by Donya Lynne
Wordlessly, Sev's fingers began unbuckling and unfastening Ari's belt at the same time Ari did the same to his. A furious give-and-take of need passed back and forth between them, lifting Sev into Heaven. He'd been drawn to Ari right from the start, even before going with him to Jackson's apartment, but until now, he hadn't found a way to get close to him. Maybe he should thank Micah for beating the living daylights out of him since it had afforded him this chance to explore his attraction to the male.
Ari's fists grabbed handfuls of Sev's hair and pulled his head back as the other male nipped roughly at his Adam's Apple.
"Fuck, yes." Sev said, barking the curse.
He stripped Ari's shirt over his head then rapidly shed his own before both of them shoved the other's pants down. Twin erections pressed together as denim pooled around their ankles. Gripping each other's ass, their bodies slapped together hard. Sev grunted, claiming Ari's mouth again.
"I've wanted you since I met you," Sev said, his lips still pressed to Ari's.
"I didn't know. I wasn't sure…"
"You and Io are so close. I thought—"
"I told you. We're just friends."
Breathless moans passed between them as their bodies ground each other, their cocks rubbing together.
"You feel good." Sev pressed against Ari's hard body, clutching his ass and thrusting hard against him.
"So do you." Ari's hand gripped his ass equally hard.
"Fuck, Ari. More."
"Don't stop."
His pending orgasm tickled the base of his spine. He couldn't believe how hot he was and how fast his climax was bearing down on him.
Ari groaned. "Oh God, harder. I'm gonna come." He sounded surprised, but relieved, as if he had waited his whole life for this and couldn't believe it was finally happening.
Words ceased, replaced by grunts with every hard thrust against each other. Sev needed to pinch himself. Was he really here? Was this really happening? He had wanted Ari from day one. How long had Ari felt this way about him?
Suddenly, Ari's body went rigid, and he moaned long and hard as he thrust his tongue inside Sev's mouth. Moist warmth spilled against Sev's stomach and over his cock as Ari shuddered through his climax. In an instant, Sev thrust Ari back against the counter and came. His cock exploded against Ari's stomach as his body shuddered violently, the two of them pressed together like they'd been glued front-to-front as their orgasms spent themselves.
"Unh!" Sev grunted again as another powerful wave claimed him, and Ari's arms tightened around him.
When it was over, the two stood together, utterly still, their foreheads tipped against each other and their eyes closed, breathing, only breathing. Then Ari slowly pulled away and grabbed a wad of paper towels, handing some to Sev as he began to wipe himself off.
Without a word, the two dressed, avoiding eye contact. Sev wasn't sure how to read Ari's sudden silence. And it seemed Ari wasn't sure what to think, either.
After fastening his belt, Sev downed the rest of his water and grabbed the coat he had draped over a chair at the kitchen table. "So…"
Ari didn't move. "So…" Ari wouldn't even look at him.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then."
Ari nodded. He stood with his palms against the surface of the counter, his body leaning forward and his head angled down thoughtfully. It looked like he had been stunned stupid.
The sudden biological need to go to him struck Sev like a fist, shocking the hell out of him. Oh wow, what had just happened here? Why was his body's biology getting in on the act?
"Yeah, okay then." Sev spun on his heel and hurried out before things got even weirder. He rushed to his car and started the engine, threw it into reverse, backed out then gunned it. He could pull over and throw up once he got out of Ari's neighborhood, but not here, not yet.
* * *
From his window, Arion stared in fascination as Sev's Challenger raced away. He ran his fingertips over his lips. What had just happened between them? Was he gay now? Or had he always been gay and had only pretended to be heterosexual? At any rate, no one could know about what he and Sev had just done. No one. If Io found out, he would never hear the end of it. And if his parents found out, they would kill him. Yes, this was a secret he would take to his grave. What had just happened between him and Sev could never happen again. Never. No matter how much he had liked it.
Why did he suddenly feel like he was only kidding himself?
CHAPTER TWENTY
"What in the hell were you thinking?!" Tristan slammed the door as Micah followed him in to his office.
Micah spun around and yanked the door back open. "You might as well leave it open if you're going to yell at me. Everyone will be able to hear you, anyway. Let's just make it easier for them." He glared at Tristan, meeting him eye-dagger to eye-dagger, challenging him without backing down even a tad. No way he was going to let anyone question his decisions where Sam was concerned.
Finally Tristan took a deep breath and calmly closed the door, but it was obvious it took every bit of his restraint. "You had no right, Micah."
"I had every right. She's my mate. End of discussion."
"No, not end of discussion. We have rules, Micah. We have to live by a code of conduct and ethics about who and what we are. Or did you forget that?"
"I'm not forgetting anything." Micah gave him a look.
"Josie's different."
"Yeah, uh-huh. Right."
"Hey, fuck you, Micah. This isn't about me. It's about your total lack of regard for our ways and our rules. You've been through a lot of heavy shit, and you're the best I've got, but I'm tired of bending the rules for you. I'm tired of letting you get away with shit no one else can even think about doing without getting reprimanded. No more solo patrols. No more running off half-cocked. And from now on, you will follow my orders. You got that?"
"Fine, but I patrol with Trace. Only Trace." Traceon had firmly cemented his place within Micah's inner circle of trust tonight. If he had to patrol with anyone, it would be him. They had each other's backs and Micah suddenly realized he liked Trace.
Tristan looked a bit shocked, as if he was surprised Micah had agreed, and so quickly at that.
"What? Did you expect me to refuse, Tristan?" He pulled back, eyeing his boss. "You did, didn't you? You were prepared to kick me off the team, weren't you?"
Tristan smirked and huffed before nodding. "Actually, I was."
"Well, sorry to disappoint you." Micah looked down at Tristan's desk and saw the dismissal paperwork. Man, Tristan really had been ready to let him go.
"I'm not disappointed, just surprised. I haven't seen you like this since—"
"Katarina," Micah said.
"Yeah, since Katarina. You're different all of a sudden." Tristan shook his head and frowned. "I don't feel like you've got a death wish, anymore."
Micah turned toward the door, gazing in the direction where Sam was in the medical wing. "It's her. It's Sam, Tristan. She brought me back. I can't explain it."
"So she is. Still, you could get into serious trouble for changing her."
"I don't care. She's my mate and she was dying. I had no choice. I wasn't going to let her die, and I wouldn't have been able to survive without her." He had been on Death's front porch, as it was. And that had just been over a half-bond with Jackson. He was fully mated to Sam. No way would he have survived her death.
"Okay, fine. If anyone questions it, you've got my full support, Micah." Tristan held his hand out.
Micah looked at it. He and Tristan had been good friends at one time, but that had been long ago. Slowly, he lifted his hand and grasped Tristan's. "Thank you, Tris."
The two looked at each other then Tristan pulled away and nodded toward the door. "Okay, go to your mate, Micah. Go take care of Sam. You're dismissed."
Micah nodded then hurried out of the room and down to medical where he pushed open the door to Sam's room and found her sleeping soundly. She looked pale, but beautiful neverthel
ess. He pulled the room's only chair up to the bed and sat down as he wrapped both his hands around one of hers and watched her sleep. She was alive. His Sam was alive, and that meant everything.
* * *
"Knock-knock."
Micah woke from a light snooze then lifted his head from the bed and smiled at Josie as she rapped her knuckles on the door again.
She feigned shock. "Is that a—yes, I do believe that is what they call a smile."
"Hi, Josie." Micah stretched and sat up. He had dozed off while holding Sam's hand, his head resting on the mattress.
"So, it's true then?" She ran her palm absently over her baby bump as she looked at Sam.
"If you mean that I changed a human, yes, it's true."
"I approve, but then again, I'm a female and believe in true love." Josie's dark brown hair was pulled back, making her large, bright eyes look even more luminescent. "I heard Trace helped?"
"Yes, he did." Trace had finally left an hour ago, claiming he hadn't slept in over 36 hours and needed to rest, but Micah thought he just wanted to leave him alone with Sam. Micah refused to let go of Sam's hand and Josie noticed, her eyes twinkling with delight.
"You love her." It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
Josie sniffled as tears blossomed in her eyes. "I never thought I'd see this," she said.
"What do you mean?"
She came over and sat down on the edge of the mattress and brushed his black hair away from his eyes. Josie was the only other person besides Sam who wasn't afraid of him. Well, then there was Trace, but that fucker was different. It had taken him a while to work up the courage to approach Micah. These females had more bravery than all the males in the compound combined.
"Micah, you've always been one of my favorites," Josie said, her voice soft. "Probably because you're the most damaged by your past. Well, except maybe for Malek. But he's dealt with it better than you have. Not by much, but still better. Anyway, it warms my heart to see you happy." She paused, smiling at him. "The fallen has risen. Back from the dead to walk among the living once again."
It was true. Micah felt different. Not even while he had been with Jackson had he felt so happy. His gaze fell on Sam's sleeping form and he saw her in a new light. She really had saved him in more ways than one, hadn't she?
"That's right, Micah. You found your mate, sweet cheeks," Josie said.
With a fake scowl, Micah rolled his eyes at her. "Only you get away with calling me that," he said.
"What? Sweet cheeks?" Sam's weak voice drew both his and Josie's attention. She was grinning, her eyes blinking against the light. "Wow, that's a bright light. And a great nickname."
Josie hopped up and turned the dimmer down. "I'll let you borrow it with Micah." She laughed.
Micah shook his head. "Great. Just don't let the guys hear you call me that." He turned toward Sam. "Your sensitivity to light will get better."
"What do you mean?"
Josie started for the door. "I should go and leave you two alone."
Micah got the sense she thought it would be better if she left so he could explain what had happened. "No," he said, stopping her. "Can you stay? I mean, I'd like you to stay."
The look he gave her must have made it clear he thought he would need the support himself, because Josie slowly nodded and made her way back to the bed.
"How are you, Sam? My name is Josie. I'm mated to Micah's boss." She held out her hand.
Sam reached out and clasped it.
"Oh," Josie said, flinching. "Wow, that's some grip you've got there."
Sam glanced between Josie and Micah, confusion crossing her face. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize…"
"No, it's okay," Josie said. "You're just not used to your new body, yet."
"Huh?"
He took Sam's hand and brushed the damp wisps of hair off her forehead. "Do you remember at the hospital, Sam?"
Her brow furrowed as if she was concentrating then she nodded. "Yes, I think – didn't you bite me?"
He nodded. "I had to give you my venom. It was the only way to save you."
For several seconds, Micah watched the thought processes play across her face, and then, "What are you saying? Am I a vampire?" She started to jerk her hand away from his and Josie took her other one, trying to calm her.
"No, but you're not human, anymore, either," she said.
Sam looked at Josie like she was a Martian, then darted her gaze to Micah. "If I'm not a vampire, and I'm not a human, then what am I?"
"Alive," Micah said. "And that's all that matters." He brought her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips to each knuckle, slowly, one-by-one, conveying all his love in each tender caress.
* * *
When Sam had awakened to the sound of a strange woman talking to Micah, she had felt different, but she never would have guessed that the reason was because she was no longer human.
"Micah," she said, struggling to sit up. Her body ached head-to-toe, like she had a bad case of the flu. She even felt feverish.
He lifted his face and moved her hand to his cheek, holding her palm against his skin. The gesture melted something inside her.
"Okay," Josie said, hopping off the bed. "That's my cue. You two need to be alone right now. Micah," she flipped her fingers through his long hair. "We need to talk about this real soon. My scissors miss you."
After she walked out, Sam pushed her fingers through his thick, silky hair, loving how Micah dipped his head into her palm and purred. "I like it long," she said.
"Well then, I won't cut it."
"Josie might get mad." She smiled.
"She'll get over it. Your opinion is all that matters."
"Oh? Why's that?"
He stared at her, holding her gaze like she was a cherished treasure. "Because I love you."
Sam's breath caught at the declaration. "We barely know each other."
"I know enough to know that much," he said, crawling onto the bed beside her. He drew her against his body. "I love you. I can't live without you. I haven't felt this whole in a long time, and it's because of you."
She curled into his embrace, laying her head on his chest. His heart beat evenly, a cadence that seemed to call to her. "Vampires have heartbeats?" she said, realizing that this defied what she knew about them.
He laughed and the low rumble seemed amplified in her ears, and not just because she was lying on his chest. All her senses were more acute than they had been.
"We aren't like what you read about in books or see in movies," he said. "We're warm-blooded, have heartbeats, can see our reflections, can eat garlic, don't blister from Holy Water," he paused, then said, "And Trace can even go out in the sun. Sev can, too, from what he says. Day walkers are quite common among vampires nowadays." He said it like at one time that hadn't been the case.
"It's not always been that way?"
"No."
"Why the change?"
"Because of people like you," he said, kissing the top of her head. "And because vampires do mate with humans and produce offspring. The vampire gene is dominant, but what ends up being produced is a vampire young with unique abilities, such as Trace's. His father was a vampire, his mother was allegedly a witch. He has some unique powers I've never seen in a vampire, as you've already seen, but he's got a good heart, so I'm never worried he'll go rogue on us."
"Rogue?" She was fascinated by all this. Why hadn't they discussed this yesterday? Well, yeah, that might have been too much and would have overwhelmed her.
"We actually call them mutants, but it's all the same. We not only have to watch out for drecks, but also the occasional vampire who succumbs to his powers. That's why it's usually the day walkers who turn. They have unique powers full-bloods don't have. But don't worry, it doesn't happen too often, but when it does, it's bad. Something shifts in their biology. The change is physiological, makes their venom poisonous even to us full-bloods."
"I have a lot to learn about your world, don't I?"
"Only if you plan on staying in it, which I hope you do, or I'll die without you."
"We can't have that, can we?"
He shook his head. "I love you." He said it like she hadn't heard him the first time.
"I know. You told me." She smiled and burrowed closer to him, loving how he felt holding her.
He turned her face toward his and kissed her. "You don't have to tell me you love me now, but promise me you'll tell me someday." His navy eyes glistened with adoration.
"Are you going soft on me?" she said.
"Just promise me, and quit being difficult."
How could she not laugh at that? "You'll just have to wait and see, dear."
"Never a straight answer from you." He flopped his head back against the pillow in fake exasperation.
She fought against the protestations of her muscles and pulled herself up to kiss his neck.
"So impatient." She kissed him again as he blinked his gaze toward her, brow arched.
"You're trying to sidetrack me," he said.
"Uh-huh." Despite feeling like she'd fallen eight stories off a roller coaster ride, Sam felt ready to take on the world. What an odd way to describe it. She felt like shit, but felt awesome. "Tell me more about what I am. I'm beginning to think there's more to it than just the simple fact that I'm neither vampire nor human."
"Maybe I should blackmail you. Your promise for my information."
She playfully slapped him and he winced. "Damn, Wonder Woman. Fine, I'll tell you. For starters, you're a lot stronger now."
"Oh." The word dragged through the air as it all clicked into place. Josie flinching as she shook her hand. Now Micah rubbing the place on his arm where she'd slapped him. "Good to know."
"You'll get used to that. But, here's what you'll really have to get used to." Micah's face sobered and he waited until he had her full attention to continue. "You won't age, anymore. You won't die. That's the gift of my venom."
Sam rewound and played over, not quite sure she heard him right. "Are you saying I'm immortal?" she said.
He nodded. "Something like that. As long as I live, you live. My life is your life now."
Wow. Immortal. Sam thought about all the possibilities. No fear of dying.