Page 13 of Forbidden (Dark Delights #3)

Ira slept most of the day, and when he woke, he was sprawled across a hot, naked chest. Wolf was awake, his fingers tickling lightly up and down Ira’s back. With a groan, he stretched, pointing his toes against Wolf’s calf and shifting his hips until he was straddling him completely. Wolf’s broad hands swept down his back, over the swell of his ass and back up, molten but unhurried.

“This is the only way to wake up,” Ira murmured against his broad, fuzzy chest.

“You drooled on me,” Wolf replied, though he sounded unbothered.

True to his word, the corner of Ira’s mouth was sticky. He scrubbed at his mouth, and then at the wet spot in Wolf’s chest hair, chortling. “My bad.”

Wolf chuckled. “It’s fine, seidhr.”

Fingers slid into his hair, massaging his scalp, and the other hand slipped down, down, down, to teasingly trace the crack of his ass .

“I love having you up against me like this,” Wolf rumbled.

“I love being up against you like this,” Ira said, sighing luxuriantly. “I wish you didn’t have to go to the club tonight.”

Wolf hummed. “For now, it’s my job. I don’t really mind it. Why don’t you stay here tonight, try to get some rest? You’ve been going nonstop since you left the guild.”

“I don’t want to just sit here alone all night,” Ira protested.

“I’d actually feel better if you did,” Wolf confessed. “After what happened last night with Lilith and the paladins, this is probably the safest place for you.”

“You think?” Ira asked, angling his head back to look up at him.

“Probably. There are wards on the door to stop other demons from getting in without an invitation. Lilith knows where I live, but she’s never been invited in. And now she knows about the Rink, even if she doesn’t know where it is yet. It’s probably a matter of time until she finds it. Storm asked me about it last night, too. Rumors spread quickly amongst our kind, because we have nothing better to do than gossip.”

Ira snorted out a laugh. “That’s really no different than humans. And I’m pretty sure the Rink has wards, too.”

“It does, but that wouldn’t stop someone from messing with you on the way to and from the place. I’d rather you stay put for now. The paladins are looking for you, and Lilith’s not happy with us. I know you’ll be safe here.”

Liquid heat pooled in Ira’s gut as one of Wolf’s big fingers pressed between his cheeks, finding his hole and massaging in a circular motion. It made it impossible to think straight.

“ Fine ,” Ira agreed. A groan left his throat, and he canted his hips back, mouthing at Wolf’s chest. “You’re too much,” he whined. He’d never had so much sex in his life . Mind-blowing sex. Life-changing sex. Literally.

“I am a demon,” Wolf said matter-of-factly. “We’re self-indulgent creatures by nature. Do you want me to stop?”

“Hell no.”

Wolf laughed. And he didn’t stop. He sucked his finger into his mouth, coating it in saliva, and then pressed it to Ira’s hole, watching his face raptly as it slipped inside. Ira’s mouth fell open, his hips twitching as Wolf’s thick finger circled, easing deeper and stretching him open. His body felt boneless as he sealed his mouth over Wolf’s, muffling his moans between their lips.

“Come on,” he whined. “Don’t make me wait. I’m ready.”

“You’re still tight,” Wolf murmured, distracting Ira with his tongue, licking the seam of his lips and then stealing inside his mouth. Heat blossomed under Ira’s skin, the sheet alone still too stifling on his overheated body.

“No, want you now, come on,” Ira said between deep, drugging kisses.

Wolf growled. “Have it your way, seidhr. Get the lube.”

He almost refused, because it meant moving away, but if Wolf said he was still tight, they’d probably need it. With a groan, he rolled away, stretching across the bed to reach for the bottle waiting on the bedside table. Before he could roll back over, Wolf was there, straddling him from behind and trailing kisses down his neck. Ira moaned, tilting his head and arching to give him all the access he wanted. One hand searched behind him for some part of Wolf to touch, finding his hip and thigh and clinging like he’d fly apart without it.

“Lube,” Wolf said, holding his hand out.

Ira snapped the cap open and poured a generous amount in Wolf’s waiting palm. A moment later, Wolf’s weight shifted, and his slick cock eased between Ira’s cheeks, spearing into his hole and tunneling deep. Like this, with Wolf straddling him , the fit seemed impossibly tight. He uttered a deep, wanton noise that he barely recognized as himself, doing what he could to arch his back and raise his hips to take Wolf deeper.

“You’re so fucking perfect,” Wolf growled, his breaths hot and damp against the shell of his ear. “Look at you, taking me so well.”

“Oh God, oh God ,” he whimpered.

“You wanted it like this, didn’t you? Wanted to feel every inch of me. Wanted it to burn, to ache, so you’d feel me long after this.”

“Yes, yes, yes .” Ira’s hands twisted in the sheet. He tried to hide his face in the pillow, but Wolf wrenched it away, sending it sailing across the room. The other one followed right after, into the abyss beyond the bed. Nothing else existed beyond their little bubble.

Wolf pulled out slowly, inch by inch, and tunneled back inside just as slowly.

“More, please, more!”

Wolf’s laugh was a low, sinister thing, the kind of sound he would’ve hated to hear in a dark alley before all of this. Now, it sent a shiver of excitement down his spine, because it was Wolf .

And Wolf obliged, snapping his hips forward with purpose. Ira yelped, stretching his arms up to the headboard and gripping tight as Wolf pounded into him, mouthing at his shoulder blades.

“Can’t believe you let me do this,” Wolf said, as pleasure boiled up and down Ira’s spine and pooled in his gut. “Can’t believe a holy man as perfect as you lets me touch him like this. Lets me bury myself so deep.”

“Wolf, oh God ,” he gasped. The words set his blood on fire. Wolf thought he was perfect, but that was a lie. Perfection was the drag of Wolf’s cock in and out of his body, fitting like Ira was made for him.

His cock was trapped against the mattress, the dry friction just this side of painful and absolutely perfect . Grounding him in the now and chasing away every anxious thought except how wonderful Wolf made him feel. Animal sounds spilled from his throat, and his sac drew up hard. He was so close. His body tightened like a bowstring, drawing back and ready to fire.

“Ah, ah, ah! ” he shrieked as he came, splashing the tight space between his stomach and the bed. His vision went fuzzy, his body lax. Every press of Wolf’s cock against his prostate milked a little more cum from him, until he was shuddering with overstimulation.

Wolf slowly stopped thrusting, wrapping an arm around Ira’s chest and tucking the other under his head. Ira’s breath and wits returned to him slowly, and he realized Wolf hadn’t finished yet.

“Wolf?” he asked, muggy.

Wolf chuckled, dark and self-satisfied, and this time, Ira’s lizard brain sat up and took notice. He turned his head, and Wolf kissed his temple.

“You didn’t come,” Ira said—needlessly, he thought, as it was obvious, but he didn’t know how to ask why .

“No.” Wolf flexed his hips slightly, and starbursts of pleasure-pain shot up Ira’s spine. It felt good but it was too much . “Not yet. I want you to get hard again first.”

“ What ?”

“Mm-hm.” He worked his hips in small circles, grinding rather than thrusting. “I’m going to see how many times you can come.”

“Oh God .”

Wolf’s nose grazed his ear, and another dark laugh filled the air. “You think you can get two? Three? You’ve been eating better and training.”

“ Three ?” Ira was going to need a banana and a bottle of water if they kept this up.

“What, you don’t think I can get you there?” The pout was audible in his voice, and Ira turned his head to look over his shoulder at him.

“Wow, would you listen to that manipulation? You really are a demon,” he teased.

Wolf laughed. “Funny.” He tsked . “Okay, well, if you don’t think you can do it, I guess I’ll just finish up.” He worked his cock in and out, and Ira groaned. “Of course, how long that takes is anybody’s guess. It could be a while.”

“Oh, I’m sure,” Ira quipped—or tried to. It came out strangled. Wolf’s weight felt so good on his back, the push and pull of pleasure slowly drowning out the fizzy pain of overstimulation. His body was taut as a wire, sweat blooming on his skin. One of Wolf’s hands teased down his body, toying with his nipples and slipping under his hips to palm his softened cock. It bucked at the touch as though it had a mind of its own, trying valiantly to rally for another round .

“I think you’ve got another one in you after all,” Wolf crooned.

Ira panted for breath, trying and failing to spread his legs, his body writhing mindlessly. “Don’t stop,” he gasped.

And Wolf didn’t. Ira lost track of time, his mind floating away on the fuzzy sensations of pleasure. Wolf’s rhythm never faltered. Words were beyond him. Animal noises were all he was capable of, whines and gasps and desperate little mewls that had Wolf snarling like a beast in his ear, his teeth raking possessive marks onto his skin. When he finally came for the second time, it was like a volcano eruption, burning like lava as his climax rocketed through him. He wailed as it hit him, spasming under Wolf, who moaned long and low.

Ira reached back, digging his nails hard into Wolf’s hip. “No more,” he pleaded. “Can’t, no more.”

“Okay, seidhr,” Wolf murmured kindly. He sped up, pounding into Ira’s slick channel—drawing a helpless whine from Ira—and then he came with a groan, grinding hard as he filled Ira with his cum.

As their breathing slowed and their bodies cooled, Wolf pressed a kiss to the side of his head and said, “So you’ll stay here tonight? Stay safe. Stay naked in my bed. It’ll give me something to look forward to.”

Ira chuckled. “Yes, yes, I’ll stay put. What a hardship that’ll be.”

“I trust you can manage it.” He pulled out carefully and rolled off Ira, who followed him and flopped over onto his chest, abandoning the wet spot he’d left behind on the other side of the bed. Maybe he should wash the sheets while Wolf was gone…

“I’ll do my best, I guess.”

“I’ll order takeout for you, too. Have it delivered here. ”

Ira smiled. “I can do things for myself, you know. Like cook.”

Wolf arched one brow. “Are you protesting that I want to take care of you?”

Ira paused, debating with himself. “You know what? You’re right. You can buy me food.” He smacked a kiss to Wolf’s lips. “Thanks, babe.”

Wolf laughed. “My pleasure.”

When it was time for Wolf to go, Ira followed him to the door. He had no reason to believe anything would happen tonight, but he didn’t like the idea of Wolf being anywhere near Lilith. What if she decided to take the paladins’ actions out on him?

“Will Talon and Alex be there tonight? Or Malachi and Luke?” Someone— anyone who would be able to have Wolf’s back if the shit hit the fan again?

Wolf’s face filled with fondness. “Probably. You’ve got a phone now. Why don’t you text them and ask after I leave? I’m sure they wouldn’t mind, if it would ease your worries.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that. I’d just feel better knowing someone was there for you if something happened. With Lilith blaming me for the paladins showing up last night—and the paladins still looking for me —” Everything was so precarious right now. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to separate.

Wolf swooped down and cut him off with a kiss. “I love that you worry about me,” he murmured against Ira’s lips. “I can’t remember a time when anyone worried about me. I’m not sure anyone ever has.”

Ira hugged his thick waist tight, scowling at the thought. “ Well, I will. I do . You’re mine, and I want you to be safe. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

An inhuman growl left Wolf as he nuzzled his nose against Ira’s. One hand slid down Ira’s back, cupping his sore buttocks. “Do you still feel me, seidhr?”

Ira’s breath fell short. “Yeah.” With Wolf’s blood in his system, he’d be fine for another round by morning. It was both a blessing and a curse. He could handle more, but it also meant he didn’t get to enjoy the effects as long. He liked the soreness, liked knowing it was sex with Wolf that caused it.

Wolf sighed into a kiss. “Going to wake you up in the morning with my mouth. It’s been too long since I’ve tasted you.”

Ira’s cock jerked in his jeans. “If you’re planning to go, you better go now. I might drag you back to bed if you don’t.”

Wolf grinned like a shark. He traced Ira’s bottom lip with his thumb. “Perfect,” he murmured. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Okay,” Ira agreed reluctantly, letting Wolf peel himself away. He closed the door, and Ira turned the lock with a sigh.

Alone again. For the moment, at least.

He flopped down on the sofa and opened up the group chat he’d started with Alex and Luke.

Wolf’s convinced me to stay home tonight. Are either of you going to In Extremis?

Alex

We are. Talon wants to keep an eye on things.

Luke

So are we. We’ll hang near the bar. Don’t worry.

Ira blew out a breath. They were good men. The guild was stupid for letting them go.

Thanks, guys.

A pizza arrived at the apartment thirty minutes after Wolf left for work. Ira accepted the box and gave the delivery guy a tip—the food was, of course, already paid for. He ate his fill, stowed the rest in the fridge, and went to shower.

The apartment was very quiet without Wolf there to fill the space. Even when he wasn’t speaking, Wolf’s presence was enough to drive away the loneliness. They’d been glued to each other’s sides since they met. Being apart didn’t feel right.

He emerged from the shower with a cloud of steam and laid naked under the blankets, his cock twitching at the thought of waking up in the morning with Wolf’s mouth on him. He pulled Wolf’s pillow closer, inhaling the scent of the halfling’s musk.

He barely felt the vision take hold, falling over his eyes like a curtain rather than hitting him like a bat.

Salt lined the exits of In Extremis, and Malachi slammed his fist against the invisible shield it created, mouth snarling and red eyes wild.

“We can’t get out! Luke, come break this salt line!”

A crash. Something flew through one of the high, blacked-out warehouse windows, and the floor exploded into flame.

“Fuck! I’m trying! Hold on! ”

“Somebody break the salt line!”

“They’re coming in the back door!”

Chaos. Swords gleamed in the firelight. Black and red blood spilled on the polished wood dance floor.

“Wolf!” There was a voice that sounded like his own, coming from outside the club. He appeared in the doorway, his foot skidding through the salt and breaking the line. “Wolf! No, let go of me! Wolf!”

Wolf roaring, “Ira! Get the fuck out of my way! Ira!”

He barreled through the broken salt line.

“Ira! Ira!” he screamed into the night, but only the sound of squealing tires answered.

Ira came back to himself with a gasp, jackknifing upright. The club was going to be attacked. He had to do something.

He nearly face-planted when his foot tangled in the blanket, but he flailed himself free and grabbed the nearest clothes he could reach, dressing as he fumbled for his phone. His fingers trembled as he dialed Wolf’s number and waited impatiently while it rang.

No answer. Oh God, was he too late?

Pocketing his phone, he rushed from the apartment. He had to get to In Extremis before the paladins killed everyone.

He would get there in time. He knew that much. And whatever happened to him after that would be worth it.