Free Serpent's Kiss: A Dragonfire Novel by Deborah Cooke Page B

Chandra heard police motorcycles pulling around the corner of the warehouse. An unwelcome nausea suddenly ripped through her body. She held tightly to Thorolf as a wind swirled around them, one as ferocious as a tempest.
    Her mouth went dry, even as her desire doubled and doubled again. She was trapped against Thorolf, held captive by one great claw, and consumed with memories of his scorching kisses. These Pyr felt such powerful sensations and passions that she was awed. She’d never felt so vehemently or been so keenly aware of another person. Her tendency to keep everything and everyone at arm’s length was incinerated by the firestorm, making her feel vulnerable and emotional.
    Alive.
    And burning with desire for more.
    Did she have the fortitude to deny the temptation that was Thorolf?
    Chandra hoped for the sake of both of them that she did.
    * * *
    The sensation of manifesting elsewhere was a strange one. Thorolf felt himself flung off his feet and cast through the air, something that didn’t happen often when he was in dragon form. After a long interval, his back suddenly collided with stone. He landed so hard that the breath was knocked out of him, but he shifted shape. He cradled Chandra close, determined to protect her.
    Would the firestorm really save him from turning Slayer ?
    Why couldn’t he remember almost two years?
    And how the hell had he gotten this tattoo? The possibility that it was Chen’s work seriously creeped Thorolf out, never mind wondering what had been put in the ink. That had to be why it burned so much.
    Was Chandra really determined to deny the firestorm? Or had she just been surprised enough to protest?
    Thorolf took a steadying breath and the smell of wet vegetation filled his nostrils. He couldn’t discern Rafferty at all, which meant that Pyr had continued on to another destination. Thorolf let the firestorm’s radiant heat slide through his body, reassuring him even as it fed his desire. The firestorm had to save him. Chandra would save him. He wasn’t lost yet and he wasn’t going to be lost so long as he had anything to say about it.
    The firestorm was the key.
    Which meant he needed to convince Chandra.
    With the firestorm on his side, he was confident that could be done.
    Thorolf was lying on his back in human form, with Chandra sprawled over him. The light of the firestorm had changed, turning to an ethereal silver, although it still fed that simmering desire within him. The silver radiance touched Chandra’s features, making her look so alluring that she was irresistible.
    Thorolf pulled her closer, intending to claim a kiss but she braced her hands against his chest and pushed back.
    “No way,” she said with a steely resolve that surprised him. “We have to work out a lot of things first.”
    He didn’t believe for one minute that they could resist the firestorm, but he was prepared to give her a bit of time to get used to the idea. After all, she was his destined mate. She’d kissed him back. She was attracted to him. If she was feeling anything like he was, she might be arguing because she knew she’d lose the battle. If she wanted to try to deny the firestorm, it would only burn hotter and be better when they did sate it.
    Thorolf decided he could live with that.
    Chandra got to her feet and put distance between them so deliberately that he understood it was on purpose. He also knew it wouldn’t make any difference. He noticed the way she caught her breath, and how she couldn’t keep herself from taking a good look at him. He listened and heard the rapidity of her pulse, which was all the confirmation he needed.
    The firestorm was on his side.
    He wasn’t the most patient Pyr on the planet but for the sake of his firestorm, he’d give patience a try.
    Thorolf braced his weight on his elbow and smiled as he took a long slow look at her. His perusal agitated Chandra, more proof that the firestorm was undermining her self-control and destined to win. “You’re