Dripping fire, p.16
Dripping Fire, page 16
“You said we were going for dinner.” She was slightly accusatory.
“That will happen soon. I just have to get you out of charging range.”
Alexi sat on some more boxes and held her on his lap.
“Why did you guys need me here to taunt him?”
“Ah, you caught onto that, huh? Well, Rayd has been exclaiming that there is no possible way that there was a woman out there for him. There was definitely not one out there for the dragon, so you are kind of proof that he needs to keep looking.”
The dragon and demon were slashing at each other, and Alita was holding her breath.
“You look scared, princess.”
She mumbled. “What happens if you lose?”
“I will not lose, princess. Will you reward me accordingly?”
She sent an affirmative through their link.
Alexi murmured, “Why that little thrill of excited fear?”
“What do you think he considers a reward?”
Rayd’s other shape of red rough skin, horns, and claws was lifted into the air, and then, he thudded down to the cement floor. The dragon blasted him with flames, and he lay still, groaning. The black sinuous body came toward her, and she caressed his head, kissing him and stroking his neck. “Not a proper reward, princess. Hold onto your beta.”
She muttered to Alexi, “Hold my hands.”
He quickly gripped her hands as her skirt was flipped, and the dragon’s head disappeared under her skirt. The tongue had her panting and wild in seconds.
She saw the interested faces of the co-workers, but Alexi whispered at her to close her eyes and ignore what was going on, to just feel.
She felt the dragon’s sides moving between her thighs, and she knew what came next. The heat of him eased into her, and she looked up at him, locking her legs around him to pull him in.
“Proper reward, princess.” He thrust all the way in and undulated slowly against her.
She pressed her head against his, and her hips matched his thrust for thrust. Pleasure spiralled from the friction, and she screamed, her voice echoing in the hangar.
He growled, and she felt the heat pumping into her. He licked her neck, and she hid her face against his hide as he turned back to Nikolai. “Well done, princess.”
She shuddered. “That was a territory thing, right?”
He nodded. “It was, but when we get home, you will get my mark, and we will spend the night tending it.”
“We?”
“Him and me. Alexi will be dealing with the change if he wants to take it.”
She looked up at Alexi, and he smiled. “That last coupling showed me that it isn’t completely dangerous to my ass.”
“Yeah, just wait until the dragon gives you oral. The tongue is twice as long as Niko’s, and it is pretty freaking strong.”
Alexi’s eyes lit up. “You don’t say.”
She could feel his interest against her backside. Niko kissed her again, and then, he smacked her thigh. “Good thing I brought a change of clothing.”
She snorted and watched his ass as he walked across the tarmac back to the helicopter.
She dropped her legs quickly and clenched them so that she wasn’t leaking the dragon’s residue.
She asked, “You knew that was going to happen?”
“Not the sex, but the challenge, yeah.”
She elbowed him in the ribs and fought to free her hands. She hopped to the ground and breathed for a moment before she looked at the audience with bright cheeks.
Toby asked, “Do you need to clean up?”
She nodded.
Alexi said, “I will take her.”
She looked at him, the roiling feeling of betrayal and humiliation in her eyes. He stopped in his tracks. She fed him everything through his mark, and then, she followed Toby.
Once she had a good cry in the restroom, she cleaned up and splashed her face with water. She didn’t want to go back outside.
There was a knock at the door. “Alita?” Niko’s voice was concerned.
She sniffled and backed away from the door.
“Alita, I am coming in.”
He pushed the door, and it swung in.
She was cowering in a corner, her arms around herself. He moved toward her slowly. “Princess, what’s wrong?”
“You used me as bait.” She mumbled it and tried to flinch away, but there was only so far she could go from the wall.
“What?”
She looked at him, and fat tears welled up. “You used me as bait!” She lifted both hands and hit his chest. He staggered back. “You humiliated me!” She hit him harder. “I was an excuse to bully a friend.” Another hit. “He fucked me in front of strangers to prove a goddamned point!” She shoved him. “You didn’t mark me so that you could show off! Asshole!”
His eyes were wide. “Alexi and I discussed it, and it was the best way to show Rayd.”
“Was it? He asked me one question, and I had him fucking convinced. This was all for your goddamned ego!” She sobbed and flinched away from his hand.
There was a knock, and Toby looked at her with concern. “Alita, your friend is here.”
She nodded. “Thanks, Toby.”
She eased past the confused Niko and then ran to the front of the hangar, where Olivia was waiting in Argus’s truck. Alexi was frozen and watching as Olivia got out, hugged her, and then held her for a moment while she cried. Olivia said, “I am going to try and fix this.”
* * * *
Oliva walked toward Alexi, and she beckoned to Nikolai. “Come here, sport.”
The massive man in the back moved close with an eye to his mate in the truck.
“Okay, so, she gave me the succinct version, and I have one thing to say.” She made a fist and slammed it into Niko’s jaw.
He staggered back and growled at her.
“Idiot. Do you know why Ford is a member of our pride? Because my mates decided that it would be fun to invite him in as an optional lover for me... without consulting me. One moment I am having sex with my mates, and the next, I am handed over to a stranger.” She grimaced. “I bolted to Ford’s that day because he was the only one who was honest about what he wanted. I love him now, but I was panicked then.”
She looked at the men and said, “You decided that public sex was a good idea for someone who had their first sexual encounter three days ago?”
Niko paled, and Alexi winced. “We forgot. She is so responsive.”
“Because with you, she is in a safe place where she can just be herself and give you the reactions you have earned. Well, now you will have to earn things all over again. She’s going to be watching for people, cameras, mirrors. She won’t be able to just be the person she was becoming... and you fucked it up. Now, I can take her back to my place, and we can order takeout and tell the guys what is going on so that you can get hostile neighbours, or you can apologize and make her feel safe again. I would suggest some more clothing because her showing herself off to you is pretty much done.”
Alexi winced, and he got his jacket.
Olivia sighed. “Just because you have a shiny new toy doesn’t mean that you can buff it off and show it to all your buddies. This toy has feelings, and you just broke her heart.”
“I didn’t know he was going to take her,” Niko murmured quietly. “Not until he mentioned a reward.”
“Cats are so much easier.” Olivia grunted. A stretch limo pulled up behind the truck.
Niko smiled weakly. “You didn’t tell them you were going out.”
“I grabbed Argus’s keys and got behind the wheel without saying anything. I think my phone is on fire based on all the flashing.”
Ford came striding toward them with Dexter, and then, he glanced into the truck and saw Alita’s puffy, teary face. “Who the hell caused that?”
Everyone in the whole building looked at Niko. He sighed. “It was me. Ego, pride, and libido collided.”
Ford walked to the truck, and he tapped on the window. Alita spoke from inside the truck, and Ford answered and then opened the door, and she came out and landed in his arms.
Olivia watched Alita cuddle up in Ford’s arms. He was excellent at soothing omegas, being one himself.
“Okay, so Ford is calming her down with that wonderful scent of his, so when she is calm, all you have to do is apologize, and if she accepts, I will leave her with you.”
He looked unsure. “What if she doesn’t?”
“I am going to load her in the truck and head home. You can have her when she will go with you.”
Alexi walked toward Ford and offered the jacket. Alita hesitated, and then, she took it. When it was wrapped around her, she turned her head to inhale the scent, and when she relaxed, Olivia relaxed.
Argus was going to paddle her butt for stealing the truck, but it was the only vehicle she was comfortable with in the driveway. It wouldn’t have been practical to get out here on a riding mower.
Alexi was pleading their case, and when he flicked his fingers, Nikolai took the signal and went to his omega.
Olivia watched as Nikolai went down on one knee, and he started begging. It seemed that an alpha’s pride and ego could see sense. Nothing could be done about the libido.
* * * *
Alita blinked as Niko knelt and said, “I am very sorry for what happened tonight. I am sorry we used you as bait to get Rayd to challenge me.”
Ford winced.
“I am sorry that I let the dragon take you in front of my employees.”
Ford’s jaw dropped.
“I am sorry that I forgot to tell you that any of this was going to happen.”
She kept her hands curled in the coat that smelled like them. “I didn’t like cumming under the dragon with folks watching. I sort of think that sex should only be between the parties involved.”
Niko blinked.
“How do I know you won’t do that again? Alexi has my naked self as his screen saver, for Pete’s sake.”
Niko bit his lip.
“What?” She grumped.
“He wants to use you for an art exhibition.”
Ford’s pursed his lips in interest. She glared at him. “Sorry, love. Just in a relationship, I am not dead.”
Niko was grinning.
She scowled.
Alexi looked hopeful and sheepish in equal measure. “You are an excellent subject, princess.”
Ford paused. “Princess?”
Niko shrugged. “The dragon picked it. He finally has his own princess. It is what every dragon pines for.”
Alita sighed. “I can be mad at them but not at him. He’s made of a lot more impulse and fury than they are. Plus, saying no really isn’t an option.” She sighed. “He has a really strong tongue.”
Ford burst out with a laugh. “Aw, an addict after a few days. Well done, guys.”
She caught Niko’s grin before he smoothed his features. Alexi had to cover his mouth with a hand.
“Will you ever do this kind of thing to me again?”
Niko shook his head. “I won’t, I promise.”
“Can you tell him that it would have been fine if we hadn’t been watched?”
That surprised Niko, but he nodded slowly. “I understand. It was the audience that was the problem.”
She looked at Ford. “I am sorry I called you guys out here.”
He touched his head to hers. “Anytime, Alita. You are worth chasing Olivia around. She’s going to be sitting a little delicately tomorrow. She stole Argus’s truck.”
Alita nodded. “I will tell him what I did and what I asked for.”
Niko stood and said, “What did you ask for?”
“Extraction.” She patted Ford’s chest. “You can set me down now. Thank you for the cuddle.”
Niko reached out and took her from her friend. She sighed and pressed her head to his shoulder. “You are lucky you are warm, buddy.”
He smiled. “Well, we are going to go for dinner now. Do you want to eat?”
She wrinkled her nose. “When have you known me not to be hungry.”
He walked her past Olivia, and she paused. “Can they come for dinner?”
Niko smiled. “Will that make you feel better?”
“A little bit, and it will let Olivia bring takeout home. That might smooth things with Argus and the truck.”
Alita snickered as Argus, Yemeen, and Ambrose pulled up in a sports car.
Argus was irritated until he saw her, her eyes obviously red, and her being held next to Olivia. “Aw, shit.”
Alita said, “Sorry. My fault. I am having settling problems, and my mates are having issues holding on to common sense.”
Ambrose winced. “That sounds familiar.”
“I texted Olivia, and she came running.” She explained, “Or rather, driving. The truck thing is my fault. I would have grabbed it as well.”
Argus wrapped his arms around Olivia, and she beamed and tilted her head up for a kiss.
Niko smiled. “We were going to head out for dinner. Care to join us?”
Alita giggled as she was settled in another truck next to Alexi, and they drove five miles from the airfield to a restaurant with a familiar name. Nik and Al’s was well lit and waiting for them to come out and eat on the wide terrace. There was room for everyone and plenty of steaks to go round.
It was a fine night until Alita and her mates landed near the house. The dragon hadn’t understood her upset. Tonight he was going to fill her with fire.
Chapter Fifteen
Alita left the larger helicopter and slowly followed the other two back to the house. She was upset again, and her footsteps got slower as they approached the door to the kitchen. Alexi turned, and he stared at how far back she was. “Alita?”
She stopped.
He stepped toward her, and she looked at the barn and open field beyond. “I don’t want to go inside.”
Nikolai came back from inside the house where lights were turning on. “Alita?”
She flinched and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I just want to stay outside a little.”
Alexi was closer to her now. “You don’t want to come inside?”
She shook her head violently.
“You don’t want to be marked?”
She looked at him, and a desperate whine came from her soul. Her eager people-pleasing omega self wanted nothing more. A marking would make her secure. “I do. More than anything. I just don’t want it while I feel like this. I feel wrong. Embarrassed. Humiliated. A tool. He apologized, but it is still really recent.” She brushed away tears. “I just want to go for a walk. I won’t go far. I just have to clear my head.”
Alexi nodded, and he stopped Nikolai as she headed for the barn.
She was pleased to find a power switch, and she turned the lights on in the barn, checking the stalls and trying one to fit Thunder and Lightning. There was a large box, and she smiled. That would do. It was technically a foaling box, and neither of the boys would need it for that, but they would work well in it together.
Alita smiled at the smell of hay and straw, entering one of the stalls and making herself a nest. She looked around and found a horse blanket, and she put it on the fluffy pile and turned a corner over her shoulders, snuggling in for warmth. Emotions were tiring, so she cuddled in for a small nap before facing the house again.
* * * *
Niko gave her an hour, but when there was no further movement in the barn, he went looking for her. Since he had met her, his body had been screaming for him to mark her, but he had held off to prove to Rayd that there were omegas out there to suit any alpha’s particular need if he looked long enough.
He opened the barn door and stepped inside; the soft pools of golden light were near every stall.
It was a nice building, and the previous owners used the home for racehorse rehab and breeding. The thought of breeding caused him to tense.
He couldn’t see Alita moving around, but then, he caught her scent. He walked slowly up to the stall and saw the small pile of straw covered with a blanket, and she was tucked in. Niko stared at her. She was so small for the personality that flared out. Her pale hand was curled up and next to her cheek. She was breathing evenly, and based on the scent in the stall, she had fallen asleep six minutes or so after she had entered the barn.
He unlatched the stall and stepped into it, crouching next to her and stroking her cheek. It took a few seconds of touching for her to stir. Her lips pursed and scrunched, and she squirmed in place. He grinned. She was lovely, and so much spirit was in that body. Her lashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
“Hello, Alita.”
She smiled brightly at him and hugged him. He was surprised, but he held her. “Hello, Nikolai.”
“Did you want to stay out here?”
She shook her head. “No. We can go inside now. I am calmer. Sleeping off adrenaline is sometimes the only way.”
He supported her and stood up. “I am glad. So, what part of tonight are you most worried about?”
“Um, being marked with Alexi watching. The idea excites him, but I just want that moment to be with you.”
His heart thudded. “Would you be upset if I marked you now? Here?”
Her scent coiled heavily around them, hot and heady. He chuckled. “I take that as a yes.”
He returned to her small nest and slid the jacket from her. He pressed her to her belly and pulled her hair aside, and her skirt was pulled up so he could see the curve of her ass. The scars were fading quickly and would be gone in a matter of weeks. Niko’s hands got his erection out of his jeans, and he pressed against her slick welcome. He slid inward; she grunted. Four thrusts had him sheathed to the hilt. It had never happened with anyone else. The slick glove-like feeling was incredible, just for him.
He began to thrust and rub at her clit until she was on the fine edge of release based on her panting whines. He leaned toward her neck and bit and sucked at the other marks on her neck. He coated his teeth with venom, and when she screamed, he bit down between the marks of Alexi and the beast.
