“I think we do,” Sand agreed. “I guess we’re going to find out, aren’t we?”
Chapter 10
Andre spent Wednesday, during the day, asleep in a motel room he’d rented. He knew he could have stayed at Sand’s place but decided it would be wiser not to. As he said to his lover, “Not until I know Thorin’s not going to forbid me from moving out here.”
“He wouldn’t,” Sand replied, stricken.
“He is my Sire, and my King. That said, I don’t think he will but…” Andre gave a shrug, and then smiled. “Not that I won’t come back, anyway, even if he makes it clear he doesn’t approve.”
“Really?”
Andre heard the doubt in that one word and responded with, “Yes, really. I want, I need to be with you. If we have to go on the run from him for that to happen, well, I hope you’ll agree to it.”
“I don’t know. That would be asking a lot.” Sand sounded so serious it frightened Andre—until he laughed. “Of course I will, although, knowing him, I doubt it’s something we’ll have to worry about.” He embraced Andre, kissing him hard, and then said, “If you insist on staying at a motel, get out of here before I try to make you change your mind.”
“You’ve got a good start on it,” Andre admitted. “But, no. As I said, it’s best that I do. I know you think I’m crazy.”
Sand grinned. “You are, and I accept it. Now get out of here.”
They kissed again, and Andre left, promising to call as soon as he’d talked with Thorin, which wouldn’t happen until sometime Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
* * * *
“It’s your decision,” Thorin said around one A.M. Thursday, after Andre told him what he planned to do. “I have no hold over you. I haven’t for longer than I like to think about.”
“I disagree,” Andre replied. “You’re my Sire and my King, but more to the point, you’re a man I have a deep respect for. What you think means a great deal to me and always has.”
“You know exactly what I think. You have to find out if the two of you can make it work and that won’t happen if you stay here. Since you seem to be asking for my permission to move there to be with Sand, you have it.”
“Thank you,” Andre replied, bowing his head in gratitude.
“I swear, if you try to kiss my ring,” Thorin grumbled.
Andre snorted. “You aren’t wearing one so I think you’re safe.”
“Get out of here,” Thorin told him. “Give my best to Sand and let him know he, and you, are welcome to visit any time the spirit moves.”
“I will,” Andre replied.
* * * *
The first thing Andre did after returning to his condo was call Sand.
“I have Thorin’s permission to leave,” he said.
“Yes!” Andre could envision Sand pumping a fist. “When will you be back?”
“Sometime tomorrow night. Probably close to morning because I’m driving, not flying.”
“Can’t bear to leave the McLaren behind?”
“Nope. It means as much to me as your jeep does to you. I’ll book a motel room—”
“Why? You can stay here until we find a bigger place. Yeah, it’ll be crowded, I suspect, but since we keep different hours we should be able to deal without killing each other. Oh, speaking of which, I already found a job.”
“Seriously? That fast?”
“Yep.” Sand hesitated. “I couldn’t use my old boss as a reference, so I emailed Thorin to ask if he’d put in a good word for me. I mean, I did work for him, even if it was only for a brief time.”
“Excuse me? You did what? And he didn’t tell me?”
“Maybe he hadn’t gotten it yet. Or he wanted to wait until he was sure you and I were going to do this.”
“I suppose, but still…” Andre sighed.
“Hey, don’t sweat it. It’s how he is, I think. Anyway, he sent my new boss a glowing recommendation, which he got this morning, and like I said, I’ve got a job. It’s with a security guard company, doing what I was back there.”
“I’m glad. Now I have to find one, too.”
Sand chuckled. “You know it’s all for show, and to keep busy. Neither of us has to work.”
“True, but…Oh, well, I’ll figure it out when I get there. Right now I have to pack what I’m bringing with me, before dawn, so I can leave as soon as I wake up.”
“Then shut up and do it. I’ll see you when you when I see you. Oh, call, first. I’ll probably be dead to the world.”
“I will.” Andre hesitated then said, “I miss you, and it’s been less than a day.”
“Miss you, too,” Sand replied softly. “So pack, sleep, and get your fine ass out here.”
Laughing, Andre said, “That’s the plan.”
* * * *
An hour before dawn Friday morning, Sand was watching from the bedroom window as Andre parked the McLaren in a visitor’s spot in the lot behind the apartment building. His pulse sped up when he saw Andre get out of the car. He had called Sand twenty minutes previously, telling him to “Get your lazy ass out of bed. I’ll be there in no time.”
Still half asleep, Sand had laughed, then shot awake when it hit him. He’s here. He made it. It’s happening.
Now, he hurried to the apartment door, waiting for Andre to buzz to be let into the building. That happened a few moments later. When the vampire stepped off the elevator, Sand was waiting at the open door to his place. He smiled in relief when Andre sped up as he came down the hallway. Dropping his bags, Andre wrapped his arms around Sand, pulling him into a tight embrace. They kissed—and then again once they were in the apartment with the door closed.
“We don’t have much time,” Andre said when they broke apart.
“For what?” Sand replied, bemused. He got it seconds later when Andre gripped the hem of Sand’s sweatshirt, pulling it off him and tossing it on the sofa.
“It’s been too long,” Andre said as he stripped off his shirt and toed off his shoes. “I need you in the worst way. It’s all I thought about driving out here.”
“Me and my hot body?” Sand teased. Since he was barefooted, he didn’t have to worry about shoes. Taking Andre’s hands, he drew him into the bedroom before making quick work of unfastening Andre’s slacks, pushing them down over his hips. Quickly, he took off his sweatpants, too.
“Very hot body,” Andre replied, putting his hands on Sand’s shoulders as he racked his gaze over him from head to toe and back again. Lowering one hand, he wrapped it around Sand’s rapidly hardening cock.
Sand sucked in a breath as desire overwhelmed him. He wanted Andre in him, fucking him hard. Glancing down, he knew Andre was more than ready. With his hands on Andre’s hips, he tumbled them onto the bed, with his lover on top. He tried to wriggle out from under and turn over, only to have Andre forestall him with a deep, passionate kiss and a whispered, “Soon, love. Soon.”
Sand’s eyes widened in shock. “Love?”
“Yes,” Andre replied before giving him another kiss. “Maybe it’s too soon to say it, but I think I’m more than half in love with you.”
“Even though I’m—?”
Andre pressed his lips to Sand’s in an obvious attempt to keep him from finishing what he was about to say—or so Sand thought. When the kiss ended, Andre said, “Does it matter we’re so different? We’ve pretty much decided it doesn’t. It’s what’s in our hearts that counts.” He traced the contours of Sand’s face with his fingertips. “If you don’t agree, say so and I’ll leave before this goes any further.”
“No,” Sand whispered, knowing he didn’t mean the sex, although that was a part of the whole. “I want you here. I want us together and damn it to hell, I’ll fight anyone who tries to break us apart because they don’t approve.” His voice strengthened with each word. “We have a right to our feelings and love is one of them.” He stared into Andre’s eyes, saying softly, “I can’t say I love you…yet. But like you I’m halfway there.”
&nb
sp; “I prayed you would be.” Another kiss ensued before Andre moved to let Sand get onto his hands and knees. When Sand told him where it was, he took the container of lube from the nightstand drawer, oiling his engorged cock then easing it into his lover. From there, it wasn’t long before their mutual needs flared out of control and they came in explosive orgasms.
“Too soon, too fast,” Sand lamented when he could speak again. “Not that it wasn’t great, but damn…”
Andre laughed as he pulled out. Rolling off his lover, he embraced him. “Next time we’ll take it slow, I promise.” They kissed and then got up, going into the bathroom where they washed up before returning to bed.
“I’ll see you this evening,” Andre murmured. “Unless you’re at work.”
“I don’t start until…” Sand smiled when he realized Andre was already asleep. “Until Monday, so we’ll have the whole weekend together.”
He curled up beside Andre, not because he needed sleep—he’d had almost enough before Andre had arrived—but because it felt right. He’s here, I’m here, we’re together. It won’t be easy, but we’ll make it work and damn anyone who says otherwise.
* * * *
Andre awoke Friday evening in an empty bed. He wasn’t in the least bit surprised. He hardly expected Sand to suddenly become a night owl because of him. Hands behind his head, he stared up at the ceiling, remembering what they’d said to each other twelve hours previously. We’re getting there. One step at a time we’re making it work. Who would have thought, three weeks ago, that I could get involved to this extent with someone who I considered my enemy? For damned sure I wouldn’t have. Now look at us.
He smiled when he heard the bedroom door open and saw Sand standing there.
“Are you going to get up?” Sand asked.
“I could make the rather tired joke that I am, already, but I won’t. It would be a lie unfortunately, although if you care to join me I’m sure it will be true quite fast.”
Sand strolled over to the bed, looking down at him. “I’d say that’s an excellent idea, but we’ve got things we have to do, like maybe see if we can find somewhere to live that’s bigger than a coat closet.”
Andre laughed. “This place isn’t that small, but you’re right, it’s hardly palatial, either.” Then what Sand said hit home. “We? Like you and me?”
“For you—or for us.” He shrugged. “It’s up to you which.”
“As far as I’m concerned there’s no question about it. We find a place we both like.”
Sand sighed in obvious relief then bent to give him a kiss, stepping back quickly before Andre could take advantage of the moment to take things to the next level. “So get that fine body out of bed.”
Throwing back the covers, Andre did, going to the bathroom first and then getting dressed. Sand had disappeared by then, but Andre had no problem finding him by following his nose and the smell of something cooking.
“Are you hungry?” Sand asked when Andre came into the tiny kitchen. “I mean, are you going to have to find supper when I’m finished eating?”
“No, I’m good. I took care of that problem on my way out here.”
“Okay.” Sand gestured to the living room. “I did some searching while you were sleeping and found a few places which might work. It’s a national realty site. I left it up so you can look. They’re in their ‘Save’ file.”
Andre found Sand’s laptop sitting on the miniscule dining table in the corner of the room. He went to what Sand had saved and began scrolling them. Sand joined him, carrying a plate of food which he began eating while keeping an eye on his lover.
“Interesting choices,” Andre commented a few minutes later. “Some of them aren’t quite what I was envisioning.”
“The houses?” Sand asked.
Andre slanted an amused look at him. “You know what I mean. The locations.”
“They’re just alternatives. You, well Thorin’s network, didn’t have much trouble locating me. The same would hold true for anyone who decided they needed to find one of us for whatever reason.”
“Someone who found out we’re together and didn’t take kindly to the idea?” It was a thought that bothered Andre on a personal level. He knew that not too long ago he would have felt the same way. Ingrained prejudice, which is wrong. It can even be fatal when carried to the extreme. Raúl’s hatred was a perfect example of that. His and Estebe’s.
“What are you thinking?” Sand asked, putting his hand over Andre’s.
“That your father’s hatred of what you are, which your brother and Estebe perpetuated, plus their hatred of vampires, could have ended in disaster for everyone involved.”
“If you and I hadn’t stopped their insane scheme,” Sand replied. He smiled wryly. “With a little help from your friends.”
“Yes.” Andre turned his hand, entwining their fingers. “Are you afraid someone might try to get revenge for what happened? I told you, from what I overheard most of your pack members don’t seem to hold a grudge against anyone for Estebe’s disappearance and presumed death.”
“Most isn’t all, Andre. However, what I’m more worried about is a vampire or werewolf who doesn’t take kindly to the two of us being together. If we stay here, and on one level I want to because it’s an interesting city, it could cause problems for both of us.”
“I wish I could say that won’t happen, but I know it’s possible.”
Sand nodded. “You said if I’d chosen a small town it would have been much harder, and maybe impossible, for Thorin’s people to find me. So…” He tapped the laptop screen.
“Let’s at least choose somewhere warm,” Andre replied.
Sand grinned. “Not big on the high mountain towns? I’m not either, when it comes down to it. Getting snowed in with you could be great, for a couple of days. After that we’d be wondering what the hell possessed us to move there.”
“Exactly.” Andre deleted two of the houses on Sand’s list. “Also, wherever we end up has to be relatively close to a city. I don’t like feeding on humans I know, and in a small town that would probably be most of them once we settle in.”
“As long as it’s within flying or teleporting distance, you’ll be okay. It’ll have to be near a wilderness area, too. I have no choice when it comes to shifting during the full moon, and I like being able to at other times, as well. It’s part of what I am.”
“I know. So we’ll change the parameters of what we’re looking for,” Andre said, and did. When he finished there were still hundreds of houses which met their criteria. “This is going to take all night,” he grumbled.
“Eliminate any towns in the middle of the country,” Slade suggested. “Too boring.”
Andre laughed. “Says the man who ended up in Kansas.”
“Missouri, and KC is a big city.”
“Point made. East or west of the Mississippi?”
“West,” Sand told him. “Yeah, a lot of it’s mountainous, but…Bring up a map, please.” When Andre did, Sand had him focus in on the Washington-Oregon area and then bring up what homes were available that fit their parameters.
It took a couple of hours to narrow them down to four houses, all of which were set on several acres of forested property close to small towns.
“What do you think?” Andre said.
“I think we need to see them before deciding.” Sand looked dead at Andre, his gaze searching as he said, “Not to beat a dead horse, but are you certain you want to do this? It means giving up the kind of life you’re used to.”
“So are you,” Andre replied.
“That didn’t answer my question.”
“Yes, I’m very certain. It will give us the peace we’re searching for. Perhaps we’d find it here, or in somewhere else as urban, but I honestly don’t think so.” Andre smiled. “It’s not as if we can’t visit a town or city when the spirit moves. We’ll need to, at least briefly, when I have to feed. That said, I can’t think of any better option than what we’re considering
, as long as we’re together.”
“Nor can I,” Sand replied. He leaned in to give Andre a kiss. “You and me against the world.”
“How clichéd,” Andre murmured against Sand’s lips.
“That would be me.” Sand grinned, then pointed to the bedroom “Pack a bag. We’re going to find a motel there,” he tapped the map. “You can do some recon while I’m sleeping, and vice versa. Then we’ll make a decision—and an offer on whichever house we want.”
“On a Sunday night?” Andre said while saving what they were interested in and shutting down the laptop.
“I’m sure the seller will make an exception if we deal directly with them and offer to pay the full price outright.” Sand grinned. “If they balk, you can use you mind thing to make them change their mind.”
Andre rolled his eyes. “It’s called enthralling, and I could, although I’d rather they agree without my prompting.”
“Whatever,” Sand muttered, taking his empty plate into the kitchen. He washed the dishes, and then tossed some clothes and personal items into his backpack and went into the living room.
Andre was ready and was about to ask if they were going to fly or teleport, when Sand frowned and then shook his head.
“There goes the job I was supposed to start on Monday,” he said. “Well, if we find a house we like.”
“Do you mind?” Andre asked. “We can still look for something here if you do.”
“Not really. It was just a job. I can probably find one in whatever city is close to us, once we move.”
“If you don’t mind commuting,” Andre pointed out.
Sand snorted. “A quick teleport and I’m there.”
“True. Speaking of which, are we going to fly or teleport tonight?”
“We’ll take turns,” Sand replied, putting the laptop into his pack. “That way we won’t be exhausted when we get there.”
They did as he suggested, arriving at the motel a little before midnight. After getting a room, they made good use of the bed before Sand fell asleep. Andre dressed, afterward, booted up the laptop, and took off to look at the first house on their list.
Unnatural Allies Page 10