“Exactly.” He paused. “I didn’t mean to hurt him, and I guess he didn’t mean to hurt me, of course. But I won’t be treated like chattel.”
“I think he’s learned his lesson.”
“Seems so. Think he knows I’ve missed him, too?”
“Not sure, but you could always start by telling him that.”
Eric nodded. But as he walked out onto the deck, he wasn’t sure what he actually wanted to say. Byron stood at the wheel, another thing Eric liked about him. Captains typically didn’t do that sort of thing unless the ship was in trouble, but Byron worked hard alongside his men every day. The captain went still when he noticed Eric. After a moment, Byron nodded to another man, who took over for him.
“You need something?” Byron asked.
“Just a quick word. Can we go below?”
Byron nodded and led the way to his cabin. Once the door was closed, Byron leaned on his desk, his foot tapping a soft but irregular beat in seeming nervousness. “What is it?”
“You can’t focus on this mission if you’re worried about me. About us. It could get you killed.”
“I’ve gone into many fights with things weighing on my mind before.”
“But I’d like to put your mind at ease.” He took a step forward. “I need to trust you, and it might take time to rebuild that trust. Though we haven’t talked much, I have gotten to know you on this journey. I think you got carried away after our night together.”
“I can’t claim that excuse. I planned it beforehand.”
“I know, but planning and doing aren’t the same.”
“You forgive me?”
“Yes. And I’d like to stay after this mission,” he paused, “if I’m included in the decisions. The missions you and your men take are your own affair, but I’m the one who says whether I go with you or stay in Dannis. Can you agree to that?”
Byron nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“I told Christian I don’t plan to return to your bed tonight, but now … perhaps we’ll just see how it goes.”
“We don’t have to have sex for you to sleep here.”
Eric laughed. “If I sleep here, we both know we’ll have sex. My tiger’s a bit restless, too.”
“Is it? I’d love to see it.”
“Maybe once we land. Only one of my parents was a shifter, so I get stuck sometimes.”
“Do you?” Byron smiled. “I always wanted a kitty.” Then he laughed.
Eric crossed his arms, but he was glad to see the man look happy again. “I’m not a kitty. I’m a tiger, and I think you’ll be surprised how big I am. I might rival your beast in my shifted form.”
“Really? I look forward to seeing that then. Only my mother was a shifter, but I’ve never had much trouble transforming. Though, actually, I’m a bit on the small side. For a bear.”
“Are you? Beast of a man like you?”
“Yes. My ego’s the biggest thing about me.” He chuckled. “Almost.”
Eric rolled his eyes.
“Couldn’t resist.” He shrugged. “But seriously. I’d love to see your tiger.”
Eric licked his lips. “We’ll see. I have a novel to get back to.” As he turned to go, he said, “Seems you sea captains like to kidnap people.”
“Ah, you’re reading Lady Arabella’s Folly! I named my ship after her.”
Eric stopped halfway to the door. “You’re kidding, right?” He turned back to stare at Byron.
“Not at all. It was in the trunk of my mother’s things, all I had left of her. I learned to read using that book.”
Eric nodded, trying not to laugh. “Well, I guess that makes your actions a bit more excusable.”
Byron’s gaze softened, a bit of heat coming to his eyes. “You can punish me, if you like. Any way you please.”
“I think I’ve done enough of that,” Eric said softly before walking out of the room.
Chapter Three
Byron stripped by the side of the little lagoon, anxious to feel the cool water on his skin. He’d passed a sleepless night. Though he and Eric had made peace, his lover hadn’t returned to his bed the previous evening. He longed to touch Eric again, to hold him. He’d spent days imagining what it would’ve been like if he’d waited, if he’d stayed in bed until Eric had woken up. Eric’s point was true, and it stung—Byron had indeed robbed himself of something. Hearing Eric ask to come with him was a joy he could never experience now. Eric had said he wanted to come with him after this mission, but that wasn’t anywhere near the same.
Byron lowered himself into the water and sighed. He dunked his head below the surface, briefly getting a bit tangled in his hair. He pushed it off his face when he came back up, wondering if it was time to cut a few inches off. Eric seemed to love his hair, though. He’d touched it and wound his fingers in it countless times that first night, when Byron had claimed him repeatedly until they were both exhausted. Byron felt his body respond to the memories, and he tried to push them away.
Which became much harder when he noticed Eric walking toward him, already taking his shirt off.
“Mind if I join you?” Eric asked. “I thought I’d shift, then have a quick dip.”
“Tigers like water?”
“They love it.” Eric finished shedding his clothes and rubbed his hands over his face before looking over at Byron.
Byron kept his gaze on Eric’s face, despite how much he wanted to look down. And how much he wanted to pull Eric into the water and up against his body. His erection might not be noticed if he didn’t do anything to draw attention to it.
Eric knelt and stretched a bit. “Will that go away if you shift?”
“What?”
A slow smile spread over the man’s face. “Your erection. The water’s very clear,” Eric said.
“I suppose. Never thought about it.”
“Shifting relieves tension in your body. Like exercising.”
“I guess it has helped me take the edge off.”
Eric got on his hands and knees and stretched some more. “Shift with me. I’d like to see your bear. I’ve only known one bear shifter. Haven’t seen him for years.”
“Was he someone special?” Byron asked as he came up out of the water, very conscious of his erection bobbing before him.
Eric eyed him a moment. “No. Just a friend.” He straightened and sat back on his heels. “I’ve only been with one man besides you. And he was the one who made me realize I prefer a … rougher touch. But it was a one-night stand. I wasn’t lying, though. He didn’t break my heart. Just left me longing for more of something I’d only just discovered.”
“I know the feeling.” He pulled at his hair, which clung to his back. “No excuse for kidnapping you, but…”
“It’s all right,” Eric said. “Come on. Let’s have some fun.”
All right? Does he really mean that, or does he simply not want to talk about it? Byron would’ve preferred getting back in the lagoon and taking Eric up against the edge of it as the cool water splashed around them in time to their fucking, but he went still as Eric began to shift. The way the stripes of color appeared as the fur sprouted struck Byron more than anything else. Once he’d transformed fully, Eric walked over to Byron and nuzzled the outside of his thigh, rubbing his jaw the way Byron had seen cats do dozens of time.
“You marking me as yours?” Byron asked.
Eric looked up at him, his eyes golden now. Then he nudged at Byron with his nose.
“All right, I’m shifting. Just admiring you. You’re so beautiful.”
Eric backed up a bit, stretching again.
Byron stretched his own arms above his head and then crouched to begin his shift. He felt his beast roaring within as the shift came, and he tried to calm his bear down. But it sensed its mate near, and it wanted to be closer, to feel the tiger’s fur and take in his scent.
Once he was done shifting, Byron approached Eric slowly. His own fur was the same brown as his hair, but he’d always been a bit small. Eric
’s tiger was in fact much bigger than Eric’s human form, far bigger than Byron had expected. Now, Eric was the larger male, and Byron wondered if this would change their dynamic.
They sniffed each other, and Byron couldn’t resist licking at Eric’s neck to try to taste his skin. Eric backed away, and Byron waited. He worried he’d done something wrong until Eric came forward again and touched their noses together.
Then he bopped Byron on his snout and scampered away playfully. He swished his tail and held his body in anticipation of a chase. Byron came forward a bit and smacked one paw against Eric’s ass. Eric circled him and head-butted Byron on his ass before running away. Byron gave chase, and they circled again, trading soft blows. Byron ran this time, but Eric caught him, pouncing on him and making him roll to his side.
They wrestled together, and Byron felt the last of the tension melt away. He loved feeling the strength of Eric’s body, and the playfulness made it feel as if everything was going to be all right between them. He’d do all he could to win Eric’s trust back, and eventually win his heart.
Byron only wished he’d realized sooner that claiming Eric’s heart was far more important than claiming his body. He’d spent days watching Eric, and he saw a strength and determination that he admired.
Eric wiggled away and raced back to the lagoon, jumping in and making a huge splash. He swam around, looking very cute, though Byron didn’t think he’d tell the man that any time soon. Byron joined him, washing the dirt from his fur. Eric went under the surface, and when he emerged, he was in human form again. He inched back to one side of the lagoon and looked over at Byron.
“Get over here and fuck me already,” Eric said.
Byron shook himself and transformed, anxious to have Eric in his arms again. Once he did, he simply held the man and looked into his eyes.
“What?” Eric asked, their lips an inch apart.
“Just admiring you.” He captured Eric’s lips and grabbed him by the ass, lifting him and sliding into him easily.
Eric gasped into Byron’s mouth before wrapping his arms and legs around him. The kiss didn’t break for more than a second until they were both trembling and on the edge of release. Byron held Eric’s face in one hand as his own orgasm hit him, and Eric gasped. Then Byron felt the heat of Eric’s cum against his stomach. He buried his face against Eric’s neck and kissed his heated skin as they both came down from their frenzied pleasure.
“I’ll never disrespect you again,” Byron said.
Eric pressed his lips to Byron’s ear. “You better not. My claws are bigger than yours.”
Byron smiled as their bodies relaxed. “Aye, I’ll give you that.” He drew back and smiled at Eric.
Their lips met again, and Byron managed to forget every other care he had except making this man his.
* * * *
Eric lay in Byron’s arms, sated and tired. While everyone else had been resting up for the conflict to come, he and Byron had exhausted themselves enjoying each other. Their disagreement seemed to have increased Byron’s passion for him, and Eric felt a little jolt of pleasure travel up his spine as he shifted positions and noted a certain soreness, which Byron had caused with his adamant claimings.
“Is that a good grunt?” Byron asked.
“Didn’t realize I’d grunted,” Eric said, “but yeah, it is.”
“I wasn’t too rough?”
“No.” Eric ran his hand over Byron’s hard, muscled chest. “But I think I’ve made you even more possessive.”
“It was hard to have you here yet feel so far from you.” Byron shifted to look into Eric’s eyes. “You already mean so much to me.”
Eric studied Byron’s face. Many shifters believed they had spirit mates. When a shifter found its spirit mate, its inner beast wouldn’t give up until it possessed the other person completely. Eric wouldn’t deny that Byron called to his inner beast more than any other ever had, but he wasn’t about to volunteer the information. He thought they could be happy, yet Byron lived a very dangerous and ever-changing lifestyle. “You mean a lot to me, too. I’m worried about tomorrow. What have the scouts said? I know you spoke to Christian earlier.”
“There is a ship at anchor, but it’s not too close. Not flying a banner of any kind. Probably to make it less obvious where Drake is. But I know the spot. There aren’t many men with him, but we won’t take any chances.”
“And you’ll keep your word and let me come with you?”
“Yes, much as I wish to keep you safe here.”
“Wouldn’t you rather have me fighting at your side? You’ve seen my abilities yourself. Christian went easy on me at first, until he saw what I could do.”
“You’re an excellent fighter, but if this mission weren’t so important, we’d be heading to my estate on the main island. Enjoying the gardens and the hot spring and christening half a dozen bedrooms.” Byron pushed him to his back and kissed him deeply, pressing close and covering Eric’s flesh with his own.
“You have a permanent home?”
“Yes. It’s large but still manageable. I’d love to take you there. I’ve never wanted to show it off before, but now I’m glad I took such care in building it. Designed it myself.”
“Did you? Is it the ideal hideout for an adventurer such as yourself?” Eric teased.
Byron laughed and kissed his neck. “It would make a terrible hideout—much too conspicuous—but escaping from the world? It’s perfect for that.”
“How often are you there to enjoy it?”
“A few times a year.” Byron gazed into his eyes. “But … if we capture Drake … part of my reason for doing this will be gone. I won’t retire, but I may take more time for myself.”
“Ah.”
“Which would mean more time for you.” Byron’s hand moved up and down Eric’s side.
“I’ve worked hard for the life I have. For my position in Dannis. It’s a lot to give up.”
Byron hesitated before saying, “I know.”
“But we can talk about it. Talk being the key word.”
“I understand.” Byron rolled back to his side and asked, “Would you be angry if I said I don’t regret kidnapping you?”
“Not angry but … curious.”
“About what?”
Eric asked, “Would you do it again?”
“No.”
Feeling mischievous, Eric sighed dramatically. “Too bad. I rather like the brutish side.”
Byron stared a moment before narrowing his eyes, which made Eric laugh. Byron licked his lips and asked, “You’re going to keep me guessing, aren’t you?”
“Maybe a bit. I simply couldn’t resist teasing you.” He paused before adding, “But maybe, at times, we could pretend you had kidnapped me.” He looked up into Byron’s eyes. “Just for fun.”
Byron’s gaze heated, and he slowly pinned Eric against him, never looking away. “You don’t even know how much power you already have over me, do you?”
Eric lowered his gaze, trying to look shy and coy. “Power? Over you?” He gazed back up and whispered, “No idea what you’re talking about.”
Byron kissed him slowly, gently, and then rolled again so Eric lay atop him. “We need sleep.”
“We do.” He settled his head on Byron’s chest, amazed how comfortable it actually was to lie on top of the other man. After a few breaths, he whispered, “I’m flattered, though.”
Byron stroked his back and chuckled softly. “I thought you said you had no idea what I was talking about.”
“Hmmm. Guess I did.” He rested his hand over Byron’s heart. “Still flattered,” he added before sleep began to take hold.
Byron murmured something else, but Eric found he couldn’t remember it as sleep took over.
* * * *
As they prepared for their day in the growing light of the rising sun, Byron watched Eric carefully and soon felt confident the other man hadn’t heard his final words the previous night.
Imagine how you’ll feel when
I tell you I’m already in love with you.
His tired brain hadn’t been able to stop him from spilling what was in his heart, but luckily it seemed as if Eric had been even more exhausted in both body and mind. Byron had felt the connection when they were both shifted, and their day of lovemaking had only served to convince him even more. Everything was different with Eric. Everything. He’d always thought of “lovemaking” as something he did slowly and gently with a delicate woman, but that idea had changed completely that first night with Eric.
As he finished getting dressed, Byron silently sent up prayers to the gods. He truly felt he needed a good dose of Wyld’s wisdom, Kyros’s strength, and Vena’s mercy. Deep down, he worried his luck might soon run out. He worked so hard for everything he had, as he had his entire life. He’d never believed in luck before, not really. He’d lost his mother before she could even hold him, and he’d been handed to a father who had never deserved to be called such. But finding Eric the way he did? That had to be either luck or fate. Though he wouldn’t confess it to anyone, not even Eric or Christian, he became uneasy when too many things went his way. Now that he’d found Eric, would Drake slip through his fingers? Or if he captured Drake, would something happen to separate him from Eric?
Byron had a feeling his new lover would laugh at such thoughts, but he planned on keeping his guard up all day. Given the value Eric put on being given a choice, Byron doubted he’d take to the idea of fate having brought them together or the gods having plans for them. He couldn’t begin to imagine how Eric would react to an actual confession of love. He almost feared the younger man would laugh at him.
And yet he still longed to say the words.
“If you watch me like this all day, we’re sure to fail,” Eric said, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. A grin soon spread over his face, though.
“I’m glad to have you back in my bed. Let me be a little sentimental while we’re still alone,” Byron said.
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