Page 10 of Surging Reef

Ashby had seen Anne and the guard leave the building, but he couldn’t go inside while the cops were there. He didn’t know what to do. He kept to the shadows, doing his best not to be seen by anyone who’d exited the houses to gape at Naveen’s body.

Shortly after, four uniformed cops exited the building. Was it all of them? He could most likely sneak in. Should someone see him, they’d assume he, too, had come out to gawk at the mayhem.

He needed to get Kazimir, and they needed to get out of here. Anne either already had someone watching or would have someone here within minutes.

Glancing around, he neared the front door of the building, but right as he was about to reach for the handle, it was pushed open.

Kazimir stared wide-eyed at him. “I told the cops you were out of—”

Ashby cut him off with a kiss. “We need to get a move on.”

Kazimir nodded, and Ashby reached for the backpack he had slung over one shoulder.

“I have your wallet, but I didn’t take anything else.”

“I did.” Ashby placed a hand on the small of his back and steered him away from the crowd. Pharos walked by their side, not looking affected in the least.

“You did what?”

“I packed some clothes and grabbed my laptop. Didn’t get the charger though, but I guess I can buy a new one.” Ashby pushed him into a narrow alley between two buildings, looking around as they went. He didn’t see anyone, but it didn’t mean they weren’t being watched.

“You what?”

Ashby shrugged. “While you kept Anne and the guard busy, I broke in through the bathroom window and packed a bag. It’s in the car.”

Kazimir ground to a halt. “You did what? What if they’d killed me?”

“Well, it’s only fair after you said I kicked you out the moment I shot my load.” He tsked. “Disgraceful.”

“I was in danger.” The outraged tone had Ashby suppressing a smile.

“Nah. It’s me they want, not you, and you did a good job making them believe we aren’t together. I don’t think they suspect you being at the lighthouse.”

“You left me with two deranged vampires.”

Ashby shrugged. “Not many can say they’ve been threatened by a queen.” He picked up Pharos before he pushed Kazimir between two hedge plants, having them cross through a well-kept garden.

“Where the hell are we going?”

“To the car, but we’re taking a little detour. I don’t think we’re being followed, but vampires can be hard to spot sometimes.”

Kazimir swallowed audibly and nodded as he looked around. He didn’t say another word as Ashby guided him through back alleys and gardens until they finally came out about a block away from where the car was parked.

He hit the button on the fob as they rounded the last corner.

“Do you think it’s smart to go home?”

Ashby looked around. “Yeah, as long as no one is watching us right now.” He scanned the roofs of the nearby buildings.

“Your house is outside the Waterside territory, so it’s perfect.

” He’d have to talk to Hervey Jehan, let him know he was residing in his kingdom, but it could wait another day or two.

“She can’t get us there?”

“Not without risking a war with the Woodland kingdom. I’ll have to let the king know I’m there, though.”

Kazimir opened the backseat door and strapped Pharos in. “Will it be a problem?”

Ashby shrugged. “Let’s get out of here, and we can talk about it when we get home.”

Kazimir nodded and walked around the car to the passenger side. Ashby couldn’t name the feeling welling up inside. He’d called Kazimir’s house home.

* * * *

Kazimir was a weird mix between buzzed and exhausted. They timed rolling into the driveway with Alan fucking Anderson stepping out of his house.

“Ugh, can’t you just eat him?”

Ashby grinned, the tips of his fangs visible underneath his upper lip. “I’d rather eat you.”

Kazimir snorted despite the heat washing over him. “Been there, done that, would not recommend.” He pushed the door open and stepped out, ignoring Alan fucking Anderson despite him glaring at them. Hey, at least Kazimir was dressed this morning. Alan should be happy.

He walked around the car, unhooked Pharos, and put him on the ground. The moment he let go of him; Ashby grabbed him and pushed him against the car. The full body contact made Kazimir shiver.

“I’d like a redo.” He nuzzled Kazimir’s neck before fastening his lips to the skin and licking him. Kazimir squealed and pushed him while laughing. Ashby was laughing too but pulled him closer again. Kazimir went willingly.

When Ashby pressed his lips against Kazimir’s, he moaned and opened for him while wrapping his arm around Ashby’s neck.

“Yes, like that.” Ashby nuzzled him again and pressed closer. Kazimir didn’t mind being trapped between the car and Ashby’s hard body, didn’t mind at all.

“Mr. Wrenley.”

Kazimir froze and looked in the direction of the prim voice. Alan was standing at the bottom of his driveway.

“This is not appropriate behavior. There are children in this neighborhood.”

Kazimir looked between Alan and Ashby.

Ashby shrugged. “I can fuck you on the kitchen table instead.”

Alan spluttered, and Kazimir should be horrified but a laugh bubbled out of him. “Yes, let’s take it to the kitchen. Are you staying to watch, Mr. Anderson?”

Alan harrumphed and stomped away. Ashby swept his arm out. “Come on, get to it.”

Shaking his head, Kazimir walked toward the stairs. “Time to go inside, Pharos.”

When Pharos came close, Kazimir picked him up and carried him up the steps. Ashby walked behind them with their two backpacks from the car.

Kazimir entered the kitchen and poured Pharos a bowl of food, then he studied Ashby. He looked good, a little tired perhaps, but Kazimir assumed he looked more so. “How about the bed instead of the kitchen table?”

“Is it a wish?”

“No, idiot. It’s a suggestion.”

Ashby walked closer, slowly, and Kazimir’s throat went dry.

“Are you sure? You know you could wish for almost anything. Twice.”

“Nah, I think I’ll save my wishes for something I can’t get elsewhere.”

Ashby snorted and before Kazimir could make sense of what happened, he had Kazimir slung over his shoulder. “Hey! Put me down!” Grown men did not get carried around.

“In a bit.” Ashby walked up the stairs at a rapid pace as if Kazimir didn’t weigh a thing, and it was…disturbing. He’d known Ashby was stronger than him, but he had to be a lot stronger.

Once they got up the last flight of stairs, Ashby passed the walk-in closet turned guest room and walked into Kazimir’s bedroom. He gently tipped Kazimir onto the bed. “There.”

“There? I do not appreciate being carried.”

Ashby shrugged and pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a toned torso. There were no traces of him having been a skeleton mere days ago. How fast did vampire bodies change?

“Is this your basic form?”

Ashby stilled. “What?”

“It’s…you look good—”

“Thank you.”

“—but a couple of days ago, you were a skeleton. Is this your core form, the one you bounce back to?”

Ashby did a weird shrug-nod. “Sounds about right.”

“Sounds about right?”

“I’ve never been a skeleton before, so I didn’t know how quickly it would go, but yeah, seems like.” He undid the button in his jeans and pushed them down. Kazimir did nothing but watch. Ashby stilled and looked at him. “What’s taking so long?”

“Are you in a hurry?”

Ashby rolled his eyes, then pushed off his trunks and took himself in hand. “I am, but I can get started without you.”

Kazimir grinned as a fizzle of heat shot through him, only to pool in his groin. His cock grew hard, and he spread his legs a fraction. Ashby raised an eyebrow at him, but Kazimir didn’t move otherwise. “Continue.”

“Continue?”

Nodding, Kazimir ran a hand over his thigh, moving closer to his hardening length. Ashby groaned and jerked himself. He dropped his shoulders and looked directly into Kazimir’s eyes.

“Slower.”

He huffed but did as asked.

“Lovely.” Kazimir cupped himself on top of the fabric of his cargo pants.

“Are you going to undress?” Ashby never stopped moving his hand, and his breaths were coming a little faster.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe.”

Kazimir shrugged and traced the length of his hard-on with feather-light touches. “I don’t like to get my clothes messy, so most likely.”

Ashby gave him a wicked grin. “And this is what you want, for me to jerk off while you’re watching?”

“For now.” He undid the button and fly of his pants and touched himself over his straining underwear. Goosebumps spread over his body, and he moaned.

“Fuck, Kaz.” Ashby tightened his hold, the flushed head of his cock pushing through his fist. Precome was leaking from the tip, but Kazimir reached over to his bedside table and grabbed a bottle of lube from the drawer. He tossed it at the foot of the bed. “Slick yourself up.”

“Cock or ass?”

“I was thinking cock, but feel free to do what you want.”

Ashby poured some lube into his palm and went back to jacking himself. His lips parted, and his eyes grew darker. Then he focused on Kazimir. “Are you a top or a bottom?”

Kazimir shrugged. Right now, he was fine with how they were. “Depends.”

“On?”

“On what I’m in the mood for.”

“What are you in the mood for now?” Ashby’s hand was moving a little faster, and he widened his stance.

Kazimir reached inside his underwear and curled his fingers around his throbbing length.

The way Ashby’s abdomen tensed, muscles rippling as he thrust into his fist, had desperation clawing at Kazimir.

“I want to see you come all over yourself.”

Ashby’s eyes widened for a second, then he nodded. “Your wish is my command.”

“It’s not one of my wishes. Don’t make sex weird.” He raised his hips and pushed his pants and underwear down.

Ashby laughed only to groan when he watched Kazimir touch himself. “Can we switch hands?”

Kazimir put a foot on the mattress, opening himself up and cupping his balls with his free hand. “You want to jerk off with your left?”

Ashby’s gaze was glued to his groin. “Nah, I was thinking I could touch you, and you could touch me.”