Kiss of Embers (The Dragon Lairds #5)

Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

ZARA

I t had been so long since I hunted with someone. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it.

Wind whipped through my fur. Soft earth flew under my claws. The moon sang through my veins, but this time, its music throbbed in sync with my heart. In my human form, I resisted its call. Now, I gave in, exhilaration pumping hard and fast.

Above me, Struan’s exhilaration was just as powerful. His joy flowed in a continuous arc between us as he swept through the sky, his wings dusting the tops of the trees. If someone had told me a month ago that I’d answer the moon’s call with a dragon in tow, I would have questioned their sanity.

Now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. We pushed each other, racing over streams and clouds. Eventually, our sprint turned into a game of one-upmanship. When he released a stream of fire, I responded with a howl that scattered a family of capybaras. When I jumped a fallen log, he did a tight barrel roll in the sky, and my laughter emerged as a series of low barks.

The jungle blurred, and time ceased to matter. I raced along the edge of a meandering stream, Struan’s bright, glittering form reflected in the water beside me. The moon’s warmth seeped into my fur, draining the tension from my muscles.

But something was wrong. The second time I stumbled across my own paw prints in the mud, I realized the scenery repeated, the same trees and flowers appearing over and over. We were stuck, doomed to travel identical terrain no matter how fast we ran (or flew) or which path we took. Overhead, Struan appeared to reach the same conclusion. His roar of frustration echoed through the air, and he blew a stream of fire that lit up the night.

Eventually, I slowed, my chest heaving and my tongue lolling from my mouth. As I bent my head over the stream and lapped the water greedily, a narrow stream of black smoke fluttered around me like a ribbon. Seconds later, Struan stood beside me without a stitch of clothing—and an anaconda between his legs.

I choked, water spraying from my mouth as I sputtered and coughed.

Struan was on his knees at once, one big hand buried in the fur on my back. “Och, lass, you drank too quickly.” He rubbed vigorously, sympathy stamped on his face.

I’m okay , I tried to say, temporarily forgetting I was on four paws. Without human vocal cords, the words emerged as a jumble of growls and barks. Struan snatched his hand back, clearly misinterpreting the sounds.

Shaking my head, I dashed behind a tree and let the shift roll through me. It flowed more easily now that I’d run, my limbs sliding and reforming in under a minute. Then I was naked, without a scrap of clothing to my name.

No big deal. Nudity was a non-event among werewolves, where shifting was an ordinary part of life. The pack hunted together during the full moon and special occasions. Everyone had seen everyone else without clothes hundreds of times. So why was my stomach doing weird little flips? I put a palm over the fluttery feelings. Gods, my nipples were hard. I moved my hands to my breasts, willing them to behave themselves.

“You all right over there, lass?” Leaves crunched as Struan approached.

Clearing my throat, I stepped out from behind the tree. Act natural. Things would only be weird if I made them weird. Putting my shoulders back, I strode forward.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Just thirsty.” Immediately, heat rushed to my face. Of all the phrases I could have picked…

Struan’s lips curved. “Understandable.” He looked toward the stream behind him. “Probably smart to drink in beast form, though. There’s no telling what’s in this water.”

“I can handle it in wolf form,” I said, stopping a few feet away.

He swung back to me, his smile still in place. “Same. As a dragon, I can eat just about anything. Cooked or raw, it doesn’t matter.”

Curiosity sparked. “Your mother was a werewolf. That’s why you’re called by the moon, right?”

He nodded. “Aye. It took me by surprise as a lad. I never knew my mother’s people, so I wasn’t exposed to werewolf customs.”

I frowned. “Your mother didn’t explain the call to you?” Most werewolves experienced their first shift shortly before the onset of puberty. Parents prepared their children well in advance so they knew what to expect.

“I’m sure she planned to,” Struan said, “but she passed when I was no more than a mite.”

My heart turned over. I stepped closer and placed a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

He tugged a lock of my hair that had spilled over my shoulder. “I know you didn’t.” His chest lifted in a sigh. “I don’t have many memories of my parents. My mother belonged to a tiny pack in the Highlands. She was something of an adventurer.” He flashed a boyish smile. “Finn always says I inherited her wanderlust. I love seeing new places. Meeting different kinds of people.”

I nodded, privately reeling from the effect of his smile.

He sobered. “It wasn’t easy for a female in my mother’s era to travel—or do much beyond choosing a mate and raising bairns. Her family expected her to wed an alpha and be content. From the little I know about her family, her home life was difficult. Most werewolf packs in the nineteenth century were conservative.”

I raised my brows. “They’re not much better now.”

“Aye,” he said softly, “I expect you know a thing or two about that.”

“I do.” We smiled at each other. And when he offered his hand, it was the most natural thing in the world to take it. Hand in hand, we walked along the riverbed, companionable silence between us. After a while, I squeezed his fingers. “How did you lose your parents?”

He guided me around a sharp-looking rock. “One of my mother’s adventures. She was always dragging my fathers on one kind of quest or another. They were mountain climbing on the demon plane, looking for an enchanted diamond, and they fell. She didn’t survive, which meant my fathers didn’t survive.”

“Oh, Struan,” I murmured.

He stopped and faced me. “Don’t fash yourself, lass. They were happy. I remember that. I mourn them, but I don’t allow myself to feel regret. Wherever they are now, they’re together. I feel it, you ken?” He gazed over the water, where the moon’s reflection appeared to float on the surface. “I like to think maybe my mother was too spirited for this plane. It couldn’t contain her, so the gods sent her to a place with enough space for her spirit to flourish.”

My throat thickened. “That’s a really beautiful way of looking at it.”

He turned soft blue eyes to mine. Slowly, he cupped my face, his big hands exceedingly gentle. “Nothing in this world or any other is ever truly lost, Zara. Only found.”

My heart sped up as I realized he spoke of me. Of us. “Do you really believe that?” I whispered.

“I do.” Moonlight shimmered in his eyes. Gilded his blue-black hair and firm jaw with its dark stubble. He stepped into me, his round pecs brushing my breasts. “I found you, didn’t I?”

Goosebumps lifted on my skin. His chest was hot against my sensitive nipples.

“You’re so warm,” I murmured.

One corner of his mouth lifted. “I’m a dragon.”

Desire swirled between us, chasing away the heaviness of our conversation. My breasts ached, and I resisted the urge to thrust my chest more firmly against his. To mash my curves into his hard, unforgiving muscle. Then he decided for me by gripping one of my hips and pulling me into him. A choked gasp escaped me as his cock pressed hard against my pussy.

“You’re wet,” he rumbled, sliding his hand to my ass. Digging his fingers into the muscle, he moved me against him, working my hips into his like he held dominion over my body.

“I…” I started to deny it. But how could I? There was no clothing between us. Nowhere to hide. The length of his shaft pressed hard against my pussy, opening me, and I whimpered as my body told on itself.

Struan stared down at me, his eyes glittering and his lips parted. He should have seemed smaller without his clothes, but it was the opposite. He towered over me, his shoulders filling my vision. He dug his fingers into my ass cheek and hefted me up, forcing a startled cry from me. The cry turned into a shuddering moan as he wedged his length more firmly between my lips. I knew if I looked down, I’d see my pussy split around him, my clit mashed against his shaft.

“So slick for me,” he growled, little fires flaring in his eyes. “So hot and wet, Zara lass. I’m going to need this pussy spread over my face.”

I gasped as I braced a hand against his chest, my fingers curling against his thatch of dark curls. Finn had been totally smooth, but Struan was…rugged. Rough around the edges. He was different with me than he’d been with Finn. Dominant. Almost feral.

Dangerous , a little voice of self-preservation whispered in my mind. And this was wrong…wasn’t it? We’d left Finn behind. Would he be angry if we made love without him?

Struan growled, the sound vibrating my breasts. The flames in his pupils danced higher. He gripped my ass more tightly, his fingers dangerously close to my cleft. A wild little thrill ran through me, and I caught my breath, trapped between pushing his hand away and urging him to keep going.

Before I could decide, he slid his other hand down my thigh. Hooking it behind my knee, he hiked my leg up, spreading me wider. Thrown off balance, I clung to his shoulders.

“There you go,” he growled, grinding his cock up and down my pussy. “Get me all wet, lass. Soak every inch.” His eyes darkened to midnight blue, his stare possessive as he held me open and rocked his hips against me. The round, bulbous tip of his cock struck my clit with every pass, wrenching my lust higher.

“Gods,” I gasped, my heart pounding. More moisture flooded me, and my face burned as the wet smacking sound of my arousal joined my labored breaths. My bare toes dug into the dirt. My hair swayed against my back, strands sticking to my sweaty skin.

Struan grunted, grinding his dick up and down my pussy. My nipples dragged over his chest. My calf ached from balancing on one foot, but the discomfort barely registered. Not when every thrust of Struan’s hips sent a thick, frazzled wave of pleasure coursing through me.

“I need to fuck you,” he said, fire flaring in his eyes. He moved in a blur, releasing my leg and then hooking a foot around my ankle. Before I knew what was happening, I was flat on my back, my thighs spread wide and six and a half feet of aroused dragon between my legs. His cock prodded my opening.

“D-Don’t!” I cried, slapping a hand against his chest.

Struan froze, his eyes blazing. He braced himself over me, one meaty forearm on either side of my head. “Don’t?”

Heart knocking, I dragged in a breath. “We shouldn’t. Not here. Not without Finn.”

“Finn.”

I’d never been more vulnerable. But I nodded. “He’s waiting for us.”

He held my stare, his gaze flickering between anger and desire. The tip of his cock rested against my opening, his heat searing my pussy. Slowly, he leaned down until his lips hovered just above mine. The tip of his dick slipped ever so slightly inside me, and we both moaned. “You’re right, lass. We should hurry back to Finn.”

My heart skipped a beat. His words were reasonable, but his tone held an unmistakable note of warning.

Dangerous , the little voice whispered. And, inexplicably, my pussy clenched.

Struan sucked in a breath. He reared back, then seized my hips with rough hands and flipped me onto my stomach. Just as I drew breath to scream, he slapped me hard on the ass.

I scrambled to my feet, but he caught me around the waist. He hauled me against him, my back to his chest, and cupped a big hand over my pussy.

“Fuck,” I whimpered, squirming against him. My breasts tingled, my nipples pink and stiff. My clit throbbed. Struan’s erection nestled between my stinging ass cheeks. Trapped, I rested my head against his shoulder, my bleary gaze fastened on the jungle in front of me.

Struan slipped his middle finger between my folds, the callus on his fingertip grazing my swollen clit. His breath ghosted over my ear as he put his lips to my temple.

“Do you know what they say about running from dragons, Zara?”

Arousal trickled from me. The scent of my need soaked the air. “No,” I said, the denial emerging as a sob.

He traced a slow, featherlight circle around my clit, slicking me with my own juices. “They say not to, love. Because we like to chase things.” Another agonizingly slow circle. “And we always catch our prey.”

I whimpered, shamelessly thrusting against his hand. Hunting for his finger and the promise of release.

His breath ruffled my hair as he spoke against my neck. “But you never know, Zara love. You’re awfully fast. Maybe you’ll reach Finn before I catch you. Then again, maybe not.” He shoved me away from him, and a crack split the air as he delivered another merciless blow to my ass.

“RUN,” he roared.

With a strangled cry, I sprinted forward. I didn’t dare look back, I just plunged into the foliage with one goal pounding through my head. Get to Finn. Get to Finn.

Another roar went up behind me, followed by crashing leaves. Struan pursued me on foot.

And, suddenly, the rules of the game slid into place like puzzle pieces. He wouldn’t shift. That would have robbed us both of the chase.

My lungs burned. But so did lust. It pumped through my veins in a rush of adrenaline, making me hyperaware of my body. The bounce of my breasts. The lurid pink of my nipples. The jiggle in my ass. Every press of my bare feet against the soil was a damp caress. Every footfall opened my pussy wider…wider, until I lengthened my stride just to feel the kiss of hot, muggy air against my clit.

I ran, part of me anticipating a strong hand clawing me to the ground. Forbidden images flashed in my mind, scenes of Struan flinging me to the dirt and pumping between my thighs making me shiver even as sweat poured down my sides.

The crashing at my back grew louder. Struan’s ragged breaths sounded just behind me. I cried out, pushing myself faster. Light shone ahead, the soft glow piercing the darkness.

With the last of my energy, I hurdled a narrow stream, not quite clearing the water. My heel landed in muck, splattering mud to my waist. Panting, I wrenched my foot free and took off just as Struan splashed down behind me.

The light beckoned. I raced toward it, recognizing the awning of Finn and Struan’s tent. The flaps were open, and I sprinted for them, not slowing until I stumbled through the entrance and into Finn’s arms.

“Zara!” he exclaimed, catching me against him just as Struan bolted through the flaps. He filled the opening, his skin shiny with sweat and his chest heaving. Mud dotted his legs. His cock strained from his hips, the tip almost purple with blood.

Finn shoved me behind him, then faced off with Struan. “What happened? You were supposed to hunt together.”

“We did,” Struan rasped.

“Are you sure? Because it looks like you terrified our mate.” Finn’s voice went low and silky. “That was bad, Struan.”

The game shifted, new rules sliding into place. A restless ache built between my thighs. My nipples tightened, reminding me I was still stark naked.

As if he read my mind, Finn fetched a blanket from the bed. His touch was gentle as he settled it around my shoulders and then pulled my hair from under the fabric. He’d obviously showered while we were away. A clean, citrusy scent mingled with the dark incense that always clung to him. Lounge pants rode low on his hips. A plain gray T-shirt stretched over his broad chest.

“All right?” he murmured, meeting my eyes.

I held the two halves of the blanket under my chin. “Yes. I’m fine.”

He touched my cheek. “That’s a good lass.” He turned and advanced on Struan, menace reentering his voice.

“Look at you,” he said, stopping before Struan. Finn turned just enough for me to see his expression, and he gave Struan’s swollen cock a pitying look. “Incapable of following the simplest instructions.” He reached out and cupped Struan’s heavy balls. “I suppose we’ll have to drain these.”

My breath hitched, and I tightened my grip on the blanket. Finn’s thick wrist brushed the side of Struan’s shaft. Struan whimpered like he’d been burned, his chest rising and falling rapidly as Finn squeezed and kneaded his testicles like he was weighing produce.

Struan bit his lip. His cock looked painfully tight, thick veins tracing up the meaty shaft.

“Mmm,” Finn said, mild disapproval in the sound. “We definitely can’t leave you like this.”

Struan stood silently, his nude body golden in the lantern light. His breathing stayed ragged as he eyed Finn with a mix of lust and wariness on his face. Moisture swelled from the slit in his cock.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his throat working as Finn fondled his balls. His pecs bunched and flexed, and his voice went hoarse. “Please, Finn. I— It won’t happen again.”

Finn sighed. With a final squeeze, he released Struan’s sack. “You mean you won’t ruin the evening for our female again?” he asked, circling Struan. Red flickered over his eyes. “She’s exhausted and probably starving. And you thought it was a good idea to chase her through the jungle.” His hand lashed out, his palm cracking against Struan’s ass.

I jumped, my mouth going dry. Finn struck again, landing two sharp blows on Struan’s cheeks. Struan grunted, his dick bobbing as he adjusted his stance. His abs rippled, and he tensed like he anticipated more blows.

Finn delivered, raining punishing slaps that echoed obscenely through the tent. Struan endured the spanking, his cock bouncing as he struggle to maintain his position. At first, he merely grunted, his jaw clenched and his expression stoic. But as Finn’s punishment wore on, his composure slipped, and he cried out and swayed with the blows. Still, Finn continued, his arm swinging and the sharp crack of flesh on flesh filling the tent. With each blow, Struan’s erection grew thicker, the tip smeared with moisture.

I squeezed my thighs together under the blanket, my clit throbbing with every heavy smack. The display unlocked something inside me, flinging buried desires into the open. Was this what I’d been missing? And if so, how had I ended up with two men capable of delivering it?

But I already knew the answer to my questions. I’d run from the truth—literally. But now I’d been caught, and the answer was as clear as a bell in my mind.

Fate. Fate had landed me precisely where I needed to be.

Struan sobbed, the sound a mix of pain and pleasure. Finn ceased the spanking and stepped back. He ran a hand through his hair as he caught his breath.

Struan sagged a little even as he kept his gaze straight ahead. He panted, his shoulders rising and falling. His face was red. Fresh sweat rolled down his chest and into the thin strip of hair that led to the black curls around his rigid, leaking cock.

“Good boy,” Finn said, and I dug my teeth into my lip so I wouldn’t moan. Finn went back to circling Struan. He took his time, running his gaze up and down Struan’s nude body like he inspected a prospective…something.

A pet , my mind supplied. Finn’s gaze was proprietary. Mercantile. He looked at Struan like he might like to collar him and keep Struan at his feet. And with every hot sweep of Finn’s gaze, Struan’s breathing grew more labored. His cock bobbed, the tip glossy with precome. He flexed his hands at his sides as if he wanted to touch his dick but didn’t dare.

At last, Finn stopped behind Struan and grasped Struan’s cock. “Now,” he murmured, “let’s make sure you stay a good boy.”

Struan moaned long and low, his eyes sliding shut and ecstasy spreading over his handsome face.

“Look at her,” Finn ordered, pumping Struan’s shaft with a tight, quick fist.

Struan opened his eyes. Then he winced as Finn gripped his hair and yanked his head back. Finn held him that way, one hand in Struan’s hair and the other furiously stroking Struan’s erection.

Both men stared at me, their big bodies haloed by lantern light. They presented a lurid, forbidden picture—one fully clothed and put together, the other nude and disheveled.

My heart raced. My body ached, every nerve ending attuned to the provocative scene playing out in front of me. The tent filled with Struan’s low, desperate-sounding moans and the fleshy sound of his cock shuttling through Finn’s fist.

“Please,” Struan croaked. His accent thickened. “Please, I need tae come.”

Finn pumped him faster. His eyes fired crimson, and he bared his fangs. “You may,” he said, then he plunged his fangs into Struan’s neck.

Struan cried out. He stiffened, every muscle straining as semen spurted from his cock in thick, milky jets. His hips jerked, his balls swaying. Come spilled over Finn’s hand and onto the carpet.

Finn’s throat worked as he swallowed, feeding from Struan as his hand flew up and down Struan’s cock. Struan’s cry turned into a bellow, and he bucked into Finn’s fist.

“Fuck!” he rasped. “Oh fuck, oh fuck.”

Finn wrenched his mouth from Struan’s neck. He slowed his strokes as he swiped his tongue over the puncture wounds, licking twin trickles of blood away. Struan shook in his grip, clearly spent and starting to come down. But Finn didn’t let him. Instead, he slicked seed over Struan’s shaft and continued stroking him, milking more ropes from Struan’s cock.

Struan sobbed, his hips jerking disjointedly. He lifted his head from Finn’s shoulder and stared dazedly at his cock, as if he couldn’t believe it was attached to him. Another stream of come shot from his tip, and he moaned and let his head fall backward again.

“There you go,” Finn crooned, his red-sheened eyes fastened on me. “Get it all out. Just a little more, hmm? That’s a good lad.” He gave Struan three quick, brutal pumps. Struan released a broken, masculine whimper, his fists clenching as Finn forced more come from his cock. But it was a dribble now, just a few pearly drops appearing at Struan’s slit.

“Please,” Struan rasped, trembling. He sagged against Finn, his cock soft and his chest heaving.

Gaze locked with mine, Finn swiped his hand down Struan’s shaft, gathering come onto his palm. Struan moaned and squirmed, clearly overstimulated, but he endured the rough handling the same as he’d endured the spanking.

“Open,” Finn ordered, carrying his hand to Struan’s lips. Struan opened obediently, and he didn’t protest when Finn pushed two seed-covered fingers deep into his mouth.

Struan held my stare as he sucked, a mixture of shame, lust, and submission in his dark blue eyes. The last roused my wolf, who surged to the surface with a possessive growl. My lips peeled back from my teeth, and I drifted forward before I was even fully aware of what I was doing.

Approval gleamed in Finn’s eyes. He pulled his fingers from Struan’s mouth. “Come here, lass. You can help me with this last part.”

Blood rushed in my ears as I crossed to the men, my fingers still tight on the blanket. Struan’s lashes fluttered. The smell of masculine sweat and aggression swirled in the air.

“Hold him for me,” Finn said, offering Struan’s cock like he owned it. My wolf stirred, and power hummed in my veins as I transferred the blanket to one hand so I could do as Finn asked. The second I grasped Struan’s damp, softened shaft, he moaned and swayed on his feet. His cock twitched against my palm. Possessiveness flooded me. When I tightened my grip, a breathy moan slipped from him.

“I’ll only be a moment,” Finn said. He steadied Struan, then channeled away. Struan gazed down at me, his lips parted and a bright flush staining his cheekbones.

Mine. The declaration was a bright neon sign in my head. Impossible to deny. Needing him closer, I squeezed Struan’s dick and tugged him into me. His eyes flared as he stumbled forward.

“Zara,” he breathed, his cock swelling in my hand.

Finn reappeared beside me, something silver flashing in his palm. He snorted softly as he looked at Struan’s groin. “I can’t leave you alone for two seconds.” His arm brushed mine as he fiddled with whatever he held. “Hold him steady, lass. It’s easier to do this while he’s soft.” He opened his hand, revealing a steel cock cage.

Struan sucked in a breath. “Finn?—”

“Wheesht. If you can’t control yourself, I’ll do it for you.”

Fresh moisture dampened my pussy. Struan’s cock twitched again as I held it while Finn slipped the cage over the shaft, encasing it in a metal sheath made of snug, shiny bands. They ran horizontally down Struan’s length, ensuring any erection would wither before it had a chance to form. Struan winced as Finn positioned the ring behind his testicles, trapping Struan’s sack between the ring and the cage. A small padlock at the top held everything in place.

Then Struan stood before us, his cock wrapped in steel from root to tip. His sack plumped behind the cage, the heavy globes appearing larger with the steel ring mashing them against the bars of the cage. He moaned softly, his face flushed and his brows drawn tight.

“There,” Finn said, admiration thick in his tone. He turned to me. “Now, lass, I believe I promised you hot water and a nice dinner.”