Page 9

Gabe

W e carry the puppy inside, navigating carefully so we don’t jostle his hip. The little guy looks up at me with big, trusting eyes, and I already know I’m in deep trouble. No way am I letting him go. Mika, watching me with that knowing smile, probably figured that out before I did.

We set him up in the extra bedroom, deciding it’s the best place for his portable kennel box. He needs to stay confined to prevent further damage to his hip. The room is close enough for me to check on him easily, but far enough away that any accidents won’t ruin the air. At least for me. Mika, with his shifter senses, might pick up on it from miles away. But he doesn’t complain, just gives me another one of those supportive glances that makes me feel steadier than I should.

“You want dinner, Mika?” I call from the kitchen as I dig through the freezer. There’s a couple of steaks in here somewhere, and they seem like the perfect thing to celebrate our new addition.

I l et out an embarrassing squeak when strong hands grab my ass, pulling me back into a firm chest. My heart stutters as Mika purrs into my ear, “You on the menu, Gabriel?”

His voice is rich and low, and it hits me right in the gut—and lower. My cock swells fast and hard, so quickly that it’s almost painful. Jesus, this man is dangerous. I shove back against him, grinding my ass into his palms.

“Can be,” I manage to get out, but the rest of the sentence is lost when Mika spins me around and claims my mouth with a kiss that’s nothing short of devouring.

I respond just as hungrily, our tongues mimicking the act we’re both desperate for. Clothes are discarded in a frenzy as we stumble to the bedroom, leaving a trail through the house. By the time my back hits the mattress, I’m panting, my body already aching for him. Mika follows me down, bracing himself on his forearms above me, his weight just enough to make me feel pinned but not trapped.

A sudden thought cuts through my haze of lust. “Condoms,” I groan, smacking Mika lightly on the chest. “I don’t have any condoms!”

The frustration in my voice is nearly enough to make me cry. I need him. Now. But I can’t—won’t—risk it without protection.

Mika stills, his golden-brown eyes locking onto mine. “Look at me, Gabe. What do you see?”

I blink up at him, confused. My brain is a foggy mess of want, and concentrating is next to impossible. “What?” I shake my head, trying to make sense of his words.

“You didn’t notice that all my wounds are healed? Not even a scar?” Mika’s voice is low, almost smug, as he shifts slightly, letting me touch his side.

My fingers move on instinct, tracing over the spots where the bullet had torn through him. The skin is smooth and flawless. Not a mark remains. “You…healed,” I murmur, still trying to process. “What does that mean?”

“It means,” Mika dips down to nip at my cheek, his lips curling into a grin, “that shifters heal fast. We’re immune to almost every disease, except for things like cancer. That’s rare, though.”

My heart pounds, the implications of his words sinking in. “So we don’t need condoms?” The thought alone makes me squirm, my cock throbbing painfully. I fucking love the idea of barebacking with him.

Mika watches me carefully, his gaze softening. “I’ll understand if you’re not comfortable with that. I’ve always used condoms with non-shifters. We can wait—”

“No!” I cut him off, the word bursting out of me without hesitation. I’m not even embarrassed by how eager I sound. “No, Mika. I trust you. I can see for myself that you’re…perfect.” My pulse races as I admit, “I’ve never barebacked before, but I want this. I want you. Like this, now.”

I pull him down into another kiss, open and desperate, and feel him relax against me. His weight, his warmth, his presence—all of it floods me with need. There’s no hesitation left in me.

“Thank you,” Mika murmurs against my lips. His voice is soft, almost reverent, and I know what he means without him having to explain. He’s thanking me for trusting him, for believing in him. But he doesn’t need to thank me, not for that. I bite his lower lip, tugging gently to make my point. The way his golden-brown eyes darken with heat tells me he gets the message loud and clear.

Mika grinds his hips into mine, and the friction of our cocks rubbing together pulls a moan from deep in my chest. Our mouths meet again in a clash of need, all sucking, nipping, and devouring. My head spins from the intensity of it, from the way he makes me feel like I’m about to fly apart.

When he pulls back, I almost protest, but the words die on my lips as Mika’s tongue trails down the side of my neck. He moves lower, his mouth finding one of my nipples, and he bites lightly. The jolt of sensation arcs through me like lightning, my back arching off the bed as I clutch at his head.

“Fuck! Mika, please!” My voice is raw, hoarse with desperation. “Again!”

He obliges, raking his teeth across the sensitive bud while pinching the other between his fingers, hard, sending sensation straight down to my raging hard-on and making it pulse. My eyes roll back, pleasure coursing through me in waves. I’ve never felt this out of control, this alive.

“Soon, Gabriel,” Mika says, his voice a low growl that sends shivers down my spine. “Just let me taste you.”

I barely register his words before his shoulders are between my thighs. “Bend your legs, babe,” he urges.

I jerk my legs up so fast that my heels slap my own ass. Mika’s laugh is deep and rich, filled with amusement, but it’s quickly replaced by a groan as he leans in to lave my balls with his tongue. His hands come up to part my cheeks, his thumbs brushing over my hole in featherlight strokes.

“Oh God,” I groan, trying to push back against his thumbs, needing more. The tease is maddening, the pleasure he’s building almost unbearable.

Mika doesn’t leave me wanting for long. He takes the head of my cock into his mouth, his hot tongue swirling around it just as one thumb presses inward, breaching my hole. I feel the warmth of his breath, then the wet heat of his tongue swirling around my tip. A sound escapes me, something between a groan and a gasp, as I tangle my fingers in his hair. He takes control, his hands wrapping around my base, working up and down in rhythm with his mouth.

He toys with my frenulum each time he glides up, sending jolts of pleasure straight to my core. His tongue is magic, flicking and teasing, driving me closer to the edge.

“Just like that,” I pant out, my voice ragged with desire. “You look so fucking hot with my dick in your mouth.” He moans around me, sending vibrations through my length, making me shudder.

I can feel his fingers digging into my thighs as he holds himself up, his short nails leaving halfmoons in my skin. The grip on his hair pulls taut as I start to move, thrusting upwards, fucking his mouth with abandon. He takes it like a champ, his eyes watering but never breaking contact with mine.

“Fuck, Mika—” My words dissolve into a strangled cry, my entire body straining with the force of it.

I can feel the saliva building up, running down his chin, coating his fingers, making the glide around my balls slick and easy. He slurps and gags, coughing around me, but he doesn’t stop. He keeps sucking, keeps taking me deeper into his throat.

I’m close, so fucking close. The sensation builds in my balls, tightening like a coil ready to spring.

I don’t warn him, other than a grip of my fingers holding the silky threads of his hair at the back of his head—and I come so fucking hard, my cum filling his mouth, coating his throat.

Before I can even fully compose myself, his hands cup my face, his mouth crashing onto mine.

I taste myself on his lips and deepen the kiss, pulling him even closer, my hands gripping his ass. He moans into my mouth, and I nip his lower lip, making him gasp.

“ Lube,” I hear him say, his voice husky with desire. It takes me a second to process the word, but I fumble for the nightstand drawer, pulling it open and grabbing the bottle. My hands are shaking as I toss it onto my belly, watching through half-lidded eyes as Mika grabs it.

He squeezes a dollop of the slick gel onto his cock, stroking it over the thick, veiny length. I reach down to help, but Mika catches my wrist, gently pushing it away.

“If you touch me now, I’m gonna come before I even get inside you,” he grits out, his voice trembling with restraint. “And I need to be inside you when I come.”

My cock gives a weak twitch at his words, and I bite back a moan. Mika squirts more lube onto his fingers, working one into me with slow, careful movements. I can’t help the way I push back against his hand, the stretch burning in the best way.

“Fuck, babe, every inch of you is holding me. You squeeze me just right,” Mika growls, his voice thick with need. “So hot.” He slides a second finger in, scissoring his fingers to stretch me out, and the fullness has me gasping, my cock hardening again despite how spent I feel.

When he curls his fingers just right, brushing over my prostate, stars explode behind my closed eyes. I cry out, clutching at the sheets as my body bows off the mattress.

“Mikamikamika!” I cry out, my voice breaking as pleasure shoots through me in waves. “Do that again!”

He does. God, he does, his fingers thrusting inside me, stroking that spot that sends sparks of fire racing through my veins. My body arches off the bed, desperate for more, and I can’t stop the noises spilling from my lips. Mika’s touch is everything I need and more, but it’s not enough. Not yet.

I f eel the loss acutely when he pulls his fingers out, my body clenching at the sudden emptiness. Before I can complain, he’s crawling up my body, his weight pressing me into the mattress, pinning my hand between us when I reach for myself.

His cock presses against me, thick and hot, and I know what’s coming next. My breath hitches as he leans down to kiss me, his lips firm and claiming.

When he pushes forward, the blunt head breaching me, my gasp is swallowed by his mouth. My eyes snap open as a sharp, burning stretch overtakes me, and I clutch at his shoulders, needing something solid to hold on to.

“Relax, Gabe,” he murmurs, his voice rough but gentle. “Let me in, baby. Please.”

I try. God, I try, focusing on the soothing strokes of his hands on my hips and the warmth of his voice. “Trying,” I manage, though it comes out shaky. “Oh shit, Mika!”

He doesn’t push further, just waits, his kisses softening, his body radiating patience. Slowly, the burn eases, and I take a deep breath, willing my muscles to relax. He’s so fucking big .

“Please, Mika. Move!” I beg, pulling my legs up to give him better access.

The look in his eyes is pure fire as he starts to press deeper, inch by agonizing inch, until his hips are flush against mine. My body stretches to accommodate him, the fullness almost overwhelming but so damn good.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice rough with restraint.

“B-b-burns a little,” I stammer, sucking in air. “Just a minute.”

He kisses me, his lips soft and reassuring, and strokes my sides as I adjust. The burn fades, replaced by a heat that’s deeper, richer.

“Move,” I whisper, and he does.

His thrusts are slow at first, deliberate, like he’s savoring every moment. I meet him halfway, rolling my hips to match his rhythm, and the burn dissolves into pleasure that builds with every movement.

“Harder,” I gasp, my hands sliding down to grip the backs of my thighs, holding myself open for him.

He doesn’t hesitate, his hips snapping forward faster, harder, deeper, the sound of our bodies meeting filling the room. Every stroke sends white-hot sparks of ecstasy shooting through me, and when he hits that spot again, I shout his name.

“Fuck! Mika!” My hand flies to my cock, stroking in time with his thrusts. I’m so close, the pleasure twisting tight inside me, ready to snap.

The orgasm tears through me like a storm, my whole body bowing off the bed as I spill over my hand and stomach. I shout Mika’s name again, the pleasure so intense it borders on pain.

“God, Gabe,” Mika groans, his rhythm faltering as he thrusts a final time.

I feel his cock jerk inside me, his release hot and deep, and the sensation pulls me into another wave of pleasure. He leans down, sucking at my neck, and I know he’s leaving a mark, claiming me in a way that makes my chest ache with something more than lust.

“Fucking beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice rough and full of awe as he collapses onto me.

“Yeah,” I breathe, my arms wrapping around him as I pull him close. “Damn.”

His weight presses into me, his body still inside mine, and for a moment, everything feels perfect. I press a lazy kiss to his lips, smiling when he leans into it, his hands brushing over my sides.

“Stay,” I murmur, my voice heavy with exhaustion but full of meaning.

“ I’m not going anywhere,” he whispers, his forehead resting against mine.

And as my eyes drift closed, I believe him.

I roll over, stretching lazily, my arm flopping out across the bed to find…nothing. The sheet is cool, empty. My eyes snap open, and I sit up quickly, glancing around the room. Where the hell is Mika?

Stomach growling, I stumble out of bed, feeling the pangs of missed dinner. “Mika?” I call out, rubbing a hand over my face and trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

“In here with the pup, babe,” Mika’s voice drifts back, calm and steady. “Had to give him his antibiotics and pain meds.”

Oh. Crap. The puppy. How the hell could I have forgotten about the injured pup? Guilt stabs through me. I didn’t mean to crash so hard, but the combination of physical exhaustion and the emotional whirlwind that is Mika had knocked me flat. Still, that’s no excuse. I hurry toward the spare bedroom, not even bothering to grab clothes.

The sight of Mika crouched in front of the kennel greets me as I step into the room. His sweatpants hug his ass in a way that’s downright criminal, and I can’t stop my gaze from lingering. Damn. I’m officially a sex maniac now, but at least it’s only for one man. That’s got to count for something, right?

“How’s the puppy?” I ask, forcing my attention to the dog instead of the glorious view in front of me.

“ Good, all things considered,” Mika replies, his tone focused but gentle. “I think the pain meds knock him for a loop, though.”

I hum in agreement, watching as Mika gently rubs the pup’s head. The care he shows is heart-melting. I should probably be paying attention to that instead of his ass, but, well, I’m only human.

“Uh, Mika?” I venture, as a thought suddenly pops into my head.

“Yeah, babe?” he answers distractedly, still crouched by the kennel.

“Do you…heal from everything?” The question sounds dumb as hell coming out of my mouth, but now that I’ve asked, I can’t backpedal.

Mika finishes securing the kennel and stands, turning to face me. He points to his neck as he starts to explain. “We heal incredibly fast, but no, not from everything. Silver doesn’t harm us unless it’s a bullet through the head. But any bullet to the head, a long fall, car crashes, decapitation…those things are fatal. Severe trauma can still kill us.”

I watch as a shadow of something flits across his face—pain, maybe—but he shrugs it off and flashes me a wink.

“I take it that’s a werewolf thing?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light but secretly enjoying the way Mika’s eyebrows slam together in irritation.

“I’m a shifter, not some Hollywood monster,” he splutters, looking so offended I have to bite my cheek to keep from laughing.

“Well,” I press, unable to resist, “what’s the difference?”

Mika frowns, clearly unimpressed with my teasing. “Werewolves aren’t real. We are. We don’t change only on full moons; we can shift whenever we want. And shapeshifters don’t attack random people. We can’t turn anyone into a shapeshifter just by biting them anyways.”

Okay, well that was real clear. Not. Then, hey—

“What do you mean you can’t turn someone into a shapeshifter ‘just’ by biting them?” My curiosity spikes. He wasn’t offering any inform ation up before, but now that he’s cracked the door open, I’m shoving it wide.

“It’s, uh…” Mika hesitates, running a hand through his hair. “It’s an exchange of blood and…other fluids.”

The blush creeping up his cheeks makes me raise a brow. “Really. What fluids, exactly?” I’m curious. I mean, because, if there aren’t any other gay shifters, then how could anyone know what has to be exchanged? Unless there has been instances of a female shifter changing a male, which is where I’m thinking the information must have come from.

Mika groans, his hand flying to the back of his neck. Well, it’s… To exchange, uh, each person has to…shit!”

“What? That’s fucking wrong, Mika!” I blurt, and I just know my eyes must be bugging out of my head.

Mika’s jaw drops open then snaps back together with a click of teeth. “No! No, I meant ‘shit, I’m fucking this up’! Swear to God, Gabe…”

And that’s all it takes. I lose it. My sides shake as laughter bursts out of me, uncontrollable and ridiculous. “God, Mika,” I manage between gasps. “Your face!”

“Yeah? Well, you were looking pretty freaked out yourself, buddy,” he retorts, his tone half annoyed, half amused. He crosses his arms, glaring at me, but the corners of his mouth twitch like he’s fighting back a smile.

“C’mon,” I say once I’ve caught my breath, reaching out to grab his hand. “Let me throw some jeans on, and I’ll make us some steaks. You can finish explaining this whole…fluid exchange thing.”

Mika eyes me warily, but when I tug him toward the kitchen, he follows. He doesn’t let go of my hand the whole way there, and that alone makes my chest feel warm.

I s et the plates on the table, each piled high with thick, perfectly grilled steaks, crispy baked potatoes, and golden corn on the cob. The smell alone has my stomach growling in anticipation. I’ve always loved cooking a full meal on the grill—there’s something satisfying about being outside, enjoying the fresh air, instead of sweating over a hot stove.

Grabbing a couple of beers from the fridge, I hand one to Mika and take a seat across from him. He accepts it with a small nod, and we clink bottles before I take a long sip.

“So,” I say, setting the beer down. “You want to explain the exchange while we eat?”

Mika freezes mid-reach for his fork, his eyes darting to mine. A slight flush creeps up his neck as he shakes his head. “Maybe…after,” he mutters, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

I bite back a chuckle, regretting my earlier laughter at his expense. Poor guy’s still flustered. I watch him dig into his food, though, and it pushes all thoughts of teasing aside. Mika doesn’t just eat—he devours, savoring each bite like it’s a feast fit for a king. The sight is strangely mesmerizing, sensuous, and before I know it, my body reacts. Heat coils low in my belly as I feel myself harden, my cock pressing insistently against the fabric of my jeans.

Seriously? Just from watching him eat? I shift in my seat, trying to ease the pressure, and adjust myself discreetly under the table.

Mika pauses, fork in mid-air, and the slow smile that spreads across his face tells me I’ve been caught.

“What?” I ask, doing my best to sound casual. The effort’s wasted, judging by the glint in his whiskey-colored eyes.

“ You got a problem there, Gabriel?” His voice is smooth as silk, low and teasing. It sends a shiver straight down my spine.

I can’t help smirking back. “I wouldn’t call it a problem. Nope, not at all. I’d call it…dessert.”

The heat in Mika’s gaze intensifies, and I know I’ve hit the mark. “Really,” he drawls, leaning back slightly in his chair. “Well, it’s a good thing I have a huge… sweet tooth.”

I groan, rolling my eyes. “Mika, that’s just…” I trail off, deciding to let the innuendo slide this time. After all, he’s not wrong about having something huge.

Mika chuckles, his attention returning to his plate. But just as I let my guard down, I feel his foot slide up the inside of my thigh, pressing lightly against my balls. My fork clatters to my plate as I jerk in surprise.

“Oh, you shit!” I yelp, glaring at him. His grin only widens, utterly unapologetic.

“I can always remove my foot,” he offers casually, though his tone is more a challenge than a promise.

“Don’t you dare!” I grab his ankle under the table, trapping his foot in place. “You remove this foot, and I’ll be one pissed-off man,” I warn, pressing against the pressure he’s already applying. The friction sends a bolt of heat through me, and I find myself eating faster, trying to focus on the food instead of the growing need pooling in my gut.

Mika doesn’t make it easy. His foot begins to move, sliding up and down my cock with deliberate strokes. I nearly choke on a bite of potato, coughing hard enough to make my eyes water. He pauses, waiting until I’ve recovered before continuing his torment. This time, his foot slides lower, down my cock, over my balls, and wedges beneath them. His toes wriggle playfully, and a low groan escapes me.

Bef ore I can catch my breath, Mika withdraws his foot and stands abruptly, the force of his movement sending his chair clattering to the floor.

“You done?” he asks, his voice rough with barely restrained need. The intensity in his eyes sends a shiver down my spine.

I nod, not trusting my voice, and Mika grabs my arm, pulling me up so quickly my head spins.

Backing me against the kitchen cabinets, he leans in close, his breath warm against my neck. “Get your pants off, babe. Now.”

Fumbling, I reach for my belt, my hands shaking as I work to undo the buckle. I shove my jeans and boxers down in one motion, leaving them pooled around my ankles. Mika kneels in front of me, pulling the fabric away with a swift, practiced motion.

He pauses, his hand sliding over the arch of my foot. His touch is light, reverent, as though he’s savoring every inch of me. Then he leans down, his tongue darting out to trace a line over the curve.

The sensation sends an unexpected jolt through me, and I squeal, jerking involuntarily. “Damn it, Mika! That tickles!” I manage between gasps.

Mika grins up at me, entirely too pleased with himself. “Good to know,” he murmurs, his voice thick with mischief and something deeper, something primal.

“And it’s obviously bad for my health since it could lead to the separation of my head from my shoulders,” Mika teases, his tone light but full of heat. His lips press soft kisses up my calves, and his hands follow, the light brushes of his fingers leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I can’t keep still, squirming under his touch as my arousal spikes, overwhelming my senses. If I’m feeling it this strongly, I can only imagine what it’s doing to Mika.

He presses gently at the insides of my thighs, coaxing them wider. My face heats as I realize just how much of myself is on display for him—spread open, vulnerable. Mika pauses, his gaze dark and intent, his breath hitching as he takes me in.

One trembling hand rises toward me, stopping just short of touching. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

“I don’t even know what to touch first,” Mika murmurs, his voice thick and rough. “That pretty cock bobbing against your belly, dripping with those little pearly beads? The sac hanging low and heavy? Or…”

I almost lose it then and there, the filthy promise in his words unraveling me. I reach down quickly, twisting my balls in desperation to stave off the orgasm threatening to crash over me.

“Are you trying to kill me, Mika?” My voice comes out shaky, desperate. “Or maybe you need help. Suck me. Put my cock in your mouth.”

Mika grins, wicked and knowing, and doesn’t hesitate. His hot tongue circles the head of my cock, teasing before he takes me all the way down in one smooth motion. The heat of his mouth and the tight suction steal every thought from my brain. His nose presses into my pubes, and I cry out, my fingers tangling in his hair.

Mika works me with ruthless skill, his throat flexing as he swallows, his tongue swirling and teasing. The sensations build too fast, too strong, and I’m powerless against the tidal wave of pleasure. My back arches, and I shout his name as my release rips through me. Hot pulses of cum shoot deep into his mouth, and I gasp, my hips jerking as he milks every drop from me.

If Mika wasn’t holding me steady, pinning me against the cabinet, I’d be a heap on the floor. My legs feel like jelly, trembling with the aftershocks of the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had.

Smo oth as ever, Mika rises, his body sliding against mine. The friction of our cocks rubbing together pulls a groan from me, my hips twitching instinctively.

“Let me take care of you,” I whisper, running my hands down his chest. But Mika is already latching onto my neck, his teeth nipping and his lips sucking in a way that has me groaning all over again.

“Just…put your hands on me, Gabe. I can’t… Not gonna last much longer,” he rasps, his voice rough and desperate.

I don’t need more prompting. I wrap my hand around his cock, stroking him firm and fast, while my other hand dips lower, cupping and kneading his balls. Mika growls, his hips snapping forward into my grip.

The sound he makes when I squeeze gently at the base of his shaft is primal, guttural, and it shoots straight to my still-recovering cock. His teeth sink into my shoulder, hard enough to sting but not quite breaking the skin. The zing of pain sends a fresh rush of arousal through me, and I moan, stroking him faster.

Mika jerks against me, his cock twitching in my hand as he comes hard. Hot jets of cum spill over both of us, his hips spasming as his release rocks through him. The sight of him—head thrown back, mouth open, eyes dark with passion—leaves me in awe. He’s magnificent, and he’s mine .

“Fuck, Mika,” I whisper as he collapses against me, his head resting on my shoulder. His breath is hot and ragged against my skin, and I wrap my arms around him, holding him close as we both come down from the high.

He finally lifts his head, his eyes catching on the bite mark he left on my shoulder. His face falls, guilt darkening his features as he reaches out to trace the mark with trembling fingers.

“I— Shit, Gabe, I didn’t mean to— ”

“Hey.” I cut him off, cupping his face in my hands. “It’s okay. It felt…amazing, actually. That little bit of pain spurred on a much, much bigger jolt of pleasure. Can’t you tell?” I thrust my cock against him, half hard and already stirring back to life.

Mika stares at me, his guilt melting into something warmer, something darker. I don’t have to convince him. With a low growl, he grabs my hand and leads me toward the bedroom.

He doesn’t need to drag me far—I’d follow him anywhere.