Chester's eyes grew distant and when they refocused, he said, "Silas knows and the teams are converging here. Let's get in there."
They crawled through the small opening, and after a few feet, it opened up into a large cavern. In the middle, a fire burned and Elliot stood, smiling at them.
"Thank god you're here."
"Elliot. How is everyone?" Chester asked as his eyes scanned the children.
"Three injured. Fortunately, nothing too serious. It looked worse than it was. Cuts and bruises. Nikita has a badly sprained ankle."
"What happened?" Tank asked.
Elliot glared at two boys, who looked sheepish sat in the corner. "Want to explain it?" he asked them. Both shook their heads. "Those two decided to go exploring on their own."
"Enough said," Chester muttered, shaking his head. Boys will be boys and it was always worse when they thought they were invincible. "Okay. The weather's bad so we're stuck here for now. The other teams are on their way over. We'll have enough supplies to keep us going until the weather breaks and we can leave. Dr. Conway is on hand and he'll assess everyone when we get back. We have snacks and water, Elliot. Pass them around the kids."
Tank opened his pack and pulled out what was needed, then sat on the ground, Dodge curling up next to him. Now, they just had to wait for the weather and he would get the chance to talk to his mate.
Niles watched Silas walk over to him, a smile on his face. "They've found them, Niles."
Niles released the pent-up breath he'd been holding. "Thank god for that. Injuries?"
"Nothing too serious, thankfully. Cuts and bruises and a sprained ankle. Could have been so much worse considering the weather."
"They were very lucky," Niles agreed. He'd been to these types of situations before and had seen the death and destruction left behind. "Tank?"
"He's fine, Niles. In the cave now feeding the kids. Dodge is being spoiled too."
Niles gave a sigh of relief. As the weather worsened, his worry for Tank had increased. He'd fought the urge to go out and find his mate, to make sure he was safe. He knew it was his job and that he'd trained for it, but he was still his mate, and Niles couldn’t help but worry about him.
Silas echoed his thoughts. "It's difficult to let them go into these situations. I fight it every time Chester is out in the field. I know he's trained for them, trained extensively, and knows exactly what he's doing, but he's still my mate."
Niles nodded, admitting, "I'm struggling."
"I didn't give Chester an easy time, but he stuck it out. Tank's struggling too."
Niles nodded. "I know it threw him having a male mate. We've all experimented in college, but that's different to realizing that your future is tied to someone you would have never considered."
"Chester was a surprise for me too. I was married." Silas sighed. "It didn't end well." Niles nodded. He'd heard about Silas' wife and what she'd done. "Chester's arrival was a complication I wasn't willing to accept, but he stayed around. He grew on me, a bit like mold." Silas grinned.
"And now Troy's mated."
Silas frowned then chuckled. "He's happy, and that's all I want for my son. Ale however..."
"Still not in your good books."
"He hurt my son and even though I know they're both happy, it's hard to let go of the anger. Troy thinks I'm nuts and should move on. In a way, I have, and over time I'll forget about how they mated and the months following, but for now, I'm enjoying making Ale squirm." Silas shot Niles an evil grin.
Niles chuckled softly. "How long are you going to keep it up for?"
Silas shrugged. "I'll give it a good ten years."
Niles laughed outright at that comment. "That's evil."
Laughing, Silas slapped Niles on the back. "Yeah, it is."
Niles shook his head. "I'm going to ask Tank out for a meal tonight and try to move things forward."
Silas nodded. "Good idea. Get him used to seeing you in different settings. Your house?"
"I think so. I'll cook and we'll see how it goes."
"Good luck." Silas straightened, glancing up at the sky. "The weather’s clearing now and they're on their way back. Let's get ready so you can treat the kids."
Niles spoke with the paramedics and double checked they had everything. Time seemed to drag while he was waiting and by the time Tank finally appeared, Niles' was buzzing with anticipation and nerves. Tank was a mess, his clothes covered in mud, and while he looked tired, he was happy.
Tank gave him a small smile, acknowledging his presence, which Niles returned. However, catching up would have to wait until later as he was too busy checking the children over and making sure there were no other injuries. The only one that required treatment was the badly sprained ankle. The rest were free to go after Sheriff Bailey had spoken to them.
Niles watched the looks on the two boys as Silas talked and he knew they wouldn't be making the same mistake anytime soon. He hid his own grin when they walked past him towards their parents and he had to turn away when he heard their parents muttering angrily to them.
He was packing his equipment away when he felt Tank approach. Smiling, Niles said, "That went well."
"Yeah, it did. Could have been worse."
"Those two boys won't mess about in the future."
Tank grunted. "Stupid kids."
"Are you free tonight?" Niles asked as he continued to pack. "You can come over to mine and I'll cook for us. I think we could both do with something after today, don't you?" He glanced up at Tank, catching him biting his lip.
"I'm not sure."
"Why? We went out for lunch, so why don't you come over. I'll make sure I have plenty of cold beer in for you. Come over and relax. Today's been a long, cold, and miserable day."
He waited for Tank to answer and felt his heart drop the longer it took.
"Okay. What time?"
Smiling, Niles said, "Seven okay for you?"
Tank nodded. "I'll see you them. I've got to go and check on Dodge."
He watched him for a minute and when it became obvious he wasn't returning, Niles sighed and got into his car. At least he'd agreed to come over that night, that was progress. Starting his car, he drove away, leaving his mate behind.
Chapter Three
They were finally making progress, and Niles couldn't be happier. After waiting for over a year, Niles may soon have the chance to touch his mate. That kiss they'd shared hadn't been nearly enough. He wanted more, needed more.
He stood in the kitchen cooking, a Welsh dish from his grandparents, when the doorbell rang.
Glancing at the clock, he realized it was almost seven and with a smile on his face, and shouted, "In the kitchen."
He heard the footsteps along the hallway and turned as they approached the kitchen door. Niles' eyebrows arched up in surprise when he saw who had walked in. "Max. I wasn't expecting you."
Max shrugged, given him a warm smile. "How are you doing, Niles? I heard you had volunteered to look after those children, you know, the ones that were missing. How did that go?"
"They were very lucky. Fortunately, they sustained only minor injuries. Elliott, the man in charge, did an excellent job of finding shelter and taking care of them."
"Minor injuries? Yes, they were lucky then." Max stared at him intently with a look that Niles couldn't decipher. "So, you're off now for two days, aren't you?"
Niles nodded, going back to the stove and stirring the stew he'd prepared. "Yes. I'll be glad to have a couple of days off. I need a break. Fingers crossed we'll have no emergencies that I need to go in for."
"Yes, you've put in a lot of hours recently, haven't you? If anyone deserves a break from work, it's you."
Max walked over to where Niles stood, leaning his side against the counter and watching him stir the food. "Looks nice."
"A dish my grandparents loved. Cawl, it's called. A Welsh stew."
"I didn't know you were Welsh."
"Born and bred in the good old US, but my family
can trace their lines back to Wales for several generations and made sure I learned all about my ancestry."
"So, are you free tomorrow?"
Niles paused stirring the stew and glanced over at him. Max couldn't be asking him out on a date, could he? They were just work colleagues, and friends. Niles shrugged. "Yeah, I'm free if you want to do something in the afternoon."
Max stepped closer, causing Niles to frown. What was he playing at? Niles stepped back, raising a hand between them. Just as he was about to speak, Max swooped in, grabbing the front of Niles' T-shirt and pulling him close.
"Niles," he whispered, just before his lips touched his.
Niles jerked back in surprise, his lips parting involuntarily on a gasp which Max took full advantage off. He angled his head pressing closer to Niles and pushed his tongue into Niles' mouth. Niles' stomach rolled, and he gagged, pushing Max away. Max wasn't his mate and his body wanted nothing to do with him.
Suddenly Max was gone, and Niles stumbled back in surprise, his hand automatically reaching up to wipe his lips. He could feel anger vibrating in the air around him, it was so strong he could almost reach out and touch it, and he raised his eyes to the man standing over the prone body of Max.
Targon stood, his hands clenched in fury, his body vibrating with anger as he growled down at Max on the floor.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing? Get the fuck out of here!"
Max's eyes bounced from Targon to Niles, his mouth opening and closing several times, before he asked, "Who the fuck is this, Niles?"
Targon smacked his chest. "Who am I? Who the fuck are you?" Pointing at Niles, he screamed, "He’s mine. Now fuck off."
Slowly, raising a hand, Niles approached Tank. "Er, Targon, it's not what you—”
Tank glared at Niles, and Niles could see him work his jaw from side to side. "He had his tongue down your throat. That’s some fucked up resuscitation, mate."
"Mate?" Max glared at Niles. "You never told me—”
Tank smacked his chest again. "He's mine! Get the fuck out of here before I throw you out."
Tank reach down, hauling Max up off the floor, barely giving him a chance to get his feet under him as he dragged him from the kitchen and down the hallway. Niles could hear Max shouting as he was dragged along, and when the door slammed shut, Niles winced.
He heard heavy footsteps approach and when Tank walked around the corner, Niles immediately attempted to diffuse the situation.
"Look, Targon, it wasn't what you think."
Tank tilted his head to the side, his eyes never leaving Niles. "Explain it me. Tell me what it was then? Because from where I was stood it looked like he had his hands all over you and his tongue down your throat." Leaning back against the wall, Tank crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow at Niles. "Go on then, tell me how wrong I am. Tell me how I didn't see what I saw."
"Targon—”
"Mine," Targon muttered.
Niles nodded, swallowing compulsively. "Yours," he whispered. "Only yours."
Tank suddenly pushed away from the wall and stormed over to Niles, grabbing him and slamming back against the counter, causing Niles to grunt in surprise. "Mine," he growled.
Niles never had a chance to respond before Tank slammed their mouths together. Tank's tongue licked across his lips then pushed against Niles’ mouth, and he opened it readily, wanting to taste his mate. Tank’s fingers threaded through Niles' hair, gripping the strands and tilting his head to the side, so he could deepen the kiss. Niles moaned, loving the way his mate dominated him, loving the taste of him in his mouth and the feel of his hands on his body.
Their tongues tangled together, sliding past each other and tasting each other. He jerked when he heard his shirt rip open, the buttons scattering everywhere as Tank ripped it from his body. Within seconds, his pants were pushed down, his cock bouncing off his abs and leaving a sticky trail behind. He was spun around and pushed over the counter, his skin pebbling where it made contact with the smooth, cold surface.
Niles moaned, as Tank's tongue traced a line down his back. He heard a crinkling sound as Tank kissed his back and then he felt two wet fingers brush his hole. He wanted it desperately, wanted to feel his mate take him and own his body. He groaned loudly when the tip of the finger pushed in. "I can take more," he mumbled.
The finger pushed all the way in, moving rapidly in and out of his hole, and within seconds, a second finger pushed in. Niles hissed against the burn but didn't tell Tank to stop. He wanted this. No, he needed this. He needed to feel his mate inside his body, needed to be Tank’s.
Suddenly, those two fingers disappeared, and Niles was left empty, bereft, needing his mate to complete him.
He felt the head of Tank's dick brush across his sensitive hole and he bit his lip when Tank pushed in, groaning against the burn. Tank was wider than the two fingers he'd used and it had been a while for Niles. His last time had been before he'd met his mate. Once he'd met Tank, there’d been no one else for him.
Tank pushed until he was fully in, and then paused, his hands gripping Niles' hips. Niles shuddered, stretched wide open and panting harshly, sweat breaking out over his skin.
Then Tank began to move, in and out, hard and fast, so all Niles could do was hang on as Tank pounded his ass. He rode the waves of ecstasy that rushed through his body, leaving him a mere puddle of desire desperate to feel everything his mate was giving him. Tank’s hand slid up the damp skin of Niles' back and latched onto the back of his neck, holding him down as he continued to thrust into him. He grunted with every pounding thrust and Niles let go, letting Tank own him completely. There was only one thing he wanted, one thing he needed desperately.
"Please, let me see you," Niles begged.
His hands scrambled across the slippery surface, trying to hold on to something, anything, waiting for Tank to respond. Tank’s hands moved from his hip and neck, and he suddenly pulled out and spun Niles around.
Niles leaned back against the counter, lifting his legs and wrapping them around Tank's waist. Tank gripped his dick, and after a couple of fumbled attempts, he pushed it back into Niles' ass.
Niles cried out, his hands gripping the front of Tank’s T-shirt. "Targon," he groaned. Tank pulled him close, bringing their mouths together, and Niles opened willingly to Tank’s seeking tongue.
Tank was everywhere. He was every breath he took, every move he made. He was surrounded by him and Niles let go of all reason and simply felt. Tank had complete control over him and Niles revelled in every second.
The kissing paused, and as Niles opened his eyes staring up at Tank, he saw the second he realized what he was doing.
Pulling him closer, he whispered, "Don't. Just go with it."
He brought Tank’s mouth back to his, and licked across his lips, then pushed his tongue in between them. Tank was slow to react at first but quickly caught up, groaning as he kissed him passionately, all wet and wild. Tank's hands touched everywhere, sliding across his skin, pulling on his flesh, gripping him tight, and Niles loved it. He was moaning constantly, his fingers flexing in Tank’s T-shirt and he tried to pull him closer, needing more.
His balls tightened, pulling up, and the telltale tingle started. Niles broke the kiss and lunged forward, biting Tank in the neck, his teeth sliding through the flesh and sinking in deep. Tank's blood flowed across his tongue, and Niles moaned, his body shaking as his orgasm spiraled through him.
Tanks stuttered then cried out and Niles could feel him coming, his dick twitching in his ass.
Suddenly, the bond snapped into place, overwhelming Niles with Tank’s emotions. They crashed over Niles, and he felt everything Tank did. Tank in the throes of his orgasm, the satisfaction and pleasure it brought him, and then chasing behind those emotions, came shock and fear.
Niles sealed the bite and dropped his head back against the wall behind the counter, watching the emotions rush over Tank’s face.
"Targon..." He trailed off, not knowin
g what to say.
"Shit." Tank let go of Niles, bringing his hands up to his face and covering it with them.
"It's okay."
Tank suddenly dropped his hands and stared open-mouthed at Niles. "No, it isn’t okay."
Tank pulled away causing Niles to wince as his dick left his ass and he watched Tank straighten his clothing, pushing his dick back in his jeans and fastening them up.
"Targon, let's talk about this."
Tank was rapidly shaking his head, the fear etched on his face. "No! Fuck, no."
"We're mates, Targon." Niles spoke as he pulled his pants up. "I couldn't stop—"
"Stop fucking talking!" Tank tugged at his hair. "Shit, I need to think. I can't do this right now."
"Let me help, please. Let's talk about this."
Tank started pacing the kitchen floor, his hands tugging at the strands of hair, and Niles moved forward, reaching towards Tank to try to calm him down.
Tank suddenly stopped pacing and glared at him. "Why did you bite me?"
Niles gaped at him. "Seriously? You're my mate! I've been waiting months for you. And you came to me, remember?"
Tank paled, swallowing hard. "I've gotta go," he muttered, and without a backward glance, left the kitchen.
"Targon, wait," Niles shouted.
Tank continued to walk away, Niles following him, calling his name. When Niles reached the front door, he had enough time to see Tank jump into his truck and drive off, leaving him standing there, alone. Niles waited until the taillights disappeared before slowly stepping back into his house and closing the door behind him.
At the kitchen table, Niles collapsed into a chair, his forehead resting on the table. “Shit.”
Chapter Four
"Fuck!"
What had he done? What the fuck had he done? He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't ready to be mated to anyone, let alone a man. He didn't know what to think. Thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind and Tank was chasing them, lost and confused, scared shitless. He didn't know what to do, he’d simply panicked once sanity had returned and just freaked the fuck out and ran.
Rescue Inc Collection Vol 3 Page 13
