Chapter Eleven
Birk was about to break. Having Lily in his arms was more amazing and wonderful than he could have ever imagined. If he messed things up now, he’d never forgive himself.
To his delight, his flirty comebacks seemed to please her, and for the first time in maybe forever, tension wasn’t twisting his muscles into knots.
She tapped his forehead. “Where did you go, dragon-boy?”
He smiled at the nickname. “Just thinking how incredible you are.”
She cocked a brow. “Showing is a lot more convincing.”
Where Lily’s sudden confidence had come from, he didn’t know, but he sure as hell liked it. He’d detected the change in her when he told her they were mates. Having grown up without a dad might have caused her to be cautious around men—that, and that asshole Nelor turning on her.
The idea of having someone around forever must have appealed to her. When her lips parted, he leaned over and kissed her. Hard. Passionately. Seductively.
Mate, mate, his dragon said, cheering him on.
I need to take it slow.
Then why are you devouring her?
Birk lightened up on the kiss and swirled his tongue around hers instead of probing deeply, but he found it difficult not to want to take all of her. He delved into her sweet mouth again, and then nudged open her legs with his knee, waiting for her to tell him she wasn’t ready.
It must have been his lucky day because Lily planted her feet on the bed and lifted her hips. That completely unraveled him. Now, he had to have her.
Heat slammed through his veins as his ruby scales flickered and pulsed. Needing to test the waters, he slipped his cock between her legs and stopped at her entrance.
“Birk, please, take me now.”
That was all he needed to hear. Using all of his control, he slid into her eager pussy and nearly shifted when he reached the end. As wild lust grabbed him hard, his breath caught. This was his mate, the woman he would love and protect forever.
She tried to move beneath him, but he drew his knees inward to keep her still. “Give me a second, please.”
Lily stopped moving but then cupped his face and drew him close enough to make love to his mouth. It was too much. With her breasts pressed against his chest, her heat wrapped around his cock, and her tongue about to tangle with his, Birk was unable to keep from retreating and then driving back into her.
His balls drew up tight, and his cock and tongue plunged into her again and again. He savored her sweetness, and Lily moaned and dug her nails into his shoulders. Sweat beaded their bodies as they fucked hard and with total abandon.
Lily broke the kiss. She let out a scream as her eyes rolled back in her head. He’d never been more turned on. When her inner walls clamped down hard on him, his hot cum detonated.
“Oh, Lily.”
A long while later, Birk rolled over and dragged her on top, where she lay with her cheek on his chest, while he remained snug inside her. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her forehead, never wanting to let her go.
He said nothing until her breathing slowed. “Shit! I’m so sorry, Lily. I was caught up in the moment that I forgot to use protection.”
She patted his chest. “It’s okay. I’ve taken precautions. Not only am I on the pill, I was checked out after Nelor.”
Part of him was disappointed. He wanted heirs, but that would come later. “Smart. I’m good to go too.”
Finally, she lifted her head. “We need to clean up.”
“I’ll find us something.” He rolled her to the side and slipped out of her. In the bathroom, he wet a washcloth to clean her up first and then himself. Once he tossed the cloth back into the sink, he crawled into bed. “Will you stay the night with me—in my bed?”
Lily snuggled against him and sighed. “Yes.”
Birk held the phone to his ear and watched Lily grab a glass from the kitchen cabinet and hold it under the faucet. “I’ll ask her, but what do you plan to do, Ness?”
“Before the A.P.P. turns Toma loose, I thought we’d take her out for a girl’s day. Maybe the four of us will have a little makeover session, catch a movie, or go shopping. We’re not sure.”
The water turned off and Lily moved toward him. It was Saturday, so she thankfully wasn’t working today. He turned his back to her and lowered his voice. “What if Toma’s men come after her?”
Nessa huffed. “We’ll stick to the main part of the city. I’m sure that Tory, Greer, Kaleena, and I can handle them. Remember, four is better than one, and we are Guardians, my dear brother.”
That was true. Furthermore, Declan had called and said that he, Kyle, and Finn were heading to Glen Meadow again today to look for Toma’s daughters. He’d even asked if Birk was free to help.
“I’m sure she’ll be happy to join you four. Will you pick her up here or should I drop her off?”
“I’ll pick her up.”
“Let me ask Lily.” Birk pressed the phone to his chest. “Nessa, Greer, Kaleena, and Tory would like to take you out for the day. Would you like to go?”
“Are you coming?”
He couldn’t tell if she wanted him to. “I’m not invited. It’s a girls-only thing. Don’t worry—you’ll be safe with them if that’s your concern.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Help Declan find Toma’s daughters.”
Lily pressed her lips together possibly indicating she wasn’t pleased he might be putting his life in danger, but then she smiled. “Yes, I’d love to go.”
It would be good for her to be out and about and not have to worry about anything. He lifted the phone. “Lily would be thrilled.”
“We’ll pick her up soon.”
“Good.” He disconnected.
“What’s the occasion?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I’m guessing it’s to give you a break from me.”
Lily came over to him with her glass in hand. The nearer she drew, the more his body heated. “I don’t need a break from you, but getting to know your sisters and cousins will be nice.”
“Thank you, and I agree. They are fun.” He held up a finger. “Even though all four women can defend you, be alert at all times.”
When Lily laughed, he was tempted to seduce her again.
“What do you think?” the hairdresser asked Lily as she turned her toward the mirror to see the final product.
“I look so different.” Lily’s heart fluttered at the woman staring back at her. She fingered her trimmed hair that had been highlighted with darker brown streaks. She twisted her head to the right and then the left, loving how her slightly curly hair swished on her shoulders. “I like it.” She turned toward Nessa. “What will Birk think about it?”
Nessa, Kaleena, and Greer had their hair done already and were huddled around her. Nessa fingered Lily’s hair. “Birk is going to love it. Though I bet even if you’d opted to shave your head, he’d tell you how hot you looked.”
Okay, that was a worrisome comment. “Are you saying Birk isn’t always truthful?”
“Never! It’s just that Birk will think you are beautiful no matter what. It’s who he is.”
Lily genuinely smiled. “Good to know.”
Nessa turned to the other three women. “Who’s up for takeout at my place?”
“I’m in,” Kaleena said. “Finn is with Birk, so I’m totally free for the evening.”
Tory raised her hand. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Greer turned to her sister. “I’m game, but you know I don’t drink a lot.”
Lily liked Greer in part because she was the quiet one of the bunch. If she didn’t know Greer was a dragon shifter, she never would have guessed. From an outsider’s perspective, Greer just wanted to sell jewelry—not fight evil forces.
“Great,” Nessa said.
Once Lily paid the stylist, she gathered the sexy clothes the girls insisted she purchase and walked out with them. It was comforting how the four of them surrounded her, making sure a dragon shifter protected her on all four sides.
When Lily stepped outside and noticed the sun was setting, she hadn’t realized how long they’d been in the salon. The pinks and purples of the sky reflected off the glass buildings, lighting up the downtown, making for an absolutely gorgeous view. Add in the fact that the evening air was clear and crisp, and Lily could almost forget that anyone wanted to harm her.
Once they all piled into the car, Nessa took off.
“So Lily, what was the best part of the day for you?” Tory asked.
She couldn’t possibly answer that. Kaleena had spearheaded the shopping spree, Nessa the hair salon, and Greer the makeup redo. Lily decided to stay on safe ground. “The fact you all asked me to join you and then protected me with your lives.”
All of the women smiled. Nessa glanced in the rear view mirror at her. “What food are you in the mood to eat, Lily?”
Why was she asking her? Sure, she felt like the guest of honor, but the others should have a say so. “I’m good with anything.”
“Pizza okay then?”
“It’s one of my favorite foods.” That was the truth.
“I’ll call it in as soon as we get home.”
It didn’t take long before they were parked in a garage under Nessa’s condo. After Tory did a quick sweep of the area for anyone lurking about, she returned. “All clear,” she said as she opened the back door for Lily to exit.
Just like Birk’s, her condo had an eye scanner. Maybe Lily should ask him to install one of those at her place since it would give her a feeling of safety.
Once inside, Nessa took orders and called for pizza delivery while Kaleena asked what everyone wanted to drink. Greer sat next to Lily while Tory grabbed the plates and napkins. She then plopped everything down on the oversized coffee table that separated the two sofas.
“How is it going with my brother?” Greer asked with a lot of excitement in her voice.
She wasn’t about to say he was an amazing lover. “Good. After he told me I was his mate, he calmed down a bit—or else I understood better why he was so protective all the time.”
Greer chuckled. “Birk always has worried about others. You’re lucky Fate paired you with him.”
“I know that now, but at first I thought I was the unluckiest person in the realm to have a dragon shifter around me all the time.”
Greer patted her hand. “I’m sorry what happened with your last boyfriend. All species have bad ones.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
Nessa pocketed her cell and sat down next to Tory on the sofa across from where Lily and Greer were sitting. Kaleena placed the drinks in front of everyone and sat in one of the chairs flanking the two sofas.
“Lily, do you have any questions for us?” Nessa asked.
“Questions?”
She smiled. “Like what might happen after you and Birk mate—unless of course Kyle filled you in already? I know he originally had a lot of concerns before we mated.”
“I haven’t spoken to him since Birk told me we are mates, but he gave me a general rundown. I’m sure at some point I’ll be asking you all kinds of stuff.” Lily held up a finger. “I do have a question for Kaleena though.”
“Ask away.”
“How did you and Finn meet? I’ve heard bits and pieces but not the whole story.” In part, she wanted to learn if the way mates were paired was the same for everyone.
Her eyes widened slightly. “I can’t believe you don’t know.” Kaleena leaned forward and picked up her glass. “For starters, I need to tell you that I’ve known Finn was my mate for many years.”
“For years? Birk told me he had no idea we were fated to be together until Nessa and he came into my apartment.”
Kaleena smiled. “That’s true, but I have a unique talent in that I can dream-walk.” She explained in more detail what that meant. “So after I was captured by my cousin, Prince Rathan, I told Finn—who was on Earth at the time—that I was in trouble. It was how he knew to come here.”
“That was very brave of him. Did he know you were a dragon shifter?” Lily wondered if she was the only one who had been afraid of them.
Kaleena shook her head. “No. I thought if I told him, he might fear me.”
Aha. “Obviously, Finn found a way to locate the portal and come here, but how was a wolf shifter able to sneak into the castle and save you?”
She smiled. “He had a lot of help from my family and the Four Sisters of Fate.” She detailed all that was involved in getting him inside and finding the cells.
“Wow. I know white lighters are powerful, but I had no idea those sisters could do that.”
Kaleena nodded. “They are amazing, and the rescue itself was equally as impressive.”
“Weren’t you scared being cooped up like that?”
“Very much so—I was forced to wear cuffs that sent poison into my system, and then took away my ability to shift or do magic. But that wasn’t the worst part.”
Losing her powers was hard to relate to, but Lily could empathize with how troubling it must have been for someone like her. “What was the worst part?” Lily picked up her glass of wine and sipped it.
“Not being able to help the others who were imprisoned alongside of me. While I can’t be positive, some were white lighters like me. They had done nothing wrong other than possess magic.”
“That’s horrible and so unjust. Were any of them dragon shifters?” Lily asked.
“I couldn’t be sure.”
“Can’t your family save them?” Lily couldn’t imagine being held prisoner if she’d done nothing wrong.
“Our fathers are working on the logistics now.” Kaleena looked over at Tory and then Nessa.
“A rescue is highly dangerous,” Tory said. “If anything goes wrong, there would be a lot of bloodshed. The king’s men might not possess as much magic as we do, but they are highly trained. Birk’s brother, Thane, works hard to train us, but we don’t spend hours each day training like the Royals do.”
“But Finn found his way in there before. Why can’t he do that face thing again?”
Kaleena smiled. “The sisters don’t like to interfere with the path Fate has set for some people.”
“I see.” Lily wished she could help, but she had no special abilities. She would have to speak with Birk, hoping he had some ideas.
The doorbell rang, and Nessa jumped up. She checked the security hole before opening the door. “Pizza’s here.”
After paying, Nessa carried in the meal. Unless these women ate as much as Birk, there was no way they’d finish this much food.
“Dig in,” Nessa said.
They each grabbed a slice of pizza and a bread stick. After a few bites and a lot of appreciative moans, Lily asked what each of them did in the family business. They went around and explained what their role was. Lily found it interesting and impressive how capable and smart these women were.
Lily wiped her mouth. “What’s fascinating is how different you all are. And to think you’re related.”
The four women glanced at each other. “Don’t let the fact that I work at the retail end of the business fool you,” Greer said. “While I am a healer, as you and your brother both found out, I can and do fight when needed, though I prefer to help in other ways.”
That was a surprise.
Kaleena nodded. “Greer may be elegant and controlled, but she is a powerhouse against evil.”
Nessa chuckled. “One more thing. Just because Greer dresses like a lady, whereas I go around wearing baggy miner’s clothes, don’t underestimate her.”
Lily held up her hands. “Thanks for the warning.”
Everyone was quiet for a moment until Greer held up her nearly full glass. “To fooling some people all of the time and all of the people some of the time.”
Lily laughed. “Do all dragons more or less look alike?”
The women glanced at each other. This time Tory spoke. “Everyone in our family has different colored scales that are interspersed with the black ones, but there are other differences, such as the shape of the snout and the spacing of the spikes on the back of the tail. Stuff like that. When you become a dragon, you’ll be able to tell one from the other more easily.”
When she became a dragon? That was a scary thought, though an inevitable reality.
Kaleena held up a finger. “We should mention that while we don’t have a choice in what we are born with, it seems as if the more dominant family members end up with colors in the red family. Declan’s scales are a rather bright red whereas Birk’s are more ruby. Sometimes, even I have mistaken those two.
Interesting. “Will my scale colors match Birk’s then?”
“No,” they said in unison. “It’s not like human DNA where you inherit physical traits.”
“I see.” Kind of.
Tory asked her about her work, and the discussion went downhill from there once the serious drinking began.
After another hour of conversation, Nessa polished off the last of the pizza. “Anyone up for watching some movies with hot sex going on?”
The women all talked at once. Apparently, as long as Nessa made her famous popcorn, they didn’t care what she picked.