Page 27 of Malek

When they were done chatting, and it was time for everyone to clear the table, Axel got up to pitch in, but Malek made him stay where he was, and he and his brothers tidied the kitchen together. Axel could tell that it was something they did often by the way they moved around each other.

Axel’s hands had stayed on his belly the whole time. Even though he knew if he was pregnant there would be nothing but a few cells nothing to feel, he was still amazed by the possibility.

Terrified, but amazed.

Malek came up behind him without him noticing until he whispered in Axel’s ear, “Want to take a look around?”

Axel nodded. Hell yes, he did. He couldn’t wait to see the rest of this magnificent home that belonged to his mate’s family.

The kitchen they were in was large, and even though it still had some of the original period features, like the flagstone floors, a large Belfast sink, wooden mullion windows, there was also a selection of contemporary additions, like wall and base units, granite worktops and a bunch of integrated appliances including two fridge/freezers, a dishwasher, oven and a large range. And it also had one of those Agas, which Axel thought added character.

There were high vaulted ceilings, and the double doors had an amazing view over the garden, and what a garden it was.

To be honest, by the time Malek showed had him around the main wing—yes, that was what he called it, the main wing—that had over ten bedrooms, four… or maybe it was five receptions rooms and two dining rooms, Axel was convinced his mate’s family fell into something of the baronial, ducal, archducal space, and he said so.

“Distantly,” his mate replied, “very distantly now.”

“What?” Axel said stunned, his mouth hanging open. “You guys are part of the Royal Family?”

“Goddess no, not in centuries, although I believe an ancestor way back in the past, got married into it at some point, but it was so long ago it doesn’t count now. Besides, back then it was a good way for us to stay protected, and then our family got a seat, and after a few centuries, they gave it up, selling the land—this land—although it was just to another family member, just so we weren’t as conspicuous holding a title. Although, to be honest it was always ours, it was just the best way to get something of a paper trail. They may not have called it that way back when, but that’s what it was.”

Malek explained all this so blasé, and it wasn’t like he’d basically told Axel that their line was linked to the crown, somehow.

Axel wanted to ask more questions, but there would be time enough for that later.

“How do you keep this secret out here? I’m sure people stumble on it,” Axel asked.

“They do, but what you’ll see is a private estate, doesn’t it all look normal? If you came across it, and didn’t know what you do now, I bet you’d think it was just private property.”

“I really would,” Axel admitted.

“That’s the point, we have our privacy, and we are hidden, but we’re not hiding, at least nothing but the wolf part. We own companies, we travel, you know, normal people things.”

“Except the part when you can change into predatory animals,” Axel deadpanned.

Malek snorted, “Except that part.”

“So what now?” Axel asked, when they stood outside Malek’s parents’ home.

“How about we go back to our house and make certain we have a baby on the way,” Malek suggested, nipping on the side of Axel’s neck where he’d been marked. Axel shivered in response, even though the sun was shining and it was warm out.

Malek pressed his erection in the crease of Axel’s buttocks, and kept kissing and nibbling Axel’s neck, making him moan at the sensations it was causing, and the thought of being filled again by this man.

Everything Malek did had Axel’s arousal climbing, until he turned around and sealed their lips together again.

Axel couldn’t help it. He wrapped his hands around Malek’s neck and deepened their kiss. Next thing he knew, his mate had lifted him again, and Axel happily wrapped his legs around Malek’s waist. He leaned back breaking their kiss, not having to worry about Malek dropping him. He knew his mate never would.

“You really like lifting me up, don’t you?”

Malek nibbled on Axel’s bottom lip before replying, “I really do. You were made to be in my arms.”

Jeez, could this man be any more perfect?

“How far is it to the house?” Axel whispered, he hoped seductively, in Malek’s ear.

“Hold tight,” Malek replied, and took off at a run, making Axel throw his head back, laughing. Joy like he couldn’t put into words, infused every cell in his body. The same way Malek had. The man was way past under Axel’s skin, he was deep in his soul.

Fourteen