Aiden: House of Flames Read online

  “Aiden,” she whispered. “I don’t understand this burning inside me. I’ve felt it since we first met. I’m used to being in control. But now I want to let go. I want to give in to this need, to be close to you. I wish I could explain it, but I can’t.”

  He turned to her and gathered her in his arms, his eyes blazing. The heat of his body radiated through her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he claimed her lips before the words escaped.

  She moaned, relieved he had silenced the confusion. His tongue pressed between her lips, tasting the flavor of her mouth. Champagne lingered on his breath. She gripped the lapels of his jacket and drew him closer as their kiss deepened.

  He cupped the small of her back and the nape of her neck, holding her in an all-encompassing embrace. His body crushed against her as passion intensified between them. She had to pull away to catch her breath before their hunger drew unwanted attention from the other resort guests.

  “I have a suite,” he whispered. “There are two rooms…”

  “Let’s go,” she said, cutting him off.

  His hot breath blew over her forehead. Together they hurried through the resort, into an elevator, and down a luxuriously appointed hallway. He drew the key card from his pocket and opened the door at the end of the hall.

  Inside was a lavish suite with large leather couches, a kitchenette with gray granite counters, a big-screen TV, a balcony overlooking the sweeping view, and doors to two separate bedrooms. It must have cost a fortune. A massive bouquet of lilies and roses sat on the table in the dining room filling the suite with intoxicating fragrance.

  “Wow, this is gorgeous,” she said, stepping into the room and twirling around.

  “I hope it is to your liking.”

  She stepped toward him. “You don’t have to try so hard.”

  “I do. I cannot lose you. I need you…because of who you are. You are strong and good. You see so much beauty in the world. I want to see the world through your eyes. At least to be near you as much as I can.”

  “Aiden,” she said her voice quivering.

  She tilted her head and gazed up into his burning, wounded eyes. Her heart ached, wanting to soothe his pain. It made her feel such a deep well of affection for him. Affection that was growing at breakneck speed. Could she be falling in love? If she had ever known what love felt like, then this was it.

  She threw herself into his arms and kissed him hard on the mouth. He growled and picked her up, cradling her against his chest. His kisses became ravenous as he carried her through the room, finally losing his cool, measured control. She was so relieved. Now they could lose control together. He laid her on the bed and ripped off his jacket, throwing it on the ground. His tie came next and then the buttons of his shirt. He pulled it off and threw it away, leaving him naked to the waist.

  The light of a single lamp glowed on the hard planes of his chest and stomach. Winnifred bit her lip, feeling her body tingle with need. He stalked toward her, leaning over her on the bed and kissing her like a hungry beast. Winnie let out a deep groan and gave in to the all-consuming need building inside her. She laid back across the bed as he kissed her face, her mouth, her cheeks her forehead.

  She leaned up on her elbow and pulled off her sweater and dress, dropping them on the floor beside the bed. Underneath she wore simple white lace underthings. He made a rumbling noise in the back of his throat at the sight of the dark skin of her breasts against the white lace. He palmed her breasts, running his finger along the exposed flesh just above the line of her bra. He kissed her neck, snarling like the animal that hid inside him.

  Aiden sank between her legs, his hard, throbbing shaft pressing against her wet core. He reached behind her back and unhooked her bra. He pulled it away, revealing her tight, rosy brown nipples.

  He sucked the tight bud of her nipple into his mouth, kneading the flesh of her breasts as he pressed his manhood against her entrance. She groaned and arched her back, running her hands through Aiden’s wavy black hair.

  He kissed over her belly, sinking lower. His hands slipped down her sides and pulled off her panties as his knees settled on the floor beside the bed. Aiden licked along the insides of her thighs leaving a trail of burning need. Her core throbbed and she ran her hands over her stomach, framing her pelvic mound with her fingers.

  “Aiden,” she whimpered.

  He licked the slit between her legs with the flat of his hot tongue and her entire body quivered as she sucked a trembling breath through her open mouth.

  Aiden pressed his tongue against her clit, wagging with the speed of her favorite vibrator. She moaned, her eyes widening at the intensity of pleasure. Winnifred groaned and arched her back, panting and breathless as he consumed her. His tongue played on her most sensitive parts, slid down her slit, and thrust inside her channel. She mewled at the wet, soft penetration.

  He pulled back and continued to slide his tongue around and over her clit. The pleasure built like a geyser getting ready to burst. Aiden held Winnie’s thighs, pressing her legs open and then sucked her clit into his mouth, gently nibbling at the swollen bud.

  The geyser burst from deep underground, pleasure sprinkling over her body. She let out a long, keening moan. Aiden laid the flat of his tongue against her slit, holding there as she ran her fingers through his hair.

  He didn’t stop. He pressed his wet fingers against her entrance as he nibbled on her clit, building her up again after the avalanche of pleasure that had just knocked her down. Aiden gazed up at her with dark hooded eyes. His long black lashes cast a shadow over his blue irises. He smiled, his roguish tongue pressed against her pleasure, as his fingers hooked inside her.

  Aiden pressed against her g-spot as his tongue wagged over her clit. Winnie groaned, calling out his name, calling out to god and the universe, anyone who would listen to her prayer of thanks. She was consumed by a pleasure so deep, she felt she was falling into a bottomless well.

  He rumbled against her clit, stroking her inner pleasure. She was swept away yet again. It came abruptly, like a sneak attack. Winnie gritted her teeth, arching forward as she gripped his hair. The throbbing orgasm permeated every cell of her being. As it subsided, she lay back on the bed, panting.

  Winnifred pulled him up to her and kissed his salty mouth, reaching for the buckle of his belt. She could feel his stiff cock beneath the fabric of his slacks. She felt the thickness of his throbbing length, wanting to see it and touch it and feel it inside her.

  He took her hand and drew it away, shaking his head. Winnie looked up at him, through the shadows of his hair, trying to see his eyes.

  “But, I want to,” she said.

  “I can’t.”

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, thinking it was something she’d done.

  “Nothing is wrong. If I’m inside you, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back. I’ll have to claim you as my mate. There’s no turning back from that. Before I make love to you, I need to know that you’re ready,” he said sinking to his knees in front of her, revealing the pained look on his face. “I need to know you are prepared to be mine forever.”

  “That’s quite a commitment,” she whispered.

  She wanted him. Oh, yes. She wanted that long, thick shaft inside her, pummeling her over and over again. But he was right. Winnie wasn’t ready to be claimed as his mate. She didn’t even quite understand what that meant. She was relieved that he had stopped and believed him when he said he didn’t know if he could control himself.

  Aiden had shown unbelievable restraint, and as much as she wanted him, she wasn’t going to pressure him to test the limits of his will. But she wasn’t going to leave him hanging.

  “I think I know a solution,” she said, reaching out to him. “You won’t have to hold back. And I can give you what you need.”

  “But…” he said as she stroked his cock over his pants.

  “Trust me,” she whispered, pulling him toward her.

  His eyes widened as she unbuckled his pants an
d she slid them down his hips. His cock was huge. The biggest she’d ever seen. Long and thick, with smooth skin that was velvety to the touch. She grasped him, gripping the base of his shaft. Aiden groaned in surprise and threaded his fingers through her hair.

  “What are you doing?” he whispered as she licked.

  “I’m pretty sure this works on dragons,” she murmured, swirling her tongue around the head of his dick. “Does it feel good?”

  “Oh, yes. It’s working,” he grunted. “I’ve never…”

  “Shhh. Just let me.”

  “By the gods, Winnie…”

  She giggled and took his dick into her mouth, sucking as she stroked his length with both of her hands. Aiden’s slick shaft was so long and thick, she knew she’d suffocate if she tried to take all of it. The smell of him intoxicated her with burning need. It made her want to try.

  She stacked her hands under her mouth and began to move up and down, soaking his cock in a slow, steady motion. He groaned, sounding more like a roaring dragon than a man. She sucked him deeper as she dipped lower and lower with each stroke. She gently squeezed his cock with her fingers, gripping rhythmically as she moved over his length.

  “Fuck…” he barked, fisting her hair at the back of her head.

  He was losing his restraint. She could feel the tension in his hips, needing to thrust into her. She pulled away, gasping for air, gripping his wet cock with her hands for control. If he pumped into her mouth, she was afraid it might drown her. She looked up at him, desire and fear mingling in a heady concoction that became full blown lust.

  “Don’t hurt me,” she breathed, smiling up at him.

  His eyes blazed as his hand tightened in her hair. “Don’t stop,” he commanded. “I won’t move.”

  She whimpered and slid her hands up his dick, sucking the tip. His cock was throbbing with pent-up need. She knew he’d come at any second. Holding her mouth around the head of his dick, sucking feverishly, she stroked her gathered hands up and down his length. Faster and faster as his cock swelled, pulsating in her grip. She whimpered as he pushed her down on his cock just slightly, growling above her as his hand twisted in her hair.

  “I’m going to…” He sounded almost panicked. Like he had no idea what to do.

  Winnie willed him to come in her mouth. She wanted him. She wanted to make him climax. To taste him and feel his seed slip down her throat. She slid away with a needy grunt and glanced up at him for a split second.

  “Come for me, Aiden,” she purred.

  She enveloped him with her mouth and hands, sucking and stroking him toward release. Aiden let out a strangled groan, his entire body shuddered. He stroked her hair and cheeks as his seed shot deep into the back of her throat. She moaned, gulping down the hot flood. He tasted of musk and life, the flavor fresh and erotic. She licked up the last of it, panting and sticky. She fell back on the bed, spent and satisfied.

  Aiden fell to his knees beside her, gathering her waist in his arms. He rested his head on her stomach.

  “You are a goddess,” he murmured. “Where did you learn this mouth sex?”

  She giggled. “You mean after all the research you’ve done on romance, you’ve never heard of a blowjob? It’s pretty common for humans.”

  “Humans are very smart people,” he said, pulling his underwear up. “We dragons focused on wooing a woman. I imagined mating would take care of itself.”

  “Good thing I’m here to show you,” she said, running a finger up his forearm.

  “I hope I didn’t hurt you,” he said as they crawled under the covers.

  “You are the king of restraint. But you also have a king sized…um.” She chuckled.

  “Is my cock too big for you?” he asked, stroking her pelvis.

  Winnie giggled, holding him tight under the covers. She buried her head in his chest, inhaling his scent.

  “It was touch and go for a minute there,” she said, looking up at him. “But I think we worked it out.”

  “Good,” he said, breathing a sigh of relief.

  She still tasted him in her mouth. The flavor built a fire inside her that she knew could only be quenched one way. Now that she’d felt him with her hands and licked his length, she wanted him even more. If only she could allow herself to commit to him, to let down her walls and believe that love could be safe and true.

  She sighed, snuggling up against him. She was too tired to think about it now; she’d think about it in the morning. He wrapped his arms around her, and they slowly drifted off into a blissful, contented sleep.

  Chapter 16

  Aiden woke with his face buried in Winnifred’s hair, feeling as if he held the world in his arms. She slept soundly, her breath long and even. He pulled away, as if separating from his very life force and slid out of the bed. The memory of her face as she climaxed the night before was etched into his mind. It would forever be his definition of beauty. The way she’d stroked his cock…that thought made him instantly hard.

  Aiden crept through the room, not wanting to wake her. Regaining his control, he called down to the kitchen and ordered room service, a full breakfast for two with coffee and orange juice.

  He wrapped himself in one of the fluffy bathrobes from the resort and waited for the room service to arrive. There was a knock at his door not long after, and he let the hotel attendant wheel their cart into the room. The attendant set everything at the dining room table. Aiden tipped him, and he left with a nod and a smile.

  “Do I smell coffee?” Winnifred said, peeking out from behind the bedroom door.

  “I ordered us breakfast,” he said.

  She stepped out, wearing one of the bathrobes and slid into the chair beside him. She poured herself a cup of coffee and then uncovered her plate. It was full of scrambled eggs, French toast, sausage and bacon, and fresh fruit.

  “Ah, this looks so good,” she said.

  She began to dig into her breakfast, groaning and commenting on how delicious everything was.

  “A girl could get used to this kind of pampering.”

  “I have a day of recreation planned for us.”

  “Oh yeah,” said, sipping her coffee.

  “I rented a Jeep for four-wheeling up along the dirt roads into the mountain. We can take a picnic and see the wildflowers in a secluded meadow.”

  “I’d love that,” she said, taking a bite of sausage.

  When they were finished with breakfast, they went off to separate bathrooms and prepared for the day. He met her again in the dining room where she was drinking another cup of coffee and checking her phone for emails.

  “I think I’ve sold a painting,” she said.

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, it’s one of the ones from the island. I uploaded the images before our date. The collector wants to meet me in person.”

  “Right now?”

  “He said at my convenience.”

  “That’s fantastic,” he said. He felt the sense of achievement rising inside her and it filled him with happiness.

  “I’m not sure when I can get up to the city next,” she said.

  “I could take you tomorrow. If you’d like. The mansion is on the way, and we could stop there to meet the rest of the crew before heading up to the city.”

  “I’d like that.”

  They took the elevator downstairs to the main floor. Aiden checked with the attendant at the front desk to get the keys to the Jeep he’d rented from the resort. He picked up the picnic basket from the kitchen, and they made their way out to the parking lot.

  They climbed inside and he turned the key in the ignition, ready to take Winnifred on another adventure. He had one more surprise for her, and he hoped she would use it today when they found the meadow. The tour map said it was supposed to be full of wildflowers this time of year.

  He grinned, happy that he still had some tricks up his sleeve, tricks that would make her happy instead of angry and confused. They hurried down the road and took the turnoff where the tour map indic
ated. Soon they were driving on a gravel road. Higher and higher they climbed into the trees as music played on the stereo. He’d made a mix of his favorite rock bands and they sang along to the music they both loved. When they made it to the end of the road, he parked the Jeep and grabbed the picnic basket.

  “This is the trailhead,” he said pointing to the edge of the parking lot. “But I have one more surprise.”

  “What is it?” she asked.

  He opened the back door of the Jeep and revealed a new travel paint set with exactly the kind of paints she used. She squealed, covering her mouth with her hands.

  “How did you know?”

  “Finding information is not difficult for me,” he said. “You use oil paints and linen canvases. I had to abandon your travel easel on the island. It was easy to find a replacement.”

  “Everything I need is here,” she said digging through the supplies.

  “I have something very beautiful to show you,” he said pulling an acoustic guitar case out of the back of the Jeep.

  Winnifred smiled broadly as the sunlight beamed over her pretty face. They made their way to the trailhead and walked along the even path until the forest opened to reveal a rolling meadow, full of tall lush grass and dappled with an array of multicolored wildflowers.

  “Oh,” she gushed. “This is so beautiful.”

  She began to set up her easel as Aiden spread out the picnic blanket. He sat at the edge with his guitar, strumming a soothing song to accompany her work.

  A gentle breeze blew up the mountain, carrying the scent of wildflowers. He watched her as she painted, dabbing colors onto the canvas. Aiden played for her. He could feel his music inspired her art. It was a perfect moment between them. This was how it should always be for them, absorbed in their passions, creating beauty, inspiring each other.

  The day wore on and Winnifred finished the first layer of her painting. She palmed her eyes and then looked around.

  “Did I lose track of time?” she asked, yawning.

  “It doesn’t matter. We have a car to get down the mountain, so we won’t get stranded.”