“Baby, if you hadn’t already left this morning, we’d still be back in the hotel room, and I would still be fuck—”
She leapt up, slapping her hand over his mouth and glancing down the bus at the other passengers, looking back at them.
“This is not the place to discuss such things,” she hissed, her face flushing redder than a stop light.
Slade’s amused chuckle made her lean forward. “Just full of wonderful tact, isn’t he?”
Brimstone nipped at her fingers. She yelped and pulled back her hand, glaring at him. His deep chuckle sent chills through her.
Amber leaned forward to ask Slade, “Does he always growl like that?”
“Brimstone has a language all of his own, but it’s not too hard to understand. We don’t let him out much in social settings, but he is one, as they say, bad-ass fighter.”
Amber was intrigued to learn more about the big man who swept her off her feet and rocked her world last night. “You’ve been friends a long time?”
“We went through training together and many a mission. He’s saved my golden rear more often than I care to count.”
“Because you can’t keep your mouth shut, or your dick in your pants,” Brimstone added, folding his arms, making his biceps bulge.
Slade sighed dramatically. “So many beauties and so little time.”
Amber chuckled. “I know your type, Mr. Slade. You’ve got all the looks, but you’re definitely a no-touch.”
Brimstone's laugh startled not only her, but also their fellow passengers, whose faces paled considerably at the sound. The bus driver navigated them out onto the Darwin freeways, heading out of the city.
“A no-touch? I’m wounded.” Slade’s toothpaste white smile told her he was highly amused at her statement. “I enjoy it immensely when I—and they—get to touch.”
“And break every poor woman’s heart in the process.”
“We can’t all be as lucky as my friend here.” Slade nudged Brimstone. “He’s always been more interested in killing things than women…well, 'til now. You, my new friend, are special to catch his interest.”
Mischief sparkled in Slade’s pale brown, almost golden eyes. Amber glanced at Brimstone questioningly.
“So where is this bus taking us?” Brim interrupted, when she would have opened her mouth to ask more questions.
With a sigh, she let it pass and answered, “We’re going to see Litchfield National Park. I read there are huge termite mounds and waterfalls to swim under.”
“Sounds very romantic, does it not Brim?" Slade’s gaze swept over the choice of more mature women on the bus with their husbands and friends. "Will there be any younger females in these places?”
“Who knows, there are lots of tourists in these parts. You may get lucky.”
She giggled at the thought of him trying his luck with the ladies, who were glancing back in his direction.
“So, sweet Amber, how did you meet my good friend here?”
Brimstone threw his arm around her shoulder in a possessive move. She liked it and relaxed, leaning forward a little in her seat to talk to Slade.
“He rescued me from my asshole of an ex-boyfriend last night. Wayne didn’t take me breaking up with him too well.”
“I should have re-arranged his head, so it fit on backwards,” rumbled Brimstone.
“He’s so sweet and bloodthirsty.” She grinned up at him.
“Is that what you meant when you said hero?” Slade raised an eyebrow, also leaning over the large man.
“Oh, no…well yes, there’s a bit more to it than that.” Amber felt her cheeks redden again.
“Amber’s a writer,” Brimstone answered for her. “Romantic fiction.”
“How delightful, romance stories. I’ve been learning about them, but there is so much I still don’t know about humans. I’m hoping you will help teach us.”
Amber laughed, “What, are you two aliens or something?” She assumed Slade was joking.
“No, of course not! Didn’t Brimstone tell you?” Slade stretched his long legs out.
“Slade...”
Amber caught Brimstone’s warning tone and felt the tension rolling off her lover.
Curious, Amber leaned further over. “What’s he supposed to tell me?”
“We’re dragons, sweet.” Slade’s matter-of-fact statement made her blink before she laughed.
“You’re a funny man, Mr. Slade, but…hmm, dragons...I like the thought.” Her imagination fired to life, and fingers itched to start writing as daydreams, plots and stories of dragons and men who turned into dragons filled her head. “That’s also brilliant. Both of you are wonderful muses!” She jumped up and kissed Brimstone on the cheek, leaving both men with stunned expressions.