Binding Katrina by Selena Illyria

Tingles of awareness shimmered over the back of her neck. Absently, Katrina reached up and rubbed the spot, trying to ignore the cause. She knew who would be staring at her, but refused to give him what he wanted. Braydon, Elven prince, wouldn’t be getting one glance, not even a covert one. The intensity of the stare grew until the spot on her neck heated. The warmth trailed down her spine.

She shifted from one foot to the other, trying to ignore the sensation that had begun. It didn’t work. The heat of awareness spread from her back to move through her stomach. Katrina let out a sigh and continued to scribble on her clipboard. The words on the paper began blending together as sexual awareness slipped into her chest, heating her skin and tightening her nipples. She swallowed and shook her head.

“Katrina?”

She jumped at hearing her name and whirled around. Brenton Lisander, owner of Clash and Claw, stood behind her, concern in his pale silver eyes. “You okay?” Bren asked.

She smiled and smoothed down the front of her shirt. “Fine, Bren, just a bit tired.”

He shook his head. “You’ve been ‘just tired’ for the last few weeks. I told you to take it easy. You’ll work yourself ragged if you keep this up. This party will be fine without you.”

Katrina shook her head. “I’m fine, really. Besides, I have all that lovely vacation time saved up. Over a month’s worth.”

She grinned as his face went from gentle concern to horror.

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down a few times before he answered. “I said take it easy, not abandon us completely.”

She threw back her head and laughed. “But you said –”

“You want to leave me here alone with these insane people?”

“How about we both play hooky? You get to be with Sky, and I get to finally have some down time?”

Longing flittered across his face. “Sky has been working long hours at the pub lately.” He shook his head. “No, no, don’t you dare tempt me. You get one week off, and that’s it. Besides, I think I know why you want away from this place.”

Bren glanced over his shoulder. Katrina groaned, knowing exactly where he was looking — across the dance floor, right at the front door where Braydon was.

Bren turned back to her. “I see the way he looks at you, and I see the way you try to ignore him. Is he bothering you? I only hired him ’cause Decker needed help.”

She scowled. “I know, and we needed someone who wouldn’t set fire to the patrons when they pissed him off. But still… an Elf?”

Confusion showed on Bren’s face. “He’s good at his job. What’s wrong with Elves?”

“Uh-huh, really good at flirting with the patrons. Too pretty for his own good –” She stopped talking, knowing that last part sounded too catty.

“Flirting with the patrons?” Amusement colored Bren’s tone.

She gritted her teeth at how entertained Bren must be.

“And how would you know that he flirts with the patrons? Every time I see the two of you, you’re both on opposite sides of the room, with you scowling,” Bren pointed out.

“I don’t scowl.” The words came out in a rush.

“You scowl. What’s he done to piss you off?” Bren folded his arms over his chest and spread his legs. He wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “Rina, spill. I’ve known you for a long time. Has he done something to you? Reminded you of your old Dragon Lord? What?”

“Nothing.” Except exist and look like walking sex in leather.

Katrina shook her head. The man had been after her for months to find someone and settle down. She snorted at the notion. Just because he’d found happiness, he wanted everyone else to be happy too. She knew exactly why he’d hired Braydon, and it had nothing to do with security and everything to do with attraction — well, her attraction, at least. Braydon was brash, bold, powerful, moved like a predator and was dangerous as hell to her libido. Just the hint of his cologne had her body reacting. The deep, huskiness of his voice, with just a hint of an accent, made something inside her sit up and purr.

The man brought out suppressed desires, things she wanted to keep hidden. Just as she’d figured out her life and what she wanted to do with it, in strolled a man who could undo everything she’d worked for and turn her into a writhing mass of hormones and need. Katrina opened her mouth and snapped it shut again. She shook her head.

“What then? What’s wrong?” Bren narrowed his eyes, suspicion glowing in the dark gray depths.

“I know why you hired Braydon.” Her voice was quiet, soft, but she knew a dragon shifter could hear her above the cacophony of electronic rock music playing over the speakers.

His face took on a mask of innocence. “We needed extra –”

She waved a hand in the air and shook her head. “Stop, stop! Please don’t lie to me.” Katrina looked away, then drew in a breath and exhaled. “He’s exactly like the guy I described during our lovely drunken night playing confessions — except for the Elf prince part. What the hell possessed you to hire an Elven prince?” She glanced up at him.

Brenton grinned. “It was an accident of fate, but I didn’t hire him just for you. The club needed a new bouncer whose temperament was better than Decker’s.”

She chuckled. “Well, Decker’s a fire dragon, very violent temperament.”

Brenton chuckled. “Yes, I know.” His face grew serious. “Do you want me to fire Braydon?”

Katrina baulked at the suggestion. She didn’t want him to take it that far. “No! He’s a good bouncer; it’s just…”

“What?” Brenton pressed.

“I can’t be around a guy like him all the time. I can’t concentrate.” Heat flushed her cheeks and neck at allowing that small confession out.

“No, you mean you can’t hide from a guy like him.” Brenton shook his head. “I tried to hide what I felt for Sky, and it cost me weeks of time I could have spent being with her. Trust me when I say go after him.” He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and left.

She sighed, hating that he was right in a way. She couldn’t hide from Braydon. They worked together, and she was his boss. That small thought gave her much amusement. A smile curled her lips. Why should I be hiding when I can just boss him around? With that thought, she got back to work, making sure everything about the club was running smoothly. Once she was finished, she dropped off her clipboard in her office and headed to the employee change area. There she took her hair down from the ponytail it had been in and rolled her neck, working out the kinks.

She then went to the showers. As soon as she stepped into the elaborate space, a sigh of relief slipped from her mouth. The soft gray walls and floor tiles soothed her eyes. Lavender perfume floated through the air, the aroma calming her. The stress from the day melted away. She started toward the locker area to undress.

A groan floated up in the air, followed by her name. Her heart stuttered in its rhythm as recognition shot through her. Braydon. A slice of heat slipped down her back. An image of him naked and covered in water entered her mind. Curiosity and arousal flared to life. The urge to see if the fantasies she’d had the last few months were accurate egged her on. She moved slowly at first, curious but cautious.

His groans grew louder. The sounds shuddered through her. She wanted to know what he was seeing and feeling, what was tearing those sounds from him. She entered the shower area and stilled. The grunts continued. For a moment she was frozen, unable to move.

“Katrina! Fuck.” Another groan.

She moved closer. Despite all her protests to Bren, her refusal to admit her attraction, she had to see him. Just a taste before she shut down her libido to focus on work. Her lungs refused to work. Her face flashed hot then cold.

“Fuck, I need you,” he groaned.

She bit her lip to keep from whimpering aloud as her pussy became engorged. Her cunt contracted as need spread through her body. Her inner thighs tingled. Finally, her brain began working so she was able to breathe again. The need to get closer reverberated through her. Her feet began to move before she could stop herself. Her heels clicked on the tiles until she found herself in the shower area. The gentle splash of water and the constant pulse of the shower filled her ears along with his voice. The sound of his movements made her ears burn.

She couldn’t stop herself. It was as if her body was on autopilot. Katrina wanted to see what was happening even though she had an idea. Making her way through the maze of stalls, she came to the back row. Steam billowed up and over the glass of the one set in the corner. The frosted glass door was cracked open. A shadow moved past the steamed up glass.

“Katrina.” Braydon groaned again. The sounds grew louder. His hand hit the door, and it flew open. Steam flew out until it cleared to reveal Braydon, one hand against the wall and his other wrapped around a long, thick cock. Water sluiced over his lightly tanned skin. Muscles flexed and bunched under his skin, mesmerizing her. She wanted to reach out and touch him, help him. Katrina yearned to slip behind him, cover his hand and stroke his cock with him until he came. Her legs shook as she watched him jerk off. His hips and hand moved faster. His head bowed, thick tendrils of dark purple hair covered his face.

She crept forward on tiptoe, praying he wouldn’t see her. Katrina became focused on his hand, moving up and down and around the broad, vein-roped shaft. The wide tip flushed red. Even through the steam and water, she could see thick dribbles of pre-cum dripping to the floor of the stall. His body tensed. She glance up. His head was now tilted back, thick muscles standing out along his neck, and his mouth opened wide as he let out a loud yell. His cock jerked in his hand as shots of thick, creamy cum splattered and hit the wall.

Realization dawned on her in that instant. She had stood there and watched Braydon jerk off, calling her name. Katrina began to walk backwards, ignoring the arousal shimmering through her blood. Tremors raced down her arms. The fear of getting caught climbed up her spine. She whirled around and rushed toward the lockers. Screw a shower, just change before he comes out and sees me. She skidded to a stop in front of her locker. Pulling off her clothes willy-nilly, she kept an ear open for approaching footsteps. By the time she’d zipped up the front of her corset, all she had left to do was her hair.

The soft slap of footsteps approached. She wound her hair in a bun, stuck a chopstick in the twist to hold it in place and turned around only to be confronted by the object of her desire and fear. His amethyst-colored hair hung in damp waves around his head and past his shoulders. His sharp, chiseled features were still shiny from the shower. He gave her a cheeky grin. Her gaze traveled down, past the hard wall of his chest tipped with dark rose-colored nipples that were pierced through with horseshoe barbells, continuing to his trim waist. The towel hung loose and wet. The folds couldn’t hide the tenting of the material.

His electric blue eyes darkened to a sapphire color “Enjoy the show? I’d been waiting to do that all day. You should’ve joined me. It would have been much more fun and satisfying.” He strode forward. She stood her ground and glared at him. Well, as best as she could. Her lips wanted to quiver, and her hands shook. She knew if her knees turned to jelly, she’d be a goner. Trying to ignore the buzz of arousal pinging around her body, Katrina looked him in the eye and tried to sound as calm as she could. “Why the hell would I do that?”

“You want me just as much as I want you. Any other woman would have slapped me by now and threatened me with sexual harassment. Yet, you ask me why you should’ve joined me.” He chuckled and turned away. Braydon opened up a locker one down from her. Tension still hung in the air despite the barrier of the door. She tried to figure out a good comeback but realized there wasn’t one. To threaten him would only confirm what he’d said.

She decided to go for the truth. “You’re attractive, that much is true.”

“More than attractive, love.” He peeked out from behind the locker door and gave her a smirk.

She glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest. “Well, aren’t you arrogant?”

He closed the door just a bit but didn’t shut it all the way, giving her his full attention. “Not what I meant. If I was just attractive, you wouldn’t be aroused right now.”

She opened her mouth and shut it, not wanting to admit to desiring him just yet.

“I may be an Elven prince, but I’m no slouch in the hunter department. I can smell that sweet cream of yours. All I can think of right now is ignoring work, getting down on my knees, stripping off your jeans and boots and eating you out till you come all over my face.” Stark, hot, naked need blazed in his now navy blue eyes. “Unfortunately, we have to work, and you aren’t ready for me yet.”

Not ready for him? What the fuck does that mean? Katrina placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. Before she could stop herself, she asked him to clarify himself. “What does that mean?”

He looked away and drew out some clothes. “Do you really want to know?” Braydon gazed up at her and held her stare. “Do you really want to know what goes on in my head while I work with you, when I go home, when I’m alone? Do you really want to hear everything? I won’t hold back, not for you, love.”

He moved toward her. Katrina felt as if she’d just become prey for the hunter. Hating herself for wanting to give ground and find safety, she couldn’t stop herself from backing up until she hit a wall. Her breath came out in harsh pants. She couldn’t control her now wild heartbeat. Thick, hot arousal poured into her veins as need shivered through her body. Her fingertips itched to touch him. Every cell in her body felt attuned to him. The air was perfumed by male musk and danger. She licked her lips and tried to speak. No sound came out. His azure eyes bored into hers. The heat of his body pressed against her until it became a wall of solid intensity.

Prickles raced along her thighs and up and down her back. Every instinct she had screamed for her to tilt her hips toward him and offer up her aching pussy. Her breasts felt heavy. The mounds pushed against her corset as if offering themselves to him. A steady throb started in her taut nipples. She wanted to unzip her top to relieve some of the tension. Instead, she remained still, praying, hoping he wouldn’t come any closer.

Pure predatory desire radiated out of him. She whimpered in response. Katrina bit her bottom lip to keep any other sounds from spilling out. Thankfully, her mouth obeyed her need, but Braydon kept advancing until his body was millimeters away from her. He brought up his arms and placed his hands against the wall. Braydon brought his face closer, his mint-scented breath wafted against her face.

She took in gulps of it just for a taste of him. He moved until his lips were as close to her as his body was. She could almost feel them on her mouth and whimpered again, wanting to feel them, taste them, and have him kiss her. “While I work, when I’m at the front door, all I can think of is fucking you. When I’m beating the shite out of the goblins, all I picture is taking you against the wall outside the club and hearing you scream my name.” He paused to lick his lips. Just the barest touch of his tongue brushed against her mouth, and she almost cried at the tease. Her heart hammered in her chest. It became harder and harder to breathe. Her legs shook with the effort to keep her upright when all she wanted to do was slide down the wall. She wanted to reach out and touch him but couldn’t move.

She could feel just a hint of his erection against her stomach and wanted to touch it. His words only added fuel to the fire threatening to burn her alive from the inside out. “The desire to claim you as mine is overwhelming. Every fucking second of every day since I met you has been spent fighting my sexual urges. I want to make you come every way possible. I want to tie you down to my bed and have my wicked way with you. I want to figure out what you like, love, and can’t live without. And I’ll do it all over again until you can’t leave my bed, until you can’t think of anyone else but me. Want and need only me like I need you.”

She felt lightheaded and hot. Katrina sucked in a huge breath and blew it out. Her clit pulsed with need. She became very aware of how thick her blood felt. The tingle between her legs had intensified. Her pussy was slick. Shifting her weight from one leg caused the fabric of her panties to brush against the needy bundle of nerves, setting off sparks. Katrina crossed her arms over her chest, fighting her desire to strip down and relieve the sexual stress humming through her body.

He continued to gaze down at her with a passion that shook her to her very soul. Opening her mouth, she tried to speak, to figure out something to say. “Braydon –” His name came in a husky whisper that belied what she was truly feeling. The sound was inadequate to express the roar of need vibrating through her. She licked her lips and tried again, only to have him cut her off. “Braydon –”

His face became a hardened mask of anger and passion. “Don’t make me take it back. Don’t bullshit me, talking about the job or that you’re my boss. I want you, plain and simple.” He shook his head. Damp strands of hair hit her face like stinging kisses. She wanted to bury her fingers in his hair and hold on tight. Determination shone in his eyes. “I’m going to kiss you, damn the consequences.”

He paused before he did, and that tore another whimper out of her. She refused to make the first move. Frozen in place, she waited for him to finally close the distance between them.

At first it was just a press of his lips. That small contact drew a moan out of her. It was like water in the desert. His mouth was soft. She parted her lips, asking him without words for more. Fire lapped through her as the arousal nearly seared her. She squeezed until her fingernails dug into her biceps, jolting her back to reality. Braydon was kissing her, touching her. She dropped her arms to her sides, feeling the sinful glide of his skin. His touch only made the hunger to feel him inside her flare hotter.

The kiss turned savage, bordering on violent. He plunged his tongue in, plundering, stroking, taking and fucking her mouth until all she could do was reach up, hold onto his biceps and try to remember to breathe. Groans filled the air. Much to her shock, most of the noises were coming from her. Her clit pulsed even more as her cunt fluttered. She felt empty and needy.

His erection now pressed fully against her stomach. She could feel the heat of his cock through the towel and her corset. She wanted to feel all that warmth within her, stroking those secret places that would make her break apart. An orgasm began to spiral upward inside of her. The tension grew as their mouths moved against each other, a mash of teeth and flesh and tongues.

When he pulled back, they were both panting. Her mouth burned and ached. She wanted more and almost slid her hand into his hair to pull his head back down for another kiss.

“Fuck, you taste wonderful.” He lowered his head for another pass. She almost gave in. Almost. Her head moved toward his only for her to catch sight of the door to the locker room just a few feet away.

Reality slammed into her like a splash of ice water. Any second, anyone could just walk in and see them. In what position they’d be in, she didn’t know, but she couldn’t afford to be exposed like that. The idea of being caught naked by an employee who could blackmail her sent a chill through her veins. As tempting as he was, she couldn’t afford to lose any part of her life that she’d worked so hard to get back. She shook her head.

“Can’t.” The single word was simple and yet inadequate. Katrina wanted to explain to him why, but not in a locker room in the club where she worked. To her, it lacked a sense of tact and privacy.

“Why?” There was no anger contorting his beautiful face. No bewilderment. He just wanted an answer.

She shrugged, unsure of whether or not he’d understand her predicament. “I just… You wouldn’t understand.”

“Explain it to me.” His tone was soft, lulling. So seductive that she almost gave in.

She sighed and sagged against the wall, deciding to give him a small bit of her history. “I’m a former Bound Human. Do you want to deal with my former Dragon Lord or my trust issues?”

Katrina waited for him to turn tail and run. Bound Humans always came with baggage, whether it was abuse from their former Dragon Lord or just being friends with the Dragon Lord. Most were intimidated by the idea of maybe having to deal with the ancient dragons that called Utopia Bay home. They were an intimidating species, and very territorial. No one wanted to piss off a dragon who’d claimed someone, whether by choice or force.

“I’ve dealt with dragons most of my life. You being a former Bound Human doesn’t bother me — unless there’s something more, like abuse.” His eyes narrowed, and icy anger flickered in his navy gaze. She was horrified at the thought that he might do something to her former Dragon Lord, try to avenge her.

She shook her head. “No, no. No abuse stories.” At least not with Ulfric.

The anger didn’t leave his eyes. Braydon relaxed a bit but the tension still hung between them, now mired in things unspoken. “You’re not telling me the real reason you don’t want to be with me. That’s fine. Like I said, you’re not ready for me.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “Find me when you want to tell me the truth. And if you’re a good girl, I might send you a nice video of me. Naked. Masturbating. Again. And again. And again. Calling your name.”

He winked and pulled back. Just like that, the moment was lost. The pressure remained, and she wasn’t sure how to move forward or forget what’d just happened. Braydon seemed fine with the outcome. He moved back to his locker and dropped the towel. A large purple dragon tattoo stared back at her. Its golden eyes seemed to blaze to life with interest. Uncomfortable at the thought that maybe it wasn’t entirely ink, she let her gaze wander down.

His tight, muscular ass flexed with each movement. He had long, thick thighs and athletic legs. For a moment she imagined watching his butt flex and tighten as he pushed into her. A small groan floated up from her mouth as the desire flared back to life. He moved so she now saw his body in profile. His hard cock curved upward. The thick shaft flushed pink, and the veins stood out. She wanted to drop to her knees and take his cock in her mouth.

“Just remember, honey. This –” He gripped the thick rod. “– is for you. Every inch. I’m flirty as hell, babe, but my body belongs to you.”

“Why me?” She couldn’t understand why anyone would be willing to be her anything when sex wasn’t involved. It made her sad to think, for just a moment, that as much as he wanted her, he might never get her.

Braydon gave himself a stroke before pulling on his leather pants with the many straps and zippers. He was so comfortable in his skin. Watching him, she wished she could be what he imagined her to be, whatever that was. Tears filled her eyes and threatened to fall. It was only by strength of will they didn’t slip down her cheeks. She blinked them away and continued to watch him get dressed. He pulled on his shirt before answering. The thin material clung to his muscular chest and the ridges of his abdomen.

“Because from day one you’ve been a mystery to me, one I want to unravel. You’re a sexy-as-hell woman, not some moronic, dimwitted princess intent on bagging me for my title and crown. And you’d look damn good in my bed — underneath me, over and next to me.”

She shook her head. “Those aren’t good enough reasons. And they’re mostly sexual. That tells me nothing. What if all I am is not what you want?” she pressed. “What if I’m not the fantasy you thought I was, or the mystery, as you put it?” Katrina waited to hear what he had to say, scared of his answer.

He gazed at her from head to toe. Satisfaction shone in his eyes. “To you, maybe. To me they’re just fine. I know you’re everything I want and so much more.” He scooped his towel and put it in the laundry. “See you out in the club, honey.”

With that parting, he left the locker room. She slid down the wall, feeling exhausted and confused. Arousal still burned through her. She yearned to go to him, take him up on his offer. At least sexually, she could handle him. Anything emotional was out of the question.

“Why does fate hate me? Why now? And why him? I don’t know what he wants, and I have no clue how to handle him beyond the sexual. And I’ve already learned beautiful things can hurt me.” She sighed. “Damn you, Bren. You brought him here.”