Page 77 of The Dragon Recruit
So she hurried the male she loved toward her cottage, eager to do something for herself and not for the clan. While she loved her job, wouldn’t have any other, she was done burying herself in work and hiding from life.
It was high time to embrace it, starting with Antony Holbrook.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Antony hadn’t planned to move so quickly, but he’d burned to kiss Iris and been more than happy to follow her through the clan. She’d even taken the least populated route, judging by the lack of people, and she tugged him inside a little stone cottage.
Before he could say a word, she went down the hallway and into a room that turned out to be a bedroom. He barely noticed the blue walls and shelf of knickknacks before Iris released his hand and ran it up his chest, to his neck, until she lightly caressed his skin.
Blood shot straight to his cock, and with a growl, he gently took Iris’s face between his hands. “Tell me I can kiss you, love. I’m burning to feel your lips, learn your taste, and make you moan.”
Her pupils flashed to slits and back before she smiled at him. Even though she smiled more and more often these days, he treasured every one she gave.
Leaning against him, she murmured, “Kiss me, Antony. Please.”
His self-control snapped, and he took her lips in a fierce yet gentle kiss. She was so soft, so warm, and he wanted more. So much more.
And yet, he needed to know if there would be a frenzy or not. So, drawing on every bit of self-control he possessed, Antony pulled back to find Iris’s pupils flashing rapidly. “Iris?”
She growled. “My dragon is threatening to take control if you don’t claim me. And soon.”
A thrill shot through him. “I’m your true mate?”
She nodded, clearly struggling to keep her dragon in check. “Aye. Now, claim me, Antony. I want the first time to be with me and not my dragon.”
“I will. But I want you naked first.” He tugged at her top, and she raised her arms. Once the top was off, he turned her around to unhook her bra. That’s when he saw the large, ugly scar on her back. He traced the shape as he asked, “Was this from when your wing was shot?”
She growled. “You want to ask about that now?”
He resisted chuckling. Instead, he knew that if he threaded a little dominance into his voice, her dragon should behave for a short while. So he stated, “Yes. Tell me what happened, Iris. I need to know if you’re still hurting.”
After a beat, she replied, “Aye, it’s from my wing wound, but it doesn’t hurt anymore. I’ll always have the scar, though.”
Leaning down, he kissed the raised tissue and whispered, “I love every part of you, Iris. Battle wounds aren’t always physical, but when they are, it’s just proof of your brave, brilliant nature.”
She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes softer than before. “Antony. I wish we could take our time with this.”
He traced the curve of her bottom lip. “Yes, but it’s either hurry up or face your dragon. And whilst I look forward to meeting her, I want to claim your human half first. Gives me time to strategize on how to handle your beast.”
She smiled. “Then hurry up.”
He wanted to slowly take her bra strap down and follow the trail with his lips. But dragons who wanted a frenzy weren’t the most patient, from what he’d learned. And even someone as strong as Iris could only control her beast for so long.
So he quickly shed her bra and turned her around. For a beat, his mouth watered at her dark nipples, and he took one into his mouth as his fingers worked on her jeans. Each tug or nibble or swirl of his tongue made Iris arch more into his touch, even digging her nails into his scalp.
Reluctantly, he released her nipple to help her take off her jeans. Once she stood naked, he whispered, “You’re so bloody beautiful, love.”
Her pupils flashed rapidly again, and she grunted. “Normally, I’d say thank you. But my dragon is impatient, so take off your pants and claim me, Antony. Now.”
“As you wish, my dear.”
He stripped fast, quite possibly the fastest in his life, and gently lowered Iris onto the bed. She scooted to the top, laid back, and spread her thighs. With her pretty pussy on display, he growled and moved until he could lower between her legs and kiss her mouth again.
She instantly parted her lips, and he dove inside. He loved her taste and took a few seconds to stroke and explore and eventually stopped to gently tug her bottom lip with his teeth. He murmured, “Later, much later, I’m going to take my time.” Moving a hand between her thighs, he groaned at how hot and wet and swollen she was. He even thrust a finger inside her, loving how she arched up. “But for now, I’m going to claim my dragonwoman, my true mate, my love.”
“Antony, stop being charming and fuck me.”
He chuckled, removed his hand, and kissed her quickly. “Just this once, I’ll obey without making jokes or teasing you.”
