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Chapter Twenty-Five

A ntony hadn’t planned to move so quickly, but he’d burned to kiss Iris and been more than happy to follow her through the clan. She’d even taken the least populated route, judging by the lack of people, and she tugged him inside a little stone cottage.

Before he could say a word, she went down the hallway and into a room that turned out to be a bedroom. He barely noticed the blue walls and shelf of knickknacks before Iris released his hand and ran it up his chest, to his neck, until she lightly caressed his skin.

Blood shot straight to his cock, and with a growl, he gently took Iris’s face between his hands. “Tell me I can kiss you, love. I’m burning to feel your lips, learn your taste, and make you moan.”

Her pupils flashed to slits and back before she smiled at him. Even though she smiled more and more often these days, he treasured every one she gave.

Leaning against him, she murmured, “Kiss me, Antony. Please.”

His self-control snapped, and he took her lips in a fierce yet gentle kiss. She was so soft, so warm, and he wanted more. So much more.

And yet, he needed to know if there would be a frenzy or not. So, drawing on every bit of self-control he possessed, Antony pulled back to find Iris’s pupils flashing rapidly. “Iris?”

She growled. “My dragon is threatening to take control if you don’t claim me. And soon.”

A thrill shot through him. “I’m your true mate?”

She nodded, clearly struggling to keep her dragon in check. “Aye. Now, claim me, Antony. I want the first time to be with me and not my dragon.”

“I will. But I want you naked first.” He tugged at her top, and she raised her arms. Once the top was off, he turned her around to unhook her bra. That’s when he saw the large, ugly scar on her back. He traced the shape as he asked, “Was this from when your wing was shot?”

She growled. “You want to ask about that now?”

He resisted chuckling. Instead, he knew that if he threaded a little dominance into his voice, her dragon should behave for a short while. So he stated, “Yes. Tell me what happened, Iris. I need to know if you’re still hurting.”

After a beat, she replied, “Aye, it’s from my wing wound, but it doesn’t hurt anymore. I’ll always have the scar, though.”

Leaning down, he kissed the raised tissue and whispered, “I love every part of you, Iris. Battle wounds aren’t always physical, but when they are, it’s just proof of your brave, brilliant nature.”

She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes softer than before. “Antony. I wish we could take our time with this.”

He traced the curve of her bottom lip. “Yes, but it’s either hurry up or face your dragon. And whilst I look forward to meeting her, I want to claim your human half first. Gives me time to strategize on how to handle your beast.”

She smiled. “Then hurry up.”

He wanted to slowly take her bra strap down and follow the trail with his lips. But dragons who wanted a frenzy weren’t the most patient, from what he’d learned. And even someone as strong as Iris could only control her beast for so long.

So he quickly shed her bra and turned her around. For a beat, his mouth watered at her dark nipples, and he took one into his mouth as his fingers worked on her jeans. Each tug or nibble or swirl of his tongue made Iris arch more into his touch, even digging her nails into his scalp.

Reluctantly, he released her nipple to help her take off her jeans. Once she stood naked, he whispered, “You’re so bloody beautiful, love.”

Her pupils flashed rapidly again, and she grunted. “Normally, I’d say thank you. But my dragon is impatient, so take off your pants and claim me, Antony. Now.”

“As you wish, my dear.”

He stripped fast, quite possibly the fastest in his life, and gently lowered Iris onto the bed. She scooted to the top, laid back, and spread her thighs. With her pretty pussy on display, he growled and moved until he could lower between her legs and kiss her mouth again.

She instantly parted her lips, and he dove inside. He loved her taste and took a few seconds to stroke and explore and eventually stopped to gently tug her bottom lip with his teeth. He murmured, “Later, much later, I’m going to take my time.” Moving a hand between her thighs, he groaned at how hot and wet and swollen she was. He even thrust a finger inside her, loving how she arched up. “But for now, I’m going to claim my dragonwoman, my true mate, my love.”

“Antony, stop being charming and fuck me.”

He chuckled, removed his hand, and kissed her quickly. “Just this once, I’ll obey without making jokes or teasing you.”

She opened her mouth to reply when he positioned his dick and slowly entered her.

Once he was fully inside her, he groaned. “So hot and tight and bloody hell, so perfect.”

Iris’s pupils flashed rapidly. “Please, Antony. I can’t control my dragon too much longer. She wants a turn.”

With that, he kissed Iris as he retreated and thrust, increasing his pace as he went. Iris’s hands roamed his back, his arse, his arms, and each touch, caress, and light scratch made his cock even harder.

But he refused to come before her. And since he was human, he couldn’t make her orgasm with his semen.

So Antony moved a hand and used his thumb to caress her clit in circles, finding the pressure and speed that made her moan and murmur his name with need, until she finally cried out. As her pussy grabbed and released him, Antony let go and stilled, pleasure flooding his body as he spilled inside his dragonwoman.

He collapsed to the side, taking Iris with him. He kissed her, slowly this time, until she finally pulled away. Her pupils flashed, and she said, “It’s my dragon’s turn. Are you ready?”

Caressing her face, he nodded. “Let’s see what she’s got.”

She smiled. “You might regret those words.”

And he watched as her pupils remained slitted, meaning her dragon was now in charge.

Iris had barely finished orgasming before her dragon roared inside her head. My turn! I want to claim him, to fuck him, until we carry his child.

I know, dragon. Just remember, he’s human and will need more breaks.

Fine. Now I’m done waiting.

Her beast moved to the front of their mind, pushing Iris to the back. Not wanting to be kept inside a mental prison, Iris didn’t try to wrestle back control.

She would only do it if her dragon handled Antony too roughly.

Her dragon flipped Antony onto his back before straddling his waist. “Mine. You’re mine.”

Her male didn’t blink twice at how Iris’s voice was a little deeper now. He put his hands behind his head and smiled. “All yours, dragon. Claim me.”

Iris mentally groaned. The last thing a dragon in a frenzy needed was encouragement or needling.

Although her dragon paused, unsure of how to respond to his reaction. She said, “Do you want me?”

Antony frowned, sat up, and kissed her.

Every lick and nibble and groan wiped away her dragon’s uncertainty.

Iris said, Of course he wants us.

He always seemed like he only wanted you.

Antony flipped Iris’s beast to the bed, on her belly, and raised her arse. He stroked and lightly slapped. “I’ve heard inner dragons like it this way. So I’m going to claim you, dragon. Now.”

As he entered them from behind, her dragon arched into the touch. “Yes. Claim me, human.”

As their male took control, moving his hips faster and faster, Iris was amazed yet again. Antony had been able to read her dragon’s need and act accordingly.

Somehow, he had done his homework.

But the faster he moved, the less Iris could concentrate. Her beast might have control of their mind, but they both experienced every sensation and the building pressure.

Then he reached a hand around and stroked her clit. Between his fullness from behind and his skilled stroking, the pressure burst and pleasure coursed through their body. Her dragon roared—albeit with a human voice—as Antony stilled and moaned her name.

He remained behind them, curved over their back, and kissed the back of their neck. “Can I take a break with Iris, dragon? This old man needs to regroup.”

Her dragon hummed. “For now. But I want you to try and claim me later.”

“As in chasing?”

“Yes.”

Antony chuckled and kissed their neck again. “I look forward to it, my dear.”

Her dragon said, We’re keeping him.

I agree. Now, let me make sure he rests a bit before we go again.

Aye, fine. But you’re going to share equally. I want to see what else he’ll do.

Deal.

With that, her beast moved to the back of their mind and Iris took control just as Antony rolled them to the side and onto the bed. Iris moved to face him, her eyes level with his. “My beast said you can have a wee break.”

He smiled, stroking back stray hairs from her face. “Good, that gives me time to think of how to surprise her next.”

She ran a hand down his chest until she could trace one of his scars. “She thought you didn’t want her, for some reason. So, thank you.”

He kissed her gently. “I’m still getting to know your second half, but one day, I hope to convince her that I want both of you, all of you, as mine. One day, I’d like to mate you, Iris Mahajan. If you’ll have me.”

She waited for panic or doubt to set in, but it didn’t. No, she couldn’t stop smiling at the thought of having this male as her own forever. “Aye, I want to mate you. But I won’t officially say yes until after you meet my dad.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to wear my special protective gear, just in case?”

She huffed a laugh. “No, don’t be silly. Although, come to think of it, that might impress him. Either that, or if you can find some cricket star to visit Lochguard.”

He stroked her hip. “I know a few.”

“Of course you do. Who don’t you know?”

“Hmm, American football players? Otherwise, I’m fairly well connected. Just wait for your birthday. I’m planning the best party for you, love. Just wait and see.”

“I don’t need fancy dress or famous people. Just you and our families and lots of food. Which you’ll cook, of course.”

“I make a mean spaghetti bolognese. I could probably woo royalty away with it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stop being ridiculous.”

“Never.”

Before she could open her mouth, he rolled Iris onto her back. His cock was already hardening again. “Again? Are you sure? I wanted to give you a break.”

“I’m older, not dead, Iris. And I want to claim my dragonwoman again.”

And he then proceeded to kiss her and drive her wild and make her come all over again.

He even impressed her dragon, lasting far longer than she’d expected. Until they finally fell asleep before waking to make love over and over again.