Isaac rubbed a hand across Etienne’s good shoulder, kissed the nape of his neck, and stepped back. “Let’s get you back inside.”
“Must I? Why can’t I sit out here? I promise to wear a blanket and not move.”
“You’re on the weak side. Doc doesn’t want you to do much these first days except to sleep and continue your recovery.”
Etienne grumbled and looked around before he turned to head inside. “Where’s Kate?”
“She went inside, something about making us a light dinner.”
Scrubbing a hand over his smooth chin, Etienne glanced at his partner. “I messed up as a guard since I didn’t know where she was on my personal property.”
“I was on guard, so don’t beat yourself up. Your body took a lot of damage and needs energy and attention.” Isaac moved his hand up and down Etienne’s spine.
They entered through one side of the double entry doors with their elegant glass-etching fronts. Etienne moved his fingers against the glass as it caught the last sparkles of fading sunlight. He stopped inside the entrance hall. “It’s clean.”
Isaac chuckled as he locked the door. He hit the buttons to activate the alarm, which was reset by the guardians.
Etienne walked through the first floor. His fingers drifted over the elegant maple wood trim, the chocolate leather furniture, and other pieces. Everything gleamed to a polished shine. Even the stone fireplace was clean and ready for an evening fire.
“They didn’t do a bad job, huh?”
“I can’t believe how clean everything is.” Etienne shook his head. “No, it’s perfect. It’s starting to appear like a home.”
Isaac dropped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “They’re gone. They can’t hurt you now.”
“They’ll always hurt, no matter what happened.”
Isaac pressed his head to Etienne’s good shoulder.
“I’ll be all right. I had an inkling and insight into a good family whenever I stayed with you or Gage.”
“Now you have another chance in this house with Kate and me.”
“Kate? I know we mentioned how our cats want her. Hell, I dreamed of both of you for weeks. She’s not part of the clan or even our culture. Hers seem so stifled.”
“She’s ours, E. I know it.”
“You said there is a new process to court a female. Do what you need to comply with the new laws. We’ll ask her.”
Isaac wrapped his arms tighter around Etienne’s waist. Etienne lowered his head and bumped it lightly against Isaac’s, and they nuzzled one another as they would in feline form.
“Hello there, I have an easy dinner ready. Would you both like some?” Kate called out behind them.
They straightened and turned toward her.
She wore an oversized apron over her clothes. One of her bare feet lifted on the ball to wobble back and forth.
“Kate, you didn’t have to cook for us.” Etienne shuffled toward the kitchen with Isaac supporting him.
“I don’t mind. I enjoy cooking for someone who appreciates my help and doesn’t expect it as servitude,” she said. She waved a hand for them to sit at the prepared table, complete with a cloth, placemats, simple plate settings, and a cluster of lit candles set on different items like wineglasses, upside-down glasses, and votives.
“This is gorgeous. I didn’t know the house had all of this in it.” Etienne accepted Isaac’s help to bend his body into the chair. He groaned as his muscles moved. “Sweet moon, I feel like an old man.”
“I’ll set up a relaxing bath with oil in the Jacuzzi tub. We’ll work out those stiff muscles with a long soak and massage,” Isaac said, kissing his temple, and sat in a nearby chair.
“Hmm. Sounds like heaven.”
“Don’t push yourself. You’ll get better every day.”
* * * *
Heading upstairs after a delicious dinner and Kate insisting on handling the clean-up alone, Isaac steadied his partner. He led them to the suite and opened the door. He waited as Etienne looked around the cleaned room.
“The ladies were busy. Where did they get all this new stuff?” Etienne noticed the different comforter and sheets. The wooden furniture shined from polish.
“They keep a stash somewhere.” Isaac let Etienne brace his body against the dresser and he went to close the door.
“What about Kate?”
“She’s downstairs cleaning. What do you mean about her?”
“She’s not going to want to join us.”
“Umm. Nope. She’s been sleeping curled against me while you were in the hospital.”
“Do you think she’ll do the same with both of us?”
“I hope so, since it seems to comfort her. Right now, I want you all for myself, make sure you’re all there, and we’ll make room for her before we fall asleep.”
“I can’t.”
“Have full sex, yes, but there’s other stuff we can do. Don’t worry. I’m taking care of everything. You don’t touch.” Isaac moved until his leg was between Etienne’s stance, and ground their hips together.
Etienne groaned with pleasure and defeat to his partner. “Okay, I guess it still works.”
Isaac’s smile was equal parts elated and devilish. Etienne shook his head, knowing what he was in for with this man. He let Isaac grab the hem of his T-shirt and push it up. Etienne moved to help hold it out of the way, but Isaac batted his hand away and swirled his tongue around Etienne’s nipple.
“Aw, sweet dark moon, yes.” Etienne came close to a heavy sigh and groan of pleasure.
“Good, I don’t do this enough with you. I want your taste forever on my tongue.”
Etienne’s breathing quickened as Isaac licked and sucked at his chest. He wiggled and against the dresser, as the different sensations thrummed pleasure. Isaac stepped back, whipped off his own shirt, and grinned.
Isaac tugged on his hands, manhandling and pushing Etienne to fall back on the bed. With a cocky grin, he reached down and tugged off Etienne’s jeans. He’d made sure his man went commando when they left the clinic. He undid and pushed down his jeans. He got Etienne in the position he wanted.
Etienne felt so good lying there under Isaac’s control and letting him pamper him. After a swift, deep kiss, Isaac meandered down Etienne’s chest, nipping muscles and licking edges. It was arousing as hell.
Reaching his lower belly, Isaac licked along the edge of Etienne’s pubes until his muscles tensed. When Isaac gave him a pleased look, he pulled in a sharp breath and tried to stop from shivering. His body didn’t listen, and Isaac felt everything. Isaac’s fingers scratched his pubes and around his hips. Oh dark moon, he needed this.
“Damn, you’re gorgeous,” Isaac said.
“I’m scared and rickety as shit.”
“You’re perfect. There’s nothing here I don’t want to touch and lick.”
“You’re crazy. Dark moon!” Etienne finished when Isaac dropped his head into his groin and moaned. The sudden vibrations made Etienne squirm. He sank his fingers into Isaac’s hair as another moan was ripped out of him. His eyelids fluttered as he groaned. “Isaac,” he whispered and reached down to touch the man’s hair.
Isaac took Etienne’s hand and held it against the pillow. Etienne gave in all over again now he’d been told not to disturb Isaac’s adulation. Isaac cupped and caressed the soft sac with his fingers, teasing the loose skin. Lowering his head, he sucked on one of the balls.
Before he could reply, a moan stuttered out of Etienne. He spread his thighs wider and tilted his pelvis up toward Isaac, desperate for more. When Etienne reached down to stroke himself, his hand slapped and pushed away. Moaning from his need for more, he felt Isaac’s fingers wrap around his hard cock and begin to stroke and pull. The suction was loud and a little sloppy on his balls, but he didn’t give a shit. When it was combined with the firm tugs and twists on his cock, Etienne writhed. He grasped the headboard since Isaac didn’t let him touch anything else. He shoved his hips against Isaac’s hand, unab
le to help himself.
“Oh sweet dark moon. Isaac,” Etienne said, hissing his partner’s name when Isaac took his entire length in his mouth. He watched him plunge and suck, lift to lick around the slit and rim, capturing the drops of pre-cum, before he devoured him again. Unexpected after all the heat, Isaac’s mouth left him. “Please. Isaac.”
His lover didn’t leave him, but wrapped his fingers tight around him. They were slick and pumping fast. Etienne noticed the intensity of Isaac’s gaze upon him and it was overwhelming. Sensations hot through him, it bowed his spine and neck and yanked the breath from his lungs. Every muscle tensed, and all emotion and feeling was centered on his cock. The shock of the orgasm poured through him. He melted under Isaac’s touch as he shot ropes of cum. He wallowed in the intense moment of reconnecting with his mate. As he sank down, he relearned how to breathe.
“Me. Watch me, love.” Isaac’s voice changed enough to pull Etienne’s full attention to him. He saw him use his cum to slick the hard erection curved toward his belly. It was a gorgeous sight to watch Isaac get off. He was fierce and strong as he gripped his cock.
Etienne heard a gasp and it didn’t come from either one of them. He tilted his head on the bed and stared at the bedroom door. The door he knew Isaac had closed was propped open a few inches. A few dark locks appeared in the opening. He realized Kate watched them. He smiled, dark and passionate, at the thought of their innocent beauty spying on them.
“E?”
Returning his attention to Isaac, Etienne smiled as he watched the powerful jaguar tensed and ready to come. “Come on, my mate.” Etienne curled up, wrapped his fingers around Isaac’s hand, and helped him pump his cock. He nipped at Isaac’s ear and whispered, “Do it. Shoot all over me.”
At those words, Isaac tensed, barked out a sound of release, and warm jizz splashed onto Etienne’s belly and cock. After he shuddered a few more times, he fell across Etienne’s good side. He nuzzled his face against Etienne’s neck and sighed.
Etienne wrapped his good arm around Isaac, tugged him against his side, and embraced him. He welcomed the sweaty, cum-covered heat of their bodies and the way they panted in sync.
“Hmm. Don’t wanna move,” Isaac muttered.
“Me neither.”
“Sticky.”
“In a good way.”
“Until it dries,” Isaac said and shifted until he half lay across Etienne and looked around for one of their shirts.
“What the hell? Hey?”
“Where are our shirts?”
“Across the room.”
“Shit. Cloth?”
“Bathroom.”
“Shit again.”
Etienne chuckled. “Some planning, pal,” Etienne teased.
“Hey, I didn’t get beyond jacking us off. Okay?”
“Okay. Umm. We were being watched.”
“What?” Isaac stared down at him and braced on a hand on the far side of Etienne’s hip.
“Our curious mate peered in the opening. Guess she finished dishes and came to find us.”
Isaac turned to see the door. “I closed it.”
“I know.”
“Guess I better find her.”
“Dressed.”
“Pants at least.” Isaac lifted himself over Etienne and off the bed. He stumbled on wobbly legs to the bathroom.
Etienne heard running water start and stop. He heard more water running as his lover returned with a damp washcloth. Shoving one arm behind his head, Etienne let Isaac pamper him, cleaning him with the cloth. He noticed the cat cleaned himself.
“Time for a soak.”
“Don’t wanna move.”
“Too bad. I started the Jacuzzi, added Epsom salts, jojoba, eucalyptus, and sage essential oils to help with relaxing and healing.” Isaac shifted an arm around Etienne and helped him out of bed and into the bathroom. He helped him sit on the edge of the sleek, drop-in Jacuzzi tub in a matching base cabinet. Leaning over, he tested the water and levels, adjusting two of the jets on one side.
“Where did we get all those oils?”
“Don’t know. There was a selection in the cabinet. Perhaps one of the ladies left them for us. I chose the ones that help with healing.”
Etienne sniffed the steamy air. “Not a bad mix.”
“Here, let me help you step inside and slide down.” Isaac assisted Etienne to climb in the huge rectangle tub and settle against the jets. He turned off the water and hit the button for the jets and chromatherapy lights. He rolled a towel into a pillow log and stuck it behind Etienne’s neck. Bending over, he scooped the wet cloth he had used earlier and tossed it in the direction of the hamper. He disappeared back into the bedroom and returned. “Doing good?”
Purring with pleasure, Etienne slid further down in the bubbling, fragrant water. “As long as I don’t smell like a girl when I’m done, I’m good.”
“Don’t think that's possible with you. Here’s a towel and pants when you get out. Call if you need me. I’m going to find Katie.” Isaac slung a towel over the special heater bar and set a folded pair of cotton sleep pants went on the counter. He tugged on a different pair and tied off the drawstrings.
“Is she okay if we sleep in them?”
“Yup, but I don’t think she’ll be with us. It’s odd.” Isaac shrugged. “I’ll go and find her.”
“Okay.” Etienne closed his eyes and let the bubbles and oils work their magic. He felt Isaac kiss his forehead before he left him alone.
Not sure how long he soaked, Etienne woke when a hand touched his shoulder and the bubbles stopped. He glanced over to Isaac and smiled.
“Hey, big guy, time for bed.”
“Kate?”
“She’s sleeping in her room, so you can stretch out for a couple of nights. She didn’t say anything about peeking in on us.”
Sitting up, Etienne pushed himself out of the tub. His body felt relaxed and not as shaky. Perched on the edge, he dried his skin off with the heated towel and scrubbed his damp hair at the base of his skull. He wiggled into the pants, the exertion of the earlier release and long soak in the tub tugging the last limits of his body.
“Can’t sleep here, big guy.”
“Get me to bed,” he said.
“With pleasure, love,” Isaac said as he slid an arm around Etienne’s body. He helped him on his feet and they shuffled back to the high bed.
Once he was tucked under the covers, Etienne closed his eyes and fell asleep before Isaac had the chance to turn off the lights and snuggle against him.
Chapter 15
A week after leaving the clinic, Etienne regained more of his previous strength. Having left the window open last night, he enjoyed the warm rays of the morning sun and gentle breeze across his bare skin. The crisp coolness raised a few goose bumps. He shivered and burrowed deeper into the pillow while the sheet curled around his hips.
“Hey there, sleepy kitty. Do you feel like getting up and joining us for breakfast?” Isaac asked as he sat next to Etienne’s hip. He drew his fingers down Etienne’s chest.
Opening his eyes as he stretched his limbs with lazy grace, Etienne turned toward Isaac’s voice. “Hey. What time is it?”
“Morning, you didn’t sleep all day. How are you feeling?”
“My bum shoulder doesn’t move right, but I expected issues. Other than it, I’m getting stronger.”
“Do you feel like getting up? The doc wants you to increase your movement and time every day.”
“What about a shift?”
“When you can spend a few full days without weakening, the doc will give you the go-ahead. I’ll join you on the run.” Isaac leaned toward his lover. “Did I give you a good morning kiss?”
“No, you skipped it.”
“Please excuse my grievous error.” Isaac slid his fingers into Etienne’s hair and brushed their lips together. He gave him the simple request of a morning kiss. “Good morning, my lover.”
Etienne tugged Isaac closer as their kiss deepened to
allow Isaac to slide his tongue within his mouth. He moaned at the touch, the taste of his lover. Their moans filled the room. The kiss intensified between them until they separated.
Isaac pressed his forehead against Etienne’s as they worked on catching their breath. “As much as I want to push you back and take you, I can’t. We shouldn’t test your limits.” Isaac pulled in a deep sigh.
“Ahh, dark moon, we’re not alone, but hell I want a little more.” Etienne tightened his grip in Isaac’s hair, tugged, and rolled them around on the bed.
Rumpled from the sex, Isaac folded hands over Etienne’s chest and dropped his chin on them. “What am I going to do with you?”
Etienne tucked one hand behind his head. “Indulge me whenever I wish since I’m an invalid.”
“An invalid can love me with such vigor, I don’t know. I’m wondering how you accomplished the shower loving the other day.”
“I saved energy to accost you.” Etienne slid his fingers through Isaac’s dark hair.
Isaac moved a hand to tap Etienne’s nose. “I can see questions running through your mind in your gaze. What are you thinking about?”
“Did you register our names and Kate’s for a courtship?”
“Yup.”
“What’s the next step?”
“We need to speak with her to see if she wishes to be courted. If she says yes, we should announce our intentions. One way is take her out either to an evening at Twilight or to a fancy dinner at Serenade.”
“I don’t think our innocent could handle a night at Twilight.”
“True, it has become richer in sensual eroticism and BDSM.”
“How much has Xavier expanded the old building?”
“He built a brand-new building, three times the size, and moved the club there. The original place is a luxurious home for him and his crew.”
“Dark moon, it must be doing well.”
“Several clients come from various clans and cities to be part of Twilight.”
“Twilight isn’t an option. What is Serenade?”
Dark Moon Dance [Fire Jaguars 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 10