by Faith Gibson
“What do you mean either of us?” Sabrina asked.
“I assumed you would stay here with your brother. Was I wrong?”
Sabrina blinked back unshed tears. Her sorrow was as great as his, and they had a long way to go before they would complete the bond. She didn’t trust him, and he, well, he didn’t know how he felt other than like his heart was going to split in two.
“Go home, Bree. I’m going to be asleep, so there’s no need in you trying to rest on that crappy chair.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Come back in the morning, and I’ll have my answer.”
Sabrina leaned over and kissed her brother on the forehead. The sigh Jerrick released was loud in the otherwise quiet room. Deacon waited for Sabrina to precede him out the door. He stopped and said a few words to Lorenzo and Paxton, thanking them for watching over Jerrick.
They walked without speaking to Deacon’s truck. He held open the door then helped her inside. Once he was seated, he put the key in the ignition, but he didn’t turn it. Closing his eyes, he begged his beast for help.
She is as conflicted as you are. Remember, this is new to her, and she’s only human.
I know. Doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“Deacon?”
“Sorry.” He started the truck and headed toward his house.
“So, I’m guessing by your silence you overheard my conversation with Jerrick.” She wasn’t accusing, just stating a fact.
“Yeah, but I don’t blame you for doubting my sincerity. You don’t know me.” Deacon barely got the words out without crying. As much pain as he’d felt in his long life, nothing compared to what he was going through now.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you. You haven’t given me reason to. You have been nothing but honest since we met, and I… Please forgive me.”
Deacon didn’t have to think about it. “I forgive you.” Nothing else was said until Deacon pulled down the driveway. When he didn’t pull into the garage, Sabrina squirmed in her seat. He didn’t have to check her mood, because her body was broadcasting it loudly. He had planned to take her back to her house since the threat of the stalker was over, but it seemed she had other things on her mind.
Take her inside and claim her.
It’s too soon. Still, he opened the garage door and parked inside. If she had sex on her mind, she probably wasn’t going to ask to go back home. Sabrina didn’t wait for Deacon to come around to help her out. She met him on the driver’s side, grabbed his hand, and pulled him toward the door. Once inside, she continued upstairs to his bedroom. She released his hand and began undressing.
Deacon was frozen. He stood numbly as she revealed every inch of her smooth skin. Deacon’s dick was already hard, but the more skin he saw, the harder he became. Sabrina stepped closer and released the button from his jeans after he pulled his shirt over his head, dropping it on top of her clothes. Slowly, she lowered his zipper. When it was all the way down, Sabrina hooked her thumbs inside his jeans, pushing them down his hips.
“What are you doing?”
Sabrina stilled her hands. “I thought... Do you not want me?”
“With every breath I take. But I have to tell you, I don’t think this is a good idea. I’m too close to losing control, and you shouldn’t give your body to me when your mind is unclear.”
“My mind is clear. I realized I was being an idiot. You may be the empath, but I felt your sorrow wrap around me like a vise. That is something I hope to never feel again, especially by my own doing. So, Deacon Wright, mate of mine, will you make love to me and complete the bond?”
Deacon was speechless. Just minutes ago, he thought he had no chance with his beautiful female, and now she was giving him the most precious words he ever hoped to hear.
“Did you change your mind?” she asked.
“Never.” Deacon pulled Sabrina to him and pressed their lips together. He poured every ounce of love he had into the kiss. The mate bond was strong, but he was in love with his doctor. His beast was clawing to be released, and Deacon growled, “Wait your turn.”
Sabrina pulled back, her eyes wide. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry. My beast is being impatient.”
“Your beast? What does it have to do with this?”
“When I complete the bond, my shifter will push to the front. I will still be in control, and I promise not to hurt you, but I will bite your neck to claim you. From what I’ve heard, you will only experience bliss when it happens.” Deacon searched Sabrina’s eyes for any hesitation, but he found none.
“I can handle bliss,” she muttered against his lips, taking control. Sabrina pushed Deacon’s jeans down far enough to get her hands on his ass. She kneaded the globes, moaning into his mouth as their tongues danced.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, Deacon pushed Sabrina back to ask, “Are you certain?” She nodded, biting her bottom lip. “Words, Pretty Lady. I need your words.”
“I’m certain. Make me yours.”
Deacon picked his mate up and laid her in the middle of the bed. He scanned her body as he removed his clothes. When he brought the box of condoms out of the drawer, Sabrina took the box and placed it in the nightstand. “We don’t need those. I stopped by my doctor today at lunch and got a shot. It’s good for six months. I want to feel you. All of you.”
That was all Deacon needed to hear. He climbed on the bed, settling between Sabrina’s legs. He pushed one knee toward her chest and slid inside her slick opening in one thrust. “I promise I’ll make love to you soon, but my beast is too close to the surface. This is going to be quick, because I can’t wait to make you mine.”
Sabrina wrapped her other leg around his hip, digging her heel in to bring him closer.
“I’m ready.”
Deacon took her at her word and thrust hard and quick. Sabrina closed her eyes and threw her head back as he hit something deep inside that had her writhing against him. His fangs dropped and his wings unfurled behind him. He begged the beast to keep the claws from popping out because he had his hands wrapped under her shoulders. “Open your eyes,” he demanded. When she did as commanded, Sabrina gasped when she caught sight of his wings. Reaching out, she ran her fingers along the rigid edge of one, and Deacon’s beast took over. Deacon roared loud enough to rattle the windows just before he lowered his mouth to the delicate skin of her neck and sank his fangs in. Sabrina cried out as her orgasm pulsed around his dick. Deacon’s release pulsed into her body as he experienced the most intense orgasm of his life. He finally remembered to retract his fangs, and he licked at the two insertion points. Sabrina continued to moan and writhe beneath him.
“I... wish... I... had fangs,” she whimpered.
Deacon stilled his movements, catching his breath. He kissed everywhere he could reach on her face, her neck, her shoulders, as Sabrina rubbed every inch of skin she could reach with her hands.
“Bliss doesn’t even come close,” she murmured as she pulled his mouth to hers. When they came up for air, she said, “My turn.” Pushing against his shoulder, Sabrina urged Deacon onto his back. Straddling his legs, she sank down on his cock that was hard and ready to go again. Deacon was mesmerized as his mate rode his cock like she owned it. She did. She owned every part of him, inside and out. Reaching for his hands, Sabrina pushed against his grip for leverage as she used her thigh muscles to raise and lower herself.
“That’s it. Take what you want,” Deacon encouraged as he fought the urge to come again. He was close, but he gritted his teeth. Now that they were mated, he vowed silently to always be a giving lover, allowing his mate to find her release first.
“Deacon,” Sabrina husked. “I… Baby, you feel too good. If I had fangs, they’d be digging into your neck every time we did this.” Her eyes stayed on his, and he could have sworn he saw love there. He felt it, but there was no way he would tell her while they were having sex. He wanted her to know he was sincere, not just throwing out words in the heat of passion.
But he wouldn’t wait too long. Not only would he tell her he loved her, Deacon would show her every day how he felt. Prove to her she made the right choice.
Sabrina knew sex with Deacon would be spectacular, but she didn’t know just how close she would feel to him. It had never been so explosive. He’d warned her the bite would enhance her orgasm, but she had a feeling every time would be just as intense. It wasn’t just the way their bodies moved together. It was the look in his eyes as he watched her ride him. As she told him before, she didn’t have to be empathic to know what he was feeling, because his face was so expressive, and in that moment, he was telling her he loved her. She loved him, too. It didn’t matter that it was quick or that she could blame it on the mate bond. She felt a connection to Deacon. An invisible tether joining their souls. Why she ever doubted him was beyond her grasp.
“I’m so close,” she whispered, her thighs burning from exertion. She was slowing down, but she didn’t want to stop.
“Let me back on top, Love. Your legs have to be on fire,” he offered. Sabrina nodded, and in a move she didn’t see coming, Deacon rolled them without pulling out. True to his word, Deacon made love to her. His movements were reminiscent of the dance he’d performed, only there was no music save the beating of their hearts, their heavy breathing, and the moans she couldn’t help from releasing. Never had she been vocal while having sex, and now she knew why. It was because she’d never been with a lover who catered to her body. Deacon rolled his hips, grinding against her clit, ensuring she found her release. He was gritting his teeth, so that let her know he was holding back for her.
Her inner walls clamped down around his cock once again, and she cried out as she came, just as hard as the last time. Deacon followed quickly, pumping in and out in short bursts, his eyes squeezed tightly. The muscles in his neck strained as he let loose another cry, not quite as loud as the first. Chest heaving, Deacon hung his head, grinning.
“I can’t believe I get to do that every day for the rest of my life,” Sabrina said.
“At least for the first fifty years. We might slow down after that.” Deacon nipped her nose with his teeth before pulling out of her body, taking their mixed release with him. Sabrina didn’t care. It was proof of their joining. Their mating. She was a mate. She would live a long life with this male, and she couldn’t be happier. Okay, that was a lie. She could be happier if things with Jerrick weren’t up in the air.
“What just happened?” Deacon asked. “You were ecstatic, and all of a sudden your mood dropped. Did I do something wrong? Are you regretting mating with me?”
“No, nothing like that.” Sabrina pushed Deacon’s shoulder to move him off her. When he was lying on his side, she turned to face him. She placed her hand on his cheek, rubbing at the stubble. “I will never regret mating with you. I was thinking how I couldn’t be happier, then Jerrick popped in my head.”
“You’ll learn our Clan is all about family. That includes Jerrick. We will make sure he’s safe away from Drago, whether it’s here, or New Orleans, or somewhere in California with your other brother. Money isn’t an object, so really, he can go anywhere he wants and be whomever he wants to be.”
“I know I’m being selfish, but I kind of want him to stay here. I just got him back.”
“If he decides to hang out at Tessa’s house in New Orleans, we can always go visit. It’s less than seven hours, and it would make a good road trip on the bike. And he’s only going to be there until we make sure the heat is off.”
“Unless he falls in love with the city and decides to stay. But again, I’m being selfish. I missed so much of his life after our mom died. I hate to say this out loud, but I was jealous. Even though I had my own grandmother, I wanted to go with my siblings. I wouldn’t have cared how poor they were. Heck, we were already poor, so it wouldn’t have been anything new. I think Jerrick resents me because I had my own grandmother and didn’t have to share her. I would have shared her in a heartbeat.”
“Let’s get cleaned up and get some rest. I’m sure you’ll want to be back at the hospital early enough to see Jerrick before you start your rounds.”
“You’re right.” Sabrina rolled to sit up, but before she stood, she looked at Deacon. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being my everything.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Now that Sabrina’s “stalker” had been identified, there was no need for her to have a shadow. Deacon drove her to the hospital after an early morning of lovemaking followed by breakfast on the patio. They entered through the back door by the morgue and stopped to say good morning to Trevor who was dancing to music coming through his earbuds. When he noticed Deacon and Sabrina, Trevor’s face morphed into a grin.
“Good morning, Deacon,” Trevor said, removing the earbuds. Holding out his hand, he said to Sabrina, “Good morning, My Lady. Trevor McKenzie at your service.” When Sabrina placed her hand in Trevor’s, he bent low and kissed the back of her knuckles. Deacon growled, even though he knew Trevor was no threat. “Easy, Big Guy. You know I only have eyes for a sexy redhead. So, what brings you to my lair?”
“Just passing through. We’re on our way to see Sabrina’s brother.”
“Ah, yes. The mythical Reborn in the flesh. Jasper was telling me about how he and Mason saved Jerrick from the Unholy. I must say, I’m a little intrigued how a man can go from human to monster to human again. That shit has to take its toll on the psyche. But I know Jerrick is in good hands having such an excellent doctor for a sister. And if the way you two are clinging to each other is any indication, the mate bond has been forged, and therefore, Jerrick has you in his corner as well. Am I right?”
“You are correct. We need to speak with Jerrick so Sabrina can get to work. Maybe you and Jasper can come by soon for a cookout?”
“We would be honored. I can’t wait to spend a little time with your mate. Tell her my story and hear all about hers.”
“I would like that,” Sabrina said. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“And you as well, My Fair Lady.” Trevor bowed deep. When he rose, he returned the earbuds to his ears and danced away from them before pulling open a drawer housing a dead body.
“He’s different,” Sabrina said, laughing as they were walking down the hallway.
“He is, but he’s a great guy. He and Jasper went through hell before they became mates, but I’ll wait and let him tell you all about it.”
Hand-in-hand, they made their way to the private area where Jerrick was. When they got to the room, Dante and Gregor were outside the door. “Good morning,” Deacon said.
Both males fisted their hearts and bowed their heads to Sabrina before shaking Deacon’s hand.
“Dante called me last night, and we had a conference call with Rafael. We’re all in agreement that Evan should be allowed to accompany Jerrick to New Orleans if that is his wish. I’ve spoken to Evan at length, and I don’t believe he should be held accountable any more than Jerrick for what they’ve been through. If the two of them can spend some time together, I think it will go a long way to helping them both heal,” Gregor said. Laughter sounded from Jerrick’s room, and Gregor smiled. “I also thought if Jerrick could talk to Evan, he’d heal from his injuries better. Shall we?”
Evan was sitting in the chair beside Jerrick’s bed. They both looked up when Deacon and the others entered the room. “Hello, Evan. It’s good to see you again. This is Sabrina Bailey, Jerrick’s sister.”
Evan stood and held out his hand. “It’s my pleasure, Ma’am.”
Sabrina blushed. “Thank you, Evan. I appreciate you coming to talk with Jerrick.”
“He and I have a lot in common.” Evan shyly glanced over at Jerrick. The vibe coming from the male was more than friendship. Deacon had never thought about either male’s sexual preference, but the way they kept stealing looks told him a lot. Maybe there would be more than healing going on in New Orleans.
“How are you feeling?” Sabr
ina asked her brother.
“Better. My wounds are fading faster than I thought possible, but I guess that has something to do with whatever I was given to reverse the Unholiness.” Everyone chuckled at his phrase.
Dante stepped up to the bed. “Julian has already started the process of getting you both new identities. You don’t have to use them if you don’t want to, but we think it would be wise for the time being.”
“What do you think? Want to become someone new?” Evan asked Jerrick.
“Definitely. The more we can do to keep Drago off our tail, the better.”
“Okay, then. Let’s do it. Uh, how are we getting to New Orleans? I don’t have a car,” Evan said.
“Don’t worry about anything,” Gregor said. “Tessa and I will take you down there and get you settled. She’s been itching to go see Lilly. With Remy helping out at the Pen, I can take a few days off to show you around. With your new identities, Julian will set up bank accounts in both your names, and we’ll leave the car with you so you don’t have to rely on public transportation.”
“Why are you being so kind?” Evan asked, his voice choking over the words. Jerrick reached out and took Evan’s hand.
Gregor smiled. “Let’s just call it trying to right the wrongs of others. Gordon Flanagan thought he was my mate’s father, and when her mother disappeared with her, Flanagan lost his mind. Even though it wasn’t Tessa’s fault, she hates having any part of the Unholy being created. More than one of our family was affected by Flanagan. That’s the short of it.”
“What about the other Reborn? What’s going to happen to them?” Jerrick asked.