Page 29 of Possessed By the Dragon Alien
Instead of answering, he lowered his mouth to hers.
The first touch of her lips was electric, sending heat racing through his veins like liquid fire. She made a soft sound of surprise that quickly melted into something warmer as she pressed closer. Her hands fisted in his uniform, pulling him down to her, and he was lost.
He immediately knew this wouldn’t be the careful, dignified kiss he’d planned. This was desperate and hungry. Need raged,turning his body into a tight wire that bent toward her with a desperation that felt too intense, too needy. He explored her mouth with growing urgency, tasting her sweetness and savoring every small sound she made. Her response was everything he’d dreamed of and more—eager but inexperienced, trusting but not passive.
When she nibbled at his lower lip, he groaned and deepened the kiss, one hand tangling in her hair while the other splayed across her lower back. She was so small against him, so perfectly formed, and the possessive need to claim her nearly overwhelmed his senses. His cock swelled, pressing hard at the front of his pants. There was no hiding it. No pretending it was anything other than proof of his need for her. A twinge of nerves made him tighten his hand on the back of her neck. What if she was repulsed by him? By this…display of desire? It was weak. It was—
He shook himself internally. That kind of thinking was Axis indoctrination. Needing, wanting,desiring, was considered a lack of control, and therefore, a weakness. Something that should be destroyed. But with Nena, he couldn’t help the way he felt. Maybe he lacked control around her. Maybe hewasweak when it came to her. So what? If anything, he was more dangerous. The dragon that coiled inside of him was awake and alert and there was nothing weak about that.
Mine, his instincts chanted. Finally mine.Starshelp anyone who touched her.
She pulled back just enough to breathe, her lips swollen and her eyes dark with the same desire that was clawing at his control. She didn’t pull her belly away from the hard bulge pressing against it. Nena knew what it was. Knew what it meant. She gazed up at him with passion-hazed eyes. “Madrian,” she whispered.
“Tell me to stop,” he said roughly, resting his forehead against hers. “Tell me to stop and I will.”
Instead, she stretched up and kissed him again, pouring herself into it with a hunger that matched his own. He lifted her, settling her on the edge of his desk. Her dress slid up her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his waist and held him close.
“I’ve never—” she started, then stopped, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Never what?” He brushed his thumb across her brow, marveling at how soft she was.
“Been kissed like this. Been wanted like this.” Her voice held wonder, as if she couldn’t quite believe what was happening between them. “I was bondmated at Settlement 112-1, and he…he was not kind to me.” She trailed off, her gaze dropping. “I’m sure he’s found another mate by now.”
Something malevolent stirred in Madrian’s chest. “Define ‘not kind.’”
“He saw me as property. A tool on the farm,” she said. “To punish when he thought necessary.”
The thought of another male putting his hands on her, hurting her, treating her like she was worth nothing, sent rage coursing through his veins. Madrian hoped he never encountered this male. He’d cheerfully kill him, but he suspected Nena would not approve of that course of action.
“He is a fool,” he said, his voice rough with suppressed fury. “You’re precious. Perfect. You should be cherished. Treated like a queen.”
Her eyes widened at the vehemence in his tone. “I swore I’d never let myself be touched by another male.” Her gaze lifted to his. “But here I am. I don’t regret it.”
He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. “No one will ever hurt you again. I swear it.”
The fierce promise seemed to undo something in her. She leaned into him, her hands sliding up to rest on his shoulders, and he felt a tremble run through her.
“I believe you,” she whispered.
The calm way she said it, like she could handle anything as long as they faced it together, made him want to bellow his devotion to the universe. Made him want to give her absurd things, buy her a moon and build her a fortress made ofbasiancrystal. If this was weakness, he would happily drown in it.
His hands moved of their own accord, tracing the curve of her waist, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him. When his palms skimmed over her hips, she gasped softly. The sound sent heat pooling low in his belly. He’d never touched a female with tenderness instead of taking, with reverence instead of demand. Every curve of her body was a revelation, every soft sound she made was a gift he didn’t deserve, but would treasure anyway.
His thumbs brushed the underside of her breasts through the thin fabric of her dress, and she arched into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed. The trust implicit in her response humbled him even as it inflamed his desire. She was giving herself to him freely, without fear, and the knowledge that he was the first to touch her with care made something primitive and protective roar to life in his chest.
Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to—
But he wouldn’t be acting on this newfound need clawing at his control, as a soft chime announced an incoming communication. Rien’s voice followed immediately, crisp and urgent.
“Chancellor, I need to speak with you. Privately. It’s about the matter we discussed.”
She still called him Chancellor, but he had no time or patience to correct her. Nena started to pull away, but Madriancaught her waist, keeping her close. The need to maintain contact with her was almost overwhelming.
“Answer it,” she said softly. “This could be what we’re waiting for.”
He drew in a deep breath to school his ragged breathing. Then, he activated the communicator. “Rien.”
“I have information.” She appeared in her avatar before him, skipping the typical greetings. “But the situation is more complex than I initially thought.”
