by Lisa Oliver
“My mate’s bleeding.” Simon’s eyes were black and his tongue forked as it escaped his mouth.
“Accident. He broke some glass. See?” The wolf scrabbled about in the spilt beer on the floor.
“There are scratch marks on his arm.”
Darwin edged closer. Sure, the wolf scared the shit out of him, but he didn’t want to see Simon kill him.
“He kicked me in the nuts, man, then kicked me in the head when I bent over. Tell him, tell him somebody.” The wolf looked for his friends, but they’d vanished.
“I did kick him three times,” Darwin said hesitantly. “Maybe you could just throw him out?”
Simon’s eyes blazed as he turned. “He touched you. Hurt you.” Darwin’s knees trembled at the light touch across his arm.
“I didn’t smell like you.” This was the first time in over a week Darwin truly felt he had his mate’s full attention. Cam’s grin, the bar and everyone in it faded away under Simon’s glare. “Maybe you should rectify that.”
Simon let out something akin to a sob and Darwin found himself crushed in his mate’s arms. He winced as some of the glass imbedded further in his back but that was all forgotten as Simon’s lips met his. This wasn’t a gentle hello, or an it’s nice to see you again kiss. Simon’s mouth devoured him, his arms solid around Darwin’s back. Darwin’s feet left the floor as he was pulled against Simon’s body and their joint arousal filled his nose. Fates, it’s been so long. Lost in the moment, Darwin ground against Simon’s torso, his arms latched tightly around his mate’s neck, his ankles crossed and resting against Simon’s ass. When Simon went to pull away, Darwin grabbed his hair and pulled him back. Breathing was so overrated.
It was the sound of applause that finally pierced Darwin’s lust. He blushed as he realized everyone was watching; Rocky was whistling and fist pumping, Liam and Lucien clapped madly and Seth…well, Seth was engaged in some heavy petting of his own with Ra.
“Maybe you should take some time off now?” Cam laughed as he pushed past, a broom in his hand. Darwin looked up at Simon.
“Will you have a drink with me before we go home?” For a moment Darwin’s insecurities came flooding back. His mate didn’t want to be alone with him. But then he noted the protectiveness, Simon’s snake visible in his eyes and he nodded. This was Simon’s way of showing the town he was taken and if that meant Darwin’s cock was strangled in his jeans for another hour, he’d do it. Because Simon wanted him. It was written all over his face.
Chapter Eighteen
It was another two hours before Simon finally had Darwin where he wanted him – naked and in his arms, in the privacy of their room. He begrudged every second they spent at the pub, but Ra’s comments about the town thinking Darwin’s mate was dead hit him hard. He was surprised with how many people came over and congratulated them both. At least now there wouldn’t be any issues with who Darwin was mated to.
The injuries Darwin sustained from that damn wolf healed with a quick shift, the stale stink of beer washed away in a shower Darwin insisted on having alone. Simon agreed, only because he’d waited a whole week to talk to his mate and he knew one peek at Darwin’s naked soapy body would have them making love for hours.
But now the time had come to talk. Simon rehearsed the things he wanted to say every day, hoping he’d get the chance, but now the moment was here, he wasn’t sure how to start.
“Those flowers were lovely, thank you.” Darwin’s voice broke the silence.
“I wish I could take credit for them,” Simon shrugged. “I should’ve thought of it. I should’ve thought of a lot of things, but my head’s been messed up for a while.”
“Will you tell me why?” Darwin pushed himself up on his elbow. In the dim light his eyes shimmered with sadness and Simon got another punch to his gut, knowing it was his fault.
“I haven’t been well, as you know and I was worried. Worried sick.” Simon chuckled. “It wasn’t anything to do with you but I needed to find out what was going on with me before I could talk to you about it.”
“And did you? Find out what was wrong with you, I mean?”
“Yeah.” Simon nudged Darwin’s head to his neck, loving how Darwin’s breath caressed across his skin. “I will tell you but first I have to say this. I’m sorry. I know the words don’t mean much, but I’m truly sorry I gave you the impression you weren’t wanted. That was the furthest thing from my mind. At first, I thought if I could find out what was wrong with me, then we could solve the problem together. But then, I put my foot in it and upset you so badly. I didn’t realize I would get so damn tired all the time. I tried staying awake to talk to you when you got home from work. I was gutted every morning when I woke up and you were already busy.”
“Shifters can’t get sick,” Darwin’s voice was muffled by Simon’s skin. “Only mentally and I dealt with that when I was a child.”
“Your mom.”
“She and Dad were bonded mates. It was a merger between two mischiefs. Dad couldn’t stand her and was always out, getting drunk, cheating on her. She would scream and yell every time he came home and he’d just go out again. After a while she stopped screaming at him. She just spent more and more time in her room. Me and my siblings, we looked after ourselves for much of the time. Eventually, Dad came back, sent her back to her mischief and told us all to find our own way in the world.”
“How old were you then?” No wonder he has trust issues.
“Seventeen. But look.” Darwin sat up again and Simon missed his warmth. “That’s why, when you started sleeping all the time…it freaked me out. My logical mind kept reminding me a fated mate wouldn’t kick me out, but I was terrified that’s what was going to happen. That’s all my mom seemed to do, just sleep. I remember once, my younger brother Aaron slammed his finger in the door. There was blood everywhere. I banged on her bedroom door and finally broke into the room, yelling about the blood. She turned her back on me. Told me if he lived or died, she didn’t care. She said we could all go to hell for all she cared.”
“Fuck. I am so sorry,” Simon wrapped Darwin in his arms, stroking his hair. “I didn’t know. You never talked about your family. I had no idea my sleeping so much would remind you of your mom.”
“I know. I should’ve told you. I just don’t like to think about them.”
“Did I ever tell you I was originally born in snake form?” Simon would reward one trust with another. “My first ever memory is of biting my way out of my egg and seeing my older siblings crunching on the unhatched young. I didn’t even know I was a shifter until I’d reached adulthood. Freaked the hell out of me, finding out I had feet and could stand upright.”
“Oh my god, where were you at the time?”
“Arizona desert. I was halfway down a rat hole at the time. I’ve never known who my mother was, I sure as hell didn’t stick around to play with my brothers and sisters and to this day I have no clue what type of snake I am.”
“But you would’ve had to learn to talk, walk; how did you buy clothes?”
“It took me a while to work things out. I spent some time in a commune but I always knew my snake could be dangerous to others. It wasn’t until I met Ra in a bar one night…we became friends. I still don’t know to this day why he took me on, but I’ll always be thankful. I’ve been riding with him ever since.”
“I can’t imagine what that must have been like. Your life before you met Ra I mean. I’m glad you made such good friends though.”
“And now they are your friends too.” Simon inhaled the fresh scent of Darwin’s hair. His cock was leaking against Darwin’s thigh and Simon knew his mate was in the same state as he was. This talk was important although Simon had no intention of falling asleep before he’d fully claimed his mate again.
“This sickness, the reason why you sleep so much. Is that to do with your snake? Is it something that will get better over time?”
“Yeah, I imagine it will.” There’s no easy way to say this. Just spit it out
. “I’m pregnant. In about three to six months, we’re going to be parents.”
“P…P…P…Pregnant!” Darwin reared back in shock. “You mean…one time…oh my god…that’s why…why didn’t you tell me? Now I feel like a shit for not taking care of you.”
“It came as a hell of a shock to me too,” Simon wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
“Fuck. I feel awful. I didn’t do anything, I should have been with you. Instead I’ve been acting like a diva and that’s not like me. Will you ever forgive me?”
Simon caught Darwin’s hands, pulling him close. The last thing his mate needed was an attack of the guilts when it was him who should have said something weeks ago. “It’s fine, I promise. There’s nothing to forgive. I should have told you sooner. I should have pushed, but all I wanted to do when I found out was get you alone so we could talk. You were so angry with me and I couldn’t handle that in front of the others.”
“I have issues with people not thinking I’m good enough.” Darwin’s teeth tugged at his bottom lip. “My family, ex-lovers, even the shifters in the towns I went to. None of them treated me as though I was worth anything. I thought things would be different when I found my mate.” He laughed. “The stupid thing is, when I did find the difference I was looking for, I turned my back on you. I’m so sorry.”
“You have issues with trust. I do understand.” Simon stretched and ran his hand over the slight bulge in his stomach. “I’m going to have to go to the doctor soon. I have no idea if I am carrying babies or eggs, if I can shift or not, or…”
“What type of snake are you? Maybe that will give us a clue to what’s going to happen next.” Darwin’s forehead developed a cute little furrow when he was thinking and Simon’s mind turned to other matters. Like how horny he’d been for the past week. However, he’d waited a week to talk and Darwin’s easy acceptance of their impending fatherhood was a bonus he hadn’t counted on. He focused on his mate’s question instead.
“I mentioned before, I haven’t got a clue. That’s half the problem. It seems I’m a hybrid although how that’s even possible I don’t know. I am venomous but my instinct is to crush my prey, like a python and pythons don’t have venom. Mal took a picture of me once and tried to find something similar on Google, but nothing came up. I am too big for some breeds, too small for others.” Simon trailed off. Maybe he should have spent more time looking into his parentage. But then he never imagined he’d have children of his own.
“It doesn’t matter.” Darwin leaned in, his lips scorching and Simon groaned. “I’m respecting your need to talk to me,” Darwin said softly. “I’ll come to the doctor’s with you; we’ll find out all we need to know about what to do with the babies when the time comes. But is there anything else you need to get off your chest before you put that dripping length of yours to good use?”
Dripping. Gods, yes, he was. Not to mention his balls were aching and his snake itched to sink his fangs into Darwin’s neck. Simon struggled to think. There was so much more. Did they move? Live here? Did Darwin even want kids? But when Darwin’s lips suckled on his earlobe, Simon’s mind went blank. “Nothing. I’m sorry I hurt you. Fuck, I’m so horny I could bust.”
Chapter Nineteen
Darwin didn’t let a lot of things faze him. Growing up he learned to take his knocks and bounce back. Becoming a dad was the last thing he expected when Simon finally told him what was bothering him. Fortunately, he had distraction down to an art form. There was time enough to worry about fatherhood after they’d seen a doctor. Rolling over, he straddled Simon’s hips, looping his arms around his mate’s neck, marveling at how this big strong man was all his.
“You want me.” Not a question.
“Always.” Simon wrapped his beefy arms around Darwin’s waist tugging him down. “I’ve missed you so damn much.”
Guilt. Darwin had that in spades. Fortunately, Simon’s unique scent stopped his erection from flagging. “Let me take care of you for a bit,” he whispered, pulling back slightly. Simon’s arms flopped on the bed and Darwin’s fingers twitched. Acres of muscles at his disposal. Where to start?
Taking his time, Darwin nibbled along Simon’s jaw line and down his neck. Thick veins showed in stark relief, blood pumping beneath the surface and Darwin sucked on the dimple in the center of Simon’s throat, drawing up a mark. Licks along Simon’s pectorals led him to the nipples he’d been fascinated with from day one. Sure enough, with enough attention they were soon red and wet, standing in tiny peaks as Simon thrashed beneath him.
“I can feel that in my cock,” Simon moaned and Darwin grinned. His hand found the body part mentioned, his fingers scooping the dampness forming around the head, allowing his hand to gently slide down a long shaft. The nearness of his mate, the scent of his arousal was too much and Darwin scooted lower, licking around the mushroomed cap, lavishing his attention around the exposed head.
A part of him was surprised Simon appeared cut, given how Simon described his lack of upbringing, but as he looked closer he noticed no evidence of a scar. Another anomaly he and his mate could investigate later. For now, Darwin focused on driving Simon out of his mind and his efforts were working. The heavy balls under his hand flexed and tightened and he quickly pulled back.
“Hand me the lube.” He flicked out a hand, his eyes riveted on Simon’s cock. Angry red, slick with spit, Darwin longed to jump on it but he wasn’t a masochist.
“I can do it.” Simon’s voice was harsh.
“Allow me.” Amazed at his own daring, Darwin swiveled around, his shoulders between Simon’s beefy thighs, his ass in the air. It wasn’t easy, pushing lube in his own ass, but Darwin hadn’t spent thirty years dancing without being flexible. Simon’s grunts, his solid hands holding Darwin’s butt cheeks open was all the approval he needed.
“Fuck, that’s a beautiful sight.” Darwin felt a thicker finger joining his and moaned in approval. The angle he was on, he couldn’t reach his hot spot, but Simon’s finger found it easily enough. His body shuddered and Darwin knew if he didn’t get this show on the road he’d be leaving Simon hanging.
“Enough.” Pulling his hands free, Darwin turned again, holding Simon’s cock from his body with one hand, he rested the other on his mate’s chest as he slowly lowered himself. His blood pounding, his own cock dripping like a leaky faucet, Darwin wasn’t sure if his legs would hold him. This was never the easiest angle, but Darwin wanted to see Simon’s face.
Letting out a long breath as he finally felt Simon’s groin hit his butt, Darwin grinned. “Fast? Slow? A little bit of both?” He rotated his hips, groaning as Simon’s length tingled his insides.
“You’re a fucking sexy beast.” Simon proved he could also be flexible and seconds later, Darwin fell flat on his back, Simon looming over him. “It’s been too long.”
Darwin could only hold on as Simon powered into him. A strong grip on his shoulders stopped him scooting up the bed; his heart raced as he took in the man above him. There was nothing pretty about Simon. He was ruggedly handsome, his thick neck and gritted teeth showing the strain as they raced to the inevitable conclusion.
As he watched, Simon’s mouth seemed to get bigger and bigger. Darwin’s eyes widened as Simon’s fangs dropped, wickedly long and deathly sharp. Tilting his head, he barely had time to blink as he felt the pinch on his neck, followed by incredible bliss as he tumbled into orgasm. Simon’s body froze; the only thing twitching was the cock in Darwin’s ass, the only visible clue Simon had reached his climax too with his mouth otherwise engaged. Darwin moaned as the long fangs slowly slid from his skin.
“Put those fangs away,” he said lazily, ruffling Simon’s hair. “I want a kiss before you fall asleep on me again.”
“How about you fall asleep on me this time?” Simon rolled and dragged the covers up over them both and feeling better than he had in a long time, Darwin fell asleep. After he’d had his kiss of course.
Chapter Twenty
I’m going to have t
o get car seats; god knows how many. Shit, what if I don’t have babies? What if I give birth to eggs? I’ll need a tank…or…how the hell will I lay eggs? Why isn’t there a manual for this sort of shit?
Darwin’s arm slipped around Simon’s waist, comforting him as he silently panicked. Sitting in Doc Farriday’s waiting room, while the Doc tended to a little girl with a cut on her arm, Simon couldn’t shut his brain off. As soon as he’d mentioned on the phone he might be pregnant, Doc asked him a stack of questions he couldn’t answer and the three-day wait for the Doc to get in an ultrasound machine had driven Simon to thoughts of drink. Lots of drink, something Darwin warned him against, claiming it wasn’t good for developing babies. In Simon’s opinion, if he was carrying eggs it shouldn’t be a problem. The booze would just bounce off them, but he settled for a cup of chamomile tea, which only took the edge off his nerves.
Snakes have huge litters, so do mice. Gods, I could have a whole clutch inside of me. What if they’re live snakes? They could eat each other. I could end up giving birth to some giant python who comes out with a fat gut and attitude. Darwin will never be able to shift near his own child….
“Babe,” Darwin said softly. “Doc’s ready for us now.”
He is? I’m not. But with Darwin’s urging, Simon stood, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Doc. Long time no see.” He held out his hand and Farriday took it, his lips twitching.
“Simon. Have to say, I didn’t expect to hear from you, but come on back. The machine’s all set up and ready. Darwin, heard good things about you from the guys over at the bar.”
“Hi Doc,” Darwin beamed. “Simon’s a little nervous. This whole situation was unexpected.”
“I imagine it was.” Farriday’s smile got wider. “Still, with no background knowledge of your snake type, Simon, this little machine here will be able to see what’s going on inside of you. There’s nothing to worry about.”