Ideas he was keeping quiet about.
HORVAN’S PHONE buzzed as he let them back into the apartment. “And that should be Crank,” he commented as he closed the door. He removed his phone from his pocket and smiled as he gazed at the screen. “Yup. That makes all of them. They’ll be here tomorrow.”
Rael chuckled. “Your boys have some weird names. So far you’ve mentioned Crank, Roadkill, and Hashtag.” The efficient way Horvan was dealing with the situation instilled confidence.
Horvan went through the archway into the kitchen. “Their names are practical. Crank flies anything that can fly. Great chopper pilot. Roadkill—”
“Let me guess. He’s the driver,” Rael surmised. “So Hashtag is your tech guy?”
Horvan stuck his head around the corner and beamed. “You’re smart. I like that. Yeah, Hashtag’s the man when it comes to tech. I’m making coffee. You want some?”
Rael nodded, and Horvan went back into the kitchen area. As Rael sat down, his phone vibrated, and he took it from his pocket.
Okay, your mother has stopped crying now. I’m still stunned. And both of us can’t wait to meet them. THEM.
Yep. Still can’t take it in. You don’t do things by halves, do you?
OH. Your mother says she’s going shopping tomorrow for the biggest bed she can find for the guest bedroom.
Rael couldn’t even think about that part. It got him way too hot under the collar.
“We didn’t come up with many ideas,” he called out to Horvan.
“That’s because we were too busy eating,” Horvan called back. “For some reason I was starving.” He popped his head around the corner again and grinned. “I was obviously anticipating tonight’s… exercise.” Then he disappeared from view.
Rael hadn’t stopped thinking about that ever since Horvan’s comment in the restaurant. He had a feeling Horvan was not going to like what he’d decided, but Rael refused to be moved on this. Provided he could resist Horvan’s charms.
Of course, for all Rael knew, Horvan could already have seen his decision right there in Rael’s head. Hopefully there were limits to how much his mate could see.
“How many bedrooms does this place have?”
Horvan leaned against the wall. “One.” His eyes sparkled. “What a pity. You’ll have to share my bed.” He inclined his head toward the kitchen. “Coffee’s ready.”
Rael got up and followed him into the adjacent area. “Listen, about the sleeping arrangements. We have to talk.” His pulse quickened.
Before he could say more, Horvan took him by the shoulders, spun him around, and pushed him gently up against the wall. Rael groaned inwardly at the feel of Horvan’s hard cock at his ass. “Uh-uh. No more talking. Now we fuck.” He slid his large hands down Rael’s body to his butt, squeezing his cheeks.
“We… we can’t,” Rael gasped.
Horvan froze. “Why the fuck not? We’re mates, aren’t we?” He leaned in until his breath tickled Rael’s neck. “You telling me you don’t want to fuck? Because….” He slid his hand around and down to cup Rael’s hard-on. “Pants on fire.” He gently squeezed it, and a soft moan spilled from Rael’s lips. Horvan chuckled. “Uh-huh. That doesn’t lie.” He undulated his body, his dick pressing against the seam of Rael’s jeans. “Because I know where this wants to go,” he whispered.
Fuck. Rael wanted it there too, but this wasn’t the time.
He turned around, looped his arms around Horvan’s neck, and kissed him, taking his time. Horvan quickly warmed to the kiss, his tongue exploring Rael’s mouth, his hands going around Rael’s waist.
Rael carefully broke the kiss. “Of course I want you. Right now, I feel like a cat in heat.” He chuckled. “Which, of course, I am. But… not yet, okay?”
He felt Horvan’s shock in his mind before a word escaped his lips. Horvan blinked. “When, then?”
Rael took a deep breath. “When it’s all three of us. I’m sorry, but I really feel our first time should be together.” He locked gazes with Horvan. “Try to set aside your raging lust and rampaging libido for a minute and you’ll know I’m right.”
Horvan stared at him in silence for a moment, then sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging. “You’re right. Not that I like it, and I’m not even sure it makes sense, but yeah, you’re right.”
A wave of thankfulness crashed over Rael, and he kissed Horvan again before leading him by the hand into the living room. He pointed to the couch. “Then that’s where I’ll sleep tonight.”
Horvan uttered a low growl but finally nodded. “Okay. But I can see me taking several cold showers while you’re here.” He nodded toward the couch. “Sit. I’ll bring the coffee.”
Rael sank thankfully onto the couch. Thank God Horvan responded to reason.
Although there is one thing you should be aware of, sweetheart.
Rael jerked his head toward the kitchen. “And what’s that?”
Horvan appeared, carrying two mugs. He handed one to Rael. “If you’re gonna play hard to get, you need to remember what you wrote in that email.” Rael frowned, trying to recall his words, and Horvan grinned. “And I quote, ‘I hear you’re a man who can get into hard places.’” His eyes gleamed. “Challenge accepted.” He nodded toward Rael’s coffee. “Drink before it gets cold. Because then it’s bedtime.”
Rael realized his first thought had been correct.
It was going to be a very long night.
“Baby, you got that right.” Horvan snickered.
Rael sighed. He was going to have to work on this whole “not thinking” thing.
RAEL KNEW it was a dream, but it was so real. He was back in the cage again, only this time, Dellan hadn’t come to him. He lay on his branch, his head resting against it, his leg hanging down limply.
Dellan. It’s me, Rael. Your mate.
Dellan didn’t move. He gave no sign he’d even heard Rael.
Please, Dellan. Show me you can hear me.
At last the tiger slowly raised his head and stared at him. Mate. Need you. So tired. He lowered his head.
Is something wrong? Rael’s heart pounded. He strode over to Dellan and stroked his fur.
It was cold.
Can you shift? Dellan, can you shift back?
The tiger blinked. Shift?
Rael nodded. Shift back into a human. Like me.
Dellan closed his eyes. Not like you. Tiger. Dellan tiger. Not human like mate.
His speech patterns were beginning to scare Rael. It was as if he’d forgotten how to speak. Rael held Dellan’s head in his hands and stared into those tired eyes that had lost all their luster. Listen to me. You are human. Somewhere deep inside you know this. Find that spark, Dellan. Find the human part of you and hold on to it. Because I’m coming—we’re coming—to save you.
Dellan pushed his nose into Rael’s hand. Save me. Please. And then something snapped, and Rael was pulled from the dream to awaken with a cry, tears pouring out of him. He sat bolt upright, unable to contain the violent sobs shaking him.