“The way I feel at the moment there’s not gonna be much teasing,” Gavin muttered. Deft hands unfastened his belt and the button at the top of his jeans fly. He pushed the denim down his hips, taking his boxer briefs with them. Seconds later, he posed in front of Charlie, proudly naked and aroused.
“Can I touch?”
“Hell yeah.”
Charlie closed the distance between them and ran his hands over Gavin’s shoulders. He pinched one nipple to a place just shy of pain. Gavin grunted, spreading his stance and silently daring Charlie to go further. Not a problem. Charlie had ached to touch Gavin intimately all day, had craved it. Trailing his fingers across the muscles of Gavin’s chest, he dipped his head to take nibbles. Sometimes just a gentle scoring and at other times a sharp nip. Each sigh he dragged from Gavin, each moan of pleasure sent blood crowding into Charlie’s cock. Hunger pulsed through him, a need, a desire to be slaked. He licked a nipple then sucked hard before pulling back to observe the string of red marks on Gavin’s chest. His marks. A sense of possessiveness swept through him, contentment.
His marks.
His man.
Charlie ran his hands over Gavin’s rib cage and smiled at the subtle shiver beneath his fingertips. His mate wanted this as much as he did. He licked across the faint indentations, tasting saltiness. He lifted his head to study Gavin’s face. “My goal is to drive you crazy with wanting.”
“It’s working.” Gavin’s fingers threaded through his hair, tugging until Charlie experienced a smarting ache. Pleasure sang through him at the way his touch drove Gavin. Taking his time, he explored the muscular belly, bypassing the hard ridge of his cock to take a bite from the delicate flesh of Gavin’s inner thigh. He stroked both thighs, enjoying the flex of muscles as Gavin shifted his weight. The musky scent of his mate filled his nostrils with each breath, and unable to resist, he breathed warm air over the tender skin, moving closer and closer to his testicles. Aroused male with a hint of soap. Nothing better.
Charlie licked his lips and nuzzled Gavin’s balls with his lips, barely touching at first.
“No more teasing. Please. I need you now.”
Good idea because, damn, he needed now too. Gradually his lips became firmer, more aggressive without causing pain, taking a ball in his mouth and licking. When he released it, saliva glistened on the taut surface. He traced the seam between with his tongue, glorying in Gavin’s harsh intake of air, the sting caused by the grip Gavin had on his hair.
“I can’t wait to fuck you,” Gavin said, his voice thick with pleasure.
Charlie glanced up with a grin, noting the arousal glittering in his mate’s eyes. “And do I get a turn?”
“Yeah.” Promise shone on Gavin’s face along with lust. “I’d like that, although you’re gonna have to take it easy on me.”
Charlie understood. “It had been a while for me too. Sitting was difficult today.”
Gavin caressed his jaw, the slight rasp reminding Charlie he hadn’t shaved. He’d meant to.
“Are you okay for another round?” Concern shaded Gavin’s voice when he stared down at him.
“I’m fine. I’d tell you if I wasn’t.”
“Good. You gonna carry on? It’s drafty standing here with no clothes.”
“And yet you couldn’t wait to take them off.” Charlie stroked him, ran a finger the length of his shaft. Gavin ground into his touch, desperate for release. “Easy.”
“Where you’re concerned. Yeah, I’m easy. Probably won’t change anytime soon.”
Gavin’s acknowledgment filled Charlie with satisfaction. He didn’t voice it but showed his approval with touch, his mouth and fingers. Closer and closer they moved, up strong thighs until he cupped Gavin’s taut balls and kissed them again. His heart pounded, heat swirling through him. His own jeans were uncomfortable now, but Charlie didn’t stop. The urge to drive Gavin into climax filled him. Pleasure. For the first time he wanted to give. Waiting for his own pleasure didn’t bother him in the slightest. He licked along the crease of Gavin’s thigh and strayed onto the root of his erect penis.
Gavin’s growl of pleasure echoed in the small room. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Charlie grinned. “No, I’m torturing myself, seeing how much pressure my jeans can take.”
“Let me help you undress.”
“Not yet.” Charlie halted the conversation by running his tongue from the tip of Gavin’s cock to the base. He rubbed his cheek against the hard shaft, inhaling deep. “I want to taste you.”
“What’s stopping you?”
“I’d like to enjoy every step rather than rushing.”
Gavin shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “You realize I’m stronger than you? My feline genes give me extra power. I could jump you, toss you on the bed and have my wicked way before you even blinked.”
Charlie rocked back on his heels so he could see Gavin’s face. “Is that a warning or a promise?”
A frown creased Gavin’s brow. “I’d never brutalize you. Never. Shit, that didn’t come out right. I meant to tease you not to scare you into thinking our relationship will be anything but a partnership.” Gavin dragged a hand through his hair, and by the time he’d finished, it stood up in dark tufts. “Anything we’ll do will be consensual, Charlie.”
“I’m a fair judge of character. It comes with the cop territory. Do I looked worried?”
Gavin shook his head, the tenseness leaving his shoulders. “Good. Can we get back to where we left off? You were about to take my cock into your mouth.”
Charlie sniggered before grasping Gavin’s cock and taking the tip into his mouth. Saltiness sprang across his taste buds and he moaned when seconds later another bead of pre-cum flowed free. He rasped his tongue over the crown and started moving, taking Gavin deeper and doing everything he liked, everything that turned him inside out, to his mate. Gavin’s hands tightened in his hair, but apart from that, he remained still, letting Charlie work at his own pace.
A sense of power filled him while he pleasured Gavin. His head moved in a steady rhythm while his hands kneaded the globes of Gavin’s ass and his tongue explored every inch.
“Damn I like that.” Gavin’s hips jerked when Charlie swirled his tongue across the head of his cock and used a little suction. Back and forth he swept his tongue, dragging a harsh groan from Gavin. Charlie ran a finger down Gavin’s perineum and drifted it across his puckered entrance. Gavin moaned again and Charlie upped the pace, greedily sucking and making loud appreciative noises. He hummed, knowing how much he liked the sensations combined with the heat of a willing mouth.
Gavin’s hips moved again, sliding his cock over Charlie’s tongue. Together they moved in a down-and-dirty dance, pleasure soaring with each choked sound and teasing stroke.
Gavin’s cock swelled, his balls drawing up tight. His hands tightened to a painful grip on Charlie’s head, and he thrust. A second thrust brushed Gavin’s cock over the flat of his tongue, and with a feral growl, his mate climaxed, large body shuddering while pleasure poured through him. Charlie swallowed, a little semen escaping to run down his chin. When Gavin stilled and released Charlie’s head, he wavered on his feet, making Charlie laugh. Gavin sank onto the single bed, breathing hard.
Another snicker attracted Gavin’s full attention. His eyes glowed and his pupils seemed more catlike than Charlie had noticed previously. “Isn’t it about time you took off your clothes? We could have fun.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I think it sounds like a plan,” Gavin said. “Come here. Let me undress you.”
Charlie didn’t have to be told twice. But Gavin didn’t undress him. He stroked and petted, drawing out the pleasure and the unveiling of his body. Shoes. Socks. His T-shirt came loose from his jeans and warm hands slid across his stomach. Gavin tugged until Charlie stood between his straddled legs. A smile that seemed a touch predatory curled across Gavin’s mouth.
“Just the right height.”
Charlie sm
iled down at Gavin, loving the teasing in him. But it was the intent shadowing the humor that made the heat roar through Charlie. “The right height for what?” Oh he knew. He just wanted to hear Gavin verbalize it.
“I want to taste you.”
“No one’s stopping you.” He let Gavin see his challenge.
“I’ll have you purring in no time.”
“I’m not feline.”
Gavin smirked at him. “Doesn’t matter. You’ll purr.” Nimble fingers dealt with the button and zipper of his jeans. He peeled them down, the tip of his tongue poking through his lips while he concentrated on the task.
The rest of his clothes disappeared, ending up tossed on the floor.
Satisfaction glowed on Gavin’s face. “That’s more like it.”
A stream of warm air teased Charlie’s cock when Gavin spoke. Charlie sighed, shifting his weight, the prickle of awareness throbbing through his groin while he waited for Gavin’s next move. Although he should have suffered impatience, instead he enjoyed the attention, of being the focus of his lover. And as he’d already learned tonight, giving was almost as good as receiving pleasure.
“On the bed,” Gavin barked.
“Huh?”
“Bed. Now.”
Understanding and acceptance came and Charlie nodded, obeying the order. His cock jerked with a surge of lust. He settled in the middle of the bed and sprawled out in comfort. While he stared up at Gavin, his hand went to his cock and he stroked himself. “Am I breaking any rules?”
Gavin stood and snorted. “You want me to spank you?”
“I don’t know if I want to go that far, although I had a girlfriend who liked me to spank her. Really got off on it.”
“We should try it some time.”
A sizzle of white-hot heat shot to his groin. Charlie’s eyes narrowed, and he slid his hand up and back down his dick. Perhaps he wouldn’t discount the idea. “Maybe. Nothing wrong with experimenting.”
“I have a toy collection.”
“You’re full of surprises,” Charlie said, his heart beating a little faster. Who would have guessed?
“I’ve had girlfriends. Experimented.” His eyes glittered and his brows rose in a silent challenge. “You want me to do that for you? My patients tell me I have good hands.”
“Sounds like a plan, that’s if we’re talking about you handling my cock. Might have to work up to kink, even though it sounds interesting.” Charlie let his hands drop to his sides, waiting for Gavin to make his move.
“Taste first.” The bed dipped under his additional weight. Gavin’s lips curled up in a sensual smile that promised pleasure. Charlie’s heart stuttered, especially when he saw Gavin’s sharp teeth.
“You’re not gonna bite with those teeth?”
“I did last night.”
And the pleasure had been incredible, better than he’d ever experienced before. “My shoulder is one thing. If you bite my dick, it will put me out of action for a while.”
“Never fear.” Gavin swooped, and an instant later wet heat surrounded the tip of Charlie’s cock. A rough tongue rasped across his sensitive skin, more abrasive and stimulating than he’d felt before. His head lolled back on the pillow and his eyes flickered closed to savor the attentions of his lover. The build of pleasure was slow, gradual. A sigh escaped when the pressure in his balls increased. Gavin took his cock deep, with a faint scrape of teeth. The contrast of hard and soft shoved him higher. He groaned, his hips jerking upward, pushing his cock deeper into the warmth of Gavin’s mouth. His heart thudded in a sharp staccato beats, bolts of pleasure dancing the length of his body. The hot, wet slide of Gavin’s mouth…
“Damn, more. Please.” The ball of heat grew, expanding until he trembled and bells rang in his ears.
Gavin’s tongue slid along the underside of his cock, drew back. The bells sounded louder, and he trembled on the cusp of climax. Gavin drew back. Right back.
“Fuck. The phone. I’ve gotta get it.” Gavin stood and groped around the floor, finally extracting his cell phone from the pocket of his jeans. “Hello.”
Charlie groaned, fisting his aching cock. After three short, hard strokes he climaxed, hissing at the pleasure that made him tremble.
Gavin hung up and started to dress. “I’m really sorry. Call-out. It’s a mare having trouble foaling. I’ll be out for most of the night.” He hesitated while buttoning his shirt, frowning at Charlie. “I’m sorry.” A faint trace of worry colored his voice as if he’d had problems in this area before.
Charlie didn’t hesitate. “It’s okay. No need to apologize. I’m a cop. I get late-night call-outs. Go. You can make it up to me later.”
Sheer relief flickered across Gavin’s face on hearing his words. He bent to kiss Charlie, and after a quick brush of lips, hurried from the room. A few minutes later Charlie heard the garage door and the roar of an engine. He sighed. So much for a night of hot sex. Bending over, he grabbed his T-shirt and swiped it across his wet stomach. He pulled back the sheets and climbed into the bed. Maybe Gavin would wake him when he returned. He should have suggested it. Charlie switched off the light and closed his eyes, willing sleep.
Dreams filled his head. Black leopards. Sex. A loud scream.
Charlie jerked upright, his heart beating erratically. Another scream sounded. Feminine. Cursing, Charlie pulled on his jeans and went to investigate.
Chapter Five
A nightmare. God, where was she?
With fear spurting through her veins, Leticia sat bolt upright, peering around the room and trying to figure out where she was. She took a deep breath and Gavin’s scent came to the fore. The tension seeped from her body although tears took over when details of her dream floated through her mind.
Death. The grim reaper.
They’d stalked her through a forest, giggling yet menacing, never letting her get too far ahead or to rest.
Relentless. Taunting. Letting her know there was no escape.
The door squeaked open. Her heart practically leapt into her throat and she found her back pressed against the headboard, her hands clutching the sheet to her chest.
“Leticia? Are you okay? It’s Charlie.”
Leticia swallowed. Great. Another reminder of what the disease had taken from her. The chance of a mate. Her nose twitched, her stomach twisting and turning like a washing machine when she caught Gavin’s scent on him. Sex.
Damn, it wasn’t fair. All along she’d tried not to dwell on the injustice of the situation, of being sick. It wasn’t easy. Sometimes resentment coated her every thought. Bitterness tasted sour. Nasty. No amount of toothpaste or mouthwash removed the sharp acidity. Nothing…
A tear slipped down her face, rapidly followed by another.
Charlie remained in the doorway. Hovering. Instinct told her he wouldn’t leave until she answered. Summoning every bit of control, she forced herself to smile and hoped like hell the deception didn’t show in her voice. “I’m fine. I woke up and wasn’t sure where I was for a moment.” She skirted the nightmare, shivering inside at the memory. Death was one ugly son of a bitch.
“Do you need anything?”
“No.” No wonder Gavin liked him. He was nice to look at and it seemed his nature matched. Leticia dragged in a breath and batted away the jealousy. It returned like a lobbed tennis ball, the unexpectedness of it striking her in the heart. Unfair. Unfair. “No, I don’t need anything.”
“Well, if you’re sure.”
“I am.” The hard note in her voice said bitch. True—she could be hell on wheels and didn’t suffer fools. But she had compassion and the capacity to love, or so Saul said. Leticia thought a lot of Saul. Top man and perfect for her brother. Saul had pulled them into a family unit. A new pride. She liked being part of a pride.
Charlie still hesitated, so she scooted down the bed and pulled the duvet over her sweaty body. Surely he’d take the hint and leave her to wallow in her misery?
“Good night.” Charlie pulled the door shut
. Almost-silent footsteps padded away until she could no longer hear them.
Alone at last.
Another tear tracked down her cheek. She sniffed, swiped her right hand over her face. The tears kept coming. It was as if now that she’d let the first ones free other tears would follow whether she liked it or not. Crying was for sissies, and she was no sissy. She buried her face in the pillows that smelled of Gavin and…and Charlie. Misery weighted her down at the thought of what she’d lost, and anguish peaked, the last shreds of her control shattering. Sobs tore from her throat, hot tears flowing down her face in a never-ending stream to soak the pillowcase.
“Damn, I knew there was something wrong.” The mattress sank beside her and she lifted her head, knowing he wouldn’t see the extent of her torment in the dark room. All she needed was to get rid of him.
“Nothing’s wrong. Go away.”
He moved and the light flicked on, bathing the room in a golden glow.
Leticia attempted a glare. A single tear dripped down her cheek, contradicting every denial she tried to project. “I’m crying, all right? Just go away and leave me in peace.”
“You’re hurting.” Charlie cocked his head, studying her way too close.
Leticia turned her face back into the pillow and tried desperately to stem the tears. It didn’t happen. If anything, the sobs intensified. Powerful and noisy, they vibrated through her chest and tore at her throat. Surely he’d go away now and leave her to wallow?
He didn’t.
He stretched out on the bed alongside her, hauling her into his arms before she could even think a protest let alone voice it. She stiffened, but he wouldn’t release her, instead pulling her flush with his body and holding her tight. Leticia sucked in a hasty breath and his musky scent filled her lungs. Nice. Another time she might have enjoyed his closeness. Not today. Then, something else registered, overcoming her vulnerability at being this close to him.
He was naked.
She groaned a protest, arching away from him.
My Second Chance Page 8