Kiernan, page 15
part #4 of Sea Dragon Shifters Series
A brilliant suggestion. He almost added, “Naked,” but resisted. He beamed at her.
Beneath the crown, her brows drew together. “We have the claiming as soon as my first piece of hoard arrives, right? We don’t need it all—”
“No. Please don’t worry. We’ll have our claiming the first of the week. You can bring whatever you want of the inherited jewelry. And like the dragons did in medieval times, you can make a written list of what you are including in your hoard.”
“Like the trust funds?”
“Certainly, a trust fund is a human hoard.”
* * *
Cordelia
The next day, Delia was online in the condo library, her new favorite room, setting up a business iPhone when her personal phone on the table chimed with an incoming call. Caller ID said, Honora Mason.
“Hello counselor. What good news do you have for me?”
“Hello Delia. I’m checking in with updates and a question.”
“Tell me.”
“As we discussed, I arranged to have the jewelry and trust fund paperwork from your mother’s estate overnighted to you. It will arrive at the condo before ten o’clock this morning.”
“Thank you. I’m here, ready to sign, and excited.”
“Good. I’ve emailed to you the inventory of Leopold’s possessions in his father’s name so as soon as the wheels of justice get moving, you’ll know what’s yours.”
There were cars and horses on that list. Would Kiernan consider them part of their hoard? And if so, would he ever consent to selling them and giving the money to charity? Shit. How did sea dragons feel about charity? She needed to do more research on sea dragon lore, fast.
“Next on my list,” Desiree said, “Most of the real properties will transfer to your name fairly quickly. Except the international ones, like that chalet in Switzerland. I’ve contacted local real estate representatives and tax experts. They’ll be available to us when the time comes. Most of the money, investment, and broker accounts will transfer to your name in a matter of hours.”
“Thanks for all your hard work. Oh, and I hired the accounting and tax firms you recommended.”
“They’ve already contacted me. Now, about the Watson Company…” The attorney paused and Delia held her breath.
“Congratulations are in order, Ms. Sorrel. The board of directors has already voted to consider you for President/CEO. As soon as the judge hands down a decision on the disposition of the Watson stocks, their decision will be made public.”
“Great. Oh, and I hired a business coach my friend Barb recommended so I’m keeping busy with her and online classes while Lady Justice balances those scales.”
“Good. I’ll talk to you soon,”
Two days later, the evening of the claiming, Delia dressed in her newest cocktail dress and Kiernan escorted her to a fancy restaurant for dinner. She was almost too nervous and excited to appreciate the food. When the dessert came, Kiernan took her hand and whispered, “Before our sea dragon claiming, I have a question to ask you.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out something suspiciously shiny. He sank to one knee beside the table, and held up a gorgeous, gold ring in an old-fashioned design that showcased a breathtaking smoky topaz.
“I love you,” he said. “You’re the perfect woman for me. I want us to live together for the rest of our lives. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re secure and happy. Cordelia Sorrel, will you marry me? Will you allow me to pledge my love and fidelity to you at a traditional wedding ceremony? And will you be the mother of my children?”
A tear ran down her cheek. “I love you, too, Kiernan. And I’d love to have an official marriage, a wedding ceremony. To exchange all those promises to each other in front of our friends. Yes, I’ll marry you, live with you forever, and have babies with you.”
He placed the ring on her finger and kissed her.
A few moments into the kiss, Delia heard a sigh from somewhere nearby, sort of an “Awww.” Then the people at the surrounding tables applauded softly. She’d forgotten all about the other patrons. Blushing, she buried her face in Kiernan’s neck.
He lifted his chin to announce, “I’m the luckiest man alive, she said yes.”
The applause grew louder.
As soon as they arrived back at the condo, she led the way directly to the hoard. Inside the secure room, Kiernan squeezed one of her hands and dropped a kiss her forehead.
Gently undressing her while the floor moved out of the way, he led her to the relatively flat space he’d prepared on top of the plates. He stripped his clothes off and began to drape her in his hoard until finally, she was covered in gold and gems.
“Cordelia, you are my fated mate, my heart. The heart of the hoard. Everything I own, I gift to you.” He kissed her and drew back. “My personal hoard, all you see around you is yours. This building is yours. The Muirdris Port facilities in Charleston, the ones here, right outside and south to the state line, are all part of my hoard. And now they are yours. And finally, I gift you with my share of the Rudraige family hoard in Boston.”
“Wow, you’re marvelous,” she said. No pre-nuptial agreement needed. The billionaire loved her and just gave her everything he owned. “Could I have a hug?”
He stroked a hand down her cheek. “In a moment, dearest. Do you wish to open your package and add your mother’s treasure to the hoard?”
“I do.” She ripped at the packaging when he said, “When you’re ready, please read the list of items you’re bringing to the hoard.”
“Could I drape you in mother’s jewelry?”
“I would be honored.”
He looked adorable with all her mother’s rings jammed onto his fingers. Most of them barely made it to his first knuckle. The necklaces and bracelets she piled around his neck.
Picking up her list, she steadied her crown, and said, “I love you Kiernan Rudraige. If I’m the heart, then you’re the soul of the hoard. I gift you with everything in my personal and business hoard.” She smiled when his eyebrows went up.
Then she squirmed with excitement as she read the words.
“In addition to Grandma’s and Mom’s jewelry and our trust funds, I promise to bring you my half of the Tucker Watson inheritance including—”
Carefully, she read the name of each bank and the account balance. Then the street name and city of each property. The names of farms and ranches, and a logging camp. More street names and cities where she now owned small businesses, private homes, and rental properties. She skipped over the luxury items, the toys that used to belong to Leopold. Those were earmarked to sell with the proceeds going to charity. It seemed dragons were extremely generous when the cause was important to them.
“There’s one more thing,” she said.
Kiernan looked stunned, in a good way. “More?”
“I’m legally going after the Watson Corporation. If I become CEO, the corporate assets will go into our family hoard on one condition. I reserve the right to totally reorganize, even sell off parts.”
He gave her a solemn nod. “Yes, I accept those conditions.”
“My business coach has advised me to pack the Board of directors with people who agree with my vision. From that point on, Watson will become a model of corporate responsibility.”
Another nod and he said, “Understood.”
Reaching his be-ringed hand to grasp her gold-wrapped one, he said, “Delia, I’m so proud of you, I barely have the words. If the judge awards it to you, I agree to keep Watson Corporation separate. It’s all yours. Shall we claim each other?”
They made love on the stacks of lumpy gold plates.
She didn’t notice the hard, uneven surface under her back or the noise their movements caused. All she could do was beg her mate to hurry so they could climax together. She was already so wet and hot, when he took her taut nipple in his mouth, she arched her hips and moaned, “Get inside me now. Hurry.”
He thrust deep. “Give me a minute,” he muttered.
“No, I’m there.”
She crossed her ankles over his butt, urging him on. Two more thrusts and Delia threw her head back and screamed as the strongest orgasm of her life consumed her. It went on and on, until her entire body was flushed with heat and slick with sweat. As the pulsing inside her core began to slow, Kiernan pulled back, almost pulled out; then slammed into her. Again. And again.
She saw stars. The new climax took possession of her body. Renewed the pulsing. Her inner muscles gripped him even tighter. Within moments, he roared his completion.
And collapsed on top of her. She hugged him tighter, loving the feel of his weight. She even loved the sweat.
When she could catch her breath, Delia gasped, “That was unbelievable. If the hoard makes our sex that good, we should move the bed down here.”
“It’s not just the hoard,” he said. “It’s you, beloved. You’re a claimed mate, our loving will always be that good.”
Chapter 28
Kiernan
The next morning, after Kiernan proved to his mate mind-boggling sex was possible without being on top of the hoard, he tucked Delia close to his side and frowned. How should he broach the question of her keeping the topaz engagement ring? Or not. The surprise party was a week away. She’d want her permanent ring on her hand that night.
He ran a fingertip along her thigh. “We’ll always be honest with other? Right?”
“Of course.”
“Like warning me of your plans to devalue Watson.”
“I was a little surprised you took it so well. But now I’m challenged to prove to you a business with a social conscience can show a nice profit.”
“Anyway, is there anything else on your mind?”
She blushed and he congratulated himself on his excellent claimed-mate skills.
“Do you mind if I communicate with the other mates?”
Not what he was expecting to hear. “What kind of communication? I heard they’re planning to start an email newsletter.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of a preliminary conference call. Each of the mated directors has all the equipment. We could see each other as we introduce ourselves.” She twisted to face him. “If there’s any weirdness or hint of territorial issues, I promise to let you know right away.”
“A sea dragon’s territorial imperative isn’t catching.”
“That’s good.” She kissed him. “One conference call?”
“I guess it can’t hurt anything.”
Later that morning, Delia convinced her mate to stay at the condo while she ran to the store for moisturizer. “There’s another ‘signature’ delivery coming from Honora. I should be back before it arrives but one of us has to sign.”
“Hurry back,” he said with a kiss. “What’s coming?”
“Whatever it is, go ahead and open the boxes. It all belongs in the hoard.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ve got it.”
She stopped at the nearest Starbucks and called Victoria at Muirdris in Boston.
“Hello, Vic. I’m Cordelia—Delia—Kiernan’s new fiancé. Can we speak freely?
“Yes, Delia. This line is secured. And I’m the other shifter employed by Muirdris. Best wishes on your mating.”
“Oh great. Thank you. I wanted to ask you about a conference call with the other human mates?”
“Do you have access to Kiernan’s secure room?”
“Yes. My hand print and code. I’m not sure how all the electronics work yet. I did watch Kiernan contact Ji.”
“You simply login in with your password and I’ll make the other connections from Boston. It’s categorized secret, so I won’t stay on while you ladies chat. When the conference is over, just log off and we’re good.” Vic’s voice was muffled as she spoke to someone else.
“I apologize Delia, there’s an international call waiting. Your group is scheduled for the first of every month, ten a.m. Eastern time. Talk to you then.”
Delia stared at her phone. The other mates already had a conference call set up? A secret one? She’d better contact the women and find out what was going on. A tingle of excitement ran up her spine.
* * *
Kiernan
Two weeks later, Kiernan realized he still hadn’t asked Delia about changing out her engagement ring. And tonight, was the surprise engagement party. Maybe he should buy a few rings? Popular designs with big diamonds and offer them to her? Let her choose?
Lame plan. She should be able to pick from any ring in the world.
At least the party was going to be a success. He’d been smart there. Rather than re-invent the wheel, he’d instructed Rachel to schedule the celebration at Muirdris and make it an exact duplicate—decorations, guest list, food, music—of the post St. Patrick’s Day Parade party Delia had missed.
Rachel had stared at him. “You want St. Patrick’s Day decorations?”
“Delia missed the party in March. Let’s recreate it for her. Make it exactly the same.”
“I will, promise. Any chance I can also order flowers?”
“Sure. Flowers sound good.”
“Champagne? A cake?”
“Ah, I see. Like wedding stuff?”
“That’s right. A hint of wedding stuff since it’s a wedding engagement party.”
“Sure,” he’d said.
Later that night, Kiernan ushered his mate through the doors of Muirdris Shipping, Port of Savannah. “Rachel asked me to pick up a file from the office.”
All the lights switched on at once and two hundred voices yelled, “Surprise.”
Rachel handed Kiernan a red file folder. And kissed Delia on the cheek. His mate did look surprised. He imagined he looked besotted.
“Congratulations on your engagement,” Rachel said to Delia. “Show me the ring.”
People crowded around him, shaking his hand, hugging and congratulating him. He responded to them but only heard Delia’s voice.
Rachel took her left hand and moved the ring back and forth, examining it in the bright overhead light. “It’s lovely,” his assistant said, then lowered her voice. “Wouldn’t you say?”
“I know,” Delia gushed. “It’s absolutely perfect, isn’t it? I fell in love with this gorgeous topaz the minute I saw it. And all the old gold. I couldn’t be happier. I’d put my smoky topaz up against a diamond any ole day.”
Rachel glanced at him and said, “Nice work, boss.”
He whooshed out a sigh of relief and glanced down to see who was tugging on his hand. Ms. O’Brien, senior coordinator from the parade, pursed her lips. “I asked if the wedding will be at the Cathedral. It will, won’t it?”
One of the golf cart-riding seniors from the parade told Delia, “If you need a mature bridesmaid, keep me in mind.”
Mick the golf cart driver added, “I drive limos, too.”
Kiernan raised his hand and the room went quiet. “Everybody, please help yourselves to food and drink. Have a seat. My beautiful fiancé and I make the rounds so we can say hello to everyone.”
Delia raised her left hand and flashed her ring. “And give everybody the opportunity to drool over my ring.”
As the crowd around them moved away, Delia put her arms around him, and they kissed. “Thank you,” she said, “for the lovely St. Patrick’s engagement party.”
“I knew you’d like it.” Kiernan dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose, and whispered, “I’m really getting the hang of this mate thing.”
THANK YOU for reading Kiernan, Sea Dragon Shifter series Book 4.
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Did you miss the first stand-alone books in the Sea Dragon series?
Murdoch, Sea Dragon Shifter Book 1 is available in the Amazon Kindle store, in paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited.
Devlin, Sea Dragon Shifter Book 2 is available in the Amazon Kindle store, in paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited.
Treasure, Sea Dragon Shifter Book 3 is available in the Amazon Kindle store, in paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited.
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Also by CJ Matthew:
Sea Dragon Shifters Series
Murdoch
Devlin
Treasure
Kiernan
Brogan – coming soon
The Colonel’s Daughters, A Quintet
A Major Seduction
A Major Affair
Compromising the Captain- TBA
The Paladin Group Series
Deadly Reboot
Survival Reboot
Maximum Reboot
Extreme Reboot – TBA
Dolphin Shore Shifters Series
Blood Tide
Risky Tide
Dangerous Tide
Lethal Tide
Toxic Tide
About the Author:
CJ Matthew, multi-published romance author, introduced a new paranormal romance series, Sea Dragon Shifters for 2019. Book 1, Murdoch, features the Irish clan of sea dragons posing as humans and running their international conglomerate, Muirdris Shipping.
Growing up in an Air Force family, CJ travelled all over the U.S. and around the world. She enjoys drawing on her first-hand knowledge of international cities for her stories. She spent her high school and university years living in southern California, which inspired her love of marine life and the Pacific Ocean.
Currently, she lives and writes in a cabin in the woods near a lake located northeast of Atlanta. When she isn't writing or reading romances, CJ still loves to travel and to spend time with her two grown children and their spouses, a brilliant grandson, and a feisty cat named Max.
