Sadie's Shadow Read online

  Over his shoulder, she came eye to eye with the marking representing his dragon. She knew the beast’s massive wings and body covered her mate’s back but at that moment, Sadie outlined the beast’s ridged brow and the long, curved battle horns upon his head with the tip of her finger, chuckling as goose bumps rose all over Orion’s wonderfully muscled chest.

  Placing butterfly kisses on the dragon’s snout, she smiled against her mate’s heated skin as he hissed and held his breath with each caress. Her hand massaged the muscles of his six-pack, working her way toward the waistband of his pants while her lips continued to nip and taste his delectable flesh. Sadie simply could not get enough of Orion and reveled in each of his groans as her fingers teased his straining cock through the worn cotton of his jeans.

  Pulling her hands to his belt, she slid the leather through the loops and smiled as the buckle clattered against the tiled floor. Unbuttoning his pants, Sadie let her hand follow the trail of dark hair, sighing when her fingers stretched to cover the girth of his erection. Her heart sped as he throbbed against her palm. Working her fist up and down several times, loving the catch in Orion’s breath, she rubbed her thumb through the drop of wetness that had already gathered at the tip, spreading the proof of his excitement all over his swollen head. Orion’s fists clenched at his sides and in her mind, he growled, “Sadie, mo banphrionsa, mo bhanríon I…lo…love you.”

  “And I love you, mo chroí, mo rí,” she whispered in return, rubbing her thumb along the thick pulsing vein on the underside of his cock.

  Orion rolled his hips, dragging his cock in and out of her clenched fist as his breathing became more erratic, his movements more frantic, his thoughts more chaotic. Looking up, she watched the pulse in his neck pound a heavy beat, loving that she could drive her mate as wild as he drove her.

  Groaning loudly, Orion’s head fell back and his fists beat against his tensed thighs, signaling how close to losing control he truly was. Working her fist up and down his generous length, she used her free hand to shove his jeans to the floor. As he kicked them out of the way, she placed her free hand on his thigh and leaned forward, taking as much of his erection into her mouth as she could. His essence exploded on her tongue.

  Slowly and deliberately, she let him slide from her mouth, only to tease the slit at the tip with her tongue. Orion’s hands flew to her head and tangled in her hair. Tension built in his fingers as he gently massaged her scalp. The muscles in his powerful legs quivered against her hands as the need to move his hips grew.

  Longing to see her dragon utterly lost in the throes of passion, she sucked him back into her mouth until the tip of his cock touched the back of her throat then hollowed her cheeks and swallowed as deliberately as she could. The low, rumbling groan from Orion’s lips nearly rattled the windows. His hands shifted to her shoulders and his hips drew back, attempting to pull his erection from her mouth.

  Sliding her hand to the back of his thigh, she held tight and whispered, “Please, Orion, please let me love you.”

  He immediately stopped resisting with a barely intelligible groan, and even stronger feelings of love and commitment flowed between them, spurring the dragoness on. Sliding her lips over him, Sadie once again was using her free hand to tenderly tease and massage his balls.

  A grumble that started low in his throat turned to a growl and ended up as a roar of her name. “Sadie…oh gods, Sadie… Beidh mé grá duít go geo!”

  Not wanting to stop loving her mate, the dragoness hummed her agreement to his beautiful words. The vibrations from her response were a happy accident that caused him to groan louder and longer and for her to smile, making a note to remember how much he liked that one simple move.

  Lost to their passion, Orion attempted to pull from her mouth with as much force as Sadie tried to keep him there. The resulting motion was a give and take, in and out, where the couple met one another stroke for stroke. The faster they went, the harder it became for her mate to breathe, his balls tightening in her hand.

  Wanting to taste all that he was, Sadie quickened their pace, using her enhanced speed to move him in and out of her mouth faster and faster until Orion roared her name. Sadie swallowed every drop of his warm, wet essence, continuing to work him across her lips until his breathing slowed and his muscles relaxed.

  Removing her hand from the back of his thigh, Orion rolled his hips until he fell from her lips and then knelt before her. Placing his hands on her waist, her dragon looked at her with so much love, Sadie didn’t even try to stop the tears that wet her cheeks. Smiling a smile the dragoness knew was only for her, Orion said, “Thank you for your love, your strength, and for not running anymore. Without you, Sadie Ashford McKendrick, I am just an old dragon, lost and alone in a world he doesn’t understand.”

  Leaning forward, he placed a kiss on her forehead, then one on each cheek, then one on each side of her mouth before working his way all the way down her throat. His journey continued to the neckline of the light blue dress her sisters had picked out for her. Every inch of her décolletage knew his attention, while his hands slowly worked down the zipper at her back. Sadie sighed as her dress floated to the floor, leaving her naked but for her white silk panties.

  In one fluid motion, Orion pulled her to her feet. She could feel his eyes caressing every part of her body from the tip of her toes to her long flowing hair she had left down as he had requested. Sadie felt her nipples harden and the dampness of her arousal wet the inside of her thigh.

  “You are the most perfect woman, dragon, princess, leader…person, I have ever known. I am humbled to be by your side and I will spend eternity showing you exactly how much you mean to me. I belong to no other. You own me, body, mind and soul,” he reverently whispered before crushing his lips to hers.

  Laying them back on the bed while whispering words of love and devotion into her mind, Orion kissed and tasted until Sadie knew she would never be able to live without his touch. They were irrevocably intertwined for all time…one in heart, one in mind, one in body, and one in soul.

  The sensual overload was nothing short of miraculous. His hands on her body, their shared feelings, his voice in her mind, and their hearts beating as one, drove the dragoness insane with desire. His fingers slid under the silk on her hip and one tug later, she was completely naked and utterly at his mercy.

  Sadie lifted her hips, trying to force his wandering hands where she ached the most, but Orion merely chuckled and placed his hand atop her mound, sliding his thumb back and forth, teasing her excited clit. Goose bumps raised all over her body. The dragoness growled her frustration through gritted teeth, using only his name, “Please…please mo ghra’, please, Orion love me.”

  She could hear the smile in his voice as he answered, “Oh yes, mo bhanríon, I will love you now and forever more.”

  His body moved against hers and the contact only heightened her soaring arousal. Looking down her body, she saw him kneeling between her legs. Their eyes met, held Sadie captive, unable to do anything but look into the eyes of the man that owned her as no other ever had or would.

  Placing his hands under her ass, he pulled her closer. The head of his cock touched her wet curls, causing her hips to lift of their own accord. Sadie sighed as Orion slid between her outer lips and bumped her clit. She struggled to move her hips forward. Tried with all her might to push him farther inside. They gasped in unison at the sensations her movements caused. Staring into one another’s souls, acknowledging their unbreakable bond, the couple began to move in unison.

  His hard, throbbing cock invaded her wet, warm pussy, stretching her, owning her, stopping only when he could go no farther. The feeling of utter bliss filled both dragons. The words, a union blessed by the Universe Herself, floated through Sadie’s mind in the Guardian’s voice.

  Delighting in the feeling of her womb contracting around Orion’s throbbing erection, they paused, letting the flood of emotion wash over them both. The uninhibited passion flowing between them height
ened the couple’s desire. Their hearts beat as one. Their bodies moved as one. They were one, for all time.

  Orion’s eyes looked down her body, leaving a scorching trail of unbridled passion in their wake. “Look at us, mo maité’. Perfectly joined together…” His words trailed off in reverence.

  At just a glimpse of their joined bodies, Sadie’s need compounded. Her hips moved with renewed vigor. The sight of him gliding in and out of her was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. Orion immediately responded, driving in and out of her, rolling his hips with every thrust. The tip of his cock rubbed against the bundle of nerves at the top of her channel as he bumped her swollen nub on every stroke.

  Unable to do anything but feel, Sadie held tight to the love and devotion she felt for her dragon and reached for his hands. Their fingers intertwined as she screamed her release to the Heavens a split second before Orion roared his at precisely the moment the dragoness felt a sting on the left side of her neck. She knew at once it was just as she’d been told when she was younger, ‘And the Universe shall mark you both, as mates, as one under Her divine providence, for all to see.’

  Slowly returning to earth, she reveled in the feel of Orion moving ever so slowly in and out of her with their hands still clasped. She grinned at his voice, rough from their lovemaking, when he asked, “Hello, mo ghrá, have you returned to me?”

  Sadie didn’t attempt to hide her pleasure as she purred, “As I always will, mo chroi’, as I always will.”Touching her neck at the same time that she saw the mark of double dragon wings on Orion’s neck, the dragoness added, “And we have been marked. Yet another blessing from the Universe.”

  Pulling himself from her, Orion crawled up Sadie’s body, kissed her soundly, and laid on his side facing her. She felt his hand slip under her pillow and rolled to face him. “What are you up to?” Sadie asked.

  Handing her a small velvet bag, Orion smiled, “Open it and see.”

  Holding her breath, Sadie carefully loosened the string, tipped the bag, and gasped when the most perfect Opal ring with spectacular fire set in an intricate gold setting fell into her hand. The oval cut gem was surrounded by glittering diamonds and the Claddagh signs sat under the setting on both sides of the band with diamonds set in the gold that would go all the way around her finger.

  Orion took the ring from her palm and held her left hand in his. Looking deep into her eyes, he promised, “You are mine and I am yours, heart to heart, hand to hand, never shall we part. Is brae liom tú.” Then he slid the ring on her finger.

  “Where did you...How did you?” Sadie was shocked, stuttering and more in love than she ever could have imagined.

  Laughing, Orion explained, “Drago’s nephew, Rayne, has been holding onto all our most sacred belongs that the Elders of our clans kept after our disappearance. The Commander carries them with him at all times, for occasions such as this.” He kissed her quickly then added. “It was my grandmother’s. She was mated to Orran, one of the original Dragon Kings, who I am loosely named after and inherited this ability from.”

  The air filled with her mate’s magic combined with that of his dragon’s as Orion completely disappeared from sight while finishing his thought aloud. “It was her dying wish that my mate wear the ring given to her by her one true mate and that we share the bountiful love and blessed life that they had.”

  It was weird to hear his voice and feel his touch but not be able to see him. So, using her preternatural sight, Sadie was able to barely make out a light outline of the man she loved, seeing exactly how he had earned the nickname ‘The Shadow’. “That is amazing,” she beamed, even more in awe of the man the Universe had made for her.

  “And this ring is simply,” the tears began to fall again as she blubbered, “Oh, Orion,” not even caring that she prided herself on never crying and was doing it for the second time in the same day. “And how appropriate that the opal is the sacred stone of the Ashford Dragons. You are absolutely amazing. I love you.”

  “And you,” he pulled her closer, “are nothing less than absolute perfection, my Queen.”

  “Queen is it, now?” Sadie chuckled, cuddling closer to the man she knew she could love forever.

  “Oh yes, you are most assuredly the Queen of this castle, Mrs. Sadie Ashford McKendrick,” he chuckled. “Forever may you reign,” he added before pulling her even closer and laying his lips to hers.

  “You are the best thing that has ever or will ever happen to me. I love you with every scale on this old dragon’s hide.”

  The words floated through her mind as their kiss deepened and Sadie could only answer, “And the dragon queen and her king lived happily ever after…”

  THE END

  (at least for now…)

  PHRYNE’S FIGHT

  Coming Summer 2017

  Book #2 in the Ladies of Sky Series

  After a hundred and some years on Earth, Phryne Fairchild has just learned the definition of a really bad day.

  It was bad enough that she found herself trapped in animal form but now, she’s lost the ability to call forth her wings, is unable to speak telepathically with her sisters…and was just rustled like a pack mule into the back of a stinky old horse trailer with five wild stallions. Bad just became worse and is heading towards the makings of her worst nightmare. What’s a Pegasus to do with no magic and no wings?

  Following up on a lead concerning the wild horse disappearances, Det. Jed Harrison finds evidence of an enemy as old as time. One that brings death and destruction not only to the Native Americans, but to all in Its path. As the trail grows cold, Jed is faced with another, even harsher reality, the scent of a long-lost breed, one that brings hope and vitality to not only his people but also the stallion with whom he shares his soul. Can he beat the ticking clock to save not only his tribe but also the mate of his heart?

  With the power of the Great Spirit and the strength of the Universe, one majestic Stallion will move Heaven and Earth to have the Destiny designed for him by Fate, but will it be enough?

  Join the journey of the Ladies of the Sky…Once You Take Flight, the World Will Never Look the Same Again.

  HER DRAGON TO SLAY

  Check Out the One that Started It All for the Dragon Guard

  Dragon Guard Book #1

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  Sassy and stubborn have gotten Kyndel through everything life had to throw at her. Will her moxie help when destiny falls at her feet?

  Hundreds of years of loyalty to Dragon Guard have made Rayne a fearless leader. When the long-foretold pull of his mate rocks the Commander’s world to its core will he be able to save her from his enemies in time?

  The chemistry between this strong-willed curvy girl and fierce warrior makes all the difference in the world where nothing is as it seems. The existence of an ancient race of honor-clad, tradition-bound protectors might be hard to accept but now the dead are coming back to life and holding a knife to her neck.

  Can these fated mates defeat their greatest enemies and get their happily ever after?

  Fate Will Not Be Denied!!

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  OUT OF THE ASHES

  Guardians of the Zodiac, Book #1

  A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance

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  Meet the Guardian of the Zodiac and introducing the Dragon Guard of the Sea!

  Lost and thought dead, these mighty dragons arise from the depths to not only help to save all mankind but reunite with others of their kind.

  The mission is simple – get into the enemy camp, free the humans, return the demons to Hell and return home the victor. For a Daughter of Poseidon and her constant companion, Drákon – a centuries old water dragon, that’s called a good day at work.

  Everything is going as planned. Una, eldest daughter and Guardian of Pisces, has checked one and two off her list, and is headed to three when things get complicated. Brody Mason bows at her feet, pledging his allegiance to not only
her but also, the gods and the Light. As a show of loyalty, he promises to take her to the portal from Hell and with his own blood help her close the door on the Underworld. This one act will rid the world of evil forever. There’s only one problem…he’s a Hellhound.

  It doesn’t matter that Drákon doesn’t believe him, fearing it yet another trick of Hades to deter them from their mission or that there’s fire in his eyes and the smell of brimstone on his olive skin, she can feel the truth in his words. It also doesn’t hurt that with just one glance he sets her heart ablaze and her pulse racing. Not that this is about love or lust, it is all about saving the Earth, protecting the humans, defeating her uncle’s evil…or is it?

  One leap of faith leads Una and Brody on a race against time and facing the fight of their lives. Hiding from Poseidon, Hades and an army of Guardians led by her sister, Zoe, this couple may have the best intentions but in the end, isn’t that what paves the road to Hell?

  Check out my website to get your copy TODAY!

  About Julia

  Hey Y’all! I’m Julia Mills the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Dragon Guard Series. I without a doubt admit to being a sarcastic, southern woman who would rather spend all day laughing than a minute crying. Living with my two most amazing daughters and a menagerie of animals, keeps me busy but I love telling a good story. Now, that I’ve decided to write the stories running through my brain, life is just a blast!

  My beliefs are simple. A good book along with shoes, makeup, and purses will never let a girl down and no hero ever written will compare to my real-life hero, my dad! I’m a sucker for a happy ending and alpha men make me swoon.