Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

A fter the thrill and wonder of the treasure room, the remaining tunnel had been rather boring to Hayley. Oh, finding more supplies, clothing, and even weapons had been a good thing. And yet, all she'd wanted to do was return to Stonefire's dragon hoard—yes, she was forever going to call it that—and look around some more. The clan had its own hidden museum, and she was greedy to see everything.

Although it wasn't technically a museum. But maybe one day the dragon-shifters could share their history and treasures with the public.

However, for now, Nathan was in his dragon form and gliding back across the lake. She'd been lost in her own thoughts about a possible museum, and so when the opposite shore came into view, she blinked. Without thinking, she leaned against Nathan's dragon neck and stroked his smooth scales. This was probably the closest she'd ever get to flying, and she didn't want it to end.

Once he walked onto shore, she reluctantly released him and his tail wrapped around her waist before gently placing her on the ground. But instead of turning around so he could shift, she remained facing him. His dragon tilted his head, and she said, "I want to watch. Is that okay?"

If a dragon could grin, she swore he'd be doing it now. After bobbing his head, he spread his wings behind him. Never taking his gaze from hers, a beat passed and then another. Just as she was about to ask if he was shy, his form started to change. He shrank down, his wings merging into his back, his snout retreating until it became a nose, and his limbs soon became human arms and legs. Then he stood in his human form, naked, and Hayley couldn't resist taking in his body.

He was tall and leanly toned. And yet his leanness didn't make him any less powerful—she could make out every muscle, from his abs to his arms to even his thighs. But when her eyes reached his cock, she couldn't help but stare. Nathan was hard and long and thick. She itched to cross the distance, take him in hand, and make him lose his mind with her fingers and mouth.

Wetness rushed between her thighs at the image. Nathan growled, closed the distance, and took her face into his hands. "Keep looking at me like that, and I'll end up taking you into a bedroom, shredding your clothes, and kissing every inch of your skin, love."

"Is that a promise? Because, yes, please, I want that."

His pupils flashed rapidly and his voice was strained as he asked, "Are you sure?"

She was done fighting their attraction. "Yes, as long as you don't start a frenzy."

Without another word, he bent and tossed her over his shoulder. Hayley squeaked as he ran. She did her best to hold on, her fingers clutching his sides, and didn't know whether to laugh or moan. It was rather ridiculous, bouncing on a dragoman's shoulder as he dashed down the hallway. And yet, there was something sexy about him being this impatient to have her.

Not that she had much time to think about anything. Because Nathan found the first bedroom—one with a large, single bed—barged into it, and slowly slid her down his body. Inch by inch, his hard muscles against her soft curves sent electricity racing through her. Given how she was still dressed, Hayley would probably burst into flames if she were naked.

Nathan walked her backward, until her legs hit the bed, and said, "Are you sure you want this, love? I vow I won't kiss your mouth and start a frenzy. But I've burned to taste you all day and watch as you come apart on my tongue."

His husky voice, combined with his flashing eyes, made her skin heat and her clothes feel far too tight. "Yes, I'm sure. I want this."

With a growl, he took the bottom of her top and tugged it over her head. Then he tried to undo her trousers. But it was the kind with all buttons—that had been what was in the supply room—and he pulled until the buttons went flying.

Within seconds, he had her shoes and trousers off, until Hayley stood naked except for her bra and underwear. He reached for her bra, but she put up a hand. "Don't you dare destroy this one. It's the only one I have."

The supplies had contained a lot of sports bras, but they were all too small for her. And while she enjoyed going around without a bra on the weekend, she didn't want to deal with them free and bouncing all the time.

The corner of his mouth kicked up. "Then I'll just have to remove it slowly."

Something about his tone made her think he was going to torture her in the process, in a good way.

After turning her around, he kissed the top of one shoulder next to the strap before sliding it down her arm. His mouth followed, kissing her skin, nipping gently, and lapping at the slight sting. By the time she could remove her arm, her nipples were hard and her clit pulsed.

He whispered, "Now, the other side."

She growled. "You can hurry up a bit."

As he laughed, his hot breath danced across her shoulder. "No way, love. This is way too much fun."

She grunted, but as soon as his lips brushed her other shoulder, she forgot about everything but his wicked mouth. Teasing her shoulder, nipping her upper arm, kissing until her arm came out. Except this time, Nathan took hold of her hand, brought it to his mouth, and kissed each of her fingertips.

Who knew kissing her fingertips could make her even wetter?

Once he released her hand, he unhooked her bra and slowly moved his hands around to her front. Just as her bra dropped to the floor, his long, strong fingers cupped her breasts and squeezed gently. Moaning, Hayley leaned back against him as Nathan continued to massage her and then tweak her nipples. She arched her hips. Her clit throbbed, wanting some attention too.

Nathan's breath danced across her ear as he said, "Are you wet for me, love?"

"Yes."

"No hesitation. Good girl."

For once in her life, a man liked her boldness. And for some reason, Nathan's praise rolled over her and made her even more desperate for his mouth between her thighs. "I want you, Nathan. I want your mouth. Stop teasing me."

He tugged her nipples, and she moaned. "You called me lazy earlier, remember? I have to prove you wrong."

One hand snaked down her body, to her underwear, and then traced the edge around her thigh. His finger ran underneath the material, just a fraction, and moved up, up, and oh so close to where she wanted his touch.

Just before he finally touched her clit, Nathan removed his finger to trace the other leg hem, running his digit back and forth, never quite going where she wanted.

After growling in frustration, she said, "You've proved you're not lazy. I concede. So get on with it."

He nipped her neck and soothed the sting with his tongue. "I think you could do with a little more proof, love."

She was about to protest when he released her and turned her around by the shoulders. Hayley stumbled, her knees weak, and he caught her against his chest. His long fingers stroked her cheek, up and down, and murmured, "You're getting there, but you'll be even more boneless by the time I'm done with you. Let's get you down on the bed, love, and I can show you more of what I've been dreaming about."

With Nathan's help, Hayley was soon on her back on the bed, her feet on the floor, her legs spread. However, she still had underwear on and the fabric seemed confining. The smallest movement made it brush against her, and she wanted to moan.

He ran a finger just under the hem of her leg again, and in the next second, it was shredded and on the floor.

His hands caressed her inner thighs before he gently pressed against them. She opened further, her gaze trained on him. He knelt in front of her and met her eyes. At the heat and desire and flashing pupils, more wetness rushed between her legs.

He said, "Tell me I can taste you, Hayley."

She arched her hips. "Please. Hurry."

Even to her own ears, it almost sounded like begging. But she didn't care. She ached for more, to finally come, and everything else be damned.

His thumbs traced circles on her inner thighs. Each pass made her move toward him, wanting his mouth. "Please, Nathan."

"I told you that you'd beg, love. Now it's time to reward you."

After lowering his head, Nathan stilled and his warm breath against her pussy made her ache all the more.

Never in her life had a man turned her on as much as Nathan, and they hadn't even slept together yet.

His eyes never left hers as he lowered and licked her slit, stopping just short of her clit. Over and over again he did it, lapping and groaning and murmuring how good she tasted.

Hayley clutched the duvet with her fingers, arching toward his mouth, doing her best to keep her eyes open. There was something about his heated, possessive gaze that made her belly flip, and she didn't want to miss a moment.

Especially since no man had ever looked at her like that before, as if he were starving and she was the only thing he craved.

And yet he continued to tease her—lightly fucking her entrance with his tongue, tracing the lips of her pussy, and circling around her clit but never touching it. Hayley felt like she might explode if he didn't make her come. "Nathan, I'm close. Please stop teasing me."

He lifted his head, licked his glistening lips, and then growled. "As my female wishes. Keep your eyes on me, Hayley. I want to watch you fall apart on my tongue."

"Yes. Anything." She moved her hips toward him. "Just hurry already."

He chuckled, but the sound died as he lowered his mouth again. And finally, finally, he suckled her hard clit between his lips. The vibrations drove her wild, and as he teased with his tongue, she could see lights flashing in front of her eyes. She was close, so bloody close.

Once he lightly bit her, she cried out as pleasure crashed over her body. Wave after wave, making her scream even louder, the pleasure more intense than she'd ever felt before, to the point she nearly begged for it to stop.

Then he was softly stroking her clit with his tongue, bringing her down, and finally Hayley melted against the bed, breathing hard and unable to form a single coherent thought.

Nathan kissed one inner thigh and then the other before trailing his lips softly up her body. He crawled onto the bed, moved her into his arms with her head on his chest, and simply held her.

His heart raced, but he didn't try pushing her head down to signal it was his turn or make a snide remark about how he deserved the same right now, or he'd never go down on her again.

Things that had happened in the past with her exes.

Don't think about them. Because the more time she spent with Nathan, the more she thought he was right—she'd hung around with the wrong type of men before.

She idly played with the blond hair on his chest—after noticing a few gray strands, she smiled—and he stroked her head. No man had done that before, and yet, she nearly purred at his gentle touch. It was as if Nathan Woodhouse knew exactly what she liked and lived to give it to her.

He is your true mate. Dawn had talked about how perfect Blake had been for her and her daughter, and how once you had a dragonman, there was no going back. Hayley had dismissed it as merely a couple during the honeymoon period. And yet, she was starting to wonder if there was some truth to it.

Eventually, the coolness of the room seeped into her skin, and she shivered. Nathan maneuvered until they were under the blanket, and he held her close again.

She sighed contentedly and said, "I was wrong. You're not lazy."

He laughed, the sound warming her heart. "What was that? I didn't hear you."

She lifted her head and stuck out her tongue, which only made him laugh harder.

Was this really the same man she'd met in the car park of the Protectors' building? "Are you really going to make me say it again?"

"Hmm, maybe I should find a way to record it. That way, I can play it back in the future whenever I want."

She lightly batted his chest. "Now you're being ridiculous."

"No, just thorough. I thought you'd appreciate it."

"Now that I think about it, maybe your lack of laziness was a onetime thing. I do like collecting evidence. So maybe I need a few more experiences, just to make sure."

He rolled her onto her back, pinned her hands to either side of her head, and nuzzled her cheek. As his skin teased hers, Hayley had to concentrate hard on his reply. "I'm willing to prove myself as many times as it takes." He leaned back, his pupils flashing rapidly. "Although each time means I have to draw it out longer, to really convince you that I'm not lazy."

She imagined him torturing her for an hour, her begging and frustrated and on the verge of tears. But then she'd orgasm, harder than ever before in her life, and she squirmed just imagining it.

Hayley was about to suggest he should try again when her stomach growled, the traitor.

Nathan frowned. "We haven't eaten in a while."

Maybe she should brush it off and challenge him again. And yet, it was as if the first rumble had switched her brain from lust to hunger, because now she was starving.

As her stomach growled again, Nathan sat up and gently pulled her with him. After kissing her cheek, he said, "Let's make something to eat and get you some tea. We also need to talk about what to do tomorrow. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone and free up time for later."

He didn't need to spell out what later would entail. She nodded. "Tea first, then food." His lips twitched, and she added, "Don't try to stand between me and my tea, Nathan Woodhouse. It won't end well for you."

Laughing, he stood. Since he hadn't brought any clothes and they weren't in the room they'd slept in before, he merely stood naked. Hayley's gaze kept traveling south.

He snapped his fingers. "Eyes up here, love. If you keep staring at my cock, we're not going to get anything done."

She met his gaze again. "Nothing?"

He groaned. "Now who's the tease?"

Chuckling, she stood and reached for her bra. As she put it on, she said, "Just wait until I have a turn, with you at my mercy."

"You're going to kill me one day, love, aren't you?"

Unable to resist touching him, she ran a hand over his chest. "And you're going to enjoy every second of it."

He hauled her against his body and lowered his nose to where her shoulder met her neck. His words were muffled as he said, "More than anything else."

Wrapping her arms around Nathan's back, she merely enjoyed the moment. So far, everything pointed toward them working as a couple and having a future together. True, it was still early days. And yet, she'd never felt a connection with a man this quickly, or felt so at ease so early.

The real test would be once they returned to the surface. Only then would they find out whether their connection was forged out of necessity, being the only two people in the bunker. Or, if it truly would become more, and maybe one day end in a mate-claim frenzy and Hayley becoming a dragon's mate.