Free Breath of Flame and Shadow by Ophelia Bell

lingered around the human like an aura. He took a deep breath before speaking, hoping to get his emotions under control. “What you’re offering requires a bit of sacrifice on your part, Mister…” Rafe raised an eyebrow, inviting the young human to give up his identity.
    “Trevor Markham.” He held out his hand and Rafe gripped it tightly. Rafe didn’t release the hand, instead pulling closer. Trevor reluctantly moved until his chest was against Rafe’s and Rafe’s mouth was at his ear.
    “I’m Rafe. Is there a private place for Roka and I to finish this, or do we have to resort to exhibitionism like the rest of your friends?”
    Trevor’s eyes widened. “You’re Rafe? Oh. Ah, sure. H-how private are we talking?”
    “Depends on what you want advertised, buddy,” Roka said, clapping a hand on Trevor’s shoulder hard enough to make the human flinch a little. Roka’s huge, white-haired form loomed threateningly and Trevor glanced back once, his eyes widening.
    Trevor nodded and grimaced slightly, darting a look between the two dragons. “I should tell you that I’m not really into…that…” His voice trailed off when Rafe raised an eyebrow, daring him to finish his sentence. So many human men he’d met were rigidly against coupling, so he’d avoided them. He preferred women, but men could be even more potent sources of energy, as long as they were willing. Trevor’s physical reaction contradicted his words, however, the rigid line of his erection pressing into Rafe’s hip and his pupils dilating in response to Rafe’s breath against his skin.
    “Are you absolutely sure you’re not?” Rafe asked. He lowered his hands to Trevor’s hips and pulled him tighter so the man could feel Rafe’s arousal, thick and pulsing, growing ever more insistent the longer Rafe spent in contact with the delicious tingle of Rowan’s energy that lingered around Trevor.
    Trevor averted his eyes, but made no move to escape Rafe’s grasp. “Are all of you this insistent about…sex?”
    “It’s a means for survival as much as enjoyment,” Rafe said, releasing Trevor from his grip. “Now lead on, Mr. Markham.”
    The conflicting flow of energy around Trevor amused Rafe, and he shared a covert look with Roka on their way into the house.
    “He’s a fucking trooper, we should go easy on him,” Roka sent.
    Easy was a relative term. The human would enjoy the experience as much as Rafe did. But by “easy” Rafe knew Roka was referring to the depth of feeling they put into the act. And because this was for Rowan, he had no qualms about making it worth it for the human.
    “If he’s doing this it means he’s fallen hard for her. He cares for her. He deserves nothing less for his offer to help.”
    Trevor led them up a wide flight of stairs to the upper floor of the expensive beach-side house—a house that any dragon might be proud of. Rafe could see a trickle of sweat making its way down the back of Trevor’s tanned neck, beneath the short, dark hair, until it was absorbed by the pale cotton collar of his t-shirt. In spite of the obvious scent of clean skin on the young man, Rafe was acutely aware of the smell of Rowan that melded with it and wondered if Trevor had pleasured her as well as Rafe had. Oddly, he didn’t feel jealous, but he did look forward to the possibility of sharing Trevor with Rowan when they found her.
    “Are you taking him, or am I? I just want to be prepared,” Roka asked.
    “I’m taking him. You’re damn good with your mouth, so use that.”
    Roka chuckled out loud, the sound causing Trevor to tense and look over his shoulder at them.
    The entire scenario reminded Rafe of weekend nights searching out a lover, except Roka’s presence made it much more enjoyable. He almost wished he’d had his friend with him before. The pair of them could have pleased so many women to the point of delirium. The fact of his love for Rowan aching in his chest made the need all the greater.
    Trevor led