Tortured Mate (Sassy Ever After Universe #62)(16)

“Hi, Rogue. It’s so good to hear your voice finally. It’s almost as beautiful as you are.”

Cadence and Barbara’s laughter made both men blush, as Valac closed his eyes. “Shit, I said that last part out loud didn’t I?”

They lapsed into silence as the two men continued to stare at each other. Rogue wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Barbara gasped catching his attention again.

“Rogue why don’t you and Valac go for a walk and talk or something. It’s a little uncomfortable for us the way youtwo are staring without talking.”

Rogue stood and gestured for Valac to follow him outside. Neither man spoke as they walked side by side. It shouldn’t have surprised him, but it did. They were so comfortable with each other from the very first moment.

“Thank you.” Valac broke the silence finally.

“For?”

“Everything. Coming here in person, for talking to me. For being you. I think some part of me recognized you the minute I walked in.”

“I’ll admit I was scared to death to show up and to talk to you. Thank you for not making fun of my voice.”

Valac laid his hand on Rogue’s arm to stop him. Rogue felt that touch all the way down too his toes. It sent red-hot heat straight to his cock.

“I think your voice is sexy as fuck. It sent tingles down my spine, all I could think of is how it would sound when you were gasping my name in pleasure.”

Rogue couldn’t catch his breath as images of the two of them in bed flitted through his head. He’d done nothing but dream of that very thing since the moment he’d seen Valac in that alley.

“Rogue, that list you made for me.”

“What about it?”

“Can we cross off one of them now?”

Rogue licked his lips in anticipation, hoping with every fiber of his being that it was the one he wanted it to be. “Which one?”

He barely had time to brace himself before Valac was on him. Their mouths fused, tongues dueled and hands roamed everywhere. Never in his life had he tasted anything as sweet as his mate.





Chapter Thirteen


Valac groaned as he felt Rogue’s arms wrap around him and pull him tight against his body. He couldn’t get close enough to this man. He wanted to crawl inside him, possess and be possessed by him.

He’d never felt need like this before. He could live on the taste of Rogue’s lips. They finally pulled apart both panting and gasping for air.

“You said you’d stay with me when I slept. Does that still stand?”

Rogue nodded without hesitation. “For as long as you will have me. To sleep, to keep your demons at bay, to pleasure you, to make you scream my name. You name it and I’m here for it with you. Only you and the gods could keep me away. Though I’d fight the gods with every fiber of my being.”

Valac wasn’t sure what had gotten into him, he’d never been this forward in his life. But there was just something about Rogue that made him want to do anything and everything to keep him as close as he could. And it wasn’t just because he kept the voices dimmed, it was so much more than that. Rogue was the light in his darkness, the air he needed to breathe. How the man had become so essential to him so quickly was unfathomable. Hell, he’d only just met the man in person an hour ago.

“Are you okay?” Rogue whispered softly as he bumped his shoulder into him.

Valac smiled, “I am now. I don’t understand it, but you make me okay.”

Valac clasped their hands together as they made another circle around the cabin, taking in the night air and enjoying being together. He knew this was an illusion that would sooner rather than later collapse around him. Aeron wasn’t going to give up, Rogue couldn’t be with him twenty-four hours a day. At some point, something would have to give and he knew deep inside that he’d be the one to break into a million tiny shards.

“Boy’s,” Cadence called from the open cabin door. “Can you please come inside.”

Valac led the way inside, pulling Rogue behind him. He didn’t care what the two women thought, he wasn’t letting him go anytime soon. They sat on the couch Cadence gestured to and waited for an explanation. At some point, while they were gone another visitor had arrived. One neither of them had seen or heard. While that wasn’t unsurprising for him unless he was using his powers, it was for Rogue.

“Valac, I’d like to introduce you to the Goddess Hekate. Goddess this is Valac, the one I was telling you about.” Cadence winked and gestured to Rogue. “That scoundrel is Rogue, he’s a member of Barbara’s pack and mate to…. well I digress.”

Hekate stood and offered her hand to both men. “It’s my pleasure to meet you. Valac I must admit I’m surprised this is our first time. You can be assured I’ll be looking into who kept you hidden from me. I would have loved to work with you while we were in residence together in Hell.”

“I would have loved that as well, Goddess.”

“If you’d permit me to I’d like to inspect your magic and see what abilities you have.”

Valac bit his lip and glanced to Cadence for some guidance. He was clueless what the proper protocol was in this situation. She in turn winked. Great he thought, that’s all I’m going to get?

“Don’t be afraid my child. I promise I mean you no harm. Give me your hands, please. This will only take a moment.”