Page 9

LINK ROUSED SLOWLY, relishing the feel of his mate’s naked body curled up against him. After a delicious round of sixty-nining with Ezra, his human’s long day had caught up with him. He’d muttered something about getting dressed before snuggling into Link’s arms and promptly conking out.

It was the best.

Recalling the feel of Ezra’s mouth on him had Link’s morning wood responding predictably. His half-hard prick swelled, and he instinctively shifted his hips. When Link’s erection slid deliciously against Ezra’s thigh, he let out a soft moan.

Feeling Ezra’s arm around Link’s torso tighten and his mate hiss and press his answering erection against his thigh, Link tightened his own hold. He rolled onto his side so he was facing Ezra. At the same time, he moved a hand to Ezra’s thigh, hiked it up his hip, and slotted their bodies together, aligning their erections.

Then Link began a slow rutting, grinding against his human.

“Oh, damn,”

Ezra muttered, his voice still a little thick with sleep. “That feels...mmm...”

He pressed his forehead into the crook of Link’s neck as his words drifted off.

Link didn’t need words, though. Between the scent of arousal wafting between them and the way his mate clung and rubbed against him, Link knew exactly what Ezra needed. He slipped his arm under Ezra’s leg, using the crook of his arm to keep it where he wanted him. That allowed Link to settle his palm on his human’s ass cheek, and he took the liberty to squeeze.

Ezra grunted and began placing wet, open-mouthed kisses along the tendon of Link’s neck.

Letting out a low moan of his own, Link tipped his chin up and offered more room, reveling in the tingles that coursed down his chest, causing his nipples to bead. He briefly wondered what it would feel like to have Ezra sink his teeth into him. Link had heard bites from a mate caused incredible pleasure, and he longed to do it to Ezra, but he’d never considered that his human mate might be willing to return the favor.

Something to think about later.

Link’s balls began to tighten, and the tingle at the base of his spine told him he was seconds from erupting. Needing Ezra right there with him, he slipped his forefingers into his mate’s crack and gently caressed what he knew would be sensitive skin. The way Ezra shuddered in Link’s arms sent a bolt of satisfaction through him.

Unable to resist, Link teased his fingertip over Ezra’s hole. He heard Ezra’s hiss and felt his jolt. Then his new and forever lover arched his back and pressed back against his digit.

Answering Ezra’s unspoken plea, Link pushed with his finger, sinking it into his mate’s tight heat. Hearing his human’s low pleasure-filled moan, he crooked his finger, searching...searching... Ezra hissed and jolted, and wet heat spread between them.

At the same time, Ezra bit, perhaps on reflex.

Link felt the sting of pain in the flesh of his shoulder, and he tensed in surprise. Then the pain morphed into the most intense wash of tingles, and his brain fizzed out. His balls pulled tight as his orgasm crashed through him, and he added to the mess between them.

Floating on what was undoubtably the best release of his life, Link held Ezra tight and smiled. His racing heartbeat slowly began to ease into some semblance of normal. When Link felt Ezra lift his head a bit and lap against his skin, his thoughts began to push at him.

My mate actually bit me! Our bond is more than started. It’s halfway complete or more.

A bit of guilt curled in Link’s gut, but it wasn’t enough to beat out the happiness he was also experiencing. His mate might not understand it, but he was giving in to his instincts perfectly.

“Damn, I broke your skin,”

Ezra murmured, easing his head back a little and eyeing Link’s neck. “Didn’t mean to, but it’s already stopped bleeding, so I guess I didn’t bite quite as hard as I thought.”

“Shifters heal damn fast, Ezra,”

Link reminded him, easing his finger from his mate’s channel so he could rub up and down his spine soothingly. After a second of hesitation, he added, “And biting is part of bonding in shifter culture, so it actually feels really, really good.”

“Oh.”

Ezra met his gaze, furrowing his brows. “Does that mean you plan to bite me, too?”

Link thought he’d explained all that, but they’d gone over so much information the prior day that he couldn’t be sure. Plus, there was little to think that Ezra would retain it all at once. Most human mates didn’t, needing time to accept it in increments.

“Absolutely,”

Link confirmed, anticipation filling him, and he licked his lips. With an eyebrow waggle, he added, “And you’ll come from it...every time.”

Ezra gaped at him, his expression one of clear disbelief.

Chuckling, Link leaned forward and pressed his lips to Ezra’s in a chaste kiss. “You’ll see.”

He went back in, intending for a much deeper good morning kiss, but Ezra leaned back and turned his head. Growling softly, Link cradled his mate’s neck and forced him to meet his gaze. “Why?”

“Morning breath,”

Ezra answered, licking his lips and swallowing. “And I didn’t brush before passing out last night, so I’m pretty sure I’m rank.”

Link sighed and shook his head. “Your taste will always appeal to me, but I understand.”

The drying cum between them began to itch, reminding him of the mess they needed to clean up. “Let’s get cleaned up. Do you normally cook something for breakfast or eat on the go?”

As Link asked the question, he eased his hold on Ezra and carefully pushed the blanket off of them. He kept an eye on everything and made certain he didn’t drag the fabric in cum. He didn’t have anything to clean it, after all. To Link’s relief, they’d been lucky, and their loads hadn’t leaked onto the blanket beneath them, either.

Lucky break. Gonna have to be a bit more careful of that.

“Normally, I eat a granola bar and some jerky along with plenty of water as I slowly get started,”

Ezra admitted, rolling away from him with a grimace. “Damn. Can’t believe I slept nude in the middle of the forest.”

Link chuckled. “Get used to it.”

Unable to resist, he leaned forward and squeezed Ezra’s ass cheek. When his mate peered over his shoulder at him with a cocked brow, Link grinned unabashedly. “Can’t help myself. Love touching you.”

Ezra licked his lips before quietly admitting, “Same.”

His gaze roved over Link’s torso and groin. “Look forward to exploring even more.”

Renewed heat filled Link’s veins, but he did his best to ignore it even as he stated, “I look forward to feeling you do just that.”

Link then tore his gaze away from his handsome, naked mate and rolled to his knees. After grabbing his canteen and a hand towel from his bag, he began washing away the evidence of their pleasure. Out of the corner of his eye, Link noticed Ezra doing the same.

“Hmm, next time, I think I’d prefer to lick that off you,”

Link mused, his mouth suddenly watering at the thought of it. He also couldn’t help the way his dick twitched at his thoughts. Chuckling, both at Ezra’s wide-eyed expression and his own body’s reactions, Link shrugged. “Can’t help it.”

Ezra blinked, then scoffed softly as he eyed Link’s burgeoning erection. “It’s a mate thing?”

he guessed.

Link noticed Ezra’s responding body, his slender prick once more extending from amidst his nest of neatly trimmed, dark-blond curls.

Groaning, Link turned away, rubbing his palm over his bald pate. “Shit, you drive me crazy,”

he grumbled under his breath.

An answering chuckle sounded behind him. “Back atcha, big guy,”

Ezra muttered so quietly that if Link hadn’t been a shifter, he didn’t think he would’ve heard him.

Blowing out a deep breath, Link knew he needed to let Ezra get on his way before he had him sprawled on the blanket again. He wanted in his mate so damn bad, his dick in his ass and his teeth in his neck. Except, he knew he couldn’t force his human. Link had to give him time to accept their connection.

“I’m going to shift and head off, Ezra,”

Link told his mate, half-turning back to face him. Upon spotting that Ezra had dressed, he bit back his disappointment. “Can I join you when you stop for lunch?”

Ezra nodded immediately, which pleased Link. “I’d like that.”

After tucking his soiled cloth into a plastic bag, Link folded the shorts he’d discarded the night before and placed both items into his satchel. He began to call to his musk ox. Before his shift could begin, Link felt Ezra’s hand on his forearm, and he refocused on his mate.

“Did you want me to carry your satchel for you?”

Link thought about that for a few seconds before shaking his head. “No, thanks.”

He placed his left hand over where his mate’s hand rested on his right. “I have no intention of letting anyone see me in animal form since I’m not native to here,”

Link explained to soften the perceived rejection. “And I’ll need easy access to my tablet, shorts, and shoes, just in case.”

Nodding, Ezra glanced at Link’s armband. “Do you wear that in your musk ox form?”

“I do,”

Link confirmed. “The band’s elastic and easily hidden under all my animal’s hair.”

With a chuckle, he added, “The first time I felt it as my musk ox, I nearly jumped to the moon, it startled me so bad.”

Ezra’s grin caused Link’s heartrate to spike.

My mate is so damn gorgeous.

“You have a good hike, Ezra,”

Link encouraged, squeezing his hand lightly. “I’ll be around if you need anything. Just holler.”

Nodding, Ezra squeezed Link’s forearm before lifting his other hand to the back of Link’s neck. “I brushed,”

he told him, applying a little pressure.

Link was more than happy to give in to Ezra’s urging. As their lips touched, he parted them a little. He slipped his tongue out and teased along his mate’s plump lower lip. To Link’s appreciation, Ezra parted for him, and he took advantage, tasting his mate deeply.

Ending the kiss far swifter than he wished, Link lifted his head. He couldn’t resist pecking one more chaste kiss to Ezra’s mouth. Then Link smiled as he drew away, brushing his thumb along Ezra’s slightly prickly jaw.

“Stay safe, baby,”

Link rumbled, his voice deep, betraying the arousal that his hard cock clearly displayed. He couldn’t help it. Kissing his mate had that effect on him and always would.

Just the way it should be.

After taking a couple of steps backward, Link initiated his shift. The tell-tale sounds of muscles popping and tendons cracking filled their secluded sleeping nook. In seconds, he stood before Ezra in his musk ox form.

To Link’s pleasure, Ezra stepped forward, lifting a hand toward him. When his mate hesitated, Link lowered his head a little and stretched toward him. He even vocalized quietly in invitation.

Ezra settled his hand on Link’s broad forehead. With a surprised-sounding chuckle, his human rubbed up to the top of his head, then down one sweeping horn. His expression was one of awe that Link took deep pride in.

“Wow, Link,”

Ezra whispered. “This is...”

He began running his fingers into Link’s thick mane. “This is amazing.”

Link rumbled, expressing his own pleasure at Ezra’s petting. Then he nudged his mate’s shoulder before slowly turning away. With a last look over his shoulder, seeing Ezra reach down and grab the strap of his backpack, Link slipped his horn through his satchel strap before moving into the trees.

Within a few minutes, Link heard Ezra head off.

Just as Link had done before, he carefully shadowed Ezra, watching over his mate as he hiked.

FOR THREE DAYS, LINK and Ezra fell into a rhythm.

Ezra hiked while Link followed. They would meet up for meals and each night for camping. They spent the evenings exploring each other’s bodies and sharing stories about themselves.

Link learned that Ezra had an older brother, Edward, who lived an hour north of his home in Savannah. They weren’t exceptionally close, but they made a point of meeting up monthly. Ezra was supposed to share a meal with Edward as soon as he returned from his two-week trip.

When Link had heard that, he hoped that Ezra would invite him to meet Edward as his boyfriend.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Link loved falling into a sated sleep each night after making out and exploring each other with hands and mouths. Rousing with the man snuggled against him, warm and naked, was even better. His mate had gotten over his reticence about sleeping nude damn fast.

It helped that Link’s sensitive shifter hearing could easily make out anyone approaching with plenty of time for them to throw on shorts. Even asleep, he would wake. It’d happened their third night together, but Link had realized it was an elk before he made the mistake of waking his lover for nothing.

WHEN THE SUN BEGAN to set, Link drifted closer to where Ezra hiked. He watched as his handsome human paused at the edge of a meadow. On the other side was a lake, the sun gleaming on the smooth surface.

Ezra peered around the area, obviously admiring the wildflower-covered area. When he inhaled deeply, his narrow chest expanded. Then he smiled as he let it out on a quiet sigh.

Heading toward the left side of the meadow, closer to the lake, Ezra glanced toward the trees. “I’m taking a dip to rinse off the sweat of the day,”

he called. “Coming, Link?”

Link was more than on board with that. After a quick glance around, as well as a few seconds to confirm he couldn’t hear anyone else in the area, he left the cover of the trees. Hurrying after his lover, Link headed toward where his human had dropped his backpack and was stripping to his briefs.

Tipping his head to the side, Link allowed his satchel to slide off his horn to rest beside Ezra’s stuff. He took a few seconds to nuzzle his human and get a few pets. Then Link lumbered toward the water.

Unable to resist, Link galloped into the lake, enjoying the cool liquid as it splashed over his heavy hairy coat. Upon hearing Ezra’s open laughter, if he could have grinned in musk ox form, he would have. Instead, Link dunked his snout, then lifted it quickly, sending a surge of water over Ezra’s chest and arms.

Ezra barked a surprised laugh, then called, “Oh, it’s on.”

For the next several minutes, they traded splashes, soaking them both.

Link couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so much fun as his musk ox, and he reveled in the knowledge that his mate was accepting him in animal form just as he did in his human form.

Needing to kiss Ezra senseless for his acknowledgment, Link shifted, grabbed his mate, and proceeded to do just that.