her breast in his mouth.
Using his teeth and tongue he tormented her tight nipple, the blaze of sensations spiraling to a critical point.
Her breath was shattered as he gave a last, violent surge and tossed her over the edge into a whirlwind of pulsing bliss.
Her soft scream mingled with his low groan of completion as he slumped on top of her, both of them lost in a fog of transcendental joy.
Time passed, a second or an eternity, before Baine rolled to his side and pulled her into his arms. With a sigh Tayla rested her head on his chest, floating on a sense of wonderment.
“My mate,” he whispered as he nuzzled her ear.
Tayla smiled, ignoring the flames that continued to dance over his skin as she brushed her lips over his chest.
“I like when you play sex slave, my lord,” she teased. “I think we’ll keep the harem.”
His arms tightened as he seared a path of dragon-kisses down the curve of her neck.
“Your wish, sweet Tayla, is my command.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It wasn’t easy to stun a five-hundred-year-old dragon. But making love to Tayla had shaken Baine to his very soul.
Who knew that the feel of her slender body pressed against him would release his dragon-fire until the sheets were scorched and Tayla’s ivory skin rosy from the intense heat? Or that he would feel the most unexpected urge to cry at the mere thought that this female would now be forever bound to him?
So it was no surprise that the last thing Baine wanted was to leave his bed where he had a naked Tayla wrapped in his arms.
Unfortunately, he’d put off dealing with his ruthless father long enough.
Synge might be a cunning hunter who understood the need for patience, but he wasn’t going to wait forever. Sooner or later he would make his move to get his hands on Tayla.
Probably sooner.
Which was why he’d forced himself to urge Tayla to dress while he pulled on his pants and called for Char to bring Fist to the throne room.
Now he sat on his massive chair with Tayla standing beside him, once again prim and proper in her sweater and pearls. In silence, he studied the male who was kneeling at his feet.
Fist had his head bent as he mentally sent the message that Baine had commanded.
At last, the younger male glanced up to meet Baine’s fierce glare.
“You managed to contact Synge?” he demanded.
Fist nodded. The days in the dungeon hadn’t been particularly kind to the onetime soldier. He looked thinner, with dark circles beneath his eyes.
But he was still alive, which was more than he deserved.
“Yes, my lord,” Fist assured him. “He believes you’re getting ready to start the auction for the imp.”
“Good.” Baine ignored Tayla’s tiny gasp as he nodded toward Char who was standing directly behind Fist. “Take him back to the dungeons and then wait for my signal. Once I have Synge’s agreement I’ll need you to handle the details.”
Char gave a nod, grabbing Fist by the back of his neck and hauling him roughly to his feet. Baine waited until the two males were out of the room before lifting his hand and making a slashing motion.
Instantly a portal formed.
Rising to his feet, he held out his hand. There was a momentary hesitation before Tayla moved to place her fingers against his palm. Swiftly Baine was tugging her into the portal, knowing she was already having second thoughts.
Understandable, considering he’d given her little information beyond the fact that they were meeting with his father.
Oh yeah, and the little FYI that Synge wanted her dead.
He’d decided to keep his hasty plan to himself. She was terrified enough, thank you very fucking much.
Stepping through the portal, they arrived in the back garden of Tayla’s pretty Victorian house that was bathed in silver moonlight.
Inside Baine could hear the workers he’d sent earlier to clean and repair the damage caused by the trolls. Not that he intended for Tayla to return to this place. She belonged in the safety of his lair. But he knew it would trouble her to think that this home she’d created was falling into disrepair.
Stepping away as he released her hand, Tayla bit her bottom lip as she glanced toward the neatly trimmed rosebushes. No doubt she was thinking about the vast upheaval in her life.
That was one of the reasons he’d brought her here.
He needed her to say goodbye to her old life.
Only then would she be prepared to accept their future together.
“Are you sure