“By the way.” Rael’s eyes glittered. “Since you were wondering… I was referring to your dick.”
Horvan scowled. “Hey, no fair when we can’t play. I can see you’re gonna be a handful.”
“Oh, I already know you’re more than a handful,” Rael replied with a chuckle.
“And when we’ve got Dellan out of there and he’s human again?” Horvan cupped his package and gave it a squeeze. “You can have as much of this handful as you can take.”
Rael grinned. “You forget. I’ve already seen it. And I think I can take all of it.”
Horvan narrowed his gaze. “Stop that.” His head was filled with images of Rael on all fours on the bed, legs spread wide, while Horvan plowed into him, burying his dick up to the hilt in that tight, hot hole.
“It is, by the way.”
Horvan frowned. “What is?”
Rael’s eyes danced with mischief. “My hole. Tight.”
With a groan, Horvan lurched up off the bed, and at that moment the doorbell chimed. Saved by the bell. “Looks like we’ve got company.” He headed for the door.
“Horvan?”
He came to a halt and turned back to look at Rael, whose face was flushed, no trace of amusement there. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I shouldn’t mess with your head, not when we’ve both agreed to keep our hands off each other until Dellan’s with us.”
Horvan couldn’t miss the sincerity in Rael’s voice, and warmth filled him. Thank you. His mate was an honorable man. Then it struck him. Maybe that was why some unknown power had brought them together. Rael was perfect for him.
“But teasing is so much fun,” Rael added, his eyes glinting.
Horvan gave him a mock glare before hurrying out of the bedroom, aware of Rael’s soft chuckles. “Put some clothes on,” he fired back over his shoulder. “I do not want my mate walking around naked in front of these guys.” I’m the only one who gets to see that cute little ass.
I heard that!
The doorbell chimed again, and Horvan laughed. “You always were an impatient bastard, Crank,” he called out as he reached the door. He unbolted it and flung it open. Crank stood there, his hand in the air.
Crank gaped. “How’d you know it was me?” Then he grinned. “Hey, you. Good to see ya. Now let me the fuck in. I’m freezin’ my ass off out here.”
Horvan tugged him across the threshold, shut the door, then seized him in a tight hug. When he released him, Horvan looked Crank up and down. “You’ve put on weight. Suits you.” It was the same dirty-blond buzzcut, however. The day Crank changed that, the earth would come to a standstill.
Crank rolled his eyes. “I swear. You and my mom, you must exchange notes. I think I’m getting tubby, she thinks I look great.” He gave the apartment a cursory glance. “Nice. Minimalist. I approve.”
“Why thank you for the interior decorating comments.” Horvan laced his tone with sarcasm. “Coffee’s on. We’ll eat when the other two get here.”
“Roadkill messaged me he’d just landed as I got into a taxi. He shouldn’t be long. As for Hashtag, when he gets here will depend on how much interest TSA takes in his luggage.” Crank’s eyes gleamed. “Is that all of us?”
“For the time being.”
Crank widened his eyes. “I was intrigued enough by your call yesterday. Now? I can’t wait to hear more.”
“And you will.” Horvan’s heartbeat raced. If his buddies were going to do this, they had to know everything. It’s not going to change things—is it?
It’ll be fine. Trust me. They sound like they’re good guys. Even in Horvan’s head, Rael’s voice came across as reassuring.
Crank stilled, his gaze fixed on a point behind Horvan. Crank snickered. “Looks like nothing’s changed.”
Oh, I see how it is. He thinks I’m only another of your booty calls.
Horvan turned to face Rael, who stood in the doorway, his hair still tousled, looking cute in jeans and a dark green T-shirt. Horvan fixed him with a firm stare. Except there will be no more booty calls, baby. Just you, me, and Dellan. That had been Horvan’s last thought as he’d fallen asleep, and the realization was having less and less of an impact. He’d done the whole “fuck everything that moves” thing. Maybe it was time for a change.
Rael’s lips parted, and his eyes shone. Oh wow. Horvan tried not to stare at the sparkle in Rael’s eyes before he wiped them.
He gestured to Rael. “This is Rael, my… partner.” The words were enough to quicken his pulse. Never thought I’d be saying that. He didn’t miss Crank’s exaggerated, overly dramatic gasp.
“Holy fuck. We’ve reached the end times. Because I’m pretty sure Horvan Kojik settling for one guy has to be one of the signs of the coming Apocalypse.”
Inside his head, Rael chuckled. Wait till he hears about Dellan.
Horvan rolled his eyes. “Rael, this is my buddy, Crank. He thinks he’s funny.”
Rael came over, one hand extended, the other holding his mug of coffee. “Hey. Good to meet you. Horvan’s told me a lot about you.”
Crank snorted as they shook. “Whereas you are a complete surprise.” He rubbed his hands together gleefully. “Wait until they get a load of you.”
Horvan cackled. “Oh, believe me, there are bigger surprises to come.” Rael bit his lip, his eyes twinkling. From outside, Horvan caught the sound of lively chatter and loud laughter drawing closer. He met Rael’s gaze. “Showtime.”
Food before revelations. Shocks were always best on a full stomach.
HORVAN KNEW it wouldn’t be long once they got back to the apartment. The boys chatted with Rael while Horvan made fresh coffee, wondering who was going to get the ball rolling. Horvan’s money was on Crank.
“So now do we get to hear why we’re gonna rescue a tiger?” Crank hollered from the living area. “Because unless you’ve gone all eco-warrior on us, it doesn’t make a whole lotta sense.”
“Horvan, an eco-warrior.” Hashtag guffawed. “Yeah, right.”
“Hey, he likes taking off his clothes and strutting around naked outdoors, remember?” Roadkill snickered. “Maybe eco-warrior is the next stage in his evolution.”
Horvan walked into the room carrying a tray laden with mugs. Rael, Hashtag, and Roadkill were on the couch, and Crank was sitting on the floor facing the front door. Horvan placed the tray on the table and assessed the available space. He could do it at a pinch.
“And another thing. Not once have you mentioned terms,” Roadkill piped up. “So unless we’re now working pro bono….”
Horvan had known pay was going to come up.
“Maybe I should explain, seeing as this is all my idea,” Rael said suddenly, looking up at Horvan before addressing the others. “You see, the first thing you need to know is that it isn’t really a tiger.”
“Well, you’ve not got this team together to rescue a plushy, so if it isn’t a tiger, what is it?” Hashtag folded his arms, looking smug.
Before Rael could answer, Horvan muttered, “Oh for God’s sake,” and started stripping off his clothes.