Dragon Song (18 page)

“What the hell are you doing?” Stone growled. “I have no patience for this.”

“Please, sir, just hold on. I saw him open it some way. I just don’t know where the lever is.”

“I’ll smash it,” Stone said and shoved James aside. What he thought was a gentle nudge sent his secretary hard against the wall, and he
winced
holding arm. Stone didn’t pause for apologies. He drew his fist back ready to put it through the barrier, but something shifted beyond it.

“He’s coming,” James
whispered,
his voice tight.

They ducked around the corner to wait, and sure enough, a panel in the wall slid back on an unseen mechanism. A doorway opened, and Noah came out. Stone’s fury ignited again. He rushed his cousin and had him in the air by one hand before Noah knew what hit him.

“You killed her, you son of a bitch,” Stone shouted. He slammed Noah against the wall, but this time not enough to kill. He wanted Noah to suffer. Over and over he thumped his cousin against the stone. Noah choked on his own blood, Stone assuming he’d punctured a lung with his cracked ribs. It wasn’t enough. He slammed him again.

“She’s…she’s…” Noah sputtered.

Stone dragged him along the hall to a room that was obviously a lab. The bastard had been right here under their noses for God knows how long doing his experiments, lying to them all. A table in the middle of the room held several samples of blood. Most were labeled with Stone’s freshly drawn blood. A refrigerated case to one side with a clear glass door showed more samples of blood. These were labeled Murray Hughes. All of a sudden, the truth came through to Stone. Noah had been the cause of his own father’s death. He’d been the one to drain the older man.

“You want dragon blood so bad, you bastard?” Stone demanded. “I’ll give you what you want.”

He shuffled through the supplies on the table and came across a syringe. Stone drew more of his blood and slammed Noah’s arm down on the table, positioning the needle over his cousin’s vein.

“Not like that. Not like that!” Noah pleaded. “With you enraged, your blood is poison. You’ll kill me!”

Stone jabbed the sharp point into Noah’s arm. “Don’t be a wimp,
cousin
. Embrace your destiny.”

Noah howled and writhed from the first moment the blood went into his vein. Stone let him go, and he fell to the floor shaking and screaming. His skin reddened, and he clawed at his neck. When his eyes rolled back into his head, Stone knew the blood burned up his cousin from the inside. He knelt before Noah who had stopped moving and lay dead.

“That’s for taking her from me. If I could do the same to myself, I would.”

“Sir,” James called from the opposite end of the room. “There’s another room here. Ms. Tielle is there.”

Stone leaped over the table, forgetting his cousin. He charged through the open doorway he hadn’t noticed before, and there was Tielle, lying in a bed just like he’d seen her on the TV. He rushed over and drew her gently into his arms, holding her close as tears filled his eyes. What would he do without her? A roar rumbled up in his throat, but he suppressed it as he rested her soft cheek next to his own.

A sweet sigh escaped her, and Stone pulled back in shock. He watched her face so still and then lowered his desperate gaze to her chest. To his amazement, it rose a little and fell. Her breathing was shallow, but it was there. Tielle was alive!

“James,” Stone barked. “I need to get her to a doctor fast.”

Not waiting for James to take action, Stone hurried back up through the castle, all the while praying with all his heart that he would make it in time. Tielle had to live. Her condition was too delicate for him to fly her to the hospital which would be the fastest way, so they were dependent on the car. They’d make it. They
had
to make it!

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tielle sat on the side of her bed. She couldn’t believe she was
back
home in her own apartment. Stone had made all the arrangements, but he hadn’t accompanied her. He’d kept his distance, and she missed him. After he calmed down from fearing for her life, sitting by her bedside all around the clock until he knew she was out of danger, he told her he wasn’t good for her. If it wasn’t for him, she’d never have gone through what she had. And then there was the fact that she was still scared of what he was.

Over and over, she tried to move past it, but when he came close to her, she saw only the dragon—the scales, the yellow eyes. She’d get to shaking and couldn’t stop. She knew she hurt him reacting that way, but no mental lecture helped. And here she was at home so lonely for him. It didn’t feel like she could make it from one day to the next. She’d bragged to herself that she was strong, that she’d be fine if they broke up, and she could go on with her life. A week had passed without him, and she hadn’t looked for a job, hadn’t opened one piece of mail. The single reason she’d downed food in the past few days was because Jamie had force-fed her.

Her bedroom door opened, and Jamie strolled in before shutting it behind her. She had made herself a key to Tielle’s apartment. “Okay, lazy bones, you’re going out today.”

“No, I’m not.” Tielle fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “I’ve decided I can’t live without him, and since I can’t live
with
him either, I’ll just…I don’t know. Die, I guess.”

“Don’t talk like that!” Jamie knelt in front of her and pulled Tielle up. “What you two had was special. I can see that, and from what you tell me, it’s you who left
him
. So all you have to do is call him. That last time he phoned to check on you, he sounded miserable. Tielle, I’m sure he’ll take you back. If it’s that you have a thing against all the money, I’ll gladly spend it for you.” She laughed, but Tielle didn’t join in.

“It’s not that.”

“Sweetie, what is it? Why won’t you stay with him?”

“I—” Tielle began.

The door burst open, and Stone stood there. Tielle’s eyes widened, drinking in his hard physique and noting he hadn’t shaved since she last saw him. His clothes were rumpled, so not Stone. His hair was a mess all over his head, and his eyes were bloodshot. “Get out,” he told Jamie.

She stood up and put her hands on her hips. When she opened her mouth no doubt to tell him about himself, Stone pierced her with a threatening glare. Jamie’s teeth made a snapping sound clicking together. She leaned down, kissed Tielle’s cheek, and scuttled from the room. Stone shut and locked the door, and then he turned back to her.

“I’ve decided not to give you up. I will stay by you night and day until your fear is gone, until you come to grips with what I am. If it takes a lifetime, so be it. At least we’re together.”

To make good his threat, in three strides he stood in front of her. Tielle began to shake, but Stone reached down and gathered her into his arms. He sat her on his lap, arms encircling her. Tielle struggled not to hyperventilate. “I-I don’t understand why. I’ve faced every fear. Many things don’t faze me at all.”

She tried to pull away, but Stone wouldn’t let go. He rocked her and kissed her, but she turned her head. It wasn’t that the touch of his lips did nothing for her. It did. Her body craved more, but the fear drowned it out. How would they survive like this? How could she bear it without him? Maybe he would give up after a few hours when he learned what a wimp she was.

But Stone didn’t give up.
Hour after hour passed until night fell.
Stone didn’t leave her side even when it was time for her to eat. Jamie brought in a light meal, and Tielle did her best to eat with Stone. She didn’t want him to feed her as Jamie had.

When Jamie had gone home for the night, Stone lay on Tielle’s bed in his boxers with Tielle on top of him, her back to his chest. He had turned the TV on as if they were a normal couple, but she was sure he had no idea what was happening on the screen. He’d encouraged her to sleep, but each time she closed her eyes, a nightmare about him would begin.

“I could use dragon song,” he said out of the blue.

“What?”

He hesitated and then let his hold on her loosen. Tielle tried to scramble away, but he pulled her back. When he spoke, she heard the anguish in his tone. “For the first time in my life, I wish I was normal. From the moment I knew about the gene all of my family has, I thought it was a gift, and now I see it as a curse. I’d give anything to give it up, just to be close to you without you trembling.” He stroked her cheek.
“Tielle.”

She thought she heard the cry of his heart and knew deep in her soul, she responded. “Why do I know you used the song on me before? Noah said it was a part of the magic of it, that the person it’s used on doesn’t know it was used.”

He turned her to face him. “It’s because of love.”

She frowned.

“I’m serious,” he insisted. “I told you from the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. I think I loved you a little at that moment. When the dragon gives his heart away, that person has access to him in ways no one else does. My magic is less effective.”

“Meaning you can’t pull the wool over my eyes?”

He grinned for the first time in seemingly forever. “Yes.”

“Then sing to me, Stone,” she begged. “Make the fear go away. Charm my heart and my mind, and bind us together forever.”

Hope rose in his dark eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t want to do anything you wouldn’t like.”

“I’m sure.” She forced her eyes closed. “Do it, or we’ll never be happy.”

With a deep, rumbling lilt to each word, Stone started out low and sensual. He wove gentle commands for Tielle not to be afraid into a song about the beauty of Ireland, the rolling green hills, and the freedom found in the sky as he flew. Tielle could almost see his great wings pumping in slow motion as he moved far above the ground. As he continued, the anxiety melted away, giving her relief at last. When the final note faded, she knew she was well. She opened her eyes and looked down at herself. There was no shaking, not even a small tremor.

“I thought you said you couldn’t deceive me. If I am truly afraid, how could the magic take it away?”

“Because what you want more than anything is to be my wife.”

She laughed, and Stone acted like the sun had come out. The man’s love for her took her breath away. Joy filled her knowing how he felt. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

“I am if you’ll say yes.”

“Yes!” She threw herself against his chest, a far cry from how she’d been acting from the moment she learned what he was. No nervousness rose. Her love for him overwhelmed her instead—along with a powerful need to explore his hard body. Tielle leaned back and ran her hand down Stone’s chest to his solid abs, then lower to his cock. His shaft grew under her fingertips.

Stone swore. “You’re not afraid anymore, are you?”

Being silly, she pouted. “You’re denying me?”

“Never!”

He scooped her up into his arms, and she squeaked. “Where are we going?”

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“To shower.
We’ll start in there and see where it leads us.”

Stone set her down on her feet outside the shower and tugged her nightgown over her head. She glanced up to find such lust in his
eyes,
it sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. It had been forever since they’d made love although only a few days. Tielle slid her hands inside Stone’s boxers and pulled them down like her life depended on it. When his cock sprang free, she took it between her fingers, massaging and stroking him. She went up to her toes like she could guide him inside her with no help, but Stone eased her back.

“Careful, honey.
Let us get under the warm spray first. Trust me. I am just as hungry for you as you are for me.” He turned on the shower, and when the water was at a comfortable temperature, they stepped inside. Stone wasted no time in capturing her lips in a fiery kiss that curled her toes. Tielle leaned into him, running her hands up his arms, over his shoulders, and then to his nape to draw him closer.

She arched against him and cried out when Stone inched a hand between them to find her pussy. His fingers parting her folds, teasing her wet entrance, threatened to make her come long before she wanted to. She caught his hand to hold him in place and broke the kiss. “You’re going to make me come.”

“That’s the idea.” His lips trailed to her throat.
“Mm, sweet chocolate.
Nothing can compare to you, Tielle. I want you every day.”

Exploring lower, he captured her nipple and sucked gently before laving the rigid peak. Tielle’s legs gave out, but Stone held her wedged against his amazing body. With drooping eyelids, Tielle stared down at him, loving every sinewy muscle, every curve and plain. Concentrating on exploring his body became impossible because of what he did to hers with his tongue. He lifted one of her breasts toward his hungry mouth and nipped all around her areola. When she came near to losing her mind, he upped the pleasure by taking hold of her other breast and bringing the two together. The moment he sucked both nipples into his mouth at once, Tielle cried out.

She couldn’t believe she was coming from stimulation to her nipples alone. While Stone teased endlessly, she slid two fingers up her channel and worked herself through her orgasm.

“No.” Stone released her breasts and dropped to his knees. “You don’t get to make yourself come. That’s for me to do.” With those words, he plunged his tongue into her pussy, swiped her juices once, and then locked onto her clit. Tielle was ready to climb the walls as he brought her keening through from one climax and then on to the next. She knotted her fingers in his hair and drove him harder into her bud while she pumped her hips.

When she came a third time panting and calling out his name, Stone raised his head and peppered soft kisses over her thigh. He changed their position so he rested against the back of the tub and the water rained down cooling their hot bodies. But Stone was not done with her. He lifted her facing him on his lap and brought her down on his stiff cock. Tielle dug her nails into his shoulders.

His grunt rumbled in her ear. “I’ve had you so many times, and yet you’re so tight. It feels so good, baby. I might lose it before I want to.”

“Hey, don’t blame me. It’s because you’re so damn big.” She arched to drive him deeper, and gasped when he did. She was right. The man had to have swollen thicker since the last time. But it felt so right. Tielle didn’t care about the details. She wrapped an arm around his neck to steady
herself
and rode him hard.

Stone tensed and then matched her rhythm. He caught the back of her thighs, drove them higher and plunged as much of his lengthy rod into her as he could. Wanting to take it to another level, Tielle leaned back and reached under her to stroke his balls. Stone shouted, and emptied his hot seed inside of her. Tielle soon followed whimpering his name.

Weak and spent, they stood up to wash away the evidence of their coupling. Tielle’s limbs shook, and Stone looked into her eyes with alarm. She gave him a limp smile. “It’s not fear, my love. It’s exhaustion. And you want to do that every day!”

He grinned. “That’s a problem?”

She swiped at his chest and let her heavy head rest there while she caught her breath.
“Stone?”

“Hmm?”
He was busy soaping her mesh sponge to wash her body. Tielle couldn’t wait to feel his hands all over her. Just thinking of it was getting her excited again, but she had to ask about the last thing that was worrying her, or she would never be truly happy.

“About Monica…” She didn’t know how to say it, or maybe she didn’t want to know the truth. Clenching her hands into fists, she blurted it out. “Are you two still lovers?”

“What?” The shock on his face seemed genuine. Stone dropped the sponge and lifted her chin to stare into her eyes. “Tielle, I don’t ever want you to worry about her. I don’t have a cell in my body that desires her at this point. There is not and never will be another woman other than you. Do you understand?”

She nodded dumbly. He nuzzled her cheek and then kissed her.

“If it will make you feel more comfortable, we don’t ever have to return to Ireland.”

Her eyes widened. “You’d do that for me?”

“I’d give my life for you, woman. Haven’t you figured that out yet? Have you not seen the monumental wimp I’ve become over you?”

She laughed. “Well I did notice the puppy dog eyes you were giving me.”

He smacked her ass. She yelped at the sting. Stone was just getting over the fear of thinking he’d lost her and then believing they couldn’t be together. But she had been just teasing him with the allusion to him being whipped. Something told her the same dominant lover she’d enjoyed from day one was still there. It flashed in his eyes when his lust ignited.

Tielle curled herself into his arms. “Don’t give up home. I love Ireland, and I’m looking forward to rubbing it in Einin’s face that this poor little black woman saved his life.” She laughed.

Stone growled and flipped her around to spoon her ass. “What have I gotten myself into?”

Tielle leaned forward and pressed her ass into his groin.
“Into me.”
Her invitation was clear.

Stone lifted one of her thighs and sank deep inside her warmth.
“Oh yeah, right where I want to be.
Forever
.”

The End