning up from the inside out. The air froze in her lungs with the intensity. His silvery-blue eyes held hers. It hurt, but it felt good too. She was dumbstruck for a few moments. Energy coursed through her. Her chest heaved and she felt that her mouth was hanging open. Ceri couldn’t close it. Couldn’t move. She felt a drop of his blood drip down from the edge of her mouth. It burned a path down the side of her cheek. She half expected to see smoke coil up. Pain and intense pleasure all rolled into one. Delicious and agonizing.