Page 16 of Heartflame

Maybe it was time to pay him a little visit out on the cross-country course?

I grabbed some clothing from my dresser and started to change, already formulating a plan. The cross-country course wound through the woods on the north side of campus, and if Red was avoiding our meeting, he’d be there now. So if I went for a jog, I’d catch him somewhere in the middle of his run. And in the shortest little running shorts I had, he wouldn’t be able to resist me.

The thought made my blood heat.

I’d never been one to chase after someone who clearly didn’t want my attention. That wasn’t my style. But Quill was different. There was something about the way he fought against what he was feeling that made me want to push harder. Everyone else at Widdershins was so easy to read, so predictable. They saw the red scales and the family name and immediately decided they wanted me. But Quill? He pushed me away every chance he got. It made him all the more enticing.

My shorts barely covered my dick and the tank top… well, it was basically spaghetti. But it was just what I needed to get Red all hot and bothered. With one last glance in the mirror, I headed out toward the woods. The late afternoon sun was already starting to dip lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the campus grounds. A few students gave me curious looks as I jogged past them, probably wondering why the dragon heir was suddenly doing cardio. Let them wonder.

The start of the cross-country course was marked by a simple stone with a well-worn path, weathered from years of use. I could see fresh footprints in the dirt leading into the tree line. I took a deep breath and followed them, my scaled feet barely making a sound against the forest floor. My natural athleticism gave me an advantage here. I could move faster than any human, even a fit witch like Quill, which meant I could position myself exactly where I wanted to be.

I ran at an easy pace, keeping my breathing controlled, my senses attuned to the sounds of the forest around me. I could hear the distant thrum of the campus wards, the whisper of wind through the pine needles, and then… there. The sound of heavy breathing and pounding footsteps in front of me on the trail.

I picked up my pace deliberately, catching him up. I could feel him before I saw him, that familiar pull of awareness that seemed to happen whenever he was near. My cock was already half-hard in my shorts, anticipating what was about to happen.

When I rounded the bend and nearly collided into him, I was ready.

“Oh hi, Red,” I said smoothly, turning to match his pace. “Fancy meeting you here. How’s practice going?”

I could practically feel his frustration radiating off him in waves. His face was flushed from exertion, his red hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. He looked absolutely fucking gorgeous, and I had to work hard to keep my expression casual. I wanted to lick him from head to toe.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he demanded, his voice breathless. He didn’t slow down, just kept running, clearly hoping I’d fall behind or lose interest.

“Thought I’d join you,” I said, easily matching his stride. “You know, get some exercise. Maybe we could talk about that assignment while we run?”

“Absolutely fucking not,” he spat, pushing harder. I could see his muscles straining, could practically feel the effort it was taking him to try to outpace me. “Leave me alone, Aeron.”

“You’re the one who lied to me,” I pointed out, not even winded despite the pace he was setting. “Cross-country practice on a Monday night? When the team runs at five in the morning? That’s a bold move, Red. And you’re out here running, anyway. You’re really committed to the bit.”

He didn’t respond, just ran harder, his breathing becoming more ragged. We were getting deeper into the woods now, farther from campus, and I found myself enjoying the irony of the situation. He’d tried to avoid me, and instead he’d led me out here where we were completely alone.

“You smell amazing, by the way,” I said, inhaling deeply. The scent of sweat and pheromones was going straight to my dick. “I’ve always had a thing for guys post workout.”

I could feel the way his body tensed at my words, the slight hitch in his breathing that had nothing to do with the exertion of running. His jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth might crack.

“Stop talking,” he growled, but there was no real heat in it. Just desperation.

“Make me,” I said, and I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.

He pushed even harder, his legs pumping faster, and I realized he was actually trying to lose me in the woods. It was adorable, really. Did he honestly think he could outrun a dragon? My metabolism was faster, my cardiovascular system more efficient, my natural strength exponentially greater than his. I could keep up with him all day and barely break a sweat.

But I let him think he had a chance. I fell back slightly, giving him the illusion of pulling ahead, watching the way his muscles worked beneath his sweat-dampened shirt. The fabric was clinging to him in all the right places, outlining the lean strength of his body. I wanted to rip it off him right here on the trail.

“You know what I think?” I called after him, my voice carrying easily through the quiet forest. “I think you’re running because you’re scared. Not of me catching you, but because you want me to catch you.”

He didn’t answer, just ran harder, faster, pushing himself to his absolute limit. I could hear the strain in his breathing now, the way his feet were hitting the ground with less precision as fatigue started to set in. He was approaching his breaking point. Another half a mile and he’d have to stop.

I accelerated, closing the distance between us. Not too fast. I didn’t want to spook him into doing something stupid like veering off the trail into the woods and trying to run through the wards. But close enough that he could feel me, that he’d know I was right there, that escape was impossible.

“Come on, Red,” I said, drawing up alongside him again. “You can’t run forever. Just talk to me.”

His breathing was ragged now, his movements becoming jerky and desperate. I could see the moment his body started to rebel against the demands he was placing on it. His pace faltered slightly, just for a fraction of a second, but it was enough.

“Stop,” he gasped out, but I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or to himself.

I reached out and grabbed his arm gently, not forcefully, just enough to get his attention. “Easy, Red. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

He tried to wrench away from me, but his legs were giving out. I caught him as he stumbled, my scaled arms wrapping around his waist to keep him upright. He was breathing so hard I thought his lungs might explode, his whole body trembling with exertion.