Page 152 of Smoke and Lure

Chapter Twenty-Three

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His dragon graduallydescended from the air to the thick cement and steel landing of their home, touching down almost as gently as it ascended from the meeting ground—something entirely out of its nature.

He and his beast were known for their excess speed, and violence when needed.His dragon’s landing was often compared to thunder, and the flap of its wings to a lightning clap in the sky.

Even though they did little more than glide most of the way back home, it hadn’t stopped Liekki’s heart from its fast pounding the entire time.

However, the dragon used its snout to compress the catch and release the massive, thick sliding glass door that led to the master suite on the second floor.The door opening of the entrance was smooth and wide, allowing the gigantic beast to enter the dwelling.It kept its body lower than usual, practically in a belly crawl, even though both the frame and the ceiling were crafted and designed for its girth and height, like all of the upper rooms of the Drahk homes.

“Um...how am I supposed to—?”

As soon as everything, save the long, heavy, spiked tail, was inside, Liekki shifted, unable to bear it a second longer.

“Ah!”Avalore screamed.

He turned, catching the curvy bundle in his arms when she fell, gravity bringing her down fast from the height she was perched, instantly losing her seat. He should not have allowed his dragon to persuade him to let Avalore ride.Instead, he should have stood his ground because that was his life's longest and most terrifying flight.His mind had continued to war with every fucking way Avalore could have lost her damn seat and went careening toward the earth hundreds of feet down.

It didn’t matter that he could feel how tight her plump ass was wedged in between his beast’s back horns, it only barely dampened his fear.One thing Liekki had never experienced, gave much credence to, was a weak emotion like fear.

However, he’d be damned if even the remote possibility of his little lure being injured didn’t shove him face first out of his comfort zone.

“Umph—”

His arms flexed around her as he drew her tight against his chest, and he buried his nose in her tangled length.He drew the ginger, honey-caramel of her scent and filled his lungs with her.The spiced sweetness tightened his core and sent heat south.The flight hadn’t diminished his need for her, quite the contrary.“Avalore...”

Shudders ran through her body as she clutched at his shoulders, squeezed, released...squeezed, released as if she wasn’t sure of her grip on him or if she’d continue to descend.

But he had her and wasn’t planning to let her go.

Now free of his dragon’s huge tail, the glass door slid closed with a soft snick.

“Oh, gracious.Liekki?”

“I’m here, little lure.”He stroked his fingers over her waist, trying to calm her.But when he leaned back to look at her, he saw how the wind and elements wreaked havoc on her as they flew through the sky.Her mass of waves, wild halo around her head, her cheeks ruddy and chapped, while her shirt had lost a few buttons, revealing the smooth full swell of her breasts.Yet her eyes were luminous and filled with joy, and she’d never appeared more striking.

She resembled a Scottish Caledonian dragon warrior who battled against the Roman Empire.It was the last time his kind wore harnesses and flew with riders.

However, seeing the glow of excitement on his mate's face, smelling the potent notes of her scent, and knowing how her body had reacted to the moment made him want her to ride him in another way.

He gripped her waist and thigh harder.

“That was—” she started again as she slid her hand up under his shoulder-length strands, then around his neck.“That was amazing.Don’t get me wrong, I was terrified most of the time, but it was electrifying.”

She met his gaze, holding it.“I know it's not customary...thank you.”

Liekki didn’t need her thanks.He needed her on that base level where man was beast, where hunger and thirst for only their mate resided.

He glided his hand up her back and felt the tremor move through her body at his touch.Burying his hand in her hair, he fisted it and pulled her toward him.He lowered his head and kissed her mouth.

Not kindly.He forced her lips apart with his.

Avalore gasped, whether in shock or her own desire, he didn’t pause to ask.He couldn’t, not in the way he hungered for her, instead drove his tongue inside.

He held her head just at the angle he wanted with his fingers ensnared in her silky waves, and proceeded to devour her through the kiss.

She moaned, took his assault, not as a submissive bystander, but as an equal participant.Avalore sucked his thick, long, plundering tongue.She drew on him so firmly, it took a delicious effort for him to pull it back even a fraction before pressing in again.

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