“That was a fucking stupid thing to do,” Blaze chided Inferno. “I agree with the bear shifter, you will need to apologize to that male.”

“Not a fuck!” Inferno growled, folding his arms. “He can forget it. He called us scaly assholes and said that all we wanted was the for rest of the species to do our bidding.”

Blaze scoffed. “That’s exactly what we want,” he announced. “And technically we do have scaly assholes, at least some of the time. It was no reason to burn his face off.”

“The male was being derogatory. He deserved what he got. He’ll think twice before mouthing off to one of us again.” Inferno puffed out his chest.

“You will apologize and then we will proceed with the meeting,” Blaze commanded. He narrowed his eyes on Inferno. “I have made up my mind,” he added, there was a growly edge to his voice.

Inferno’s jaw clenched but he didn’t say anything. The male was probably thinking what Bay was thinking, that Blaze had lost his temper and had done the same thing on more than one occasion. The Fire king had never apologized to any of the males he had burned to a crisp. Not even once. He’d never even hinted at an apology.

“I want you to go back to your hotel,” Blaze continued, “and I want you to stay in your suite until we meet back tomorrow.”

“What about dinner?” Inferno asked.

“Use room service,” Blaze countered.

“I had planned on rutting one of the vampire females. That will be difficult if I can’t go out and meet any.” Inferno looked sulky.

“What?” Blaze snarled. “Head out of the gutter! You are not permitted to rut with anyone while here. Vampires are off limits. A hard no! This isn’t a Stag Run. And while we’re at it,” Blaze turned to Bay; the king’s eyes widened and he sucked in a breath. “Never mind,” he mumbled as he realized who he was talking to. When he remembered Bay couldn’t rut with anyone. That it wasn’t possible.

Inferno looked completely affronted. He frowned and then looked as if he wanted to say something and then frowned again. Eventually, his shoulders slumped and he nodded once.

“You are dismissed,” Blaze said. “Straight to your room,” he added.

“I’m not six anymore. I’m not the young boy you used to pick on and tease. You might be my king, but—”

“Stop acting like a whelp and I’ll stop treating you like one,” Blaze growled back at his brother.

Inferno stalked off. His face was red and his jaw clenched.

“Why didn’t you intervene?” Torrent asked him. “You might have been able to stop the whole thing.”

For a second, Bay couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I tried, but—”

“Not hard enough.” Torrent looked pissed.

Bay couldn’t believe he was getting the blame for this as well. He’d had nothing to do with it.

“Can I trust you not to get yourself into any more trouble?” Torrent raised his brows.

“With all due respect, my lord, I didn’t cause any trouble. I tried to intervene but they were going to fight no matter what I said or did. Both of them were looking for it. In answer to your question, yes, you can absolutely trust me because unlike, Inferno and Cooper, I’m not looking for trouble.”

Torrent frowned. Shit! Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything? No, he should have. Sure, he’d made some mistakes, but he wasn’t a hothead troublemaker. He was well within his rights to stand up for himself.

Torrent finally narrowed his eyes a little and then nodded. “Don’t let me down.”

“I won’t.” Bay shook his head.

“Blaze and I have a couple of things to discuss. I plan on ordering in tonight as well, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Bay nodded.

With that, the two males turned and left. Bay felt both good and bad and all at the same time. Good because he had stood up to Torrent and ‒ in his opinion ‒ had won. Bad because he did plan on making trouble. Well, not exactly trouble. He planned on going to see Ceri.

Ceri.

He knew her name and it was beautiful. Suited her. Bay had almost fallen on his face when he had seen her. He all but forgot the shifter in his arms. A healer. Wow! That suited her too. It had been a struggle to contain himself. Not to give himself away, at any rate. She’d looked upset right from the start. Aside from one or two sideways glances, she’d ignored him flat.

There were a couple of things he needed to know. By now she would be finished or almost finished with Cooper. If not, he was going to help her, whether she liked it or not, and then they were going to talk. She’d canceled all her appointments and had sent the alphas away for two hours. They had plenty of time.

Once Bay made up his mind, he had to force himself to walk calmly. If it were up to him, he'd run and as fast as his legs could carry him. He'd found her, by some miracle, he'd actually found her. Bay walked quickly, making it back to her office in no time.

He knocked twice and entered before she could say anything.

Ceri dropped the bandages she had been carrying. Her eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. “What…?” she said, looking stricken. “What are you doing here?” Then she narrowed her eyes like she was angry with him. “You should leave,” she went on to say, before he could answer.

“I just want to talk.” He put up a hand, wanting to placate her.

Ceri was breathing quickly. It looked like she was breathing through her mouth. “Are you okay?” He walked into the office, closing the door behind him. Her dark hair was tied in a ponytail. She wore a white coat that did a good job of covering up her beautiful body. It didn’t matter, he could easily remember exactly how she looked under all the layers. Bay swallowed thickly. His coming here wasn’t about that. About sex. He swallowed again, feeling need coil inside him nonetheless. Of course, that’s where it ended. No blood flowed south. For once he was happy about the fact.

“Why are you here?” She looked afraid. Why was she afraid? Surely not of him? He didn’t like it. “You need to leave right now.” She pointed at the door, taking a step back.

Bay shook his head. He frowned. “Why? I don’t understand. I'm here to talk. Just to talk," he said as he walked towards her. It left him feeling…off-kilter that she was treating him this way. Like he had done something wrong. "I only need a few minutes of your time." He took another step towards her. "Please."

It happened quickly. Her eyes turned blood red. Her canines elongated into long, sharp fangs. Ceri snarled as she leaped, closing the five feet between them with one single jump. He was so shocked, that when her feet hit his chest, he fell backward. She was on him in an instant. Her fangs sinking into his neck. Her claws into his shoulders.

Ceri sucked hard. He felt the blood leave him on a hard pull…felt that pull all the way to the tip of his cock, right into his sac, which pulled painfully tight in an instant. Ceri moaned deeply as she sucked a second time. Long and hard. Bay grit his teeth, trying not to come. Thankfully she broke contact with a hard yell.

Bay rolled her onto her back. Her eyes were still mostly red, hints of green had bled their way back into her irises though. Dark tendrils had broken free from her ponytail. She was still breathing heavily. Her fangs looked deadly. His blood on her lips. Bay was fucked if the sight of her like that didn’t turn him on more. He hadn’t thought it possible, but it happened.

She reached up and palmed his cock. Any semblance of control left him then and there. He growled fiercely as he ripped her white coat. She yanked at his pants, grabbing his dick as soon as it was free. Her nails were long and sharp, but he was a sick bastard because it felt good. Bay groaned, feeling need coil in the pit of his stomach. His gums itched and his teeth sharpened some.

One hard upward pull and her dress was torn on one side and yanked up around her hips, giving him access to her pussy. No underwear this time. Her legs folded around his hips, her shoes dug into his ass. Ceri made desperate little noises that were driving him insane. Her nails were digging into his shoulders.

He thrust into her with a loud snarl. Her pussy was wet and tight.

Shit!

Shit!

Shit!

He struggled to hold it together, wanting so badly to come, then and there. With a rough grunt, he began to thrust. Fuck! He wasn’t going to last long. No chance! Not when he was this desperate.

Thankfully, Ceri was moaning deeply. He found her clit and rubbed on it. Her moans intensified. Her pussy tightened some more around him, which made him growl. A deep vibration that ended in a snarl as he blew. Bay called her name. Her real name. He hadn’t meant to, it just happened. Her pussy all out strangled him and she screamed, bowing her back. Then she bit down on him, sucking another gulp of his blood.

Bay roared. He felt such intense pleasure that it was on the verge of being painful. Every muscle pulled tight. Her pussy spasmed just as hard. Ceri groaned so loudly her throat had to hurt.

Bay thrust slowly a few more times and then stopped moving. They were both breathing heavily. Ceri swallowed thickly. Her eyes were hazy when she opened them. Then she blinked a couple of times and they widened. She got this shocked expression and pushed at his chest. “Get off me!” she yelled.

Bay pulled out and moved away. Looked like he had found trouble despite the fact that he hadn’t been looking for it. Ceri seemed upset. That, and pissed.

Ceri scrambled up, pulling her dress down and yanking her coat closed. “Shit!” she cursed. “Why did you come back? I told you to leave.” She felt panicked. Only because she was still aroused. And maybe because she wanted more. Lots more! More sex. More blood. More of him. “Now look what’s happened. Dammit!” She paced away from him. Why had he come back? Why? This was going to make it more difficult to get over him. To move on. She barely knew him and— Arghhh, this was a mess.

“I’m sorry!” he said, adjusting his pants and getting to his feet. He was even more attractive than she’d remembered. Those gorgeous blue eyes seemed to look right into the heart of her. His hair was tousled, his silver chest gleamed. His shoulders impossibly broad. So damned sexy. So delicious! What was she thinking? She couldn’t think like that about a dragon. Bay was still aroused as well, which wasn’t helping things.

“Leave now!” Then she realized that if he left, everyone would know what had gone down between them. Brant would have a shit fit of epic proportions. She scrubbed a hand over her face. “No wait!” she said, not that he was going anywhere. “You can’t leave just yet, we need to get the scent of…what just happened off of our skin. Then you need to go. I can’t ever see you again!” She sounded downright nasty, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Well, it’s nice to see you too.” His eyes clouded, making her feel terrible. No! It was for the best for both of them. This couldn’t happen again. It should never have happened in the first place.

She pushed out a breath and shook her head. “I definitely can’t say the same. This should never have happened.” She shook her head.

“You’re acting like this is my fault. You were the one who attacked me. Or was it all a figment of my imagination?”

She ignored the comment, only because she couldn’t say anything back. It was all true. She had pretty much attacked him. Her face felt warm just thinking about it.

“I came here to talk, that’s all,” Bay went on, “I wanted to ask you something and maybe say hi. Then you jumped me.”

“And you hated every minute. That’s why you had me on my back in a second.”

“You stuck your fangs into me first.”

“Whatever,” she mumbled as she walked to the door, locking it. Then she closed the blinds all the way. Praying no-one had seen anything. Praying even harder that they would get away with this. “This is such a mess. I haven’t even finished dressing his wounds. What if someone comes here? One of those shifters? Your dragon buddies? My cousin.”

She watched his eyes dart around the room. “Who is your cousin?” She could see his mind working.

“Brant.”

Bay swallowed thickly. “I would be in serious trouble.” He cleared his throat. “Make that, I’m going to be in serious trouble. They will be sure to smell it on us.”

“Not necessarily.”

“What do you mean?”

She walked over to where she kept her herbs and spices. Instead of going to the shelving, she went to a plant growing in the corner. It was a succulent of sorts. Somewhere between a cactus and a regular plant. It had long thick leaves that grew three feet high. They were dark green with a waxy surface. She cut off one of the leaves and got to work, chopping and peeling. Using the pestle and mortar, she crushed the pieces into a gloopy pulp which she poured into a bowl. Crushing each piece until there was quite a substantial amount of the goo. Certainly enough for the two of them to get rid of each other’s scent.

“We need to wash with this…all over and quick.” She glanced at the door. “Before someone comes.” Then she glanced over at Cooper. The male was still unconscious.

“This is going to work at removing the scent of our rutting?” He looked skeptical.

“Yes. I’ve never tried it myself, but it apparently works. Someone I know used it a couple of times. The shifters know about it.”

“Shifters?” He frowned, shaking his head. “What do shifters have to do with anything?”

“Long story, but one of our males mated a wolf shifter. They used it to keep their relationship a secret. It works! At least,” she raised her brows, “I think it does. It should.” She shrugged.

“Okay, let’s try it. It’s not like we have anything to lose.”

“You go first.” She handed him the bowl.

Bay took it. “You said you’re worried someone might come. Let’s get this over with. I’ll wash your back and you can wash mine.” The one side of his mouth quirked up. Why was he trying so hard to be nice to her?

Ceri was still painfully aware of how attracted to him she was. She shook her head. “No, I need to finish putting salve on Cooper’s wounds.”

Bay glanced over at the downed shifter. “It looks like you took care of the worst of them already.” He probably knew she was making excuses.

His face was dressed in gauze and bandages that had been soaked in the salve. There was a thick layer beneath the bandages. She had applied the ointment to the wounds on his neck and chest, but she still wanted to dress them as well. At the same time, she was worried someone might come. That one of the shifters or, heaven forbid, her cousin might ignore her earlier request and come by anyway.

“We’ve rutted on two occasions now,” the dragon said. “I’ve seen you naked. I’ve been inside you, for claw’s sake. Let’s do this thing.”

Ceri nodded. “Fine! Let’s make it quick. I can wash my own back,” she snapped.

“Fine,” he growled, following behind her.

Ceri started the shower, adjusting the temperature. She was lucky there was even a shower at her offices. She often worked late and washed there before heading out. Back in the days when she still actually went out, that is.

She pulled off the coat and peeled off the torn dress, placing the garments neatly on the closed toilet lid. She prayed she had a spare white coat in the cupboard in her office. One thing at a time. They needed to get clean.

When she glanced back at Bay, she noticed his mouth hung open, his eyes glued on her ass.

He seemed to snap out of it as soon as he caught her gaze, quickly pulling his cotton pants down his thighs. His thick member sprang free, jutting proudly from his body. His eyes were heated, his gaze stern.

Her nipples tightened and her mouth felt dry as a bone. It didn’t help that she couldn’t take as much as she would have liked from him. What was she saying? She shouldn’t have taken any. His blood tasted better. Richer, headier, more decadent. It had hurt to drink it, even though there had been slightly less burn this time. The experience had been better. Her fangs had finally retracted. She swallowed down, trying to quell her thirst. Ceri turned her back on him and entered the stall. The sooner they got this over and done with, the sooner she could get rid of him. For good! She looked up at the spray, the hot water hitting her face, wetting her hair.

She yelped when he touched the side of her arm. Just a brush of the fingers.

“You don’t have to be so jumpy,” he said, his voice right behind her. There was a clicking noise as the stall door shut. “Let me help.” Despite the hot water, she could still feel his warmth. She could hear his heart beating, the rate elevated and strong.

She held back a sigh as his fingers began to work her back. She could feel the slimy texture of the plant gel. Ceri knew she should tell him to stop. That she could take care of it herself, but his hands felt too good. Her fangs throbbed and her tongue felt like it was sticking to the roof of her mouth. She was tempted to take in a mouthful of water. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t help. Blood! She’d taken so little from him earlier. A taste really. Enough to whet her appetite but not nearly enough to quench her thirst. She was starving. Her breathing turned choppy, like she’d just run around the block.

“Here.” His deep voice enveloped her and goosebumps rose up on her arms. Her already tight nipples hardened some more. It took her a moment to realize he was holding the bowl out to her. “Unless you want me to wash the rest of you as well.” His brows arched and the side of his mouth twitched. Why was he being so nice to her when she’d been so bitchy to him?

“I’ll do it.” She moved out of the spray and took the bowl with shaky hands, hoping he wouldn’t notice. Hoping her eyes were normal even if her fangs were not. Long and throbbing.

Oh, good lord!

She watched as Bay stepped under the spray. Watched the water cascade down his skin. His beautiful, warm, sun-kissed skin. He put his head under the stream of water, turning around and leaning back. His cock was still at full alert. Thick and ready. She could hear his heart. Could see a vein throbbing at the base of his neck. Her mouth dropped open. Her teeth, her throat, her—

A low growl left her. Hunger coursed through her. Need like she’d never felt before. She gripped his arm and sank her fangs into his wrist.

Bay growled, his eyes snapping open. She held his gaze as she sucked. So delicious. So amazing.

Pain.

Like before, it hurt to drink from him. Not as much but it still hurt. Her mouth, her throat, her insides were on fire. Like he had lava mixed in with his blood. Her need was greater than her pain though and she sucked again. With a growl, she was forced to pull back after the third mouthful, unable to keep going even though she was still hungry. Not as ravenous as before but nowhere near sated either.

Bay was frowning heavily. His chest heaved. “You need to,” he swallowed thickly, his eyes moving down to her chest, which was heaving as well, “stop doing that.”

She still had his arm in her grip. “I can’t! That’s why you need to go.” She didn’t want him to leave just then. Didn’t want anything except him. Didn’t care if they were found out. Didn’t care about Brant. That they were different species. About feuds and wars and arguments. None of that mattered.

“Go?” He shook his head. “I can’t!” he growled. “What are you doing to me?” He gripped her hips. “Tell me to stop.”

She couldn’t. Ceri shook her head.

“Do it! Tell me.” He turned her around, using his knee to open her legs. Her eyes fluttered closed. Her hands were flat against the tiles. He snarled as he thrust into her. Hard. Like he had lost all control in that moment. She loved it. Loved the feeling of his hard cock inside her. Deep inside.

Yes!

She moaned every time he drove into her. “You’re addictive,” he moaned into her ear. “I can’t get enough.”

Her feelings exactly.

They were in deep shit. He slowed down, his hands sliding up and down her hips and sides. One moved to cup her breast. Soft grunts left his lips, his hard body was plastered against her back, which was slick from the gel. He kept thrusting into her, slow and easy. So good!

She groaned when he kissed her neck. If he nipped her, she was going to come. If his teeth so much as scraped against her. His hands palmed her breasts, tweaked her nipples. She whimpered, pushed back against him with every drive of his cock.

Bay sucked on her earlobe and then…he nipped her there, dragging his teeth along her sensitive flesh.

Her head fell back as her body bowed. Her orgasm was instant and intense, blowing through her like a raging storm. Destroying everything in its wake.

He groaned, clutching her tighter, his body crouching over hers as his movements turned jerky. His thrusts were hard and quick. He groaned again, softer this time as he slowed down, his hips circling. His shaft still drawing out the last of her orgasm.

Ceri was shivering. Vibrating was a better word. Her legs felt weak. Her thirst was back, just as bad as before. This was getting worse. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” she said with a moan.

“No, we shouldn’t,” he agreed. His hands circled her, holding her. His chest against her back. He made no move to pull out or to let her go.

“We need to clean up,” she said, noticing that the water was no longer as hot as it had been. “We’re out of time. I have to make more herb tea for Cooper. Need to.”

He pulled out just then, making a noise like it pained him to do so. Bay turned her around, he wiped the water dripping from her forehead and smiled at her. “I’d like to see you again before I go.”

“No!” She shook her head, feeling shocked to her core.

“Just to talk.”

She looked at him like he’d lost his mind and he chuckled. “Okay, well, maybe to do a little more than talk. Our meeting commences in the morning. I have some free time until then.”

“I don’t,” she countered, shaking her head some more. “I’m nursing a shifter.” So much for going out tonight. It had been a bad idea to begin with.

“He will be mostly healed within a few hours. There was no silver involved. Come on!” He took her hand, squeezing. “We need to talk about this.”

She was still thirsty. Maybe if she got her fill of him, she’d be in a better position to get over him. It wasn’t true of course. Ceri realized she was talking herself into it. “There is nothing to talk about.”

“I think there is, and I think you know it.”

“We are attracted to one another and I enjoy drinking your blood.” Understatement of the year. “It doesn’t mean anything. It can’t mean anything. End of discussion. Shit!” She noticed that the bowl was on its side on the floor, half the contents had spilled out and was swirling down the drain. She picked it up before more of the gel could run out.

“There is something important I have to ask you and now is not the time or the place. Please.” He looked at her with such pleading eyes.

“Fine! Where should we meet?” She shook her head. “Nowhere is safe. This is a crazy idea.”

“Nowhere on these actual grounds is safe but maybe we could meet in the wooded area behind the castle. Shall we say ten o’clock?”

"Yes." She nodded, lathering the gel onto herself, concentrating on a particular area the most.

She handed what was left to Bay. “That should be enough. I can make some more if you need it?” Thankfully she’d made too much to begin with.

Bay shook his head. “This will be fine.” He got to work as well.

Then she washed quickly, using the shower gel and opened the stall door to leave.

Bay took her wrist. “Tonight at ten. Be there.” He used a commanding tone she hadn’t heard before. “Don’t make me come looking for you, because I will.”

She could see he meant it. What was so important that he was willing to risk so much for? Ceri nodded and he let her go.