by Athena Blaez
“I know. I think you blew your cool this morning because you weren’t entirely fucked out. After all, our night ended earlier than we anticipated.” Sean pushed Ryder’s shirt up his body. Having the man half-bared in front of him, Sean had to take that moment to appreciate the very fine view.
Ryder’s stomach rose and fell in breathless anticipation for what was coming. Sean was inclined to give it to him…at his own pace. He licked at his palm and wrapped it around the half-erect cock resting against Ryder’s abdomen. Giving it a long stroke, Sean was rewarded by the tightening of Ryder’s hand, fingers digging in to his shoulder muscles.
The long, thick dick quickly firmed beneath his administration of firm but achingly slow strokes. Ryder shifted in the chair, impatient but wisely not pushing Sean for anything more. Otherwise, Sean could be contrary and stop, just to watch Ryder squirm more.
His teasing wouldn’t last long. Sean was far too eager to feel that delicious cock in his mouth. Ryder watched Sean’s mouth in rapt attention, his gaze darting between that and what Sean held in his hand.
Making a great show of licking his lips, Sean slowly lowered over Ryder. His tongue swiped at the glistening head as precome formed at the tip. Ryder gasped, a sharp inhale of breath. Stomach muscles clenched as Sean slowly opened his lips to form a slick ‘O’ to seal over as he took his achingly sweet time to fill his mouth with as much of Ryder as he could take.
“God damn,” Ryder said. His voice was pitched at that perfect tone, between strained and growling. That voice slithered down his spine to pool in his groin. He shoved his free hand between his legs to give his own growing erection something to press against. It was just enough friction to keep him on edge.
Sean opened his eyes, his gaze lifting until he was watching Ryder watching him. The illicit thrill of knowing he commanded the full focus of his audience filled Sean with a sense of power. Power that he hadn’t felt in far too long. Ryder’s body shook, fighting back instinct perhaps, fighting the impulse to cup the back of Sean’s head and lift his hips until Sean choked.
Yeah, Sean could feel it translate through Ryder’s body in the tensing and relaxing of his thighs, of his stomach. He heard it in the man’s quick breath, catching every time Sean almost pulled off at the tip before diving back down again until his nose touched the warmth of Ryder’s body.
“If you’re doing this to drive me insane, it’s working.” Ryder’s fingers closed down on Sean’s shoulders and he gave it a gentle tug. “Sean, come on.”
Sean hummed his approval. That was as close to having Ryder beg as he knew he’d get. It was good enough for him.
With his hand, he started a steady pace over Ryder’s cock. Ryder stilled in the chair as he watched Sean suck him off. Having Ryder’s full attention tickled Sean deep within his core. He was tempted to pull himself out and jack along in time. He decided against it, wanting to focus solely on Ryder.
They climbed the rising tension together. Ryder’s energy fed into Sean, who fed it back into Ryder. When Ryder’s breathing came faster, his hand squeezing harder as it left Sean’s shoulder and cupped the back of his neck. The way Ryder shook, Sean knew he was holding back, right on that edge.
Sean hummed along the length of Ryder’s cock, a strong vibration of his lips and throat. It sent Ryder straight into the air. His fingers closed roughly over the back of Sean’s neck and pulled, his hips lifting to meet Sean’s mouth. A low, guttural moan accompanied the strong pulses of his orgasm. It was so strong, Sean gagged when it hit the back of his throat. He wasn’t prepared for the strength of Ryder’s release but he was able to recover quickly and swallowed everything the man gave him.
Once Ryder relaxed, his body lowering bonelessly against the chair, Sean pulled off the spent cock with one final sloppy pop. He kissed it tenderly, then helped Ryder get half-way dressed again.
Ryder sat in the chair, alternating between panting and trying to take deep breaths. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Holy shit, Sean.”
“Don’t look at me, man. Your balls were the ones filled with all that come that needed releasing. I’m just doing my civic duty to keep the citizens of Aurora safe.” Sean gave Ryder’s thigh a pat before he slid back into his chair to sip at his soda.
“I’m sure Aurora thanks you.” After another sigh, Ryder tucked himself back in his jeans, straightened his shirt and sat up in the chair. “I thank you.”
Sean waved it off. “You can thank me by coming to dinner Friday. Mom said she wants to meet you. I can’t keep putting her off. She’s going to be a pest until she meets you.”
Chapter 14
There was never a time when Ryder’s nerves got the better of him. Not until he was standing in front of his mirror trying to tame his wild hair. Normally, the rough and ready look served him. The tourists who came into the mine for the tour all remarked how he looked like he could have stepped out of history.
For once, he’d like his hair to behave. Meeting Sean’s mother was an important deal to him and he really wanted to make a good impression. Giving it up as a lost cause, Ryder killed the light and headed to town, fresh bread and a bottle of sparkling cider under an arm.
Sean immediately opened the door before Ryder had a chance to knock. “You were waiting for me,” Ryder said with a crooked grin.
“I just happened to be standing here when you drove up.”
“Sean Hastings, lying is a sin,” a woman called from the kitchen.
“Busted,” Ryder whispered.
Sean gave him a sour look and motioned for Ryder to come in. He held the bottle and bread out. “My contribution to dinner.”
A frail woman appeared at the edge of the living room. She was much smaller than Ryder was expecting. Her body was thin, obviously ravaged by the treatments for her cancer. Dignity shown out of her lively eyes and she held herself in a proud posture before stepping forward. “Mr. Cole, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Ryder stepped forward to take her hand. “Ryder, please, Mrs. Hastings. Sean’s told me so much about you.”
“If you’re Ryder, then I’m Belinda. Please, have a seat.” She motioned for the sofa before she took a seat in the recliner. “I’m sorry that dinner is so simple tonight. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Sean’s favorite.”
“Then I’m in luck, since it’s my favorite, too,” Ryder said easily. He sat on the sofa, looking up at Sean, who shifted back and forth in indecision.
“Sean, please, the meatloaf has another ten minutes before it’s ready.”
Sean held up the bottle and bread. “I’ll just put this away.”
“So, Sean tells me you bought the gold mine. I remember going there as a young girl. It had already been closed down for many years, but it wasn’t until we moved to Chicago that they decided to reopen it as a museum.”
And just like that, all of Ryder’s nerves disappeared. Either it was the way the woman talked with him, or that they talked about something that Ryder really enjoyed doing, it was a way to fill the space with small talk that wasn’t stilted or forced. Her grace and humor were a lightning rod for Ryder, who appreciated those qualities in anyone.
Sean came back in the living room and sat stiffly next to Ryder. His attention bounced between Ryder and Belinda as they talked. Quietly, Ryder took Sean’s hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
Belinda shared some of the history she knew of the town, which was of great interest for Ryder. “It’s a shame the old jailhouse is sitting in disrepair at the moment,” she said, shaking her head. “They used to use it for the library until they built that monstrosity near the new bypass. It was a grand old building. I remember playing hide and seek there as a child. The basement was reported to have a ghost.”
“Did you ever see it?”
“I fear not. I would have loved to.”
From the kitchen, a timer dinged. Sean squeezed Ryder’s hand. “I’ll get that, Mom.”
“You’re a dear. Everything else is ready to go on the table. We
’ll be in shortly.”
Sean smiled at Ryder and disappeared.
Ryder watched him go. A tap on his knee brought his attention back to Belinda.
“Ryder, promise me that you’ll look after Sean when I’m gone.” The look in her eyes was deadly serious. “He won’t have any family left.”
“None?” Ryder asked.
Belinda made a sour face. “None that matter. I’m sure I’ll have cousins that want to come sniffing around looking for something to sell. I have enough antiques here that can be worth a pretty penny for someone that knows their value. Other than Jeremy, God bless him, Sean isn’t close to anyone. At least, until he met you. You’re all he talks about, you know?”
“I didn’t. Thank you for telling me. Most of the time he tries to stiff arm me away. Not that it works. I can be persistent.”
“I’m glad for it. Watch out for my husband, Ryder. He’s a snake in the grass. I was never able to divorce him because we could never find him to settle.” She pulled a chain she had hidden beneath a cardigan, removed it and held it out to him. “This key fits a small fire box in my bedroom. It’s in the top of the closet. It holds my will and instructions. See to it that it gets probated. I have left everything to Sean and I don’t want his vile father to see a penny. Do you understand?”
Ryder was speechless. He knew the woman all of ten minutes and she was entrusting this with him? “I…”
Belinda thrust it at him again. “Sean will not be in his right mind when I die, Ryder, and I am dying.”
He took the key with a nod. “How long?”
“Weeks, perhaps. I’m weaker every day it seems,” and she gave him a faint smile. “I have had a good feeling about you ever since I first heard your name.” She placed her hand over her heart, then extended it to him. He held her hand carefully. It was cold and so thin. “I can feel that you care deeply for my son. I see the way you look at him. Please, please protect him.”
“You have my word, Belinda.”
His promise had a heavy impact on her. In that moment, he felt her slip away just a little more. It was an odd thought to have but it appeared that she was now ready to die.
“Everything’s ready, Mom, Ryder.” Sean said. He glanced at the two holding hands and gave Ryder a quizzical look.
“What can I say?” Ryder said. He winked at Belinda before helping her to her feet. “Ladies love me.”
Sean rolled his eyes and Belinda laughed. “I have no doubt that a great many people love you. You have that command spirit. A natural born leader.” She linked arms with him and they walked to the kitchen.
Ryder mourned when Belinda cut short her time spent with them. He could easily see the dinner and company had exhausted her. He walked with her to the bottom of the stairs before Sean guided her up the stairs to get ready for bed. She paused and took Ryder’s head in her hands and pulled him down for a kiss to his forehead. “I’m glad Sean will have you, Ryder. You’re a good man. A bit hard to pin down but I can feel it deep in my heart. Thank you for coming to dinner and putting my heart at ease.”
“Thank you for inviting me. I can see where Sean inherited his strength.”
She smiled at him and joined Sean on the stairs to head up. Sean glanced back at Ryder and mouthed a silent ‘thank you’. “Make yourself comfortable; I’ll be back down in a bit.”
While Sean was upstairs with his mother, Ryder decided he could make himself useful and started cleaning up. He didn’t know where stuff went but he cleared the table and rinsed the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.
He was almost done when Sean came back. “You didn’t have to do that.”
Ryder half turned. “I know. And I didn’t do all that much. I don’t know how you want to store leftovers. That’s a personal thing, I’ve noticed.”
“I never thought of it that way but I guess you’re right.” Sean pulled down plastic containers to put the food away. “My mom likes you.”
“I like your mom. I bet she was a spitfire when she was younger. Probably from having to run herd on you.”
Sean snorted. “As if. I was a model son. Never got in trouble. Straight As.”
“Uh-huh.”
Sean’s elbow almost dislodged the pan Ryder was rinsing. “So what was it you and mom talked about before dinner.”
“Mostly, she warned me about your stubborn streak.”
“God, why do you lie to me?” Sean said with a laugh. “I’m not stubborn.”
Ryder leaned in until their mouths were mere inches apart. “Who’s the liar now? You can’t seem to help yourself.”
Sean’s attention slid to look at his lips and he closed the distance between them. Ryder abandoned the pan and cupped Sean’s face with wet hands to pull the kiss deeper. His tongue slid along Sean’s lips, seeking and gaining entrance as their kiss gained passion and heat.
“How would you feel about bending me over the table right now?”
“In your mother’s house?”
“It’s not like she doesn’t already know we’ve had sex.” Sean’s hand snaked under Ryder’s shirt. Fingers dragging over his ribs bordered on tickling.
Fumbling with the buttons on Sean’s shirt contributed to Ryder’s growing impatience to get Sean naked, even if it was in the kitchen. A brief thought flew through Ryder’s mind that Belinda could walk in on them but he had seen the exhaustion in her eyes. “How does she know that?”
Sean helped in getting his own shirt off before Ryder ripped the damn thing off. “She’s my mother, Ryder. Mothers know things. It’s like a super power.”
“Can I just die and melt under the chair now?” Ryder used one hand to make sure the table was clear before he backed Sean up to it. “Knowing that your mother was looking at me and knowing the filthy things her son has done with his mouth to me? Guess you’ll have to be quiet while I plow you.”
“I’m torn between balking that this is disrespectful to my mother and needing you so much my cock aches.” Sean panted softly against Ryder’s mouth. “But then, I know my mother and she’d be shocked I believe her to be such a prude.”
Ryder caught Sean’s hands. “This can stop if it bothers you.” Truthfully, it didn’t bother Ryder. It was a feeling he couldn’t explain but he saw the love Belinda held for her son and her desire for him to be happy. If she ever disapproved of anything Sean did, Ryder would actually be surprised.
“If you stop now, I’ll never talk to you again.” Sean hopped so he was seated on the table. He wrapped his legs around Ryder’s hips to grip him tightly. This brought their cocks together and Ryder was just as hard as Sean.
From just outside the window, Ryder heard a small growling yip. He straightened. More nonverbal growling and another yip. He lifted his nose and inhaled. It was an unfamiliar scent. A werewolf close by.
Sean grew still and quiet. “Ryder?”
Ryder disentangled from Sean and set him on his feet. “Go upstairs and lock yourself in with your mother.”
“What?” Sean pulled at his shirt to straighten it. “What’s happening?”
“Sean, don’t question me, I don’t have time. I’ll need you to let me out your back door. Lock it behind me and then go upstairs to your mother’s room.” Ryder stepped back and stripped out of his shirt. He kicked his boots off and started to shift into wolf. He didn’t have time to gauge Sean’s reaction as the crack of sinew and tendons rearranged bone structure. Hopefully, Sean wouldn’t be frightened or worse, put off. It was one thing to acknowledge that Ryder was a werewolf.
It was quite another to see it in action. Regardless, it was too late now to warn Sean.
He dropped to the floor. Hands and feet were paws, fur sprouted from his skin until he was covered in it. Wiggling out of his jeans, Ryder looked at the backdoor, waiting for Sean.
Easing around, Sean opened the door and Ryder sprinted out. He stopped in the back yard long enough to make sure it was locked behind him. Through the window, he saw Sean disappear upstairs.
; His pack member, a younger wolf named Arthur, joined him. He lifted his nose in the air and sensed the direction the scent came from. With a butt of his head, he pushed Arthur back to the house, as silent indication to patrol the immediate area. Ryder would handle this intrusion.
Arthur hesitated, looking at Ryder, then back to the house before he turned and went back.
Satisfied Sean and Belinda would be safe, Ryder took off at a run, clearing the six-foot back fence with one leap.
He lost Charlie, and Ryder knew it had to be him, by the time they reached the interstate ten miles south of town. Charlie’s scent was all over the area, zigzagging through the woods. It was hard to pick up the trail that was the freshest.
Fucker.
The confusing mix of scents had Ryder wandering around chasing his own tail. Frustration mounted. Ryder stopped and crouched down to listen. The roar of a truck passing along the highway; an owl off in the distance; a twig snapping. He spun to the sound, his eyes trying to pick up movement, ears trying to hear what was out there in the dark.
A rock bounced off a tree and Ryder turned again. Approaching his back, he heard someone racing up behind him. Before he could face them, something collided with his head and knocked him from his feet.
He was unconscious before he skidded to a stop.
Chapter 15
Sean didn’t try to go to sleep. He sat in the dark of his mother’s room, listening to her labored breathing. As much as he wanted to deny it, he knew the end was close. She was a fighter in his mind, but even a fighter knew when to lay down the sword and walk away.
He’d been preparing for this, even in the depths of his denial. When she announced she was stopping treatments, he spent the day crying for her. With her. All the things he wished he had done. All the places they could have gone if he hadn’t been so damned focused on getting the shop on its feet.