Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,43
to be if they didn’t want to plummet to the ground. To compensate, dragons went through the sweaty motions again and again, climbing high for second, third, and fourth rounds.
Which held a certain appeal, at least to her animal side. But another side of her didn’t want to settle for tiny hits of pleasure. She wanted to relish every inch of her mate’s perfect body. To touch, feel, sniff, and yes — to taste him. Maybe even be tasted. At leisure.
But did she dare?
No. Not if she wanted to protect her heart.
Lachlan’s eyes glowed more intensely than ever, indicating his dragon side was in charge — and intent on giving her the night of her dreams. Slowly, he flattened his wings, and they both wafted to the ground.
“We should stop,” he murmured as they touched down. “I know we should, but I can’t.”
“We should,” she agreed, though her actions said the opposite.
Before she knew it, she’d closed her eyes, raised her wings, and slowly shifted. The slowest shift of her life, and the most breathless. Gradually, her wings folded and turned into slender arms. Cold air touched her bare skin, making her nipples peak. Moist earth squished between her toes, and the sensation of being locked into thick armor gave way to the soft bounce of hair over her shoulders.
Her heart pounded as she opened her eyes and found herself standing like a life-sized statue of Venus — just as naked and just as feminine. Her arms were stretched high over her head, making her a tall, thin column.
A tiny one, too, or so it felt, because Lachlan loomed above her in dragon form. He crouched, cupping his wings around her as if that human statue was his greatest treasure. The drizzle thickened into rain, and she shivered, even though Lachlan didn’t let a single drop reach her.
His deep, swirling eyes made a vow. I will protect you to the end of my days.
She lowered her arms but made no move to cover her naked, yearning body. Never had she wanted anything as much as she wanted him just then.
“My mate,” he rumbled in a tone so deep, it made the air vibrate. “Why did I ever let you go?”
Her heart swelled. Finally, he was seeing the light.
No regrets, a voice whispered in her mind, and she extended a hand.
Lachlan’s tail lashed, and his muscles tensed as he fought his own inner battle. Holly closed her eyes, waiting. She wanted him badly, but she wasn’t going to beg. He had exactly ten seconds to make the next move, or…or…
She took a deep breath. Or she would walk the hell away, dammit.
The air swirled softly, and raindrops touched her face. When Holly glanced up, Lachlan was human.
“Ask me my biggest regret,” he whispered.
She gulped and cocked her head.
“Leaving you, my mate,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m so sorry. I had to. But I love you. I always have. I always will.”
He smoothed a hand over her damp hair and slid an arm around her waist. She looped her arms over his broad shoulders, and for a long, rainy minute, they stared at each other, unmoving. Then, in the blink of an eye, they slammed together, kissing. Touching. Clutching, refusing to let each other go as their dragon sides crooned in lust and triumph.
The breeze swirled around their bodies, pressing them closer. A thousand thoughts rushed through Holly’s mind — so many coming so fast, she didn’t know which were her thoughts and which were his.
My mate…
Missed you so much…
Will never let you go…
No regrets…
The more drunk she grew on his kisses, the more she wanted to raise her arms and cheer. This was it. A wish come true — another night with the man of her dreams.
Except, well… Not quite. Her dream wasn’t about one hot night. It was about a lifetime of shared highs and lows.
Still, dragon lust was a powerful force, and her inner beast refused to give in.
See how close we are to the millhouse? it chuckled. Time for an encore.
Indeed, the building was just a few steps behind Lachlan.
He glanced over his shoulder, following her gaze to the millhouse.
She gulped. “Convenient coincidence or destiny?”
His chest rose on a deep breath, and he cupped her face, stroking her cheek with one thumb. “Destiny.”
She could have leaned into his touch and purred. Or yowled at the deep, hungry kisses he showered her with, making her feel as if she were floating.