by JaysonJax
“They’ve already shown their violent tendencies. I’m not sure there’s a peace to be had with them on the island.”
Ma’tic sat down on the edge of the bed and caressed their sleeping son’s head. He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss on the boy’s head before leaning in and pressing another on Carter’s lips. “I fear you might be right—but I wish to try to find one. They were prisoners, just as we were. They deserve a chance for their freedom.”
“You need a plan,” Carter said.
Ma’tic nodded. “You’re right. I do. I’ve sent Ash’tar and Mel’em to scout the Cro-Magnon’s camp. To see how they’re living… what their habits are.”
“They’ve seemed different these last few weeks,” Carter said.
“They miss the human.”
“Jaime? I thought he’d spent his time with Na’ear and Tig’un?”
“He did. The other human.”
“Drew? I didn’t think he’d been with any of your tribe.”
“Nor had I. I just found out a few days ago,” Ma’tic answered. “I gave them this duty to give them something to do—to take their mind off the human.”
“How are Na’ear and Tig’un? I know they’d truly forged a bond with Jaime.”
“I’m keeping them busy, as well. In time, they will all move on.”
“Will they?” Carter asked. “They want to forge relationships—to bond—and there’s little chance of that happening here. There are few females—all are already mated, most to more than one male.”
“And what should I do about that?”
“What about the scientists and island workers?”
Ma’tic cringed. “The men who imprisoned us?”
“They were here simply doing a job.”
“Watching our every move. Doing experiments on us. What did you once say? Treated us like lab rats? You think my tribal brothers want to lay with those who exploited us?”
Carter sighed. “I’m sorry. I only thought about how lonely some of them might be.”
“Not that lonely,” Ma’tic answered.
“There are no others.”
“I will only have to pray to the heavens that they become as lucky as I am. That a man fell into my lap… a man I love with all my heart.” Ma’tic leaned in for another kiss, this one more than a simple peck. When he lifted back, a look of hunger crossed his face. “Are you well enough?”
“I think so,” Carter said.
Ma’tic took the babe from his arms and cuddled the infant close before brushing another gentle kiss on their son’s head. He rose to his full height and crossed the room before lowering the babe into the small bassinet they’d taken from the hospital ward.
Luckily, the island had been prepared for the birth of many babes, so there had been diapers, blankets, and basic clothing for infants.
The babe cried slightly, but Ma’tic soothed him until he quieted. A few moments later, Ma’tic returned to their bed, the heat still in his eyes.
“I love you,” Carter said as he looked up at his caveman.
Ma’tic brushed a thumb over Carter’s lips, a hungry growl rising in his throat. “And I love you, too, mate.”
Carter sighed against Ma’tic’s lips, the hunger roiling through him.
I’ll never get enough of this man.
* * * *
Ash’tar gazed down through the brush, watching as the Cro-Magnons feasted around a fire. Upon the spit was one of the two primates they’d slaughtered. A sick feeling rose in his gut.
“Animals,” he whispered in the idaltu language.
“Aren’t we animals?” Mel’em responded in the same tongue, his voice low.
“No. Not like them.”
“We are. It’s why Drew left,” Mel’em answered. “He saw us as beasts. Not men.”
Ash’tar grimaced. The pain of losing Drew grew by the day.
“We cannot speak his language—not well. He did not know what was in our hearts,” Mel’em answered. “We should have worked harder to learn.”
“We still can.”
“Too late now,” Mel’em replied.
Ash’tar felt a pain in his chest. “Drew could return. Jaime loves Na’ear and Tig’un. Jaime would need someone to fly the bird-machine.”
“Hel-o-copter,” Mel’em sounded out in English. They had no word for it in the language they spoke. Mel’em returned to their language. “He won’t return.”
“He might,” Ash’tar said, anger filling him. Mel’em didn’t believe, but he would.
He lifted his head and gazed at the stars above. Closing his eyes, he prayed to the heavens to return their human.
Chapter Three
“I don’t know how I let you talk me into this,” Drew said as he lowered the helicopter behind the island’s mansion.
“You wanted to come back as much as I did,” Jaime said.
Drew didn’t respond. How Jaime knew that, he wasn’t sure. They’d been gone a little over a month. It had felt like even longer.
Below them was a group, patiently waiting their descent.
Tig’un and Na’ear waited for Jaime. Carter and Ma’tic were there—as well as that Ben-something guy who seemed attached to Ma’tic’s hip.
No Ash’tar or Mel’em. He sighed, wondering if he’d returned for nothing.
As soon as the craft was landed, Jamie bolted outside and into two sets of waiting arms. They dragged him closer, their hold tight.
Drew stared at his friend’s welcome home and felt empty. Just as empty as he had in England. He watched as the two cavemen dragged an eager Jaime back into the mansion. Carter stepped closer, a sleeping baby in his arms.
“Do you plan to remain here—or are you going back to England?”
Drew swept a gaze around. “I thought—” He’d thought he’d remain, but now… now he wasn’t so sure.
And then he saw them appear in the distance.
Running.
Running toward him.
His chest tightened, his lungs burning.
“I might stay a bit,” Drew whispered, his gaze never leaving them.
“Did you tell anyone about the island?” Carter asked, worry in his tone.
Drew turned to Carter, meeting the man’s gaze. “Tell them what exactly? As if anyone would believe me even if I had. Cavemen created ala Jurassic Park. Pregnant men. I’d have been tossed into a mental hospital.”
Carter appeared to relax some. “This is no joke. If we’re found…”
“It won’t happen because of me. You, Ma’tic, and your baby are safe, as far as I know.”
Carter nodded slightly. “Good. Thank you.” The man turned and walked away.
Moments before Ash’tar and Mel’em stopped a few feet from him.
Both cavemen wore nothing but the little scraps of leather over their hips and groin, leaving little to the imagination. Not that he had to use his. He knew exactly what they were packing underneath.
Their breath was slightly labored, but nothing like Drew’s would’ve been had he just run a quarter of a mile. He stared at their deeply tanned, muscled chests as they rose and fell with those breaths, his fingers itching to caress them.
“Drew… came back,” Ash’tar said.
“I did,” Drew replied.
“Drew stay?” Mel’em asked.
He eyed the cavemen. While their language skills were less than stellar, the skills he truly sought didn’t need a word spoken between them. He could moan and grunt just like the pair of them while he was writhing amid their bodies.
“I don’t know. Maybe I will,” he said. “If I have a good enough reason to.”
Need filled their eyes. Both of them took a step closer.
Lust flooded Drew’s body. He wanted their touch. He wanted them to claim him as they’d done the last time he was there. They’d branded his body, made him theirs.
He wanted their rough, hard fucking.
“Wel-come… home,” Ash’tar said.
Home. Drew smiled.
He glanced down slightly and saw both cavemen were hard under their leather.
Welcome home, indeed.
But then, the two turned and left him.
Left him.
Drew’s mouth dropped open. What in the hell?
“Where are you going?”
Mel’em turned slightly. “We go. Do work.” He pressed a hand to Ash’tar’s back and they continued to leave.
Hissing in anger, he grabbed his bags from inside the helicopter and dragged them up into the mansion.
* * * *
Ash’tar hissed in pain as they walked away. His cock was rock hard, ready to take their human again. One look had been all he’d needed to want Drew under him again. He spoke in his language. “Why I let you talk me into walking away from him, I don’t know.”
Mel’em stopped and turned to Ash’tar. “He saw us as beasts. We need him to see us as men. Beasts take—like the Cro-Magnons. ”
Ash’tar smiled. “I said he’d return.”
“So you did.” Mel’em continued on. They’d been given the job to watch the Cro-Magnons and had left their duty when they’d seen the helicopter approach. They’d sped across the island on foot, the need to see if their human had returned driving every step.
Now, an ache drove through him, his cock thrumming with that same need. He continued on, hoping his body would calm. “He wanted us. I saw it in his eyes.”
“I saw it, too.”
“So why are we leaving him behind?”
“Because we’re not beasts!” Mel’em roared, rooting himself to the ground he stood on.
A few birds took off from their berths in the trees as Ash’tar came to a halt beside his friend. “We will never be like him. We’re not the same. We are what we are… and either he wants us or he doesn’t.” Ash’tar rose to his full height. “He came back… for the beasts we are. He wanted us… the beasts we are.”
Mel’em caught his stare, but said nothing.
“I won’t change who I am, nor should you,” Ash’tar said.
“We might keep him for a night or two... as beasts. But if we cannot make him happy as men, he will leave again. And maybe… he wouldn’t return.”
Ash’tar released a breath, realizing Mel’em might have a point. They had a second chance now… they couldn’t let it slip through their fingers.
“We… learn…Drew’s words,” Mel’em said in English. “We work hard. We make Drew ours.”
“Yes,” Ash’tar said in the same language. “We make Drew ours.”
Chapter Four
Aden glanced at the two pregnancy tests he’d just performed on Jaime. It was too soon to get a result, so he checked Jaime’s vitals. After taking the man’s heartrate and pulse, he moved to Jaime’s back to listen to his lungs. “Take a deep breath.”
Jaime did as instructed—and a few more times after when Aden asked. Moments later, he lowered his stethoscope. “Sounds good. Lie back.”
Aden began checking Jaime’s stomach. He was fairly positive he felt something growing within, just as he’d felt with Carter months earlier. The scientists had believed Ma’tic was the only one capable of impregnating another male. Apparently, that might not be the case after all.
“If you’re truly pregnant… well, how do you feel about that?” Aden asked.
The man was silent a moment. “I’m not completely sure. It’s not something I ever considered… I mean, I’m a guy. It just didn’t enter my mind.”
“But it had to enter your mind at some point, even from the prospective of fathering a child with a woman someday.”
Jaime laughed. “Honestly, it never did. I’m gay—always have been. I knew from an early age—much to the chagrin of my manly father.”
“Which is why we never saw you here,” Aden offered.
“Exactly. Sir Ian and I were not on friendly terms. I had barely spoken to him in years. I wasn’t the son he’d wanted. So, no, fathering a child with a woman was never a thought that came to me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. That was rude of me to assume,” Aden said.
“It’s alright,” Jaime answered. “I won’t hold it against you.” He rose, aided by Aden’s hand. “What about you? Ever thought of fathering a child?”
Aden’s mind went to the man who’d been spending too much time in his thoughts. Unlike Jaime, he wasn’t gay. He’d never been attracted to a man before—not until recently. Aden didn’t quite understand the desire he felt.
Instead of answering, he walked over to the tests he’d done.
Positive.
He turned to Jaime, a smile on his face. Lifting one of the tests, he showed it to the man.
“I’m going to have a baby,” Jaime murmured. “Their baby.”
“Baby?”
Na’ear and Tig’un—Jaime’s caveman lovers—stood in the doorway. Jaime turned to face them. “I’m pregnant.”
Aden drew in a breath as both cavemen were silent, seemingly frozen to the spot they stood upon. He turned to Jaime. Fear seemed to grow in his expression, and Aden worried for all three.
Na’ear was the first to cross the gap and drag Jaime into his arms. Tig’un soon followed, wrapping them both in a bear hug.
Jaime released a sigh, his body trembling from the fear that had filled him. Aden released one, too, thankful this was good news.
He watched as they both kissed him over and over again, their hands going to his stomach protectively.
“Love Jaime,” Tig’un murmured between kisses.
“Yes,” Na’ear whispered. “We love Jaime.”
Jaime hugged them even tighter. “I love you, too.”
“Before you go,” Aden interrupted. “I need to get a blood sample to confirm the results.”
The two cavemen didn’t seem to like that idea. “Why?”
“Urine tests have improved over the years, and yes, there are two positives here. But don’t you want to make sure he is indeed pregnant so we can care for him properly?”
The two frowned, but nodded their heads.
Aden was quick to take the sample, sensing the trio wanted to leave. “I should have the confirmation within a few hours. If it’s indeed confirmed—tomorrow, you’ll need to come in so we can do a full workup and a health screening.”
“You’ll let me know?”
“Of course,” Aden said, smiling.
After the three left the clinic, Aden closed up shop and headed to share the interesting news. He made his way up to the mansion and found Carter and Ma’tic in Sir Ian’s library.
I suppose it’s their library now.
“Aden,” Carter said, smiling as he lifted his head from what he was writing. “What do we owe the pleasure?”
Aden heard the cry of the baby. Turning his head, he saw Ben’ab cradling the tiny bundle in his strong arms.
The words he’d planned to speak fell from his lips as he stared at the big, hulking… sexy as sin man holding the tiny babe. Aden swallowed, need assaulting him. He licked his lips, hunger flowing freely.
“You look good with a baby in your arms,” poured from his lips unchecked. As soon as he’d uttered the words, heat flooded his face.
Is he like the others? Can he have children with a man, as well? Aden’s thoughts zipped chaotically in his fevered mind.
He met Ben’ab’s stare and saw heat in it.
“I doubt children are in my future,” Ben’ab said, his English growing stronger by the day. “I will have to enjoy this little one when the fatherly need arises.”
Aden dragged his stare from Ben’ab’s. “Actually, that reminds me why I’m here. Jaime appears to be pregnant.”
Silence fell over the room.
“I thought… I thought Ma’tic was the only male who could impregnate others? Sir Ian seemed to say that when I first met him,” Carter said.
“That seemed to be the going theory. That his DNA had somehow mutated,” Aden answered. “But Ma’tic and the others of his tribe were created the same way. If he
had the ability, it makes sense others in his tribe could, as well.” Aden’s stare turned to Ben’ab and the babe in his arms. “Perhaps you’ll be a father, after all.”
Heat burned in Ben’ab’s stare. It was strong enough to singe Aden.
Why does he not take me? He dragged his gaze away from the caveman. I must see something that’s not truly there. If he wanted me, he would’ve taken me by now.
“I have tests that need to be completed to confirm the pregnancy,” Aden said. “I used two quick tests—both came back positive, but I took blood to confirm. I should go back to finish.”
“Let us know what you find,” Ma’tic called.
“Of course,” Aden said before turning to leave. He purposefully avoided Ben’ab’s gaze. Lingering on it too long might end up detrimental to his health.
Before he could get far down the hallway, he felt a hand on his arm. Turning, he saw Ben’ab staring down at him.
“Yes,” he asked, his voice nearly escaping him by the end of the syllable.
Ben’ab frowned. He was silent, yet his lips moved as if he had much to say. He rose to his full height, the frown growing. “Are you well?”
“I am.”
Ben’ab nodded. “I am glad to hear it.”
Awkward silence fell between them.
“I should get back,” Aden said. “Those tests won’t do themselves.”
“Of course,” Ben’ab said before spinning and walking away.
Aden stood there a moment, watching the caveman’s retreating back. He released a sigh, confused more than ever.
* * * *
A week had passed since Drew had returned. While he was still pissed off after Ash’tar and Mel’em abandoned him, he was giving them time to make it up to him.
Too bad it seemed they weren’t interested in doing that.
He hadn’t seen them since his return. Ma’tic had told him they were on an important assignment, but wouldn’t divulge any details. Perhaps they truly were on some mission and unable to come to him. So he’d spent a few days waiting. The first day, he’d lounged on the beach, enjoying the sunshine he’d missed in London.
The next few, he’d spent working the garden, just as he’d done before they’d returned to the UK. Manual labor wasn’t his thing, but it had been better than doing nothing. After four days of it, his body was tense and aching… so he’d decided to take another day off to spend on the white-sand beach.