Chapter Twelve
The last few texts Birk had sent to Nessa had gone unanswered. Given it was close to ten at night, Birk was beginning to worry. Sure, Lily wore the ring that would send him a message if she were afraid, but what if she were unconscious and unable to rub the ring?
She’s fine, his dragon said, sounding rather exasperated at his worrying.
How can you be so sure?
I would have sensed it.
He could almost visualize his animal lifting his haughty head. Enough was enough. Birk was going over to his sister’s place to pick up Lily, and he didn’t care how much anyone complained. He wasn’t going to take a chance that something had happened to her. So what if she was surrounded by four very competent dragon shifters—shifters who happened to be Guardians and were trained by the best?
His anxiety might have stemmed from the fact he and the men were no further along in determining the scope of the human trafficking ring run by Richard Dorlack. Birk couldn’t chance the ass might have already sent ten shifters after Lily.
Birk and Nessa lived quite close, so he chose to walk—or rather jogged—over to his sister’s place. He entered through the parking garage instead of through the main entrance to make sure Nessa’s car was parked in her usual spot. It was. Birk shouldn’t be so concerned, but when it came to his mate, he couldn’t help it.
As soon as he stepped off the elevator at her floor, laughter floated down the hallway, and the tension in his shoulders released somewhat. He recognized Tory’s and his sister’s voices, but not Lily’s. Birk debated turning around since he didn’t want to interrupt her good time, but it was possible Lily might want to leave—not to be with him necessarily, but because she was tired.
Or was Birk just being selfish? Whatever. He was a shifter in need. After waiting a minute at the door and never hearing Lily’s voice, he finally knocked.
The sound from the television was still blaring when Nessa answered. “Well, well, if it isn’t my brother! Come for Lily?”
“You know I have.”
Nessa grinned and motioned him in. “Fun’s over girls. The big bad dragon is shutting us down.”
Lily stood and then giggled. “Be kind, Nessa. I’m sure Birk was worried about me. I have been gone all day, and you know how anxious he gets.” She held up a glass of wine and polished it off.
Tory and Kaleena were still glued to whatever was on the large screen. When Birk glanced over at it, he sucked in a breath. Holy shit, it was two naked men having sex with a woman.
Tory hummed. “Oh, my. He is very well hung, isn’t he?” She swayed right and left.
Kaleena grinned. “Let’s just say I’ve seen as big.”
“Oooh,” Tory said. “Better keep your mate close by your side in that case.”
“I plan to.” Kaleena laughed.
Lily wove her way over to Birk, waving her now empty glass. “Hey there. Hope you weren’t too worried.” With her free hand, she dragged a finger down his chest straight to his cock.
His body nearly exploded. “How much have you had to drink?” Her breath smelled fruity.
Her smile widened. “I lost track.”
Not sure what to say, he just stared at Lily. While he loved her look before, the new hairdo and makeup had his libido skyrocketing. Even his talons threatened to poke through his skin.
She spun around, her scent swirling inside him and making his dragon growl in anticipation. “Do you like the new me?” she asked.
“I’ll get your shopping bags, Lily, from the spare bedroom,” Nessa said with a huge grin. Damn. His eyes must have turned turquoise.
Sure enough, when he glanced down at his arms, his ruby red scales were shining through his clothes.
“I love it.” Almost too much, Birk thought to himself as he ran his tongue along his teeth—teeth that had sharpened to points. Damn.
Lily leaned into him and then cupped his balls in front of everyone. Heat raced up his body. “Want to have some fun?”
Enough was enough. He lifted Lily’s hand off his crotch. “I’m taking you home.”
She giggled. “I hope to bed.”
“Shh.” If she kept this up, he might slam her against the wall and make love to her, not caring that he was in his sister’s condo with everyone looking on.
Nessa returned with four bags and handed them to him before facing Lily. “I’m so glad you were able to go out with us, Lily.”
She spun to face Nessa and when she teetered, Birk steadied her. “Thank you for inviting me. It was an awesome day.” She handed Nessa her glass.
“We’ll have to do another girls’ day when all this Toma stuff is over.”
“Absolutely. I loved getting to know you and really appreciate how welcoming you all have been.” Her words came out a bit slurred.
All four women hugged her goodbye, and Birk puffed out his chest, proud that his future mate got along so well with his family. And here he had worried for nothing.
He placed a hand on Lily’s back. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
“Did you have a good time?” he asked when they were halfway down the hall.
“I had an amazing time. Not only was it fun to shop and have makeovers, I learned so much about everyone, especially Kaleena’s story about her incarceration and her eventual release.”
At least she hadn’t said the highlight was watching porn. “I’ve always admired Kaleena’s strength. If I’d been in the same situation, I’m not sure if I’d have handled it as well.”
Lily sighed. “She told me about the people unjustly locked up in the castle. Is there anything you can do about it?”
Birk tightened his hold around her waist. The last thing he ever wanted was to disappoint Lily, but right now he needed to ensure her safety. “My father and uncle are working on a plan. Declan and Finn will lend a hand as soon as this whole mess with Toma clears up.”
She sagged against him, and he wasn’t sure if it was because of the alcohol or because she wanted his warmth. “I hope you figure something out.”
“I’m sure we will.” He pressed the down button. “Enough of the sad talk. I want to know everything you did, though from the looks of it, I’d say you stopped in quite a few stores.”
She faced him. “We did.” She listed just a few. “You really like the new me?” she asked, her eyelids half closing.
“Like I said, I think you look amazing, though I loved the way you looked before too. I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t want to gush over you in front of Greer and Tory. Remember, they have no one to go home to.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Just so you know, it took all of my control not to pin you against the wall and kiss you senseless like you wanted me to.” And strip you naked and then make love to you.
Her eyes widened. “Like I still want you to?” He nodded. “You’re right.”
Birk chuckled. Once they arrived at his condo, he couldn’t wait to taste her. Being away from Lily all day had him on the brink of despair.
As soon as they stepped inside his place, she faced him. “Can I try on a few things for you that I bought?”
Birk inwardly groaned. He’d never be able to see her in sexy clothes and not tear them off her. “If I can help you get out of them.”
She laughed and held up her hands. “No, you have to behave and watch. Once you touch me, you know what will happen.”
“Only too well.”
Before he could snatch her into his arms and kiss her like he’d been wanting to from the moment he’d stepped into Nessa’s place, Lily grabbed the shopping bags from his hands and ran into her room. He debated going after her, but she seemed really excited to show him what she’d purchased. Birk needed to put her joy over his needs.
While Lily changed, Birk paced. When she hadn’t emerged after five minutes, he snagged a beer from the fridge to help settle him down. After the frustrating day he and the others had, he needed to relax. Halfway through the bottle, Lily opened the door and stepped out.
“Holy shit, you look fantastic!” He hadn’t wanted her to think the outfit made the woman, but the high heels, short black skirt, along with the bright turquoise, low-cut fitted top made his cock so hard he had to adjust himself. Not to mention he glowed as bright as a neon sign.
She spun around. “Greer picked out most of the items.”
“Remind me to give my sister a hug.” He stepped toward her. “Did you buy any sexy underwear?”
She grinned. “Why yes I did.”
“I hope you’re going to let me unwrap my present now.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Lily was such a tease, and he loved it. “I asked before if I could strip you naked and you turned me down. I’m glad you’ve changed your mind this time,” Birk said, his words coming out slow and deep.
She stepped close, kicked off her heels, and then ran a finger down his chest, stopping at the waistband of his jeans. “Hmm. How about I start here and we see where things lead? If I recall, you promised I could have some wicked fun with you the next time.”
Lily had changed radically in the last few days, and he hoped it was because she accepted the idea of them being together—or else the alcohol had reduced her inhibitions.
“Did I say that?” Birk grinned.
“Yes.”
“Fine, but I want you to know that I’ve had to work oh so hard to protect you.”
She laughed. “Is that so?”
“Mmhmm. So how are you going to make it up to me?” As much as he wanted to take her clothes off and drive his hard cock into her, Lily deserved some tender loving, and he wanted to give her the lead. Birk would do all he could to relax and let her explore. This was her time, but it was going to be torture for sure—sweet and divine.
“By doing this.” She undid the button on his jeans, causing anticipation and the strongest of yearnings to course through him. “I’m curious to know just how many ruby scales I can make glow.”
“My dragon might emerge.”
Lily wagged a finger at him. “You can’t pull that trick on me anymore. I asked the girls whether or not they had ever experienced a loss of control and shifted.”
“They’re only women.”
She shook her head. “They said men and women shifters are equal when it comes to desire and need.”
He huffed out a laugh. “Nessa told you that, right?”
“Yes.”
Birk knew when he was defeated. He stretched out his arms and kicked off his shoes. “Then go for it, but don’t be surprised if I can’t hold out and have to strip you naked, something doesn’t get ruined.”
Her jaw dropped. “You wouldn’t.”
“Not on purpose, but I am on edge right now. I’ve been away from you all day and my dragon and I need you something fierce.”
“I like your dragon.”
“That so? How about showing him?”
Birk had no idea why he challenged her. One lick on his cock and he might partially shift. He probably should turn his hands into claws to prove to her that she could only seduce him up to a point.
Lily grinned, undid the zipper, and dragged down his pants. Removing them could be a bit tricky, so he helped. After she lifted off his shirt, he was finally standing in front of her naked, and the light from his scales cast a reddish glow on the wall.
She dragged the tip of her finger up the length of his cock, hard enough to feel but way too light to satisfy. Birk hissed.
Lily looked up. “Does that mean you like this?”
Damn woman would be the death of him. “I more than like it, but I suggest you hurry before I explode.” He was right. It was definite torture.
She bent over, and then glanced up at him through her lashes. “Just a few licks.”
Lily must be part seductress because the moment her mouth slid down his cock, his claws extended, and he struggled with his usual iron control.
As much as Birk wanted to grab hold and direct her to take his cock deep, he wouldn’t for fear of hurting her. Instead, he gently gathered her hair and held it in a makeshift ponytail while he ran his other hand down the side of her face and neck. He would let her find her own pace—for now anyway.
Lily grabbed the bottom half of his shaft and then sucked on the rest of his dick. He squeezed his eyes shut to focus on keeping control, but her moans and soft mewling caused him to lose it. The last thing he’d planned on was to let go, but his climax had snuck up on him too fast to stop. As he pumped his seed into her mouth, Lily held him tighter, exciting him further.
Once he finished, he slipped out of her hold. “I’m really sorry,” he said. “I swear that’s never happened to me before.”
Lily swallowed, looked up at him, and then grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I have to say, from the way you were swaying, moaning, and flashing, you enjoyed it.”
“Damn right, I did.” He gathered her in his arms and held her tight, her flowery scent overwhelming his senses. “How about we head into the bedroom where you can model for me whatever else you bought?”
Lily giggled. “You just want to see me undress.”
“Hell yes, I do! Let’s go, I’m up for an X-rated fashion show!” Birk slapped her on the ass as she squealed and ran ahead to the bedroom.
Trying on all of her new outfits for Birk last night had been such a high. Not only did his eyes glow and his hands turn into claws twice, he ended up begging her for sex. Only when Lily had shown him every outfit and teased him mercilessly did she give in. Truth be told, seeing him so desperate soothed all the hurt she’d endured from assholes like Nelor Dobbins.
After making love twice, they snuggled in bed where Birk fell asleep right away. As tired as she was—and as satisfied—Lily couldn’t take her mind off of those poor souls who were trapped inside the castle. Since the Royals were the highest authority in Avonbelle, it wasn’t as if they’d listen if she went there to complain about the injustice. Her luck, they’d toss her into the cell right alongside the others.
“Lily?” a deep voice said, rousing her.
Birk’s voice finally reached her brain, and she bolted upright. “Is something wrong?” She glanced around, noticing that the once dark room was now filled with light. “What time is it?”
He chuckled. “It’s only ten, but I ordered in some breakfast, and it just arrived.”
She hadn’t remembered falling asleep, but apparently she had. Lily tossed back the blanket, placed her feet on the floor, and then stretched. “I’ll be right there.”
“I’ll pour the coffee.”
After she dressed, washed her face, and brushed her teeth, she padded out to the living room. On the dining room table Birk claimed he rarely used, sat two bags of food from Arnolds that smelled divine. “I love their food.”
“Me too.” He carried over two steaming cups of coffee, motioning her to sit down. “What would you like to do today?” he asked.
When she’d had trouble sleeping, she’d given some thought what she wanted to do today. “What do you say we take a trip to the eternal flame?”
His forehead wrinkled. “Why would you want to go there? It’s a long journey.”
“It is only long if we drive.”
“Are you saying you want to experience the Birk Express Flight?”
She laughed. “At some point in my life I suspect something will come up that requires a speedy trip. I might as well see if I’m afraid of flying without a seatbelt.”
He sipped his steaming drink. “I would be delighted to give it a try, but if it scares you, we can always drive there.”
“That would take too long. Let’s hope I’m okay with being dangled from long claws high in the air. Kyle said that when Nessa first carried him, he felt safe.”
“I promise you’ll feel safe too. I’ve never dropped anyone.”
“I’m glad.” Lily opened up her bag of food and sighed when she saw the egg and cheese croissant. “You bought my favorite. Thank you.”
Birk smiled and pulled out the contents of his bag. “Why do you want to visit the eternal flame?”
Lily believed in total honesty. “I’m hoping to run into your fairy lady.”
“She’s hardly my lady. You are.”
Lily waved a hand. “You know what I mean—the lady who told you I was in trouble with Toma’s associates. Maybe she’s learned something new.”
“She might have.”
“I also want to see if this magical person knows anything about the people held captive in the castle.”
“Ah, so this is your real reason for wanting to go.”
“Maybe, but I can’t help it,” she said. “There’s something so tragic about their plight. I know that you and your family are still working on a rescue plan, but since Kaleena’s been free for quite some time now, it could be a bit longer before your family comes up with something.”
Birk reached out and grabbed her hand. “You have the most beautiful heart, Lily Harper.”
Heat raced up her face at the compliment. “Thank you.”
“How about we finish eating, and then I’ll take you on a trial flight?”
She smiled, and her love for Birk bloomed. “Up, up, and away we go.”