“Recall later?” I lift a brow in question. I didn’t expect this conversation. As great as it’s making me feel, it isn’t leading anywhere good. I like hearing him say these things, though. I like it too much.
Stephan chuckles. He shakes his head. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
“And if I do?” I know I’m flirting. I can’t help myself. I shouldn’t, and yet…I want to.
“I’m sure you can guess. Let’s just say that I’ve been taking long-ass showers lately. I recall how your legs looked in those shorts the other night. In my fantasies, there’s ripping of material…lace… There’s lifting of a certain dress over your hips… Fuck, Raven.” He paces away from me. Stands there for a few seconds and then walks back. “We can’t do this. It would cause too much shit.”
“I know,” I say. “But maybe I don’t care,” I blurt the words before I can stop them. I’m not sorry, though.
“I care. I care about you. You had that vision. What if you see more? What if…?” He shakes his head.
What if my vision comes about, and I can’t help him stop it?
What if I see more and it’s worse?
What if…?
I’m glad he didn’t bring up West. I feel everything in me tense. I nod. “You’re right. We’re adults. We’re in control of ourselves. Besides, I leave in a couple of days. We’re attracted to each other, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hang out. It’s not like you’re going to lose control and jump me.”
His jaw tightens for a moment. Like maybe he will do just that. My breath quickens in response. My bra is feeling tight. My panties feel like they are rubbing. My scales are rubbing. My dragon is pacing inside me.
“I won’t jump you,” he finally says. “But it won’t be easy.” He smiles.
“It’ll be tough, but I promise not to jump you, either.” I laugh softly.
Stephan’s smile grows.
“I really want to spread my wings. I need it.” If I can’t have sex, flying will be the next best thing.
“I need it too.” His eyes get this look…like he isn’t talking about flying anymore.
“Release.” I don’t mean it like that. Maybe I do! Shit!
“Yes.” His nostrils flare. “That, and letting loose…just a little.”
“Just a little.”
“Let me get some shoes, and we can go.”
I grin so hard my face feels like it’s going to split in two. I know we can’t act on our attraction, but it feels good to know that Stephan feels the same way about me as I do about him. It feels good to know we’re going to spend time together. I want to be with him. That’s the long and the short of it.
Stephanus
No jumping each other.
No looking at each other like we want to devour one another.
Definitely no long showers. No fantasizing about what I would do to this woman if we did cross the line…which we’re not going to do.
I can do this!
I can!
Raven pulls her shirt over her head…and holy fucking shit! I turn around, but not before I see her tits. Her bra is lacy. I’m breathing hard. My dick is getting hard.
Jesus!
Her tits are lush as fuck, and encased in white lace. I need to think about other things. I can’t undress and shift with an erection. Think about other things! Do it. Now!
“You okay?” she asks.
“Yes…I’m good,” I say, shocked when my voice is calm and even. It reflects nothing of my actual emotions. I pull my own shirt off and unsnap my jeans. Then I toe my boots off. I pull in a few lungfuls of air before pulling down my jeans.
“Commando…nice,” Raven says from behind me.
I chuckle through my nose. “You shouldn’t be watching me undress.”
“Why not?” She sounds like she’s smiling, but there’s no way in hell I’m turning around, or all bets are off. I might just jump her after all. “We’re shifters…nudity is normal. My overreaction the last time was not. I’m trying to act normal here.”
“I’m only half-shifter. I’m going to avoid looking at you naked, Raven. Otherwise, not jumping you might just be off the cards.”
She laughs. “You’re also half-god…they’re much worse than shifters. Even orgies are okay with the gods. You can look, but you can’t touch.”
“No looking…no touching…no nothing.” My voice is a low growl. I’m still sporting a semi. It’s been over a year since I was with a woman. The sex was quick and not very satisfying. I don’t even remember her name. I know that she is destined to get married. I saw that she will have four children, and then her husband is going to leave her for a younger woman. I warned her against marrying the bozo, but I don’t think she listened. Most humans don’t; they think I’m crazy. Even when I give them details that I couldn’t possibly know. They become afraid. I don’t blame them. I’m somewhat of a freak.
“Let’s do this thing,” I hear her say. Her voice is animated. Right afterward, I hear cracking and a whooshing sound. I feel a light puff of air against my back.
I shift. It takes a damn sight longer than it did for her. It’s almost like I can feel every muscle rope. Every ligament and tendon stretch. I feel my scales erupt. I feel wings and a tail grow. I feel my teeth sharpen and lengthen. I feel all of it. The seconds tick by until I’m finally in my dragon form. I turn to face her.
Fuck me!
A rumble is pulled from my chest. Raven is a beautiful dragon. Even in her scales, she takes my breath away. Her eyes are huge. They’re the same gorgeous green, but with slits. Her scales are black and gleaming in the moonlight. Fucking hell! I think my mouth must have fallen open.
Her tail swooshes from side to side, and she gives a little leap, her wings flap once. Raven is small for a dragon. But then she’s petite in her human form; nothing has changed. Her eyes sparkle with excitement.
Another deep rumble comes from inside my chest. It’s a rumble of approval.
She makes a purring noise. Then she spreads her wings and takes to the sky. I follow suit. Raven might be small, but she’s fast. I have to work to keep up with her. Then again, her body is sleek and light, whereas I’m huge and weighty.
It feels so good to be out here. To feel the wind under my wings. To stretch my muscles. To beat my wings and to fly…to fly.
Freedom.
Raven does a twirl and then freefalls. I follow her. She makes a noise that is the dragon equivalent of laughing. I do the same. It’s wonderful…it’s amazing…it’s—
There is a sharp pain on my wings, and I am freefalling. I see large, dark shapes. Several of them…too many of them. They’re closing in on Raven. I should see better than I am. Why can’t I see well? Why am I falling?
What is going on?
I try to say her name, but my throat won’t work. I can’t form words. Not in my dragon form. I screech a warning just as I hit the ground…hard. I feel bones break. Excruciating pain shoots through every part of me. I hear Raven screech. She’s still in the sky above. The sound is filled with fear. That, and anger.