The Dragon of Croatia Read online

  She needed to go back and find what the men had left here, that was her first concern. But she was too fascinated by the dragon. It looked as if he watched her now. She turned away, a shiver slithered through her, a tingling that felt sexual pulled at her. She stepped back from the dragon. That was when her eyes found the bundle. Back behind a ledge, to the right, a cloth peeked out from some smaller rocks.

  She walked over and crouched down, the dragon and woman forgotten for the moment. She pulled the burlap back from the bundle. This wasn't what the men brought; they had huge bundles of something. This was too small. It was a stone tablet with hieroglyphics. She recognized some of the symbols from studying the bascanska ploca, the famous baska stone tablet, which had been discovered in Croatia ten years earlier. Probably something a schoolteacher might not know, but an agent sent to apprehend smugglers, might.

  Most of it she couldn't decipher. However, she only recognized about every fifth symbol. She studied each mark, frustration building with her inability to decipher the symbols. Moving her finger to the next line there was a space empty of any symbols; a gap of about four inches. Then more symbols. However, these characters were different. She didn't recognize any of the writing, and it was far smaller hieroglyphs.

  She ran her fingertips over the symbols, hoping for some enlightenment. Her brain didn't recognize anything. She shivered again, much like she did while studying the dragon. A frisson of excitement ran through her. Her nipples hardened. She glanced at the dragon on the wall. A picture burst forth in her head, of a dragon taking flight. There was a brilliant shot of light. The wall shimmered, seemed to come to life. She realized she was no longer in the cave, but on the ground, in a clearing. While the dragon circled overhead.

  He landed on a rock outcropping, and the gleaming dragon became a man, huge, tall and heavily muscled, bulging arms and a massive chest. Lethargic, she could do nothing but watch his approach. His head swung around, scenting danger; his gaze honed in on her, and his head tilted, as if unsure of where he was, also. It reduced her anxiety. He was magnificent. If she thought the dragon was awesome, the man was tremendous. Dark flowing hair, taut rippled muscles. He approached her cautiously. He didn't seem threatening to her, though he was a stranger. Her dragon stranger.

  He knelt in front of her. She wasn't wearing her caving equipment. In fact, she wasn't wearing anything. All the dirt and grime was gone. She no longer smelled of coconut butter and sweat. This was one terrific fantasy. Unclothed, no wonder he didn't hesitate in approaching her. Not that he was wearing much more than she.

  He touched her then, gently drawing her slowly toward him. Her heart pounded. His hands brushed through her curly short hair, tussling it. His dark eyes deepened as he stared hungrily at her, focused only on her. Her mouth went dry. He pulled her into the shelter of his large frame, blocking out everything around them. Her insides were melting, going up in flame, and she took a deep breath. Physically, he was beautiful and powerful; much like a mythical Greek god. She could smell his scent, masculine and sexy. She reached up and laid her hand on his chest, and felt his steady pounding heart. She raised her gaze to him and was lost in the pool of burning desire she saw there. She could only stare up at him. His fingertips brushed her throat, and sent fire racing through her blood. He bent his head and kissed her—mind blowing, drugging kisses that she never wanted to stop. His tongue swirled over her lips, capturing her tongue. A soft moan escaped her. Sensations increased.

  Aching, she clung to him. Desperate for more of him, her entire body clenched as his fingers caressed, enflamed. She craved him, was already addicted to his touch. His knuckles grazed the swell of her breast, and her nipples hardened. She arched back, allowing him to cup her breasts, bringing her to an aching peak of pleasure. She needed more of him. Restless, her hips moved against him, inviting, needing. His head bent again, this time to scrape his teeth gently, erotically, over her skin, only to return to her lips, capturing, claiming.

  Groaning, she ran her hands over him, up his arms, across his hard, broad chest. She caressed his taut stomach. He felt so real, the sensations so tantalizing. He would leave, she knew. It was just a movie her mind created, but she wanted everything from him before he left her. She was consumed with the aching need he was building inside her.

  "Calie?” A young voice spoke. The stone wall came back into focus; her fantasy crashed about her. Dazed, she blinked her eyes, to see Josip bending over her, worried. She looked around. It was nearly dark, the light from her helmet had gone and Josip's helmet the only light.

  "Lady?” he asked again. “Are you all right? You left,” he accused.

  She shook her head, languid from the addicting kisses; she wanted Josip to go away and let her return to the man. She needed him. She wanted to cry from the need. Calie reached over, grabbed up her helmet, and turned on the light. She shone it over to the wall. The dragon was gone. She was no longer in the newly discovered hall with the lady and dragon relief. Somehow, she had gotten back to the central hall.

  Josip tugged at her. “Come. We need to go down to the village before those men come back. Did you find what they brought?"

  She shook her head, feeling incapable of speaking. Where was the dragon?

  She stilled. Lying next to her was the stone tablet. “Josip, do you have my backpack? Oh, here it is. I'll meet you outside, let me find my ... my shovel."

  He looked at her a moment, then nodded his head and walked out. She snatched up the tablet. It was tied to the dragon, and the man, she was sure.

  No emotion showed on his young face, as she joined him outside the cave. Her pack was heavy, but she was ready to go to the village. She really felt like running. She wanted to get into her apartment, close the door, and get out the tablet. Would she find the dragon or the man?

  Chapter Two

  Calie entered the Lighthouse Inn hoping to make an escape to her room but luck wasn't with her. Both Petar and Annah were waiting. She'd left Josip taking the gear back to a storage building. They'd walked the complete distance instead of waiting for the prearranged time to meet Petar. She sighed.

  "Hi. You didn't need to watch for me. Josip was very good as a guide. Did a very good job, and I'm pleased.” She realized she was babbling. She truly couldn't wait any longer. She had to be alone. “I need a shower, and then I'll be down for some lunch. And maybe do some sunbathing?"

  Annah nodded. Calie turned to go, but Petar asked her, “Did you find anything?"

  She glanced back over her shoulder, “Nothing of great importance. I may need to go again. Josip can take me.” She didn't stop, but walked away, and so didn't see them exchange a glance.

  For now, she wanted to be alone with her tablet. That sounded weird even in her own mind.

  She entered her room, and stopped—it wasn't empty but she recognized him. She carefully carried her backpack in, set it in the closet, and closed the door. She turned and stood defiantly before the man lounging on her bed. “What are you doing here?"

  "Is that any way to greet your big brother?"

  "In case you haven't been told, I'm on vacation.” She pushed his legs off her bed cover, in an attempt to get him off the bed.

  "Why do you think they allowed you to go here?"

  She frowned at him, realizing he wasn't asking a question but making a statement.

  "Because I asked to."

  "You put in to go to Greece."

  Now she felt like punching him. She hated it when he was right. “When are you leaving?"

  "Come on, sis. I just got here. I thought I'd stick around and see if your sorry ass needs to be gotten out of trouble."

  "No trouble; and you can leave my ass out of it. Seriously, are you here undercover?"

  "You know better than that. I don't go anywhere that they don't send me. And yes, that's the cover."

  She sighed. The brother, sister thing never went over well, especially when she wasn't informed of it ahead of time. Luckily, she wasn't involved with anyone right n
ow, unlike during her engagement to Maxwell. At the time, she thought Halsten had her best interest in mind, and not his own hidden agenda to have her.

  "You can't stay in my room. Get your own."

  "Already have, sis. The charming Petar and Annah were surprised, but very pleased to think you'd liked their place so much you called in family to come stay with you.” He grinned. At one time she thought that grin could melt her heart. That was before she found out he had no heart.

  "I'm taking a shower, so leave. We'll discuss my orders after."

  He shrugged. “Want me to scrub your back?"

  "If I need my back scrubbed, I'll go without."

  He took her hint.

  She let the water from the shower ease some of the tension, but it didn't get rid of the ache. The fact that Halsten Breck had shown up, only added to the tenseness. Restless from the emotions the dream had stirred, Calie dressed, then made sure the lock was secure on her door. She pulled the tablet from out of her backpack that she had carried into the bathroom before she showered. She wasn't taking any chances of letting it out of her sight until she knew more about it.

  She laid it on the bed, and caressed the stone. Nothing happened. She passed her fingers over the bottom symbols, like before, and waited. Nothing. She frowned, and tried it all again, more emphatic this time. She didn't like the thought of having to traverse back up the trail, hauling this tablet to the cave to see the stranger again, but she would, if she had to. She tried thinking about the man, but that didn't do anything either.

  Disgusted or frustrated, she wasn't sure. She wrapped the tablet up and slid it under her bed. It was probably the first place anyone would look, but she was exhausted from being up most of the night and would find a better spot later. For now, she wanted to crawl into that inviting bed and take an afternoon nap, during the heat of the day. Later, she would decide what to do with the tablet.

  She threw the lightweight blanket back from the bed and used just a sheet to cover herself. Dressed in a flimsy top and shorts, she decided to take the shorts off, and sleep in her panties. It would be cooler. The air from the fan above her bed felt good brushing across her body. She still felt restless, achy. And she wanted the stranger, wanted his hands roaming over her. Her hand slid down her belly, the other cupped her breast, wishing it were his hands caressing her. She reached inside her panties. She sought release, wishing it was him. She spread her legs, touching, caressing, felt her own moist heat. She closed her eyes and imagined him making love to her.

  A noise startled her, and her eyes flew open. Her stranger stood at the foot of her bed. She scrambled up on all her hands and knees, her face flaming with what she had been doing.

  "I can make you feel so much more than you can to yourself. Although what you are doing is very much a wondrous sight.” He pushed his hand down over the bulge in his khakis shorts. His words rough and stilted, as if not used to talking—and she fell in love at the sound. So he knew she was pleasuring herself, she didn't care. Edgy and hot, she just wanted him.

  She still felt flushed, either from embarrassment or the huge swell he was palming, or both. She sat back on the bed. All that mattered was that he was here.

  "Are you real?"

  He laughed. “Do not mistake this for a dream. When you set the dragon loose from the tablet, what you saw was a vision I planted in your mind. A fantasy we both created."

  "I set loose a dragon? As in, you can turn into a dragon?” Her eyes rested on his hands, and she noticed he wore dark, thin gloves.

  "No, not turn into. The dragon is within. I have abilities that enable me to protect the village."

  "What kind of abilities? Why do you wear the gloves?'

  He shrugged. “The gloves ... I have the ability to make fire, or bring mindless pleasure with my hands. They serve to protect, like I do."

  She liked the sound of mindless pleasure. “Can you take them off?"

  "Not if you wish to know and remember what we do together."

  Her eyes grew wide. That sounded ominous.

  "The villagers know me as Gavriel Dimitrios.” He gestured as if to say it was of no consequence what he was called. “You are Calie, who summoned the dragon, and for the time I have here, I will do all in my power to protect you and render what is necessary for the village to remain safe into the next century, as ordained."

  He hadn't moved, but seemed to want something from her.

  "How do you know my name?” She asked.

  "The young boy called to you in the cave. His voice is what interrupted the mind vision we shared. Do you wish to continue?"

  Recalling the exhilarating feeling she had in the cave from his hands, she definitely wanted him to continue where they left off. She looked at his mouth. So what if he talked of strange things like dragons and ordained, and being safe, she was on vacation after all.

  "I want you.” She smiled at him, inviting.

  He grinned at her and put one knee on the bed. “I wish to thank you for releasing the dragon. The villagers will be happy, but I also wish to make you delirious.” Tingles went through her. A man shouldn't have such an affect on a woman as he did on her.

  "You have me at a disadvantage in the clothing aspect. Styles for women have changed in the last century ... for the better. So wispy and enticing; showing much of your delicious, alluring skin. I want to taste you."

  She swallowed, and took a deep breath. He would make love to her this time.

  She scooted closer to him, touching his arm to make sure he was real. She opened the bottoms on his shirt, wanting to feel that hard chest again. She tugged at the offending garment, and he obliged her by removing it. That was when she again noticed the gloves. She laid her fingers a top his hand and he stilled. She pulled his palm toward her, began to peel the leather material back off his hands, and tugged it off his fingers. He didn't try to stop her. She did it to the other hand. Her eyes met his. “I want you to be able to feel me as much as I can feel you. She caressed the inside palm of his hand, and she felt shudders run through him. His eyes widened, and she hesitantly smiled at him, feeling the thrill her touch was giving him.

  She pulled at his shorts, wanting him to be as naked as she. His magnificent body stood before her. She could barely breathe, and couldn't swallow. He leaned forward on the edge of the bed and removed his boat shoes.

  Turning back to her, he advanced on her, slowly. The look on his face predatory. Anticipation shivered through her. He laid her back on the bed, his body following hers.

  His hands roved over her, tracing the swell of her breasts, her flat stomach, to glide up her silky thighs. Her breathing was coming faster, and she moaned. The feel of his hard, lean body only inflamed her more and he trapped her body beneath his. She relished the sense of possession he had over her. This was pleasure, but not mindless. She felt and savored everything he did to her.

  "Gavriel,” she pleaded.

  His fingers sought her wet core, probing, stroking. His hot mouth claimed hers as his fingers delved deeper in her, his tongue in her mouth doing the same dance as his fingers inside her. She opened her thighs to him, her hands clenching his shoulders to draw him to her. Her hips arched to meet him.

  Her body convulsed as she cried out. Creamy and wet, she was ready for him. He waited no longer. Thick and hard, his erection a steel rod, he nudged against her soft delicate folds.

  Roughly, he grabbed the sheets of the bed, allowing himself to slow down. She felt too good, and it had been far too long. He was beyond stopping, but needed to gain some control to make it good for her too.

  She made a helpless sound of distress, clutching his arms. “Don't stop. Please, Gav.” She gasped, urging him on. Breath hissed between his teeth at how good she smelled—how right she felt, and how eager she wanted him.

  He surged forward and buried himself in her. She was so tight, so hot. His blood singing in his head, he pulled her closer, burying himself even deeper with each thrust. He pulled her hips up higher, giving him gre
ater access to her depths.

  He burned, drove deeper, and faster, the feel of her so addicting. Small broken sounds escaped her lips. He withdrew slowly, thrusting in long deep strokes, her body responding desperately, arching up to him; it drove him harder, seeking relief. He was a mass of sensation as his body claimed her over and over, hard and fast. She was his. They were one. He could feel his climax building and reached to finger her nub, making her jump beneath him. Her body tensed, then he felt her explosion as he dove deeper, mindless now but for seeking his own release.

  He roared, out of control and he took her with him, as his body's seed poured into her. She cried out as he pushed her toward another shattering release.

  He cradled her soft body, careful to allow her to catch her breath, as he seemed to be in the same condition. Her eyes remained closed. Thinking she had fainted, he felt regretful, he should have kept the gloves on.

  Calie barely knew his name, and she had just had the greatest sexual encounter of her life. Her body trembled from the tiny tremors of sensations still coursing through her. To be so taken by this man, hard and fast with no soft words of love spoken. She lay in a half daze, wondering what had just happened and if she could open her eyes to face him. She reached her hand to caress his arm.

  She was grateful when she felt him nuzzling her neck. He finally spoke, but they were words she didn't understand. She opened her eyes and stared into pools of dark satiated eyes. She also saw confusion in his expression.

  "Is there something wrong? I didn't understand what you said."

  Gavriel hesitated before he answered her. “I but speak to you in the language of the dragon. Words of...” He took a deep breath, “words of thankfulness and gratitude for the pleasure that you brought to me, and for who you are."

  She smiled. “That was your doing, believe me. I've never felt like that before."

  He kissed her, then, pulled away from her.

  "I must go. Except for one thing, I will ask of you. Allow me to take the tablet back to the cave. It could endanger your life if not replaced."