by Lynn Hagen
Chapter Five
Miller pointed toward the ceiling when they walked through the kitchen archway. Payton stopped and looked upward before he felt his cheeks catch fire. He hadn’t even realized his mother had hung one of those.
“Mistletoe,” Miller said. “You know what that means.” He held his hands up, palms out. “Hey, I don’t make the rules, but we have to follow them.”
Payton saw right past his bullshit, but who was he to not honor the tradition? Besides, he was dying to kiss Miller again. The kiss they’d shared at his side door earlier hadn’t been long enough. But Miller had been right. He’d given something for Payton to think about all day, and now Payton was dying to pick up where they’d left off.
“Well, I mean, we can’t break the Christmas law.” Payton bit his lower lip. “I still can’t believe my mom did this.”
“No, I guess we can’t, or we’ll be hardened criminals, forever fated to be on Santa’s naughty list.”
“God forbid.” Payton liked the teasing, the hunger in Miller’s eyes, and the way he moved even closer, as if waiting for Payton’s permission. And Miller had it, in spades. “Kiss me.”
Miller glided his strong hands over Payton’s sides and moved them around until he cupped Payton’s ass. He pulled Payton close, and their cocks nearly aligned as Miller lowered his head and kissed along Payton’s jaw.
“What about my lips?” Payton pressed his hands against Miller’s chest but didn’t take the first step. In truth, this was what Payton craved. The closeness, the touching, kissing, and what was certain to come next. He needed to lose himself in something other than his thoughts, in something other than his screwed-up family and the holidays.
In something other than the thought that, if they had sex, Miller would see the scars left behind from those bullets that had torn through Payton’s body, leaving him bloody on Pyke’s floor, where Payton thought for sure he was dead.
He quickly pushed those thoughts away but wasn’t foolish enough to think that Miller would really stick around. No one in their right mind would. Payton’s dad had embarrassed them both, and Payton suspected the only reason Miller was still there was to get laid.
Payton should be offended, but he wasn’t. Why not enjoy the guy’s amazing body before Miller kicked him to the curb?
And why the fuck did that thought depress the hell out of him?
He moaned as he let his head fall to the side, Miller kissing and licking at his jaw. His lips glided along Payton’s neck as his hands kneaded Payton’s ass.
“I’m saving the best for last.”
Miller slid his hand down the front of Payton’s jeans. He curled it around Payton’s cock and ran it up and down Payton’s hard length, making Payton hiss as he punched his hips forward, fucking Miller’s hand while wishing they were both naked.
Miller took his lips in a kiss that made Payton’s toes curl. He moved until he had Payton against the wall, their tongues tangling, Miller’s hand working magic on Payton’s dick, his other hand slowly sliding toward Payton’s aching hole.
“Never wanted someone so badly in my life,” Miller confessed against Payton’s lips.
“Bet you say that to all the guys you’ve seduced.”
Miller pulled back and stared deep into Payton’s eyes. “I’m not playing any games, Apple Pie.”
Miller sounded so damn serious that, for a moment, Payton actually believed him. But guys said whatever they had to in order to get laid, and Miller was no exception. Payton would play along, only because he wanted this as badly as Miller did.
“Then take me to bed, handsome. Your apple pie is hungry for you.”
Miller’s nostrils flared as he picked Payton up and carried him down the hall, Payton throwing his head back and laughing.
“Shit, which room is your bedroom?” Miller looked around then headed for the bathroom.
Payton shook his head. “Last door on the right.”
Miller walked through the door and dropped Payton onto the bed, crawling in next to him and kissing along Payton’s jaw. The guy said something about them needing to talk first, but Payton was so damn horny that all he heard was, “Yada, yada, yada.”
Payton flipped to his hands and knees and crawled toward Miller. “Fuck me.”
When Miller scooted back, Payton feared the guy had changed his mind.
He carded his hand through his short dark hair and said, “We really do need to talk.”
Fuck talking. The only noises Payton wanted to hear were deep moans and skin slapping. He couldn’t get his brain to concentrate on anything else.
Payton dipped his head into Miller’s lap and mouthed the outline of the man’s rigid cock. “Let me suck you.”
Miller was off the bed, practically ripping his clothes off. Payton followed suit, forgetting what Miller had said seconds before. He stroked himself as he watched his soon-to-be lover remove his final piece of clothing, and damn if every inch Miller revealed wasn’t magnificent.
Ripped muscles flexed with every move. His biceps were the size of grapefruits, and his tanned skin made Payton’s body pulse harder with need.
“Now what was that you wanted to do to me?”
Miller dipped his head and ran his tongue under Payton’s ear, making Payton shiver where he stood. The musky and masculine scent of Miller filled Payton’s lungs and left him panting for more.
“I want to suck you off.”
Miller gave a deep chuckle that only succeeded in unraveling Payton a bit more. “Now that sounds like a plan I can live with.”
Miller moved Payton’s hand to his groin as he kissed Payton’s neck. The man was fully erect, his cock throbbing.
Unable to stop himself, Payton palmed the hot flesh in his hand.
“I want to fuck your mouth,” Miller said as he nuzzled Payton’s neck. “I want to see those pretty lips open, watch my cock sink into your mouth.”
A shot of lust coursed through Payton as he lowered himself to his knees. Payton swallowed the head of Miller’s erection and then licked the underside, sucked, and moaned around the taste of pre-cum that had spilled from the tiny slit at the tip.
“God, yes,” Miller said with a hiss of brutal pleasure. “Deeper, Pie.”
Payton took Miller deeper, flattening his tongue as he slid the cock to the back of his mouth and then took the heated flesh down his throat. Payton eagerly licked at the erection as he moved his head back and let Miller’s shaft slip from his throat. He palmed Miller’s balls before moving his head forward again.
Miller’s legs trembled slightly as Payton watched the wildfire in the man’s eyes. Payton saw the lust that filled them as he fought to please the guy.
Miller placed his hands on Payton’s head, holding him still before he punched his hips back and forth. Payton rolled Miller’s balls in his hand as Miller began to move in a series of hard strokes.
Then, to Payton’s surprise, Miller jerked his cock free, closed his eyes, and took a steady breath. “Not like this. Not for our first time. When I come, I want it to be in your ass.”
Payton’s heart kicked up a notch. He pushed to his feet and slipped onto the bed and then rolled to his back and spread his legs. He writhed on the cover as he tried to bring himself off, but no matter how fast he moved his hand, his orgasm was just out of reach.
“Fuck!” Payton pounded the bed with his fist. “Do something already! I can’t take this.”
He’d worked himself into a frenzy with Miller’s dick in his mouth, and now he wanted relief in the worst way.
“Slow down, babe.” Miller settled between his legs.
Payton was so out of it with lust that he hadn’t even thought about a condom and lube, and he couldn’t have cared less about either right now. He hooked his hands behind his knees and pulled his legs back, exposing himself to Miller.
Miller licked his full lips. “Damn.”
“Don’t just stare,” Payton whined. His cock throbbed as if he’d already climaxed, but only pre-
cum had escaped.
“You need to learn some serious patience.” Miller winked. “I’m not about to rush this. I want to enjoy every second with you.”
Before I ditch you. The guy hadn’t said those words, but Payton read between the lines. He knew he was being too needy, too demanding, and wanted to punch Miller for not pouncing on him.
Foreplay was overrated, anyway. Payton wanted to get down to the hard and dirty, though he did get a thrill out of kissing Miller.
Miller ghosted his lips over Payton’s chest, stopping to tease one hard nub. He used his teeth and tongue, making Payton squirm under the assault. Okay, so maybe foreplay was fun, and exciting, but Payton still wanted to get fucked hard and fast, and now.
“You make me want to wrap you up as a present to give to myself,” Miller murmured against his skin. “You’re a sweet, unexpected gift, Apple Pie.”
Payton had to give it to the guy. Miller had game. He at least knew how to sweet-talk during sex, scoring brownie points with Payton.
“Just as long as you don’t throw me in a box and stuff me under the tree.”
Miller chuckled. “Don’t tempt me. I would love to unwrap you on Christmas morning, but I would prefer to do that in bed with you writhing under me.”
“In me, now.” Payton bit his lip and arched his back, gasping as Miller’s thick girth filled him, stretching him wide as he pushed deeper. Payton grabbed his sac and pulled it back, moaning at the pain, groaning at the pleasure that assailed him.
The fire licked its way through Payton, expanding inside him until he thought he’d go up in flames. He didn’t care that they’d just met yesterday. Payton didn’t care that Miller wouldn’t stick around.
Right now nothing mattered but what was happening that very second. Later, maybe later, Payton would regret giving in so easily, giving Miller what he wanted so the guy could go on his way.
But Payton had to be honest with himself. His parents were nightmares, and his life had been crap. The only bright side had been Sherman, who had kept him sane all these years, but not even his cousin could wipe away the loneliness that often plagued him.
The attention Miller was giving him made Payton feel…special. How long it would last, Payton had no clue, but for now, he would lose himself in the moment and care about life later.
You really are out of your mind with lust.
Those thoughts fled as Miller thrust deep into his ass, making Payton cry out. He released his legs and wound them around Miller’s waist, grabbing at the man’s biceps to pull him closer. Their faces were inches apart as Payton lifted his ass, helping Miller to drive deeper inside him.
Payton dug his nails into Miller’s shoulders, holding on for dear life.
And then Miller slowed his strokes, cupping Payton’s face as he smiled at him. “You like the attention I’m giving you,” Miller teased.
“Yeah, I do,” Payton said with a bit of laughter in his tone. “Is there anything wrong with that?”
“Nope, but let me show you how I can lavish you with attention.” Miller dipped his head and nipped Payton’s jaw.
Payton squeaked and then felt his face flush with embarrassment as Miller laughed. Even though Payton was blushing from his outburst, he felt the stroke of the man’s laughter deep inside of him where no one had reached in a very long time. To feel Miller’s delight at just being with Payton made him feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, and saddened that Miller would dump him after this.
There was no other reason for Miller to stick around.
Miller gave a throaty growl, which only made Payton’s cock throb. The noise was too damn sexy.
“I love how you blush.”
“Stop making fun of me.” Payton pressed his ass harder into Miller’s groin, telling the man without words to start fucking again and stop talking.
“I would never laugh at your expense.” Miller kissed Payton along his shoulder as he started thrusting again. Miller’s deep moan was music to Payton’s ears. Miller smiled then nuzzled at Payton’s throat before kissing another trail down the curve of Payton’s shoulder.
This guy was too good to be true, and damn if Payton didn’t wish the guy would stick around. He could see himself falling for someone like Miller. The guy was attentive and engaged in what they were doing, making Payton feel as though he were the most important man in the world to Miller.
Payton moaned as the long thick cock that seemed to fill him so perfectly brushed across his prostate with every thrust of Miller’s hips. He groaned as Miller’s angle altered and his sweet spot was struck again and again.
“Close,” Payton panted as he licked his lips. “So fucking close.”
“Right there with you, Apple Pie.”
The endearment was growing on Payton. At least Miller wasn’t calling him Red. God, Payton really hated that nickname.
Then Miller did something unexpected. He sank sharp teeth into Payton’s shoulder, making Payton cry out. He was too stunned to ask what in the hell Miller thought he was doing. Had the guy really bitten him?
When words started to form in his throat, Payton was swept away by some unseen force that made him feel as if he and Miller had become one. His heart thundered, and he’d never, ever felt this close to anyone, and he wasn’t talking about proximity.
It was as if he’d known Miller his entire life. Payton had felt that strange sensation before, but now it was amplified.
Miller extracted his teeth, and Payton gasped at the two long, thick canines with tinges of blood on them.
“What are you?” Payton’s fingernails dug even deeper into Miller’s shoulders.
“I’ll explain everything later.”
Payton’s lover thrust harder and deeper, making Payton forget everything. Miller gripped Payton’s cock and jerked it to his rhythm, sending Payton high into the clouds, where he exploded like fireworks.
He cried out again, bucking his hips as he came, his seed spurting onto Miller’s chest as Miller punched his hips, buried himself, and roared his release.
He rested his forehead on Payton’s chest, gasping for breath, Payton just as needy for oxygen. He lay there staring at the ceiling, wondering what in the hell was going on.
Had he really seen canines? Had he really felt a deep connection to Miller?
With a hiss, Miller eased out of Payton’s ass and then rolled to his side, pulling Payton close. “I told you we needed to talk.”
Miller kissed Payton’s bare shoulder before nuzzling him. “You’re my mate, and I’m a jaguar shifter. We just soldered our souls together.”
Payton blinked several times before he burst out laughing, Miller’s story so farfetched that it couldn’t be taken seriously.
Miller pulled back, one brow arched. “You don’t believe me?”
“Hon, if you’re a biter, just admit it. You don’t have to give me an outlandish story.”
“Fine.” Miller released Payton and got up from the bed. “I can prove it.”
This ought to be good. Payton didn’t mind a little crazy with his sex, but what Miller was claiming was downright insane. “Okay, prove it.”
In a way, Payton was relieved. If Miller were this loony, then it would be a lot easier to say goodbye. Payton had enough craziness in his life and didn’t need another person off his rocker.
His parents gave him enough of that.
One second Miller stood by the bed, and the next, a fully grown jaguar hopped onto the mattress. Payton opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Oh fuck! Maybe he’d left the diner, and instead of Miller following him home, Payton had frozen to death in his car.
That had to be what was going on. None of this was real. Miller was just some strange dream in the afterlife.
The jaguar rested on the mattress, staring at Payton. Then it licked its paw.
Payton stared for a few more moments before his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he passed out.
Chapter Six
“Hey.” Payton groaned
as someone clapped their hands close to his ear. “Earth to Payton. Wake up.”
His eyebrows drawn, Payton opened his eyes to find his cousin hovering over him, their noses so close that he could smell peppermint on Sherman’s breath.
Payton yelped and jerked upward, at the same time shoving at Sherman’s face. “Dude, what the hell?”
“I came over to see you, and your new boyfriend showed me to your room. He’s in the kitchen making coffee.” Sherman lowered his voice. “Damn, man. Did you have to hook up with someone so fucking gorgeous? I almost forgot how to speak when he answered the door.”
Miller.
Payton’s memories came flooding back. Had he dreamed that? Had Miller really shifted into an animal? And why the fuck had Miller left Payton on the bed passed out while he strolled to the kitchen to make coffee?
“Got something for you.” Sherman reached into his jacket and pulled out a handful of candy canes. “I might have eaten one or two, but I figured they might cheer you up. But I see my efforts were for nothing since you decorated. I’m surprised you went all out.”
Payton rubbed his temples. “I didn’t. My mom broke in and did all that.”
Sherman chuckled. “That sounds like her. Was it a bribe to try and get you to come home for Christmas?”
“You know her too well.” Payton looked down at his lap. He had a blanket over him, but he was dressed. At least in his T-shirt and boxers. How out of it had he been?
“Thanks.” Payton took the candy canes and set them on his nightstand as the strong scent of brewing coffee filled his room. “Please tell me you didn’t come over”—Payton looked at his clock on the nightstand—“just to give me those. It’s almost midnight.”
How long had he been passed out?
Sherman dropped onto Payton’s bed and lay on his back. “Well, had I known you were entertaining a god, I wouldn’t have disturbed you.” He grinned. “You lucky bastard. How is it that I treat men like royalty and they screw me over, and you treat men like shit and they line up at your front door? I just don’t get it. Do guys like being treated like dirt?”
