Gus slapped him on the shoulder and laughed. “That’s what I thought.”
Ten minutes later, Tible handed Maelgwn a plate with a twenty-four ounce steak and a large baked potato. “Here ya go, Mal,” Tible said, grinning. “Enjoy.”
Smirking, Maelgwn took it and sat. Very few would have the gall to give him a nickname. He was chieftain of his clutch, and checked in with his second-in-command, Tobias, at least once every evening. During the day, Maelgwn roosted, turning to stone in a tree near Declan McIntire’s home. The alpha wolf shifter had offered him sanctuary while he tried to figure out how to woo his human mate. Finally, finally he’d been able to make contact with Bobby. He couldn’t contain his excitement.
“I talked to Bobby today,” he blurted out after swallowing a juicy bite of rare steak, no longer able to hold in the news.
Tible dropped his fork in shock. Gus’s brows shot up. “Wow,” Gus said. “That’s…that’s…”
“How did it happen?” Tible cut in, gripping Gus’s hand. “Are you both…okay?”
Maelgwn set his fork down and studied his half-eaten food. When he looked at the other two men, he took in the way Gus stroked Tible’s long white hair absently. He’d seen the big man do it often, almost as a soothing mechanism. In return, Tible flashed a loving look toward his mate.
Their relationship was what Maelgwn wanted. Unfortunately, Bobby was human and didn’t know creatures like him existed. Though Gus and Tible were friends with Maelgwn’s mate, Bobby didn’t know they were a rhino shifter and a gargoyle. Bobby thought they were human, just like him.
“He was being mugged,” Maelgwn admitted, hating the memory of fear on his mate’s face and his blood scenting the air. “While walking home from a cyber café. It was dark in the alley, so I pulled the muggers deeper into the shadows and stopped them. Bobby could only see my silhouette.”
After a moment, Tible asked, “Did he seem…afraid of you? Or-or grateful?” He leaned forward, gray eyes wide. “What else happened?”
Maelgwn smiled at his next thought. “Oh, no, he was definitely grateful. I asked him to dinner and he agreed.”
“You’re taking him to dinner?” Gus asked slowly. “How will that work?”
Grimacing, he replied, “We’re meeting at a park pavilion on the outskirts of town. I’m hoping you’ll help me set it up. I’ll need a fire and candles and do either of you know what kind of food Bobby likes?”
Tible nibbled his lip and frowned. “Let me give that some thought.” He cocked his head. “Why the park? Won’t it be cold?”
Maelgwn shrugged, his wings rustling where they rested over his shoulders. “Cold, yes, but it can’t be helped. I need to stay in the dark,” he said sadly. “I can’t allow him to see me, yet.” he said the words softly, lowering his gaze to the table as his brow ridges creased. “If he gets to know me, maybe…” He licked his lips. “Maybe he won’t think I’m a monster.”
Gods above, just that thought nearly tore him apart. Would his mate ever accept him? It was never easy when a human had to be brought in by any paranormal, but for a gargoyle, it was even harder, because they didn’t get a human form until after their mate accepted them. He’d need to be fucked and claimed by Bobby in order to go through a molt, a transition that would allow him to turn human instead of stone by day. It was a gargoyle’s safety mechanism so they could care for their mate once bonded.
A light touch to his hand grabbed Maelgwn’s attention. He looked over to find Tible’s slender fingers resting on his own. Lifting his head to meet the smaller gargoyle’s gaze, Maelgwn saw the look of determination on his face. “We’ll do everything we can to help you. We told you that already. We’ll find a way to make him understand,” Tible vowed, reminding Maelgwn of their promise to return a kindness when he had helped Tible and Gus go through birthing a gargoyle egg.
Maelgwn flipped his hand and squeezed Tible’s fingers lightly before letting go. “I appreciate that.”
“When is your date?” Gus asked.
“Day after tomorrow,” he told them.
“What about his boyfriend?” Tible asked, concern creeping into his tone. “Bobby isn’t one to cheat, and even if he was, his boyfriend Seth is horribly possessive. Doing something like this could really cause problems for Bobby.”
Remembering their conversation, Maelgwn couldn’t stop his grin. “He mentioned that, and said he planned to break up with Seth.” Pleasure swept through him. He prayed that meant Bobby felt the pull to be with him, if he were willing to leave his current beau to be with him.
Maelgwn hung onto that thought as he and his friends made plans for his date.
His wings tucked tight around him to keep from knocking the candles over or snagging on the checkered tablecloth, Maelgwn reached over and finished setting the table. He placed Bobby’s food on the hot plate to keep warm, then turned and checked that the fire had sufficiently caught.
Maelgwn stood before the warm blaze and brought a mug of coffee to his lips. Bobby should be there any minute, and he prayed to Fate and whatever gods deemed to listen that this didn’t backfire in any way.
The sweep of headlights over the dark park lawn had him lifting a wing to shield his face. Maelgwn turned and hurried from the pavilion, instantly missing warmth. His deep blue, leathery hide was Colorado winters were cold. His wings around him offered a welcome barrier between his body and the chilly air.
“Maelgwn?” Bobby’s tentative call reminded him exactly why he was there. Making certain one of the pavilion’s large, round, stone pillars was between himself and his mate, he called, “I’m here, Bobby. Please, have a seat.”
“Where are you?” the young human asked. The crunch of sneakers on snow allowed Maelgwn to monitor his mate’s approach. “I’m here,” he said again. “I put your plate in the warming bag. Please, sit by the fire and enjoy it.”
He heard the rustle of clothing, telling him Bobby sat. Maelgwn spread his wings and leaped. Catching hold of an overhead beam, he dug in his claws and crawled up the inside wall. Maelgwn settled on the beams above the fireplace, enjoying the rising heat while using the twisting shadows to keep him hidden. Here, he could watch and the fire’s
thick, but converse with his mate, without worrying that his features would be made out.
“Oh, wow,” Bobby exclaimed, lifting the lid from the plate. “I love chicken parmesan. How did you know?”
Maelgwn smiled, pleased that his mate was happy with the choice. “Tible told me,” he admitted.
Bobby’s head tipped back, his brows creased in a frown. “Are you sitting in the rafters?”
“I am,” Maelgwn responded.
“Aren’t you dining with me?” Bobby asked, clearly confused.
Maelgwn sighed. “I don’t think that’d be a good idea yet, Bobby. Perhaps, when we get to know each other better.”
Bobby took a sip of the wine in front of him. To Maelgwn’s relief, his mate hummed with pleasure upon tasting the vintage. “Nice.” He picked up his fork and took a bite of the fettuccine alfredo first, then the chicken. As he chewed, a pleased but thoughtful look crossed his expression. Once he’d swallowed, Bobby asked, “Why won’t you eat with me?”
Maelgwn struggled with how to answer that question. He didn’t want to start his relationship with outright lies, but what could he say? “I’m—I’m worried you’ll reject my suit out of hand if you see me first,” he finally admitted. With his wings wrapped tightly around him, his toe claws dug into the beam under his butt, and his tail wrapped around his shins, he’d never felt more scared to hear his mate’s next words.
Chapter Three
Slowly, Bobby put down his fork. The food truly was delicious. Maelgwn said he knew Tible, who Bobby considered a good friend along with his husband, Gus, and Maelgwn had obviously done his homework. Chicken parmesan, fettuccine alfredo, and grilled asparagus had to be three of his all-time favorite foods.
When he’d walked into the pavilion and saw the roaring fire and the
romantic candlelit table, Bobby hadn’t really known what to think at seeing only one place setting. He knew someone was here, because his headlights had illuminated a massive figure. To find himself dining alone was extremely disconcerting.
What was even weirder was the fact that his date sat fifteen feet above his head, cloaked in darkness, and wouldn’t let Bobby see him. Sadly, it kinda hurt, too. Maelgwn must think he looked hideous to be this worried.
“You think I’ll judge you because of your looks?” Bobby asked quietly.
“It’s nothing against you, Bobby,” Maelgwn answered, his deep voice soft, carrying through the place. “I’m not…I’m not like normal people.” He sounded almost sad.
Bobby straightened, trying to understand that admission. He couldn’t. “What does that mean?”
He looked up, trying to peer through the shadows. Maelgwn had his back to the wall and seemed to be sitting comfortably on the beam to the left of the fireplace. How he got up there with his trench coat, Bobby had no idea.
“Bobby, please, just…” His date sighed.
Obviously, the guy felt pretty adamant about this. It was a pity, since the man’s voice sounded like liquid sex. Just hearing his deep, throaty purr had Bobby’s dick filling. Maybe he could go about this another way.
“So, how did you meet Tible and Gus?” he asked, picking up his fork. He took another bite of the delicious alfredo and tipped his head back to watch Maelgwn adjust his position. It was odd. The way the shadows and firelight moved around him, Maelgwn’s fingers, which he’d rested on his knees, looked almost dark blue with very pointed black nails. Bobby dismissed it, deciding Maelgwn must be African American.
His date’s answer refocused Bobby’s attention. “Tible had some health questions that I was able to help clear up for him.”
“Oh, are you a doctor?” Bobby asked, perking up.
“Ah…not a traditional doctor,” Maelgwn responded slowly. “I assist more in the realm of…holistic medicine. Teaching a person how to keep his body healthy naturally.”
Bobby nodded slowly, taking another bite of asparagus. No matter how odd he found this date to be, the food and wine was excellent and he had no intention of letting it go to waste. Plus, he didn’t actually feel threatened in any way. In fact, he felt safer now than he did over at Seth’s condo while amongst all his friends. Huh.
“So, are you a vegan or something? Big into herbal remedies and stuff?” he asked curiously. He really just wanted to hear Maelgwn talk. He couldn’t get over how hot he found the guy’s voice.
A low chuckled echoed through the rafters, then, “No. Definitely not vegan. I love meat and have joined Gus and Tible for steaks on many occasions.”
Bobby smiled. Maelgwn’s deep laughter was an incredibly sexy sound. He really wanted to reach down and adjust himself, but was too afraid the guy would see from his vantage point. On the other hand, maybe if Maelgwn knew he turned Bobby on, he’d be more willing to actually come down and join him.
Reaching down, Bobby palmed his dick and shifted in his seat. He hissed at the pleasure that tightened his balls. It’d been a while since he’d been this turned on and all they’d done was talk.
“Bobby,” Maelgwn said, letting out a groan of his own. “Gods above, you smell good.”
His eyes widened and his gaze snapped to the form above him as he shifted restlessly on the beam. “You can smell me from up there?” Bobby didn’t think his cologne was that strong.
“Yes, I can smell you,” his date replied. “I so wish I could help you with that.”
The comment was made so low Bobby wasn’t certain if Maelgwn had meant for him to hear it or not. He licked his lips. He knew it was kinda slutty to offer to put out on a first date, but fuck a duck, Bobby really wanted to know what it felt like to have Maelgwn’s hands on him. If how he responded to the man’s voice was any indication, his touch would be mind-blowing.
Licking his lips, Bobby took a fortifying sip of wine, then put the glass down and said, “I’d like it very much if you helped me out.”
An audible hiss sounded from above. Maelgwn’s dark form crawled across the beam with surprising agility. The shadows deepened, until the guy just looked like one big, dark shadow. Maelgwn’s cloak billowed out like wings as he jumped from one beam to another. Once his date was directly overhead, Maelgwn peered down at him.
Bobby saw the reflection of the firelight on his eyes, and for a second the flames illuminated his face and Bobby thought he saw a large square jaw and white fangs. He frowned, and Maelgwn shifted, once more hiding his face in shadows.
“Look toward the fire and close your eyes, Bobby,” Maelgwn ordered softly.
Cocking his head, Bobby mentally debated his options. He’d be putting a lot of trust in a man he really didn’t know. On the other hand, Maelgwn did a lot of work researching his likes and dislikes, and if there was something wrong with the guy, surely Gus or Tible would have warned him away, right?
“We can just forget anything was said, if you’d like.”
The deeply rumbled offer jerked Bobby out of his thoughts. “No,” Bobby responded quickly.
“Okay,” Maelgwn murmured. “I’ll back off.”
Bobby shook his head. “No, I mean I want your touch. Your voice makes me hard as a rock and…and I want to know if your hands will feel as good as I think they will.”
Mortified by his outburst, Bobby felt heat creep up his neck and he hoped his blush wasn’t very visible in the firelight. “Please,” he pleaded. “Do…whatever it is you were going to do.” As he spoke, Bobby bowed his head and closed his eyes, his body nearly vibrating with tension.
A few seconds later, Bobby heard a soft thud, telling him Maelgwn had actually dropped to the ground behind him. He imagined he could feel the man’s presence warming his back. Maelgwn rested large hands on Bobby’s shoulders, then Bobby felt breath against his ear as the guy whispered, “Just relax, Bobby. I would never let any harm befall you.”
“I—I believe you,” Bobby murmured, surprised that he did, in fact, trust this man.
“Will you let me make you feel good, Bobby?” Mealgwn crooned, his large hands massaging Bobby’s shoulders, releasing knots of tension he hadn’t even known were there.
Bobby groaned softly. “Oh, god, that’s good.” One of Maelgwn’s hands moved over his shoulder and gripped his coat’s zipper. He hissed in pleasure when his coat opened and Maelgwn scraped a thumb over his beaded nipple through the shirt he wore.
“Like that, do you?” Mealgwn murmured.
“Oh, yes,” Bobby whispered.
“Mmm, I can’t wait for the chance to explore your tight body, little one,” Maelgwn continued, nuzzling his neck. His second hand moved to cup Bobby’s dick, gently squeezing his rock hard cock, making him moan and rest his head on Maelgwn’s shoulder. It was then he realized the guy must have been kneeling behind him.
Maelgwn placed his palm on Bobby’s chest, urging him to lean against him. The man’s hand nearly spanned his entire chest, reminding him of exactly how large this guy was. Trusting in the strange pull he felt, Bobby gave in and rested his weight on Maelgwn. He placed one hand on his thigh and the other on Maelgwn’s forearm. The firm, hard skin under his palm surprised him and he ran his hand over Maelgwn’s arm, noticing it felt almost leathery.
“Maelgwn?” he asked hesitantly.
“Shh, little one, everything is fine. Let me take care of you,” Maelgwn murmured right before he sucked one of Bobby’s earlobes into his mouth.
Groaning at the shivers spreading through his body, Bobby obeyed. Even the scrape of slightly sharper than normal teeth hardly penetrated his fog of lust when Maelgwn opened his jeans and palmed his throbbing erection. As Maelgwn stroked him, Bobby dismissed the notion just as quickly.
He gave himself over to Maelgwn’s ministrations, letting the pleasure flood his body, setting his nerve endings on fire. The man’s hot breath on his neck, ear, and cheek had the fine hairs there standing on end
, sending pleasant chills down his spine. The hand on his chest moved down to his balls, palming the sensitive orbs, then tugging and rolling them gently.
Bobby moaned in bliss. “Oh my god, Mal. More, please more.”
“Anything for you, my mate,” Maelgwn’s voice came out thick with lust. “You are so beautiful in your need. One day soon, I will bury my dick in your ass so deep you’ll always know who you belong to.”
The possessive words—instead of alarming Bobby— caused his breathing to hitch and his asshole to flutter. His dick thickened even further and a dollop of pre-cum oozed from his slit. His lips parted slightly, soft pants escaping him, Bobby shivered.
Maelgwn must have noticed his response, for his hot breath coasted over Bobby’s flushed skin as he murmured, “You like the sound of that, don’t you, Bobby? You’d be willing to let me bend you over this table and take you, wouldn’t you?”
“Oh,” Bobby gasped out. “I-I—”
The man must not have really expected an answer, for he chuckled, the deep sound sexy as hell as it vibrated through Bobby’s back. “Are you ready to come, my mate?” Maelgwn asked, his hand picking up speed on Bobby’s prick.
Bobby whimpered, his hips jerking.
Something a little sharp scraped gently across his oversensitized glans, shooting unbelievable pleasure down his stalk. “Yes, please,” he begged, moaning.
“Come for me, Bobby. Let me see your pleasure.”
Bobby’s body bucked. His balls pulled tight. Cum burst from his cock in thick ropes. He keened, his back bowing as ecstasy swamped his system, lighting up every nerve ending. Maelgwn continued to stroke him gently, heightening his orgasm for a moment, then he moved his hand to Bobby’s chest and petted him gently, easing him down from the most intense orgasm he could ever remember, and that from just a hand job!
When he could figure out how to untangle his tongue, Bobby uttered, “Your touch is…amazing.” That sounded completely inadequate, but his scrambled mind couldn’t think of the words to describe the heady feelings swamping his sated body. Nuzzling his forehead into the crook of Maelgwn’s neck, he murmured, “Can I return the favor?”
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