by Faith Gibson
“Oh, there’s nothing funny about it. Just lots of sexy times with a hot Gargoyle. Are you worried about that?”
“Not really. I mean, yes, he’s hot. I’ve been hiding my reaction to him for months, and now I don’t have to.”
“I can’t tell you what to do, but my advice? Don’t fight it. You’ll just get to the happy ever after that much sooner.”
“You’re probably right. I’m sorry I woke you up.”
“Don’t be. That’s what friends are for. Besides, now I get to go back to bed with my Goyle who will snuggle me until I fall back to sleep.”
“Thanks, Trev. I’ll talk to you later.”
“You’re welcome. Call me any time.”
Matt hung up, feeling a little better. He hadn’t asked about the ins and outs of sex, because that would have been awkward. Trevor had inadvertently been responsible for schooling Matt on the things you had to do to get ready for sex with another male. They hadn’t had a conversation, but Matthew had been with Trevor one day when he went shopping for supplies. Matthew didn’t ask questions. Instead, he went home and searched the internet. He’d never imagined the prep that went into getting ready, and he definitely wasn’t prepared. When Slade asked him to go on vacation, he never imagined a scenario where they would end up naked together.
“Ugh.” Knowing he wasn’t going to get any rest, Matt undressed and stepped into the shower. He didn’t have to make a decision now; Slade said he would wait. So instead of stressing over sex and the mate bond, he was going to join the Goyle – his Goyle – and get on with their vacation. He was excited about getting out on the water again. He spent as much time in the lake behind their home as possible, but it wasn’t the ocean. After grabbing a quick shower, he pulled on his swim trunks and a T-shirt, then padded out to the living area. Slade was sitting on the balcony, bare feet on the railing, with a cup of coffee. When Matt joined him with his own cup of the elixir of the gods, Slade turned his face up to Matt. Slade’s smile was radiant.
“Hey,” Matt said, smiling in return. And why wouldn’t he be smiling? Big decisions aside. He was at the beach with his very own Gargoyle. How many guys his age could say that? Matt leaned over and kissed Slade, just because he could. He didn’t linger. Didn’t offer his tongue. He didn’t want to get something started he wasn’t sure he could finish.
Slade’s eyes crinkled at the edges with his smile. “Hey. Did you get any rest?”
“A little,” Matt fudged. His body got rest even if his mind didn’t.
“So, what do you want to do today?” Slade lowered his feet to the floor, angling his body toward Matt’s.
“You mentioned snorkeling. Can we do that?” Matthew was excited at the prospect of seeing fish up close. He’d been to the aquarium, but this was different. This was getting in their natural habitat with them. When he first moved in with Frey, Matt spent a lot of time at the lake fishing. He always threw them back. The first time he’d been unable to get a hook out without hurting the creature, he vowed never to fish again.
“Sure can. The lady at the desk said we didn’t need reservations, so we shouldn’t have to wait once we get there. You want to stop down in the restaurant and get some breakfast first?”
“Does a bear shit in the woods? You know I’m a growing boy. I need my nourishment.” Matt winked at Slade, patting his stomach.
Slade grinned. “I do know. But I also know you’re not ready to face the world until you’ve had your coffee, so take a seat. We have all day.”
Matthew took the chair next to Slade and relaxed. The sun was peeking over the horizon, so the two of them sat and enjoyed the show. This was something Matt would miss once they were back home. The sky often changed into vibrant colors of pinks and oranges, but seeing the sun rise or set over the ocean wasn’t something they could do. Matthew thought about Slade’s condo and all the bright city lights surrounding it. He would definitely miss being outside at night where he could watch the twinkling stars as the moon moved from one part of the sky to the next. Slade had said he would buy a house if it’s what Matt wanted. Maybe after college.
Slade surprised Matt during breakfast. He had been productive during the night while Matt tossed and turned. “What do you think about these?” Slade held his phone out, and Matt flipped through pictures of houses for sale near the UGA campus. “I figured since we’re going to be living together after the first year, I’d go ahead and look for a place close by that I could turn into an investment. Find something I could fix up while you’re in class. That would keep me close plus give me something to do. I’m also thinking about taking cooking classes.”
“But you’re already a good cook.”
“Thanks. But I’m talking about gourmet food, not just run-of-the-mill meals. Priscilla shouldn’t be the only one cooking for our Clan. When Sebastian is born, she’ll be busy helping Kaya with the baby. Plus, once you graduate, I wouldn’t mind having some of the others over to our place for parties.”
“I’d like that. And you know I have no problem being your quality control expert.” Matt winked at his Gargoyle. The thought of watching Slade move around the kitchen gave him a thrill. To hear Slade talk about having their family and friends over was definitely something to look forward to. It was all very domestic, and he couldn’t wait.
Matthew scrolled through the listings. It didn’t surprise him the houses were all large with several acres surrounding them. It made sense Slade would want somewhere he would be free to phase if he felt like it. Granted, most of these were only five or six acres, not the forty and fifty like the others of the Clan owned in New Atlanta. But Slade said these were an investment. Somewhere to live while Matt was in school. Afterward, they could either move back to the condo or look for something else. By the time four years rolled around, Matt would feel more secure in their relationship and wouldn’t have a problem voicing his opinion on where they lived.
Matthew kept scrolling, and Slade asked, “Do you like any of those?”
“Since you’re going to be the one stuck there, you should choose. I’ll be happy wherever you are.”
“I’ll tell the realtor we want to look at them all next week. I’ll have her set up appointments a couple days after we get home. That’ll give us time to get your things from Frey’s and get you settled in the condo. If we didn’t have two months, I’d just wait and move your things to the new house, but I want you with me as soon as we get home.”
Matthew’s stomach did a few somersaults at that thought. This time next week, he’d be living with Slade full time. He couldn’t wait.
They spent the next few hours snorkeling and playing in the ocean. It was easier to hide his arousal while waist-deep in the water than lying on a chair soaking up the sun, but they eventually got out of the water to relax on the beach chairs. Matt’s back was going to be more tanned than his front, but lying on his back was embarrassing. When Slade told him he needed to turn over, Matthew gave him the stink-eye. Slade laughed, but before Matthew closed his eyes, he didn’t miss Slade adjusting a towel over his own bathing suit. Seemed Matt wasn’t the only one getting turned on. They had held hands while walking. Snuck in kisses here and there. Nothing that should make Matt lose his mind, but he knew from being around the other Gargoyles the mate bond pull was strong.
He’d gotten used to the way all the males and their mates couldn’t stop touching one another. And usually, it was something small, like a brush of a hand against a cheek or leaning their bodies close. Small smiles that spoke volumes. He already experienced all that with Slade, and when thinking back about their time together, they had since the beginning. Slade had spent his time with Matt knowing they were mates but never acting on it. Because Matt hadn’t been old enough. Slade was an honorable Gargoyle. The fact that Frey had given his blessing for them to be together warmed his heart. There was no one in the world other than Slade whose opinion meant more to Matt.
Matt’s skin tingled. He opened his eyes to find Slade staring at someth
ing beyond him. He turned his head to see what Slade was looking at. Eric and the guys from yesterday were once again playing volleyball. Matt almost felt guilty about the way he’d flirted with Eric. But at the time, he didn’t know he belonged to Slade. He wanted to be claimed by the male months ago, and then it had only seemed like a fantasy. Now though? Matt let his eyes gaze over all that tanned skin lying next to him. When he licked his lips, Slade growled. Matt’s eyes flew to Slade’s to find the blue orbs focused on him.
If Slade’s gaze wasn’t so intense, he would have rolled his eyes at the growl. Instead, he let the feeling of being wanted wash over him. Matthew made the decision in that moment to give in to Slade that night. When they were back in their room for the evening, he would give Slade his answer. He wouldn’t let the male use video games to distract him. Yes. Tonight, they would become one.
Slade did his best to think about unpleasant things. Like smelly dumpsters. Dirty diapers. Rotten cabbage. Vomit. If he didn’t, the others around them were going to get a show. He knew the reason Matt was lying on his stomach. The only reason Slade didn’t flip over was because he would be too tempted to rut against the lounge chair. He could smell Matt’s arousal. He knew without looking his mate’s cock was leaking. His was doing the same. It was all he could do to keep from pulling Matthew on top of him. They should have snorkeled longer. Spent more time swimming and playing in the waves. At least then the water masked his mate’s scent. They both had sported erections all day, and it was almost embarrassing. Not on Matthew’s part. Slade knew most teen boys got hard if a breeze blew. But he was a godsdamned Gargoyle. He should have more control.
When it was time for lunch, Slade insisted they grab something from one of the vendor stands instead of going back to their room to shower and change. It wasn’t fair to Matt, but it wouldn’t be fair to the male for Slade to strip him bare and toss him on the bed either. Slade was doing everything in his power to make this an enjoyable vacation. He didn’t want Matt to feel pressured, but he had a feeling his mate was thinking about finally giving in. Slade had used video games the night before as a distraction. He doubted that would fly tonight.
The teen, Eric, who’d been flirting with Matt yesterday, was looking their way. Slade was doing his best to intimidate the boy with a look. He didn’t want the good-looking young man anywhere near Matthew. Not that Matthew would agree to another game. Now that Matt knew how Slade felt, Matt would turn him down. Probably. But that didn’t mean Slade wanted anyone else looking at his mate. No, he wasn’t jealous. Possessive? Fuck, yeah. Matt was his.
Slade had looked up things they could do together, and when he’d shown the list to Matt earlier, everything Matt wanted to do was on the water. There was a helicopter tour of the islands, but Frey had two helicopters at home. Matt had ridden in them several times, so that wouldn’t necessarily be exciting for him. Walking around seeing the historic landmarks didn’t interest Slade, and Matthew hadn’t seemed thrilled about that either. They could go out on a boat with others on a dolphin watching trip, but that was something Slade wanted just the two of them to experience. Maybe Slade could find a boat to charter to take just the two of them out. As much money as Slade had, he could buy his own boat, but that was silly considering where they lived. No, he wouldn’t do something that foolish, but Matt had enjoyed the dolphins. Once back in their room, Slade would find a boat to charter. That was tomorrow. Now, he had to figure out something for them to do with the rest of their day other than lying close to each other and staring longingly.
“Ready to get back in the water?” Matt asked, breaking Slade out of his musings.
“Sounds good.” The cold water sounded like a wonderful idea. It would help cool both of them off. Their chairs were close to the water’s edge, so they didn’t have far to go. When Matt pushed himself up from his chair, Slade bent down and tossed him over his shoulder, jogging into the ocean. Matt laughed, smacking Slade’s ass. Slade kept hold of Matt’s thighs until he was deep enough to toss him into the waves. Matt came up, wiping saltwater out of his eyes, still grinning. They played in the surf, riding the waves. Slade did his best to keep a little space between them, but every once in a while, they would be tossed together, and their hands would grasp. A couple times, Matt stole a quick kiss.
When they’d both had enough of the water, they dried off and made their way inside. As they passed the front desk, one of the clerks called out, “Excuse me, Mr. Hartley? You had a call earlier. Did your friend get hold of you?”
Matthew frowned at the woman and shook his head. “Did they leave a message?”
“I put them through to your room. You can check your phone.”
“Okay, thank you.” Matthew turned to Slade, frowning. “Who would have called the hotel and not my cell phone?”
Slade placed his hand on Matt’s neck, squeezing. “Let’s go find out.” Slade prayed there wasn’t an emergency. The only thing he could think of would be Jonathan, and even though Slade wasn’t as close to the human as most of the others, he had stopped by the hospital to see him briefly a few days ago when he knew Matthew was at the gym with Frey. Slade flashed the keycard in front of the lock, and when it turned green, Matthew pushed the door open, rushing to the phone. There was no red light blinking to indicate a message.
“That’s weird.” Matthew reached into the bag they’d carried to keep their phones dry and pulled his out. “I don’t have any missed calls. I wonder who it could’ve been unless it was Trevor.”
“Why don’t you give him a call and see?” Slade’s gut was telling him something was off, but what it was… No. He wasn’t going to go there. No one except for the Clan knew where they were.
He hoped.
Chapter Nine
Slade listened in as Matthew joked with Trevor after ascertaining it wasn’t him who called. By the blush on Matt’s cheeks and neck, Trevor was asking personal questions about their trip. Slade crossed his arms over his chest, taking advantage of Matthew’s attention elsewhere to really stare at his mate. He still felt like a creeper sometimes when he considered how young Matthew was, but he was going to have to get over it. Matthew’s looks wouldn’t change much in the next couple years, and he knew they wouldn’t wait that long to complete the bond.
Since Trevor hadn’t been the one to call, Slade dialed the gym. He was getting a bad feeling about whoever it was. No one should have known where they were going considering they hadn’t decided on the Keys until they were alone. Malakai answered, “Hartley’s. How may I help you?”
“Kai, it’s Slade.”
“Hey, Brother. How’s the vacation? Everything okay?”
“That’s why I’m calling.” Slade left the living area and stepped out onto the patio to give both himself and Matt some privacy. “Someone called here looking for Matt. Nobody knew where we were going except for Frey, and that’s only because Matthew texted him our destination.”
“Yeah, Frey mentioned it in passing. I told a friend of Matt’s who stopped by looking for him.”
“What did this friend look like?”
“He was young, early twenties. Slight accent. He… Oh, fuck. Was the guy not a friend?”
“My gut is telling me no, but until I describe the guy to Matt, I won’t be sure.”
“Fuck, Brother. I’m sorry. I was distracted when he came in. I should have known better than to say anything.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it’s nothing, but do me a favor. Get the video feed from the time this alleged friend stopped by and send it to Julian. I’m going to give him a call and tell him what’s going on.”
“I’ll do that now. I’m really sorry, Slade.”
“Like I said, don’t worry about it. You said you were distracted. Is everything okay with you?” Slade wanted to rail at the male, but it wouldn’t do any good now.
“There’s this female in one of my classes. She smells really good, but it’s not enough for me to think she’s my mate, more like a subtle distraction. I k
now that doesn’t make sense. I’ve been around enough of you guys to know how the mate bond affects you. This isn’t that strong, but it’s something.”
“Maybe this female has been in close proximity to your mate. A sister or a roommate, perhaps.”
“That makes sense. Anyway, it’s nothing to worry about. Let me go get on the video feed. I want to find out whether or not I royally fucked up.”
Slade had a feeling that would be an affirmative. All he could do at that point was be extra vigilant in protecting Matt. They might even need to cut their stay short. “I’ll keep you posted, but Kai? For now, don’t say anything to Frey. There’s no need to get him riled up over nothing.”
“You got it.” Kai said goodbye, and as soon as the call was disconnected, Slade dialed Julian’s number. After the male answered, Slade filled him in.
“Fuck. Frey’s going to flip.”
“That’s why I told Kai to keep this to himself for now.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“He’s your brother. What do you think?”
Julian hummed. “I think he would want to be kept in the loop, but he also trusts you enough with Matthew to mate him; therefore, he trusts you to keep him safe. Do you want me to call him?”
“No. Matt’s my responsibility. If you’ll just make finding the guy in the video priority, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I figure out who it was. How are things otherwise?”
Slade grinned. One thing about being in a Clan as close as theirs, the others had no problem asking nosy questions. Seeing as Matthew was Julian’s nephew, he would expect nothing less.
“We haven’t completed the bond, if that’s what you’re getting at. Matt knows he’s my mate, and I’ve given him space to decide whether he wants to complete the bond now or wait a while.”
“I can imagine what you’re going through while you’re waiting. Knowing Kat was mine but not being able to find her was hard enough. You have Matthew right there. I don’t envy you, Brother.”