by Julia Talbot
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Cody walked to the door, then cocked his head to one side. “Something’s wrong.”
“Get back, then.” Peyton was younger, harder, and he’d brought this here to Darque and Knight.
The knock sounded again, and Cody shook his head, then reached out to fling the door open, growling low. Cody jumped back when something thudded against the steps of the trailer. Hard. “Jesus.”
It took less than a second to understand what he was seeing. Brown. Fur. Scraps of clothing. His Grizz.
His. Grizz.
Peyton flew out of the door with a snarl, his entire world gone scarlet in a single thought.
It was someone’s time to die. They had hurt his bear.
Very vaguely he heard Cody calling to him, but no. They had to pay. He could smell them because Grizz was on them, and he followed. They were fast vamps, but Peyton knew he was older and faster.
He’d killed the bastard who they worked for, hadn’t he? He felt their panic and savored it. That hadn’t even been personal. He had been willing to retreat, but not now. Not for a second. This… this was for his mate.
The blow from the side was strong and unexpected, but he rolled with it. Of course they’d bring more than two.
He fell, letting his momentum carry him away from his attacker so he could gain some time. He could sense others, trying to reach them, trying to help, but these were his. This was his kill.
He roared when a kick connected with his ribs from the other side. There were at least four. He flowed back to his feet, hands like claws, reaching out to find one too slow vamp.
The flesh at the throat was soft, and he dug in, letting gore pour over his fingers.
Growling with pure joy, he spun, searching for his next victim.
“Shit! Shit, they didn’t tell us he was feral.”
If you can speak, you’re not frightened enough.
They circled him, only three of them now. Did that mean they triangled him?
He let himself embrace the unholy monster he knew lived inside him. Peyton whirled like a dervish, tearing and ripping. He would ship the parts back to that queen vampire bitch via UPS. Wrapped in plastic and sent media mail.
He bared his teeth, then kicked out, knocking one vampire away while he clawed at another. Peyton wouldn’t use his fangs. Those were for Grizz.
Another went down, then another, and he snarled, eyes focused on the final offender. “It is a lovely night to meet your end, don’t you think?”
The last standing vamp hissed at him, then began making sigils in the air with his fingers. This one was a magick user, as well.
Fuck a doodle doo.
“I don’t think so, motherfucker.” He leapt forward, driving himself into the middle of the bastard. The jolt of magic drove into him like a stake.
He grunted, his body convulsing, and he doubled over. He absorbed the magick, a special talent vamps didn’t advertise.
The magic poured in and in, making him a little dizzy as he sucked it in, all his empty spaces buzzing. He growled, pushing the asshole down on the ground, straddling him. He grabbed the man around the throat, pulling the magic out now, dragging it out forcibly.
“Gurk.” The asshole choked and gurgled, struggling, but weakening.
“Enough, kiddo. Time for Thack to do his job.” Cody’s hands were firm, icy cold on his blistering skin.
“Do what job?” Peyton barely sounded like himself, his voice a dull growl.
“Sending them back as a message before you light yourself afire. Thack, can you use him?”
“I sure can.”
Before he could blink, Thack had laid hands on him, pulling magick away from his heart and head. “Oh, that’s yummy. I know what job this one’s getting.”
“Don’t you hurt my mate!” Grizz’s roar was absolutely breathtaking.
Peyton would have run to him, but he was busy. Thack was cracking him like an egg, he thought.
The pressure began to relieve itself, at least until Grizz grabbed him and squeezed. Then he thought he might burst for other reasons. Death by bear hug.
Shut up. Are you okay? They tranqed me! Grizz’s indignation was perfectly clear.
You recovered fast. Especially as much as you like a nap. He didn’t need air, so Peyton went with it.
Metabolism plus rage equals consciousness.
I like it. Can I have use of my arms? He was a little stuck.
Are you going to bite anyone else?
I used my hands. I thought they’d hurt you.
My hero. Grizz nuzzled but didn’t kiss.
Peyton thought he might need a shower.
Cody touched his shoulder. “They’re gone, kiddo. I’ll send a formal message to their mistress that this is my fucking territory and I’m more than well-protected.”
“We do defend our own,” Thack said.
“We totally do,” Grizz rumbled. “Thank you.”
He nuzzled into his furry, fuzzy, naked mate. “Home, James.”
“Not James,” Grizz murmured, lifting him. “Adam.”
“Adam. Mate. Take me home, home. I need to get clean.”
“Yes. Bathing all that nasty off.” Grizz waved at Thack and Cody with one hand, easily holding him with the other.
“Yes. Please. You’re all right? You’re well?”
“Sore. Mad. Fuzzy.” Grizz--Adam--did seem more beared out than usual in his human form.
“Can I help?” He could have a nibble or two or four.
“Let’s wash up. Then we can help each other.”
Did that sound obscene? Peyton hoped so. He loved it when Grizz thought all dirty while they were getting clean. They pushed through the crowds, heading straight for the trailer.
The cowboys congratulated them as they passed. Seemed like everyone liked a good asskicking. Some things didn’t change, no matter what century it was.
He laughed when Grizz set him down next to the trailer, because he could finally move his arms again. He crawled up the stairs, surprised not in the least to find his hands shaking.
“I got you, baby. To the shower.”
Peyton growled a bit, because he couldn’t not. His own monster was close to the surface. His trouble was out there in the open again.
“Shh. I’ll give you everything you need.” Adam nuzzled him. “I’m fine now. Breathe.”
“Need you.” He patted that wide, hairy chest, more human now than just moments earlier.
“I know.”
Somehow they were already near the water, the spray crashing down. Adam, his Grizz, was fast. He loved how deceptive the big body was. His eyes closed of their own accord, his body suddenly boneless. Now that the rage and magic had been removed, there was nothing left.
He was tired. And filthy.
Adam stuffed him under the spray, loving on him with gentle hands and happy bear sounds.
By the time the water ran clear, he was leaning fully against Adam’s chest, listening to the steady heartbeat under his ear.
“See? I told you. All good.” Adam shut off the tap and lifted him into a soft, huge towel.
“I thought they’d killed you.” Silly, because he would have known, wouldn’t he?
“You were awesome, baby. For real. Man, remind me not to make you mad.” Adam’s fingers trailed over the scars on his cheek.
“Yours.” Simple and true.
“Mine. Come to bed?” Adam carried him back to the bed at the back.
Like he was going to say no. He needed his bear.
They settled under the covers, Adam making them a little cave to hide from the world. He sighed--safety and quiet and warm. Love.
My own vamp. I love you. The quiet words sounded in his head even as Adam kissed him, lips warm and soft on his.
He wrapped himself around Adam and let himself rest, surrounded by bear. Everything else could wait.
Chapter Fourteen
Grizz woke up and was immediately aware of two things.
Peyton was clinging to him, hard as a rock and moaning in his sleep. And Grizz was just as hard and aching for his lover. Never let it be said that he couldn’t give his mate what they both needed.
He loved that the name on Peyton’s lips was Adam. No one called him that; it was their secret.
He tugged Peyton closer, the heated length of that needy cock sliding on his belly. Grizz humped in turn against Peyton’s thigh, his breath coming in pants.
“Adam. Love. Bear.” Peyton pushed faster, harder, driving against him.
“Mmmhmm. Hot.” He was, too. So hot he might just burn right up.
Peyton nodded, nibbling on his chest, teasing him. Those fangs scraped over his skin like tiny lightning bolts, making him growl and twist.
His skin felt like it didn’t quite fit, and he hoped Peyton was hungry. He prayed Peyton was. He needed that bite. He needed to feel the wild rush.
Peyton laughed, the sound evil and husky and full of sex.
Someone was feeling better.
Grizz was, too. His nap had burned off the rest of the tranq, so he was hungry for sex and food, needing more of everything.
First. More kisses. He pushed into Peyton, taking his mate’s mouth by storm.
Peyton kissed him back, tongue playing along his, fangs stinging him a bit. He grabbed that sweet, tiny butt and squeezed, encouraging more.
“Mmm.” Peyton’s little sounds slid into him, those clever hands finding all his sensitive spots, even as those teeth drew out deep moans and groans.
Finally, he just had to break the kiss and demand a bite. Grizz drew Peyton’s mouth to his neck, daring his lover to refuse.
“Mine.” The single word heated his skin right before the long, needle-like teeth sank in.
He went utterly still, his body stiff as a board. Oh, God, how had he ever thought he would hate this? This was magic, through and through.
His magic. Grizz would never let some vampire queen take Peyton away. He reached down to touch that long, perfect cock, wrapping his fingers around it. He felt Peyton’s moan, all along his throat, rich and low and perfect.
The circle of pleasure was closing around them, tightening down until all that was left was need and sweat and heat.
He could hear how Peyton was singing, was rejoicing. Their minds were as close as their bodies, communication constant and it was the most amazing sensation ever.
Grizz couldn’t imagine living without it now. Now he needed it more than his next breath. He stroked Peyton up and down with his hand, all the while keening over the feel of Peyton biting down, drawing blood from him.
Peyton’s love was like a drug, crashing into him.
He moaned and twisted, trying to get closer. He wanted them to be one, truly.
Peyton shifted and pushed on top of him, impaling himself on Grizz’s cock.
His eyes went wide, his body stilling for a long moment while he tried to adjust. He felt Peyton’s smile against his throat.
His cock, buried deep, felt impossibly huge and hot. God, he was gonna explode. Just boom--all over the place.
They rocked, Peyton rising up and slamming down on him. He grunted, because he felt every twitch of every muscle around him.
Love. Love. Love. Peyton sang to him, calling to him over and over.
He closed his eyes and listened, his mate right there, inside and out.
Surrounding him, filling him, adoring him.
When Peyton struck again, biting him hard, Grizz came. He just couldn’t hold it anymore. Peyton’s seed sprayed over his belly, wet and warm, one need answering another.
He rubbed them together, letting their come mingle and slide into their skin. Peyton wiggled and groaned, snuggling down into his arms.
“Mmm. Morning.” He thought it was morning. It was after a long sleep, anyway.
“Mmhmm. Something like that.”
“Yeah.” He patted Peyton’s hip, feeling a lot clumsy from his orgasm.
“Mmm. My bear. You’re okay?”
“I am. Not even weird and fuzzy anymore.” The tranq had not been fun. Seeing Peyton go all primal had been worth it.
“I have your back.”
“My fierce vamp.”
“I’m usually pretty meek.”
Grizz snorted. “Thack is going to want to put you to work.”
“That’s okay, right? It means they can’t make me leave.”
“They wouldn’t, anyway. You’re friends with the boss.”
“Philip doesn’t love me,” Peyton said.
Grizz frowned. “He doesn’t travel with us.”
“No. No, he doesn’t. Besides, I have a friend, a job and a mate. I’m here.”
“With me,” Grizz agreed, his happiness bubbling over. Who knew a pesky babysitting job would bring him all of this?
“Pesky babysitting job, Adam?” Peyton began to tickle him, fingers digging into his ribs.
“There’s this crazy vampire who gets into all this trouble!” He wiggled, laughing like a loon.
“I will nibble your toes, Bear!”
“No! Not the toes. They might be hairy!”
His vampire started laughing, cuddling into him with a happy sigh.
“I do love you, Adam. Hairy toes and all.”
“I love you, too, Peyton. I really do.” That was a miracle in itself. Loving someone this much was sort of the ultimate opposite of a lazy bear.
Epilogue
“Damn it, Peyton! Get your ass over here. I need help with this motherfucking bull!”
Ah, Thack. So delicate.
“On it, bossman.” He bebopped over, reached out and sucked a healthy soulful of magic right out of that big, nasty beast.
The bull snorted, then sagged, its horns shrinking back to normal bull size.
“Goddamn, he was too big for his britches,” Thack growled.
“Uh-huh.” He held out his hands, the energy glinting from his palms.
Thack bent his head. “Right on the horns, man. They hurt so bad.”
“Oh, my dear.” Healing Thack was one of the biggest joys in his life. The man had gone without so long, torn from his lover. He laid his palms on those heavy, hot horns, the magic pulled right back out.
“Oh. Oh, yeah.” It wasn’t sexual, but he could feel Thack’s relief. “Thanks, Peyton. You rock.”
That smile made it worth the hard tingle that ran up his arms and vibrated his shoulders.
“Look at you, having horn sex.” That was from Cody, who stood nearby, a rare sight at the show. The black cowboy hat and gentleman rancher coat suited him.
“Be nice, you old man.” Peyton went to get his hug, the gentle kiss to the forehead that Cody always blessed him with.
“Why should I? He’s never nice to me. Your man is up in the next round, huh?”
“Yes. I’m not thinking about it.” He tried to let Adam work alone.
“I know. But we’ll root for him from afar.”
Peyton nodded. Adam was way better now about it, but he did try to keep interruptions to a minimum. It helped that Peyton had a job to do now. One that kept him busy and out of trouble when Adam couldn’t.
And Adam did try. He grinned. Too bad he was just as prone to trouble now as ever.
Hush. Working. Adam’s growl had a happy sound to it.
You get a blow job if you’re in the money.
I’ll win first. Adam’s mental voice went very serious there for a moment.
Then I’ll feed from your cock. Love you. Go. Work.
Uhn. That voice went muted in his head, though, and the steer wrestling was
announced in the arena.
Cody and Thack drew him away, leading him back toward the bull pen where they’d set up a little table, a game of Chinese checkers.
They were as much trouble as he was, these two, and he did adore them. In fact, he’d never been happier in his life than he was with Adam and these dear friends of his.
Why had he taken so damned long to come to the rodeo? He had no idea.
End
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue