Reawakening the Dragon Read online

  “Finish the story so I can check on your wound,” Jane ordered.

  The image of Jane’s hands on his skin made Kai shift his position. His dragon chimed in. I want to feel her soft fingers. Hurry up.

  Too tired to argue with his beast, Kai raised an eyebrow on Jane. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Her smile warmed his heart. “Glad to see you finally acknowledge that I’m in charge of you until you’re better.”

  “I wouldn’t say in charge, but if saying yes means I can have you touching me, then it’s a small price to pay.” Jane merely shook her head and he smiled as he continued, “Fine. Although if you’re looking for a happy ending, it’s not going to happen.”

  Jane tilted her head. “I just want the facts.”

  His dragon crooned. She is perfect.

  Kai replied, “Well, I was young and my dragon didn’t take it well. He roared and clawed his way out of any mental prison I constructed. All he wanted was Maggie.

  “I spent three weeks locked inside this cottage. A guard was posted near my place at all times and the old clan leader checked on me every day. Bram checked on me too since he had been one of my schoolmates and had been concerned. Bram has always cared about the clan, even before he was leader.

  “Anyway, after three weeks, once I was able to keep control of my dragon for several hours at a time, Victor sat me down and told me about his brother, who had gone through the same experience with his true mate denying him. That time, it had been one of the human sacrifices who had run away and left her child behind. You actually know that child, by the way. It was Nikki. Being the first child of a human sacrifice has been much tougher than people realize.”

  Jane nodded and waited for him to go on. He liked that she could remain quiet if a situation needed it. Not that he didn’t love matching wits with his human, but it showed her in a new light—one where he could imagine her helping him with his Protector duties.

  He paused at that. He’d barely kissed the human. It was a bit early to be thinking of a future with her.

  Pushing aside that thought, he carried on with his story. “Victor’s brother eventually found someone to love within the clan and is mated to her to this day. Knowing it was possible to survive a true mate’s denial was the missing piece I needed to get my life together. After that, I focused all of my energy on my work. I became head Protector shortly after Bram took over the clan, and the rest is history.”

  Jane remained quiet for a minute. Then she moved closer to him and placed a hand on his cheek. “You are much more than a muscled fighting machine. You’re strong inside and out.”

  His dragon chimed in. I’ve been patient, but I want her to fix our wound and touch us. Ask her.

  We need rest, so if you’re hinting at her touching our cock, it’s not going to happen.

  His dragon growled. I’m not stupid. If you don’t get well, I may never be able to shift into my true form.

  Well, with you, I’m never sure.

  With a huff, his beast faded into the back of his mind. Good. Kai could focus on Jane without his dragon banging on about a kiss or more.

  For a split second, he wondered what the hell he was doing. Jane had grand plans for her future, as did Kai for his clan. He should ask her about them first and ensure she knew what getting involved with him would entail. But as she stroked her thumb over his cheek, Kai trusted she knew what she was doing. Jane was clever. She would never do anything without understanding the consequences.

  Well, almost everything. She’d been daft about going into that pub in Newcastle alone, armed with nothing but a can of illegal pepper spray.

  He didn’t even want to know where she’d managed to purchase that. The female was too stubborn and determined for her own good.

  Too bad that was why he liked her.

  Making his decision, Kai raised the hand of his good arm and placed it over Jane’s. She met his gaze and he nearly growled at the desire in her eyes. “You’re teasing me with what I can’t have on purpose, aren’t you?”

  She leaned closer and her breath tickled his cheek. “No, I’m trying to encourage you to heal faster so you can have me.”

  He blinked. “Just like that?”

  Jane smiled. “You told me about your past, despite it being painful. If you can do that, then I think you can stop being an arsehole to me. I have a feeling you do it to push people away so they won’t ask questions.” She searched his gaze. “But let’s get one thing straight right now—I’m not Maggie Jones. I’m not going to tease you and then run into the arms of another man, provided you don’t drive me away. And, most importantly, I’m not afraid of you or your dragon. I can take whatever you throw at me.”

  Kai growled, barely noticing the pain in his shoulder as Jane’s scent surrounded him. “You better be telling the truth, Jane Hartley, because once I’m well again, nothing is going to stop me from kissing the living shit out of you before I rip off all of your clothes.”

  Jane’s shiver sent a surge of pride through Kai’s body. Even his bloody dragon was smug. She is different than the other one. She is ours.

  ~~~

  Jane loved the feel of Kai’s late-day stubble under her palm. Combined with his growl and look of hunger, she nearly proposed for him to lie on the bed while she rode him.

  Stop it, Hartley. According to Dr. Sid’s list, Kai wasn’t to do any sort of mildly intense physical activity for at least the first twenty-four hours. The doctor had also underlined “NO SEX” with three lines.

  Still, it didn’t mean Jane couldn’t tease Kai a little. She’d made up her mind to give Kai a chance and once Jane made up her mind, she gave up all doubt and embraced the decision.

  Sometimes, it didn’t work out. But if she always played it safe and never took a chance, she never would’ve volunteered to cover the dragon-shifters.

  And she wouldn’t be here with a hot, stubborn dragonman whose gaze alone could make her shiver.

  Moving behind him, she traced the edge of his sling. “Take this off so I can check your wound.”

  “I don’t have any of the medical supplies in here.”

  Brushing his skin along the edge of his shoulder, she answered, “I was given a stash too, if you remember.”

  Kai remained silent a second before his deep voice caressed her ears. “I need your help taking off the sling.”

  Jane bit her lip and then said, “Asking for so much help in a day must be hard for you.”

  Kai turned his head to meet her eye. “Aren’t you supposed to be nice to me?”

  She tapped her chin. “That wasn’t on Sid’s list of instructions, so no.”

  “It will help me heal faster.”

  “Oh? How, exactly? Does your dragon-shifter super-healing abilities go into overdrive when someone says or does something nice?”

  Kai grunted. “Don’t be daft.”

  Grinning, she figured Kai had suffered enough, so she helped to ease the sling off and tossed it to the side of the bed. Then she moved to stand in front of him, in between Kai’s legs. She went to work removing the bandages when she felt Kai’s gaze on her breasts. Glancing over, his eye level was in line with her nipples.

  At the intensity of his gaze, her nipples turned into hard points.

  When he smirked, Jane’s voice was dry when she asked, “Enjoying yourself?”

  He grinned. The twinkle in his blue eyes made her heart skip a beat. “Immensely. Maybe being an invalid won’t be so bad this time around.”

  “So does that make me better than Ginny?”

  “It’s too early to tell.”

  Rolling her eyes, Jane went back to removing the gauze and exposed his wound. Kai’s skin had already started to knit back together. “Dragon-shifters really do heal fast.”

  “Yes. You’re welcome.”

  “For what?”

  “I can tell you want me. If I were human, you’d have to wait a week or longer. With me, it’s a day or two.”

  “Don’t get cocky just yet. I ne
ed to check for infection and give you a shot.”

  “Then hurry up. My pain medication is wearing off.”

  She shook her head before studying his wound. “If you hadn’t stared at my nipples, I’d be done by now.” Gently, she checked the stitches and tested the temperature of his skin. “The good news is your skin isn’t overly hot or swollen. I also don’t see any pus or ooze.” She glanced to Kai, only to find him staring at her breasts again. “Kai Sutherland, can you stop that for now?”

  “Hmm?”

  She murmured, “Men,” before stepping back and turning toward the dresser.

  Jane tried not to think about how she missed Kai’s heat or being surrounded by his masculine scent as she grabbed her supply kit. Not really touching the marvelous man for one or two days was going to be bloody difficult now that she knew she could have him.

  Pushing aside her lusty thoughts of stripping the dragonman and seeing his control break, she cleaned Kai’s wound with antiseptic, replaced his bandage, and took out the pre-filled syringe. Removing the stopper on the needle, she tapped the side and pressed the plunger a fraction to ensure there wasn’t any air in the needle before looking at Kai again. “I need you to stand up and pull down your boxers so I can give you a shot in the bum.”

  After she took three steps back, Kai stood up. “I only have one good arm.” His look turned heated. “Will you help me?”

  “I think you’re doing this on purpose. You clearly took off your trousers earlier by yourself.”

  “And I nearly ripped my stitches.” He placed the hand of his good arm over his heart. “I’m just trying to be a good patient.”

  Jane snorted and held out the syringe. “Take this.” He did, and she moved closer. “And just know that you brought this on yourself.”

  ~~~

  Kai watched Jane as she ran her hand down his side and dipped a finger into the hem of his boxers. The light touch branded his skin and he wondered what it would feel like to have her long fingers gripping his dick.

  His dragon growled. You’re teasing me. Stop it.

  You’re the one who wanted to feel the softness of her skin.

  Yes, but now she’s close to our cock and it’s painful to not touch her.

  In that, Kai agreed. His dick was hot and heavy, pressing against his boxers. He was fairly sure that Jane knew he was aroused, too.

  Not that he was embarrassed. Humans tried to hide their desires and sexuality. Kai was a dragon-shifter. He may not have much experience pursuing females, but he wanted Jane and would do whatever it took to have her.

  Sure, his injury prevented him from tossing his female onto the bed and making her scream his name as she came, but he would rectify that as soon as possible.

  Jane tugged down the hem of his shorts. Her soft skin brushing against his hip made his dick harder.

  His dragon grunted. Heal as fast as possible.

  Jane put out a hand and met his eye. She knew full well the effect her touch had on him and she was enjoying it. “Syringe.”

  He waited a beat to commit Jane’s scent of vanilla and female to memory before handing her the syringe. “Do it quick.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Is someone afraid of needles?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Grinning, she looked back toward the exposed top of his arse. “Good.” She stuck him, pushed the medicine into his body, and removed the needle. She gave his bum a pat. “Good boy.”

  He frowned. “I’m not a boy.”

  Jane looked from his eye, to his cock pressing against his boxers and back again. “I agree.”

  His dragon spoke up. We must think of the best way to tease her when we’re well. We have some time to think about it.

  Yes, and they’re going to be the longest hours of our life.

  Good to see you’re not denying you want her.

  She knows about Maggie and didn’t blink an eye. I want time to know her secrets, too. I know she bloody well has them.

  Then just make sure to not scare her away. She is ours.

  Jane reached around him to her bag of supplies. “Here are your special dragon-shifter strength pain pills. Take them and then go to sleep.”

  He took the pills and swallowed. “I’m also hungry.”

  “Then I hope you have something easy because I’m not a very good cook.”

  The image of Jane in his kitchen, burning her latest attempt to cook breakfast, made him smile. “I know how to cook, but I’m too tired to do it. Sid probably knew that. Look in the medical bag. She usually packs me protein bars.”

  Jane rummaged around until she pulled out two carefully wrapped protein bars. She sniffed them and shook her head. “They’re not poisoned, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m trying to figure out if they’re human-friendly. The last thing I need is to eat something that is the equivalent of a billion calories.”

  “A billion, huh? You clearly don’t know anything about dragon-shifter metabolism.”

  Jane glared. “I never said I did.” She shook her hand with the bars. “If you want one, then tell me if I can eat one too. I’m starving.”

  His dragon growled. Our female should never be hungry. Feed her.

  I like teasing her first.

  Not this time. The sooner we sleep, the sooner we heal.

  Right, and then you can have Jane naked.

  Exactly.

  Mentally shaking his head at his beast, Kai focused back on Jane. “They’re the equivalent of one human meal. Now, may I have one?”

  His question eased the frown from Jane’s face. “You being polite makes me uneasy.”

  He growled out, “You didn’t want me to be an arsehole, so I’m trying. Make up your mind, Janey.”

  No one had called her Janey since she was a child. But for whatever reason, she liked it when Kai said it.

  With a smile, Jane handed him one of the protein bars. “Good. Just checking.”

  He murmured, “Bloody female,” before tearing off the wrapper and taking a bite.

  Jane did the same and she made a face. “What flavor is this?”

  “Roast beef.”

  He waited until Jane took another bite before doing the same. As they ate in silence, Kai was relaxed in a way he hadn’t felt in over a decade. For so long, he’d never expected to share a quiet, mundane moment with a female.

  He didn’t want it to end.

  Kai was afraid that if he let Jane leave his sight, the ease and playfulness would disappear. He knew it was fucked up, but after what had happened the last time he’d set his sights on a female, he was afraid Jane would run away, too

  After finishing his protein bar, Kai tossed the wrapper aside and cupped Jane’s cheek. When she leaned into his touch, both man and beast hummed in contentment. He murmured, “You’re fed, but you still look exhausted. How about you sleep with me?”

  “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”

  Kai wasn’t one to tiptoe around the truth. “Because you don’t want to?”

  “No, because it might be too much of a temptation.”

  “For whom? You or me?”

  She didn’t miss a beat. “Both of us.”

  Her answer stroked his ego. “Just for sleep. The sound of your voice has helped me relax for months. Your warmth and scent should be even better.”

  She searched his eyes. “What do you mean my voice has helped you relax? We’ve barely spoken before yesterday.”

  His dragon growled. Tell her the truth.

  Kai rubbed his thumb against her cheek and decided what the hell. She already knew his biggest secret. “I’ve listened to all of your news reports. And most of them more than once.”

  Her brows came together. “But why? You always acted like you hated me before.”

  “It wasn’t hate. I was trying to keep my distance. You caught my eye the first day I saw you, when you did your interviews. You’re the first female I’ve wanted in a very long time.”r />
  “How long exactly?” she asked.

  “Years. But even the females I’ve slept with in the past were nothing compared to how much I want you right now.”

  “And how much is that?”

  Kai lowered his voice. “So much that I’m tempted to take you right now, even if it means I can’t ever shift into a dragon again.”

  Jane’s expression softened. “There’s so much more to you than meets the eye.”

  Before he could think about it, Kai winked. “And you’ve barely scratched the surface.”

  Jane laughed and replied, “I’m sure I’ll be doing plenty of scratching before long.”

  He moved his hand and patted her arse. “Tease.” Squeezing her arse cheek in a possessive grip, he asked, “So, will you sleep with me?”

  She held his gaze for a few seconds and then shook a finger at him. “No funny business. You try to cop a feel or worse, and I’m kicking you out of my bed.”

  “Your bed, huh? Mine’s bigger.”

  “Bigger isn’t necessarily better.”

  The corner of his mouth ticked up. “You will sing a different tune soon.”

  When her breath hitched, warmth rushed through his body. After all these years, he might actually have a female he wanted who also wanted him for more than a quick fuck.

  Turning them toward the bed, Kai reluctantly released his grip on Jane’s soft arse and pulled down the duvet. “After you.”

  “No, I sleep on this side, so you go first.”

  He stared at her. “This is my side of the bed.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “If you want in my bed, then you sleep on the other side.”

  With an exaggerated sigh, he moved to the other side of the bed and carefully laid down. “You win this time, but the war has just begun.”

  Jane snuggled next to him and laid her head on his good shoulder. Kai wondered if she’d chosen that side of the bed on purpose, so she could lay next to him.

  Her voice was muffled against his skin. “I’m being easy on you because you’re injured. Once you’re well, the kid gloves are coming off.”

  Smiling, Kai turned his head and breathed in Jane’s scent. “We’ll just see if a mere human can win against a man and his dragon.”