Kissed by Fire (23 page)

“
You can touch me if you want
.”
Inigo’s voice jarred me out of my shock. Except I wasn’t hearing
him with my ears; his voice was inside my head. “
I don’t much
like people touching me, but you’re different
.”

I admit to being a little nervous as I
approached him. He brought his head down to my eye level, his gold
eyes boring into mine. “Hey,” it came out a little croaky and I
swear I saw him smile.

He gave me a gentle head butt, so I reached
out and stroked my hand down his side. His scales were smooth and
hard, but suppler than the one I had. That made sense. Like skin
which was soft and elastic when alive, but grew hard and tough when
dead.

He butted me again, and a laugh escaped me. I
rubbed his nose which was surprisingly soft and he let out a sound
that was very close to a purr. “You really are beautiful, you
know,” I whispered to him, all my anger and hurt and confusion
forgotten. “I wish you’d have shown me sooner.”

My hand gently brushed his wing. It was
softer than silk, unbelievably so. I ran my fingers over it again.
He shuddered and rubbed his cheek against me.

“
I’ve dreamed of this, you know
.”

I caught Inigo’s face between my palms,
leaning my forehead against his, much as he’d done to me earlier.
“What do you mean?”

“
I’ve been in love with you since the day
I met you
.”

I cleared my throat, beating back another
blush. “Is that so?”

He huffed.

I laughed. “Of course it is, and I know it.
I’ve always known it, haven’t I? But I’m such a stupid girl
sometimes. I’m completely nuts about you, too. I’ve just been too
stubborn to admit it.”

“
There’s nothing I’ve wanted more than to
show you my true self. To have you accept me for who I am. All I
am
.”

I nodded. My throat was so tight I couldn’t
speak. My heart was thumping hard against my ribs and I was afraid
I might cry. Everything was just so overwhelming.

I cleared my throat, but my voice was still a
little wobbly. “I take it your clairvoyance comes from being a
dragon.”

He nodded his big dragon head. “
Yes. Along
with the ability to manipulate human minds. It’s a dragon thing.
With you it seems to go a bit wonky, like you’re partially immune
or something. I think that’s what happened ... that night we were
together
.”

I felt myself flushing again and pressed my
cheek tighter against Inigo’s smooth scales. He made a little
grumbling sound but didn’t pull away.

“
So, now you know the truth, the whole
truth
.”

“Trevor knows?”

“
Yes, he had to. He’s the liaison between
the dragons and the U.S. government. Not that he’s ever had to do
much. No one’s heard from them for years until now. Still, he
figured it out
.”

“That’s what he’s got on you and Kabita.”

“
Yeah
.”

“Sounds like Trevor and I need to have a
talk.”

“
He’s just doing his job, Morgan. Don’t go
all Ninja on his ass.
”

I snorted. “I’ll try and restrain myself.” I
stroked Inigo’s nose again. “Can you change back?”

He stared at me out of golden eyes then
slowly nodded his head. He nudged me a little, and I stepped back.
This time I watched the shimmer with interest and fascination. It
was really kind of cool. Pretty too.

The simmering stopped and Inigo stood there
in human form. I couldn’t help myself. I walked over, wrapped my
arms around his neck and kissed him. There were definitely tongues
involved.

“Ah, Morgan, I’m sorry,” he said when finally
came up for air. “I wanted to tell you. I wanted ... ”

“Shh.” And I kissed him again. Best way to
shut a man up ever.

“All right, so why didn’t you just shift and
go all dragon on the crazy bi ... ” I broke off as Kabita glared at
me. Not a fan of the “b” word, Kabita. “Uh, the crazy lady.” We
were headed to the car, moving slowly for Inigo’s sake.

Inigo snorted with laughter. “And start
another war between dragons and humans? I think not. That would
have given her exactly what she wanted. Besides, she was using
silver chains. I can’t shift when silver is touching me.”

“What like werewolves?”

He rolled his eyes at me. “I’m nothing like a
werewolf, but yes. The principle is the same.”

“How’d she get a drop on you anyway?” Kabita
interjected.

He shrugged and wrapped his arm around my
shoulders, hugging me to his side. “I knew she was tracking me,
which was why I called you. No way I could fight her on my own. If
I was full dragon, that’d be one thing, but I’m not strong enough.
I figured I’d just stay out of her way until you got here.

“It worked for a while. But then the bi ...
uh, Hunter, got sneaky. She coated my front doorknob with
Nightshade extract.”

I must have looked confused because Kabita
translated. “Nightshade acts as a strong sedative for dragons when
they are in human form, even through the skin. It would have
knocked him out in seconds.”

“By the time I came to, she had me chained
and a gun to my head. I tried to fight, but the chains...” He
shrugged. “What was I going to do but follow her here? Fortunately,
I knew you wouldn’t be far behind.” I was glad someone had so much
faith in our super powers.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Kabita
started for the door. “This place creeps me out.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

***

I was glad to be home. Really glad.
Everything was exactly as I left it right down to my steampunk
style boots lying in the middle of the floor and my bed piled high
with unfolded laundry.

Jet lag was creeping in, draining the energy
from my body. I felt wasted. Even worse, I felt gross. Like I
hadn’t showered in days.

I left my suitcase in front of the bedroom
door and headed for the shower. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but
the restorative powers of a hot shower are vastly underrated.

I didn’t even bother to dry my hair, though I
did manage to towel off. I just staggered from the shower to my
bed, shoved the laundry to the floor and climbed in. Lights
out.

***

I was back on top the Wall overlooking the
valley. Cold wind slapped into my face, carrying a few snowflakes
with it.

“
You’ve done well, Hunter. We are
grateful.”

I turned. A smile tugged at the corner of my
mouth. He was in human form, his inky black hair dancing in the
wind.

The wind carried away my laugh. “Hey, Drago.
I was just doing my job.”

“
More. You did not do only your job. You
also did what was right. As you promised. Justice has been
served.”

I shook my head sending brilliant red strands
flying. “Not enough. Not yet. Alister Jones is still in power and
gods know what kind of crazy he’s up to.”

“’
Tis true. Alister Jones has yet a part
to play, but for now, he is no longer a threat.”

I frowned, the light was dimming and it was
hard to see his features clearly. “What do you mean?”

“
You shall know soon enough. See you soon,
Hunter.” He opened his mouth and flame engulfed me
.

***

“Dammit!” The swearing followed an almighty
thump which woke me from dead sleep.

What the hell? “Inigo? Is that you?” I’d know
his voice anywhere.

“Who else? Did you have to leave your bloody
suitcase in the middle of the bloody doorway?” His British accent
was heavier than usual.

I grinned in the dark. “I figured it would
discourage trespassers.”

“Smart ass.” He sank down on the bed next to
me. “Morgan, I need to ask you about Jack.”

“What about him?”

“I know the two of you had a ... thing.”

I almost laughed at that. A thing. Yeah, you
could call it that. “That’s over, Inigo. Well and truly over.”

“You’re sure?”

I slid my hand up his thigh. “Never been more
sure of anything in my life. When I knew you were in trouble ...” I
shook my head. I couldn’t finish the thought.

His hand unerringly went to the back of my
skull, digging into my hair. He tugged me gently forward.

His lips were as I remembered. Velvet soft
and tasting of campfires and hot chocolate. It was a little weird,
but good weird.

Heat unfurled inside me, swirling through my
body into all the places I hadn’t realized were so cold. My fingers
dug into the softness of his T-shirt, the heat of him underneath
like a living flame.

I skimmed my hands under his T-shirt so I
could feel his skin. Without a second thought I pulled it up and
over his head and tossed it on the floor. My own T-shirt followed
close behind.

I felt his tongue flick across my nipple
before pulling it into his mouth and pleasure speared through me,
my panties growing damp from want. I arched up into him and he
grinned as he took my other nipple into his mouth.

I threaded my fingers through the silk of his
hair, pulling him up so I could kiss him. Our tongues and breaths
tangled together as fire surged through my veins. I went from damp
to wet in a heartbeat.

Inigo moaned, his hands slipping under the
waistband of my pajama pants. They found what they were looking
for, his fingers slipping through my wet folds. Pleasure stabbed
through me. I arched up again and made a noise low in my throat
that sounded suspiciously like begging. His fingers swirled around
my clit until I thought I’d come right then and there.

“Inigo,” I pleaded.

He kissed me again as he slipped one finger
inside me, thrusting against my sensitive flesh. The pressure
built, winding me tighter and tighter. I writhed against his hand
as he pushed me up and over the edge. For a second, I forgot to
breathe. I let the orgasm take me.

He pulled back and his eyes had gone gold.
Like the night I couldn’t remember.

“Inigo?” This time fear. I didn’t want to
forget.

“Shh ... ” He kissed me, more gently this
time, as he slid his hand out of my pants. “We’ll remember.”

I nodded as I helped him get me first out of
my pants and then him out of his jeans. Finally we were both naked,
our bodies dimly outlined by the faint moonlight. I ran my hands
across his smooth chest and down his stomach, the thin line of
silken hair leading down to ...

“Holy gods.”

He smirked a little at that, but there was
pride, too. Believe me, he had plenty to be proud of.

I ran my fingers lightly over the length of
him. He shivered and his eyes drifted closed, shutting off the gold
glow. My fist barely closed around the thickness of him and I gave
him a quick pump. Then a second. I loved the hard velvet feel of
him.

“For the sake of all that is holy, Morgan,”
he hissed at me. “If I don’t get inside you right this second ...
”

His scent hit me hard, the smoky chocolate
teasing my senses and sending heat pooling between my thighs. I
ached to feel him inside me.

“Then we better do something about that.” My
voice was low and breathy. Nothing like I usually sounded.

I lay back, pulling him down with me. I could
feel the thick head of his shaft, the tip just touching my core.
“Now, Inigo. I want you right now.”

In one thrust he was inside me, the thickness
of him filling and stretching me almost past bearing. I grabbed his
butt, holding him still for a minute so I could adjust. His jaw was
clenched tight and beads of sweat popped out on his forehead, but
he held it.

Then I moved.

A slight roll of my hips and we were both
goners. All I knew was the thrust of him inside me, the feel of his
skin, the golden glow of his eyes, the taste of his tongue and his
smoky chocolate smell that mixed with my own arousal and wrapped
around us growing stronger.

Then in one final thrust he sent us both
over, the pleasure so intense I’m pretty sure my eyes rolled back
in my head. But not before I got to see the look on Inigo’s face as
he came inside me.

I cherished that image as he sank down half
on the mattress and half on top me, his skin slick with sweat and
his heart hammering hard against my own. He was still inside me,
our limbs still tangled together. We stayed that way until our
hearts calmed, our bodies cooled, and his eyes slowly faded from
gold to blue.

***

“Mmm ... you smell good.” We were still
curled up naked together, my face buried against Inigo’s throat.
That sweet spot where the neck and shoulder meet.

He rubbed his cheek against my hair and gave
my butt a little squeeze. “What are you talking about?”

“You smell like a campfire.” I squirmed
around so I could see his face better. “And chocolate.”

He raised a brow. “Interesting.”

“Come on, admit it. It’s a dragon thing,
isn’t it?”

He rolled over onto his back, taking me with
him so I ended up sprawled across his chest. The insecure girly
part of me that still lurked somewhere inside the badass vampire
hunter tried to freak out that I was too heavy. I told her to shut
it.

After all, Inigo was a freaking dragon. He
could take my weight. Besides, he looked way too cozy. “So ... ” I
prompted.

“So, yeah. It’s a dragon thing. Kind of like
human pheromones, but a lot stronger. The way a dragon smells lets
members of the opposite sex know if they’re compatible. Apparently
it works on humans, too.” He gave me a smug look.

I nipped him with my teeth. Just enough to
sting.

“Hey, ow! Morgan!” But there was laughter in
his voice.

I just batted my eyelashes at him and feigned
innocence.

“So, every dragon smells different?” I was
still thinking about Drago and how similar he smelled to Inigo.