by Z. Allora
Wide-eyed and openmouthed, Jasper stared at him.
Kai ran his fingers across his stomach and held the stickiness up to Jasper’s lips.
Jasper sucked Kai’s fingers clean. “Ambrosia.”
He swept his fingers over his body and savored all the essence, the perfect flavor exploding in his mouth. Looking at Jasper, he was complete. Without questioning further, he laid his head on Jasper’s broad shoulder and rested.
The absolute wonder and joy of the afternoon prevented Jasper from joining Kai in a nap. From the moment he met Kai, Jasper had dared not hope they were mates. But each day that their friendship grew, the more intense the yearning to bond with him became. The tragedies of his past had prevented him from believing in happily ever after. He had only been brave enough to hope for mere moments of contentment.
In his arms, Jasper held everything he’d never expected to have. Kai had come to accept much about himself in the past weeks, but Jasper wasn’t sure whether Kai could accept a male mate so soon after coming to terms with his sexuality. He wouldn’t push him—though the consequences would be dire for both of them if Kai didn’t.
Kai murmured in his sleep and the thrust of his arousal into Jasper’s thigh made Jasper decide to embrace the now.
Jasper would allow himself this one truly happy moment to continue a little longer.
He was fascinated by Kai’s REM. He’d never watched someone sleep, but the trembling of Kai’s eyelids made him wonder what he dreamed about.
Suddenly Kai’s eyes popped open. He blinked once, twice, and finally stared at Jasper. “Hey.”
“What were you dreaming of?”
Kai turned away, but Jasper didn’t miss the pink that rose to his cheeks.
He stroked a finger down Kai’s smooth face. “You can tell me.”
Pursing his lips almost into a smirk, Kai said, “A blowjob.”
Unexpected, but he’d go with it. “Oh… would you like one of those?”
A strangled sound came out of Kai’s mouth, along with a broken “Yes.”
Jasper confessed, “I want to make all your dreams come true.” Was that admission too much pressure?
Opening his mouth, Kai seemed to want to say something, but nothing came out.
Probably because Jasper inhaled his cock.
Kai gave a strangled groan, and threaded his fingers through Jasper’s hair.
He could do this. Over the years, he’d stumbled across enough zombies engaged in oral sex to figure things out. Jasper circled his lips and pushed down farther on Kai.
Kai rolled his head from side to side.
Jasper tried to take Kai’s length more but struck the back of his throat. Argh! Too far! He wrapped a hand around Kai’s cock and backed off, coughing.
Thankfully, Kai didn’t even notice. He appeared too far-gone to think beyond his impending orgasm.
Jasper combined stroking with sucking. He’d seen Beau do this a couple of times with Lafayette. Kai wasn’t as big as Lafayette, but his length was more than the unskilled could handle.
Kai writhed, whimpered, and warned, “I’m going to come.”
Perhaps Jasper wasn’t completely unskilled. He focused on Kai, adding suction and working his fist quicker.
Kai cried out, “Jaz!”
Sucking in his cheeks a little harder, Jasper picked up the pace of his strokes. Grunts echoed as Kai filled his mouth with essence. Salty, sweet perfection.
The grip on Jasper’s hair tightened as Kai rode out his orally induced orgasm. He collapsed back onto the blanket in a satisfied puddle with a big smile on his face.
Jasper allowed himself the pride that accompanied gratifying his mate. He continued to lick Kai clean, then kissed his thighs.
Mmmm, he inhaled the scent that had driven him crazy each time Kai showered, though he had never imagined how delicious his ejaculate tasted.
Without a clear plan in mind, Jasper wrapped his fist around his erection. He stroked up and down. Pleasure danced through his body, centering on his core. He clenched his toes, trying to hold on to the intensity, but couldn’t. All too soon he chased his own climax.
He came hard. Then he pushed his finger through his cream and held it up for Kai, who couldn’t seem to open his mouth fast enough.
“Mmmmm, Corey’s right—it’s much better from the source.” Kai moaned, smacking his lips together.
Licking his lips, Jasper totally agreed. “Yes.”
Then Kai asked the obvious. “You came?”
Was he disappointed? “Yeah. Why? Did you want me to wait?”
Kai grinned and opened his mouth to respond, but his phone rang. “Sorry, it might be Ulrich.”
Jasper nodded and stood. He pulled on his now-dry-but-stained jeans, sans underwear.
“It’s Beau.” Kai answered his cell on speaker. “Hello.”
“Honey, Ulrich is fine,” Beau began.
“What?”
“Your uncle became abusive with him.” Beau didn’t sugarcoat the truth.
Jasper gripped Kai’s shoulder.
Kai gulped in air, so Jasper asked, “Beau, please confirm Ulrich is okay again.”
Jasper took the phone, allowing Kai two free hands to pull on his clothing. “I need to go to him.”
“Ulrich’s already on a plane and is on his way to the estate,” Beau informed him.
“Good. When will he get here?” Jasper asked, though nothing would relax Kai until he saw Ulrich with his own eyes.
“Checking the flight status,” Beau said as the clacking of a keyboard echoed.
Jasper tried to direct Kai to action. “Kai, do you want to meet them at the airport?”
“Yes.” Kai nodded.
“Kai needs to go to the airport,” Jasper stated to Beau on the phone.
“Can you be ready to go in two hours?” Beau asked.
“Of course,” Jasper confirmed for Kai.
Angered flooded Kai. “What about my uncle?”
“He was taken care of.” Cold steel infused Beau’s voice. “Not permanently, as he deserved, but after he’s out of the hospital, he agreed to take the settlement. He’s already signed the paperwork to have no further contact with either you or Ulrich.”
“And you believe him?”
Beau sighed. “There’s also something on his record that will prevent him from obtaining a passport. We’ll make sure Ulrich is safe. Thankfully, there are things money can buy, and your uncle’s compliance is one of them.”
Kai nodded but otherwise froze.
“Thanks, Beau. We’ll be ready to go in an hour and a half.”
“Great. A car will be waiting.” Beau disconnected the call.
Kai circled the blanket in his bare feet. “Ulrich. My uncle. He hurt him. I shouldn’t have left him.”
Jasper inhaled sharply. “You didn’t have a choice, but Ulrich’s coming here.”
“Yes. Yes.” Kai stared at the ground.
Kneeling, Jasper helped Kai slip into his shoes. “Okay. Let’s get you back home. There’s enough time for a quick shower before you need to go.” Jasper turned to go for the horses.
Kai grabbed his wrist and squeezed. “Thank you. Yes, let’s go home.”
Jasper led him to the horses.
Home. In the last few weeks, the estate had become more of a home than it had ever seemed in the past. Home was no longer to be a place, but where Kai happened to be.
Kai didn’t even have to ask Jasper to drive him to the Charlotte airport; the man understood Kai needed him. They didn’t talk much because worry ate at him. Poor Ulrich!
Jasper was a rock Kai could lean on.
The drive took forever. “Geez, I didn’t think Charlotte was so far away.”
“We’re almost there,” Jasper said, pointing to a green sign with a plane on it.
“It didn’t seem to take forever to get to the estate when we flew in.” He might be incredibly impatient.
“I think right now you just need to see your cousin immedi
ately,” Jasper said as he squeezed Kai’s hand for a moment.
Staring at their interlocked fingers, Kai drew strength from the connection.
Finally they arrived in short-term parking, found a spot, and then walked to the terminal. Jasper guided Kai to the closest point he was allowed to be without a ticket.
“Sir, please step back.” An overly serious security agent told him for the tenth time as if he were a threat to national security. Heavens knew who Kai might hug!
Jasper stopped Kai’s growl with a hand on his shoulder and said to the guard, “Thank you, sir. He’s just eager to see his cousin.”
The guard unfolded his arms and gestured to a spot behind the yellow line. “Well, could you take his excitement over there.”
Argh! That TSA agent made him crazy. Kai couldn’t see far enough down the arrival hall if he didn’t move closer to the rope that blocked nonpassengers from the arriving passengers. It wasn’t like he planned on rushing past the damned boundary.
Kai pointed out the blond head of hair that belonged to Ulrich. “There he is. Oh God.” His heart dropped when he saw the bruise on his cousin’s face.
Jasper clasped a hand around his forearm, stopping him from running forward. His hand tightened and Jasper whispered, “He’s here with you now. We won’t let anyone hurt him again.”
“I never should’ve left him.” Kai shook his head. Guilt pressed down on him.
Jasper sighed. “You didn’t have a choice in the matter.” He rubbed Kai’s arm. “But you’re together again.”
“Kai!” The kid ran toward him and launched himself at Kai, who embraced him, then kissed both of his cheeks. “Kai! I’m in America! Can you believe it?”
“Thank God.” Kai held Ulrich’s face still to survey the damage. “Sore?”
“I’d have taken much worse to come here.” He peeked around Kai’s shoulder at Jasper and gave him a big, friendly smile. “Are you Kai’s Jasper?”
Automatically, Kai tried to say he wasn’t, but choked instead of lying.
Jasper patted Kai on the back. “That’s one way of putting it, so I’ll say yes. It’s an honor to meet you, Ulrich. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
The kid beamed like the sun. He shoulder-bumped Kai and stage-whispered, “He’s very handsome,” then held out his hand to shake Jasper’s.
The hovering “zombie escort” stepped forward and introduced himself to Kai. “Hi, I’m Taylor Dillon.” After they shook hands, the man gave Jasper a manly half hug, smacking him on the back. “You look good, Jaz.”
“You too, Taylor.”
Taylor stared at Jasper, then at Kai long enough to make Ulrich ask, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing yet. Soon, my new friend, soon.” Taylor grinned and slapped Ulrich on the back.
Jasper chuckled and held out his arm to Ulrich. “To baggage.”
Ulrich giggled and linked an arm through Jasper’s.
Kai pressed his lips closed when his cousin asked Jasper, “So, is Kai finally gay?”
Covering his face with one hand, Kai got on the escalator too many steps behind them to hear Jasper’s response.
Taylor, who was two steps behind Kai, said, “He’s a great kid. I spoke with the two guys watching Ulrich. They send their deepest regrets that they didn’t stop your uncle before it happened. But your uncle will never bother either of you again.” Taylor spoke confidently in a way that almost worried Kai. However, the abusive asshole deserved what he got for hurting Ulrich.
Ulrich cried out, “Oh, there’s one of my bags,” and directed Jasper to which bag was his on the belt.
“One of his bags?” How did he have stuff to fill one bag, let alone more? And where did he get such nice suitcases?
Taylor shrugged. “We had time before the plane, so I took him shopping.”
“How much do I owe you?” Kai asked.
Holding out his hands palms-up, Taylor shook his head. “Just take care of Jaz. He’s a good man.”
How did Taylor know? “I hope to.”
Once Ulrich got all his five bags, they trudged to the short-term parking garage and piled into the car. Kai got in the back with Ulrich and two suitcases. Taylor rode shotgun.
“I’m just happy to be here!” Ulrich squealed. He had to be thrilled to be away from his father, and his shiner spoke of just how much.
Ulrich chirped happily about his shopping trip and flying business class. He gave several spoilers about the movies he and Taylor watched on the plane.
Kai hoped he found a better way to break the news that the kid was probably heading to Zombieville. Now he understood the difficulty of explaining reality to a newbie. Ulrich chatted with Jasper and asked all sorts of questions. Kai listened with half an ear. What a day.
“And how long have you been zombie?” Ulrich asked.
“What?” Kai almost shouted.
Ulrich glanced over at Kai like he had sprouted six heads. “Huh? I just asked how long Jasper’s been zombified.”
“That’s a great word.” Taylor chuckled and reached back to fist-bump with Uli.
Struggling for something to say without admitting anything, Kai asked, “Why did you ask that?”
Ulrich’s scrunched-up face called Kai an idiot for asking. He shrugged. “’Cause I’m a zombie. You’re a zombie. Taylor told me about everything on the plane.”
Kai wanted more time to figure out how he could help Ulrich adjust. “Are you okay?”
“Okay? Hell yeah! I’m a zombie! It’s so freaking cool.”
“Cool?” Kai dropped open his mouth and gawked at Jasper in the rearview mirror.
Ulrich rolled his eyes. “Um, yeah.” Major teenage attitude floated in Kai’s general direction, letting him know he’d better get with the zombie celebration program.
“So you’re not upset? Do you have any questions?”
The kid nodded. “Just one.” Ulrich grinned big and winked at Kai. “Are you finally going to admit you’re gay?”
Kai knocked his head against the car seat.
Ulrich giggled. “What?”
His cousin pointed out the car window at a sign: Zombies in Rocky Horror.
Kai gasped. “Oh God, Jasper, your show? I completely forgot!”
“You mean The Rocky Horror Picture Show?” Ulrich demanded to know.
“Beau’s going to stand in for me. I’ll stay with you,” Jasper said with no consideration about the time and effort he’d put into the show.
“No. Go! Do the show. I can get him settled—”
“Settled? What? I’m not eighty… or eight. I’ll drop my bags, and we can all go to the show.”
“No, the doctor will want to see you,” Kai said, rejecting the idea.
“Kai, come on! We wanted to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show when we were home. Now you can take me!”
Yeah, now Kai had the opportunity to do what he wanted. He didn’t have to live by anyone else’s twisted belief system. In that exact moment, the full impact of his new life hit him. Freedom was his… if he wanted it.
“What time does the show start?” Ulrich asked Taylor.
“Midnight. We should get there with three hours to spare.” Taylor peeked in the back to catch Kai’s eye.
The doctor’s visit wouldn’t take over twenty minutes. “We’ll go.”
“Great!” Ulrich monopolized the conversation for the rest of the car ride.
“Here we are,” Jasper pointed out. “We’re home. This is the beginning of the estate grounds.”
“Wow, all this.” Ulrich whistled. “You could grow a lot of vines here.” He laughed and pressed his face to the window.
15
Confirmation
“What’s up, Doc—tor Zombie?” Ulrich did a superior Bugs Bunny impersonation.
Kai’s cousin cracked the doctor and his nurse up. Jasper had rarely seen either smile, let alone belly laugh.
“Well, you’ll begin to transition in a couple years,” Dr. Mayer confirmed.
U
lrich fist-punched the sky and high-fived Robert. “What time is it, Jazzy Jasper?”
Jasper glanced at his watch. “It’s—”
“Zombie time!” the kid shouted and whooped as he did an exam table dance.
“Dear Lord.” Kai shook his head and covered his face.
Jasper restrained a laugh as he rested a comforting hand on Kai’s shoulder. He’d… no, they’d have to keep close tabs on Ulrich, but Jasper looked forward to seeing him grow into a young adult.
Beau stood in the doorway of the exam room and cleared his throat. “We have you rooming with Alex. He’s sweet, quiet, and a little shy.”
“Cool. Alex! Alex!” Ulrich chanted even though he couldn’t have a clue who Alex might be.
That could be an interesting match. Hopefully Ulrich wouldn’t fall under Alex’s spell the way most of the other guys did.
Beau grinned. “Your bags are already in your apartment.”
“An apartment?”
“More like a dorm,” Beau amended, as if he wanted to manage expectations.
“Still! That’s crackin’!”
Tilting his head to the side, Beau’s demeanor became all Southern politeness when he asked, “And this is a good thing?”
Ulrich nodded with enough vigor that the table shunted forward six inches.
“Jasper, could you and Kai walk Ulrich over?”
“Of course. Then I’ll see you at the show,” Jasper said.
Kai appeared lost, but he nodded and allowed Jasper to guide him along with a waving Ulrich out of the room.
Alex answered the door. With his long blond hair twisted into a bun, he appeared more androgynous than usual. “Hi, I’m….”
Jasper had never seen Alex make eye contact with anyone, let alone stare openmouthed. “Alex, this is Ulrich. Ulrich, this is Alex.”
Ulrich squealed, pulled a bemused Alex into a hug, kissed his left cheek, then his right, and once more on his left. “Great to meet you. I know we’re going to be great friends. Thanks for letting me share your space.”
Alex blinked several times, touched his fingertips to his cheek, and said, “Oh, um, of course. Come in.” He turned to Kai. “I’m Alex.”
