STORY EXCERPT

Branson’s gaze lowered to the murky water below. What if she’d fallen over the side and into the ocean?

He counted on his gut, trusting it more than he trusted most people. Listening to the internal warning, he began making spirals outward from the ship, one circle growing larger in diameter than the one before it. Finding her in the water would be an almost impossible feat, but with his keen dragon sight, he might get lucky.

Unless she’d already drowned.

He kept flying, circling, slowly, leaving the cruise ship behind. If anyone could find a lost woman in the sea in the middle of a storm, it was a dragon.

His gaze skimmed the water, looking for any sign of her. What had she been wearing? Her dark hair, especially wet, would blend in with the dark sea.

Come on. Be alive.

The circles grew bigger, so big that it was taking too long to make another circle.

You’re alive. I know it. Show me where you are.

He closed his eyes, letting the wind blow under, over, and around his body. Lightning flashed, the glow showing behind his eyelids. He searched with his gut, with his dragon senses, and with his heart.

When he opened his eyes, he saw a small speck in the water. Orange and white stripes stood out against the dark water. He folded his wings back and dropped fast toward the water. The closer he came, the more certain he was.

There you are.

Her arms were wrapped around the life preserver, entwined in the ropes, her head lying against the round tube. He couldn’t tell if she was alive or dead. Waves bobbed her up and down, battering her body. Yet she held on, giving him hope that she was still alive.

His gaze shifted, picking up the shark closing in on her.

Not today, my toothy friend.

Dropping lower still, he reached out and scooped her up as easily as an eagle catching a fish out of a lake. Her eyes remained closed, and her body was cold, but he could still feel the beat of her heart. Stretching his wings wide, he hurried toward his island.

* * * *

Arielle awakened to find herself covered in warmth. Gone was the chill of the water, yet darkness still enveloped her. Something was covering her. She shifted, her body aching. Tentatively, she touched the cover over her and found it to be hard.

Scales?

Do sharks have scales inside their belly?

Have I been swallowed whole like the whale did with Jonah?

She pushed harder at the scales. If she had to, she’d push her way out of his body. As long as she was still breathing, she’d put up a fight.

Suddenly, the cover was gone. Bright moonlight covered the beach where she lay, yet she hardly noticed it.

Oh. My. God. I’ve died and gone to hell.

The dragon unfurled it wings and moved away. She screamed and scrambled backward, crab walking until she could finally stand up.

In typical Arielle style, she tripped over her own feet and fell flat on her butt. “Fuck!”

Amazingly, the huge beast tipped his head, almost as though he were questioning her language. A tendril of smoke sifted out of the sides of his mouth. Intriguing silver eyes stared at her. Strangely, it was the tenderness in those amazing eyes that kept her from trying to run again.

The dragon stretched out its wings and swayed its tail back and forth. Vicious fangs peeked out from between its jaws, yet she didn’t fear it.

Had the thing been lying on top of her and keeping her warm? She must’ve been underneath it for a while. The storm had moved on, and her clothes had dried. The black bag still hung from her wrist.

As though it understood what she was thinking, its gaze flicked to her wrist. She pulled the bag off and shoved it into her pocket.

“What do you think you’re looking at?” Gathering what little courage she could muster, she managed to stand up. If he was going to burn her or eat her, she was determined to die on her feet.

It tilted its head again.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

Was that a smile? Could dragons smile?

What was she thinking? Dragons didn’t exist. She was either dead and in hell or having a nightmare.

A low growl rumbled out of its enormous body to slide over hers. She felt the sound waves as they struck her body. A quick flash of fire burst out of its mouth, and smoke drifted out of its nostrils.

“You’re not planning on eating me, are you?”

She was certain it smiled now.

“You’re not real. I know it.” But did the dragon know it?

As though in answer, it slowly moved its tail around its body and pointed the arrow-shaped end of it right at her. She smothered back a giggle.

If she ran, it would easily catch her. Not that she wanted to run. Instead, her fingertips ached to touch its scales again. She stepped forward, her hand outstretched.

She’d expected almost anything, but not that he’d jerk backward then whirl around and flee. The beach thundered underneath her feet as he pounded away.

“Are you kidding me?” Had she actually scared a dragon away?

ADULT EXCERPT

Arielle was stuck on the island until the men said otherwise. Until now, she’d been more than happy to hide out on their private homeland. After all, what did she have to go back to? The cruise ship had probably figured she’d fallen overboard true enough and drowned. If they didn’t, they’d more than likely end up firing her ass. Or, worse yet, the thieves had found some way to implicate her in the crime. In fact, the authorities could be looking for her right that minute.

Don’t let your imagination run away with you.

Next to clumsiness, her wild imagination was her biggest flaw. She could sit in that tub and come up with a variety of scenarios, none of which she could prove had happened.

Groaning, she slipped farther under water until only her face from the nose up was visible. Maybe she should’ve gone ahead and drowned in the blue pond. At least then she wouldn’t have to face the men again and act as though nothing had happened.

Damn, but they’re good kissers.

They’d all kissed her better than she’d ever been kissed before.  After all these years, she’d found the three best kissers alive all in the same day.

Could any three men be hotter? She doubted it. They were the epitome of sex appeal, three hard bodies with packages to die for. At least, she figured their cocks would be amazing. How could they be anything but amazing?

If they’d wanted to have sex on the boat, they would’ve made her more than happy. Thrilled. Ecstatic. Instead, they’d brought her back to their home and helped her upstairs as though she were some old woman.

Sex with them would be a dream come true. Although sex with only one of them would make her lifetime, if she could have two or three of them at the same time, she’d never ask for another thing. She’d count herself beyond lucky.

Her hand slid over her body, pausing for a while to fondle one of her breasts then on over the roundness of her stomach. The water was as hot as a human could handle it, steaming up the room and turning her flesh pink.

What would their cocks look like? Would they be long? No doubt. Curved? She hoped so.

She closed her eyes as her hand found its way between her legs.

Would they be thick? Strong yet flexible like loose flesh over a steel rod?

She licked her lips as the heat inside her started building high enough to match the heat surrounding her body. Letting her imagination go, she slid her fingers between her folds and found her already-so-ready throbbing clit. Laying back her head, she began slowly and rhythmically massaging the hot little nub. She spread her legs wider, envisioning Anthony going beneath the water’s surface. He put his mouth over her clit and started sucking.

“Ooh. Yeah.”

Where are you, Branson?

In answer, her fantasy Branson eased next to her. “Hey, sugar.” The gleam in his eyes sent the temperature inside her to a higher level. He bent low and captured a nipple in his mouth.

Don’t be left out, Montana.

Montana. Was his cock as rock-hard as his name?

He was beside her in the next instant, on his knees in the tub, and offering his cock to her. She put two then three fingers into her mouth and let the fantasy play on.

The rhythm between her legs sped up, massaging faster and faster. Using the heel of her hand to push against her clit, she plunged a finger into her pussy.

“Yeah, boys, work me.”

The fantasy men were all over her, their hands skimming along her slickened body, their mouths feasted on her even under water. Sucking, nipping, pulling, they became as real to her as her hand between her legs.

They were built as solidly as modern day gladiators, their arms as large as tree branches. Muscles rippled along their chests and abdomens. Bubbles popped against their tanned skins. Lean waists were the perfect backdrops for their huge cocks, cocks even bigger than she’d hoped for. Their gazes locked onto her, their primal need blatant on their faces.

She moaned and moved her hand faster. The storm inside her rose higher as her motions made waves that bounced over the sides of the claw-foot tub. She arched her back toward the imaginary Branson and whipped her tongue around her fingers-turned-cock. She cried out as the orgasm grew stronger, readying for its ultimate release. Water washed into her mouth as she let out another strangled cry, but her hand didn’t slow down.

I’m coming.

The climax tore her apart without mercy, taking hold of her body and stunning her mind. Needing more than her fingers, she reached out to the fantasy men. Just as she was about to touch Branson, she opened her eyes and found that she was still alone.

Shudders racked her, making ripples throughout the bath water. Most of the bubbles had melted away along with her men. As the last waves of lust came apart in short jerks, she sucked in a hard breath. Her hair flattened against her forehead, and her heart began to slow down.

At that moment, she made herself a promise. Before she left, she’d make her fantasy a reality.