Her Dragon (Book 2 of The Circle Series)

CHAPTER 11: GOLD DRAGON CLAN II

VALENTINA

There’s something about how he’s looking at me that makes my chest constrict painfully. “You don’t want children?” he asks. The question seems to hurt him.

“Sorry to ruin your plans.”

He closes the space between us quickly and his fingers grip my chin, lifting it so I’m looking directly into his eyes. His jaw is clenched, but his eyes surprise me. He’s usually very much in control, but he’s barely holding on to his temper.

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

When I don’t answer, he steps back and runs a hand through his hair. “Damn it, Valentina,” he murmurs. He shakes his head in disbelief. “You’re an infuriating woman. You know that? I told you why I’m here. The Witch Council is in need of powerful witches. You are a powerful witch.”

“That better be all they want from me.”

I search his eyes for something, anything that tells me he’s lying, but I can’t tell and that’s what makes this even more difficult. Usually I can. My judgment is clouded when it comes to him, and it’s unnerving. I grab a glass of water and lean against my cabinet. He glares at me the entire time I drink, brooding with his arms crossed.

“Something you said earlier had me thinking.” He doesn’t question my change of subjects. “It’s possible a shapeshifter or Syphon impersonated your niece and poisoned your brother.”

I silently recite a spell to conjure my grandmother’s grimoire. His shoulder brushes against mine as he reads the page on Syphons. All the awkwardness and anger from minutes ago has seemingly disappeared. One touch and the tension from both our bodies is gone.

“The one I know has a particular fascination with collecting faces, as she likes to call it. I’m unsure if it’s a power she siphoned, or one she naturally possesses. When I first met her, she looked like a kid. The last time I saw her, she looked my age. She’s also a fan of poison.”

I don’t mention Sebastian’s pup or Raquel.

“Do you have any other information on this woman?”

“She’s on the run and the Witch Council is looking for her. I have a file on her specifically and information on Syphons. There aren’t many of them around here but we’ve been working tirelessly to locate her as well because she wants us dead.”

Amadeo’s eyes harden at my words. “Why?”

“It’s a long story and what led us to complete our Circle.” I don’t say anymore, and thankfully he doesn’t push it. I don’t like thinking about that day. All the death and violence are difficult to remember.

I grab a blank USB key in my office to copy all the information. “Thank you.” His breath is warm on my neck, and a slight shiver travels up my spine as he looks over my shoulder while the files download.

“Don’t thank me yet. The odds of it being her or someone like her are slim.” I shrug as he puts the USB in his pocket and moves to the opposite wall of the office.

His fingers skim over my copies of Shakespeare’s works. I have one entire wall with bookshelves full of all types of books.

“My brother met Shakespeare a few times. He wasn’t a fan,” he says, perusing the other shelves.

“Really?”

“I was alive back then, but I was young and stayed mainly in Spain and Portugal close to my parents.”

“How old are you exactly?” He looks no more than thirty, but dragons age slowly and live for centuries.

“486.”

I should be weirded out, but I’m not. Not at all. “You must have seen so many things. Experienced life like very few people have.” I can't help but gravitate towards him as I consider my words.

“I have, and you can too. Come with me tomorrow, and I can show you everything. I’ll give you everything.”

Amber swirls in his black eyes, and I know his dragon is making me all the same promises.

“I…” I could get lost in this man, in this life he’s offering; I feel it, and it’s terrifying how much I want to. My emotions are all over the place when he’s around. I go hot and cold, and it’s maddening. “I have work and school.”

He cups my face in his large hands, running his thumbs under my eyes, around and over my nose, and of course, my lips, and then he leans his forehead against mine. “When can you get away?”

He removes my blazer and unbuttons my blouse. My pants follow seconds later. I suck in a deep breath at the feel of his rough hands roaming my bare skin. They land on the waistband of my cotton underwear, and he wastes little time removing them as well. I did not anticipate this happening when I put the simple thing on this morning.

“Maybe for Spring Break.”

“When is that?” He buries his head in the crook of my neck and sucks on my sensitive skin.

“In a month.” My voice shakes with need.

“I want more than one week,” he grumbles, and if I were honest with him, honest with myself even, I’d admit I want more than that too.

He backs me up against a wall, and his lips plunder my mouth, taking whatever he wants. When he finally pulls back, he removes my bra, and his mouth descends on my body, creating an inferno on my skin. Everything burns. My throat. Between my breasts. My ribs. Even my belly button. Everything.

Amadeo continues scorching my skin with kisses, stopping only when he reaches the vee of my thighs. Inhaling deeply, he lets out a feral growl, and I want to shrink back with mortification, but there is nowhere to go. He grips my thighs roughly, digging his nails in as he kisses and bites his way up and down my legs.

“I’m convinced these legs of yours were made specifically to wrap around my hips,” he says huskily as he lifts me. His lips slam into mine once more while he presses into me. “Hands on my shoulders,” he commands.

“You’re so demanding.”

“You have no idea.” Before I understand what is happening, he scoops his hands under my thighs, lifting me onto his shoulders, with my back still against the wall and my legs dangling against his back. His strength and size do strange things to the ache between my legs.

If I reach up, I could probably touch my ceiling.

He makes his way up the inside of my thigh, teasing and suckling until his mouth finds his bullseye, and he attacks.

“Ohh!” I let out a small moan, but inside I’m screaming.

A needy sound escapes the back of his throat, almost as though he’s been waiting for this for a long time, and my excitement builds. My hands reach for his thick hair, but he immediately pins them to the wall. “Palms flat. Don’t move them.” His tongue circles my nub while my stomach has mini contractions.

For the love of all things holy! His tongue is pure magic!

He chuckles against me, the vibration adding to the pleasurable sensations, and I know I’m going to come very soon.

“Stay out of my head, dragon.”

“Do a better job of keeping me out, bruja (witch),” he responds quickly and continues feasting.

I don’t have a smart retort because I can’t think clearly with him between my legs. I feel drunk. There’s no other way to explain this mixture of bliss and being disoriented.

He slips one finger, then two inside of me while mercilessly torturing my c**t with his mouth. His slick fingers slide in and out of me, curling just the right amount, and my body tightens up even further.

I’m so ready. So close.

I press my palms into the wall and use the leverage to ride his face.

Oh. My. Goddess.

Yes!

I drop my head back against the wall and continue to undulate my hips until my body feels like it bursts into a million pieces. My lower half jerks and seizes, taking on a life of its own. I’m pretty sure I made a complete mess but judging by the grunts and growls he’s making while lapping me up, Amadeo doesn’t mind one bit.

By the time the tremors slow down, he’s carrying me upstairs. My mind is blank, and my body feels weightless, but the pulsing between my legs continues, a steady reminder of what just happened. I try to concentrate on the feeling, but somehow I zone out.

I’m still dazed when he gives me a bottle of water. Did he go back downstairs to grab that? When?

I take a few sips as he gets in the bed and pulls me against him, wearing nothing but his boxers. The warmth at my back is oddly comforting. How did I miss him stripping down?

“Sleep, Valentina.”

I turn in his arms to face him. “Do you want me to?” I motion under the covers.

His smile is dazzling even with his face still wet from my juices.

“I got exactly what I wanted. You’re exquisite.” He tucks my head under his chin, holding me close to his chest, and I’m overwhelmed by his scent. His hands stroke my back, and his fingers sift gently through my hair. My body feels like it’s sinking into the mattress, and my eyelids are so heavy.

“You’re leaving tomorrow,” I protest quietly. “Let me do something for you.”

“Sleep.”

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AMADEO

She went off like a rocket on my tongue, and I refused to wash off the evidence of her pleasure. The pleasure I gave her. I held her instead and replayed everything that happened tonight. There was not enough time for what I wanted to do to her. When I finally took her, it would not be some quick tumble. No, I would worship her all night long and in our bed.

I used my magic to make her sleep so she wouldn’t tempt me to stay, but that doesn’t stop my

hands from wandering up her slender waist and mapping her spine until I reach the nape of her neck. Her features are much softer while sleeping, so different from how she usually presents herself.

Except for tonight.

Tonight she was sweeter and less reserved until she thought I was trying to get her pregnant for the Tribunal. I can’t believe she’d think I’d do their bidding and let them use me like a puppet. I know I haven’t been the most forthcoming, and there’s a lot she still doesn’t know, but her mistrust stings.

I wish we had more time together for her to understand what she meant to me already. I hold her in my arms, with her bare breasts touching my chest and her strawberry and honey scent engulfing me. Every movement she makes has me adjusting myself. It’s torture of the best kind, and I watch her sleep until I can’t stay any longer.

As much as my beast wants to be near her, he knows the importance of kin. This ordeal with the Tribunal needs immediate attention, and since they won’t let my sister-in-law see her daughter, it’s up to me to bring her home. Then, once everything is settled, I can focus on making Valentina mine.