The Dragon's Charge (Tahoe Dragon Mates Book 4) Read online

  Time for a break.

  So she went looking for Brad, who had been mostly working from home.

  Not that she could really tell what he did all day. The dragonman had been spending more and more time away from her again. Although why he was avoiding her, she didn’t fully understand.

  From what little she knew about true mates and the needs of an inner dragon, her best guess was because he wanted to protect her from a possible frenzy.

  Of course, Ashley had told her that a lot could be done without setting off a mate-claim frenzy, provided the dragon in question was strong enough to avoid kissing their true mate on the lips.

  And given how her dreams were filled with one sexy, naked dragon-shifter, she was definitely open to a little fun.

  If only she could convince him to do it. He was one of the strongest, most stable men she’d ever met. Surely he was strong enough to keep from starting a frenzy.

  Not that she could tell him any of that without talking to him. So it was time to have a frank conversation with Brad before they became unfamiliar with one another again, which she really didn’t want.

  Tasha finally found him on the back porch, hunched over a computer on the table, typing something. It was almost funny to see the huge dragonman trying to work with such a tiny laptop. “You think they could get you a slightly bigger one. I’m not sure how you can type anything on that thing with your giant hands.”

  Brad grunted but didn’t take his eyes off his screen. “This one is fine. The screens and keyboards in the Protector building are bigger.”

  She slid across from him and asked, “Then why don’t you go and do some work there? I mean, I’m not trying to chase you away or anything, but you said yourself that I’m safe as long as I’m in this house.”

  He finally met her gaze, his pupils flashing quicker than they usually did. “No fucking way I’m leaving you alone until we’re sure the damn League isn’t targeting you.”

  Still being overprotective, as always, it seemed. “I’ve only gotten one letter addressed to me here, and that was from a lawyer. I wouldn’t exactly call it a huge threat.” He grunted again and looked back at his laptop. Tasha sighed and added, “What happened to the guy who liked to tease me a little? I haven’t seen him in a couple days now, and I miss him.”

  Clenching the edge of the table, Brad murmured, “Until you decide one way or the other about the frenzy, this is how it has to be. I want to talk with you, hold you, tease you, and so many other things. But my dragon is getting impatient.”

  Well, then it was time to be blunt and ask some probing questions. “You say he’s impatient, but does that mean out of control? If I let you, say, see me naked and touch me, would it help your dragon or make everything worse?

  His eyes met hers again, his pupils flashing between round and slitted even quicker than before. “Why would you ask that?”

  She leaned forward a little. “Because of two things. One, I like you, Brad, and you’re pretty sexy. And two, if it helps your dragon and brings back the man I want to know better, I’m all for it. So it really comes down to whether your dragon can stay grounded or not.”

  After a few beats, his pupils finally stayed round. “My beast says he can control himself if it means he can feel or taste you.”

  At his words, heat raced through her body and ended between her thighs.

  Maybe, just maybe, she was about to have one of her dream fantasies come to life.

  And she was all for it.

  Tasha just needed to do like she always did though, and make sure there was a plan in place. “I want to believe you 100 percent, but is there any backup protocol if this goes too far or makes your dragon crazy?”

  For the first time in over a day, Brad’s lips curled into a faint smile. “You invite me to lick your body from head to toe and still remain practical.”

  The image of Brad licking down her neck, then to her breast, and finally between her thighs made her squirm a little in her seat. “I never mentioned licking.”

  “Oh, but I think you want it now.”

  Damn him, he was right.

  Keep it together, Tasha. Just for a little longer. She cleared her throat. “I won’t deny it. That’d be pointless anyway, given your superhero-like senses. But I still need to know about any sort of precautions to take. I’ve been learning more about inner dragons, and sometimes they can lose their heads with a true mate.”

  His eyes flashed again before he replied, “My dragon says only the weak ones cave. He wouldn’t do that. But if you want extra assurances, you can have a phone with David and Jon on speed dial.”

  As she studied his face, her gut believed him about staying in control. Although the fact he offered other options only made her want him more.

  So now it was just the matter of making it happen.

  Standing, she then walked to the sliding door and looked over her shoulder. “Once you’re finished, come find me and we’ll test your dragon a little, okay?”

  And as she went up the stairs and started to undress in her bedroom, Tasha’s heart pounded.

  She had a feeling this experience would shift her relationship even more with Brad, and yet she was more than a little eager for it to happen. And not just because she wanted to bring the more open version of him back, either.

  Ashley kept saying a person’s first time with a dragonman was better than anyone could imagine. So it seemed as if Tasha was about to test that theory and see if it were true.

  Brad waited until Tasha was gone before he said to his beast, Are you positive you can do this and not go too far?

  His dragon huffed. Of course I can. Stop doubting me. Tasting our mate even a little will help. It’s one step closer to finally claiming her as our own.

  The words rang with truth. And given how Tasha had basically said they could lick her pussy and make her squirm, Brad was done staying away from her.

  He dashed up the stairs and stopped just outside her room. His dragon said, She should be in our room, not in this one.

  Soon, dragon.

  He heard something fall to the floor and his heart rate kicked up.

  His mate could be naked, or mostly so, just on the other side of the door.

  Blood rushed to his cock at the thought of all her warm, brown skin exposed and ready for his tongue.

  Somehow he possessed enough self-control to knock instead of just breaking down the door. Tasha said, “Come in.”

  Opening the door, he sucked in a breath at a naked Tasha standing in the middle of the floor.

  His mouth watered at her hard nipples, the curves of her body, and her long legs.

  Legs he wanted around his head as he made her scream his name.

  She clicked her tongue. “Are you going to stand there and stare or actually do something to me?”

  At the amusement in her voice, his eyes met her gaze again. While there was heat in her eyes, there was also pent-up laughter.

  Life would always be interesting with his mate.

  Brad walked into the room, shucking his shirt in the process. Her gaze zeroed in on his muscled chest and his cock turned even harder.

  What he wouldn’t give to have her wrap her fingers around his length and squeeze.

  Or to flick her tongue against his head and make him lose his fucking mind.

  No. Not yet. He’d please his mate first and prove how much he wanted her. That would bring him one step closer to convincing her to being his and allowing the frenzy.

  So Brad kept his jeans on as a sort of barrier. Still, when he reached Tasha, she ran a finger under the waist of them. She murmured, “I’ve already seen what’s under here, so I’m not sure why you’re being shy.”

  “I’m not being shy, love. I’m being practical.”

  The corner of her mouth ticked up. “You have a naked woman right in front of you and somehow you’re being practical.”

  He cupped her cheek and loved how she leaned into his touch. “If I want more of this, then I have
to be.”

  She searched his gaze, her expression telling him she wanted to say something, but instead, she ran a hand up his chest and down his arm, until she wrapped her fingers around his wrist. She moved his hand to her breast and arched her back into his palm. “Then touch me, Brad. I’m tired of waiting.”

  His dragon growled. I can smell how much she wants us. Stop stalling and please her.

  He squeezed her breast before rubbing his palm against her hard nipple. Touching her wasn’t enough, though. He needed to find out what her skin tasted like, too. So Brad moved his hand and leaned down, flicking his tongue against her taut peak.

  Tasha moaned and he suckled her, loving how she dug her nails into his scalp, letting him know she liked it when he suckled hard, or even lightly bit her.

  No soft touches for his mate.

  His dragon said, More, more. Stop making me wait to see how she tastes.

  Soon, dragon. Our mate deserves a little teasing.

  As if to make his point, Brad moved to her other breast and continued to slowly suckle, lick, and bite his mate until she was squirming under his lips. She gasped, “How can I be this close already?”

  He released her and met her gaze, loving how lost with desire her eyes were. “Because you have the right male with you.” He took her shoulders and gently pushed her back toward the bed. “But it’s time for me to make you lose your fucking mind. You’d better call my name when you come, Tasha. Do that, and I’ll reward you.”

  Brad waited to see if she’d argue back despite her words a couple days ago, about wanting him to be more dominant in bed.

  However, she merely rubbed her hand against his chest and murmured, “That’d better be a promise.”

  Fuck. His mate grew more perfect by the minute.

  His dragon spoke up. Then stop waiting and act. Lick her pussy and clit till she screams.

  But Brad didn’t have to say anything. Tasha sat on the bed, spread her legs, and gently ran a finger through her glistening center.

  Damn, she was so fucking wet already.

  With a growl, Brad kneeled in front of her and rubbed her thighs. “Remember what I said, Tasha.”

  Before she could even nod, he moved to her pussy and lightly ran his tongue through her folds. She jumped a little, but then soon spread her legs wider and leaned back on her elbows.

  The sight of his mate arching her back as she moved closer toward his tongue made his cock release a drop of precum.

  Since he couldn’t fuck her pussy with his cock, he slowly teased her entrance with his tongue instead, moaning at the taste of her sweet honey.

  Needing more, he plunged his tongue inside her, loving how her muscles gripped him lightly.

  He put his hands under her ass and lifted her even more to his mouth, giving him better access to lick, thrust, and tease her sweet core.

  When she was even wetter for him, he pulled back and moved to circle her clit without actually touching it. She buckled her hips and cried out. “More, Brad. Please.”

  Not wanting to deny his female, he flicked her hard bud with his tongue, soon finding a rhythm that made her moan and squirm more than any other.

  And even though his dick was harder than it’d ever been in his life, he focused on his female, both man and beast wanting—no, needing—her to orgasm. Mostly for her, but also for him.

  Because it was one of the ways Brad could prove he wanted her as his mate for real.

  It didn’t take long until Tasha squirmed as she gripped the blanket with her fingers.

  Suckling her clit, he lightly nibbled with his teeth, and Tasha cried out before she screamed his name.

  Needing to taste her orgasm, Brad moved back to her pussy, lapping at her sweet nectar, groaning at how fucking good she tasted.

  When she finally stopped spasming, Brad gave one last leisurely lick before he kissed each of her thighs and then her lower belly.

  So as to not tempt himself, he laid his chin on her abdomen and smiled up at her. Tasha barely raised her head and smiled slowly. “So what’s my reward then?”

  He gently slapped her hip. “Are you sure you can take more? You look about ready to pass out to me.”

  She raised her brows. “It’ll take more than one orgasm to do that, dragonman. I can take whatever you’ve got.”

  His dragon snorted. She has obviously never been with a dragon-shifter before.

  Good. We’ll be her first and last one.

  With no argument from his beast, Brad lazily played with Tasha’s nipple as he said, “Just be lucky I can’t go full force yet. Because in a frenzy, you can’t say things like that or my beast will pounce on the opening, interpreting it as a real challenge. You have to set boundaries with inner dragons.”

  “Oh, if you go too far, I’ll say something, trust me. But I’m not a delicate flower who gasps at a few swear words or something. I look forward to your inner dragon later.”

  His dragon growled. You had better fucking try to win her over a hell of a lot faster than what you’ve been doing. I want to claim her.

  He replied to Tasha, “Duly noted. Now, as for your reward…”

  And so Brad made his mate come two more times with only his fingers and tongue, loving how he learned exactly what made her orgasm the hardest.

  True, his balls were so blue by the end they were probably bordering on purple, but he didn’t care.

  No female had ever tasted as good, had been as open to his touch, or had ever truly screamed his name so loud.

  And with his dragon half somewhat calmed after it all, Brad started to think of how to win Tasha over completely. No more distance or excuses.

  In his mind, he’d already claimed her. But to appease his beast, he needed to make it a reality.

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning, Tasha reached a hand over to the left side of the bed and expected to find the giant, warm hulk of a dragonman.

  However, she felt nothing but smooth, cold sheets. Opening her eyes, she saw the empty space and sighed.

  She understood why Brad couldn’t spend the night with her just yet, but she hadn’t expected to feel so disappointed at his absence.

  And not just because of his magical tongue, either. She was becoming rather comfortable whenever he was near.

  Then she noticed the faint smells of bacon and something she couldn’t define, and her stomach rumbled. Maybe Brad was making her breakfast.

  Getting up, she quickly dressed and headed down the stairs, eager to see which version of Brad she’d find this morning. If he retreated again, she might just have to give him a swift kick in the ass and tell him to make up his damn mind.

  Entering the kitchen, she forgot about her worry at the sight of Brad’s bare back, deliciously broad and powerful with defined muscles. Ones that were toned from flying and not from hours a day inside a gym.

  But it was the bright yellow apron—complete with three rather impressive ruffles—around his waist that made her smile. “I didn’t pin you as a sunny yellow cook who loves flounces.”

  Grunting, he turned around and shook his head. “My sister gave it to me as a gift when I moved in here. I never thought I’d use it, but I also couldn’t throw it away because she always checks up on the gifts she gives me. But since I actually wanted to cook, I figured I’d use it. That way the chances of it getting ruined would go up, and then I could throw away the damn thing with good reason.”

  She grinned and walked closer toward him, motioning toward the spilled batter on one of the ruffles. “I hope it didn’t all end up on you. I’m starving.”

  His pupils flashed a second before he picked up a plate off the counter and handed it to her.

  Looking down, she tried to figure out what it was, apart from the bacon on the side. The big blob was most likely some kind of pancake, but it looked sort of like an amoeba illustration from her middle school days.

  Brad sighed. “It’s supposed to be a butterfly. I noticed the tattoo on your ankle yesterday and thought
you’d like one.”

  The fact he’d noticed such a detail even though she’d been naked was impressive. “I do love butterflies. But, hey, as long as the food tastes okay, that’s all that matters. You did do a taste test, right?”

  He snorted. “I’m not trying to poison you, Tasha. Just eat something before my dragon starts getting huffy.”

  The thought of his giant red dragon throwing a fit made her laugh. “Okay, okay. There had just better be some coffee, too.”

  He poured her a mug as she sat at the raised counter overhang. He handed her some silverware at the same time, and Tasha looked at the oddly shaped pancake covered in little things she couldn’t identify—fruit or maybe chocolate—and quickly cut a piece. Holding up her fork, she said, “Here goes.”

  She slid it between her lips and moaned at the springy, slightly sweet taste. The little decorations were blueberries and raisins, apparently, which only made it better.

  Brad crossed his arms over his bare chest and raised his brows. “Well? Your moan isn’t quite as loud as last night, but I still think it means it’s good.”

  After swallowing her food, she replied, “If your pancake recipe could make me feel as good as an orgasm, then you’d be a millionaire in no time.” She winked. “But no, it’s not quite that good. Still, I’ll have another one for sure.” She motioned to the seat next to her. “Join me, Brad. It’ll be our first real breakfast together.”

  And as he served up more food and slid into the chair next to her, the action seemed so simple. But eating breakfast with a man who could tease her, chatting about nothing and everything, was something she’d always wanted.

  Maybe she’d stay with Brad for longer than a few weeks.

  Of course, she’d need to figure out how to run her business still. Tasha admitted she wasn’t far off from wanting a family of her own, but she also loved the challenges and thrills of being her own boss.

  She’d just need to figure out how to do it all.

  Brad spent the morning working side by side with Tasha in the living room, each of them focusing on their own respective laptops.