Reawakening the Dragon: Part Three (Stonefire Dragons Book 16) Read online

  “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.”

  “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 ab
out 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.”

  “Wrong thing to say, dragonman, wrong thing,” Jane murmured.

  At the exhaustion in his female’s voice, Kai leaned against Jane and waited until her breathing was even. Satisfied his female was asleep, Kai drifted off into a relaxed sleep. One he couldn’t remember having in years.

  Chapter Two

  As Jane slowly came out of oblivion, she snuggled into the solid warmth at her side. After a few seconds, a large, warm hand rubbed up and down her back and Jane opened her eyes to see Kai’s broad chest in front of her.

  Blinking, she half-expected to wake up from a dream, but as she looked up to meet Kai’s eyes, he smiled and the rumbling of his voice under her palms told her she was awake. “Good morning, Janey.”

  She frowned. “Morning?” Jumping up, she gently slapped his chest. “I was supposed to check your wound and give you more pain medication hours ago. Why didn’t you wake me up?”

  “I’m fine and you needed your sleep.” Rolling her eyes, Jane tried to move from the bed, but Kai kept his grip on her waist. “You worry too much.”

  Jane sighed. “Gee, why would I worry? If your wound becomes infected and Stonefire loses its head Protector, it will all be because of me. I’m sure that’s nothing to worry about.”

  The bloody dragonman smiled and Jane wanted to slap him. The twinkle in his eye, however, melted her heart a little when he replied, “You’re a little feisty and sarcastic in the morning. I rather like it.”

  “Only because I can’t punch you right now since you’re injured. Trust me, without my morning cuppa, you don’t want to deal with me.”

  Kai’s gaze dropped to her breasts and heat spread through her body. “I’m sure I can think of ways to make you forget about your cup of tea.”

  “Kai, stop it.”

  Grinning, he looked back to her face. Despite the trouble he was giving her, the sight of the stony Protector smiling at her warmed Jane’s heart. Kai had suffered for years, all whilst doing his best to protect his clan.

  Kai deserved a slice of happiness.

  Maybe, if he didn’t drive her crazy first, she could try to give it to him.

  For the present, however, Jane needed to make sure Kai was okay. Especially since Rafe would be arriving soon and her dragonman would need his strength to deal with her older brother.

  Putting her alpha brother and her alpha dragonman in the same room was going to be interesting, to say the least.

  But she was getting ahead of herself. Making her face as stern as she could, Jane waggled a finger. “Let me up. The sooner I finish my exam of your injury and go through the checklist, the sooner we can get ready and go see Bram.”

  “Does getting ready entail me helping you in the shower?’

  The image of Kai slowly caressing her body with a wet washcloth flashed into her mind. He’d probably linger on her breasts, her abdomen, and then finally reach between her thighs.

  Jane shifted her position, hoping her dragonman couldn’t smell her arousal.

  As his pupils flashed to slits and back, she knew that hope was smashed.

  Kai’s voice was husky when he said, “I can behave, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “Even putting aside the fact you’re not supposed to take a shower until twenty-four hours after your surgery, there’s no time for a long shower.” She looked pointedly at his hand. “Let me up.”

  She swore she saw disappointment in Kai’s eyes as he released his grip on her waist. Before he completely pulled away, Jane took his hand in hers and looked Kai straight in the eyes. “I’m not going to string you along forever, Kai Sutherland, but I’m not about to let Sid or Bram down by making your condition worse. You know sex would do that.”

  “Then how about if I just lie here and you give me a kiss?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to give up, are you?”

  He tightened his hand around hers. “You already know I’m stubborn and when I make up my mind about something, I don’t pull punches. I may have done that as a young dragonman, but no more. I want you, Jane. Kiss me.”

  The sincerity and hunger in his voice shot straight to her heart. “Just a quick one and no funny business, or I may just nudge your sore arm by mistake.”

  “Then hurry up, Janey. Your kiss will help me heal faster.”

  Rolling her eyes, she leaned down. “Sid mentioned nothing about kisses helping you heal.”

  “It can’t be just any kiss, human. Only yours.”

  Melting at his words, Jane moved until she was a whisper away from Kai’s lips. “You can be charming when you try.”

  He opened his mouth to reply, but Jane shut him up with a kiss.

  ~~~

  Kai’s dragon hummed as Jane’s face lowered to theirs. Let her know we want her.

  Give me a bloody chance.

  Once Jane’s lips touched his, Kai raised his good hand and threaded it into her hair. Jane didn’t waste time and pushed her tongue past his lips and into his mouth.

  He met hers stroke for stroke and he threaded his fingers through her hair. When she groaned, the sound shot straight to his cock.

  Kai had survived flying for eight hours without a break as well as not eating for two days during a training exercise. But not taking his human right then and there was by far the hardest thing he’d ever done.

  Except for maybe not killing Maggie’s mate when he’d first heard the news.

  No. He didn’t want to think of anyone else but the human in front of him. Kai focused on Jane’s taste, the heat of her tongue, and the scent of hers that made him crave more, much more.

  All too soon Jane pulled away. She smiled and the mischief in her eyes made his stomach flip. Life would never be boring with Jane Hartley.

  He’d just have to ensure she stayed around.

  Jane murmured, “I kissed you, so I expect you to get your arse up and not put up any sort of fuss.”

  “I don’t put up fusses.”

  She chuckled. “Sid was right about alpha dragonmen turning into big babies when sick or injured.”

  Kai gently tugged Jane’s hair. “Just remember that when Sid clears me, you have a lot of payback coming your way.”

  “Oh, is that so?” Jane sat up
and he let go of her hair. “I should probably say something clever, but I’m looking forward to it too much.”

  Kai’s dragon spoke up. We’d better be cleared later today.

  And if we’re not?

  Then we’ll find creative ways to skirt Sid’s rules.

  For once, dragon, I like your way of thinking.

  Jane snapped her fingers and motioned up. “Stop dawdling. There’s lots to do today.” He opened his mouth to ask what when Jane beat him to it. “The sooner you cooperate, the sooner we can talk to Bram.”

  She moved off the bed and retrieved her medical kit as Kai sat up. Each movement caused a thread of pain to shoot down his arm and across his shoulder, but he didn’t regret letting Jane rest. Having his human curled up at his side had given Kai the best sleep he’d had in years. If he could have that every night, with Jane next to him, he’d be a happy dragonman.

  His beast spoke up. Just make sure she stays.

  I’m going to try, but I’m not sure I can make Jane do anything.

  Once she’s naked, that will change.

  Jane handed him his pain medication. After he swallowed the pills, she stood in front of him and removed his bandage. As her soft fingers brushed his skin, he stared at her breasts. The temptation to lean forward and suck one of her hard nipples through her shirt was strong. He bet when he nibbled, Jane would moan and thread her fingers through his hair.

  Since sucking her nipples might be too much too soon, Kai raised a finger and lightly brushed the taut peak. Jane sucked in a breath and he did it again. When she murmured, “Kai,” he looked up into her eyes.

  Never ceasing the strumming of her nipples, he watched Jane’s pupils dilate. He half-expected her to scold him, but she placed a hand on his good shoulder and leaned into his touch.

  Taking her actions as encouragement, he moved his hand down her stomach to the waist of her trousers. He traced her skin under the waistband and whispered, “Unbutton them.”

  The scent of Jane’s arousal grew stronger and his dragon roared. Rip them off. She wants us. We’ll make her come with our fingers.