Rendan (Scifi Alien Dragon Romance) (Dragons of Preor Book 4) (9 page)

C
arla wanted
to be
completely
alone with Rendan, but she figured she’d take a picnic on the beach.

Though eventually she wanted to be naked and horizontal with the large Preor warrior. Yesterday had been… magical. And now she wanted more. So much more.

Rendan twined their fingers together, keeping her at his side as they strode through the hallways of Preor Tower. They turned this way and that, winding from medical to the beach. The passages were a twisted maze that she wasn’t sure she’d ever learn, but as long as she had Rendan at her side, she didn’t care.

“Offense Master!” A shout came from their left, a male approaching quickly. It wasn’t until the stranger had nearly reached them that she recognized the Preor.

Ballakin
. The space between her shoulders itched, the hair on the back of her neck rising, and the air seemed to grow slick and oily with his presence. She stepped closer to Rendan, needing the weight of his arm around her shoulders and the protection of his wing.

She wasn’t even sure why, really. Sure, he’d annoyed her when Rendan had been injured, but that wasn’t enough to cause her pure… disgust. Yet, it was there, covering her with the taint.

The closer Ballakin drew, the more her tension increased. Rendan stiffened at her side as if he read her unease and prepared for battle. Good. Something told her she should never turn her back on the male.

“Primary Defense Warrior Ballakin?” Rendan’s words were clipped. “You have a reason to stop me while I am with my mate?” Rendan turned his attention to her, his gaze softening, and she gave him a small smile. His mere presence, touch, managed to soothe some of the fear that came with Ballakin’s appearance.

Some, but not all. Not when she strained beneath the wave of hate in Ballakin’s glare. The expression was easy to see, her attention split between her mate and the other male.

“I wished to express my joy at your mating.” The words oozed past his lips.

Liar
. But she kept the thought to herself.

“We thank you,” Rendan hadn’t shifted his attention from her. “But now, my mate and I have plans elsewhere.”

Rendan squeezed her fingers gently, the action reassuring, and it helped to slow her rapid pulse.

“And the position of defense master, Offense Master Rendan sen—“

The air sizzled, a wave of heat rising from Rendan. “Rendan joi Carla Butler. The position of defense master is not yet filled. To stop me and ask is unacceptable. Leave.”

Rendan’s wing curled around her even tighter, holding her close, and she was glad when all Ballakin did was glare and then stomp off. They remained in position, her mate’s body tense and wary until Ballakin whipped around a distant corner.

The second he was out of sight, she spoke. “I don’t like him. He makes me…” she shuddered. “I just don’t.”

Rendan brushed a soft kiss across her forehead. “You are not alone,
shaa soma
. You are not alone.”

Which gave her a measure of relief. At least he was troubled by the male, too.

“But he is a matter for another time. I will speak with him tomorrow.” Rendan nuzzled her temple. “For now, we have a date with the beach.”

Yeah, they did.

Except… except the door to the beach happened to be the one Ballakin disappeared through. The mere idea of following in his footsteps, being near him in any way, turned her stomach.

Her mate took a step toward the doors, but she remained in place, fingers squeezing his bicep. When had she grabbed his arm? She wasn’t sure, but Carla couldn’t make herself release him. She couldn’t force her feet into movement or the new tension to leave her body.

“
Shaa soma?
”

He wondered what was going on and Carla admitted she wanted to know as well. “I…” she swallowed hard, belly twisting. “Can we watch the sunset from somewhere else?”

Anywhere that meant she didn’t have to trace Ballakin’s steps.

Rendan cupped her cheek, gently forcing her to raise her attention to him. His warmth sank into her blood, heating her and banishing some of the coldness that came with Ballakin’s appearance. He stroked her cheekbone with his callused thumb, the rough texture soothing. It was a reminder that her mate was there, with her, at her side and prepared to keep her safe.

She trusted him. It was easy to trust him with her body. He’d caught her as he’d promised, but she was ready to trust him with her heart.

“We can view the changing colors from Preor Tower’s roof.” He repeated the soft caress. “What troubles you, my Carla?”

Carla was quick to shake her head. “Nothing. I just want—“

“I will protect you from anything—anyone. You need never fear now that I have found you.” He leaned down and pursed his lips, aiming for her forehead, but she wanted more than that. She wanted to feel his lips on hers.

She tilted her head back and pushed to her tip-toes, rising to meet his mouth. The initial touch was a gentle brush of lips, a barely-there caress that ended as quickly as it’d begun.

“Carla,” he rasped, her name a curse and a plea.

“Rendan,” she returned, her tone the same as his—needy.

They’d played, they’d gotten to know one another, and now she wanted… more.

Strong arms wrapped around her, the hall’s light quashed by his large wings enveloping them in a protective cocoon. The next kiss was filled with banked passion, barely controlled desire imbuing every movement. His mouth skated over hers, the small connection sending a tremor of want down her spine. Carla didn’t hesitate to open for him, to part her lips and beckon for a taste.

And Rendan didn’t hesitate to take.

His tongue delved into her mouth, stroking her, caressing and exploring the moist cavern. She did the same to him, pressing closer to his body while she gathered every hint of his natural flavors. Hot and sweet. Spicy with a hint of sugar. Scorching flames banked by the delicate hint of honey. His tongue delved into her mouth, stroking her, caressing and exploring the moist cavern.

Delicious.

Tempting.

Alluring.

Hers.

Carla traced the length of his muscular arms, fingers dancing over the carved lines of his body before finally wrapping her arms around his neck. She pulled against him, fighting to get even closer. She wanted skin on skin, their bodies entwined and rolling across a silken blanket of
aczi
.

Her nipples pebbled, hardening within the silk and lace of her bra, and she ached to have them caressed—touched and stroked—by his hands, his mouth, anything.

She wanted him all.

She twined her tongue with his, their bodies moving in a sensuous rhythm as old as time itself. The gentle and seductive thrust and retreat, their tongues mimicking what she craved. Her pussy heated, a low ache forming and gradually spreading. Her clit twitched and the juncture of her thighs grew heavy with unsated desire.

Rendan’s wings remained in place, but that didn’t mean his hands were idle. He stroked her back, tracing her spine, and then rested his palms on the upper curve of her ass. He kneaded and squeezed the globes of her butt, the rough touches adding to the need simmering just beneath the surface. She was desperate for him—to have his fingers, his cock, buried deep inside her. She wanted him to suckle her nipples, fuck her pussy, and roar her name while he filled her with his cum.

Carla shuddered, the stark, animalistic
need
surprising her. But she didn’t push it away. She embraced the desire, the heat suffusing her body, and the utter craving to be possessed by Rendan.

She whimpered and moaned, practically climbing him in an effort to get closer, to take more from her mate. Her mate. Her mate that she wanted to mate.

For hours. Days. Weeks.

Forever…

One of Rendan’s thighs slipped between hers, his thick leg snug against her aroused flesh and she whined with the pleasurable pressure.

“Rendan,” she whimpered and rocked her hips, looking for more from him.

He moaned in response, his hands gripping her ass and then lifting her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Then they were moving, his heavy tread carrying them… somewhere… until her back pressed against a firm wall.

“Shaa soma
…” he murmured against her mouth and then captured her lips once more, sliding his tongue between them. She moved in time with him, her hips rolling while she pretended to fuck him with her tongue. She needed—desperately—and he didn’t seem to mind that she took exactly what she craved.

The hard line of his cock rubbed against her clit, his thick length caressing her through layer after layer of fabric and
katoth
. She tightened her legs, using the wall at her back and the grip on his shoulders as leverage so she could snatch every ounce of available pleasure. Her pussy rippled, empty sheath tightening and silently begging to be stretched and filled by him. Her clit twitched and jerked with each flex of muscle, her arousal blossoming into undeniable pleasure.

Carla dug her fingers into his shoulders, fighting for more of him, demanding he give her everything while not saying a single word. She wanted more, more, more…

She nipped his lower lip, groaning when he returned the favor and then lapped at the tiny sting he’d caused.

“Rendan,” she murmured, loving the way his name sounded on her tongue.
Rendan joi Carla Butler.
It wouldn’t take much to make her come, to find her ultimate release and scream his name.

“Carla,” he rasped, his chest heaving. With each inhale, he stroked her nipples, teasing her aching nubs. No, it wouldn’t take much at all.

“Offense Master,” a male voice intruded on them. “Perhaps you’d like to return to bedrest. As ordered.”

A male voice she recognized.

Carla groaned, her arousal vanishing in a blink.

Rendan snarled, his hands leaving her while he whirled to face the newcomer.

And the male? Chashan merely chuckled.

Dammit. Cock blocked by her boss. And was it really being cock blocked since her mate was a Preor? In truth, she’d been
wred
blocked.

But, no matter what his dick was called, it ended with Carla wholly and completely unsatisfied-ly blocked.

Not for long, shaa soma.
Her mate’s wicked gaze met hers, his rumbling voice filling her mind.
Not for long
.

R
endan could not decide
if he should battle Chashan to the death or thank the male for his interruption. A glance down the hallway showed the nearby guards watching their shared passion with avid—desire-filled—gazes. Well, the healing master’s intervention saved those two, at least. But Chashan put himself in danger.

He glared first at the two warriors and then turned that narrow-eyed stare on the nearby male.

The male who raised his hands, palms out, in a clear sign of surrender. That did not placate his dragon’s mind, but it did take the edge off his bloodlust.

“Chashan,” he snarled and the healing master merely smiled with a knowing grin.

“Offense Master,” the male tipped his head in acknowledgment. “I learned you intended to leave Preor Tower—against my orders. And based on what I just witnessed,” arousal flared in the healing master’s gaze and Rendan forced himself not to attack the male for glancing at Carla with covetous eyes. As humans often said, the male was mated, not dead. And Carla was a beautiful female. “It truly would be best to seek… privacy.”

Privacy. Rendan took a deep breath, and the scent of his mate’s arousal taunted his dragon’s mind. She needed, just as he needed. Her body was ripening for him. She would be hot and slick and…

Privacy was necessary.

Yes,
Carla whispered through his mind and pride joined his tumultuous emotions. Pride that their connection was already so strong that they could communicate even when he was not enveloped by scales.

Instead of replying to the male, Rendan grunted and focused on his mate. “To our—“ he was quick to correct himself, “—your home?”

She leaned against him, testing his control when she nuzzled his chest. “Ours.”

His heart soared, the single word filling him with a mixture of joy and dread. They would become one and yet… he would not give her what she desired. He could
never
give her what she desired. But that was a discussion for later—much later.

For now, he’d explore her body and pray to the skies she explored his in return.

“Ours,” he reaffirmed and then twined his fingers with hers, tugging her toward a nearby elevator. He ignored the grinning healing master as they passed, pulling his mate into the small metal box and pressing the button for their floor.

Theirs. Not merely because they had separate suites, but because they would share one going forward.

It did not take long to arrive at their floor and Rendan strode down the hallway, intent on getting to their condo. Only when Carla tugged on his arm did he slow, glancing over his shoulder at his mate. His slightly panting mate and he did not believe her rapid breathing was due to arousal.

“Carla?”

“You’re running.” She panted out the words.

He did not dare disagree with her for fear that she would change her mind. He’d simply been walking, but… his attention flicked to her legs—her
much shorter
legs.

Perhaps to her he’d been running.

“Easily solved.” He pulled, a quick tug on her hand, and brought her closer. The moment she was near enough, he scooped her into his arms.

Her delicious aroma surrounded him, encircled him in a sensuous web that made his
wred
—cock—throb within his
katoth
pants. The tanned hide restricted his movements, his length hardening and straining against the constricting clothing. He could not wait to be free of his uniform, bared for his mate’s touch. More than anything, he wished for her to be naked for him—for his mouth, his hands.

Carla squeaked and wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him while pressing her plump breasts against his chest. Her nipples were hard pebbles caressing his bare skin, further proof of her need. She fit comfortably in his hold, as if she belonged in his arms. And she did. She was his mate, his one, his
kouva
.

He would call her such once he was sure of their mating. When he knew she could not—would not—leave him.

Each step toward their condo was like an eternity, the hallway seeming to stretch before them, growing longer with each stride. Arousal pumped in his veins, sliding over his nerves. Pain and pleasure alternated, attacking him with each beat of his heart. The
katoth
both stroked and pinched his dick, making him want to groan and whimper in equal measure. But relief was in sight. They neared their suite, Carla’s—their—door now visible.

He jolted to a stop in front of the metal panel, the thin door that stood between him and bliss. “Place your thumb,
shaa soma
. Let us enter and explore.”

Explore their connection.

Explore their bodies.

Explore what brought forth whimpers of pleasure.

Carla’s passion-glazed eyes met his for a brief moment before she reached out and placed her thumb on the identipad. The red light instantly turned green, granting them entrance.

He immediately strode into the space, barely waiting for the door to slide away before he practically jumped inside. His desperation grew with every breath, every beat of his heart.

Rendan moved through her space, his mind recalling the layout with ease. He knew a
c-ow-ch
was nearby as well as a chair designed for a Preor male. Those two locations would allow a female to mount her male. It seemed pleasurable, and the Knowing assured him it could be, but he wanted more. He wanted a closeness that could only come when a male covered his mate.

That required a bed. A large bed like the one within Carla’s sleeping chamber. He turned right, desire growing the nearer he drew to her private room, and anticipation filled his blood. He would soon touch her, stroke her, explore—

A rumbling noise cut through his overwhelming craving for his mate, a grumble that was familiar, yet not. One that came from Carla.

He jolted to a stop, grip tightening so he did not risk dropping his mate. That sound came again, a growl that rolled on longer this time. He stared down at his mate in confusion. He had not read about such a sound coming before mating. What…

The Knowing was sluggish to respond, but it did. While his mate blushed under his scrutiny, information about the odd sound filled his mind.

“You are hungry.”

She opened her mouth to answer. “I’m fi—“ More rumbles broke into her speech and she pressed a hand to her belly, the flush of her face deepening to a darker red. “I’m fine.”

“No,” he shook his head, the Knowing’s lesson filling his mind. “You are hungry and a worthy, honorable male would not seek his own pleasure before caring for his mate.”

Even if he felt as if he would explode at any moment.

“Rendan—“

He knew she began another objection, and he silenced her the only way he knew how—with a kiss. He captured her lips in a fierce possession, swallowing whatever words might have left her lips. He delved into her mouth, savoring her natural flavors, and he ached to take even more.

But not yet. Not while his mate needed his care.

Instead, he lowered her legs, allowing her feet to touch the ground. She swayed in his arms and he held her tightly, waiting for her to find her balance. The moment he felt she could stand on her own, he stepped away, anxious to put space between him and temptation.

One more touch from her and he’d forget his honor as if it’d never existed.

“Food,
shaa soma
.” He would sate her need for nourishment and
then
they could sate their desires for each other. “Food first.”

Passion later…
Carla purred like a
rasi
—a fierce cat native to his planet.

Yes, passion later.
Hopefully not too much later. He was sure his balls would turn blue as Kozav often promised.

Rendan took one step away and then paused, reaching back for his mate once more. It seemed he could not stand not having her skin touching his.

He led her to the
ki-chen
, nudging her onto a stool at the bar before moving into the food preparation area. His flesh itched with the loss of her touch, but he would first care for Carla before holding her in his arms once more.

Rendan opened the cooling unit and stared at the contents, his gaze traveling over the odd containers. He narrowed his eyes, hoping the glare would make the items identifiable.

It did not.

“I can handle this.”

He glanced at Carla and she gestured at the cooling unit. “No.” He shook his head. “It is a sad day when Rendan sen Tarkan cannot provide for his mate.”

Her lips tipped up in a small grin. “Rendan
joi Carla Butler
, and humans don’t believe work should be determined by pre-conceived gender roles.”

Now he narrowed his eyes at Carla, trying to translate her words, and the Knowing fed him more information about humans. He wished the blood memory was quicker and more complete, but the tie between a human and Preor did not allow for a rapid, comprehensive exchange.

The general translation of her words meant that humans did not believe only the males should provide for their mate and dragonlets.

Humans were wrong, but he did not tell her so.

“You can,” he sought the word, “
assist
me.”

Yet he would still do most of the work.

The blinding smile he received was enough to make him reconsider his choice. He wondered how happy she would be if he allowed her to do
all
of the work. Happy enough that she would allow him to strip her, lay her on the kitchen counter and pleasure her until she screamed his name?

Carla bounced from her seat, her large breasts straining against the tight confines of her top, her hardened nipples easily visible through the thin fabric. His mouth watered, the desire to suckle and nip those nubs sparking his need once more. As she rounded the counter, stepping out of sight for a moment, he reached down and thumped his insistent dick. Kozav also told him the move would ease the hunger in his blood.

The idiot male did not tell Rendan it would hurt so badly he nearly fell to his knees.

He would beat Kozav the next time they trained.

Rendan forced his lips into a smile—no matter how feigned—and stepped aside as Carla entered the small space. “How do you feel about spaghetti?”

The Knowing was too slow in its response, but he would do anything for his mate. Even eat…
spa-get-ee.

* * *

D
inner began
with Carla in her own chair, but after watching Rendan struggle to eat, she’d gone to his side to show him how to wrap the noodles around his fork.

That’d ended with her in his lap, feeding them both, while Rendan stared at her with hooded eyes. His hard cock pressed against her ass, telling her exactly how much he wanted her, and Carla wanted him just as much. From the first moment their lips touched she’d been on fire, aching for his possession.

And that was when her stomach had intruded. Dammit. Though, really, an hour spent eating before they got down and dirty meant they wouldn’t have to
stop
getting down and dirty later.

She twisted another few noodles around her fork and offered the bundle to Rendan, placing the utensil just in front of his mouth. His eyes changed, pupils narrowing to resemble a reptile—his dragon. The presence of that feral side of him excited her, a wave of anticipation sliding down her spine before spreading to stroke her nerves.

It was sensuous—this feeding and the closeness of their bodies. Intimate while remaining clothed.

For now.

She just had to get through dinner first and there was still a good sized plate of food in front of them. Carla was quickly becoming full, but her dragon mate needed more than a few bites.

Rendan stared at the fork, tines wrapped in off-white noodles and red sauce. His attention flicked between her and the food, his gaze finally settling on the spaghetti with an expression that bounced somewhere between revulsion and fear.

“It’s not going to hurt you.” She waved the fork a little. “You’ve already eaten several bites. What gives?”

His stare didn’t waver. “There is something… green.”

He sounded like a kid who hated vegetables more than life itself, and Carla glanced at the fork. “It’s a bell pepper. It adds flavor to the sauce.” She gently waved it again. “One bite.”

Rendan pulled his gaze from the food, staring at her with consideration in his reptilian eyes. “A bite for a kiss.”

“Negotiating?” She had to admit, she liked his bargaining better than a kid’s. He raised a single brow and nodded. “Hmmm…”

She decided she’d take his morsel while she thought over her options. And came up with the perfect answer. A way to find out what she wanted to know while giving them both exactly what they desired most—each other.

“A bite for a kiss and a kiss for a question.”

Her mate frowned. “I believe that bargain is one-sided,
shaa soma.
I concede two favors for your one.”

He’d lived for centuries. She couldn’t expect him to fall for her first attempt at manipulation. Then again, she’d never been very good at twisting men around her finger.

“How about,” she murmured and leaned forward, lapping at the corner of his mouth and catching a bit of errant sauce, “we both ask questions? We hardly know each other, but…” But she wanted him more than her next breath.