“I don’t believe the crazy tale you’re spinning, and I’m being stubborn?” Castrose smiled widely, laughing softly as he shook his head. “For all I know I’ll wake up in an hour and realize this has all been a dream.”
Eion sighed again. “Okay. You go ahead and believe that then.” Squeezing Castrose’s hand once more before releasing it, he offered his human a rakish grin. “If time is what you need, then that’s what you’ll have. After all, we’ll have centuries together.”
Castrose barked a laugh, disbelief lighting his clear blue eyes. Then he winced and lifted his free hand to his temple.
“Careful,” Eion admonished gently. “Head injury. Remember?”
As Castrose fingered around the edge of the bandage, Eion heard his human’s stomach rumbling. Humming, he rose to his feet. “The doc ordered you to stay in bed, but I bet you’re hungry. He said something light would be okay.”
“Who is this doc you keep talking about?” Then Castrose’s eyes widened as he glanced toward the doorway. “Do you mean Doctor Lark Trystan? Declan’s partner?”
“I do.” Eion released Castrose and headed toward the door. “How about grilled cheese and tomato soup?” Pausing in the doorway, he peered back at his mate. “Would that work? Or are you allergic to something?”
“Allergic to shellfish.”
Eion nodded. “All shellfish?”
Castrose grunted. “Oysters, clams, shrimp, lobster.” He rolled one shoulder in a half-shrug. “They make my throat close up and my lips swell.”
“Damn!” Eion mumbled, wincing. “That sucks. Duly noted.” Humming as he turned away, he wondered out loud, “I wonder if that will change after we bond.”
“Wait a minute.”
Eion paused again and turned back to face Castrose. He swept his gaze over his reclining form, admiring his broad shoulders, narrow hips, and thickly muscled limbs. His blood heated as his heart rate sped up.
Gods, my mate in my bed is a thing of beauty.
When Eion had shifted to stop Niamh from biting Castrose to take his gun away, he’d been so focused on the exquisite scent of the man that he hadn’t taken the time to notice his human’s body. Even after, other things had distracted him. First, there’d been the bleeding head wound caused by Castrose striking his head against the side of a sharp rock when he’d fainted. After that, Eion had been too focused on getting his injured mate into his home as well as getting him aid. Finally, when Alpha Declan and his mate, Lark, had arrived, Eion had learned that the pair knew who Castrose was.
Eion had been dealing with one thing after another—finding his mate, securing his safety, and now explaining shifters and the paranormal. He hadn’t had the time just to admire the male specimen that Fate had deemed his soul mate.
And gods, what a specimen.
Even reclining, Eion could see that Castrose stood six-foot-three. His skin appeared fair with pale blond hairs smattering over his muscular limbs. Even his strong-looking hands caused Eion’s skin to tingle with his need to feel the calloused digits on his skin.
Groaning under his breath, Eion reached down and adjusted himself.
“Eion?”
Upon hearing his name in Castrose’s accented tone, Eion shook himself. He returned his focus to his mate’s face, only to find his human staring at his groin. Eion cleared his throat as he released his crotch, since he’d still been cupping himself from when he’d shifted his hard dick.
Eion felt his cheeks heat, but he did his best to ignore the reaction. After all, he found his mate hot. Over the years, he bet he would be springing a boner for him often.
“I’m sorry. What?” Eion asked, trying to bring Castrose’s attention back to whatever had caused the man to call his name. His mate had asked him to pause before preparing food, after all. “Did you need something else first? Aspirin or something?”
Wait. Can Castrose have aspirin with a head injury?
Eion realized he would have to call the alpha-mate if that ended up being Castrose’s request.
“You said when we bond.”
Focusing around his arousal was damn tough. Eion couldn’t remember anyone telling him about that particular side-effect of finding his mate. Analyzing his human’s comment, he couldn’t find a question in there.
Still, Eion nodded in confirmation. “I did.”
“Like it’s a foregone conclusion.” Castrose’s eyes narrowed as he peered at him with a serious gaze. “And you’re hard as a rock thinking about it.”
Eion glanced at his fly, which bulged blatantly. Meeting Castrose’s gaze again, he shrugged. “You’re a big sexy man. Is it any wonder I find you so attractive?”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“True.” Eion had heard that humans often had that particular hang-up. “We don’t currently know anything about each other, but that will change in time.”
“But isn’t bonding permanent?” Castrose rubbed his hands over his thighs, betraying his unease. “The way you talked, that’s the impression I got.”
“Yes, bonding is permanent,” Eion confirmed. He really had missed a few things. Not surprising, since there was a lot to explain. “You will be mine, and I will be yours.” Growling upon seeing Castrose begin to shake his head, Eion quickly added, “And there will be no chance of straying. I won’t even get it up for another, and if another dares to touch you—” He growled, clenching his hands.
Castrose appeared to understand his meaning, for he quickly stated, “Got it.” He even lifted a hand in placation. “Your kind are jealous, then.”
“Of our fated bonded mate? Hell yeah.” Eion began to turn, needing a moment to gather himself and calm down. Glancing over his shoulder, he added, “Some of us wait centuries. Remember?” Then Eion headed to his kitchen.
Eion made quick work of pulling out the needed ingredients. After scooping some bacon fat into a frying pan to melt, he began slathering the bread with butter. Slicing some medium cheddar cheese, Eion debated adding a bit of turkey meat to them.
Deciding against it, Eion stacked two sandwiches into the prepared pan, then pulled out a plastic container from the refrigerator. He opened it and poured the contents—homemade tomato soup he’d made three days prior—into a pot. Turning the burner on medium heat, Eion hummed as he pinched the corner of the bread and checked the progress of the sandwich.
Not surprising, the butter had just melted. Since Eion had the pan on low heat, he knew it would be a couple of minutes until it began to brown. That was how he liked it. The longer, slower cook time meant the cheese had ample time to melt into tasty gooiness.
Yum!
While the first two sandwiches cooked, Eion prepared a second set. He didn’t know how large of an appetite his big mate had, yet. Hell, it was possible he wouldn’t even be able to enjoy the solid food.
With that thought in mind, Eion turned his attention to the tomato soup, stirring the warming concoction slowly. He loved tomato soup after a run in wolf form. His brothers thought him crazy for it.
Thinking about the run that had been interrupted reminded Eion of the bet. He winced, worried about his Harley. Due to finding his mate, Eion had forfeited.
Niamh and Cliff had tried to convince Brennan that it wasn’t a fair win, but his youngest brother had insisted.
Eion had acquiesced.
Finding my mate is worth any price... even if Brennan wrecks my bike.
Making a mental note to give his motorcycle a once-over after Castrose fell asleep, Eion grated some cheese to sprinkle on top of the soup. He wanted his bike to be in good working order, which would give his brother the optimal chance of returning it safely to him. Eion really wished he had more faith in his brother... but he knew better.
Sighing deeply, Eion flipped the sandwiches before pulling out plates and bowls. The scent of the food tantalized his senses, and his mouth watered. He allowed the tasty smells to distract him from his thoughts for a few minutes
as he finished up the light meal.
Chapter Five
After the meal, which Castrose had found delicious, he spent the time dozing and trying to wrap his mind around everything Eion had told him. Due to his concussion, his handsome attendant woke him every hour. He would chat with him for a few minutes, making certain his head was clear, then leave him to rest.
Castrose found his gaze sliding to Eion’s ass each and every time he left the room. As crazy as all the information the man had given him was, he couldn’t deny his attraction to the guy. The way Eion woke him each time didn’t help—sliding his palms along his arms, up his neck, and over his head.
Never had Castrose felt someone touch him so sensually, with so much obvious desire. Eion’s green eyes gleamed with hunger, and his lips curved into a wicked smile. The way the odd man continually glanced at Castrose’s lips told him he wanted to kiss him.
That knowledge unsettled Castrose a little. Even as his stomach muscles fluttered under Eion’s gentle ministrations, his heart thundered in his chest. Castrose had never kissed a man before.
What would it be like?
Having always hooked up with men in clubs, Castrose had never given it much thought. He’d never even been tempted. The idea of making out with a twink who he chose to speak with only to have him suck his dick certainly didn’t appeal.
Is this part of the weird mate-thing that Eion had spoken of?
Castrose wondered if he could ask. Eion had always been straight with him before. Besides, it was damn obvious that the lithe, toned, black-haired man wanted to do the same.
With so many thoughts swirling through his brain, Castrose struggled to shut down his mind and find sleep, even though Eion had told him it had been long enough to where he was no longer in danger of his concussion. The stars and a crescent moon shown through the window and had been for hours. His eyesight had long since adjusted, allowing him to make out everything in the room with ease. He had heard Eion puttering around somewhere beyond the bedroom door, but now all was silent.
Could I escape? If I did, where would I go? These men are supposed to bring my brother to me, though.
Castrose couldn’t decide what to do. Easing to a sitting position, he reached for the water on the nightstand, only to find the bottle empty. Sighing, he shoved off the covers and stared down at his sweatpants-covered legs.
Eion had been kind enough to give him a pair of his sweats, so he didn’t have to sleep in his jeans. When he’d offered to help him change, Castrose had shaken his head. Then he’d had to admit that he didn’t wear underwear.
After leering at him and staring pointedly at his crotch, Eion had stated, “Ah, a man after my own heart.” As he’d spoken, he’d rubbed his palm over his stomach, then down to his fly.
Once again, Castrose’s attention had been drawn to Eion’s large bulge.
One thing could be said for the sexy fucker, he was well hung, if that lump was anything to go by.
Easing to his feet, Castrose felt relief when his head didn’t swim. He still had a slight residual sting to the right side at the back of it where he knew the stitches were, but that would fade in time. Castrose couldn’t remember the last time his bell had been rung so badly.
Castrose padded barefoot to the door and eased it open the rest of the way. The hall only went in one direction, stretching thirty feet. There was a door on the left and two doors on the right. The one on the left was closed, but the first one on the right stood open.
As Castrose drew near it, he saw it was a large bathroom. There was a massive jetted tub, a huge slate-covered shower complete with a seat and rain-shower head. There was also a double vanity with plenty of counter space. Spotting a door to the left of a huge cupboard, he guessed that would be the water closet.
His bladder twinged.
Huh.
Closing himself into the room, Castrose quickly used the facilities. He washed up, splashing water on his face. After drying off, he returned to his exploration of the home.
The door across from the bathroom opened silently under Castrose’s hand. He’d expected a second bedroom. Instead, he found a library and office combo. Two walls were covered in floor to ceiling bookshelves. There was a window seat covered in comfortable pillows and blankets, and Castrose suddenly found himself imagining Eion curling up there with a book. In the middle of the room was a small desk with a closed laptop and a lamp sitting on it.
Backing out of the room, Castrose closed the door. When he opened the final door, he discovered a linen and storage closet. Having reached the end of the hall, Castrose peered around.
This section of the home had an open-floor concept. To the right was a spacious kitchen with a bar that separated it from the dining room. He saw a massive living space, complete with an L-shaped sectional, a reclining chair, a big flatscreen hanging on a wall, and matching coffee and side table.
“Something you need, handsome?”
Upon hearing Eion’s soft voice, Castrose snapped his gaze back to the sectional. Bare-chested, his hands behind his head, the handsome man reclined on the cushions from where he stared at him. He sported a wide grin as he waggled his brows at Castrose.
“Uh—”
Real eloquent, bub.
“Can’t sleep?” Eion sat up, shoving off the blanket that had been pulled to his waist in the process. “Need something to drink? Eat?” Smirking, Eion rose to his feet as he began sauntering toward him. “Or were you intending to run out the door in the middle of the night?”
Castrose found his gaze straying to the darker man’s bare torso and the light smattering of chest hair there. His fingers twitched with his desire to touch. Feeling his blood heat and flow south, he swallowed hard and forced his focus back to Eion’s face.
That didn’t help much, since the heat in the man’s expression and the appreciative gleam in his eyes made it clear where his thoughts were.
“W-Water,” Castrose finally managed to rasp. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Was going to get a glass of water.”
The way Eion arched his brow told Castrose that he didn’t believe him. “All right.” He drew close and rested his hand on his shoulder, causing the skin of his upper arms to goose bump. “I know you’ve been dozing most of the day. Having trouble sleeping?”
Using his warm hold, Eion urged Castrose to turn. Then he removed his hand, and Castrose felt the loss of it, immediately wanting his touch back again. Before he could analyze the odd feeling, Eion placed his hand on his lower back and pushed lightly.
Castrose waffled between the urge to pull away and push back into the slightly shorter, slenderer man’s touch. “Why am I liking your touch so much?” The words were out of his mouth before he could think better of them.
“Because you’re my mate.” Eion rubbed his thumb over his spine as he walked beside him. “You will always enjoy my touch.” They reached a barstool, and Eion murmured, “Have a seat. Are you hungry, too? Dinner was hours ago.”
“Uh—” Castrose’s knee-jerk reaction was to say no. Except—”Is there more of that soup? No way is that canned shit. Where did you get it?”
Eion appeared extremely pleased as he rubbed his hand up Castrose’s spine and over his shoulder as he rounded the counter. Then he moved into the kitchen. First, he grabbed a glass from the drying rack and filled it from the dispenser on the refrigerator door.
As Eion placed it on the counter before Castrose, he told him, “Nope. Definitely not canned shit.” He winked as he returned to the fridge, opening it. “And, yep. I have more.” He pulled out a container, then a block of cheese. “I’ll heat us some. Do you want another sandwich, too?”
Castrose shook his head. “Not this late, but thank you.” It was damn tempting, though. “It was truly delicious, however. Perfectly toasted with a hint of something else.” Watching Eion start dolloping some of the soup into a pot that he had also pulled from the drying rack, Castrose leaned forward and rested his for
earms on the counter as he cupped his water glass between his palms. “Care to tell me what that was?”
Glancing over his shoulder at him, Eion hummed. His brows were furrowed, and he appeared in thought. “Huh. Nothing special.” He carried a plate, the grater, and the block cheese to the counter between them. As he shredded some mild cheddar, he continued, “Medium cheddar thinly sliced. Buttered bread. Although it is homemade.” He pointed over his shoulder at the soup. “So’s that. I like to cook.” Then he snapped his attention back to Castrose and added, “Maybe it’s because I grill it in bacon grease?”
Castrose nodded absently, processing that. “Bacon grease and homemade bread,” he mused softly. “Wow, you make your own bread?”
He couldn’t think of anyone else he knew that did that.
Eion nodded, his cheeks taking on a pinkish hue as he muttered, “I find cooking and baking relaxing.” Clearing his throat, he added, “Besides, as a wolf shifter, I have a big appetite. By cooking my own food from scratch, I can make extra-large sizes, giving me plenty of leftovers for later.” While brushing off the cheese grater, Eion met his gaze. “On top of that, processed food has so much shit in it. I like knowing what’s actually in my food.”
Having never looked at it that way, Castrose nodded. “Okay.” He ignored the wolf shifter comment, since he still wasn’t certain he believed that. Instead, Castrose complimented, “Well, your soup and sandwiches were certainly fantastic.”
“Thanks.” Eion winked and grinned at him as he moved back to the soup so he could stir it. “You’ll never go hungry. That’s for sure.”
Castrose nodded absently before he recognized the insinuation in Eion’s words. He would never go hungry because he was staying there with him. Eion obviously expected him to accept the shifter and bonding thing.
“Are we attracted to each other only because of this mate thing you believe in?” Castrose had asked something similar before, but he hadn’t received a definitive answer.
In the Sniper’s Crosshairs Page 4