Page 49 of Wildfire Witch

“Yeah, I don’t think they’re here yet. The smell of other shifters is very distinct.” He turned to me, probably catching the not-so-respectful glance I was giving his tight butt in the jeans he wore.

I cleared my throat. “I have a question.”

“All ears, mate,” he said, a hint of the dragon there in his lower tone.

“In the car, you said something about a dominance match. What is that?”

He rumbled. It was the aroused one—I was beginning to tell the differences in pitch and length. If we were pressed together, I’d be able to feel the vibrations of this one to my core.

“It’s a shifter thing. No matter the size of a group, we always need to know who’s dominant. When you’re a dragon like me, most of the time there’s no question. Other shifters’ animal sides bow their heads to mine. But say there are two wolves, and bothseem equally dominant. Sometimes, they fight to see who the true leader between them is,” he explained.

“Okay, like real animals,” I said, nodding.

He nodded as well. “No matter what, all shifter matings start with a fight. It’s usually a wrestling match, since no one really wants to get hurt. The dominant mate fucks the submissive one and that becomes their dynamic. Don’t worry.” He put on a toothy grin. The man was fully aroused just by talking about this, pitching just as impressive a tent as the first time I’d ‘teased’ him. “I’ll be gentle. But I’ll have to follow my instincts, and they say to pin you to the ground first before I claim you.”

“Mmm. Well, you are quite strong.” He took that as an invitation for him to flex, which caused the seams of his shirt to creak in agony. “Can I use magic to even the odds a bit?”

“Sure, mate,” he said. I noted the casual arrogance. He definitely didn’t think it would make a difference.

I glanced around to make sure we were well out of sight of the town before I stripped. The sun was setting, painting the autumn forest in fiery shades, despite the chill in the air. Goosebumps erupted up my body as soon as I dropped my clothes and toed out of my shoes, but I would be warm again soon.

Rusty froze for a moment, his green-brown dragon eyes practically glowing. He didn’t know what I intended yet, but he rushed to strip too with the kind of eagerness that ripped his shirt up the side. “Oops,” I chuckled.

He rumbled in a grumpy way and tossed it aside, revealing more and more of his earthy brown skin and the tattoos that ran down his thickly muscled torso. I’d have to ask him about the designs,figuring there was as much history there as with Ceridor and his few scars. Later, though.

I put my shoes back on my bare feet before watching him take the rest off. Rusty was going commando under those jeans, as his impressive length bobbed free the moment he shoved them down his legs. My palms tingled. It was the moment I was waiting for. “Hey, Rusty,” I said.

“Yeah?” he growled, glancing up at me. I twinkled my fingers at him before turning and dashing into the forest. There was an excited roar behind me.

I ran as fast as I could, holding in a thrilled laugh as I went. I’d guessed right, challenging his predator side like this. When he caught me, though, I was in for the ride of my life.

“Nix, mate. Haven’t I told you not to run from a shifter?” he said somewhere behind me. When I glanced over my shoulder, there was no sign of him.

“What if I want my dragon to chase me?” I answered, dodging around a thicker cluster of trees and bushes. Branches cracked underfoot, and I was glad I’d thought to put my shoes back on.

“I’m not going to be gentle after a chase,” he warned, this time closer and more to my right.

A surge of excitement thrilled down my belly. “What if I don’t want you to be?” I challenged. His answering growl told me I had his dragon’s attention.

“Ah, mate. Be careful. I’m going to fuck you on your hands and kneesverysoon.” He didn’t even sound winded as he kept pace behind me. The hair on the back of my neck lifted, but I didn’t glance back this time.

I shivered and pushed myself harder, twisting and turning through the natural maze the underbrush made. I wasn’t completely idle with my magic as I ran into the deepening shadows of evening; I probed the ground for signs of water. It must’ve rained recently, as there were ambient motes of water underground, waiting to be called upon.

Once I found a clearing, I slowed to a stop and caught my breath, holding my knees. Goddess, I was out of shape. The deep, aroused rumble from the tree line told me I was as good as caught, and that Rusty was probably admiring my naked ass.

“How do you feel about children, mate?” He was still in motion, not quite behind me anymore.

I called on my magic, more specifically the extra air motes that’d come from Ceridor. Loops of lightning circled my torso, less thick and deadly than the versions I’d shot at Benedict.

“I’ve always wanted a few, but…” I answered breathlessly.

“But?” He prompted. He was circling me like I was cornered prey.

“After everything my body’s been through, I don’t know if I can even have kids,” I told him.

“I’ll put a dragonling in your belly. No problem, mate,” he rumbled. This had to be his dragon side fully in the driver’s seat, the primal part of him seeing me as his prey to claim and breed. A drip of wetness leaked down my thigh and I heard him sniff and shuffle nearer, through a drift of crunchy leaves.

My heat thumped in my ears, equal parts excitement and exertion thrumming through me in the moments that followed, heavy with anticipation. “Why the hesitation? You want to rideme, right?” I teased, while pivoting and trying to spot him. He fit into the underbrush far too well for a giant, naked man.

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