Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Thorn found me seated on the edge of the bed still deep in those same thoughts. So deep, in fact, that I was startled when he closed the door behind him. I whipped my head up and found him strolling toward me.

"You look pensive," he mused as he took a seat beside me.

I looked him over with a curious expression. "Helen was telling me that some brides get powers."

Thorn closed his eyes but nodded. "ah."

"Then it's true?"

He nodded. "It is. The brides of we dragon lords develop unusual skills that no human, or even dragon, possesses."

I lifted an eyebrow. "How?"

Thorn shook his head. "Nobody is quite sure, but the general guess is that the mixing of the blood creates a magic that ensures its lasting effect. That is, the powers are generally of a protective nature in order to protect both the bride and her dragon."

I leaned in closer. "So there's not just being able to sense auras?"

He lifted his chin slightly and furrowed his brow. "Each power is unique to the bride. I recall one of the brides being able to cast a protective shield about her husband and her, and another can create a false skin of stone from the rocks around her and cover both their bodies with the armor."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

He studied my face, searching for something. "I didn't want to sway your decision by tempting you with a mere bauble, as it were. I desired for you to join me only because of me and nothing else."

I stared ahead for a moment before I reached into my pocket and drew out my fisted hand. Thorn watched as I opened my fingers and revealed the chosen stone he had given me. I held it out to him. "If I drink your blood, could I still use this?"

He pursed his lips before he nodded. "You could."

"What would happen to you? I mean, if I did drink your blood and return to my world."

Thorn turned his face away from me. "I would suffer the fate of many dragons who have lost their brides."

My heart felt as though someone squeezed it. "You'd die?"

"Or lose my mind only to be killed by my own kind."

"There's no other path for you?" I persisted.

Thorn closed his eyes. "What path do you see for me?"

I scooted a little closer to him and shook my head. "I-I don't know. Maybe live with Torch and his wife? They're very nice."

A bitter chuckle escaped him. "They are truly kind, but no friendship runs as deep as the bond between a dragon and his bride."

"But if I didn't drink your blood, you could find someone else?" I asked him.

He studied me with a gentle expression. "You think so little of yourself that you believe I could replace you?"

I shrugged. "I guess. I mean, there are a lot of other women in the world."

Thorn shook his head. "No bride can ever be replaced. They can only be mourned."

My heart fell and I looked down at my cupped hands that held the chosen stone. The rock gave off a gentle glow that was matched by its warmth. A deep sigh escaped me before I smiled up at him. "You know, even if I did go back I know things there wouldn't be the same for me. Seeing things you didn't know existed changes a girl, and I think knowing what I know now would make my old life a little, well, bleak. Boring." I cupped one of his cheeks in my palm. "And very, very lonely."

His eyes searched my face. "You're sure about this?"

I tossed the stone onto the bed before I leaned up and pressed my lips against his mouth. I had a treat when I pulled away. For the first time since I'd known him, Thorn had a completely shocked look on his face. The look made me burst into laughter.

"I really wish I had my phone right now," I commented between chortles.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and his eyes glowed with a fiery, gleeful light. "Then you'll truly stay?"

I laughed again and clapped my hands on his shoulders. "How many times do I have to say it for you to believe it?"

Will swooped down and captured my lips in a long, passionate kiss. Heat swelled up within me and covered my body in a delicious warmth. I drew away to catch my breath and found him staring hungrily at me. The heat inside me pooled between my legs as he drew my front against his. I felt a distinct bulge in his pants.

A blush accented my cheeks, but I reached up and cupped one of his cheeks in my palm. "You really know how to make a girl feel wanted, you know that?"

A crooked, toothy grin slipped onto his lips. "I try."

We embraced in another long, passionate kiss. One of his hands trailed up and down the curve of my side, igniting within me more of that sensual heat. I moaned into our kiss and he growled in response. His curious hand dipped beneath my shirt and brushed against the hard cloth that covered my breast. I leaned into his touch and sighed.

He drew away and pressed hot kisses down my neck. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes as I was swallowed by the carnal desire rising within me. He leaned me backward and spread me on the bed below him. His breaths came in hot pants as he looked me over with brilliant, hungry eyes. I squirmed beneath his gaze, eager for more of his warm touches.

He brushed his hand up the outer side of my leg. His touch was tender, teasing. It thrilled and annoyed me. But two could play at that game.

I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it over my head, revealing my swollen, heaving breasts. His eyes widened and his teeth lengthened into something more akin to fangs. I drew my hands down my body and coyly smiled at him. "Take me," I whispered as I pushed out my breasts. "We both want it."

A low, deep growl emanated from him. He swooped down and latched our lips together in a firm, possessive kiss. His hands deftly worked off my bra and soon he cupped one of them in his strong hand. He massaged my needy mound of flesh, eliciting small mews of approval from me.

Will sat up and flung aside his shirt and pants. I stared in appreciation at his thick, throbbing manhood. My own pants were soon tossed and he draped himself over me. His hot shaft teased my wet entrance, but he more play in him. He rubbed his manhood between my lips and I gasped as he stroked the bundle of nerves hidden there. I grasped his arms and tried to keep my head as I swam in a sea of pleasure.

A crooked, toothy grin slid onto his lips and he slowed his strokes. I whimpered and squirmed beneath him. His voice was now a feral growl. "Tell me how much you want this."

"So badly," I gasped.

He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. A faint drizzle of something warm dripped onto my lips. "Now show me how much you want this."

I looked up to find his mouth slightly bleeding. He'd bitten his own lower lip. I understood now. The union between dragon and mate.

I sat up and pressed our lips together in a long, warm kiss. His blood slipped down my throat as smooth as water and as delicious as nectar. I couldn't get enough of that sweet flavor. My body flowed with hot, sensual power that left me aching for more.

Will pressed me against the bed and broke our kiss to position himself in front of my folds. I was awash in pleasure as he slid inside me, penetrating me as far as he could go. He pulled out and thrust back into me, each long hard stroke causing a wave of delicious heat to flow through me. My vision blurred as carnal lust took over. There was only him penetrating me again and again, the heat rising inside my body.

My tongue flicked out and lapped up the droplets of blood on my lips, causing a spasm of orgasm to shiver through me. Will grunted as my walls pressed tightly against him. He grasped my hips and quickened his speed. Our bodies slapped together as my moans grew louder. I didn't care who heard me. All I cared about was reaching that promised peak of orgasm. That sweet taste wasn't enough. I needed more.

"Faster," I pleaded as I arched into his thrusts. "Take me. Oh God, just take me."

Will growled and pumped into me. I held onto his arms as my body trembled. A wide smile stretched across my face as I felt the first rumblings of peak pleasure. I leaned up and brushed my lips against his ear.

"Yes," I whispered as I stroked the back of his head. "More. Give me more."

He growled and pinned me tight against the bed. His hips moved faster than I could keep up and an explosion of pleasure ran through me. My body jerked and twitched as orgasm after orgasm took me.

He soon came, spilling his seed into my womb before he collapsed beside me. His arms wrapped around me and drew him close against his chest. A gentle warmth enveloped and I slipped into a blissful sleep.