King Cave

by Scarlett Dawn

  He grunted, groaning in reply, meeting my gaze as he stilled above me, his breathing hitching. Joltingly, he hammered into me once more, my body bowing he filled me so deeply, and throatily he growled, “Sweetheart.” His frame jerked over me, trembling, as his cock jumped inside me, hot cum pulsing deeply. His growl continued to rumble inside his chest as he quivered, staring down at me, his expression of pained joy. Bit by bit, he lowered, staring me in the eyes the entire way, until his face hovered directly over mine.

  Softly, he bit my bottom lip.

  I was fucking his.

  Gently, I lifted a shaky hand, placing it against his throat.

  And he was fucking mine.

  “Hurry up,” I mumbled, quickly stepping out of the shower. I stopped and smacked his ass…’cause I wanted to. “We’re already late.” From the caller ID on his cell, it had been his dad calling consistently. But we hadn’t been able to go back outside smelling as we had, both of us reeking of sex and each other. So a quick shower had been needed for us both, but Ezra hadn’t jumped in immediately and was taking longer than me.

  A blurred hand reached out from the shower, smacking my ass right back. “I’ll be out in a minute.” He peeked around the corner of the shower, grinning like an imp. “I set an outfit for you on the bed.” His grin only grew. “I used the mirror.”

  My eyes narrowed even though I was smiling. Swiftly wrapping a towel around myself, I scurried out of the bathroom. The jeans I had shown to Jack this morning were on the bed along with a soft white t-shirt. The shirt was new. Picking it up, I read the writing on it.

  The front read across the breasts: Look and Die.

  The back read: Property of Zeller.

  I chuckled, tossing it on the bed, and lifted his thermal he had thrown on the ground. I quickly used the mirror, making my own shirt for him, two hoodies — one in my size and one in his — and a black knit hat for him since he wouldn’t have time to spike his hair. I swear the man took longer than me getting ready. He hadn’t put any socks or underwear out so I pulled some out of my dresser — my animated frog set and my bright rainbow knee-high socks that formed around each of my toes — which I loved.

  I barely got them on before a pounding came at my door. Sighing in exasperation, knowing we were seriously late, I threw the towel around me — not forgetting this time I only had undies and socks on — and hustled to the door, fully expecting it to be Elder — it was weird thinking of him that way — Kincaid. But throwing open the door, keeping my hand firmly on the door handle, I froze…a little nervous laugh escaping.

  It wasn’t Elder Kincaid.

  It was Antonio.

  With Cahal directly next to him.

  As Cahal surveyed my person with a raised eyebrow — dripping hair, towel, and multicolored toe socks — Antonio scowled, glancing at his watch and stating, “You were supposed to be outside a half-hour ago.”

  Clearing my throat, I ignored how Cahal’s eyes began darting all around the ‘spelled room’ he could see. “Well, you know…um…fifteen minutes was a little ridiculous.”

  “Pearl and Jack made it outside on time,” he groused, finally taking in my half ready state of dress before searching the room with his own gaze, able to see what was actually there. Luckily, neither mentioned the little singing frogs on my bra straps. He tilted his head at Cahal. “He’s looking for Ezra. Any clue where he’s at?”

  Ah, Cahal knew we shared a room now. “Nope. No clue.” One day I was going to burn in hell.

  And…from the sound of it…Ezra chose that exact moment to exit the bathroom around the corner. My lips pinched as I heard the door bang open, and I heard him say, sounding playful, “Sweetheart…what did you think of the shirt?” Antonio’s eyes flew to me, and a second later when he couldn’t see me, I heard Ezra shout, sounding damn frantic, “Lily?”

  Not even a breath later, Antonio’s eyes flew over my head, and I knew Ezra was in view. I swiftly started to shut the door, saying, “I’ll be out shortly—” My voice and the damn door stopped abruptly as Cahal slammed a hand against it.

  He blurred, shoving it back open…and taking a step into the room.

  Even though I was pushed back, instinct had me grabbing his arm when the whirlwind took him for a ride and made him stumble. His eyes flew wide, startled, as he glanced all about, quickly scanning everything he could see, then, when he more than likely saw no threats, his gaze instantly turned to my hand on him. Laughing nervously, I quickly released him. Patted his arm a few times. “That first step’s a doozy.”

  He stared at me.

  Well, alright then.

  I turned to Antonio, holding the door open. “Might as well come on in.” My voice was only slightly odd.

  Antonio sighed heavily, stepping inside without any balancing issues and shutting the door.

  I waved at the couch, ignoring the fact they could see a rumpled-as-hell bed, me in my half-dressed stage and, from the corner of my eye, Ezra still dripping wet with only a towel around his waist. “Why don’t you two have a seat while we finish getting ready.” It wasn’t really a question, but I nodded as if they had agreed and turned, walking toward Ezra and where our clothes were lying on the bed. “We’ll be quick.” And yes, I was booking it away from them.

  Ezra’s face was blank as he surveyed them over my head. “We won’t take long.” He waited until I was past him before he turned and walked directly behind me, leaning over me as we grabbed our clothes from the bed. I peeked around the corner as Ezra grabbed socks and underwear from his dresser, and saw, amazingly, that Cahal and Antonio had sat down on the brown love seat and black couch. Antonio was rubbing one of his temples, while Cahal slowly scrutinized every aspect of the room he could see. If he stayed there the only aspects of Pearl and Jack he would notice would be the beanbag and chair, which weren’t damning, only a debatably bad fashion choice.

  Ezra and I practically raced each other inside the bathroom, fumbling and jumping at times, to get dressed. Hair still wet, I quickly pulled it back into low pigtails on the back of my head. Smiling anxiously, I put my white horn-rimmed glasses on. “Thank you for the shirt.” I actually liked it.

  Ezra’s chest heaved and he ran a hand over his face as he glanced at the closed door. “You’re welcome.” He quickly bent, giving me a swift peck. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He shook his head, throwing on his shirt, which he hadn’t really glanced at. “My dad can be an ass.”

  Oh, no problem. Cahal had just barged into our sanctuary. Without an invite. “All dads can be an ass. Antonio sure as hell isn’t perfect.” I gave him a quick peck in return, and then grabbed my boots. “We better get back out there.”

  He nodded, pulling the black knit cap over his head, an inch of his brown hair sticking out beneath the edges. Added his silver glasses. I couldn’t help but stare. My God. He still looked like a cover model. “You’re fucking gorgeous.” I just kind of blurted it out.

  His slow smile was genuine, his green eyes sparkling behind his glasses. “You think so?” He tugged one of my pigtails. “Because you see,” he bent, his teeth beginning to nibble at my bottom lip as he tugged me closer, rumbling deeply, “I happen to think you’re perfect.” A harder kiss. “Hot.” Another nibble. “Sexy.” A gentle caress. “Cute.” Hands cupped my cheeks. “Beautiful.” Lips hovered over mine, making me pant. “All rolled into one perfect woman.” He grinned naughtily. “My woman.” Softly, his mouth landed on mine, our tongues meeting gently.

  An indulgent moan escaped happily as I ran my hands up his chest and around his neck.

  And we both froze, hearing Cahal shout from behind the closed door, “That is not quick, son!” A curse. “This is all your damn fault!” I was pretty sure that comment wasn’t aimed at us. “And don’t even tell me this room wasn’t your doing.” Nope, not us.

  Still clinging to Ezra, I whispered, “Maybe we should give them a few minutes.”

  “Oh, no!” Cahal shouted. “Get your asses out here. You’ve obviously al
ready had your fun.”

  My lips pinched, scowling, even as I blushed. “His hearing’s excellent.”

  “Unlike your timing since you were both supposed to be on the damn beach forty minutes ago,” Cahal hollered. “Don’t make me come back there and get you two.”

  Ezra sighed, bumping his forehead against mine. “At least yours isn’t treating you like a child.”

  True, but I didn’t say that, instead exiting the bathroom with Ezra hovering closely by my side. Grabbing my bag, hoodie, and Bonnie — still appearing like a poodle — I warily walked toward Cahal and Antonio. They both blinked, staring at Ezra…or, more precisely, his shirt.

  Ezra’s eyebrows came together. “What?”

  Antonio’s lips trembled even as Cahal sighed in exasperation, dropping his forehead into his hands. Antonio’s eyes darted to me. “Mirror?” Biting my lip, I nodded, then he glanced at Ezra, pointing vaguely at his shirt. “You may want to put something over that.”

  Ezra blinked, then dropped his head to stare at the shirt. His head cocked. Guess he was just now noticing it. He turned and headed back to the mirror. That’s when Antonio busted up, seeing the back of it.

  It was a black long-sleeved thermal with a silver cartoon etching of a Vampire on the front smoking a cigarette, grinning around it. The Vamp looked just like Ezra. At the top were silver letters that said, ‘YUMMY’. Around the Vamp’s foot was a huge shackle with a chain, which hooked around the side to the back…where a cartoon red wolf held the chain in its mouth, teeth bared at anyone looking. Above the wolf’s head, red lettering said, ‘MINE’.

  Ezra paused at Antonio’s deep chuckle, even as Cahal peeked up — only to drop his head back in his hands after seeing the back of the shirt, muttering under his breath. Ezra raised an eyebrow at me, but I fluttered a hand at him, saying, “Go take a look. You’ve got the hoodie to put over it.” When he only stared, I said, “It’s cute. Don’t you dare change out of it.” And yeah, my wolf rode my voice a little. “Now, go look.” And I ignored how I had a hand on one hip, boots dangling from my fingers, and tapped a foot as my mother used to do when she was agitated with Antonio.

  Ezra’s lips twitched as he watched me. Wisely, he said nothing else as he turned back around to finish making his way to the mirror. I took a few steps backward so I could follow him with my eyes and make sure he didn’t take it off. And I got to see his reaction. He stared, head cocked and lips twitching, then slowly turned, peering over his shoulder to see the back. He grinned.

  Nodding once, satisfied he wasn’t going to discard it, I quickly moved back out of his line of sight. “I think we’re about ready.” I stopped in my tracks when Cahal held up a hand, pointed at my shirt, then made a twirling motion. I cleared my throat. “I’ve got a hoodie, too.”

  Again, he twirled the finger. “Now, please.”

  Lips pinched, I turned, letting them read, Property of Zeller.

  There was silence behind me, and then Antonio stated studiously, “Lily’s was more creative.”

  Cahal snorted. Dry words. “Of course, you would think that.” A pause as he cursed. “She’s dressed my son, the King Vampire, in damn cartoon characters to make her point!” Another pause as Ezra came back into view. “And he’s fucking wearing it!”

  “Yes, I am,” Ezra murmured, a smile playing at his lips. He stopped next to me, and I stilled as he bent, kissing my mouth softly — right in front of Antonio and Cahal. His lips curved as he leaned back a smidge, staring into my startled eyes. “I knew you’d end up getting me something with cartoon characters on it if I let you pick out my clothes.” Again, he brushed his lips against mine. Just the sweetest touch of heat. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

  Breath escaped me in shock and desire, and I barely managed to whisper, “You’re welcome.” My eyes held his gleaming gaze. And that quickly, love and happiness overrode any emotion as we both started grinning. We were together, like, together-together. In love. And goddamn, if I wasn’t as happy as a clam right now.

  “Jesus Christ,” Antonio muttered quietly off to my right, and then more loudly, “You two are going to have to cut that shit out before you get caught.”

  We both turned to them, trying to regulate our faces.

  Cahal began taking up Antonio’s action, rubbing his temples. “Jesus, this is going to be a trial.” He glared at Antonio. “How long have you known this was going to happen?”

  Antonio only shrugged, then turned all business. “Which Elder are you taking?”

  My head cocked. “Taking?”

  His eyes crossed. A heavy sigh. “To find your Prodigy.”

  “Oh,” I said, chipper, sitting on the golden chair and placing my arm fully on the floor, Ezra following suit, sitting next to his dad. Clyde and Bonnie instantly moved back together, lying between us, and snuggled around each other as we put our boots on. “I’m choosing you.”

  He nodded, smiling, appearing damn pleased. “I thought you might pick Elder Kincaid.”

  I rolled my eyes, ignoring how Cahal was glaring at my cute socks before I could cover them with my boots. “You knew I would pick you.”

  “Actually, I didn’t.” A pause. “But I had hoped.” Yeah, he looked a little smug.

  Ezra elbowed his dad, lacing up his boots. “I’m picking you.”

  Blunt words, no fanfare. “I know.” He wasn’t overconfident or anything. “And we were talking with you two. That’s why you’re so late.” Ezra nodded, pulling his hoodie on and zipping it until only the words YUMMY were visible. Cahal glanced back and forth between us. “And try to not look at each other. You two aren’t hiding shit right now.” A direct, gruff order.

  My gaze turned predatory as I scrutinized Ezra and his dad. They were too recognizable even if Cahal had put on jeans and layered t-shirts instead of his robe or his suits he usually wore. A quick glance at Antonio. “Can you change Elder Zeller’s hair color to the same as Ezra’s? And maybe make their facial hair grow?” It would hide their features somewhat. Cahal and Ezra both blinked at me in surprise. “You know your pictures have been flashed all over the news.” Any previous Rulers were of high interest in any country right now.

  Ezra shrugged his assent, but Cahal glared at Antonio, only finally agreeing when Ezra nudged him. Cahal’s hair was suddenly a boring brown, and both of them jerked and started moving their jaws, their noses scrunching, as their beards started growing.

  I waved a hand at Antonio. “Do it slowly. I’ll tell you when to stop.”

  Black whiskers shadowed each of their jaws, and I noticed Antonio did an excellent job of keeping them trim and lined fashionably. Head cocked, I watched Ezra’s closely, knowing Cahal’s needed to be longer since his group was at the top of the watch list, thanks to their history in the war. I waved a hand when Ezra’s was just past a quarter of an inch long. “Ezra’s is done.” Staring at Cahal, I waited until his was a half-inch. “Elder Zeller’s is good.”

  And then I sat back and stared at Ezra. The beard was sharp and angled in jagged lines, highlighting his jaw and cheekbones even further. The silver glasses didn’t hide his rugged beauty, only enhanced it with a splash of color. I blinked. “I didn’t think it was possible.”

  Ezra rubbed his chin, feeling the beard like his dad was doing with his own. “What wasn’t possible?”

  I glanced at Antonio, who was fingering his own hair, and stared at it while he put it through a variety of different shades, trying to pick which one he liked best. “Antonio, you’ve outdone yourself.” He grunted, his eyebrows puckering as he altered his hair colour between dark brown and sandy blond.

  My eyes went back to Ezra, again shocked at the difference the beard made. Ezra raised a questioning eyebrow, so I waved a flittering hand, mumbling, “It’s, like, you…but, not you. A whole different version of hotness.” Rugged-geek-badass, if there was such a thing. His shirt’s words pretty much summed it up. Yummy.

  Antonio jumped up, moving farther into our room, back to where our bed
was and where the room veered to the right — out of sight — mumbling, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Ezra grinned, drawling, “You like?” He rested back, laying his arms on the back of the couch.

  I managed a nod, but quickly cleared my throat, rolling my eyes. Wouldn’t want to pant too much. “You look good.”

  The cocky bastard’s grin only increased.

  “How do I look?” Cahal asked, which surprised me, still fingering his beard.

  I blinked at him, seeing he was seriously asking me. Mentally shaking myself past the astonishment, I cocked my head, trying to evaluate him beyond the fact he was Elder Zeller, Ezra’s dad. He held my gaze unflinchingly just like his son always did. I was shocked when I peered past who he was, seeing him for…himself. “Handsome. You look handsome. The beard suits you.” And he smiled. A real one. Flashing those white teeth at me. Uh. “Very handsome.”

  He preened almost as his son might have at the compliment. “I may have to keep the beard.”

  Ezra chuckled quietly.

  I pointed at Cahal. “You won’t pass as being old enough for his father in the Com world. But you look too much alike, so you’ll have to say you’re an older brother if anyone asks.” He nodded in agreement, and then my slightly bewildered gaze returned to Ezra. I didn’t know how to handle his dad. He was scary as shit, but there were moments like this when he seemed almost…normal.

  “Okay, how do I look?” Antonio asked behind me.

  I turned, and physically jerked in shock. He must have used our mirror because he had changed his clothes, going from a dress shirt and suit pants to dark faded jeans, a thick black belt with a large silver buckle, a soft, thin, fitted silver long-sleeved shirt, and black boots, but really, even though I had never seen him dress quite like this, it was his face that stunned me. His skin was still bronze, which meant he could be taken as someone with an Asian background, but his hair was now brown with blond highlights, and only two inches long, messily spiked on the top of his head and showing his facial features in handsome relief.