CASSIAN

What started as curiosity quickly turned into desire and the white rabbit ran. Cassian remembers reading Alice in Wonderland, wondering why one white rabbit mattered more out of the thousands on earth. Couldn't Alice find a different rabbit easier? Without all the chasing? Without the frustrating adventure? What was it about the white rabbit that made Alice chase it? But Cassian understood now. He knew. She knew. She knew the rabbit was different. She knew it was special and so special, she fell down the rabbit hole for it and found she couldn't climb back out. Willing to chase the rabbit for however long it took to catch him.

But Cassian caught his white rabbit, so why did it feel like he was still chasing Luke?

Like he only just found the rabbit hole and was still falling, still falling, and falling.

Without wasting a single second, Cassian snapped the cab door shut, instructed the driver to drive to the apartment, and immediately offered all of his attention to Luke. He held on tight to Luke's hand, so he wouldn't slip out of Cassian's hold. He was soaked to the bone. They both were, but he wasn't even a little cold. He wasn't bothered at all. In fact, Cassian never felt better. The car started moving and Luke was grabbing Cassian by his neck and pulling him into another kiss. For the first time in Cassian's life, he felt like something someone else was trying to claim. Not just Cassian wanting, wanting, wanting something. Someone wanted him.

And the feeling was mutual. Cassian hadn't had enough. He didn't know if just this night would be enough. Usually, Cassian would try to blame this animalistic behavior on his basic nature as a dragon, but Cassian knew it was even simpler than that.

Cassian was just like any man, desiring someone else. Cassian longed for more than kissing, more than simple heavy petting. It was magical how his daydreams were transforming out of fiction into real life like the theory of a firework exploding into the air versus it actually going off. He knew exactly what to do. He had been thinking of it long enough to feel perfectly prepared. Now, it was a question of just how far they could take this.

And by some miracle, Luke grabbed handfuls of Cassian's jacket and yanked Cassian closer because they both agreed on one thing, they both agreed they wanted each other desperately. Cassian wanted Luke to be the raindrops soaking him to the bone. He smelled so good. Did he always smell so good? Cassian dragged his nose up Luke's neck, needing him more than air. Luke wrapped his arms around Cassian, scooting so close, he almost ended up in Cassian lap.

It was all a rush, like when Cassian had taken his time flying higher and higher into the sky just to feel the descent, just to feel the rush. Every moment felt fleeting, and Cassian wasn't appreciating it enough. These firsts were coming and going faster than Cassian could let these precious moments burn into mind forever.

This could be the last time, Cassian dreaded. This could be it.

And Cassian bared the pain from this heartache by squeezing Luke's thigh, anchoring Cassian to this car and this moment and this amazing reality where Luke was kissing him like their lives depended on it. Was the car spinning? Cassian wasn't sure. Maybe their lives did depend on it. Maybe Luke was the only thing keeping the fire inside of Cassian bright. His flame never burned so hot and so wild as when he stepped through the doors of the Whitlock Manor and met Luke. It was life changing. Magic altering.

"We're here," the taxi driver had to tell them twice.

Cassian pulled out his wallet and gave the driver more than enough for the trip and a little extra as an apology for the PDA. "Come on," Luke urged him, dragging Cassian out of the taxi and they ran back through the rain and inside the apartment building.

In the lobby, Cassian pulled Luke back the same way he'd pull someone back into his arms during a slow dance and wrapped Luke up in Cassian's arms, dipping him slightly. Luke grabbed either side of Cassian's face with those gentle long fingers. It felt like such a grand honor to be touched by someone so beautiful. As soon as Cassian broke the kiss, he lifted Luke up to his toes just to kiss Luke again. He couldn't get over how soft Luke's lips were, how sweet he tasted and how it could affect him like aged wine, making his mind swimmy, his body hot, and his movements fluid.

Something primal rumbled in the pit of Cassian's stomach and he squeezed Luke even tighter. "Upstairs," Luke insisted, breathlessly and Cassian adored the change of tune. Luke smacked Cassian's shoulder as Cassian just admired the rosy nature of his face and how rattled he looked. Luke always seemed put together and calculated as if he had already decided on his reaction to something before it happened.

Tonight, Luke was a mess.

An adorable, soft, and beautiful mess.

This inspired a grin across Cassian's face just before he kissed Luke one more time, unable to help himself. Luke laughed and shook his head. "Not here!"

Luke reached down and took Cassian's hand again, leading him towards the stairs. Damn this place to Hell for not having an elevator. Not that it would be fast enough. Nothing other than teleportation would be fast enough. Cassian stayed at Luke's pace but let him go just to smack him in the ass. Luke laughed and ran for him, tackling him and yanking him, throwing him against the nearest wall. He leaned up, dragging his nose across Cassian's before kissing him. He dragged his teeth down Cassian's lip and his veins were molten lava at this point. If Cassian wanted Luke anymore, he would forget all about himself.

With another laugh, Luke suddenly disappeared, and Cassian didn't register what was happening before Luke was already up the next level and he threw a cheeky look over his shoulder. "You little—" Cassian grinned and chased after him, so excited it was like sparks were whizzing off his edges.

Luke yelped as Cassian closed in on him, but he just barely dodged out of Cassian's clutches. Picking up the pace, Luke reached the door first and fumbled with the knob. Cassian's hand flew out and pushed the door open for him. In the same motion as stepping across the threshold, Luke turned back around and was pulling Cassian's jacket off his shoulders while trying to kiss him.

"I thought you'd never come back—" The Magic Mirror gasped in horror. "Oh god, have some decency!"

Cassian quickly yanked his jacket off and tossed it over the mirror without missing a beat, gravitating back to Luke's mouth. He grabbed Luke's button up shirt and tossed it elsewhere, hearing the wet slap of fabric against the wooden floor. These clothes just needed to be off. Didn't matter where they ended up. Anywhere. Just not on his body. Stepping back into the living room, Cassian slipped, and Luke grabbed his arms to keep him upright and they both laughed into the next kiss as they stumbled towards the couch. Rain tapping against the windows outside. A rumble of thunder looming overhead.

Leaving a trail of clothes behind, Cassian rid himself of his shoes while trying not to trip over Luke's and as Luke popped off Cassian's buttons, he helped Luke unburden his t-shirt.

"Whoa!" Luke yelped as the back of his legs hit the couch. Cassian toppled forward, grabbing the top of the couch to keep steady... maybe they were a little too excited. With a chuckle, Cassian wanted to say as much when he looked down.

But the words were caught in his throat.

Cassian knew Luke had heart surgery in the past. Of course, he understood what that meant, but it was only in this moment that Cassian registered what surgery meant. The blood, the splitting of skin, and everything else that came with it. Cassian discovered the scar starting at the bottom of his collarbone and falling to a point just under Luke's pecks. Cassian studied the pinken puckered skin and he couldn't help the way his stomach twisted. He had only known Luke for less than a year. He shouldn't feel guilty for not being able to prevent this scar. That didn't make any sense... but Cassian was realizing his feelings never made sense.

"Oh, yeah..." Luke whispered, sitting up and scrunching his shoulders like he was trying to hide. "Um. Despite how it looks, it is actually healed. I know it's ugly," Luke said as if he was admitting something, and Cassian broke in two. The mantra of his life was that he never wanted to hurt Luke. He never ever wanted to hurt Luke in any capacity. Body or heart.

And besides, there seems to be something Luke doesn't understand.

#

LUKE

"The Magic Mirror sort of mentioned it but I guess we've never talked about it, or I've never told you..." Luke was jittery with nerves. He had the instinct to hide it like there was nothing protecting him, like Cassian could see the new heart and find only a stranger. "He wasn't just saying things um..."

Cassian touched Luke's arm, rubbing the fabric and his skin broke out in goosebumps. Luke took a shuddering breath and he forced himself to tell Cassian, "I had—well, have—had heart disease." He didn't mean to sound so flustered explaining this to Cassian, something he's explained hundreds of times before. He just didn't want Cassian to worry. Didn't want this to take away from the Luke Cassian was just kissing madly in the rain. "I received a heart transplant when I was seven and I still take medication for it. Um, immunosuppressant medication just so my body doesn't decide to reject it one day..."

Luke didn't want to get into life expectancy because for a Whitlock that didn't really matter anyways. He glanced at the scar, knowing it was unlike the typical scar left for other survivors. Somehow his still looked fresh.

"Apparently, it was kind of a hack job which is why it's so..." Luke let out a breath, wishing he would've kept his shirt on or turned off the lights. He didn't want Cassian's pity. He wanted that fire to spark and burst with the same heat as a few moments ago. Luke was so still. He could move, but he forgot how.

The side of Cassian's lips pinched, and Luke drew back. He didn't know what this new fondness in Cassian's expression meant or where Cassian was going as he lowered to his knees with his hands on either side of Luke on the cushions. He leaned closer and Luke had to remind himself to breathe because a beauty like this sucked the air out of lungs.

"You seem to misunderstand me," Cassian said, his voice sneaking into his heart, finding a place where people could possibly be let inside. "And you seem to not understand it yourself, but I am more than happy to educate you, Luke. Ugly does not touch your name."

Brows knitted together with the threat of tears, Luke hung on every word Cassian said, feeling more and more unhinged as Cassian went on with that horrific smirk, "You are the most beautiful creature I have ever come across..." He picked himself up and gently kissed Luke's lips, whispering beside them, "Your lips are beautiful..." He took Luke's hand and pressed his lips to the very tips of Luke's gathered fingers. "Your hands are beautiful." He placed Luke's hand onto Cassian's cheek. "They were the first thing I noticed about you."

"Cassian, I get it," Luke said, already too hot, already squirming underneath him.

"Let me finish. Your neck was next..." Cassian ignored Luke and pressed another kiss to his neck and a jolt of electricity traveled from that spot directly to his veins, lighting him up like a Christmas Tree burning so bright the bulbs threatened to burst. "Every elegant line and curve..."

"Even when you're not anywhere near me," Cassian whispered and something about his voice being so soft turned Luke's bones into molten marshmallows. He dragged his nose over Luke's scar before placing a kiss right over Luke's heart as if he was promising Luke something. "You're all that I think about and it's unbelievable that I finally get to have my hands on you."

Luke's fingers slipped underneath Cassian's chin before fanning his fingers over his lips. Softly, he hushed Cassian and held his chin, bringing him back up and Cassian crawled to move closer to him. Right here, Luke believed every word Cassian said just by the heat in his eyes. It had been an eternity since Luke had been this desired by another person. He felt like a dusty book finally taken off the shelf after waiting for so long and Cassian seemed more than a little excited to open him up.

"You're going to have to start believing it, Cassian," Luke said, the heat trickling up his neck. "Because it's not a dream." Luke brought Cassian back up to his lips, kissing Cassian deeper so he might taste those sweet words lingering on Cassian's tongue. He whispered between kisses, "Because I wanna know what you're going to do with me now that you do have your hands on me."

"Dangerous..." Cassian grinned as he ran his hands down Luke's side until he reached Luke's pants, unbuttoning them. "Are you saying I can do whatever I want with you? Make a few dreams reality and have you the way I want you?"

Cassian's lips traveled the length of Luke's chest, nibbling and licking farther and farther down as he slowly pulled Luke's pants down and off, revealing the fight his bulge waged against his briefs. Luke shivered; his body ravaged with goosebumps.

Luke's back arched on its own and he grinned. "Give me your worst."

Delighted by the challenge, Cassian smirked again, and approached Luke's neck as Cassian slipped his hand behind Luke, lowering Luke onto the couch. Luke was overwhelmed by this man as he approached closer than anyone in some time. Luke should've known. The moment he made Cassian laugh, Luke should have admitted defeat. It was over for him the moment he discovered how precious Lord Cassian Alwyn acted, which led Luke to realize he'd do anything for this man. As hard as Luke tried to avoid him, he failed. Luke attempted to build his walls higher and stronger, forgetting his opponent was a dragon who could just fly higher and higher.

Luke hated being vulnerable. Luke already went through one heart. He didn't think he'd get a chance with another. He was already made from broken spirits, wrecked bones, and a ticking time bomb. Luke wished he could pause the clock and just live in this single moment forever.

Nervously, Luke reached for Cassian because he felt better touching him, even just by his shoulders or through his hair. The warmth and the strength Luke could feel under his fingers was a comfort. Cassian's hot hand ran up the back of Luke's thigh, pushing his leg up and Luke held his breath, holding it in his chest. Cassian really did get Luke just where he wanted him. Cassian's hand slipping further down until his hand was curled around the base of Luke's dick.

And Luke crumbled.

A screaming satisfied "Yes" crossed Luke's mind as Cassian's warm hand stroked his throbbing hard-on up and down. Cassian could've asked Luke for anything: money, his name, or any magical object and Luke would've given it to him. Luke forgot just how good it felt to be tangled up by someone and Cassian especially, who was all over Luke, lording over him with one hand pumping his dick, his other hand focus on Luke's chest, groping and pulling, his mouth sucking and biting, and Luke was trembling from the sheer force of it like a skinny tree trapped in Cassian's storm. Luke just held onto him, gripping him tighter as everything strike of pleasure ripped through him.

"Cass," Luke bit out, dripping hotter than candle wax.

Cassian traveled down, sliding onto the ground as he grabbed the back of Luke's thighs tight and threw them over his shoulders and Luke cursed, his back arching as Cassian mouth wrapped around Luke's dick, his tongue sliding all the way to the base and Luke was riddled with sparks. He was going to melt inside of Cassian's mouth as this man unmade Luke. His thoughts burned as he only knew the pleasure. His ability to assemble words fumbled at the tip of his own tongue as his breathing hitched.

Without meaning to do it, Luke would try to get away, but Cassian with his rough hands would hold him in place. His grip tightening and Luke thought they might stain him forever because even when his hand would move, when Cassian slipped a finger inside of him, Luke could still feel the pressure from his touch on his waist. Cassian was all over him.

Luke threaded his hands through Cassian's hair, warning him, "Cassian!"

He couldn't suppress his voice being completely rattled by the pleasure ripping through him. Gripping Cassian's shoulder, Luke fidgeted as he unconsciously pulled away. This was more than Cassian just putting his money where his mouth was, it was Cassian proving something. He wasn't just all talk. Cassian meant it when he said he wanted Luke to be happy and this man was willing to put in the work himself. When Cassian said Luke was a special, this was when he felt it and it was certainly unique.

If Cassian separated Luke from the rest of her world. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they were the only two people who existed. Would Luke really mind if it was just him and Cassian? Forever?

Something big, a feeling swelling up in Luke's middle enflamed and Luke warned Cassian, "Cassian! I'm cumming—!" Rattled, Luke shot off inside of the cage of fire inside Cassian's mouth and his whole body constricted, breaking down from the inside and he had to put his hand over his mouth to keep from alerting all of Paris what was going on in this seventh-floor apartment.

"We can stop here," Cassian said, and Luke peeked lowering to the ground at the tent inside of Cassian's briefs. Luke surprised himself by how much that delighted him. He was aching for Luke as much as he ached for the dragon. Luke controlled himself at least so he wouldn't drool. Some of his dignity needed to remain intact when his body and thoughts fell apart.

"Don't you dare stop," Luke said, his brow flitching once more.

"Yes, sir." Cassian took Luke's hands, basically throwing them over Cassian's shoulders, which was all the warning Luke got. Lifting Luke from the couch, Luke held onto Cassian, embracing him, and holding him close as Cassian took Luke to the bedroom and laid him so gently on the bed, Luke almost wept. He was gone for just a moment before he appeared again with lube, which made Luke grinned so wide, he thought he might scream with laughter.

"I told you I was thinking about it," Cassian teased, and he didn't stop on the way back to the bed as he swooped back into Luke's kiss, pushing Luke's legs open as his wet fingers found his entrance, willing Luke to relax but that felt like an impossible task in Cassian's presence.

Flipping Luke around, he pulled Luke's hips up and started doing unspeakable things with his tongue as he carefully stretched Luke, twisting his fingers, and pressing against the walls on hi body. Luke curled his head, pressing it into the sheets as his voice bounced off these beautiful walls.

Cassian didn't need to be so gentle with Luke's body.

Only with his heart.

But Cassian did a diligent job caring for both.

Rising, Cassian grunted, jerking himself and spreading his precum up and down his own shaft. Luke's eyes roamed Cassian's form, his flushed face and the black scales prickling his edges. His curiosity getting the bed of him, Luke reached out to touch them and Cassian shivered. In an instant, Luke thought he might low up then and there.

Revved up, Cassian's fingers returned, twisting, and spreading and reaching and unmaking and twisting and discovering, and pressing and Luke was hard again, needy again. Impatiently, Luke pushed back against Cassian's fingers, he pressed and pressed, pushing and Luke was hit by full-strength waves and waves of pleasure. It was a force that demanded to be felt, bruising Luke down to his soul and he thought about sobbing, allowing himself to get lost in these emotions.

"Cassian," Luke gasped.

"I know, I know," Cassian said, but he didn't know. He didn't understand that Luke didn't just want to have sex. He didn't just want to roll around in these sheets with a good-looking guy and get off. Luke wanted to have sex with Cassian.

"I want you," Luke told him, reaching back and he turned around, gathering Cassian by his neck to bring him back into a kiss. "I want you, Cassian." Cassian's breath washed over him, and Luke was still gasping, opened mouth against him as he rocked against Cassian's hand. His tongue swirled around Cassian's mouth until he burned his tongue.

Pushing Luke's legs back, Cassian lined his hard dick against Luke's hole, sliding it up and down, teasingly as their eyes met. Luke sucked in a breath, trying to calm down and he nodded. He was surprised he wasn't begging at this point. Proud of himself. He needed Cassian like any basic human need and all he could do was say his name. Cassian nodded with understanding, leaning down to kiss Luke again as Luke felt Cassian line himself and slide just the head of his cock while Luke's mouth gaped wider while Cassian tried to comfort him by kissing his chin and cheek.

He was so full of Cassian, almost bursting with him and Cassian grabbed his hand, pinning above his head, against the bed. Cassian pulled back, thrusting back inside, sliding in and out and Luke gasped. Luke threw his other hand over his head, gripping a pillow just so he'd have something to control himself before he shot off too soon and this dream ended short. He wanted it to last. He wanted to keep going, keep feeling this perfect.

As if to torture Luke, Cassian mercilessly slammed into him, faster and Luke unconsciously pulled back, but Cassian's hand fingers gripped into his waist and pulled him back, pinning him right where the dragon wanted him, a shivering mess underneath him.

"Jesus! Cassian," Luke bit out, his brow pinching as Cassian pushed Luke's legs back and he crawled forward, hitting even deeper and Luke's hands whipped forward, cradling Cassian's head, embracing him and Cassian chuckled, popping his head up as he stuck his tongue back into Luke's mouth. It was so hot. Cassian was going to burn him. He was sweltering. Sweat dripping down his brow and Luke careening off the edge in a car without breaks.

Cassian put his mouth around Luke's neck and took a bite out of him and the pain in combination with the pleasure and Cassian's hands gripping his sensitive legs, Luke came. He was shaking, shooting lines of cum up his chest and Cassian's, but Cassian didn't slow down. He got up and thrusted faster until he was shaking too, quickly pulling out and covering Luke's chest with himself. Luke dug his nails into Cassian's arms until the storm settled.

Cassian swept his arm around Luke's back, pulling him upward, bringing Luke into his lap for another kiss. Cassian kissed him over and over and Luke could taste the thankfulness on his lips. Gasping for a breath, Cassian released Luke's mouth and Luke put his hands on either side of Cassian's head, needing him to stay close. Their foreheads were pressed against each other.

"I want more of you," Cassian said, a new grit to his voice.

"I'm not ready to stop," Luke agreed and kissed Cassian's neck. "Don't go anywhere," Luke said faster than his mind could filter his thoughts, and the words got away from him. Holding Cassian's face, Luke kissed him as if his life depended on it. "Don't go anywhere."

"I'm right here," Cassian assured Luke, putting his arms around him in the tightest embrace. It was like that the rest of the night as they were tangled up in each other. A part of Luke was always touching Cassian, even as they moved from the bedroom to the shower and back. In the morning, neither Luke nor Cassian would be able to find a spot the other had never touched. Luke knew deep inside his heart that this night changed everything. 

#

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Who ordered an entire chapter of spice? Lol. My only note in my Outline was "they have sex" and that turned into 4k words. Actually wild. Sorry this update is late! I've been busy with writing "Another Mate" and then, I went on vacation.

SPEAKING OF "Another Mate", will begin updating VERY soon. You'll find it behind "My Mate, His Mate, and Me" as a Bonus Story ~ 

But back to "A Dragon's Treasure", let me know all your thoughts and feelings? What do you think is going to happen in the morning? Will there be regrets? No regrets? Was the wait worth it? How do you think their relationship will change from now on? 

If you like this book, please check out my many others!