Her Dragon Hero (2 page)

Brim went back to his beer, lifting and draining the glass. Humans made good drinks, if nothing else. As attractive as all these human women were, his mission in the Human Realm was not to indulge his cock.

“We’re here to learn about the humans, not spend time fucking their females.”

“I see no better way to talk to them than when they are writhing in pleasure under you.” Slade smile widened, lust gleaming in his amber gold eyes. “Besides, it’s me they want. You, my friend, how many have run from you screaming in fear?”

Brim scowled at his friend. “They were not screaming.”

Rather they scampered away from him like frightened rodents whenever he towered above someone and glared at them. The scars he earned in battle and his short-cropped hair didn’t add to his allure, but it was beside the point.

“Maybe not," Slade shrugged, "but you’ve got to stop acting like you want to break their necks every time you meet a human. And, stop the damn growling. Fear is not an impression we need to be leaving in our wake, nor do we want them catching on to what we really are.”

Brim waved his glass at the little human behind the bar and the thin man scurried over, his eyes wide as while he stared at Brim. The dragon smelled the fear wafting off the elfish appearing barkeep.

“I wouldn’t be here if you kept your mouth shut.”

Slade’s handsome, angular features and golden hair with glowing, golden eyes never failed to attract the attention of the opposite sex. He knew how to handle himself in battle. Brimstone and Slade fought side by side long enough to respect each other’s unique battle skills. They always watched each other’s backs, since they were young hatchlings entering into the King’s Army.

“Another beer?” The bar-keep’s voice trembled, eyeing Brim as if he would pounce on the skittish human at any moment. Damn, he hated when Slade was right.

Maybe he did growl, snap, and glare a little too much. He tried not to glare at the barkeep, but couldn’t help grunting out a 'yes.'

The barkeeper was quick to replace his drink and scurry off to attend to another customer, not even bothering with the paper currency Brim tossed onto the bar next to the spilled beer.

“I think I’ve got my ass covered for tonight, don’t wait up for me.”

Slade moved in on the women, who were still batting their eyelashes and preening their hair. A shrill of feminine laughter rose over the low pounding of the music, coming through some kind of equipment placed around the establishment. It grated on Brim’s nerves. He grabbed his drink, exited the bar and headed down by the gentle, lapping water of Darwin Harbour. Drawing in a deep breath, he looked up at a waning moon and chose a seat in the shadows, watching the little boats bob on the ocean waters. At least they were sent to a warm climate to do their spying. Simple fact: dragons don’t like the cold.

The sound of voices drew Brim’s attention as a couple wandered past where he was seated. They took no notice of him, but a sweet honeysuckle scent caught his attention.

The busty, little brunette with abundant curves drew his eye while she hurried to keep pace with the stocky built man, who was only slightly taller than the woman, walking next to him. A loose, floral black and red dress fluttered round her knees. The dress showed a hint of cleavage and enhanced the round lushness of her body.

Even in the shadows, Brim’s sharp, dragon eyesight caught the details of her rounded face, with her large, blue eyes, soft, pink mouth and pert, little chin. It was difficult for Brim to pick what caught his favour most, and then his gaze dropped to her chest. No, it wasn’t too difficult. He always was a sucker for large breasts, and he was, after all, a large man in human form with larger than average needs.

Now, there was a woman who wouldn’t break in half when he gripped her full hips and plunged his…
Demon balls! Where, by the gods did that thought come from?

She’s already got a man—not that Brim would call the puny, human male a man. Then, he saw the male’s expression of disgust when he glanced at the woman.

“What did you spend all day doing? Eating desserts and lazing by the pool like a beached whale?” Brim didn’t miss the venom in the human males tone.

The woman flushed, her skin an alluring shade of red, but Brim saw the tears making her blue eyes bright while the man continued to insult her.

“You’ve been out all day on the fishing boat doing nothing, but drinking beer. I’ve been productive.”

“Don’t get snippy with me, girl. Lazing around, getting fatter isn’t being productive.”

Anger roared through Brim’s body. His drink forgotten, he rose to his feet, but forced himself to a stop barely under one of the waterfront park’s trees, his large hand curling around the trunk.

This is none of your business, the woman does not belong to you. Turn around and walk away.
Still, Brim, couldn’t force his feet to move.

“No!” she hissed indignantly. “I…I worked on a new story.”

“We’re on fucking holiday! I told you to leave that shit at home. I’ve tolerated this nonsense because it’s actually paid off for once. I’ve earned this holiday by putting up with your hobby for so long.”

She stopped walking, her little fists clenched and her mouth drawn in a tight line as she glared back at the man. “This nonsense paid for this trip.”

“You owe me, Amber! Who else is going to put up with your wandering mind and fat body? You don’t try hard enough to lose weight; you should have dropped twenty kilos three times over by now.”

“So, why ask me to marry you? You don’t like what I do, you don’t like my body, or who I am.”

The man softened his tone, but it dripped with condescension. “Amber, Amber, Amber. Can’t you see, I’m trying to help you here? You’ve got to start listening to me and changing for the better. You need to try harder if we’re going to make our life together work.”

It took everything Brimstone had to stop from jumping from the shadows and wringing the human’s neck. The son of a dung pile was only insulting her further by trying to make it look like it’s her fault.

There was
nothing
wrong with the little woman as far as Brim could see. Every curve, every smooth line of her skin, and her delicate features, made her fucking perfect.

The tree bark splintered slightly when Brim gripped it tighter, his breath held as if waiting for her reply. He couldn’t barge in and save her from the dick dweeb of a man, if she didn’t want to be rescued.

“I’ve tried for two years to be what you want. I’ve tried all those stupid diets you wanted me to try. I’ll never be good enough for you, Wayne. You know what, I’m sick of trying, and I’m sick of you.” With jerky movements, she yanked off the ring from her finger and slapped it against the human male’s chest. “I’m glad this holiday helped me to wise up to what an asshole you really are! And, I don’t care if no other man will...” She raised her hand and made little, air quotation marks, ‘want my fat body'. It’s better to live a life alone than put up with your shit a moment longer!”

She spun on her flat, red shoes and stormed off.

Brim felt his mouth turn up into a wide grin. Attagirl! He fucking loved her spark.

The man called Wayne sputtered for a moment before his features twisted into a dark anger. He ran after the woman and grabbed her by the back of her neck.

“You little bitch. I’ll make you pay for that!”

The one thing his Sire and mother taught him was never, ever use your strength against a helpless female. Women were to be protected and cherished, never abused. Clearly, this human male had never been taught such lessons.

Wayne pushed her towards the edge of the harbor wall, his intent clear. Brim knew he was going to throw her off as she shrieked and struggled in the man’s grip.

Nothing stopped Brim this time. He growled low, pulling himself to his full height and stepped from the shadows. Within a few strides, he caught up to them.

“Let the woman go.”

Wayne swivelled around with Amber still in his grasp. “Stay out of…Shit!” Both his and Amber's eyes widened, taking in Brimstone's seven foot height and bulging muscles as he folded his arms, and stood directly in front of them.

Wayne’s arms dropped from the woman. Her eyes narrowed to slits, and she turned around and swung her fist directly into Wayne’s nose.

Brim grinned, hearing the slight crunch of blood vessels bursting. Then he smelled and saw the fresh blood trickling from Wayne’s nose. The man cupped his face, muffling a string of curses.

“We’re well and truly through. When you get back to Melbourne, you can move your shit out of my house. In the meantime, go pack your bags and get out of my hotel room.”

“Amber, be sensible about this—”

“You heard her,” Brim rumbled. “Do as she says, or there won’t be enough of your face left to identify, if I decide to hit you.”

She took several steps backwards towards Brim, seeking shelter closer to him. Her soft back and rear bumped directly into his front. His hands fell on her shoulders to steady her before she could pull away.

“Easy, my lady, I won’t hurt you.” He softened his tone. A sizzle raced up both his arms and like lighting shot through his body. His dragon bolted up, awakening with frightening ferocity.
Mine!

His body reacted, lust making his skin heat and his cock strain painfully against the tight restriction of the denim jeans. He glanced down at the little woman. No! It couldn’t be happening, the little, human woman couldn’t be his mate.

Mine, my mate, let me take her, I want to claim her. She is mine!
The roar of his dragon thumped at the back of his brain. The impulse to shift, clutch her in his talons, fly away, and claim her was so strong, he didn’t know how he kept from doing it.

She’s human and fragile, so calm the fuck down
. It calmed his dragon somewhat, allowing him to try to think with a more rational brain.

Brim kept his eyes trained on Wayne while he turned and scampered away. The woman let out a long breath. From his hold on her shoulders, he felt her shaking. He wanted to pull her into his chest, wrap his arms around her and comfort her, but knew it was not a smart move on his part.

With great effort, he let his hands fall to his sides. She turned and raised her eyes to his, meeting his gaze head on. She took in a sharp breath, fear and uncertainty flashed in her pale blue gaze.

He did a quick mental check to make sure the simple magic spell he placed on his eyes before crossing into the Human Realm still held. He was told that having gleaming, red eyes would alert the humans to his...nonhuman status. Instead, they were a ‘normal’ dark brown colour.

‘How many have run away from you screaming?’
Slade’s words echoed in brain. He didn’t want this one to run screaming. Oh, he wanted her to scream alright, but from the pleasure he would bring her over and over again.

She blinked several times.

“Forgive my interference, but I couldn’t stand by and watch a lady be harmed.”

A smile tipped up her lips and lit her whole face. Her eyes turned almost dreamy while she stared at him. This was good; she didn’t scream or run, yet.

“I’m Amber Anderson. What’s your name?”

“Brimstone, my lady.”

“Brimstone, just Brimstone?”

He nodded. “Brimstone the Crusher.” Last names in the Dragon Realm must be earned not given by your sire, unless you were of a noble lineage.

“That’s a cool name, just like you. Tall and broad. Are they real muscles?” Her gaze fell to his torso. She examined him from head to toe, reached out and took hold of his hand, putting her small, pale one into his large, tanned one, comparing their size difference.

“Wow, you really are big!”

He was at a loss, utterly puzzled by her reaction. “You are not afraid of me? Most, hmm…uh, most women are.”

She shook her head eagerly. “No, you’re amazing, unique, handsome and perfect! Exactly what I need.” She met his gaze again, her eyes gleaming with eager excitement.

Did she know they are mates? He was told human women didn’t recognize the pair bonding as easily as magical beings. He guessed there was something else going on in her strange, human brain.

“Brimstone, would you be my new hero?”

Chapter 2

The sizzle of energy, like plugging in a rechargeable battery, made Amber shudder for a moment. Her attraction to the big guy was clear, more evident than glowing neon arrows pointing at him to say ‘big hunky guy here, hump him now’. She never thought it was really possible—such bone deep attraction, leaving her stunned like a kangaroo caught in headlights on the highway. Sure, she wrote about sexual, romantic fantasy for a living, but this was beyond anything she imagined.

Rollercoaster rides had nothing on her roiling emotions. In the past half hour, she went through despair, humiliation, anger and fear. When the big mountain of a man stepped in to rescue her from her now ex-fiancé, she experienced awe, trepidation and exhilaration. Now, it was tinged with a hint of lust. Oh, hell, who was she kidding? She was downright drooling over the seven foot, sexy god of a man.

Raw sexuality oozed from him in a roughened, tough kind of way. Her palms itched as she took him in. Brimstone Crusher. His parents must have been hippies, or from the middle-ages to give him such a name—not that she cared. It suited the hard looking guy.