Page 8 of Wine Tasting with a Sea Turtle

Warner felt his chute stretch... and stretch... as Geoff slid his huge dark erection into his body. Recalling the advice about pushing out, he did just that. His lover’s hot flesh filled him, and he wondered at the lack of pain.

He must be an expert at prep.

For an instant, Warner felt a niggle of jealousy at all the others that Geoff must’ve been with to learn such skill. Then the thought disappeared as Geoff’s thick crown slid across his prostate, and a wash of hot tingles erupted through his groin. A hard shudder worked through Warner, and to his surprise, he felt his still-hard prick jerk and twitch at his groin.

“Geoff,” Warner whined, jolting in the big man’s hold. He had a strong arm around his chest as he draped over his back, his dick in his ass holding him in place. “Please,” Warner whined. “N-Need.”

“Fuck, my mate,” Geoff responded in a rough, gruff voice. “You’re a natural.”

Geoff nipped at Warner’s neck as he began easing his prick slowly out of his channel, lighting up nerves he didn’t even know existed. When his lover’s bulbous crown teased at his muscled rim, Warner whimpered and tried to rock backward to get his lover’s meat back into his body. Already, Warner craved the stretch, the feeling of being filled.

“Please,” Warner whined when Geoff used his hold to keep him in place. “Need you in me.”

“Natural fucking bottom, baby,” Geoff stated, soft and low in his ear. “You’re perfect.”

Even with disbelief swimming through his mind—Warner had certainly never been called perfect before—he let out a breathy moan as Geoff pushed back into him once more. He sighed deeply, relishing the sensation. Warner shivered as he felt his lover once again slide his crown over his sensitive bundle of nerves.

“Geoff!”

“That’s right,” Geoff rumbled into his ear. “Call out my name.”

Then Geoff sped up his strokes. He began pushing in and pulling out faster and faster. With every move, he teased and tormented Warner’s prostate, lighting up his nerve endings and setting him on fire from the inside out.

His cock throbbed, his arms trembled, and his balls began to pull up.

With shock, Warner realized he was about to come a second time within just a few minutes. “Geoff,” he whined, shivering in Geoff’s hold. “I-I-I—Oooooh!”

Unable to hold it back, Warner’s release crashed through him. He groaned as bliss-inducing tingles rocked his senses once again, sending him soaring. Warner cried his lover’s name—or slurred it—as he spurted burst after burst of seed into the comforter beneath him.

“Warner, yes!” Geoff roared in his ear as he slammed deep.

Warner hummed with pleasure as he felt Geoff’s thick cock twitch in his chute once, twice. Then the exquisite sensation of hot seed flooding his channel sent a wash of satisfaction through Warner. Smiling vacantly at the knowledge that he’d pleased his lover, Warner clenched his chute muscles once, twice.

“Minx,” Geoff whispered into his ear before mouthing kisses along his neck toward his shoulder.

Humming at the pleasant sensations, Warner tipped his head to the side. As soon as Geoff reached the point of his shoulder, he felt the sharp prick of teeth scraping across his skin. Warner gasped as his lover bit him, sliding his teeth into his flesh.

In the next instant, the pain morphed into the most delicious tingles. They spread down his neck and across his body. His blood flamed in his veins as his dick went ramrod straight once more.

A third orgasm slammed into Warner, causing his senses to sing. He shouted Geoff’s name as he bucked and shuddered in his hold. Floating in bliss, Warner moaned as his arms gave out.

Black spots danced across Warner’s vision, and he hummed in ecstasy. Vaguely, he registered the feel of Geoff easing his dick from his channel, and he moaned in dismay, instantly missing the stretch. Geoff kissed his neck, whispering assurances as he helped Warner ease to his right side and relax on the comforter.

“Just rest, my mate,” Geoff crooned into his ear. “Gonna get a cloth to clean you up.” He pecked another kiss to the sensitive skin behind Warner’s ear. “Be right back.”

“M’kay,” Warner mumbled. After all, he didn’t think he would be able to move even if he wanted to.

Warner heard the water run in a nearby bathroom, then shut off. A moment later, he heard Geoff return. When his lover rested a hand on his upper thigh and rubbed lightly, Warner smiled.

“Love your touch,” Warner murmured.

“Love touching you,” Geoff countered before cleaning him up.

Warner felt his cheeks heat in a blush as he felt Geoff slide the cloth down his crack and over his hole. For some reason, having his lover clean him seemed almost more intimate than having him suck and prep him. Maybe it was because he was no longer out of his mind with lust.

When Geoff climbed back into bed and tugged Warner close, he dismissed the whole issue. He cuddled close to his lover, enjoying how the large dark-skinned male half-draped him over his body. With a sigh, Warner nuzzled his cheek against his lover’s broad pectoral.

I have a lover. And not just any lover. A shifter lover. Wow!

Wish Mom could have met him.

Feeling a kiss to his forehead, Warner smiled.

“You okay, my mate?” Geoff asked softly, rubbing over his upper back, avoiding where his father had whipped him with his belt. “I wasn’t too rough, was I?”

Wanting to dispel Geoff’s concern, Warner smiled up at him. “You were perfect. Thank you.”

After Geoff lifted his head and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, he relaxed on the bed with a smile.

Resting comfortably in Geoff’s hold, an errant thought pushed into Warner’s blissed-out mind. Tipping his head up again, he peered at Geoff’s relaxed features. When his lover caught his eye and smiled, Warner smiled back.

“Did you really just carry me up here while naked?”

Geoff grinned broadly. “Yeah. I did.” Shrugging, his expression completely unabashed, he claimed, “You said you were willing to bond with me, and I couldn’t wait long enough to bother putting on my clothes.”

Unable to help himself, Warner dissolved into giggles.

To his pleasure, Geoff chuckled, too, while pressing a kiss to his forehead.

*

“Hey, Warner,” Kelly greeted, a wide smile on her pretty blonde features. “How are you feeling?”

Warner returned Kelly’s smile. “Much better, thanks.”

In truth, Warner was far more than better. After bonding with Geoff three days before, his increased healing had kicked in super fast. His bruised ribs—damaged by his father kicking his back several times—as well as his black and blue and cut skin on the left side of his back and side—pummeled and broken by his father’s belt—were well on their way to healing. Warner barely even felt it when he lifted trays or poured wine into glasses.

Kelly cocked her head as she asked, “So, um, is it okay to ask what happened?” As she picked up a wine bottle and placed it on a tray, she admitted, “I heard gossip about a detective asking about a mugging, but rumor says it could be your father or even your boyfriend.” With a pensive look, Kelly offered, “If you need a place to crash for a few days, we have a spare bedroom.” She shrugged just as quickly as she reached out and touched his shoulder while saying, “It’s a little crazy right now, what with us prepping for our move, but you’re my friend, so I’ll help if I can.”

Warner smiled and patted her hand. His stomach warmed pleasantly, as he’d had no idea she felt that way. After all, he’d only been working there a few months, and she was getting ready to move to Texas.

“Thanks so much for the offer, Kelly,” Warner told her honestly. “But I’m okay. I’m staying with Geoff, my boyfriend.” Recalling the rumors, Warner scowled. “And tell whoever you heard that it was him that hurt me that they’re way off. Geoff’s big and rough, but he’d never harm me.” Upon seeing Kelly’s blonde brows lift, Warner quickly added, “And it was my father. It’s... complicated.”

While Warner appreciated Kelly’s concern and support, he really didn’t want to air his personal problems at work.

After patting Kelly’s hand again, Warner changed the subject. “So, Miss Cooper sent me over here to learn about giving the tastings spiel since we have a lull.”

Kelly instantly brightened. “Of course.” Evidently, she’d been ready for a subject change, too. “Let me pull out a few wines, and we can get started.”

They were halfway through Kelly walking Warner through the process when the front door opened. He instantly tensed when he saw who it was. His father strode several feet into the winery, pausing to sweep his gaze over the area.

When Walter spotted Warner behind the bar, his brown eyes narrowed, and his face began to darken. To Warner, his father’s rage was obvious. As the man began stalking across the floor toward him, a shiver of fear worked through his body, and he sure appreciated the thick wooden bar between them.

“Oh, shit,” Warner whispered, spotting the impending train wreck a mile away. “Kelly, please go get Miss Marion.”

As Kelly scurried to do just that, Warner slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He typed a quick message to Geoff and just managed to slip it back into his pocket before his father reached the bar.

“Where have you been, boy?” Walter snarled, slamming his fists onto the bar. “What have you been sayin’ to people?”

While Warner wasn’t certain what his father was talking about—after all, he’d been holed up with Geoff for the last couple of days—he knew that answer wouldn’t appease his father. Walter never wanted to listen to any of his explanations. Hell, his father’s questions were rhetorical, and he just wanted his pound of flesh... or money.

With that thought in mind, Warner stayed silent, eyeing his father warily.

* * * *

Feeling his phone vibrate at his hip, Geoff pulled it from his belt clip and checked the text. A flash of anger surged through him. He ground his teeth as he slipped the device back in place.

Then Geoff slammed on his motorcycle’s brakes, shifted his weight, and turned his handlebars. With a squeal of his tires, he did a one-eighty. Once he’d righted his bike, he gunned the engine and started back in the opposite direction.

“What the hell, Geoff?” Kayson cried, his voice coming through the comms in his motorcycle helmet.

The sound of several other motorcycles making a fast one-eighty filled the air—tires squealing, gravel spraying, and engines whining. His fellow motorcyclists caught up to him even though he was speeding... a lot. He spotted their concerned looks but kept his focus on the road.

A second later, Craeg snapped, “What be the problem, Goeff? Where ya goin’?”

“Walter just showed up at my mate’s work,” Geoff snarled, answering the enforcer. “I’m goin’ to kick his ass.”

“The beta ordered us to let the human law handle this,” Craeg responded, his displeasure filling his tone. “You can’t kick his ass without causing everyone problems.” A second later, Craeg added, “Kayson, call Grisham. Find out if Walter’s been served with the restraining order yet.”

“On it,” Kayson replied.

Then Geoff realized Kayson must’ve switched helmet channels, for he didn’t hear more over the whine of his engine even though his fellow shifter’s lips were moving.

“Try to take a few deep breaths and slow down a smidge,” Craeg counseled. “Ya canna help yer mate if ya splatter yer insides all over the road.”

Even hearing the wisdom in Craeg’s words, Goeff had a hard time managing it. He did it, though. The fellow shifter’s words were true after all.

Can’t keep my mate safe if I wreck my bike.

Geoff managed to slow down to just about fifteen over the speed limit. He’d been out on a motorcycle ride with his friends to keep busy while Warner was back at work for the first time since they’d bonded. With their bond so new, Geoff had already intended to stop in at the winery for lunch, so they weren’t that far away, but he knew it would still take them a good twenty minutes to get there.

Country roads were windy, after all.

Taking deep breaths, Geoff focused on the fresh country air. He kept how protective Marion seemed to be to her employees in the forefront of his mind. Not only had the woman insisted on taking Warner to the doctor several days before, but she’d sent that other asshole patron packing.

She’s a good boss. She’ll keep an eye on Warner until I can get there.

“Grisham’s meeting us there.” Kayson’s words cut into Geoff’s thoughts. “He hasn’t been able to catch Walter at home, yet, to serve him, so if we can keep him there, it sure would help him out.”

Detective Grisham Canton had taken Warner’s statement the morning after they’d bonded. He had the hospital records, as well as pictures of Walter’s abuse. The detective used his pull to push through a restraining order on Walter, but he evidently hadn’t been able to serve it.

“Keep Walter there?” Geoff smirked. “Yeah, I can do that.”

“Without getting yourself tossed in jail, Geoff,” Craeg reminded him with a scoff. “Keep your temper in check, man. Ya don’t wanta cause problems with yer mate’s case by bein’ an arse.”

“Right,” Geoff muttered.

As much as Geoff wished he could utilize shifter justice—an attack on a mate often cost the attacker his life—Geoff had to follow his alpha and beta’s orders.

Human justice first.

Reaching the winery, Geoff turned into the parking lot. He’d barely pushed his kickstand down and tugged his helmet off when he spotted Grisham’s cruiser arriving. Hanging his helmet on his handlebar, Geoff hurried toward the winery.

Geoff noticed Craeg and Kayson falling into step at his sides even as he practically jogged to the front door. Kayson reached past him and opened it. He hurried through, and recalling the layout, he immediately spotted the heated altercation at the bar.

Seeing Warner’s pale features and the way he hunched his shoulders nearly caused Geoff to see red. Fortunately, he also noticed Marion standing at the bar at his side. The older woman had her hands on her hips, and she scowled at Walter, who stood on Geoff’s side of the bar.

Deciding to feign ignorance, Geoff strolled toward the bar. He even managed a smile. Although he knew it was strained and didn’t reach his eyes.

When Warner spotted him, his mate’s eyes widened, and his look of relief and pleasure caused a rush of pleasure and satisfaction to flow through Geoff.

Seeing that, his smile became more than genuine.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Geoff greeted, ignoring the others. “How’s training going?” Keeping his focus on his lover, he indicated his buddies and stated, “We thought we’d drop by for lunch. Still a few things on the winery’s menu that we want to try.” Geoff even winked and added, “And if you have a break coming up, I hope you can sit with us for a minute or two.”

“Oh, um—” Warner obviously had no idea how to respond.

“That sounds like a lovely idea,” Marion stated with a smile. While she scented of surprise, the woman was damn perceptive. Touching Warner’s upper arm, she ordered, “Show your friends to the patio. After taking their orders, you can join them for your break.”

Obviously, Marion wanted to get Warner away from his father, too.

Warner began obeying, heading toward the end of the bar that was closer to Geoff.

“Wait just a damn minute, boy,” Walter barked. He even tried to push past Geoff, but Kayson stepped in his way. After curling his lip and glaring at Kayson, Walter refocused on Warner. “I wanna—”

“Excuse me, Mister Walter O’Brian?” Grisham’s voice rang out through the room. “I’m going to need a few minutes of your time.”

Walter spun around and scowled at the detective. “What the hell do you want?”

Taking the opportunity—otherwise, Geoff feared he would be tempted to beat Walter’s ass, and he didn’t want Warner to think he was that kind of guy—Geoff followed his mate out the door to the patio. He rested his hand on his mate’s back and pecked a kiss to the side of his neck. Immediately, Geoff noticed the acrid scent of fear ease from Warner’s scent, and the tension in his mate’s body lessened. His sweet human even flashed a smile over his shoulder at him.

Geoff smiled back. Tension he hadn’t even realized he’d been carrying oozed out of him. With his mate within touching distance, safe and sound, Geoff felt a rush of something he hadn’t felt in a long, long time.

With his pod-members with him, having his back, and his mate at his side, Geoff realized exactly what that was.

Contentment.

Grinning, Geoff looked forward to enjoying that feeling for many, many years to come.