“It’s the same premise of when a gargoyle mates a woman,” Sapian explained, pouring hot picante sauce onto his plate. “A woman can’t fuck a gargoyle, inserting her seed into him. That’s why it takes longer for gargoyles mated with women to go through molt.”
The enforcer gargoyle’s words immediately made Kardamon think of Sapian and Missy... in intimate positions. He cleared his throat and focused on his food, taking a big bite of his sandwich.
“Or in my case”—Tobias cut in, drawing attention—”where Roland doesn’t actually have any little swimmers.”
Kardamon had heard Tobias and his lynx mate, Roland, had had some problems, but not specifics. While he wondered why the lynx wouldn’t have semen, he wasn’t about to question the male.
“And I don’t bottom, so I understand Mitch’s stance,” Einan added, rolling one huge shoulder. “It helps that Cornelius doesn’t top.” Focusing on Kardamon, he told him, “Although from how Mitch spoke, his stance might change given enough time.”
Chieftain Maelgwn cleared his throat. “Stay on point, guys.” He smiled at Kardamon. “All I’m saying is there’s always a work-around.”
“Hey, wait a minute.” Sapian snapped his fingers. “How about a semen enema?”
“I, uh, huh?” Kardamon wasn’t following. “A semen what?”
Tobias’s scoff almost drowned out Maelgwn’s groan. Einan shook his head.
Sapian waved his hand excitedly. “No, really? Mitch was pretty straightforward with us, about everything. Even the tail play.” He waggled his brows. “Instead of soaking your tail in lube, use your spilled seed. It could work, right?”
“Actually,” the chieftain mused. “It’s not a bad idea.” He turned to Kardamon. “Give it a shot.”
While Kardamon felt a certain measure of discomfort at having to discuss his sex life with his clutch’s inner circle, he appreciated a few things they’d said. It seemed Mitch was now open to accepting him. Kardamon was still confused about something though.
“Why is mine and Mitch’s issue about finishing our bond a problem for the clutch?”
Chieftain Maelgwn grimaced. “Right. Sorry.” He took a sip of the coffee Tobias had poured, then told him, “Well, it seems you need to meet with your future father-in-law and find out why the fuck he’s interested in Night Wingers, Inc.”
Kardamon opened his mouth, then closed it again. “Night Wingers, Inc.? Our nudist colony cover? What does that have to do with anything?”
“That’s what we need to find out,” the chieftain told him, scowling faintly.
“On a good note, Mitch’s family already accepts that he’s gay.”
Focusing on Tobias, Kardamon finished chewing the sausage, egg, and cheese burrito he’d just taken a bite out of. “How the hell do you know that?”
“There are pictures of you and him,” Enforcer Einan told him, a snarl in his tone. “I want to know who the fuck that private eye is, because they’re damned good to avoid detection by a paranormal.”
“Even a distracted one,” Sapian said, nodding in agreement.
Holy fuck! Pictures?
Kardamon felt the blood drain from his face. The delicious breakfast burrito suddenly felt like ash in his mouth. He glanced around the group.
“Whoa! Relax,” Sapian urged, lifting a hand and reaching toward him. “Just breathe, Kard. It’s okay.”
As the male sitting farthest from him, Sapian couldn’t actually touch him, but it did draw attention to Kardamon’s panicking state. Maelgwn, who was to his left, reached over and rested a hand on his shoulder. He squeezed lightly.
“None of the pictures were compromising,” Maelgwn assured him. “It’s fine. You were plenty careful and discreet.”
Doing as the enforcer had urged, Kardamon took a deep breath. He held it for one heartbeat, then two, before letting it out slowly. After doing that twice more, he felt calmer.
Kardamon met Maelgwn’s gaze, managing a tight smile. “Still, I am sorry. I will be more careful.”
“Hopefully, you won’t have to be.” Maelgwn returned his smile. “Finish eating, then go to your suite. Your mate is waiting.”
“Mitch is still here?” Kardamon asked before shoving the last bite of his burrito into his mouth. He chewed quickly.
Maelgwn nodded. “We figured it’d be good to give you a heads up before running into him in your suite and getting caught up in sex.”
Nodding in understanding, Kardamon mumbled, “Yeah. It happens damn fast.”
The other gargoyles all chuckled as they also nodded.
Kardamon ate swiftly as he listened to the inner circle talk about what was going on in the clutch. He learned that Elder Bodb had been forced to reschedule due to an emergency in another clutch. Instead, the gargoyle leader intended to see them in a week or so.
Maelgwn shared that he and his mate, Bobby, were eagerly awaiting the hatching of their egg. Everyone in the clutch was preparing a celebration. He also learned that the pair were quaffling between several different names.
To Kardamon’s shock, Bobby had told Maelgwn that he’d decide once he saw the hatchling’s features, meaning his hair and skin color. The human male seemed to find it important that they go together—whatever that meant.
Listening to that, Kardamon realized he still needed to talk to Mitch about children.
Of course, if my mate never wants to be fucked, then it’s a moot point.
Kardamon couldn’t say he was all that upset about it.
“Thank you for everything,” Kardamon stated as he wiped his fingers with a cloth napkin. “I’m going to get moving.” Seeing the remains of everything spread around them, he waved toward the picnic. “Would you like me to clean this up and take it to the kitchen?”
Tobias smirked up at him. “Naw, Kard. Get out of here.”
Sapian laughed. “We’ll take care of it.”
“Go to your mate,” Maelgwn urged, clearly amused by his offer.
“And have fun,” Einan teased, waggling his eyebrow ridges.
Kardamon thanked them even as he chuckled, rising to his feet. While striding away, he glanced behind him. The four huge males made an interesting picture, lounging there on a brightly colored picnic blanket and sipping coffee.
In truth, Kardamon felt extremely grateful that his clutch’s leaders worked hard to be so involved and supportive. He knew not every clutch was that way.
Dismissing those thoughts, Kardamon spread his wings and jumped off the roof. He swooped around the massive estate structure. Reaching his second story balcony, he landed lightly and crossed to the French doors.
Kardamon paused just long enough to take a deep, relaxing breath. Once he felt he had his uncertainty and excitement under control, he reached for the door. When he entered his suite’s bedroom, just about all his good intentions went out the window.
His mate lay sprawled on his bed, gorgeously nude. He lay on his stomach, displaying the long, lean lines of his back and legs as well as his firm round globes. His dark hair splayed across his forehead, and his head rested on his cheek.
Only the fact that Mitch’s eyes were closed and he breathed in slow even breaths, telling Kardamon that he was asleep, stopped him from leaping on his mate and ravishing him.
Creeping around the bed, Kardamon crossed to his ensuite bathroom. He closed the door before turning on the light, then went about cleaning up. Once done, he turned the light back off, waited a couple of heartbeats for his eyesight to adjust, then returned to his bedroom.
Mitch hadn’t moved.
Removing his loincloth, Kardamon crossed to the bed. Since he’d just woken from roost, he wasn’t interested in sleep, but lying beside his mate, curving around him and holding him—yeah, I want to do that. Kardamon would cuddle his mate close until he woke.
Kardamon eased onto the bed and did just that. He rested his head on the pillow beside Mitch’s and pressed his front against his mate’s side. Resti
ng his hand on Mitch’s back, he gently traced the strong lines.
While Kardamon hadn’t intended to wake Mitch, it seemed he wasn’t in as deep a sleep as he’d thought.
Mitch hummed, and a smile curved his lips. Cracking one eyelid, he peered at Kardamon. He turned his head and opened his second eye, peering up at him fully.
“Hi, Kard,” Mitch greeted quietly. Then his brows furrowed. “Hope you don’t mind I’m here. Your friends let me in.”
“I love finding you here,” Kardamon admitted. “My leaders met me on the roof and let me know you were waiting.” After a second of hesitation, he admitted, “And why you’re here. Something to do with your father.”
Grimacing, Mitch rolled onto his back. Then he wriggled closer to Kardamon so they were still curled up together. He even went so far as to slide one leg between Kardamon’s own.
“Yeah, my father dropped by this morning, but he’s not what I want to talk about first.”
Kardamon nodded. They did need to talk, although it would be tough to concentrate, especially with Mitch’s nude, gorgeous body sprawled beside him. That wouldn’t stop him from doing a little exploring.
“There are definitely a few things I need to ask you about, too.” Kardamon focused on Mitch’s face as he gently traced his mate’s muscled torso. “Like kids. Do you want any?”
“Oh, god, no!” Mitch cried, wincing. “Please tell me you aren’t going to ask me to carry an egg, because there’s no frickin’ way I’m doing that.”
A sigh of relief escaped Kardamon. “Thanks be to the gods.” Seeing Mitch’s brows shoot up, he admitted, “I don’t want young ones of my own, either. I can get all the hatchling interaction I need from other gargoyles’.”
Looking totally relieved, Mitch grinned up at him. “Awesome.” He slid his left arm under Kardamon and curved it around his back, teasing at his spine. “Okay, so, my turn. I want to bond with you, but I don’t want to get fucked. I’m not”—his lips pressed into a thin line for an instant, and his brows furrowed—”I’m not ready for that. I’m sorry.” Resting his hand on Kardamon’s where he rubbed over Mitch’s torso, his mate stated, “I told your leaders that. They said they were going to discuss options with Doc Perseus, then talk to you. Is that, uh, is that what they were doing?”
Kardamon nodded. “They did.” Before sharing their ideas, he had to know. “Why did you change your mind? Was it just because of the problem with your father?”
While Kardamon wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth if that were the case, he would work extra hard to make certain Mitch never regretted his decision.
Mitch shook his head. “No. It wasn’t because of him.” His lips twisted into a wry smile. “As soon as I woke this morning, I called the guys. I needed advice, and it occurred to me. They’re my family, and they’re part of your clutch.” Scoffing, he admitted, “I always thought what they had with their paranormals would never be normal, and I left behind my family in Texas because I wanted normal... but normal is relative, right?”
Kardamon wasn’t certain he was following, but he nodded slowly anyway, hoping Mitch would explain further.
One thing he did get from Mitch’s ramble, however, was the fact that his mate wasn’t asking to join with him just because of his father’s visit.
Kardamon’s heart swelled, shocking him with how pleased he felt by the revelation.
Chapter Eleven
Mitch could see the confusion in Kardamon’s eyes, even in the dim moonlight filling the bedroom. He racked his brain for a way to help him understand. Sighing, he scratched his brow, struggling to focus with the sexy gargoyle’s hands on him.
Yeah, I just thought of the male gargoyle as sexy. Go figure.
“Okay, so, um—” Mitch furrowed his brows as he started slowly. “Normal. A house with a picket fence in a subdivision. A spouse and two-point-five kids. God, that would suck, really.” He held Kardamon’s gaze as he added, “While my buddies don’t have any of that, they’re damn happy. They have friends. They have family. They have support. They have choices.” Realizing what he’d blurted out, he nodded. “Yeah. Choices. That was the biggest thing for me when I left Texas. I wanted a choice in my life.”
“I’m sorry Fate took that away from you,” Kardamon whispered, his expression one of clear concern. “I could say that I wish I could change it, but it wouldn’t be true. I... I wouldn’t change it.” Kardamon rubbed up Mitch’s torso, then down again, maybe trying to be soothing. Instead, Mitch found it arousing, which made it tough to concentrate when Kardamon continued, “I suppose that makes me an asshole, but I consider you a gift from the gods themselves. I want you as mine.” His tone turned earnest. “I’ll take you any way I can get you.”
It hit Mitch.
“Shit, you totally misunderstand,” Mitch told him.
Resting his right hand on Kardamon’s broad torso, Mitch scraped over his small nub, finding it already beaded, so he pinched it. Liking the hiss that escaped the gargoyle’s parted blue lips, he knew he’d need to hurry before his desire to fuck got the better of him.
“You’re still giving me a choice, just in a different way. What I want to do. Where I want to live.” He scoffed. “Even if I want to get fucked. On top of that, I’m getting companionship, blissful pleasure”—his blood heated at his thoughts, not to mention the opportunity to explore the gargoyle’s lovely and responsive nipples—”family. Even the choice of kids. How could I not want what you’re offering?”
Kardamon levered closer, looming half over Mitch. “If you don’t quit that, I’m going to kiss you, and the talking will stop.”
Mitch’s prick went from semi-soft to hard as a steel pipe in seconds. Moaning at the exquisite throb pulsing through his groin, he shifted his hips restlessly. He found Kardamon’s thick thigh in a convenient position to rut against and took complete advantage.
“Fuck! You say that as if it’s a bad thing.” Groaning, Mitch relished the sensation caused by lover’s slightly bumpy hide against his leaking prick. Even the feel of Kardamon’s thick erection pressing against his hip didn’t deter him in the least. Mitch was a little surprised to realize he liked feeling the proof of how much Kardamon wanted him, too. “You get me so damn hot with just a touch. Love it!”
Kardamon moaned, pressing his thigh harder against Mitch’s prick. “M-My chieftain and inner circle tossed out an idea I’d like to try. Not fucking.” His voice came in harsh pants as he rubbed against Mitch, sliding his hand up so he cradled Mitch’s neck. “Just my tail, like before, but with my seed on it.”
Mitch slowed his hips, trying to focus.
This is important. I need to think.
“So, nothing bigger than your f-finger, right?” Mitch clarified.
Nodding, Kardamon confirmed, sliding his tail across Mitch’s hip and into view. He even wrapped it around Mitch’s erection, jacking him lightly.
Peering down at Kardamon’s tail, Mitch felt his breathing hitch. He licked his lips and swallowed hard. “Oh, wow. You have, uh”—a grunt escaped him when it teased over his damp crown—”r-really amazing c-control.”
Kardamon’s chuckle was low and deep. “Oh, yes.”
Mitch appreciated that the slender, blue appendage was no thicker than Kardamon’s index finger. It also wasn’t tipped with a claw. Having something so sharp up his rectum was definitely intimidating, too.
Maybe someday, but not today.
Nodding, Mitch agreed. “Yeah. Let’s try that.” He lifted his gaze and focused on Kardamon. “Your cum in my ass by another way. I like it.”
Kardamon offered a feral smile as he began lowering his head again, his intention clear—to kiss Mitch. “Then let’s have some fun, so I have some seed to slide into you.”
Mitch was on board with that. Just before Kardamon sealed his lips over his own, a thought struck him. “Wait. Wait!”
Holding his gaze, Kardamon froze. “Do you not want to kiss?”
Seeing the disappointment in Kardamon’s dark eyes, Mitch quickly assured, “I do, Kard. Really.” Then he waggled his brows and pointed toward the nightstand. “Just let me get my wallet.”
Kardamon lifted up, leaning his weight on his left arm.
Mitch sat up and twisted his torso. Grabbing his wallet, he straightened as he flipped through it. He held up a strip of four condoms.
“Uh...” Kardamon’s confusion was clear.
“Trust me.”
“Of course.”
Mitch felt his heart warm as he tossed his wallet back on the nightstand. Just those couple words confirmed his decision. Mitch knew he was doing the right thing.
This gargoyle is it for me. Crazy!
The thought skittered in and out of his mind as he tore off one condom and placed the others aside. As much as he’d originally fought against it, he sure loved the idea now. With practiced ease, he opened the contraceptive, then reached for Kardamon’s prick.
Mitch hesitated only a second, then for the first time in his life, he gripped the base of another male’s erection. Unable to help himself, he skimmed his fingertips up and down once, twice, feeling up his lover. Just like on the rest of the gargoyle, the skin was ever-so-slightly bumpy, making it absolutely fascinating.
Holy fucking shit, my lover is a guy, and I love it!
Kardamon growled softly. “Playing with fire there, mate.”
Enjoying the low, husky timber of Kardamon’s voice, the tone betraying his need just as much as the pre-cum oozing from his wide crown, Mitch grinned at the gargoyle as he continued his light jacking. “You got to explore me last night. I think I should be able to do the same to you.”
“Later,” Kardamon replied, gripping Mitch’s wrist. “Later you can explore any part of me you wish, but right now, if you want to put that condom on me, you’d better do it.” His eyes seemed to sparkle in the moonlight as he finished, “Because the idea of inserting my seed inside your body, of exchanging blood, has me so hot I’m about to blow.”
Channeling the Womanizer’s Lust Page 9