by Faith Gibson
Slade unlocked the room and pushed the door open for Matt. As soon as he stepped over the threshold, Matthew made a decision. He wasn’t ready for sex. At least not anal. He wanted to be able to prep fully, and he didn’t have the supplies he needed. But he was ready to get his hands and lips on Slade. The sound of the door closing was loud, and Matthew jumped. Slade took Matthew’s hands and pulled them to his mouth, kissing his knuckles.
“Let’s go unpack, and then we’ll check out the view from the balcony.”
Matthew followed Slade to the bedroom, and silently, they unpacked their duffel bags. Matthew took his time, making sure his clothes were folded neatly. He might be young, but he didn’t want to look like a slob with wrinkled T-shirts. After he finished, he took his toiletries into the bathroom and set them on the counter next to Slade’s. Slade was already on the balcony, having left the sliding door open. Matthew stepped up next to him, and Slade slid his large arm around Matt’s shoulder before kissing him on the temple.
With it being night, the Atlantic didn’t look much different than the Gulf had in the moonlight. There were people walking along the beach with flashlights. Voices and laughter occasionally carried over the sound of the waves. Matthew’s breathing was speeding up with the thought of that one damned bed. He needed to get out of the room before he made a fool of himself. “Can we go down there?” he blurted, pointing to the beach.
“Whatever you want,” Slade responded.
They both kicked off their shoes before taking the elevator down to the first floor. Instead of turning right toward the lobby, Slade led him to the left where the signs directed. They exited the hotel onto the patio surrounding the pool. Past that was a gate which opened onto a wooden walkway leading to the sand. The breeze coming off the ocean fluttered Matt’s hair, and he inhaled, pulling the saltiness in deep. It amazed him how quickly his mood calmed. Dante had the ability to calm others with just a touch, but if Slade had some special gift, it wasn’t that. If he did, it didn’t work on Matthew. He was a constant ball of nerves around the Goyle.
Slade took Matt’s hand as if he’d been doing it years instead of days. They moved through the loose sand down to where it was compact near the water’s edge. The moon’s reflection danced across the ocean, drawing Matt’s attention. Between that and the waves rolling in, the night was hypnotic. Matthew walked beside Slade in a daze. It wasn’t until Slade cupped Matt’s face that he noticed they’d stopped walking.
“What’s wrong?” Matt asked.
“Absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact, I’ve never had a more perfect night.”
“Even though we might have stalkers?”
“Even then.” Slade took both of Matt’s hands and brought them to his hard chest. “It’s all you, Matty. You are my everything. You have been for a while. Ever since I figured out you’re my mate. I can feel the turmoil in you. I want you to know, no matter what you decide, nothing will change what you mean to me. You have no idea how special you are. Gargoyles aren’t meant to be solitary creatures. Our lives aren’t complete until we find our mate. Now that I’ve found you, no matter what happens from here on out, my life finally has the meaning, the purpose, I was destined for. Gargoyles aren’t defined by the job they have or how much money is in their account. It’s how they live. What legacy they build. And the mate they walk through each day with.
“You have always been my destiny. And the legacy? We will build it together. Whether we have children or not, we will find ways to make the world a better place so that at the end of our days, we will have left our mark.”
Matthew’s throat was thick, and his eyes were wet. Slade had never spoken profoundly. He had never talked about the future. Any time they spent together was all about Matthew and what his plans were. Matthew never thought to ask what Slade wanted out of life. He had been self-absorbed. Life for Matthew had been about school and basketball. Hiding his sexuality so he didn’t get his ass kicked. Succumbing to the pressure of figuring out at such a young age what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Doing his best to make Frey and Abbi proud. Then Slade came along, and his hormones went haywire. Add that to the mate bond pulling at him, and he’d been consumed with thoughts of the sexy Goyle. He didn’t know how to explain all that to Slade or apologize and promise to do better. The only way he could prove to the male was to show him.
Matt stretched his neck and pressed his lips to Slade’s. He did his best to keep it from getting too heated, but seeing as how they were mates, that was nearly impossible. His body tried to override his brain. The boy he’d kissed had been about testing the waters. Touching lips with a few swipes of tongue thrown in for good measure. That had been child’s play. When Slade’s tongue tangled with Matt’s, it wasn’t a test. It stroked deep inside, and it solidified what Matthew already knew. He wouldn’t be able to stop at kissing. He was ready to give himself over to Slade. It wasn’t only about having sex. It was assuring Slade’s destiny was fulfilled completely. He knew what he had to do.
Instead of pulling away and dragging Slade back to their suite, he relished the flutters in his stomach. He didn’t try to hide his erection. Matt embraced the power he had over this magnificent creature. And he did hold the power, because Slade had given it to him. Slade grabbed Matt’s hips firmly, keeping his lower body still.
“Matty,” Slade growled against his mouth.
“Let’s go in.” Matthew took Slade’s hand and headed back toward the hotel. He didn’t speak. He couldn’t, so he concentrated on keeping his breathing even. By the time they arrived at their suite, Matt was determined to make Slade’s most perfect night even more perfect. He didn’t have any experience, but he had to start sometime, and now was as good a time as any.
Matthew pulled away from Slade. He reached behind his head and pulled his T-shirt off, dropping it to the floor. He then unfastened his shorts and let the weight of his cell phone drag them down to his ankles.
“Matty, what are you doing?” Slade asked. His eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared.
“I’ve been thinking. I’ve decided I’m ready,” Matt husked, wrapping his fist around his erection, giving it a tug. Slade backed up, but he licked his lips as he scanned Matthew’s naked body. “Come on, Slade. Let me see you,” he urged.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Slade argued, but he unzipped his shorts and pulled his erection out, holding onto it without stroking. Matthew swallowed hard. Slade wasn’t any longer than Matthew, but his dick was thick, the base nestled in dark, blond curls. The tip was glistening, and Matthew wanted it in his mouth. He’d dreamed of this moment for months. Closing the distance, Matt lowered himself to his knees, and without waiting, he pushed Slade’s hand out of the way and grasped Slade’s erection. It felt odd to hold someone else’s dick but not weird enough to stop. He licked at the tip, testing the flavor. It was salty and bland like his own. Matthew could handle that. Slade ran his fingers through Matt’s hair, tugging hard enough to get his attention.
“Matt, I really don’t think this is a good idea. My beast is too close to the edge.”
Matthew ignored Slade’s warning and closed his mouth around Slade’s length. He took him as far as possible without gagging then ran his tongue along the vein on the underside as he dragged in a breath before doing it again. Slade tightened his grip in Matt’s hair.
“Matt...”
Matt ignored the warning and began bobbing his head up and down. Spit was leaking from the corners of his mouth, and the sound of his slurping was loud. Slade groaned, gripping Matt’s hair almost to the point of pain. Matthew wanted his first time pleasuring Slade to be perfect, so he reached out with his free hand and took Slade’s balls in his palm, squeezing.
“No!” Slade pushed Matt away, causing him to fall backwards onto his butt. Slade had phased, his wings spread out behind him, fangs and claws bared, chest heaving.
“Go, Matty. Run.”
Chapter Eleven
Matthew scrambled to his feet,
grabbing his clothes as he went. He pulled his shorts on with one hand while slapping at the doorknob with the other. When he got the door open, Matt chanced a look back. Slade’s eyes were wild, and his claws were ripping the shredded shirt from his body. Matthew sprinted down the hallway, tugging his shirt over his head. He didn’t bother with the elevator. He jogged down the stairs to the first floor and burst through the side door. When he was safely outside, Matt slid his shoes on then took off running with no destination in mind. With his training, he could run for miles without getting winded. Add the adrenaline coursing through his veins, and he might end up back in the Keys before he stopped.
There was little traffic on the oceanfront road. A sign pointed to a public-access beach, so Matt headed that direction. He would walk along the beach and give Slade time to get the beast under control. Before he reached the walkway, a high-pitched shriek rent the air. Somewhere to his right, a woman screamed for help. Matthew slowed his steps, searching for whoever was yelling. He glanced down a side street just as a man was tossing a woman into a van. The man crawled in after her, and the vehicle sped off, tires squealing.
“Shit!” Matthew took off running toward the main intersection. He stopped at the corner, searching for someone to help. A taxi slowed, and Matthew flagged it down. When it pulled over to the curb, Matt jumped in and instructed, “Go! Go! Turn there,” pointing to the next street on the left.
“Where’re we going, kid?”
“We gotta follow that van. They just kidnapped a woman.”
“Did you call the police? I don’t think we should get involved in something like this. I mean, if they kidnapped her, who’s to say they don’t have a gun? You know?”
“The police won’t get here in time. Just... There! Turn left.”
The cabbie followed Matthew’s instructions but continued his worried commentary. “Did you see a gun? How big was the man? Maybe you could take him. You look kind of tough, but me? I’m a nobody. I drive a freaking cab for a living. Sit on my ass all day. You know?”
No, Matt didn’t know, but he was getting agitated. Matt went to grab his phone to call Slade, but it wasn’t in his pocket. It must have fallen out when… “I need to use your phone.” The driver tossed his phone over the seat without looking. Slade’s was one number Matthew had memorized. “Come on. Come on.” When it went to voicemail, he explained what was going on. “Hey. I’m in a taxi, and we’re following a van. Georgia license plate is Alpha Tango Oscar 4729. They kidnapped a woman. We’re... shit don’t lose ‘em. We just passed Concord going... What direction are we going? East? North? Anyway. We’re headed away from the hotel. Please get Uncle Jules to track the plate. Shit, they’re stopping. I’ll call you back.” He slapped on the seat. “Stop! Pull over.”
The taxi driver pulled over to the side of the road and looked at Matthew in the rearview mirror. “Now you gonna call the cops? Why didn’t you call them in the first place? Who’s this Uncle Jules? Isn’t Jules a girl’s name?”
Matthew shook his head and held up the phone, showing the driver he had every intention of calling the police. When he glanced out of the window, the driver of the van was getting out and heading across the street toward a convenience store. Matthew tossed the phone over the seat. “You call the police. I’m going to get the woman.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Just pay me what you owe and get out. I don’t want to die, man.”
Matthew hurried out of the taxi, ignoring the driver yelling at Matthew to pay him. Matthew walked to the back of the van and leaned against it. His heart was pounding in his ears, so he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He probably should have called the cops, but he couldn’t in good conscience leave the woman there without trying to help. Peeking around the edge of the van, he didn’t see anyone in the passenger-side mirror, so he eased to the side door of the vehicle and grabbed hold of the handle.
The door of the van slid open, and Matthew jumped back. Matthew had enough time to see the woman bound and gagged before a dark bag was yanked over his head. Whoever was behind him was tall, because Matthew slammed his head backwards intending to hit the person’s nose but met a chest instead.
“Grab his fucking feet,” the man behind him said, gripping his arms. Matthew kicked at whoever was grabbing for his legs while yelling at the taxi driver to call the cops. Tires squealed as the taxi drove off. Matthew prayed the driver called the police. One of the abductors hit Matthew on the side of his head, and Matt slumped to his knees, fighting the urge to throw up. Someone caught him before he hit the ground. He struggled, but it was in vain as his hands were bound behind him. One of the men easily picked him up, and Matthew was momentarily airborne as he was tossed onto the hard floor of the van. The side door slammed shut, and Matthew’s stomach lurched as the van started moving.
Matthew fought to remain conscious as the kidnappers discussed what to do with him, but his head was too foggy. The last thing he remembered was the driver saying in an accent, “He’s pretty, plus he’s a fighter. I bet they’ll pay good money to fuck him.”
Slade changed shirts and took off after Matt. Fucking beast. I told you he’s not ready. If you try something like that again, we’ll lose him for good. Is that what you want?
Of course not, but he wants us.
He does. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready for the bite. You have to trust me on this. You’ve been around him enough to know he’s inexperienced. We have to give him the choice of mating now or waiting. That’s how these things work. We have to think with our heart and not our dick.
Fine. Let’s go get him back.
When Slade reached the sidewalk, he caught sight of Matt running, so Slade followed. He was several blocks away when Matt stopped. Slade waited to see what his mate would do next. Matt looked to be headed to the beach but stopped again. Matthew took off running toward the main road. Not caring if anyone saw, Slade used his shifter speed to chase after his mate. Matthew was stopped at the corner, and then he was getting in a taxi. “Matthew!”
Slade gave chase, but the area was too populated to keep going as fast as he needed. “Shit.” Slade sped up as fast as he could without causing too much alarm and made note of the taxi company as well as the car’s number. He returned to the hotel for his own vehicle, calling the company to ask them to track that cab. Slade drove in the general direction the car had gone, arguing with the dispatcher who needed a better reason than Slade had given to hand out the taxi’s information. After a few minutes of getting nowhere with the person on the phone, Slade hung up and called Julian.
“I know it’s late, and I apologize, but I need your help. It’s Matt.”
“Matt? Is he hurt?” Julian asked.
“No. He’s in a taxi, but I don’t know where he’s headed.”
“A taxi? Where’s he going this late?”
“I just said I don’t know.” Slade banged a hand on the steering wheel, trying to rein in his worry.
Julian’s anger came through with his next words. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Did you two have a fight?”
“Not exactly. Without sharing something too personal, let’s just say my beast was ready to complete the bond, but I wasn’t, and I told Matt to run, so he did.” Slade gave Julian the taxi information as well as the last cross section where he’d seen the car.
“Got it. Let me... No Nik, it’s Slade,” Julian said.
“I’m really sorry,” Slade apologized for a second time.
“Normally, I would say this is my job, but this is my nephew. Hang on.” Julian and Nik were arguing in the background, and if Slade wasn’t mistaken, Lucy was there as well.
Slade pulled over to the curb and let his SUV idle. There was no need in driving around aimlessly.
“I’m back.” Julian began typing away at his computer. “Whatever happened must have been bad for him to take a taxi.”
“It wasn’t, though. It’s not like he hasn’t seen one of us phase before. Besides, he was headed towar
d the beach and stopped all of a sudden. He took off running, flagged down a taxi, and they sped off.”
Slade’s phone buzzed with an incoming call, but he didn’t recognize the number. He ignored it until it buzzed again with a voice message.
Listen to the message.
As mad as he was at his beast, Slade knew better than to ignore it. “Julian, let me call you back.” Slade disconnected and hit the message icon to listen. Tears burned the back of his eyes when he heard Matt’s voice. He searched for Concord on his GPS and headed that way. While driving, he called the number back.
“Hello?”
“Where’s Matthew?” Slade asked the owner of the phone.
“I’m guessing Matthew is the crazy boy who decided to play hero and go after a kidnapper without calling the police?”
“Yes, that’s him. Let me talk to him.”
“He’s not here.”
Slade slapped the steering wheel, not bothering to hold back his growl. “Where is he?”
“Th-they took him.”
Slade swallowed hard, dread filling his gut. “Who took him?”
“The kidnappers. I warned him to call the police, but he—”
“Where is the van now?” Slade was ready to kill the man on the phone after he murdered whoever dared to take his mate.
“I guess it’s still at the store. I wasn’t going to sit there and—”
“Which fucking store? I swear to the gods if something happens to him—”
“I’m not the dumbass who went after the bad guys—”
“Where’s the store?” Slade yelled.
“On Sycamore, Dickhead. Don’t fucking yell at—” Slade punched the disconnect button on his steering wheel then called Julian while looking up Sycamore on the GPS. He pulled back onto the road and headed the direction the Australian-accented voice told him to go.