3. Caught Naked

3

Footsteps thumped behind him. Quinlan wrapped one arm protectively around Annie and dashed down the first hallway he came across.

This hallway was narrower—it would not fit Griff's dragon form, much less the wings that had been half-open this entire time.

Annie giggled; Quinlan didn't have time to tell her this wasn't playing.

He skidded around a corner and thundered down the next hallway, taking the next turn that came up.

But the footsteps came closer. Smaller and lighter. Faster.

His heart racing, Quinlan pushed more strength into his legs. But he wasn't his quickest on land.

A solid wall of heat came up behind him, one strong arm sliding around his waist. It yanked Quinlan backward, then pushed him and Annie up against a wall.

Quinlan stopped breathing. When he turned his head, he saw skin. A lot of bare skin.

In fact, he suddenly felt extremely tiny, because the stranger towered over him like a giant, two heads taller, with broad shoulders and biceps so thick, he could probably crush steel.

This had to be Griff in his human form.

"Quinlannn," the giant rumbled. His human voice didn't sound as gravelly as his dragon's. "Where do you think you're going?"

"A-around," Quinlan squeaked. He cleared his throat to make himself sound stronger. "I'm just looking around."

"Really." Griff grasped Quinlan's hip with his other hand and pressed closer, the sheer heat of his body soaking through Quinlan's thin shirt. Except Griff leaned in the next moment, and his soft lips brushed Quinlan's temple. "You were running away."

Quinlan snorted, leaning away so Griff's distracting mouth wasn't on his skin. "You kidnapped us."

"I have brought you to my home to court you. But this means I will have to keep a closer watch."

He grinned, all sharp teeth. This close, Quinlan realized that Griff's eyes were a light hazel, his hair dark and mussed, his face lightly stubbled in a way that complemented his strong jaw.

"Mine," Griff whispered.

"Aaah!" Annie said. She reached up, grabbing Griff's cheeks with her tiny fingers. "Wa!"

She was the worst traitor ever.

"Annie!" Quinlan hissed.

"Awww, you like me!" Griff beamed over Quinlan's shoulder. "Hello, Annie! I am Griff. I'm a big dragon and I roar!"

Annie smacked his nose and grinned.

"Go away," Quinlan muttered. He tried to squirm away from between the wall and Griff's solid muscles, but Griff held him firmly in place.

Except Griff's grip loosened, and a small plastic object pushed into Quinlan's fist, slim and rectangular with a metal tip.

A lighter.

"I found it," Griff murmured proudly in Quinlan's ear, sending a shiver across his scalp.

Damn it! Quinlan scowled. "Why do you have to be... nice?"

Delight filled Griff's face. "Really? You think I'm nice?"

"No."

Griff's brow wrinkled. "I can't tell if you're lying."

"I should hope not."

"I can, though. Most times, I can hear someone's heart, and their pulse tells me if there's a lie."

His confusion had probably occurred because Quinlan couldn't decide if Griff was nice.

Quinlan breathed out slowly. He would have to be very careful with what he told Griff, if he was still pretending that Annie was a dragon. The last thing he wanted was Griff on a rampage.

Before Quinlan could think further, large fingers stole across his chest and slipped under Annie's baby carrier, pressing over his heart.

Quinlan's pulse stumbled. That was too intimate.

"What're you doing?" he hissed, jerking out of Griff's loose embrace.

Then he regretted it, because wow. That was a lot of skin. Even though he was used to seeing plenty when shifters changed from one shape to another.

Just that Griff wasn't just anyone.

He was their kidnapper!

Quinlan scowled and covered Annie's eyes. "Put on some clothes."

Griff raised an eyebrow. But he shrugged and stalked off, and why did his ass have to look so firm and muscular?

"You're not afraid that I'll run again?"

Griff laughed, turning around just in time to see Quinlan snap his gaze up. His expression grew smug. "I can hear you. I'll know where you are."

"Then why did you have to run us down?" Quinlan growled, outraged.

Griff's teeth flashed. "Because it was an invitation to chase you. Didn't you know, fireheart? Never run from a predator if you don't want to be chased."

Quinlan exhaled his frustration. "Damned if I do, damned if I don't."

"Besides, I had to present your gift to you." Griff gestured at the lighter Quinlan had forgotten about.

Quinlan would have to come up with some situations where he made Annie seem like an actual dragon baby. "Don't forget, you're supposed to help me retrieve my stuff from my old apartment before this weekend."

Griff raised an eyebrow. "You said this weekend was fine."

"I changed my mind. The sooner, the better."

Griff grinned. "Demanding. I like that."

Quinlan froze. Not many alpha-types were interested in him, because he was pushy a lot of the time. "Are you sure? That isn't even the worst I can do."

"Lay it on me." Griff gave a happy wriggle.

"You're kidding."

"Nope."

He kidnapped us, Quinlan had to remind himself. He cuddled Annie and stalked away, ever so aware of Griff's heavy gaze on him.

He hid from Griff for the next three hours, wandering around the mansion.

There was a front door.

In fact, there were three stories to the building, which extended out from the other side of the cliff into the forest.

There were plush leather couches, and a generous entertainment center.

There were several guest rooms and some luxurious bathrooms.

There was a massive tub deep enough for a dragon to soak in.

Quinlan found a sauna, a gym, and an entire library.

"I can't believe he can read," he muttered to Annie. "Sure seems like he stepped out of a medieval fairytale."

Someone cackled elsewhere in the mansion. It didn't sound like Griff. But he had to have staff around, with a home this huge.

A... butler? Blade had a butler who seemed to know several other butlers.

In the kitchen, he found the cook, Isabel. Isabel made hot chocolate for him and cooed over Annie. When Quinlan was done with his mug, he went upstairs to a guest room, one that was the furthest away from the caverns.

He nursed Annie and found some towels to serve as temporary diapers. When she'd fallen asleep and the rest of the household seemed quiet, Quinlan deposited her in a small blanket nest on the floor, and slipped out of the bedroom.

He couldn't stop thinking about that pool in the caverns. The one with clean water that promised a good stretch. It had been so, so long since Quinlan had the luxury of swimming without being seen, and...

This was a scouting mission. That was all.

He tiptoed through the dining room into the rocky cavern, the one with the huge blanket nest.

And there, curled into a giant sapphire lump, was Griff, with his snout tucked under his tail and his snoring loud enough to echo off the walls.

Maybe Quinlan should've just run a bath in the massive tub on the other side of the mansion, but that would've taken too long, and it would've been too loud.

He could be quiet going to the caverns.

His eyes adjusted to the darkness as he picked his way to the waterfall pool. His heart thumped.

It smelled so clean here. The water was so fresh, so pure, and Quinlan couldn't help crouching by the pool, dipping his fingers into it.

A full-bodied shiver wracked through him. His legs ached.

He held his breath and listened hard, focusing on Griff's snoring past the waterfall's splashing.

There was time. Maybe he could just... swim for a minute.

Quinlan held his breath and shrugged out of his shirt, the cool cavern air brushing his chest, pebbling his nipples. He took off his shoes and socks. Then he hooked his thumbs into his pants and briefs, and stripped completely.

The water was so close that his entire body thrummed with anticipation.

He took the few steps to the edge of the pool, crouching so he could silently slip into the water.

"Are you putting on a show for me?" a familiar voice rumbled.

Quinlan's heart thumped; he nearly fell into the pool.

He managed to twist around and throw himself onto the stone floor just in time. But his ankle hit the water with a splash, and Quinlan had to fight the urge to shift, the urge to dive in and let his body return to its original shape.

Instead, he folded his legs under himself and pressed his forehead to the cold stone, breathing hard.

It took a while before the urge subsided. His anxiety faded.

Then he realized that all the torches in the cavern were aglow, firelight dancing—

He was bent over on all fours, his ass in the air.

Griff was right behind him, human-shaped and completely naked, his gaze dragging up and down Quinlan's ass.

Quinlan yelped and shoved his hands over his asscrack, slamming his legs shut. But there was no doubt that Griff had already seen his hole.

"I saw your pretty sac, too," Griff groaned. "Small and tight. Just a glimpse of your cock."

Embarrassment burned all the way down Quinlan's chest, pooling in his belly. He rolled onto his side and curled up, before realizing he was giving Griff a full view of everything between his legs.

"Fuck," Griff whispered, wrapping his hand around his hard cock. "Pink and puckered. Just for me."

There was no way that thing would fit inside Quinlan.

"It's too big," Quinlan choked.

Griff grinned. "I told you. That's what all those dildos are for. I'll stretch you open slowly, until you can fit me. You'll feel so good when I'm inside. My big cock massaging you in all the right places."

He stroked himself lazily, his bicep flexing with each tug. His pecs were lush and prominent, his abs defined. His thighs looked powerful, his balls heavy. And his cock... It was flushed, glistening with precum.

Quinlan swallowed hard. He sat up and fumbled his way back to his clothes, shoving his shirt onto his lap because he was growing too hot. Sooner than later, his own cock was going to betray him.

His nipples were leaking slightly, though, milk trickling down his chest.

A groan escaped Griff. "Your nipples are sensitive, aren't they? Will you moan if I suck on them?"

Quinlan whimpered. His nipples tingled and grew hard, leaking more milk. He shoved his forearm over his chest to cover them up. But the milk smeared everywhere, and its sweet scent filled his nose.

"You're so tempting," Griff whispered, closing the distance between them. "Your wet nipples. Waiting for my hot mouth to close around them. Lick over them, tug gently until they're singing with bliss."

Quinlan's breath rushed out. His nipples were sensitive. And he'd never had anyone suck carefully on them, promising pleasure.

"Wh-why are you saying all this?" he asked, his voice breaking. "What do you want?"

Griff slid his tongue over his lips. It looked thicker than a human's, longer. "Tonight? Just to watch you. I want to admire your pretty body. I want you to spread your legs and show me your cock."

Just knowing that Griff was thinking about him there... Quinlan's blood swooped south, and his cock thickened like it was obeying Griff.

"But some other day, I want to pin your legs open and worship your cock ‘til you squirm and shout. ‘Til you're rock-hard and throbbing, and you're coming all over my face."

A moan tore out of Quinlan's lips. He couldn't help it.

Griff's gaze sharpened. "You like that. You want me to make you come so hard."

Quinlan tried to breathe. He shuffled backward, the ground's uneven surface catching against his naked ass. But what was far worse, was the way his cock strained under his shirt, aching for touch.

"I would, you know," Griff murmured, towering over him, the flickering wall sconces throwing his body into a beautiful play of light and shadow. "I'd lick and suck your pretty cock all over, kiss your red tip and taste your precum. And I'll push my fingers inside your hole. Maybe my tail. Fill you up ‘til you beg for my cock."

Quinlan bit his lip so hard, he almost drew blood. He needed to touch himself. But he wouldn't. Not in front of that man.

Griff crouched in front of him, suddenly. He left his legs open; he let his cock jut up, clear droplets trickling down its sides. It smelled musky. It looked so desperate.

Quinlan's mouth went dry.

Griff reached out. Quinlan tensed, but the man only cupped Quinlan's neck lightly, stroking his calloused thumb from the hinge of his jaw down to his collarbone.

"When I get to touch you," Griff whispered, "I'm going to put you on all fours, and spread your legs wide. Open up your tight hole so it's ready for my cock."

The ache grew worse between Quinlan's thighs.

"I'm going to push my cock into your hole, make it all fit. Fuck it in good and deep so you know who you belong to. I'll ruin your ass for anyone else, fireheart. Make you scream so hard, your eyes roll back. And I'll ride your sweet little ass, pound your prostate nonstop."

Quinlan was panting now. He couldn't help shoving his shirt against his cock, just for some pressure to take the edge off.

Griff's pupils were fully dilated. And yet his hand didn't leave Quinlan's throat, his hot, hot thumb tracking the unsteady beat of Quinlan's pulse.

"I have a knot in my dragon form, you know," Griff purred. "I can get it on my human cock in half-shift. It'll fit perfectly against your prostate, lock against it so you won't stop coming. I'll hold you down and fuck you with my knot."

Quinlan came with a moan, right in front of Griff, unable to stop himself.

"Gods, that's it," Griff growled. He wrapped his hand around Quinlan's wrist and drew it aside. Somehow, the shirt went along with Quinlan's hand, leaving his cock completely exposed, cum spurting embarrassingly all over his wrinkled belly.

He managed to close his legs, except Griff caught his knees and held them apart. He held Quinlan exposed, his cum still squirting out of him.

"Oh, gods," Quinlan whispered in mortification, shoving his hands between his legs. "Stop looking!"

"Yeah, you really want my knot," Griff groaned. He released Quinlan's knees and caught his wrists, holding them away from his cock.

Quinlan had stopped coming, but his cock tingled under Griff's heavy gaze, twitching like it wanted to be touched.

"You have such a pretty cock," Griff murmured.

No one had ever called that part of Quinlan pretty, either.

"For how much you don't want to be here, you really want my knot," Griff rumbled, raking his gaze up and down Quinlan's sensitive length, leaving his skin tingling. And in a low whisper, "I bet your tight little hole is completely wet for me."

Quinlan's entrance squeezed. He wanted to be mad, he wanted to hide himself again.

Except no one had ever looked at him with such intense desire.

Griff made him feel attractive. Wanted.

I've gone insane. He kidnapped me.

The man released one of Quinlan's hands. And he scooped some of Quinlan's cum off the floor, licking it off his fingertips.

"Why the hell would you do that?" Quinlan squawked.

"I would've sucked it right out of you," Griff pointed out. "And swallowed it all."

He rolled Quinlan's cum all over the inside of his mouth, his eyelids fluttering shut like he was enjoying it. Quinlan stared.

When Griff opened his eyes, he scooped the rest of the white streaks off the floor and smeared it onto his own cock, using it as lube as he jerked off slowly.

That's my cum he just put on his cock!

Quinlan gulped. His brain was no longer working. "I-I'm going."

Griff grinned. "I'm not stopping you."

Quinlan's limbs felt heavy. His eyeballs felt heavy too, apparently, because he couldn't drag them off Griff's cock.

Griff pumped himself slowly, thick fingers sliding from base to tip. He flicked his thumb over his cockhead and began thrusting into his fist, rough strokes that made Quinlan's hole quiver.

Griff licked his lips and angled his cock down, showing Quinlan every inch of it. "It's so fucking hard for you," Griff whispered. "Aching to push inside."

Quinlan almost let him. He shouldn't.

"Th-that's it, I'm going," he blurted, stumbling to his feet.

He grabbed his clothes and barely managed not to fall into the pool, hurrying unsteadily out of the cavern with Griff's quiet groans in his ears.

It was only when he was halfway up the stairs, far away from the tension in the cavern, that he realized what he'd done with Griff.

He hadn't even been a prisoner for a full day.

"Gods, I suck," Quinlan hissed at himself.

He owed it to Annie to get them out of here.