Drake (Dragon Warrior Series Book 3) Read online

  Something made her ask the price of the hat. She spoke the native language to the seller and soon agreed on a reasonable price. She was good with languages. She had her father to thank for that. They had moved all over the world and she had to learn languages just to get by. She spoke six, not counting English.

  Taking her items and placing them in her handbag, she walked on. She didn’t notice until too late the wall of a man standing directly in her path.

  Umph!

  Strong hands wrapped around her waist to steady her. Looking up, she felt an instant heat travel through her whole body. Before her stood the hottest guy she’d ever seen in her life. Built like a football player, tall with wide shoulders and muscles everywhere. His pure black hair shined like silk. He had it pulled back with a tie but she bet if he let it go it would fall to his shoulders or maybe even lower. She had never liked guys with long hair before, but it looked damn good on him.

  His facial features were strong and firm like someone had sculpted him from stone. His skin color, a dark tan, almost reminded her of Native Americans. But his eyes had captured hers. His dark irises had a gold sparkle to them. He gave her a look of longing that left Emily breathless.

  “I apologize for bumping into you,” he said. His voice came out low and deep. God, she could listen to him talk all night and never tire of it. If he worked as a phone operator, he would be paid very well.

  She cleared her throat. “It’s okay. You can run into me anytime.”

  What had she just said? He gave her a sexy smile and Emily swore that she might have an orgasm right there in the street. Taking a step back, she made to move around him, but he turned to walk next to her.

  “My name is Drake.”

  “Emily,” she told him.

  She glanced up at him briefly before looking forward. She had to keep her eyes off him or she would not be responsible for her actions.

  “I’m new to this place. Would you be willing to show me around?”

  She noticed the travel guide he held. How could she trust to be alone with this total stranger? A part of her, the one screaming inside for a new adventure, wanted her to take the chance. She felt an instant pull to him that she couldn’t explain and for some reason she knew that he would not hurt her. Perhaps she would take him to all the public areas; they would be surrounded by other people. Surely, she would be safe.

  “All right. I can show you a few places, but I have to meet up with my friends for dinner.”

  He frowned but nodded. “I would appreciate it.”

  “So, what would you like to see first?”

  “There’s a cathedral that sounds interesting. I’ve never been in one before.”

  Emily stumbled to look at him curiously. “Why? Do you not believe in God?”

  Drake hesitated before answering. “I used to believe in my deity in my old country, but since moving to...Arizona...I have not found a place of worship. There’re so many religions, I found myself forgoing the effort.”

  “If you’re not religious, why would you want to visit a cathedral?”

  “I love the architecture. I can build anything with my hands from a working well to my own cabin.”

  He held up his hands and she couldn’t help but admire how big and strong they looked. Reaching out, she took one of his hands into hers and lightly skimmed her fingertip over his. Electricity traveled from his hand to hers and it made her shiver. His hands felt rough from hard work. She appreciated that in a man. Her father used to say if a man didn’t have calluses to show he worked, then he wasn’t a true man. Why did it seem like she always picked guys the exact opposite of what her father thought manly? She couldn’t help but wonder what those hands would feel like stroking her body. It didn’t make sense to have this strong a reaction, she didn’t normally go for a guy like him, strong muscles and male confidence.

  Emily dated guys who had her height or were a few inches taller. They weren’t athletic and leaned toward being what people considered nerds or geeks. Their professions ranged from elementary school teacher to accountants. All nice men, safe and...predictable. She couldn’t say any of those things about Drake. So why did he appeal to her so much? She realized she still held his hand and let it go immediately.

  A low rumble of sound startled her. She startled and turned looking for the source. “Did you hear that?”

  Drake glanced around too. “Hear what?”

  “I thought I heard a growl or something.”

  “Maybe a dog passed us.”

  “I didn’t see a dog, but maybe it had been.”

  Pulling her attention back to Drake, she ignored the nagging feeling that she was missing something. “The cathedral is around the next corner.”

  *****

  Drake had to fight his inner dragon for control. When Emily took his hand in hers and stroked him, he could feel the gentle caress as if she touched his entire body. His dragon pushed him to take the female, claim her for theirs. Its strong reaction startled him. None of the females he had been with on Earth got any reaction from his dragon. Not even with his intended on Drakonia did his dragon react like this. Why now? Why with this tiny female?

  He had to admit, she had a lovely shade of fiery red hair and her skin appeared pale and flawless. Her voice both soft and velvety, caused him excitement and calmness at the same time. Not sure how that would be possible, but just being near her made everything settle around him, made him feel at ease for the first time in centuries. The only thing he hadn’t seen—her eyes. She still had on the large dark sunglasses. This bothered him and his dragon.

  They walked together, and he couldn’t help but ask her questions. He wanted to know everything about her, all her likes and dislikes.

  “Do you live here in the Philippines?”

  “No. I live in the United States. My aunt is in Georgia and my father is in Florida.”

  “Then you’re here as a tourist...like me?”

  “I’m a teacher here on a three-year contract. You live in Arizona?”

  “Dragoon, Arizona, on a ranch I help run.”

  “That’s a real place?” Emily said with a half laugh.

  “Yes, it’s very small but the land is beautiful and there are high cliffs to climb.”

  “I’ve never been to Arizona, but it sounds lovely.”

  He held her elbow as they walked up the steps to the cathedral. Entering the building, his eyes easily adjusted to the dark room. The place felt cramped and he didn’t like small spaces. His dragon pushed for them to leave. Instead, he followed her to a pew in the back and sat next to her.

  Drake studied the stain glass windows, the sculptures, and the pitched room. “It’s well made to be as old as it is.”

  “I love the glass work the most. There’s a local artisan in town that does amazing work.”

  “Perhaps you could show me his shop sometime.”

  “Maybe, it depends on how long you are here. I’m only in the city for the weekend. I have to go back to work at school on Monday.”

  He frowned, knowing he would not have much time to spend with her. “I may be here only for a day. I have business to attend that will probably take me out of the city by tomorrow.”

  She turned his way and finally took her glasses off. He sucked in a breath at his first glimpse. He found the green of her eyes startling, bright like gems. Emily was not just beautiful, she looked like an angel, the type of woman artists painted and sculptors worshipped with their clay imitations.

  “Look, Drake, I lied earlier when I said I would be meeting friends for dinner. I’m sorry about that, but I’m here alone and I didn’t know you. I still don’t, but I would really like to get to know you. Would you like to have dinner with me?”

  “Yes,” he said quickly.

  His heart beat faster at the thought of more time with this female.

  “I will come by your hotel to pick you up. Where are you staying?” he asked.

  She told him and they stood to leave the cathedral. As the
sunlight hit her red hair, he felt like he had been struck by lightning. Tonight would be all they would have. He had to make it count, make it something she would not soon forget.

  Chapter 5

  Early that evening

  Emily paced in her small hotel room, wondering why she had asked Drake to dinner. She couldn’t believe her boldness. My God, she didn’t even know the guy’s last name.

  Something about him made her feel that she could trust him. Their conversation from earlier made her want to know more about him.

  “We have cattle, horses, chickens, pigs, and a garden with veggies we sell to local stores.”

  “Do you make your own butter,” she asked.

  “Yes, and cheese and breads. We try to be as self-sufficient as possible.”

  “Why? Don’t you like mingling with the locals in your community?”

  “The ranch is thousands of acres and has cabins for our people that made the move from our old country. We’ve been pretty tight knit and have a hard time allowing others in.”

  She would have asked more, but they had arrived at the cathedral. Maybe tonight at dinner he would explain things better, and what the hell did he mean by old country? A knock on the door had her jumping where she stood in front of the mirror. One more glance at herself to make sure she looked ready.

  The pale green sleeveless dress with narrow straps that went over her shoulders made Emily feel feminine. A pair of green sparkly sandals completed her ensemble. She had debated wearing her hair down but went with a loose bun allowing short tendrils to cascade around her shoulders. She only needed a little mascara, blush and red lipstick.

  Answering the door on the second round of knocking, she pulled it open and groaned at the sight of him. He had on a pair of black jeans, black T-shirt that hugged his upper body, and did he have a tiny gold hoop earring in his ear? He looked like a modern day pirate.

  “Hi,” she said breathlessly. The electricity she had felt earlier returned and heated her whole body with need.

  Drake drank her in from head to foot. She could feel the touch of his eyes on her everywhere, and he didn’t skip an inch. He gulped before answering her.

  “Good evening, Emily.”

  One thing was clear when she looked him over again, the man wanted her. He had a huge bulge in his pants. His eyes darkened and he breathed deeply, it seemed as if he inhaled her scent or something. Never had anyone made her feel this desirable in all her life.

  “Would...would you like to come in?”

  He purred or growled. She wasn’t sure, but she could feel it in her lower body. Good grief!

  “If I come in there, we won’t make it to dinner. I would be having you as my meal and I am starved.”

  Holy shit! She felt starved for him too.

  “Come in,” she told him.

  Drake moved forward making her back hit the door as he pressed his big body against hers. “Let’s be completely clear. If I come in your room, I will have you naked and I will be between your thighs riding you...all night. Is that what you’re asking me for? Say it clearly, Emily. Is that what you want?”

  Her legs shook, about to give out. She had been timid all her life, rarely taking chances on anything unless she felt at least 90 percent sure of the outcome. For once, she didn’t care what the outcome would be; she had to have him.

  “Yes, Drake, I want this. I want you.”

  Drake leaned down and kissed her and she opened to him immediately, returning the kiss with the passion inside her. He lifted her into his arms, closed the door, then carried her to the bed.

  Well, she had wanted an adventure. By the look in his eyes, she was about to get what she wanted...and maybe more.

  Chapter 6

  Drake sucked in a breath at the vision before him. When she smiled at him, something inside his chest shifted. A feeling of need overwhelmed him. He had to remind himself to breathe.

  When she invited him into her hotel room, his dragon leaped on the inside in excitement. Claim her...mine...ours!

  He kissed her and the sparks reignited. The only thoughts running through his mind were to get her naked and get inside her.

  Drake’s tongue took control, dominating her mouth, driving in and out of her. It became a frenzy of heat and need that consumed them. Emily kissed him, matching his intensity and passion.

  She tried to pull his shirt off so he stepped back long enough to get it over his head and tossed it to the floor. His large fingers reached for the tiny straps intending to carefully remove them but when her fingers dug into the flesh of his back he lost control snapping the fabric.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled as he slid the top of the dress down.

  “It’s okay. I didn’t like this dress anyway.”

  She gasped when her breasts sprung free.

  “So damn pretty,” he whispered.

  He reached down to cup one the soft mounds with gentle hands. Drake couldn’t get enough of her soft skin and sweet scent. He used his thumb and forefinger to tease her nipple as his mouth descended on her other one.

  He suckled her, and at the first taste of her flesh, he almost lost his seed right then. Never had his body reacted so strongly to a female. Emily was different. She is ours. His dragon told him, purring with pleasure. Drake pulled back to look at how red her nipple became from the suction and blew warm breath over her tip.

  “Oh...please. Drake, I need you.”

  “I need you to, Emily.”

  *****

  Emily thought she would scream from the pleasure and the need that still ached inside. She ran her hands over his shoulders, his arms, around his back. His hands were busy pulling her dress off.

  He growled at the sight of her without any panties. “You planned to go out in public with no underwear?”

  She smiled against his skin. “I never wear underwear.”

  That drew a low rumbling moan from him. “Female, you drive me crazy.”

  Well, his slow motions drove her a little crazy too. “You have to remove your pants right now.”

  “Impatient wench,” he commented with humor.

  Pulling away, he toed off his boots, slid his pants down, and kicked them to the side. He wasn’t wearing underwear either.

  Emily stared in awe at the sheer size of him. His cock looked long and wide. She didn’t think her one hand would encircle the girth. Of course, she needed to test that out for herself.

  She reached out to stroke him. He felt so hard and solid. He groaned at her touch. Emily wanted to make him insane with desire. She squeezed and pumped until he pulled her hand from him.

  “You’re going to make me come too soon. I want to taste you first.” He lifted her and placed her on the bed.

  Drake gently gripped her knees and spread them. Moving forward, he wedged his shoulders between her thighs.

  His fingers rubbed her pussy lips. He would find her wet with need and she wasn’t sure if she should tell him to stop, that she didn’t need much foreplay. But the words didn’t come. She needed him, his hands, his mouth, his body on her and in her. Instead she lay on her back and gave herself to him, letting him do whatever he wanted.

  He kissed her lower lips then his teeth pulled at her clit.

  “Fuck!”

  He growled and the vibration against her nether region had her arching closer. “Drake, I need…”

  When he lifted his head to peer at her, his black eyes shined with a golden ring around the irises. “I know what you need, my sweet Emily.”

  Then he lowered his head and inserted his tongue inside her. He tongue fucked her in and out while he used his thumb to strum her hood.

  “Yes...yes…”

  Emily almost knocked him off by arching her hips. Drake held her in place as he took her with his mouth and hands. She screamed out her release as she came hard.

  She still shook from her release as he climbed up her body kissing and caressing. He whispered strange words against her skin, the timber of his voice sending ripples of ne
ed through her.

  He moved between her thighs. Looking into his handsome face, she panted from the possessive look he gave her. No one ever looked at her like that before.

  Drake aligned his cock with her entrance. Slowly he entered her, little by little.

  “You’re so tight.”

  “Don’t stop, please.”

  “I won’t.”

  Deeper he moved, rocking into her until finally, he was fully seated inside her. Sweat poured from each. He pulled out and she couldn’t help but beg him to come back.

  “Drake...please.”

  Then he slammed back into her again.

  “Fuck me harder!” she called out.

  Drake pumped in and out, pushing, pulling. Emily reached for him, scratching and clawing. She probably drew blood, but she couldn’t seem to control herself.

  He lifted her legs higher on him seeking a deeper penetration that sent shards of pleasure through her. She fought her release, wanting it to last longer.

  “Let go, Emily,” he said with a growl in his voice.

  He drilled into her at a pace she didn’t know was humanly possible.

  She couldn’t help it, she tilted her head back and screamed as fireworks lit in her eyes and her body went up in flames.

  He pumped a few more times then followed after her, shooting his seed deeply inside. She trembled under him. His head leaned against her shoulder and she could have sworn he said...Mine!

  She moved beneath him and noticed something unexpected. “Drake…you’re still hard,” she said with a raspy voice.

  He moved inside her slowly causing ripples to shoot through her entire body. “I promised to fuck you all night long. I’m not done with you, not yet.”

  He began making love to her again and again until they both passed out in exhaustion.

  Chapter 7

  Something had his dragon in alert mode. He tossed the covers off and wrapped Emily with them to keep her warm. She lay on her stomach, her face turned toward him on the pillow looking so peaceful and satisfied. He had done that, given her that satisfied look and everything male in him felt pride. But his dragon warned him danger was near. Reluctantly, he left her in bed and stepped onto the small balcony not bothering to put on clothes.