The Bride Hunt: Lightning Dragon Part 16

"I figured since we already broke a couple of rules." He lifted his head, looking her straight on.

"I guess."

"I won't do it again," he said, it was like he could sense her discomfort.

Tammy nodded. She could breathe easier again.

Chapter 18.

Six days later ...

Tammy got busy tidying the shelter. It wasn't so much tidying as it was rea.s.sembling. The wind had howled a bit last night. It had blown off a couple of the long leaves that made up the roof. Thunder had been extra jumpy, he'd leapt up several times during the night. She didn't think he'd slept very much over the last few days. She wanted to suggest that they go back but she didn't want this to end or to change. She had a bad feeling.

A branch snapped behind her and she jumped. "It's me," Thunder said. "I brought breakfast." He held up a fish.

"Is that ..."

He nodded. "It's a salmon."

"Wow! You caught it?"

"Don't look so shocked," he laughed. "Yes, I did and with my bare hands." He stood taller. "Here." He threw the thing at her and she caught it, giving a yell as her hands clasped over its scales. She almost dropped it.

Thunder chuckled.

"It's not funny," she smiled, trying to hold onto the fish, it was heavy.

"You can put it down," he was still smiling. "I'll clean it when I get back."

"Where are you going?" She hated being left alone, even for a second. The back of her neck seemed to p.r.i.c.kle, like someone was watching.

"He's nowhere near us." Thunder walked towards her. "I would scent him if he was."

"He might be downwind."

"I'd hear his heartbeat."

"He's snuck up on us before." Tammy had become a bit paranoid about Cloud over the last couple of days. She could sense that Thunder was on edge and it worried her. He could be lurking anywhere.

Thunder narrowed his eyes on hers. "I won't let him get within an inch of you." He took the fish from her and put it on the ground. "I'm going to be over there, just up the way." He gestured behind him. You're welcome to come with. I saw some wild spinach growing there. I thought it might be a nice accompaniment to the fish."

"Sounds yummy. I'll stay here, but ..." she gripped his hand, "don't go too far."

"Never." He kissed her and her belly did a flip flop. Thunder pulled back, he kissed the tip of her nose before turning and walking away. He did things like that often. He kissed her nose and put his forehead to hers. He touched her as much as possible and not just s.e.xually, he'd hold her hand, pull her into a hug or sling his arm around her. The way he looked at her made her feel special. Again, it wasn't just the l.u.s.tful, desire-filled looks, it was also the tender ones.

Things were happening quickly. Thunder was filling a s.p.a.ce she hadn't even known existed but they needed to slow down. There was no rush.

Tammy picked up the fish. It weighed a ton. She was going to clean it. She and her father used to fish on some of those camping trips and she'd watched him gut the fish. It had always made her feel ill, so she'd never actually done it herself. Thing was, Thunder was so d.a.m.ned sweet. She had to smile just thinking of him. He fetched them food. The deer, a rabbit, this fish. He foraged for vegetables. Mainly roots that tasted like yams.

She headed to the river's edge and set the fish down. Tammy pulled the knife from its sheath and sliced the fish open. Next, she reached into its belly and pulled everything out, trying not to breathe or to think about what she was doing. She worked quickly, allowing the innards to wash away. Then she rinsed out the cavity.

She'd watched a couple of those cooking shows on television and had seen how the guys sometimes sc.r.a.ped the scales off of fish. This salmon had a smooth feeling skin. It would probably be easier to cook if she left it on.

An arm snaked around her middle and she tensed up, preparing to scream if need be.

"You didn't have to do that." Thunder kissed her neck.

"I wanted to." Tammy put the fish down. She rinsed her hands and turned slightly so that she could look into his eyes. "You built our shelter. You do all the hunting and gathering. You make the fires and cook the food. You keep me warm at night."

"It's my job to take care of you." His eyes took on that soft look.

It had been a long time since someone had taken care of her. A very long time. Probably not since she'd lived with her dad. "We're in this together, we're a team. It's a two-way street."

"Thank you." He kissed her cheek. "I was thinking." He kept his arm around her and pulled her up as he rose.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Maybe we should head back. I'd love to hide out with you forever but my people need me. I'm sure they will be worried by now. Also," he cupped her cheek, "you deserve to sleep in a warm bed."

Finally, it was out. One of them had to say it first. They couldn't stay here. Having said that, she knew there was another issue to address. "What about Cloud?" It had to be said. There was a part of her that was thrilled they were going back to civilization and another part that liked being out here with Thunder.

He frowned. "I'm not sure why he hasn't made an appearance. I really thought he would've by now."

"We don't need to go back. I don't mind sleeping in our shelter. I don't mind either way." She sucked in a breath. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't make this decision because of me." She was worried about being sent home. She hated the thought of not seeing Thunder again.

"It's twofold ... I need to let my people know that I am safe. I trust my second in command to handle things in my absence, but I'm sure that they are worried."

She nodded.

"And ... I want you in my bed." He put his arms around her. "I don't want you to have to gut fish, although ..." His arms tightened around her. "I found it s.e.xy watching you do it. You are incredibly s.e.xy, period."

"I smell like fish guts and you think I'm s.e.xy?" She had to laugh.

"Yeah I do. I think that I will always find you s.e.xy regardless of the circ.u.mstance. I'm going to miss seeing you in just your t-s.h.i.+rt though. You have very s.e.xy legs."

"Hairy legs," she snorted.

"s.e.xy. I couldn't care less about a few hairs." He clasped the backs of her thighs. "And an incredible a.s.s." He cupped her b.u.t.t cheeks. "Come to think of it, I prefer you naked." He kissed her and squeezed her a.s.s. One of his hands slipped between her legs.

Tammy moaned. From pulling out fish guts to so turned on that she could barely remember her own name in no time. He slipped a finger inside her as he deepened the kiss. G.o.d, but he was good with his hands and his mouth ... he pushed one of his thighs between her legs, his finger slid in deeper. Thunder pulled back, his eyes were glowing. "I have to rut you one more time before we go back." He nuzzled her neck. "I'm never going to get enough," he whispered against her skin.

Tammy moaned again. Her heart hammered in her chest. "Are you worried that this will be our last time?"

He tensed, his hand stopping mid-thrust. Tammy wriggled against him, needing him to keep going.

"Not a f.u.c.k!" Thunder growled. "They will not take you." He crushed his mouth to hers, more urgent. His finger was more insistent. Maybe it was two.

Oh G.o.d! She was going to come soon.

"Hold on," he growled, against her lips. "Legs around me," another low growl.

Tammy hooked her ankles around his back. He began to walk, taking huge, quick strides. Then her back touched against something hard. A tree. Its surface was rough through her t-s.h.i.+rt.

Thunder sheathed himself inside her in one hard stroke that took her breath away. He didn't wait for her to acclimatize or to catch her breath, he began to move in hard, rough strokes. She was very wet, so it didn't hurt. His facial expression was tense. His eyes even more intense. His hands were still clasped around her a.s.s. The bark dug into her back with each hard thrust.

She groaned loudly, the sound just as raw as their lovemaking. It was just as raw as the sound of his body slapping against hers. As the greedy sucking noise her body made as he pushed into her. Repeatedly. She couldn't take her eyes off of his. The coiling sensation had already started. Her c.l.i.t throbbed, he was rubbing against it as he pushed into her. Over and over. Fast, deep, hard.

Thunder's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched tight. His frown deepened as his body began to jerk against her. His eyes never left hers. He f.u.c.ked her harder. So intensely beautiful as his jaw tensed, as he o.r.g.a.s.med. He groaned her name and all she could do was let go. Rus.h.i.+ng to meet her own release.

She dug her nails into his shoulders and tightened her legs around him as blinding pleasure rushed through her. Thunder leaned forward, leaning his head into the crook of her neck. She cried out when something stung her neck. An even more powerful o.r.g.a.s.m took ahold. She felt her eyes roll back and her back bow. It felt like the world slowed as her blood rushed.

Too. Much.

Too. Good.

Her body jerked with each hard spasm. Thankfully, the intense pleasure slowed as Thunder released her neck. He was biting me, she thought with a start. Thunder kept his head buried in her neck, his thrusts slowing. They were both panting heavily.

He finally pulled back slightly, using one hand to cup her face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," a pant.

"I'm sorry." He planted a kiss on her lips. "I was too rough with you."

"I won't break."

"You're human." He put her down, pulling out of her as he did. Then he lifted her s.h.i.+rt, inspecting her back. "f.u.c.k!" he said harshly. "You are going to have bruises."

"I'll heal. It's not a big deal."

He swept the hair off her neck and shook his head. "I marked you. I'm sorry." He ran a hand through his hair. "I need to be more careful."

"Bulls.h.i.+t. That was probably the best s.e.x I've ever had. So what if I have a bruise or two, or a hicky on my neck," she shrugged.

"A hicky?" He shook his head. "I bit you. I'm sorry, it's just that I got a little crazy at the thought of you leaving." He scrubbed a hand over his face.

"We'll convince Blaze. It will all work out." She could see by the look in his eyes that he wasn't convinced. Tammy put her fingertips against the tender spot on her neck and winced. It stung a little.

"I'm a d.i.c.k. I'll be more careful in the future."

Tammy was reminded of something Roxy had said, that biting was mating behavior. The queen had also warned that s.h.i.+fter men could get really intense and possessive when they were experiencing mating tendencies. It was just a little bite in the heat of the moment. They were good. It was too soon for mating behavior. Far too soon. He had promised that they would take it slow. She needed for them to take it slow. There was no other way. One small step at a time.

"It's fine." She put her arms around his waist.

Thunder hugged her back. "Let me get you fed and then we can head out. The rest of your clothing should be dry."

"You washed my stuff?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it's much colder higher up in the mountains."

"You're incredibly sweet. Do you know that?"

Thunder kissed her softly. "Sweet on you," he winked.

Chapter 19.

The Air Castle The hall was enormous, both in width and in height. Fire blazed in all three hearths. There was a vast window looking out onto the mountain range. The sky was blue. The higher mountain peaks were snow covered. Painted with whites, blues and even purples. The valleys below were thick and green.

It had only taken an hour and a half to make it back, give or take a couple of minutes. They showered and changed. Thunder had checked to make sure she wasn't too tired before inviting her to attend a debriefing. He said that he needed to meet with his second in command. She had a feeling that he would've stayed with her if she had been too tired. He hadn't so much as left her side since they arrived here. Then again, that wasn't true. He'd left her for all of ten minutes but had positioned an army of warriors outside the entry points to his apartment. Needless to say, he was really protective of her.

Even now, he clasped her hand firmly in his. They sat at the middle of one long side of a huge table. Tammy was excited to be in the Air Kingdom, in Thunder's castle. So far, she had only seen a few of his people. They had all been polite. They'd refrained from staring, even though she had looked awful and had probably smelled even worse.

Her hair had taken half an hour to brush out. She'd tried hard to keep it under control but there was only so much you could do using fingers as a brush. It felt so good to wash with actual soap and to condition her hair. The absolute best was brus.h.i.+ng her teeth, instead of having to use ash from the burned out fire on her finger. Nothing beat the spearminty goodness of actual toothpaste or the bristles of a good ol' toothbrush.

The far door opened. A really tall, really built guy walked in. It was Thunder's second in command. Tammy noticed that his chest was golden. The guy strode towards them, his mouth broke into a smile as his eyes locked with Thunder's. "Brother. I heard of your troubles and am glad you are well. If I had known, I would've sent a search party."

Thunder nodded his head, he also smiled back. "It's good to see you, Storm. You could not have known. This is Tamara. Her friends call her Tammy."

Storm turned to her, his smile instantly evaporated. His eyes seemed to harden. They were the same color as Thunder's. "h.e.l.lo, Tamara. I am Storm, Second in Command to the king and runner up to the Air throne. I am royal." He gave his chest a knock with a closed fist and then turned back to Thunder. "I am here to give you feedback on all that has happened in your absence."

Thunder nodded. "Yes. Take a seat. What are our reserves looking like? Winter is about to hit. I have a feeling it's going to be a bad one. Also, have we made quotas since-"

Storm looked at her and then back at Thunder. "Have you mated this female?" He didn't look happy.

Thunder frowned. "We are not here to discuss my love life. You may begin," his voice was clipped and in a tone she had never heard before.

"With all due respect, my king," Storm bowed his head. "I would prefer to give feedback to you and to you alone. This female is not Air ... she is not even a dragon." It was probably her imagination, but his voice seemed to be filled with disgust.

Thunder dropped her hand and then he was on his feet. She hadn't even see him rise. "You will do as I say," his voice was soft yet delivered a punch all the same.

Storm took a small step back and then squared his shoulders. He narrowed his eyes. "I must insist. The messengers you sent have returned, Blaze has called for a meeting. This human will be made to return to ..." Storm made a flourish one hand, "wherever it is she came from. Do you want her to have the information I'm about to impart? It's bad enough she knows of our existence."

Tammy got the distinct feeling that Storm didn't like her. She wasn't sure why. It couldn't have been something she did, or didn't do. The guy didn't even know her. She wasn't going to take it personally. "It's fine." She touched Thunder on the side of his leg. He was wearing a pair of cotton pants. They were black and rode low on his hips. Probably not something she should notice at a time like this, but hey ... she couldn't help it. She had eyes. "I'll go back-"