by Z. Allora
Kai hugged Jasper close. “My mate.” The label tasted good in his mouth. Jasper belonged to him, and he belonged to Jasper.
“My mate,” Jasper growled and kissed him on the mouth. “Now, about those virginities. Neither one of us has had relations while being mated.”
“Right! So, I guess that makes us virgin again. Virgin Mates, I think that was the name of a movie Corey suggested I watch,” Kai said.
Jasper laughed and tried to hold a straight face as he attempted to sound serious. “Okay, we’ve got to deal with our virginities, and then we’ll watch the movie if you want.”
“Agreed. The virginity is a big issue, but it’s only a temporary problem. I think we have the solution.” Kai rolled over onto his knees and wiggled his butt.
They consummated their mated status slowly. Jasper suggested they do it a few more times just to be certain they’d gotten all the virginity out.
Kai agreed without hesitation.
Epilogue
Kai hummed as he wiped down the bar in Club Zombie.
Life was good. He was in college, had a fun job, Ulrich settled in nicely and Jaz. He never imagined having someone so amazing as his mate. It was like having a best friend who was good in bed… very good in bed… excellent actually. This morning Jaz put him in this new position that—his thoughts broke off when a towel hit him in square in the face.
He glared at Corey. “Why did you do that?”
“What? You’re mooning over your mate again,” Corey teased.
Kai shrugged and refocused on cutting the lemons and limes into wedges. “I’m happy. Life with Jasper isn’t what I’d expected—it’s so much better!”
Rolling his eyes, Corey asked, “So when do your classes for the spring term start?”
“In a few weeks. I hope I can figure out what I want to major in.” Kai pushed aside that worry. Jasper kept reminding him he had all the time in the world to decide.
Corey tilted his head toward Ulrich and Alex sitting at their usual table. “Hey, why do the two of them just sit here night after night?”
Kai hadn’t a clue. More than a year had passed, and Ulrich was eighteen now. He’d adjusted well to his change in circumstances, but for the last six months, he and Alex had sat in the club every night. They stayed until the regulars started coming in and the bouncer kicked them out. “I don’t know.”
Corey yelled over to Ulrich and Alex, “The usual?”
Ulrich nodded, not taking his eyes off the door.
Kai decided to clean a table closer to his cousin.
Strolling over with their soda waters and lime twists, Corey asked, “Ulrich, why do you keep watching the door?”
Ulrich shook his head. “I’m waiting.”
“For…?”
Alex cleared his throat. “Thank you, Corey, for adding the double twist of lime.”
“Sure.” Corey meandered over to Kai and said quietly, “I couldn’t get anything out of them.”
Kai checked his phone. Almost time for Jasper to stop by. His heart did a happy dance. The time they spent together was a perfect combination of being with his best friend and lover. Jasper did things to him that made him blush and lose his mind.
The front door of the club flew open, and two young guys sauntered in.
Ulrich popped out of his chair, which tipped over.
The guys stood just inside the entrance, surveying the club. They must have been of age, because they got past Taylor, who carded the door tonight. Kai watched his cousin move across the floor with Alex in tow.
Kai really should wipe the tables on the other side of the bar… not because he was nosy and he could hear better there, but… it was his job. Yeah. His job.
He’d never seen Ulrich approach anyone. Ever! Why tonight?
“Hi. Welcome to Club Zombie.” Kai heard Ulrich’s cheerful voice cut through the din of the small crowd.
Ulrich got a “Hey” from one of the guys. The other just peered at him with big dark eyes rimmed in liner.
Poor Ulrich glanced at Alex, who was no help. Alex appeared to be frozen.
Ulrich said, “Um, first time here?”
The talkative one answered, “Yeah. Heard a guy could get some pretty easily here.” He smirked at Alex, giving him the once-over, then moved on to eye-fucking Alex ten ways to Sunday. “I bet you put out.”
Alex blushed and looked around as if he were seeking an escape route.
Kai was sure he’d have darted away, but Ulrich latched on to his wrist, keeping him in place.
Alex sniffed and turned to glare at the guy like a haughty elven prince. “Go in back if you want to get laid.” He peeled Uli’s hand off of his and stomped to their table.
Kai had never seen Alex act that way. Good for him.
“Hey, what’s wrong with your girlfriend over there?” The jackass had failed to keep the interest out of his voice even when he attempted an insult.
To Kai, the punk sounded like a real jerk. Maybe he should have him removed. But Ulrich’s curiosity seemed aroused by the quiet one dressed head to toe in black, and he ignored the question.
“So, what’s your name?” the quiet one asked and made eye contact with Ulrich.
His cousin beamed. “Ulrich Bauer. What’s yours?” The big grin indicated Ulrich felt as if he’d won the lottery by getting the goth kid to ask a question.
The smartass answered for both of them, “I’m Storm and he’s Cutter.”
“Cutter.” Ulrich repeated his name with the reverence of an enchanted spell and blushed. “Um, you want to sit with us?”
Cutter glanced at Storm and back at Ulrich. He nodded.
Ulrich led them over to the table.
Jasper whispered, “I love you.”
Kai jumped and almost fell over the table he was cleaning. “Oh! You startled me, but I love when you say that.”
“Good.”
“And I love you too.” Kai kissed his mate but immediately refocused on the group at the table.
Jasper followed Kai’s gaze. “What’s going on? Who’s that?”
Kai’s only response was “Trouble.”
Zombies Suck
Club Zombie Book 2
For My Readers…
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Dez, Katie, P.D. Singer, and Andrea for helping me on polishing this story for the third and final rewrite.
My Pretties on Facebook, thank you for your love and support.
Big hugs and many thanks to my Z-bies in my Yaoified Love group on Facebook. (Private message me if you want to join.)
Thank you again to Ally Blue, who is at fault for the entire series. “You should write a zombie story,” she said innocently. Ally planted that seed a decade ago and I haven’t been able to leave my zombies alone since that time.
As always, I want to thank my love, for without you, I would not be. You are my heart, and the essence I need to survive.
1
The Beginning of the End
Club Zombie’s flashing neon lights promised all those in attendance a night of debauchery. Storm pulled his Camry into an almost empty lot and parked in a prime spot right next to the entrance.
His best friend glanced over at him with an expression that screamed “WTF!” But instead of voicing the obscenity, Cutter asked, “Is this club even open?”
Damn it! Just Storm’s fucked-up luck. It was obvious the club wasn’t the place to be on Thursday nights. He shrugged. “They only just started having under twenty-one nights. Maybe it’s slow tonight.”
“Hmmm, okay.” Cutter unbuckled his seat belt, leaned forward, and checked his liner in the lighted mirror on the sun visor.
“Besides, it’ll be easier to get you laid without all the trolls.” The words were bitter, but Storm needed to fill the silence.
Cutter slapped the mirror lid closed, flipped the visor up with a snap, and glared at him. “I don’t need or want your assistance.”
Storm restrained a sigh. Of course Cutter didn’t
want help, nor would he need any. Cutter was exquisite in his emo, brooding sort of way, though guys in their small Southern town didn’t appreciate him. Unfortunately, Storm was positive Cutter’s charms wouldn’t be ignored in Club Zombie.
“Do you want to die a virgin?” Storm threw that out there like it was a possibility. Why would that come out of his mouth? Was he trying to stir up the past?
Truth be told, Cutter going off with someone might kill Storm. Fuck, he’d suck it up. He didn’t have a choice. Cutter needed to get over what Storm couldn’t offer—at least not until Storm got out from under his family’s thumb.
“Shut the hell up!” Cutter jumped out of the car and slammed the door.
Storm caught up to him at the big wooden doors of the club entrance. He fished for his driver’s license and handed the identification to a guy who was probably only a couple of years older than him.
“McGrath?”
Shit! “Yes, that’s my name.” Would his name ease the way or glue the entrance shut? His father’s run for the mayor’s office, and successful law office, was a mixed bag. Had dear old Dad screwed this guy over, or someone he knew, in his bid for public office?
“I don’t give a shit who your daddy is. You’ll follow the club rules or my boot will introduce itself to your ass,” the guy said, warning him as though Storm had broken the club’s rules already.
Probably not wise to point out the man had on loafers and not boots. Jesus, Storm was sick of paying for things he didn’t do. “I plan to.”
“You both eighteen?” the man asked with a healthy dose of skepticism as he looked them up and down.
“Yeah, we graduated last week.”
“High school?” After a nod from Cutter, the guy continued, “Midnight is the witching hour. We clear everyone out and only twenty-one and older will be allowed back into the club. Do us both a favor and don’t try to sneak past me, ’cause I don’t give a shit whose condom broke—”
“Got it.” Storm rolled his eyes. Fuck, most days he tried to forget who his father was.
“I’m serious,” the bouncer said to Storm. To Cutter, he smiled. “Enjoy your night.”
Cutter nodded.
Goddammit! Storm pulled open the club door. The wind must have caught it, because the wood flew open and banged against the wall.
“That’s one way to make an entrance.” Cutter paused at the top of the stairs.
Storm appreciated the décor—a potent taste of a sultan’s harem. Lush fabrics in jewel tones covered the chaise lounges, chairs, and love seats scattered around, appealing to his hedonistic nature. Scarves dripped from the ceiling in the same rich purples, indigos, and mauves.
Storm zoned in on two blonds at the table closest to the door. One had tipped over his chair when he stood. Both stared at Storm and Cutter.
The kid embodying bubblegum-and-pop music bounced over to them, dragging the long-haired underwear model in his wake. “Hi. Welcome to Club Zombie.”
Storm hated to give his father credit for anything, but the man had forced him to learn how to present disinterest. It confuses the other party and gives you more power. He gave the welcome committee a casual “Hey.”
Mr. Model didn’t even look at him. Storm had seen his type before—so pretty he probably jerked off to his own reflection. Ha. Storm figured the only time the guy had picked up a book was to practice his runway walk. Did he think he was better than everyone else? Screw him!
“Um, first time here?” the cute blue-eyed kid asked, his accent clear.
Going for shock value, Storm answered, “Yeah. Heard a guy could get some pretty easily here.” He smirked and gave the gorgeous clothing hanger a once-over.
The model blushed and shot a glance toward the exit. Was he trying to run away? Weird. Storm was sure he’d have tried to escape, but the other kid gripped his wrist.
Storm was determined to get a reaction from Mr. Sexy. All in. “I bet you’d put out.”
Hurt crossed the model’s face before he narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze into an icy glare. “Go in back if you want to get laid.” Gorgeous pulled his wrist out of the kid’s grip and stomped his way back to their drinks.
“Hey, what’s wrong with your girlfriend over there?” Storm failed to keep the interest out of his voice even when he attempted retaliation. Why the hell did he care if the walking anime character blew him off?
Cutter fluttered his eyelashes and asked the blond-haired kid, “So what’s your name?”
The kid beamed as if he’d won the lottery. “Ulrich Bauer. What’s yours?”
Storm decided to stay in the conversation and answered for both of them, “I’m Storm and he’s Cutter.”
“Cutter.” Ulrich repeated the name with the reverence of an enchanted spell and blushed. “Um, you want to sit with us?”
Cutter shifted his gaze to Storm, and then he refocused on Ulrich and gave a jerky nod.
Ulrich led them to the table and introduced them to the Prince of Pretty. “This is Cutter and Storm. This is my roommate Alex Waterman.”
Alex didn’t spare Storm a glance but smiled at Cutter. “Is Cutter short for something?”
The beauty king did speak!
Cutter nodded and sat down. “Cutler Morgan. But I hate that name.”
“Then Cutter it is.” The model gave him an easy smile.
Cutter grinned back, then turned to Ulrich. “I like your accent. Where are you from?”
Storm didn’t fit well in this cozy group. “Well, since the Elfin King directed me to the back room—”
“Storm!” Cutter growled.
Storm swaggered toward the shadows in the back of the club. He didn’t look back. If he did, he’d never do this.
Cutter had to find someone who could give him what he needed. Logic dictated Storm should play by his father’s rules until he got through college and was able to support himself. He couldn’t be what Cutter needed him to be… not yet, but he knew Cutter needed someone now.
Storm tripped past the wall placard naming a particular hallway BJ Alley and escaped into a private bathroom. Thank fuck the club saw fit to have single restrooms. Fancy. He locked the door, pulled out his phone, and sat in the plush corner chair.
His phone chimed as if on cue. His brother texted him, Father’s on the warpath.
Ha, when was Ethan McGrath, Sr. not? He texted back, Thanx, Erick.
His brother always followed the McGrath family rules as law handed down by God himself. Erick should’ve been the heir instead of the spare. Their father certainly made that fact known whenever Storm was within screaming distance.
Storm checked his social media pages. Just the usual bitches and whines from people he didn’t know.
Ten minutes. Hmmm, was that enough time for the average hookup? Better check his email. He didn’t want to look like a “minute man.” Might as well use the facilities while he was here too. He ran water through his hair. Yeah, that passed as sweat.
He plastered on an “I got lucky” smirk and strutted back to the table. Cutter was laughing in a tone that suggested giddy happiness, and the sound made Storm’s heart feel light. Storm twirled a chair around and straddled the seat. He nabbed Cutter’s drink and gulped the soda ’cause not getting a blowjob was a thirsty business.
Cutter frowned and narrowed his eyes. “Uli said they have music tomorrow night.”
“So?” Storm failed to see how that increased Cutter’s chance of getting laid. Fuck, he seemed too gleeful. Had the Ice King or Ulrich the Happy put out?
“We want you both to come back,” Ulrich invited him, but a slight hesitation made it clear that extending the offer to Storm was made out of obligation.
Storm glanced at Alex. Not being able to resist teasing, he asked, “Would you miss me if I didn’t show up?”
Alex met and held his gaze. “Yes.”
Well, fuck!
2
Dreams Don’t Always Come… True
Alex twisted and moaned, “Uli. Mmmm,
come on, you need to….” He should stop his best friend. But the slurping of Ulrich sucking him was unbelievably sexy. Ulrich’s head bobbed in time with the incredible suction. “Uli!”
Pleasure curled through his insides. Maybe he should let Uli suck a few more moments, though there’d be hell to pay if Alex’s mother found out. Uli’s mouth latched securely on to him. Mounting desire made Alex shiver.
He craved this connection with Uli. Ulrich Bauer had been assigned to live with Alex and over the last two years, they’d become inseparable. Ulrich was much more than a best friend; he’d become everything Alex had ever wanted.
Alex tunneled his fingers through Ulrich’s soft blond hair, trying to communicate tender sentiments. However, before his body took him to fruition, his sexy dream morphed into the usual nightmare he’d lived while growing up.
Darkness and despair surrounded him. His mother loomed over him, staring down at him in disgust. He had no time to cover his lower half. She took a gulp of clear liquid from the glass she held clutched in one hand and swung the dreaded punishment rope with the other.
“No, Mama! Don’t. Please. I’m sorry.” He shielded his face as she hit him again with the rope, which always seemed to be in her hand. Pain licked over his shoulder and created an unbearable sting.
The rope seared pain over his back in a bloody crisscross pattern while she screamed her lecture about God and sin. He tried to internalize her words. He prayed to be good. Then perhaps she’d love him back, and maybe she wouldn’t have to punish him anymore. But his body didn’t always obey his wishes or hers.
She lifted her gin and tonic from his nightstand. He was grateful the flares of pain simmered down for a moment when she paused. The squirt of the lime slice into her glass was loud. The ice clinked as she gulped the drink.
