Hearing Anthony gasp, Solomon focused on him and grinned. He swiped up some more, eating that, too. After he’d swallowed, he couldn’t help smirking upon seeing the doc’s shocked expression.
“We taste delicious.” Solomon flexed the fingers of his right hand, massaging the side of Anthony’s neck. He found himself once again distracted by the man’s mouth. “I haven’t kissed anyone in... almost ten years. Your mouth, though.” Solomon dipped his head again, sliding his lips along Anthony’s jawline. “Can’t seem to get enough of it.”
Anthony hummed, nuzzling his cheek against Solomon’s lips. He rubbed his palms up and down his back. “I know you probably don’t want to hear me say this, but it has to do with the paranormal shit I still need to explain to you.”
Solomon sighed and nodded. Turning his head, he pressed one more sipping kiss to Anthony’s lips. He just wasn’t able to resist.
Lifting his head, Solomon smirked as his stomach grumbled. “Well, now that we’ve bled off some of our adolescent-like hormones, why don’t we go wherever you wanted before we became distracted, and you can tell me all about it.”
Anthony nodded.
As they cleaned up, all Solomon could think was, this oughta be good.
* * * *
Anthony knew Solomon still didn’t believe him. With the endorphins of his release humming through his body, he didn’t say anything as he led the way across the community square. He would convince Solomon soon enough.
Entering the massive apartment complex, Anthony headed to the elevators. Once inside, he hit the B button. He eyed Solomon, who had been peering around with fascinated interest.
“Just a reminder,” Anthony murmured, wanting Solomon’s attention on him. “You can’t share anything I tell you or show you with anyone.”
Solomon stared at him in silence for a few seconds as the elevator started moving. “And you still have my word.”
Anthony scented his mate’s annoyance, although his expression didn’t betray it. He quickly nodded. “I didn’t mean to imply anything. Just... cautious.” Watching Solomon nod, he managed a small smile as he added, “Once you hear and see, you’ll understand my concern.”
Licking his lips, Solomon glanced around the space. He appeared to be struggling with how to respond.
Anthony had never needed to explain shifters to anyone before, so he had no frame of reference. Hoping to make things easier, he reached out and took Solomon’s hand. “Let’s get comfortable,” he said as the elevator stopped.
When the doors opened, Anthony led the way out of the box. He heard Solomon whistle softly, the noise echoing a little in the massive space. Anthony had led his mate into a giant underground cavern. There were several dozen steps leading down to a sandy beach where the edges of an underground lake lapped over it.
“I hope you don’t mind the sand. I forgot a blanket.” Anthony had been too distracted, and getting something to sit on hadn’t even occurred to him.
Solomon shook his head. “Naw, I don’t mind. I love the beach.” As they both headed down the stairs, he revealed, “I like surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving.” He shrugged his wide shoulders as his lips curved into a wry smile. “If you can do it in the ocean, I’ve probably done it.”
Anthony felt an odd surge of jealousy, and before he could think better of it, he snapped, “Have you fucked in the ocean?”
His white-blond brows rising high, Solomon shook his head. “Can’t say I’ve done that one, yet.”
Growling possessively, Anthony paused at the bottom of the stairs and grabbed Solomon’s upper arm. “Good. Then that’s something you’ll do only with me.” After that declaration, he rose on his toes and pressed a swift, hard kiss to Solomon’s mouth.
Solomon grunted softly. An instant later, he sank both hands into Anthony’s hair, his hold tight. He used his grip to tip Anthony’s head back as he took over the kiss.
A fresh wave of arousal surged through Anthony. He fed Solomon a moan and stepped close. His cock filled quickly, and when he pressed against his mate, he found an equally swollen length to rut against.
Anthony lost himself for several seconds, just relishing the slick glide of Solomon’s tongue against his own. Solomon growled softly, then jerked his head up. He loosened his grip on Anthony’s head, massaging his scalp lightly.
Solomon huffed out a breath. “Fuck. Why do you drive me to distraction? Why do you taste so damn good?” While he was scowling at Anthony, he didn’t seem upset. More... confused. “What’s going on?”
Seeing it as the opening it was, Anthony eased out of Solomon’s hold. He needed a little space between them. His brain seemed to turn off when Solomon was within touching distance.
“Okay,” Anthony began slowly, heading toward the water’s edge. “Do you remember my comment about lust at first sight?”
“I do.”
Anthony settled five feet from the edge of the lake, planting his butt in the sand. When Solomon did the same, he placed the bag of food between them. Turning on his rear, he bent one knee and half-faced his mate.
“Well, when it comes to this lust at first sight with someone of my kind, it’s not just the paranormal who feels it.” Anthony focused on pulling out the food and placing it between them. “The sandwiches are chicken and cheese on wheat with mayo.” After a second, he added, “Sorry. I don’t like mustard, so didn’t have any in the house. We can pick some up at the store for future sandwiches if you’d like it.”
Solomon nodded. “I do like it, but why would you buy some just for me?”
“Right, uh, well... we share a connection.” Anthony struggled with how to explain. Right. Just blurt it out. Lay out all the facts. “So, when I say a paranormal, I mean any being that isn’t considered a human. A shifter, like me. Or vampires or demons or something else.”
Solomon picked up one of the bananas and began peeling it. “Right. Shifters.” He lifted the fruit to his lips, but before biting, added, “A hammerhead, you said? You said you’d prove it.”
Anthony nodded. “Yes. And I will prove it to you. First, I’d like to lay out all the facts.”
Nodding, Solomon waved his hand in a go ahead motion as he continued to eat, his eyes narrowed and his gaze intense.
“Well”—gods, where do I begin—”a shifter lives for several centuries. Upward of five hundred years.” Anthony saw Solomon’s jaw stop chewing for a few seconds before beginning again. He didn’t wait for a response but rushed ahead. “To alleviate the loneliness caused by such a long life, Fate creates for each shifter a mate, a soul mate. The other half of our soul, someone who will complete us.” Anthony watched Solomon’s eyes narrow, so he lifted a hand, stalling a response. Rubbing his jaw, he continued, “When we find that person, we want to bond with them and spend our lives pleasing, caring for, and keeping that person safe.”
After licking his lips—which Anthony was pleased drew Solomon’s attention and changed his expression to one of heat, desire—he quickly added, “The arousal you feel. The desire to touch and fuck, that’s part of how Fate helps a human accept and overcome their belief that paranormals aren’t real.” Hesitating, Anthony decided he needed to just say it. “You are my mate, Solomon. That’s why the connection between us is so strong.”
Solomon placed the banana peel on the sand. He grabbed a napkin from the bag and wiped his fingers. Clearing his throat, he appeared to be working his jaw as he focused on his hands.
“So, soul mates, shape changing, extended lives...” Solomon finally focused on Anthony. “And you believe that I am your soul mate. Is that right?”
Anthony opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
His heart thudding in his chest, he nodded instead.
“And what does being a soul mate mean?” Solomon asked slowly, obviously struggling with the words. His brows furrowed. “A relationship?”
Inhaling deeply, Anthony nodded. “Right. A relationship.”
“But
“Well, after bonding, your life would extend to match mine,” Anthony explained, relieved that Solomon was actually asking questions. “I’m two hundred and forty-one years old, so potentially, we could spend another two hundred fifty years together.” Seeing the way Solomon lifted his left brow and the amused quirk of his lips, Anthony quickly added, “You’ll grow stronger, healthier, hardier. It’ll be tougher for you to get sick or break a bone.” What other awesome points are there? Oh! “Not only will I never stray, I won’t even get a boner for another person. You’ll be it for me.”
Solomon’s jaw sagged open, and for the longest time, he just stared. Then he blinked and shook his head. Evidently noticing that he still held the chicken sandwich, Solomon lifted it to his mouth and took a bite—a big bite.
Anthony figured his mate needed a few minutes to process, so he grabbed the other sandwich. Uncertain what else to say, he took advantage of the food and took a bite. His taste buds immediately lit up upon tasting one of his favorite sandwiches—chicken and cheese with mayo, simple and delicious.
Focusing on the food, Anthony ate and gave Solomon time to process.
Chapter Five
Solomon finished his sandwich, his mind reeling. After balling up the plastic wrap that had been around the food, he placed it next to the banana peel. Finally, Solomon focused on Anthony.
Sweeping his gaze over the doc, Solomon tried to get a read on his expression. He was sitting calmly, eating his food, although his shoulders were a little tense. His gaze shifted around the area swiftly, looking at the lake, then at Solomon, then back at his food.
He’s nervous, but about what? Is it because he’s worried I’ll think he’s lying? God, what if he’s actually telling the truth?
That question gave Solomon pause. Could shifters and paranormals be real? That would mean everything he’d ever believed about the world—hell, the universe—wasn’t true.
“Seeing is believing.” Solomon whispered the old adage.
His softly spoken words seemed to gain Anthony’s attention, for he focused on Solomon, his brows lifting and his lips parting.
Solomon smirked and lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “How about you prove it to me. You said you change into a shark, right? That was how you actually found me? Out swimming while a shark?” And wasn’t that a weird, crazy thought. It didn’t make it seem any more real to Solomon saying it out loud. “How about you show me?” Needing a little mirth, he teased, “Or do you need a full moon or something?”
To Solomon’s relief, Anthony snorted as he shook his head. “No full moon.” His eyes widened then, and he quickly added, “I should also tell you that I’m completely cognizant while in my animal form. I know who you are, I know who I am, I recognize everything, that sort of thing.”
Realizing just how nervous Anthony was by his sudden rambling, Solomon reached over and gripped his wrist. He gave it a light squeeze. Then he released him and climbed to his feet.
Solomon kicked off the sandals Anthony had provided him, then did the same with the lounging pants, leaving him in only his boxer-briefs. He strolled the half dozen feet to the water’s edge. He waded into the water until it was up to his knees, then paused and turned.
“Coming?”
Anthony’s gaze snapped up to Solomon’s face. His cheeks took on a pinkish hue, and he grinned, probably knowing he’d been caught ogling Solomon’s ass. He levered to his feet, then crossed to the lake.
Pausing at the water’s edge, Anthony held Solomon’s gaze. He slipped his fingertips into the waistband of his shorts. After a second of hesitation, he pushed them down and kicked them off, sending them flying toward their half-eaten picnic.
Solomon’s mouth watered at the amazing view. He swallowed hard as his fingers twitched. All the doc’s lean, toned skin called to be touched.
He found himself feeling an urge to mark the man, to leave hickeys and love bites all over his flesh. His cock swelled in his underwear at his thoughts. He’d never wanted to do that before.
Paranormal. Soul mate.
Was that why?
“Have to get naked to shift. Otherwise I’ll ruin my clothes.”
Anthony’s words and the sound of him wading through water snapped Solomon out of his thoughts. He nodded. That made sense. The knowledge certainly didn’t ease his arousal in any way.
It seemed that Anthony was in the same boat. His erection stood long and swollen from his crotch surrounded by a thin nest of dark auburn curls. His foreskin was partially retracted, revealing the edge of his slit and a bead of pre-cum.
“Holy shit,” Solomon mumbled. “We just came, and we’re already hard as nails.” His brows furrowing, he met Anthony’s gaze. “How? Why?”
Solomon hadn’t had that kind of recovery time... ever.
“Increased libido. Heightened arousal,” Anthony whispered, then cleared his throat. “To each other. Until we complete our mating. From what I’ve seen of other mated couples, we’ll still have a tough time keeping our hands off of each other.”
Inhaling deeply, Solomon focused on the chilly salt water lapping around his knees. He’d paused there since he hadn’t wanted to get the cuts on his thighs wet, but maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea. Wading deeper, he hissed at the sting to his scabbed over slices as well as the chill of the water against his erection. Even the cold liquid on his cock didn’t get him to completely soften, but at least he no longer wanted to tackle Anthony and rut to completion.
Solomon turned back to face Anthony, seeing the look of concern on his face. “Okay. Do your thing,” he urged, waving his hand vacantly.
Anthony nodded. “Right. Uh, please try not to panic.” He shifted his weight and moved deeper into the water. “I’d never hurt you, even as a shark.”
While Solomon didn’t feel particularly comforted by those words, he nodded anyway.
“This’ll sound and look odd, but it’s fine. Just try to stay relaxed.”
Solomon began to nod again, then froze as something... happened. Anthony’s skin began to change color, turning darker, grayer. His head flattened, his limbs shortened and thickened, and his back arched. All the while the sounds of limbs cracking and bones popping filled the underground cavern, the noises echoing obscenely.
In the next instant, Anthony’s body sank under the waves. The water seemed to churn and thrash for several seconds, and Solomon couldn’t help backing instinctively. Then it stopped.
Peering around, Solomon searched for... something. “A-Anthony?”
The dorsal fin of a shark broke the surface of the water fifteen feet from him.
Solomon’s first instinct was to get out of the water as swiftly as he was able. While he managed to control it, somewhat, he still took a few steps toward shore, positioning his groin above the surface. That way if he needed to run hell-bent for shore he’d be able to get his legs high enough to clear the water and move semi-easily.
As Solomon watched, the large, fifteen-foot shark slipped toward him through the water. His heart pounded in his chest as he felt the fish’s fin slide along his thigh. It turned and rolled in the water so it could rub its body against Solomon.
Then the shark swam away, its progress marked by the dorsal fin slicing along the surface. It sank under the water. Solomon swept his gaze over the area, attempting to spot the animal, but the water’s depths were too dark.
To Solomon’s shock, about fifteen feet away from him, a hammerhead shark leaped from the water. It crashed into the water, creating a huge splash as it disappeared under the surface only to leap up again.
Solomon gaped. He’d never seen anything like it. The animal was jumping as if it was a playing dolphin. The shark did it a few more times, then swam back to Solomon, bumping against him again.
Shaking his head in wonder, Solomon muttered, “Okay. You have me convinced. How long until you can change back?”
No way was that normal shark behavior.
Just damn!
The churning and thrashing of water five feet to his left told him that Solomon was changing—uh, shifting—back again.
Holy shit! He really does understand.
Then a very naked Anthony rose to his feet a few feet away from him, and Solomon nearly swallowed his tongue. The man looked damn fantastic with water trickling down his body in tiny rivulets. He had his head back and his body arched as he pushed his thick wet hair from his face.
The position caused Anthony’s hard shaft to stick out from his groin, curving upward. Water dripped down the length to cling to his curls. Several drops trickled down his heavy balls to drip into the lake.
Suddenly, paranormals were the last thing on Solomon’s mind as his need for sex nearly overwhelmed him. His own cock throbbed, cold water be damned. He reached down and cupped himself through his underwear, needing pressure in the worst way.
“How come I just saw something that should freak me out and all I want to do is fuck?”
Solomon asked the question absently, his focus still riveted on Anthony’s erection. His mouth watered, and he nearly went to his knees with his desire to taste the man. He just managed to catch himself, yanking his gaze to Anthony’s face.
The glow of lust and desire in Anthony’s eyes took Solomon’s breath away. He licked his lips. His chest constricted as he struggled to get in enough air.
“Damn,” Anthony murmured huskily as he closed the distance between them. “The look on your face... so fucking sexy.” Reaching Solomon, he placed his hands on his pectorals, skimming his fingernails over his skin as he gave him a heated look. “I want to bend you over and claim you in the worst way, Solomon. I would put you on your knees in the shallows, spread you open and sink my cock into you, driving deep.” Anthony groaned, his eyelids sliding to half-mast, and his nostrils flaring. “You smell so damn fantastic in your need.”
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