Chapter 25

25

C reed

I toss the last of the bags into the back of the car. I'm excited to get home. I feel like a kid on Christmas day. I know that Octavia isn't staying for good, but at least we can enjoy the next few days together. Then I'll decide what to do with my life. For now, I need… Well, I need her and nothing much else. The world can wait for a while.

I start to open the door to my Jeep but pause for a moment. I also need to go to see my folks before they find out I'm back. When do they clean my house? It looks like it happens on the regular. They'll be hurt if they find out I came back and didn't go to them first. I owe them, big time. I know they will have missed me. My mother cried at my sentencing. It tore me up.

Having said that, speaking to them can wait a couple of hours; actually, it can wait until tomorrow. I've just turned the key in the ignition when someone knocks on my window.

I push a button to lower it.

"Creed. I thought it was you. It's good to see you." It's a male. I can't remember his name right off the bat. I did some work for him a few months before I was sent to live in the jungle. It was one of my weekend gigs while gearing up to start my own business.

"Din." His name comes to me out of nowhere. I did their waterproofing and fixed their roof. Din lives with three other males. He is smiling broadly at me. I wasn't sure how people would react to seeing me back, but so far, they've been great. "It's good to see you, too." His smile broadens.

The male at the checkout recognized me as well. He took my hand and pumped it enthusiastically.

Yep, I really need to let Levi and my folks know that I am back. Someone is bound to see me and tell them I'm home.

"Are you still running your construction business? Because if you are, our house needs work. It's a big project this time; we want to build on. The four of us mated the most beautiful female, and we're expecting our first baby." He looks excited.

"That's wonderful, Din. I'm so happy for you. Can I call you in a couple of days? I would love to quote you for the work." Does this mean I'm staying? I think it might. I feel both nervous and excited at the prospect.

"Absolutely. It's good to see you." He raps on the side of my car twice and then walks away, shifting as he does.

I pull away, heading home. I might just spend a few weeks in my human skin after being in the jungle for so long. Besides, shifting right now would hurt like a bitch with these broken ribs. I was thrilled when my car started. It was unexpected. Perhaps Levi took her out for a spin from time to time to keep the engine going. Come to think of it, my Jeep wasn't as dusty as it should have been, so I think that might be it. I really have to thank my family for all they have done for me.

Right now, I put her in gear and head out. It doesn't take me long to get home and to get the bags inside. I'm busy packing everything away when I hear someone clear their throat behind me. Not just anyone…it's Octavia. I turn and almost swallow my tongue.

Fuck me!

I make a small noise of desperation as my eyes track her body. She's wearing one of my button-down shirts, only it isn't buttoned at all. It's open. Her breasts look lush and soft. Full and tipped with tight pink nipples that call to me as they tighten further. I want to suck on them. I want to fuck them. I want to fuck her mouth, too. Her lips are plump and taste like her…amazing. Everything about her is utterly feminine and calls to me in every way.

I swallow thickly as I look down at the juncture of her thighs. I can scent her pussy. It makes my mouth water for another taste.

"I think you promised to come inside me," the little minx tells me; her voice is husky. Then she bites down on her lower lip and turns, walking up the stairs, her hips swaying seductively.

I groan, watching, my mouth practically on the floor.

Like a male possessed, I grab the box of condoms from one of the bags on the counter, and I run after her. I think I might be drooling. My cock feels huge. My balls tight. I don't think I've ever wanted to be inside someone more than in this moment.

I open the box, pulling out a strip of foil.

"Holy fuck," I groan as I reach the bedroom and catch a look at her.

Octavia is sitting on the edge of my bed; the shirt is spread wide, her legs too. Her pussy is pink and glistening. Her tits are high, looking just as soft as I know they feel.

My mouth goes dry.

"Where do you want me?" she asks.

"On the end of my dick," I choke out.

She giggles, her breasts jiggling, and I almost cream myself like a schoolboy.

"No, I mean, where on the bed? What position? On my back? My knees?"

I rip my shirt as I pull it from my body. "Yes," I growl.

She laughs again. "Which one? Unless you want a blow job? I could get onto my knees?"

I yank down my jeans, toeing off my boots. "I want all of it…but right now, I need to be inside you." I rip open a condom, unrolling it over my cock in one swift move.

Then I throw the box on the bed next to her.

Octavia picks it up. "Thirty-six bareback condoms." She lifts her brows. "You bought these for a week?"

"I'll get more," I say as I stalk toward her.

She laughs. "I'm sure thirty-six will be enough."

"We'll see," I rasp.

She licks her lips, her eyes darkening. They turn more gray than blue. She's so damned beautiful.

I'm vibrating with need as I go down on my knees in front of her. I thread my fingers through her hair and pull her down to me, devouring her sweet mouth.

"I'll try to be gentle," I say against her lips.

"Don't. I liked it rough."

She's after my heart. I swear she is. My dragon is back at the fore, and once again, he wants me to claim her. To mark her. He is pissed at the condom.

Breed female.

Breed her!

Mate!

Mine.

I've tried to tell him that it isn't possible, but he doesn't care about logic. He wants her, this pint-sized human. He wants me to put my seed inside her. To fill her up.

Whelps.

Make whelps.

Mark, now!

I ignore him, holding onto my control by a thread.

Octavia scoots back on the bed, and I follow, covering her with my body. I put my weight mainly on my left elbow, ignoring the burn in my ribs. I pull her legs up my body and find her nub with my finger. I start rubbing.

Her eyes go wide, and she makes a choked noise, which turns into breathy pants. I push a finger inside her, and she cries out. She's dripping wet. I pump my finger in and out of her a few times, sure to hit her spot. Her eyes roll back. She's already close. So fucking responsive.

I take my finger out, then bring it to my mouth to savor her taste. I groan at the flavor; it is like sweet nectar, exotic and delicious. My cock swells more. My dragon goes nuts inside me.

"How is that sexy?" she moans. "You're licking up my juices like it's candy. It should be weird, but it turns me on."

"It should. You taste divine. Are you ready for me?"

She nods.

"Good. I might change a little like last time. Get a few scales and—"

"I saw them." She doesn't look too sure.

"I'm sorry. I'm so damned tied in knots. I can't help my dragon side. If it worries you, I can take you from behind." I pause. "I'm just so turned on. So far gone. I promise I'll stay in control; I won't hurt you. It's—"

She smiles. "I'm fine. I don't mind. Your dragon is part of who you are, as long as you don't shift."

I laugh softly. "That won't happen, but my dick might swell inside you when I come."

"I can take it. I want you." She squirms underneath me. "I'm ready."

I put my finger back on her clit and strum it for a few seconds. Her eyes widen, and she moans deeply, throwing her head back, giving me her throat.

My dragon wants me to bite her.

Fuck!

I look away as I line up with her opening, then I plunge into her tight heat with one hard thrust.

Octavia yells, her body tightening around me, squeezing me so tight, it hurts a little. It's a good kind of pain.

I wait until she relaxes. Until she starts to breathe. Then I start to move. Slow and steady at first, allowing her body to adjust. My thrusts grow faster with each passing moment as the dragon within me demands more.

Take.

Have.

Mine.

Of course he wants her; what's not to want…to crave? I force myself to slow down. To enjoy this moment. We won't have many.

The noises she makes drive me insane. Her softness beneath me does, too. I lean down and suckle on her nipple. Octavia moans some more. Her fingers dig into my back. The heels of her feet do, too.

I roll us over so that she is on top of me. I grunt as I do, reminded once again of my damned ribs. The pain is momentary; as she sinks down on my cock, it subsides. Her eyes are hazy with need. I know she's close. I want to watch her take what she needs from me. Sliding up and down on my cock as she rides me. Her tits bounce in time with her movements. Swaying and bouncing as she fucks me. I hold her hips, pushing into her from below, making sure I find her G-spot.

When I do, her eyes widen, and she makes a throaty noise. Then she throws her head back and comes all over my dick. Her pussy tightens like a vise, turning slick as she lets go on a loud wail that has my balls landing in my throat.

I promised myself that I would bring her to orgasm at least twice before coming myself, but that all goes to hell in a handbasket. I roar as I come, fucking her hard from below. Octavia gives as good as I do; she pushes down on me, making keening noises as she continues to come.

My teeth sharpen. I'm sure I pop a scale or two, but I don't care. I'm glad I'm nowhere near her throat, or I'd mark her.

When I feel control return, I roll her onto her back again, my thrusts slowing. My grunts are just as loud. I'm shuddering. She is too. Her eyes are closed. Her mouth is open. Her gasps are loud and music to my ears as I drag every last bit of pleasure from her.

I have shock waves of pleasure going up and down my spine. My cock is still hard. I'm nowhere near done. I force myself to pull out of her. She's a human. They need time to recover. I've watched human sex; it's tame compared to us shifters.

Then I get up and dispose of the condom, getting back in bed and gathering her into my arms.

Octavia is still panting hard. "Good thing you bought the big box…of condoms." She cracks her eyes open and gives me a lazy smile.

I lean in and kiss her. "You've got five minutes, and we're doing that again."

She chuckles in a husky way that has my skin tightening. Then she laughs harder. "You mean it. You're not joking."

I shake my head. "Shifters have a lot of stamina."

"You sure do."

I think she was referring to the sex we just had. I'll show her what stamina is. That was nothing.

"Tell me something about yourself. I realized earlier that I don't know that much about you." I pull some of her hair behind her ear. "I mean, I told you my broken-hearted tale of woe and despair. You know I have parents and a brother. You know a whole lot. All I know is that you have an ex-boyfriend and that you're a shitty helicopter pilot."

"Heeey." She chokes out a laugh, slapping the side of my arm. "I only had ten lessons. You need forty to get your license. It's much harder than it looks."

I chuckle softly, holding my ribs. "I can well imagine," I choke out.

Her eyes flare. "Shit, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm good."

"That's what you always say, but I've come to learn that you talk shit when it comes to how you're really feeling."

"I swear I'm good. Now tell me already. How long did you date your ex? You said you never lived together."

"Nope. We started dating in our senior year. We were together for about three years, give or take a month or two."

"Why did you break up?"

"My mother died suddenly from a brain aneurysm."

"Oh, no!" I run a hand through my hair. "I'm so fucking sorry. When?"

"A year and a half ago. Just before Christmas. She was decorating the tree and fell down dead. The doctor said she was gone before she even hit the ground." Her eyes well with tears. She blinks a few times, sniffing. I wait until she pulls herself together.

"It was a terrible time. It was so unexpected. My mother was young and full of life. We were close. I'm an only child. They say that tragedy will either bring you closer together or pull you apart. For Joshua and me, it was the latter."

"He broke up with you because you were sad and hurting? Is that what you're saying?" My voice is gruff. I sit up a little in bed, my eyes on her.

"No…I mean, he was great about it at first – very supportive and understanding – but I think he got tired of me being in such a bad place. He tried, but—"

"Not hard enough. You lost your mother."

She smiles at me, looking at me in a way that has my heart feeling funny. Maybe it's my chest…my ribs, yep, it's my injured ribs. Octavia keeps looking at me in that way.

"What?" I narrow my eyes.

"You're a nice guy. You're not as big and gruff as you make yourself out to be."

"I am! I'm strong and—"

She giggles, going up on her elbows, leaning in and kissing me. "You're strong, too. And brave. You were willing to die for me. No one has ever been willing to do that for me."

"It was the honorable thing to do."

"I don't need any more time." She kisses me again, harder and deeper this time. "I'm ready now." She bites on my lip, making me groan.

"You shouldn't bite a shifter."

"Why? I was just being…trying to be sexy. Don't you like it?"

"You are sexy. You don't have to try. Biting is mating behavior."

"Oh! Crap! Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"I know. I thought I should tell you, since it is the second time you have bitten me. We will be as good as engaged if you do it again."

"Holy shit! You're right. I won't do it again. Shit! I didn't know."

I grab a condom, rip it open, and roll it over my length. "You sure you don't need a minute or two more?"

"I'm very sure." Her voice is husky. "I'm ready." Her cheeks are flushed. Her eyes are hazy. Her lips are puffy. "I want to do that again."

"You really are after my heart," I joke, but it comes out sounding serious.

She stiffens under me.

"I'm teasing," I say as I pull back. "I know you're leaving soon. I know this is just fucking. I get it. I promise."

She smiles. It doesn't quite reach her eyes. Then she wraps her legs around me, and I forget everything as I lose myself in her.