“It’s not the first time it’s happened.” Zaiden finished disrobing and pulled Asher back into his arms.
“What are you talking about? Of course it is! I’ve never lost control like this before.”
Zaiden’s fingertips glided up the side of Asher’s neck and along his jawline. “Yes you have, Ash. You just didn’t know it.” He spoke softly, a half-smile playing over his plump lips. “Let me show you.”
Before Asher could respond, Zaiden lean in, pressing their mouths together in a toe-curling kiss. His head swam, his heart rate accelerated, and a breathy moan escaped his lips as he opened to his mate’s questing tongue. Winding his arms around Zaiden’s neck, he pulled him closer until he could feel every last ridge of his lover’s long body pressed against his.
Growling in frustration, he chased Zaiden’s retreating lips when the man pulled away with a chuckle. He hadn’t had nearly enough of that luscious mouth.
“Look,” Zaiden whispered. His long fingers reached up to grip Asher’s wrist and pull his arm away from Zaiden’s neck. “Look,” he repeated.
Asher gasped, jerking away and stumbling backward. Tiny red and orange flames danced merrily over his bare body. As he put distance between himself and his mate, the flames flickered, growing smaller until they completely died away.
“What’s happening?” Even he could hear the panic in his voice. He didn’t like this at all.
Zaiden still smiled, moving closer to him, stalking him until he had Asher pressed up against the wall. “It doesn’t hurt me,” he murmured against Asher’s collarbone. “In fact, it feels amazing. It happened last night as well. Your handprints are burned into the front door.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Asher panted, arching his neck to the side to give his mate more room to play. “You should have told me.”
“I thought you knew, little birdy.” Zaiden’s tongue ghosted up the column of his throat as his hands smoothed up Asher’s thighs and over his hips. “What were you thinking about when you had this beautiful cock in your hand?” One hand trailed down Asher’s flat stomach and wrapped around his jutting erection.
“You. Us. The things we did last night.” God, it was so hard for him to form coherent sentences with his lover’s hands on him.
“Did it feel good? Did it make you wish I was home to bury myself inside you?”
“Fuck, yes,” Asher breathed. Opening his eyes, he was unsurprised to find the flames had rekindled across his skin. He was finally beginning to understand. “You’re my fire.”
Zaiden stroked him from base to tip, dipping his thumb into the leaking slit, and Asher’s hips jerked forward. “I don’t know what that means, but I like it.” He smiled warmly before pressing their mouths together again.
Several long minutes later, Asher tore his mouth away and gasped for breath. “I can’t think when you do that.” The sound came out somewhere between a groan and a whine. His cock ached and throbbed in Zaiden’s hold, pleading for more attention.
“Good.” Then without another word, Zaiden lowered himself to his knees and swallowed Asher to the root.
Slick, wet warmth encased his throbbing shaft, and Asher came immediately, crying out to the ceiling as he pushed to the back of his lover’s throat and unloaded his balls. He couldn’t help it, couldn’t stop it, and damn, did it feel like heaven.
Slumping back against the wall, he watched as Zaiden sat back on his heels and grinned like a fool. “Better?”
The firestorm inside him calmed, beaten back to mere embers. He felt relaxed and much more in control. “Definitely better.”
* * * *
“Do you need me to take care of you?”
Zaiden rose gracefully to his feet and looked down at his half-flaccid cock. “I’m good.”
Asher scowled at him. “I feel like a cheap whore now. You didn’t even get hard?”
Sniggering, Zaiden pointed at the creamy puddle on the carpet at his feet. “Uh, I did a lot more than get hard.” He stepped forward and kissed the tip of his mate’s nose. “Don’t ever worry about me not being attracted to you.” He skimmed his fingers over Asher’s chest and abs. “I pop a tent just thinking about all this creamy skin.”
Asher sighed heavily as he looked around Zaiden’s shoulder. “So, what do we do about this mess?”
“We aren’t going to do anything. You made the mess. You can clean it up.” Turning away to hide his smile, Zaiden reached for his clothes and began dressing. “I have to go back to work. I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
“Oh, you suck.” Asher pushed away from the wall and walked slowly around the room.
Zaiden follow his sexy little ass, watching it bunch and flex with each step. His dick took notice as well, twitching and swelling as it strained toward its new favorite place on earth. Choking down his moan, Zaiden pulled his slacks on and carefully maneuvered his fully erect cock behind the zipper, promising himself some playtime with his mate later.
“Move whatever is salvageable into the spare bedroom. Sheets and blankets are in the hall closet to make the bed in there. We’ll make a list of what we need to replace after that.” Zaiden pulled on his jacket and reached out to gently squeeze the back of Asher’s neck. “Sound good?”
“I’m really sorry,” Asher whispered.
Tugging playfully on his lover’s long ebony locks, Zaiden titled the man’s head back until he could look into his eyes. “It’s not your fault, and this stuff is replaceable. Stop feeling guilty. It’s fucking depressing.”
Asher scrunched up his nose and stuck his tongue out, causing Zaiden to chuckle. “Fine. I’ll get started on this. Don’t forget the pizza.”
“I’m all over it. Don’t try to cook, and if you feel the need to relieve a little sexual tension, try to do it in the shower, hmm?” He jumped back, narrowly missing the elbow Asher aimed at his ribs, laughing the entire time.
“Oh, just get out of here.” Asher shooed him away and slapped him hard on the ass. “I have work to do, and you’re in the way.” He looked down at his nude body, then back up to Zaiden. “Uh, could you maybe pick me up something to wear? The few things I had just got incinerated.”
Zaiden nodded reluctantly. He really liked seeing Asher in his clothes. He liked watching him walk around buck-naked even more. Then an idea crossed his mind, and he smiled devilishly as he turned to leave the room. His lover hadn’t specified what he wanted to wear. Zaiden had some excellent ideas, though.
Chapter Seven
“You’re kidding, right?” Asher held up a pair of jeans at least a size too small for him. Tossing them aside, he rummaged through the bag, almost swallowing his tongue when he found several G-strings. “You really have to be kidding.”
“Well, those are just for around the house,” Zaiden said, pointing at the thin strip of material in Asher’s hand. The man hadn’t stopped grinning since he had come home.
“Exactly when did I give you the impression that I liked butt floss?”
“Well, you seem to like having my cock up your ass. What’s wrong with a little piece of fabric?” Zaiden wiggled his eyebrows playfully.
“Point taken. That doesn’t mean that I want to walk around with it up my ass all day long.”
“And that’s a shame.” Zaiden shook his head in mock disappointment as he poked out his bottom lip and made it tremble.
Asher rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t stop his laughter. “Did you get me any real clothes?”
Zaiden continued to pout as he pointed to a larger bag on the sofa. “I don’t like them, though.”
Pulling out the clothes one by one, Asher nodded his approval at the loose-fitting jeans, simple T-shirts, sweats, boxers, and socks. “This is more like it.”
“I don’t like them,” Zaiden repeated as he watched Asher pull on a pair of black sweatpants.
“You are an idiot. I can’t walk around naked all the time, Zaid.”
“I don’t see why not. It would make my life much more pleasant. Not
to mention, I’d have easier access to that tight little body of yours.”
Deciding to ignore his lover, Asher looked around the room. “So, where’s the pizza? I’m starving.”
“You didn’t even look in the last bag!” Zaiden hurried over and lifted it off of the coffee table, presenting it to Asher as though it held gifts fit for a king.
Curious despite himself, Asher took to the bag and peered inside. His eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. “Where the hell did you get this?” He pulled out a sleek, black silicone butt plug, two cock rings, and a pair of velvet-lined handcuffs.
“Condom Sense,” Zaiden said proudly. “They have the coolest shit in there. You’ll have to go with me next time.” He snatched the bag from Asher’s hands and pulled out two fancy looking bottles of lube. The black bottle even had little rhinestones on the damn thing.
He held them up, turning them one way and then the other, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Warming and flavored. Which one do you want to try first?”
“What else do you have in the little bag of toys?” Asher crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the side. He didn’t have a problem giving into his lover’s fantasies, but he wanted to know exactly what he was getting himself into first.
“Just one more thing.” Zaiden withdrew something that looked like a lollipop. “Pleasure pops,” he said as he handed it over to Asher. “We don’t need it, but it was too cool not to buy.”
Upon closer inspection, Asher realized it wasn’t candy at all. It was actually a flavored condom, inside a cellophane wrapper, and attached to a little white stick. He had to admit it was kind of clever.
Handing the goody back to his mate, he grinned widely. “Okay, we can play after we eat. I’m serious. I haven’t eaten all damn day. Where’s the pizza?”
Zaiden’s cheeks flushed, and he dropped his head as though he’d been caught doing something bad. “I got excited and kind of forgot to get the pizza,” he mumbled.
“Fabulous.” Asher’s stomach rumbled, demanding sustenance. “Well, then I guess you better order one.”
“How about I got get us some Chinese? There’s a place right around the corner that’s pretty good. It would be faster.”
Asher’s stomach approved. “Sounds good. Just get me whatever. I’m not picky.”
Zaiden nodded eagerly, obviously pleased that he’d gotten himself out of trouble. “I’ll just get a little of everything. How’s that sound?”
“Sounds like you need to move your ass.” Asher winked and turned his back to sashay out of the room.
* * * *
Fumbling for his cell phone, Zaiden groaned as he turned off the alarm on it and rolled off the sofa. With his bed burned to the ground, and the one in the guestroom too small for both of them to sleep together comfortably, he’d spent the last three nights in the living room.
Surprisingly, he found he didn’t like sleeping without his mate. He’d never had anyone to share his bed for more than a few hours, but he liked waking up to Asher’s cute little button nose snuggled in his neck. Even if he ended up on the floor more nights than not because of Asher’s extreme body heat, he liked knowing the man was close.
They definitely needed to get a new mattress, and the sooner the better.
Reaching his arms over his head, he groaned again as the sore muscles in his back stretched. Shuffling into the kitchen, Zaiden smiled widely as the aroma of freshly made coffee scented the air.
The newspaper lay folded beside his favorite coffee mug on the counter, and a white card leaned against the side of the coffeemaker.
Wear the green button-down shirt today.
It brings out your eyes
Smiling fondly, Zaiden prepared his coffee and strolled down the hallway in his boxers to give his lover a proper thank-you for the little surprise. Stepping into the room, his smile softened when he found Asher sleeping. Well, he’d just have to thank him later.
Tiptoeing through the room, he made his way to the closet and opened it quietly. Looking over the clothes that had survived Asher’s little mishap earlier in the week, his eyebrows drew together when he didn’t see his sage-colored shirt. Why would Asher ask that he wear it if he didn’t have it hanging in his closet?
Shrugging, he selected a charcoal-gray shirt instead. Gathering what he needed, he eased out of the room, careful not to wake his sleeping mate. He carried his clothes down the hall to the guest bathroom, showered and dressed in a hurry, then made his way back to the kitchen for a quick breakfast.
He found his lover had finally dragged himself out of bed and was currently moving about the kitchen, gloriously naked and humming softly as he prepared toast and pulled jams and butter from the fridge. Clearing his throat to announce his presence, Zaiden sauntered up to his mate and wrapped his arms around his thin waist. Placing a quick peck on the top of Asher’s head, he released him and went to sit at the table.
“I really need to teach you how to cook.”
Asher grunted, bringing the toast and condiments to the table. “More coffee?”
Zaiden pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. His little mate was so not a morning person. Which was the reason he’d been awed to find his little surprise when he’d woken up. The thought that Asher cared enough for him to wake up early to prepare coffee—even if he had crawled back into bed afterward—made his heart melt.
“That’s a nice shirt,” Asher said as he took his seat. “I like that color on you.” He gave Zaiden a crooked smile and bit into a piece of toast.
“Thank you. I’m sorry I couldn’t find the green one.”
Asher frowned and wrinkled his nose. “The one that looks like cat puke? I tossed that one when I was cleaning out the room the other day. I’m sorry, but that was one hideous shirt.”
Zaiden paused with his buttered toast halfway to his mouth. “I thought you wanted me to wear the green one today? You said it brings out my eyes.”
Asher’s frown deepened, and he shook his head slowly as he set his toast down on his plate. “Uh, when did I say that? Honestly, that shirt doesn’t bring out anything but my nausea.”
“You left a note by the coffeemaker.”
“No, I didn’t leave any note. I swear, Zaiden. I hated that damn shirt. I threw it away.”
Zaiden’s head reeled with the information. Was Asher messing with him? He could still see the note over on the counter near the sink. “Well, I appreciate you making coffee this morning. I was going to thank you properly,” he wiggled his eyebrows as innuendo slipped into his voice, “but you looked so tired that I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Zaid, what the hell are you talking about? I thought you made the coffee.”
Disquiet settled over him, and Zaiden rose from his chair and crossed the room to grab the little white card. He brought it back and thrust it under Asher’s nose. “You didn’t write this?”
Asher took it from him, reading it over and shaking his head. “This is not my handwriting, man.”
“Ash, this isn’t funny. If you didn’t do it, that means someone was in the house while we were sleeping. That doesn’t exactly give me the warm fuzzies, so stop messing with me.”
Pushing up from his chair, Asher placed a hand on Zaiden’s chest as he looked into his eyes. “I’m not messing with you, Zaid. I swear I didn’t do anything but make toast this morning.”
“Then who made the coffee and left the note?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. Should we call the police?”
Pulling his mate into his arms, Zaiden sighed as he rested his chin on the man’s head. “It wasn’t exactly a threatening gesture.”
“Yeah, but someone was in our house without our knowledge.”
Zaiden grinned. He liked how Asher referred to it as their house. “Okay. I can reschedule my appointments for this afternoon. Go take a shower and get dressed. I’ll call the police.”
Asher brushed a soft kiss over his collarbone and pulled out of his embrace
. “You don’t want the piggies ogling my hot ass?”
Zaiden growled, slapping that particular part of his mate’s anatomy. “No one but me, little bird.”
Chapter Eight
The police came, basically rolled their eyes as they assured them that they would look into it, then left. Zaiden left soon after to prepare for his afternoon appointments, leaving Asher to sulk about the house on his own.
He didn’t like the idea of someone being inside their house without their knowledge. He may have only been there for a week, but it was now his home, and someone had invaded his sanctuary. Not to mention his mate had been sleeping just a few feet from the kitchen.
Asher shuddered as he pictured some faceless person standing over Zaiden, just staring, watching him sleep. Pushing away the thoughts before he creeped himself out too much, he went to the kitchen and began clearing away the breakfast dishes. He loaded the dishwasher, his mind drifting over the things he needed to accomplish before Zaiden came home.
He had several phone calls to make. They needed someone to come in and clean up the mess and replace the carpets in the bedroom he’d set on fire. Rolling his eyes, Asher began wiping down the counters and tables. He still felt like a huge shmuck for that little incident. He hadn’t lost control since, but he’d been very careful to focus on keeping his flame buried. No easy task considering the pleasure that overwhelmed him every time Zaiden touched him.
Though he’d briefly considered asking his roommate to pack and ship his belongings to Tennessee, Asher had eventually decided to just buy everything new. He had the money to buy what he wanted, and it wasn’t like he owned anything of sentimental value back in Isla Blanca.
Maybe he should start looking for a job. The idea didn’t much appeal to him, but neither did sitting about the house awaiting his mate’s return each day. It had been less than an hour since Zaiden left, and Asher was already bored out of mind. If he wanted to maintain his sanity, he needed to find something to occupy his days.
Evans, Gabrielle - Fire and Ash [Midnight Matings 3] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Page 5