Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

As soon as they entered, Keegan's room, Jaron made a beeline for Keegan's desk and picked up the empty bottle of blood that sat on top of it.

"You did drink my blood!" he exclaimed, whirling around to face Keegan with a smile that made Keegan want to undress him and cover his body with his own.

Keegan held himself back, however. "I did," he admitted, doing his best to keep his expression neutral in spite of the fact that he had the object of his desire in his bedroom.

"So you know," Jaron said with a triumphant glow in his warm eyes. "Did you like it?"

Keegan suppressed a sigh, hating that he was going to have to disappoint Jaron. He had liked the blood, and it had made him see wonderful things… but it hadn't changed how things were going to end between them.

He sat on his bed and looked at Jaron. "I have seen things," he said, "that make all of this complicated."

"Complicated how?" Jaron's brows knitted together in confusion.

Keegan wasn't sure how to tell him—or how much to tell him. He had spent most of the day trying to decide. Spilling too much about the future to other people always carried a certain risk.

"I can't tell you," he said.

"You've got to tell me something," Jaron insisted. "That's why you asked me to come here." He paused, thinking. "So bad shit is going to happen if we get together? Is that what you're saying? Why you're being so resistant?" He looked miserable at the idea, and Keegan's heart ached at the sight of his mate in distress.

Already, the instinct to take care of Jaron, to protect him from harm, was strong. Ridiculously so.

It was because of all those visions he'd had—as if he'd lived through their entire life together in the span of one night.

How strange was it, to be guided by memories of things that hadn't even happened yet?

"Sit with me," Keegan said, patting the empty space beside him.

Jaron didn't hesitate.

No surprise there.

He didn't leave any space between them either, and Keegan didn't make himself inch away from the shifter. He didn't want to.

Instead, he rested his hand on top of Jaron's, meeting the dragon's gaze. "Not everything I saw was bad," he said, hoping the notion might console Jaron. "In fact, most of it wasn't bad."

"How much did you see?"

Keegan glanced at the empty bottle on his desk. He wanted to be truthful with Jaron, at least as far as that was possible. "After I drank your blood, the visions just kept coming, kind of like an avalanche. I saw the two of us living together. Different versions of our future, but all of them were happy."

Jaron listened closely. "But then why…?"

Keegan closed his eyes for a beat. "I've been aware of the bad thing for a lot longer. It was the very first vision I ever had." That alone should signify its importance. "It's not just bad." He looked at Jaron. "It's catastrophic. It would destroy you and me both."

That was all the detail he could give. He hoped it would be enough, that Jaron would believe him.

Jaron's brow furrowed, his grip tightening on Keegan's hand. "It was only a vision, though. There's no guarantee it'll come to pass. I've looked into it. Divination isn't an exact science."

Normally, Keegan would have had to agree.

But this one vision… it was different from the others. Keegan saw no way around it—and he'd looked for years. "If you believe that you and I are fated, you must believe that some events are fated to happen as well."

"If that's the case," Jaron shot back, "won't it happen whether we get together or not?"

He had a valid point there, but still… "I don't want to give up that easily."

"But you are giving up." Jaron's tone sharpened with a hint of accusation. "You're so scared of something that hasn't even happened yet you won't give us a chance." His brown eyes narrowed.

Keegan's heart clenched. Why wouldn't Jaron understand? "You haven't seen what I've seen."

"I don't care what you've seen," Jaron said brusquely. "I care about what's happening right now, and that's you rejecting me because you're scared."

"It's you I'm scared for," Keegan defended himself.

If it was only his own death at stake, Keegan would have taken the risk. He would have chosen to enjoy whatever time he had with Jaron, living the life his good visions had promised him, a life full of love, laughter, and mutual affection. He would have taken care of Jaron and cherished him for as long as he could.

He wanted that so badly his throat tightened when he thought of denying them both that simple happiness.

But he knew how things would end not only for him but also for Jaron.

The dragon shifter he saw in his vision…

He never wanted Jaron to turn into that man.

Keegan didn't care if he died in exchange for loving Jaron, but he couldn't let his death tear Jaron apart.

He'd seen his tears, the pain on his face. This gentle dragon would not survive killing his mate.

"What are you talking about?" Jaron asked. "Don't try to tell me that you're rejecting me for my sake. That's the lamest excuse ever." A defiant sort of anger sparked in his warm eyes, a fierce intensity that demanded all of Keegan's attention. "The future doesn't scare me," he declared, voice low and rough with emotion. "The only thing that scares me is losing you before I even have a chance to love you."

"Jaron…" Keegan whispered, his hand coming up to cup the shifter's face in spite of himself.

He wasn't prepared for so much insistence from Jaron.

He'd figured he'd tell Jaron that things would end tragically and Jaron would accept that they had no future together and that would be that.

Jaron, it seemed, had not gotten that memo.

"You're my mate," Jaron said, his own hand closing around Keegan's wrist. "I don't know how vampires feel about their mates, but as a dragon, I can't ignore that." He laughed. It was a short, almost breathless sound. "I'm not much of a dragon in any other way but this. For the first time in my life, I think my inner beast and I are in total agreement. We're going to keep you."

Keegan didn't know how to respond to that.

It seemed no matter what he said, nothing was going to change Jaron's mind. Nothing was going to dissuade him.

Maybe that was why Keegan's vision had always seemed so damn inevitable. There wasn't any timeline in which Keegan could fend off Jaron's advances.

Damn him for being a treasure-hoarding dragon.

Damn Keegan for being his treasure.

Jaron's thumb rubbed over the inside of Keegan's wrist, a slow caress that made Keegan's skin tingle. "What do I need to do," he said in a soft whisper that sent shivers through Keegan's body, "to convince you to give us a chance?"

Keegan's mind raced, his thoughts scattering in every direction.

He still didn't know how to respond, caught in Jaron's gaze, in his grip. He could have tried to wrench himself free. His strength was nothing compared to a dragon's, but he wasn't powerless.

He didn't have to let Jaron corner him like this.

But he was starting to understand that Jaron was going to stop at nothing to claim him.

His thumb continued to rub against Keegan's wrist, and Keegan wanted more than that. He knew all the reasons he shouldn't give in to his desires, and yet…

"I know you want me," Jaron said. A small, confident smile graced his lips at Keegan's hesitation to reject him again. It was a knowing, teasing smile that made Keegan weak with affection. "We both want this," Jaron said. "Why fight it?"

"Because you'll regret it," Keegan breathed, but he was losing ground.

"No," Jaron insisted, moving his face closer to Keegan's, still with that easy smile, his breath warm on Keegan's lips. "I'll never regret this." He leaned in, closing the last bit of distance between them, and captured Keegan's lips in a kiss.

Keegan's resolve shattered like glass.

This dragon was too much for him.

How had he ever thought he could win a battle of wills against a creature that valued nothing more than claiming what was theirs?

He didn't resist the press of Jaron's mouth against his—couldn't resist the temptation.

Jaron was not the only one who felt the pull of fate between them. Keegan had tried to fight it, but in the end, Jaron was right; Keegan wanted him like he'd never wanted anything.

Keegan sighed into the kiss, his lips parting to let Jaron's tongue slide against his own. The dragon tasted as sweet as his blood had, and he smelled like a crackling fire, like a warm summer's day, his skin radiating heat everywhere they touched, as if he was a miniature sun. Except that he wasn't lethal to Keegan.

Not yet, anyway.

The thought and the sense of foreboding that came with it were swept away when Jaron's hand released Keegan's wrist to wrap around the back of his neck instead, holding him close as he deepened the kiss. His other arm snaked around Keegan's waist, pulling their bodies flush together as if he was still afraid that Keegan might try to pull away.

Keegan was too busy keeping his mind from spinning, overwhelmed by the sensations of being so close to his mate.

Reality was more intense than his visions had been.

It had been a while since he'd been with anyone, and no one had ever made him feel quite like this. Dizzy with need and desire, aching to be touched.

Craving more.

His fingers curled into the fabric of Jaron's shirt as his fangs dropped without his input.

Fuck. He wanted blood.

His ears focused on the sound of Jaron's heart pumping his blood through his veins and his teeth itched to get a taste as if he was a primitive animal who could not control his urges.

Jaron made a low, approving sound in his throat as if he understood and approved.

Keegan hesitated for a moment longer, his fangs still extended, his body trembling with the effort to hold himself back. He knew he shouldn't do this, knew that drinking from Jaron would only make it that much harder to hold back in the future, but Jaron's blood called to him like a siren's song, and he was powerless to resist.

With a low groan, he sank his fangs into Jaron's neck, piercing the soft skin and letting the rich, heady taste of the dragon's blood flood his mouth.

Jaron gasped, his fingers tightening in Keegan's hair, but he didn't pull away. If anything, he seemed to melt against Keegan, his body going pliant and soft, offering himself up to Keegan's hunger.

As soon as the blood hit Keegan's tongue, the visions started.

He saw glimpses of himself and Jaron, tangled together in bed, naked and lost in each other. He saw Jaron's face, flushed with pleasure, his eyes half-lidded and dark with desire.

He saw them walking hand in hand through a moonlit park, Jaron's laughter ringing out like music. He saw them curled up on the couch together, Jaron's head resting on his chest as they watched a movie, content and at peace.

He saw a thousand moments of happiness, big and small. Lazy evenings spent in bed, kisses stolen in the shadows.

And then, just as quickly as they had come, the visions faded, leaving Keegan breathless and aching with longing, the taste of Jaron still on his tongue.

He pulled back from Jaron's neck, licking the last drops of blood from his lips. Jaron was watching him with heavy-lidded eyes, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.

"Fuck," he said, rubbing his neck. "Now I'm really horny."

Before Keegan could respond, he found himself pinned to the mattress by a very eager dragon. Jaron's lips were on his, kissing him with a desperate hunger that sent Keegan's mind spinning all over again. His hands slid under Keegan's shirt, his warm touch a stark contrast to the coolness of Keegan's skin.

"I hope you didn't joke about keeping lube around," he murmured against Keegan's lips.

"You didn't bring your own after all?"Keegan laughed, struggling to keep his mind functional under the onslaught of sensation—under the onslaught of all these goddamn emotions this cheeky dragon evoked in him. Affection, lust, the desire to protect, to love, to cherish him with all his heart.

Jaron shifted on top of him, bringing their groins in contact, pressing his hardness against Keegan's own. "You know what? This might be the first time ever that I regret not wearing a loincloth."

"Your pants getting uncomfortable?"

"Yeah." Jaron rolled his hips, drawing an involuntary moan from Keegan's lips. "I'd say yours are too," he added, leaning down to rest his forehead against Keegan's. His breath was hot as it brushed Keegan's skin.

Keegan reached up and tangled his fingers in Jaron's hair, pulling him into another kiss. He couldn't help himself. No amount of wisdom, plotting, scheming or future knowledge could keep him from wanting this dragon and all the happiness they could create for themselves.

He'd let his caution drop for one moment, and now he was caught.

Jaron's hand slid under Keegan's shirt, exploring the planes of his chest and stomach, and Keegan arched into the touch with a low moan. He tugged at Jaron's shirt in return, wanting to feel the dragon's skin against his own.

"Want this gone?" Jaron teased, pulling back just enough to yank his shirt over his head and toss it aside.

Keegan's breath caught in his throat at the sight of Jaron's bare chest, all smooth golden skin. He reached out to run his hands over the expanse of it, marveling at the heat that radiated from Jaron's body.

Why did he hide that under baggy clothes?

"It's a crime that you wear so much fabric all the time," Keegan said, touching. "Look at you."

Jaron grinned, preening a little under the attention. "You wear just as much fabric," he said, tugging at Keegan's shirt. "Let me see you."

Keegan sat up just enough to pull his own shirt off, tossing it in the same direction as Jaron's. He felt a flicker of self-consciousness as Jaron's gaze raked over his pale, lean form, but it was quickly chased away by the heat in the dragon's eyes.

"Fuck, you're gorgeous," Jaron breathed, leaning down to press a trail of kisses along Keegan's collarbone.

"If you're into pale skin, I guess."

"Never seen anything hotter," Jaron insisted.

Keegan huffed a laugh, even as Jaron pinned him back down to the bed and reached for the zipper of his pants.

"Impatient," Keegan murmured, but he made no move to stop Jaron. Instead, he lifted his hips to help the dragon free him from the confines of his pants.

They had become uncomfortable.

Keegan's cock was hard and aching for attention by the time Jaron freed him from his underwear with a low whistle and a hungry gaze.

Keegan would have called himself average, but Jaron obviously liked what he saw, and he wasted no time in getting his hands on the object of his desires.

"Jaron," Keegan gasped out, his fingers digging into the dragon's shoulders as Jaron's fist closed around his cock, pumping him as if he wanted to drive every thought from Keegan's brain while sealing his lips with a kiss.

Keegan nipped at Jaron's bottom lip, enjoying the way the dragon groaned into his mouth. He could feel the heat of Jaron's body seeping into his own, warming him from the inside out. It was a heady feeling, being this close to his mate, and Keegan knew he was in danger of losing himself completely.

But he couldn't let that happen. Not yet.

He knew how dragons claimed their mates, knew that if he let Jaron take him now, there would be no going back. Their bond would be sealed, and Keegan wasn't ready for that.

He couldn't make that kind of commitment when he didn't yet know how to avoid tragedy.

"Jaron," he huffed out, a little more firmly.

The dragon looked at him. "What?"

"Move," Keegan said. He grabbed the shifter's sides and tried to roll them over so he could be on top.

Jaron wouldn't budge, though. "But I like being on top of you," he said with a smirk.

Keegan was physically weaker than a dragon, but he had other talents.

He let his hands roam the dragon's back, feeling the ridges of his spine and the powerful wings that sprouted from the base of his shoulder blades. Jaron's tail twitched as Keegan's fingertips brushed the area where skin turned into scales.

He knew from his visions how sensitive Jaron's wings were, knew that just the lightest touch could drive the dragon wild.

And sure enough, as soon as Keegan's fingers brushed against the soft, leathery skin, Jaron let out a choked moan, eyes fluttering closed.

Keegan dug his fingers into the base of Jaron's wings, right where they met his back, and Jaron's body went rigid above Keegan's.

"Fuck," he panted. "What are you doing?"

Keegan smirked, using Jaron's momentary distraction to his advantage. He surged up, flipping them over so that he was the one straddling Jaron's hips, his hands braced on either side of Jaron's head.

"Making you feel good," he said, leaning down to capture Jaron's lips in a searing kiss.

Jaron moaned into his mouth, his hands coming up to grip Keegan's hips, his fingers digging into the flesh hard enough to bruise. Keegan enjoyed the sensation, the sharp sting of pain mixed with the heady pleasure of Jaron's touch.

He ground his hips down against Jaron's, feeling the hard length of him through the fabric of his pants. Jaron bucked up to meet him, his breath coming in harsh pants as they moved together, the friction delicious and maddening all at once.

Keegan grinned and pushed Jaron's pants down just enough to free his cock, letting out an appreciative hum at the sight of it. Jaron was thick and long, his shaft flushed and leaking precum. Keegan's mouth watered at the thought of tasting him.

He gave Jaron's cock a few firm strokes, relishing the way Jaron's hips jerked up into his touch. The dragon was already panting, his chest heaving with each breath.

"You like that?" Keegan murmured, leaning down to press a teasing kiss to the tip.

Jaron let out a strangled sound, his fingers tightening in the sheets. "Keegan…"

Keegan smiled before taking Jaron into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the head. He loved the weight of Jaron's cock on his tongue, the musky taste of him. He took Jaron deeper, hollowing his cheeks as he bobbed his head.

Jaron cursed loudly, his hips jerking up despite his obvious effort to hold still. Keegan could feel the tremors running through his body, could hear the harsh pants falling from his lips. He looked up at Jaron through his lashes, meeting the dragon's heated gaze.

Jaron's pupils were blown wide with lust, his face flushed. He was gorgeous like this, all carnal desire.

Keegan wanted to possess him—and not just sexually. He wanted to claim this dragon as his own forever, to keep him by his side for as long as he was alive.

It was a dangerous desire, and one he couldn't afford to indulge. But as Jaron's hands tangled in his hair, urging him on, it was hard to remember all the reasons he was supposed to resist.

He wanted to bite Jaron again. He wanted to fuck him and bite him at the same time, turn Jaron into his.

He wanted that bad.

He pulled off Jaron's cock with a lewd pop, giving it a few more firm strokes. Jaron whined at the loss of Keegan's mouth, his hips chasing the friction as Keegan nipped at the column of his throat, unable to resist the urge to mark him. He trailed a path of stinging kisses down to Jaron's collarbone, relishing the way Jaron squirmed beneath him.

Reaching between them, he took both of their cocks in hand and stroking them together. The slide was easier with the precum that had gathered at the tips, and Keegan groaned at the sensation.

Jaron's hands scrabbled at his back, his blunt nails scratching Keegan's skin. Keegan reveled in it, loved the way his dragon was coming apart, losing his mind to Keegan and turning into the beast he harbored inside.

Wanting to push him to his limits, Keegan increased the pace of his strokes, twisting his wrist on every upstroke in the way he knew would drive Jaron wild. Jaron let out a broken moan, his back arching off the bed.

He cursed again. "Fuck," he huffed sharply. "Fuck, Kee, I want, I need…" He panted. "I need more than that."

A thrill went through Keegan at the raw desperation in the dragon's voice.

He was doing that to him.

"I want to fuck you," Jaron begged, unashamed. "I have to?—"

Keegan silenced him with another kiss. He wasn't unsympathetic to Jaron's needs. He could imagine how hard Jaron's inner dragon was driving him to mate. It was obvious in the way he kissed Keegan, like a man starved, wild and untamed.

He tried to roll them over.

"Nu-uh," Keegan stopped him, leaning back. "We're doing this on my terms or not at all." He reached into his nightstand drawer and got the lube he kept there while Jaron watched him with hungry eyes.

Keegan uncapped the lube. "I'm not bottoming for you tonight," he stated plainly.

Jaron made a low sound in the back of his throat. Very nearly a growl.

This moment, he was more dragon than man, Keegan thought. A dragon that wanted to claim and possess. That wanted to fuck and mark Keegan until their bond was set and sealed.

"I need this," Jaron insisted. "You don't… You don't get it."

Keegan leaned down and pressed a kiss to the dragon's jaw, then nipped at his earlobe. "Trust me," he said. "I do."

Jaron groaned, hands gripping at Keegan's hips again, his fingers flexing restlessly. "I want you so fucking bad," he said. "I need to be inside you… Need… Fuck." He lost his words as Keegan idly stroked the scales of his wings.

Keegan's own arousal throbbed between his thighs, wanting him to give in, but one of them had to stay in control—and it wasn't going to be Jaron.

"I know," he murmured, trailing kisses down Jaron's neck. "I know you do."

He slicked up one finger, reaching between his and Jaron's bodies to tease his entrance. "Would you let me fuck you?" he asked, pushing the tip of his finger inside. "If you can't be inside me, would you let me fuck you?"

Jaron groaned, a tortured sound. This wasn't what he'd been asking for, but when Keegan pressed the rest of his finger past that ring of muscle, his eyes rolled back in his head. Keegan worked him open slowly, savoring the feeling of Jaron clenching around his finger. He could imagine that tight heat around his length, and fuck, he wanted.

"I'm gonna fuck you," he murmured. "And you're going to love it, won't you?" Another finger joined the first, stretching Jaron further.

Jaron was practically incoherent by now, his body trembling with frustrated desire. "Please," he begged, fingers digging into Keegan's skin hard enough to leave marks. "Please, I need… I need…"

"Shh," Keegan soothed him, curling his fingers to brush Jaron's prostate. Jaron let out a keening sound, his hips bucking off the bed. Keegan did it again, enjoying the desperate sound he drew from the back of Jaron's throat.

He wanted to make this good for the dragon, to make him forget that he'd been begging for something else initially.

"That's right," Keegan praised him for his moans. "Just let me take care of you."

Jaron shuddered beneath him, eyes squeezed shut. "Keegan… Please…"

"Ready for me?" Keegan asked, pressing his lips to the dragon's jaw again.

Jaron nodded, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Keegan withdrew his fingers and slicked up his cock. Then, finally, he lined up with Jaron's opening and began to push inside, inch by inch.

It was almost too much, the sensation of that tight heat enveloping him. He had to fight not to lose himself to it right then and there, had to fight himself not to let his fangs drop and sink them into Jaron's neck again.

Jaron moaned beneath him as their bodies came together, and Keegan paused for a moment to let them both adjust. He pressed his forehead against Jaron's, breathing hard. His whole body was taut with the effort it took not to thrust into Jaron, to fuck him into oblivion right now, consequences be damned.

"God," he said hoarsely, trying to find his bearings again. "You feel so fucking good."

The dragon let out a shaky laugh.

"What?" Keegan looked at him.

"Nothing," he panted. "You just sounded so amazed." There was a teasing lilt to his voice.

"Can you blame me?" Keegan asked as he started to move, rolling his hips in shallow thrusts, drawing another low groan from the back of Jaron's throat. "I've got you exactly where I want you."

Jaron's fingers tightened on Keegan's waist, urging him on. "Yeah?" he challenged him, his voice strained but amused. "You wanted me on your cock?"

Keegan laughed and snapped his hips forward. "Yes," he said, withdrawing and burying himself to the hilt in one swift motion. "Just like this."

Jaron threw his head back, eyes squeezing shut as Keegan repeated the motion, setting a relentless pace, knowing that Jaron could take it, knowing that Jaron needed it to forget about the itch that Keegan wasn't letting him scratch.

Determined to drive every unnecessary thought from Jaron's mind, Keegan changed the angle of his thrusts, hitting that spot inside Jaron that made the dragon see stars. Jaron cried out, his back arching off the bed as Keegan pounded into him.

"Keegan," Jaron panted, his voice wrecked. "Harder… fuck… please…"

Keegan wrapped a hand around the base of Jaron's cock, stroking him roughly. Jaron's whole body tensed as he neared his climax, his muscles clenching deliciously around Keegan.

Keegan's fangs dropped without him consciously willing them to, and he didn't have the strength to force them back. That was okay, though, just so long as he didn't give in to the desire to bite.

Jaron let out a choked moan as Keegan squeezed him hard.

"Come for me," Keegan demanded, his voice rough with arousal. "I want to feel you come on my cock."

Jaron didn't stand a chance against that command. Not while Keegan pumped his cock in time with his thrusts. His whole body shuddered as he came, spilling over Keegan's hand with a cry.

Keegan fucked him through it, chasing his own release, until finally, the pressure coiling in his gut snapped and he came with his lips pressed against Jaron's neck, fangs scraping the sensitive skin.

He didn't bite, but it was a damn near thing.

Too near for comfort, really.

But before Keegan could withdraw to safety, Jaron wrapped his arms tightly around him and held him close.

"Mine," he murmured sleepily, his lips brushing Keegan's temple. "All mine."

And fuck if Keegan didn't feel the same, bonding or no.

To be with his mate, though, he would have to find a way to change their fate.

Ironic, wasn't it?