by Lily Harlem
“So why aren’t we going to the motel?” Raul clenched his jaw. Confusion was a bitch and it had caused all of his muscles to tense.
“I’ve…” Malec looked into the distance, along the highway. “I’ve got something to do.”
“What?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Try me.” Raul had planned on being patient with Malec, but his refusal to go to the motel and see the woman they loved had taken a big bite out of it.
Malec glanced at the ocean, then the ground—everywhere, it seemed, except Raul. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
Raul pressed his lips together to stop himself from demanding answers even though he wanted them right now.
“This way.” Malec set off at a fast pace, tugging Raul with him. “It will only take a few minutes.”
“Shall we shift?”
“No, it’s better this way.”
“Why?” Dog form was a quick way to travel.
“It just is.” Malec appeared to be scanning the vicinity as they passed a set of bins standing a yard back from the beach.
A lifeguard hut stood in shadows on the sand, and Raul guessed it was a popular place during the day. His guess was right when he glanced at the bins. They were overflowing with trash. A rustle and a glimpse of a dog’s tail caught his attention. “Poor thing, must be starving, he’s in the trash and…”
“Shh.” Malec stilled and tugged on Raul’s arm. “Keep still. Let me deal with it.”
“Deal with it?”
“Yes, it will all become clear.” Malec stepped away, tugging a leash and something small and round from his pocket as he did so. He navigated down the short but steep bank to the beach, his feet sinking into the soft dark sand. “Hey, buddy, you hungry?”
As he held his hand forward the dog appeared, taking hesitant steps to see what Malec was holding out. It was a beautiful big golden dog. It certainly didn’t appear to be vicious, just hungry and alone.
“That’s it, this way,” Malec’s voice was calm and quiet as the dog approached. “Let’s get you sorted.” The moment he was near enough Malec slipped the leash around the dog’s neck then gave him the biscuit he’d been holding. He ruffled the top of his head. “This dirty old food is no good for you. I’ll get you some of the proper stuff if you come with me.”
He encouraged the dog to follow him up the bank to the path, then came to stand by Raul.
“What are you going to do with him?” Raul asked, giving the dog a tickle behind his ears. “Take him to the local shelter?”
“Yeah, kind of.”
“Kind of?” Raul tipped his head and frowned. “Explain, Malec.”
“I am the local shelter.”
“What?”
Malec sighed and set off at a walk, his shoulders sagging again. The dog trotted alongside him.
Raul followed, watching the way the distant lights highlighted his lover’s profile.
“Not long after I arrived,” Malec said. “I realized there were a lot of stray dogs in this town, poor old things, thin and flea ridden.”
Raul shivered just at the word flea and glanced at the stray dog. He looked clean enough, despite having been in the trash.
“I took a couple in, fed them, bathed them and managed to rehome them.”
“What did the motel think of that?”
“They didn’t notice for a few weeks, but when I got more—one a little terrier who yapped all day when I was at the gas station—they got angry and threw me and the dogs out on the street.”
Raul shook his head. “So where have you been living?”
“It’s cheap. I haven’t been spending all my earnings.”
“I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about you.”
“It’s just up here.” Malec pointed forward. “You’ll see.”
Raul peered into the distance. Beyond the last house on this stretch of land was an open space. In the far corner, it appeared to have a fenced-off area containing a shed, plus a bunch of kennels. “There?”
“Yes, it’s a cheap patch of land, came with the fence and the shed. I made up a bunch of kennels for the strays. So far I’ve rehomed over twenty-five, and this one will go quick, he’s beautiful.” He nodded at the dog walking at his side. “If he’s not chipped, that is.”
The dog glanced up at Malec, its big brown eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
“Good, you know, that he’ll be in a proper home soon. Dogs don’t like kennels.”
“No, but they like being fed and clean and safe. The turn around is fast.”
“So this is where you live now.”
“Well, not permanently. At least, I don’t want to. I want to come home to you and Flo but I’ve got myself in too deep here.” The bark of dogs filled the air.
Raul stopped at the gate as Malec pulled a key from his pocket. He understood what Malec meant. With all this responsibility, he was trapped. Unless of course he could resist picking up stray dogs and just rehome what was here. The trouble was with a soft heart—one of the reasons Raul loved him—that wasn’t likely to happen.
The wire gate rattled as Malec opened it. “Shh, shh,” he said to the dogs who’d come to the end of their runs to greet him. “We’ll have the neighbors complaining again.”
“It’s quite the set up,” Raul said.
“It does the job.” Malec opened the entrance to a free run and ushered the golden dog inside. “Wait there, buddy. I’ll go get you some proper food.”
The dog went straight to a bowl of water and drank deep.
“So you live here, with the dogs?”
“Don’t be shocked.” Malec shut the gate. “I am a dog, after all.”
The new dog paused and sniffed the ground, checking out its new surroundings.
“Well yes, but don’t you prefer to sleep in your human form? In a bed.”
“Yes.” Malec huffed. “And I do. Come on, this way. I’ll show you.”
As Raul followed Malec down the slim corridor between runs, a cloud slid over the moon. A dog to his right howled and the urge to shift and join in rushed through him. But he wouldn’t. Not now. He had to find out more about the conditions Malec had been living in and what he’d been doing with all these dogs. He’d known the third in their relationship could be impulsive and generous to a fault but this was something else.
At the shed-like structure, Malec unlocked another door. He opened it and stepped in. Raul followed.
The room was filled with an amber glow as Malec lit a Kerosene lamp. A double bed was pushed into the corner, the center sagging as though it had seen better days, and the sheets rumpled in a way that suggested they’d been hastily tugged upward. A makeshift counter held a gas stove, and beneath it, the fuel bottle feeding through a bright blue connection. A single chair was topped with a bunch of unfolded clothes and a desk made of crates with a wide plank of wood was spread with papers and another lamp.
“You live here?”
“Yes, it’s perfectly fine.” Malec sounded a little indignant. “I’ve rigged up a shower and toilet around the back.”
“Oh, that’s good then.”
Raul didn’t like to think of Malec living in such a place. Not when they had a comfortable cabin in the woods which, compared to this, was luxury. But he wasn’t going to press the matter, not when Malec held a look of defiance in his eyes. This was his thing, what he was doing, a sacrifice he’d made for the dogs.
And, at the end of the day, as Malec had said, he was a dog, too.
Chapter Four
“It’s cozy,” Raul said, stepping farther into the room.
“You think?”
“Yes.”
Malec smiled. “Wait here, I just need to feed the new arrival and make sure the others have water for the night.”
“Okay.”
Raul was left alone and the stillness wrapped around him. It was warm in the hut and despite being meager the place smelled fresh.
The dogs outside were restless, and c
learly pleased to see Malec. His voice rumbled toward Raul as he spoke to the strays he’d been collecting and caring for.
Raul decided to make himself useful and set the kettle on to boil. He then hunted out instant coffee and spooned some into plain black mugs. His thoughts drifted to Flo. He hoped she was still sleeping. He’d guess that she was. She hadn’t seemed to have any energy left in her. He imagined that was the way it would be for a while now. Not that he minded. His instincts to care for her, no matter what she needed, were intense.
As he poured hot water into the mugs, Malec came back into the hut. His skin was damp and his jeans undone. He no longer wore his T-shirt.
“I jumped into the shower,” he said, running his hands through his damp hair. “Been a long day.”
“The natives okay?” Raul nodded toward the dogs.
“Yeah, they’re fine. I get up early, walk them, clean up, feed them, you know. Make sure they have everything they need. Takes me about five hours all in all before I head to the gas station.”
“What they need are new homes.” Raul handed him a drink.
“Tell me about it.” Malec took a sip. “I’ve been taking photographs, pinning them up in local shops, managed to find good new homes for several at the gas station, just by chatting to customers. Trouble is…” He sighed. “It’s one in one out.”
He had such a look of exhaustion and desolation wash over his features that Raul could stand it no more. He took Malec’s mug and set it aside. He then wrapped him in his arms. He held him tight, then tighter still, willing all the stress Malec had been carrying around to seep into his body. He could handle it. He was bigger, stronger. He’d do anything for his mates, carry whatever burden they needed him to.
“Raul,” Malec murmured against his neck as he gripped Raul around the waist. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Raul kissed the top of his head then inhaled his scent again. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
“There is. I’ve been away for so long and this has spiraled, taken up all my time and some of our money.” He pulled back a fraction and dug into his pocket. “Here, have this. Buy Flo something.”
“You buy her something.”
“Please, just take it. There’s more, really there is.”
“Okay.” Raul took the bundle of bucks. “I’m glad this is what it is. Here…you know.”
“What do you mean?” Malec looked up at him.
“Well, can you imagine what was going through our minds?” Raul’s stomach clenched at the memory of his fears.
“What do you mean?” Malec said again and frowned.
“When the letters got shorter, when they dried up, our imagination went into overdrive. I wondered if you’d found another. If our mate bond had broken.” He gritted his teeth and swallowed.
“No, never. It’s too strong for that.” Malec’s eyes glistened. “I’ll always be your mate, Raul, you have to believe that. Nothing could ever break the love between us.” He shook his head frantically.
“I’m glad.” Raul cupped his face and drank in Malec’s handsome features. He dipped his head and kissed him.
Malec opened up and let him in, sagging against him as their tongues tangled. He tasted a little of coffee and as if he’d just brushed his teeth. Raul’s heart sped up and he slanted his head to deepen the kiss. He’d missed the texture of a man’s lips and tongue against his own. Being with Malec and Flo was what made him feel complete. “I’ve missed you,” he murmured.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
Raul pulled back, still holding Malec’s face. “Both of us?”
Malec dragged in a breath and his eyebrows meshed together. “Of course both of you.”
Raul said nothing. Thoughts of Flo’s pretty face twisted with anguish besieged him.
“Raul, please…” Malec’s brow creased further. “She doesn’t…please don’t tell me she’s doubted my love.”
“It’s been hard for her.”
“Oh God, I hate myself.”
“No, no you mustn’t.” Raul kissed the tip of his nose. “Please don’t say that.”
“But Flo. I love her so much. I can’t bear to think I‘ve given her even a moment of pain.”
Raul couldn’t deny the anguish he’d seen in their woman’s eyes. It had been real, raw and true. But he had to balance it with the distress he saw in Malec’s soul. “It’s okay, she’ll understand.”
“Yes, once I’ve seen her.” He started to pull away. “I’ll tell her everything, bring her here. Show her how this has avalanched. We’ll go now…”
Raul stopped him, keeping him close by holding his face. “No, she’s sleeping.”
“But…?”
“She was tired from our journey here. I left her in the motel, tucked up, comfortable. I don’t want her disturbed.” Raul had deepened his voice for those last words. Because it was true. She needed to rest and he’d make sure she did. There was the baby to think of.
“But…?”
“No. She’s tired.” Raul didn’t want to tell him about the baby, not yet, not now. Not when they weren’t all together. That was disloyal to Flo. It was her exciting news as well, plus she was the one carrying the child. Cheating her out of seeing Malec’s face when he learned he was going to be a father wasn’t fair.
Malec opened his mouth as though to speak but closed it again. Raul guessed he’d seen something unsaid in his eyes, and sensed his hesitation. “She’s okay, don’t worry.”
“Sure?”
“Yeah.” Raul pulled him close for another kiss. “I’m sure.” Though he’d want to return to her before long. It would be ideal if she hadn’t even noticed his absence and he could return to the motel with news of Malec’s situation when she awoke. Which, although it wasn’t what they’d expected or particularly great, at least it wasn’t what they’d feared the most.
That he’d found someone else.
The kiss deepened and Raul was aware of his cock stirring. A tug in his belly reminded him how much he adored sex with Malec—how this man made his world fill with pleasure, took him to great heights of ecstasy the way no other guy ever could or would. Sure, it was best when all three of them were together and naked, but they had no rules, no jealousies, about indulging in couple sex whenever the mood grabbed any of them.
“I want you,” he said, kissing over Malec’s cheek. “I’ll never stop wanting you.”
“I feel the same.” Malec was a little breathless, his body tense.
Raul smiled against his temple. “Lie on the bed. I’ll give you a back rub. You’ve been working crazy hours on top of looking after these dogs.”
“That sounds nice. My shoulders ache.”
Raul knew his mate’s neck and shoulders knotted up when he was stressed. He never turned down a back rub. So he steered Malec to the bed, stopping when they stood at the side of it. “Lose the jeans, you won’t be needing them.”
“I guessed not.” He smiled. His eyes were heavy, his pupils wide with arousal.
Raul would soon get Malec hard and ready for action, but there was no crazy rush. He’d take it slow and linger over Malec’s body, remind himself of every dip and rise of his flesh and the taste of his skin.
Malec shoved at his jeans then kicked them away along with his sneakers. His cock rose from his wiry pubic hair, beside which was a tattoo set on his lower abdomen of a wolf howling at the moon.
Raul stroked his fingertip over the wolf, enjoying the way Malec trembled at his touch. His belly contracted, outlining his abdominal muscles. He was leaner than when Raul had last seen him naked and he suspected Malec hadn’t been eating as well as he would at home when feasting on Flo’s delicious meals.
“More,” Malec whispered. “Touch me more.”
“Not yet. On the bed, facedown. I’ll sort out those knots in your shoulders.”
Malec groaned but did as instructed.
Raul admired his taut ass, a fraction paler than the rest of his skin, and his long
back.
Malec folded his arms and rested his cheek on his hands. He fluttered his eyes shut and sighed.
Raul smiled as he removed his own clothes. His cock was hard and tapped against his belly, and his balls tingled. As he moved over Malec, straddling his butt, he enjoyed the anticipation of becoming intimate with his lover again.
He reached for a tub of white cream on the bedside table, which appeared to be for dry skin and smelled of very little. He filled his palms and spread it around before setting them on Malec’s shoulders.
His skin was warm and smooth and Raul smeared the cream up his neck then to his biceps. He worked it in slowly, pressing his thumbs into the soft flesh around his shoulder blades and massaging the knots of muscle he found there.
Malec moaned quietly as Raul deepened his touch. It was a good moan, though, and he was relaxing, sinking deeper into the bed and allowing Raul to really work his muscles.
Raul became absorbed in the task, but with his cock settled in the cleft of Malec’s buttocks and his balls tickling against the curve of his ass, it was impossible not to remain aware of his arousal and the need growing in him.
“Feeling better?” he asked.
“Yeah, you’re so damn good with your hands.”
Raul smiled and began to work his way downward, tapping his fingers over Malec’s spine and kneading outward as he went. Eventually he came to his ass and slithered lower so he had full access. He then spent several minutes working more cream into his buttocks. He adored the way the flesh filled his palms, how his crack stretched when he pushed the orbs outward and deepened when pressed together.
His mouth was watering to taste his mate, so he leaned forward and began to pepper kisses in the hollow of Malec’s back.
Malec shifted his head to face the other way. “You’re such a tease. My cock is gonna burst.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling.” Raul smiled as he continued to kiss, enjoying the taste of Malec’s skin on his tongue. It was a little marred by the cream, but not much now it had been absorbed. Mainly it was just soap and the fresh, open water taste that was unique to Malec.