Page 18 of Shifting the Flame
"Evidence speaks for itself, Mr. Mayor." She waved toward the golden stack of pancakes, crisp bacon, and fluffy scrambled eggs. "Not a burn mark in sight."
The teasing lilt in her voice, the domesticity of the moment, and the sight of her standing in his kitchen as if she'd always been there – it shattered his carefully constructed control.
Asher's hand curved around the nape of her neck, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. "Forget the festival," he growled, watching her pupils dilate at his touch.
"What happened to responsibilities first?" Danica's breath hitched, her body swaying toward his like a compass finding true north.
"Some things can't wait."
Asher claimed her mouth with a hunger that surprised even him. There was nothing gentle in this kiss – it was possession, pure and simple. His dragon surged forward, demanding he mark her and claim her, make her understand that she was his in every way that mattered.
Before he had a chance to stop himself, his hands gripped her waist, and he lifted her effortlessly onto the kitchen island. Her legs instinctively wrapped around him. The light blue sundressshe wore bunched around her thighs, and her breath hitched as he crowded into her space, his eyes dark with hunger.
"Asher," she whispered, her hands sliding up his bare chest. "I thought we weren't doing this yet."
"I can't wait," he growled, his lips finding hers again in a searing kiss that left no room for argument. His dragon roared inside him, demanding he take, claim, andmark. But he tempered it with the flicker of humanity that still tethered him. She wasn't just his mate, she was Danica, and she deserved more than his dragon's primal urges.
He broke the kiss only to trail his mouth down her neck, nipping at the delicate skin there before soothing it with his tongue. Her hands tangled in his dark hair, tugging slightly, and the sensation sent a jolt of pleasure straight to his groin.
"This has to go," he muttered against her skin, pulling at the thin straps of her dress. He needed to see her, all of her. The fabric slipped down to her waist, revealing her full breasts. Her nipples were already hard, begging for his attention.
Asher didn't hesitate. He captured one nipple in his mouth, licking and sucking until she gasped. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and her nails dug in slightly, the sting only fueling his need.
"Asher," she moaned, her voice breathless. "I've never—never done anything like this before. Spontaneous and reckless, on a kitchen island?—"
"Good," he said, moving to her other breast, his tongue swirling around the hardened nipple. "You can be reckless with me."
Her breath hitched, and she let out a soft laugh. Though it quickly turned into a moan as his hands slid up her thighs, pushing the dress higher. His fingers hooked into the edge of her panties, and he paused, looking up at her, his eyes blazing.
"Tell me to stop," he said, his voice filled with desire. "If you want me to stop, say it now."
Danica's eyes locked with his, her brown irises dark with desire. She shook her head, her lips curving into a wicked smile. "Don't you dare stop."
That was all the permission he needed. He slid her panties aside, his fingers finding her already slick folds. She gasped, her hips rocking against his hand as he explored her, finding the spots that made her writhe against him.
"You're so wet," he murmured, his voice low and possessive. "All for me."
"God, Asher," she breathed, her hands gripping the edge of the island as he dropped to his knees in front of her. His hands spread her thighs wider, and he leaned in, his breath hot on her skin before his tongue flicked out, tasting her.
Her head fell back, a moan escaping her lips as he licked and sucked at her sensitive flesh. Her hands found their way back to his hair, tugging as he worked her over with his mouth. The sounds she made—little gasps and moans—were music to his ears, driving him to push her further, faster, and harder.
He slid two fingers inside her, curling them just right, and she cried out, her hips bucking against his face. "Yes, yes, don't stop," she begged, her voice trembling.
Asher didn't stop. He couldn't. The taste of her, the way she moved against him, and the way she surrendered completely to the pleasure he gave her—it was intoxicating. His dragon preened, proud and possessive, but it was the man in him who wanted to make her feel good, who wanted to see her come undone because of him.
"You're close, aren't you?" he breathed, his voice muffled against her sensitive skin. "Let go, Danica. Come for me."
She didn't need to be told twice. Her body tensed and her back arched as her orgasm ripped through her. She cried outloudly, her thighs clamping around his head as he continued to lap at her, drawing out every last wave of her pleasure.
When she finally collapsed back onto the island, breathing hard, Asher rose to his feet, his hands resting on either side of her hips. He leaned down, capturing her soft lips in a slow, deep kiss, letting her taste herself on his tongue.
"You," she breathed against his lips, her hands sliding down his chest, "are dangerous."
"Only for you," he replied, his voice thick with satisfaction.
Asher's hands gripped Danica's hips, her back pressed against the kitchen island, her sundress hiked up around her thighs. Her breath came in short, uneven gasps as he kissed her, his lips claiming hers with a primal hunger. His body burned with need, every nerve alight with the feel of her beneath him, her warmth, her softness, and her scent. His dragon roared inside him, demanding he take her.
He broke the kiss just long enough to yank his athletic shorts down, his large cock springing free, hard and aching. Danica's eyes widened, her lips parting as she took him in, her hands sliding up to grip his shoulders.
