Double Dragons(17)

“I was just going to distract you from asking more questions, but now that I’m here…”

She pulled back. No matter how gorgeous he was, she already felt like she belonged to Ran and Draven. Her heart knew it.

He laughed softly, brushing hair behind her ear. “Such loyalty,” he said. “I have to admit I’m jealous.”

“They told you to watch out for me,” she said hesitantly, not wanting to get in a fight with one of their friends, but not about to let him take advantage.

“Right, an odd thing to ask of another dragon, considering how we all feel about females.”

She winced and pulled back her lips, crushing into the couch as he got closer, closer. She pushed on his chest but couldn’t budge him. His lean muscles felt like iron.

Stupidly strong dragons. Where were her mates?





5





“Don’t worry,” Quill said. “I’m just taking a little taste. I’m sure they won’t mind.”

Then the door banged open with a slam, and Draven was there. Ran was next to him, his arm slung over Draven’s shoulder, looking exhausted.

“You’d be fucking wrong about that, Quill,” Draven said, angry blue eyes blazing. “You’ve got about two seconds to get the fuck away from our mate.”

Relief rushed through her at the sight of her mates. Her protectors. She was pretty sure Quill was only teasing her, but she was glad she didn’t need to find out.

Draven let out a low, frightening growl and took a step forward to set Ran into a chair by the door. Then he stormed toward Quill, who deftly leapt off her, putting his hands up in surrender.

“Please, Draven. You know I’m not stupid enough to mess with the black dragon’s mate.”

“That’s not what it looked like to me,” Ran said weakly, his eyes glaring at Quill.

Quill regarded him in concern and then hopped around Draven to kneel in front of Ran. He took Ran’s hand and pressed it to his cheek in an almost tender movement that made Melissa’s breath catch in her throat.

As the two dragons spoke in low voices, she looked up to see Draven staring down at her with his arms folded.

“Are you okay?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. Draven’s dark hair was straight, short, and masculine, looking as unruffled as he did. “I’m sorry we had to leave you for so long. Important job.”

“I’m fine. Is Ran okay?”

Draven nodded. “He will be. He just needs a break. To recover.”

“Aren’t you supposed to get a week’s break while you’re trying things out with a mate?” Quill called out. He was now perched on the arm of Ran’s chair, cradling Ran’s head against him.

Ran looked tired, his golden hair falling over his face, his eyes closed with dark circles below them. But he was still beautiful, and the sight of the two men embracing set her heart racing slightly.

It made her look forward to the time when she could hold Ran again. As if hearing her thoughts, Ran gave her a smirk that made her flush.

“We’re supposed to be,” Draven said, putting a hand up and dragging it through his hair in frustration as he paced in front of her. “But there are some things only Ran can take care of. We should be good the rest of the week though.”

“Maybe I should be glad you didn’t choose me,” Quill said quietly, looking down at Ran.

Draven let out a loud sigh and ran his hand through his hair again. “Thanks, Quill. You should probably leave soon though, or else—”

A loud thump sounded on the locked door, and an enraged voice yelled out from behind it.

“Draven, you bastard! I know you’ve got Quill in there.”

Quill gave them a guilty look. “Damn, found me.”

“You shouldn’t be leaving your partner,” Ran said weakly, pushing himself up and away from Quill.

Melissa couldn’t help feeling sick to her stomach, seeing Ran like this and not his usual cheerful self.

“You open this door or I’ll break it down, dammit!” the angry voice shouted.

Melissa turned fearful eyes in Draven’s direction, and he put up a calming hand, as if to tell her he’d take care of it.

“Give back my partner!”

Draven sighed and walked toward the door, opening so a large man in a sports jacket could come storming inside. He was blond, tall, and built like Draven, wide through the shoulders. His square jaw and classically handsome features made him the quintessential all-American male. He wore dark jeans that fit like a second skin, mostly due to his sheer size, and his blazer flapped as he whipped around to see Quill holding Ran.

He grabbed Quill by the arm and jerked him toward him. Quill hissed and pushed him off, clearly equally strong despite being much leaner. “Stop it, Drake. You’re being ridiculous.”