by Julia Talbot
He stretched, groaned, then batted at Ben’s paws, playing lazily. Silly bear.
Ben grunted, gnawing on his ear.
He settled, loving the way their friendship surrounded him. He’d needed that today and he hadn’t even known it.
They’d seen it, though, and they’d given it to him. He had good friends. Grizz let everything else go and wallowed in that for a bit.
The rest would work itself out later.
Chapter Three
Peyton waited at Love Field in Dallas, tapping his foot as he waited for Cody to pick him up. He’d gone from Boston to Charlotte, Charlotte to Atlanta, Atlanta to Dallas and now he was hungry and exhausted and grumpy.
Not to mention still sore from the beating he’d taken earlier in the week.
His phone beeped and a long black car slid up right in front of him at the curb. At least it was dark and he didn’t have to hide in a box. The text said
He rolled his eyes, but he had to grin.
Cody stepped out of the back of the car, waving. “Well, come on. No sense in standing here being a target.”
“Excellent point.” Asshole.
He came to Cody, waiting until they were both in the privacy of the car before embracing his friend, holding on tight.
“Hey, now. I got you.” Cody hugged him just as tight, and the car slid smoothly into traffic, the driver on the other side of tinted glass. “Long trip?”
“Very.” He removed his sunglasses, exposing the faded bruises on his face. The fact that they hadn’t healed yet, with his accelerated ability, spoke volumes.
“Good god.”
Yes. The beating had stuck around. Now, he hadn’t eaten, either. That would help, getting some hot blood. Maybe even fresh.
“It’s been a long few days,” Peyton repeated.
“I bet it has.” Cody kissed the biggest bruise on his cheek. “We’ll get you a donor when we get back to camp.”
“Thank you.” For everything. Absolutely everything.
“You know I’m here anytime.” Cody was good to him. An amazing friend. Cody shook his head and offered Peyton another hug, then he was offered a thermos. “It’s not fresh, but it’s food.”
Peyton took it eagerly, as it was warm in the little pot with the lid. “Thank you. I sound like a broken record.”
“I’m sure in a day or two you’ll be as big of an asshole as always.” One of Cody’s eyebrows rose and fell. All he needed was a mustache to curl.
“Fuck off, cowboy.” He pinched Cody’s leg, the blood already making him feel better. “How are we going to work this? Do you have a plan?”
He knew Cody would have a plan.
“Yeppers. I got one of the bulldoggers to outfit his trailer for you. He’s a bit of a bear, but y’all will do fine. He’ll be a great blind.”
“Good deal.” Peyton knew how to make himself small and relatively unnoticeable. It was a talent. He wished he’d exercised it more before the insult to the overlord, however. Of course, the little fuck had insulted him. He had his pride, after all.
“Yes. You have to be decent to him,” Cody said with an arch look.
“I intend to. I don’t usually abuse your trust, do I?”
“No. Just my good temper.”
He flipped Cody off with a hrumph sound.
Cody laughed out loud. “Ain’t never dull though, with you about.”
“I’m just a bundle of joy wrapped up tight.” Peyton blew a playful kiss.
“You are! I’ve been in a rut, so it will be good to have you here.”
“Nothing from Philip, then?”
“Nothing but emails.” Cody’s mouth flattened into a straight line. “All business.”
“Fucker.”
“Vaguely, yeah.”
“I’ll go beat him for you,” Peyton offered, eagerly.
“Oh, honey. He’d burn you to a crisp.” Cody sighed. “He’ll come around, or he won’t.”
“Still.” He reached out, needing to comfort the man that had saved him. “I would do it if you wanted.”
“I know.” Cody took his hand and squeezed. Physical contact was something Cody didn’t get a lot of, and Peyton knew he valued it.
They held onto each other for a long while, just sitting and breathing. Breathing. What an affectation. Cody chuckled as if he’d heard the thought. Maybe he had. All those years of drinking demon blood.
“Be good, little one.”
Peyton rolled his eyes. It was his curse and something he used often. He was a small man and could pass for a teenager in the darkness and if he hid his face. No one could look into his eyes and believe for a second that he was a youth.
“I am being so good. I didn’t bite anyone on my travels.” He tilted his head. “What kind of donor?”
“Werekitty. He’s a good friend and strong. He’ll make it good for you.”
“Yum.” He loved that idea. In fact, it warmed him right up. The car was cool after standing outside in the humid air.
“Yes. Brax will be there for you to feed before we get on the road.”
“Thank you, Cody. I keep saying it, but I owe you.”
“You’ll pay me back.”
“I will.” Cody knew that. He would always do what Cody needed. Anything, if it was in his power.
The car finally pulled through the shabby, hand-lettered gates of an ancient rodeo grounds, and he sighed with relief. They were at Darque and Knight. He could feel the magicks drop around them like a curtain, making the world deliciously dark.
Peyton shivered, anticipation rising in him. Live blood was only moments away. He squeezed Cody’s hand.
“Yeah, I can feel how hungry you are, little one,” Cody murmured.
“Yes. Sorry, it’s been too long.” His fangs ached, his body yearning.
“I know. I get a regular supply from our riders, so it’s been a long time since I was hungry.”
Ouch. That meant Philip had been gone for a good while. Time was so fluid to Peyton. He should have called more often.
“It’s overrated. Hunger, that is.”
“Mmm. I remember how one time there was a cowhand who got turned and came to this ranch he knew to beg for help and the owner vamp found someone to feed him.”
“Someone that was kind enough to help a feller out.” He’d been in bad shape back then.
“Someone who’s always willing.”
“And sort of vaguely hot, if you’re into vamps,” he teased. God knew he’d tried to seduce Cody at the beginning. What a disaster.
“Right.” Cody pulled out a phone to text someone. “Brax will feed you at his place, then take you to Grizz.”
“Good deal. Thank you.” He was a broken record.
“I hope you still thank me when you meet Grizz. He’s something else.”
A knock sounded on the window, and when Cody opened the door, a bright gold werekitty stood there, all amber-green eyes and smelling of food and marijuana. Hello! How lovely.
“Hey, there. I hear you need a nibble and a bit of ease. I know where to find that.”
“I bet you do.” Peyton grinned at Cody. “You’ll have my bags delivered?”
“Your bags.” Cody lifted the single pack that held a laptop and his jeans. “I’m on it.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He winked, then stepped out of the car, letting Brax take his hand.
“Come on, honey. I have a quiet spot and a little bit of smoke we can share.”
“I would love that.” Contrary to popular belief, drugs worked nicely for vamps, just for a shorter time.
“Me too.”
He was taken to a tent, filled with pillows and soft places to land. “This is nice.”
“It is. Thank you.” Brax loosened his clothes before pulling Peyton down on the
pillows. “Smoke or eat first, honey? I’m easy.”
“I’m very hungry. Very. It’s been days.”
“Well, come on then.” Brax took off his shirt, baring a fuzzy chest and a strong set of shoulders. That flat belly tempted his hands, but the throat caught his attention, his fangs lengthening. “I ain’t scared. I’ve done this before. Apparently, I’m spicy.”
“Oh, you’re a treasure.” He relaxed down next to Brax, hand on that warm belly. “I can hear your heartbeat. So very alive. Hot.”
“Mmm. Make it good for me, sweet, and I’ll have you back for more.”
“I like that idea,” Peyton said. He could inflict great pleasure or great pain with his bite. When he slid his fangs into Brax’s flesh, he pushed for pleasure.
Brax’s moan proved he’d done it, which was good, because he wasn’t sure he could stop now. The flavor of heated, spicy blood filled him, Brax’s heart calling to him, drumming a welcome thud thud.
He gulped the first few mouthfuls, then eased back into delicate sips, the urgency abating.
Brax moaned and twisted against him, hard cock obvious against his thigh even through the clothes separating them.
Peyton stroked Brax’s chest, then pinched the tiny nipples he found there. There was no reason not to make this amazing. He wanted to play, to bite more than once. He slid free, sliding a hand down to grasp Brax’s cock through his jeans.
“Oh, sweet. Yes please.” Brax drove toward his touch.
Someone needed as badly as he did. He was absolutely willing to give as well as receive. Besides, orgasms made the blood richer. He loved the taste of endorphins.
He pressed farther under the fabric, finding warm skin.
Brax cried out, hips reaching for him, bucking up toward him.
“Yes.” He kissed the bruise he’d left on Brax’s throat then he opened those jeans. He needed to see what he held. “Mmm. Pretty. Nice and thick.”
“And no barbs,” Bark teased.
“Always a plus.” He winked, then licked his lips. “Can I suck?”
“Goddess, yes. It’s been too long.”
“I hear you.” Peyton bent his head, then scooted his body down to drop his lips over Brax’s shaft. The sensation was heady, the flavor spicy and right. He licked and sucked and used his lips to nip gently at the tip.
He chuckled as Brax yowled, crying out with need. That sound echoed in his skull, sweet as honey. He did love pleasure. There was nothing on earth that tasted so good.
Reaching around, he slid a hand under Brax’s balls, pushing them up against the base of that hard cock. The big kitty yowled, seed pouring over his tongue.
So close to blood, really, if more salty. Peyton swallowed every bit before sliding smoothly down to bite at Brax’s leg.
Brax grunted, but otherwise didn’t try to stop him. Thank goodness. He was still hungry and Brax tasted like heaven on earth.
When Brax began to tug at his hair, Peyton relented, licking the wound to close it. “Sorry. Sorry. Do you need anything?”
“Just a break. You’re hungry, man.”
“Yeah. I really am.”
Brax stroked his shoulder. “I recover fast. I might need a snack. We can go again, though. I promise.”
“If you’re sure. I’m totally not a sadist.”
“I am. Do you kiss?” Brax looked so wistful when he asked.
“I do.” Peyton crawled up Brax’s body, smiling into the bright golden eyes.
“Oh good.” Brax wrapped around him, lifting his face, lips parted.
They shared themselves, kissing slow and easy, their tongues tangling together. Sweet. Brax was amazing. Really.
“You smoke, honey?”
He shook his head. “I’ll nibble and get a contact high.”
“Mmm. Yum. So, you don’t mind?”
“Go for it.”
Brax lit up and redolent smoke filled the air. He breathed in because he could, the scent making him smile. “There was a hash place in Morocco I used to love.”
“Morocco? You’ve been around.”
Peyton snorted. “You have no idea. I got out of Texas as soon as I could.”
“Texas.” Brax laughed. “I’m from Colorado. Does it show?”
“Completely. Stoner kitty.”
“Right?” Brax chuckled. “‘I’ll have a wee snack, too. I like you, Peyton. Anytime you need a feed, you holler.”
“I appreciate it. I’m hanging out for a while.” If by hanging out he meant hiding out.
“Cool! Who are you staying with?” Brax stubbed out the joint before rolling up to go rummage in a cooler.
“A bear?” Hopefully, Brax knew.
“Probably Grizz then. Great snuggler.”
“Oh, good. I’m into snuggles.”
Brax grinned, munching some kind of jerky. “I can tell. You’re something else. We’ll be great friends.”
“We already are.” He winked and grabbed Brax’s hand, nibbling on the long fingers.
“Mmm. We are.” Brax rolled toward him, smelling more strongly of weed and maybe elk? The jerky wasn’t unpleasant, though.
He nibbled a little more.
Brax lifted his chin, offering.
“So good to me.” And they’d only known one another for a few minutes. He bit gently, fangs sliding in.
“Ohhhh.” The long, drawn-out moan made Peyton feel powerful. Heated. The blood woke up every inch of his body. The marijuana gave him a delicious buzz. His head spun a little and he laughed.
“I know, right? This is good shit.” Brax stroked his back, loving on him.
“Truly. Oh, this is fun.” Peyton stretched, feeling easy in his skin for the first time in months.
“Rest and relax. You’re safe here.”
“Thank you, Brax. Thank you.”
Brax patted his hair, then his cheeks, kitty style. “You’re welcome. You tell me when you want to sleep. I’ll take you to Grizz.”
“I’m in no hurry.” He could spend time.
“Good.” Brax hunkered down with him, making him want to purr as if he was the cat. Peyton was happy. Damned happy.
Maybe he could just stay here and snuggle.
Chapter Four
Grizz waited for like, two hours after Cody texted him that his new roomie was in the compound. He played basketball on his little hanging backboard in his trailer. He ate a box of honeybuns. He watched TV, but he wanted to go to bed…
Finally, he growled and put on pants and went looking at Brax’s, which was where the guy was supposed to be before coming to Grizz’s.
The scent of green was everywhere, flooding the air around the tent. Just breathing was going to make him high.
“Brax? I’m here for my…” Roomie? Intruder? “...new friend.”
Brax crawled out from under a pile of blankets. “Come on in.”
“You two have been...busy.”
“We totally have.” Brax beamed. You want some green?”
“No. You got any jerky?” He could smell it. Elk, maybe. His belly rumbled.
“Yes.” Brax handed him a handful with a smile.
“Thanks.” He looked around. “So, where is he?”
“Passed out cold. Someone beat the hell out of him.”
“No shit?” That sucked. Grizz guessed the guy wouldn’t be hiding out if he wasn’t in trouble, though.
“You want to take him with you? He’s teeny.”
“Yeah. I mean, I want to go to bed, and I need him to know where he’s supposed to stay.”
“I didn’t expect him to crash, Grizz. Sorry. He was just gone.”
“No worries.” He gave Brax a hug and a nose rub. “He obviously needed the downtime.”
Brax nuzzled him in return. “You’re going to love him. He’s adorable.”
“Yeah? Yay.” He winked at Brax. Just what he needed. The world’s cutest vamp.
“Trust me. Take him home.”
“Okay.” Grizz went to the pile of blankets that resolved itself into a man, and he hoisted the vamp up into his arms.
“His name is Peyton.”
“Gotcha.” Light as air, this one. Brax was right. He was wee.
“Holler if you need me.” Brax waved at him.
“Will do.” He liked Brax. Grizz needed to remember that.
The little vampire was light in his arms, almost so light that he couldn’t tell anyone was in there. He never stirred, not even when Grizz tripped going up the stairs.
He went into his trailer and put the bloodsucker down, giving into the temptation to unwrap him. Peyton wore dark, new Wranglers and a snap front shirt that looked vintage. Pointy all over and dark-haired--the man was genuinely lovely.
Grizz grinned. Nothing at all like his big, kinda blond boofiness.
Near black eyes opened, dazed, unfocused. “Who are you?”
“Grizz. I’m your new roomie.”
“Grizz. Pleased to meet you.” Okay, that was cute.
“Ditto. Brax says you’re super sleepy. I wanted to get you secure so sunrise doesn’t catch you out.”
“Thank you. That stuff he smokes is powerful.”
“He’s been at it a long while.” What else could he say? Brax had a thing. Grizz thought maybe Brax used the smoke to dull his loneliness.
“Me, not so much.”
“I can tell. Your eyes are all crazy.” He laughed, covering Peyton with a blanket.
“You’re gigantic. It’s lovely.”
His cheeks heated. “Thanks. I’m a bear. Did the boss tell you?”
“He did. I am not in the least opposed to bears.”
“Cool. Say that again when I shift into my bear and smoosh you at night.” There was only one bed, after all.
“I don’t need to breathe and I sleep during the day.”
“Oh. Uh, I really need to get to sleep. Is that okay?” Now he felt like an idiot for thinking he had to wait to go to sleep…
“Come snuggle. I’m friendly and tired.”
Grizz pondered that, then gave a mental shrug and struggled out of his clothes so he could crawl into bed. Peyton took up very little space. The wee beast was a clinger, though, pushing right into his heat.