“And who are you to be making these pronouncements?” Trolar’s face showed his disdain clearly. “A mere Law Forces Commander getting involved in politics. Ridiculous!”
“Actually what he says is true.” Elryk smiled. “And it is time your despicable practices of torture, blackmail, and plain exploitation stop.”
“And who’s going to stop us—exactly?” Trolar sneered. “The two of you? Look at you, a pathetic lawman and a wanted criminal wizard. Holding hands like two children too afraid to stand on their own. Don’t make me laugh.”
Well, that did it. Nobody insulted his mate.
Elryk nodded at Kaythan and they lifted their linked hands, making the sphere expand beyond the round table and the now snoring wizards.
“May only the just survive the wrath of the golden magic.” Elryk had no idea where these words came from but Kaythan spoke the exact same ones simultaneously. It was as if a higher power had decided what to do.
Xoh’kas and Law Force guards alike were scanned by the golden wall as it advanced outward from where Kaythan and he stood in mute amazement. Most of them stiffened and dropped to the floor unmoving. Some of them simply sighed and crumpled as if in slow motion, deep breaths or snores emanating from their chests. A very few remained standing and stared at what was going on.
Elryk had never felt so happy. Everything was going to be all right now. Tah’Nut was being cleansed from the evil that had taken hold so long ago. Whatever the golden magic was, it was doing a long overdue job.
Kaythan turned to him and smiled, making the best promise of all.
Elryk smiled back. He was finally going to have the peace of mind he’d wished for all his life. Better yet, he was going to share it with the best mate in the entire universe.
Chapter Twelve
Kaythan looked at his sleeping mate. He’d awoken a while ago to find Elryk cuddled against his side. Squashed against him, actually. Their legs were entwined, pressing the other man’s pelvis against his hip, and an arm was flung possessively across his chest. Elryk’s head was buried into the space between Kaythan’s neck and his shoulder, the warm breath caressing Kaythan’s skin on every exhale. Kaythan grinned. It was as if Elryk had tried to crawl inside him.
It had been a hectic few days since their victory. After the wizards had awoken from their healing sleep they’d unanimously elected Elryk as their new leader. Elryk hadn’t wanted to become the High Wizard, but he was the right man to unite them and face the upcoming challenges.
Kaythan snorted. He himself hadn’t been very comfortable either once he found out he was to be the new Law Forces High Commander. Being the highest ranked officer left, it was the logical choice. His first order had been dealing with the magic thieves. Legally and on a massive scale they were being traced and arrested all over Tah’Nut, much to the amazement of many ordinary citizens. Talk about a new Age of Justice abounded.
An election to replace the corrupt members of the Ruling Assembly would take place in a few days. Elryk and Kaythan had settled down. They’d moved into the High Wizard’s official residence, making the High Commander’s residence available as a home for the new judges in training.
It all seemed to be in perfect order and yet Kaythan felt uneasy. Something was missing. Was it just that the last few days had left them too exhausted to make love? Quick hand jobs in the shower had been all they’d managed. He shook his head. No, there was more to it than that.
“What’s wrong?” Elryk turned his head slightly to nuzzle Kaythan’s neck.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” He sighed. “I don’t know what’s bothering me. Everything should be okay and yet I feel like something important is missing.”
“Come here.” Elryk pulled him onto his side so they were lying front to front.
Nice. His cock started filling, as did Elryk’s, pushing up against him. Tah’, but he had it bad for this man. Elryk placed an open-mouthed kiss on his lips, tongue moving inside to caress his own. Sweet moans were pushed inside his lungs as Elryk deepened the kiss.
When Elryk pulled back minutes later Kaythan almost voiced his protest.
“Do you trust me?” Those midnight black eyes were wide, his mate’s gaze open and loving.
“Of course I trust you. With my life.” What sort of a question was that?
“It’s just that—something is missing.” Elryk blinked, his eyes shining.
“You feel it too?” Kaythan felt his eyebrows rise.
“Yes. I just wasn’t sure you did.” Elryk sighed. “This mate business is turning out to be more mutual than I expected.”
“Well that’s good, right?” He was confused now.
“That depends on how far you’re willing to go.” Elryk swallowed. “I need to make love to you, Kaythan. It’s been driving me mad ever since you took me for the first time in the fifth chamber.”
“So where’s the problem?” Kaythan smiled and relaxed. He knew what was wrong now. Their mate bond wasn’t complete. “Don’t you know that I’d do anything for you and with you?”
“No, I don’t.” Elryk dropped his head. “I don’t know how willing you are to let me—you know?”
“Elryk, dearling. Look at me.” Kaythan used a finger to push Elryk’s chin up so he could see his mate’s eyes. “I’ve never wanted it with anyone else. But with you everything is different. I didn’t know why I was so uneasy. I had no idea how to fix it. Now that you’ve mentioned the solution I can feel that it’s right.”
“You can?” Elryk’s big eyes brightened.
“Oh, yes.” He was more relieved than he could express, so he kissed Elryk instead. It was a deep kiss, claiming and passionate. Their cocks came to full arousal almost at the same time. He moaned and turned onto his back, taking Elryk with him so his mate lay on top of him. He spread his legs and Elryk wiggled until their cocks were aligned comfortably. This was good.
Elryk started kissing and nibbling his way along his jaw, down his neck and across his pecs to a nipple. At the first careful lick Kaythan almost came up off the bed. The feeling was so intense, it sent shivers of desire straight to his cock. When the first nipple had been thoroughly licked, teased and lightly bitten, Elryk moved to the other one. Kaythan was writhing with desire by the time his mate finally moved on, licking a path to his bellybutton and straight down to his pubes.
Taking a deep sniff of his scent, Elryk slid his warm hands along Kaythan’s inner thighs and pushed them up and apart. Oh, Tah’, he was done for now. Elryk licked and laved his balls, deep sighs of enjoyment making it clear how much he liked this. Kaythan made sure his legs were spread as wide as possible so his mate could get everywhere he wanted.
When Elryk slid his thumbs along Kaythan’s thighs, caressing the crease between groin and thigh, Kaythan whimpered. When his mate pushed further inward and exerted light pressure on the sensitive skin just behind Kaythan’s balls, he yelped and his hips bucked up of their own accord.
“Perfect.” Elryk quickly slid his hands back along his thighs to hold them up and back, exposing Kaythan completely.
At the first tentative lick of Elryk’s tongue across the entire length of his crack Kaythan thought he’d come. The pleasure was indescribable. Elryk followed up with more licks until he finally honed in on his hole.
“Fuck!” Kaythan had never felt anything like it.
“We will.” Elryk lifted his head and winked at him.
“Please.” Kaythan wiggled and pushed towards that tongue as if his life depended on it.
Elryk didn’t disappoint him. Licking around the hole in dizzy-making circles and finally pushing his way in, his mate drove him totally crazy with desire. Kaythan swore he was going to do the same to Elryk. Soon. Nobody should go without this sort of pleasure.
“Please.” Kaythan was breathing hard, the need for more almost too much to bear. “Please fuck me.”
Elryk chuckled and replaced his tongue with a slender finger. His head came up between Kaythan’s legs and his mate
watched him as the finger went in further. Next thing Kaythan knew, a pleasure so overwhelming that he had to scream with it, raced up his spine. The need to come became almost overwhelming.
“Fuck.” Breaths coming in irregular gasps Kaythan bucked and pushed until Elryk hit that spot again. “What. Is. That?”
“Sex magic.” Elryk’s grin almost split his face.
Kaythan could believe it. When a second finger joined the first in rubbing that magical spot in just the right way he thought he wasn’t going to make it.
“Can’t. Can’t hold it.” Kaythan arched his back, his balls rising in readiness for much needed relief.
At the last moment Elryk squeezed the base of his cock and the need to come receded. Just enough to leave him panting for it.
“Not yet.” Elryk’s eyes were large and glazed with lust. “I want you to wait until I’m inside you.”
“Then fuck me.” Tah’, he needed that beautiful cock inside him. Now. “Please, fuck me.”
“With pleasure.” Elryk lined up his swollen cock and pushed the head inside.
“Tah’!” Kaythan breathed through the sudden burn. “Tah’, that feels good. Give me more.”
With a look of intense concentration and rising lust Elryk pushed his entire fat cock inside in one smooth movement. Full. He’d never been this full. He’d also never been more aroused or more in need of release.
Elryk slid his hands to Kaythan’s side, holding his hips up at the right angle and keeping his legs spread. Staring into his eyes, his mate began to move. Slow, deep strokes that hit his pleasure spot every time and made him howl with the rising arousal. Then Elryk moved faster and Kaythan started meeting his thrusts, increasing the power of their coupling almost beyond what was bearable.
Finally, still looking deep into his eyes, Elryk pounded him so hard that he couldn’t hold back.
“Elryk!” Kaythan’s balls rose and his orgasm overwhelmed him. Without a touch to his cock he started coming so hard that his teeth rattled. Spurt after spurt of hot cum coated his chest and abdomen, his hole contracting with each glorious burst of relief.
“Kaythan!” Elryk’s response was just as vocal and his mate drove deep one last time before releasing his semen into Kaythan’s still clenching channel. Elryk’s cock pulsed inside Kaythan, filling him with his love. It was the most amazing feeling to have part of his mate so deep inside him.
“I love you.” Kaythan couldn’t hold back the words anymore. He knew deep down that it was true and he needed to let Elryk know.
Elryk’s eyes widened and his mate collapsed onto his chest, letting Kaythan’s legs slide down. Kaythan brought up his arms and held his lover as close as possible while they were trying to catch their breaths.
“I love you too, my mate.” Elryk finally lifted his head and Kaythan looked into the black depths that were now filled with love. “I’ll love you forever.”
“Forever.” Kaythan nodded. That might just be enough time to explore the depth of their love. Together.
About the Author
I’m a night owl who starts writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Today I like exploring the different cultures, beliefs, attitudes and preferences that exist on our planet in my stories. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.
Email: [email protected]
Serena loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.
STEALING MICHAEL
Jambrea Jo Jones
Dedication
First and always, I need to thank Joy. She helps keep me sane. I also need to thank my yahoo group, HeatWave for helping me with tag lines, with a special shout out to Janis. And to the International Heat Ladies, thanks for being my sounding board when I needed it.
To all of you buying this to help stop Copyright Theft, thank you, thank you, thank you. It is a big problem that I hope someday won’t be an issue.
Chapter One
Robert Mitchell scurried across the leaves littering the cold fall ground behind Thomas Eli’s house. The moon hung bright in the sky making it hard for the pale man to hide. He made himself as small as possible and scooped up some dirt, using it to darken his complexion.
It wouldn’t do for me to be seen.
His objective was to sneak into the author’s house and steal a painting. His mom had seen a spread in a magazine and said the painting was worth a fortune, that it would keep her in her medicine for months.
Robert shivered in the cold. He’d left his coat at home, it wasn’t on Mom’s list of things to carry. A sound reached his ears and he perked up, tilting his head to the side.
Shit, he isn’t supposed to be home. What should I do?
Robert held his breath and concentrated on the sound of shoes clicking on the cement walk. He let the air trapped in his lungs seep out like a tire deflated with a knife.
Thomas’ footsteps sounded closer—it had to be Thomas—and then they passed. Robert waited a few minutes before leaving his hiding place. He slithered across the yard until he reached the stairs at Thomas’ front door. He stayed close to the ground on the way up. He couldn’t give himself away. Maybe he should wait to see if the author would leave the house again. It was a bad idea to go in with Thomas home. His Mom had given him some chloroform she’d swiped, from where he had no idea. Robert knew it was best not to ask questions.
He paused as light flared to life inside, but the door stayed closed. Continuing to the entrance, he patted the bulge in his front pocket for reassurance. The chemical would help him knock Thomas out so he could take the painting. Hopefully the guy wouldn’t linger in the front room; the drug was a last ditch effort. He pulled the zip-locked bag from his pocket and opened it, preparing himself for the worst case scenario.
The door beckoned him, the handle mocking him.
He shook his head.
Open the door, Robert.
Mom’s voice gave him the courage he needed. Robert closed his eyes, grasped the knob and turned. He pushed the door open and crept into the room.
“Who the fuck are you?”
He shouldn’t have seen me. What do I do now?
“I asked you a question. Who are you and what are you doing in my house?”
Robert’s mind whirled in confusion at the confrontation. Thomas was not what he pictured, he loomed over Robert. Bigger than he’d expected.
“Uh…I—”
“You need to leave or I’m calling the police.”
“I’m sorry, Thomas. I have to do this.”
“Who is Thomas?”
That confused Robert further. He couldn’t be wrong. This had to be Thomas Eli’s house. The bewilderment must have shown because the man lowered his voice as if placating a wild animal.
“Are you in the wrong house?”
He jerked out of his trance. “It’ll be okay, Thomas. I don’t want to hurt you. I just need the painting.”
Robert lunged, holding the chloroform drenched rag by his side. He jumped on Thomas and wrapped his legs around the man’s waist.
“Wh—what are you doing?” Thomas stumbled backwards. “I’m not Thomas. Michael, my name is Mic—”
Robert shoved the cloth against the author’s mouth, holding on as he struggled to throw him off. Screams echoed in his head, but he didn’t know if they were his or Thomas’.
Robert pulled away as Thomas fought to retain his footing. When Thomas’ back hit the wall and he slid to the ground, Robert jumped, startled at the sound.
Why did the man keep denying who he was? Robert’s head started to pound.
What have I done? Robert crumpled to the floor and threw the chloroformed rag away from him. He clutched his head, rocking back and forth.
Pull yourself together!
>
The sound of his mom’s voice in his head sent a shiver of fear down his spine. Robert stopped rocking and crawled over to the body sprawled on the floor. Tentatively, he stretched his arm out and brushed a finger along the man’s lips. His cock twitched at the thought of those lips wrapped around it. He was unbelievably sexy. Not at all what Robert had been expecting.
Could he really do this? He wasn’t a criminal. Maybe his mom didn’t need the money as much as she thought. He could get another job to help out. Robert could leave now and no one would be the wiser.
Mom wouldn’t ask if she wasn’t needing. And she would be very angry if he came home without the artwork.
He had to think. Robert didn’t know when his unexpected captive would awaken and now he feared he didn’t have the right house. His plan needed to be altered. He couldn’t leave Thomas sitting there while he searched for the painting. What was mom thinking? What had he been thinking? Panic raced through his body. His stomach rolled, but he had to do something.
Determined, Robert went to the front door, locked it and started a search. Whoever the guy turned out to be, he would need to be secured before he awakened. He remembered a shed out back from when he’d cased the place. There should be rope or something he could use. At home, he had all the supplies he could want. Not that his mom used them on him anymore.
He walked to the back of the house hoping to find a door to the backyard. After he had the author secure, he’d check for identification. He didn’t know what he would do if the unconscious man turned out not to be the author. Did his mom send him here on purpose? To punish him for something? It was time to find out.
* * * *
His head hurt and his mouth was so dry he could drink a lake and it might not help. What the hell had happened? Michael kept his eyes closed so he could focus his thoughts. He remembered pulling up to the house. He’d walked in and—and—something happened, the thought just out of his reach.
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