Page 18 of The Shapeshifter’s Secretary (Charmed Away Temp Agency #3)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Mistakes were made. Taron knew that. Granted, he didn't plan to be accosted by a classist demon on the way. But still. His body thrummed with need, barely tampered by years of experience dealing with an irate Ozen. At least he was clear headed enough to steer people home. He was supposed to do the same with Tony, but one look at his flushed and needy assistant made him hesitate.

Tony blinked up at him, his pupils blown and a very obvious and impressive bulge pressing against his slacks.

Be good. Take him home. He’s under the influence… Oh, please don’t look at him like that.

Tony’s eyes dragged down Taron’s body, the path leaving scorching want in its wake. Taron felt it like a caress, and he physically ached to do something about it.

Zephyr shifted next to Tony, reaching down to readjust himself. It dragged Taron’s attention to his lap, and memories of the kind of experiences they’d had together danced through his mind. Electric, explosive kind of experiences. The kind of experiences that Taron still thought about from time to time.

He was going to have serious words for his friend once they got to work on Monday. He shouldn’t have been forced to face these kinds of emotions on his own.

“Taron.” Zephyr’s calm voice forced his focus off his lap and up to the man’s face. Since their messy break up, if Zephyr found even a hint of want on Taron’s face, he’d give him these annoyingly smug looks. Taron almost wished he would have now. It would’ve snapped him out of the lust fog clouding his mind. Even his break outside hadn’t been enough to clear his head. Instead, the want on Zephyr’s face was just as needy as Tony’s. That made it so much harder. Literally.

“We should get Tony home,” Zephyr stated. He had an arm around the back of the couch, Tony tucked back in against his side. Which, when the hell did that happen? He’d separated those two. Tony staring at them both with wide-eyed hunger. Taron growled under his breath, forcing himself to focus. Zephyr was right. Tony needed his rest.

Forcing a smile, Taron offered his hand to Tony. “Let’s get you home then?”

Tony let Taron help him to his feet, but his balance must have been off because he swayed into him, latching onto Taron’s arms. It plastered them together for a moment, and Taron’s patience snapped. He groaned, tightening his grip, and the second Tony’s gaze dropped to his mouth to track the sound, Taron dipped his head to kiss him.

Tony didn’t hesitate to answer the kiss with one of his own. There was no exploring, none of that delightful first kiss teasing. They were both too soaked in lust to take things slow. Tongues tangled, hands fisted in clothes and hair. It was like someone rang the bell before a fight, and they attacked. He was so wrapped up in it, he’d forgotten they weren’t here alone until Zephyr’s scent teased his senses, only making him harder. Not that he’d ever admit that out loud.

Strong arms wrapped around Tony from behind, making the man in his arms moan and tremble. Tony broke the kiss, much to Taron’s chagrin, giving Zephyr a dazed look of confusion, only to be swept into another kiss. Taron would have thought he’d be jealous watching his ex touching the man he’d been pining over. Instead, a fire lit in his veins, and he felt a burst of precum soak his briefs.

Oh… Oh, no… He was not turned on by Zephyr touching Tony. That couldn’t happen.

Tony moaned as Zephyr pressed in closer, sandwiching the trembling human between him and Taron. It put all kinds of ideas into Taron’s head. Ideas that Tony seemed on board for, if the way he gripped them both was anything to go by.

“How’d I know you three couldn’t be left alone?” a teasing voice asked.

Taron almost wanted to ignore it. He had Tony in his arms, and–

It suddenly felt like ice was thrust down his shirt, and Taron yelped, ripping his shirt from his slacks to shake the cold out. He shot an incredulous look at the mage, who just gave him a smug grin.

“Damn it, Connor. What was that for?”

Connor was one of Korath’s mates. Ozen’s grandfather was nowhere to be found, which made no sense to Taron. Those three were practically inseparable all night.

“That was to get your attention. I can’t teleport you out of here without knowing where I’m going. Focus. Korath promised me a treat if I got you home safely.”

“What kind of treat?” he couldn’t help but ask. He didn’t actually care, which was a first for him. He was normally all about getting the raunchy details. But at the moment, he’d rather be wrapped around Tony. Zephyr hadn’t gotten the same treatment and was still pressed up against the human, kissing down his neck. The image made Taron shiver, and the only reason he didn’t jump back into the embrace was the little terror next to him, whose hands sparkled with icy magic. Damn water mages. So cruel.

“I’m not answering that. Focus. I’ve gotta get you and two more people home to get my reward.”

Absolutely not. There wasn’t a single thing on the planet that would separate him from Tony tonight. And since Zephyr seemed just as invested, he supposed the thunderchicken would be coming along as well. His stomach quickened at the thought, and his dick jerked, but he pointedly ignored it.

“Just take the three of us to my place, if you don’t mind. We’ll take it from there.”

Connor raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. “Uh huh. Look, I’m mated to an incubus, so I’m obligated to ask. You’re all sober enough to make that kind of decision, right?”

Good question. Taron only had one drink before he realized what was happening with Ozen and started trying to fix it. He was pretty sure Tony didn’t drink much, either. He wasn’t sure about Zephyr, but shifters had a high metabolism. They burned through alcohol quicker than most. It should be fine.

“We’re good.”

Connor didn’t look convinced, but he also seemed unwilling to do much about it. He rolled his eyes, setting his hand on Taron’s shoulder and jerking his chin at the couple.

“Hang on to them. Wouldn’t want to leave one behind.”

Well… He wouldn’t mind leaving Zephyr behind, maybe give his brain a chance to forget he still wanted the man, but he got the feeling Tony wouldn’t be happy about it. With a put-upon sigh, Taron grabbed Zephyr’s arm, his other hand on Tony’s hip as he pressed himself against the man’s front. Tony reacted immediately, rolling his hips against Taron’s with a needy whimper. Taron felt a grin stretch across his face.

“Don’t worry, a thaisce. I’ll take care of you.”

“Stop worrying about him and focus. You need to picture where we’re going in your head,” Connor demanded.

So bossy. Taron bit back the teasing reply, picturing his living room in his mind. They popped out of the club and into Taron’s home in an instant, and Tony hardly noticed. He tugged Taron closer, dragging him down for another kiss Taron was happy to give.

“Korath better pay up big time for this,” Connor grumbled. With another pop, he was gone, but Taron hardly noticed. They were in his home, close to a bed, and he had an eager man in his arms, practically begging for attention. All was good in his world.

* * *

Tony had never felt so needy in his life. He knew part of that was because of Mr. Hawksley but most of it was because of who he was with. He could admit to himself that he had crushes on both men, which made him feel selfish and several shades of awful for not being able to pick one. Being pressed between them both was like a dream come true, and he was a little out of sorts on what to do about it. Thankfully, no one seemed to expect him to make any decisions. He followed both their leads and was more than happy to keep doing that forever.

He doubted forever was an option, but before he could get melancholy about it, Taron broke the kiss, pulling only far enough away to speak, his lips brushing against Tony’s with the motion.

“Bedroom?”

He was fully on board with that plan until he took a step forward to follow Taron. The wrong step. He’d momentarily forgotten his injury and pain shot up his side as he put too much weight on his prosthetic. He stumbled and only managed not to fall because Zephyr was right behind him and caught him before he could. Embarrassment swept through him, but a stumble wasn’t nearly as embarrassing as either of them seeing him without clothes on. He’d have to take his prosthetic off to truly be comfortable, and that was not happening around the two perfect men beside him.

“I, uh…” he stammered, doing his best not to panic. The neediness was still there, it probably wouldn’t go away without some sort of release, but he wasn’t sure he could relax enough to keep going.

“Tony,” Taron murmured, stepping back up to him. He didn’t stop until Tony was sandwiches between the two men again. “Do you trust me?”

It wasn’t what Tony had been expecting, and his brow furrowed a little as he locked eyes with Taron.

“I… I do, but…”

Taron shook his head, his smile patient and understanding. “No buts.” He paused, tipping his head for a second. “Okay, I take that back. Yes, butts, but not the kind you were talking about. I think you’re gorgeous, and I’m sure Zephyr would say the same.”

Zephyr tightened his grip around Tony’s waist, pressing a gentle kiss just behind his ear. “I agree. Your injury doesn’t take away from that. It just shows how strong and beautiful you truly are.”

He wanted so desperately to believe them. No one had ever said anything nice about his injury, not since he got hurt. It didn’t matter that he protected his troop, or survived when he wasn’t expected to. Everyone he was close to had something negative to say about it. He wanted for just one night to pretend that it didn’t ruin him completely. He just wasn’t sure he could.

“Let us show you,” Taron urged, cupping his cheeks and resting their foreheads together. “Let me prove it to you.”

It was either that or walk away from the one thing he wanted more than anything. He was a little broken, but he wasn’t stupid. He nodded quickly and croaked out a meek, “Okay.”