Seducing the Dragon: Part Four (10 page)

She took another step toward him. “Leave my brother out of this.”

“It’s true, aye? Your brother is as careful as the rest. I don’t know about you, but living day in and day out with everyone walking on eggshells must be exhausting. Yes, you’ve gone through something terrible. But isn’t it time for you to face the world and live your life?”

They were only a few feet apart from one another. Finn never flinched from her gaze. Aye, she was angry, but there was longing there too.

Arabella’s voice was quiet and full of steel when she said, “I think you should leave.”

His inner beast roared, but Finn ignored him. “I’ll leave, but think on it, lass. Lochguard may not be perfect, but it could be a fresh start for you.”

Provided, of course, he hadn’t fucked up the alliance with Stonefire.

Before the dragonwoman could reply, there was a knock on the door followed by Bram shouting, “Finlay Stewart, I know you’re in there. We need to talk.”

Arabella retreated to the far side of the room. It took everything Finn had not to walk over and corner her against the wall to provoke her fire again. Both man and beast liked her fire, maybe a little too much.

There was more pounding on the door and Finn sighed. “It looks like you’re getting your wish, lass.”

He waited a beat, but Arabella remained silent. Rather than push too far, he gave a flourishing bow and went to the door. Opening it, Bram glared up at him and said, “Where’s Arabella? Is she okay?”

Finn motioned behind him. “She’s back there. Lass, care to shout out so he doesn’t kill me?”

Arabella peeked her head around the corner. “I’m fine, Bram. Finn was just leaving.”

Bram looked between him and Arabella, but if the Stonefire leader expected an explanation, he wasn’t going to get one.

Finn raised an eyebrow. “You’re letting the heat out. If we’re walking and talking, then let’s go.”

Bram gave him one more assessing stare before he turned around and started walking. Finn took one last look at Arabella and dared to say, “Think on it, lass. I mean it.”

Then he was out the door. As he lengthened his stride to catch up with Bram, Finn hoped that wasn’t the last he saw of Arabella MacLeod. The lass deserved to have laughter and light in her life and Finn wanted to be the one to give it to her.

When he caught up with Bram, Finn decided not to delay the inevitable. “Care to tell me if the alliance still stands or not?”

Bram stopped and turned toward him. “As much as my dragon doesn’t like it, I can handle you being the one to rescue Evie. She’s alive and I thank you.”

Finn raised an eyebrow. “But?”

“But killing Neil Westhaven was never part of the plan. You were supposed to help capture him and bring him back alive.”

Finn’s dragon huffed.
Why would he want the traitor alive? It’s better that he’s dead.

He likes to play by the rules.

Hmph. Sometimes the rules are meant to be broken.

Finn agreed, but from what he’d learned of Bram Moore-Llewellyn over the last week, it would take a different way of thinking to preserve the alliance. “He had your mate in his arms, a talon at her throat, and was one slice away from killing her. The idiot had his back to me and I took advantage. Wouldn’t you have done the same?”

Bram stared at him a second before he answered. “Maybe. My concern is you acting out of turn and ignoring what we agreed upon for the alliance. You being unpredictable could hurt my clan.”

Finn’s dragon snarled and he pushed back his beast. “The foundation of the alliance is helping each other out and protecting one another when needed. I plan on doing that. My ways may differ from yours, but after what happened today, I reckon you and I need to stick together. The rescue was too easy.”

Bram’s tension eased a bit. “I feel the same. Simon Bourne isn’t an idiot. I can almost guarantee he allowed us to rescue Evie, Nikki, and wee Murray. I just don’t know why.”

“Right now, neither do I. But think about it—if we’re both gathering intelligence and keeping an eye on the dragon hunters, then our clans both have a greater chance of surviving whatever Simon Bourne may throw at us.”

The Stonefire leader assessed him, but Finn didn’t waiver. While the alliance would make his life easier, he could find another way to protect his clan if it came to that. Giving up wasn’t in Finlay Stewart’s vocabulary.

Another second passed and then Bram nodded. “Right, we’ll keep the alliance for now, but on one condition.”

“What?”

“Leave Arabella MacLeod alone.”

Finn’s dragon growled.
No. I don’t like that.

Rather than answer his dragon, Finn merely replied, “If she seeks me out, I won’t turn her away.”

Bram searched his eyes. “While not quite the answer I was looking for, it’s better than nothing. You hurt her, and I will cut off your bollocks.

His inner beast said,
We would never hurt her.

I know, but he’s blind to what Arabella needs. Let’s humor him for now.

His dragon conceded. Finn put out a hand. “So the alliance remains?”

Bram took his hand and shook. “Aye, but you’ve yet to earn my full trust.”

“Good, because you have yet to earn mine.”

Chapter Nine

Evie halfway closed the door to the spare room off the main living area. Melanie had brought a bassinet for Murray to sleep in and Evie had just managed to get Murray back to sleep after feeding him. She was glad the little boy wasn’t fussy. Her exhaustion was setting in and it had taken every bit of strength she had left to coo Murray to sleep without crashing herself.

She stood outside the door for a few more seconds to make sure he was truly asleep before heading into the living area. Melanie and Tristan sat together on the sofa. Each of them held a sleeping baby in their arms as they leaned against one another. The thought of her and Bram doing the same thing, albeit with some argument or another filling the room, made her smile.

Melanie grinned. “You have the new mother glow. I imagine not having to recover from birthing two stubborn dragon-shifter babies and nearly dying makes it all a bit more fun.”

Tristan growled. “I thought we agreed you couldn’t use that against me anymore.”

Mel looked at her mate. “Two days of labor and me dying for a few seconds means I can use it whenever I want.”

Tristan grunted and Evie pounced. She didn’t have the strength to listen to them argue. “Thanks for coming over. I never would’ve known to mix a little soy milk into the formula to help calm the restless dragon inside Murray.”

Mel waved a hand in dismissal. “No worries. I had no idea, either. Dragonwomen have something similar in their breast milk that we lowly humans don’t. You’ll be surprised at how much even half-dragon babies can eat. Their inner dragons might not be able to talk to their human halves until they’re about six or seven years old, but their energy carries over into the babies’ actions.” Melanie looked up at her mate. “Sometimes, it’s handy to be mated to a dragon-shifter teacher. If you have any questions, I’m sure Tristan will help.”

Tristan grunted which Evie took to mean “if I have to”. She still didn’t understand how the mostly nonverbal dragonman had won Melanie’s heart. At some point in the future, Evie would ask for details.

Evie settled down in the armchair across the room from the pair and released a sigh as she snuggled into the cushions. A shower and some food had done wonders to revitalize her, but exhaustion was too tame a word for the tiredness coursing through her body. On top of that, she was anxious for Bram’s touch.

While this was a prime opportunity to ask questions about dragon babies, Evie’s brain didn’t want to cooperate. With each passing minute, her attention span and intelligence were slipping.
Bram had bloody well better come home soon so I can get some sleep. I can’t do anything to help Stonefire with a brain that feels like a bowl of pudding.

 
Melanie, on the other hand, hadn’t been through hell over the last few days and had no problem saying, “I have an idea I wanted to run by you.”

Evie folded her hands over her belly and resisted a sigh. “What is it?”

Mel shifted the baby in her arm. “I imagine Bram will be mating you soon, am I right?” Evie nodded and Mel continued, “How would you feel about inviting some of the human press to the event?”

Evie rubbed her forehand with her hand. “Care to tell me the bigger reason behind it? Because I have a feeling there is one.”

Mel nodded. “You know how I’m nearly done with my book about Clan Stonefire? Well, I want to test the waters before dumping a large amount of information on the human population.”

Even in her tired state, Evie knew it was a clever move. With herculean effort, she forced her brain to work and said, “That way, if chaos breaks out or incites violence against the dragon-shifters, you know to hold off on releasing the book.”

Mel smiled. “Exactly. So will you do it?”

Sitting up, Evie replied, “You want me to share one of the dearest memories of my life with a bunch of journalists and hope they don’t slander Bram and me the next day?”

Melanie shook her head. “We’d only use the most trusted news outlets and they’d be required to sign a legally binding document between you and them.”

“And since I’m human, the law will hold.”

“Yes. On top of that, no recording devices or mobile phones will be allowed. It’ll be an old-school style reporting job, with pen, paper, and film-only cameras.”

Evie raised an eyebrow. “Have you discussed it with Bram yet?”

Melanie winked at her. “No, but I figure if you agree, you have more persuasive ways of convincing him.”

Tristan chimed in, “Melanie, I don’t need to think of my clan leader’s sex life.”

Melanie lightly slapped her mate. “Don’t be such a prude.”

Tristan merely shook his head and Evie took control of the conversation again. “Let me discuss it with Bram first.”

“Awesome. Between you and me, he should say yes.”

Evie didn’t like the thought of Melanie convincing Bram of anything.

However, before Evie could warn off the other woman, the front door opened and Bram’s voice carried down the hallway, “Evie? Are you awake?”

Her exhaustion melted at his voice and she rushed into the hall to wrap her arms around him. Snuggling into his chest, she murmured, “You’re home.”

He squeezed her tightly against his body. “I missed you, too, love. How’s Murray?”

“He’s asleep. Mel and Tristan gave me a crash course in how to care for dragon babies.”

“So does that mean you don’t need my help at all?”

Evie looked up and frowned. “Don’t you dare tease about that. If you think I’m going to take care of Murray ninety-nine percent of the time without you, then you’re in for a big surprise.”

Her dragonman chuckled. “If you remember the first day we met, I was doing a fine job taking care of him all by myself.”

She laid her head back on Bram’s chest. “I’m too tired to match wits. How about we thank Mel and Tristan, send them on their way, and take a nap?” Bram’s chest tensed under her cheek. Looking up, she saw his pupils flashing between slit and circles. “What’s wrong with your dragon?”

His pupils remained round as he replied, “Remember the secret my dragon had been keeping from me? Well, you’re my true mate, Evie Marshall, and I’m not sure how much longer my inner beast can control the frenzy.”

She blinked. “True mate? How is that even possible?”

Bram’s eyes flashed more frequently. “Tristan, I know you can hear us. Explain it to Melanie and leave.” He looked down at her, his pupils flashing even more quickly. “Please, Evie. If I can claim you once, I might be able to stave off my beast long enough to explain it all.”

His voice was gravelly, almost as if the man and dragon halves were talking at the same time. Bram sounded like he was in pain.

Whatever exhaustion she had before melted away as adrenaline pumped through her veins. Her mate needed her and Evie wanted to take care of him.

She framed his face with her hands, the feel of his warm skin giving her some energy. “Then take me to your room and fuck me, Bram.”

He growled and raised his voice. “Tristan, show yourself out.” Then Bram took hold of her elbow, and guided her to a room not far from where Murray was sleeping. No doubt, her dragonman could scent their son and didn’t want to be too far away in case something happened. The thoughtfulness warmed her heart.

As soon as they entered the spare bedroom, she forgot about Murray as Bram tore off her pajama top and bottoms until she was naked. He then pushed her onto her back on the bed, shucked his clothes, and covered her body with his. The feeling of his warm, chiseled body and hard cock pressing against her stomach made her pussy pulse. She was already wet and ready for him.

Bram’s slitted pupils stared at her as his hand caressed between her legs. One brush of his finger against her clit made her cry out. He growled and thrust two fingers inside her. “My mate. I need to fuck you until you carry my young.”

If it weren’t for Bram thrusting his fingers long and slow inside her, she might question that statement. Then he brushed against her clit with his thumb, and she decided not to argue. She opened her legs wide. If there was a child, so be it. She would love him or her. “Then take me. I’m waiting for you.”

With a growl, Bram removed his fingers and thrust his cock into her. While it had only been a few days, his size made her moan and dig her nails into his back. The act triggered something primal and her dragonman squeezed her breast as he moved his hips.

As he increased his pace, he leaned down and took her nipple into his mouth. He bit her hard and Evie cried out at the mix of pleasure and pain. Then he swirled his tongue over the tender bite before sucking her deeply. Moving a hand to his hair, she pressed him against her breast, urging him to do it again. When he bit her a second time, lights danced in front of her eyes before an orgasm exploded inside her.

When Bram released her nipple with a pop, she cried out in protest. The sound then prompted her dragonman to pull out of her completely.