Nomad

by Lynn Hagen

  Until Stanton returned and blinked several times at Nomad. “When did you get back?”

  “Just now,” he said through gritted teeth. “Go back to bed.”

  Nomad’s lungs were about to explode from holding his breath.

  Stanton visibly swallowed as he looked down toward the floor. “I’m sorry about the smell. It’s nothing I can help. Hell, I didn’t even know about all this until Horace’s birthday party three months ago.” He looked up, and Nomad was gripping the edge of the counter, seconds away from biting Stanton.

  “I don’t want to get pregnant.”

  Nomad closed his eyes, unable to hold his breath any longer. When Stanton’s scent hit him, Nomad’s claws came out. “Then you better run. I’m not gonna be able to hold myself back much longer.”

  He heard the bedroom door slam. Nomad walked out the front door and shifted, racing into the woods, putting as much distance as he could between him and his mate. He ran until his legs would no longer support him, then he collapsed to the ground.

  This was only a temporary fix. He’d have to return, and Stanton would still be emitting pheromones. Thank fuck they were in the middle of nowhere, or other panthers might have caught Stanton’s scent.

  And Nomad would’ve killed anyone who dared to go near his mate.

  He lay there panting, trying to cool off so he could make the long journey back, when it dawned on him that he’d left Stanton alone and vulnerable.

  As tired as he was, Nomad got up and made his way back to the cabin. He could try to outrun fate, but his attempt would fail. Nomad knew the truth in his gut. He wouldn’t be able to resist Stanton, and his mate would end up carrying his child.

  The thought scared the shit out of him, and yet, Nomad didn’t feel as panicked as he’d thought he would. But this was all too much to think about right now. Nomad’s priority was keeping Stanton away from The Company—to keep his mate alive while Nomad came up with a plan.

  As soon as he walked into the cabin, Nomad’s canines descended again.

  That fucking smell.

  Nomad collapsed on the couch, curling up as he fought to stay put. His panther was fighting to get free again, to get to Stanton and kick-start the process of readying the human’s body for conception.

  He gritted his teeth as sweat tickled down his scalp. A weight settled in his chest, and Nomad felt as if he were withdrawing from a drug. He knew that feeling, had gone through withdrawal in his past when the scientists had drugged him, hoping to make Nomad more compliant.

  There had been times in his captivity when days had been a complete blank to him, missing moments that Nomad still couldn’t remember.

  Then there were other times he wished he could forget.

  Nomad turned over, bracing his arms around his midsection. He started to shiver as those memories assailed him. He closed his eyes, willing them away.

  He was so focused on shutting his thoughts down that he hadn’t heard the door opening. When a hand touched his shoulder, Nomad simply reacted. He spun, grabbing the hand that touched him, the scientists still fresh in his thoughts.

  Nomad took the perpetrator down to the floor, ready to break bones until he heard a soft, high cry. Nomad quickly pulled his hand back as his vision cleared.

  Stanton lay there staring up at him wide-eyed. His mouth hung open, and he’d paled. Then his scent slammed into Nomad.

  “Run,” he snarled. “Get away from me.”

  Stanton hugged his hand to his chest, and Nomad feared he’d broken it. He pushed backward, trying to escape, but his back hit the couch.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  Stanton shook his head. “You just frightened me. Why do you look so wild, so terrified?” The male crawled to his hands and knees. “You’re naked and shivering. Tell me what’s going on. Is it my smell? I don’t think that’s all of it. What’s wrong, Nomad?”

  Stanton had to know the risk he was taking by coming out here. Nomad stayed in a crouch, ready to run if he had to. But he was so damn tired from his earlier run, from fighting against his mate’s scent, from staying one step ahead of The Company.

  All Nomad wanted to do was rest, to slow down long enough so he didn’t have to look over his shoulder or keep his guard up. For once all he wanted to do was relax. Really relax without any kind of worry.

  “You need to get away from me,” he warned. “I won’t be able to hold back much longer if you stay near me.”

  “I don’t want to leave you alone,” Stanton argued.

  Nomad grabbed Stanton so fast that he even surprised himself. “I’ll bite you. Do you understand what that means, the ramifications of what my bite will do to you?”

  “Are you hurt?” Stanton reached up and pulled a few small twigs from Nomad’s hair.

  Why wasn’t the human heeding Nomad’s warning? Why wasn’t he running back to the bedroom and slamming the door? Nomad swallowed, staring at his mate’s shoulder where he wanted to sink his canines. His dick hardened, and since he was still naked, there was no hiding his arousal.

  “Go,” Nomad said, his voice breaking on that one word. His resolve was cracking, and soon he wouldn’t be able to stop himself.

  “Will it hurt?”

  Nomad shook his head, trying to understand the question as his mind slowly sank into a fog. “What?”

  “The bite. Will it hurt?”

  Nomad barely held on to his senses. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog, but it just kept getting thicker. “You’ll get pregnant. You already said you didn’t want that.”

  “I can’t escape this, can I? And it’s obvious you’re in pain. I won’t stop emitting these weird pheromones, and you won’t stop wanting to bite me,” Stanton said. “I figure we can keep fighting against this, or make our lives easier and do this.”

  As unfocused as Nomad was, as badly as he was fighting against his natural instincts, he snorted. “Easier? This will complicate the hell out of things.”

  Stanton pulled out of Nomad’s grip and yanked his T-shirt over his head. “I’ve pretty much been alone all my life. You’re alone, too, so you know how I feel. If this is gonna happen, I’d rather it be with you.” Stanton braced himself, peeking out of one eye while closing the other. “Do it before I chicken out.”

  The fog won, and Nomad struck. He sank his canines deep into Stanton’s shoulder as he took his mate down to the floor. As the haze cleared, Nomad realized Stanton was squirming beneath him, gasping as he worked his boxers down his leg.

  “Oh god. Fuck me, please.”

  Nomad pulled his canines free and nuzzled Stanton’s neck, inhaling his sweet scent as he grabbed Stanton’s thighs, wrapping his mate’s legs around his waist. He lined his cock up and let his natural lube do its work.

  Stanton writhed beneath him, hardening Nomad’s cock further. He pressed a hand next to Stanton’s head, looking down into his eyes. “Why?” he asked as he pressed the head of his shaft into his mate’s tight, hot body.

  Nomad clenched his jaw, forcing himself to take this slow. He couldn’t understand why Stanton had given in but was so damn thankful he had.

  “I already told you.” Stanton grabbed at him, his nails scraping along Nomad’s back. “I want it to be you.”

  “You may come to regret that decision.” Nomad hoped not. His life had already been hell, and he just wanted a small slice of happiness. He breathed in and out slowly, calming his racing heart. Stanton looked up at him with so much trust in his eyes that Nomad had to do this right, to give his mate what he deserved and not rush through this.

  “Don’t stop.” Stanton gasped as he wiggled under Nomad. “Keep moving.”

  “Anything you want, my love.” Nomad slid his arms under Stanton and pulled him closer as he thrust his cock until he was buried in his mate’s body.

  Stanton whimpered as he clung to Nomad. He tossed his head and arched his back, his nails still sliding down Nomad’s back. Nomad had been with his fair share of men, but none had enthralled him the way
Stanton did.

  The way his eyes rolled. The way tiny breaths escaped his lips. The way he held on to Nomad. He saw himself falling for this small slip of a human.

  Nomad bent and probed Stanton’s mouth with his tongue. His mate’s lips parted, and their kiss deepened as Nomad thrust his hips back and forth, groaning at the hot pleasure wrapped around his cock.

  This was the last thing he needed to be doing. Nomad knew the risks, knew Stanton could get pregnant, and that truly would complicate things, but there wasn’t a force on earth that could’ve stopped him from taking what his mate had so freely offered.

  Nomad was just a man, and the temptation had been too great. A purr rumbled through him, vibrating in his chest as he sank his cock into Stanton’s tight ass.

  He could no more deny his mate when Stanton had begged so prettily than he could’ve denied his lungs the oxygen they desperately needed.

  “More.” Stanton shoved at Nomad’s chest until Nomad pulled all the way out. He leaned back as he watched his mate flip to his hands and knees and present his ass.

  Nomad drove back in, gripping Stanton’s hips as he pounded into the soft and yielding flesh. His canines were still elongated, but Nomad wanted to draw this out for as long as he could before he struck again.

  He kissed Stanton’s spine, tracing his tongue along his mate’s bare shoulder. Nomad laid his hands over Stanton’s then entwined their fingers together. He kicked his mate’s legs farther apart and set up a punishing pace.

  “Fuck yes!” Stanton lowered his shoulders, which jutted his ass farther into the air. He wailed his pleasure as the sound of skin connecting echoed in the room.

  Sweat beaded on Nomad’s forehead. He wiped it away with his shoulder.

  “Oh my god,” Stanton panted. “I haven’t had sex in ages, and you’re blowing my mind.”

  Nomad didn’t want to hear about his mate’s past lovers. He snarled and nipped Stanton on his shoulder.

  Stanton laughed. “Sorry. I’m sure you didn’t want to know that.”

  “Mine,” Nomad snarled. “My mate.”

  He wasn’t sure if Stanton knew what that meant, but he didn’t ask as he pistoned into his body. He pulled one hand from his mate’s and reached around, grabbing Stanton’s bobbing cock.

  Nomad stroked Stanton to their rhythm, smiling when Stanton went wild, bucking and groaning, making Nomad feel as if he were riding a bucking bronco.

  He blanketed Stanton’s back then struck, sinking his canines deep. Stanton cried out, jerking as his balls emptied and his hole became so tight that Nomad could barely move inside him.

  Pulling his canines free, Nomad reared back, grabbed Stanton’s hips, and buried himself deep as he came. After today, the mercenaries, the long run, and now this, Nomad was completely wiped.

  He winced as he eased himself out of Stanton then collapsed next to him. His mate was already resting, his cheek pressed into the floor.

  Stanton closed his eyes and smiled. “That was amazing.”

  Nomad lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling, his hand resting on his chest as he tried to slow his breathing. He turned his head when Stanton whimpered.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Stanton opened his eyes and stared at him. “I’m horny again.”

  Nomad sat up and looked down at his mate. Shouldn’t Stanton have gone through the change before being thrown into heat? His gaze wandered down Stanton’s body and stopped at the man’s feet.

  On the bottom of his right one was the panthera mark. He knew Stanton had to have it for this to happen, but seeing it drove home the fact that, when this was over, Stanton would be carrying his child.

  His mate appeared flushed, and he had a look of lust in his eyes. Nomad was already exhausted but turned over and pulled Stanton into his arms, ready to do whatever his mate needed until the heat passed.

  Chapter Six

  It wasn’t even close to dawn as Stanton soaked in the huge tub, every part of his body aching. They’d been going at it over twenty-four hours, and Stanton didn’t have the energy to even lift his arms.

  Nomad had sprinkled Epsom salt in his water to help Stanton’s achy muscles, but the guy hadn’t spoken more than a handful of words. Except during sex. Who knew Nomad had such a naughty mouth?

  Even so, sex was the last thing on Stanton’s mind. He still couldn’t believe he’d practically begged Nomad to bite him. Had he lost his ever-loving mind? But seeing Nomad on that floor, in so much pain, fighting against attacking Stanton had broken his heart.

  He snorted. His soft spot had just gotten him knocked up. And there was no doubt in his mind that he was pregnant because the horniness was gone and he felt a bit queasy.

  Now what the hell was he going to do? Nomad had dangerous men after him, and if they found out that Stanton was carrying the guy’s child? Fuck. Stanton would end up on a table next to Nomad.

  Stanton should’ve gone to the O’Brien family home when he’d had the chance. Now it was too late, and his life had changed forever. Stanton was terrified of being pregnant, but worse, being pregnant and on the run.

  This little haven wouldn’t last for long. Even Stanton knew that staying mobile meant life and staying put meant getting caught. He could go to his parents’ house. It wasn’t as if they were ever there. But sooner or later they would figure out his “situation” and all hell would break loose.

  His mom and dad would finally be rid of him for good by handing him over to the government. He didn’t doubt they would do that, since they never wanted him around in the first place.

  Nomad appeared in the doorway, his cell phone in his hand. “I just got a call from Keller. Horace had his baby.”

  Stanton struggled to sit up in the tub. His arms shook as he grabbed the sides and heaved himself into a sitting position. “What did he have?”

  “A baby girl. They named her Shyla.” Nomad entered the room and showed Stanton the pictures on his phone that Keller had sent. Stanton’s heart swelled at how beautiful she was. “Horace said he understood why you couldn’t be there but wanted you to see her, anyway.”

  Tears sprang to Stanton’s eyes. That was two births he had missed. He pressed a hand to his own stomach and thought of his and Nomad’s child growing inside of him.

  Nomad pressed a kiss to Stanton’s forehead. “We’ll get through this. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  As badly as Stanton wanted to believe that, until the dust settled and those horrible scientists and doctors were disbanded, they would never be safe.

  “Is there anything you need?” Nomad set his phone on the bench beside him. The bathroom was real swanky. The tub Stanton sat in had jets, and there were steps that led to it. A wooden bench was on the right of it and a shower stall to the left.

  “How did you find a place like this?” Stanton sank back down into the water. Nomad turned and cut the jets on, and all Stanton could do was sigh at how good the pressure felt against his body.

  “Had it built,” Nomad said. “Paid extra for the rush job.” He placed his hand in the water. “Now it’s ours.”

  Stanton jerked his head up at Nomad’s statement. “Come again?”

  “You’re my mate,” he said. “Everything I have is yours.” He sat on one of the steps and rested his chin on the rim of the tub. “I’ve never had anyone to share my life with. And as you stated yesterday, we’re both lonely, so why not be lonely together?”

  Stanton chuckled. “That’s not how I said it.”

  Nomad smiled. “Close enough.”

  He was still taken in by that devastating smile. Nomad was gorgeous, and he was also sweet and kind, though he hid behind his wall most of the time.

  Stanton watched as Nomad got up, slipped his boxer briefs off, and joined him in the water. Nomad moved in behind him, pressing Stanton’s back to his solid chest. This was the affectionate guy Nomad never let the world see. This was the man Stanton was falling in love with.

  His quiet tenderness
was welcoming to Stanton’s worried soul. His gentle touches helped ease Stanton’s anxieties. It was just the two of them, relaxing before the day started, in their own little world as Nomad cupped the water in his hand and let it trickle down Stanton’s chest.

  When Nomad pressed his hand against Stanton’s flat stomach, Stanton shuddered.

  They lay there in silence until Stanton started to prune. Nomad helped him out of the tub, grabbed a towel off the bench, and went to his knees to dry Stanton off.

  Now this was something he could get used to. Stanton had never been pampered before, and to see such a mighty warrior on his knees stole Stanton’s breath.

  They left the bathroom after Nomad had dried himself off, and Stanton got dressed.

  “I’ll make some breakfast.” Nomad left him in the room, and Stanton hurried to his phone, debating if he should call Horace this early.

  Deciding against it—because Horace was probably exhausted from giving birth—Stanton set his phone aside and looked out the window. They were surrounded by trees, deep in the woods where they were separated from the world.

  Until Stanton saw a flash of light. He grabbed some clothes and threw them on before racing to the kitchen. “I think I saw someone outside.”

  Nomad rushed to the bedroom, turned the lights off, and dressed. He crouched by the window and stared outside as Stanton paced back and forth. He wasn’t sure how much more of this he could take. His nerves were wrung tight, and he felt like pulling his damn hair out.

  Nomad went to the closet and pressed a panel. Stanton gasped as the wall slid away, reveling an assortment of weapons. Nomad grabbed a handgun—Stanton hadn’t a clue what kind it was—and some small cylinder before he turned to Stanton. Nomad pressed a finger to his lip and waved for Stanton to get into the closet.

  Nomad hit a button, and the wall slid back into place. He touched another button, and another part popped open. The guy had had a secret room built. He nodded, and Stanton went into the tiny space, panicking when the door slid shut, sealing him inside the wall.