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After she retreated from his embrace, Rei was forced to step back.
“It was a very long flight, Mr. Dorado, if you don’t mind, I’d like to freshen up,” she’d asked.
“Of course, I will have your luggage sent up immediately, but allow me to show you to your quarters,” he guided her with a hand on the small of her back up the lavish spiral staircase that led to his private floor.
Without explaining exactly where he was taking her, Rei led her to the bedroom closest to his own. His Dragon was enraged at him for not settling her in his room, but he quieted the beast.
“You will find everything you need for a warm bath while I gather your things from the car,” he said the word with a sneer. He hated the tin box more than any other modern convenience since he’d awakened.
“I take it you don’t like cars?” She smiled as she asked her question and he found his lips quirking up in response.
It didn’t matter that she was laughing at him. He liked her laughing, he realized. He made a mental note to always make her laugh.
“No, actually I do not. Who could enjoy being cooped up in a metal box that manages to hit every bump and crack in the pavement and travels at ridiculous speeds for land? I’d much rather travel myself,” he winked playfully.
“I see, prefer to be in your own fur then?” he heard the real question she was asking and readily supplied the answer.
“Scales, kitten,” he stepped closer to her, “I am a Dragon, but surely you knew this from your file on me?”
“A Dragon?” Her ocean eyes widened. Rei stepped closer, unable to stop himself. He followed the movement of her throat as she swallowed desperately wanting to run his tongue along that delicate hollow.
“Indeed,” he rumbled.
“Wow. I had no idea,” she murmured.
“Is it not in my file?” Concern made him frown as he noticed the way she seemed to avoid looking at him.
“No, um, not at all. Merlin Banking Solutions takes customer privacy very seriously. Shifter species or supernatural classification is not in our purview,” she shrugged and turned around.
“Does this bother you? Me being a Dragon?”
“No! I mean, no,” she returned, “It’s just that I’ve heard rumors of Dragons coming out into supernatural society once again, but I never thought I would-” she started.
“Be mated to one?” he ventured.
“What?” There it was again. That delicious little swallowing thing she did when she was nervous. Rei grinned and moved to grasp her smaller hand in his. Lightning strikes tickled his fingertips as their skin touched and he bit back another groan.
“I know you can tell we are fated to be together, Cora,” he moved in closer, hesitating when he saw her eyes flash with fear. He would not have her fear him for all the world.
“Look, I don’t know what you mean.”
“We both know that is untrue, kitten,” he bit his lip, his gaze never straying from her beautiful face.
“I can’t do this now,” she whispered. The tart tang of her unease invaded his nostrils.
“When then,” he murmured, forcing her to step back as he lowered his lips to her neck. He would not retreat, nor would he relent. She was his.
“Mr. Dorado-”
“My name is Rei, sweet kitten, and you smell like pure sunshine.”
“Does that line usually work?”
“What line? I will only ever tell you the truth, kitten.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, really,” he insisted failing to see the humor in his vow.
“Then tell me what you’re thinking right now.”
“I’m thinking,” he began, his voice a deep rumbling sound, “I want to lie down with you, sink deep within your succulent body, and stay there until your heat scorches me from the inside out.”
Rei’s eyes swallowed the movement of her throat as she swallowed whatever she’d been about to say. Grinning wickedly, he moved in closer and nipped the skin below her ear. The fragrance of her desire rose like sweet perfume in the air surrounding them.
His own body hardened instantaneously in response. The need to wrap her up in his arms was strong even before she shuddered against him like the fragile delicacy she was. His Dragon hummed with pleasure as he held her against him.
Nerves on edge, Rei’s nostrils flared as he tasted the soft skin of her neck with the tip of his tongue once more. Her small hands rested on his shoulders, sure and trusting. He thought he’d go mad if he couldn’t have her right then and there.
For a split second, he believed he would. Then suddenly she pushed against him. He’d known she would be strong. Most Shifters were, whether male or female. But he hadn’t been quite prepared for just how strong.
Her little shove had moved him a full foot and a half back. Eyes wide Rei bit back a chuckle at her horrified expression. Disbelief that she’d practically thrown him from the force of her shove warred with pleasure at her feisty nature.
“Oh no! I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to do that,” she murmured. A dark pink blush stole across her features.
“Are you kidding? That was wonderful!”
“What? Are you making fun of me?” His fierce little kitten narrowed her stormy eyes at him, and his heart raced at how beautiful she looked. A vision indeed. Like some sort of dark Valkyrie about to unleash her wrath on the gods of old.
“You’re powerful, kitten. It is a credit to you-”
“You’re not put off by it?”
“Put off? On the contrary,” he moved closer once more, allowing her to feel the proof of his approval, “I like that very, very much.”
And he did. Both Dragon and man were incredibly turned on by her show of strength. He wondered what else his little mate was capable of, what other secrets she kept hidden. The very possibilities made him burn with desire. Sizzle.
“Really?” Her mouth had gone slack, and dark brows drawn together in confusion as she queried him yet again. She seemed shocked and he wondered who made her doubt herself that way? He’d find them and decimate the lot of them!
“Of course,” he answered, “do you still not believe me?”
His mate was strong and fierce, beautiful and smart. He’d smite anyone who made her feel anything less than! Grrr.
“I don’t know you.”
“You are my fated mate, sweet Cora, I will never lie to you,” he began, but he fell silent at once when she closed her eyes and raised her lovely hand.
“I’m tired from my trip,” she started to explain.
“Yes, I guess that is true,” he exhaled softly, not wanting to leave her but knowing he must.
“Please, make yourself at home. Take a shower or bath. Enjoy a leisurely soak. Hot water in minutes is truly one of the marvels of this age,” he grinned broadly and gestured to the bathroom, holding the door open for her.
“Like the hot water on tap, do you?” Her amused expression squeezed his heart. She was so lovely.
“Certainly,” he agreed aware she was teasing him, “I find the plumbing advances to be phenomenal. Though as a Dragon, I admit I could warm your bath for you, water on tap or not,” he growled.
“Easy there, buddy,” Cora laughed and sidestepped him as she looked around the large bathroom.
He found the sound pleasing to his ears. Like bells, he mused. Her happiness was infectious, and he found himself laughing with her.
“There are bathing sheets in the closet there,” he nodded to a large wardrobe, watching her every move as she gracefully stepped to the right and opened the large wooden door. She withdrew two of the carefully folded towels and placed them on the heating rack.
Rei frowned. The bathroom was not as large as the one in the master suite, but it was well equipped to care for his mate’s needs. Of course, he wanted to see to all her needs. As soon as possible.
The very idea of exploring her splendid curves caused him to pulse and throb in his suddenly restrictive jeans. He turned around lest she object to his uncontrollable hunger for her.
Slow down, our mate needs patience, his Dragon spoke clearly in his mind and Rei wanted to roll his eyes. Wasn’t this the same beast demanding he drag her to his bedroom just minutes ago?
Frustration and need vied for dominance and he pushed both down. He tried to think of something, anything to change the subject and finally recalled an interesting fact she’d brought up earlier in their conversation.
“You know of more Dragon Shifters?”
“Hmm? Oh, yes, I do,” she returned.
“Who? Do you know their Clan names? Where are they located?” He asked rapidly, forcing his voice to remain friendly.
He was not faking it exactly. Rei was curious about the others. Dragons were often comprised of smallish Clans lead by a Chief or ruler. His own title of King came from the power he wielded as opposed to him having any sort of subjects.
He did not have a Clan per se. In fact, he’d been alone so long he’d missed having others of his kind nearby. Rei had discovered as a young Dragon that his talent was too strong a temptation for him to remain around more of his kind for any length of time. Dominance fights had started breaking out before he’d finished with puberty.
Tiring of all the fighting and arguing that would erupt over his particular gift, Rei retreated into himself. He’d spent many decades alone before venturing out into Europe.
He was favored among the rich and aristocracy alike for his good looks and suave charm. But that too grew old. He’d retreated to this mountain island in hopes of living apart from all that drama and boredom.
Ever since he’d woken up to learn the new government had taken back his island and normals had begun to dwell on Sol Dorado, he’d been lonelier than ever. Yes, he still retained the deeds to the land atop the mountain, but there was no one here he could really connect to. Until her arrival.
“There is a small Clan near where I live actually, in New Jersey. One of the Dragons there is responsible for developing the software we use at Merlin Banking Solutions,” she replied.
“Ah,” he said, thinking more on how much he’d like to kiss her lips.
Is this what his life was to be now? A constant barrage of sexual wants and needs? He shrugged lightly and shook his head as if to dismiss the inquisitive arch of her eyebrow. Finally, he would not be alone anymore.
He’d known loneliness before. It was one of the reasons he’d been so desperate to believe Tricia was his mate before he went to sleep. Fool, he chided himself. He did not need to have Cora in front of him to show him the folly of his ways.
The Witch had been a diversion. A way of slaking the physical demands of his body, but even there she’d failed to satisfy his carnal hunger.
There was only one woman who could do that. One perfect being who was made solely to sate his every need. As he would do for her. Cora was simply the most desirous creature ever created in the universe. Rei wanted no other.
“Easy there, fella,” she mumbled and walked backwards shaking her head.
“No what?” he asked.
“No to this,” she gestured between the two of them and Rei’s Dragon roared in protest.
“I would like some privacy,” her eyes glittered with mischief as she raised a delicately arched eyebrow and waited.
His reaction was immediate. Lust and more enflamed him. His powerful body stood rigid as he tried not to answer the challenge to his dominance. He was a Shifter, but he was a man too. A man did not need to dominate his mate.
A slow smile started in the corner of his mouth as he took one then another step back, allowing her some space. He would do anything for her, that was a truth he would gladly shout to the entire world. Amused at her nervous swallow Rei inclined his head, ignoring his Dragon’s rumbling.
Es meus, his Dragon growled. His hand went to that place over his heart where his golden rose pulsed beneath his shirt. Undeniable certainty that she was his suddenly hit him with an incomparable force right in his gut.
Thunder drummed in his ears, threatening to overwhelm his senses. He should leave. Now. Before he did something foolish.
“I will leave you to your bath, Cora Tesoro,” he barely got the words out, rushing from the small room before he did something utterly idiotic. Like beg.
Air. He needed air. Otherwise he was bound to pounce on her like the Alpha he was at heart. His charm with women had once been renowned, and yet now he trembled like a youth at the thought of touching her.
Calm yourself. Find something to occupy your mind...Her things! Yes. She needs her things. But first a quick flight.
He closed the bedroom door behind him and took the stairs to the roof two at a time. He thought about sending Alameda to get her luggage for a second but dismissed the idea immediately.
He would see to it himself. No one else would touch her or her things.
He tore off his clothing. Shredding his beloved jeans as his claws burst through. Good thing a few thunderclouds had appeared overhead. They would mask the beat of his wings until he achieved the necessary height to cloak himself from the normals below.
Golden scales erupted from his skin as his body lengthened and grew heavy and dense with his transformation. Power rolled through him like the waves in the ocean below.
Yesssss, he welcomed his change, reveled in his strength. And yet there was one thing that preoccupied his mind even in this form.
Rei had found his one true and fated mate. His golden rose. Now he just needed to make her his.
Es meus.
