by Jools Louise
Sketch shrugged, flushing a little. “I was an asshole back then,” he admitted. “I thought I knew it all, and I was a hotheaded idiot. When she fought back and bit me and I saw what was inside her, the feline side, I thought it was so cool that I envied her. I really wanted to be a shifter, too. I learned a lesson that day: that often hatred comes out because of a hatred of ourselves. It’s like a projection of the things we despise the most about our own character, and we lash out at the nearest thing, because otherwise we’d have to admit that we’re the ones who are flawed, not our victims.” He met David’s gaze steadily. “Ghost, your father, Purdy, and all those others that you mentioned are flawed, deeply. It’s a reflection of their own characters that they don’t recognize that, but lash out at everyone around them, blaming others for their own stupid mistakes and decisions. What you are, what you’ve become, despite everything your father threw at you, just proves that you’re your own man. Don’t let anyone bring you down. You’re a gifted teacher, and the people in town have so much love and respect for you. It’s breathtaking to watch.”
David flushed at the praise and ducked his head. Sketch wasn’t letting him hide, though, and placed a gentle hand beneath David’s chin to tilt his face up. With a low groan, Sketch dipped his head, his lips meeting David’s softly at first, then with increasing passion as David opened for him, allowing his lover to take what he wanted. David’s cock thickened in an instant, surging with arousal and pushing uncomfortably against the dark slacks he wore. He felt Sketch’s cock, thick and engorged, grinding against him, and he gasped aloud, then groaned at the added stimulation.
“Sketch, I want you,” David croaked out, clutching at Sketch’s big biceps, holding on as his legs trembled beneath him.
The bigger man eased away and began peppering soft kisses all over David’s upturned face, making David laugh softly. “How about we take this into the shower?” Sketch suggested, and claimed David’s lips again for another ravenous kiss that scorched David’s senses. “I need help washing my back,” Sketch added, and grinned wickedly against David’s kiss-swollen mouth.
In response, David pulled back, grabbed Sketch’s hand, and led him into the bathroom. The phone rang just as they started to kiss again, and they both groaned in dismay.
“I should get that,” David mumbled against Sketch’s addictive mouth. His lover moaned, squeezed his ass, and then nodded reluctantly. David left his mate and went to give the caller a piece of his mind.
Chapter Five
Sketch saw the look of frustration on David’s face, mixed with a fear that had the bigger man concerned. “What’s wrong, baby?” he asked, standing quickly. He’d placed a plastic cover over his cast while he waited for his mate to return, and dragged into the stall a plastic white chair in readiness. He had some ideas about how he and David could share a shower without him toppling over and embarrassing himself.
“That was Ryder,” David said, frowning thoughtfully and looking worried. “Ghost is in custody, on his way to the shifter jail upstate. That’s where Daniel is incarcerated.”
He began to strip, almost absentmindedly, and Sketch nearly swallowed his tongue as his mate’s beautiful torso was revealed. Cut to perfection, David had a lean, toned physique that was powerful yet sleek, lithe like a sea lion. The play of muscles under his golden skin had Sketch wanting to lick all that gorgeous flesh over and over, and he actually drooled at the thought, trying to concentrate as David spoke again.
“Apparently they’re concerned, thinking that Ghost had an accomplice or that he did something that may harm the tournament. They’re searching town right now, but they want a group of people to check out the ranch and sports complex.” David undid his pants, then shucked them and his boxer shorts to reveal his long, thick cock, nicely plump but not completely engorged yet. Sketch bit back a smile, seeing that his lover hadn’t realized he was stripping down in front of a man who he barely knew, without a care in the world. It said a lot for David’s distraction, or maybe that David was feeling a lot more comfortable around his sexual nature.
“When do they want us to search?” Sketch asked, feeling his cock elongate and rise in a slow, lazy arc as he viewed David’s naked body.
“Er…they want us to do a search…er…fairly soon,” David stammered, his eyes widening suddenly. Sketch watched the awareness in his blue eyes, and the tip of a pink tongue peep out to lick at David’s dry lips. “Er…I guess we should shower quickly,” he mumbled, his gaze sweeping Sketch’s body, viewing his mate with flattering desire.
“I’m all yours,” Sketch replied huskily, breathing more deeply as David met his gaze, the hunger there making him groan.
“Let me…” David began, then seemed to give up the ability to speak. Instead he stepped closer, reaching for Sketch, and then ran his hands over Sketch’s big chest, a reverent look on his face. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, and dipped his head, nuzzling into the manscaped mat of chest hair that smattered Sketch’s pecs. A groan escaped Sketch’s lips, and he took a deep breath, feeling the ache in his groin, the sudden pounding of his heart.
“Baby, I don’t think I’ll last for too long,” he said in a choked whisper, gripping David’s short ponytail and cupping the man’s sexy ass as David found one flat brown nipple and began nibbling the tautening bud. “It’s been a while for me.”
David looked up from beneath lush dark lashes tipped with gold. “Then let me help blow the cobwebs away,” he teased, taking Sketch’s breath away with the sultry promise, a first from the usually shy young man.
Before Sketch could catch another lungful of oxygen, David dropped to his knees, pushed Sketch into the chair, and then knelt between Sketch’s spread thighs. He reached up to flip on the shower, and they both gasped as a cascade of cool water flowed down like rain on them.
“Be gentle,” Sketch said. He groaned again when David sent him a wicked grin, winked audaciously, and then took Sketch’s thick cock between his lips. The bigger man bucked involuntarily at the feel of warm, wet heat surrounding his dick, his head lolling back as his lover began to explore every inch of his long-neglected cock. Leaving no inch untouched, David dipped into the tiny piss slit and swirled around the spongy head, then investigated the crown with avid curiosity.
“Hmmm, you’re delicious,” David said approvingly, the vibration nearly causing Sketch to lose his load too soon.
“Oh, God,” Sketch mumbled, closing his eyes as David took a couple more inches into his mouth.
“No, just me,” David replied, laughing suddenly. Sketch yelped when he felt sharp fangs graze his cock, and tensed, then relaxed again when David winked at him. “Relax, stud. I just want a taste, not the whole meal.”
“Shit, guys, you started without us,” Skull suddenly said as he entered the bathroom. Sketch heard a low yelp of surprise from David and a husky chuckle from their other mate. He opened one eye, looked down, and met Skull’s sexy turquoise gaze. “Hmmm, I’ve been wanting to taste this gorgeous ass for ages,” the wolverine said, winking at Sketch.
David groaned again when Skull spread his butt cheeks with both hands, then buried his face between the smooth globes. Slurping and nipping and nuzzling, Skull went to work, driving David crazy.
“Fuuuck,” Sketch said. He moaned, watching the show intently. He jerked a little when David began sucking his cock again, his blond head bobbing up and down as he moved onto hands and knees, allowing Skull better access. Water leaked from the stall since the door was open, and pooled on the floor of the bathroom. Nobody cared, intent on pleasure and exploring new territory.
A second later, unable to hold back any longer, Sketch bucked again, driving his cock deep into David’s hungry mouth, and came hard, dumping about a gallon of thick, creamy cum down the back of his lover’s throat. David swallowed every bit, groaning huskily as he drank down the salty fluid. Sketch tightened his grip on David’s ponytail, lifting his head and leaning down and capturing his lover’s lips in a hard, hungry kiss. A
second later he felt the spatter of warm cum across his thighs, cock, and abs as David lost control and jetted his seed every which way, his entire body trembling with the force of his release.
“Oh, so fucking good, baby.” Skull let out a growl. Sketch watched him crawl around, take David’s still-spurting cock into his mouth, and suck down the last few drops, moaning in delight.
“Oh, fuck, that’s worth coming home for,” Kaden said. He snarled with pleasure as he entered the bathroom, eyeing the three men lustily. Sketch saw him drop his pants and throw them into the corner of the bathroom. The big lion shifter slapped Skull’s ass sharply, then plunged two fingers into the smaller man’s hole, after liberally lubing them from a tube on the shelf. The act had Skull moaning like a two-dollar whore, bucking his hips against the man’s sudden invasion.
“Keep sucking, baby,” Kaden commanded, kneeling behind Skull, parting his cheeks, and then surging forward with his hips, driving his thick cock deep inside the man’s ass. Skull howled out his pleasure, which had David moaning against Sketch’s lips.
“Oh, lord, that’s amazing,” David cried out.
“Oh, yeah.” Skull snarled as Kaden began fucking him with hard, driving strokes. “Kaden, sweetie, you’re a fucking delight, my love,” he said, chuckling, his fist now around David’s dick. The slap of flesh meeting flesh reverberated around the stall, the warm water sluicing down on the occupants as their moans and sighs and sultry murmurs blended into the harmony. Sketch reached over, clenched his fist around Skull’s thick cock, and pumped his fingers up and down until the sexy wolverine shifter gave a gasping cry and came, spurting over David, Sketch, and whatever else was in the way.
“Fuuuck.” Kaden grunted and then convulsed, his head thrown back in ecstasy. Skull cried out again as the bigger shifter came, as well. Kaden shuddered, then collapsed over Skull’s back, still wedged inside his mate. Sketch stroked his fingers through the mess of come that coated his abs, and fed both David and Skull, who shared the treat with a hungry duel of tongues. Joining in, Sketch enjoyed a sexy three-way smooch, loving the zing of flavors as he got to know his lovers.
“Welcome home,” Sketch drawled to Kaden and Skull, who laughed at his droll tone.
“Oh, yeah.” Kaden sighed, smiling widely. “That was definitely worth the wait. Wow.”
* * * *
“Douglas said that Ghost kept coming over here, whenever he could get a ride,” Kaden said as the quad got dressed after their little interlude. They’d spent another half hour playing in the shower, then reluctantly got ready to help search the place for whatever it was that Ghost might have been up to. “The guy isn’t talking, but apparently Rafe is going to take on the role of interrogator over at the prison.” Rafe was mated to Archie and Lucas and had been well versed in that role, something he rarely did anymore, unless there was a distinct urgency or danger to the town. This was only the second time since the town had begun to be rebuilt that he’d been called on to extract information from hostiles. The first had been to speak at length to Daniel Steadman when he’d been taken into custody after the Colorado rescue.
“What do you think he’d be able to accomplish?” David asked, frowning. “The guy was in a wheelchair, for goodness’ sake. He wouldn’t be able to do that much harm, surely?”
Kaden stared at him grimly. “You’d be surprised what a man like that can get done, give his motivation. Flashpoint could have infiltrated the camp where the competitors are staying. Even without them, it would be easy enough to leave a duffel bag or backpack filled with explosives in a locker or behind the stands at any one of the venues, and there’d be carnage.”
David blanched, looking sick. “You’re right,” he said, flushing. “After what happened in Sage, when it was obliterated, I shouldn’t be surprised at what evil can accomplish. Ghost sounds as though he has a lot of hate and anger built up inside him.”
“Those hound dogs that we took off the Flashpoint losers a couple of weeks ago may come in handy for seeking out explosives,” Skull said, shrugging when all eyes turned to him. “Hey, they’re not evil; they’re just dogs,” he replied. “And their noses are as good as ours, if not better, since they shouldn’t get too distracted when given a task to do.”
“We can’t tell Alfie what’s going on,” David urged as he zipped up his jeans and pulled on a pair of socks. “We don’t want him fretting over what’s happening. He has enough to worry about as it is.”
Kaden frowned at that. “I don’t want to tell him unless it’s absolutely necessary,” he agreed. “But since he’s been all over the site, maybe he’d be the best person to speak to. He’d have seen anyone acting suspiciously, I’d think.”
David stared at his mate, frowning, and then nodded slowly. “Actually, you might be right. He has been flitting from one place to another. I think maybe he’s been sleeping here, too.”
“No, love, Jay or Mason have been making sure their mate doesn’t overdo it,” Skull said, smiling slightly. “They’re never too far behind Alfie, watching over him. When he gets too squirrelly, they distract him for an hour or two and calm him down again.” He grinned widely. “Judging by the look on Alfie’s face when he returns, he isn’t minding that too much.”
David grinned back, chuckling. “Alfie used to be such a sweet, timid little guy,” he said, shaking his head ruefully as he tugged on a pair of sneakers. “Then, once he felt safe and found his mates, he blossomed into the man we know now. I love him to bits. He’s so fiercely loyal and protective of his friends, and he’ll actually go for anyone who disses the town or anyone in it.”
Kaden snorted at that, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Don’t I know it,” he retorted with a smirk. “My buddy Slade got the sharp end of Alfie’s temper when we first arrived. He called Alfie ‘girlie’ and got a face full of leopard fangs and claws for his trouble.”
Skull and Sketch chuckled in unison. “Alfie’s organized this whole Two Spirit Tournament,” Sketch said admiringly. “I’m not surprised he gets a little irritable when people don’t appreciate his efforts. I’ve been roped in to help at the gates when the opening ceremony begins. The stadium is completely full, and we’re setting up monitors at the camp, for anyone who can’t get in to watch the show. It should be a blast.”
“Let’s hope it’s not that big a blast,” Kaden cut in dryly.
They all laughed, then grew serious again.
“Then let’s go search for hidden bombs,” Skull said. “The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can all relax again and get ready for the games to begin.”
Chapter Six
Alfie stared at the large sack curiously, sniffing it cautiously. He reeled back as he caught the distinctive scent of a substance he’d hoped never to smell again. Explosives. Scowling, he glared at the sack that he’d just found beneath the bleachers of the main stadium. Some moron was trying to stop their tournament. With all the douchebags who inhabited the earth, and the steady stream of online abuse he’d seen directed at the Two Spirit Tournament website, he wasn’t particularly surprised. It was sad that he’d been expecting some kind of violence, when their tournament was supposed to be a celebration of hope and unity and friendly competition.
He tilted his head, sighing. There would be more devices, he was sure of it, and he tried to think about who had been in this vicinity recently. He remembered Ghost, the guy who had just been arrested that day, and figured he would be a likely culprit. The man had been a little off, sort of friendly but not genuine about it. Alfie hadn’t liked him too much. The guy had looked at him as though he’d just stepped in something nasty. As though Alfie were beneath him somehow. He’d hidden it well at first, but cracks had started appearing, and the man’s true nature began to appear more often. There were plenty of competitors, ex-soldiers and others in wheelchairs or who had some kind of impairment, who were happy about taking part, eager to show off and join in the tournament any way they could. People like Ghost were born nasty, in Alfie’s opinion.
Gingerly, Alfie unzipped the sack. He stared down at the mess of wires, ball bearings, and shards of metal, as well as a digital timer that was counting down slowly. Blue, red, and black wires were all tangled up, with one yellow one showing up like a neon sign. Maybe that was the dummy wire, designed to trick a person into cutting it first. He did love yellow, though, and eyed the bomb carefully. Nope, this was a job for someone less electronically challenged. He’d seen enough CSI and NCIS shows to be wary of the thing he was looking at. It may be booby-trapped. He palmed his cell phone, then wondered if the signal may trigger the device. Shit. What did he do now?
“Whatcha doing, Alfie?” a familiar childish voice asked. Alfie froze, closing his eyes with a sigh, and a hard ball of fear wedged itself just beneath his heart.
“Hey, Murray,” he replied, smiling as he turned, and then his eyes widened in horror as he spied Blue, Primrose, Honey, Candy, and Moe standing there. Where the hell had Moe come from? Wasn’t he supposed to be at home, in their nice apartment in Sage?
“We’re havin’ a sleepover,” Blue said, grinning his wicked little smile that had most of the adults in a constant state of alertness.
“Doesn’t that imply that you’re supposed to be sleeping?” Alfie asked, eyeing the six mini critters warily. He chewed at one of his cerise-colored nails nervously, stepping to the side to block the sight of the bomb from the curious children.
Candy giggled at his reply, looking cute as a button in her all-in-one sleep suit decorated with strawberries and cherries, her two favorite fruits. “We’re not tired yet,” she said. “We wanted to practice for the tournament.”
Alfie gulped, then squealed in alarm when Moe moved closer, looking at the bag with the bomb in it. “Is that a bomb?” he asked, leaving Alfie to blink at him in surprise. How did a three-and-a-half-year-old know about bombs? Moe looked up, his golden-brown eyes a little sad. “Daddy made a bomb to put under the house that we lived in, in the woods,” he explained. “It looked a lot like this one. There was something called a detonator and a trigger and all kinds of wires, just the same, with yellow and black and red and blue colors. It looked like spaghetti.” The other children giggled at the description until Moe dropped the punch line. “Daddy was gonna blow us all up because he didn’t like us very much,” he said, his lower lip wobbling as his eyes filled with tears.