Page 7 of Up In Flames
“He touched you in a familiar way.”
“Because we're friends.”
“Not anymore.”
“Excuse me?” I gaped at him.
Taroc wrapped an arm around my hips and yanked me across the table. My legs went down, then out to the sides, around Taroc's legs. He pressed closer, bringing us intimately together, crotch-to-crotch.
Then Taroc leaned down and snarled, “Not anymore. Your relationship with that man is over. He covets you. I can fucking smell it on him. And I won't stand aside while he tries to seduce you.”
“He's not trying to seduce me.”
“Yes, he is. No more, Ember!” He snapped his teeth at me.
“Get him out of here,” I heard Xaedren growl.
At first, I thought he might have been talking to me. But then I heard Keltyr say, “Come on, Caleb. Let's get that wrist looked at.”
I heard footsteps, but I didn't look. If I dared to even glance away from Taroc, he might attack Caleb again. My lover was on the edge, something I'd gone through with Xaedren, but Xae always recovered quickly. Taroc—steady, calm Taroc—was not coming back from his shifter rage so easily. I had to humor him until he did.
“All right, my love,” I said as I rubbed my hands over his chest. “Whatever you want.”
Taroc narrowed his eyes at me as his nostrils flared. “You're fucking lying.”
“Holy shit!” I said without thinking. “Did you just smell that on me?”
“No. I know you, Ember.” His hand went to my throat, gently circling it. “You're just telling me what I want to hear until I calm down.” He jerked my head to the side and closed his teeth around my neck. Again, it was gentle, but he got his message across. Just in case he wasn't clear, he released my throat and nuzzled his way to my ear to whisper, “You're mine now. And I won't put up with the shit the others did. Do you understand?”
I shivered, and it was a good shiver. Holy fuck! I liked this possessive crap. I had an erection. And of course, Taroc felt it.
He growled and pushed forward, letting me feel how my arousal was affecting him.
“Either fuck him or sit down!” someone shouted. “This is getting boring.”
Taroc snarled over his shoulder, his arm pulling me even closer. I knew what came next. It was the same with Xae. The beast would have to physically claim his mate. And Goddess help me, but I was looking forward to it. A little voice in my head was telling me this wasn't appropriate behavior, that Taroc didn't get to dictate who I could be friends with. But my libido told that voice to fuck off because I was about to get fucked as never before.
I wrapped my arms around Taroc's broad shoulders and nipped the sharp line of his jaw. “I like the first option.”
Yup. That was all he needed. Taroc picked me up, tossed me over his shoulder, and faded me away.
Chapter Four
As soon as we arrived, Taroc tossed me onto a bed. At first, I thought he had taken me up to the suite, but then I noted that the bed was smaller and the room was different. Strange things stood near the walls and hung from the ceiling. Contraptions. Devices. I'm not sure what to call them.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“Take off your clothes,” Taroc growled.
“Taroc, where are we?”
“Take off your fucking clothes!” he roared.
Fear lanced through me. I didn't recognize this man. What was happening? With shaking hands, I took off my tunic. Taroc calmed a little, his stare locked on me while he undid his belt. My stare kept moving, going from one odd item to the next. There were things with bars, padded surfaces, and leather straps. A hammock of sorts hung in one corner. A table held more leather items laid in neat rows. Was that a dick? A fake dick? Where the fuck did he get that thing? And why?
“Don't stop,” Taroc said.
I looked back to find him naked and magnificent, his thick body slabbed with Tytra muscle, and the dragon scales on his cheeks shining blue. He cracked his neck and gripped hislong shaft to rub the bead of moisture at the tip over his length. As he did, the scales on his face receded until they were back to normal.
