Luck of the Dragon

closer.

Lucy trailed kisses down his bare chest. His skin was salty and hot with the fresh taste of eucalyptus. “You still smell like the steam showers.”

Alec inhaled and leaned his head back, closing his eyes.

“I have other pale skin,” Lucy whispered against his ear.

Alec’s eyes snapped open. “Show me.”

Lucy unsnapped her bra and let it fall to the floor. In the moonlight, she knew she had to appear the palest version of herself.

Alec reached a hand behind her and pulled her forward, easing her breast into his mouth, his tongue circling the sensitive skin.

Hot spirals curled in her belly, and Lucy threw her head back. “Ahhh…yes.”

Alec tugged at the corner of her panties, and the lace fabric broke and fell.

“Those were my favorite,” she said, holding his head to her breast. “Part of my maiden’s trousseau. For my wedding…to the knight, who wants to kill you, fierce dragon… We should hurry before he catches us.” She panted out the story.

“I’ll get you more.” Alec’s voice was husky and deep as he found the throbbing nub between her legs.

“Ohhhh.” Lucy held onto his shoulders, riding the push of his clever fingers, the elemental beat in her body as loud as the music from the theater show that still echoed through her bloodstream.

“No.” She bent his arms behind his head. “This maiden wants to take her dragon this time.”

She worked shaky hands under his belt and opened his pants. His manhood sprang into her hands, engorged, the vein pulsing with need. Lucy ran her finger around the tip. Alec groaned, the muscles of his chest contracted, and his hands fisted behind him so that his biceps bulged.

Lucy felt powerful. For this moment in time, he was hers. All hers. “Say that you want me.”

“I want you. Forever.”

Lucy kissed his mouth. He opened his lips, his mouth hot and his breaths coming in shaky draws.

“I was wrong before.” He put his mouth to the top of her breast, drawing her to him. “You are more than beautiful.”

She was helpless to think, helpless to do more than feel. Alec gently pushed her against the cushions. Desire pulled her under as his mouth found her center.

“Oh, God…” Lucy started to shake, big, heaving, out-of-control shakes that quickly spun her over the edge. As she fell, Alec moved between her legs and entered her, stretching her tight. She closed her eyes at the consuming sensation.

“Look at me,” Alec said.

Lucy watched his face as passion rode through him. Her heart opened and reached for his, wanting to keep him forever. His muscular shoulders drove her into the cushions and started her spiraling again until they went over the edge together.

Chapter Twelve

The next morning, Alec watched Lucy sleep. He rubbed a piece of her hair between his fingers, and the crystals caught the morning light and cast prisms over pillows.

A sleeping angel. Or maiden.

He was okay with her misinterpretation about role-playing. It was a lot for a human to accept, that there were other intelligent creatures in the world. He needed time to woo her to him before she accepted the whole truth of his dual nature.

There was no doubt Lucy was his destined mate. He had never felt so strongly about another. Each time they had made love during the night, he felt like he had joined with the other part of his missing soul. He didn’t want to be away from her. Even for the day.

Hopefully, the compulsion would fade after the mating ceremony or they would never get out of bed. Alec smiled at the thought. That wouldn’t be all that bad, either.

“Good morning.” Lucy opened her eyes. Asleep one minute, fully awake the next.

Alec smiled. “It is, indeed.”

Lucy sat up, rubbing her eyes. “I need to get going.”

A bolt of alarm shot through his system. “Where?”

“Home.” She ran a hand down his chest, causing sparks under his skin. “You do remember that I don’t live here?” Her tone was teasing. “This maiden has to go home to her own castle.”

Frustration pounded through Alec with bestial intensity. Mine, his dragon screamed inside his head. Alec fought to control his breathing, but something must have shown on his face because Lucy dropped her hand and looked at him with concern.

“I’d like you to stay here, with me, while you work on your appraisal.” Alec pushed the words over his tongue, trying to keep his tone light and easy.

“Alec.” Her voice broke. “A hundred years ago, I would have stayed, pretended to be your little Casino Queen. But I’m not really a maiden, and you are not really a dragon. I need to get back to my real life.”

Mine. Mine. Mine, his dragon demanded.

“What do you need to stay with me?” Controlling his strength so that he didn’t hurt her, Alec rolled on top of Lucy, holding his weight off her with his forearms.

Lucy gazed at him, sadness and resolve in her eyes. “I would if I could. Last night was amazing. But I have responsibilities.”

It must be Joey. He saw it in the way she looked toward the bedroom door and wouldn’t meet his gaze. His predatory instincts flared red hot to the surface.

“What responsibilities?” He tilted her head gently so that their eyes met.

“Just some family problems.” She pulled her chin out of his hand.

“Let me help you.”

A rustle sounded in the living room. There were only a handful of people the guards would allow entry, and who would dare to disturb him in his apartment. This time, it was his personal assistant Jane.

“Jer’ol,” Jane said with mindspeak. “We are in your living room. We need to talk with you.”

“I’m busy.” Whatever it was, it could wait. “Leave. Do not interrupt me again.”

“Alec,” Leo’s voice came through, censure in his tone, even in mindspeak. “It is urgent.”

Alec frowned. It was serious indeed for Leo to get involved. “I hear someone in the living room. That means either Leo or Jane need to speak with me for a minute.”

Lucy nodded her head, as if she wasn’t surprised.

“Promise me you’ll wait to leave the casino until we’ve talked again.”

Lucy shook her head stubbornly. “Alec, it’s no use. Eventually, I’ll have to leave—”

“Just not right now.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “Promise you’ll wait.”

Lucy heaved a sigh.

“I’ll meet you for a late breakfast,” Alec said. “We can go to the gem exhibit together.” He stood and wrapped the white sheet around his naked lower half. He stopped at the bedroom door and looked back. “Promise you’ll wait for me?”

“All right.”

Alec smiled and closed the bedroom door behind him. Leo, Jane, and Darius stood in a semicircle near the living room window. As he approached, he could see that the trio was upset by the tense lines of their bodies. His dragon senses picked up on blood lust, too—they were spoiling for a fight. He stopped in front of them and crossed his arms, waiting.

Aggression poured off Darius in waves. “You pick a poor time to romance your human.” The Russian