The Real Deal

by Lynn Hagen

  Was Deon ready? He thought about the people in his past life, the real-time threat, and dealing with Jayce’s quirky parents. His mate was being accused of murder, and what if those charges stuck? What would Deon do if the cops, the judge, sentenced Jayce to life in prison?

  He wasn’t going to let that happen. Not in this lifetime. Deon would spill the Black Pythons’ secrets if that meant saving his mate.

  “I’m ready.” Jayce took the kiss deeper, making all the thoughts in Deon’s head scatter. “I don’t know you, and I should be afraid, but…I’m not.”

  That was all Deon needed to hear. He thrust forward, burying himself to the hilt. He groaned and closed his eyes, allowing Jayce’s body to adjust to his. His cock throbbed, his panther purred, and Deon knew in that moment that he’d found heaven.

  No one, absolutely no one, would ever take Jayce away from him. Deon would kill every last thug in that group to keep his mate safe.

  Jayce pressed his hands against Deon’s cheeks. “Move, please. I need you to move.”

  Deon placed a tender kiss against Jayce’s neck as he pulled back then punched forward. His mate groaned, sliding his hands around Deon, digging his nails into Deon’s back.

  Needing more, Deon placed his hands on either side of Jayce’s head and pushed upward, staring down at the man who meant everything to him. He scooted his knees closer and started a pounding rhythm, driving hard and deep into Jayce’s ass. His mate’s lower body shot upward on every stroke, matching Deon’s rhythm as he moaned out his pleasure.

  Deon was mesmerized, downright fascinated as his cock slid in and out of Jayce’s body. The tight grip. The mewling sounds. The look of pure ecstasy in Jayce’s brown eyes. The scent of sex that filled the room. The clapping sound of their skin colliding. Their heavy breathing. The sweat that slid from Deon’s scalp. His panther that tried to break free.

  Deon scooped Jayce into his arms and leaned back, placing his mate on his lap as he thrust upward. Jayce pressed his lips against Deon’s neck. Deon closed his eyes, drowning in the richness, the velvety feel of his mate’s skin.

  He rolled, Jayce now atop him. His mate pressed his palms into Deon’s chest and rode him like a champ. Deon grabbed Jayce’s hips, punching his hips, lost in the moment.

  Then he pulled Jayce down to him and sank his canines into the soft flesh of his mate’s shoulder. Jayce bucked and cried out, slick wetness erupting between their bodies.

  Their bond snapped into place. Deon felt it. Their souls merging together. Jayce gasped and writhed, slamming his ass downward as Deon came. His cock throbbed heavily as his seed bathed Jayce’s channel.

  Deon eased his canines free and licked the wound. Jayce collapsed, spread out over Deon’s chest as they both pulled in ragged breaths. He curled his arms around Jayce, holding him, vowing to always protect the person fate had given him.

  Chapter Seven

  Jayce groaned as the morning light filtered into the room. They’d had sex twice more last night, and every part of his body was a wonderful ache. His stomach rumbled, but he couldn’t conjure up the energy to roll out of bed. Even his toes hurt, and Jayce was pretty sure, with all the tugging Deon had done last night, he might’ve been missing patches of hair.

  He simply lay there, his cheek against the pillow, staring out of the window as he watched the sun crest over the barn. He was too comfortable to move, although his bladder was twitching.

  Then he smelled something heavenly. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted into the room, teasing his nose and diving down toward his lungs. The aroma lifted him off the bed, and he felt like he was floating as he quickly dressed and headed out of the bedroom.

  When he was downstairs, Jayce heard the sizzle of meat cooking and a deep humming voice. He entered the kitchen to find Deon at the stove, wearing nothing but a pair of low-riding jeans. His chest and feet were bare as he hummed some tune Jayce wasn’t familiar with.

  Jayce leaned against the archway, crossed his arms, and smiled as he watched Deon’s sexy-as-fuck ass cook them breakfast. But the tantalizing aroma of coffee pulled Jayce deeper into the kitchen. He could watch Deon all day, but he needed his morning caffeine. It was what woke him out of his zombie state and allowed him to deal with the rest of his day.

  Deon turned and smiled. “Did you sleep well, sweets?”

  Those sparkling blue eyes were what did Jayce in. They’d done him in last night, too. This morning they were a light shining blue, but last night they had smoldered with darkness. Deon had mood-ring eyes.

  “Like a dream.” Jayce poured his coffee then rooted around the fridge for some cream. Once he took his first sip, he gave a blissful sigh. Deon kissed Jayce on his nose.

  “Now that’s a sound I love hearing from you.” He winked and turned back to the stove.

  Jayce was still not awake enough yet to help him cook, so he took a seat at the table and watched his mate’s muscles flex as he made pancakes and flipped sausages.

  If Jayce kept eating his food, he’d weigh a million pounds in no time. Too bad he wasn’t a gym rat. Jayce was too lazy for that kind of dedication. He’d tried once and ended up paying just to be a member, no participation on his part except forking over the money. He was grateful it was a month-to-month membership.

  His mom had even volunteered to come with him, but clearly she was just as lazy as he was because she’d never showed up. Or maybe she had and Jayce just hadn’t been there to see her.

  “After breakfast I’m getting back to working in the barn.” Jayce took another sip of coffee. “I need to earn that money.”

  “First we need to go into town.” Deon cut off the burners and plated their food.

  Jayce’s mouth was watering for Deon’s delicious pancakes, and he wouldn’t mind sucking on his mate’s sausage, either. Rather eat a sausage. Yeah, that was what he’d meant.

  “Are we allowed to go back to my house for some stuff?” As soon as the plates hit the table, Jayce was munching on a sausage patty.

  “I don’t see why not, but let me call Sheriff Copache first just to make sure.” Deon went to the counter and came back with two full glasses of orange juice. Jayce was glad he hadn’t brushed his teeth yet. Orange juice and toothpaste didn’t mix very well.

  Jayce would feel much better once he was back in his own clothes. Not that he minded what Deon had given him to wear. Jayce was currently in his own boxers but wore one of Deon’s obscenely large T-shirts. The hem hit Jayce’s thighs, reminding him how much taller Deon was.

  Jayce was eating, but he was also concentrating on his mate’s bare chest. Deon’s pecs were huge, and his biceps were the size of melons. His abs were chiseled to perfection, too. Jayce was dying to touch Deon again, but the man had said they had errands to run, so Jayce kept his lust in check.

  Too bad. Deon’s body would’ve made a scrumptious breakfast.

  * * * *

  Their first stop on their errand express was the gas station. Deon filled up the truck as Jayce went inside and grabbed some sodas and a candy bar. They would need their own kind of fuel if Jayce was to run around with Deon and then hit the barn when they got back.

  He still hadn’t made it home to get a change of clothes. Jayce had on his own pair of jeans but refused to take off Deon’s T-shirt. He liked the way it smelled. Jayce just tucked the extra length into his waistband.

  The guy behind the counter smirked. “Aren’t you a little old to be playing dress-up in your daddy’s closet?”

  Jayce knew the guy from back in high school. Terrance was a straight-up prick. Always had been. He’d bullied Jayce just for the fucking fun of it.

  “At least I know who my daddy is.” Jayce paid for his things, flipped Terrance off, and walked out feeling like a jerk. Just because Terrance was an ass didn’t mean Jayce had to stoop to his level. Growing up without a father wasn’t a laughing matter.

  He was seconds away from going back and apologizing but saw Terrance watching him from behind the counter. He flipp
ed Jayce off with both middle fingers.

  Deon’s features darkened. “Why is he giving you the finger?”

  Oh crap. Jayce didn’t want his mate going inside and causing a scene. Terrance’s life was shitty enough. “I did it first. We know each other.”

  One hard glare from Deon made Terrance whip around, giving them his back, acting as if he was busy counting cigarettes. That was one problem with small towns. Everyone knew each other, and those who tortured you in school were still around to taunt you as an adult.

  Once they were done, it was off to the post office. Deon bought a book of stamps—who mailed bills anymore?—and dropped the envelopes he had into the slot. When Jayce asked, Deon said he didn’t like using his credit and bank cards online. Made sense, but again, Jayce was lazy, so he just paid them on his laptop.

  Deon stopped at Raven’s auto shop to pick up a part for his truck. The two talked for a while, leaving Jayce bored out of his skull. Until some guy with rainbow hair came out to keep Jayce company.

  “I’m Jet.” He shook Jayce’s hand.

  Jayce knew who Raven was. The guy had been the town mechanic for as long as he could remember. But he’d never met Jet, and Jayce loved his hair.

  “I’m Jayce.” They chatted it up, laughing and having a good time. Jayce would definitely come back to see Jet, maybe even hang out in town with him.

  “Hope you weren’t too bored.” Deon’s smile made a whirlpool of fire settle in Jayce’s cock.

  The man was too damn gorgeous for his own good. What made him even sexier was the fact that Deon didn’t seem to notice how he made people swoon. The woman at the post office had openly ogled him, and Jayce wanted to slap each one of them and shout that Deon was his.

  Their last stop was the grocery store. That was where Deon got real handsy. He not only squeezed the melons but Jayce’s ass, too. He kept kissing Jayce’s neck, his cheek, and his jaw. Jayce wasn’t against public displays of affection. He thought it was adorable, especially when it was elderly people. Love had no expiration date.

  But Jayce wasn’t used to that kind of attention aimed toward him. And he definitely didn’t want anyone tattling on him to his parents. He was still trying to figure out a way to tell them he was gay. There was no need for town gossip to clue them in before he was ready.

  “The things I want to do to you when we get back.” Deon slid his hand down Jayce’s back then cupped his ass. “All I can think about while we’re running around is fucking you, sweets.”

  He batted at Deon’s hand. “Stop it.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…” Jayce’s mind went blank. He couldn’t think of a good reason why Deon should stop touching him. Not if he didn’t want to tell his mate the truth.

  You’re hard about others keeping secrets. You’re doing the same. Even so, that was not a discussion Jayce wanted to have in the cereal aisle while hugging a box of Captain Crunch in his arms.

  “You gotta do better than that.” Deon stood behind him, his lips so close to Jayce’s ear that Jayce felt flames of heat scorching his face from embarrassment. Deon nibbled on Jayce’s neck, sending rioting shivers of need through him. “Tell me why I have to stop, sweets.”

  Jayce trembled at the slight purr in Deon’s voice. “Because…because…” He turned his head, and Deon’s face was right there—stormy blue eyes, perfect lips, that masculine scent. “Because…I don’t know.”

  How did Deon expect him to think with that godliness all up on him? Jayce hugged the cereal box tighter as he licked his lips, anticipating a hot-as-fuck kiss.

  And he wasn’t disappointed. Deon nipped Jayce’s lower lip, teasing it with a slight sting before he captured Jayce’s mouth, and goddamn, had the store gone up in flames? Jayce sure as fuck did. He molded his body to Deon’s, crushing the box between them.

  “Jayce Lesley Foyer!”

  Stepping into a winter storm butt naked wouldn’t have cooled him off faster than hearing his mother’s shocked voice. Jayce jerked away so fast he lost his footing and hit the shelves, sweeping his arm out and taking an army of cereal boxes with him when he hit the floor.

  Not the full name. God, not his full name. Jayce always knew he was in a heap of trouble when she said all three. He felt like he was five and had gotten caught stealing cookies off the baking tray.

  “Mom!” Jayce scrambled to his feet, the boxes still gathered around him on the floor. “What–What’re you doing here?”

  “Your father wanted roasted chicken for dinner.” Her gaze bounced between Jayce and Deon.

  “I can explain.” But nothing came to Jayce’s mind that would explain away the gayness she’d just witnessed.

  “You better well explain why you’re acting like…like…that in public. Have you no decency? That kind of behavior is conducted behind closed doors.” She lowered her voice. “Are you even a virgin anymore?” She patted her chest in a flutter. “God, you should have come to me before you decided to have sexual intercourse. I haven’t even had the talk with you.”

  From the corner of his eye, Jayce saw how hard Deon was fighting a fit of laughter. The bastard was rubbing a hand across his jaw so fast the friction should’ve made his mouth catch fire. Deon’s blue eyes sparkled with humor, and he finally turned away, coughing to hide his chuckles.

  Jayce wanted to kick Deon in the nuts.

  “Mom, can we discuss this later? We’re in a grocery store.” He used her own advice against her, although he altered some words. “That kind of talk should be conducted behind closed doors.”

  Which he never planned on doing. Jayce would rather have his balls cut off by a rusty razor than sit down and listen to his mom give him the sex talk. He hadn’t been a virgin since he turned eighteen, and that had been seven years ago.

  She patted then squeezed his arm. “We’ll talk when you come over Sunday for dinner.” She kissed his cheek. “Did they find the real killer, or are they still suspecting you?”

  “Mom, later. Okay?” A few people turned their heads at the last thing she said. Too bad Jayce didn’t have the ability to turn invisible. He would’ve vanished from the store.

  “Okay.” She patted his arm again as though she couldn’t help herself. “I’m going to get your father’s dinner. Boy, he’s gonna flip his balding head when I have to tell him you’ve had sex.”

  “Don’t!” Jayce grabbed her wrist in a gentle hold. “Please don’t mention my sex life to dad.”

  She gave him a sweet, sincere smile. “Wanting to be with a man is natural, sweetheart. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, although I wish you had waited until we talked.”

  “Wait.” Jayce frowned. “You don’t care that I’m gay.”

  She giggled. His mom fucking giggled. “We’ve known you were different since you were a teenager, dear. That isn’t what bothers me. The talk, honey.” His mom pressed her lips together and gave him a stern look. “We have to have it.”

  The skin under Jayce’s eye twitched as she walked away, pushing her cart around the corner.

  “What the hell just happened?” Jayce asked.

  Deon burst out laughing. Clearly he could no longer hold it in. He leaned against the shelf and held his gut as tears leaked from his eyes. “That was the best conversation I’ve heard in ages.”

  Jayce bent and began to pick up the cereal boxes. “Laugh all you want. You’re going with me to Sunday dinner, and you’re gonna deal with my dad.”

  Deon’s laughter died. “Say what?”

  “Afraid to face David Foyer?” Jayce smirked as he put the boxes away. He stuffed the crushed box of Captain Crunch toward the back and grabbed one that wasn’t all dented up. Sue him.

  “Afraid of what kind of conspiracy he’s gonna come up with about either you being gay, you not being a virgin, or both,” Deon grumbled as he helped Jayce clean up the mess.

  They finished their shopping—only a few gropes and kisses after the conversation with Jayce’s mom—and loaded the bags into the truck.


  Jayce stared out the passenger window, watching the town go by as he thought about the investigation. He needed to call Baxter to make sure his best friend hadn’t ended up dead from being nosy. He also didn’t feel like going to his house. Jayce just wanted to go back to the farm and get the rest of the stalls cleaned out.

  But Deon headed for Jayce’s. They walked in, and Jayce felt a cold chill run through him. A stranger had been in there, had invaded his home and planted bloody evidence. Jayce forced himself not to think about it as he grabbed a backpack from his closet and tossed some clothes in there.

  Deon came from the bathroom, toiletries in hand. “You okay?”

  Jayce shrugged. “It just doesn’t feel like my home anymore since whoever broke in and tried to frame me. My house was violated.”

  Deon enveloped Jayce in his strong arms. Jayce rested his head against his mate’s chest. “I’m sorry all this happened to you. Why don’t we forgo the stalls and just chill in front of the TV when we get home?”

  Did Deon notice that he’d called his farm Jayce’s home? Why did Jayce feel freaked out about that? Hell, he’d given himself over and allowed their souls to bind, but he was uncomfortable with what Deon had said?

  God, he really was screwed up.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Jayce tossed the backpack over his shoulder and headed for the door. In truth, the farm was starting to feel more like his home, and that scared him.

  The ride wasn’t that long, and Deon talked about how he’d have to start planting soon. Jayce had a feeling his mate was just trying to stop the silence from falling between them. He was all right with that.

  Jayce was even starting to relax until they grew closer to Deon’s. He sat forward, and his jaw dropped when he saw thick black smoke billowing from the barn.

  The goddamn structure was on fire!

  Chapter Eight

  Deon had had the idea of tearing the barn down before he’d decided on running a stud farm. There wasn’t anything in there besides equipment. That wasn’t the point, though. As he stood next to Chief Sal Monroe, watching his men put out the flames, anger boiled in him, just under the skin.