Dragon Song

Dragon Song Jordyn Tracey Copyright © May 2010, Jordyn Tracey  Cover art designed by Sugar and Spice Press © May 2010  ISBN 978-1-936110-70-4   

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.   

Sugar and Spice Press  North Carolina, USA  www.sugarnspicepress.com 

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Prologue From his vantage point propped against the stone wall, Noah watched his father sleeping. His breathing was labored, and he hadn’t regained consciousness for the last two hours. Any minute now, the old coot’s healing powers should kick in, and he’d be good as new. They’d taken a lot of blood, but the dragon shifter was known to be resilient. Reproducing blood cells shouldn’t be a challenge. Noah refocused his gaze on his partner, Owen. The man was brilliant. If anyone on the planet could discover the secret to waking up his dormant dragon gene, Owen could, and Noah had already promised to make it worth his while. That is if he kept his mouth shut about what they’d done. If not, well, Noah would deal with that when the time came. Owen seemed to get off on just the discovery, having no interest in fame or winning the Nobel prize or whatever reward scientists were given. With a sigh, Noah pushed off the wall and went to peer over his partner’s shoulder. “Any luck?” His patience was growing thin. He’d already been searching for the answer for longer than he cared to wait. Unlike the damn shifters in his family line, his lifespan did not border on immortality. “I don’t have many more years left, you know.” Owen smirked but didn’t swing his attention from his microscope. “You’re thirty-four, hardly decrepit yet.” Noah grunted. “I want this thing done while I’m still good-looking and able to move with ease. There’s no telling if the awakened gene will reverse the aging process. Besides, I have plans to enjoy my life in a whole new way. I don’t want to do it like that.” He nodded toward his father. “You’re a cold-hearted bastard, you know that, Noah?” Owen commented. “Your own father. How old is he anyway?” “You didn’t have a problem pulling half his blood supply, did you? So don’t hand me that cold-hearted bullshit. You’re in this with me.” Noah ran a hand through his hair. “I’m just tired of waiting. You cannot imagine what will open up to me when I am able to shift. Everything I am hangs on our success. You could never understand.” 1

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“You’re right. I can’t understand it,” Owen admitted. “What I love is the challenge, the discovery. You’re probably also right about me being just as cold as you. All I needed to know is that he would heal.” Owen glanced at Noah’s father lying on the examining table. “He hasn’t moved or awakened. I’m beginning to worry.” “Just get it done. You let me worry about my father,” Noah spat. He’d hated the bastard from the time he was five years old when he’d discovered his father used his charm to cheat on Noah’s mother. Funny, the same gift that made him despise his father was the one he would almost kill for today. “And for your information, he’s over three hundred years old.” Owen gasped, his beady black eyes widening. “You’re kidding!” “No. Any progress?” Noah demanded. Owen sighed and turned back to his work. He removed his hornrimmed glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Take a look for yourself. No change. I’ve done more than a hundred variations of my tests on his blood, and I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s his age. I had no idea how right I was. Three hundred?” Owen scratched his head. “Are there any younger shifters we can draw blood from? I know you said they are rare, but there must be one.” Noah’s vision blurred as he thought of the one person he didn’t want to bring into this. He was a whole other issue, one that Noah wanted to avoid. Still, if his father wasn’t going to be of use, then he had no choice. “There’s one.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and reared back on his heels as he developed a plan of action. “My cousin Stone is the only other shifter that I know of, and he’s my age. I’ll get his blood, one way or another.”

2

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter One He’d been watching her all night. Tielle had felt his dark eyes follow every move she made, especially when she walked on the dance floor. She hadn’t lacked for dance partners, not when she was dressed as she was in a slinky red dress that hugged every curve and showed off her cleavage to the point that the guys were foaming at the mouth and fighting each other to get closer. But not him. He hadn’t moved from his spot in the corner although she’d sashayed by with her girlfriend a couple times. And he was interested. Tielle knew when a man wanted her, even when he wasn’t given to roaming hands and a lustful expression in his eyes. This man hadn’t shifted one muscle. He swirled his drink in his glass before bringing it to full, thick lips that made her want to taste him. He was built too, massive shoulders, bulging biceps, visible because of his short-sleeved shirt. His head full of dark curly hair and chiseled jaw line started fantasies in her head that dulled the fun of being with men. She’d dated white men plenty of times. In fact, they were her personal preference, but every one of them were of average to good looks. All had been mild-mannered, sweet, and fun. None compared to Sexy over there. This guy was dangerous with a capital D. Tielle should keep it moving, but something about him made her want to forget her usual ploy of making a guy come to her and just march right over there. On impulse, she began dancing in his direction—with subtlety, she hoped. Her partner followed, grasping her hips and moving closer than Tielle liked. For the moment, she let it slide. When they were within steps of Sexy, she stopped and swung around to the man whose name she’d forgotten the second he uttered it. She began gyrating with her most sensual moves, raised her hands above her head and tilted her head back a little, closing her eyes. Her lips parted, she danced for him and not the guy in front of her. Still, her tease set her partner off. He whooped in excitement. “Damn, I’ve never met a woman like you before. Let me take you home tonight,” he shouted in her ear. 3

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

She pushed him back and whirled. He grabbed her hips right away and tried grinding into her ass. She moved again. “Baby, don’t tease me,” he pleaded. When the music ended, he made another offer to take her home, and she put a hand up to his chest, smiling. “Sorry, baby, I’m here to unwind and have fun. I’m not taking anybody home tonight.” “Dance with me again.” “Nope.” She didn’t even elaborate or give him some lame excuse. His lust was starting to gross her out, although she couldn’t blame him after what she’d done to the poor man. At her limit waiting on the one she wanted, she closed the steps between them and stopped just between his jean-clad legs. “So you’re just going to stare all night or what?” “If you wanted to dance, you could have said so,” he replied. A shiver ran down Tielle’s back at the deep, slightly accented, timbre of his voice. She put her hands on her hips. “You should have come to me.” He smirked. “Like all your other trained puppies? I don’t think so.” She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. When she swung around to walk away, he stood up in one swift motion and wrapped his arm around her waist. His huge palm splayed over her belly made her sag against his hard body. She should tell him to get his damn hands off her, but she didn’t want him to. His hot breath brushed her neck, and when a slow beat started up, he moved her and himself to the seductive tones. “Is this what you want?” he whispered. “Or something more?” She’d worn a thong for the night, but right now, she needed a whole lot more protection with the pool that had started between her legs. The man was in another league than the guys she was used to. Maybe she should run now and cut her losses. Again, she didn’t want to. Her eyes drifted closed. She tilted her head back against his chest and rocked with him. All of a sudden, she wanted to kiss him, to feel him inside of her while they had sex, but she never took a man home she didn’t know. The rule crumbled with each caress from this guy’s body and with each word he spoke. “What’s your name?” he asked. “Tielle.” “Pretty…no…beautiful, just like you.” She blushed. What the hell was she doing? She did not blush. “Thanks. What’s yours?” 4

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Stone.” “Seriously?” “Mm,” he breathed. “Seriously.” Yeah, he was a stone all right, solid. The rock that had grown out in his pants pressed into her back as he was several inches taller than her. Stone slid his hands up her sides and let his fingertips tease the beginning swell of her breasts. “So what does a man have to do to sample all of this?” She glanced up to find his dark gaze aimed at her breasts. He licked his lips, and it had a different effect than what she’d experienced with the other men. To her shame, she started thinking about those lips wrapped around a nipple. She shook her head, trying for some clarity. “That’s not how I do things. I don’t jump into bed with a man on first meeting him.” “Too bad.” He lowered his mouth toward hers. Tielle was mesmerized. She parted her lips, ready to accept his kiss. Desperate anticipation coiled in her belly. The heat from his mouth and body tantalized her. Giving into him seemed the right thing to do. Their lips brushed. “Tielle!” She jumped and drew back. Blinking as if drunken, she swiveled her head around to her friend. “Jamie,” she muttered, half disappointed, half relieved. Jamie jerked her away from Stone, and he let go. The expression in his eyes showed reluctance. Her friend curved an arm over her shoulders, cheeks pink. Her protective nature was in full force from the look of it. “Come on and have a drink with me, Tielle. The company over here looks unsavory.” Her aqua glare accused Stone. Tielle covered a chuckle. She didn’t want to walk away from him, but it was probably best. Another song, a few more words, and she’d have stripped butt naked in front of him. Stone’s knowing look when she dragged her gaze from his said he believed the same. “Nice meeting you, Tielle,” he called. “We’ll do it again soon.” Jamie sucked her teeth and flipped her bottle blonde hair over her shoulder. “He’s bad news, Tielle. I can spot them a mile away. I don’t think you should give him the time of day. From the looks of it, you were ready to give him a whole lot more than the time.” Tielle sighed. “Girl, you don’t know the half of it. If you hadn’t come over when you did, I’d probably have been already knocked up with his baby.” 5

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Jamie burst out laughing. “You’re crazy. Hey, you’ve rescued me enough. I figured I’d return the favor.” Tielle tugged a lock of her friend’s hair. “It’s the blonde, I told you, and the fake boobs.” They reached the bar, and Jamie put in their order before turning back to Tielle. “You don’t bite your tongue. That’s for sure. And if I didn’t get these boobs, how would I ever compete with you. All the white men run behind you, and the black ones too.” “Please, don’t even. You get your fair share. Every other week you have a new man. I pace myself.” She winked at her friend. “I keep one until he gets on my last nerve and start getting clingy.” She picked up the drink the bartender sat in front of her and drank down a few swallows. Funny enough, the alcohol restored her a bit after her experience with Stone. “But you’re right, girl. We’re here to unwind from school. Going after that nursing degree is kicking my ass. I need fun on the weekend.” “I hear you.” Jamie clicked her glass to Tielle’s in toast to fun. For the rest of the night, Tielle stayed away from Stone, although he kept watching her. Every now and then, she looked over his way. Each time she did, he caught her eye and lifted his glass. The raised eyebrow challenged her, but she wasn’t going for it. A man like that took away her reason, and if there was one thing Tielle valued, it was rigid control of her senses. That was why she limited drinking to one glass. Alcohol went to her head and made her tipsy if she had too much. Then she would end up dancing on someone’s table acting a fool. No thanks. Her goals were firm, get her Bachelors in nursing and make enough money to live comfortably. She didn’t need to be rich, but she did need to pay the bills. And a few extras now and then couldn’t hurt. Life for her had been tough growing up. After her dad had left the family, her mother fought to feed and clothe Tielle, only to contract cancer and pass away before Tielle was ten. After that she’d been raised in one foster home after another. The dreaded disease might have claimed her mother, but Tielle was determined to be a small help in caring for others in need, along with more than meeting her financial need. She was in her final year. A couple months to go, and she was home free. Thoughts of marriage and children didn’t fit into her dreams, so Stone, a man she could too easily see making her love him with everything in her being, was out of the question. No, occasional affairs were just fine. She and Jamie had their ways. They worked. She’d leave it at that. 6

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

At one in the morning, Tielle took one last look in Stone’s direction and found him gone. She spun about, disappointment swirling inside her chest. By the front door, she caught sight of him. He seemed to be waiting for her to notice before he left. Since they weren’t too far apart, she read his lips with ease. “We’ll meet again.” Her heart thundered. If she did see him again, would she be able to resist him a second time? Would she even want to?

7

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Two Stone paused outside the club to retrieve his phone from his pocket. Three calls from his father. What could he want? Their communication had been almost nonexistent over the last couple of years—especially since Stone had decided to move to the United States. His father had been against it, had wanted Stone to remain in Ireland, especially since he was one of two dragon shifters left in the family. His jaw tightened with those thoughts. A blind man could see his parent’s desire to mate Stone with the women he’d chosen, a woman suitable to continue their illustrious heritage. He grumbled and then chuckled. What would his father have to say about Tielle? Just remembering how good her body felt rubbing into his had his cock rock hard all over again. From the second he set eyes on her, he knew he had to have her. Stone’s sexual experiences were vast and varied. He’d bedded women from almost every race, and he had no particular preference for his own or any other. One sexy woman would do as well as another, but Tielle…Was she different? He didn’t allow himself to believe so, and yet, every nuance of his being wanted her under him, crying out his name and allowing him to bury his shaft to the hilt inside of her. Sweet creamy chocolate skin, big hazel eyes, and soft never-ending curves had his senses reeling. When he’d run his hands up the sides of her breasts, it took every bit of his control not to cup those heavy globes. And she’d wanted it as much as he did. He’d lusted over her tight nipples, protruding against her thin dress, almost begging him to suck them. A growl escaped him. If he didn’t redirect his thoughts, he’d come right here in the alley, and that would not satisfy his needs at all. He sighed and moved along the alley at an unhurried pace while still fumbling with his phone. Thinking about the hot little Tielle was worlds better than arguing with his father. The man wasn’t above sixty but was ornery and set in his ways. Stone paused at the end of the building where it joined another alley. He never did get how a club’s entrance could be deliberately placed at the back of the establishment. Sure they liked to stay 8

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

out of sight of the general population, but had his eyes not been those of the dragon, the darkness back here might intimidate him. And what of the women? What of Tielle? He half-turned. Maybe he should return to the club and assure himself that she’d be safe getting to her car. Thinking that way, he grinned and stopped. What had come over him for Pete’s sake? He never gave a rat’s ass about any woman making it home. His philosophy had always been if she was bold enough to come out after dark, she should know enough to keep herself safe. He had seduced more than one woman not even needing his special gifts. Each of the women he bedded had wanted to be lured to his bed. So it was ridiculous that he had allowed Tielle to slip away. Despite her friend being there, he could had her hooked on him in seconds. “So why didn’t you?” He chuckled in disgust at his weakness and moved to return to the club. One more sight of her couldn’t hurt. It wasn’t like she had her own power over him. He hadn’t taken more than three steps when a sharp pain numbed his back, just beneath his shoulder blade. At the same time, a low voice demanded, “Give me your wallet.” Stone sank down to one knee as his head began to spin. Impossible! He forced himself to stand again and leaned a heavy hand on the wall. Of all the places on his body for a mugger to strike—that spot! He dug his fingers into the wall at the ache beginning to spread from his back to his shoulder. His vision blurred. “Damn,” he cursed, too unsteady to consider obeying the mugger. Had he not been engulfed with thoughts of Tielle, he would have heard his assailant coming, sensed him. The man had no doubt come from the second alley, crept up behind Stone when he spun back to return to the club. Ahead of him, voices shattered the stillness of the night. He wanted to call out, ashamed that he needed to do so, but his strength had waned, and he found his throat too dry. His family, hell James his secretary, would never let him live this humiliation down. Stone sank to his knees a second time, and his head dipped. If this guy was so vicious as to stab him before he had a chance to comply, what would he do next? ****

9

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Tielle stepped out of the club feeling down for the first time after a night of partying. Usually, she would select a man she’d allow to take her on a series of dates before they got hot and heavy, or she’d do the booty call to an old buddy. Tonight, she wasn’t in the mood for any new men or the old. “It’s all that damn Stone’s fault,” she complained under her breath. “What did you say?” Jamie asked at her side. Tielle waved her hand. “Oh nothing. So you taking Sandy, huh? I can never remember his name. Maybe because he’s so brown.” Jamie tapped her hand. “Stop it, girl. You know his name…Shit, I don’t know either. I think I had too many drinks.” Jamie shook her long, silky hair. “Whatever, what he lacks in looks, he makes up for in the bedroom, if you know what I mean.” Jamie wiggled her eyebrows. “I heard that, girlfriend,” Tielle responded. “Okay, call me in the morning and let me know how it went. I might need details for my lonely nights.” Jamie laughed, and Tielle knew she didn’t believe her. Tielle wouldn’t stay alone for long. She had a huge sex drive, and doing it herself was not happening. “You okay?” Jamie asked. “Need us to walk you to your car?” “Nope, it’s just down that way.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder. “I want to drag in some fresh air and do some thinking while I walk. See ya, and have fun for me.” Jamie winked. “Will do.” Tielle watched her friend head in the opposite direction and, link arms with the man waiting on her, and then she turned to stroll the way she’d indicated. Her car was just around to the front of the club where there was an entrance no one used. She’d spotted a couple of newbies trying the knob, but it was never unlocked. No one ever told them they had to go around back. Everybody seemed to decide if you wanted to get in the city’s hottest club bad enough, you’d figure it out on your own. Shuffling along, thinking of Stone again, Tielle paused when she heard a low cry up ahead. On instinct, she reached into her purse and locked on the mace she kept there. Growing up on the rougher side of town meant she learned how to handle herself. And right now she could have kicked herself for not paying attention. When she walked these alleys late at night, she always scoped out the area and stayed alert until she reached her car. To get lost in thought thinking about a man was not a good idea. 10

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Cautious now, she kept walking and peering into the shadows. Two people scuffled ahead of her. She was just about to turn back when one of the men dropped to his knees, his face in the light for a split second. Tielle’s eyes widened. Stone was in trouble. She didn’t think twice before reacting. The mace in hand, she sprinted down the alley in spiky heels— another of her quirks. She’d always moved in them as if she was born wearing heels. Her left hand curled into a fist, her right raising the mace, Tielle first clocked the attacker in the jaw and then sprayed his eyes. He howled in pain and reared back, more so from the mace than her punch, she bet. Small, she could aim a hit well, but she’d never had any power. That didn’t stop her from trying. The man stumbled away a few steps, and something dropped on the ground. The small glass vial shattered upon impact and left a stain of red. Tielle watched the guy run away before she turned to Stone. She took his arm to help him up. He seemed about to fight, but she did her best to soothe him. “Hey, it’s me, Tielle.” She pulled him a few steps into the light so she could see into his eyes. The glassy look with drooped lids made her suspect he’d been drugged. The way he stumbled about made her worry. If the drug was more than just something to weaken him, he might be in big trouble. “I need to get you to a hospital, Stone.” He pulled back, bracing himself against the wall, his breathing labored. “No hospital.” She tightened her grip on him and tugged with no effect. The big man wasn’t budging if he didn’t want to. She’d have to convince him. “Look, you’ve been drugged. I’ve seen it before, weak thieves using this kind of thing on a bigger target. Police are trying to figure out where they’re getting the stuff, but either way, if I don’t get you some help, there’s no telling what could happen. Sometimes they inject too much.” “No hospital.” His insistence seemed to take more energy from him. His knees buckled. Tielle wrapped her arms around him, and he did the same to her, crushing her to his chest. She grunted at the hard, unyielding body. This was not how she’d pictured him holding her. Stone tried to catch his breath while he rested his chin on her shoulder. She winced and knew any second she’d fall underneath him. If Stone went down, they weren’t going anywhere, and she wouldn’t be able to help either. “Take me…” he whispered. 11

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

An odd rumbling began in his throat. No training had taught her about such a reaction. She stiffened, waiting to see what would happen. The rumble turned musical, almost like Stone was trying to hum, but then he formed words with a sing-song quality, mixed in the sexiest way with his accent. “Take-me-home.” Up until that moment, Tielle had no intension of giving in to what Stone wanted. She might not have to take the Hippocratic Oath as a nurse, but she did have her personal promise to take care of someone in a health crisis no matter what. She’d had every intension of getting Stone help one way or another, but when he said those words with that funny musical flow, she became unable to resist him. “Yes, okay,” she told him. “I’ll take you home. You just give me the address.” After what felt like hours, they made it to the car, and Tielle got Stone tucked into the passenger side. She rushed around the car and hopped in on her side to turn over the engine. When she tore off down the deserted road, a ringing caught her attention. At first she thought it was her cell, but she didn’t recognize the tune. The beat was not something she would choose in a million years. Stone muttered. Tielle pulled to a stop at a red light and reached across to him. She realized he’d been clutching his cell phone all this time, and after struggling to take it from him, she answered. “Hello?” “Who is this? Identify yourself immediately,” the man on the other end demanded. “Bite me,” she responded, and then thought better of it. “Look, do you know Stone?” “I’ll ask the que—” He seemed to reconsider antagonizing her as well, given he had no idea why she would be the one answering. “I am his father. Now where is my son?” He did sound a bit like Stone, although now that she thought of it, the ID on the phone hadn’t come up as “Dad” or with those codes many people used to identify their in case of emergency people like “ICE”. The name had impersonally declared the call to be from Einin Hughes. So Stone’s last name must be Hughes. She liked it. “Someone tried to mug him. I’m a nurse,” she half-lied. “Examining him, I feel that it’s best to get him to a hospital, but he refused.” She decided not to reveal to Stone’s father that he’d been singing or humming or whatever that was. No need to make the man fear his son was delirious. “Maybe you can convince him to go home.” 12

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Put him on,” Einin instructed in the same arrogant tone he’d used before. She didn’t even know the man, and she could see how warm loving feelings wouldn’t be associated with him. Tielle bit back the rude comment she wanted to say and reached across to hold the phone to Stone’s ear. At first he didn’t respond. He seemed to concentrate on breathing—another bad sign given breathing was involuntary muscle action. After a few minutes, his eyes opened to slits. “Father,” he whispered. “No, I’m fine.” Tielle sensed the immediate irritation rolling off him. Einin must be berating him. That was not good for his health. She was about to tell take back the phone, when a horn blasted behind them. She glanced up to find the light had changed and then drove forward to pull to the side of the road. Stone hadn’t given her his address yet. “For now,” Stone muttered into the phone. “But as soon as I am well, I am coming to Ireland to investigate for myself what happened to Uncle Murray. Yes, I will keep in touch.” Stone ended the call without saying good-bye. “What’s your address, Stone? Is there someone there that can look after you?” she suggested. He turned to look at her, if anything his lids lower and his face paler. Worry ate at her belly. She wanted to resist taking him to his home but somehow felt she couldn’t do it. Common sense told her she would never forgive herself if he died because she didn’t do her job. Yet she was trapped. “Change of plans,” he told her. “Take me to your home.” Her eyes widened. “Hell no. Is this some sort of trick? Maybe you’re not in trouble at all. I think you look good enough not to have to fool women into going to bed with you.” He chuckled and then winced. “I won’t make love to you until you beg me nicely. I need time, just a little. I promise I will recover fully.” He began that singing thing again. “Take me to your home, Tielle.” Tielle swore under her breath and threw her car into gear. She was four kinds of a fool, but she was going to do just what he wanted. If she woke up dead tomorrow from some lunatic hottie, well she hoped he’d have given her a wild, sexy ride before he ended it all.

13

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Three With Herculean effort, Tielle got Stone into her tiny apartment and dropped him on the couch. She thought he might do better in her bed, but her arm muscles, not to mention every other place on her body, burned like hell. She couldn’t have made it that far if she wanted to. Bending over Stone, she discovered he was unconscious. Her heart racing, she patted his hand. “Stone, wake up. Please.” He remained unmoving and seemed to be getting paler by the second. She glanced at the phone sitting on the side table and reached for it. Before her hand connected with the phone, Stone’s strong fingers curved around her wrist. “Don’t.” “You need help. Damn it, I couldn’t even wake you a minute ago.” He shook his head a little and stopped, closed his eyes, and then forced them open again. His grip on her hand lightened, but he didn’t release her. “No hospital,” he half sang. She felt the pull, but it wasn’t strong. She considered what his father must have told him, that something had happened to his uncle. And maybe his father told him not to go home. Something havey-cavey was going on. If Stone was in trouble, she didn’t want to make the wrong decision that could cause him to be killed. Remembering that vial of what she now suspected was blood, she came to a decision. Caring for him herself was the right way to go. She just prayed her instincts weren’t wrong. After kicking out of her heels, she ran down the hall to her bedroom and threw open her closet. The case she kept there was filled with samples of needles and saline pouches for practice. All the upper-class nursing students took them home. She’d never imagined that they would come in handy. Tielle washed her hands and rushed to Stone’s side. She slipped on gloves and prepared one of the saline and glucose pouches then chose the smallest needle and some tubing to start an IV. “Okay, calm down, Tielle. You’ve done this a hundred times. Boost his metabolism to flush the poison out.” She prayed he wasn’t diabetic. 14

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

His sleeve rolled up and the spot she intended to use cleaned with alcohol, she prepared to stick the needle in and gasped when the thing snapped rather than pierce his skin. Tielle blinked in shock. Terror raced through her, but she tried again, this time with the sixteen gauge needle. Even with this size, she had trouble piercing his thick skin, and Tielle marveled. She knew everyone was different, but this was ridiculous. If she didn’t think she’d get in trouble for treating him at home, this would be a wild story to share with her class. At last, the clear liquid entered Stone’s system, but when after one full bag, he still hadn’t come around, she hooked up another one. She’d have to explain to her instructor why her supplies were so low, but maybe he would assume Tielle was more dedicated than most. She rolled her eyes when she flicked off her gloves and checked Stone’s pulse. His heart beat was now approaching normal, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The clock over the cabinets in the kitchen said three-thirty. Tielle was exhausted. She pulled out an old comforter from the closet and spread it out over Stone’s body. Then she turned off the lights and headed for her room. If she hadn’t sweated like a pig dragging Stone up to the third floor of her apartment building, she would have dropped in bed without a shower. Instead, she stripped on the way to her room and stepped under a lukewarm spray in her bathroom. Chilled, but not strong enough to care, she toweled dry and fell face first in her bed. The ache in her arms didn’t allow her to put on the oversized T-shirt she often wore or to pull the covers over herself. As she drifted off, she was at least comforted by the fact that Stone wasn’t likely to wake before morning. **** Stone became conscious with unfamiliar scents in his nostrils— feminine scents. He picked up strawberry and melon, along with some type of potpourri. He wrinkled his nose, knowing he would never have such pretty smells at his place. So where was he? One of his skills being a dragon shape-shifter was the ability to draw a mental blueprint of whatever space he was in. In his mind, the picture was all lines and curves, in blacks, whites, and grays, but when he focused more, he could bring up heat signatures. Without moving, he opened this gift and found that he was in a small apartment. The space was cluttered with furniture and knickknacks, clothes, and other things the woman who must live here had collected. He 15

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

sensed no danger at present. Before he could focus on the room at the back of the apartment, his bladder distracted him. The thing felt like it was about to burst being so full. Stone opened his eyes and found his way to the bathroom with no trouble. The lingering aromas she’d left were stronger here. He guessed it hadn’t been long since she showered. After relieving himself, she stepped into the hall and was about to head to the back where he picked up on her breathing, but he had to rush again to the bathroom. With an irritated growl, he took his time. The memory of what she’d done came back to him. What the hell she injected into his body he didn’t know, but it made him feel like he’d drunk three gallons of water. His metabolism was always high, but the liquid she’d administered took it up another notch. The whole process had been pointless. He had a natural ability to heal, and as a dragon shifter, his body was almost indestructible. An ache at the upper part of his back caught his attention. Not turning on the lights, he stood and looked in the mirror twisted around so he could see. The spot just beneath his right shoulder blade was red. Had it been luck, or did the person who attacked him know the single place on his entire body that was vulnerable? He recalled what his father had told him. “Your uncle is quite old, but he is still a dragon. That car accident should not have brought him down so easily, even if he did lose a lot of blood. However, this is one of several incidents he’s been in lately, and I’m beginning to wonder if there is someone out there gunning for him. I’m having someone look into it. Meanwhile, you be careful.” Several incidents. What could his father mean? And to warn Stone to be careful. His father’s affection for him to his knowledge was nonexistent. Like most of his family, he had a built in desire to protect the family secret and to preserve the rare shifters who could change. But that was as far as his father’s feelings went. To give Stone that warning and to advise him not to return home while he was recovering meant there was more his parent wasn’t telling him. Now that he was feeling better, he’d have to look into it. Stone left the bathroom and entered her room. He remembered her name—Tielle. Beautiful just like the woman. Her even breathing told him she was deep in sleep. As he approached the bed, his cock stirred. Heightened eyesight allowed him to see every nuance of her sexy body. She lay sprawled on her back, stark naked. Did the woman have no fear having a strange man in her house? Her bedroom door hadn’t even been 16

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

locked. Granted, he’d been unconscious recovering when she must have stumbled in here, but still. Most women were more cautious than this. He stopped at the foot of her bed, taking in the long slender legs, the curve of her hips, the delicious V between them. He let his gaze linger there, wondering what it would be like to taste her, to run his tongue along that silky slit and enter her to sample her juices. Not be left out of the fantasy, his now erect shaft twitched. Yes, that would be good as well, he thought—to drive himself to the hilt while staring down into her eyes. Earlier tonight, she’d been ready to offer all of it to him, that is if her friend hadn’t interrupted. Stone sighed. He wasn’t given to using his abilities to convince women to sleep with him. The need had never arisen. They fell at his feet, and he hoped he wasn’t vain because of it, but this one…To possess her was an overwhelming craving. Too bad he had family business to attend to. While he had the opportunity, he continued to take in the sight of her naked body. Her belly was slightly curve, her breasts full. He’d loved how heavy they appeared when he saw them earlier and longed to stroke and pinch the thick nipples. Her lips called to him, demanding he have a taste of them as well. Stone moved around to the side of the bed and sat down. She stirred but didn’t wake. He imagined he’d exhausted her with struggling to get him here. He’d have to make sure to reward her for her for her heroics. Too tempted to resist, he ran light fingers over the smooth cocoa brown skin on her cheek. He’d been with black women before, but this one. Something about her intrigued him. Would it be different from his previous sexual exploits? Would it be more satisfying? He was not averse to finding out. Lowering his head, he kept his gaze on her face to be sure he didn’t disturb her. From the moment he touched his lips to hers, he was hooked. She moaned beneath him, and her sweet lips parted that he might delve a little farther. Stone tipped her chin higher and slanted his mouth over hers. A hungry groan rose inside him. “Mm, Stone,” she murmured. Satisfied that she dreamed of him and wanted what she drew back from earlier, he ran his palm down her side, caught the outside of one thigh and raised it. Her hips came up off the bed just enough to meet his seeking hand. He searched between her legs and found the heated wetness of her pussy. All of a sudden his clothes felt like leaded weights. He 17

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

wanted to rip them off and take her hard and fast, but he drew back. Now was not the time. Almost as shaken as he had been when he was drugged, he stood up and ran fingers through his hair. In her sleep, Tielle frowned and thrashed on the bed. Stone smiled. She missed his touch. Good, let her regret putting him off, and maybe when he returned, she’d be more willing to give him what he wanted without a fuss. He’d delayed long enough. Now it was time to go back to his homeland and see what the hell had been going on in his absence. **** Noah pressed a button on his cell phone while he watched the woman going down on him with slitted eyes. “What.” “He just left, boss,” one of his incompetent men reported. Shoving the woman off of him, Noah sat up. “Good, now why don’t you tell me where my cousin just left, you fool.” By the amusement on the woman’s face, he knew his Irish lilt had intensified with his anger. He’d traveled extensively all over the world. His natural ability to adapt to wherever he found himself had caused his accent to weaken over the years. However, he was not against using it to get a woman on her back. They were all malleable, empty-headed creatures good for nothing but a man’s pleasure. He didn’t need the dragon gift to charm them. Lucy when he’d met her an hour ago had asked if he was from Canada of all places. Her big breasts and willingness to wrap those pink lips around his dick excused her lack of brains. Noah stood up and moved away from her so he could concentrate on the updates regarding Stone. His man explained what had happened over the course of the night. “So I found him again at this woman’s house. Like I said, it took me awhile because my eyes were burning like hell. I knew you weren’t going to take that as an excuse, so I stayed at it.” Noah didn’t feel a need to praise him since he’d neglected to get the blood. In fact, his rage boiled to the point of explosion. The single reason he maintained control was because he’d gone through more than one man who had failed him in recent months, and in real life one couldn’t call Bad Guys R Us for a replacement. “Go on,” he commanded. “Well, he was there a couple hours, and he walked out like nothing happened. I’m sure the stuff I shot him with should have put him down 18

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

most of the day. He looked refreshed when he walked out. I thought about following him, but I figured I better check in with you first.” Noah checked his watch. Five a.m. where Stone was. So who was the woman? Someone he had met before, or did he force her to take him home so he could lie low in unfamiliar territory. Better for Noah not to assume she meant anything to Stone. It would be pointless to approach a woman who was just a quick fuck and nothing else, hoping to use her as bait for his cousin. Besides, he didn’t want his family knowing what he’d been up to all these years. He and Owen had come too far and were too close to let the cat out of the bag now. Soon enough Einin would be thanking Noah for his research. The current head of the family was just as eager as Noah was to spread his wings. They deserved it. It was their birthright, and Stone took it for granted. Just in case, he wanted all the facts. “Find out who the woman is. I want to know her name, where she works, and her daily schedule. I want to know if this is the first time she took him home and if they have plans to meet again. Got it?” “Yeah, boss. Already halfway there.” Paper rustled in background. Noah imagined his man was flipping through his notebook for info he’d scribbled down. “Her name is Tielle Williams. She’s a nursing school student, final year. She was at the club with her friend Jamie Wells, also nursing.” A slow grin spread over Noah’s face. All kinds of leverage should Ms. Williams turn out to be important. “Good. Find out the rest, and keep a tail on Stone. Don’t approach him again. I just want to know where he is at all times.” “Gotcha, boss. I won’t let you down. I promise.” “No, you won’t. Not ever again.” Noah disconnected the call and tossed his phone on the chair where he’d discarded his pants earlier. He found Lucy sitting with her knees draw up to her chest and staring at nothing, her expression vacant. He sighed and glanced down at him flaccid shaft. “I’ve gone soft. Come here and fix it,” he demanded. Lucy scowled but obeyed. With his fingers knotted in her hair and yanking on her head to force her to take him deep, Noah put his head back and closed his eyes. Soon, he placated himself, soon I’ll have everything I want, and I’ll take away everything Stone had. And when it’s all over, I 19

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

and not that weak Einin will head up the family. I’ll be the most powerful man on the planet.

20

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Four Tielle’s phone woke her after incessant ringing. She reached to grab it, but grasped air and fell over the side of the bed. Groaning, she tried to force her aching muscles to work, but they were not cooperating. The phone having stopped a few seconds, started up again. “Shut the hell up, damn it,” she screamed. It ignored her and kept it up. Without energy to rise, she dragged her covers off the bed and folded her flat pillow beneath her head. Soon sleep reclaimed her only to be ripped away with pounding on the front door. “Can’t a woman frickin’ sleep?” she grumbled and half crawled, half stumbled to the door. Only when she had her hand on the knob did she remember she was stark naked and that she hadn’t been alone in her place when she closed her eyes. With a yelp, she spun around to search the living room. Stone wasn’t there. Disappointment weighed heavy on her, and then worry. Was he okay? The pounding on the door started again, and Jamie shouted for her to open up. Tielle laughed. She reached into the closet by the door and grabbed a raincoat to stuff her arms in. After she’d knotted it, she opened the door. “Morning, sunshine.” Jamie smirked, shuffling past. “Woman, do you know what time it is? I was worried when I couldn’t reach you. I was all ready to tell you how good the sex was, but I let you sleep until one to be sure you were awake enough to listen.” She stopped and stared at Tielle. “What are you wearing?” Tielle’s attention shifted to the clock in the kitchen which she’d placed so she could see it from the living room. “One? Oh my goodness, where did the time go?” Neither one of them was paying much attention to the other. Tielle saw her friend’s eyes go wide and her hands land on her hips. “You’re naked under there!” she accused. “Just who did you bring home?” She scanned the area, and to Tielle’s annoyance, her gaze fell on the medical kit Tielle hadn’t put back in her closet. She swore under her breath. 21

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Rushing to clean up the mess and curious about the fact that Stone had ripped the needle from his arm, she babbled to cover her guilt. “I feel like I haven’t eaten in weeks. You want some bacon and eggs or something? Oh yeah, you’re the health food nut between the two of us. How about cream of wheat? I usually smother it with butter and sugar.” Jamie caught her hand as she dropped the empty IV bags inside her kit. “Who did you use those on, Tielle, at whatever time you got home? I know it was late.” Tielle sucked her teeth. “Girl, please. You know I study at all times, and we have that test coming up next week. I wanted to be sure. And for your information, I did this early yesterday. I just didn’t clean it up.” Jamie crossed her arms. She was like a damn dog with a bone. Tielle had an urge to tell her to mind her own business, but the way Tielle was always up in Jamie’s stuff, she had no room to cop an attitude now. Jamie was her girl, there for her through thick and thin for more years than she could remember. Tielle knew better than to brush Jamie off with half excuses. Their studies came easily for Jamie, while Tielle had to study hard for every A she got. Jamie wasn’t buying some lame ass story. “I was here helping you choose something to wear last night, and I didn’t see this.” She sat down, pulling Tielle down beside her. “Tell me the truth. You’re not up to something bad, are you, Tielle? Drugs?” Tielle burst out laughing. “Stupid. Hell no. Girl, you know I’m not like that. And what exactly can I get up to with a glucose solution? Sell it on the black market?” Jamie laughed. “Got that sugar, man. Premium stuff.” Jamie jumped up and pranced around like she wore a trench coat with hidden pockets for drugs. Tielle played along, hoping her friend would forget all the questions. After they had laughed through a few more jokes about selling sugar under the table, Jamie gave Tielle a pointed look, but she didn’t say another word. Tielle didn’t have to be told that Jamie hadn’t forgotten, nor was she fooled. She’d just let it drop. Tielle had no idea what made her hide the truth from her friend. She’d always shared everything with Jamie, even details of her sex life, and vice versa. So what made her hide that she had saved Stone from an attack and brought him home? Maybe it was the fact that she’d brought a man she didn’t know to her place. Of course, it was extenuating circumstances, him being injured, but how could she explain that decision over taking him to the hospital. She couldn’t explain it. She couldn’t tell Jamie that for no reason at all she wasn’t able to resist Stone’s request. 22

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

In the light of day while she was much more alert, she went over what had happened in her mind, Stone’s words, her decisions, and none of it made sense. Maybe she wasn’t remembering it all the way it happened. That had to be the problem. After all it had been really late. She’d been drinking. Sure, one glass, but that was more than enough. She just prayed Stone was fine and that there would be no consequences to her actions that would come back and bite her in the ass. Either way, it was better to put it all behind her and pretend it never happened. Now, forgetting Stone was a whole other ballgame because her dreams had been filled with images of him kissing her and his hand between her legs. Not a good sign! Tielle lead Jamie into the kitchen, and she began to take out the food that they would prepare together for breakfast. This was another of their rituals for the weekend, party late into the night on Saturday and eat brunch together on Sunday. Sometimes they altered this routine by attending church, but that was when Jamie’s grandmother invited them to have Sunday dinner with her. The old woman would never hear of them not first attending First Baptist morning services before heading to her house. Tielle sighed. She was not the best cook in the world. In fact, she hated it that she could never pull off a decent recipe, but Jamie’s grandmother put her foot in everything she prepared. Tielle always overate when she went to Nana Wells’ place. For the next hour, Tielle sat in her tiny kitchen listening to Jamie recount every nasty detail of her sexual encounter with her lover. Tielle hooted over some of the crazy stuff they said to each other while in the throes of sex, and made mental notes of the more interesting moves. She’d thought she had done it all until Jamie came up with something new. The woman should write a book, Tielle kept telling her, but Jamie insisted her conquests were for her eyes and Tielle’s ears, if she behaved herself. Tielle always rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth over that statement. When her phone rang, she put up a finger because she didn’t want to miss a second of what Jamie was saying, and she answered the call. “Hello?” “Ms. Williams? Ms. Tielle Williams?” the person on the other end enquired. Tielle paused for a second and then remembered she had paid off all outstanding bills. No creditors should be calling her. “Yeah, you got her. Who is this?” 23

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“I’m—” The man stopped and coughed. That raised her suspicions— the hesitancy and the fact that the man spoke with the same lilt that Stone did—but she decided to hear him out. Maybe he had news of how Stone was doing. When his fake-sounding cough was done, the man continued. “I’m J-James Wallace, Stone Hughes’ secretary.” Tielle’s eyes widened. “For real? He has a secretary? How is he? Is he okay?” “Uh…uh…” Again her suspicions rose, but she waited for him to finish. “Uh, he’s all right. Had to take a rest after what he went through last night. Um, he thought maybe he told you the wrong date and time about when you two would meet again.” The sound of papers rustling reached her through the phone. “Now, when did he tell you he’d be by?” Tielle knew when a person was lying to her. Hell, she’d done enough lying in her time when she went through a faze of seeing just how much she could get away with on her series of foster parents. She’d perfected the lies and knew even better how to detect them—even over the phone. “Thursday,” she answered without hesitation. “Thursday night at nine. But we weren’t going to meet at my place. This time, we were going to meet at his.” The man’s voice lightened, like he was thrilled she’d shared all that she did with him. If the person on the phone was really Stone’s secretary, he would know she’d never met him before last night, that is if he handled Stone’s personal life. “Yes, yes,” the man chortled with glee that was a little on the sickening side. “The penthouse on Collins then. Okay, thank you. That confirms what I have. Good-bye.” He hung up without any more comment from Tielle, but right about then, she stood there in shock. Just how rich did Stone have to be to have a penthouse apartment? She knew Collins Street, and the apartments that had penthouses over there were through the roof in pricing. Stone had been slumming big time at the club where she found him. But then again, when a place became popular, money didn’t matter if the owners stayed down to earth. Tielle put her phone down and tapped her lip. Just what in the world was going on that first Stone was attacked, and now someone was pretending to be his secretary trying to find out when she’d meet him again. Was he in trouble? Was she, now that she’d gotten involved with him? Her stomach tightened at the thought. Her life was coming together great, and she’d set out some times of fun, balanced by getting serious 24

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

about school. She had goals she needed to meet, and a man to bring in danger was not a part of the equation. Sure, in the movies, the bad boys were appealing, but Tielle was not one of those women who went after them. She knew better, and that’s why Jamie had checked her at the club. Stone was bad news. Even with her body still humming over those dreams, she wouldn’t give him the time of day. No way. Seeing him was too risky, and if she was going to get freaky calls like the one she just got, well, she’d keep it moving. There were plenty more scrumptious morsels of manhood out there. “Back to school tomorrow, huh?” Jamie said through a huge yawn. “Yeah, don’t remind me,” Tielle complained. “I thought you loved school.” Her friend stood up and kissed her cheek. “I think I’m going back home and sleep some more. That man wore me out.” Tielle shook her head. “From the sound of it, I don’t wonder. Damn, I’m jealous. I should have looked harder for somebody. I mean there were quality guys we’ve been cultivating for weeks, right? I felt comfortable with taking anyone of them home.” “Yeah but you were ruined by that one.” Jamie’s look was significant. Tielle ignored it and let herself fall over the arm of her couch to land on one of the stuffed pillows she kept there. On impact Stone’s scent filled her nostrils. Her pussy moistened, and she groaned. Yeah, Stone had ruined it for all other men. She wanted his body bad. Men as hard and sexy as he was did not come along every day. Just once, she shouted in her mind and rolled over to her back. No, better to forget him. Okay, after a few more hot dreams.

25

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Five Stone strolled up to his apartment door and didn’t have to pause a millisecond before it opened. He knew he moved with easy stealth, part of his natural characteristics. Yet, James hadn’t missed once being ready for him. If Stone didn’t know any better, he’d assume James waited at the door all day and night for Stone to come home. That would be impossible as James was human, with no added abilities that Stone knew of. For his peace of mind, he liked to put it down to James being good at his job. “Any messages?” he asked as he passed his secretary. “Aye, a few thousand from your father,” came the irreverent reply. “He raked me over the coals nonstop to locate you and drag you home to Dublin, whether you liked it or not.” On a sigh, Stone rubbed his neck and headed toward his room. While the bed appealed just because he’d not slept more than a couple hours and his mind told him he needed eight, he had to get home. “What about Uncle Murray. Any new info on his condition.” “Unchanged, sir.” James helped him out of his shirt, but then Stone waved him off. He’d never allowed James to treat him like royalty who couldn’t dress or undress without help. Einin of course demanded that and more. So did a few others in his family. Thinking of them, Stone blew out another huge breath. He was not looking forward to the drama that without question would be present from the moment his plane set down. “Arrange for the jet, James. I have no intension of staying there longer than I have to.” “Just you, sir?” James croaked. Stone almost laughed at the pitiful tone. James, though efficient as any person he’d ever worked with, lived in constant fear that Stone would fire him. Stone had given him no reason to feel that way, but bad experiences left scars in the psyche. James had worked for his cousin, Noah, and from what little James had shared about it, the experience was not pretty. Stone hadn’t pressed to know more details, and from the second James realized Stone was nothing like his cousin, the older man did all he could for Stone, to the point of being suffocating sometimes. 26

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Yes, just me.” Stone shed the rest of his tattered clothing from the struggle in the alley and flexed his muscles. The last of the aches and pains rolled away. A glance at his arm showed no signs he’d been hooked to an IV. He rubbed the spot anyway. A nurse, he guessed, his Florence Nightingale. Sexy and beautiful, she was everything physically he could want in a woman. Was there more to her? “I want you to stay here and watch over someone for me.” “Watch over? Me?” Stone chuckled. “Aye, you.” He turned and brought a heavy hand down on his James’ shoulder. “All I want you to do is keep this particular woman from sleeping with any other man until I return. You can do that, can’t you, James?” His secretary’s mouth fell open, and then the fear died from his eyes to be replaced by his usual straightforwardness. “Can the lass be that special, sir? You don’t usually go in for women who are so wild that you have to worry the minute you turn your back. Most often, I have to beat them away with a stick when you’re tired of them.” James’ face took on a distinct look of disgust. Stone didn’t blame him, and he was right, the women Stone had taken into his bed tended to become clingy until he felt the need to break it off. No matter how much he reiterated that he was not interested in anything more than a physical relationship, they fell in love. Or thought they did. He wasn’t sure he believed it existed, so he couldn’t acknowledge their feelings were anything other than lust or infatuation. Stone felt the need to explain. “I have chosen her for my bed, but I haven’t taken her yet. I don’t want another man between her legs before I get there. Do you understand now?” Stone figured James was questioning in his mind where Stone had been all night if he hadn’t been bedding a woman, but Stone wasn’t going to tell him that part. James would just drive him further up the wall and delay Stone’s departure. Besides, he didn’t know if what happened tonight was him in the wrong place at the wrong time or if there was more to it. He’d have to investigate it when he got back. James bent to pick up his clothes from the floor and frowned at their condition. “Mind telling me why your clothes are this way, sir? You’re usually so well kept together.” “Not really, no.” Stone chose fresh clothes and tossed them on the bed. “I’m going to take a shower. Please put together a bag for me. I expect to 27

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

be gone no more than a week. I’ll give you her name and address before I leave.” Stone started to close the bathroom door and paused. “James?” “Sir?” “I’m counting on you to keep her for me. I don’t care if she dates another man so long as she doesn’t take him home or he takes her home.” “Aye, of course, sir. Count on me.” **** The limo that had been waiting for Stone when he arrived at the airport rolled to a stop in front of his father’s castle. Stone shifted his shoulders and heaved a sigh. Now began all the pomp and circumstance, the selfimportance that was what his father was all about. Perhaps he demanded so much of everyone around him because of his small stature, but it always grated on Stone that his parent expected him to be the same way. He was not like that. He didn’t need servants at his beck and call twentyfour hours a day. The chauffeur ran around the long vehicle and popped Stone’s door open. The man bowed almost to the waist. “Have a good day, sir. I’ll have your cases in, in a jiffy.” Stone nodded and headed up the steps to the entrance. Before he reached it, the door opened, and the butler bowed. “Mr. Hughes, sir. Good to see you.” “Lawrence,” he greeted the elderly man. “Is my father around?” “In his office, sir. He’s waiting for you.” The butler snapped his fingers, and a maid appeared to take Stone’s suitcases to the room he occupied when he was at home. He took his time walking along the extended hall to his father’s office. The room was called an office, but it was so spacious and was filled with so many books, it might as well be a mini-library. Stone questioned whether his father had ever cracked any of them open. He rested a hand on the doorknob and paused to collect himself before going inside. Einin had declared long ago when Stone was eight years old, a Hughes never knocked. He was too important to be kept waiting or to be granted permission for anything he wanted. “Stone, come in,” his father boomed, standing up behind a desk too large for his stature. The massive oak construction served to dwarf him even more, but no one could tell him that. “You took your time getting here. I drilled James, but he became so flustered and was no use at all for 28

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

giving me information. You need to replace him. I can name a few secretaries who will work out better.” Stone closed the door behind him and crossed the room to first shake his father’s hand and then sit down. While he did, he tried recalling if the man ever hugged him or told him he was proud of him. Stone had no desire for either of those things, but he wondered about it. A mental shrug cast the thought aside. “James works well for my needs, Father. Now, shall we discuss my uncle?” The reddening in his father’s face amused Stone. The man hated when Stone didn’t cave to his wishes, but he’d raised him to be just as pigheaded as he was. Einin couldn’t blame anyone but himself. “Yes, well I’ve had him brought here. He’s set up with our family doctor. However, it is the circumstances surrounding his accident that concern me—along with the fact that a great amount of his blood is missing.” Stone’s own blood ran cold. “That’s an odd way to put it. What do you mean by ‘missing’?” His father linked his hands behind his back and paced to the window to stare out. “As you know, the shifter heals faster than any human can. There are no distinguishing marks on your uncle’s skin to show where he might have been pierced. He does have a slow-healing gash over the right side of his abdomen where it was suspected that he’d lost the blood. Doctor Martin tells me that the laceration isn’t likely where he lost the blood. Your uncle is old, and he’s not healing to the extent that he once did, but there are signs that the clotting around the wound had begun immediately and was sufficient to keep him from bleeding to death.” “So why so much blood loss?” Stone mused. “Exactly.” His father spun to face him. “You will assist me as long as it takes to get to the bottom of this, Stone. I don’t have to tell you what it means to keep our family secrets just that—secret!” “Of course.” “When your uncle regains consciousness, you will question him about what happened, and perhaps we can find out who has done this. I have also sent for Noah, but he hasn’t arrived yet. He’s crafty. He should be able to glean some info from whomever it was your uncle was with in the days before this incident.” His father grunted in disgust. “I suspect there will be a long line of women to interview, but Noah can do that as well. You and I both know your uncle was never faithful the faithful type.” 29

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Stone made a small sound of acknowledgement. His thoughts raced over what this all could mean. Had someone discovered their existence and wanted to exploit them? The last he’d heard, his uncle had been gallivanting all over Europe. Noah would also have his work cut out for him. The two of them didn’t get along very well, but Stone figured he’d give him a hand finding clues. Stone had many connections he’d made over the years, working with the family whiskey distillery business. “I don’t want you tempted too much with those loose women. Your wife has already been selected, and all you need to do is make the decision to settle down. Monica is a faithful girl. She’s been waiting all this time for you, trusting you to do the right thing.” Stone was familiar with the guilt trip his father tried laying on him regarding Monica, his father’s ward, and if there was anything Stone would use to describe the woman, ‘faithful’ was not it. An excited shout in the hall caught his attention. As if she sensed they were speaking of her, Monica burst into the room and launched herself across the room to land on his lap. “Stone! Lawrence just told me you were here. Why didn’t you come up to see me in my sitting room?” Her pouty pink lips were somewhat appealing, but the innocence she exuded was not. The demure hairstyle, the moderate makeup, and the flattering but modest dress was all an act. No one knew like Stone knew what a hell cat Monica was. After all, they had been lovers for two years before he’d called it quits, finding that while they connected well physically, Monica’s heart was cold. She loved one thing—money. And she would do whatever it took to have it. Monica was his father’s ward. He’d taken her in when she was about six years old to cultivate her he said in order for her to be Stone’s wife some day. While his father didn’t say so, Stone was sure the man had done a thorough background check on Monica’s family and delved into their medical history. He then would have paid off her family to sign over her care to him. Stone considered the very fact that any parents who would do such a thing were a black mark on her history. His father didn’t agree. “Hello, Monica,” Stone said and helped her off his lap. She continued to pout, but squeezed into the chair next to him. Stone decided to vacate the seat and let her have it. No matter how much Monica tried to get back into his bed, he would not take it there. Neither she nor his father would corner him into making her his wife. When and if Stone decided to marry, the woman he chose would be his equal in and out of the bedroom. She would never be lured by his money alone. How he would find this paragon 30

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

of virtue, he didn’t know, but if he didn’t, so be it. He would be the last of his kind on the earth, and that was a good thing with these issues surrounding his uncle. “It’s been a long flight, Father. If you and Monica will excuse me, I think I’ll get some rest before dinner.” Not waiting for either of them to respond, Stone pivoted and headed out of the room. From the rustle of her clothing and Monica’s protest, he figured she was about to follow him, but his father called her back. Stone was relieved. He did not feel like uncurling Monica’s sensuous body from his, especially when it had been days since he’d last been with a woman. He had every intension of “starving” himself until he could feast on Tielle. **** Stone stepped from the shower and ran a hand across the fogged mirror. His reflected eyes shifted while he watched them, changing from rounded pupils to that of a narrow slash. Whenever he was home, he longed to transform to the beast that lived deep inside of him, to fly and feel the wind beneath his wings. Above the trickling water as it swirled down the bathtub drain, beyond his soap’s scent and the heavy steam that hung in the air, he heard her. Did she think he wouldn’t know she was there in his room? He flexed his shoulders and nabbed his towel to begin drying off. As he did so, he heard Monica slip out of her clothes, tiptoe across his room, and climb into his bed. He sighed. What did she think she would accomplish? Had he not met Tielle, Monica would have tempted him beyond reason. Finding her in his bed would have led to an entanglement he’d already fought hard to be free from. Not again. This was why he had put an ocean between Monica and his father and him. With the towel knotted around his waist, Stone stepped out the bathroom. “Why are you here, Monica?” She pouted and stretched as if she didn’t notice that the sheet covering her naked figure had lowered to reveal her breasts. Stone shifted his focus away from her and turned to his bureau. He pulled the top drawer open to retrieve boxers, but Monica leaped from the bed and pressed herself to him from behind. Her firm breasts flattened against him, and she stuck out her tongue to run it along his skin. Stone’s fingers tightened on the boxers. “Come on, Stone. You know you want it.” She flicked out her tongue again. His cock tightened. “You used to like when I licked right here, the 31

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

spot where you are the weakest, where you have the dragon tattoo. Remember that time when we were teens?” “I remember my father whipped me until I couldn’t sit down for a week.” She laughed. She’d done so then too, not giving a fuck that he’d been the one to get in trouble for sneaking her into town. Never mind that it had been her idea and her insistence that they each get a tattoo. He’d drawn the line about them choosing each other’s name. Even then, he didn’t believe Monica would be the one. Instead, he’d chosen the dragon to symbolize what he was. His father had berated him because of the location of the tattoo and possibly that he could be poisoned from that spot, as well as the risk of exposing what they were. Stone hadn’t heard the end of that lecture for months. “You liar,” Monica quipped. “You healed within an hour from the whipping.” “Didn’t make it any less painful.” He turned and put her from him. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to dress. You know as well as I do that my father doesn’t like it when we’re late to his dinner table.” He bent to pick up her clothes and shoved them in her arms before directing her to the door. “Do not enter my room again.” Stone slammed the door in her face, not giving a rip if a servant saw her. They all knew the real Monica, all except his father, and he didn’t want to know. When Stone was dressed, he prepared to go downstairs to dinner. After he’d eaten, when it grew late and everyone had gone to bed, he would explore the area from the sky, re-familiarizing himself with home. Anticipation to do just that made him quicken his step. Tomorrow would begin his investigation, and then he would hurry back to the U.S. and to Tielle.

32

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Six Tielle flattened herself against a wall and peered around the corner. The older man dressed too formally for school—and anywhere else for that matter—perched on the end of one of the couches the university placed in each building. Who the hell was he, and was he following her like she suspected? The man stood out like a sore thumb dressed like that. She sucked in a deep breath. Better to face this situation head on if she had to. She threw her shoulders back and marched down the hall to stand face-to-face with the man, hands on her hips. “Just what is the big idea?” The older gentleman’s eyes widened. His mouth formed an O that was comical, and he tugged at the collared shirt he wore buttoned to the top. “I…I don’t know what you mean, lass.” “Lass!” Tielle exclaimed. She narrowed her eyes at him and pointed. “You’re Irish, aren’t you, the same as that man who called me on the phone.” She tried to remember the name he gave her. “James or something like that. Are you working for Stone too, or the person looking for him? What kind of game are you playing because so help me, I am not one of those weak little simpering women who need a man to rescue her. I will handle my business if you people push me too far.” The old man stared at her, awe seeming to shine through after the shock of her words wore off. “How do you know my name?” He slapped a hand over his mouth and then curled it into his chest. “I mean…Oh dear, he won’t be happy.” “Who won’t be happy?” She paused and then continued. “James, who won’t? Stone?” Despite herself, she hoped that’s who the man referred to. She wanted to see Stone again, but with all the drama surrounding him, that might not be such a good idea. Then again, if she saw him, she could give him a piece of her mind for bringing the craziness into her life. Who was he anyway to have such an entourage following in his wake? “I have to go.” James gave a sharp bow and spun away. His age did not stop him from almost running away and disappearing around a corner. Tielle considered chasing after him to get more answers, but decided 33

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

against it. This whole situation was becoming absurd, and if she had any sense, she’d forget about it—and him. Throughout that day and the rest of the week, Tielle focused on her studies and her part time work at the nearby hospital. She didn’t see Stone’s secretary again, nor did she receive any strange phone calls. On Friday, Jamie called to inquire about Saturday night. “You want to go?” Jamie asked. “I would but I decided to give Joe a call. We’re doing dinner and see what happens after that, whether I’m feeling him.” Jamie laughed. “Feeling him? Correct me if I’m wrong, girl, but didn’t you two have a thing about seven or eight months ago? You broke it off.” “Yes, but we’ve seen each other now and then, and I don’t feel like breaking in a new man. It’s been forever since I got some, and I’m so overdue. I tried talking to someone new, but once outside the club, the chemistry died. If it’s still jumping like it used to with Joe, then maybe I’ll let him take me to his place. If not, then I’ll be back to square one. So since I’m not going to the club, what are you going to do?” “I don’t know. Take a break, I guess.” “Sounds good. ‘Cause we agreed, no going without each other, right? Or get another girl to go?” “Yeah, yeah.” Jamie laughed. “With the way we remind each other about the rules, you’d think we never broke them.” “Is that a hint?” “Oh wow, look at the time,” Jamie hedged. “Gotta pop dinner in the oven. Later.” Tielle rolled her eyes and shook her head. She knew her friend oh so well. “Okay, girl. I’ll call you Sunday. Your turn to host our breakfast. Bye.” “If you can get your—hopefully—sexually-satisfied ass out the bed. Bye!” **** Tielle jerked awake, sweat-drenched and heart pounding so hard it hurt. Although the late night was still, it seemed like she’d just heard a shout somewhere close by. As she sat up in bed trying to calm down, she waited for the person to call out again, but there was nothing. It had been a part of the nightmare she’d just had. None of the details came to mind. 34

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Still somewhat shaky, she reached for her phone after checking the time. One a.m. wasn’t too late. She dialed, and after four rings the call connected. “Wow, no respect for your elders, huh?” came the teasing voice. “So late, anything wrong?” “No,” Tielle lied. “I…I missed you.” “Liar.” Pauline snickered, but Tielle wasn’t fooled. She knew how her foster mother felt about her. Tielle had been placed with her in the last couple of years before she was old enough to be released from being a ward of the state. Yet, in that time she and Pauline had grown close, almost like mother and daughter—in a weird, never-admit-your-realfeelings kind of way. Pauline was rough, hardcore. She’d had a difficult life, had struggled up from what amounted to hell. Being a foster mom had been her way of giving back to someone else and offering them a leg up. Tielle was grateful that first someone was her. The funny thing about it was Pauline wasn’t that good of a mom. Changing the subject, Tielle asked, “Have you learned to cook yet? After all these years, I’m still trying to get the taste of your spaghetti surprise off my tongue.” Pauline grumbled. “I didn’t kill you. That was enough.” “You were there for me,” Tielle admitted. “When no one cared.” They each paused a long while. Thoughts churned in Tielle’s head about what to say. Half of what ran through her mind was sentimental expressions she knew would make Pauline uncomfortable. She loved Tielle, but Pauline showed her love in other ways. Tielle had thought hearing her voice would be enough. She sighed. “What is it, girl?” Pauline demanded. Tielle chewed the inside of her lip, deciding what to say. “I have a friend.” She cringed at the age old friend excuse, but forged on. “All of a sudden, some weird things are happening in her life.” “Weird things?” She was muddling this explanation bad, but how could she tell Pauline about Stone and about the guy calling to pretend he was his secretary, only to later be followed by the real secretary? This might all amount to nothing, and she was getting worked up for no reason. But when she had a nightmare behind it and she went about checking and rechecking the doors and windows in her apartment, she had to find a way to settle her mind. “Maybe it’s nothing. She’s probably making a mountain out of a molehill,” she said with a chuckle. 35

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Sounds like your friend is used to wrestling control over every aspect of her life.” Leave it to Pauline to jump to the meat of the problem. “I don’t know what you mean by weird, but it may be that she either can’t get rid of these things or can’t find an easy fix for them. She’s feeling out of control. She needs that control to survive, and because she doesn’t have it in this situation, she’s afraid.” Tielle squeaked, annoyed. “I didn’t say she’s afraid.” “Sure she is. You don’t call late at night when you’re not afraid, Tielle. And no one needs control in their life like you. You spent so many years tossed around from one foster home to the next, in one bad situation after another. You were young, and you had no power to say stop, enough is enough. After you grew up, you learned to be bold, to face everything like a locomotive, barreling over it if necessary, shoveling it aside if possible. You set your sights on your goals, and you forge ahead. When something comes along that you can’t push aside and you can’t fix, you become afraid, and all of a sudden you’re that little girl again.” Tielle drew up her knees and dropped her head on them as tears filled her eyes. She told herself this situation wasn’t that serious, but it didn’t stop the fears. Pauline knew her well, and although she didn’t want to admit it, her foster mom was right. Tielle never allowed herself to enter situations she couldn’t control because of the feelings it evoked in her. She’d get in the face of any problem and pummel it down. On the one hand, meeting a hot guy, a freaky call, being followed seemed like a big deal. On the other, it felt like she was blowing it all out of proportion, and maybe it was all behind her. The thing was, at least in her subconscious, she didn’t think this was the end of it, that something bigger was coming, and she wanted no part of it. “So, what do I do?” Pauline clucked with her tongue. “You beat it down, girl! I’ve taught you to be strong, to face everything head on. You’re strong as steel. I know within a few days, you’ll be calling back to tell me you kicked that problem’s ass, and you’re moving ahead just like always. Whatever happens you don’t draw back. You hear me?” Tielle grinned through her tears and wiped her face. “Yeah, I hear you. Always like a drill sergeant. That’s why I love you, Pauline.” Pauline grunted. “I…I love you too.” **** 36

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Joe switched seats at the table they occupied in the restaurant and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “My place or yours?” Tielle cocked an eyebrow at him. She should check him for assuming just because he bought dinner, she should put out, but the truth was, she’d decided the moment she opened the door to him earlier. Joe was a sexy as hell half Puerto Rican half African American man who she’d had fun with when they were dating. After she broke it off, she wasn’t sure just why he and she didn’t fit. It wasn’t like she’d been looking for Mr. Right. Her focus was on her career goals and nothing else. She had no solid plans for finding a husband or having kids one day. Somehow, she’d always expected that part of her life would fall into place when she was ready. But keeping Joe in her life for sex alone hadn’t felt right either. “Well?” Joe insisted. She grinned. “You’re getting pushy in your old age, Joe.” “Hey, I’m twenty-eight, only a year older than you, miss lady.” He rested a hand on her thigh, and a tingle started higher up between her legs. The squeeze Joe gave her told her he remembered just how to please her and knew what her appetite for sex was like. Temptation was in her face, hard. “Yeah, well, I’m still younger,” she said amused. “How do I know you haven’t become rusty since last I saw you? From the action you’ve gotten in the club, I’m a little worried.” He licked her earlobe. She shivered. “You’ve been watching me? Mm, wanna feel how hard I’m getting knowing you’ve kept those sexy brown eyes on me?” Tielle should have been focused on Joe’s words and letting his natural ability to tease and get her excited work its magic. Instead she squinted toward the opposite side of the restaurant, in the direction of the bathrooms. Had she just seen someone familiar, or was her mind playing tricks on her? She excused herself to go take a look, but when she got to the bathrooms, she didn’t see anyone except a stranger. When the man entered the men’s room, she considered asking him to see if someone else was there but changed her mind. It had to be that freaky dream from the night before and not getting enough sleep. “Too much school and too much partying,” she muttered on the way back to Joe. When she drew up to the table, she noted the eager way he watched her swaying hips. Adding a little extra didn’t hurt. The man was almost salivating, but somehow Tielle wasn’t as turned on as she had been in the 37

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

past. Never mind, she wasn’t backing out. Joe would show her a good time. After plucking her jacket from the empty chair and tucking her purse beneath her arm, she swung away from the table. “Coming, Joe?” she called over her shoulder. Like a trained puppy, he bounded after her, and they left the restaurant. “Your place, okay?” “Your wish is my command.” Joe behind the wheel of a car was a deadly weapon. Tielle held on for dear life. They made the twenty minute drive to his place in ten. Joe hopped out and ran around her side of the vehicle. Tielle put her hand in his and stepped out. She paused when a black sports car pulled into the space next to them. Tielle recognized the kind of car it was but couldn’t put her finger on what it was called. Joe whistled. “Lamborghini Gallardo. Damn, nobody around here can afford that. Man, is that thing sweet. A hundred ninety-eight easy.” “T-Thousand?” Tielle stuttered. “Yeah,” Joe said, still focused on the car. “Wonder what he does for a living.” The next instant, Tielle was less concerned about what the man did for a living and more shocked at who it was. Her knees went weak, and the breath whooshed right out of her chest when Stone unfolded his tall form from the sports car. She thought it must be the most insane of coincidences that he knew someone who lived here in Joe’s apartment complex. That is, until he turned those steely eyes in her direction. “Tielle,” he said with obvious disappointment in his tone, “I hope you weren’t planning on spending the night with this man. I’d be heartbroken if I thought I’d rushed back to the U.S. only to miss out on the woman I couldn’t get out of my head after our last encounter.” Both Tielle’s and Joe’s mouths fell open. Tielle could not think of a comment as Stone strolled around the front of his car and approached them. While he drew close, she compared the two men without thinking. Stone stretched a good four inches taller than Joe whom she’d always considered having a good height. Stone’s shoulders were broader, his jaw firmer, and the raw power that seemed to roll off of him eclipsed poor Joe in the worse way. Joe appeared to see his shortcomings as well put next to Stone, and he shrank back a little, not saying a word. Stone acted like he didn’t even see Joe. He strolled around him and blocked Tielle’s view of anyone but 38

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

himself as he towered above her. A finger at her chin, he tilted her head back to make her look at him. “So?” he said. “You want…” she began. His voice dropped low along with his gaze, which settled on her cleavage. The expression in his eyes was just short of a caress in itself. If she thought her desires were on simmer tonight, they had just exploded with one look from Stone. “I want you.”

39

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Seven Tielle blinked and shook her head to break the spell Stone weaved over her common sense. She threw her hands on her hips and took two steps back to put space between her and him. “Excuse me? I save your life, risking my career, and you disappear, not even leaving a note.” One at a time, she ticked off his offenses. “Then I get crazy phone calls, a wacko butler or servant or whatever he was.” He seemed about to comment, but she raised her hand. “You think I’m going to drop my boyfriend for you? Not happening, buddy boy.” She spun on the ball of her foot, all the time pretending she didn’t want to fling herself into Stone’s arms. Of course, there was no way she could sleep with Joe tonight after this scene straight out of a romance movie with Stone, but she had no clue how to extricate herself and just go home. “Hey, Tielle, maybe we should call it a night and pick up some other time,” Joe suggested. She gasped. “What? No.” She took his arm trying to save face, and almost dragged him toward the building. They hadn’t gone far when she was tempted to look back at Stone. He waited with folded arms over his chest, looking too damn confident in himself. Tielle’s stubborn streak kicked in, and she would have had sex with Joe just to prove Stone had no appeal, but Joe wasn’t going for it. Joe put a hand up to the door and wouldn’t let her open it. “Stop, Tielle.” “What’s wrong with you? I thought you wanted this.” Frustration registered in his eyes as he glanced down at her body. “You don’t know how much. But that’s not important. From the moment he drove up and got out, you’ve been his. I see it in every move you make. He’s got you wired and aching. That’s how it was with us in the beginning. I saw that you weren’t that way earlier, but I thought I could tease you into it. I know how much fun it is making love to a woman as wild as you are in bed. But if you’re not feeling it…” He shrugged. “I’ll kick myself in the morning, but truthfully, I would never want you when 40

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

you’re thinking of another man. And there’s no way I could compete with that.” Joe’d tipped his chin toward Stone, and she glanced over to him again. She couldn’t lie. Her panties were ruined, and it was all Stone’s fault. By the time she turned back to Joe, he was disappearing through the door. Apparently, he was resolved to leave her in Stone’s hands. What if he was some psycho? “Thanks a lot, Joe,” she grumbled and started back to the street. Stopping in front of Stone, she clenched her hands at her sides. “Can I bum a ride from you back to my place? I shouldn’t trust you to take me, but it’s not like you don’t already know where I live. Call it a temporary lack of judgment.” “You’re angry with me.” The fact that he didn’t get why she was upset puzzled her. “You’re kidding, right?” She shook her head, accepting his help into his car. The thing was too sweet. The doors opened straight up rather than out, which was freaky, but once she was seated, the luxury and comfort came through. Although Stone’s car could blow Joe’s away in speed, Stone exercised control behind the wheel. He kept to no more than ten miles over the speed limit, but Tielle still enjoyed watching the way his muscles shifted and bulged as he turned the steering wheel and shifted gears. “I guess you have no side effects to what you went through the other night?” she asked. “None. As I said, I just needed a little time.” “You could have injured yourself further by yanking out the IV. This isn’t the movies, you know.” “Yes.” She peered at him through her lashes. “So what are you compensating for with all this power?” She gestured to the car. Stone laughed. “Compensating? Ah, you mean is my flute inadequate.” She frowned. “Flute?” He winked. “I assure you my cock is more than enough to satisfy you.” Tielle almost melted through the chair. She tried to pretend his use of raw language didn’t have an effect on her, but she had a feeling she failed in the worst way. Biting on a finger while pressing her legs together, she stared out the window. Stone’s chuckle pissed her off, but it wasn’t his 41

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

fault her body sang for his touch. Maybe it was his fault. She checked out his thighs, firm behind his dark slacks. She wondered if he was hairy or if he was tanned under his clothing. How she loved a white man’s body. She’d dated black men, white ones, even one Chinese, and of course Joe who was half Puerto Rican, but there was something about a white man that was so sexy. His creamy light skin in comparison to her deep chocolate made Tielle want to lick him from head to toe—and she’d done that on many occasions. That’s why Joe had said she was good in bed. Tielle loved sex, and she wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted when the circumstances were right. “Says you,” she quipped. “I’ve heard that claim so many times. I even met a man who told me he was ten inches and found he was closer to four and a half. Not that size is everything.” She eyed him and was surprised at how he leaned back a little, comfortable with his body. The man was rock hard, the tent in his pants scary big. At her apartment, he let her go ahead of him, and she unlocked the door and stepped inside. Tossing her keys on a side table, she called over her shoulder, “Would you like something to drink?” Her shoes which seemed to pop off her feet every time she hit home, were left beside the couch, and she padded barefoot into the kitchen. Stone followed close behind. He had no compunctions about exploring her ass while he was back there. She glared at him but didn’t tell him to keep his hands to himself. “If you have wine, that would be nice,” he commented. Tielle took down the wine glasses from the cabinet over the sink and removed a bottle of wine she’d had chilling from the refrigerator. She poured the two of them some while Stone rested his hip against her counter. Her hands shook a little with him so close, his gaze intense. No man had unsettled her this much, and that Stone was doing just that made her even more nervous. To get his attention off of her, she said, “How about something to eat? I’m not hungry since I had dinner, but what about you?” He shrugged. “I could eat.” The look he gave her indicated something far different from food. Tielle brushed from her mind the thought of him with is head tucked between her thighs. Instead, she spun to search her tiny kitchen for anything she could whip up with ease. Domestic skills were low on her list of abilities.

42

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“I’m not the world’s best, but I do make a mean omelet. I usually add swiss cheese, peppers, and onions. Does that sound appetizing?” She peeked at him. He appeared ravenous. “Just who are you, Stone Hughes?” His eyes widened, and she noted the way he stiffened. “How do you know my last name?” “The night you were attacked, your father called on your cell. I noticed his last name was Hughes and assumed. Was I wrong?” “No.” He shook his head, his gaze unfocused as if he was considering what to admit. “No, you’re not wrong. I am Stone Hughes.” She set the egg down she’d taken out and put her hands on her hips. “You say that like you’re somebody important, and I’m beginning to wonder the same. I mean you drive a Lamborghini for Pete’s sake, and you have a secretary named James.” He opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off and turned back to the food. “That’s not important right now. Don’t worry about it. Your growling stomach is hinting that if I don’t make this omelet quick you’re liable to eat me for dinner.” In that minute, Tielle was grateful for her dark skin. She blushed, something she never did, when she said he was liable to eat her. Did everything she blurted out have to have sexual overtones? Her usual cool teasing had gone out the window the moment they were in her private space and he wasn’t flat on his back unconscious. She faced the eggs and worked like her life depended on it. About to demand what the hell was going on with him, she lost her nerve and stopped him from answering. This was way out of character for her, and if she didn’t get a grip quick, tonight and maybe the next few days would be full of regrets. **** Stone vacated the position he’d taken up a few feet from Tielle so he could watch her cook. He moved to stand behind her and let his hands come down on her shoulders. A tremor went through her body. Something told him Tielle wasn’t used to being out of control, and that’s just what she felt in his presence. Knowing it pleased him. He liked to keep the woman he had interest in guessing about him. That is, until she learned how rich his family was. Then all the mystery was gone, at least on her part. She’d become a clingy simpleton that he couldn’t remove without a fight, and he would be forced to find a new bed partner. Tonight, he 43

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

considered looking for Tielle in a rental, something less flashy and expensive, but deep inside, he found he wanted her to know the truth right from the start, to judge whether she was like every other woman. He didn’t expect her to be different, but he wanted to her to be. Maybe that was unfair. For a moment, while he pressed close to her and feathered kisses along her slender neck, he thought about leaving her in the dark about who he was. He could lie and say he had borrowed the car from a friend because he loved the speed and the power. He could say he was Joe Average and enjoy a longer time with her, enjoying her sexy body. From his position above her, he caught the soft swell of her breasts inside her dress. He envisioned licking those tight buds while watching and listening to her reaction. His cock swelled with his thoughts, and from the way she jerked whipping the eggs, he knew she’d noticed. No, Tielle deserved the truth, for whatever reason he didn’t care to identify. “You might have heard of The Einin Hughes Corporation.” She gasped and looked up at him. “Your father?” “My great-grandmother. The family owns several companies under the parent conglomerate, the main one being a whiskey distillery.” Tielle seemed dazed. “Irish Whiskey. Go figure.” He nodded. “So now you know. And yes, my bumbling secretary was the one who followed you. I apologize for that if he frightened you.” She rolled her eyes. “He didn’t. But now that you’ve admitted you’re made of money…” He stiffened, feeling a frown settling over his features, and he narrowed his eyes. “Yes?” He knew what she was going to say. “I’m just not sure if we should go any further. I don’t think I’d want to date someone like you.” “What?” She could not have shocked him more. He blinked. “Let me get this straight. My having money puts you off?” “Well, duh.” She turned and set his plate on the table. “Look, I know your type, Stone. You’re arrogant. You think your money will get you anything. Breaking the rules is second nature, and you think you’re above what all the regular folk have to deal with on a daily basis. I’m sorry. I’m not into that.” Despite his rising irritation that she was stereotyping him, lumping him in a negative way with all others who had money, he couldn’t help noting how the fear she’d displayed a moment ago because of how he affected her had disappeared. Now, she seemed unmoved by his nearness. 44

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

The tiny beautiful woman looked like she was confident she could take him. He had to admire that spirit, but she would not dismiss him so easily. “You’re aware that you’re stereotyping, aren’t you? Of all people I’d think—” She smirked. “Now who is stereotyping? What do you mean by ‘of all people’?” She laughed at his grunt of frustration. Her eyes sparked with her amusement, drawing him in like a bee to honey. The woman had abilities she couldn’t be aware of for capturing and holding a man at her side. Her chin came up, and her eyes challenged him. “A man like you would deny that you fit the mold, but baby, I’ve already seen the arrogance rolling off you in waves. I’m surprised you noticed me in the club that night. Then again, the high and mighty always did come down off the hill to meet those base desires.” She waved her hand. “I just don’t date guys like you.” Stone’s eyebrows shot up. He eyed her for a few minutes and then took two steps that closed the gap between them. Ignoring the plate she’d placed on the table, he crowded her, allowing the heat from their bodies to mingle. While he didn’t break eye contact, her confidence began to waver, and her bottom lip made its way in between her teeth. Lust slaked over him, a desire to nibble at that cute little mouth of hers. Knowing that he’d just snatched away the control she’d displayed, he cut the space between them again. The caress he ran along her chin before raising it left her almost shaking. He absorbed her movements it seemed with every fiber of his being, loving it and craving more. “You don’t have to worry, my little flower,” he teased. “I’m not looking to date you. There’s just one thing I want, and one thing only.” He shifted his focus to his thumb which he moved to one protruding nipple and grazed it. Tielle’s mouth fell open, and her eyelids fluttered like she tried to resist closing her eyes. She attempted to move away from him, but he stilled her with one hand. “I…um…” She swallowed and tried again. “I don’t do this so soon. A few dates…” “No.” He swept an arm about her waist and drew her up to him onto her toes. Her head fell back, and he used the opportunity to kiss along her throat. Teasing the soft skin with the tip of his tongue, he luxuriated in her flavor—sweet yet salty. With each breath, her breasts rose and fell along his chest, driving him insane. One swift movement had her dress around her waist, and Stone threaded fingers into the back of her panties. The 45

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

curve of her ass made him swear. “You know what I want, Tielle. Will you give it to me?” Almost he resorted to the dragon’s song, but he resisted. He’d never used that to convince a woman to open her legs to him, and he wouldn’t start now. “Oh, hell yes,” she blurted. “I can’t wait any longer.”

46

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Eight Noah reclined in his car across the street from the woman named Tielle’s house. He’d followed his cousin here. Unlike Stone, Noah decided to drive something a little less eye-catching for his surveillance for the night. Although as Stone took turns from one street to the next, Noah couldn’t help thinking how much better he would have done it, how much faster he would drive even on residential streets if he was behind the wheel. Of course, money was not an object for him any more than it was for Stone, but if he was to learn Stone’s movements, he couldn’t drive what he wanted while watching him. He’d let the fool he’d hired to watch Stone go for the night and flown into town himself. He wanted to get a look at this woman to see if she was anything better than all the other whores Stone had taken to bed. Noah had especially not wanted another fuck up after his man had given him some bogus story that Stone was meeting this woman for a date when he wasn’t. This night was the first they’d gotten together. Never before had the cliché ‘if you want something done right, do it yourself’ been more true. Noah was shocked to find the woman was black. Not that he hadn’t sampled one or two in his time. He had, but he’d thought his uppity cousin was above that. Noah didn’t make it a habit of documenting Stone’s sexual exploits. He was too busy for that BS. However, if he could find Stone’s weakness, emotional rather than physical, then he could exploit it and get Stone’s blood. Nothing brought a man down faster than a woman. Noah chuckled while holding binoculars up to his eyes. On the third floor, through a window, he caught sight of Stone and the woman. Their silhouettes merged and then separated as she led Stone deeper into the apartment where Noah couldn’t see them. “Whore,” he muttered. “But go ahead, cousin, fall under her spell, and then I will have you. The dragon might be near indestructible in a physical sense, but I know how to destroy you. You will give me your blood, and maybe when it’s all over, I will let you watch me have her too.” **** 47

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Tielle could not believe she was letting this happen, that she was going to have sex with a man she hadn’t dated for a while first. Although she’d been turned on by a man many times over—and it didn’t take much— she’d never felt like a man was put on this earth to pleasure her. Okay, now she was the one sounding arrogant. Still, just looking at Stone, the way he moved, the timbre of his voice, seeing the lust in his eyes, set her on fire. He knew what he did to her, knew how he brought her body to life. She’d had men who were skilled at love-making. She’d taught others how to please a woman until they were skilled. But Stone went beyond all that. He crossed the room to where she stood near the wall and lifted a hand to stroke her cheek. Tielle melted. She closed her eyes and then forced them open so she could enjoy staring at him. His movements, his intensity, made her feel…desperate. “Tell me what you’re thinking,” he demanded. She hesitated. He had no right to ask, and she was under no obligation to answer. “I’m thinking how much I want…” “Yes?” Her eyelids fluttered closed again. She let him part her lips and push his thumb into her mouth. She sucked lightly, tantalizing the tip with her tongue. Stone groaned low in his throat. “Tell me,” he said again. She pulled back from his thumb and let it rest on her lips while she spoke. “I’m thinking how much I want you, how I’m getting off on the fact that you didn’t let me say no to this. You’ve been ordering me around, and I kind of like it.” She glared at him. “Don’t get the wrong idea about me.” He chuckled. “Oh trust me, beautiful. I won’t.” Examining her in his unhurried way she was beginning to recognize, he paused at her hips. Her dress was half up her thighs, giving just a peek of her pink panties, from his raising it earlier. “I want to see those panties again. Better yet, I want to see what’s beneath them. Take off your dress.” He pulled his hand away from her mouth to cross his arms over his chest. The expression in his eyes was expectant that she wouldn’t disobey. Tielle had no problem doing what he wanted. The more dominant he was, the hotter she got. She couldn’t believe this kind of play had been available to her, and she never knew it. What kind of wimpy losers had she been sleeping with all this time? Maybe it took a powerful man who 48

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

knew who he was and what he wanted to make her enjoy giving up control for the moment. She’d keep that in mind when Stone or she had moved on. Knowing he had gotten off on rubbing her ass earlier when they were in the kitchen, she spun around to face the wall. With maneuvers designed to get him worked up, she lowered the zipper on her dress. First one strap slipped over her shoulder and then the other. When the dress was around her waist, she hooked her thumbs into the material and wiggled her hips more than necessary. She grinned on hearing Stone’s sharp intake of breath. The material around her ankles, instead of kicking it away, she bent over to remove it. Stone swore. An ass man, Tielle decided from his reaction. When she finished, she turned around to face him. “Well?” He nodded but didn’t comment on whether he liked what he saw. Now, not even his expression showed if he was pleased. Tielle had always been secure in the fact that she had a good body. There were parts she’d like to enhance, minimize, or otherwise change, but overall, she felt she looked good. With Stone’s lack of declarations of how beautiful she was, which was what she was used to getting, she had a second of doubt. Was he used to model quality? Her belly wasn’t quite flat. In fact, there was a slight roundness to it, not too much she always thought, just enough to be soft and sexy. Her breasts were big enough to need a D cup and heavy so they couldn’t be described as pert. She’d been proud of her hips, curvier when she got carried away with her favorite mini-éclairs. Tielle looked down at herself and splayed one hand over her belly while covering her breasts with her other. “Don’t you dare,” Stone snapped. She jumped and looked up at him. “What?” He stepped close and pulled her hands down to her sides. He leaned in closer so their skin brushed. “Don’t you ever hide this from me again!” He released her hand and did something to her bra she didn’t see. All she knew was that all of a sudden the red lace was in tatters on the floor. Tielle stared at it. She looked back at Stone’s hands. He had no scissors or other tool, but the clasp holding her bra together was destroyed. When he went after her panties, she squeaked. “Wait, wait. I liked this set. Don’t tear up my panties.” “Then stop hiding from me.” “I’m not hiding.” “Tielle.” 49

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

She gasped at the tortured tone to his voice. She dared peer into his face, and this time found the lust she’d expected before. He was focused on her breasts and pushed her back a little so he could take in more. With strength she had no idea a man could have, he lifted her up above his head until her nipples were level with his mouth. The man wasn’t even straining when he held her there so he could lave her stiff tips. Tielle cried out her pleasure. Stone took first one and then the other into his mouth, alternating back and forth until she thought she’d lose consciousness. Her pussy clenched as Stone kissed over her swollen mounds to lick the underside of one. He continued to nibble her skin as if she was his favorite dessert. All the while, he didn’t strain or grow tired of holding her in such a way. “Stone, put me down,” she begged. His dark eyes blazed at her. “You’ll obey?” “Yes.” He lowered her in degrees until her toes touched the floor, but then he spun her to face the bed. A slap on her ass sent her stumbling forward. “Take off your panties, and go over there and bend over the side of the bed.” She did as she was told, kicking away the panties before glancing over her shoulder. Stone stripped in seconds. She almost forgot to remain bent over the bed at the size of his cock. The thing hung in the air long and thick, and hard as steel. Tielle licked her lips. “Oh wow, you weren’t lying.” He stroked it. “You want some of this?” “You know I do,” she said without shame. He grinned. “You’ll have every inch of it. If you’re a good girl.” She sucked her teeth. “Boy, please, if you want some of this”—she ran her hand over her hip—“you’ll be good to me.” Stone didn’t hesitate for an instant. He thrust his hand out, cupped her ass, and then slid his fingers farther to touch her moist center. Tielle yelled when he parted her folds with expertise and glided deep. His rough stroke had her on tiptoe, back arched, and ass pushed out toward him. “You forget who is in control, Tielle,” he reminded her. “You will obey, or else.” She whimpered despite herself. Stone picked up the pace. Tielle hurtled toward an orgasm that quick. She tried to bite down and regain the hold she was used to exercising over her body, but the girl seemed to have a new master. Falling forward to land on her hands over the bedside, all 50

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

she could do was let Stone take her to her climax, and he knew just how to do it. After she’d come, her inner muscles clenching around his fingers and her juices running down onto her thighs, Stone pulled out. “Now, I’m going to take you the way I want, as often as I want, and as roughly as I want.” That made Tielle nervous. Would he abuse her? She’d heard of men who liked to leave bruises on a woman, even beat her up while he had sex with her. Tielle might enjoy Stone’s touch, but she would fight tooth and nail if he thought she’d let him do that kind of thing. “What are you going to do?” she asked. He must have seen the fear in her eyes because he softened and moved to pull her back to him. Searching out her lips, he kissed while stroking her belly. “Shh,” he muttered against her mouth. “I’m not going to hurt you. I will take you roughly, but trust me, you’ll beg me not to stop.” His fingers trailed down to her pussy again. With his tongue pushing into her mouth, he matched the thrust using his fingers up her channel. Tielle moaned, lost to his skillful manipulating of her body. Stone pushed her down on the bed, following close behind to lie atop her. After he had tucked a pillow beneath her hips, he pushed her legs apart. Tielle clutched the blankets, shutting her eyes. The desperate howl torn from her throat was in response to Stone’s invasion. Damn, he was thick, she thought, and rough? Hell, yes! She fought not to scream the words out loud and give him the satisfaction. But the one who was satisfied was her. The pillow didn’t hoist her high enough. He gripped her hips, yanked her higher and thrust hard into her. Her pussy walls begged for mercy as they adjusted to both his length and his girth, and yet, it didn’t hurt. The sheer violence of his entry though almost set her teeth to chattering. Tielle was used to pumping as hard as her man, letting him know it wasn’t all about her getting what she needed and him doing all the work. However, Stone’s strength knew no bounds. He didn’t need her to pump. Hell, her knees weren’t touching the bed. She had nothing to brace herself with. All she could do was enjoy how he worked her drenched pussy and made her whimper his name. Stone pounded her ass, the slap of their skin, his grunts, her cries, all culminating to make her come. Wave after wave of ecstasy drowned her control and shattered her peace. She was his to command, to use. He wouldn’t last. He couldn’t, she thought. Still, he pumped deep inside of 51

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

her, drew all the way out and slammed in again. His speed didn’t lessen for a second. At some point, he swore, and then he drove to the hilt, holding there, shifting his hips. Tielle became aware of come dripping down her thighs and knew Stone had found his release. She thought he must be out of breath, unable to go on, put he pulled out, flipped her to her back and lowered himself to her again. Eyes wide, she stared up at him. “Can you take me again?” he demanded more than asked. She nodded. He threaded himself inside her, and as if he hadn’t just spent the last fifteen minutes grinding into her faster than she’d ever experienced before, he went at it again. He lifted her legs into the air, held them up around her ankles. Tielle couldn’t hold back any longer. She screamed and wrestled with the covers. Her head went back, eyes closed, and she writhed about. Her breath came in short bursts. She bit her lip one minute and shouted the next. An orgasm exploded over her system, filling her eyes with tears. When Stone took her hand, she opened her eyes. He guided it to her breast. “Play with them and watch me.” Her back arched, she used both hands to tease her nipples while staring into Stone’s eyes. She plucked and pulled at the rigid peaks seeming to send him over the top. Once or twice, his lids drooped low, and she thought he might climax, but he held on. She knew that method. The pleasure was too good, something to hold on to for as long as possible. “Do you like what I’m doing to you, Tielle?” He reached down between them and rubbed her clit. Her hands stilled. “No, don’t stop. You know what happens if you disobey me, don’t you?” She shook her head, unable to say a word. He pinched her clit, stroked it at a smooth, fast rhythm that brought her to the brink of an orgasm, and then he stopped. Tielle could have cried like a baby. “Don’t,” she pleaded. “Don’t what?” She swallowed, trying to wet her dry throat after so much screaming. “Don’t stop.” He leaned forward, kissed her once, and then sat up again. “You know what to do for me.” She began playing with her breasts again, kneading the heavy mounds and tracing her fingertip around the dark areolas. Stone’s eyes narrowed, 52

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

concentrated on her movements. She felt his cock twitch inside of her. This time, she knew it was coming before it happened. Stone’s thrust thundered forward. Tielle shouted, and he filled her. They fell together in a trembling heap on the bed. Stone cupped her close to him in his arms as if she was something precious. Tielle knew enough about certain men, those who had learned all ways in pleasing a woman. These men understood that a part of a woman’s sexual fulfillment included her need to be cuddled. If Tielle was ignorant of this natural part of who Stone was, she would think he cared, and she’d be like all the other silly women out there who fell in love after one sexual encounter. Relieved that she knew better, she settled into his arms to enjoy the embrace for what it was. Stone kissed her temple, and they fell asleep together.

53

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Nine Tielle slouched in her seat at the back of the room. Of all classes she had to take today, anatomy had to be the one scheduled after that incredible time she had with Stone. The man had the sexual appetite of a beast too. A couple times through the night, he’d awakened her because he was hard. She couldn’t believe a man could go that long and that often without a break. It was unnatural. And yet, she’d enjoyed every second. “All except the aching muscles afterward,” she mused. “Ms. Williams, you have something to add?” her instructor queried. Embarrassed, she sank lower in her seat. “Um, no, thanks. Carry on.” The man droned on and on, but each picture of a bone flashed on the overhead projector made Tielle remember how Stone had touched her there. Before the class was over, she’d worked herself up to the point of wanting to call Stone and beg him to come take the edge off. But she’d lost enough of herself in their last session. In the light of day, when her libido wasn’t ruling her every decision, she’d vowed that if she and Stone ever had sex again, she would teach him a thing or two. Men bowed to her wishes and begged her to let them come when she went to bed with them. She was that good, she knew, so to let Stone get away with how he’d made her putty in his hands could not be forgiven. After class, Jamie met her in the hall, and they headed toward the café on the other side of campus where they’d eat lunch. Jamie yawned, obvious circles under her eyes. Tielle smirked. “Late night?” “It’s not what you think.” Jamie groaned. “I was up late finishing a paper. You know I’m doubling up so we can finish school together. I cannot wait. I’m going to sleep for a week straight and then start full time at the hospital.” “Hm, I hear you,” Tielle agreed. She wasn’t about to tell Jamie why she was equally exhausted. They’d missed their get together on Sunday because Jamie was doing home assignments and Tielle was recovering from Stone. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she fished it out. A blush stole into her cheeks at the message from the man who hadn’t been far from her mind from the moment she met him. 54

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Jamie tried to see. “Who’s got you looking like a fourteen year old? I swear if you were lighter, you’d be red hot, Tielle Williams!” Tielle sucked her teeth. “Girl, please. You know I’m not like that. No man can get that close to me.” “So it’s a man.” Jamie stopped walking and put her hands on her hips, her backpack teetering on her shoulder. “I can’t believe you didn’t share. You said it didn’t work with Joe, that you weren’t ‘feeling him’, so who is that texting you?” Tielle didn’t want to admit it. They’d agreed Stone was not in the running to become a lover simply because a man like him was dangerous to a woman’s equilibrium. But she’d been unable to resist. She tapped the fingertips of one hand against her leg, feeling the sore muscles in her arms. What had they been doing to make her arms hurt? She couldn’t remember. The ache was most prominent between her legs and in her thighs, but that was a satisfying ache, one that testified that she’d come like twelve times before the night was over. Should she tell? She couldn’t. Jamie would get mad and not trust her. Worse she might think Tielle was a whore. “Look, don’t get mad, okay?” she told Jamie. “It’s…” She chewed on her lip. “I’m your friend. I like to think we’re close enough to be sisters. Tell me,” Jamie demanded. “You’ve been there for me, and I’m going to be there for you no matter what. Even through the dumb ass decisions.” Tielle laughed. “Thanks a lot.” Jamie waited. Tielle sighed. “It’s Stone.” At her friend’s blank look, she described him, and comprehension came right away. No woman could forget a man like Stone. “Him!” Jamie shrieked. “He’s dangerous, Tielle. You can look at him and practically see the string of discarded women behind him, all with broken hearts. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out some of them had killed themselves over him.” Rolling her eyes, Tielle chuckled. “Dramatic much? Girl, I’ve never had a broken heart, and I’m not planning to have one now. I keep a tight hold, and ain’t no man going to bring me down. You know this, Jamie, so trust me. I like him. He’s insane in bed, and I want to play a little longer. If my heart starts beating faster when he comes into the room, I’ll dump him.” 55

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Uh huh.” Jamie appeared unconvinced, but she gave in. “I am willing to bet your heart kicked it up when you got that text, judging by the way you blushed. But okay, tell him if he hurts you, I’ll cut his heart out with a scalpel and feed it to my dog.” Tielle grabbed her friend’s arm and dragged her toward the café. “You don’t have a dog, and you’re in nursing school not learning to operate, you nut. Where would you even get a scalpel?” Jamie grinned. “Well, as to that…there’s this doctor….” “Ah hell, here we go.” Tielle shook her head. “Save it until we get something to eat. I’m starving.” **** Tielle scrutinized the two sexy garments she held in her hands trying to decide which she wanted to buy. “I like this one best, but I don’t want anything which has honeymoon in its title,” she said to herself. “Agreed,” Stone said, walking up behind her. “Although I admit I’d love to see you in that open crotch thong.” “Why am I not surprised?” He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. She liked him in this way too, gentle and sweet, still arrogant, but much more conscious of what she enjoyed. They had been seeing each other for a couple of weeks now, and Tielle didn’t remember having such a blast with a man. Her heart did kick up a notch when Stone entered a room where she was, and she couldn’t wait to hear back from him after he left her apartment each morning. Already she’d broken her promise to Jamie, but she couldn’t help it. When Stone was there, it was like they played a little game of dominant and submissive. Tielle gave over control to Stone, and he took it. He commanded her and made her body sing. He’d even spanked her a few times, shocking her by bringing her to orgasm that way. She could forget about making decisions, struggling with bills, school, and whatever else stressed her out for the short period they were together. After he rose in the morning, and left, Tielle would go back to her normal self, her rigid schedule of existence. For now, that’s how she liked it. Stone interrupted her thoughts. “I’ve raided your lingerie drawer, remember, and I don’t see why you have to have more. You have some nice pieces at home.” “Yes, but I’ve modeled most of those for you, and you’ve ripped a few to shreds. I need replacements.” 56

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Hm, I guess I should foot the bill in replacing them.” “Not on your life.” She shoved the credit card he’d slipped out back at him. “I support myself. Let’s not rehash that lecture about men like you.” He frowned. “I thought I disabused you of that notion.” She eyed him from head to foot, taking in his expensive everything— even his haircut. “Yeah, no. You reinforce that theory every time you step through the door. I’ve got this, thanks.” Tielle noted the frustration in his face but ignored it. She checked the price tags on both garments. “You know what, fuck it, I’m getting both.” She winked at him. “After all, I’m saving tons of lunches and dinners with you taking me out to eat. It’s like you never heard of a home-cooked meal.” He flared his nostrils. “I think I’d be open to it if you could actually cook.” “Oh no you didn’t.” She laughed and punched him in the chest. He pretended to be hurt. The truth was, his body must have steel lining the inside like Wolverine from X-Men, because it was for sure, she couldn’t do damage to that hardness. “I said I make a mean omelet, and you seemed to like it the way you shoveled it into your mouth the other day.” “Mm, yes, but I can’t live off of egg. So we go out to eat.” She waved her hand and headed toward the register to pay. “Whatever, Stone. One of these days, I’m taking you to a diner Jamie and I go to all the time. The food is incredible—and affordable for the average person.” When she glanced back at him, he looked doubtful, but she wasn’t paying Stone any mind. Before she was done with him, she’d get him out of that bougie attitude. The following day between classes, she and Jamie relaxed on a couch outside their next class. Tielle lay with her head back and a wet cloth over her aching eyes. She hadn’t slept much over the last few days, and both her assignments and her health was suffering. She groaned, popping a couple of pills to ease the pain in her head. Everyone couldn’t live a life of leisure like Stone, or rather take off for weeks at a time from work just because he wanted sex. Must be nice, she mused. “We’re almost done, Tielle. You can’t blow this last bit,” Jamie reminded her. Tielle yawned. “Don’t I know it.” What’s more she needed to get a bit of her own back too. Stone had been commanding too much of her time. On top of that, while she liked how he took control and made her do what 57

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

he wanted in the bedroom, she couldn’t let the man think that was how it would always be. Her schedule did not revolve around him, and he couldn’t just call and say he was coming over whenever he wanted. She would not be reduced to waiting desperately for his call. She knew men. At some point, he wouldn’t call, and she’d be sitting there suffering, all because she let him define their relationship. “Hell no,” she muttered. Jamie peeped at her through half-closed lids. “Hell, no what?” “Oh nothing.” **** Tielle waited until the weekend to assert herself with Stone. She knew it would be difficult because all the man had to do was touch her or look at her a certain way, and she’d be putty in his hands. To her disgust, she still blushed whenever he sent her dirty texts or when she saw his name pop up on her phone display. Things were getting out of hand. She was used to setting the pace of her relationships. When Stone called on late Friday, Tielle didn’t answer. Her stomach knotted, and she chewed a nail as she stared at the phone. Everything in her screamed “grab it, this could be your last chance to be with him” but she held on. A few minutes after the phone stopped ringing, a text came up. She read it. “Why didn’t you answer? Call me.” She rolled her eyes. He had a nerve thinking she should jump at the snap of his fingers. A half hour later, the phone rang again. Tielle had been busy cleaning her already neat apartment. She kept it in order in case Stone came by, but to avoid calling him, she’d scrubbed the kitchen floor, cleaned the bathroom, and washed the windows. In the bedroom, she was trying to determine if she should reorganize her closet when Stone called. She took her time going to the phone. On the fourth ring, she answered, feigning annoyance. “Hello?” “I’ve been trying to reach you for a while.” His tone spoke volumes about how pissed he was she’d been hard to reach. Gratified, she said, “Oh sorry about that. I’m deep in studying right now. I have an exam coming, and I can’t afford to flunk it. What did you want?” “What did I want?” She could almost see him blinking in confusion. She covered the mouthpiece and tried to suppress her laugh. At the same time, the twinge of guilt that assailed her made her wonder. She tamped it down. Stone grumbled but continued. “I will be there around ten and—” 58

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Oh no, I can’t tonight. Like I said, this exam is important for my career.” She paused and sucked in a deep breath. “In fact, with the amount of information I will need to absorb, this entire weekend is out. I’ll call you next week, ’kay?” She threw him a kiss over the line and disconnected. Almost shaking at how she’d lied and risked losing the one man that got her heart pumping, Tielle snapped the phone up again and dialed Jamie. She could make it through tonight, but the entire weekend was another story. Not that she needed sex every day. She didn’t. The fact was Stone had all but taken over her life. She’d have to get used to having more time again. They’d shopped together, eaten together, and everything else the last few weeks. She’d neglected her buddy Jamie, and not one time had her friend complained. “Hey, girl,” Tielle said when Jamie answered. “Busy tomorrow?” “Like when?” “Lunch time.” “Nope, open all day after eleven. You know I do my best studying before then. After that, I’m shot.” Tielle laughed. “Good. Let’s do lunch. I’m feeling like trying Jaunted tomorrow.” Jamie squealed. “Oh wow, we’ve been wanting to check out that restaurant. But the prices…” “Forget the prices. If you can’t swing it, I’ll help you out. I have a couple extra dollars this month. I want to stretch out a little.” Jamie sucked her teeth. “Sounds like you’re getting spoiled by that man of yours. Where’s he? Busy this weekend?” “Hey, I don’t live in his pocket. And I realized I’ve been neglecting my girl. You don’t want to go? I know it’s last minute, and you could have plans or something. I’ll understand if you do.” Tielle crossed her fingers that Jamie didn’t have a prior engagement. “No, way. Are you nuts? I’m there. Let’s go to Jaunted. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.” “Me too,” Tielle admitted. “Okay, I’ll swing by there and we can go from your house at twelve. Talk to you tomorrow. Bye.” They ended the call, and Tielle stood in front of her closet stuffed full of various sizes of clothing. She’d gone from a size sixteen to a size six and everywhere between, over and over again. Nowadays, she managed to hold at a size fourteen, and she was happy with it. Her curves were generous but still sexy. 59

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Well, I guess it’s a night of more cleaning,” she announced to the empty room. With luck, she could exhaust herself and then drop into bed, not waking up until time to meet Jamie.

60

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Ten “What,” Noah snapped into the phone. The call had broken his concentration on the information his partner emailed him. Noah had enough of a biology background to understand much of it, but others he had to read again and again to comprehend. He didn’t need unnecessary interruptions. The man on the other end of the phone began to stutter. “Uh b-boss, he’s not with her today.” Noah shot forward in his chair. “Where?” “One of them fancy restaurants. Wait, let me check my notes for the name.” Noah ground his teeth. All this time, they had been waiting for the perfect opportunity, a time when Tielle Williams was alone. He was not a patient man, but approaching Stone head on was not the answer. The stubborn self-righteous ass felt as his father did, that some kind of cosmic power selected who would have the active dragon gene, and that left out everyone else. Noah wasn’t going for it. Not now, not ever. If he could get to Stone through his bitch, he’d do it. Kidnapping at this time was out of the question. Scaring her, maybe even hurting her a little would distract Stone enough so that Noah’s men could get the drop on him just as they did on Noah’s father. That would be better, and outsiders would stay out. Noah counted on his uncle not to contact the authorities in order to keep the family secret in tact. Meanwhile, once Noah had Stone, he could have him transported to Ireland with none the wiser. All of his contacts were in place, waiting for him to give the word. Having almost unlimited finances came in handy. He chuckled. “Jaunted,” his man exclaimed. Noah snapped out of his reverie. “Come again?” “The restaurant. It’s called Jaunted. I don’t know what that means.” “That’s because you’re an idiot. I don’t pay you to be smart anyway. I pay you to do what I tell you. So, you stage the accident just like I 61

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

instructed. No mistakes, or I’ll have your head. Call me the minute it’s done.” “Yes, sir.” Noah rang off, but his phone buzzed a second time. He grunted. Seeing who it was, he reigned in his anger to answer. “Hello, uncle.” “Noah,” Einin barked into the phone. Noah winced and distanced the small device from his ear. It amused him that Einin tried so hard to be a giant in bark and bite when he was such a small-built man. What amused Noah even more was the fact that the name Einin was a girl’s name meaning ‘little bird’. Why his uncle hadn’t paid to have it changed all these years, he couldn’t guess. Except maybe the older man felt he proved himself even bigger by keeping it. Who cared? Noah had no respect for his uncle, nor did he care for the man’s personality. When he became head of the family, Noah intended to put the little bird in his place, which was under Noah’s heel. “What can I do for you, uncle?” Noah forced himself to sound pleasant. He suspected his tone was more uptight but hoped Einin wouldn’t notice. Einin didn’t buy into false niceties anyway. He preferred the more direct approach—in other words, I’m everything, and you’re nothing. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news,” Einin told him. “Your father passed away this morning. At least we’ve determined that his accident was not someone who knew our secret. Stone uncovered that it was all the work of a jealous husband. There’s no accounting for how far a man will go where his woman is involved.” Noah suppressed a chuckle. “Aye, you’re right, uncle. They’re unpredictable.” Of course Noah knew all about it. He had been the mastermind behind making it look like his philandering father had fucked over the wrong husband and had his life snuffed because of it. The extra effort it took to fool Stone was worth it, although it rankled that Einin praised him as if he’d cracked the case of the century. Stone had swallowed whole the false clues Noah had set out for him. None of them came close to his intelligence, and the sooner they recognized it the better. With effort, he attempted to sound choked up over his father, as if he was fighting the emotions. “W-When is the funeral?” “In three days. I expect you here. I will contact Stone as well. People will fly in from all over him being a Hughes, so it’s best that you make arrangements immediately. Stone has use of the private jet, but if you’re in 62

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

the United States, there should be no problem with the two of you coming together. File the manifest early, Noah. Have I made myself clear?” Noah frowned. He lifted the mail opener he’d been using earlier and jabbed it into the wooden desk before him. Everything inside of him wished it was Einin or Stone beneath the sharp point. “Crystal clear, uncle.” “Good.” His uncle rang off without saying good-bye, but Noah hadn’t expected him to. He tossed the tool away and steepled his fingers to consider how this news of his father’s death changed things. Stone’s being gone from his woman’s side would open her more for whatever plans Noah had for her. However, when Stone was in Dublin, bringing him down was harder. They would be surrounded by family, friends, and whoever else pretended to give a crap about Murray Hughes. In addition, Stone tended to get more focused at home, like his father’s expectations weighed him down more. Noah chuckled. “Better him than me with Einin.” Noah’s best bet was to proceed as planned. If Stone was distracted worrying about his woman while he was away, then he’d open himself to attack. Noah would look for an opportunity in Ireland. If it didn’t arise, then the U.S. would have to do. Right now, they needed to focus on today. This time, he would not fail.

63

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Eleven Tielle stepped outside the restaurant and paused. “That food was incredible, wasn’t it?” she asked Jamie behind her. “You said it.” Jamie moaned. “I think I ate too much, but that steak was so tender, so juicy.” Laughing, Tielle shook her head. “I thought you didn’t eat red meat? Wait, weren’t you vegetarian for a few months?” Jamie pouted. “Shh, say nothing.” “You’re crazy, girl.” Tielle swung away from her friend and headed toward the street. Jamie had parked her car on the opposite side, a lucky break since normally when they came downtown, there were no spaces available. They’d end up driving around and around looking for an open meter. Tielle was still talking when she stepped out from between two parked cars. She paused, seeing a car rolling at a snail’s pace not far along. “Goodness, can he drive any slower?” she complained. They started out ahead of him, but someone called from behind. “Miss, your change.” Jamie looked back. “Change? I didn’t use cash.” She hurried back to the sidewalk, but Tielle continued on. The second she moved beyond the parked vehicles, the car ambling along sped up. Tielle froze in place, her legs unable to work as fast as her mind’s command to jump back. A blur zipped by Tielle, and with the stirring of her hair on a sudden wind, she found herself in someone’s arms being jerked out of the way of the speeding car. The nut behind the wheel yelled something drunkenly, scraped several cars at the side of the road and continued on. Tielle clung to her rescuer shaking at what could have happened. She sucked in a deep breath and steadied herself before looking up into the man’s face. Stone’s worried eyes stared down at her. “Are you okay, Tielle?” “Stone? What are you doing here?” She pulled herself together and stood up straight. Peering around his shoulder, she asked, “Did you see that? The idiot was drunk.” 64

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Jamie ran up and pulled her into a hug. “Tielle, are you okay? I saw it coming, but I couldn’t get myself together enough to yell a warning.” “I know, right?” Tielle agreed. “I think I couldn’t believe it myself, so I stood there like an idiot. Thank God I’m okay, but what about the next person? We should call the police and report it.” “Yeah,” Jamie agreed, slipping her phone from her pocket. Stone’s heavy hands came down on her shoulders, and he twisted her to face him rather than Jamie. He moved his hand to her chin, forcing her to look at him. “What the hell were you thinking stepping into the street without looking? And why are you here when you said you had to study all weekend?” His gaze shifted to Jamie for a second and then back to Tielle. She blinked at him. All fear of what just happened to her left the moment he started acting all high and mighty, like she was some fool who couldn’t handle her own business. “Excuse me?” She put her hands on her hips. “What gives you the right to question me?” His expression darkened. “What game are you playing, Tielle? I don’t like women who try to manipulate me to get what they want.” “Oh, is that right? Well, you know what you can do for me, Stone.” She whirled away from him, but he caught her arm and tugged her to his chest. Her body ignited with the impact. “Is this what you want?” he demanded. “To forget about us?” She shoved at his chest, but he didn’t let her go. “You’re just pissed because you like to call all the shots. Get over yourself, Stone. I have a line of men just waiting to take your place.” His face reddened. She didn’t take her words back. She wasn’t the kind of woman to play games, or at least she hadn’t thought so until she met him. But Stone was too big for her normal way of doing things. He held too much of her in the palm of his hand, and she needed to use whatever tool was necessary to keep things comfortable. If that meant playing games as he called it, oh well. When the police arrived, Tielle gave the report of the drunken driver while ignoring Stone. She waited until the policeman was questioning him before she dragged Jamie to her car and they left. After the restaurant and her lover were out of sight, she breathed a sigh of relief and closed her eyes. Feeling Jamie’s eyes on her more than once, she said, “What?” “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought things were good between the two of you, and the man just saved your life. Why did you brush him off?” 65

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Tielle couldn’t admit that it was because she wanted to be with Stone more than anything else. Jamie would be worried, and Tielle just didn’t want to talk about it. “I’m taking a break, that’s all. You know how I get after a while.” Jamie nodded. “The sex gets predictable. He gets boring.” “Yeah,” Tielle said. So not true with Stone. The sex couldn’t get any better, and seeing Stone was the farthest thing away from boring. In fact, she suspected it would remain thrilling for the next century if they lasted that long. She groaned. Jamie patted her hand. “Don’t worry, girl. You know what you said was true.” “What was that?” Her friend winked. “You’ve got a line of men just waiting to take his place. Nobody has them begging like you, Tielle, and you don’t even seem to notice half the time. You’re the only woman I know whose exes want to rekindle things after you break it off.” “Damn,” Tielle complained. “You make me sound like a heartless bitch.” “Naw, you’re not that.” She grinned. “I see it in you. When you fall at last, it’s going to be hard. That man will feel like he’s the luckiest person in the universe. That’s your destiny. It will happen soon.” Tielle yawned. “Thank you, oh Zen master for those wise words.” They giggled together, and Jamie dropped her at home before heading to her own place. As she ascended the steps to the third floor, Tielle thought about what Jamie’d said, how when she fell in love it would be hard. In some ways, she believed it would happen too. The problem was, would the man she loved, love her just as hard in return? That was the scariest part about the whole business and what had kept Tielle protecting herself up until now. She’d been careless with Stone, but that had to stop. A man like him wouldn’t likely fall for any woman, least of all her. He was heartbreak waiting to happen, and she wasn’t the one to play that game. Tielle strolled into her bedroom and undressed. She’d showered before she left to meet Jamie for lunch, but somehow she felt like warm water raining over her body would wash away the unrest in her soul, along with the ordeal she’d just gone through. When she’d finished sudsing with her favorite body wash and rinsed it down, she turned off the shower and returned to her room for lotion. 66

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

A lightweight cotton sundress was the perfect outfit to slip into. The vee neckline hung low, and the back had crisscross straps exposing her skin. The cut would not allow a bra, so she didn’t put one on. Examining herself in the mirror while she slipped into her white thong, she noted how her nipples were defined behind the dress’ material. The last time she’d worn it, she’d put on the formfitting cups that would disguise her peaks and offer a little support. She had no idea where they were, and what did it matter anyway since she was alone. The day was too warm, and she didn’t want to turn on the air conditioner until she couldn’t take it anymore. By the time she padded barefoot from her room and glanced toward her backpack in the corner, someone was ringing her doorbell. She frowned and went over to flick the intercom. “Yes?” “It’s Stone.” Her heart doubled its beats. She bit her lip, half grinning because she was excited to see him again. A frown followed because he didn’t believe her when she told him she needed to study. As if he might see that she wasn’t working, she darted over to her backpack and hoisted it onto the table. In moments, she had textbooks cracked open to random pages and her notebook planted on top of one. She darted back to the intercom. “Stone, I told you I have an exam to study for.” “I need to talk to you.” If she expected to hear pleading or a lovesick tone to his voice, she would wait forever. His words were matter of fact, if a tad irritated. “So why do I tolerate this dude?” she asked herself. She punched in the code to let him in. “Make it fast.” Waiting by the door, she listened to him come up the stairs and then opened the door for him. All the while, she fought for control, for the nonchalant way he seemed to have about him. Stone must be used to putting women in their place, offering just what he wanted to give them and nothing more—certainly no wasted emotions like love. He strolled by her, planting a casual kiss on her lips as he went. Tielle’s eyebrow shot up as she watched him. He was going to play it like that? She slammed the door and rested a hand on her hip. “What’s this about?” After scanning the apartment, his gaze resting for a moment on her schoolwork, he turned to face her. The mild irritation increased when he saw what she wore. “You study dressed like that?” “You have a problem with it?” 67

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Actually, I don’t.” He crossed the room to stand in front of her and with no warning, reached up to stroke a thumb over her nipple. Tielle almost sank against him. Instead, she twisted out of his reach and hurried away. “You said talk, Stone, not fondle.” With everything in her, she hoped her voice didn’t just waver like she thought it did. He moved up behind her and encircled her waist to bring her back to his hot body. Tielle closed her eyes. She concentrated on breathing and tried not to pay attention when he began running his tongue along her neck. Her stupid head tilted to the side, and she arched her back to press her ass to his thighs. Come on, Tielle, get a frickin’ grip! Stone found her mouth and covered it with his own. His tongue slipped between her lips. When he brought his hands up to knead her breasts, she moaned. He yanked the straps off her shoulders and forced the dress lower so she was exposed. Stroking both her breasts with one hand, he used the other to venture between her legs. “Mm,” he grunted when his mouth left hers. “I love when you wear a thong. I can bury my cock in your pussy without taking them off, and it makes it all the more sexy.” Tielle almost screamed. She wrenched herself from his hold and ran around to the opposite side of the dining room table. Stone stared at her like she’d lost her mind. With trembling fingers, she fixed her dress to cover herself and worked to calm her breathing. “You n-need to respect me enough to accept when I tell you no,” she said. “You can’t just barge in here and take what you want.” His eyes narrowed. “You cannot be serious. I see how much you want me. Your pussy was soaking wet just now.” Tielle resisted falling on the floor and crawling over to him like his little love slave. She stiffened her back and rolled her eyes at him. She didn’t give a damn about him or his big piece. “Whatever, Stone. Like I said, I have a right to tell you no, and if you want to be my lover—for however long it lasts—you will respect my wishes. Period. I don’t care if I’m butt naked and lying on a platter before you. If I say no, it’s no, damn it!” Stone ground his teeth, paced, and laced his fingers behind his back. She’d never seen him so worked up—not beyond sexual excitement, of course. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think this was more than about physical fulfillment, but she dared not believe something like that. It was 68

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

too dangerous. She needed a firm foundation, and love was rocky ground at best. Tielle took a chance and approached him, standing as tall as she could given the man was several inches taller and bigger in every way. “I need you to leave so I can get back to work. I don’t have to explain myself any more than that.” His eyes blazed fire, but then it died out. He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out while rotating his shoulders. Not saying a word, he moved to the front door and opened it. Tielle felt a wrench in her chest that he was leaving. He stopped halfway out. “I’ll give you this time, Tielle. But make no mistake about it, I will be back, and you and I are going to enjoy what we both want!” The door slammed closed, and her knees gave out. She uttered a small whoop for victory. Everything inside of her wanted to be in his arms, but to be sure Stone didn’t dictate her life, she had to hold out. She’d done it, and with any luck, Stone had learned not to take her for granted. Tielle rolled onto her back and kicked her feet up while punching the air. After her little upside down dance was over, she fell flat on the carpet. Thoughts of Stone’s hands on her breasts slipped into her mind, along with the zings that always flitted through her when he touched her. Desire curled in her belly. Okay, now that she’d gotten her way, what was she going to do about needing his body like she needed her next breath?

69

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Twelve “I tried, boss.” Noah grunted. “What the hell do you mean you tried?” “I did everything you said, acted drunk, drove crazy. I was going to swerve at the last minute you know so I either broke a leg or just bruised her a bit. Before I could do all of that, he came out of nowhere.” “He?” Noah spat. He knew whom the good-for-nothing referred to, but he wanted the details spelled out to him, to have it explained to him why he did not already have the dragon’s blood in his possession and wasn’t half way to awakening his own dragon. “Yeah, trust me, boss, if I believed in that kind of thing, I’d say he wasn’t human.” Noah gritted his teeth but waited in silence for the man to continue. “I was coming at her at top speed, and then this blur came from nowhere like I said. I couldn’t figure out what it was. I thought maybe it was because I was going fast, but one minute she was in the street right there in my sights, and the next minute she was back on the curb. That had to be what five feet or more? You can’t jump that far, not a woman her size. And he was standing there holding her like she was precious cargo, know what I mean?” Noah considered those words “precious cargo”. So he wasn’t wrong in choosing to get at his cousin through the woman. After all this time playing the field, had a little black woman won Stone’s heart? Noah didn’t believe it. She was just a good piece of ass. Either way, Stone had a hero complex. If he thought the woman was in danger, he’d protect her. Noah would play up on that. “So he saved her,” Noah concluded. “Did you use his worry for the woman to catch him off guard later?” “That’s what I meant when I said I tried, boss.” Noah heard the man swallow and knew he was nervous about his failure. “Something else might be going on with them. I followed him to the woman’s place, and he wasn’t the one to take her either. Her friend took her home. I think they 70

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

had a fight. He left soon after getting to her place. Who knows, maybe they already broke up.” Noah’s hand came down on the desk with a resounding boom. His hired man yelped over the line. “You had better pray that’s not the case, you simpleton! You better do whatever it takes to make this right, or you will regret the day you met me for the rest of your short, miserable life.” He thought he heard the guy mutter that he already regretted meeting Noah, but then the man stumbled into apologies and pleading for another chance. He promised to do whatever Noah instructed him to do, but Noah waved him off. “You have a few days. He and I need to return to our homeland for a few days. I will tell you what your next move will be. You need to use wisely the time we’re away, because there better not be any more screw ups. Do you understand? None!” “There won’t be, boss. You can count on me. I’ll do it. I’ll get it done. I’m the best at what—” Noah disconnected the call. Let the fool wonder how he would get Noah’s next plan and torment himself with thoughts of whether he missed some vital information. After a few drinks and a wench in his bed, Noah would explain their next move. One way or another, this had to work. He was running out of options, and the longing to be all he was born to be grew with each passing day. **** Stone grunted and grumbled while he sat in a lounger at his apartment. He ran the cold drink James had made him across his forehead, allowing the condensation from the ice and the chilly temperature to cool him down. She’d rejected him. If the last hour hadn’t happened right before him, he’d never believe it was ever be a possibility. Not that he was the arrogant prick she’d accused him of being. Was he? “James,” he barked. His secretary bustled in from the back room. “Sir? How can I help you?” “Do you find me arrogant?” Stone asked, not beating around the bush. “Uh…I…not at all. You are the kindest employer I have ever had. You care about—” “Bah! I don’t need you to stroke my ego, James. I need you to tell me the truth. You will not get into any trouble. Just say what you think.” 71

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

James wobbled his weight from one foot to the other, ringed his hands, and looked everywhere but at Stone. “Well, sir.” He cleared his throat and tugged at the collar of his shirt. Stone had told him a million times he didn’t need to be so formal in his attire, but the man got some sort of pride from it. Stone gave up trying to change him. His secretary’s face reddened. “You sometimes behave as if you’re better than all the rest of us mortals, sir. And you are,” he rushed to say.” Stone’s grip on his glass tightened, but he said nothing. “You’re a dragon shifter after all. I am privileged to know you, to be one of the few who know your family’s secret. Besides that, I fear your father would have me killed should I ever betray you.” James gave a small shaky chuckle and spread his hand out in a plea. “You rightly conduct yourself as if you are above us. That’s to be understood. I find nothing wrong with it. At least you also have a heart, unlike…” Stone knew who James referred to in the lack of heart department—his father. But James knew better than to badmouth the man. Even though Einin wasn’t an active dragon, he seemed larger than life to Stone for many years, and the man wielded his power with such acuity, he learned the secrets of others allowing him to manipulate them. James was right to be afraid. Einin Hughes was ruthless. By sheer will, Stone did not allow his father to rule his life. “Thank you,” he told James. “That will be all.” “Shall I refresh your drink, sir?” “No, thank you.” James disappeared from the room, and Stone settled back to consider Tielle again. The words that irritated him came to mind for the hundredth time. She’d told him no. He shook his head and closed his eyes. “So, what’s the problem here?” he mused. Was it because he had always been the one to call it quits? Maybe his ego was bruised. Yet, if that were it, James’ obvious stroking would have soothed him somewhat. No, it was more than that. He visualized her, her body, her face, the sound of her voice. He recalled the times they had gone out to eat and the way she tried to relay some joke to him. More often than not, she screwed up the delivery, and the punch line was either wrong or not funny. Watching how frustrated she got, the way she became flustered and screwed up her face trying to figure out what she’d done wrong had drawn him all the more. He enjoyed the jokes more the way she told them. 72

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

On top of her vibrant personality, the woman was dynamite in bed. He had never been so satisfied and still so hungry for more. He craved her day and night. Sure, his appetite for sex was huge, but it was monumental with Tielle. That was why he didn’t keep his cool when she rejected him, why he had followed her home like a lovesick puppy. He slammed his glass down on the table causing the amber liquid to slosh over the side. His gaze focused beyond the tumbler to the bottle behind it. Hughes Irish Whiskey, it read. Stone chuckled without humor. All that he was meant nothing to Tielle—all his money, his power, who his family was. He should be glad about that fact, but years of lying, scheming women had taught him not to trust any of them. Tielle could be more skilled than his previous lovers. She might have understood from the first that if she showed too much interest in who he was, it would turn him off. He nodded. Yes, that explanation sat better with him. To think that Tielle was the perfect woman for him, the one to capture the cold-blooded heart of the dragon was too much fantasy to believe. His mind more settled, he turned his thoughts to what had happened earlier. The drunken idiot had come close to mowing her down, all because she’d been absentminded. When he saw the car barreling down on her, the pain that had ripped through his chest catapulted him into action. He didn’t use his extra abilities often, and he would never have done so in front of others, but this was unavoidable. He couldn’t lose her—No, he would not think that way. When she came to her senses and missed him, she would call. Meanwhile, he needed to return to Ireland for his uncle’s funeral and attend to some business there. At the earliest, he would be back by next week. That would give her enough time to stop this game. The loss of him in her bed would make her appreciate what she had. He stood up and drained the last of his drink before heading to his room to pack. While he did so, he couldn’t shake the realization that he too would suffer not seeing Tielle. The days could not pass fast enough.

73

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Thirteen “He hasn’t called, huh?” Jamie asked Tielle. Tielle looked up from her textbook which she’d been staring at for the last hour, taking not one single word in. Realizing that Jamie was asking about Stone, she tried to be offhand about him. “Who, Stone?” She sucked her teeth. “Girl, I haven’t been thinking about him. Easy come, easy go.” “Uh-huh.” Jamie’s tone indicated her disbelief. Irritated, Tielle went back to her book rather than argue. Getting worked up and trying to convince Jamie would get her nowhere. Sure, she hadn’t slept well since she drove Stone away, nor had her body given her a moment’s peace with its aching need to feel him rubbed up against it. This was her own fault, all because she felt like she had something to prove. She wanted to leave him a thousand messages begging him to come back, not to dump her after what she’d said to him. But that would take her self-esteem to the toilet, and she had more pride than that. She’d phoned him once, but he didn’t answer, and she left what she considered to be a civilized message that she was open to seeing him. After the fact, she felt she sounded like an idiot pretending not to care. Either way it was done, and that had been three days ago. Stone didn’t call her back. Tielle stood up and stretched. She shoved her book away from her. “I’m going to the bathroom and to get a drink of water.” Jamie nodded, and Tielle headed toward the library’s exit. For exams to be coming soon, there were few people studying in the school’s library, but then she and Jamie had come early in the morning. During this time, the building had extended hours, just past the crack of dawn until eleven at night. She supposed most people were night owls and could study late. After eight, her brain turned to mush, and she could try to focus if she wanted, but nothing would be absorbed. That method was pointless. Early, when she was well-rested—or semi-rested nowadays—she had better results. After she’d used the facilities and stood at the sink washing her hands, Tielle glanced down at her watch. Seven-thirty. Her stomach growled as if on cue to let her know she’d passed up the pastry Jamie offered her earlier. 74

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

That kind of sugar would just pump her up for an hour and then bring her crashing down. In no time, she’d be snoring and drooling on her study notes rather than reading them. As she left the bathroom, she tugged her cell from her pocket and texted Jamie. “Hey, going to the vending machine for some crackers or something. Want anything?” “Nope, sneaking cream cheese danish as I type.” “I give up on you. You’re a bad influence,” Tielle responded. “Ha-ha and YUM!” At the vending machines, Tielle searched her pockets for change. She hated using bills as they tended to either get stuck or keep rolling back out of the slot. She’d end up pissed and kicking it until she hurt her foot. Feeling someone behind her, she glanced over her shoulder. The guy who stood too close and had a creepy grin didn’t appear to be a nursing student, at least none she’d seen. People here were all ages as more and more men and women went back to school after twenty or thirty years, and some of them could get grungy during cramming time. This guy set off all kinds of warning bells of creep alert. She stepped to the side. “You can go ahead. I haven’t decided what I want.” Instead of focusing on the machine, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels looking at her. “Your name is Tielle, isn’t it?” Tielle took another step back. “Never mind. I’ll choose something later.” She started to walk away when his words stopped her. “And that rich dude is your boyfriend. What’s his name…” Her heart thundered in her chest. Breathing hindered, she tried to calm down and think, but she had no idea whether she should demand what he knew about Stone or if she should ignore him and run back to Jamie. All of a sudden the memory of the phone call came back to her, the one a few weeks back when someone had contacted her pretending to be Stone’s secretary. Now she knew Stone was rolling in dough. Was this person after him, trying to blackmail him or something? Sucking in a calming breath, Tielle straightened and said over her shoulder while she walked away, “Get lost, jerk.” “I don’t think so.” A hand smashed down on her shoulder and forced her backward. She fell into the man’s scrawny chest, disgusted at how much thinner he was than she’d assumed. Before she could wrestle her way free, something pricked her arm. 75

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Tielle gasped. She threw all her weight back on him, making him lose balance and then wrenched forward. When he was still unsteady, she spun around, balled up her fist, and drove it straight into his crotch. His knees buckled and slammed to the floor. Tears flooded his eyes, and he cried out, but Tielle didn’t feel sorry for him. She pivoted and began to run back to the library. After a few feet, the world tumbled sideways and then righted itself. She slumped against the wall shaking her head. Weakness stole over her body. “What the hell,” she mumbled, but her words were slurred. He’d drugged her. Each step labor-intensive, she fought her way inch by inch along the wall. The impact of each foot coming down made the hall spin, so she closed her eyes. When she realized she’d never make it, she got her phone out and felt for the connect button. She pressed it, but nothing happened. The phone had locked. Sobbing, she tried again, but it was too late. The man had recovered, and he brought his arms around her, dragging her to him. He whispered in her ear. “You’re going to bring me so much money, baby.” He pinched her phone from useless fingers and put it in his pocket. All hope that she could escape left Tielle, and she sank into the man’s arms. **** Sunlight streaming in the window woke Tielle to an almost blinding headache. She tried to sit up but found she was bound to a bed, both hands tied together to one of the bedposts. The memory of what happened to her came flooding back, along with the knowledge that whoever that man was, he still had her. Panic hit hard, cutting off her breath and making her shake. She tried yanking on the bonds, but that only made them tighter until they cut into her wrists. “Oh no, I’m in trouble.” She scanned the area around her. The place looked like a cheap motel room with dark brown threadbare carpet on the floor, matching curtains at the window and on the bedspread. A simple dresser which was scratched and chipped at the corners lay at the opposite wall. Somewhere she couldn’t see, a toilet flushed, and a door opened. She guessed it was the bathroom. The man who had attacked her came out running a hand over his face. When he saw her watching him, he grinned. “So you’re awake, baby. Good. Now we can get started.” 76

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Her throat dried. “Get started what?” He eyed her breasts and lower to the vee between her legs, and Tielle started to scream, but he covered her mouth and burst out laughing. “Kidding. If the boss knew I went against his plan to do that, then I’d really get it. He’s not the kind of dude you want to play with.” The man scratched at drab brown hair that seemed not to have been washed in weeks. The grease was visible on his fingers when he lowered them. “Okay, the call.” He gave her a warning look and removed his hand from her mouth. He bounced down on the side of the bed. Tielle watched him reach under the bed and pull out a black suitcase. He flicked the locks and opened it to pull out a device she’d never seen before. A cord plugged into the motel’s phone, and a headpiece went on the man’s head. He pressed a button on the black box in his hand, and Tielle guessed he would record the call along with blocking the person on the other end from tracing it. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. If she was going to get free from this, she needed a clear head. Now if only the pain would ease in her temples. The man finished playing with his toys and reached back inside the bag. What he brought out set Tielle’s heart to racing all over again. He tapped the gun on her cheek and slid it down the side of her face. She panted until she was sure she’d hyperventilate. The man bent over her with that horrendous grin splitting his thin lips. “You’re going to be good, right?” he asked. She sniffed, the tears no longer held in check. Under her head, the bedspread soaked through. “Yes, whatever you want.” “Good girl.” He picked up the phone, flipped a few switches on his device and then dialed a number from the slip of paper in his other hand. “You keep your mouth shut until I tell you to speak. Got it?” She nodded. He waited a few minutes, and then someone must have picked up. “Hello, Mr. Hughes. Mr. Stone Hughes, correct?” Her eyes widened, both at the distortion in the man’s voice and in the fact that he was speaking to Stone. She quaked from head to toe. Everything inside her strained to get to the phone, to plead with Stone to help her, but getting shot was out of the question. What she didn’t get was why the man would use something to distort his voice, but let her see his face. The thought that maybe he planned to kill her after he got Stone to pay him made panic set in. 77

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Tielle began to cry in earnest. She couldn’t hear the kidnapper over her sobs as she searched all around her for a way to get out of here. Forgetting that she needed to stay calm and cooperate, she began to kick and struggle against the bonds. She screamed for Stone. The man brought the gun’s butt down on the side of head. Darkness descended over her eyesight, but he shook her and forced her chin around so she had to look up at him. He spoke into the phone. “I’m sure you heard that, didn’t you, Mr. Hughes? I had to hit your girl because she wasn’t behaving. You don’t want her dead. Follow the instructions I gave you.” Tielle froze when she heard Stone’s voice over the line. She expected him to shout and curse, maybe threaten to contact the police or his lawyer, or whatever rich people did when someone wanted to take their money. But Stone’s tone could not be filled more with ice. “Let me speak to her now,” he commanded. “Sure, Mr. Hughes.” Tielle thought she might start screaming again if he didn’t stop saying Mr. Hughes in that snaky way. He put the phone to her ear. “Go ahead.” She opened her mouth to speak, but the gun barrel pressed to her forehead. Her stomach roiled. “Tielle?” Stone called over the line. “Stone,” she whimpered. “Stay calm. Keep your wits about you, and do what he tells you. I will get you,” he promised. “Do you understand? I will come and get you.” Didn’t he care about her? Was she just an inconvenience that he showed no emotion? Why wasn’t he crying or pleading or yelling— anything to show she meant more to him than a piece of ass. She began to cry harder. She’d thought she was tough, could take any situation head-on, but no one could face this all bold and fearless like they did in the movies. “Tielle?” She tried to pull herself together. “What do you care?” she asked him in a low tone. He was about to say something more, but the kidnapper snatched the phone away. “So we have a deal? Good. I will contact you again with more details. Be ready for me.” He disconnected the call and the equipment and then pulled a cell phone from his pocket. “Now to update the boss. He’ll be happy. Everything is going according to plan.” The man gagged her this time, stood up, and went back into the bathroom. After he shut the door, blocking off his conversation, Tielle lay on her back with aching arms off to the side. She stared at the ceiling 78

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

feeling no expectation whatsoever that Stone or anyone else would rescue her. She was on her own. **** “What are you going to do?” Jamie sobbed. “What the hell are you going to do to help my friend?” She dragged on Stone’s arm, her face blotchy, eyes bloodshot. When Stone got her hysterical call an hour ago, he hadn’t been able to make heads or tails about what the woman was saying beyond telling him her name and that she was Tielle’s friend. That Tielle was in trouble was the second thing he figured out, and he’d been livid ever sense. He might seem calm to all involved, but he’d practiced a poker face for years in order to come out ahead in business. To show the turmoil his emotions were in to the kidnapper was equal to allowing the man to kill Tielle. As it was, he’d had to dredge deep not to rip any and everyone within a city block to shreds when he heard that asshole hit Tielle. When he found him, he would end his miserable existence. That was a promise he made to himself and to Tielle. She’d been terrified, and he’d done his best to instill confidence in her that he would rescue her. From her last words, he knew she didn’t believe him, but he would bring her home safe and sound. Stone spun toward the door to Jamie’s apartment. He’d rushed over there to demand she explain what happened to him in person. Face-toface, he’d managed to get her calm enough to give him the details. Now, he needed to get back to his penthouse and make arrangements. He could only hope that the man would wait until nightfall which was just two hours away. Then he could search for Tielle in his beast form with less of a chance of being seen. “Where are you going?” Jamie screamed. She clung to him, but he threw her off. His reaction to her panic was on a whole different scale to what he felt when Tielle panicked. He decided not to delve too deep into those feelings right now. “I’m going to do what I promised her. I will bring Tielle home.” “Take me with you, Stone. Please. She needs me.” “No, actually. She doesn’t.” His clipped response drew her anger, but it did help her to gain control. “You would slow me down, and tracking her would be impossible. We’re on a time constraint. I will contact you when I have her safe.” 79

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“You better, Stone Hughes,” she yelled to him as he left. “You better bring my sister back unhurt,” she sobbed. “Or I will hunt you down! You hear me?” Stone didn’t answer. He kept moving. He needed to be ready when the next call came in and maybe contact his father to report this issue. The kidnapper had demanded a ransom knowing who Stone was and nothing else, but it was better to be safe than sorry on all counts. Any incident regarding his people had to be reported. Stone left the apartment complex and jumped into his car. He sped through light traffic and roared into the underground parking lot at his place. By the time, he reached his floor in the elevator, all plans were set. This issue would be on its way to being resolved before midnight.

80

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Fourteen Tielle became aware that time had passed. The room was dimmer, and the light that had been shining through a crack in the curtains had all but disappeared. She must have fallen asleep. She tried stretching out the kinks in her muscles. Her shoulders ached like nobody’s business being forced to remain in one position too long. Scanning the room, she thought to see the kidnapper, but he was nowhere in sight. She strained to hear if he had gone into the bathroom again, but no sounds emitted from that direction. While she considered working at the ropes holding her, she stiffened. A key slipped into the door’s lock. The door opened an inch but stopped. A woman called out a greeting, and Tielle recognized the kidnapper’s response. How many times had she said hello in passing to someone and not known that somewhere nearby they had another person held captive or they’d just committed a crime. She closed her eyes, pushing those thoughts away. If she worried that every person she met was a criminal, she’d go crazy. Again, she thought the man had shown his face to her. He couldn’t afford to let her live. Tears pricked Tielle’s eyes as the man entered the room. He glanced at her, but she blinked the wetness away. She would never again give him the satisfaction of seeing her lose control. As it was, the lump he’d given her on top of her head still ached. He could have easily killed her right then. She needed to think of a plan to escape. A muscle in her hip spasming, Tielle wiggled around on the bed trying to work it out. When she did, the kidnapper’s eyes shifted to her hips, then to the vee between them and on up her belly to her breasts. The lust in his ogle made her want to vomit, but it gave her an idea. She cleared her throat a few times, and he came over to remove the gag. “Um, mister, my mouth is dry. Is there any way I can have some water?” She widened her eyes at him, hoping he thought she was pretty and, above all, innocent. She added a small pout. Too much, and it was just silly, although she’d seen plenty of women bring men to their knees with that kind of thing. 81

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

The man said nothing. He continued to stare, his bulging eyes shifting from her mouth to her eyes, to her body. At last he went over to the table where a pitcher and cups sat. He poured ice water into one of the cups and returned to the bed. Tielle wiggled her hands with a small plea. “I can’t hold it like this.” He smirked. “Nice try.” He sat down on the bed and hoisted her up a little. Tielle had known that’s what he would do. She arched her back, pushing her breasts forward and gave him a smile like he was her hero. Making small satisfied mewls, she drank from the cup and then leaned back, running the tip of her tongue over her lips. “Thank you so much,” she said with a breathless quality to her voice. “Oh hell!” the man grunted. “The boss can’t blame me, right? I’ve never had a black woman before. Might be interesting. Just a small sample, huh? I got condoms and everything. Always prepared.” Tielle tried not to make a snide remark about hell freezing over before she’d let a dirty loser like him touch her body. “I-I don’t know,” she said. Better not to seem too eager, or he’d know she was trying to seduce him. She cast her eyes downward to hide how grossed out she was, and breathed deep enough to make her breasts rise and fall. The man almost salivated. “I do.” He leaped to his feet and pulled his T-shirt over his head to reveal a narrow chest. The gun was tucked at his waist. Tielle had a moment of panic, but he took the piece off and laid it on the nightstand. In two seconds he was down to his boxers and hopping on the bed. He positioned Tielle on her back and straddled her. This wasn’t going how she thought it should. Searching her mind for a solution, she noted he was either not fully hard to cursed with a small dick. Inspiration hit. “How am I going to stroke you to get you hard like this?” To back up her words so he wouldn’t catch on, she raised her knee a little intending to push it against his privates, but she couldn’t do it. The thought alone was disgusting. Instead, she brushed his thigh. That was enough. He lurched for the ties at her hands and undid them. Now that she was free, she had to think of what to do to disable him. The man might be scrawny, but he was wiry. He had greater strength than she did. Unless she caught him by surprise, she was not getting out of here. An idea came to mind. With a sensual grin on her lips, she ran her hands down his chest to relax and loosen him up. 82

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Oh, baby,” he groaned. “I should have done this sooner.” He leaned forward, hanging above her. “Get your hands down there and make me ready.’ She nodded, swallowed, and drove her knee up as hard as she could into his nuts. He bellowed in pain and slumped down on her. With all her strength she shoved him to the side, scrambled to the end of the bed, and reached toward the nightstand. The choice between the gun and the small lamp was no choice at all. She snatched up the lamp, spun around, and cracked the man over the head with it. “That’s for hitting me, you asshole.” The lamp shattered, and she tossed away the remains when the kidnapper fell unconscious. Running toward the door, she realized she didn’t have shoes on, but she was not going back to search for them. The man also had her phone, but taking the time to get it could mean being recaptured. That was so not happening if she could help it. On bare feet, Tielle sprinted down the walkway past several closed doors. Somewhere nearby people laughed, and a machine released ice into someone’s bucket. A TV out of sight blared the ten o’clock news. For some reason, all the normal sounds of life at a motel frightened her. She darted around a corner and rested with her back pressed to the wall while she caught her breath. In both directions were more rooms but no sign of the motel’s office. Fear tightened her chest with pain. A click caught her attention, and she jerked, opening her eyes. A woman had just opened her car door and was leaning into it. Tielle took a chance to approach her. “Excuse me, can you help me?” She tried to sound calm so she wouldn’t scare the woman. Still, wariness filled the woman’s eyes. “Yes?” Not wanting to reveal just what she’d faced, she said, “I had a fight with my boyfriend, and I need to call someone to come get me. Can I borrow your cell phone?” The woman looked doubtful. Tielle thought fast. If she didn’t get help now, that man might come along and get both her and this woman. They couldn’t fight a gun even if there were two of them. She raised her hand to her head to feel the bump and winced. “He had the nerve to hit me, and then he threw me out of the room without my shoes, purse, or my cell phone. Please, just one call.” “You poor thing. That asshole. Of course you can use it.” She dug it out of her purse and handed it to Tielle. “I’m glad you’re not one of those weak women who put up with being abused just to keep a man.” 83

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Tielle rolled her eyes as she dialed. “Girl, please. I am so not the one, okay?” The woman laughed and moved to sit inside her car while she waited for Tielle to finish. Turning her back for more privacy, Tielle willed Stone to answer. Only after she’d called him did she realize who she should have phoned was the police, but it was too late. Stone barked hello into the phone. His voice gravelly and deeper than she remembered, she jumped in surprise. “Stone? It’s me,” she said. “Tielle, where are you?” he almost shouted, still that freakish voice. Embarrassed like she’d just taken back the woman’s high view of her, she asked where she was, what motel and what street. The woman probably thought she’d been high when her boyfriend brought her there, but Tielle relayed the information to Stone. “Go to the office, and don’t leave it for anyone. Don’t talk to anyone else. I will be there in two minutes.” Two minutes? She wanted to argue and to question him about why he didn’t want her talking to anyone, but he hung up. Once again, she felt like he didn’t give a crap. He only wanted to resolve this issue because her being out here, snatched by some creep, meant his money was threatened. She thanked the woman for the use of her phone, asked which way the office was. By the time she rounded another corner, the place came into view along with the complex’s pool. She realized she’d been on the back of the layout, toward the trees. Of course so no one would see the man drag in an unconscious woman. These people needed to know what kind of mess was going on at their place of business. Then she remembered Stone didn’t want her talking to anyone else. She considered ignoring that clipped command, but was too shaken up to go into much detail anyway. This place was a dive. Even the pool looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in a while, she thought as she passed by. That didn’t stop the teenagers from jumping into it over and over, showing off. One of them whistled and called out a suggestive comment to Tielle. She shivered and picked up her step. “Come on, Stone, please,” she muttered. Arms came around her before she could step into the office, and someone spun her around. She shrieked but Stone said, “Shh, it’s me. It’s okay.” Tielle threw herself into his arms. She buried her face in his chest, dragging his familiar scent into her nostrils like it was a drug. The tears 84

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

she’d thought she quelled sprung up and wet her face and his shirt. Thinking she might never stop sobbing, Tielle clung to Stone. He lifted her in his arms and touched his lips to her ear. The sing song tone of his voice lulled her. “Sleep, baby. I will take you to a safe place. Sleep,” he sung. Tielle could not resist him. Her mind grew cloudy, and her eyelids heavy. The tears slowed. She yawned and curled tighter into Stone’s hold. Soon, she dropped off into a deep, dreamless sleep. **** Tielle woke to the sound of people speaking outside of the room she occupied. Her ordeal came back in a flash, and she fell out of bed to scramble around on the floor. Covers tangled about her legs as she tried to find a way out. The door opened, and Stone stood silhouetted in the entry. She backpedaled away from him, still confused with sleep. “Don’t,” she whispered and held her hand out as if to ward him off. He crossed the room faster than her eyes could perceive him moving. One minute he stood across the room, and the next he was gathering her in his arms and holding her close. “It’s okay, Tielle. You’re safe here, at my house.” She shook her head. “No, the man. He tried to…” She trailed off and sobbed. “He wanted me to…to touch…” A guttural roar burst from Stone’s chest. “I will find him and kill him.” Tielle screamed. She struggled in his arms, but Stone wouldn’t let her go. He moved to the bed and laid her down. When he stretched his bulky length beside her, Tielle quivered in his arms. Her mind was full of thoughts of what could have happened, how much worse it could have been had she not escaped. She pressed the heels of her palms to her eyes, feeling her stomach roil. “I can’t believe how scared I am. I can’t make it go away,” she cried. “This isn’t me.” Stone’s arms tightened. He ran his cheek alongside hers and tugged her deep into the cocoon of his embrace. “I will calm you. I….” “Please,” she begged. “Not with that thing you do. I don’t want you to take control of me. I want to decide what I do. You don’t know what it felt like when my hands were tied.” Stone’s eyes widened. He seemed about to say something but stopped and looked down at her wrists. He appeared to notice the rope burns she’d 85

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

sustained, and the rage clear in his eyes warmed her, even calmed her down a little. He lifted one of her hands to his lips and kissed it, allowing the caress to trail to her wrist and around to the sensitive inner flesh. A pleasurable zing went through Tielle’s system. The irrational terror began to fade and be replaced by desire for her lover. Stone sensing that she wouldn’t fight him and run away, eased his hold, and Tielle rolled to her back. Stone hovered above her, stroking her face and staring into her eyes. The tenderness she saw in his made her heartbeat increase, but she dared not believe it was anything more than lust. He never stopped wanting her, and she’d denied them both. She reached up to pull his head down so she could kiss him. Their lips met and parted with Tielle pushing her tongue into his mouth. Stone’s invaded hers, and she moaned as he sampled her lower lip before twirling his tongue with hers. She arched up to his chest, her nipples pebbled and all the more sensitive as they grazed his hardness. Someone had removed her clothing and dressed her in a nightgown. From the way the thin material moved about her body, she knew she was naked underneath. Tielle took Stone’s hand and guided it over her hip. He didn’t need any more encouragement but pulled from her grasp and slipped his hand around to her ass. Her legs parted of their own accord to encircle his waist, but Stone reared back. While she watched with desperate hunger, he stripped out of his clothing. She didn’t miss one inch of delectable flesh, one ripple of taut muscle as it was exposed. Not soon enough, he shrunk the space between them, and Tielle welcomed him back in her arms. Capturing her mouth again in a rough kiss, he lifted her head with a hand at her nape. Tielle surrendered herself to him. The fear and what she’d gone through earlier was a memory for the moment. All that could occupy her mind at this precise time was how quickly she could be filled with Stone and how long she could lose herself in him. He raised her nightgown and pushed her legs wider. He immersed his fingers in her pussy, and Tielle came up off the bed crying out. She was so wet, Stone could pump in and out of her with no problem, but he withdrew right away to replace his hand with his thick cock. Like it was their first time, his size shocked Tielle. She whimpered and grasped his shoulders, tugging and pushing him away at the same time. Stone didn’t let her get away. He dislodged her nails from his skin and laced his fingers with hers. Holding onto each other for dear life, they thrust together. Tielle watched Stone while he watched her. When tears blurred her vision, she blinked them away not wanting to miss a moment of seeing 86

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

him. His warm breath heated her lips. He muttered something she couldn’t understand, but her heart pretended he’d whispered words of love. Her head went back, eyes closed. Stone teased her neck with tiny kisses that led him lower and lower until he captured a nipple. All the time, he pumped into her hard, with deep grinds that sent her mind into overload. She cried out his name, and he took her harder. Tielle’s climax built within her. She gasped and writhed. Every lick and suck Stone inflicted on her nipple drove her closer to the edge. When he stopped, she thought she would scream, but he switched to the other neglected bud and drove her even higher. All of a sudden, he released her hands, sat up and forced her legs higher. He pounded her tortured pussy and called out encouragement for her to come. His eyes seemed to blaze, but Tielle knew it must be her imagination since the man was doing things to her she didn’t remember him doing before. Had it been this good and she made them both take a break? Insanity! Stone increased his pace. He tossed both her legs over to one side, clipping her ankles together in one hand. She thought he was going to spank her, but instead he squeezed her hip and stroked her ass. That did it. She screamed and came hard, a spasm rocking her from head to toe. She cried out his name. Stone jerked, echoed her cries, and then his hot seed exploded into her. He kept up his pace until Tielle whimpered through a strong aftershock. When he pulled out of her, Stone laid down on the bead and turned Tielle to face him. He encircled her in his arms. This time she didn’t fight to get free. She nuzzled her head beneath his chin and breathed in his scent, a heady mixture that she’d come to recognize as Stone’s unique makeup. They cuddled in silence for a while with Tielle playing in Stone’s hair. He stretched his arms over his head after some time and rolled to his back. Tielle watched him but didn’t say anything. He seemed to be coming to a decision but hesitant to tell her what it was. She figured she knew. He was going to break it off between them, so he could avoid the responsibility of making sure she was safe. She opened her mouth to tell him not to waste his breath, she got it, but he beat her to it. “It’s five a.m. I’m sure your friend isn’t sleeping for worrying about you. I called to tell her you’d be staying with me and needed to rest.” Tielle gasped and sat up, amazed that she’d forgotten about Jamie. Her friend would be worried sick, and after Tielle had not returned to the 87

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

library, she must have been out of her mind wondering what happened. “I need to call her. I can’t believe she accepted that I would be here, that she didn’t rush right over.” His expression hardened. “I didn’t give her a choice in the matter. She doesn’t know where I live, and you needed rest.” Tielle rolled her eyes. “End of story, right? Goodness, sometimes I wonder how I went for you as cold as your heart is. I need to use your phone to tell her I’m okay.” He didn’t say anything. “Stone!” He conceded. “I’ll have James pick her up and bring her here, but then we have to get ready.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Ready for what?” “To leave. I’m taking you to my home in Ireland where I know I can better protect you. Until I get the man who grabbed you, I want you over there.” Tielle stood up and put her hands on her hips. She wondered just how crazy she looked doing it butt naked, but right now she didn’t care. “You don’t get to tell me where I’m going and who can see me. I don’t know if men where you come from get all kinds of rights because they slept with a woman, but let me assure you, buddy, that’s not happening here.” She swung around to look for her clothes but paused when she didn’t see them anywhere. “I’m leaving, Stone, so please give me back my clothes.” He strolled over to the door, cracked it enough to expose himself but not her and called out, “James, please go and pick up Tielle’s friend I told you about. Bring her here, but first pass me the bag of things you collected for Tielle.” “Aye, sir,” the unseen secretary answered. Tielle fumed. “I’m talking to you, Stone. Did you hear me?” He faced her with calm that made her want to slap him. She settled for digging her nails in her palms. Stone received the bag James handed him and closed the bedroom door again. He crossed the room in two strides. “These are for you. I’m sure you can use a shower. The sponge bath I gave you last night wouldn’t have been sufficient, not after our lovemaking.” She blinked at him. “Sponge…” Grunting, she snatched the bag and headed toward the bathroom. She’d deal with him when she was decent. His arrogant ass would not bully her into doing what he wanted, even if she did feel a tremor in the pit of her stomach thinking about going home alone. She couldn’t allow herself to be weak. Stone’s arms were inviting and strong, but she could stand on her own two feet. She’d escaped the 88

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

kidnapper on her own. She could protect herself from here on out, now that she knew what she was up against. Breaking up with him was probably the best move as well. In a little while, her life would go back to normal. She’d see to it.

89

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Fifteen “Are you sure you’re okay, sweetie?” Jamie asked her for the millionth time. She hadn’t stopped hugging Tielle since she arrived, and Tielle did feel a sense of normalcy having Jamie there. From what she’d seen so far of Stone’s place, the man lived in the lap of luxury. Outside his floor to ceiling windows which took up an entire wall in his living room, he had an insane view of the city. Everyone on the ground looked like ants. The furnishings were top of the line as well, the bronze leather sofa so luxurious, its softness was sinful to sit on. She’d almost moaned feeling it beneath her ass, and Stone had watched her reaction as if he imagined what activities other than sitting they could do on it. No way. The piece alone had to be more than two thousand. Now Jamie clung to her, wide eyes almost round with worry. Tielle reassured her. “Yes, I’m fine. No, I don’t need a doctor.” She glanced in Stone’s direction. “However, I am ready to give the police my statement about what happened. Did you get a name of whoever’s in charge of the case?” She tried to sound matter-of-fact about it, take charge, but the last few words wavered when she spoke them. Something told her neither Stone nor Jamie were fooled. “I’m handling it,” he responded. “You don’t have to worry about the case. But I would like to talk to you about what happened and get a description of the man who grabbed you.” His mention of the kidnapper had Tielle on edge, and the sentiment seemed to be reflected in his dark, angry eyes. He clenched his fists at his sides like he couldn’t wait to beat the man to bloody pulp. Tielle didn’t dare let that go to her head. “What do you mean you’re handling it? It would be better if I explained it to the police, and you can listen in for the details if you want.” She untangled herself from Jamie’s hold and stood up. “Now, please give me the name you got, or I can just call on my own.” Not waiting for an answer, she moved toward the table where she spotted a cordless phone. Thoughts of replacing her cell ran through her head, along with wondering why Stone was being so hedgy. He could have no profit in kidnapping her, could he? No, he was above that sort of 90

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

thing from his attitude alone. Stone would face his enemies head on and wouldn’t need to threaten hurting a third party to get to whom he really wanted. So what was he hiding? Illegal activity? She shivered at that thought. Lifting the phone, she prepared to dial the non-emergency number the city had set up, but Stone covered her hand and then removed the phone from her grasp. She was about to protest, but he cut her off. “Jamie, you can stay until we leave, but right now I need to talk to Tielle in private.” He all but dragged her back to the bedroom and snapped the door closed. Foreboding washed over Tielle. She spun to face him, putting on a braver front than she felt. “What the hell is this about, Stone? You act like you don’t want me to go to the police, and if that’s the case, it must mean you’re doing something illegal.” His eyebrows rose. “Does it?” She gritted her teeth when he didn’t disabuse her of that thought. “As I said before, it’s safer for you at my family’s estate. I’ve already made arrangements for the private jet to meet us at the airport. James has packed you clothing enough to wear for a few days, and if there’s anything more you’ll need, that will be supplied once we’re settled in Dublin. As for the police, I am handling that aspect of the situation.” “Aspect of the situation,” she screamed. She wanted to rip her hair out—or his. “This is more than an ‘aspect’ or a ‘situation’, damn it. I want answers. I want to know what’s going on.” Stone remained still for a few moments, watching her. Under his scrutiny, Tielle fiddled with her clothes. She adjusted her blouse, pulled her pants higher, and then yanked them lower on her hips. The button at her waist annoyed her, so she pinched it open and closed while scanning the bedroom and registering unimportant facts about its décor. “Several weeks ago,” Stone began, startling Tielle to pay attention to what he said. “My uncle was attacked. At first we gathered it was someone just looking to get their hands on some extra money. My uncle was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Further investigation suggested a lover’s spouse who wanted retribution for my uncle for fucking his wife. All evidence pointed to such being the case.” Tielle’s throat had gone dry. She crossed the room and laid a hand on Stone’s arm. “I’m so sorry. I hope he’s okay.” He didn’t acknowledge her sympathy. “Pair what happened to my uncle with the fact that I was attacked in the alley the night we met, and then now you are kidnapped in order for the person to get to me.” 91

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Tielle began to shake. “D-Doesn’t it come with the territory? I mean I can tell that you have a lot of money with where you live, how you dress, and what you drive. You all are used to this kind of thing. I’m not. I bet if you let it be known that we broke up, and we don’t see each other any more, they’ll use some other way to try to get to you. All you need to do is hire bodyguards or whatever.” “Do you assume it’s about extorting a few hundred thousand dollars out of me, Tielle?” She swallowed. “You’re saying it’s not?” He hesitated and then blurted, “Most of my uncle’s blood had been taken from him with no ransom. He’s dead.” “B-B-Blood?” Tielle’s knees gave out under her. She would have dropped to the floor if Stone hadn’t caught her. He whipped her up into his arms and moved to the bed to sit down with her on his lap. She pressed her eyes closed, her head pounding all of a sudden. Fear seemed to choke the strength from her. Head slumped against Stone’s shoulder, she concentrated on breathing. “What’s so special about your blood?” she whispered. “What’s important for you to know is that this person will not stop at getting money.” “I saw his face,” she sobbed. “The man who took me never covered his face. Not once. That means he will…” She cried harder, and Stone crushed her to him, stroking her back and crooning something she couldn’t hear over her moans. After some time, Stone raised her chin to peer down at her. “I promise, Tielle. I will find this man. You tell me everything you know, and I will track him down. After that, I’ll make sure he never comes near you again. But for now, I need you safe. Do you understand? The best way I know to accomplish that while I search out this bastard is to put you with my family. Will you go?” Tielle noticed he never admitted to why he didn’t want the police in on this. She understood how they did it in the movies, the kidnapper telling the family they better not contact the authorities or the person would be killed. But she was back now, so what was the big deal about bringing them in? They were the professionals. They had resources that she and maybe Stone didn’t have for all his money. Then again, she had never been involved with anyone who could afford what Stone could. Maybe he did have resources she could only dream about. 92

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

And what about the blood? Why would someone take his uncle’s blood—or his! The memory of the night in the alley came flooding back to her. That man who’d attacked Stone had a vial of Stone’s blood before she bumped him and made him drop it. Not thinking anything of it, she hadn’t mentioned the fact to Stone. She considered telling him now, but hesitated. They hadn’t been lovers for very long, although they’d spent almost every afternoon and night together since the beginning. Still, she knew little about him. A trip to his family’s estate could reveal more about the man she had begun to fall for. For now, she decided to keep the drawn blood to herself. Stone might already know anyway, and if someone was trying to kill him, Tielle wanted to be near him, to help in some way to save his life if necessary. She looked up at him. “I’ll go on one condition.” His eyebrows rose, and Tielle had the feeling she didn’t have a choice in the matter. Her condition meant zip to him. “And that is?” he said. “We stay here until I graduate. It’s less than a month, and then I’ll have my nursing degree. I’ve come so far, Stone. You can’t take that away from me. Please.” He sighed. “Okay, fine, but you stay here at my apartment, and I will have one of my men watch you when I cannot. You do not give him the slip or do anything else stupid. Got it?” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll do what I want to do, and if your man can’t keep up, that’s his problem. He shouldn’t be on the payroll otherwise. I just hope it’s not James because he has no subtlety whatsoever. Plus he’s old.” Stone chuckled and kissed her. “It won’t be James. Now, tell me everything about the man who took you from when you first saw him until you got away.” **** The time leading to Tielle’s graduation and then her flight to Dublin, Ireland seemed to fly by rather than inch along as she had expected. After a tearful good-bye to Jamie and a promise to see her soon, she directed a glare in Stone’s direction. He assured her it was unlikely the kidnappers would go after Jamie, but just in case, he’d give her protection. Tielle had informed him that she’d cut his thing off in the middle of the night if anything happened to her friend. Stone didn’t look worried. 93

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Later, the flight in Stone’s jet would take a little over seven hours. She wasn’t looking forward to that part of her journey until she caught sight of the inside of the plane. Her jaw dropped to the floor. “You’ve got to be kidding me? This is nicer than my apartment. Well, not that it was all that, but I was impressed when I found it. Thought I’d gotten a steal at that price. But this…” What Stone told her was called the forward gallery held what looked like a giant china closet. All shiny wood and various compartments, the thing even had a touch screen control panel. Next to it in the middle galley was where Tielle discovered the espresso machine. Like an excited child, she whirled to Stone. “Can I have one?” He looked at her like she’d gone crazy but nodded and made an indication to the woman waiting to serve them. They kept moving until they were in the mid-cabin facing aft, and Stone selected one of the spots with overstuffed cream-colored leather chairs and a table between them. On a narrow ledge between the windows and the table and chairs, a screen extended up to hover above the table. Tielle’s mouth formed an O when Stone manipulated the arm beneath to pull the screen closer to him. He pulled several packets of paper from his briefcase and then did something she didn’t see beneath the table. All of a sudden, she understood that this was a computer. Soon, Stone was lost in work and talking on the phone with a client, speaking in fluent French. This went beyond anything she’d ever experienced and rather than being impressed, it terrified her. People with too much money were often corrupted by it or were used by others who had been corrupted. When the attendant brought her espresso, Tielle sipped it while studying Stone. What had money done to him? Was his heart good deep inside, or did it keep him from falling in love? The thought that maybe rich people couldn’t love was ridiculous, given that people were people, but it didn’t stop her from fearing it might be true. After a while, Stone paused in his conversation to focus on her. “You’re bored?” He didn’t wait for her answer but leaned across to press a few buttons on her side of the wall panel. A compartment opened, and another screen glided up. He pushed more buttons to reveal her keyboard and pointed. “Right here, you can select from a series of movies. Here you can access the Internet, and here you can watch TV or play music. Earphones are in this compartment.” “Damn,” she exclaimed. 94

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

All of it was commonplace to him. Stone went back to his work, and Tielle decided to hop on the Internet and check her email. She’d send Jamie a message and maybe even take a few pictures of all this on the new phone Stone had purchased for her after she told him the kidnapper kept hers. She’d refused his offer, but he’d come home anyway with a new, fancier one than her old one. The man did what he pleased whether she liked it or not. Explaining to him that spoiling her with all this stuff was not a good idea for when the danger was past and they were no longer seeing each other. He had gotten a strange look on his face that she could not decipher and had given up trying. Out of curiosity, Tielle decided to look up the cost of the plane. She knew the style was a Bombardier Global XRS and was fairly certain that it was brand new. After several minutes searching, she could find nothing other than a brochure from the manufacturer, Jetcraft Corporation, but an older similar model someone was selling was going for twenty-seven million. Tielle almost choked on her coffee. Stone glanced up again. “What’s wrong?” She waved a hand and rushed to clean up the mess she’d made on the table. “Oh nothing. Nothing at all.” He frowned. “Let Lucy get that.” “I’ll do it. I can clean up after myself, thank you very much.” Stone went back to work, and Tielle continued to wipe up the table, all the time wondering how she would get through the next few—what? Weeks? Months? Stone had been vague about how long he thought it would take to find the men responsible for snatching her. She’d told him about the guy saying he had to go call his boss, and although Stone didn’t bother telling her, she’d overheard him speaking with the guard he’d given her. The kidnapper had been found dead a couple days after she escaped. Since Stone sounded surprised, she didn’t think he’d killed the man or paid someone to do it. That must mean the boss him killed. Probably for failing or for showing his face. She wasn’t sure which. The fact solidified that this was serious business. Tielle had gone along with Stone’s plans too scared to do otherwise. After they landed and moved on to a waiting limo—something Tielle thought was unnecessary but didn’t comment on—Stone told her he needed to stop in Dublin to visit his office, but it wouldn’t take long. Afterward, they would head out to the Hughes castle. Castle, she’d mused. Maybe that’s what Europeans called a mansion, she thought. It couldn’t be a castle. 95

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

On the ride through the city, while Tielle was tired out of her mind, and the day was far spent, she gawked at the many double-decker buses and cringed when they traveled on the “wrong” side of the road. The steering wheel was on the right side of the car, and each time the diver turned onto a new road to the left, Tielle gripped Stone’s thigh beside her. He covered her hand with his own. “It’s okay. We’re used to traveling this way.” She stared at him. “But how can you switch back and forth. I remember you drove your car like you didn’t have to think about it. If I drove here, I know I’d panic and do something stupid. Then you’d be getting a call that said I wrapped the car around a lamppost or something.” His fingers tightened over hers. Tielle winced, and he loosened his grip. “Don’t worry. First of all, you will never travel alone, and second, I will hire a driver to take you wherever you’d like to go.” “Don’t spoil me, for goodness sake.” Stone’s expression told her he questioned her sanity. “Every woman I’ve met has jumped at being spoiled. Anyway, it’s not being spoiled. It’s of necessity and a part of the comforts afforded my family and those close to us. Not a big deal at all, Tielle. As to the other, I’m used to driving in both the United States and here. My mind seems to do an immediate switchover to whichever country I’m in.” “Must be nice,” she muttered. He leaned forward and pressed a button so the divider between them and the driver closed, then he guided Tielle’s hand to his cock. “There are better places you can squeeze other than my thigh.” His unyielding hardness excited her, but she resisted. “This is hardly the time or place for that.” He grunted looking past her. They’d drawn up to an imposing office building with the name Hughes emblazoned across the top. “I suppose you’re right. Work now. Sex later,” he promised and helped her to exit the car. **** When the sun was beginning to set, they turned into a lane with manicured hedges and lawns on both sides. The road went on for a good mile before Tielle caught sight of the house through the trees. “Correction,” she whispered. “Frickin’ Castle!” 96

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

As they stood outside the limo, Stone resting his hand at her lower back, he gave her a brief history of his home. “Built in 1779, it has thirtythree bedrooms and a cobble stoned courtyard in the middle. From the air you’d see that it’s not the boring grey stone box that it appears.” He nodded with his head to the right. “Off that way is a guest cottage, and to the left farther back are the stables. If you’d like to ride, we have about sixteen horses. One should be perfect for you.” Tielle had never even touched a horse let alone ridden one. Feeling overwhelmed with the opulence of it all, she didn’t say anything. Ahead of them, the front door opened, and an older man stepped out with stiff bearing. He clasped his hands together. “Good evening, Mr. Hughes,” the man said. “Welcome home, sir.” The heavy Irish accent he spoke with sounded so cute to Tielle, she had to smile. Stone guided her forward. “Hello, Lawrence. Good to see you. This is Tielle. She will be staying with us for a while.” “Very good, sir. James has informed us, and the housekeeper has prepared a room for Ms. Williams. If the two of you will step inside, I’ll have a man get your luggage.” When they stepped into the foyer larger than her and Jamie’s apartments put together, Tielle would have commented, but the model that zipped down the curving stairs with long flowing hair behind her caught Tielle’s attention. She blinked, wondering who this woman was with her sexy curves stuffed into a dress too small for her. Huge breasts that didn’t look fake in the least almost tumbled over the low cut neckline, and pink lips called out Stone’s name with love as she ran toward him. Throwing herself into his arms and crushing her tiny body to his, the woman welcomed Stone and told him how much she’d missed him. At last releasing Stone from the kiss she planted on his mouth, the woman turned in Tielle’s direction still clinging to Stone. “Who is this, Stone? New help?” Oh no she didn’t! Tielle might have thought the defiant words, but in a single act, the woman had reduced her from comfortable in her own sexiness despite being bigger than she liked, to dowdy, fat, and ugly. Once again, she wondered just how long she would be trapped in this nightmare.

97

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Sixteen In the middle of the night, after Tielle had slept a few hours, Stone came to her room. She had just awakened but was startled when the door in the far wall began to open. She hadn’t been told where that door led, and after the maid left the room, she’d checked it to find it locked. Now Stone stood in the entryway watching her. “Did I wake you?” he asked. She’d given him the cold shoulder after that crap with the woman who he’d just managed to pry off of him to introduce her. The witch had the nerve to speak over Stone to proclaim herself his fiancée, a fact, she said, that had been established since they were children. Tielle knew almost nothing about Ireland, but she was pretty sure the country was not still in the dark ages when marriages were arranged. Or was that another mark against rich people no matter the time period? Stone’s father hadn’t been home, and Tielle was relieved remembering what a rude jerk he’d been on the phone that first night. After she’d been shown to her room, she had told the maid she was tired and was going to bed. Later, the same woman, who she learned was named Betsy, brought her cockle soup and bread to enjoy for the night. She’d also requested hot tea. While she enjoyed her dinner, she’d half expected Stone to demand she come downstairs and eat at the table, but he hadn’t even stopped by to see how she was. Now here he was in the middle of the night. “No, you didn’t wake me,” she told him. “I went to bed early.” He took his time crossing the room to her bedside. “I wanted to give you time to recover.” “In order for what?” Although the lighting in the room was dim, she caught the shift in his gaze to her breasts. He leaned down and slipped the sheet covering her lower. Tielle had worn a new nightgown she’d picked up before leaving the U.S. The leopard skin pattern did not hide the fact that it was sheer enough to see through. She’d worn no underwear, so Stone got an eyeful of both her nipples and her pussy. He sucked in a breath. 98

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“You seemed angry with me earlier,” he said. “Is that no longer the case?” “Does it matter?” He ran his hand down over her thigh. She gasped, her eyes closing before she forced them open again. It would be childish to pout and complain about the other woman. She didn’t share her men, but she was also not in a position to call shots here. With her life in danger, she had no choice but to depend on Stone to protect her. He seemed to read the resolution in her eyes, that she accepted her fate. “If it’s Monica, you don’t have to worry. We are not engaged, no matter what she or my father says.” Tielle bit off a yelp. “Your father?” Who was Stone kidding? If his father said they were as good as married, he could deny it all he wanted. The papers and the ceremony were just a matter of time. “Maybe I should stay in a hotel or something. You can do like we did back home, hire a guard or whatever. It will be fine, I’m sure.” Stone put a knee up on the bed, making her shift around and feel like he’d stolen all the extra space in the room. While he wasn’t touching her, she might as well have been shoved up against his chest for the effect he had on her. “Let’s get one thing straight,” he grumbled. “Who I bring into my bed is my business, not my father’s. I have chosen you. You enjoy my touch. Never have I needed more than one woman at a time if she knows how to please me.” He put his hand between her legs face down and splayed four fingers over her mound before pressing his thumb up her channel. Tielle quivered, her knees rising and parting on their own. “Now,” Stone said, “Do you know how to please me, baby?” Panting, she forced out, “I do.” Up until now, Stone had ruled her desires, commanding every move they made in the bedroom. He’d wrenched control and kept it throughout each session. But it was time for the big man to let her take control. She’d show him a thing or two about how Tielle worked her lover. Tielle kicked the covers the rest of the way off of her and moved Stone’s hand away. She gave him a light shove, and he seemed to catch on to what she wanted. She thought he’d argue, but he said nothing, just laid back on her pillows with an expectant expression. “I know how to please you,” Tielle assured him in her most sultry of tones, her voice deep and husky. A quiver raced over Stone’s body as she 99

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

ran her fingers along his taut skin. Hungry to taste him, she bent close and stuck the tip of her tongue out while she explored him. A guttural moan escaped Stone’s throat. Tielle tugged the shirt he wore over his head, and he helped her get his slacks down his hips. When he’d shucked his boxers, she licked her way along his belly to his navel and then lower. Veering to his thigh to tease that with both kisses and nips, she glanced up at him. Stone’s head was tilted back and his eyes closed. His full lips were parted, giving Tielle a longing to taste them again. Stone was skilled with his tongue to the point that he could make her beg. She wanted to treat him just as well and bring him to his knees. With a low moan set to drive his desires higher, she took hold of his cock and ran the tip of her tongue over its swollen head. Stone swore. Tielle let it rest on her cheek while she treasured it, gave it small kisses in between swallowing it between her lips. Each time she took him into her mouth, Stone’s hips rose to push himself farther, but she withdrew. Let him get to the point that he needed it, couldn’t bear waiting another moment. She wanted to become an addiction for him that no other woman could fulfill. Flipping to her side but keeping her pussy out of his range, she spread her legs, and while she suckled Stone’s shaft, she played with her pussy, easing her fingers inside of herself in a motion meant to mimic his cock’s drive. Each time she did, she whined her pleasure and closed her eyes. She murmured his name. One peek through her lashes told her Stone was mesmerized. “What are you doing to me, Tielle?” “I’m pleasing you,” she told him with a chuckle. “This isn’t pleasure. It’s torment. Damn it, woman, swallow me. Suck me hard. I want to come in your mouth, and then I want to eat your sweet pussy.” Tielle ignored him. She kept playing with him, giving a little, taking it back. She brought him to a head when she felt his balls rise and tighten, but then she relaxed her drag on his rod. Through it all, she didn’t stop fingering herself. Stone could force her or even seduce her into giving in to what he wanted, but he held back. He liked what she was doing, which made her all the more excited. After some time, knowing she was playing with fire, she twisted around to get serious on his cock. Long and thick as hell, his shaft inched deeper and deeper into her mouth. She relaxed her throat in order to 100

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

swallow him. The ability had taken much practice, but Tielle knew she was good at it. That reason was one of the ones which made her lovers plead with her not to break it off with them. While she took him in, Stone stared at her in shock. “How the hell can you do that?” Concentrating, she couldn’t answer him, but she knew just what to do. When she’d swallowed every last inch, she began to pump him in and out. From the base to the tip, she consumed him. Stone put his hands out like he would push her head down, but she withdrew. “No, baby, you can’t do that or you’ll hurt me. You have to trust me.” She thought he might come just knowing how she could handle him. She blew him a kiss and went back to it. This wasn’t all about pleasing him. Tielle loved the taste of come, the right man’s juices, and when there was affection there on her part, it made it that much more special. Tielle had sucked Stone’s cock many times before, but she’d never attempted to take all of him. Stone’s habit was to tangle his fingers into her hair and command her to suck him. She got off on it, loved how dominate he was. This was a whole new experience for them. Stone leaned back, his fingers curled into the sheets under him. She knew it took a lot for him to let her take the lead, but he was willing. “Go ahead, honey. Your mouth is my undoing. I trust you.” After another air kiss, she swallowed him, and with no interruptions, she sucked the man until he was hissing her name through clenched teeth. He bucked once before he could gain enough control to keep still. Tielle didn’t let up. She worked him hard, squeezed his balls and massaged his thighs. She worked her free hand beneath him and fingered his anus. Stone reached down and gripped her wrist, but before he could pull her hand away from his ass, he let his load loose into her mouth. She tugged back quickly and drank to her fill. Now that he wasn’t down her throat, Stone pumped in and out of her mouth. He cupped the back of her head and worked his hips. Tielle took every drop, swirled it on her tongue, devouring him. When he was empty, she sat up, a triumphant smile spreading over her face. But Stone wasn’t paying attention. He’d collapsed back on the bed panting like he might go unconscious at any second. Tielle laughed. “Well? Did you like that?” She knew he did, but she wanted him to admit her superior skill. Peeking through the slit of one eye, he examined her. “It was tolerable.” 101

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Jerk.” She pretended to move off the bed, but he grabbed her and yanked her back. She tumbled onto his chest backward. He held her in place with an arm slung over her breasts and the other across her belly to rest fingers at her pussy. His lips touched her ear. “No one, and I do mean no one gets to have that kind of service from you but me.” She lifted a hand to flick imaginary dirt from beneath her nails. “Well, I do have a full schedule…” His hold tightened. “Tielle!” “All right. Sheesh.” Pleasure suffused her. She’d blown his mind, the excellent, experienced lover that he was. “Only you, baby. Only you.” “Now you,” he told her. She expected him to slide out from under her and dip down between her legs, but instead he whipped her to face him, and like a rag doll, yanked her up his body until her pussy lay over his face. Tielle spread her legs wider and rested her knees on either side of Stone’s head. She took hold of the backboard. When he squeezed her ass cheeks to drive her into his hungry mouth, she gasped. The man was not wasting any time. “Damn, I love your pussy,” he grunted beneath her. “So beautiful, so juicy.” He took a swipe at her, and she whined. She longed for that love to be directed at her, her mind, all of who she was. Stone snaked his tongue up her channel, and Tielle could have sworn it was inhumanly long with how deep it went. Like a mini-dick, it pumped her, laved her juices, and tantalized her clit. She dug her nails into the wooden headboard and bucked against Stone’s hold. He tightened his grip to driver her closer. She thought the man would suffocate, but still he ate with relish. He guided her hips so that she pumped on his tongue. Tielle bounced up and down as her orgasm built. Stone encouraged the coming explosion by tweaking her clit, massaging it with his thumb while he kept his tongue buried inside of her. Like a fountain, her juices flowed down into his mouth. Tielle had never been as wet as she always got with Stone. He could keep her coming and coming until she pleaded for rest. He’d proven he could eat her for hours, that it wasn’t just some lame boast. Torturing her, he drew back long enough to say, “Come, Tielle.” Tielle arched her back and grabbed his head. She gyrated her hips, riding his mouth for all she was worth. Her orgasm rolled through her belly, making her muscles spasm, her thighs quiver. She shouted his name. Stone latched onto her clit and sucked hard. She screamed. Her juices 102

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

rained, and she shook from head to toe. While she struggled to recover in the aftermath, Stone didn’t let up. He lapped her cream until it was all gone. “I should get down,” she whispered, out of breath. “You should stay where you are.” His eyes seemed to glitter in the darkness, and Tielle figured he was still hungry for more. Just as he’d never met a woman who could swallow him as she did, she’d never met a man who loved eating her like Stone. Knowing he loved it and couldn’t get enough made her that much hotter. Her orgasms when he licked her were more powerful and rocked her to the core. Tielle lost track of the time with Stone’s mouth between her legs. He switched their positions to allow her to lay on her back, but when she’d been about to grab for his shaft, he’s brushed her hand away and settled down to her pussy. Stone wasn’t pretending. He loved sex as much as she did. Their intimacy lasted hours each time they were together, proving to Tielle that she’d met her match. **** When the sun just hit the horizon, Noah sat atop his horse, a firm hold on the reins to keep his mount from dancing about too much. He stared off in the distance to the direction of his family home, although he couldn’t see more than a couple of the spires. Stone had brought her here to Ireland. The fact pissed him off because there were always staff about the grounds, all loyal to Einin. He’d find it difficult to snatch the girl in that case. But perhaps he could pull it off. He’d need to bide his time and wait for the perfect place to snatch her. Noah was convinced that Tielle Williams was the key to breaking his cousin. Meanwhile, Noah needed an ally, someone on the inside who would report everything to him. He ran through the names of his personal staff, considering who might be the one to infiltrate the castle, get a job there, and keep Noah informed. The problem was, Noah surrounded himself with a more unsavory type, those who would be willing to kill at a moment’s notice. Einin’s staff were weaker, those he could control and keep under his thumb. Einin was shrewd. He’d see the darkness in the servant’s eyes and reject hiring him. While Noah might be able to bribe one of Einin’s men, a little fear, a little pressure, and the wimp would rat on Noah. He couldn’t 103

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

have that. His plans would be ruined, and there was no telling what Einin or even Stone would do should they find out what he had been up to. Of course, he had tied up loose ends in the U.S. before he flew home. That good-for-nothing he’d used to kidnap Tielle hadn’t worked out, and since Noah couldn’t risk him exposing him after the fact, Noah’d killed him. He glanced down at his fingers curled around his reins. Well, he’d had the man killed. Dirtying his hands for that bastard was out of the question. Noah knew how to cover his tracks, and he’d made sure the authorities would come to a wrong conclusion. The knowledge gave Noah a sense of satisfaction. He grinned and kicked his mount into action. Racing over the earth, he let the wind take his dark thoughts and whip away the impatience he felt knowing this was all the air he’d experience if he didn’t get the blood he needed from Stone. He’d never take to the skies, never feel the wind beneath his wings. Anger and frustration drove him to push his horse faster. They ate up the miles within moments and were soon drawing in to the stables at the back of the castle. Noah, who kept a house in Dublin intended to barge in announcing that he was down for a visit, but Einin stopped him. “Noah,” Einin barked in his usual fashion. “I have been attempting to contact you. I want you on the business trip I’m taking.” Being dressed for travel and having ordered the limo, Noah assumed his uncle meant right this moment. His instinct was to frown, but he adjusted it mid-formation to offer an insincere smile. “You know I am always at your beck and call, Einin, but this is a bit sudden, don’t you think? Looks like you’re pulling out. Maybe I can catch up with you in a day or two.” “No! That doesn’t work for me.” Einin stood proud and stiff, his legs somewhat apart as if that would make him seem taller than his five foot six inches. Noah dreamed of the day he could tell the shrimp what he thought about him. With effort, Noah kept his smile in place. Then I will run in and gather some clothing to take along. I’m sure I have sufficient suits at the castle to be appropriate. I can have my man send me whatever else is needed from my Dublin house.” Noah grit his teeth at the attitude Einin gave him, as if he were the one being inconvenienced with this unplanned trip. Noah had wanted to move on his ideas for getting someone working in the castle who would keep him abreast of the activity, but there was no telling when he and Einin would return. If ever there was a micro-manager, Einin was it. He didn’t 104

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

allow the staff in the warehouses and at their various offices to breathe without his say-so. “Five minutes,” Einin barked, looking at his watch. Noah heaved a sigh and dismounted to allow a stable hand to take his horse. He turned to go inside the castle, picking up his pace since he knew Einin was dead serious about the time limit. If Noah missed the deadline by seconds, he’d never hear the end of it for the entire trip. He comforted himself with visions of clawing Einin’s throat to ribbons after he’d awakened his dragon form. Yes, that would be perfect.

105

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Seventeen Tielle descended the stairs and headed toward the front door. The familiar step behind her let her know that damn guard Stone had put on her a couple weeks ago was still dogging her steps. She’d called Jamie every other day complaining, and every time her poor friend reminded her that some people were living in the lap of luxury waited on hand and foot while others were being bossed around a frantic emergency room by the head beast nurse from hell. Tielle laughed remembering her friend’s frustration. At the time, she’d felt guilty and promised to send for Jamie the moment she got some time off, that is if Tielle wasn’t back in the states by then. Sometimes she wondered if Stone was working on finding out who was behind the kidnapping. He seemed quite content leaving her as a prisoner in his castle. The situation was so damn medieval, she could scream. When an arm moved past he to bar the door, she stopped, grumbling. “I’m sorry, Ms. Tielle, but I have my orders. You can’t leave the house. If you need fresh air, you can—” “I know, damn it,” she shouted. “I can visit that claustrophobic courtyard in the center of the castle. It’s beautiful and all that with the exotic flowers and the grass and trees, but it’s still surrounded by four walls. I need my freedom.” She put her hands on her hips. “And I told your ass to stop calling me miss!” The man paled. Tielle wanted to punch him she was so angry, but something told her the man built like wall would do more damage to her hand than the other way around. She eyed his face, kind but unrelenting. He wasn’t good-looking in the least, having a jagged scar along his brow and down over one eye. It should have been sexy, but it wasn’t coupled with his bone structure. She wondered if Stone had chosen Jimmy to watch her on purpose as if he didn’t want any hot men around her while he was out of town. While she and Jimmy argued, the butler shuffled by on his aging legs and opened the front door. Tielle was about to make a break for it, but 106

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Jimmy grabbed her arm. She jerked on his hold to no avail. His grip was almost as unyielding as Stone’s. “Mister Hughes, sir, welcome home,” Lawrence announced. Jimmy and Tielle both swung their heads toward the door. Stone filled the gap, his attention on them, a frown marring his handsome face. He didn’t bother answering Lawrence. “Would you tell me,” she said in a low menacing tone, “why you have your hands on her, Jimmy?” “I-I-I.” Jimmy dropped her arm like she had a disease. “Sir, I was just following your orders. You said she couldn’t go outside. She was trying to leave, and I didn’t know how else to stop her. I meant no harm.” Stone advanced on them. “You find some other means. You don’t touch her. Ever!” Tielle rolled her eyes and slapped Stone’s arm. “Stop bullying the man, Stone. It’s not like he was coming on to me or something. Trust me, if we were getting busy, it wouldn’t be in the hallway for everyone to see.” She laughed, but Stone didn’t crack a smile. “Dismissed,” he said, and Jimmy took off in the opposite direction. Lawrence directed a maid to take Stone’s bags like none of it fazed him. Tielle wasn’t planning on being bullied either. She raised an eyebrow ready to do battle with her lover, but he jerked her into his arms and planted a hungry kiss on her lips. For several long minutes, she thought of nothing other than the feel of his hard body, the taste of his mouth slanted over hers, and what they would get up to later in her room. At last when she had totally ruined her panties creaming all over them, he let her go and tipped her chin up. “I’ve been gone three days. You greet me with that scene?” She remembered she was pissed off at him. “Whatever. You didn’t tell me when you were coming back, and I don’t appreciate being locked up in your house like a prisoner. This isn’t the dark ages unless you’ve forgotten, way out here in the sticks with your fancy castle.” A muffled chuckle shifted their attention to a maid dusting a vase, and Stone took her arm to propel her toward a waiting room. She hated this particular one because, from what she’d heard, Monica had had a hand in decorating it, and the woman had an obsession with the color yellow. Tielle detested any shade of it. When Stone had closed the door, giving them privacy, he said, “I don’t know what you mean by ‘sticks,’ but you are not a prisoner. You said you understood the danger of going off by yourself, and with me being gone, I couldn’t take the chance, even with Jimmy guarding you.” 107

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“You’ve been gone more than you’ve been here.” His expression softened, and he drew her close in the circle of his arm. “You’ve missed me. Is that it?” His lips brushed hers. Tielle almost lost herself again, but she maintained a clear mind, turning her head. Stone grunted. “Fine, let me change, and I will take you out for a long walk. How’s that? It’s a beautiful, warm day. I’ll show you some of the places I played as a child.” Tielle beamed. “Okay, I’ll change too.” “What for? You look great as you are. That dress shows off your curves well.” He gave her a swift spank on the ass. Tielle wasn’t going to explain she wanted to wash and change her panties. He’d smirk like a proud peacock that he could get her so excited that she needed fresh underwear. He didn’t need to know. “Just wait for me. I’ll hurry.” Within twenty minutes they were out on a narrow paved road with no sidewalk on either side. The sun shone with clear skies stretching overhead. Rolling hills of green lay in every direction. Stone took Tielle’s hand to lead her closer to the roadside when an old man came ambling along on a cart being pulled by a donkey. If Tielle hadn’t seen the limo being washed just as they were leaving the castle, she would have sworn they’d dropped into the past before cars were invented. “Oh man, I love it here. So clean and fresh. The people are down to earth and friendly. Even the food is simple but good.” She patted her slightly rounded belly. “A little hearty though. I’m going to have to go light on the biscuits Betsy’s mom makes.” Stone seemed pleased although he didn’t smile. “I’m glad you like my home.” He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “That pleases me.” His dark eyes spoke volumes. Stone was all about how well his woman pleased him, she knew. She’d thought a man so demanding would make her stress about being good enough, but that wasn’t the case with Stone. Being herself was a good fit for him. “So, where did you play?” She cocked her head to the side. “Did you play at all? I can’t get the picture of a tiny little Stone in a suit out of my head.” She laughed and pointed at him. “I mean look at you. You intended to change so we could go for a walk, but you still have on slacks and a collared shirt. Don’t you ever loosen up, Mr. Business Man?” He shrugged, tucking a hand in his pocket. The affect was stiffer. “I’m relaxed. Work went well.” 108

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Uh-huh, whatever.” When Tielle faced the road, she noticed a small dirt lane leading between two low hills. She pulled from Stone’s hand and ran down to the lane. The worn path led through to a body of water. Tielle let out a whoop and kicked off her shoes. She had waded in a little ways by the time Stone caught up with her. “Tielle, what are you doing? You’re not dressed for the water.” “No kidding?” She waved to him, suppressing a shiver. The water was ice cold, but she didn’t let on. “Come in and join me, Stone. It’s refreshing.” He shook his head. “I learned to swim in these waters. I know how cold you are right now.” “So you’re chicken. Is that it?” She threw him a challenging look with her hands on her hips. The darkening in his gaze let her know he was thinking of more than how chilly the water was. The man had a one track mind. Tielle could make him loosen up and get the stick out of his ass. She turned to face him and began unbuttoning her dress. “Tielle!” he shouted. “It’s too cold. Come out of the water.” She had no intensions of going under. Wetting her feet was enough, but she wanted him to think she would do more. That and expose her cleavage to him. Tielle pinched open two more buttons and tugged the two sides of her dress apart. The swell of her breasts just showed, stopping short of revealing too much. She wished she hadn’t worn a bra, but then the one she wore was peach silk, and it cupped her mounds just right. They set high and firm, making Stone’s mouth water from the look of him. “Well?” she teased, tilting her head to one side. “Don’t you want to join me, baby?” Stone couldn’t shuck his shoes fast enough. She laughed while he ripped off his socks, tossed them aside and came splashing into the water. Tielle tried to get some distance from him, but he caught her wrist and pulled her back. With one smooth motion, he flipped her around and crushed her to his chest. With the wind knocked out of her, she had barely a moment to realize what he intended before his hand skimmed her thigh, dipped past her dress’ hem, and he cupped her mound. Tielle gasped. “Stone.” His eyebrows went up as if he was innocent of wrong-doing. “What? This is what you wanted, right?” He pushed his fingers past her panties to brush her pussy lips. A shiver raced down Tielle’s spin that had nothing to do with the water’s temperature. 109

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“You’re not being fair,” she managed between moans, as her eyelids threatened to close and her neck lost the ability to keep her head upright. Her lips parted when Stone eased a finger into her pussy. “Hm, already wet,” he mused. She protested, that this wasn’t the place nor the time, but Stone ignored her. He captured her clit and squeezed it with gentle pressure. Tielle bit off a scream. She raised one thigh, encircled his wrist, and pulled him closer. Stone began a rhythmic stroke along her bud at the same time he closed his mouth over hers. Their surroundings faded. All Tielle was aware of was Stone, his body, his hands. She ached for more of him—all of him he had to offer. She strained to get closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. Stone shifted his fingers to her tunnel, gliding deep. Tielle was on her way to an orgasm. She panted under his kiss, sucked at his bottom lip, and murmured his name. He picked up the pace, devoured her mouth. Tielle rotated her hips, pumping into his fingers each time he thrust. She was so close. She promised herself she’d satisfy her man just like he was doing to her when he finished. He was everything to her. Just when she crested, ready to explode, something—a sound— brought her out of her lust-filled haze. Stone had broken the kiss and gone stiff. Tielle forced her eyes open and glanced up at him, and then to whatever he stared at. Two men stood on shore wearing twin offended expressions on their faces. The taller, more disapproving man spoke first. “Do you think this is an appropriate spot to do…that, Stone? What would your father think? Surely, you know it reflects badly on the Hughes name?” Stone pulled his fingers from between her legs. Tielle twisted around to keep them from seeing just how much of herself she’d been fine showing off a moment ago. Embarrassment made her want to hide, but she was also pissed that these men thought they could judge what was right and wrong about what she and Stone did. Who the hell did they think they were? Stone pushed her behind him while she straightened her dress. “I hardly think my sex life is your business, Gladstone. If you’ll excuse us?” The man Stone had called Gladstone harrumphed and pivoted away. The other man who’d said nothing but glared followed him. The tension that had risen with their holier than thou attitudes lightened as soon as they were gone. Still, Tielle felt guilty. She’d been the one to lure Stone into the water. She certainly hadn’t meant to make him look bad. 110

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

As she followed him out of the water, she said, “I’m sorry. That was my fault. I shouldn’t have convinced you to forget yourself and come into the water. I hope they weren’t a business deal that’s now gone bad because of me.” Stone dropped a light kiss on her lips and moved to put his shoes and socks on. “Don’t worry. They’re just a couple of my father’s cronies. Everything that comes out of his mouth as far as Gladstone and his partner are concerned is law.” He shrugged. “They’ll report every detail to the old man, I’m sure. It doesn’t matter. He learned a long time ago that I do not live in his pocket.” Panic rose in Tielle’s chest. “Are you kidding me? Did you forget that I haven’t even met the man yet? I wanted to make a good impression, keep the peace and all that, but he hasn’t been home since I arrived.” She gestured toward the water. “But now with all this, I can forget it.” On a rock at the side of the path, Stone sat down and pulled her onto his lap. He nuzzled her cheek and made her relax against him. “Let’s get something straight. Einin Hughes will never accept you, no matter what you do. He barely likes me, I think, or anyone. We’re all peons beneath him, people to be manipulated into doing just what he wants.” “Different from you,” she commented. His eyes glazed, and then he glanced up at the sky. Tielle had a strange feeling like up there was where Stone wanted to be. That couldn’t be right, though. He had told her he didn’t enjoy flying, even though it was in the lap of luxury on his family’s jet. He’d said it confined him too much. “No,” Stone said after a few minutes. “Not so different from me. He raised me to think that I am superior to all others because of who I am. I believed that for a long time. Sometimes, I fall back into it, the times when you accuse me of being arrogant.” His gaze met hers, daring her to deny it. She rolled her eyes, not even feeling like she needed to. Stone was arrogant, but he wasn’t the cruel, evil thing his father was from all the reports she’d heard and from her small experience talking to him. “I wouldn’t be with you if you were like him,” she admitted. Stone smiled. “Maybe my arrogance would have me force you.” “Not.” She put a hand up. He captured it and sucked one of her fingers. Tielle shivered. “Stone, stop.” He released her finger from his mouth but didn’t let her hand go. “You didn’t get to come because of those pricks.” “You’ll make me come at least a dozen times later.” 111

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“That I will.” She thought his dark eyes had flashed yellow for a second, but when she looked again, they were normal. She would have asked him about it, but another chill prickled her skin, and she sneezed. Stone frowned. “If you’ve made yourself ill, I will spank you. Let’s go.” “Promises, promises.” They stood up and began the trek back to the castle. Stone laced his fingers with hers as they walked side by side. Tielle remembered what Stone said about learning to swim at that place. “Who taught you to swim back there? A friend?” His lips tightened before he answered. “My father. He ordered me into the water, said no son of his was afraid of anything. At the time, my tutor had reported back to him that I wouldn’t go in the water while Noah did.” “Noah?” He nodded. “Aye. My cousin. We were taught together with a private tutor. The man was half as mean as my father, but bad enough on his own. He was a loyal servant to Einin, and told him every detail of my activities, along with the progress I made in my studies.” Tielle hugged him and rubbed his back. “Your childhood sounds horrible. I’m so sorry.” He wrapped an arm around her trembling shoulders. “It wasn’t all bad. Don’t go feeling sorry for me. I’m sure I had a better upbringing than many. Being well-behaved for the most part meant I had few beatings.” Tielle thought that was little compensation for the obvious lack of love. He’d told her before that his mother died years ago. Stone didn’t like talking about her, but she hoped he’d experienced some love from her to make up for his cold-hearted father. Still, what woman could have been married to Einin? Tielle couldn’t imagine. She hadn’t even seen him faceto-face, and Tielle wanted to punch his lights out. By the time they got back to the house, Tielle was really shaking. She couldn’t believe a little dip in cold water was having this kind of affect on her. Assuring Stone that she’d be okay after she’d had a warm bath and had changed her clothes, she kissed him and ran upstairs to her room. As if she’d sensed Tielle’s needs, Betsy soon arrived in her room to run a bath for her. “Oh, miss, you shouldn’t go in the water this time of year. The sun shining can be deceiving. One minute it’s warm, and then the sun runs to hide. All the time, the bloody water is freezing. And you not used to Irish weather.” She tsked, shaking her head as she laid thick white towels on the bed. “Betsy’ll have you right as rain though.” 112

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Thanks, Betsy,” Tielle told her. “I appreciate it. I’m usually sturdier than this. No worries.” The younger woman looked her up and down with a doubtful expression. Betsy had reddened rough hands from hard work all her life. Tielle guessed even if she wasn’t rich, her life had been easier than Betsy’s if she had been employed by Einin for any length of time. “Come, let’s get you out of those clothes and in the bath,” her maid told her. Tielle had gotten used to Betsy’s brisk way of doing things. At first she’d told her she wasn’t taking her clothes off in front of a woman. She didn’t give a crap who gave the order for her to be taken care of, but when Betsy looked scared to leave the room without doing something to help, Tielle’d given in and let Betsy get her down to her underwear. That was as far as she went, but now she was spoiled. Having someone run her bath, wash her clothes, make her bed, was wonderful. She would miss it all when she went home. Betsy moved like the wind around the room, straightening while Tielle stepped into the bathtub. “We mustn’t keep Mister Stone waiting,” the maid called when Tielle lingered. “Why?” Betsy clucked her tongue. “Mister Stone is taking you into town, miss. He says you want to get out of the house, so he’s called ahead to one of the local pubs.” Tielle frowned. “A pub? You mean a bar? I don’t really drink that much.” Betsy laid Tielle’s dress over her arm and scooped up Tielle’s discarded underwear and bra. “Don’t you be worrying none. The place he’s taking you to is right fine. You will love the food.” She blushed. “My auntie is there. She cooks better than Ma, I think.” Tielle cheered up. “Now you’re talking, girlfriend. Your mother can cook her butt off. I can’t wait, and I’m starving.” Betsy stopped in the bathroom doorway and appeared confused about why her mother’s cooking had anything to do with her butt, but then she seemed to consider it a compliment. “I will tell Ma you love her food and you’re happy to go to Auntie’s place. She will be glad. Okay, miss, I will come back after I drop these things with Sally, and I’ll help you dress.” She disappeared before Tielle could tell her that wasn’t necessary, but knew it was pointless to fight against it. From the top to the bottom, those of the Hughes household ran things their way. Tielle chuckled and sank 113

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

lower into the bubbles. Spending more time with Stone would be great. She didn’t know when he’d leave to return to the U.S. or some other country far away. She’d soak up all the moments in his presence she could before this fairytale came to an end.

114

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Eighteen Stone watched Tielle across the table. The restaurant he’d brought her to was quaint, one of the best in the small town not far from the castle, but that was precisely why he’d chosen it. Time and again, Tielle had seemed to be smothered by the luxury he took for granted. In this humble place where the food was as good as most of the fancier places he’d gone to America or even Paris, he believed Tielle would enjoy herself. He didn’t want to admit it to himself, but Stone had missed her. He’d not called her on purpose while he was away and didn’t tell her when he would return. It was his way of putting emotional distance between them, even testing to see his reaction to her not being there. To his disgust, he’d been close to picking up the phone too many times, and his mind had wandered to what she might be doing when he was in a business meeting. He could not be falling in love. That was preposterous. Stone was of the firm belief that love was a myth. He’d never seen evidence of it between his parents, nor any other couple in his family. His uncle had slept with so many women, his aunt had lost her mind and been under a psychiatrist’s care for years before she passed away. No one had ever caught Einin being unfaithful to Stone’s mother when she was alive, but Einin had advised him when he turned twenty-one to keep his private affairs just that—private. Even after he married, Einin had told him. That was proof enough to Stone that love didn’t exist. Lust, aye, but love? Never. Still, what was this he felt for Tielle? His world lit brighter when she smiled, and when he would have flown every night in his dragon form, he’d not been able to leave Tielle’s side since he’d been home. “What do you suggest I order?” she asked, interrupting his thoughts. Her brow furrowed as she studied the menu. Stone took exception to anything obstructing his view of her, so he reached across the table to pluck it from her hands. He folded the menu and set it aside. “How about something simple. Fish and chips?” he suggested. “The proprietor makes a homemade tartar sauce I’m sure you’ll like. And if I know you at all, I know you will want a small salad.” 115

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

She grinned, the pleasure in her expression pleasing him. “Perfect,” she said. “Hey, Mr. Hughes. How are you, sir,” a red-faced waiter said, stopping at the table. Stone recognized the man as being named Jack, but he didn’t know him well. He recalled seeing him work hard alongside a few others on a community project the year before. Jack pumped his hand with too much enthusiasm. Rather than allow Stone to answer or take their order, Jack seemed ready to shoot the breeze. Stone was used to the friendly manner of the locals and didn’t mind it. So long as Tielle was fine. He glanced over at her, relieved to find the smile hadn’t left her beautiful face. “Hi, I’m Tielle.” She held out her hand, and Jack pumped it too. He let go quickly when Stone made a small sound. “How do you know Stone?” Tielle asked. Stone would have steered the conversation away from that question, except Jack was too happy to blurt his personal business. “Oh, Mr. Hughes here? Everyone in town knows the Hughes family, especially Stone Hughes.” He hooked a thumb in Stone’s direction but didn’t take his eyes off Tielle. The idiot had the audacity to lean down on an elbow while chitchatting with her. “Mr. Stone Hughes was the one to bail out several of our families when one of the largest companies went belly.” Tielle’s eyes widened. “Really?” Stone grumbled. “That’s old news. Tielle’s not interested in hearing the details.” The two ignored him, and Jack went on. “Aye, he paid off the mortgages on a few of the poorer family homes, and he footed the bill for doing repairs on others. He dragged a few of us guys together to do the rebuilding.” Jack scrubbed his neck with the cloth in his hand and tapped Tielle’s arm, lowering his voice. “If you don’t mind me saying none, a few of these fellows are as useful as a lighthouse on a bog. But we got her done after a bit, hey, Mr. Hughes?” Stone gave a tight smile and narrowed his eyes. “Right, Jack. Now if you could put in our order, I’m sure Tielle is hungry.” “Of course!” Jack straightened and became all business—or as business-like as the sociable man could become. “Right, right, sir. I apologize. I just wanted to thank you again, from me and the fellows for pulling us out of that pinch a while back. We appreciate it, sir. And I’m sure Ellie will agree, anything you want is on the house.” “Oh, thank you so much, Jack,” Tielle said. “You’re a sweetheart.” 116

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Stone made no comment beyond bowing his head in acknowledgement of the kindness. He was embarrassed enough about the man going on and on. With any luck, Tielle would let the matter drop as well. He gave Jack their food order along with a request for a beer for him and a pop for Tielle. When Jack ambled away, Stone sat back in his chair watching Tielle. Her eyes shown. He tried as long as he could but after a while said, “What?” “I knew it,” she cooed. He grumbled. She laughed. “I knew you had a good heart under all that steel, somewhere deep. You’re not like Einin at all. I don’t know why you would think something like that.” “Sweetheart, a person of means has an obligation to help those less fortunate. It is the right thing to do, and it allows for those working beneath him or her to have a better attitude when on the job. In the end, it’s for the good of the company and for progress.” “Uh-huh.” The skepticism in her eyes was plain. “I don’t believe it. In fact.” She tapped her lips. “Let me guess. Your father told you, you were an idiot for doing what you did. He probably told you to let them all starve or go homeless, that it was meant to be or whatever BS helps him sleep at night. Am I right?” Stone decided not to confirm that she was right. He changed the subject instead. “What have you been doing while I was away?” Tielle didn’t push it. They fell into conversation about what she could do to keep herself occupied. The one time she asked about his progress finding the kidnapper’s boss, he gave her a vague answer and switched topics again. Noting the frustration on her face, he offered a distraction. “How about I teach you to ride a horse?” “I don’t think black people ride horses,” she said. Shocked at that response, Stone burst out laughing. Several heads turned, no doubt in surprise at hearing him laugh so freely and so loud in public. Stone tended toward twenty-four seven control. Einin had drilled it into his head. The single emotion allowable was anger. He’d followed Einin’s dictates until he came into his own adult mind. Much of it was hard to break from. Yet, here he was having the time of his life with Tielle. “You’re not serious, are you?” he asked her. 117

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

She played with her napkin and then didn’t answer while Jack stopped by with their food. For several minutes, they ate in silence, all the while Stone watching Tielle. He could enjoy seeing that face each day for a long time. At last, she looked up. “This food is incredible. Fish and chips doesn’t taste this good at home.” “There’s a couple places that make it almost as well. I will take you when we return.” “About riding…” She hesitated. “Hm?” She crinkled her nose, making him want to kiss it. He shook himself from the sentimental thoughts, but they wouldn’t let him go. “I’m terrified of horses. I mean it sounds cool, and I want to do everything I never dreamed of trying while I’m here, but that…I’m scared.” “Is that all?” She frowned at him. “Tielle, there are more dangerous beasts in the world than horses.” He didn’t know why he would tell her that. “What do you mean?” “Nothing.” He tapped his knuckles on the table. “Come, finish your food, before it gets cold.” Tielle eyed him for a long time, and he thought she was going to ask him for more details, but she lowered her gaze to her food. Stone was not fooled. Tielle had commented before about his ability to control her when he used the dragon’s song. The odd thing about that was, when used the recipient was not aware of being charmed. Tielle had known, but Stone had continued to tell himself he was mistaken. He couldn’t test the theory to see if it was true, so he’d elected to let it drop. Other matters were more important, like how to keep her safe—especially when there were no leads to who this “boss” was the that kidnapper had contacted. Out there somewhere was some coward who wished to use Tielle to get to Stone. Stone had to find him and do it soon. **** Several days later, Tielle came downstairs at lunch time to Monica’s delighted shout. “Noah! You’re home.” 118

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Tielle paused at the last bend in the stairs to peer over the side of the banister. The man standing just inside the door could have passed for Stone had he been more in the shadows. However, Tielle noted the differences right away, like the fact that Noah was a few inches shorter than her lover and not as broad of shoulder. She couldn’t resist a smirk. Her baby was way sexier, although Noah was nothing to sneeze at either. The man was hard, and even at the distance where she stood from him, he had that same air of danger about him like Stone. Maybe it was a Hughes trait. Monica threw herself into his arms much like she’d done with Stone. A feeling of disgust came over Tielle seeing the woman hang about his neck and offer her cheek to kiss like she was royalty. At least she wasn’t acting as if they should strip and do it right there the way she’d behaved with Stone. Tielle sighed and continued down the stairs. She could only wish that Monica would transfer her desire to Noah instead of Stone, but even that bimbo knew the better man when she saw him. “Who is this?” Noah asked when he spotted her. The interest that lighted his eyes made Tielle uncomfortable. His dark gaze swept her from head to foot. He detangled himself from Monica and stepped up to her. “Noah Hughes, beautiful lady, and you are?” “Mine,” Stone barked behind her. Tielle almost laughed when Stone’s possessive arm came around her, and he dragged her back to his hard form. Caveman anyone? Tielle tried to get some space between them, but Stone wasn’t having it. “This is Tielle,” Stone told his cousin, the threat plain in his voice. Tielle glanced between the two men who seemed to be waging a silent war. History there, she thought, but didn’t appreciate being treated like property. She crossed her arms over her chest. “If you two are finished staring each other down, I’d like to go have lunch. Riding this morning took it out of me big time.” Monica, who looked green with envy seeing the two men almost fighting over Tielle, hooked her arm through Noah’s. “Well, don’t put too much effort into it, honey. It was clear to everyone that you’re not ever going to be good at it.” Tielle dug her nails into her hands. She would have come back with a snappy reply, but the fact is she hadn’t gotten over her fear, and no matter how patient Stone was, she agreed with Monica. Riding wasn’t her thing and would never be. 119

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Noah’s eyebrows rose, and he focused on her. “Oh, are you learning to ride for the first time, Tielle?” He raised a hand toward her cheek like he would touch her, but she figured it was just to antagonize Stone. “Perhaps it’s your teacher.” His amused glance shifted to Stone. Tielle opened her mouth to respond, but Stone whipped her around toward the dining room. Without another word, he marched them to breakfast, and Tielle had no choice but to go along with his rude actions. The man’s jealousy knew no bounds, but she’d had little chance to see it in action since they were always cocooned with each other. She’d have to set his ass straight later that she wasn’t one of his possessions. For now, she followed along because she was starving. When they entered the dining room, Stone seated her and asked a servant if his father would be joining them. Tielle was surprised he was back, but then she remembered Stone mentioning he was away on business with Noah. If Noah was here, so was Einin. Her stomach knotted. She didn’t feel up to seeing the old man today, not with Noah here. Since they’d been seated, he hadn’t taken his eyes off Tielle, and she didn’t appreciate it a bit. “No, sir, Mr. Stone,” the servant said. “Mr. Einin will dine in his office. He asks that you join him there after lunch.” “That’s because he knows you’ll disrespect him as usual,” Noah announced. “You won’t skip lunch to report to him. You’re not a very dutiful son, you know, Stone. I tell Einin that all the time.” Stone’s expression darkened. “I’m sure you do.” Suddenly, Noah’s mood seemed to change from being a bastard to being charming. He clapped and grinned. Tielle stared in surprise until Stone rested a hand on her thigh. “Come, cousin, I’m just teasing,” Noah said. “I love my family, even you.” Monica slapped his hand. “Oh stop it, Noah. Everyone knows you’re the dosser in the family. I can’t believe you went with Father on a business trip.” All of a sudden, their accents thickened even more, and they were tossing around slang like nobody’s business. Tielle couldn’t follow a word they were saying. She was pretty sure she remembered Betsy explaining that a dosser was a lazy person because she’d called her brother that last week. But all the rest, Tielle’s head spun just trying to pick out the words and make sense of them. 120

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

She ate her cobb salad, special ordered from the cook. At least Stone and Noah seemed to be carrying on a decent conversation that didn’t appear to be all insults and threats. She thought maybe they discussed business, and when the three of them laughed, maybe a family joke. When the meal ended, Tielle stood up ignoring Stone and excused herself from everyone else. She flounced into the hall determined to find something to do that would have him looking all over the place for her. If he didn’t appreciate her, then he could kiss her ass. Tielle was about to order Jimmy to follow her into the garden, but an arm came around her waist for the second time. Stone hauled her off her feet and headed in the opposite direction from the courtyard. When they were in a darkened area of the hallway behind the main stairs where no one could see them, Stone backed her into the wall, and imprisoned her with his body. Tielle pretended his sexy hardness meant nothing. She turned her head, but Stone turned it back to face him. He lifted her chin. “Don’t pout, Tielle.” “Kiss my ass,” she muttered. He lowered his head and nuzzled her ear. “That will have to wait until tonight. I need to talk to my father.” She shivered. “Stop being nasty. You’ve never kissed my ass.” “No?” He took on a thoughtful expression while his hand snaked up her dress to invade her panties. Tielle fought to keep her senses straight. She was pissed off at him. He had no right to make her want to wrap her legs around him. “Why are you so angry with me?” “Like you don’t know?” He nibbled her bottom lip. Tielle’s mouth opened, and then she snapped it closed, almost capturing his lip between her teeth. She wished she had. “You ignored me the entire time we were at lunch. I guess you, your cousin, and Noah were speaking English, but for real, I couldn’t understand a word. It’s like all of your accents got thicker, and you all were using words I’d never heard before.” “Kind of like when you and Jamie get together?” he asked. She sucked her teeth. “Oh, so this was payback?” “No, of course not. I apologize. Noah and I do not get along for reasons I won’t go into, but we were rivals most of our lives, and for a while we fought over Monica.” When her nostrils flared, and she tightened her lips, he withdrew from that line of conversation. “We were friends once upon a time, and every now and then, we can forget our differences 121

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

and reminiscence. That’s all it was, and I sincerely apologize for leaving you out. I am at all times aware of your presence. I promise you that.” He ran his hand down her cheek, his thumb brushing the side of her lips. Tielle couldn’t resist him for long. She closed her eyes and kissed his fingers. Stone replaced his hand with his mouth, slanting it across hers before pushing his tongue deep into her warmth. She moaned, welcoming him in. He drew her closer to his body until her feet left the floor. She clung to him, desperate to be nearer to him, to be possessed by him. But all too soon the kiss ended, and Stone set her down. He drew back and smiled at her. “I will make it up to you. We’ll spend all evening together. I expect my father to keep me awhile. Don’t feel neglected. It won’t be on purpose.” “Okay, I forgive you.” She grinned and ran a hand down over his chest before twisting away from him. Over her shoulder, she said, “You better know what you have and don’t do something stupid to lose it.” Stone’s hot stare had lowered to her ass. Tielle gave it an extra shake as she walked away, and she laughed knowing he’d have to do some adjusting of his pants if he was going to see his father. If Tielle didn’t know anything else, she knew how to work Stone up and have him panting for more of her body. She loved having that power over him. Stone could command her, act like the big man on campus, whatever. When she gave him a certain look, moved a certain way, or spoke teasing words that set him off, he was putty in her hands. The problem with that of course was the opposite was also true. Tielle loved Stone to the point that she couldn’t imagine life without him. After so long, she knew what it was like to fall in love, and it hurt to think that feeling wasn’t reciprocated. She felt vulnerable and insecure. With a jetsetter like Stone, at some point he would get bored with her. He’d want a new woman to meet his needs. What in the world would she do then? She had no doubt she could survive. She wasn’t some melodramatic woman thinking she’d die if he left her. But without him, nothing in her heart or her life would be the same—ever.

122

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Nineteen Noah raked his hands through his hair uttering curse and after curse as he stood at his window. While he was gone, he’d contacted a guy who did a few jobs for him, a man who hadn’t yet let him down. The man had one task, find a local who would not mind spying on the Hughes family, someone with that fresh face look, all honesty and integrity. Noah shivered at the disgusting thought. What pissed him off was that his man had not been able to find one candidate to bribe. Instead, the fecking peasants had given glowing accounts of how wonderful his cousin Stone was, what a great man he was. What the hell had Stone been doing to brainwash them all? He threw his window open and spat. Grumbling and wondering how he would get what he wanted with that damn bodyguard following Tielle, Noah looked down and found his luck. The object of his desire had come strolling out of the castle and entered the courtyard. Not far behind was Jimmy, hands shoved into his pockets, head lowered. Noah grinned. All of a sudden, he knew just how he’d get her. All women, no matter how beautiful they were, were insecure in some fashion. He’d tested it out with Tielle at the lunch table, encouraging his cousin and Monica in chatting about old times. Each time, the lovely Monica chirped up with some shared memory to Stone, Tielle seemed to grow more annoyed. Noah needed to play up on that. She needed to believe she was the last woman Stone would be allowed to marry. If he could provoke her enough, she would play right into his hands. Not wanting to miss this chance, Noah pivoted on the ball of his foot and hurried to the door. He took the shortest path down the back stairs to the courtyard. When they were children, he, Stone, and Monica explored and hid all over the castle, him more than the other two. He knew it like the back of his hand. When he reached the door leading to the courtyard, Noah slowed his gait and after passing through the doorway, he clasped his hands behind him. Dragging in a deep breath, he stared at the sky like he was just out to enjoy the fine weather alone. A small exclamation alerted him that Tielle 123

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

had spotted him. He affected a start and looked around. “Oh, I thought I was alone. Hello, again.” “Hey,” she muttered, seeming less than pleased that he was there. Noah tamped down his annoyance and strolled over to her. Jimmy blocked his path. Noah held up his hands, eyebrows raised. “Wow, I didn’t realize you were under lock and key. I apologize,” he said, taking a step back. “I’m not!” She glared at her guard and gave him a shove. “Jimmy, go over there please. We’re in the courtyard for Pete’s sake, and Stone’s cousin isn’t going to do anything to me.” When he hesitated, she put her hand on her hip. “Do you need this job, because…” Jimmy paled and backed off. “I’ll be watching from over there. You know Mr. Stone doesn’t—” “I know you’re not about to lecture me,” she interrupted. Jimmy scuttled away like a whipped puppy. Noah chuckled and clapped, taking on the personality he’d adopted at lunchtime. “You are so good with him. Do you do that with my cousin too? I bet you have him wrapped around your pretty little finger.” Tielle fell into step beside him, and they began to stroll along the paths. Jimmy walked after them, just out of earshot. “No, I don’t think it’s possible to have that man wrapped up.” She shrugged. “We do okay, though. I’m not complaining.” He nodded, linking his hands behind him. “Mm, I guess it’s temporary for you, this relationship. I mean Stone, like every other Hughes, doesn’t keep a woman long. He knows what is expected of him.” Her eyes narrowed. He sensed she’d taken an instant dislike of him, and hated that he couldn’t charm her. Under normal circumstances, he could bring any woman under his control. He didn’t need the dragon song to seduce, but his time was limited as far as he was concerned. His patience had run out, and because of that, charming her was out of the question. The faster solution was to trick her, to prey upon her weaknesses. That he could do all day and night with minimal effort. “I’m sorry. I offended you. I didn’t mean to.” He offered a silly smile. “I tend to put my foot in things. That’s why Stone has no patience with me. You saw he cast those dark scowls my way when I arrived.” “I thought it might be because you tried stealing his woman once or twice,” she said with a bluntness that surprised and pleased him. He liked it. In different circumstances, he might have liked pursuing her as a lover. 124

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Ah, well yeah I did make a play for Monica in the past, but that is water under the bridge.” “Their relationship?” He suppressed a smile and pretended interest in a bird making a nest in a nearby tree. “My interest in her.” He shrugged. “Einin has reared her for Stone. They’ve been lovers for years, and when he’s ready, he’ll make her his wife.” “You mean were lovers,” Tielle spat. If she were lighter-skinned, Noah imagined her face would be bright read right about now. “Come on, Tielle. You’re a big girl. You know Stone. Does it seem like he’ll tie himself down to someone like you? On top of that, Einin always gets what he wants. He’ll never allow you to marry his son.” “Who said anything about marriage?” Her voice wavered. “A woman like you will always desire marriage, especially from the man she’s fallen hopelessly in love with.” He paused, allowing that to sink in. She’d probably thought no one noticed how lovesick she was for his cousin. If he’d noticed, it was for sure if Einin hadn’t, someone else reported it to him. Tielle was not just another lover for Stone. What Noah banked on was that she didn’t know the feeling was mutual. His cousin was lost. Every report he’d received of their activities, the pictures his man had taken of them together, even his cousin going all caveman with her when Noah dared to approach her, proved to him that Noah loved Tielle. The pain suffusing her now told him she had no clue of Stone’s feelings for her. “You don’t know me,” she told him, defiance in her bearing. “You just met me, and yet you stand there and judge my relationship with Stone and what I want?” Spinning around, she began to walk away when he stopped her with his next words. “Einin’s not the type of man to let you stand in the way of his goals.” Her stiff shoulders told him his words had hit home. “As I said, he gets what he wants. You standing in the way is a problem. I’m sure you’ve heard how ruthless he is.” She faced him. “Please. I’m a blip on his radar. He’ll assume Stone will kick me to the curb before next month.” “He can’t afford to take that risk.” She frowned at him. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head. This woman was no idiot. He didn’t have to spell out everything to her like he did with Monica or some of the other women he’d bedded. 125

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“What makes Stone so special? Because he’s Einin’s son?” “Oh, it’s much more than that.” Noah forgot his guise enough sneer. “Stone is the prize in this family, especially after my father died.” Her eyes widened. “His uncle. I remember Stone mentioning him. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Her words were insincere. At least Noah assumed so since he didn’t give a rat’s ass about his father. He’d hurried the old lizard along to his grave. Noah strolled closer to Tielle and raised a hand to touch her. He caught Jimmy’s disapproval and drew back. Not because he was intimidated by the muscle-head, but because he wanted to play his last card that would draw the sexy Tielle into his waiting arms. He lowered his voice. While no one was nearby, he didn’t want to take chances. “Einin would ruin you in a heartbeat before he let you stay with Stone. Would you like to know why Stone is valued above all else in the Hughes family?” Her small mouth opened and closed. He knew she wanted to know but was afraid of the truth. That’s how he wanted her. Afraid. “Money? The family business?” she guessed. He chuckled. “This goes way beyond money. Intriguing, isn’t it? I will let you know the details only when you’re sure you’re ready. You can come to me day or night.” With those cryptic words, Noah spun away from her and headed inside. He could not have played things better if he tried. Half of him expected Tielle to come running behind him right away, but when she didn’t he knew she struggled with trusting him. Tielle didn’t want to know that there was some deep, dark secret Stone hadn’t shared with her. However, her insecurities would drive her to find out for sure. Because she delayed in demanding to know what he hinted at, Noah believed her fears would grow. With each minute, hour, or day, she’d become more afraid. And when she couldn’t take it anymore, she would come to him. Noah couldn’t wait for that time. How he loved manipulating others. Just thinking about how close he was to having the power to do so on a grander scale gave him a hard-on. Whistling his joy, he headed back to his room. He would change into something more appropriate for seducing a young woman, who should know better than to trust a man like him. * * **

126

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

No matter how she tried, Tielle couldn’t stand Stone’s cousin. The man was oily. The truth of his damn personality rolled off him in waves, and when he smiled that nasty smile meant to make someone think he was this happy go lucky idiot, she disliked him even more. She knew the type even if his family couldn’t see it. Manipulative, a liar, he’d say whatever he needed to go get what he wanted. Because he was sexy as hell, she bet he had women eating out of his hand too. Well, she wasn’t the one. Like she was going to believe whatever he told her about Stone. The man might as well have “low-life liar” written across his forehead. But then again, he had hit a nerve talking about Einin and about him not liking her. Since she’d been there, she hadn’t seen him once, and she had the feeling that was on purpose. Einin wasn’t hiding out scared, but he thought she was beneath his meeting her. Tielle had heard from Betsy while her maid washed Tielle’s hair that Einin had ruined people’s lives who got in his way. He was that powerful. She’d confessed that the whiskey business might be what people knew and respected best about the Hughes family, but their holdings were extensive. The townspeople loved Stone, but they feared Einin. He had no conscious. Even with those facts in her ears, Tielle wouldn’t let it run her off. What she and Stone decided about their relationship was their decision alone. But was there more? Was Stone involved something illegal? She wouldn’t believe anything Noah told her without proof, but remembering how Stone refused to go to the hospital the night of his injury, and the way he didn’t want her talking to the police, still played in her mind. What did they have to hide? Were they gun-runners or drug smugglers? She shook her head as she entered the house. No, not Stone, right? She knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t do that, would he? The memory of his eyes, sometimes ice cold, ran through her mind. He claimed to be a lot like his father, although she had been the one to deny it. Was he heartless underneath it all? Tielle groaned. She hated second-guessing him, pissed at Noah for causing her to doubt her lover. That’s what he intended all along. The man lived to make his cousin look bad. Some families were like that, rich or poor. Sisters, brothers, or cousins would try to outdo one another. It was an age-old struggle. Figuring enough time had passed for Stone to be out of his father’s office, Tielle decided to go in search of him. Maybe spending some time with her lover would get her emotions back on an even keel. She laughed. “Yeah, right. That’s just asking for more turmoil.” 127

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

When she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, she found she had taken a wrong turn somewhere. She stopped and scanned the hall. No sounds reached her of servants working nearby. “Great. Now I’m lost.” A few more turns brought her out in a hallway that seemed similar to the one where the dining room was, but the décor was different. Huge portraits graced the walls, of men and women who had features similar to Stone’s family. Oddly, the last one in the line was not of a person, but of a dragon. Tielle stopped in front of it and stared up. Done in shades of jade, the painting almost radiated power. The yellow eyes of the dragon seemed to stare down at her, judging her inferior. She shivered and moved on. As she neared the end of the hall, voices reached her, and Tielle picked up her pace. Whoever it was could tell her how to get back to her room. Outside a closed door, Tielle lifted her hand about to knock, when the shouted words beyond caught her attention. “When will you get it through your head, Stone, she’s not for you? And to be fucking her in public is an outrage. You have the Hughes reputation to uphold. Have your whores, but as I’ve always told you, do it in private,” Einin commanded. Tielle’s hand dropped to her side. If she had been unsure of Einin’s thoughts about her, she was crystal clear now. She should walk away, but her feet wouldn’t move until she heard Stone’s reply. “What I have with Tielle is none of your business, Father. That’s between Tielle and I and no one else.” She grinned with satisfaction at Stone’s response. That’s my baby. He went on. “She’s for right now, and if you think you can intimidate me or shout at me to change my mind, then think about how many times that has worked for you in the past.” All Tielle’s relief at Stone’s sticking up for her went flying out the window. For right now? He had her in his life—for right now? That meant he didn’t give a shit about her, and when he was done, he’d toss her aside. Feeling nausea come over her and tears flooding her eyes, she turned away from the door with the two men still yelling at each other. When something shattered inside the office, she froze. Flurried movements in the room made her look back. “Damn it, Father, what did you do?” Stone bellowed. Terror gripped Tielle’s chest. Had his father attacked him? She started back when the door was wrenched open. Stone barreled out yelling for the chauffeur. His eyes locked on her. “Tielle, please help him,” Stone pleaded. 128

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

She rushed past him to the office doorway to find Einin Hughes crumpled on the couch holding a blood-soaked leg. Not far from him, on the floor, glass lay scattered. She couldn’t imagine what he’d broken, but a piece must have caught him. Tielle didn’t think twice about how much she disliked this man and how he didn’t deserve her help after he called her a whore. She went into action, racing across the room. She put her fingers into the area where the pants were ripped and tore them further. Einin swore. “Damn it, you’re ruining six hundred dollar trousers!” “Then you’re an idiot,” she told him. She examined the wound. “Stone, get his belt off and tie it around his thigh. He’s losing a lot of blood, and if we don’t stop it, he’s going to die.” Both men paled, but Stone rushed to do her bidding. She glanced at Einin and drew satisfaction from what she would have to do next. “This is going to hurt like a bitch.” She didn’t give him time to react or protest. She reached inside the wound to find the vein curling just like she’d been taught. If she didn’t keep it unfurled while also pinching it off, Stone would still lose his father. Einin howled and soon passed out. Stone clenched his fists but said nothing. “Pick him up, Stone. We’ll have to get him to the hospital fast. Don’t out walk me though, because I have to hold this.” He nodded, his face grim. When they got to the main hall, Lawrence had the front door open, and the limo was parked out front, the chauffeur behind the wheel. As they tucked Einin inside, Monica came running, screaming and crying. She tugged at Stone’s arm. “What is she doing to him, Stone? Stop her, stop her!” “Shut up, Monica,” Stone commanded, and to Tielle’s surprise, she did. “Elevate his feet with something,” Tielle instructed. Stone found a jacket from somewhere and lifted his father’s feet. They sat in silence while the limo sped down the long driveway back to the main road leading into town. Already, Tielle’s hands were aching from holding them in the same position, but she couldn’t let go. This was more serious than anything she’d dealt with so far, and it also seemed like déjà vu given she’d saved Stone too. When they drew up to a small house that did not look like a hospital, she turned to Stone for an explanation, but he said nothing. The limo door opened, and Stone moved to help his father out. 129

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Stone, he needs a hospital. This is serious. He needs surgery,” she told him. “Our family doctor is a surgeon. Trust me.” She didn’t argue but followed him inside still holding Einin’s vein. When they were directed to a back room in the simple house, she found a doctor’s operating table. Was this normal for small town people? She guessed it was, but it still seemed back water to her. The doctor came out already prepared for Einin. Someone must have called ahead. They laid Einin on the table, and the surgeon took over. He nodded knowingly after examining the wound. A nurse shuffled them out of the room, and Stone and Tielle sat in a makeshift waiting room. Tielle sat at Stone’s side, his hand engulfing hers. He made no sounds, his face expressionless, but she had the feeling he was worried. Einin might be evil incarnate in her book, but Stone loved him. The time passed slowly. Tielle grew sleepy. She’d visited the bathroom to wash some of the blood off of herself. When her head began to dip back and forth as she nodded off, Stone lifted her onto his lap and pulled her head to his chest. She wasn’t about to resist at this point despite their unresolved issues. Tired as she was, she didn’t have the strength. At last the doctor came out of the operating room stretching. He must be sore after working so hard to save Einin. The smile that graced his face seemed to put Stone at ease. “He’s going to be okay, I think.” The doctor wagged a finger at Tielle. “You, young lady, saved his life. How did you know to hold onto the vein? Any medical training?” She nodded. “I’m a nurse.” “Ah, well, Mr. Hughes, you have a good woman, there,” he told Stone. “Aye, I see that, Doctor,” Stone answered. “So he will be fine?” “He’ll be fine. You know Einin is a stubborn old coot. He won’t stick his spoon in the wall that easy. He will need to stay here a few days. He won’t like it, but Margie is time enough for him. You all go home and get some rest. Nothing you can do tonight. You can see him in the morning.” Tielle took Stone’s hand. “Come on. You can come back in the morning.” They left the small house clinic and got in the limo for the return ride to the castle. Stone put his head back with his eyes closed. She thought he was asleep until he spoke. “Thank you, Tielle. You saved his life. You don’t know what that means to me.” “It’s my job.” 130

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

He opened his eyes and looked at her like he was about to say more, but he said nothing. The ride home was silent, and Tielle stared out at the darkness around them. The sun had long since descended, and beyond a few feet from the car, there was little visibility. By the time, they drew up to the castle, the moon had come out from behind the clouds, and the night brightened. Stone walked Tielle to her room and acted as if he would join her, but she put a hand on his chest. “I’m tired. I don’t feel like it tonight. You understand, don’t you?” “Of course.” He lifted her chin and brushed a feathery kiss over her lips. Tielle’s body responded, but she tamped it down. “Good night,” he said and turned to head to his own room. Tielle closed her door and leaned her forehead against it. Everything inside her wanted to call Stone back, but despite what had happened with his father, his words from earlier played and replayed through her head. She meant nothing to him.

131

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Twenty Tielle couldn’t believe what she was going to do. She’d taken a shower and gone to bed with the intension of sleeping, only to find that sleep evaded her. Now, she’d tossed on a robe and slippers and tiptoed through the house to find Noah. She’d previously seen Noah entering his bedroom, located at the other end of the wing she and Stone occupied. At least she hoped it was his room and not someone else’s he happened to visit at the time she spotted him. She laughed at the thought of visit but could think of no other way to describe it. All the rooms in the castle seemed to have a living room before reaching the area where one slept. They were like mini-apartments that took Tielle some getting used to. At Noah’s door, she paused, dredged up her courage, and knocked. When no answer came, she knocked again. “Noah,” she whispered. The door opened. She expected him to be groggy, dressed in pajamas, not wide awake but butt naked. His smile grew, and he held his arms open. “I knew you couldn’t resist me, a stór.” Tielle folded her arms over her chest, not fazed in the least, especially since she was tired as hell but couldn’t sleep, and she was scared about what Noah would reveal. “Cut the crap, Noah. I have no interest in you. Now get some clothes on and come downstairs so we can talk. I’m not coming into your room.” She thought she saw a flash of anger in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. He held his smile, but she didn’t believe it was sincere. “You have perfect timing. I will show you something significant instead.” He snatched up a pair of jeans from the floor and led her on an almost run down the hall. The man had no shame for the fact that he was out here with his thing swinging in the wind. At Stone’s door, Noah stopped. Tielle jerked away from his hold, her eyes widening. He could not be trying to trick Stone into thinking they had been together. She was about to tell him about himself, when he pressed a finger to her lips and then leaned in close to Stone’s door. Tielle heard nothing out of the ordinary other than she thought Stone was up pacing. Noah ran, 132

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

almost dragging her along. When they reached a set of stairs she’d never seen before, he paused to slip on his pants, and then he compelled her up the steps, not caring when she tripped and stubbed her toe. Tielle tugged on her arm trying to get it away, but he dug his fingers into her flesh. She winced, and he glared down at her at the landing’s top. “You wanted to know the truth. You’ll know it, but you have to move fast. It’s only a matter of time before he decides to go out.” “Out where?” He didn’t answer. They rushed on until Noah opened a door two down from Stone’s but a floor higher. Inside the room, the furnishings had been removed. Noah raced across to the double doors leading to a balcony and threw them wide. The cool night air flowed in, chilling Tielle. She stood in the middle of the room eyeing Noah, convinced she’d made a mistake trusting him this far. When she was about to tell him she was returning to her room, he said, “Now we wait.” “You wait,” Tielle snapped. “I’m freezing my ass off.” “If you leave you won’t ever learn the truth,” he warned. She had her hand on the doorjamb. “He’ll keep his secret from you as long as you’re together. But tonight, I know he’ll reveal himself for the simple fact that you are not in bed with him.” “If you’re trying to prove that Monica and Stone are lovers, forget it. Stone has shared my bed every single night since I arrived, and we spend almost all of our time together when not sleeping if he’s here in Ireland.” She felt somewhat better after making that speech. It was true though. Realistically, Stone would not have had time to be with Monica. Knowing that gave her a little peace, but Noah’s pitying gaze made her want to smack him. He glanced down at something over the side of the balcony. “He’s out there. Come and see.” She hesitated. Why would he lure her up here? To toss her over the side? Did Noah take his and Stone’s rivalry that far that he would murder her? Was Stone even out there? She took two steps back. Noah saw her fear. “Stupid woman.” He rushed across the room, grabbed her and covered her mouth so she couldn’t scream. “Just look, damn it.” Tielle did, and Stone was out there on his balcony below. He stood as naked as Noah had been. She was beginning to think they all had issues. Stone stretched his arms above his head and stared up at the stars. When 133

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

he did, they had to jump back out of sight. What he did next blew Tielle’s rational thoughts right out of her head. Stone began to change. His back seemed to crack and bend in ways she thought were impossible. His skin rippled, and where she could just make out the lighter shade of it in the moonlight, she realized it was turning darker. Almost like he had put on a sci-fi cloaking material, it became hard to distinguish him from his surroundings. Then the moon shone brighter, and Tielle saw that Stone had shifted from a human to a dragon. Where she thought he had made himself disappear, he’d only turned his skin some dark color. He jumped up on the low balcony wall and balanced there like an expert. Wings with an unbelievable span opened from his back. Stone flapped them once and then tucked them away so he could climb up the wall. Tielle stared horrified at the clawed feet and hands on the man she loved as he scaled the wall. Noah’s hand fell away from her mouth, and he let her be while she watched Stone. Her knees gave out. She sank to the ground crying. After Stone disappeared over the roof, he reappeared moments later gliding through the air, his wings expanded to their full potential. Tielle bowed her head leaning against the balcony wall. Her shoulders shook because of the intensity of her feelings. “He’s…” she began. “He’s a…a…monster.” When Noah would have taken her hand, she snatched at away. “Don’t touch me. You knew what he was, why he was so important, yet you let me find out like this.” She sobbed uncontrollably. “I can’t do this. I just can’t!” “Let me help you, Tielle,” Noah offered. “Whatever you want to do.” She could leave him, she thought. Leave Stone, right here and now. She couldn’t deal with the fact that he wasn’t human. Not now, maybe not ever. Resting her hand in Noah’s, she stood. Tears flowed from her eyes nonstop, but she kept brushing them away. Whatever she wanted to do? Her decision came right away. “Take me home, Noah. Please,” she begged. “Just take me home.” When he agreed, Tielle shuffled to her room to pack. She knew she should hurry before Stone got back, but all the energy had left her body. Moving took too much effort, and all she could do was stumble through the motions it took to leave Ireland for good. **** 134

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

High above the ground, Noah flew, allowing the wind to race against his scales. He dipped and dove, loving every heart-pounding moment. Flying was part of his life, and he didn’t know what he’d do if he couldn’t do this. Over the years, he’d felt sorry for Noah although he’d never shown it. To know he had the dragon shifting gene but would never be able to access it must be tormenting. Then again, Noah had never flown, so maybe he didn’t know what he was missing. Having the gene active wasn’t all good, of course. He’d outlive his family, have to move and change his name. He’d always be a Hughes. The difference was at some point, he might be forced to become his father’s grandson and then someone else. Just like his uncle. Murray, more than three hundred years old, had not been Einin’s brother but a much older cousin. Noah had come along late in his life to his third wife. Thinking of the complications, the lies, the adjustments to being a dragon shifter, Stone wondered how everything would work out with Tielle. Could he tell her the truth? If he did, how would she react? Would she be disgusted with him or accept him as he was? Everything inside him longed for her to understand, because he was sure now that he could never let her go. He’d told Einin that Tielle was for right now, but that had been a lie. He knew even then what she meant to him. For however long they could be together, Stone would take it. One minute with her was more than several lifetimes with any other woman. He let out an ear-piercing roar, knowing he was too high for anyone to hear. Love had made him sentimental. He didn’t care. At last he could admit to himself that he loved Tielle. That was all the mattered. In fact, the sooner he let her know what he felt, the better. Under normal circumstances, he would not cut his flight short for anything, but Tielle was more than worth it. He knew she was tired from saving his father’s life, an act that endeared her to him even more, but he needed to be with her. He had to make her understand she was everything to him. Excited to see her and tell her all, Stone hurried home and landed on Tielle’s balcony. He tried the doors, found them unlocked, and let himself in. She’d be startled that he was stark naked since he didn’t wear clothes when he changed, but it wasn’t anything she hadn’t see before. A grin splitting his face, he hurried across her sitting room to her bedroom door. To his surprise, it was open. He knew she preferred it closed. The room when he entered was silent and dark—too silent. Stone didn’t hear Tielle’s gentle breathing, and he could see just fine in 135

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

darkness. He only wished his eyes were deceiving him. Tielle’s bed was empty and made with haste from the look of it. The wardrobe stood open, where she’d hung the dresses he had purchased for her. Not one dress remained. Stone’s chest constricted. She couldn’t have left him, could she? He clicked on the lamp to find a folded slip of paper on Tielle’s bed. His heart thundering in his chest, Stone picked it up. Before he opened it, he went back to his room and got dressed. With her gone, there was no way he’d sleep tonight. At last ready to face her words, he opened the paper. Stone, Our time together has been amazing, but I think it’s time I move on. I have never stayed with a man longer than a few months. It’s just not my style. I hope you understand. Don’t worry about me. I know how to take care of myself. Thanks for everything. Tielle Stone crushed the paper in his fist. Don’t worry about her? Did she think her kidnapping was a joke, that the man who had perpetrated it would understand since she broke it off with him? He stood and threw the paper on the floor, but that did nothing to take away his frustration. Stone ran his fingers through his hair. Why now of all times, when his father had just come through surgery and was still under observation? He felt he knew Tielle pretty well, and something had to have compelled her to leave. He stomped over to his cell phone which he’d left on the nightstand. Before he could dial Jimmy to demand he get his ass out of bed and help Stone locate Tielle, the phone rang. A sense of foreboding fell down over him that he couldn’t shake. He answered not recognizing the number on the ID. “Stone here,” he said. “Just the man I want,” the voice on the other end said. The person didn’t sound familiar. “It’s a bit late,” Stone told him. “Who are you, and what do you want?” 136

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“I’m sure you can guess,” the man teased. “Are you missing someone?” Stone’s stomach sank. “Someone important to you?” “How much?” Stone muttered. Whatever the amount, he’d pay it. Just let her be safe. Please. The man chuckled. “So hasty, Mr. Hughes. No, we need to discuss matters before we get into particulars. How about you meet me?” Stone frowned. This was starting out odd. He’d assumed the kidnapper would name his price and then demand Stone drop off the money at a particular location. Then Tielle would be left in a different location. Fear that the guy wouldn’t release her at all snaked through his system, but he refused to give into panic. He needed his mind clear if he was going to save Tielle. And he would save her. The bastard who dared put his hands on Tielle would have them ripped off and shoved down his throat. “How about you prove to me that you have Tielle?” he demanded. Before he even finished speaking, his phone clicked with a received text. Stone moved the phone from his ear and pressed a button that would let him check messages without disconnecting the call. His chest tightened at the clear picture of Tielle asleep on a bed. Another picture arrived, a close up, and Stone’s heart seemed to shatter when he noted the tearstains on her cheeks. Stone dropped his forehead into his palm while he mastered his emotions. After some time, he lifted the phone to his ear again. “When and where?”

137

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Twenty-One All this time, Stone and his family had trusted Noah, and all the time he was the one behind her kidnapping. He was the one who had someone attack Stone in the dark alley the first night she met him. Tielle couldn’t believe he would do something like this to his own family, and for what? She shook her head staring up at the water-stained ceiling in the room where he kept her. Noah had done it all because he believed Stone’s blood could make him like Stone. Why? To become a monster? Some shape-shifting demon or dragon? All the Hughes must be crazy. They certainly weren’t human although they looked like it. If someone would have told her a couple of months ago that her life would take a turn into fantasyland, she would have cussed them out and told them to keep their crazy ass away from her. But this. What was she supposed to think? While she laid there locked behind a heavy door that must be almost as old as Stone’s castle, she tried to figure out what she felt for him. She knew she was terrified of him still, but that had become secondary to Noah drugging her in the car. She had awakened a couple of hours ago only to be told that she would be Noah’s tool to get Stone. That’s when he’d told her his life goal. It had taken him years to get to this point where they found out that Stone’s blood would give him what he wanted—to be a dragon. Tielle brushed a tear away. All she wanted to do was go home. No, that wasn’t true. She wanted things to go back to the way they were, in those golden moments when she and Stone had just started seeing each other and it was all about them. Every hour, every second was filled with budding love. She sighed. “On my part.” Maybe she could convince Noah to let her go once he had Stone, and they could just duke it out with each other. Noah had said Stone was indestructible, that he had a single weak spot. Even before Noah told her where it was, she knew—the spot where the man in the alley had drawn his blood. Right where Stone had a dragon tattoo. 138

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“All clues led to that,” she mused. Along with the tattoo, there was the fact that a needle snapped rather than pass through his skin. She closed her eyes and grunted. “This must all be a dream. It cannot be real!” A key sounded in the lock, pulling her from her thoughts. Tielle sat up and stood at the side of the bed. She scanned the room looking for anything she might use as a weapon. There was nothing. The door opened, and Noah stood there wearing that sickening smile. She hated his guts. “Let me go, Noah. I have nothing to do with your family issues.” He chuckled and walked into the room carrying a video camera and pulling along a TV, a stand, and other equipment. Images of Noah forcing her to do unspeakable acts for the Internet flashed through her mind, but she tried not to panic. He’d get his balls handed to him if he even tried. Tielle backed against the wall in a slight crouch, waiting, which seemed fine with Noah while he set up his equipment. The camera focused on the bed. Tielle’s mouth went dry, and her limbs shook. When he switched on the TV, first the bed came onto the screen, and then with a few buttons pushed, the interior of a warehouse came up. A table and chair had been placed in the middle of the vast space. Test tubes, alcohol pads, and other blood-drawing items sat at one end of the table. Noah waited, and then Tielle caught her breath when Stone came into view. She suppressed a sob at seeming his mouth set in a straight line and his brows low. From the way he moved, she knew he barely controlled his rage. Noah punched more buttons. The camera where Stone was zoomed in on him. Tielle didn’t miss the worry in his eyes. She cried harder. “Good, you made it,” Noah said, and Stone jerked. “Noah!” Stone shouted. “You’ve decided to show your true colors? Where is Tielle? If you’ve hurt her—” “You’ll what?” He laughed. “I hold all the cards, cousin. Just like I always have. Oh, I’m sure Einin thought he had his family locked down, every one of you scraping the floor to do his bidding. You had your token acts of rebellion, but like everyone else, you came in line with whatever he wanted—accepted Einin’s decree that the dragon gene couldn’t be awakened.” “Is that what this is about?” Stone said. “You know there’s no way—” “There is a way! And I’ll awaken my dragon…with your blood.” Noah reached for Tielle and snatched her in front of him. He wound an arm around her waist, forcing her back against his body. She struggled and 139

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

tried stomping his instep, but he put his other hand up to her throat and squeezed. She gasped for air, her windpipe closing off. Noah made her look at the TV screen where Stone’s face was centered. Her lover roared like the beast he was, his eyes changing to golden, the pupils narrow vertical slits. “Let her go, Noah. I will rip your flesh from your bones for this.” Stone was more worried about her than she could ever imagine, but what he was scared the crap out of her. From head to toe, she shook in fear. She sobbed, closing her eyes and sagging into Noah. Noah found both of their reactions amusing. “Do you know why she left you, opened herself up to me, cousin? Because I showed her what you are. I let her see for herself your transformation on the balcony. If you could have seen the disgust in her eyes, man, it was priceless.” Noah laughed with delight. “She begged me to take her home. This day can’t get any better. The great Stone—dragon shifter, despised by the woman he loves because of his genetic makeup. Priceless, I tell you.” “Y-You’re lying,” Stone whispered. Tielle still hadn’t opened her eyes. She stood unmoving in Noah’s arms. “Tielle, talk to me,” Stone begged. “Tell me he’s lying, honey.” When she didn’t answer, he began to ramble. “I wanted to tell you the truth. I planned to do it tonight. After my flight, I came to your room to talk to you, but you were already gone. I thought about earlier when my father was hurt and how lucky I’d been that you were out there in the hall to help. But after everything had calmed down, I realized you could have heard my father and me arguing. You might have heard what I said to him about you. Tielle!” She lifted her head and dared a glance at the TV screen. Stone’s eyes were normal again. “Baby, I lied to him. You were never for right now. From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were different from all other women. I didn’t believe in love, but… I love you, Tielle.” She gasped and pressed closer to Noah. His low chuckle annoyed her, but she couldn’t help it. Her heart reached out to Stone, but the fear choked her as Noah’s hand had done a moment ago. And the fool wanted to be like Stone. Why would anyone want that? “I love you, Tielle,” Stone said again. “I know this is not the time to say it, but it’s as good a time as any. You need to know what you mean to me. If I could walk away from what I am, I would do it to be with you.” 140

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

“Fool,” Noah spat. “The dragon has been the ambition of every person in our family, worshipped almost. Now you know why Einin treats him like he’s a god. Tell me, Tielle, have you ever heard of the dragon song? It’s an ability that only the dragon shifter has. He can force people to do whatever he wants. Stone has that gift, and he uses it to succeed in business. That’s why Einin is the head of the family and the head of the entire Hughes empire rather than my father.” “Lies!” Stone ground out. “I’ve never used the dragon song on anyone in business.” “No, just on me,” Tielle said, speaking to Stone for the first time since this nightmare began. “You used it on me when you convinced me to take you to my apartment rather than take you to a hospital that first night.” Noah twisted her in his arms and stared down at her with wide eyes. “Really? That’s interesting because no human who has had it used on them would ever know it.” His gaze raked over her body like he’d find answers written on her. “Maybe I should take your blood as well to see why you would be able to resist. It’s worth looking into.” “No!” Stone exploded. He grabbed hold of the camera and shook it. “Noah, take my blood. Take all of it if you must, but don’t hurt her. Let her go. I’ll cooperate.” Tielle broke free of Noah’s hold, ran to the TV, and dropped to her knees. Her fingertips brushed the cool flat screen over Stone’s image. She rested her forehead against it allowing the tears to fall. “No, Stone. I can’t stand the thought of you dying because of me. I…I love you too. I admit that I’m scared of what you are. I ran because I didn’t think I could handle it. I still don’t know if I can, but I do love you. Please…Don’t die.” “Okay, enough.” Noah dragged her away from the TV and back to the bed. “Enough of this sentimental BS. Anymore and I’ll puke.” Noah shoved Tielle into a sitting position on the bed. “Here’s what you’ll do, cousin, if you want her to live….” Noah explained that his assistant would come in and draw Stone’s blood. He would then be led to another room where he would be held, with blood drawn as often as they needed. Stone could not try anything stupid, or Tielle would be hurt. Noah made Stone watch while he gave Tielle a sedative. Her eyes drooping as she grew sleepy, she stared at Stone. Just before she dropped off, another man entered the room where he was and began drawing Stone’s blood. She thought Stone told her everything would be fine and that he would come for her soon, but his voice became distorted and from a great distance. Her world went dark. 141

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey ****

Stone suffered through draw after draw of his blood. He’d been moved to a smaller room though still in the warehouse. The door closing off the room was heavy but not a match for his strength. Noah counted on Stone cooperating because of Tielle. As long as he had her somewhere Stone couldn’t get to in time, Stone was powerless to fight. The camera equipment had also been moved to the room, a constant reminder of Tielle. While the assistant drew his blood, Stone watched the television set. Tielle lay unmoving, barely breathing. His chest constricted at how pale she looked beneath her creamy brown skin. Would Noah keep his word not to hurt her if Stone died? “You must really love her,” the assistant said. “Just do what you came to do, and keep your mouth shut,” Stone snapped. “You don’t get to comment on Tielle.” Stone thought about what they were doing. He knew Noah had a background in biology, but something told him the man at his side was the scientific brain behind everything. “Can you do what Noah wants? Can you activate his dragon gene?” The man shoved glasses up his narrow nose, watching Stone with beady eyes. The heavy bags beneath them were the mark of many sleepless nights. “I can.” He hesitated after glancing toward Tielle. “I think…I haven’t been able to convince Noah, but…” “Spit it out, damn it, if you have something to say.” Stone had little patience through this ordeal. All he could think about was getting to Tielle. He hated how weak he’d sounded talking to Noah earlier, but if ever he had a second weakness beyond that spot on his back, it was Tielle. Nothing must ever happen to her. “He may have given her too much of the sedative,” the man admitted. Stone surged up from the bed, hearing the needle in his arm snap. Blood spilled down his arm and on the bed. The assistant cursed, but Stone ignored him to snatch the bag and tubing away from his arm. He rushed over to the TV. “Tielle!” he shouted. “Her mic might be off,” the assistant said behind him. His eyes ached, Stone stared so hard. Still, she didn’t move. He watched her chest, and there was no rise or fall. D-Dead? Rage exploded through Stone’s system. The dizziness he’d felt seconds before dissipated, and he felt the heat that had always been apart 142

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

of him bubble up inside. Without thinking, he whirled and grabbed the assistant by the throat before throwing him against the wall. The snap and crunch of broken bones along with the odd angle of the man’s head did nothing to calm Stone. He raced to the door and ripped it from its hinges. Transformed and in the air, he flew with a speed he knew no human could track. It was risky to be out in daylight in his dragon form, but he didn’t give a damn. He would hunt the entire Earth for Noah and rip him limb from limb if he had to. And then he would go back and find Tielle’s body. He’d lay her to rest before he found a way to join her in the afterlife. For hours, Stone flew, lamenting the fact that he didn’t have a bloodhound’s tracking skill. What good were his abilities if they couldn’t help him now? When he didn’t know what else to do, he landed on the roof of his castle and crawled down the wall to his bedroom window. The sounds he made must have alerted James, because the door banged open, and his secretary rushed in before closing the door behind him. “Sir, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been trying to call you for hours with no answer,” James told him. “I am not in the mood, James. Tielle is…Noah took her.” His throat was dry. The rage still burned in his gut, and he barely held onto his sanity. “Aye, sir, that’s what I’m getting at,” James told him. “Then fecking say what you have to say, James,” Stone thundered. His secretary shrank back, and Stone knew his eyes must have shifted. James may know his secret, but he had never seen Stone change. Stone tried containing his anger, but found it impossible, so he turned his head so as not to panic the man. “I followed Mr. Noah earlier today. I think he has some secret place here in the castle.” Forgetting his resolve not to frighten James, he jerked the man off his feet. “Show me!” They rushed through twists and turns in the castle to areas that were vaguely familiar to Stone. He’d spent countless hours playing in the back halls and rooms as a child. Remembering now, he figured Noah would also recall, and if he knew of more secrets their home kept, then that might be where he had been keeping Tielle. He could only pray it was true. When Stone thought they were on the castle lowest floor, James proved him wrong. They came to a rough Stone wall which Stone assumed was a dead end. He tried using his mental mapping but couldn’t 143

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

get his mind calm enough to do any good. James ran his hands over the wall’s rocky surface like he was looking for something. “What the hell are you doing?” Stone growled. “I have no patience for this.” “Please, sir, just hold on. I saw him open it some way. I just don’t know where the lever is.” “I’ll smash it,” Stone said and shoved James aside. What he thought was a gentle nudge sent his secretary hard against the wall, and he winced holding arm. Stone didn’t pause for apologies. He drew his fist back ready to put it through the barrier, but something shifted beyond it. “He’s coming,” James whispered, his voice tight. They ducked around the corner to wait, and sure enough, a panel in the wall slid back on an unseen mechanism. A doorway opened, and Noah came out. Stone’s fury ignited again. He rushed his cousin and had him in the air by one hand before Noah knew what hit him. “You killed her, you son of a bitch,” Stone shouted. He slammed Noah against the wall, but this time not enough to kill. He wanted Noah to suffer. Over and over he thumped his cousin against the stone. Noah choked on his own blood, Stone assuming he’d punctured a lung with his cracked ribs. It wasn’t enough. He slammed him again. “She’s…she’s…” Noah sputtered. Stone dragged him along the hall to a room that was obviously a lab. The bastard had been right here under their noses for God knows how long doing his experiments, lying to them all. A table in the middle of the room held several samples of blood. Most were labeled with Stone’s freshly drawn blood. A refrigerated case to one side with a clear glass door showed more samples of blood. These were labeled Murray Hughes. All of a sudden, the truth came through to Stone. Noah had been the cause of his own father’s death. He’d been the one to drain the older man. “You want dragon blood so bad, you bastard?” Stone demanded. “I’ll give you what you want.” He shuffled through the supplies on the table and came across a syringe. Stone drew more of his blood and slammed Noah’s arm down on the table, positioning the needle over his cousin’s vein. “Not like that. Not like that!” Noah pleaded. “With you enraged, your blood is poison. You’ll kill me!” Stone jabbed the sharp point into Noah’s arm. “Don’t be a wimp, cousin. Embrace your destiny.” 144

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Noah howled and writhed from the first moment the blood went into his vein. Stone let him go, and he fell to the floor shaking and screaming. His skin reddened, and he clawed at his neck. When his eyes rolled back into his head, Stone knew the blood burned up his cousin from the inside. He knelt before Noah who had stopped moving and lay dead. “That’s for taking her from me. If I could do the same to myself, I would.” “Sir,” James called from the opposite end of the room. “There’s another room here. Ms. Tielle is there.” Stone leaped over the table, forgetting his cousin. He charged through the open doorway he hadn’t noticed before, and there was Tielle, lying in a bed just like he’d seen her on the TV. He rushed over and drew her gently into his arms, holding her close as tears filled his eyes. What would he do without her? A roar rumbled up in his throat, but he suppressed it as he rested her soft cheek next to his own. A sweet sigh escaped her, and Stone pulled back in shock. He watched her face so still and then lowered his desperate gaze to her chest. To his amazement, it rose a little and fell. Her breathing was shallow, but it was there. Tielle was alive! “James,” Stone barked. “I need to get her to a doctor fast.” Not waiting for James to take action, Stone hurried back up through the castle, all the while praying with all his heart that he would make it in time. Tielle had to live. Her condition was too delicate for him to fly her to the hospital which would be the fastest way, so they were dependent on the car. They’d make it. They had to make it!

145

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Chapter Twenty-Two Tielle sat on the side of her bed. She couldn’t believe she was back home in her own apartment. Stone had made all the arrangements, but he hadn’t accompanied her. He’d kept his distance, and she missed him. After he calmed down from fearing for her life, sitting by her bedside all around the clock until he knew she was out of danger, he told her he wasn’t good for her. If it wasn’t for him, she’d never have gone through what she had. And then there was the fact that she was still scared of what he was. Over and over, she tried to move past it, but when he came close to her, she saw only the dragon—the scales, the yellow eyes. She’d get to shaking and couldn’t stop. She knew she hurt him reacting that way, but no mental lecture helped. And here she was at home so lonely for him. It didn’t feel like she could make it from one day to the next. She’d bragged to herself that she was strong, that she’d be fine if they broke up, and she could go on with her life. A week had passed without him, and she hadn’t looked for a job, hadn’t opened one piece of mail. The single reason she’d downed food in the past few days was because Jamie had force-fed her. Her bedroom door opened, and Jamie strolled in before shutting it behind her. She had made herself a key to Tielle’s apartment. “Okay, lazy bones, you’re going out today.” “No, I’m not.” Tielle fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “I’ve decided I can’t live without him, and since I can’t live with him either, I’ll just…I don’t know. Die, I guess.” “Don’t talk like that!” Jamie knelt in front of her and pulled Tielle up. “What you two had was special. I can see that, and from what you tell me, it’s you who left him. So all you have to do is call him. That last time he phoned to check on you, he sounded miserable. Tielle, I’m sure he’ll take you back. If it’s that you have a thing against all the money, I’ll gladly spend it for you.” She laughed, but Tielle didn’t join in. “It’s not that.” “Sweetie, what is it? Why won’t you stay with him?” “I—” Tielle began. 146

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

The door burst open, and Stone stood there. Tielle’s eyes widened, drinking in his hard physique and noting he hadn’t shaved since she last saw him. His clothes were rumpled, so not Stone. His hair was a mess all over his head, and his eyes were bloodshot. “Get out,” he told Jamie. She stood up and put her hands on her hips. When she opened her mouth no doubt to tell him about himself, Stone pierced her with a threatening glare. Jamie’s teeth made a snapping sound clicking together. She leaned down, kissed Tielle’s cheek, and scuttled from the room. Stone shut and locked the door, and then he turned back to her. “I’ve decided not to give you up. I will stay by you night and day until your fear is gone, until you come to grips with what I am. If it takes a lifetime, so be it. At least we’re together.” To make good his threat, in three strides he stood in front of her. Tielle began to shake, but Stone reached down and gathered her into his arms. He sat her on his lap, arms encircling her. Tielle struggled not to hyperventilate. “I-I don’t understand why. I’ve faced every fear. Many things don’t faze me at all.” She tried to pull away, but Stone wouldn’t let go. He rocked her and kissed her, but she turned her head. It wasn’t that the touch of his lips did nothing for her. It did. Her body craved more, but the fear drowned it out. How would they survive like this? How could she bear it without him? Maybe he would give up after a few hours when he learned what a wimp she was. But Stone didn’t give up. Hour after hour passed until night fell. Stone didn’t leave her side even when it was time for her to eat. Jamie brought in a light meal, and Tielle did her best to eat with Stone. She didn’t want him to feed her as Jamie had. When Jamie had gone home for the night, Stone lay on Tielle’s bed in his boxers with Tielle on top of him, her back to his chest. He had turned the TV on as if they were a normal couple, but she was sure he had no idea what was happening on the screen. He’d encouraged her to sleep, but each time she closed her eyes, a nightmare about him would begin. “I could use dragon song,” he said out of the blue. “What?” He hesitated and then let his hold on her loosen. Tielle tried to scramble away, but he pulled her back. When he spoke, she heard the anguish in his tone. “For the first time in my life, I wish I was normal. From the moment I knew about the gene all of my family has, I thought it 147

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

was a gift, and now I see it as a curse. I’d give anything to give it up, just to be close to you without you trembling.” He stroked her cheek. “Tielle.” She thought she heard the cry of his heart and knew deep in her soul, she responded. “Why do I know you used the song on me before? Noah said it was a part of the magic of it, that the person it’s used on doesn’t know it was used.” He turned her to face him. “It’s because of love.” She frowned. “I’m serious,” he insisted. “I told you from the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. I think I loved you a little at that moment. When the dragon gives his heart away, that person has access to him in ways no one else does. My magic is less effective.” “Meaning you can’t pull the wool over my eyes?” He grinned for the first time in seemingly forever. “Yes.” “Then sing to me, Stone,” she begged. “Make the fear go away. Charm my heart and my mind, and bind us together forever.” Hope rose in his dark eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t want to do anything you wouldn’t like.” “I’m sure.” She forced her eyes closed. “Do it, or we’ll never be happy.” With a deep, rumbling lilt to each word, Stone started out low and sensual. He wove gentle commands for Tielle not to be afraid into a song about the beauty of Ireland, the rolling green hills, and the freedom found in the sky as he flew. Tielle could almost see his great wings pumping in slow motion as he moved far above the ground. As he continued, the anxiety melted away, giving her relief at last. When the final note faded, she knew she was well. She opened her eyes and looked down at herself. There was no shaking, not even a small tremor. “I thought you said you couldn’t deceive me. If I am truly afraid, how could the magic take it away?” “Because what you want more than anything is to be my wife.” She laughed, and Stone acted like the sun had come out. The man’s love for her took her breath away. Joy filled her knowing how he felt. “Are you asking me to marry you?” “I am if you’ll say yes.” “Yes!” She threw herself against his chest, a far cry from how she’d been acting from the moment she learned what he was. No nervousness rose. Her love for him overwhelmed her instead—along with a powerful need to explore his hard body. Tielle leaned back and ran her hand down 148

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

Stone’s chest to his solid abs, then lower to his cock. His shaft grew under her fingertips. Stone swore. “You’re not afraid anymore, are you?” Being silly, she pouted. “You’re denying me?” “Never!” He scooped her up into his arms, and she squeaked. “Where are we going?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “To shower. We’ll start in there and see where it leads us.” Stone set her down on her feet outside the shower and tugged her nightgown over her head. She glanced up to find such lust in his eyes, it sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. It had been forever since they’d made love although only a few days. Tielle slid her hands inside Stone’s boxers and pulled them down like her life depended on it. When his cock sprang free, she took it between her fingers, massaging and stroking him. She went up to her toes like she could guide him inside her with no help, but Stone eased her back. “Careful, honey. Let us get under the warm spray first. Trust me. I am just as hungry for you as you are for me.” He turned on the shower, and when the water was at a comfortable temperature, they stepped inside. Stone wasted no time in capturing her lips in a fiery kiss that curled her toes. Tielle leaned into him, running her hands up his arms, over his shoulders, and then to his nape to draw him closer. She arched against him and cried out when Stone inched a hand between them to find her pussy. His fingers parting her folds, teasing her wet entrance, threatened to make her come long before she wanted to. She caught his hand to hold him in place and broke the kiss. “You’re going to make me come.” “That’s the idea.” His lips trailed to her throat. “Mm, sweet chocolate. Nothing can compare to you, Tielle. I want you every day.” Exploring lower, he captured her nipple and sucked gently before laving the rigid peak. Tielle’s legs gave out, but Stone held her wedged against his amazing body. With drooping eyelids, Tielle stared down at him, loving every sinewy muscle, every curve and plain. Concentrating on exploring his body became impossible because of what he did to hers with his tongue. He lifted one of her breasts toward his hungry mouth and nipped all around her areola. When she came near to losing her mind, he upped the pleasure by taking hold of her other breast and bringing the two 149

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

together. The moment he sucked both nipples into his mouth at once, Tielle cried out. She couldn’t believe she was coming from stimulation to her nipples alone. While Stone teased endlessly, she slid two fingers up her channel and worked herself through her orgasm. “No.” Stone released her breasts and dropped to his knees. “You don’t get to make yourself come. That’s for me to do.” With those words, he plunged his tongue into her pussy, swiped her juices once, and then locked onto her clit. Tielle was ready to climb the walls as he brought her keening through from one climax and then on to the next. She knotted her fingers in his hair and drove him harder into her bud while she pumped her hips. When she came a third time panting and calling out his name, Stone raised his head and peppered soft kisses over her thigh. He changed their position so he rested against the back of the tub and the water rained down cooling their hot bodies. But Stone was not done with her. He lifted her facing him on his lap and brought her down on his stiff cock. Tielle dug her nails into his shoulders. His grunt rumbled in her ear. “I’ve had you so many times, and yet you’re so tight. It feels so good, baby. I might lose it before I want to.” “Hey, don’t blame me. It’s because you’re so damn big.” She arched to drive him deeper, and gasped when he did. She was right. The man had to have swollen thicker since the last time. But it felt so right. Tielle didn’t care about the details. She wrapped an arm around his neck to steady herself and rode him hard. Stone tensed and then matched her rhythm. He caught the back of her thighs, drove them higher and plunged as much of his lengthy rod into her as he could. Wanting to take it to another level, Tielle leaned back and reached under her to stroke his balls. Stone shouted, and emptied his hot seed inside of her. Tielle soon followed whimpering his name. Weak and spent, they stood up to wash away the evidence of their coupling. Tielle’s limbs shook, and Stone looked into her eyes with alarm. She gave him a limp smile. “It’s not fear, my love. It’s exhaustion. And you want to do that every day!” He grinned. “That’s a problem?” She swiped at his chest and let her heavy head rest there while she caught her breath. “Stone?” “Hmm?” He was busy soaping her mesh sponge to wash her body. Tielle couldn’t wait to feel his hands all over her. Just thinking of it was 150

Dragon Song

Jordyn Tracey

getting her excited again, but she had to ask about the last thing that was worrying her, or she would never be truly happy. “About Monica…” She didn’t know how to say it, or maybe she didn’t want to know the truth. Clenching her hands into fists, she blurted it out. “Are you two still lovers?” “What?” The shock on his face seemed genuine. Stone dropped the sponge and lifted her chin to stare into her eyes. “Tielle, I don’t ever want you to worry about her. I don’t have a cell in my body that desires her at this point. There is not and never will be another woman other than you. Do you understand?” She nodded dumbly. He nuzzled her cheek and then kissed her. “If it will make you feel more comfortable, we don’t ever have to return to Ireland.” Her eyes widened. “You’d do that for me?” “I’d give my life for you, woman. Haven’t you figured that out yet? Have you not seen the monumental wimp I’ve become over you?” She laughed. “Well I did notice the puppy dog eyes you were giving me.” He smacked her ass. She yelped at the sting. Stone was just getting over the fear of thinking he’d lost her and then believing they couldn’t be together. But she had been just teasing him with the allusion to him being whipped. Something told her the same dominant lover she’d enjoyed from day one was still there. It flashed in his eyes when his lust ignited. Tielle curled herself into his arms. “Don’t give up home. I love Ireland, and I’m looking forward to rubbing it in Einin’s face that this poor little black woman saved his life.” She laughed. Stone growled and flipped her around to spoon her ass. “What have I gotten myself into?” Tielle leaned forward and pressed her ass into his groin. “Into me.” Her invitation was clear. Stone lifted one of her thighs and sank deep inside her warmth. “Oh yeah, right where I want to be. Forever.”

The End

151

About the Author Jordyn is the author of several works in the interracial romance genre. Sometimes her heroines have a bite to them, and sometimes they are of a gentler spirit. But all the time, her heroines are like real women, just trying to make a living and keep it moving, no matter what comes her way-whether it is a werewolf's bite or a sexy hero wanting to make her his possession. Jordyn loves to write according to her moods, from contemporary to sci-fi to fantasy to paranormal. Visit Jordyn on the Web on her blog at http://jordyntracey.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jordyn.tracey

Sugar and Spice Press Where romance is everything nice. www.SugarNSpicePress.com