A Way to a Dragon’s Heart (10 page)

Chapter Thirteen

“You want Caleb to be your bridge?” he heard Xander ask.

“Caleb is here,” Kryssa replied.

The screen door opened, and Caleb stepped inside. “I parked under the carport so I just came to the side door.” He set several bags on the dining table and let his gaze move over them. “Sorry to interrupt. Now that I’ve set these down I can go for a walk.”

Xander looked to Kryssa. She smiled and shook her head. “You came at the end. You’re not interrupting.” She kissed Xander. “We should clean up. You two take the full bathroom. I’ll use the one by the laundry room.” She got up carefully and walked to Caleb. “Give me your clothes.”

Caleb laughed and pulled his shirt over his head. “I admit this is not the reception I expected, but I’m quite happy with it.”

“You’ll be happier when you’re not soaked to the skin with cold rain. I’ll put these in the dryer while you go with Xander to get a towel.”

Caleb’s gaze moved over her as he stripped down, and he didn’t hide his appreciation. “I guess this makes us even for earlier.”

“Nope, I’m still up one naked viewing, so I owe you.” Kryssa smiled and took his clothes. Caleb laughed, a sound somewhere between a coo and a growl escaping his throat in what was most often called a Dragon’s purr.

“Mmm, that’s new, I like it,” she said.

“I like the way your scent changed just now,” he countered. Something in her expression made his skin flush hot and a throb shoot low in his pelvis. “What are you thinking, Kryssa?”

“If your throat is capable of that purr, I’m wondering what other pleasure sounds I could force from you if I do the right things the right way.” With the barest smile, she turned with his clothes, disappearing down the small hall alongside the kitchen toward the garage.

Caleb walked to Xander. “Oh gods, tell me this is exactly what it looks like, please.” He took a deep breath. “And what it smells like. I may actually cry otherwise.”

Xander kissed him and headed to the bathroom. “It’s almost exactly what it looks like…I think.” He closed the door and leaned against it. “I didn’t expect it be like that.”

“Like what exactly?” Caleb asked. He wet a washcloth as he listened.

“I don’t know how to describe it all.”

Caleb brought over the small padded bench from the dressing area and sat down in front of Xander. “Start from the part you do.”

“I thought it would be more distant, awkward, maybe even a little frightening without the Bond because if I messed up I wouldn’t know it. But that’s not what happened.” Xander reached down and brushed his hands over Caleb’s. “You should dry off. I can do that.”

“Yes, you could but why would you when you know I enjoy it?” Caleb smiled up at him. “Now, while I indulge my grooming instinct, why don’t you tell me what did happen instead of what didn’t?” He wiped the cloth along Xander’s thigh and watched the diminishing erection gain new strength. “Wow, it must have been something; even the memory is having an effect.”

“It’s a different memory from today, and it’s all you,” Xander explained.

Caleb grinned. “I see.” He moved the cloth, avoiding the length of him. “Something I said or something I did?” he teased.

“What you said while you were doing other things.” Xander grew harder. “All of which is distracting me from my point.”

“You’re waiting to see if I resist tasting her on you.”

Xander laughed. “I was only thinking about the fact you said it.
Now
I’m waiting to see if you resist or not.”

Caleb licked his lips. “So am I. Your kiss tastes of her, but needless to say, I’m intensely curious about the combination of you both. I will however let you continue first. What happened that you didn’t expect?”

“The Pleasure Bond formed. Almost immediately it fell in place, strong and clear. I could feel her completely, not just the pleasure, but the emotion behind it the way I do with you. It was so natural I didn’t realize until afterwards.”

Caleb paused, taken aback. “She didn’t fight it at all?”

“I don’t think so. There was a moment there close to coming the first time where she started to pull back but I didn’t get any sense of resistance. I was busy trying not to lose any ground, but I’m positive I would have noticed a fight.”

“Agreed.” Caleb picked his words with care. “It’s rare to have a Bond form the very first time. I’d have predicted one with Kryssa because of how long you’ve known each other and how much you love her, but I would have expected it to be much harder to establish with how hesitant she’s been.” There, that sounded much better than saying he’d expected her to bolt.

“I don’t think she’s as scared as she used to be. I think knowing you and I are going to give this a real and honest try let her relax.” Xander stood up straight. “You just shivered. We should get you dried off.”

Caleb pushed him back against the door. “In a minute. I’m still considering, and I like this position.” He sorted through his thoughts. “So you think she’s less concerned because you have enough going on not to chase her quite so hard?”

Xander seemed to consider. “Yeah, I think she’s less scared I’ll try for the rebound slot and be doomed.” He brightened. “But she also mentioned that she didn’t necessarily think the next relationship had to be doomed. We talked about the sabbatical and wanting to travel and meet people that…” He stopped.

“People that?” Caleb looked up, and Xander’s expression brought him to his feet. “What’s wrong?” He touched Xander’s face.

“She told me a little bit more about the break-up. Landon didn’t like her Dragon-Form. Everything he said and then everything he said trying to fix it just tore into her. She planned the sabbatical so she’d have time to get over how that felt, not how she felt about him. The break from work would mean a chance to travel and find someone less judgmental, someone she wouldn’t be self-conscious with.” He met Caleb’s gaze. “It’s bad enough to learn he made her feel that way. It’s worse to know she wondered if I’m someone who would judge.” He touched the dragon tattoo. “All because of some ink never meant to be a snapshot.”

Caleb asked for an exact replay of the conversation, and Xander obliged. Caleb hugged him. “Don’t worry, you made it clear and I’m sure she understands now you don’t expect anything. I know she loves you and considers you her best friend. She wouldn’t feel that way if she really thought you’d hurt her. Her concern, her hesitancy, it’s just an echo. We all get them when we’ve been hurt. She knows it’s the past and not you.” He pulled back to look at him. “The fact we’re standing here with you wonderfully scenting of sex proves it, right?”

Xander nodded, and Caleb kissed him. The taste sent a shiver through him, and he deepened the kiss, pressing Xander to the door. They stood there all hands and mouths for several long moments until Xander’s soft laugh broke the kiss.

“I don’t think we have enough time.”

“It depends on where we’re headed,” Caleb replied. He kissed down Xander’s chest until it brought him back to sitting. “Explain the whole bridge thing.” He licked along the bottom of Xander’s shaft and circled the swelling head with his tongue.

“Why do you want to torture me with multitasking today?”

“Payback for picking a fight,” Caleb admitted.

Xander made his way through a good bit of explanation as Caleb tongue bathed every inch of skin to hold their mingled flavors. Then he swallowed Xander down and turned their attention elsewhere. His throat convulsed in anticipation as Xander’s sounds grew eager, and Caleb came up for air, replacing his mouth with his hand.

“You were saying something about bridges being forever under the right circumstances,” Caleb reminded him.

“You’re evil and no longer my friend.” Xander gasped.

“I’m also the one holding your golden moment hostage. But I promise it’s yours for the talking.” He switched off, sucking hard and deep and then stopped cold.

“Okay, okay. She said some people can be bridges and forever.” Caleb moved again, and Xander focused. “She said it depends on the person but never saw me as a bridge, only someone’s forever.”

Caleb switched out again, his hand pumping fast and relentless. “The way you’re my forever; I see her point.” Xander touched his face, and Caleb smiled. “So how do you go from one to the other or from one to both? Who gets to be so lucky?”

Xander shook his head. “No. I have a question first. Have you imprinted on me?”

A soft laugh preceded taking Xander down his throat again. “Uh huh”. He gave it his all, pausing only once more. “Now tell me and you can go all out.” He slid his hands from Xander’s hips and slipped them behind his lover’s body. “How do we find her a bridge or someone who can be both? What kind of person are we looking for to help get you two together?” He fit his mouth over Xander, relaxed his throat, and let him take control.

Xander moved his hands through Caleb’s hair and lifted his hips, the first thrust tentative and then growing bolder. He pumped in and out of Caleb’s mouth almost frantic, and Caleb gave an inward smile, sure no answer would come to his question until his lover has finished. But Xander surprised him.

“If her answer wasn’t coincidence,” Xander panted, “we’re looking for you.”

Before he could process it, his attention turned to the pacing of breath and the swallowing down of all Xander had to offer.

Chapter Fourteen

Caleb stood watching Kryssa. She sat at the dining table, humming softly to the music, and eating the treats from the café, now arranged on different platters. The dark yellow dress shirt shone gold against the jet black of her hair and rich darkness of her skin. It was buttoned midway down, and the cuffs were undone, just as it had been when he pulled it over his head to hand to her.

Her tongue swirled over the mini cupcake, removing icing in an enchantingly obscene manner. He admired her technique. Had she used it on Xander? Caleb’s heart sped up. If his name hadn’t been a coincidence, would she eventually use it on him?

“Hey, Caleb.” She smiled. “Why are you way over there?”

“Just figuring out why it looks so much better on you.” He walked across the living room. “That is my shirt, right?”

Kryssa looked down. “Well, look at that, it is.” She threw him a grin. “Your jacket didn’t do a half bad job. This was only wet in spots. I checked it after a quick shower, and it was nice and ready. I didn’t think you’d be needing it.” She nodded toward his borrowed shorts, the only thing he wore.

He reached the patio doors and took a deep breath of the cold, rain-scented air coming through the open side. “You’d be hard pressed to know it was shorts weather this morning.” He closed his eyes and let a breeze wash over him. “But I’m glad it took a turn. The fire is nice.” He opened his eyes with a start, suddenly aware she’d moved beside him.

“You should go over to it.” She put her hand on his arm. “Your hair is still wet, and you’re shivering.”

It didn’t have anything to do with the damp chill, but he let her lead him over and guide him down to the thick, plush rug in front of the fireplace. She walked back to the table to grab her towel from the chair she’d been sitting in and a tray of sweets that she sat on the coffee table. The table had been completely cleared of all but the wine bottle and glasses. “How long were we in there? You got a lot done.”

“Not long, I’m just that good.” She started rubbing the towel through his hair. “So I gather you took it well.”

He looked at her from under the towel. “You and Xander?” She nodded, and he grinned. “You could say that. He said a Pleasure Bond formed.” He watched her face closely.

“It did. I haven’t had that happen before. It usually takes a few times. But it was…” She took a deep breath. A smile finally took her as if it had to travel a long way. “Wonderful, it was wonderful.”

“I’m glad. I wanted it to be wonderful between you.” He reached up and took her hands. “I wouldn’t want this to be any other way. I wouldn’t change a minute of the timing. I’m happy you’re here, Kryssa, and that you’re with Xander. I mean it. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift for my Awakening.” He came up onto his knees. “I want you to know I don’t expect anything. I know it’s not automatic, that being intimate with Xander doesn’t mean taking our friendship that next step as well.”

Her hands slipped from his. “No, it doesn’t.” She cupped his face. “Making our friendship an intimate one would be a deliberate choice and one made because it felt right for both of us, nothing automatic about it; natural, yes, but not automatic.”

Caleb nodded. “What deliberate choice are we making? I threw my hat in the ring months back, now that I’m sure where Xander stands I just need to know the official word from you.” He touched her hands on his face. “Bathing in the aftermath, looking on from afar, observing from touching distance, acting as a spare tongue here and an extra set of hands there…” His hands moved to her hips, kneading the flesh. “The addition that fulfills a fantasy, a secondary that covers the gaps, an equal partner that is all of the above and more at different hours of day as needed. It’s all works for me, Kryssa. They’re all hats I’ve worn before, and each one is comfortable for a different reason.”

Her hand slid into his hair. “It’s so easy with you. Not just the openness to what comes but the genuine happiness in things being whatever they need to be.” She started to glance towards the bathroom. “The Bond shouldn’t have happened.”

“No,” Caleb agreed. “Not the first time without something to build upon. If you’d been gradually getting more and more intimate, perhaps, but for what you have, no. That only happens for one reason.”

Kryssa nodded. “It’s not infatuation, or just pining for something beyond his reach because he can’t have it. He’s in love with me.”

“You’re strong willed, and fear will outpace love in nearly every race given half a chance.” Caleb shook his head. “He couldn’t have formed the Bond on his own.” She rocked back, and he gripped her tightly. “It’s okay. You don’t have to do anything about it just yet.”

“I don’t want to lose him,” she whispered.

“You won’t,” Caleb promised. “There’s no obligation. You can just take it in for what it is and let it flow as slowly as it has to.”

Her eyes closed. “You’re not going to tell him?”

“No. I think he’d like to hear that you’re in love with him directly. When you’re ready.” A fine tremble moved beneath his hands, and he quickly added, “If you’re ever ready, but not a minute before.” She gave a shuddering breath and nodded. “You really didn’t know until right now, did you?”

“I knew I wanted him. I knew I loved him. But no, I didn’t know how deep it went, not for sure, until afterwards.”

He pulled her down into his arms and held on. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll figure it out in single steps. Sexual intimacy is its own complex and fulfilling step. We can stay here for months easily. There’s time to get it all sorted.”

She held him tightly. “Is it easier with you because you’re not in love with me?”

Caleb fought to give no reaction, but he wouldn’t lie. “It’s easier because loving someone, even being in love with them, means something different to me. I’m just built a different way.” He rubbed a hand along her back. “It also helps that you’re not in love with me. I think that would have you quite a bit more frightened.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. You’re so much harder to lose, so there’s much less to be frightened about.”

Caleb tried to process the idea without reading into it, but she spoke again before he had the chance.

“What do I do, Caleb? How do I give him less than he deserves if I love him? It’s not his fault I don’t think I’m ready.” She shrugged in his arms. “This is all so different than I’d planned. I thought this step would come after feeling done with all the break-up mess. How do I get through this without cheating him? How do I get ready?”

He kissed her temple. “Xander mentioned something about a bridge.”