by Lynn Hagen
He opened his eyes when he heard, rather than saw, Kane enter his bedroom. Snooke closed his eyes again, too ashamed of the way he had acted the last time he saw the warrior. Silence hung in the room. Snooke was starting to believe Kane had left.
“Are you hurt?” Kane said quietly from across the room.
“Yes,” Snooke whispered back. His hands fisted under his cheek as he waited for Kane to approach. He could feel the air stir in front of him and knew Kane was standing beside the bed.
“Where, shorty?” A hand brushed the hair from his forehead.
Snooke had to swallow a few times before he could answer without tears in his voice. “My ribs.” His eyes opened when the blanket was pulled back, Kane studying Snooke’s face. The warmth in Kane’s eyes was nearly his undoing. Those beautiful brown eyes searched Snooke’s for a moment and then glanced down at his chest.
Kane let out a curse. “Who did this?” he asked as his face pinched and he inhaled sharply. “You have some internal bleeding.”
Snooke knew it was bad, but he didn’t know it was that bad. Kane knelt down beside the bed as he reached for his phone. His eyes shot up to stare at Snooke’s. “Phoenyx. I need your help.” Kane gave the warrior their location. Just great, soon everyone would know where he lived.
When Kane sat his phone on the floor, Snooke looked away. He wanted Kane, but was afraid to let him in. His life was a complete train wreck at the moment, and Kane didn’t need to be onboard. He didn’t need to be, but Snooke couldn’t seem to turn him away. No matter how hard he tried.
Snooke watched Kane’s lean, dark body rock back on his heels as he studied Snooke’s chest quietly. Neither spoke until Phoenyx appeared in the bedroom doorway. The warrior had a commanding air about him that made Snooke watch him warily as Phoenyx drew close to the bed.
“What are you going to do to me?” Snooke asked hesitantly. He pulled the sheet up to cover his body as he looked from Phoenyx to Kane.
“He’s going to heal you. Just lie back. I’m right here.” Kane spoke with such gentleness that Snooke obeyed without question. He slid down and pulled the sheet away, his eyes locked onto Kane’s as Phoenyx leaned over Snooke.
“I have to make a small incision, a gateway for my tear to enter your body,” Phoenyx informed him.
“Kane,” Snooke whimpered as he pulled the sheet up once again. A gateway. That sounded pretty painful to him. Snooke wasn’t sure if he wanted the warrior cutting on him.
“I can make it to where you don’t feel a thing. Do you want me to do that for you?” Kane asked as he sat on the side of the bed. “I can freeze time. You won’t know what’s going on. He’ll make the incision and do what is necessary, and then I will unfreeze it.”
“I want that option.” Snooke scooted an inch closer to Kane. Although Snooke had been getting his ass kicked a lot lately, he wasn’t into pain. He actually hated it.
“Lay back.” Kane pressed the palms of his hands to Snooke’s shoulders and made him lay back on the mattress. “Ready?”
“You won’t leave?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Kane leaned forward and whispered a kiss across Snooke’s lips, and that’s the last thing he remembered until he blinked and Phoenyx was gone.
“Is it over?”
“You did beautifully, although I had to freeze time continuously. Hondo told me you’re a neutralizer.” The side of Kane’s mouth pulled back into a smile. “You kept trying to move.”
Snooke took a deep breath, immediately noticing how easy it was to breathe again. He pulled the sheet aside and saw that his chest was back to being the pale complexion he was used to seeing. The ugly bruising was gone. “Thank you.”
Kane nodded. “Now I want to ask you about how you sustained your injuries in the first place.”
Icy fear twisted around Snooke’s heart. If Kane found out who he was, the warrior would not only kick him to the curb, but probably want to choke him. Snooke tossed the sheet aside and got out of bed, grateful that the pain from just the slightest move was gone. “I have to use the bathroom.”
Stall tactics. Kane recognized what Snooke was doing, and he didn’t like it. He wasn’t going to push him though. Kane hoped that the white-haired beauty would eventually trust him enough to let him in and confide in Kane about what was really going on.
Kane leaned back on one elbow and waited for Snooke to come out of the bathroom. Getting beat up seemed to be a habit of late with Snooke, and Kane wanted to get to the bottom of it. Seeing the slim man lie in the bed with bruises angered Kane more than anything he could remember. Snooke was too gorgeous to be marred with such ugly marks.
Snooke walked out of the bathroom and straight to his closet, grabbing a shirt and avoiding Kane’s eyes as he walked across the room to his dresser. “I want to thank you for helping me.” Snooke’s eyes remained on the dresser as he buttoned his shirt.
“You’re welcome. Now will you tell me who did this?”
“I’d rather not.” Snooke grabbed a pair of Doc Martens and slid his feet in. Kane watched the man look nervously at the door and then back at the dresser he was standing in front of.
Kane sighed. Maybe one day Snooke would tell him. “Why don’t you come with me to Chris’s? Hondo is making lasagna tonight.”
Snooke glanced over at Kane, his cheeks turning a bright red. “Are you sure I’m welcomed there?”
It took several moments for Kane to figure out what the demon was talking about. He stood and crossed the room to stand mere inches from Snooke. He leaned forward, his lips touching the beauty’s ear. “I haven’t said a word to anyone about us. No one knows about that night but you and me.”
Kane thought the admission would relax Snooke. Instead, his rigidness increased. “I’m not mad about it. I’ll have you in my bed. It’s only a matter of time.” Kane kissed Snooke’s ear before he backed away. “Now, are you coming?”
Snooke’s head nodded in short bursts as he looked up slowly at Kane. “I wasn’t trying to be a tease,” he whispered before he grabbed his cell phone to join Kane at his side.
“I hope not.” Kane smiled as he grabbed Snooke’s hand. “Close your eyes. It helps when crossing through the shadows.”
When Snooke did as Kane advised, he pulled the smaller demon through the shadows with him. They emerged in Chris’s backyard. Kane pulled on the demon’s hand when Snooke started walking toward Chris’s back door. He lifted his hand and grazed Snooke’s lower lip with his thumb before taking those luscious lips in a blazing kiss. He’d been dying to do that since he stepped into Chris’s house.
Snooke slowly wrapped his arms around Kane’s waist and opened for Kane’s exploration. The kiss was tantalizing and soft. For a reason Kane couldn’t explain, the way Snooke was kissing him made Kane think Snooke was trying to convey to him everything that was going on in the demon’s life.
Kane held him close, letting Snooke know without words that he was there for him. His tongue traced Snooke’s teeth, feeling every ridge as Snooke’s tongue played with his. His cock was getting rock hard, and Kane knew he had to back away or take the beauty in the backyard.
He broke the kiss, staring down into indigo eyes that were a shade darker from need. Kane smiled and gave Snooke a quick kiss before pulling from the embrace and leading them both in through the back door.
“You made it.” Hondo smiled over at Kane. “And I see you found the disappearing demon as well.”
Kane could feel Snooke tensing. He reached his hand behind Snooke’s back and rubbed the small of it as he smirked at Hondo. “I’m starving. You better have my food ready.”
Hondo snorted and flipped Kane off. “Go help Chris set the table. I’m just finishing up in here.”
Kane chuckled as he walked out of the kitchen in search of his long-time buddy. “I hear you need help.”
“Hey, Kane.” Chris looked past Kane as a big grin spread across his face. “Glad you’re back,” he said to Snooke.
“Hey, Chris
.” Snooke gave a short wave as he walked over and helped Chris set the table. Kane watched the two, wondering to himself about having a relationship with Snooke. If they weren’t mates, he’d still like to be with him. A lot of demons had happy lives together with others that weren’t their mates. He would just be monogamous. Kane knew he was getting way ahead of himself. A guy could fantasize about having a good home and someone to come home to though.
If only he could get Snooke to open up about what was going on so he could help. That would be one of his top priorities. Snooke couldn’t remember who had attacked him that night behind the Pancake House, and the owner had no memory of even speaking with them.
The warriors were still trying to figure out how they talked with the owner when he wasn’t even there. That one had them baffled. He watched Snooke and Chris laugh as they talked. His chest tightened at the sight. Snooke would make a good life partner. Kane could just feel it.
“Coming through,” Hondo shouted as he brought the very large pan of lasagna into the dining room.
“That smells good.” Snooke closed his eyes as he inhaled. Kane’s cock took notice of how erotic that simple act looked.
“Go grab the salad, Kane,” Hondo called over his shoulder.
Kane snorted. “I’m a guest. Do you see a damn apron around my waist?” He leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms over his chest. “Say please.”
Hondo growled and pointed a finger at Kane. “You’re going to eat half this damn pan. Earn your dinner.”
Kane chuckled as he uncrossed his arms and headed into the kitchen. He spotted the large salad bowl and tongs sitting on the counter. As he crossed the kitchen, he spotted movement in the backyard.
Rushing out of the back door, Kane spotted Rainerio. “What the hell are you doing creeping around?”
Rainerio’s head snapped around at Kane’s voice. “I wasn’t sneaking around.”
“There’s no need to get pissy with me.” What was his problem? Rainerio never acted this way. At least not with the warriors. “Is something wrong?”
“Nope. I was going to join you guys for dinner, but something just came up.” The warrior headed toward the front of the house. “Later.”
Kane shook his head. There was a lot of strange shit happening lately. He walked back into the kitchen and picked up the salad bowl, taking it to the dining room. “Let’s eat.” He took a seat next to Snooke, smiling at the shorter man as he grabbed his plate and piled it high with the steamy pasta.
“This is good, even if you did cook it,” Kane teased Hondo as he shoveled in a mouthful. “What’s for dessert?”
Hondo growled. “You just had to bring that up.” Hondo shot a glance to Snooke and shrugged.
Kane couldn’t resist. “As long as it’s not cookies.”
“Kane!” Chris chastised him.
“What? I just don’t want hairy cookies.” He draped his arm over the back of Snooke’s chair and winked at the shorter man. Snooke held his hand to his mouth as he chuckled.
“I’ll serve you something hairy all right.”
“Hondo!” Chris shouted.
“He started it.” Hondo pouted as he glared at Kane.
Kane rocked his chair back on two legs. “No thanks. I don’t do hairy. I like my men smooth as a baby demon’s bottom.” He held his hands up, laughing as Chris’s napkin came flying across the table.
“Behave,” Chris warned.
It felt good to be able to laugh. Since Snooke’s disappearance, Kane had been sulking. Now that the gorgeous man was back by his side, Kane felt lighthearted. “Since when do I ever behave?”
Snooke looked up at Kane from under his lashes. The smile was stunning as Snooke sat in his seat laughing.
Chapter Four
Snooke remembered to close his eyes this time without Kane having to tell him. It made the journey from Chris’s home to Kane’s apartment a little more tolerable.
He could see Kane move around him in careful measures. Snooke knew the warrior was afraid of a repeat performance from the last time they were here. He wasn’t even sure anything would happen, but if it did, he was ready this time. Maybe. Hopefully. Snooke wanted to be.
“Would you like something to drink?” Kane asked as he walked out of the bedroom. Snooke caught a glimpse of apprehension in Kane’s eyes.
“That would be nice.” Snooke bit his bottom lip as he followed Kane into the kitchen. He waited by the table as Kane rummaged through the fridge.
“I have water, orange juice, and milk.” Kane opened the milk and sniffed, his nose scrunching up. “Okay, just water and juice.” He tossed the carton into the trash as he looked at Snooke for an answer.
“Water is fine.” Snooke looked around the kitchen, wondering how he could break the ice. He grabbed the water Kane handed him, and then they both just stood there in an awkward silence.
“I’m extremely flexible,” Snooke blurted out. He could feel his face heating up at the confession. Snooke twisted the cap off his bottle and took a drink, hoping Kane had gone deaf in the last minute and didn’t hear him.
No such luck.
“Hmm, are you?” Kane sat his bottle down on the table and crowded Snooke’s personal space. “Are you going to let me find out?”
Snooke’s cock hardened at Kane’s question. His heart rate picked up and his hands gripped the bottle tighter as Kane inserted his leg between Snooke’s thighs. When Snooke’s balls smashed onto that heavily muscled thigh, Snooke dropped the bottle, hearing it hit the floor. He grabbed Kane’s shoulders, his nails digging in, as he began to ride Kane’s strong, muscular thigh.
Kane grabbed Snooke’s hips, pulling him toward that powerful set of shoulders, and then pushing him back down, helping Snooke get lost in the sensual ride. His cock and sac were tingling from the friction.
“You feel so damn good,” Kane whispered into Snooke’s ear as he kissed his way down Snooke’s neck. He could feel Kane’s fingers digging harder into his hips as Snooke’s fingers turned white from the death grip he had on Kane’s shoulders.
“Kane, I’m gonna come,” Snooke whimpered into Kane’s neck.
“Then come for me, shorty.” Kane began to push and pull on Snooke’s hips faster, biting and nipping at the skin just below Snooke’s ear. “Come.” Kane exhaled, and Snooke arched as his head fell back. He cried out as his slacks filled with the sticky wetness of his cum.
Kane wrapped his arms around Snooke’s body, holding on to him as Snooke rode out the sexual bliss.
Snooke’s head fell against Kane’s shoulders as he clung to the warrior, breathing heavily as his heart raced out of control. Kane ran his hand over Snooke’s hair as he began to kiss along Snooke’s neck once again. The warrior had found Snooke’s erogenous zone, his neck, and was driving Snooke’s cock crazy. His skin buzzed as his senses reeled.
A protest left Snooke’s lips as Kane pulled away. He looked into Snooke’s eyes before taking his mouth in a blazing kiss. Snooke tried to climb Kane’s body. His inner thighs felt empty without Kane’s leg inserted between them. He could feel Kane’s cock pressed into his stomach and wanted it buried deep inside of him.
Snooke broke the kiss. “Fuck me, Kane, please.”
Kane reached between them, unsnapping his jeans as he pulled on Snooke’s shirt, telling him without words that he wanted Snooke on his knees.
Snooke nervously lowered, remembering from the last time how large Kane’s cock was. Could he take all that into his mouth? Would it fit?
Snooke glanced up to see the way Kane’s coppery brown eyes darkened as he stared down at Snooke. “Only if you want to, shorty. It’s your choice.”
Snooke’s eyes blinked when Kane freed his cock, holding the base with his large hand. Snooke could see Kane was detracting inches from the length with his hand, letting Snooke know he didn’t have to take it all.
Snooke leaned forward and placed his hands on Kane’s thighs, as he opened and took the head into his mouth. Kane hissed as Sno
oke lapped at the slit, greedily sucking in the pre-cum that was leaking out. Snooke’s lips stretched wide as he took the cock further in.
Kane’s hand squeezed the cock tighter, slowly stroking it, as the other hand roamed over Snooke’s hair. Snooke’s lips were wet with his saliva as he began to move his head up and down the shaft. Kane’s cock pulsed in his mouth, letting him know the warrior was close.
He reached past Kane’s hand and slid his fingers over Kane’s sac, massaging it with his fingers.
“Yeah, shorty, just like that.” Kane moaned as his hips snapped in quick bursts, nearly choking Snooke. He pulled back to the head and began to suckle it, maneuvering his hand to cup Kane’s balls, and then massaging and slightly tugging on them.
Kane shouted as hot spurts of cum shot to the back of Snooke’s throat. He drank it down like a parched man, licking at the slit for more. Kane pulled from his mouth and dropped down to his knees, pulling Snooke into an embrace. “So good.” Kane nuzzled into Snooke’s neck.
Snooke couldn’t believe he’d actually been able to make Kane come. He thought for sure the sheer size of Kane’s cock would be too much. Snooke smiled as the warrior held him, happy he brought Kane off.
“Come on, babe, let’s get you out of those pants and get you washed up.” Kane stood, lifting Snooke to his feet as well. “You want to go to your place to shower?”
“Please. I don’t have any clothes here.”
“I don’t want to sound presumptuous, but you can leave a few items here.” Kane took Snooke’s hand as he led him down the hall. “It doesn’t have to be for sex. I would be convenient though.”
Snooke closed his eyes as they walked into Kane’s dark bedroom and came out into Snooke’s. “I can do that.” Snooke busied himself by gathering a fresh shirt from his closet along with a pair of black slacks.
“You dress pretty damn nice, shorty. Look at these threads.” Kane pushed hangers aside and pulled out Snooke’s favorite Dolce & Gabbana shirt.