by Jo Penn
“About time. Thanks, see you—”
“Drake.” Dominic’s tone was very serious and stark.
Xavier shivered, anxiety flooding him. His cat mate purred and nibbled Xavier’s neck.
“What, Dom? Need to get busy here.”
“I understand, but I have to make you aware that Keeley refused your claim on him.”
Xavier nearly dropped the phone in shock. Refused the claim! How did Keeley even know to do that? Most paranormals didn’t even know…well, not the younger ones anyway.
This was not good, not good at all… Then again, if he got Keeley all to himself, Xavier was not going to complain.
“I see that, my vampire.” Drake growled, his big body vibrating with it. “Officially? In front of witnesses?”
“Yes, a lot of witnesses.”
“Well that’s just great. So far that human has caused me nothing but trouble, but if he thinks he can deny me, he’s going to learn real damn fast who’s in charge. That fucking idiot! I bet he doesn’t even have a clue what he’s done!”
“Wait, Drake, before you get steamed up… Which, granted, I am also. No one should pull that refusal card. It’s unpleasant for everyone in the end. Anyway, Mason gave me a medallion to put on Keeley.”
Medallion. Xavier was momentarily distracted from the conversation between the tiger brothers, his fingers brushing against his throat to find the chain with his own medallion gone. He needed to rectify that as quickly as possible.
“What does this medallion do?” Drake asked between gritted teeth, the words hissed out.
“Sends your mate into overload of lust and needs, and takes away his inhibitions, prompts him to make the right decision. If he is in no way feeling the bond to you and not attracted, it will have no effect whatsoever. In other words, you wouldn’t be able to claim him if he isn’t truly feeling the mate bond. This will just push anything he is feeling, the attraction and lust, to levels he can’t control. Xavier will have to tell Keeley to take back the refusal of your claim, and you have to claim the human as soon as he’s finished speaking the words.”
Xavier was listening and undressing Drake at the same time. He knew Keeley was safe and would soon be with him. Now it was time to claim his shifter mate.
“Bedroom, mate. I don’t want to fuck in the hall.”
“And we’re done here.” Dominic chuckled.
“Medallion sounds good, or just fucking the human until he submits.” Drake stared hard at Xavier, shutting off the call.
Hissing, he unleashed his talons against the shifter’s chest. “Watch it, cat, that human is my mate.”
“Got you, Xavier. You still don’t want to share, and your human does not want to let me claim him, so that places me right on the outside. And guess what, gorgeous, that is not going to happen.”
“We’ll see. Bedroom. Clothes off.”
Laughing, Drake nipped Xavier’s throat. “Whatever you want and need, my beauty. You see, I want you. All of you, and I’m already falling for you, both my cat and I. The human I don’t give a toss about. My cat says mate, I say fine. We’ll have him, claim him, then maybe I’ll just let you play with your little human mate, but don’t try and sideline me, got it?”
Xavier stilled, staring stupefied at Drake, and then smiled slowly, seductively. “Oh, my poor, big mate, you have no idea. Keeley is sunlight and hazy dreams, lazy sex and sex so hot you’ll forget your name. You’re going to fall so hard and fast—”
“With you, definitely. Come on, or I will have you up against the wall, then the floor, and over that little side table with the delicate vase my mother will clobber me over the head for breaking.”
“Sure, my mate, and I’ll have you.”
Xavier took note of the startled blink then the quirked brow and smile. Hmmm, his big alpha mate probably had never bottomed, or maybe not since he was a youth and experimenting with sex for the first time. Xavier was interested to see just how deeply ingrained the need to be the dominant was within Drakius Sanchez. Xavier was prepared to provide for his mate, was inclined to do so naturally, as all mates were—but how deeply this would go also depended on Drake’s nature.
Surprisingly, Drake didn’t just drag him off to a bedroom and jump him, as Xavier would have expected from the overheated feel of the cat shifter. Leaning down, the huge cat sniffed Xavier’s neck and licked a few long sweeps across his throat, making Xavier shiver with pleasure. Then soft lips nibbled at his as gentle hands spread out across his back and neck.
It was almost…tender. It startled Xavier. He experienced tender with Keeley. He did not expect it with Drake. Those full lips covered Xavier’s, the kiss deepening but retaining that tender quality as they moved and opened Xavier’s mouth, Drake’s tongue slipping inside and lapping at his.
“Stop analyzing, Xavier, let’s just feel together.”
Xavier studied the deep brown eyes watching him, and what he saw surprised him.
“What do you want, Drake Sanchez?” he asked quietly.
Smiling, Drake nibbled Xavier’s lips in that tender fashion. “You. All of you, just as I am yours, for the taking and keeping.”
They would see, Xavier decided and allowed himself to relax and accept this gentler, less aggressive side to the tiger mate. He hadn’t expected it and was wary of it. As Drake kissed him again, Xavier let his new mate in and returned the kiss, startled by the depth of passion, this new, more giving side to the tiger. No longer did he manhandle. He held Xavier with reverence as they kissed with such passion and touched so softly, sensually, that Xavier’s reserves slipped away and he allowed himself to feel rather than merely accept his duty to his mate and the passion that was there already from their mate bond.
Heat quickly returned and overtook them as they made their way to Drake’s suite and into the bedroom, clothes thrown off hastily. The tiger was overheating, drowning in needs, but he didn’t manhandle anymore, which kept Xavier’s natural instinct to slash in check. Though they walked through the suite quickly, absorbed in each other, he noticed the size, the furnishings and decorations, surprised and pleased to see most were similar in style and taste to his, and some Keeley would also be happy and comfortable with.
As they reached the bedroom, naked now, Xavier perused the big tiger. At six-foot-six, with wide shoulders and muscles on top of muscles, the creature had an amazing, damn sexy physique with a splattering of white-blond hair across his wide chest and trailing down to his very full, engorged groin that was long and thick, heavy against his stomach.
Xavier licked his fangs that slid out at the sight. He wanted to taste that mammoth cock and then feel it pounding inside him. It had been a very long time since he’d bottomed, and with that beauty, Xavier’s ass was clenching in delight.
Drake purred and dropped to his knees in front of Xavier, hands trailing over his arms, chest, back, thighs, and butt.
“You are perfection.” The tiger licked his rough cat tongue along Xavier’s chest, paying particular attention to his nipples, nipping and licking them while one hand caressed his back and the other dove straight between his bottom cheeks to his hole. “I want to taste and feel all of you.”
Sensations overloaded Xavier quickly as the tiger became relentless, a heated vortex that sucked, licked, fondled, squeezed, and touched everywhere. Drake licked his way down Xavier’s chest, over his stomach, nipping his six-pack of muscles, and then used his cock like a sweet treat, licking and nibbling before sucking it into his mouth and sending Xavier to the edge so fast he had to grab the base of his cock to stop from shooting off as he groaned and hissed in pleasure.
With two fingers quickly shoved into his ass, Drake pushed Xavier’s hand away and sucked his cock down, tongue lapping at the slit then along the sensitive cap. Xavier threw his head back, fingers tangled in Drake’s white-blond hair, and cried out as he came in a rush down his mate’s throat, the orgasm brutal in its pleasure and intensity, rendering him a useless mass of oversensitive nerves and sensation
s.
He barely felt it when he was laid out on the bed and it took a few moments to realize there were now four fingers in his ass, pounding away. Drake leant over Xavier, purring as he moved between Xavier’s legs, spreading them wide, and captured his lips in a kiss so full of passion, need, and heat that his head spun as desire swamped him.
Hissing, Xavier lifted his lower body and rubbed against Drake’s red, swollen groin. He thrust his tongue into Drake’s mouth, tangling tongues, sensually taking the kiss higher as one hand cupped his mate’s heavy balls in his palm and squeezed, just giving enough pressure to send him wild as his other hand lightly caressed sensitive spots—behind his mate’s right ear, along the inside of his left arm, down his stomach and across his lower back to the crease between his ass cheeks.
“Oh, Gods, you make the stars dim.” Drake removed his fingers and coated his dick with lube that he tossed carelessly aside. Looking deeply into Xavier’s eyes, Drake lined his cock at Xavier’s hole. “My star.”
Popping past the first muscle, Drake immediately stilled and licked Xavier’s neck. The tiger was huge and it had been a hell of a long time since Xavier had bottomed. Xavier tensed and then made himself relax, breathing softly. Drake seemed to know that and nibbled his neck, whispering adoring words—and some dirty ones—as he began to move slowly, thrusting shallowly.
“Move.” Xavier lengthened a talon, not all the way, and very lightly scraped it along Drake’s right side. “My mate.”
Drake roared and shivered, thrusting deep and not slowing down, pounding into Xavier, who met each thrust, relishing the power of his big shifter, how he held Xavier’s hips up off the bed and knelt there, thrusting in and out, his face a tight show of ecstasy.
Xavier’s cock was full and weeping, the slight burn and twinge of pain at first long gone, his ass sucking and clamping on the huge cock that hit his sweet spot every time. Lifting his legs, he moved so Drake sink in deeper, Xavier’s eyes glowing, fangs out.
“Gonna come, mate. Gonna fill your ass so everyone will smell me on you, know you’re mine.” Drake lowered himself, capturing Xavier’s cock between them as he continued to thrust hard and deep. “Mark and claim me, my star, as I claim and mark you.”
Pulling Drake’s head down, Xavier tilted his head and exposed his neck to his mate. Drake didn’t hesitate, sinking his fangs in deep and growling in pleasure as he somehow pounded harder and faster into Xavier.
With a flash of pain and then blinding pleasure, Xavier cried out, his body arching up, legs wrapping around Drake’s waist as he came, his cock covering them both in his spunk. Drake thrusted a couple more times before jerking in Xavier’s hold, growling and purring in a strange but arousing mix as his cock shot off streams of cum into his mate’s ass.
They remained locked together for a time, heart rates finally slowing. Xavier released his mate, who had removed his fangs and closed the marks on his throat, and then rolled over onto his back, keeping one hand on Xavier’s stomach.
“I saw stars. I think I’m still seeing them,” Drake murmured.
Smiling, Xavier trailed a finger over his mate’s knuckles. Drake was certainly all heat and passion, alpha and dominance. Yet, fortunately, there was more to him. Tigers were said to like to cuddle and take care of their mates. Xavier was catching glimpses of ideas in Drake’s mind—his wants, his feelings, what he would like with Xavier. It was a pleasant surprise. Xavier was not interested or impressed by those who only wished to take charge. He found it…lacking, as though the person was only capable of control and wished to control others. They lacked the depth of more emotions, feelings, and weren’t stable inside themselves or accepting of others and themselves.
There were times when Xavier handed over control not only in business and Council matters, but also in personal ones. Even Keeley liked to take control in the bedroom half the time, which Xavier relished, though his Keeley was a bottom only. He never wished to top, and Xavier accepted this, but that did not mean Keeley did not take control from the bottom. Xavier was happy to comply with his adorable mate’s wishes. Seeing Keeley confident and in the throes of passion, or even in everyday life, was an aphrodisiac.
He would be paying attention to his new mate. They would progress and see how deeply Drake gave to their relationship, as well as how he protected and led.
“Wow, you are nothing short of amazing.” Drake trailed his fingers over Xavier’s face, caressing his cheekbones and then his lips, dark eyes studying him and practically glistening. “I feel your distance, Xavier. We are mated now, fully. Open your mind to me so I may feel you, feel our connection.”
Xavier complied…though parts of his mind were always closed off. Neither Keeley nor Drake would ever know this.
“Thank you. I am going to shower before our other mate arrives. Care to join me?”
Xavier was taking his time looking through Drake’s mind. The shifter would not even realize. Xavier had an exceptionally light touch, and he was impressed and, admittedly, happy to see more of who the shifter truly was.
Loyal, insanely so. He was nonjudgmental… Xavier frowned over this. For a leader to not judge others was an extraordinary quality. He had read reports of Drake Sanchez. The exceptional leadership qualities, the demands by the High Council to have him become one of them, how he did not turn away creatures in need, even outside the feline population. How he had established many charities, such as halfway homes and permanent residencies for halflings and displaced paranormals throughout the world. It had been a joint and pet project of his and his siblings’ and cousins’.
Hmm. There was much more to the big alpha than Xavier first realized, and that was astounding. Everything he saw and found made him have peculiar twinges that he hadn’t thought possible.
There were few who could get past Xavier’s barriers and feel the love from him, see him fully. Keeley, of course. His human was lost and generous, sweet and caring, mischievous and so full of heartache and mistrust that Xavier saw absolutely no malice in the small creature, just the need to find himself and be loved. So Xavier loved and adored his Keeley.
Xavier’s grandmother was deeply caring and a force not many dared tangle with, and one Xavier trusted beyond a doubt. It was the same with his cousin, who took after their grandmother in every way. Mason cared so deeply he had to cast spells to protect himself from emotional harm. And Laurence, his little scientist-wizard cousin who fumbled and shyly got into mischief, was studious and a bit like Keeley when he was feeling insecure.
Of course, Xavier connected with and loved the Durand family vampires. They were family to him and were like his brothers.
“You have drifted into your own thoughts, my star,” Drake murmured, kissing Xavier’s lips lovingly. “I’m getting snippets but nothing concrete. You’re worried about Keeley, your cousin Mason, some threat to the Armstrong Coven, and a…creature?” Drake practically wrapped himself around Xavier, startling him. “Your head is abuzz with hundreds of thoughts! If I fuck you into the floor, will your mind slow down, I wonder? How do I get your super-brain to calm so I can take care of you?”
Well, it appeared the cat was a cuddler. Who would have thunk it, as Keeley would say. Xavier smiled, his fangs sliding out as he sniffed his tiger mate, who smelled of hot, sensual sex, predator, and strangely enough, love. It was a heady combination.
“Take care of me, my moon? Hmm, perhaps we can take care of one another.”
“I like that idea better. And our other mate…my star, you gonna let me near our human?”
Xavier laughed softly and patted Drake’s shoulder. His tiger was warm to the touch and purred whenever Xavier touched him. It was a surprise. The times he had met Baron, who was Drake’s cousin, and his brothers, the other felines didn’t seem all that cuddly and purry.
“I will, but you must do as I suggest. Do not jump him immediately. Give Keeley time to grow used to your presence, your touch, without demands. I realize the mating needs and shifter heat will soon demand yo
u mate him, but claim him, so you have a connection, and work toward having a bond.”
Drake snorted. “You test me, mate. I’m giving you free access to my mind, every single secret and belief, every feeling and memory, and you’re still testing me. I can feel you in my head, flicking through. You’ve got the most delicate touch of anyone I’ve ever felt, except that non-feeling brother of Misha’s.
He freaks me out, I have to admit. Just gives me the creep-shivers with his soulless eyes. And when you meet Finn’s brother, you’ll see real soulless. So get a feel of me, understand me, and stop with the vamp testing and evaluating.”
Xavier’s brows shot up. Drake had felt him sifting through his mind? Well, the man was very sensitive. That was rather arousing. He was miffed, but he didn’t pull away and go off in a huff like Keeley did or demand retribution like a vampire would, nor would he try to turn someone into a toad like the witches and wizards tiresomely did.
Xavier slid his fingers up Drake’s back, unable to resist the feel of his gorgeous mate.
“You intrigue me, my moon,” Xavier admitted softly, eyes closing.
“Good. Intriguing means you’re interested in me. Go through my mind, get a feel of me, learn everything you need. You don’t trust easily, I sense that, and I can see from some of your memories Keeley is just as untrusting. Luckily for both of you, I’m pride. We don’t have all those hang-ups and issues. We get straight to the point and maul it till it’s no longer a problem.”
Drake kissed Xavier’s shoulder. “Rest. I can see you haven’t slept more than a few hours in the last three days. Let your mind take a break. I can handle anything coming our way, and I will listen to you. No jumping the little human with dreamy eyes and trust issues. I’m gonna go shower and grab something to eat. Sex always makes me hungry.”
Xavier smiled as he watched Drake walk across the room to the private bathroom. He had the firmest, roundest ass Xavier had ever had the pleasure to see.
His eyes closed. Drake was so much more than he had originally thought and felt. He was rather impressive and deep. Xavier would enjoy his new mate.