Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 8)

He motioned toward the retreating shoreline of Northern Ireland. "How often can you see such a view?"

Her dragon yawned. He's boring.

Ignoring her beast, she opened her mouth to reply when a familiar Irish accent came from behind her. "There you are, darling."

Killian.

The human male's smile faltered when his gaze moved over her shoulder, and he hurried off. Brenna swung around to face Killian. She ignored the fierceness of his gaze. "You shouldn't be alone. Where are your guards?"

"I'm looking at one of them right now."

Sighing, she looked back out at the sea. "What do you want?"

"You keep avoiding me. That's not going to play well on Stonefire since we're mated."

"Not all mates are glued to each other's side. I cast adoring looks when needed."

Taking her shoulders, he gently turned her to face him. "Just talk to me and stop making things complicated."

"Me talking isn't going to make things any easier and you know it."

Leaning his face closer to hers, his hot breath danced against her cheek. "Georgiana meant nothing to me and I'm on my way to your clan. What else am I supposed to do?"

"It's not what you can or can't do, Killian. You have a dragon now, yes, but who's to say everything else won't come back, too? The male I want is the one right in front of me and if he disappears, it'll crush me."

Killian's pupils flashed before he gently murmured, "You want me."

"Of course I do. But I can't risk the pain that could follow."

"So you're going to live your life cautiously forever? Some risks are worth it, Brenna. Isn't this one of them?"

As she stared into his green eyes, she tried to think of another point to argue.

Her dragon chimed in. Stop making excuses. Kiss him and enjoy the moment. Otherwise, you might regret it forever.

Closing the distance between them until there was only an inch separating their lips, Killian whispered, "Kiss me, Brenna, and then tell me if you want to keep playing it safe."

She swallowed. "A kiss can't change my mind."

"Then do it and tell me that again. I'll walk away and keep my distance, as you wish."

Killian's scent surrounded her, making it hard to concentrate. Her heart pounded in her chest, as heat radiated through her body.

Staring at his warm, inviting lips, she already knew his kisses drove her crazy. The only question was whether she'd be able to stop with just a kiss or not. They may not be true mates, but desire was powerful in its own right.

Placing a hand on her lower back, Killian caressed the area in slow circles. Before she could change her mind, she closed the distance between their lips.

The instant her lips met his, lust coursed through her body. She needed to strip him, and take him over and over.

Her dragon hummed. Yes, fuck him now. And keep on doing it until we carry his child.

Only because of her years of military training and discipline was she able to break the kiss and push Killian away. He landed on his arse, but she barely paid attention. Instead, she squatted and curled into a ball.

Her dragon roared. Why did you push him away? He is ours and will always be ours. Go to him. Take him. He is ours to claim.

Warning bells rang inside her head. The kiss with Killian had kicked off the mate-claim frenzy. Why now?

No talking. Stop resisting and strip him. You want him as much as I do. He should be ours, always. Don't push him away.