Fury of Affliction (Dragonfury 2.0)

Chapter 6

6

T he impact threw her forward.

The seatbelt tightened another notch as saltwater slammed into the windshield. The glass cracked. She watched the fissures spread, yanking at the cross-body strap, breathing too fast, feeling the cold rush pour through the open driver side window and drench her clothes.

Panic made her yank harder.

No give. Hardly any room for her to maneuver. The buckle was locked tight, the belt strung even tighter. A one-two punch that immobilized, trapping her inside the cab.

She needed a knife. Something sharp to slice through the nylon strap. If she got loose, she could swim to the surface, stay buoyant in the waves until Hamersveld reached her.

A shadow with wings flew overhead.

She heard a low growl, then a crunch. Something big hit the surface of the water. Yellow scales. Glowing blue eyes. Not Hamersveld. A different dragon. Someone she knew in an instant planned to do her harm.

Cursing through clenched teeth, she struggled harder to break free.

The truck listed sideways.

Metal groaned as quarter panels crumpled, buckling under the pressure.

Terror spun her around the rim of insanity as water touched the bottom of her chin. Fighting the panic, she tilted her head back. She took deep breaths, filling her lungs, trying to store oxygen. Breathe in quick. Exhale fast. In the way of free divers. She needed to be able to hold her breath long enough for?—

“Shaleima, hold on.”

“Sveld—”

“Give me a second.”

A shadowy gray blur sliced past the truck.

The yellow dragon flailed, wings thrashing, fighting to get out of the water.

Heat swirled in. Saltwater poured out of the truck, dropping the level to her chest, then hips and feet. As the cab emptied, a warm pocket of air moved in, acting like an oxygen tank, giving her what she needed to breath as the F-150 leveled out, then bumped down on the ocean floor.

A snarl echoed through the deep.

The sound of claws striking scales drifted. Bones snapped. Someone screamed. Natalie closed her eyes and waited. Any second now. Hamersveld would be back any second now. She sensed him close. Knew he fought to protect her by unleashing his water dragon and chasing his enemy out of the sea. All she needed to do was stay still and breathe. Hold on and wait—no matter how freaked out she felt sitting in the dark, inside a wrecked truck at the bottom of the ocean.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Be grateful for the heat along with the oxygen.

Suffering in silence, Natalie tried to be patient. Battled to remain calm instead of give into panic. Any second now. Any moment?—

Something raked the side of the truck.

Her eyes popped open. Her head whipped to the side. Black eyes with a glowing rim of bright blue met hers through the window. Relief stole her breath. Tears filled her eyes. His huge talons flexed. Dark blue claws sliced through the steel. The sunroof above her head shattered. Glass exploded outward as he peeled the top of the truck back.

“It’s locked,” she rasped, yanking at her seatbelt. “I can’t…it’s locked.”

Shark-gray scales shimmered as he flicked his claws. The air shimmered. Compression across her chest loosened. The bubble floated up, liberating her from the confines of the truck.

A sob escaped her. Needing to touch him, she reached out.

“Gonna bring you up, shaleima,” he murmured, palming the airlock that provided life-giving oxygen. “Find a safe spot to set down. Check you out. Make sure you’re okay, yeah?”

Unable to wait that long, she shook her head. “No.”

“Natalie—”

“No. I can’t wait. I need you right now.”

“Baby—”

“Shift. Please, Sveld, shift and get in here.”

He hesitated, then did as she asked. Warm water became warmer as he shifted from dragon to human form. She watched talons turn into hands, saw scales smooth into skin and the horns on his head disappear. Any other time, she would’ve paid attention to his transformation. Not tonight. With desperation driving her, she needed him too much. Wanted to be in his arms with her skin pressed tight to his instead of admiring the view.

“Sveld…”

With a groan, he answered the plea and entered the airlock. Big hands reached for her. She launched herself at him. Her body slammed against his. Wet clothes slid against his naked skin as his arms came around her. Face pressed into his throat, she clutched at him and burrowed deep, desperate for close to become closer.

“Hey…hey…it’s okay,” he whispered as her hands grasped at him. “I’m here. You’re all right.”

Drinking in the reassurance, Natalie raised her head. She caught the concern in his eyes, but it wasn’t enough. She needed more. Here. Now. No delay. And so, instead of taking a breath, she tunneled her fingers through his hair, leaned forward, and kissed him hard.

Surprise locked his frame. His arms flexed around her.

Taking advantage, she nipped his bottom lip, then invaded his mouth. His taste hit her. Bliss drove need to new heights as he growled and kissed her back. Dragging her t-shirt up, his fingers danced along her back. He caressed her gently, drifting over her skin, worshiping her with his touch. She wiggled, asking for more. Giving her what she wanted, he slipped his hand beneath her waistband and cupped her behind. Callused palm against smooth skin, he drew her deeper into his embrace.

Humming her approval, Natalie broke the kiss long enough to yank her shirt off. Her mouth found his again. He shoved her sweatpants down, then off. Naked in his arms, relief scrambled her molecules, putting her back together one piece at a time as her breasts met his chest. Impatient, needy, so deep in desire she didn’t care where she was, she kicked her feet free and swung her legs around his hips.

“Yeah?” he asked, tone guttural, pressing his erection against the heat of her. “Here?”

“And now.” Mouth brushing his, she met his gaze. Hunger burned in his, mirroring her own as she rolled her hips, coating him in slickness. “Right now, handsome. Need you.”

“Goddess, Natalie. Gorgeous,” he groaned, supporting her weight, holding her secure, encouraging her to undulate against him. “Beautiful. Just like that, baby.”

“Miss me?”

“So much. So fucking much, shaleima . Hungry too. Haven’t fed. Couldn’t touch another female. Needed you. No one else but you.”

“I’m sorry, honey.”

Rubbing his cheek against hers, he shook his head. “I’m not…I’m not.”

“You feel good.”

“You feel better.”

She smiled against his mouth. “I’m here now. Take what you need, Sveld. All you need.”

Fingers playing in the long strands of her red hair, he kissed her. Soft. Sweet. With so much feeling, he made her love him more, then said, “It’s gonna be rough. Waited too long. I can’t?—”

“Good.” Pausing for effect, she nipped his bottom lip. He tensed. She licked over the sting. “Fuck me hard. Fuck me quick. We’ll save slow for another time.”

He didn’t hesitate to swing her around.

Her back touched down on the floor of the airlock.

Holding on tight, she opened for him. He found her fast and thrust deep. Pleasure spiked. Bliss spiraled. Ecstasy stole her mind, arching her spine, tilting her hips as he powered in, retreated and came back to her. Skin sliding over skin. Heat meeting heat. Mind-blowing beauty. Perfection made manifest. Exactly how she wanted to be ridden by him—hard and fast, the power of their connection blazing as he loved her tough, making her beg for more.