by Shea Balik
For once, the answer was simple. No. He didn’t.
Reaching out his hand to Eirik, he invited the sexy man who’d saved his life into his bed.
Long strides ate the distance between them before Ryley had time to think anything more about whether or not he’d made a wise decision. Eirik toed off his shoes then climbed onto the mattress, pushing Ryley fully onto his back. It was when that strong muscled body covered his and their lips were just touching, that Eirik stopped.
His voice was hoarse as if he were having to exert tremendous control. “Last chance, kitten. Yes or no?”
A tiny part of Ryley’s brain warned him to think this through some more, but the rest of him? Yeah, it was totally on board with what was about to happen. Not bothering voicing his answer, Ryley pushed up, his mouth covering Eirik’s.
For several long minutes they battled for dominance, but in the end, Ryley willingly gave over control. He’d have been a fool not to with the way Eirik let go of all that tightly leashed passion into the act.
It was as if Ryley were being consumed. All he could do was hold onto Eirik’s large biceps, that were flexed to hold the man’s weight from crushing Ryley and let himself be devoured. No one had ever kissed Ryley with as much single-minded obsession as Eirik did at the moment.
Ryley felt as if he were the center of Eirik’s universe and he had to admit it was more than a little thrilling. Not that Ryley laid there and did nothing.
When Eirik pushed his tongue into Ryley’s mouth, he first sucked on the appendage then let it duel with his own in a dance that sent shivers through his body for what was to come. If this was how Eirik made love, Ryley was not only on board, he’d fight anyone to remain the one in his bed.
Desperate for more, Ryley moved his hands to that expansive chest. Disappointed to feel Eirik’s shirt instead of his skin, he skimmed his hands down to the hem and pulled it up. When he got held up on Eirik’s arms, he ripped his mouth from the kiss and demanded, “Clothes off.”
That might have been a little harsher than was strictly necessary, but Ryley was having trouble forming words, much less whole sentences. Eirik rolled off the Ryley as he got up from the bed. Already forgetting he’d been the one to insist Eirik strip, Ryley whimpered a protest at the loss.
That whimper turned into a groan as Eirik’s body was revealed. Saliva pooled in his mouth as all that muscle and skin was bared. A thick, long dick jutted out from a nest of curls, pointing straight at Ryley as if trying to get closer.
“Fuck,” Ryley moaned even as he reached out to touch.
Eirik obliged him by crawling back onto the bed. This time, instead of lying on top of Ryley, he settled next to him, while his hands peeled back the sheet to expose Ryley’s body. Hunger shone in those green eyes as they roamed from the top of his head to his toes, then back up again.
The way Eirik stared at him was so visceral, Ryley felt it like a touch. His eyes rolled in his head when he was proven just how wrong he was.
Eirik’s hand reached out, his fingers gliding over Ryley’s skin, igniting a fire that followed his movements as he skimmed every damn inch of Ryley’s body. Ryley arched up when fingernails scraped across his too sensitive nipples.
Green eyes pinned his as a slight smile played at the corners of Eirik’s lips when he pinched one of Ryley’s nipples. A long drawn out moan from Ryley caused those green eyes to turn molten as Eirik continued to play with each nub in turn.
“So damn sexy,” Eirik murmured.
The next thing Ryley knew, hot, wet heat surrounded one of his nipples as teeth clamped down upon the bud. Ryley threaded his fingers through Eirik’s thick hair, tugging him closer.
No matter where Eirik touched, kissed, or licked, fire burned along Ryley’s flesh, yet he still wanted more. It had been like that from the moment Eirik had grabbed him from behind to keep him from running into the Unseelie hoard.
Even then, as outraged as he’d been at Eirik for stopping him from saving his family, his body had responded to him on a visceral level. It was as if when the two were together, they somehow fit, like two pieces of a puzzle. Yet, it was so much more than that.
Puzzle pieces weren’t necessarily drawn together. Needing to feel the other near. No matter how much Eirik had the ability to piss Ryley the hell off, he still craved to be close to him.
“Please,” he cried out when Eirik had kissed and licked his way down Ryley’s body until his mouth was hovering over his hard length.
Ryley tried to buck up, but Eirik had placed one hand on his lower abdomen, effectively pinning him in place. Green eyes stared up at Ryley. He was sure the man could see straight into his soul, causing Ryley to squirm.
He knew he wasn’t worthy of someone like Eirik. The man was strong, fierce, and unwavering in his determination to save every druid out there in order to keep the veil from opening hell upon earth. Ryley, on the other hand, had run from his obligations. Feared them.
How was he ever supposed to be good enough for Eirik?
As if Eirik could read his thoughts, he said, “You’re mine.” Then he opened his mouth and sucked Ryley’s cock all the way down.
“Fuck, yes,” Ryley shouted. He still had one hand tangled in Eirik’s hair and knew he was tugging way too hard, but he couldn’t stop if his life depended on it. The other was twisted in the sheets as he desperately held on in the need to ground himself or else he was sure he’d fly apart.
But Eirik had only begun to torment Ryley’s body with more pleasure then he ever knew possible. His oh so talented tongue pressed along the bundle of nerves under Ryley’s cap before sliding upward to dip into his slit.
Stars exploded all around Ryley as he struggled to hold back the orgasm that was threatening to overtake him. He’d thought he’d gotten ahold of himself, when Eirik sucked him back down until the head was lodged in Eirik’s throat.
Then he swallowed.
His whole body lit up as pulses of electricity raced through him. It was almost painful as his orgasm was yanked from his body, spilling into Eirik’s mouth.
Floating, he stared down at green eyes burning with lust even as Eirik continued to gulp every bit of his seed down his throat. Yet, even as his body came down from its sex crazed high, Ryley knew one thing. “I want more,” he murmured to Eirik.
CHAPTER 15
The salty flavor of his mate coated Eirik’s tongue, making his dick throb. Hearing Ryley tell him he wanted more was music to Eirik’s ears. Their attraction was intense and if Eirik were honest, he’d been afraid to give in to it.
Ryley was sexy, fiery and one that was willing to give as good as he got. Everything Eirik could imagine wanting in a partner. But the thought of that damn curse, that had haunted him for more than a millennium, having something to do with the connection he felt for Ryley scared the living crap out of him.
Was what he and Ryley felt real, or was it created by a few magical words? All Eirik knew was nothing good had come from that day. Whatever that druid had said to them as he lay there dying had caused them more torment and pain than anyone should have to live through.
Yet, each time he was in the same room with Ryley, all of the hell he’d endured had melted away. Eirik wanted to scoff at his own fanciful notions but he swore finding Ryley made everything he’d ever been through, worth it.
And now that he was in Ryley’s bed, with the man naked beneath him? Fuck if Eirik wouldn’t live through that torture all over again just for the chance at this one moment.
The need to possess all of Ryley had him scooting further down the man’s toned body and lifting his hips into the air. “Hold onto your knees,” he commanded.
The moment Ryley did, it spread the cheeks of his ass to show off that mouthwatering pucker, guarding his entrance. Eirik didn’t waste any time. Ryley may have already gotten off, but Eirik’s own cock was straining to find release.
He wasn’t going to last long, but he wanted, no, needed to make every single part of Ryley his. Leaning in, h
e swiped his tongue along Ryley’s crack, ending at his sweet entrance. Nipping and licking, he smiled when Ryley started to babble.
“Oh my…” he ended that with a long drawn out moan. “So gooooood,” Ryley said when Eirik’s tongue dipped inside his entrance. “Never…” Ryley cried out stopping what he’d been about to say as Eirik pulled his cheeks apart even further and dove in deeper.
“I can’t…Oooh, yes…Eirik…need…” Ryley’s words had turned to nonsense as Eirik did his best to drive him out of his mind.
Pride filled Eirik at being the one to do that to Ryley. He loved that he was giving the man so much pleasure he couldn’t speak coherently. But when Ryley’s tone grew more urgent and his words turned to nothing more that guttural cries, Eirik knew it was time to stop if he wanted them to come together.
He knew there was no way, even as spit-soaked as Eirik had made Ryley’s entrance, he could do this without lube. But he hadn’t been prepared to have sex with Ryley, so he hadn’t thought to bring any. He sat back on his haunches, unsure what to do. He could go to his room, which was only one door down since he’d made sure to put Ryley in the room next to him.
But then he’d have to put his pants back on and Eirik wasn’t so sure he could manage to get his raging hard cock behind a zipper.
“What the hell are you waiting for?” Ryley asked as he stroked his own dick. “Are you having second thoughts?”
Ryley seemed upset at the possibility, which helped to alleviate any thoughts of Ryley being the one to change his mind if he left the room to get lube.
“No,” he quickly assured Ryley, his gaze once more eating the slimmer man up as he took in his toned body, slim prick and legs spread so invitingly. “Lube,” he blurted out, unable to make that a complete sentence.
Ryley pointed to his bedside table. “Top drawer.”
Eirik stared dumbly at Ryley for a heartbeat. “When did you get lube?” he asked even as he lunged for the drawer and yanked it open.
Ryley smirked at him “When you took Meghan and me to the store a couple of days ago.”
Eirik nearly shouted in joy when his fingers wrapped around the tube. Pulling it from the drawer he glanced at it, noticing it had already been used. He held up the tube and quirked an eyebrow at Ryley. “Eager?”
Not even looking the tiniest bit repentant, Ryley nodded. “Damn straight.” Those blue eyes challenged Eirik. “Try and tell me you haven’t been jerking off every damn night since we got here?”
That would have been impossible to do, unless Eirik lied, which he wasn’t about to, at least not about that. “True,” he admitted, grinning back at Ryley as he popped the cap on the lube.
Pouring a generous amount onto his fingers, he quickly started to work Ryley open. The need gripping his body was starting to override his sanity. If he didn’t get Ryley ready for him soon, Eirik feared he’d end up hurting his lover and that was something he refused to accept.
He had just barely pushed in a third finger, when Ryley slammed a hand down onto the mattress. “Quit stalling. I’m more than ready. Now fuck me.”
If his own lust hadn’t been riding him so hard, Eirik might not have listened to Ryley. But the fact was, he was about to come, and he’d be damned if he did that before even getting inside of that tight ass.
Tugging his fingers free, Eirik lined up the head of his dick with Ryley’s hole. He paused as his gaze went to Ryley’s eyes. As he pushed forward, Eirik swore something passed between them. It was as if a cord had extended between them, forever tying them together as one.
Try as he might to ignore his fanciful musings, Eirik found it impossible to do. There was something between them that grew the deeper he pressed into Ryley’s tight channel.
Their bodies moved together as if they were completely in sync. Even when Eirik moved his hands to where Ryley’s were, his lover twined them together as if he had the same desire to be linked in all ways possible. It made no sense, yet perfect sense all at the same time.
The harder he thrust, the more the muscles along Ryley’s channel massaged his cock by tightening along his shaft. In his very long life, Eirik had never experienced anything remotely close to making love to Ryley.
Making love.
Eirik had never believed love a real thing. He sure as hell didn’t use pretty phrases like making love, yet that was exactly what he was doing. Was this love?
YES! Both his heart and mind were united on that.
Their eyes clung together as their bodies continued to move toward their final goal. His mind had at first landed on the word orgasm, but that wasn’t it. Sure, he was about to find his release, but with Ryley it was so much more than that.
They were about to become one.
Even as the thought occurred to him, Eirik scoffed mentally at his ridiculous notion. Yet, scoffing or not, he knew, deep down, that’s exactly what was about to happen.
Ryley’s eyes widened as if he’d just realized the same thing. Instead of it dampening their lust, it seemed to make them both ready to combust as they moved together even faster.
Ryley cried out. His back arching up, his throat bared as his mouth dropped open. Hot liquid splashed between their bodies. The sight of Ryley spurred Eirik on as his own orgasm slammed through him.
Dropping down his head, he felt his teeth extend. The taste of heated copper filled his mouth. The link that had been formed earlier snapped into place and for a long minute Eirik was sure he experienced all the love, confusion, and desire Ryley felt in that moment.
His cock jerked inside Ryley, as jets of cum filled that tight channel. Exhausted and replete, Eirik dropped down on top of Ryley. That’s when he realized what he’d just done.
Slowly, afraid he’d killed Ryley, Eirik pulled his teeth from where they were latched into Ryley’s flesh. He lifted his head and looked down in horror as a trail of blood seeped from the wound and down Ryley’s chest.
Yet, even as he was repulsed by what he’d done, Eirik couldn’t stop himself from leaning down and licking at the wound. When he’d cleaned up all traces of blood, he glanced back down to find the wound was no longer open, but a pink scar.
“Uhm,” Riley said. “Did you just bite me?”
Eirik honestly had no idea how to answer that except with the truth. “Yes.”
“And did I feel everything you were feeling when you did that? Because, I swear I felt as if something between us clicked into place.” Ryley sounded as confused as Eirik felt.
“I think you did. Or at least, I think I felt what you were feeling.” Then he rolled to the side and pulled Ryley with him, he needed his sexy lover as close to him as possible. “Are you okay?” he asked, more than a little afraid of the answer.
For several moments Ryley remained silent. A part of Eirik wanted to demand he speak, but he appreciated that Ryley was giving the question some thought.
“I can’t explain why, but, yeah. I’m more than okay. It’s weird, since none of this makes a damn bit of sense, but it’s as if I’m where I belong, you know?” For the first time since Eirik bit him, Ryley looked into his eyes. Honesty shone from those pretty blue eyes allowing Eirik to release the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
Holding him tighter, Eirik said, “I know exactly what you mean. It’s as if I finally found home.”
Ryley grinned at him then leaned in to kiss him. “Home. I like that.”
That was good to hear, because Eirik wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to let Ryley go. In fact, Eirik was fairly certain he’d tear the world apart piece by piece if that’s what it took to keep him safely in Eirik’s arms.
CHAPTER 16
For the next week, Ryley was floating on air. Well, if his muscles hadn’t felt as if they were in a constant state of pain and agony, he would have floated. His relationship with Eirik had drastically changed since they’d first started having sex.
They spent their days training and their nights in bed together. They had even started to talk about the
ir lives, which for Eirik meant a lot more talking, but the warrior didn’t seem to mind, at least when he was talking to Ryley. Anyone else and Eirik kept to his short one or two word answers most of the time.
The need to be near each other was almost impossible to ignore. Whenever it was Eirik’s turn to patrol the area to ensure no Unseelie were lurking about, Ryley had trouble fighting the burning need to go find him. According to Eirik, he hadn’t been doing much better.
“You ready for today?” Arne said.
Since Ryley and Eirik walked into the kitchen arm in arm, he wasn’t sure who Arne was talking to. That was until Eirik froze, his green eyes filled with a mix of concern and… was that guilt?
That had Ryley stopping in his tracks. “What are you talking about?”
Arne shifted his gaze to Eirik with an exaggerated eye roll. “Really? You didn’t even warn him?”
“What?” Eirik said as he filled his plate with eggs, bacon, pancakes, sausage, and home fries. Oluf never went halfway in cooking a meal. Then again, the way these guys ate, there usually wasn’t any leftovers.
“What does Ryley have to do today?” Meghan asked from where she sat at the large kitchen table. Her day was much like Ryley’s. As a druid, with Unseelie after her, it was important for her to be ready for an attack. “Is it something I’ll have to do?”
The biggest difference between Ryley and his sister, was that Meghan looked forward to her training. Then again, she wasn’t worked nearly as hard as he was. If Ryley had her routine, he might enjoy it, too.
Fritjof barked out a laugh as he said, “None of us are that mean.”
Huh? Ryley stared at Eirik, his foot tapping in warning that he wasn’t about to wait around all day for his lover to tell him what was going on. But instead of talking, Eirik pulled out another plate and filled it with all of Ryley’s favorites, even putting extra strips of bacon onto his plate as if trying to pacify him.
“Okay.” Ryley turned to Arne, who couldn’t keep from blurting out anything and everything on his mind. “What is going on?”