Thirst (Hellish #4)(21)
Faolan’s fingers dug into Lire’s skin. “Goddamn, gorgeous. You fook with my head. You’re so hot on my dick.”
Lire’s stomach muscles clenched. Faolan’s words had him on edge. Then, Dougal’s cum hit him in the chest as the man’s orgasm slammed into Lire’s mind. Being connected in body and mind was explosive. A cry tore from Lire’s lips. Faolan slammed home, hitting at the perfect angle, stealing Lire’s orgasm. Faolan cried out. His fangs brushed Lire’s neck, as if he barely fought the urge to tear into Lire’s skin, despite his acidic blood. Lire melted, turning to smoke and becoming one with Faolan, even though he didn’t have to anymore. He needed Faolan fangs in Dougal’s neck, so he could savor the blood exchange. His mates could never drink directly from him or vice versa, but it didn’t matter. He could have this and so much more. Dougal’s blood filled Faolan’s mouth. The coppery tang danced on Lire’s taste buds. Love filled him until he thought he’d explode. With his needs met, Lire separated from Faolan and fell into a tangle of sweaty arms and legs. He snuggled closer, uncaring of the mess they’d made. It was real, raw, and all them. He owned the world.
Guilt wasn’t a word that lived in his vocabulary, but as Lire snuggled with Dougal and Faolan, he felt the first kernel. He’d pushed his way inside Baptiste’s mind, seeing more than he intended. What he’d done was cruel, especially in light of Baptiste’s kindness. The man had given Lire this moment, and countless more to come. Jonathan was right. Lire didn’t fully comprehend what it had cost the man. He hoped he never learned. Losing his mates wasn’t a fate he could fathom. He couldn’t imagine the man’s hopelessness. All he knew was—somehow—he’d find a way to repay Baptiste one day.
Eirik spent a minute enjoying watching Baptiste sleep after he carried him to bed. It had been so damn long. He wished he could stay there forever, but he had business to attend to. “Don’t worry, my little mouse. Everything will be right again.” He slipped from the bed and lit a fire in the fireplace before clothes appeared on his body.
A howl sounded in the distance. Eirik headed out. The minute he stepped outside, a giant silver wolf appeared. In an instant, he transformed into a large, nude male with silver hair. No lines marred his face, making his hair color look unnatural. Bleidd Gunnolf was every bit as old as Eirik. They’d grown up together back when the world was new. He trusted Bleidd’s pack above all others to keep his mate safe.
“I won’t be long.”
Bleidd nodded. “Don’t worry about Baptiste. We’ll watch over him.”
“You have all my faith. Still, this shouldn’t take long.” With that promise hanging in the air, Eirik shifted through space, appearing in Jonathan’s living room. He wouldn’t wait for an invite. Jonathan sat curled in a huge leather chair in the laps of his mates. A blanket covered them. His blond mate slept while his dark mate toyed with Jonathan’s hair. Jonathan glanced up from the book he was reading. He looked more human today than Eirik had ever seen him before. His wings were gone, and his eyes were green rather than the usual gold.
As Eirik’s form solidified, a loud siren rent the air. Jonathan snapped his fingers, and the alarm fell silent. Cin came awake with a start, but Jonathan soothed him by rubbing his chest. Niall never paused in toying with Jonathan’s hair.
Dougal, Faolan, and Lire appeared, nude but armed to the teeth. Jonathan sighed when he saw them. “Jesus, it’s like no one listens to me.”
Despite having closed his eyes again, Cin grumbled, “Everything is fine. Get back to bed.”
The men’s shoulders fell—like they’d been robbed of a good battle. The ginger of the bunch spoke up. “I see how it is. When we’re clothed, we get snapped back to bed. Naked, we have to make the walk of shame.”
Jonathan flashed the men an adorable smile. “Maybe I enjoy watching your sexy nude asses leave.”
At his claim, all three men slowed in their departure and a visible hip sway entered their walk. Jonathan chuckled as the three disappeared. He waited until they were gone before focusing on Eirik once more. “I keep telling them to stay in bed, but they keep disobeying me today.”
Eirik bit back a smile. “Well, they are your guards.”
“I don’t need protection today,” Jonathan said. His unconcerned air might’ve chafed if he’d meant the man harm. It was obvious Jonathan didn’t fear him.
“You have something that belongs to me.”
Jonathan nodded and reopened the book he’d dropped to soothe Cin. “You know the way.”
Eirik dipped his chin and headed down the hall. Jonathan was a puzzle he couldn’t decipher. Not only was it obvious Jonathan knew who he really was, he also seemed to have known Eirik would come for Kallus. Outside the room where Kallus was held, Eirik didn’t hesitate. He threw open the door with enough force it bounced from the wall. Kallus sat slumped in a chair with his arms crossed over his chest. At Eirik’s arrival, he straightened. His hungry gaze ate up the sight of Eirik as if he saw past the Ethan image to the god housed beneath.
Without wasting time, Eirik clapped. The thunderous sound it created destroyed the wards inside the room, freeing Kallus. “Let’s go.” He didn’t wait to see if his mate obeyed. Eirik knew he would. Retracing his steps, he found Jonathan where he’d left him.