Page 9 of Licking Fire

Chapter Three

Rayer strainedagainst the urge to seize hold of the young woman’s wrists, thrust her against the wall, push up the skirt she wore, and ram his cock into her. She was stunning, and her scent washed over him, calling him on primal levels. Her hair, not as dark as his but dark all the same, was pulled up in a haphazard manner.

She was scared and injured. She needed assistance and protection. Not him thinking wicked thoughts about bedding her. Still, he couldn’t shake the sinful desire. His breathing increased, and he fought to maintain his even façade. This wasn’t how he normally acted around a woman. Normally, he romanced them to a point, got them into bed, fucked them, and then moved on, not bothering to learn their names or much beyond the color of their hair.

Alondra.

He wanted to shout her name as he had his way with her. What was wrong with him? His gaze snapped to her hand upon his chest. He certainly hoped wanton was something she had in her list of skills, because he was going to fuck her. There was no question about it, even if he had to rely on the gifts he’d been born with.

Seduction was a must for his kind. Their bodies required sex, and nature had assured they had the means to always obtain it. He knew he was a good-looking male. He understood his body was above average, and he also knew if push came to shove, he could use what he’d been born with.

A natural aphrodisiac.

The substance secreted on demand by tiny glands in his mouth. Called risbrosius by his people, it had been used since the dawn of time by the dragon shifters to make sure they had the sex they needed. The substance was unlike anything else. It merely had to make contact with the woman’s skin, and she would lose her inhibitions, finding her body in sexual overdrive, the need for sex nearly all consuming.

He was guilty of using it in the past but had tried to do so sparingly in recent years. He enjoyed the thrill of the chase, and the substance was a form of cheating. It also left the female a mindless drone, bending to the male’s every whim. At one point in his long life, he’d found that thrilling. As he aged, he desired a bit more personality from his bed partners.

But this woman was different. He had to have her cunt wrapped around his cock, and soon, or he might very well manage to go up in flames. A feat not at all easy for a dragon shifter to do since they were nearly impervious to heat.

“How about some hot chocolate?” asked Timothy, yanking Rayer from his lustful thoughts. “And then we can take a look at that arm. Plus, if we occupy Mr. Drackos, he might not offer to eat anyone else.”

As much as Rayer wanted to assure the woman was safe and well, the idea of losing her touch set his beast side on edge. Alondra remained in place, her hand to his chest. It was like she could sense his desire to maintain contact with her. Stray strands of her dark hair fell free of their binding and landed on her shoulder. The sweater she wore was cut too high, covering his view of her cleavage, though it was plain to see she lacked not in the area.

With a hiss of breath, he found the strength to move. He could smell the torrent of cream between her thighs and knew she was wet for him. She desired him. He desired her. But he could smell something else, too—her blood and something else. Something that smelled sickly sweet…and wrong. She was far more injured than she was letting on.

He cleared his throat. “Yes, come.”

She eased back from him and frowned. “I got blood on your shirt.”

Shrugging, he reached out and took her hand in his, fearful if he didn’t keep contact with her, she’d run away. He’d already broken so many of his own rules and had drawn upon his supernatural strength and speed when she’d left his floor. He’d rushed down the staircase in record time, partially shifted, beating the elevator down. He’d then quickly returned to human form and stood at the elevator doors, awaiting her.

Whoever the young woman was, she had him behaving differently. And as Timothy had so blatantly pointed out, she had Rayer showing concern. Something he didn’t often do.

Thankfully, Alondra permitted Rayer to guide her into Timothy’s office, which looked a great deal like Christmas had vomited all over it. Evergreen garland was strung from every spot imaginable. Mistletoe and holly were everywhere as well. There was a tiny ornamental Christmas village set up on the mantel of the fireplace. There was also a giant tree, decorated to the point the tree itself was barely visible.

Rayer glanced at Timothy, wondering why he had so many holiday decorations. The man had never once asked about decorating the lobby of the building, and from the looks of the office, Rayer was happy he hadn’t.

Alondra stared around and smiled wide. “This is awesome!”

She liked the monstrosity before her?

She went right for the fireplace. “Oh look! This is so cute. Are these houses handmade?”

Timothy beamed as if he couldn’t be prouder that someone had noticed. “They are. I did them myself. It’s a hobby of mine.”

“I love them.”

Rayer’s lip curled.

Timothy pulled a chair out near a table. “Sit here. I’ll be right back.”

Alondra obeyed without hesitation.

Timothy left them and headed off toward the entrance to his condo. When he returned, it was with a sweatshirt that would be much too large on Alondra. He also had several towels and some antiseptic. “Miss, if you don’t mind. Could you remove your sweater? If you’re uncomfortable doing so in front of us, I understand. I can call a female friend of mine. She’s a nurse.”

Alondra shook her head and then pulled her sweater off gingerly. She had on a black cami beneath it, and while she looked stunning, his gaze went directly to the bandage on her upper right arm. It was coated in blood. He caught a whiff of the sickly-sweet smell once more, and it turned his stomach. He didn’t need to be told the smell was oozing from her wound. His gut told him it was, and that the situation was dire.

Timothy began unwrapping the bandage slowly, and the second he had it undone, his gaze whipped to Rayer.

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