Her heart raced as she took a closer look at him. The deep blue lightened slightly on his underbelly. His talons were razor-sharp. His long tail had a stinger on the end of it, reminding her of a scorpion.
Cain stood as still as a statue, giving her time to take him in. She could feel his eyes on her, but she wasn’t ready to look at his face yet. Instead, she lingered on his wings tucked against him. They were the same blue as his scales but appeared leathery.
She looked at the top of his back where she would be sitting and noticed the double row of spines that trailed all the way down to the base of his tail. At least she would have something to hold onto.
Finally, she looked at his face and into the huge pale yellow eyes staring at her. His nostrils flared as he drew in a deep breath. As he blew out, the force of the air lifted her hair.
Cain moved so he was lying down. She knew it was now or never. Either she grabbed hold of the adventure he offered, or she forever remained on the ground, wondering what it was like to be taken for a ride on a Dragon King.
Her life could end tomorrow. She was going to take whatever was offered to her and experience it to its fullest. She gave Cain a smile and walked to his side. She used his front leg to climb up.
It was awkward, and she nearly fell off twice, but she finally managed to get settled. It wasn’t until she looked down that she saw how far she was from the ground. And Cain hadn’t even spread his wings.
He got to his feet, and she could tell he was being cautious. She held onto the spikes before her, using the ones behind her to lean against.
Cain spread his wings, and an excited thrill went through her. He gave her no warning before he launched himself into the air. The force of it took her breath away. Her hands slipped on the spikes, but thankfully, the ones at her back held her in place. She squeezed her legs as hard as she could to help keep herself steady, but it did little good.
It wasn’t long before he leveled out, allowing her a little breathing room so she didn’t feel as if she were going to plunge to her death in the next heartbeat. The wind whipped about her, and the sound of his wings beating was a loud whoosh each time. Only then did she draw in a steadying breath and look around.
“Oh, wow,” she murmured.
The sight before her was so beautiful, she was at a loss for words. It was as if this part of the Fae Realm hadn’t been touched by war. She knew that wasn’t possible, however. Yet, there was no denying that something or someone had gone to a great deal of effort to return this section of the realm to the beauty that had once been here.
Cain remained high in the sky, but anyone who looked up would see him. Noreen felt like they had a target painted on them. Yet she couldn’t deny that their vantage point gave them a view they wouldn’t otherwise get.
The area within the shield was larger than she had thought possible. No matter how many passes they made, she didn’t see any signs of Fae or any other beings besides the animals.
She liked being on top of Cain. It was exhilarating and empowering. The idea that there might be an end to the dragons forever was like a knife to her heart. If she’d had any doubts about her decision to help the Kings before, they were well and truly gone now.
To her regret, she felt Cain begin his descent. She knew their time was up when she saw the lake coming into view. The sun was gone, and the sky was darkening, the stars becoming visible. She wanted to ask him to stay out a little longer. Instead, she held onto him and lifted her face upward to let the wind brush against her.
Before she knew it, Cain had landed. She gingerly dismounted and looked into his eyes. He remained in his true form for a heartbeat longer before he shifted.
Noreen’s stomach fluttered at the sight of him nude. Cain was utter perfection. Hard sinew covered every inch of him from his broad shoulders, to his thick arms, washboard stomach, and toned legs.
Her gaze caught on the dragon tattoo on his chest. The red and black ink formed an intricate design of him as a dragon, standing with his head turned to the side and his mouth open, his wings half-spread. The tail ended just below his navel, and she couldn’t stop her gaze as it lowered to his cock.
He was semi-hard, but the moment she looked at him, it jutted upward as if straining to get to her.
She didn’t even attempt to deny the desire that swelled within her at the sight of him. It had already been there, swirling and tightening. Now, it demanded release.
It demanded him.
She raised her gaze to his face. Their eyes clashed. Desire burned in his, leaving her no doubt that he wanted her, too. She was the first to take a tentative step toward him. Once she had, he began to walk. They met halfway, but still didn’t touch.
He was right before her, and yet she was afraid to touch him, scared that this was all a dream. But if it were, she never wanted to wake up.
Her heart skipped a beat when his gaze dropped to her mouth. She wanted his kiss, needed it. To taste him, to feel his tongue against hers. She thought about flying through the sky upon his back and knew that being in his arms, having him fill her with his gorgeous cock was going to be just as thrilling, just as breathtaking.
His hands slid to either side of her face as he searched her eyes. His thumbs moved gently across her cheeks. Then his head lowered.
Her eyes shut as his mouth drew near. She waited, her breath locked in her lungs, awaiting the feel of his lips against hers. The moment they touched, she sighed in contentment. His mouth was soft yet insistent. His lips moved over hers with practiced ease.
The instant his tongue slid into her mouth, his arms went around her, bringing her close. She melted against him, her hands lifting to hold onto him as their tongues danced, heightening the desire in her already heated body.
He deepened the kiss and moaned, making chills race over her skin. She held nothing back, giving as much as he did. One of his hands fisted a handful of her hair while the other pressed against her lower back, bringing her against his arousal. She dug her nails into his skin as she groaned in response.
Then, suddenly, he stepped back, ending the kiss. She tried to get her bearings, but the world was spinning, and the only one who could anchor her was Cain.
“You doona have to,” he said in a voice roughed by need. “This isna part of my deal to protect you.”
She reached for him, blinking to focus. “Shut up and kiss me.”
He didn’t need to be told again. The next instant, she was plastered against his body. And this time, the kiss was molten-hot. It scorched her, leaving her body quivering for more. The more he kissed her, the more she wanted his kisses.
Actually, she wanted all of him.
This time, she was the one who ended the kiss. When she stepped out of the circle of his arms, she used her magic to remove her clothes, leaving her as naked as he.
“Och, lass,” he murmured as his hot gaze raked over her. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
There was a smile on her face when she reached for him for another kiss.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The desire was inescapable. It consumed Cain, enveloping him in a cocoon of lust that drowned out everything else. There was only Noreen.
The hunger, the yearning within him was dark and ominous. He knew if he gave in, there would be no turning back. But he didn’t care. He had to have her, needed to taste her, hold her.
Claim her.
Cain rested his hands on her hips as she kissed him. Then he slid his hands upward, over the indent of her waist until his thumbs touched the undersides of her breasts. His balls tightened when he felt her hard-tipped nipples against his chest.