Page 53 of Under Gorse and Stone

He guides me through it, his hands firm and endearments dropping from his lips.

“Come in me,” I slur.

He grips my waist and shoves me back, pressing my body urgently against the ground. I wind my legs around him as he thrusts deeply again.

“So good, so sweet,” he chants. “Oh, it’s sosweet.” His voice fractures, and his hips pick up speed.

There’s a sudden pressure in my hole. “Oh my god,” I breathe. “What is that? I think you’re getting even bigger.”

His eyes widen in alarm, and before I can tell him that it feels fantastic, he pulls out. Then I’m crying out as he strokes his cock over me, marking my skin with thick stripes of come. It seems tolast forever, yet when it ends, it’s much too soon. He falls onto me, and I wrap my arms and legs around him, feeling the warm come smudge between us as we kiss.

After a few moments where we struggle to catch our breaths, he rolls onto his back, cuddling me against the length of his body. The air is warm with his magic, and everything feels good. I tip my head to meet his eyes. “What was it that happened right before you came—when you got bigger inside me?”

He breathes deeply, snuggling me closer. “That was wonderful, my Cary.”

“It was the best,” I say, forgetting my question.

I stir, trying to push away a thought that’s been at the back of my mind since I found out his secret. I can’t stop my next words. They come out unbidden with the force of a thunderbolt. “That’s why I can’t believe you’re doing it with me.”

“What?” He sounds completely incredulous.

I cover my face, feeling my cheeks flush hot with embarrassment. Then I mutter, “You’re this amazing magical being and I’m just me. Boring Cary Sutton.”

There’s a brief moment of silence, and then he pulls my arm away. His face is gentle and curious. “But mayhap Cary Sutton isexactlywhat I need. Mayhap he is curious, clever, fierce, and kind.”

The simplicity and honesty in his voice floors me, and I bury my head in his shoulder and speak into his neck. “Thank you.”

He hugs me tightly. “I think we should ask amuchmore important question.” His tone is deliberately light, and I know he’s changing the subject to gloss over my sudden awkwardness. I feel a wave of gratitude towards him.

“Oh yes?”

“How do we get home when we are now stuck together?”

I pinch him, and our laughter floats like the sparks of his magic into the velvety blue night.

I come awake the next morning in a tumble of warm bed linen that smells of my dragon. I stretch, feeling the twinge in my arse with satisfaction. We’d made love all night.

Record scratch.Made love?

My eyes fly open.Fucked.That’s what we did.

My worries appeased, I look around for Sigurd. The bed is empty, and I can hear whistling coming from another room. I sigh happily and then must leap a foot in the air when there’s a loud crack and a shrill voice says from Sig’s pillow, “You look well served this morning, Master Cary.”

“What thehell?” I gasp, rising to a crouch and then, as an afterthought, clutching the sheets to my groin.

Wilfred has appeared and is sitting cross-legged on the pillow. I catch a glimpse of gold coins, and then he holds up his hand. The coins fall from it, there’s a soft chinking sound, and they vanish. “Good morrow,” he says cheerfully.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper.

He cocks his head, his mouse eyes bright and knowing. “I thought to see you. You are very handsome with such lovely curls and eyes the colour of the sea when the sun shines through the depths.”

His voice is far too innocent, and I narrow my eyes. “Bullshit,” I say, interrupting his monologue.

“What does that mean?”

“It means rubbish. Why are you really here?”

“Bullshit,” he says, slowly trying it out. “What a lovely word. I shall use it when I see my kindred next.”