Firebreather 2: A Royal Continuum (9 page)

Damn. She'd missed another sexy interlude between Matthias and Tanner, she just knew it. She would have liked to watch, and she'd arrived too late. But at least the drive into town had given her time to think. The suspicious and not altogether welcoming stares from passersby had reminded her that even after four months in Cattleback, Montana, she was still a stranger, and far from home.

The people here weren't Dracon-friendly, and Ava knew she couldn't hide out much longer without one of them learning about her. The stories she'd heard about the fight in Morrow's Bar last night had made her hair curl, and she stared curiously at Matthias, wondering if half of what she'd heard was true.

"Did you really eat four men and toast another four while the bar burned down?"

Matthias snorted. "Please. As if I'd eat four of those dirtbags. I've never met more prejudiced, ignorant people in my life than in one hour spent at Morrow's."

She couldn't help grinning. "Yeah, they take a special frame of mind to tolerate. Most of them got along with me because I'm the only other EMT in town, other than Beth Hanson and old Doc Freestone. But I guess they'll have to get along without me." His eyes brightened. "Until I return, that is."

She found it interesting that he dimmed at her assertion and wondered if there might be the slimmest shred of truth that Matthias did in fact have feelings for her. Then again, he'd arrived to take her back to her uncle, not to find her for himself. The Dekker family doted on her uncle Shino, who'd served the royals for the past seventy years, like the rest of the Tailstacks throughout history. Which had made Shino's perfidy so hard to bear.

Emmaline had confessed her entire story, of how she'd seduced Lucas and worked her way into Ferin's good graces. Of how she'd instilled fear in the new Draka and had nearly gotten away with poisoning her. And Shino had helped her to do it, at least, until he'd learned the queen was carrying. Then he'd cried off, as if suddenly experiencing a change of heart. Her ruthless uncle had turned Emmaline over to Lucas and security, whereupon Emmaline had been banished to the "loathsome" West Coast, far away from Dracon Mount and any possibility of marrying into royalty.

Ava shared in that "proud" heritage. She could still remember the first time she'd been looked on with pity after Emmaline's pronouncement as traitor. And how could Ava forget the cruel scorn as well? She'd been put down and rejected for no more than her last name and her suspected lack of honor.

Until Emmaline's dubious actions, Ava had been convinced she could make Matthias hers. Despite the years she'd spent longing for him, she'd noticed his attentions, little by little. The stares, the covert glances, the subtle softening of his mouth when he'd focused on her. And he always given her a wide smile, even when he'd been turning away at the flutter of a pretty Dracon's eyelashes.

She hadn't worried overmuch about his flirtations with others...until he'd begun making eyes at Cora Venlay, the Draka's sister. Rumors of a double wedding had sprung, and she'd been crushed. And now Matthias expected her to believe he cared for her as more than Shino's niece? They'd shared astounding sex, yes. But lust and love were two different things, if only her damned body would remember that.

Just staring at Matthias's golden chest, sculpted and devoid of hair or imperfection made her long for the rest of him. His beautiful body made her conscious of her wide hips and long nose, of her pale hair, not so rich as his or as lush as Tanner's, and of her weaknesses compared to his physical strength. At least around Tanner she felt closer to equal footing. As a half-breed, he carried emotional baggage equal to, if not more than, her own. But Matthias was perfection incarnate, a trait that both bothered and awed her.

"What are you thinking about, sweet?"

She started, not aware she'd been quiet for as long as she had. "Just wondering how you plan to nab Tanner. Even if we break every few hours, it's still at least a two day trip, and that's if we drive straight-through to Asheville without stopping. We'll be too tired from traveling to think about sex, much less do it unless we take our time and drive only a few hours each day."

"Ah, but there's much more to seduction than the physical." His voice lowered, the raspy tones stoking her libido. "It's all about the feeling in here." He reached for her hand and placed it over his heart. "The key is to force Tanner to listen to his heart, and not his head. That man thinks too damned much."

She chuckled, all too aware of the warm skin beneath her palm.

Matthias rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb and let her go, his gaze intent as he watched her. Softly, he asked, "What would you advise, Ava? What do you see as his weaknesses?"

She swallowed and realized she still had her hand over his chest. Snatching it back, she concentrated on his question, and not the effects his burning nearness had on her own desire.

"I'm not sure. I don't know Tanner all that well despite what we shared yesterday." She couldn't help blushing.

"That was beautiful." Matthias smiled, his eyes smoky with desire. "But I think you know more than you realize. You always were an intuitive Dracon, Ava. Do you want to know what I think?"

"Go ahead."

He lowered his voice and she leaned closer, conscious of Tanner just beyond the bedroom door. "I think I confused Tanner. I'm a puzzle he's not yet ready for, and I have a tendency to put him off." She raised a brow and he frowned. "I realize I can be a bit assertive."

"Try aggressive."

"Forceful," he compromised. "But I know what I want." His eyes shone as he stared over her face and breasts. When he met her gaze again, his smile reached the dark depths of his eyes. "And I think Tanner will respond better to you than he will to me. You're softer, and much prettier to look at."

Personally, she had her doubts about that. But Ava could see where he was heading. "So you want me to what? Reel him in? Talk you up and try to convince him to give you a chance? That's too obvious, don't you think?"

"Not if you're subtle about it. Like the way you tried to get my attention the last time you visited the keep," he said in a low voice.

"You noticed?" She wished she'd never worn that low cut blouse and slim skirt. Perfectly respectable, if ultra-feminine attire. Yet the outfit was totally beyond the norm of what she'd normally worn.

"Honey, you had every male within the vicinity of those swinging hips harder than steel. I would have given you what that skirt asked for if Shino hadn't distracted me." He paused and cleared his throat, but not before she recalled what else had taken his attention.

"And then there was the little matter of the Draka's sister racing into your arms."

"Ava, baby, she's my sister-in-law. It's nothing more than--"

"Save it. I'm really not interested. It's your business, not mine. You can have as many girlfriends as you want." She shrugged, perversely pleased at the anger building in his tense frame.

"Damn it, Ava." He tugged her violently into his arms and brought them nose to nose. "There is no other woman. I wish you'd hear me when I tell you how much I lo--"

Before he could finish, the bedroom door opened and Tanner appeared in all his naked glory, thankfully snagging her attention.

Dear Dracon, but he was beautiful. So strong and fierce, and so vulnerable before he hardened the expression in his gaze. That brief glimpse of loneliness told her more than words what Tanner needed. Love, acceptance, a family to appreciate him. Ava glanced back at Matthias only to see him staring not at Tanner, but at her.

Help me
, he mouthed before looking over his shoulder at Tanner. "As you can see, Ava's back. Sorry, but I borrowed your jeans. A good fit." He grinned, and Tanner rolled his eyes.

"Sure, go ahead. Take what you want," Tanner grumbled.

"Oh, I plan to." The silky tone had Tanner flushing before he turned his attention to Ava.

She scrambled off Matthias's lap, relieved when he let her.

"Ava, I was getting worried. You didn't have any problems, did you?" Tanner wandered to them, seemingly unconcerned about his nudity. Ava wondered if all Dracon were like that, or if it was a male thing. She'd never felt so at ease about her body, but then again, when had she ever had occasion to walk naked around her lovers? The few sexual relationships she'd had had been brief and so long ago she'd all but forgotten them... Unlike Matthias, Mr. Popular back at the keep.

Too familiar with his reputation, she ignored him and answered Tanner. "No, no problems. But a few of the people gave me odd looks for buying man-size clothing. I think we should get on the road fairly soon."

Matthias groaned, and she reluctantly glanced at him. "My rental car."

"Shit, mine, too." Tanner shook his head. "I hope those idiots didn't do much damage. Hopefully they didn't notice our cars in the lot."

Ava thought their hopes naïve. "I wouldn't count on it. Remember, everyone around here knows everybody else. I'd be surprised if you have any tires left when we reach the parking lot."

And an hour later, they found out how right she was. Tanner's Suburban had been trashed. Tires mangled, the truck's body bashed in with something heavy. And Matthias's compact Jeep had fared little better. Everything of value inside the vehicles had been stripped.

"Glad I kept my wallet on me." Tanner patted his jacket pocket.

"Yeah. Thanks for grabbing my jacket for me." Matthias wore his leather coat over a plain blue sweatshirt she'd found for him, as well as the jeans and boots she'd scrounged from the local retailer. To her embarrassment, everything fit him as if he'd purchased the items himself, showing him she spent way too much time thinking about his body.

"I guess we're taking my car then?"

Both Matthias and Tanner stared at her ugly Chevy 4x4. Sure it was beaten up, but it ran like a dream. And the heater usually worked.

Tanner winked at her and turned to Matthias. "As soon as Ava's packed up, I'll take first shift on the road."

"Whatever." Matthias sighed. "I still think we ought to consider the airport at Glacier Park and fly home."

"No." Both Tanner and Ava said simultaneously, though Ava had her suspicions that Matthias was actually teasing. He wanted this trip to spend time with Tanner. If they flew home, Matthias wouldn't have the opportunity to secure Tanner's affections. And dammit all, her truck wasn't
that
bad.

Marcus raised an imperial eyebrow but Tanner only shook his head. "It's not as safe as traveling by car. And after all the crap you pulled on your way out here, I don't think Lucas will have any problems backing up my decision."

"I don't give a shit what Lucas thinks." Matthias glared and was about to say more when he noted Ava's rapt attention. "Fine. Whatever. Let's get Ava back to her place so she can grab her essentials."

Ava drove them back, quiet as she realized she was really leaving her sanctuary, the place that had given her temporary solace for the past few months. Tanner helped her pack her clothing while Matthias double-checked the vehicle for any problems.

"Are you okay with this?" Tanner asked, taking her attention from the pillow she'd been clenching tight. "No matter what Matthias says, this really is your call."

Tanner looked so sincere she wanted to hug him. But as much as she disliked Matthias's high-handed attitude, she knew he was right. She was no longer safe up here, and she needed to finally confront her uncle about what he'd done. Time to stop running because of what others thought. She might not have Matthias, but that didn't mean she couldn't have a fulfilling life with the Dracon away from Dracon Mount.

"Thanks, Tanner. But this is for the best." She ran a hand over her pink and white quilt.

"After we take Matthias to the keep, I'd be happy to bring you back and get the rest of your things."

She stared at him, surprised he would be able to offer his help without knowing what his next job for Lucas might entail. "But what about security for Dracon Mount?"

He shrugged. "I'm getting ready to move again. I don't know that I really fit in there. I could do with a change."

Hell, Matthias really had spooked him. She forced a smile, more determined than ever to get Tanner to stay. He might not see it yet, but she knew if Matthias had committed himself to Tanner, he'd stand by the man come hell or high water. Now if he'd made that same pledge to Ava, she'd consider his pleas of affection as sincere. But Uncle Shino's involvement tainted Matthias's intentions. And though he'd said he cared about her, she had no urge to become a replacement for anyone, especially not some frilly human with lofty connections to the Draka.

"Ava?" Tanner stopped throwing her clothes into a large duffle and took her chin in his palms. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, breathless at the tender look in his eyes. He leaned down to kiss her, his lips both hard and gentle, and that same connection she'd felt before returned in full-force. God, what was it about him and Matthias that both turned her on and melted her resistance?

"When you do that I can't think."

He chuckled and stroked her cheek. "Just what every man wants. A hot woman who can't think."

She smiled and batted his hands away playfully. "Very funny. I appreciate the offer, but I know it's time for me to go back to Asheville. I have some issues to resolve." He nodded, and she spoke again without a smidgen of guilt for leading him on. "But you know, it would be nice to have a friend at Dracon Mount until I can get on my feet again. I know you're planning to move soon, but I left under less than pleasant circumstances."

Tanner froze. "Oh? Someone threaten you?" His voice was frosty, and the dangerous glint in his eyes made her all tingly, moisture pooling between her thighs.

"Ah, yeah. A few of the Dracon at the keep said some nasty things. Not that I necessarily blame them. Emmaline was--is--a real bitch."

"But you're not your cousin." Tanner growled. "Why the hell should you be blamed for what she did?"

"I know. I shouldn't let them bully me, but I feel guilty for what she did, even though I had nothing to do with it. It makes no sense, but there it is."