Thanking Raleigh once again, Caelyn took his mate’s hand and left The Greasy Spoon. As they exited the building, he threw a glance toward Graham and arched a brow at his lover. “How exactly did you manage to keep all this from me?”
Graham chuckled. “I did have the hardest time doing so, but I wanted to prepare a little surprise for you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“As long as you don’t make a habit out of hiding things from me,” Caelyn answered. In truth, Graham’s decision to keep his plans from him didn’t bother him. A true mate bond wasn’t based on sharing each and every notion of their minds. What mattered in it was trust, the same trust that had guided Caelyn into accepting the mate bond and throwing everything else to the wind.
A wave of love swept over Caelyn from his mate. It felt as soothing as the pleasant spring breeze toying with Caelyn’s hair. Obviously, Graham had overheard Caelyn’s thoughts. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve everything you’ve given me, angel,” the werewolf said, “but I’ll do my best to show you how much I appreciate it.”
Caelyn allowed himself to wrap his arm around Graham’s waist and lean against his mate’s shoulder. Gay couples weren’t always well received by humans, so he and Graham tried to avoid displaying their love for each other in public, but sometimes Caelyn couldn’t help it. Fortunately, the humans in this little town were strikingly accepting. Of course, there was the occasional bigoted comment, but compared to the prejudice of the shifter castes, it was nothing.
Graham guided him to their car and unlocked it. “Where are we going?” Caelyn inquired as he obediently slid inside. In the small town, most everything was within walking distance, so they rarely used the car anymore.
“Shh,” Graham said, taking the driver’s seat. “Don’t spoil the surprise.”
He was trying not to think about the destination, but Caelyn still saw Graham’s plan. A picnic, just for the two of them, to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Both of them liked nature a great deal, and Graham had found a perfect spot in the outskirts of the town.
Graham released a small groan and stabbed the key in the ignition. “It seems I just can’t win.”
“You’re trying too hard.” Caelyn kissed Graham’s cheek and buckled his seat belt. “You don’t have to impress me with your organizational abilities. I already know you’re an amazing man.”
“Maybe,” Graham said as they drove off, “but I want you to have anything you desire.”
He was incurable. No matter how much he gave to Caelyn, it never seemed to be enough. Caelyn decided that, for once, he’d allow Graham to spoil him. Closing his eyes, he forced himself to think about anything else that wasn’t Graham and what his mate might have in store for him. A movie. He’d seen the trailer for an upcoming paranormal film, and it had made him burst into laughter at how close, and yet how far, it had been from the truth.
“Do you know that a lot of those movies are controlled and sponsored by the draechen?” Graham asked.
“Really?” Caelyn perked up. He’d thought he’d known his world, but every day, he learned more and more. “How so?”
Graham nodded, still keeping his gaze on the road, but his focus somehow remaining on Caelyn. “At one point, the upper castes decided that the best way to prevent humans from learning about us was to flood the entertainment market with various versions of our reality. That way, when someone says they saw a shifter or a magic user, no one will believe him.”
“That’s actually a good idea,” Caelyn admitted reluctantly.
“It was Prince Shtamakarein’s,” Graham said. “Even the lower castes grudgingly admire him for that.”
Of course it had been Karein’s plan. Caelyn wondered now how they’d managed to escape the man to begin with.
“You know, I’ve actually been thinking about that,” Graham said. “He was acting strangely that day, when I left. I think he actually let me get away.”
This was the first time Graham had mentioned this. In fact, Caelyn suspected Graham had actively tried to push aside those unpleasant recollections. But now, in Graham’s memories, Caelyn saw flashes of what had happened during the escape from the draechen base. He had to admit it scared him a little, but it also puzzled him. “Why do you think he did that?”
“I wondered if he meant to trail me to you, or perhaps to the rest of my pack,” Graham replied. “But it just doesn’t match my image of him. He just seemed to resent me so much that I don’t see him allowing me to escape.”
“Maybe he’s planning to avenge his honor,” Caelyn reasoned. “By rights, I’m the one he hates.”
For all they knew, Karein fully intended to allow them to live their life happily for a while, then to snatch it away from them. A shiver coursed through Caelyn at the thought. If anyone was capable of doing that, it was Karein.
A hand landed on Caelyn’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “I’m sorry. I never should have mentioned him. I’m really making a mess of things. Just… Don’t think about it. I know it sounds like a poor policy, but if we stress over what the draechen do, we’ll never get to enjoy our happiness.”
Caelyn hid a smile. Graham might have said that, but Caelyn knew for a fact that, every day, Graham checked for any sign that the draechen might have found them. They still had plenty of money from the stash Raul had given them, which they kept in case they’d have to leave Youngsville unexpectedly. It was why they only ever spent the money they earned from their respective jobs. So far, they seemed safe, but it was likely that Graham and Caelyn would soon be forced to abandon their new friends and tenuously stable life.
But Graham had a point in that they couldn’t live their lives forever looking over their shoulder. Caelyn trusted that Graham would protect him, and he’d take whatever came in stride.
He’d have wanted to say that out loud, but he never got the chance as his lover stopped the car. During the conversation, they had apparently reached their destination.
“We have to walk from here, I’m afraid,” Graham said, pointing to a smaller dirt road.
“That’s fine with me,” Caelyn answered. “So it looks like I certainly got distracted from your surprise.”
“Next time we decide that’s a good idea, think about something boring,” Graham said as they left the car.
“Something boring?” Caelyn repeated inquiringly. “Like what?”
“Strippers,” Graham blurted out, “and bad food.”
There was so much wrong with that statement that Caelyn didn’t even know how to counter it. “Strippers aren’t boring” he finally argued.
“Of course they are,” Graham answered slyly. “They’re not you.”
Caelyn’s face flamed at the suggestiveness in his mate’s tone. “I could be a stripper,” he shot back. “What would you say then?”
“Depends.” Graham hummed thoughtfully as he opened the trunk and retrieved the picnic basket from inside. “If you intended to show that lovely body to anyone else… Well, of course I wouldn’t be very happy about it.”
Caelyn grinned, hooking his hand through Graham’s arm. “And if I was your very own personal go-go boy?”
“Then I’d revise my statement and say certain strippers are not boring at all.” He squeezed Caelyn’s ass and directed him toward the dirt road. “Come on, angel. We’re close now.”
In silence, they walked through the path. The clear air, the blue sky, and most of all, Graham’s presence wiped away Caelyn’s anxiety. More importantly, his arousal returned with a vengeance, bubbling under the surface, just waiting to be released.
At last, they reached the spot Graham had picked beforehand. Graham placed a blanket on the ground and then gestured Caelyn to sit down. Caelyn complied, dropping onto the quilt on his back. As he looked from the gorgeous blue sky to his mate’s handsome face, he had trouble figuring out which of the two sights was the real image of perfection. Actually, no, he didn’t have trouble with it at all. His mate was and would always be the most beautiful thing in his l
ife.
“Right back at you, angel,” Graham said as he joined Caelyn on the blanket.
Caelyn could feel Graham’s appreciative gaze on him, so he half expected the man to pounce him right then and there, but he didn’t. Instead, he opened the picnic basket and started to retrieve several items from inside. There seemed to be various dishes ready to be consumed, and judging from the enticing scents coming from each box, Caelyn suspected that Beth had been involved in this little plot, too.
“What did you coax her into?” Caelyn asked with a chuckle.
“Finger foods, mostly,” Graham offered. He opened one of the boxes and revealed delicious-looking chicken tenders. “Things I can feed you, bite by bite.”
It looked like Graham had everything very well planned out. So who was Caelyn to go against his wishes? He lay back against the quilt, ready to do whatever his Alpha mate wished.
“Mmmm, I like that,” Graham said, offering him a bite of chicken. It was so tender Caelyn couldn’t help a little moan. A piece of bruschetta was next, followed by a delicious deviled egg.
Caelyn closed his eyes, enjoying the textures and scents, the sensual experience Graham was offering him. As a Sutharlainn, he’d always been served all sorts of fancy foods on a regular basis, but he’d never found quite as much enjoyment in it. As Graham offered him a strawberry dipped in whipped cream, though, Caelyn had to admit that while the food itself tasted amazing, it was the company that made it all special.
In truth, he was quite greedy for his mate, and he found himself sucking on Graham’s fingers even as he enjoyed the flavor of Beth Connors’s cooking. He was quite enthusiastic about it, too, and soon, he had his mate groaning, his lust rushing over Caelyn in a wave that threatened to overcome him.
Finally, Graham started to put away the food, making Caelyn open his eyes. “Don’t I get to feed you, too?” he asked.
“I’m only hungry for one thing, and it’s not chicken tenders,” Graham replied, his voice filled with gravel.
The way his hot gaze raked over Caelyn’s body said more than words ever could. Caelyn licked his lips, already craving the passion he could read in those eyes and feel through their bond.
Graham crawled on top of Caelyn, bringing their bodies together. He whispered one single word, “Angel…”
Caelyn had many times wanted to say that he was no angel. Sometimes, he wondered if the actual angels would mind being compared to him. But that pet name held so much meaning, so much love, that whatever connection it might have had to any other person had long ago faded. Now, it was a vocalization of their love, a love that would never die.
“Yes, beloved,” he whispered back. “Come to me.”
After that, there were no more words. Graham pressed his mouth to Caelyn’s, taking his lips in an all-consuming kiss. They surrendered to their hunger, one that had nothing to do with the meal Caelyn had just had. It was a deeper need, one that went beyond the physical into a nearly transcendental realm. This was a craving that wouldn’t abate, not until they were one.
Graham thrust his tongue into Caelyn’s mouth, tasting him, seemingly even more ravenous than usual. Caelyn wrapped his arms around his mate’s neck and his legs around Graham’s waist. Graham’s reaction didn’t delay in appearing. His clawed hand clutched Caelyn’s hip, the sharp tips touching Caelyn’s flesh ever so slightly. It probably shouldn’t have aroused Caelyn, but it did. He’d never have thought that pain would be something that excited him, and yet, his dick throbbed with desire at that dangerous touch. Perhaps it wasn’t the pain itself, but rather the evidence of the fact that Graham was losing control with him. That had always been a potent aphrodisiac for Caelyn, and now was no different.
Rubbing against his mate, Caelyn bit Graham’s lower lip, impatient, desperate, needing more. His human clothes suddenly seemed so very restrictive, making his skin itch. He hated the barriers between him and Graham. He wanted everything off. He needed to feel Graham’s naked body under his fingertips.
Fortunately, his mate seemed of a similar mind. Tearing his mouth away from Caelyn, he struggled to take off Caelyn’s T-shirt. The damn thing caught in Caelyn’s hair, making him wish he’d chopped his long tresses off. He’d left the impractical fashion choices of sprite aristocracy behind. Why should he keep it like this?
He got his answer when Graham tore the uncooperative shirt, tossed the remnants aside, and fisted his fingers into his locks, pulling it hard. “Don’t you dare.” He growled. “This is mine. You’re mine. I want to hold onto your hair and look into your eyes as I fuck you.”
Maybe it should have pissed Caelyn off that Graham presumed so much. After all, it was Caelyn’s hair. He should be able to do whatever he wanted with it. Instead, this show of dominance aroused him, and he arched his back, moaning. He wanted that. He wanted Graham to hold him down by his locks while Graham’s dick pounded in and out of his ass.
Graham cursed, his hands frantically working the zipper of Caelyn’s jeans. It probably wasn’t smart to allow his mate to do that—Caelyn had lost countless items of clothing that way, and currently, replacing them was their largest expense—but Caelyn had his own priorities, namely getting Graham naked.
Since moving would have hindered Graham’s progress, Caelyn tried to use his telekinesis abilities instead. The result was only half-satisfactory. Graham’s shirt flew off, torn into pieces by the force of Caelyn’s enthusiasm.
Caelyn had been trying to learn the reasons and limitations of his new power. He surmised its development had something to do with finding his mate, and actually felt quite grateful for it. Sadly, getting accustomed to it wasn’t very easy. When he could concentrate, he generally managed to tame it. Suffice to say, now was not one of those moments. So, to be fair, Caelyn had to admit that Graham’s own wardrobe had suffered quite a bit. Neither of them would have had it any other way.
With some effort, Graham managed to undo Caelyn’s jeans, freeing his erection from its confines. He started to pull the garment off, only to realize Caelyn’s sneakers were blocking him. Growling in frustration, he got rid of Caelyn’s footwear in record time.
At last, he discarded Caelyn’s jeans, leaving him naked with the exception of his socks. Caelyn tried to keep up, he did, but Graham was relentless. And when his mate’s fist engulfed his erection… Well, who could have blamed him for completely surrendering to Graham’s will and ministrations?
Graham didn’t seem to mind in the slightest. His eyes had gone nearly black with lust, his mind lost in a whirlpool of desire. And when he lowered his mouth over Caelyn’s prick, Caelyn forgot everything else except that lust consuming both of them.
His mate started to bob his head up and down Caelyn’s dick, frantic, as if he needed Caelyn’s spunk more than his next breath. He was hot, volcanic passion, swamping Caelyn, short-circuiting his brain, taking over every cell of his body. Caelyn became a willing slave to it, losing himself in Graham’s wild intensity. He threaded his fingers through his lover’s hair and started to thrust his dick in and out of Graham’s mouth, instinct and need taking over as his rational side burned out in the face of their fiery want.
Their bond guaranteed that he felt everything Graham did, and for that reason, he knew how much Graham enjoyed his submission, how much his mate liked to have him like this, at his mercy. The connection became so strong that Caelyn could almost taste the flavor of his own pre-cum and feel the weight of his own erection on his tongue.
And then, Graham’s dry finger slid into Caelyn’s ass, zeroing in on his prostate. Caelyn actually saw stars. Screaming his mate’s name, he came, filling his lover’s mouth with streams of hot cum.
By some miracle, he managed not to lose consciousness, which was fortunate because it gave him the chance to watch Graham’s sinful mouth gulp down every drop of his seed. Graham’s body was still buzzing with unfulfilled pleasure—Caelyn could feel it through their connection—and yet, the werewolf lingered, licking Caelyn clean.
Caelyn desperat
ely wanted to return to favor. Well, in all reality, he actually needed for Graham to find completion within his body. With regard to Graham, he had become a complete wanton.
For the moment, though, his bones seemed to have melted and he couldn’t move a muscle. But of course, with such a sexy mate, not even that sexual satisfaction could control the impossibly powerful attraction between them. As Caelyn struggled through the aftermath of his mind-numbing orgasm, he saw his mate rummage through the basket and finally come up with a tube of lubricant. Just the sight of that familiar bottle had his dick hardening again and his libido reawakening. It was a visceral, Pavlovian response to the knowledge of what would come. Even if he’d just climaxed, Caelyn felt so relieved he could have sobbed.
Graham toed off his sneakers and quickly got rid of his jeans, revealing the perfect expanse of his body. Caelyn could never get enough of watching his mate’s naked body. Seeing him there, so close and so very handsome, drew a moan out of Caelyn. If Graham didn’t fuck him in the next ten seconds, Caelyn would likely lose his mind.
Fortunately, Graham was right there with him in his desire. He crawled back to Caelyn’s side and lifted Caelyn’s legs onto his shoulders. Caelyn held his breath as his mate positioned his dick at his opening. And then, in one single smooth thrust, Graham slid into Caelyn’s body, his prick burning Caelyn from the inside out.
For a few moments, Graham stilled inside him, giving him the time to adjust. But they’d always fit together just right, and Caelyn’s mate was well aware of that. Holding Caelyn’s gaze with his own, he began to move in and out of him, starting an almost punishing rhythm.
If anyone had asked him what it was like to have sex with his mate, Caelyn didn’t think he could have found adequate words to describe it. The ecstasy of the burn, of the stretch, the way Graham hit his prostate so perfectly had him breathless, but it wasn’t the only thing he experienced. He also sensed Graham’s pleasure, the tightness and the heat of his own body as it squeezed Graham’s dick. The onslaught of sensation overwhelmed his body and his mind. It was so strong that he couldn’t even compute it. For a few moments, it seemed like his very heart would stop at the intensity of it.
Hyacinth, Scarlet - Werewolf's Way [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 1] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 14