“I’m sure I’ll be fine. Aric has the cameras set up. I don’t need a babysitter.” I hefted my backpack onto my shoulder and blew a lock of hair out of my eyes.
Chase’s jaw was set. “You are not staying in that pub by yourself. It’s too dangerous.” He growled in frustration. “I understand that you miss your friends, but it’s really much safer here.”
Safer, maybe, but after going out with Aric, it was a lot less comfortable. Knowing my hosts saw me as a means to an end was awkward as hell, and being around Aric himself was even more awkward. I still hadn’t apologized to Cass, either. I needed to get the hell out of there before I stuck my foot in it with anyone else.
“Look, before you guys found me, I was supposed to be taking over as a second bartender at McKinnett’s. I’ve left Kitty high and dry for a week without any help.” I frowned up at him. “Just because you guys say I’m some kind of queen doesn’t mean I’m going to completely screw my family over.” I sighed. “I also want to sleep in my own space. My own bed. I feel safer there, even if I’m not.”
“Just…” Another growl, this one lower. “Fine. But I’m coming with you.”
My heart fluttered. Chase. Was coming back to my place. With me. Thoughts of yesterday’s session up against the tree filled my head and overrode my pride.
“Fine.”
We drove to McKinnett’s in silence. I could sense that he was annoyed with me, but to hell with him. I needed to be home.
“Sia!” Billy greeted me at the door with a broad grin. “I thought we’d lost you forever.” He started to say something else, then looked over my shoulder. The grin faded. “Who’s your friend?”
The two looked each other over. I could see Chase doing some mental calculus on how easily he could take Billy down. Billy was doing much the same. I cleared my throat. Billy’s eyes returned to me.
“How much has Kitty told you about me being away?”
Billy shrugged, still casting wary glances over my shoulder. “She said that a private investigation group had caught up with you with info about your parents. That you were staying with Missi because of the break-ins at the pub.”
Glad I asked. “Yeah. I got homesick. My friend Chase, from the investigation firm, is going to stay with me and keep me company. The break-ins are related to my family and…”
I was almost bowled over by the wave of anger, frustration, and grief that came off of Billy at that announcement. He hid it well. “I…I could stay here. If you need someone to stay here. You don’t need some stranger up in your business.” That last bit was a bit more emphatic than it needed to be.
I bristled. “Chase is a friend. My friend. Who I want to stay with me.” I composed myself, then looked Billy in the eye. “Please don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” I pleaded.
Billy’s eyes went hard. “Okay, then. He’s your friend. He’s welcome.” He didn’t sound welcoming.
Chase nodded at him, then walked into the bar ahead of me.
I looked up at Billy, full of misplaced guilt. I’m sorry I don’t want you like that. He turned his attention to a pair of staggering drunks walking down the street. I shook my head and turned to go.
“He’s not just your friend, is he?” It was an accusation.
I sighed and walked into the pub.
“Arysia Bellmont, get your pasty white ass over here and give me a hug!” Kitty bellowed from behind the bar. The few regulars still sitting around the pub raised their heads and laughed as I dashed across the room and hopped up onto the bar to comply. “It’s good to see you, girl,” she murmured into my neck as she held me close.
I closed my eyes and reveled in the hug. “I missed you.”
“Missed you too. Now drop off your bag and get behind this bar. I need a piss.” She laughed and released me. I hopped off the bar and almost landed on Chase, who was studying the regulars with a wary eye. They were studying him right back.
I sighed. “Everyone, this is Chase. Chase, everyone.” The regulars nodded tersely, then went back to finishing their final pints for the night. I took my position behind the bar. Chase pulled up a barstool.
“Welcoming place, this pub,” he murmured with a wry grin.
I picked up a bar rag and started cleaning. “These are our most stalwart regulars. They don’t like tourists.”
“Tourists?” Chase frowned and glanced over his shoulder at them. “I’ve lived here most of my life.”
I shook my head. “Outsiders. We’ve started getting a lot of younger people, hipsters mostly, looking to ‘slum it’ here, asking for craft cocktails and organic vegan pub food. They made a bad name for themselves, so now anyone under the age of forty who walks in here without references from one of the regulars is viewed with utmost suspicion.” I smiled at him. “I’m your reference. Behave yourself and don’t ask me for artisanal quinoa beer and you’ll be fine.”
He laughed. It was a good laugh, rich and deep and sexy. “Whiskey, neat.”
I gave him a generous pour and slid it in front of him. “We’ll be closing up in a few moments. This is on the house. Last call was an hour ago.”
As if on cue, Billy wandered in. “You don’t have to go home…” he announced.
“Yeah, yeah.” Marty Miller, one of the regulars, stood up, leading the rest of them on the long stumble to the door. Kitty popped back into the room to say her goodnights, following them to the door to lock up.
“You going to be okay with the cash, Kitty?” Billy asked, studiously not looking at me.
Kitty glanced at me, then at Chase. “We should be fine, love. Have a good night.”
Billy gave a noncommittal grunt and lumbered out the door.
Kitty locked the door behind him, then turned and leaned on it. “Who pissed in his whiskey?”
“I did.” My forehead thunked against the bar.
“What?” Kitty paused, then looked at Chase again. “Oh. Poor lummox. He’ll get over it.”
“Get over what?” Chase asked softly.
I shook my head, forehead still resting on the bar. “Nothing you need to worry about,” I muttered.
He chuckled softly. “I might need to. He looked like he was going to jump me out there.” A note of concern. “You two aren’t…?”
“No. Really no.”
The concern turned to a growl. “Do I need to…”
“No!” I’d seen what he could do to a person. As much as I wanted to belt Billy a solid one right now, I didn’t want to see him flame-broiled. “No. Billy…is a friend. Hopefully he remembers that someday.”
Kitty and I ran through the old familiar ritual of closing down the bar. Chase helped me put the chairs up on the tables. Kitty made noises of approval. More ‘useful member of society’ points for him. All things considered, that was an important thing. I wanted her to like my… I paused mid-mopping. My what? He’s not my anything. Not yet. Is he?
“Well, that’s done. I’ll be off, Sia. Does Chase need to be let out?” She took us both in with amused curiosity.
“No, ma’am. I’m staying here tonight to make sure Sia is safe.” Chase looked all business. My heart sank a little. Maybe it was all business.
“Do you need an air mattress?” Kitty was fighting a smile tooth and nail. I groaned inwardly.
“No, ma’am. I think I’ll be fine on the floor.”
“Mm-hmm.” Kitty winked at me, then spun on her heel and headed for the back door. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” She called.
I sighed hard. Chase feigned a cough.
The door closed and locked behind her. Chase stepped closer. Warmth flooded through me. I was alone, in my home, with a man. A very sexy man. He trailed the tips of his fingers down my arms, sending that warmth to melt my core. “So, what wouldn’t she do?” He teased.
“I…um…” It was suddenly very hard to think straight.
His hands gripped mine firmly and pulled me closer. Fiercely, he claimed my lips. I gave a soft squeak of surprise, then melted into his arms. It was as though no time had passed between our time in the trees and now. His hunger for me was just as strong, just as passionate. He wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me again, this time carrying me toward my room.
Panic reared its ugly head, followed swiftly by darker, unwanted thoughts. I flailed a little in his grip, and he set me down.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” His eyes were dark with desire, but his brow furrowed with worry.
“I… it’s just….” I leaned my back against the door to my room and stared down at my feet. “You’re not just doing this because I’m the Shadow Queen, are you? It’s not just a…status thing?”
“Huh?” He stepped back, genuinely confused. I could feel it.
“Aric’s parents came home, briefly.” I kicked a heel against the door. “I heard them talking.”
“Oh.” Apparently, that was all the explanation I needed. “We’re not all like them, Sia.” He sounded mildly affronted that I’d even considered it. Guilt began to seep in.
“They said something about raising mates for the Shadow Queen.” I looked up at him. “Are you…?”
He laughed, a little harshly. “Me? Oh hell, no. I’m the last person the Elder Council would want you choosing as a mate.” He looked at me with those steel blue eyes, still dark with desire. “But then, I’ve never listened to the Council too closely.”
My brow furrowed a little, confused. “Why on Earth not? You found me. You’re a great leader. You’re smart, powerful…”
“And a great dancer.” He chuckled. “But, as fire dragons go, I’m a bit of a wild card.” He leaned against a table, gripping the edges. “My friends and I, we’re not the Alpha Squad. We’re not the ones they expected to find you. Honestly, we’re probably the last group they expected to find you.” He chuffed softly. “I was never one for following the proper warrior’s path. I bailed out of the combat academy pretty young. I trained with humans. Martial arts, parkour, boxing. I thought sword fighting was outdated. It’s hard to hide a sword in public. I favor knives. And that’s heresy, at least to the fire dragons.”
“So…” I was processing this all as best I could. “Aric said that he was a black sheep. So are you, from what you’re saying.” I looked at him quizzically.
“Most of the earth dragons are doctors, surgeons. Galen wanted to be out in the field, helping people when it counted most. And Cass… his chosen mentor and the Ethereal Elder are on the outs.” Chase shrugged. “I’m sorry. You got the riff-raff.”
“What? No.” I pushed off the door and over to him. I rested my hands on his chest. “You have welcomed me in. You have started training me to be who I need to be. You are keeping me safe.” I exhaled sharply. “You have done more for me than any other dragon out there. I won’t hear you talk poorly of yourself.”
“Yes’m.” He cracked a wry little smile. “Besides, the Elders don’t get to choose for you, no matter what they think.”
“You’re damned right.” My lips closed over his. He leaned forward, his arms sliding around me and cupping my ass. “My choice.”
“Mmm.” He deepened the kiss and stood up, pushing me back toward the door to my room. I reached behind myself and felt for the knob, opening it and shoving hard. The door swung open, and we stumbled inside, still locked in the kiss.
The backs of my knees hit the edge of the bed, and I sat down with a thump. I could see Chase smile hungrily in the dim light from the narrow window at the top of the wall. He gazed down at me. I was trembling, half-terrified, half-ravenous for more. I swallowed hard, then caught his hand and pulled him closer.
He went to his knees in front of me and slid his hands over my thighs, caressing me with his thumbs. I gasped against his lips as he reached his goal and pressed his thumbs into me, rubbing between my legs. I wondered if I had soaked through my jeans yet. His lips made their slow, sensuous journey along my jaw, down into my neck. I moaned softly, aching with need.
His teeth nipped the tender skin where my neck met my shoulder. I arched my back slightly. His hands slid up over my hips, caught the hem of my t-shirt, and continued upward, lifting the fabric and baring my stomach. Quickly, he pulled his head away and planted kisses on my stomach, working his way up along with the shirt. Shakily, I raised my hands and let him slide the shirt free. I felt terrifyingly vulnerable sitting there before him in just my bra and jeans. His hands slid behind my shoulders, and the bra went slack and joined my t-shirt in the darkness beyond the bed. I shivered.
Warmth returned quickly as his tongue darted around my erect nipple. I yelped in surprise, then moaned louder as he drew my nipple into his mouth and sucked at it, teasing it with tongue and teeth. His hands slid down my back, cupping my ass and pulling me closer to him. Faintly, I heard a buzzing sound. Chase paid it no mind, focused on the task at hand.
I writhed in his grasp, panting hard as his thumbs slid between my legs once more. His fingers worked at the button on my fly, then eased the zipper down. My heart pounded. It was happening. It was really happening. Am I ready? He gripped the waistband of my jeans and eased them down. I raised my hips.
I’m ready.
His lips trailed across my breast and between them, moving down my midsection at the same pace as he lowered my jeans to the floor. I thought my heart was going to break free from my ribcage. Lower and lower, until the tip of his tongue traced just beneath my belly.
What is he…?
He pressed a hand against my stomach, guiding me to lie back against the bed as his tongue slid lower. I arched and cried out in pure need as it slipped between my folds. Gently, the tip traced along my labia, then claimed my clit. I cried out again, writhing against my blankets. Nothing I’d experienced prepared me for this, this scorching wet pressure sliding up and down my clit, teasing at my labia, sliding into depths only I had ever explored. I clenched fistfuls of blanket, moaning his name over and over. Each time, he worked at me a little harder, a little more fiercely, until he was ravishing my clit with lips and tongue and the edges of his teeth. A blaze of heat and light filled me, building into an inferno that finally exploded, sending me arching into his mouth with a long cry of anguished ecstasy.
Chase pulled back to watch my face in the half-light with a sensuously wicked smile. He opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by more buzzing. His eyes squeezed tight with frustration and a groan. His hand left my thigh and went to his pocket.
“What?” he growled into the phone. His eyes widened. “Fuck.”
“What?” I sat up, feeling even more vulnerable and naked.
Something rattled the back door to the pub. Chase was on his feet in a flash. I dove for my jeans, yanking them on over shaking legs.
“The boys will be here in a minute.” He pocketed his phone. “We just have to hold them off until then.”
“Hold who off?” Something slammed into the back door. I heard wood splinter. I knew damned well who. The Cult was back.