Artistic Vision

Chapter Four

Akane sat in the restaurant and waited for her date to show up. She’d texted Shane a message letting him know she’d be late getting home that evening and reminding him to stay close to the farm where Sean could protect him. His Yes, dear had not amused her.

Not much, anyway.

She wiped the silly smile off her face and glanced once more at the restaurant door, nodding when her date walked in. She’d used the excuse of wanting her own car and first-date jitters to get out of having him pick her up. If Tristan figured out she was staying with the Dunnes rather than Jaden no lie would save her. She’d be forced to take drastic measures.

“You look amazing.” Tristan brushed a kiss across the top of her head before sitting across from the table.

She couldn’t help the little zing of pleasure at the compliment even as her skin crawled at the caress. “Thank you.” She held up her glass. “I took the liberty of ordering our wine. I hope you don’t mind.”

There was the slightest tightening around his eyes. “Not at all.”

Liar. This was a man who enjoyed ordering for a female. If she’d known she would have held off on the wine. She decided to stroke his manly ego a touch. “I can’t believe you found a place like this out in the boonies.” She looked around, allowing her approval to shine through. She had to drag Shane here at some point whether he liked it or not.

Tristan leaned back in his chair with a smug expression. “It is a good find, isn’t it? A friend of mine suggested it might be a nice place to take a beautiful lady.”

Akane toyed with her fork and shot him a flirtatious look. “How many ladies have you brought then?”

“Several. But none as beautiful as you.” Tristan lifted his glass and toasted her silently.

Gag. Me. Akane toasted him back and sipped her Bordeaux, enjoying the full, bold flavor bursting across her tongue. She bet Jethro would hate it.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught a flash of blonde hair. She kept her gaze on Tristan, but allowed her inner sight to open.

Constance Malmayne was leaving the restaurant. Not surprising, since the food here was up to even the Malmayne’s exacting standards. What was surprising was the fierce expression on her face as she spoke into her cell phone. Akane couldn’t hear her words, but her tone came through loud and clear. Constance was pissed off at whoever was on the other end of the phone, and Akane had the urge to run across the room and “accidentally” bump into the woman to find out who she was speaking with.

“Akane?”

She turned her attention back to Tristan. Whatever Constance was up to would have to wait. Akane had a bigger fish to land.

They made small talk as they waited for their food, the soft sounds of cutlery on china the only music. After they’d eaten Akane suggested dessert. There was a hell of a lot of flirting she could do over chocolate mousse.

Tristan agreed, and Akane proceeded to seduce him into a stupor. She ran her tongue slowly across the back of the spoon to catch every last bit of deep, rich chocolate. She swirled her finger through the whipped cream, making sure to suck it off in a gesture just this shy of obscene. Licking chocolate off her lips earned her a soft groan, and when she “accidentally” ran her foot down his calf it was Tristan asking her back to his room.

Once there, she’d get what she needed and get out, leaving Tristan with a memory that would rock him for years to come. One of the perks of having a Sidhe for a partner was their ability to weave a believable fantasy for someone simply by dipping into their mind. The recipient of the fantasy would have all of their senses immersed in it, making it seem like reality. Most Sidhe used this ability to protect themselves from humans or weave romantic fantasies for lovers.

Sidhe Blades used it to mine information from unsuspecting targets. Etienne would ensure that Tristan fully believed Akane had pleasured him into a stupor before slipping away into the night.

She let him place his hand at the small of her back as they walked out of the restaurant. All of Akane’s appetites had been sated. Tristan’s were still on the edge. “So I’ll follow you back to your place?”

“No need. I think we can take one car, don’t you?”

Something about the way Tristan said it had her dragon senses tingling. The Sidhe was up to no good, and getting in his car would be a mistake. “Oh, but I wanted to make sure I still had my car, remember?”

Tristan tipped her face up. “Trust me. It won’t be necessary.”

That sounded strangely like a threat. Akane gripped his wrist and pushed his hand away, much to his shock. “Oh, I think it will.”

When he shoved her back she nearly fell. “That’s too bad. I was looking forward to tonight.”

For some reason she wasn’t surprised when the weapons came out, two silver blades finely honed to a wicked edge. “Nice.” She whipped out her own blade and kicked off her heels. “Bad spot for this, though. Wouldn’t do to let the local yokels get a look.”

“At these? Hell, around here they’re pocket knives.” He slashed out, humming happily when she dodged out of his way. “God, you are the hottest thing on two legs.”

“Should I try for four?”

“Even these people aren’t that blind, sweetheart.” He lunged, attempting to disarm her, his off-hand blade shielding him.

Akane blocked his blow and swiped at his face with her off hand, her black claws drawing blood. “Oopsie. Tristan gots a boo-boo.”

“So does Etienne.”

Their swords clashed together, the sound strangely muffled. Tristan had to be hiding them from the humans coming and going from the restaurant. It was the only explanation.

Hell, if he wanted to tire himself out on illusions who was she to argue?

She glared at him. “What did you do to Etienne?”

“Nothing permanent. Yet.” He slashed at her side, drawing a thin, bloody line through her favorite shirt. “Who do you work for?”

“Robin Goodfellow. And you? Seen Her recently, you Black Court son of a bitch?”

His swords faltered for a moment before he clumsily blocked her blow. “The Dark Queen does not know my face. Can the same be said for yours?”

She slashed at him, driving him back a step. “Puh-lease. Have you met anyone of the Black Court who’d dare say Robin’s name?”

“Say it, yes. But will they sing it?”

As she blinked in shock he disarmed her. The point of his blade rested against her throat. “Sing, little dragon.”

Akane saw red. Her hair lifted off her neck, forming her dragon’s ruff. Her horns pierced through the midnight strands. It was time to break out the big guns. “Eat shit and die, tapeworm.”

“Fuck.” Tristan thrust at her throat but it was too late. Akane had shifted. The blade bounced harmlessly off her hide.

Akane bared her fangs at the pale Sidhe. “You were saying?”

Tristan dropped his sword and put his hands behind his head. They were useless against her now, and he must know that. “Just so you know I’m not the only one she sent.”

“Who else?”

He scowled. “No fucking way I’m giving up my partner to you, scum.”

“Scum? I’m not the one working for the Black, asshole!” Akane’s head tilted. “Well.” She sat on her haunches and lifted her back paw, absently scratching an itch behind her ear. “Damn. You work for Glorianna, don’t you?”

Tristan eyed her curiously. “Are you that limber in your human form?”

Akane’s paw dropped. “Don’t make me eat you.”

He grinned.

“In the you-are-crunchy-and-taste-good-with-ketchup way.”

The grin turned wicked. “You are that limber, then.” He eyed her, nose to snout. “Can I lower my arms now?”

She puffed out some smoke, holding her amusement when he coughed. “Where’s Etienne?”

“The trunk of my car.” When she sighed wearily he shrugged and asked, “Where would you have put him?”

Akane shifted back, adjusting her skirt before he got too good a look at the Promised Land. “You do know you shoved a Knight of Oberon in your trunk.”

“Prove it.”

“Sure.” She held up her phone and lit it up. Her finger hovered over the number two. “I have Robin Goodfellow on speed dial.”

“Let me dig out my keys.”

It didn’t take long to get a groggy Etienne out of the trunk of Tristan’s car and into the back seat of hers. She dropped him off at the hotel room before following a much quieter Tristan to a secluded spot where, if they fought again, no humans would be accidentally barbecued. Tristan, apparently willing to work with her, even let her car block his on the dirt road.

“I have a peace offering, if you’re willing.” Tristan held up a bottle of Goldschläger enticingly.

“Dragons don’t get drunk.” Their bodies burned off the booze way too quickly.

“But you do enjoy a good buzz, don’t you?” He shook the bottle. “C’mon. I brought the good stuff. Only the best for my faux dates.”

She eyed the bottle warily. Goldschläger didn’t contain enough real gold to give her problems, but he could have tainted the alcohol some other way. “You first.”

He twisted off the cap and took a healthy swig. He shuddered and held out the bottle. “Now you.”

Akane took the offered bottle and sniffed delicately at the neck, looking for signs of poison. The scent of cinnamon liquor hit her, warm and enticing. She could detect the faintest hint of gold in the bottle and she salivated. Her body damn near vibrated at the metallic scent that permeated the liquid.

Tristan held his arms out to the sides, obviously not reaching for some form of antidote. She had no sensation that her senses were being tampered with.

Akane took a swig, shivering as gold-laced fire raced down her throat. “Mmm.” She rubbed the bottle against her, almost wishing it was the liquor itself.

“Whoa.” Tristan lowered his arms slightly and stepped forward. “Lemme double-check that bottle.”

Akane hissed at him, hugging the bottle closer.

“Alrighty then. You just hold that for now, ’kay?” Tristan’s hands went back up.

Akane eyed the Sidhe. She didn’t trust him. He was going to take her gold away.

As if she’d let him.

Akane lifted the bottle to her lips and proceeded to down it like she was a five-year-old drinking the last glass of sweet tea on a hot summer day.

“Good girl.” Tristan lowered his arms and took a step forward. “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this now, but that’s not really Goldschläger.”

Akane tilted her head. Gods, he was a pretty, pretty man. Moonlight silvered his golden hair, kissed his pale skin. Something inside her throbbed at the thought of having him between her thighs.

Then the light hit his gray eyes, and Akane blinked. No. This wasn’t the pretty man she wanted. This was someone else.

She wanted the pretty man with the sapphire eyes and the smooth, rich voice. That voice alone could make her come if it whispered the right words.

Akane took a step back. “Then what is it?” Arousal tightened her belly, threatened to put her on her back for the wrong person.

“You see, Goldschläger dilutes the gold it puts into its liquor, and that wouldn’t do for what I had in mind.” Tristan reached out and touched her hair, tugging gently. Akane shook her head, freeing herself. “This is Goldwasser. Direct from the original factory.” He poked the bottle and earned himself another possessive growl. “The gold in there is twenty-four carat and utterly pure.”

Akane blinked. Oh. That would explain a lot.

“Once I figured out you were a dragon, I knew the best way to immobilize you would be to have you drink gold.” Tristan stroked his hand down her cheek, blinking when she moaned. “But the effects aren’t quite what I had intended. I merely meant to knock you out for a while, not send you into heat. Apparently my research was… insufficient.” He took a step back. “Akane?”

She was trembling with want, desperate for touch, even his. “I need.”

“I would provide, but I have the feeling you’d hate me in the morning.” He smiled sadly. “Besides, you’ve already been Claimed. If you want this fire doused, you need to find your mate. He’s the only one who can ease the heat.”

What? “How do you know that?”

“Any Sidhe can see it, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me that.” Her teeth were chattering, the arousal climbing to painful levels. “I hurt.”

“Whether you believe it or not, I’m sorry for that. It wasn’t my intention, despite how it looks.” Tristan leaned against a tree and sighed. She could scent his arousal. He wanted her, but he held up his hand with a look of regret. “Fly home, little bird. There’s a warm hand waiting for you to land in.”

With a shriek of despair Akane shifted, spread her wings, and flew where she needed to be.

Home.

Shane stretched wearily. Cleaning up the studio always seemed to take forever, and after a day following his father around the farm the last thing he’d wanted to do was come back and sweep up metal shavings and glass shards. But if Akane was going to be coming back here there was no way he’d leave the dangerous pieces around for her to cut herself on.

He put the broom back in the closet and headed for the shower, eager to wash off the dirt of the day. He couldn’t wait until his little dragon showed up. He planned on giving her the present he’d made, the puzzle box gleaming all by itself on one of the empty pedestals in the display section of his studio. Akane would adore it, and if he kept slowly reeling her in without scaring her she’d eventually love the prize inside.

A deep, feral growl rumbled through the studio. It bounced off the walls, echoed in the high places. Shane wasn’t certain where it came from, but he knew who it was.

It seemed that, for some unknown reason, Akane was seriously pissed at him.

“A ghrá?”

A low rumbling sound was his only answer.

“If you tell me what I’ve done wrong I’ll endeavor to fix it.” He tipped back the silly cowboy hat he’d stolen from Robin and stared up into the rafters. Was she there, perched, staring down at him?

“Shane.”

He whipped around, stunned by the pain in her voice. “Akane.”

She stood behind him, panting, arms crossed over her chest. Her horns peeked out of her hair. Her pupils were dilated, the hazel star in her left eye almost obscured. She was trembling hard enough that he feared for her bones.

Shane fought the rage that exploded at the sight. “Who hurt you?”

She took a step toward him and froze. She sniffed deeply. Her head fell back, a look of sheer bliss crossing her face. “Oh yes.” A predatory smile lit her face, her gaze focusing on his body. The trembling stopped. Her arms fell to her sides as she tilted her head, watching him, waiting for him to do…something. He could sense the tension in his mate as she inched closer to him. “I need.”

Only then did he understand what must have happened. Once he’d realized his mate would be a dragon he’d learned as much as he could about them. “That fucker fed you gold, didn’t he?”

Akane nodded, the movement more of a promise than an answer. She crooked her finger at him. The golden star in her left eye glittered dangerously.

“Why, Grandma, what big eyes you have.” Shane stepped back a pace. “If you do this, you’ll hate me in the morning.”

Akane ran her palms across her breasts, and really? That was so not fair. Shane had been dreaming about what color her nipples might be from the moment he met her. She licked her lips, her fingers inching toward the hem of her shirt.

“Oh, now. Hold on there.” Shane held up his hands. “There’s got to be another way. Maybe if we put you to sleep we can ride it out until the gold is out of your system.”

She shook her head. “Want you.” The shirt went flying, and Shane got his first glimpse of her underwear.

White. She’d worn white, sheer lace to a date with another man. Shane could clearly see her nipples now, like warm chocolate kisses had melted on the tips of her breasts. He’d always been a sucker for white lace. “Oh fuck me.”

“Good idea.” Akane pounced.

“Whoa!” Shane caught her before they both hit the floor. “Okay, a stór.” Her legs wrapped around his waist, and damn it, those full lips attached themselves to his neck and proceeded to shut down his forebrain. “Um. Yes. Sleeping it off would be…” He shuddered as her talented lips worked themselves down his neck. His cock beat an insistent tattoo against his zipper, eager to get the party started. “Later.”

Shane turned and started to carry her to the bedroom, his only thought to see if her panties matched her bra. If they did, he was a dead man. His dragon would devour him, and he’d go happily into that good night, thank you.

Shane almost dropped them both to the floor when Akane began dry humping him. Purr-like sounds poured from her throat as she ground against him. Sheer lust killed what little was left of his thoughts. Need rode him hard, the knowledge that his mate was willing in his arms overriding everything else.

Shane dumped her ass on the edge of his work table, the one he used to conjure raw materials. It was clean and bare, and thank the gods he’d done that earlier or she’d have splinters in her ass when he was through with her. He ripped her skirt off, groaning at the sight of the sheer lace, white panties. He gripped her inner thighs and pushed her legs as wide as they would go. He leaned down and licked her through those sheer panties, groaning at the warm taste of his mate. Her flavor burst across his tongue even through the lace.

Akane leaned back and propped her heels on the edge of the table, holding herself spread open. Her toes curled. “Mmm.”

Shane could feel his magic flexing, the sparks dancing along his skin. There was no way he could stop himself from completing the Claiming, not if he made love to her. Green and gold sparks lit the room, the light strong enough to dance across Akane’s skin. If she was going to object, now had to be the time, while he could still force himself away from her.

When her hips thrust up into his face he took that as consent.

Shane proceeded to lick his mate’s pussy with all the fervor of a starving man determined to get every last crumb on his plate. The panties were soon toast, Akane’s claws ripping them away so he could get to her unhindered. He spared a single, mourning thought for the pretty lace before he dove back in.

He planned on seeing her in white lace again, the sooner the better.

Akane leaned back and let Shane have his wicked way with her body. His mouth was so good on her, his lips and tongue playing her pussy like a virtuoso. Shane seemed to be one of those men who truly enjoyed eating out his partner, and Akane was the lucky, lucky recipient of his talent.

She purred in pleasure as he took her clit between his lips, stroking it over and over with his tongue until she exploded for him. “More.” She sat up and grabbed his head, pulling that talented mouth to her breast. Her core throbbed, wet and needy.

She didn’t know if she was going to kill Tristan or kiss him for this.

Shane suckled her through the thin lace bra, turning the lace transparent. He pulled away and traced the wet material with his finger, and damn if he didn’t have the most reverent look on his face. “You are so beautiful.” His eyes had darkened to near black, his face filled with need.

“Let me see you.” If they were going to do this, she wanted all of him. She had no idea what he’d look like, but hybrids like herself and Shane often had an unusual appearance that could freak others out.

Akane had no intention of being freaked, no matter how odd Shane’s true appearance was. After all, she was also a hybrid and understood what could happen, the strange way their unique abilities could etch themselves into their skin and bones.

His brows rose, but Shane did what she wanted. He dropped his human Seeming, and she got a look at her man without the filter of his fake humanity. Akane almost swallowed her tongue at her first sight of Shane without his Seeming.

He was gorgeous. The vibrant red-gold hair of his human Seeming seemed dull as dishwater compared to the almost metallic shine of his true appearance, rich as Black Hills gold mixed with copper. His hair grew to just below his shoulders, emphasizing his strong jaw. Those blazing sapphire eyes glittered like dark jewels, the whorls of his leprechaun heritage emphasizing them like pale tribal markings. Light danced around him, gold and green, in a hypnotic pattern, sometimes random, sometimes making figures or places she could almost see. Before she could make sense of them they were gone, lost in the dancing fireworks display around her man. His skin sparkled like it was coated in golden glitter, reflecting the light of his magic back into the room, creating a halo like effect around his body. Even his fingernails glittered with green and gold, as if he’d been carved from the very earth itself and adorned with its finest gems.

“My god,” she breathed, taking his face between her palms.

His slow smile took him from gorgeous to breathtaking. It was like he’d been made from her dreams, carved from her deepest desires. There was no way Akane could turn away from him now.

“Now you.”

Akane closed her eyes. In her human form, she was cute. Her true appearance, however, left much to be desired. She was nowhere near Shane in looks when she let her inner hybrid out.

“Akane.” A kiss brushed across her cheek, scented with her essence. “Let me see you, a ghrá.”

Akane took a deep breath and dropped her Seeming.

Shane bit back a moan as Akane’s hair rose from her neck in an unseen breeze. Most thought dragons were fire or water elementals, but they were wrong. Only those borne of air could fly, and Akane was surrounded by her element. Deep golden horns glittered atop her head. The iris of her eyes widened, ate up the whites until they could barely be seen. The dark brown eye darkened to black, the hazel star in its center lightening to purest, scintillating gold. Her other, more draconic eye matched the golden star in color if not in impact. It was as if that star was truly glowing in the center of her Seer’s eye. The gift of her mother’s heritage shone with a light of its own, more fascinating than any star Shane had ever seen.

Akane’s skin went from lightly tanned to deep gold. Her hands turned black halfway up her forearms, the deadly claws she’d unsheathed blending in seamlessly. Her fangs poked her full bottom lip, enticing Shane to lick them until she begged for mercy. But best of all those glorious golden wings of hers rose above them both, stretching until they almost touched the ceiling of his studio before settling around his mate like a golden cloak for a dragon queen.

Akane’s head tilted, the star in her eye glowing fiercely. “You think I’m beautiful.”

Her voice echoed with power, part her mother’s heritage, part her father’s. Thanks to her powers she could see exactly how he saw her, her golden breasts barely held back by white lace, her deadly claws carefully stroking his back.

Or not. Shredded, his shirt fell from his back, his skin barely marked.

“Want you naked.”

Shane covered his privates before she could shred his jeans. “Leave me something to go back to the house in, a ghrá.”

“What does that mean?” Her gaze was glued to his cock as he stripped off his jeans.

He palmed himself, grinning mischievously. “It means I want you.” She growled at him, and he laughed. “It means my love.”

She jerked. “And a stor?”

“My darling.”

He held still as her wings extended behind him. He could almost taste the panic in her. “It’s too soon for love.”

He let that pain slide through him. For her, perhaps, it was too soon. He’d been lost the moment he’d seen his own future in metal and glass. He’d have to make her believe it, because Shane Joloun Dunne wasn’t going anywhere without Akane Russo, even if he had to stuff her in an adult-sized baby papoose and cart her around on his back kicking and screaming. He cupped her cheek despite knowing she could easily gut him in this position. “You are a ghrá mo chroí.”

“Shane.”

“Do you want to know what that means?” He kissed her, the tips of her fangs tickling his tongue. “It means my heart’s beloved.”

She shuddered. The aphrodisiac was still in her system. Soon it would compel her forward to take him. To Claim him, whether she liked it or not. “You don’t know me.”

His brows rose. For just an instant his lights created Akane, the piece he’d named after her.

Her hand reached out to touch the sparks but they dispersed, Akane lost once more to the dance. She whimpered. He wasn’t sure if it was because she hadn’t been able to touch Akane or if the desire had begun to ride her once more. Her wings enfolded him, drawing him closer, and Shane decided it must the aphrodisiac.

He pulled her close, determined to wring every last drop of pleasure he could from her body. If all he could count on to hold her was pleasure, then he’d make sure to deliver it to her in spades.

Akane shivered as Shane’s feelings ran through him and into her. The warmth of his love washed over her, settled the jitters Tristan’s little present had left her with. She took his hands and placed them on her skin, hoping he’d get the hint.

She was ready for more. Ready to be loved, even if she wasn’t quite ready for love herself. She’d greedily gobble up every drop he fed her until they were both sated.

Those artist’s fingers traced her skin, kneaded her shoulders, dipped down her waist and caressed her thighs until she was once more trembling and ready to scream. And all the while his mouth devoured hers, his tongue dueling with her own in an age-old dance neither could hope to win. The tip of his tongue caressed her fangs, enticing her to bite. Akane scraped her claws as gently as she could up his sides, smiling into the kiss when he shivered.

Soon her legs were once more wrapped around his waist, but this time they were both gloriously naked. She needed him inside her, dousing the golden flames that danced within her. She tried to pull him toward her, to lure him inside, but Shane resisted. That stubborn strength of his was more than a match for her.

“No. Not here.” He lifted her easily and carried her toward the small bedroom. He laid her, careful of her wings, on her back. “How would you like me, a ghrá?”

She grinned. It was time to give a little back, to see if the gold sparkling on his skin was as tasty as it looked. Akane sat up and pushed him back until he sat on his heels, his erect cock bobbing up from between his thighs like a tasty treat. She licked her lips and lowered her head.

“You don’t have to.”

She shot him a disbelieving look.

His cock bobbed against her chin. “But if you want to, I’m totally fine with it.”

Akane slowly licked him from the bottom of his cock to top, moaning as his flavor burst across her tongue. Shane tasted divine, all rich salty goodness. She needed more of him, more of his flavor, and she couldn’t wait to get it.

She sucked him into her mouth, making sure to use her tongue to lap at him. Her head bobbed up and down his length, her tongue working overtime to bring her mate pleasure.

“Oh. A ghrá. Yes, please.” He buried his hands in her curls, his fingers brushing her horns. Akane groaned, the sensation of her mate touching her there rocketing through her. Only her mate was allowed that intimate touch.

“You like that, a ghrá?” His fingers stroked over her horns again. Akane hummed happily, increasing the suction on Shane’s cock so he’d know just how much she liked it.

Shane began to thrust in and out of her mouth, tiny little movements that let her get used to him before he increased his strokes. She let him know when he’d pushed it too far by wrapping her hand around the base of his cock to keep him from choking her. He backed off immediately, giving her horns another stroke in apology.

Akane let him fuck her mouth for a few more moments, debating whether or not she wanted him to come. She was leaning toward yes when strong hands gripped her horns and gently pulled her off his mouth.

Akane whimpered. How the hell did he know the ways dragons mated? He was using her horns in just the right way, stroking them, using them to control her movements.

He was right. They were mates. It was the only explanation for the way he instinctively drove her insane.

“I want inside you, Akane. Let me come in.”

Akane shuddered with need. His taste had driven her wild, his touches igniting her inner fire until she was ready to burst into flames. But still, this first mating wasn’t quite right. Thank the gods she knew how to fix it. She nearly whacked him with her wings as she rolled over and got to her knees, her ass raised in the air.

If he was going to mate a dragon, damn it all, he was going to do it right.

“Oh.” He caressed her ass, the touch firm. The rough skin of his fingers scrapped across her flesh. “I do like the way you think.”

She wiggled her ass. Akane was done with the talking. It was time to get on with the fucking. “Now, Shane.”

He gripped her hips. The head of his cock pressed against her opening. “Nag, nag, nag.” He began to slide into her, the hot width of him stretching her. “I can see what the rest of our relationship is going to be like.”

Akane grinned and batted him with her wings.

“Yup. That’s about right.” He chuckled breathlessly. “Have I told you yet that you have an amazing ass?”

Akane turned her head, trying to see him behind her. Her wings were in the way, hiding him from view. So Akane did the only thing she could to get this party started. She clenched every muscle she had below her waist.

“Ah.” Shane hissed, sounding almost dragon-like. He pulled almost all of the way out, only the head of his cock still inside. “That’s not fair.”

Akane tilted her hips and drove herself backward, impaling herself. “Nope. Teasing me right now is not fair.”

“I’m not a tease, a ghrá. I put out.” With that Shane set up a punishing rhythm that had her purring like a madwoman. He forced her to practically curl up into a ball so he could curve his body over hers. His hands left her hips to grip her horns, sending Akane into a spiral of pleasure so intense she shrieked, her dragon song echoing through the studio. The orgasm was so strong Akane swore stars danced in the room.

“Again.”

“Yes.” The grip on her horns kept her on the edge of another orgasm. She never wanted this to end, her golden man fucking her senseless until the only thing left was the blinding pleasure. “Shane. Yes.”

“Yes. Come, a ghrá. Let me feel you come.”

He stroked her horns just right, his grip firm. The tips of his fingers brushed over and over again across the sharp ends until he had to have left behind blood. Akane shrieked again, coming so hard she nearly blacked out.

How the hell did he know? Stroking her horns was the equivalent of stroking her clit, except there was more to play with.

Her shoulders dropped wearily to the mattress. She was wrung out, strung up on the high he was forcing from her. “No more, Shane, no more.”

“Yes, more. One more, then we can sleep.”

His damn hands worked her horns while his cock worked her body. His thrusts began to falter, his body slamming into hers harder. “Soon. Gods, soon, Akane.”

She began to climb the sharp cliff of ecstasy one last time. With this, Shane’s Claim on her would be complete. All that would be left would be to mark him in her own way, the symbol of her dragon forever etched onto his flesh. “Give me your arm.”

Shane let go of one of her horns and put his arm where she could easily reach it. She gripped him tightly as the orgasm spiraled through her. She took that energy and focused it, directed it into his arm before it overwhelmed her. She barely heard his roar of completion, his song complementing hers as together, in a flash of golden light, Shane and Akane became one.

Shane dropped to the mattress, so wrung out he could barely move. He’d never had sex like that in his damn life. If this was what being mated to a dragon was like, he only wished he’d found her sooner. “Akane?”

His only answer was a delicate snore. He stifled his laughter at the sight of his mate, ass still up in the air, passed out from pleasure. “Damn.” He adjusted her until her body relaxed into the mattress, covering her with her wings until nothing but her horns and her toes peeked out. It was the perfect living blanket, and he couldn’t understand why she didn’t sleep like that more often.

Shane stood up and went to the small bathroom, eager to finish his business and crawl back into bed with his newly Claimed fiancée. Now that he’d started the process he’d feel the need to finish the job more and more, giving her the Sidhe Vows and Binding their life forces together for all eternity. He had no doubts that this was a truebond, just like his sister and brother had found.

He switched on the light and blinked. He hadn’t realized how dim the light in his bedroom had gotten. He smiled as he glanced back at Akane. He’d have to get a bigger bed. Maybe he’d make the headboard and footboard himself, something dotted with precious gems for his dragon queen to lie on.

He turned to the mirror and lifted his hand to brush his hair back from his eyes. He was always startled to see his true form in the mirror. He’d gotten used to the…look…of…

Shane lowered his arm and stared at the dragon tattooed on the inside of his forearm. It was Akane, golden and dark, wings spread, her tail forming the symbol of infinity. Shane touched the mark and Akane shifted in her sleep.

His brows rose. “Well. What do we have here?” If Shane was a meaner man, he’d play with that tattoo and see what else he could do to his little mate. But Akane had to be exhausted. The gold poisoning mingled with their energetic Claiming meant his dragon would need her sleep.

He’d be a bastard another day, when she wasn’t working a case. For now, he’d let his love sleep. He finished his business and crawled back into bed, eager to share the warmth she’d denied him for so long.