Imre: Drago Knights MC (Mating Fever) (2 page)

T
hat didn’t end badly
at all
.

That kept playing over and over again in his head while he thought about her oh-so sweet lips on his.

No, the kiss hadn’t ended badly, but this thing she wanted between them, it would. He didn’t trust himself with her. He didn’t have enough control, but damn if he didn’t wish that he did.

It was already torture having her on the bike in front of him. He couldn’t help thinking about how she fit against his body and how much he would love to do amazingly bad things to her at a hundred miles an hour.

The best part was, he knew she’d be game. It would be another adventure. She was fearless. No, not just fearless. She had things she was afraid of, she’d admitted them, faced them head on. She was brave.

She had these things she feared and then she did them anyway.

Aranka of the Orlaith was one hell of a woman.

But he was sure that Aranka didn’t understand that being with him, well… he wasn’t the kind of guy looking for temporary. He led a transient life, always on the move, but the people he allowed into his inner circle, he wanted to keep them close. He didn’t have flings.

The Mating Fever had never struck him, but he didn’t need that to know he wanted something real. The quick release of flesh was nothing to him without more behind it.

Aranka wanted him to be her adventure and he didn’t think he could do that.

Now, with this new threat looming, he couldn’t afford to be distracted. Neither could she. It wouldn’t do either of them any good if they couldn’t find out what happened in Loup Marais.

Thank gods they were almost to Pim’s. He was the president of the chapter and Imre hoped that he’d have more information.

The Headhunters weren’t even supposed to be in Loup Marais, unless they were looking for a war.

He reassured himself that Aranka could take care of herself, but there was something about her—probably the hope with which she saw the world, he wanted to protect that in her. But she’d been fine all these years before she’d met him and she hadn’t lost her magick lens, so he doubted anything else could take it from her.

Except perhaps losing her father, his dragon reminded him.

That would dim her sparkle and shine like nothing else.

He was determined that wouldn’t happen.

And that the Headhunters infringing on their territory wouldn’t go unanswered.

Pim lived on a houseboat docked in one of the varied waterways, and it was never in the same place. Imre could find him easily enough though because of the gold dust mixed in with paint on his boat. While it was invisible to the human eye, Imre could smell it from miles away on his bike, or even from the sky.

When they found him, it was getting close to dusk and after riding all the previous day, he was exhausted and knew Aranka had to be as well.

“When you said a houseboat in Louisiana, I didn’t expect it to be like this.”

The houseboat wasn’t a shack floating on a pontoon. It looked more like a shipping container that had its walls replaced with glass and had been attacked by a post-modern decorator. It had clean lines and probably an amazing view, especially at night.

Imre knew from firsthand experience that the glass was bulletproof, the place was armed to the teeth, and full of secret compartments for whatever items they were selling. It wasn’t a bad setup at all.

“What, did you expect
Swamp People
?”

“Yeah, kind of. I mean, not that there’s anything wrong with that. This was just a surprise.”

“Pim’s the chapter pres, so we’re going to talk to him before we make camp.”

“Cool with me.” She grinned and swung her leg off the bike, wincing a bit.

“Wanna do a thing?”

“Always!”

He concentrated so that only his wings erupted and he grabbed Aranka and they glided onto the deck of the houseboat.

She laughed. “I love flying.”

“Me too.” His boots made a heavy thud on the deck and Pim came topside, an AK-47 at the ready.

“Shit, man. It’s good to see you. Thanks for coming.” He held open his arms to embrace him as a brother.

Imre hugged him and slapped his back. “Sorry it had to be this way. What do you got?”

Pim cast a glance at Aranka.

“She’s cool. You can talk in front of her. She’s Ondrej’s old lady’s sister.”

“Oh, respect.” He held his fist over his heart.

Aranka nodded, but kept silent.

“Come inside.”

They stepped through the glass door and into a room that was mostly white and stainless steel. It was utilitarian, but comfortable.

“We’ve had some troopers on our asses, despite the appropriate payments.”

Imre nodded. “We’ve got some big players on the field. Bigger than the Headhunters.”

“I know the guy who was killed. Local meth dealer, no big loss. But my concern was why he’d give two shits about our cargo.”

“Yeah. We’re sure we know who he’s working for. Just want to double check.”

“There’s something else, man. Something that I feel crazy saying. I’ve heard things out in the swamp.”

Imre studied him. “You mean like howling?”

Pim nodded. “It ain’t right. The whole swamp gets quiet. Not even a frog, or buzzing insect to be heard. The night is so empty, it’s almost like it devours sound. It swallows it up. Then, the howls start and the swamp isn’t safe. Last week two kids disappeared and their bloody Chucks were found hanging in a tree.” He sighed. “How did you know it was howling? What’s in that shit we’re running? It sure as hell isn’t meth, or coke, or…”

“No, my friend. It’s not. Being chapter president, the last president should’ve explained it to you. What it is.” He lifted his eyes, allowing his dragon to show through. “What we are.”

“What the fuck?” he half-whispered.

“I’m disappointed you didn’t know.”

“That was you? The howling?” He swallowed hard, stank of fear, but still he stood tall.

“To be able to fight a thing, you must know the thing. No, the howling wasn’t me, but I’m afraid you’re about to deal with some really nasty shit. Wouldn’t you rather know?”

“Jesus Christ, you’re about to tell me all of my childhood fears are real, aren’t you?”

“You don’t need me to tell you if you heard it howling.”

“My granny swears the
loup garou
walk among us. She says this place is named after them. I chocked it up to an old woman’s stories.”

“Loup garou do walk among you, but this thing, if I’m right, is not anything natural. He’s evil and he’s building an army.”

Pim nodded, relief on his face. “I thought I was crazy. I half wanted to be crazy.”

“How many did we lose when the Headhunters jacked us?”

“Two and their bodies are missing from the morgue.”

“Fuck. If you see them again, you’re going to have to put them down.”

“Christ, I hope I never see them again.” He shook his head. “The Headhunters have a wolf on their patch… are they all…”

“Nah. We have a dragon on our patch. Are you a dragon?” Imre teased.

“No, but you are, aren’t you?” Pim was picking up on everything quickly and with minimal freak out. That boded well. It had been a mistake that he hadn’t been told. All the chapter presidents were supposed to know.

“Yes.”

“What about her?” He pointed at Aranka.

“She’s not your concern.”

Pim laughed and the tension building in the air dissipated. “Alright, alright, brother. I see you’ve staked your claim.”

“Call the Headhunters to set the meet. Text me and let me know. Aranka and I are heading out. It’s been a long day.”

“It would be an honor to have you stay here.”

“Aranka has her heart set on camping out, but we appreciate your hospitality. It won’t be forgotten.”

After they were back on the shore, Aranka said, “Way to put your stamp on me.”

“That’s just how some people need things explained to them. Would you rather he be hassling you?”

“I’d rather I be able to say hey, not interested and he’d respect that because I’m a person, not property. And old lady? Holy shit, if Krysanthe,
Princess Krysanthe
heard you referring to her as an old lady—”

“Whoa, hey. This is a different culture. It’s not your culture.”

“It’s misogynist.”

“Look, there is a way the Drago Knights do things, and the way that other clubs do things. Even so, our culture and values has to operate within theirs. Give it a chance. And among us, calling a woman someone’s old lady is a sign of respect and deference.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s a good thing you don’t want to have sex with me.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I’ll punch your dick if you call me your old lady.”

“That would be your loss then, wouldn’t it? Because if you’re having sex with me, you’re not doing it with anyone else.”

“No?” she taunted and followed him deeper into the swamp. “You don’t want to have a ménage? I thought every guy wanted to watch two chicks doing it. And what’s good for the gander, sir, is definitely good for the goose.”

“I’m a one partner kind of guy.”

“Boring.” She snorted. “I mean, I guess you were right. That’s why we won’t work out. I still want to try all the things and you’ve already done all the things.”

That hit a particularly strange place inside of him. He could understand that she wanted to explore. Taking someone to mate didn’t change curiosity. Did it?

“So have you given this serious thought?”

“What do you mean? Having a ménage? Yes.” She grabbed his sleeve so he stopped and turned to look at her. “I think life should be an adventure all the time, right? I don’t want to have to miss out on experiences because of old school ideas about love.”

“So you don’t think people or supes can be faithful to one partner?”

“Having a ménage isn’t being
un
faithful. Of course there’s nothing wrong with being with one person forever, or sharing everything. I’m on board for that. But I think there are new ways to define what a relationship is. I know with dragons it’s all about the one true mate and that’s cool. But can’t one true mates try everything together? Even exploring new definitions of sexuality?”

“I never thought of it like that.”

“I guess it’s not for everyone.”

“Would you want to have a ménage with another woman or another man?” He didn’t mean to picture it, he only wanted to understand her thinking.

But now he was imagining her in every position a woman could possibly be into with all sorts of people. His cock was rock hard.

“Why? Would that change what you think of me?”

“No, of course not. I’m just trying to understand you.”

“See? That’s why I wanted you to be my first. You don’t judge me. You want to know me the way I am.”

“Aranka, I think you underestimate how intimidating you can be. You’re a wild thing, elemental.”

“Like a flower.” She laughed, teasing.

“No, like a hurricane.”

She paused and seemed to consider. “Okay, maybe you’re right.”

They walked for a little ways more before they came to a wooden dock lined with small boats and pontoons.

“Do you think the gators will bother us?” she asked.

“Nah, they don’t like how I smell. They give me a wide berth.”

“I like how you smell.”

He found the pontoon he expected would be waiting and helped her board. “That’s good, since you’ll be sleeping next to me tonight.”

“I’m so tired. I’m ready to sleep for ten hours.” She settled into one of the overstuffed lounger seats in the front. Good thing it was a double.

“Probably more like six. Sorry.”

“As long as there’s breakfast. There’ll be breakfast, right?”

“There’s always breakfast.”

“Will you catch me fish?” she asked.

“I’ll even char it for you. Blackened fish is a thing you should eat in Louisiana.”

She laughed. “I think it’s supposed to be black from the pepper, not the flames shooting out of your face.”

“Whatever.” He winked at her. “Close enough.”

He started up the pontoon and headed toward more open water. Somewhere neither supe nor man could surprise them.

When he stopped, she said, “This is really beautiful. So peaceful. Thanks for bringing me here.”

In that moment, he found he couldn’t give a single damn about anything going on around them. The only beautiful thing was her.

“You know, when you say it’s going to be okay, I believe you.”

For a moment, the human side of him thought that was indeed a heavy weight to bear, but his dragon, his dragon was so proud. So honored.

“Especially out here like this.”

He slid into the lounger next to her and she came to his arms easily. Nothing had ever felt so right.

Suddenly, his erection wasn’t a mild inconvenience. It was as if every single touch receptor had been relocated to his cock, but at the same time, his whole body was on fire.

Mine
, the voice in his head said.

No.

Yes.

Mating Fever.

“You’re so warm, Imre.” She snuggled in closer.

“I… I have to go.”

“What? Where?” She sat up. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to cool off.” He started stripping off his clothes.

“Oh, is that what we’re doing?” She followed suit.

“No, I’m going for a swim. You’re staying right here.”

“Is that wise?”

“The gators don’t like me. You, however, are probably a delectable snack.”

“Unless you rub your scent on me.”

Did she mean to sound sex kitten when she said that or was it the Fever turning his brain into scrambled eggs? Fuck, it didn’t matter. He just had to get away from her and cool down.

“Come on, if you’re going swimming in the swamp, I want to.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I think I know what I do and don’t want to do, Imre. If you’re going in, I am too.”

He couldn’t resist her allure as he raised his eyes, drinking in her golden skin in the pale light of the moon. “If you come in the water with me, you’ll be my mate.”

“Haven’t you ever wanted to do something just to do it?”

“Of course,” he said through gritted teeth. “More often than I should.”