Lover Enslaved: Thieves of Aurion, Book 1 Read Online Free Page B

The long night was taking its toll. Usually Piper didn’t get on her nerves more than the standard twenty times a day.
    Paying Mara’s sarcasm no heed, Piper flitted to the door. She settled on the heavy brass knob and stamped her foot. “Could I get a little help here?”
    Mara gritted her teeth and stalked up the porch steps. Shooing Piper aside, she opened the door. Piper shot past her, leaving a trail of shimmering violet dust in her wake.
    “Oh brother.” Mara dashed through the entry and skittered after the sprite. She might be angry at Dash for his head games, but she wouldn’t subject him to Piper alone. Talk about cruel and unusual punishment.
    She bounded into the master bedroom and skidded to a stop. Piper hovered at eye level with Dash, her wings an iridescent blur as she treaded air. Sprite and fae were locked in a stare-down.
    “You’ve been a very bad boy, Dashael Rhyder,” Piper squeaked, wagging a tiny finger.
    Dash grunted. “Anyone have a fly swatter handy?”
    Piper’s indignant gasp broke off when Ronan stormed into the room, his barrel chest heaving from his sprint down the hall. Sweat stains formed perfect semicircles beneath the armpit area of his beige tunic. Mara couldn’t remember seeing him put out such exertion before.
    “What’s going on?” Clutching his side, Ronan scowled at the room in general.
    “Well, I’m shackled to my bed and awaiting transport to your employer. Other than that, not much.” Dash’s gaze roved to Mara. “Not too many bulbs in his lamp, I take.”
    Mara stifled a grin. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing she found him funny. No way. She glanced at Ronan. “Is the aerocoach ready?”
    At his nod, she tossed him the handcuff keys. “Let’s get him outside.”
    Ronan unclamped the cuff from the post and yanked Dash upright. Mara’s breath expelled on a relieved rush. Good—the collar’s sensitive circuitry seemed safely under control.
    “Easy, big boy,” Dash growled. “I don’t allow rough handling until the second date.” A harsh curse hissed between his teeth when Ronan yanked his free hand behind his back and manacled it inside the other cuff.
    Fury sizzling in his eyes, Dash lowered his head, butting it hard into Ronan’s protruding belly. Unfazed, Ronan slapped a meaty hand around the base of Dash’s neck and propelled him out the bedroom door.
    Outside, Ronan shoved Dash headfirst into the aerocoach’s plush backseat. Cracking his knuckles, he walked to the front of the idling vehicle. Mara slid in beside Dash. Once he’d twisted into a sitting position, she snagged the safety harness and slipped it over his wide shoulders before buckling it in place. She tried ignoring the heated musky tang of male skin inches from her nose.
    His stare scorched her. “Interesting company you keep.”
    It wasn’t her choice—not by a long shot. “Don’t complain. I half expected Ronan to crack your head open back there.”
    “What, and ruin the beautiful thing going between us?” Dash rolled his shoulders and winced when the strap pulled tight against him.
    “You’re making things worse for yourself.”
    “I’m sitting on my damn hands. What do you expect?”
    She wedged a knee between his thighs and reached for his trapped arms. His mouth settled at the crook of her neck. A weak breath escaped her when his tongue flicked her rapidly beating pulse.
    “Don’t,” she whispered.
    “Why?” He bit her and laved the sting away with his lips. “This is the best time I’ve had in the past thirty minutes.”
    She jerked away from him when Piper darted into the aerocoach’s roomy back cabin.
    Dash fixed his heavy-lidded gaze on the smirking sprite. “Your timing is impeccable.”
    “I know.” Piper giggled. Ignoring Dash’s scowl, she turned to Mara. “You owe me.”
    Big time . Weak-kneed, Mara sank onto her seat.
     
    Dash’s body jostled when the vehicle hit a rough air pocket. Despite the delicate female ears within