Cadmium Dragon Read online

  And it didn’t take her long, between the sensual heat surrounding them and the fevered pace of his finger on her center .

  “Cadmium!” she screamed out, nails biting into his shoulders like delightful pinpricks. She quivered, riding out her pleasurable release for several long moments before slowly relaxing in his arms again .

  He was so turned on by this beautiful, confident, curvy woman that had come into his life from nowhere but had changed everything for the better. If eternity with her was somehow wrong, then he’d pay whatever the price was to have it .

  But everything about the two of them together felt right. And it only felt more right with each passing moment .

  He tore the soft fabric of Casey’s panties and pushed them aside, letting his thumb touch her clit directly, and she twitched from the stimulation of it. But as he slowly caressed her, making tiny circles then slowly stroking upward, she started to push her hips into his hand, intensifying the pleasure. When he pressed a little harder, she came again, and Casey wrapped herself around him like a shipwrecked human clutching a rock for safety .

  From here on out, he was going to be here for Casey. No matter what .

  She thrashed with her orgasm, making the water ripple around them until it had ridden its course through her .

  “Wow. I’d always imagined what it would be like to do something like this. But this is…” Casey said, skin glowing from exhaustion and heat .

  “Amazing,” Cadmium said, nuzzling her nose, making her giggle. But the feel of her hands tugging downward on his underwear distracted him, the thin fabric pulling on him .

  “Allow me,” he said, removing them for her and holding her hips with his hands, ready to take her completely. “Just so you know, when we come together like this, with nothing between us, we’ll be mated .”

  “This is it?” she asked expectantly, breath racing as the snow around them intensified, the little flakes becoming larger .

  “Yes,” Cadmium said reassuringly. “Then I’ll be yours forever. Though you already had me from the start .”

  “Let’s do it,” she said .

  And at that, they came together, bodies joining in rapturous, wet energy. Cadmium grasped Casey as she pulled herself to him. The slick friction was even hotter than the water around them, intensified by the swirling wetness surrounding their bodies .

  It felt so perfect, so right .

  Before Cadmium could even pull out, Casey pulled away from him slightly and thrust back down onto his cock, the water slowing the motion but enhancing the sensation of it. But by then, he’d regained his bearings, and he began to move with her, coming together in rhythmic motions that pushed his senses into overdrive .

  Yes, Cadmium definitely had to get a hot tub just for them both. Somewhere secret where only they could use it .

  Casey bit into his shoulder, arms wrapping around him tightly as he took over for her, moving with fevered thrusts that made his skin burn hotter than the tub’s water, hotter than even dragon fire almost .

  She muttered his name several times, an oath on her lips as he pushed deeper and deeper into her. He was so close to the edge, so close to his mate, as if he could reach out and touch his soul to hers .

  He thrust all the way in, the water sloshing around them in small waves that ricocheted off the sides as he submerged himself inside his mate. And with that, she came, crying out into the gray twilight as release swept over her .

  The strength of Casey’s release pulled Cadmium with her, and he held her close as everything went bright within him, every nerve firing in rapid succession over and over. Liquid heat burned at the place where their hips met, and he heard his dragon roaring in approval far off in the distance of his mind, proclaiming Casey as its mate .

  Cadmium reached down between them and stroked Casey’s clit, pushing her into another orgasm, which in turn only further drew out his own release. The world ended and began with the edge of the hot tub as water swirled around them and erotic sensations pulsed inside .

  Finally, when it was all over, Casey looked up to Cadmium, blushing and exhausted and satisfied, hair wet and mussed all around her .

  “Just… wow,” she said .

  “I love you,” Cadmium said, snuggling her close, still inside her and not wanting to move from this spot .

  “I love you, too, Cadmium,” she said, returning his affection with a kiss on his lips. He growled and wrapped a hand behind her neck, holding her lips to his for an incredible, long moment .

  Eventually, they’d have to get up, get her things together, head home. Then, if they were lucky, he’d show her exactly how much he loved her again in their bedroom. But for now, it was enough to simply be alive, to be near the one woman who meant everything to him. To enjoy the feel of hot water and cold snow. To sit beneath a winter sky as night slowly made its way over them like a dark blanket .

  Soon, there would be things to do. A life to build together. But right now, he was just enjoying the best and greatest package that could have ever showed up on his doorstep .

  His mate .

  Epilogue

  C asey stared up at the huge, shimmering shape on the snowy grass in front of her, wondering at the fact that such things could exist in her world .

  Cadmium’s dragon form was more than she’d ever imagined. As tall as a house, with silvery scales that reflected gold from certain angles. His wings were large and silvery-gray, with little golden spikes dotted along the joints .

  His claws were gold and silver as well. But his eyes were all him, brown at the outside and turning to a golden hue that she’d seen flash at her once in a while when he was still keeping his secret .

  He turned and looked around him as snow continued to fall, then gave her an expectant glance .

  “Okay, you can come down now,” she said .

  He transformed, the air shimmering around him, the ground shaking. When it was over, he was simply walking toward her, dressed as he was before in a simple navy-blue jacket and jeans .

  He’d explained that unlike werewolves (in movies and real life), the same magic that allowed dragons to shift made it so they kept their form the same, including clothing, when they reverted .

  “What did you think?” he asked, tucking his hair behind one ear as he approached. He looked slightly nervous, but she had no idea why. Everything about him was beautiful, and his dragon form only emphasized that fact .

  “Amazing,” she said. “I think Benny was lucky you didn’t transform all the way .”

  “I couldn’t risk it,” Cadmium said. “There would be big problems if I was seen by others around, and besides, I didn’t need to be a dragon to take on that puny human .”

  “Well, you were sort of partly dragon,” she said, hooking an arm through his .

  “That’s true,” he said. “But only because I was angry. I didn’t need to transform to kick his ass .”

  “My hero,” she said as they walked back to the mansion, where the dragons were probably still trying to figure out the new delivery that Cadmium had ordered. The shipping container had been huge, and while they were distracted, it had been a good time for Cadmium to show his true form to his mate .

  Arsenic, Chromium, and Cobalt were coming around the back of the house, hauling the huge box between them. When they reached the back deck, they set it down on a flat area and began to open it up .

  “What is it?” Arsenic asked, looking over at Cadmium. “You’re being suspiciously quiet .”

  “You’ll see,” Cadmium said. His hand moved down to Casey’s butt and squeezed, and she squeaked and jumped, warming to his touch. It had been a week in the house, and she was getting used to this crazy world she was in. Used to the fact that her man had more to him than she’d ever guessed. She was enjoying getting to know him, and every day together just validated her choice to stay .

  They were officially mated and she would be with him for life, and none of that scared her at all .

  Someday they might ev
en visit his planet, but who knew? When things calmed down, they could even go visit her family, but since she hadn’t been in touch with them in a while, it wouldn’t have to be very soon .

  “It’s wood!” Chromium yelled, stepping back .

  “And glass,” Arsenic said as he stared at the hot tub. Cobalt had pulled the cover back, and they were all looking at the tub as if it were some kind of alien creature. Which was ironic, as the actual aliens were them .

  Then again, Casey assumed that being aliens totally depended on where someone was. In truth, she was the alien here, but thanks to Cadmium and her new friends, she never felt like it .

  “We need to fill it,” Cobalt said, walking over to a hose and hooking up to the water connection on the deck. “It appears to be some kind of bathing apparatus .”

  Cadmium walked forward, scratching his head. “It’s called a hot tub, and it is very good for sore muscles. Given that the oracle said we are getting close to a breakthrough on another rescue mission, I thought it couldn’t hurt for us to be in good shape and ready to relax when we get back.” He put a hand up and let a few flakes fall down. “Besides, it is interesting to have the warm contrasting with the cold. It should help us regulate our body temperatures this winter .”

  “And you’ve tried this where?” Arsenic asked .

  “Casey’s house,” Cadmium said, flushing slightly as he looked at her with a rakish grin .

  “I have one. Had one,” she said. “I guess now I have one again .”

  “I’ll get this going,” Arsenic said, grabbing the hose from Cobalt and jerking on it stubbornly .

  Cobalt shrugged and went over to get the manual, burying his nose in it as he sat on one of the chairs on the deck .

  With the dragons scattered around, chatting and figuring out the tub, it truly felt like home. Maybe Brittany and Lead would even come up, but Casey guessed, with Lead’s jealousy, he probably wouldn’t let his mate use the tub with the other dragons .

  Would Cadmium let her use this one as well? Probably only when it was the two of them .

  The tub was filling when Zinc came out, looking refreshed as he stepped onto the deck, a robe on over his tee shirt and lounge pants. He looked healthier than usual, and there was color to his normally pale cheeks. His dark-gray hair was tousled, and he gave her a kind smile as he walked out onto the deck to join her and Cadmium .

  “What’s this , then ?”

  “A hot tub,” Cadmium said. “Cobalt can probably explain it better at this point, given that he’s already halfway through the book on it .”

  Casey giggled. “Yes, I suppose. Anyway, it’s just a tub of heated water with jets that soothe your muscles .”

  “Sounds amazing,” Zinc said. He put a hand out for Casey’s and then lifted it to his lips and kissed it. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around much to meet you, but I’m very glad you’ve come around .”

  She flushed and heard Cadmium growl, and Zinc released her with a grin, looking at his friend .

  “Down, boy,” Zinc said. “Cadmium jealous. Now that’s something I never thought to see.” He jammed his hands into the pockets of his robe and rocked back on his heels. “Besides, old friend, you know that’s how I greet females on our planet .”

  “Well, you can stop when it comes to my mate,” Cadmium spat, wrapping both arms around Casey and pulling her in against him possessively .

  Zinc just laughed as he took a seat on a chair and watched the dragons who were filling the hot tub .

  “That goes for me, too,” Lead said, stepping out onto the deck with Brittany in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her and looked up at the falling snow and curled protectively over his mate. Then he glared at Zinc. “I don’t care about your ‘royal’ customs. Keep your hands off my mate .”

  Zinc put his hands up. “I wouldn’t want to make anyone unhappy.” His twinkling, dark-gray eyes met Casey’s. “Take good care of Cadmium. He’s one of my best friends .”

  “Best friend and you know it,” Cadmium said stubbornly, resting his chin on top of Casey’s head. She loved when he did that .

  “I don’t know,” Zinc said. “Mercury’s been pretty useful as well .”

  “What about me?” Mercury asked, stepping out onto the deck and closing the door behind him. He had some kind of bandage on his arm, almost as if he’d had a blood transfusion, and Casey wasn’t sure what that was about, but he seemed to be in good spirits .

  “You’ve been helping me,” Zinc said. “You know, donating blood .”

  “Oh, that,” Mercury said. “Well, I have enough to go around.” He took one of the remaining chairs, and his hard, cruel features softened as he let out a sigh. His silver eyes sparkled. “Marina’s coming home tonight .”

  “Wonderful,” Zinc said. “Now I’m going to be up all night. Can’t you guys find somewhere more private ?”

  “I can’t help where my room is,” Mercury said. “Why don’t you wear ear plugs ?”

  “Pervert,” Zinc said .

  “We need to get him a mate,” Mercury said with a grin at Cadmium .

  “This is true,” Cadmium said. “Wow, look. They’ve almost gotten it filled .”

  “I think Chromium bringing extra buckets from the house might have helped .”

  “It’s going to take a while to heat it,” Casey said but stopped when she saw that Arsenic and Chromium were both breathing fire over the water .

  Zinc gave her a nod of acknowledgement and then walked over to get a closer look .

  “Well, that takes care of that,” Casey said. “Looks like they’re going to be in there sooner than anyone has ever gotten to use a hot tub .”

  “Looks like it,” Cadmium said .

  “Will we go in?” Casey asked .

  “No,” Cadmium replied, taking her hand and pulling her out into the snow. “Come on. I have something to show you .”

  Casey walked along with him, making tracks in the snow as they walked toward the trees at the edge of the property, where everything was shaded and silent. The others were still talking and laughing on the deck, and she looked back to see Chromium was already stripping, preparing to go in the water .

  She couldn’t help laughing. “I hope they figure it out okay,” she said .

  “If not, they’re dragons. They’re durable,” Cadmium said .

  As they reached the trees, she saw a large, wooden shape hidden a ways back into the trees. Attached to it was probably the longest extension cord she’d ever seen in her life, winding all the way back through the trees to the other side of the deck .

  She grinned. “Is this what I think it is ?”

  “Yes,” he said, pulling the cover back and taking his shirt off. “You didn’t think I’d let you go in the hot tub with the other dragons, did you ?”

  She laughed, flushing. “Not really. I don’t think Lead will let Brittany either. It’ll probably be a total sausage party .”

  “What?” Cadmium said, pausing in getting dressed and looking up with interest in the direction of the house. “I love sausage .”

  “Oh?” Casey said, resisting a laugh .

  “Oh, yes,” Cadmium said. “I like Chromium’s best, but I would be willing to try other sausage as well .”

  “What about Zinc? Do you like Zinc’s sausage?” She snorted, unable to keep back a laugh at Cadmium’s innocent expression as he considered it .

  “Zinc?” Cadmium asked. “I’ve never seen any of Zinc’s sausage, but I assume it would be top notch. Tasty and beautiful as well .”

  “What about Arsenic?” she asked, bent over and holding an arm over her waist as she kept back her silent laughs .

  “His would probably taste terrible. Even if he tried to force it in my mouth, I don’t think I could swallow it .”

  She fell onto her knees, laughing hysterically, unable to take anymore. Cadmium watched in confusion, his head cocked .

  “ Excuse me ?”

  “I… sausage means…” She wiped tears
of mirth from her eyes. “It means a guy’s…” She gestured in the area of her hips, and Cadmium’s eyes widened and then narrowed .

  He let out an offended gasp, and the next thing she knew, she was hefted into his arms and plopped into the tub, which was already filled and heated .

  She came up sputtering. “Cadmium! I’m still in my clothes .”

  “I’ll make it up to you,” he said, jumping in with her, still in his jeans. He stripped them off and tossed them out of the hot tub and then pulled her into his arms. “Besides, you’re the one who needs to be punished, talking about other men’s sausage.” He scowled .

  She stroked his face, thinking him utterly adorable. “It’s okay,” she said. “The only sausage I’m interested in is yours .”

  He shook his head, his hair wet and tousled from snow and hot tub steam. “I don’t like that name for it.” His arms tightened around her, so big and secure. “So wait, a sausage party is — ”

  “A crude human way to refer to a gathering where there are too many guys compared to girls .”

  “Crude indeed,” he said, eyes going to slits .

  “Hey,” she said, putting up her hands. “I didn’t come up with it. Mostly guys use the phrase .”

  Cadmium’s eyes twinkled as he looked back at the house. “Maybe we can use it in front of the guys. Confuse them .”

  “Sure,” she said with a giggle .

  “I’d love to record Arsenic telling everyone they should taste his sausage,” Cadmium said with a laugh .

  “ Me , too .”

  “You’re wonderful. You know that?” Cadmium said, brushing Casey’s hair back with one hand. “I can’t wait for the rest of our lives .”

  “Aw, me, too,” she said, leaning her head against his chest. To be honest, this little tub in the middle of the trees was just perfect. A small piece of this world for their own .

  “So you want to christen this hot tub?” she asked, her lips tickling his ear. “I think the other dragons are going to be busy for a while, and they’re pretty far away .”

  His brown eyes twinkled as he nodded in response. “That’s why I put it right here.” Then his lips found hers, and time stopped as warmth overcame her. As her arms entwined around his neck and the kiss deepened, she felt her whole body relax .