Cowboy Dragon (Dragon Isle Book 7) Read online

  “Fuck, you feel amazing,” he told her, and her grin lit up his fucking heart. She rode him, then, slowly at first, and then faster. She was a natural. Who had told this girl she wasn’t good at being on top? Where was the asshole? Colton wanted to kill him, wanted to punch his stupid face in because his girl? His girl could ride a fucking cock.

  And she did.

  She ground against him, moving her hands as she grew more comfortable with what they were doing. She ran her hands over her breasts and squeezed, pinching her nipples. She rubbed her clit, then she touched his body some more. She played with his nipples and touched his hair, and then she kissed him.

  She leaned down and she kissed him like she was a powerful princess drunk on love and pleasure, and that was all it took for him.

  He came, pumping up inside of her as she continued to grind on him. He filled her, whispering her name as he came.

  “Holly.”

  She pressed her forehead to his and they didn’t move for a long time. They had come together and they had done this thing, and it had been beautiful.

  It had been perfect.

  It had been exactly what they needed it to be.

  It had been the perfect end to what could have been a horrible day, but that ended up being incredible instead. After a few minutes, Holly rolled off of Colton and lay beside him. She snuggled up in his arms and Colton felt for the millionth time like this was where he wanted to be. This was how he wanted to be: with her, by her side.

  It was crazy. They’d only just met. They’d only spent a day together and he didn’t believe in true mates. Some shifters did, but that had never been his thing. He’d always thought it was a fairytale, but maybe he was wrong.

  Maybe there was one special mate for each person out there and maybe Holly was his.

  He’d never know until he tried.

  “Stay with me,” he whispered.

  “I’m right here.”

  “I mean stay with me,” he said again. “Be mine, Holly. Be my girl.”

  Her silence filled the room and his heart soared, then sank. Had he completely misread the situation between them? Did Holly just want one night? Was he just a way to pass the time? Was he just a way to fill her night before she went back home?

  He suddenly felt embarrassed. He had thrown his heart out there and hoped she would catch it, but now he had the sinking feeling it had landed on the ground.

  “I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I shouldn’t have assumed this was more than just one night.” He started to get up out of bed. “It was silly,” he said, but then he felt her tiny little hands on him and he looked down at her.

  “Wait,” she whispered. “Are you serious?” Then he saw her eyes. They were glistening with unshed tears, glistening with hope. “Do you…do you really want me?” She whispered.

  “Of course I fucking want you,” he said. “I know it’s crazy. I know we just met, but I feel this connection with you. I feel this invisible force pulling us together. I feel like I’ve known you my entire life and that my world isn’t going to be complete without you,” he said.

  “I feel the same way,” Holly whispered. “Oh, fuck. I feel the exact same way.”

  She kissed him then, and Colton realized his heart was exactly where it was supposed to be.

  It was with Holly.

  “I don’t know what this means,” she said. “I don’t know we’re going to make this work, but…”

  “Come live with me,” he said.

  “Where do you live?”

  “Honeypot, Colorado,” he told her, and she burst out laughing.

  “Really?” She asked.

  “You’ve heard of it?”

  She kept laughing and laughing and laughing.

  “I live in Montgomery,” she told him.

  She was only 20 minutes away.

  She lived 20 minutes away from him and somehow, their paths had never crossed. Somehow, the two of them had never met. Somehow, they’d been so close to each other, but so far away.

  Somehow, it had taken a crazy corporation and an evil plan and a whole lot of dragons to bring them together.

  Somehow, fate had brought them together, and he kissed her once more.

  Epilogue

  Holly stood on the front porch of the little house.

  Colton’s grandmother’s house.

  His family’s house.

  They’d woken up early and retrieved her backpack from Emerson’s office. It was exactly where she’d left it the day before and she was glad to have her phone and her wallet and a little piece of her life back.

  Yesterday had been life-changing, life-altering.

  Yesterday had been the craziest day of her entire fucking life, and Holly still felt like she was dreaming.

  Now, she was with the dragonman – her dragonman – and she was going to meet his family.

  This was it, then. This could make it or break it for her. If they didn’t like her, would Colton run away? If they didn’t like her, would he say that was it? If they didn’t like her, would he dump her?

  “It’s going to be fine,” he murmured, and kissed her head.

  She reached forward and rang the doorbell. She heard the bell echo throughout the house and heard someone running around inside.

  “Hang on,” a voice called out.

  This was it.

  This was the moment of truth.

  This was the moment where his family either loved her or hated her and Holly didn’t know which it was going to be. She didn’t know whether they were going to hug or her hit her.

  What if they didn’t think she was good enough for Colton?

  Holly didn’t know much about his family, but Colton told her that morning he hadn’t talked to them for a very long time.

  He had been hurt when his father died.

  He’d felt alone and lost.

  When his mother remarried, he had been hurt by his grandparents’ reaction to his new stepdad. He had been injured emotionally. He had been a scared kid who missed his dad and felt like he didn’t belong anywhere.

  Holly knew pain and she knew loss and she knew Colton had healed, but he still had a scar. His mother and stepdad, who were both human, had raised him in Colorado and he lived just outside of Honeypot now. He had a little ranch and he had employees and he had a whole life for himself.

  There was room for her, he’d said. There was room for her and she’d take it. She’d take being a part of his life if it meant this didn’t have to end.

  She didn’t want this thing between them to be over. It was just getting started, really, and it was so perfect. It was just getting started and she wanted to see where it went.

  She didn’t expect their relationship to be perfect or easy or completely manageable. They would fight and bicker, just like everyone else did. They would make mistakes. They would have to make compromises. They would have to take things one day at a time because that was all anyone could do.

  The door opened and a little old woman opened the door. She had white curly hair and a big, wonderful smile.

  “Eek!” She said, and wrapped her arms around Holly and Colton both. “I can’t believe ya’ll are finally here.” She released them and looked up at them both. “The whole island is talking about you two, you know.”

  “What?” Holly asked. “Really?”

  “Oh, that’s right,” Grandma said. “My grandson and his mate, saving the world, that’s what they’re saying.” She grinned. “I couldn’t be more proud of you two,” she said. Then she turned to Colton and slapped him on the arm. “Though you might have told me you were coming for a visit, young man. I would have made up the guest room.”

  Colton just laughed. His grandma was so much smaller than him, but Holly bet the woman was used to standing up to dragonmen who were bigger than she was. This woman was fierce.

  “Love!” The woman called out into the house. “They’re here! They’re finally here!”

  “Well, what’s this?” A warm, jolly v
oice said and an old man appeared. He looked like an older version of Colton, and Holly grinned.

  Was this what her man would look like someday?

  He’d have wrinkles and age spots and white hair, but he’d have a grin.

  He’d have a smile.

  And he’d have love.

  “Our grandson is here,” Grandma Fran said. “And look,” she nodded toward Holly solemnly. “He brought his mate.”

  Grandpa Edgar began to tear up, and Holly thought it was the sweetest thing she’d ever seen. Colton had been nervous about visiting, just as she had, but things were going to be all right. They were going to be just fine. They didn’t care she was human. She’d proven herself just yesterday. She’d shown all of Dragon Isle that she wasn’t just an ordinary girl. She might be scared sometimes, but she wasn’t timid or weak.

  She would stand up for what was right.

  “Well, look at that,” Grandpa said. He patted Colton on the back and then wrapped Holly up in his arms. “Welcome to the family, little one. You have no idea how long we’ve been waiting for you. You’re home now, sweetie. You’re home.”

  Now it was Holly’s turn to cry as she realized he was right. They might live in Colorado, but this, here on Dragon Isle, this feeling of family and love, this was home. Holly belonged here with them, with him. She belonged with Colton and his dragons and she was going to spend the rest of her life with them.

  She turned back to Colton and he hugged her tightly.

  “I love you, little human,” he whispered, kissing her hair.

  “I love you, dragon.”

  “All right, princess. Let’s get you inside. I have a feeling Grandma made cookies.”

  “Oatmeal and chocolate chip,” Grandma Fran said proudly, and they all went inside.

  The journey might be long, and it might be difficult, but they were going to face the world together.

  Holly and Colton could do this.

  They had love on their side.

  THE END

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  About the Author

  Sophie Stern writes paranormal romance and contemporary erotica for readers who like to have fun and explore new worlds. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her pole dancing or reading zombie novels. Sophie lives with her ex-military husband who is always happy to help her conduct research for her books.

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  Red: Into the Dark

  Want more shifters? I have another series featuring a naughty Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf who captures her heart – and her body.

  Check out the first chapter here or get your own copy on Amazon.

  Red:

  When Red witnesses her grandmother's murder, she escapes into the woods before the killer - who happens to be her older brother - can catch her.

  The cabin in the forest is peaceful, quiet, and isolated. It has everything she needs to survive. It even comes with a pet wolf who keeps her company.

  But when her brother's henchmen find her hiding spot, she's all alone in the fight for her life.

  Nash:

  He didn't expect a human to wander into shifter territory, but now that she's here, Nash can't imagine life without Red.

  When she's attacked by wolves in the dark of the forest, Nash has no choice but to save her.

  There's just one problem: she doesn't know he's a shifter.

  Prologue

  Nash

  I’m late getting back, but that doesn’t matter. I can’t wait to see Elise. I really missed her today. It was my first time going out on a hunt in quite awhile, and I want to tell her all about it. Maybe I’m lame compared to her Alpha boyfriend, but my cousin loves me, and I know she’ll be excited to hear all about today’s adventures.

  She’s always teased me about my hunting ability, but not today. Nope, today is going to be different. As soon as I find Elise, I’m going to tell her everything that happened today. She won’t believe it. She won’t believe that today, I conquered the forest. It might just be a few rabbits, but I feel like I conquered the world.

  For the first time in a long time, things are looking up. Maybe it’s because the Alpha didn’t come on this hunt and I was in charge or maybe it’s just because I got to run with my friends all day, but I feel free.

  I feel freer than I have in years.

  Things have been a bit rocky between Elise and me since she started dating the Alpha. I’m not sure if “dating” is the right word for it. “Whoring” sounds so mean when it’s about my cousin, but that’s more accurate.

  Elise is sleeping with the Alpha of the Silent Canines and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

  I tried to convince her he was bad news, tried to show her the error of her ways, but none of that matters. She believes what she wants to believe, and I have to live with that. We all have to live with that.

  The truth is that Elise is an adult. She can date who she likes. As long as the Alpha doesn’t hit her or hurt her, who am I to complain?

  I hurry into the cave ahead of the others. We were all hunting all day and we’re all more than ready for supper. Ryder and Thorn take my rabbits to clean, knowing I’m in a bit of a rush to see Elise. Markus goes with them, along with Marybeth and a few other wolves.

  They were all great today and we’re all feeling a bit of a rush. I hurry to my cousin’s room and lift my hand to knock, but when I reach her door, I’m overwhelmed by the scent of something tangy.

  Something metallic.

  Something I know very, very well.

  Blood.

  I don’t take the time to process what I smell. Instead, I push open the door and rush inside. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m standing in the center of Elise’s room and she’s here.

  She’s here.

  Her body lies in a crumpled heap on the floor and I can see why I smelled blood: she’s covered in it. My beautiful cousin is covered in blood and she’s not breathing.

  He killed her.

  “Elise?” I whisper even though I know it’s useless. She’s already gone and I’m too late. I’m too late for her.

  I ignore the blood as I pick her up and hold her in my arms. She’s still warm. Knowing I was so close to making it back, knowing I almost was able to save her, it’s too much.

  The tears come before I know what’s happening and soon I’m sobbing.

  No.

  No.

  No.

  This can’t be happening.

  A scream escapes me before I cover my mouth. I can’t let them hear me. Not yet. Not like this. She deserves to be taken care of, even in death. Screaming will only make the other wolves panic. It’ll only raise questions. It’ll only cause chaos.

  But she’s gone.

  And I was too late to stop it.

  Elise was so young and full of life. She was so sweet and wonderful. Who would do this? And why? Who would take such a sweet shifter away from the pack? Who would take away the woman who loved these wolves more than anyone else? Who would slaughter the one woman who wanted to see the pack become a safer, better place?

  I know the answer even if no one else does.

  He did this.

  Why?

  Did he even have a reason?

  Who knows why the Alpha does anything?

  He’s a bad man. A monster. He’s a creep and he needs to die. Now, worst of all, he’s a murderer who killed the woman I love more than anyone else in the world.

  Elise.

  I hear footsteps coming down the hall and I lay her body back down. He might be coming back. I don’t know. I can guarantee he’ll try to pin this on me somehow, but I don’t know how. I was gone when it happened. Still, there’s no doubt in my mind that the Alpha will make me pay. He won’t take responsibilit
y for this and he’ll need someone to blame. Who better than me?

  A million questions race through my mind, jumbling my train of thought. I can’t focus as I’m bombarded with questions I need answers to.

  Why would he hurt her now?

  Why like this?

  I want to sit here and cry over my cousin for awhile, but I know I can’t. Time is a luxury I just don’t have. Tired, dirty, worn out…I’m in no shape to fight, especially not multiple guys, and the Alpha always has his groupies with him.

  I hear Kyle and Russell’s voices as their footsteps come down the hall. That was faster than I expected. I glance around the room, but hiding spots are few and far between. I settle with slipping into the closet, happy that our wolf caves are designed to look more like luxury apartments than your typical cave rooms. Turns out, I moved just in time. As I close the door over, leaving it just a crack, they enter the room.

  “Whew,” Kyle says, looking around. “He did a number on her.”

  “Yeah.” Russell sounds less enthused. “Where’d Nash go?”

  “Markus and Marybeth said he was coming to talk to Elise. He should have found her by now.”

  I close my eyes as they talk, hoping the scent of her blood covers my anguish and fear. They’ll smell me if they tried, but something tells me they aren’t trying their best right now.

  No, they’re much too focused on my cousin, much too centered on whatever mission the Alpha sent them on.

  “We need to find him, get him in here,” Kyle says. “He’s supposed to have her blood on him before dinner so the Alpha can end him.”

  “I know. Nothing like an easy scapegoat, right?” He laughs. The bastard actually laughs. “Let’s go check his room. Maybe he decided to shower before meeting her.”