by Lynn Lorenz
Sutton stood. “Then why didn’t he pay? Why wait until now, nearly six months later? After my client has brought Ashland back to health and continued his training? Now that Ashland is more valuable than ever?”
“My client’s reasons are none of your business. Only that he was cheated out of his due.”
The woman held up her hand. “And are you ready to pay your fees and fines, Mr. Durio?”
For the first time, Durio stood and spoke. “I am.”
She pressed her lips together in a hard, straight line. “This is the league’s ruling. Mr. Durio has to make payment by close of day today. If he does, Mr. Stoltz must return the property to Mr. Durio within twenty-four hours, and Mr. Stoltz will be compensated his original purchase price and any subsequent costs relating to keeping the property by the WereWolf Fight League for his inconvenience.”
“No!” A knife stabbed Stoltz in the heart. He grabbed the back of the seat in front of him. Murphy put his hand on Stoltz’s knee and applied hard pressure, keeping him seated. His lawyer put his hand out to block Stoltz from rising.
She stared at Durio. “If he can’t make the payment, possession of the property stays with Mr. Stoltz, and Mr. Durio loses all rights and ability to appeal this decision.”
She looked at her colleagues, who had remained silent; then they all stood and left the room.
Durio laughed. “See, Stoltz. He’s mine. Just like I told you. I’ll be at his quarters tomorrow at nine so I can take possession of him.” At his last words, he leered, his meaning crystal clear.
Stoltz stood, knocking the men’s hands off. “You bastard! Ash will never belong to you.” Sutton and Murphy grabbed his arms, holding him back.
Durio stepped into the aisle. “He will. And I’m going to make sure he never forgets who owns him, body and soul.”
Then he and his lawyer fled.
Stoltz fell into his seat, bent over, clutching his head in his hands. His heart had stopped beating. Ash was dead. He was dead.
“Oh God.” He moaned and put his face in his hands.
Sutton put his hand on Stoltz’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.” Stoltz couldn’t speak, even to say good-bye or thank you.
Murphy stepped in. “Thanks, Frank. We know you did your best. The league fucked up.”
After a few mumbled words, Sutton left.
“But how?” Stoltz asked.
“How what?”
“How does he have the money now? He’s broke. Penniless. Sutton has his financial records. He showed them to me. Someone must be fronting him.”
“So?” Murphy grunted. “Maybe he found a partner.”
“Maybe. But Durio’s the type to borrow, not be a partner. Who would give him money? Could you find out?”
“Why? He’s probably made a deal for the money based on Ash’s earning potential. Beside the point now, Dan.” Murphy stared off into space, as if thinking.
“Fuck. I really hoped…”
Murphy sat on the seat next to Stoltz. “Come on, Dan. We need to go.”
Stoltz nodded and rose. They left the room and headed to the elevators.
“Do you need me to get you home?”
“No. I’m going to be okay. I have to tell Ash.” Stoltz leaned against the wall. He could feel the weight of the gun in his hand as if he held it, ready to take aim.
“I’ve got some business to take care of, and you’re on my way. Let me give you a ride to your place. You’re in no shape to walk.”
“Thanks.”
The lift came, and they got in, Stoltz on automatic pilot.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Stoltz squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and hovered his hand over the entry keypad to Ashland’s quarters. The roiling acid in his belly threatened to erupt like a hot, stinking volcano.
He couldn’t believe it. They’d lost. He’d lost Ashland.
And now, in the morning, Durio would claim Ash. Stoltz couldn’t let that happen. He’d given his promise to Ash, but deep down in his heart, he’d never thought he’d actually have to do it. Now he had no choice. He’d have to kill the man he loved.
He wanted to kill Durio. Wanted to use the gun on him, but if he did, he’d only wind up a slave, and Ash would be put on the auction block again.
If he killed Ash, told everyone it was self-defense, he wouldn’t be punished for it. Durio would never have him. He’d be defeated. Stoltz would once again have stolen Ash from him. But at what cost?
Far too dear a price for Stoltz to pay to set Ash free, if only in death.
Stoltz knocked on the door, punched in the access code, and entered. Ash must have been pacing, because he spun to face Stoltz. He wore only his wrap and his collar.
“Dan?” He took a few steps forward, then halted. The color drained from his face.
“I’m so sorry.” It was all Stoltz could manage to say.
Ash fell to his knees. “Oh goddess.” He buried his face in his hands. “No.” No tears, just denial. Grief. Defeat.
Stoltz went to him and kneeled, gathering his lover into his arms. Ash wrapped his arms around Stoltz’s shoulders and buried his face in the crook of Stoltz’s neck.
They clung to each other as Stoltz whispered his apologies into Ash’s ear, placing soft kisses along his shoulder and the side of his head.
Ash shuddered and leaned away to meet Stoltz’s gaze. “I know, Dan. It’s what’s meant to be. I’ve been praying to the goddess Luna all morning since you left, but she sees fit to deny me.” He gave a rueful laugh. “Guess a slave doesn’t hold much weight with her either.”
“The board ruled Durio must pay the back taxes by five today. If not, you’re mine, and he can never try to reclaim you.”
“If he does?”
“He comes for you in the morning. Nine a.m.”
Ash buried his hands in Stoltz’s hair and pressed their faces together. “I love you, Dan. Thank you for giving me that.”
“I never thought I’d find someone either.” Dan kissed him, fast and hard. He tried to stand, but Ash kept him from rising.
“Wait! You’re not leaving me?” Ash cried.
“No. Just getting off my knees and taking you to bed. We only have tonight. I want to make love to my wolf.”
Ash smiled. “Yes, Master.”
Dan fingered the collar he’d bought Ash. “You never take it off, do you?”
“Only to shower and fight. My master gave it to me. Dan Stoltz. He owns me and always will, no matter what anyone says.”
Dan’s heart nearly burst with the emotion swelling inside him, and he dragged Ash to his feet. “Bed. Now.” They might have less than a day, but they’d make the most of it. Until the very last moment.
Ash followed Stoltz. When they got to the bed, Stoltz sat on the edge. Ash went down on one knee and placed his hands behind his back, in his submission pose. “Command me, Master.”
“Get up, Ash. Tonight you’re free. I know I can’t legally free you, but tonight, in these quarters, I’m freeing you. Tonight you’re not a slave, but a man, just like me.”
Ash looked up at him, his brow wrinkled. “But…I’m…free?”
“Yes. You don’t have to do anything to please me. We’re just two men, together, tonight.”
Ash curled his smile up on one side. “So if I want to, I don’t have to do anything with you?”
Stoltz’s heart fluttered. “If you want, I won’t touch you. You can just be. No one will force himself on you, Ash. Least of all me.” Had it been true? That the only reason Ash had sex with Stoltz was because he feared a master’s disapproval?
Ash propelled his body up and at Stoltz, knocking him over onto the bed. “I’m free!” He laughed as he embraced Stoltz. “And I choose you, Dan. Even if I could walk out of this room, down the hall, and away from this life, I choose to stay with you.”
“Really?” Part of Stoltz didn’t believe it. Part of him wanted to cheer.
Ash kissed him. “But even if I’m free, I’m keeping
the collar.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. I’d feel naked without it. It’s a symbol of our love.”
“Yes, it is. The moment I saw it, I saw you wearing it and knew I had to get it for you.”
Ash gazed down into Stoltz’s eyes. Stoltz wove his hands into Ash’s dark red hair. “I love the color of your hair, Ash. Love those green eyes of yours.” He bit Ash’s chin. “Love the way you taste.”
“Will you taste me? Take my cock into your mouth? Swallow my cum?” Ash growled at him as he pressed the evidence of his arousal into Stoltz’s belly.
In answer, Stoltz rolled Ash over onto his back and whipped off the flimsy wrap. He ran his hand down Ash’s chest and gave one nipple a lick and a bite, ignoring Ash’s whimper. Stoltz continued south, dragging his tongue through the trail of hair, tasting his lover.
Ash moaned, gripped Stoltz’s head, and humped up into Stoltz’s mouth, but Stoltz didn’t slow down. He kept going until he reached the nest of curls. Ash’s cock, thick, red, and long, stretched toward his navel, just to the right.
Stoltz nuzzled into the curls and inhaled. “God, I love how you smell.”
“Dan. I can’t believe it. You’re going to…do it.” Ash sounded as if he couldn’t believe he was going to get blown.
“You’ve had a blowjob before. I know it, because I watched you and that slave boy in the locker room.”
“But this time it’s you. I’ve never had a master touch me like you do.”
“No one has ever loved you like I do, Ash.”
“True. Dan? Did you get excited when you watched? Me and the slave? Did it get you hot?”
“Hell yeah. You were the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen.” Stoltz kissed Ash’s hip, then turned his attention to his cock. “Quiet now, wolf.”
Stoltz wrapped his hand about Ash’s prick and pulled it toward his mouth. Ash leaned up on one elbow to watch. Stoltz had to make this the best night of Ash’s life. He opened and swallowed Ash down, until the fat head hit the back of his throat.
“Dan! Goddess!” Ash bucked, but Stoltz kept moving his hand up and down the shaft, matching the hard suctioning of his mouth. Determined to drive his wolf wild, Stoltz worked his tongue around the shaft, teasing the slit, then diving down for another suck.
His wolf whimpered. Moaned. Cried out.
Stoltz’s cock answered, stiff and aching, but he ignored it and focused on giving Ash all the pleasure the man could stand.
He cupped Ash’s balls and rolled them in their furry sac. Ash howled. He was so responsive. So in the moment, letting his pleasure free for Stoltz to see and hear.
How had Durio not recognized and appreciated what he had in Ash? How could he have treated so beautiful a creature like an animal? Ash was more than a man, more than a werewolf. He was everything.
Durio didn’t deserve Ash. And he’d never get him, not if Stoltz had anything to say about it. He’d sworn to rob Durio of any pleasure of further mistreating Ash.
Stoltz licked up the underside of Ash’s cock, then twirled his tongue over the head, and then sucked him again. Ash babbled, nonsense words, more sounds, really, and it turned Stoltz on like never before.
Ash bucked up, gave up all restraint, and hammered into Stoltz’s mouth, fucking him, his fingers shredding the sheets, his back bowed, legs splayed, until at last, he froze.
Stoltz kept up the suction. Ash shouted and came, spilling his cum down Stoltz’s throat, as Stoltz swallowed to keep from choking.
Ash’s eruptions ended, and he collapsed back on the bed.
Stoltz let his cock go with a soft pop, then placed a kiss on its spent head. He climbed up next to Ash and held him. Ash threw his arm over Stoltz’s chest and sighed.
A low rumble vibrated in Ash’s chest, and Stoltz felt it in his. The sound of a content and well-pleasured werewolf. He’d never thought he’d hear it, but there he was, in bed with his wolf.
He’d broken his rule about fucking the slave.
Stoltz smiled. Fuck rules. This was love.
Chapter Twenty-Three
They made love off and on during the night, sleeping and eating in between to replenish their energy. Stoltz cooked all the meat in the small refrigerator. Neither of them mentioned that after tomorrow, there would be no need for the food.
“I’m stuffed.” Ash grinned at him as he wiped his face with a napkin, then tossed it onto the table.
Stoltz gathered their dishes and put them in the sink. He stood, staring down at them soaking in the water. With Ash dead, would he stand there and wash them as if he hadn’t killed his lover? Then kill himself?
Ash came up behind him, slipping his arms around Stoltz.
“Hey. Don’t.”
Stoltz put his head back against Ash’s shoulder. Ash kissed his ear. “Love you. That’s all that counts.”
“I know.”
Ash leaned against him. “It’s been a long night. It’s almost morning.”
Almost time. Nine a.m. would come damn fast.
Stoltz sighed. “If I could stop time. If I could change…”
“What would you change, Dan?” Ash kissed his cheek. “Buying me? I’d have gone to someone else, someone maybe not as honorable as you, as kind, as good a trainer.”
“I just wish…”
“No wishes. There isn’t time, and this isn’t going to end well. We both know it. I’m counting on you, Dan. I need you now more than I ever have.”
“I know. But how can I…kill you?”
“You can because you love me. You do love me, don’t you?”
Stoltz turned to face his wolf. “Yes. It scares me how much I love you. Terrifies me. Because I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it.”
Ash grabbed him around his neck and pulled their faces together, nose to nose. “Dan. Please. Living is not an option. Not with Durio. Not without you. Not for me. If you don’t do it, I will.” He looked deep into Stoltz’s eyes, and Stoltz saw the truth and commitment in them. Ash would arrange his own death.
But after Durio had done what to him? Raped him? Beaten him?
The thought of that sent a shudder through Stoltz.
“I’d rather you did it, Dan. Let’s not go over this again. We agreed. You promised.” Ash pulled him by the hand toward the bed. “Time is speeding up, and the bell for the next round is about to sound.”
Stoltz nodded, his throat so tight he couldn’t get a word out.
They reached the bed and fell onto it, wrapped in each other’s arms. Ash kissed him, opening up to allow Stoltz inside with his tongue. God, Stoltz loved the way his wolf tasted.
Ash rolled over, but Stoltz pulled him back. “No, I want to see your face. It’s so…breathtaking when you come. Want to see it. See your green eyes. Never forget them.”
Ash nodded.
Stoltz’s cock had stiffened, but the idea of looking down at Ash got him harder. He sat on his knees between Ash’s legs. Ash spread them wide and played with his balls as Stoltz slicked up his dick.
By the time Stoltz was ready, Ash’s cock stood straight up, ready to have Stoltz’s hand wrapped around it. He gave it a few strokes, and Ash groaned.
Stoltz pulled Ash’s hips up, leaned over, and guided his prick to Ash’s opening. He pressed in, sighing as it gave way, and his cock slid deep inside. Their night of fucking had made breeching Ash easier each time.
He pushed farther, wiggling a bit until he was completely seated, and then he leaned over Ash, both hands planted on either side of Ash’s head, and gazed down into green jewels.
God, he loved this man.
Ash wrapped his legs around Stoltz’s thighs. “Fuck me, Dan. Like you’re never going to be inside me again.” He glanced at the clock, dragging Stoltz’s gaze with him.
Six a.m.
“Like it’s our last time. Please.” Ash pushed up and pulled back, working himself on Stoltz’s cock. “Need you.”
Stoltz didn’t say a word; he just started fucking Ash. At first, e
ach thrust in and pull out was slow and deliberate, their gazes locked, sharing breath. Ash’s answering gasps told Stoltz he wanted more. Faster. Harder.
He increased his speed and power. Now he slammed into Ash, grunting and sweating as he worked the man over.
Ash moaned but met him each time with his teeth clenched, fisting his hands in the sheets or in Dan’s hair, and always, those eyes, burning like green fire.
Stoltz’s balls slammed up into his body, tight and aching, his cock leaking, and the nerves at the base of his spine tingling at the impending orgasm.
“Gonna come. All over you, wolf.”
“Goddess, yes! Shoot inside me. Shoot on my balls. Want to rub your jizz all over my balls and dick.” Ash stroked himself in time to Stoltz’s pumping.
They burned up the sheets until both of them raced up the hill and threw themselves off the edge, together, hands entwined, into a bottomless chasm.
When his orgasm hit, Stoltz shot into Ash’s tunnel, then pulled out and stroked himself off, painting Ash’s cock and balls with his cum, just as Ash wanted.
“Oh fuck, Dan. That’s so hot. Marking me with your scent.” Ash gasped, grabbed his dick, and rubbed Stoltz’s cream all over it as he brought himself off.
He shot straight up, raining his release down on his dick, mixing their releases on his body.
Stoltz collapsed on top of Ash, loving the stickiness binding them. Ash held him close, not letting him go. Stoltz didn’t want to be let go. He wanted to stay there, in Ash’s bed, in this small room, forever.
“Dan?”
“Yeah?”
Ash moved and Stoltz looked up. “What are you doing?”
Ash removed his collar. “This is yours. I want you to have it, to wear it and think of me. And to be happy. For me.” He held it out to put around Stoltz’s neck.
“God, Ash.” Stoltz sat up enough, and Ash put it on, buckled it, and lay back down.
Stoltz touched it. “I’m yours. Always have been, wolf.”
Ash smiled. “Looks good on you, Dan.” He snuggled against Stoltz, fingering the leather collar. “Mine.”
“Yours.”
They dozed.