Dragon's Prisoner: A Curvy Girl Military Romance (Dragon Blaze Ops Book 4) Read online

  “Mmm. We don’t really have room for that,” Karey murmured, lifting her head to press a kiss to his jaw. Her hand slid under his shirt, brushing lightly. He tightened with desire for her. “But I’m fully healed. I don’t think we have to worry about that.”

  Adam’s own hands continued their journey. “I meant too early in our relationship. I did tell you that I was going to give you the time and space you needed to figure it out.”

  “I don’t need any more space or time.” Karey pressed herself a little tighter to him. “I know what love is now. You’ve shown me what it is. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. But there is one thing you’re right about. It is too early to start thinking about babies. Because I wouldn’t want them to have me for a mother. Not yet, at least.”

  Adam understood all too well what she meant. He didn’t think he was in any state to be a father—yet. “So, we both work on ourselves and revisit the idea in a year or two.”

  “Yeah. I do want kids. I just think it’s unfair to them not to be ready for them.”

  Adam grinned and kissed her. “But we will be ready. It’s not going to be too much longer. Because I know you’re going to make an excellent mother.”

  “And you’ll make a great father.”

  “Until then,” he whispered as he kissed her neck. “We’ll just have to be careful.”

  Karey moaned as she pressed herself to him. “Oh, good. Because I have a lot to learn, and I’m eager to start my lessons.”

  Epilogue

  Three Months Later

  Between his suspension, desk duty and taking time off so he could properly help Karey settle in and start figuring out what she wanted to do with her life, it felt like forever since Adam had trained with the Blaze Ops. His first day back, the team welcomed him with big smiles and claps on his back. Stephen volunteered to spar with him first.

  As they were winding down, Stephen helped him stand (having knocked him on his ass) and peered at him anxiously. “We’re cool, right?”

  Adam laughed. “I should be the one asking you that. After all, I’m the one who freaking kidnapped you.”

  “Well, we already talked about that.” Stephen’s cheeks tinged with pink as he scuffed his toes against the field they sparred on. “But there’s that other thing that we didn’t talk about. And I just wanted to make sure I didn’t freak you out or anything.”

  Right. What he’d said about having a crush on him. Adam clapped him on the back and pulled him in for a one-armed hug. “Nah, you didn’t freak me out. We’re cool. I’m flattered, man. Although I’m sorry that I can’t be more, you know, receptive.”

  Stephen laughed at that and shoved him. “Oh, I’m not sure that it was ever that kind of a crush. More like the admire from afar type. I can’t imagine what sort of shit show the two of us could get up to. We’d have destroyed the Blaze Ops.”

  “Would we have, really?” Adam laughed. “Well, if the Pack had known that they might have played matchmaker.”

  “Nah. You and Karey are mates. Nothing they could have done would change that. I just think it’s hilarious,” he continued, striking a defensive pose. “You were so mad at Liam and Eugene for acting like idiots over their mates, and then Karey comes along and…”

  “What can I say? I get it now.”

  Adam sprang forward. They sparred for several more minutes, trading blows and each trying to get the one-up on the other. It felt so good to be actually sparring again that Adam couldn’t stop grinning. It distracted him, though, and it wasn’t that long before Stephen had swept his feet out from under him.

  “You gotta start paying more attention, man.” Stephen offered another hand, grinning, but froze suddenly.

  Adam was struck by a sly need; he grasped Stephen’s hand and kicked his legs out from under him, rolling and pinning his teammate to the ground. “Ooh, what’s that about paying attention?”

  Stephen elbowed him in the ribs. Adam let out a grunt and rolled off him. As Stephen scrambled back to his feet, his face red, he kept glancing to the side. Adam followed his gaze to see Maura and Cooper standing on the far side of the training field. The leopard and lion seemed to be in deep conversation, both of them gesturing animatedly.

  Cooper turned and gave such a hateful glare toward the Blaze Ops that Adam’s brows rose.

  “What’s that about?” he murmured as Cooper stalked away.

  “He’s had his tail in a twist ever since it was decided that Karey would be pardoned for her crimes.” Stephen scowled. “You know him. He believes in the harshest of punishments. I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to convince Maura to give her the electric chair.”

  Adam growled instinctively.

  Stephen smacked his arm. “I didn’t say he is advocating it. I said I’m surprised he’s not.”

  “All the same.” Adam glared after Cooper for another moment before he realized that Stephen’s gaze was still where it had been several minutes ago. Glancing over, he saw Maura sitting at a picnic table, spreading a lunch out before her. He elbowed Stephen in the ribs, jostling him. “Why don’t you go ask her if you can join her since you can’t stop staring?”

  “Shut up.”

  “I’d love to but unfortunately I can’t. You keep mocking me about Karey, so of course I’m going to mock you back when I have the opportunity.” He ribbed Stephen again. “And don’t give me that ‘it’s against the rules’ excuse. Nobody around here bothers with any of the rules and none of us would care if you pursued the first legitimate relationship in the Blaze Ops. Welllll…” He glanced over his shoulder to where Patrick and Fiona were sparring. “Other than Mom and Dad, that is.”

  “It’s not against the rules.”

  Adam rose a brow.

  “We don’t have any rules against people in the Academy dating. Not even in the chain of command. Any of us could date Maura, and it wouldn’t be breaking any rules or anything like that.”

  “So what’s stopping you?”

  Stephen smacked him and jerked his head toward the changing rooms. They headed in, following after Liam, Evan, and Eugene. Before entering the building, though, Stephen stopped. He turned to Adam, briefly grasping his elbow to make him stop.

  “Here’s the thing,” he said, his voice low. “I do like Maura. She is super hot, and I’d love to have her legs wrapped around my waist. But that’s all it is. It’s not like you and Karey or Patrick and Fiona or the others. I’m not interested in a relationship. I’m not interested in romance or anything like that. All I want is sex. And I respect her too much to start anything with her when that’s the case.”

  Adam had to smirk. “What makes you think she would want anything other than sex, either?”

  “I—” Stephen’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red. “It’s the professionality of it. When I’m looking at her and all I see is her curves instead of my boss, that’s disrespectful.”

  “So, what you’re saying is you can’t see someone as a sexual being as well as a respectable, successful leader?”

  “No!”

  Adam laughed. For the first time in forever, he had the upper hand with Stephen’s teasing. And he liked it. He would have continued, but at that moment he saw Karey tearing across the field. A huge grin spread across her face, waving a paper in her hand. Adam caught her as she bulldozed into him, forcing him back a step. He collided with the door, which swung inward. They nearly toppled as Adam reached for something to grab onto. Stephen caught them both and righted them.

  “Easy,” he chuckled. “Am I right in guessing that you’ve received some exciting news there?”

  “Only the best!” Karey gushed as she waved the paper, her smile getting even bigger. If she didn’t ease up, she might end up breaking her face. “I got a response. I’m in!”

  Adam’s eyes widened. For the last three months as the two of them discussed what options she had moving forward, she kept coming back to medical school. Going back and becoming a doctor, rather than a nurse. Two weeks ag
o, she submitted an official request to be allowed into a training program run by Dr. Erica Bennet, the chief physician here at the Academy. They figured that she’d have the best chances if she was being closely watched by someone in the Academy.

  That they received the news so quickly and that it was good news was more than Adam had expected.

  He let out a whoop, picking her up and swinging her in the air. “That is fantastic!”

  “I didn’t know if they were going to let me anywhere near all the medical stuff,” Karey said, smiling at her paper once more. “But I guess this means it’s real, right? My therapist told me to stay positive and I did and now it’s happening!”

  “Wait.” Stephen frowned. “What do you mean you didn’t think they’d let you near the medical stuff? Aren’t you working with Utopia to figure out how to use the serum to eradicate diseases without changing the genetic code of the host?”

  Adam snickered. “That’s awfully technical of you. Like you were quoting something out of a handbook.”

  “Actually, I was quoting.” Stephen’s cheeks went red again as he glared at Adam. “It’s from a letter Maura sent off. She wanted me to proofread it, okay?”

  Oh, so there was nothing there? Adam couldn’t help but wiggle his brows knowingly at Stephen. He flushed a deeper shade of crimson. No matter how many protests Stephen made, Adam was certain there were more reciprocated feelings than he knew. Or maybe than he allowed himself to acknowledge.

  “That’s right,” Karey interjected before Adam could tease more. “But that’s different. I’m just filling in the gaps of the research that’s been recovered. Shane Carter did a lot with Utopia’s work and since I was there with it…” She trailed off, her shoulders slumping as guilt passed over her face. “But this is different. It’s to get actual training. So I can start actually helping people.”

  Stephen nodded. “Got it. Well, congratulations, Karey. I’m glad that things are working out for you here. After what you’ve been through, you deserve it.”

  She smiled her thanks at him, and Adam pulled her closer. “Yeah. Congratulations. I’m thrilled.”

  Karey smoothed his collar. “Thanks. Now. What do you think about…?”

  “Celebrating?” Stephen put in. “That’s my cue to leave.”

  “It is,” Adam agreed, then kissed Karey. “And it’s my cue to get you back home.”

  ***

  Karey dressed in sexy lingerie while Adam showered. She arranged herself on the bed fetchingly, practicing her come-hither look while she stroked herself. She wanted to be all ready for him, so he wouldn’t have to wait too long. When he emerged from the bathroom, hair damp, only a towel wrapped around his waist, she heated from the inside out. Her wolf growled in pleasure as her fires swept through her blood.

  “So fucking beautiful,” Adam breathed. His eyes grew dark with lust while a loving smile crossed his face. “Where are the condoms?”

  Karey held up a little package. “Right here. And I was thinking. I want to try a new position tonight.”

  Adam crawled onto the bed, caught her in a kiss and trailed a hand down her hip. The towel tented, revealing him to her gaze, and she moaned in her throat. “What position?”

  “Well. Remember when I said that I thought that sex could only be done like animals?”

  “Doggy style, then?”

  Karey giggled as she nodded. “I don’t like that name. It sounds so… well kind of gross. Why can’t you just say from behind?”

  “Because that’s not what it’s called.” Adam trailed kisses all over her as he slid a hand between her thighs.

  Karey moaned, responding in the like. She tossed the towel off the bed as she took him in her hand. She’d tried blowjobs from time to time, but Adam really didn’t enjoy them that much. She had come to realize she liked this best, too. Even though she adored when Adam used his mouth on her, nothing beat being able to kiss him, to look in his eyes, to give him pleasure as he gave her pleasure. There was nothing like it, this connection.

  Adam kissed her breasts over the fabric of her lingerie, his hands running all over her body. Karey memorized the feel of his muscles, almost reluctant to turn when he urged her onto her hands and knees. He ran his hands down her sides, pulling her tight against him. She let out a desperate moan as he ground against her, breath quick and loud with desire.

  “Okay. So from here, I’m going to make sure you’re slick enough, and then I’ll enter you.” Adam was just as breathless as she was. “And I can hold onto your hips like this. Or I could bend over you like this.”

  He put his hands on the bed next to hers, kissing her neck as he did so. Pleasure rippled through her and she moved back, wanting him inside of her already. He was so hard and thick against her, it was driving her crazy.

  “Or I could hold you by the shoulder and ponytail your hair in my hand. The risk with that is that as things get more passionate, I might pull or yank on your hair.” He once more demonstrated, bunching her hair in one hand while the other grasped her shoulder. “Or I could pull you up against me, keep my arm across your waist or chest. We might need to move up so you can brace yourself against the wall, though.”

  Karey didn’t want to have to make all of these choices. The heat pooled in her belly, her clit throbbing as it begged for more attention. Everything felt tight inside of her as she swelled, getting ready for him. She knew that Adam was still very careful about making sure that she knew everything he was going to do, though. And she appreciated it—after so much of her life being told her choices didn’t matter, after expecting that she’d have been given to a mate who didn’t care what she wanted sexually, she still felt a little overwhelmed at times.

  Not tonight, though. “I want you to do what feels good for you. And you can pull my hair a little bit, I don’t mind.”

  Adam returned his hands to his hips. “I don’t want to risk hurting you.”

  Warmth spread throughout her body, different from the burning lust. She twisted to smile back at him, the love in her heart making her feel so full she could burst. He was so considerate of her!

  He ripped open the condom package and rolled it on before he entered her. He filled her up, stretching her in ways that were different from their normal lovemaking position. A gasp and a cry escaped her as he began to thrust. Slowly, holding her in place with his hands on her hips, then growing faster.

  Her whole body shook with the force of his thrusts and cries burst from her. Her hair fell in a curtain around her face as she braced herself on the bed. He reached new depths in her body, his body stroking hers in all the right ways. She didn’t last long, crumbling down to her elbows as the pleasure came over her. Adam followed her, bringing her down on her side as he collapsed next to her.

  Karey moved her body with his, seeking out the last shockwaves that passed through them. When they both grew still, Adam held her snugly against his chest. She stroked his arms. Everything in the past months since she had first been kidnapped was like a dream. One that felt so unreal at times. She, with a mate she loved and desired, who felt the same way about her. Who cared for her, who took care of her, protected her, encouraged her.

  She never thought she’d have a life so happy, so perfect. And to think, they might have lost it all if it wasn’t for the fact that Adam kidnapped her.

  “What’s so funny?” Adam asked at her giggles, stroking her hip.

  “I was just thinking about what we’re going to tell the kids someday. ‘Your father and I met when he kidnapped me. But kidnapping is wrong, and you shouldn’t do it.’ It’s going to be one hell of a story, isn’t it?”

  Adam laughed. “Yeah, it is.”

  Karey twisted so she could kiss him. “But maybe we’ll just tell them you rescued me. Because you did. Without you, I never would have been able to break free of my father.”

  Adam shook his head. “I disagree.”

  “Do you?”

  “Yeah. I do. You would have gotten away. You were in survival mode a
nd you couldn’t think of anything but living day to day, but you would have gotten past that. You were already getting into a new way of looking at life. You were defying him, even if it was in small ways that benefited him.”

  Karey frowned. She didn’t quite know how to respond to that.

  “You would have broken free sooner or later. You would have come to the Academy and helped bring him down.”

  “I’m not sure I believe that.”

  Adam kissed the back of her neck and slowly withdrew from her. “Maybe you don’t, but I do. Your father convinced you that you were weak, but you were always strong. You’re a survivor, Karey. And surviving that kind of abuse is highly underrated.”

  Karey nodded, accepting that. It was similar to what her therapist told her, and it was just now only really sinking in just how much of her time and energy was devoted to merely surviving her father. “I’m glad he’s dead. I still feel guilty, but I’m glad he’s dead, where he can’t hurt anybody anymore.”

  “I know. But it really was the only way it was going to end.”

  “I know.”

  Adam crawled over her, careful not to crush her and settled down facing her. “But thanks to you, the Pack is down. As soon as we take care of those small pockets that are still out there, you won’t have to fear them ever again. Nobody is going to hurt you while I’m alive, Karey. Nobody.”

  “I know,” she repeated. She curled up against him, reveling in his strength and warmth.

  She smiled to herself. It seemed all her dreams were coming true. From here on out, she could build herself into the person she wanted to be. The person who would be worthy of Adam. And once she started doing that, she’d be able to face her past with more strength. She had done terrible things, but she was going to make up for it.

  She was smart, strong and able. And she was going to use every ounce of strength she had to make the world a better place. With Adam by her side, she couldn’t fail.

  *****

  THE END