Even as Mitch nodded, his gaze strayed to a group of people exiting the manor. His eyes widened as surprise filled him... so did arousal. He admired the young woman’s lean, toned frame beneath form-fitting jeans, pretty features framed by long blonde hair, and small pert breasts barely concealed by a low-cut, pale-pink shirt.
“Mmmm,” Mitch hummed. “Maybe I want to meet someone else, instead.”
Andre must have followed Mitch’s line of sight, for he stepped directly in front of him. “No,” he hissed. “Absolutely not.”
Taking a step back, surprised by his friend’s vehement order, Mitch lifted both hands. “What?”
“I know that look,” Andre stated, his voice soft. “No way is going after Karen a good idea.”
“Karen?” Aaden and the others must have caught on. “Oh, damn. She’s looking grown-up, isn’t she?” Then his eyes widened, and he focused on Mitch. “Andre’s right. You should stay away from her.”
Frowning, Mitch crossed his arms over his chest. “Damn, guys. Shee-it! Ya’ll are harsh. What the hell?” He scowled at his friends. “I’m a nice guy.” Then something struck him. “What? Is she not legal?”
“She is,” Aziel responded slowly.
“Barely,” Andre cut in. Focusing a hard stare on Mitch, he continued, “And she’s the daughter of the gargoyle, Brogan. He’s way protective. You totally don’t want to get on the wrong side of him.”
“Especially if you want to stay here for a while,” Aziel added.
Mitch nodded, clearing his throat. “Yeah, I getcha.” His response seemed to soothe his buddies, but just to be sure, he lifted his hands and said, “I don’t want no trouble.”
They headed to the table to finally load food onto some plates.
As Mitch helped himself to a slab of ribs, some coleslaw, plenty of chips and dip, plus another beer, he couldn’t resist sneaking a couple more glances at Karen. The blonde was pretty stunning. She even caught Mitch’s eye once and offered him a coy smile.
Yep, she’s lookin’ for a little attention, and I’m more than happy to give it to her.
Mitch decided to find a way to slip away from his buddies once they became distracted with their mates.
Chapter Two
Kardamon lounged in a tree, eating what his kind considered breakfast. As an unmated gargoyle, he slept as a stone statue during the daylight hours. Gargoyles called the sleep-state roosting.
When Kardamon had woken that evening, he and several others had swiftly been rounded up and given a debriefing. It seemed that Elder Bodb was returning. Chieftain Maelgwn was a little up in arms about the short notice.
It was times like this that Kardamon appreciated he wasn’t part of the inner circle of the clutch. He much preferred the simple life. Kardamon could wake from roost, and the only thing he had to worry about was when his security shift would start.
Due to the fact that there had already been a gathering planned to celebrate several young, human mates having graduated from college, Chieftain Maelgwn had changed up security. There were now two tiers. A half dozen trackers were running sweeping checks of the perimeter, scenting for unfamiliar smells.
Kardamon was part of the interior tier. He patrolled closer to the estate home. Ideally, the new system would be three times as hard for anyone to creep through, considering all the extra cameras and motion detectors that had been installed around the perimeter. Considering that a few hunters were still on the loose, plus the enemies they were making with a few shifter packs, Kardamon thought the changes were well overdue.
Since Kardamon had heard the barbeque was already in full swing, he’d decided to grab food from the dining hall and head outside. He’d found a tree near the edge of his quadrant and climbed into it. Sitting on the branch, Kardamon swiftly ate the four large sausage breakfast burrito wraps.
Kardamon knew he could have gathered food from the celebration on the deck, but he’d heard the food was geared toward the celebrating humans. While he loved burgers, steaks, ribs, and the accompanying sides as well as the next man, he didn’t like them for breakfast. On top of that, he worried he’d get distracted by the revelry and not make the beginning of his shift.
After all, Kardamon enjoyed a good time. The problem was, from what he’d heard, all the humans graduating were mated to other paranormals in the clutch. He’d seen them around. They were handsome guys, and had they been single, Kardamon would have enjoyed a romp with one of them.
Too bad. It’d been a while since Kardamon’s last sexual encounter. Months. Sighing, he recalled the lithe cat shifter—Lachlan Addair.
Gods, he’d been fun.
Since his prick was beginning to thicken, Kardamon forced his thoughts to another matter.
Work. Right. Better get started.
Leaning forward, Kardamon swept his gaze over the forest floor, deciding where to land. He was about to drop from the tree when he heard a feminine giggle followed by a masculine rumble. Frowning, he cocked his head.
What the hell?
Kardamon knew what it sounded like the pair were intending to do, but they were damn close to the party. Even shifters weren’t that brazen. Deciding to check it out, he took in the lay of the tree branches and mapped a path.
Creeping toward the amorous couple, Kardamon felt a little skeevy. He had no intention of breaking up a rendezvous as long as he knew who it was and that they went a safe distance from party-goers taking a walk. With his decision to verify that in mind, he located the couple.
Kardamon frowned, recognizing the young woman. What the hell is Karen doing, and who is she with? The giggling blonde was the eighteen-year-old daughter of Brogan and Katie. There was no way she should be out in the woods with... whoever the man was. Problem was, Kardamon had heard through the grapevine that she was pushing boundaries—had been for a couple of years.
While Kardamon knew Karen was technically an adult, he had no desire to have his ass handed to him by Brogan or Maelgwn for not putting a stop to her shenanigans.
Growling under his breath, Kardamon anticipated their trajectory and figured out where Karen was leading the guy. He used the tree branches to get to the tiny clearing first. Standing on one side with his arms crossed over his chest, Kardamon leaned against a trunk and waited.
A second later, Karen appeared, her date in tow.
Karen stopped short, gasping. Her eyes widened, and her scent betrayed her shock... and guilt. Her cheeks took on a rosy glow in the moonlight that had nothing to do with her blush.
“H-Hey, Kardamon.” Karen offered a shy smile. “What’s up?”
Kardamon wanted to roll his eyes at her antics. Unfortunately, now that he was downwind, he caught the scent of the human with her. His eyes narrowed as the masculine aroma teased at his senses, causing his blood to fire in his veins.
“Oh, fuck no,” Kardamon growled.
He raked his gaze over the muscular, fit male, liking the sweep of his short brown hair over his brow and deep-blue eyes. In fact, they were a little dilated, and the smell of beer wafted over the breeze. It was easy to see that the guy’s inhibitions were down, which probably made it easy for Karen to manipulate the human a little.
No way am I going to allow Brogan’s daughter to have her way with my mate. Damn! This hot human is my mate!
“Who are you?” The demand was out of Kardamon’s mouth before he could think better of it.
“It’s okay, Kardamon,” Karen cut in, glancing between them. “This is Mitch. He’s known about paranormals for years.”
The name snagged a memory. “Friend of the mated humans,” he mused, settling a narrow-eyed gaze on Mitch. “Karen, go back to the house before I call your father.”
“Um, o-okay.” Karen pointed toward the left, starting that way. “Come on, Mitch. The trail to the pond is just this way. We can—”
“Mitch isn’t going with you, Karen,” Kardamon stated, closing the few steps between them. He reached out and gripp
ed Karen’s wrist, just resisting the impulse to squeeze until she released Mitch’s hand. “Leave now, and go back to the house,” he ordered again. Seeing Karen’s mutinous expression, he gave her a feral glare. “Mitch and I need to talk.”
Karen scowled at him, her coy, pretty expression disappearing in an instant. “Ugh! You’re going to warn him away from me, aren’t you?” Releasing Mitch, she began stalking away through the trees. “Bastard.”
Kardamon ignored her muttered insult in favor of focusing on Mitch. He saw that the human had lifted his hands in a placating manner. His expression had turned wry.
“Hey, man, uh, Kardamon, she said?” After Kardamon had nodded, Mitch continued, “I get it. I do. Stay away from Karen. I can do that.” Scoffing, he lowered his hands to his hips as his cheeks took on a rosy glow beyond even what the alcohol had given him. He chuckled roughly. “My boys told me the same thing, but when a pretty girl makes her desire for a ride on Big Mitch known, who am I to deny us both the pleasure.” He waggled his brows, his grin growing cocky. “Know what I mean?”
Gritting his teeth, Kardamon resisted his urge to shout that Mitch was his. He didn’t know how he’d missed the man—probably since he rarely came around and Kardamon stayed out in the woods so much. It didn’t matter. What was past was past.
Only the future matters.
Kardamon leaned into Mitch’s space and inhaled deeply. Even the smell of beer couldn’t drown out the delicious goodness of his mate’s earthy, masculine scent. Unable to resist a taste, he licked a strip up the side of his neck.
“Whoa!” Mitch jerked backward, but he didn’t get far. When his back hit a tree, he gaped up at him. “What are you doing?”
Chuckling softly, Kardamon again drew close to Mitch, boxing him in with his much larger body. “Mitch, your friends live here, are bonded with paranormals.” He rested his hands on the tree trunk on either side of his mate’s head. Leaning close, he placed his face inches from Mitch’s own. The desire to capture his human’s parted lips, to remove his wary expression, burned through him. “You know about mates?”
Mitch swallowed hard enough to cause his Adam’s apple to bob. He tipped his chin in the faintest of nod as he continued to hold Kardamon’s gaze. His blue eyes were wide.
“Well, you are my mate, Mitch.” Kardamon rumbled with pleasure at just expressing the sentiment. He turned his head and nuzzled his cheek against Mitch’s as he brought his lips to his human’s ear. Whispering roughly, Kardamon repeated, “You are mine.”
Mitch jolted sideways, slipping out from under Kardamon’s arm. He straightened and turned, watching his mate. Displeasure slithered through him upon seeing the way Mitch lifted a hand, obviously asking for space as he backed away from him.
“No way, man,” Mitch denied, shaking his head vehemently. “I ain’t gay, so unless you suddenly grow tits and a pussy, there ain’t no way I’m your mate.”
That certainly wasn’t the response Kardamon had expected.
“All your friends are in male relationships,” Kardamon pointed out. “You have a problem with it?”
Mitch scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Naw, K. Of course not.” His roguish grin returned, and his blue eyes twinkled. “Just don’t find dick attractive.” Waggling his brows, he glanced down at his crotch, drawing attention to the fact that he sported a boner, even without a female around. “Not unless it’s my own, of course.”
“And yet your body responds to mine,” Kardamon countered, glancing pointedly at Mitch’s fly-covered erection. “Fate does not make mistakes.”
Clearing his throat, Mitch glanced around the area. His expression betrayed his discomfort. “Yeah, well”—he paused and cleared his throat again—”got a boner from Karen, ya know?” Mitch sidled sideways as his cheeks turned a darker hue. “Just hasn’t gone away, yet.”
“Or...” Kardamon drew the word out as he once more advanced on Mitch. “Maybe your body is reacting because we”—he threaded the fingers of his right hand through Mitch’s dark hair, enjoying the feel of the smooth locks sliding through his fingers—”are”—Kardamon gripped Mitch’s hip with his other hand, stalling his retreat—”mates.”
Kardamon took advantage of Mitch’s gaping jaw and shocked expression. He lowered his head and captured his mouth. Thrusting out his tongue, Kardamon sank it into his mate, teasing and tasting him.
When Mitch’s exquisite flavor—even half-hidden beneath beer—exploded across his taste buds, Kardamon moaned roughly. He tightened his hold on his mate’s nape as he lapped along his tongue. Teasing at the appendage, then along his teeth, Kardamon mapped Mitch’s mouth.
For a few seconds, Mitch seemed to welcome his touch. He tilted his head, and his tongue teased along Kardamon’s own. His mate’s hands landed on Kardamon’s hips and gripped him tightly.
Then the participation stopped.
Mitch shoved at Kardamon’s chest as he twisted, yanking away from him. “Gerroff me!”
Kardamon immediately obeyed, lifting his hands in placation. Seeing Mitch’s narrowed eyes and the sneer twisting his lips, he couldn’t hide his confusion. He cocked his head and even took a step backward.
“Easy, Mitch,” Kardamon rumbled uneasily. The anger glinting in Mitch’s eyes created a need in him to grab his mate and soothe him. He wasn’t so far gone with lust that he knew that wouldn’t be welcome. “You’re my mate. You’re a little hard to resist.”
“Let’s get somethin’ straight, gargoyle,” Mitch snapped, pointing at him. “We ain’t mates, and there’s no way in hell that I want your tongue down my throat, so leave me the fuck alone!”
Kardamon watched as Mitch stalked away from him, disappearing amidst the trees in the direction of the house. He desperately wanted to catch his mate, to hold him and kiss him and force the male to submit. Surely Kardamon could make Mitch realize how good it would be between them.
Instead, Kardamon resisted.
Thinking through his interaction with Mitch, Kardamon realized he was going to need some help.
But, who?
Of course.
Kardamon’s buddies were all mated with paranormals. Surely they’d help him. First, he needed to do something else, however.
Pulling his phone from the satchel attached to the belt around his hips, Kardamon paused an instant. Who first? He decided to bite the bullet and sent a call through to Brogan.
“Hey, Kard. I thought you were on duty. Everything okay?”
“I am on duty. Pretty close to the barbeque, in fact.” Kardamon hesitated an instant, then realized he just needed to get it out there. “I had an unexpected interaction that I figured you’d probably want to know about.”
“All right. What’s up?”
Kardamon told Brogan, being honest about what he’d observed. While he said he’d split up the interaction, he didn’t admit that Mitch was his mate. In fact, he left his human’s name out of it altogether, leaving it as a friend of the guys who knew about paranormals. Kardamon decided if Brogan wanted to figure it out, it wouldn’t take that much digging.
When Kardamon finished explaining, the silence on the other end of the line was nearly deafening. He could practically feel Brogan’s anger from where he stood. One thing was for damn certain, Kardamon sure appreciated that he wasn’t standing in front of the fellow gargoyle.
Gods, Brogan would attack me just for being the messenger.
“And you’re certain that they aren’t just hooking up in another location?”
A low growl escaped Kardamon at the very thought of that. He reined himself in quickly enough, saying, “No. Definitely not. Mitch won’t be going near Karen again.”
“Mitch?”
Realizing his anger had caused his slip of the tongue, Kardamon told his fellow gargoyle, “Oddly enough, I discovered the human with Karen is my mate. He won’t be going near her again.”
I’ll make damn sure of that.
In fact... I should confirm where
he went right now.
“Like I said. The human was inebriated and looking for a good time, which your daughter seemed to be offering.” Kardamon couldn’t keep the snarl out of his voice, even though he knew that without the interaction, there would have been a great chance that he wouldn’t have even scented Mitch. “Figured I’d let you know that she’s still on a”—he hesitated before deciding on—”feminist power kick.”
He’d overheard a rumor that Karen was claiming that to justify her actions.
Brogan heaved a deep sigh. “Thanks.” After he’d grumbled the word, the line went dead.
While Kardamon knew that children were a blessing, he sure didn’t envy Brogan. Not one bit.
Kardamon placed his next call to Maelgwn. That one went as expected... although there was a heavy dose of concern in the gargoyle leader’s tone. The chieftain advised him to seek out Mitch’s friends and to keep him abreast.
Chieftain Maelgwn also assured Kardamon that his schedule would be flexible for the time being, since wooing a mate could cause unexpected circumstances to arise.
After hanging up his phone, having been assured that a replacement would be sent to his area shortly and he could get started with learning about his mate, Kardamon headed toward the barbeque.
When Kardamon exited the trees, he did a quick survey of the area. He didn’t see Mitch, but he did spot Aaden, so he headed toward the lean, handsome dark-skinned human. Kardamon offered Aaden’s mate, Grigoris, a nod in greeting as he stopped before the pair and held out his hand.
“Hi, you’re Aaden, right?” As the human nodded and shook his hand, Kardamon added, “I’m Kardamon, and I’m hoping to talk to you about Mitch.”
Aaden’s brows were furrowed when he released his hand. He took a swift survey of the area. Then his eyes widened as he met Kardamon’s gaze. “Oh shit. Tell me he didn’t do something to get him in trouble with the clutch.” Before Kardamon could respond, Aaden peered around, then called, “Hey, Aziel! Andre! Get over here.” The men immediately extricated themselves from their conversations and headed toward them. Aaden scowled. “And where’s Tian? We might have a problem.”
Channeling the Womanizer’s Lust Page 2