Storm carried her the entire way there. He refused to talk to her. On and on he ran until she fell asleep in his arms. He’d woken her up and had placed her on her feet. Then he had shifted.

Shifted.

All she could say was ‘wow.' His great wings flapped, almost noiselessly. His scales gleamed in the moonlight. A beautiful iridescent green that took her breath away. Storm was gorgeous in his man form and devastating in his dragon form. His chest was a bright golden color speckled with the same green scales. It was as if his scales in that section had been infused with the precious metal. Dazzling and dangerous all rolled into one. His teeth were sharp, his tail barbed. His whole being huge and powerful. The air seemed charged with it. The hairs on her body were raised, goosebumps had settled on her arms.

She was completely unafraid as they lifted up and up and up, leaving the ground far beneath them. His claws held her firmly yet gently. If he dropped her now, she would be dead. And yet, she found this exhilarating. Everything about it was amazing, it was wonderful, it was…wrong.

It was wrong!

The thought settled inside her mind. Why wasn’t Storm listening to her? He didn’t get it. This wasn’t about sex or having a good time. No, that wasn’t true, it wasn’t only about sex and having a good time. It was about so much more. Sex and fun were so far from the most important things in her life. Especially sex. Why didn’t he believe her when she said she didn’t care much about it? He was an asshole, that’s why. This was all about him. Storm was a selfish asshole. It was very evident that he was used to getting everything he wanted. Used to having everyone cater to and obey his every whim.

Not this time.

If he thought she was just going to roll over and accept this, he was very wrong. She only had three precious weeks. Taking this vacation was already costing her. Someone like him wouldn’t understand that.

Jolene forgot the dragon shifter for a moment as the lair appeared. There were, what seemed like hundreds of wide windows built into the side of the cliff. Most of them were dark, but several were illuminated from the inside. One-way glass made it impossible to see inside. Except for what looked like public areas, which were visible and lit up like the fourth of July.

This dragon castle was smaller than the one she had slept in the night before. The fire dragon’s lair. It was no less opulent. Golden chandeliers draped with large crystals and other stones. They looked like rubies, emeralds and other gems. It couldn’t be though, could it? The floors were brightly polished and looked to be made from rock, they were covered with Persian rugs. The furniture was fairly sparse but quite beautiful. Pieces rather than simply furniture. Each one unique. Ranging from highly ornate to very simple.

Her feet lightly touched the ground, making her realize that they had landed. Storm released her, landing several feet away. There was a cracking noise, and the scales pulled back, his body folding in on itself. The whole process happened quickly.

Just as before, when he changed into a dragon, Storm stood, his back to her. He might be an asshole, but he was a gorgeous ass. Make that…he had a gorgeous ass. Glutes of note. His hips were narrow and his thighs strong and powerful like the rest of him.

If she was stuck with him for the next while, at least she would have something good to look at. Pity, she hadn't brought any of her earbuds though, she had nothing to drown him out with. Hard on the ears but easy on the eyes. He walked over to a shelf and donned a pair of black cotton pants, just as a big guy walked out onto the terrace. "Welcome." The guy smiled. His eyes were a bright green, they contrasted beautifully with his brown hair.

“Hi.” She smiled back.

A growl sounded from next to her and Storm stepped in, putting himself ahead of her by a half a foot.

“Good evening, or should I say morning, my lord. Welcome home.”

Storm relaxed somewhat, his frame remained tense but the tightness in his jaw eased, and he breathed out what seemed to be a pent-up breath. Storm nodded and took her hand, she tried to pull away, but he held on tight while giving her a sideways glance.

“I am Beck.” The guy nodded in her direction.

“Nice to meet—”

Storm growled again, louder this time. She even felt the rumble in the hand that was being clasped by his.

“Why are you doing that?” She tried to pull her hand away, but Storm shook his head.

“What is happening to me?” Storm asked the other man, Beck. “I didn’t expect it to be this bad,” he muttered more to himself.

“Do not be concerned with Storm. This is normal behavior. He considers you to be his and will fight any who try to take you from him.” He smiled at Storm. “It is normal to feel this way, my lord.”

“But you didn’t try anything.” She looked from Beck to Storm and back.

“You are feeling possessive, my lord?”

Storm nodded. “Big time, even though I know you won’t try anything. It’s weird!” He scowled.

Beck smiled. “You will be driven to eliminate even a perceived threat. It is normal.”

“I’m not his though,” she mumbled.

Storm clasped her hand even firmer, his brow knitting in a deep frown. “Yes, you are,” he growled.

Beck shook his head. “Do not let anyone hear you say that. It is dangerous. It would be foolish for a lesser to try to take on a royal. With talk like that, however, they may be tempted, and there would be carnage as a result."

“Carnage? You can’t be serious?” She felt her blood drain.

Storm had gone back to clenching his teeth. His muscles bulged beneath his skin. Wired, agitated, angry. He was all of those and more. Her hand was being squeezed half to death.

“I’m afraid I’m very serious. Blood, broken bones, possibly even death to anyone who tried.” Beck said it like it was completely matter of fact. “It would be better if he keeps holding your hand. Maybe you should carry her.”

Storm turned his amethyst eyes on her. “No!” she quickly announced. “I’m fine. Are you fine though?” she asked Storm because he looked far from okay.

He squeezed her hand tighter and nodded once. “Beck, you need to come with us.” Storm spoke in a low rasping voice, addressing the other shifter. “Keep the female safe if I need to fight.”

Eeep! Was this really happening? It seemed crazy, and yet she could feel the aggravation coming off him in waves.

Beck nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”

Should she be afraid? She couldn’t see another shifter anywhere. Would someone else try to take her? If so, would Storm really hurt them that badly? What if Storm lost? Her first feeling was fear. She could even go so far as to say it upset her to think someone might rip her away. Like she wanted to actually stay with a guy who only wanted to use her. This prince. This asshole.

“Let’s go,” Storm said, his voice deep and gravelly.

Jolene swallowed thickly and nodded. The walk took all of a few minutes. They moved quickly and quietly. Jolene had to almost slow jog to keep up. They did pass a couple of guys who gawked at them…at her. Their eyes tracing her every move with definite interest. Storm growled loudly at one who took a step in their direction, but that was it. No fanfare otherwise.

"Are you hungry?" Storm asked her as they arrived at a large set of double doors, his hand rested on the doorknob as he spoke.

"Yes, I am actually." She realized at that moment that she was ravenous. The last time she had eaten a proper meal had been the previous morning. The energy bars they had given her were long gone as well and could hardly be considered real food.

“I will take care of it, sire,” Beck said, walking backward in the direction they had just come from.

Storm opened the door and gestured for her to go in, finally relinquishing his tight hold on her hand.

Jolene did as he asked and almost stopped in her tracks. The room was huge and double volume. All open-plan. A modern kitchen, a dining area…and the bed.

That was some bed. Huge, like double king huge and four-poster. The linen was black, which added a certain amount of masculinity to what could have been girly, for lack of a better word.

The view was breathtaking. Or would be in the light of day. The entire one section of the living area was glass window. A vast expanse of darkness on the other side, a half-moon up above, shining down on the rippled surface of the ocean. The stars…they were simply amazing. The Milky Way and Orion’s Belt had never looked so vivid. She found herself wishing she’d paid more attention when she visited the planetarium some years back. All of the constellations were on display, twinkling and blinking.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” he asked, stepping up next to her.

“Yes.” She nodded, taking it all in for a few moments more before saying what was really on her mind. “You’re not going to be able to let me go, are you?”

Storm shook his head. "Nope, I guess it's how the hunt works. Once a male wins a female, he won't…can't give her up without a fight. It's an instinct thing. Shifters are governed a lot by our instincts. I fought for you. I won you. I got you here safely, which makes you mine. I am feeling possessive…” He frowned. “Not something I am used to. I didn’t think it would happen to me at all, let alone this acutely. But, hey,” he shrugged, “it is what it is.”

His feelings reduced to hormones and chemicals. To base instincts. They hardly knew one another but still, it stung. “You didn’t fight for me.” She shook her head. “You fought for Christina and me. You didn’t really care who you ended up with, so it’s not the same.”

"You are right. I initially didn't care who I ended up with, but that quickly changed. Within a half a minute of talking to the two of you, I knew I wanted you. So, by default, I fought for you, Jolene.”

“Not really but we’ll let it go. I have a feeling we’d argue for a while and we’d still end up disagreeing.”

“Come on, this isn’t so bad is it?” Storm turned in a circle, arms outstretched. “I’m not so bad, am I?”

She hated the warm fuzzy feeling she got when he said he’d chosen her in less than a minute of talking to both her and Christina. She’d always hoped for love at first sight, but this was better. He’d picked her based on more than just looks. Pity about there being no real interest attached. Nothing lasting at any rate.

Storm grinned when she didn’t answer immediately. It was cocky and arrogant, reminding her of why this was a problem. “So, you’ve decided I’m not so bad after all. I’m glad you’re over your…issue with me.” Storm leaned down and pulled off his pants, stepping out of them.

Her mouth dropped open. The first two times she’d seen him naked, he’d had his back to her. Not this time. Her gaze was drawn there…how could it not be?

Storm was a big guy…really big. His balls hung down…heavy between his legs. She guessed that’s where the saying came from ‒ well hung. That wasn’t all, his cock was big too. Especially considering he wasn’t hard. It was both long and thick. Of course, she knew he would be huge after seeing him hard earlier, but still. Knowing something and seeing it for real was two different things.

She quickly averted her eyes, thankful when he didn’t say anything about her staring. Jolene didn’t know him well, but Storm would be a dick like that. That much she did know. Her cheeks felt hot. Her whole body felt hot. He was standing right there in all his naked glory. She looked outside. Safer that way.

He walked towards her, drawing her eyes back to him. Keep them up. On his face. Storm was so big and bristling ‒ not that he was trying to be or anything. The guy had presence. She worked hard to keep her eyes from wandering where they shouldn’t.

“I’m going to take a shower.” He turned to a door. “You coming?” He continued towards what she knew must be the bathroom. It was like he expected her to just follow.

“No.” She tried not to yell. Was he crazy?

Storm stopped and turned back. “I’m sure you want to get cleaned up as well. I’ll wash your back and anything else that needs soaping up.” His voice dropped a few octaves.

“I’m good. I can’t shower with you.” Was that shrill voice hers?

“Why not?” Storm looked really baffled.

“I would love a shower but not with you, thank you.” This guy was crazy. Over-confident and crazy.

“We’re going to eat and then I’m going to fuck you until you come. Just once this time since you didn’t get much sleep.” He winked. “It’s only two hours till sunrise.”

Winked.

She was too busy trying to pick her jaw up off the floor to speak, so she shook her head, clearing her throat. “No showering and no fucking.”

“We’re together for three weeks and we are going to fuck. We may as well start now.”

“No!” The sheer damned arrogance irritated the hell out of her. That coupled with her body’s reaction to his filthy words. She wasn’t sure which one irritated her more. “We may be stuck together for the three weeks ‒ against my will, I might add ‒ but there will be no sleeping together, no fucking and no…I’ll think of a third thing just now. There should always be three things. I’ll think of a third in no time.”

“Who said we can’t fuck?” He shook his head. "And why can't we? Forget I asked that. The answer doesn't matter since we will be fucking." He took another step towards her, getting quite close now and it wasn't fair. He had just run for hours. Not just that, he'd carried her for hours too, and he still smelled amazing. Sure, there was an underlying scent of the earth and of sweat, but even that smelled really good.

“Don’t,” he growled.

“Don’t what?”

“You were sniffing.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“Your nose was flaring and you were inhaling deeper than normal. You were sniffing me, and by your scent, I can tell you were liking what you were scenting."

“You smell sweaty,” she mumbled. Not really a lie. Not the whole truth either, but he didn’t have to know that.

“You like the smell of sweat?” The side of his mouth quirked up. “A little strange but it works in my favor. Fucking, if done properly, can be a major work-out.”

"I do not like the smell of sweat, and we're not having sex, so please stop."

There was a knock at the door. Oh, thank god! Saved by the bell ‒ or the knock in this case.

Storm kept his eyes on her. “Enter,” he finally growled.

“I brought several different items,” Beck began as he walked in carrying the largest tray she had ever seen. “I wasn’t sure—” He stopped talking, glancing at them. “I see I have come at a bad time.”

Storm was standing just inches away from her. When had he gotten so close? He was still naked and…Shit…was that? Yes, he was sporting a semi. “Not at all,” she spluttered, taking a step back.

Beck smiled. “I will put the tray here and leave you to it. There are a couple of items that will still be good, even if eaten cold, or you could use the microwave to reheat anything that needs it.” He placed the tray on a table.

“What does that have to do with anything?” she asked.

“I can scent your need, female. Storm will be eager to sate you. I’m sure the food will get cold.”

He hadn’t just said that! These guys were so forward about everything. It didn’t help that they had enhanced senses.

Storm grinned. “I’m very eager! You can go now, Beck. I’ll see you in a day or two.”

Beck looked over at her. “You are one lucky—”

“Out!” Storm growled.

Beck half-bowed. “Let me know if you require any—”

“Out!” Another growl, louder this time.

As soon as the door closed behind Beck, Jolene covered her face with her hand. “That was so embarrassing. He could tell…or at least he thought I was…that I was…”

“Aroused?” Storm raised his brows and cocked his head.

Jolene rolled her eyes. “I’m not though.” Why was she even trying to deny it? Maybe because she shouldn’t be.

“Beck could scent your arousal because you are aroused, just as I am aroused.” He glanced down at his— Oh, good lord but that thing was fully erect and jutting from his body. It was big and proud and…

No! No! No! Storm was sex on legs, but sex wasn’t what she was after. It wasn’t. “I don’t know what your nose is telling you, but—”

“My nose is telling me that you’re lubricated, your pussy is preparing to accept my cock into its tight confines.”

Jolene made a soft choking noise but couldn’t speak. Her tongue felt like it was tied up in knots. Tight ones and several of them.

Storm went on. “Your heart is beating faster as well.” He leaned in, just inches away. “Aside from the sweet, sweet smell coming from your slick channel, there are pheromones in your blood that are also enhancing your scent.” He sniffed. “Fucking delicious.”

"No sleeping together," she croaked. "No sex and no…anything! I don't even want to be friends with you. If you don't move away, I'm going to slap you again." It was that or kiss him, and if she kissed him, there might not be any stopping. His words were affecting her. His nakedness was affecting her. She'd never been this turned on before and she had no idea why. It had been a good six months since she'd last had sex, but dry spells had never bothered her before. He was an asshole, she shouldn't want this.

Storm pulled himself back to his full height, looking down at her. “I’m sorry to hear we can’t be friends.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t bug me though. Feel free to hit and claw me, makes hate-fucking all the more enjoyable.”

“Arghhhhh,” she growled. “You’re incorrigible.”

Storm chuckled as he turned and walked away. He glanced back over his shoulder. “For a second there I thought you were ready to give up. I thought I had you.” He grinned, looking so damned sexy that it was annoying.

“Are you trying to say you would have been unhappy if I had agreed to let you sleep with me?” He was too much.

Storm shrugged. "I want to fuck you very badly, but I'm enjoying working for it. It's going to make the actual event all the more amazing, just you wait and see." His chest heaved, and his cock twitched. As in, it moved all on its own.

She shook her head, snapping her eyes back up. “It’s not going to happen.” Her voice sounded normal. Thank god, because she wasn’t feeling normal.

“It’s a foregone conclusion.” He marched to a door and yanked it open. “I’ll leave it open just in case you decide to join me.” He tapped the wood and sent her another wink.

Asshole.

Cocky little bastard. Although, little was the wrong description of him by a long shot. Jolene had been right on the money. This was all a big game. If she gave in, he'd get what he wanted, and if she didn't, he'd get what he wanted anyway. A challenge. This was all a big challenge to him. All a damned game. Her life, reduced to a game. It wasn't fair. Right now she hated him. It didn't matter that there was something endearing and sweet about him, that part was overshadowed by the asshole part. There would be no sex. None. Golden Boy could forget that. If she left this room in three weeks' time and he still had the biggest, baddest hard-on for her, then she will have won, and if not…there was no other option. That was it!