Humming, Tian swallowed a mouthful of his drink. He set the mug aside, then twisted in his seat to stare at Roman fully. “Not questions, per se. I guess this is the part where I tell you I’m attracted to you. I don’t care about scars.” Scoffing, Tian rolled his eyes before claiming, “Hell, I have a few of my own.” Lifting one hand, he quickly amended, “Nothing like what being set on fire would leave, I’m sure. I don’t say that to try to make light of your injuries, just so you know it won’t bother me.”
Roman nodded. His pulse sped up, hoping that Tian’s ramble was heading to where he thought it was. He clenched his fingers around his fork to keep from tossing the utensil aside so he could grab his human.
“Anyway, I want to have sex,” Tian claimed bluntly. Clearing his throat, he smiled heatedly as he swept his gaze over Roman’s torso. His cheeks pinked when he returned his focus to Roman’s eyes and told him, “I’m not ready for bonding, yet, I don’t think, so no biting, please. Is that okay? I’d like to see you, though, have you fuck me, and get to know you... and fuck.” His smile turned wry. “Yeah, I’m horny, too.”
Tian glanced pointedly at Roman’s crotch.
Roman shifted in his seat, leaning forward and placing his plate on the coffee table, no longer interested in the rest of his food. “I accept your proposal. For now, no biting.” Reaching slowly for his human, he gaged his response. “We will fuck, share each other’s bodies and each other’s tales.” When Tian didn’t shy away from his clawed hands, allowing him to pull him closer. He swept his gaze over his human’s form. “I would like to hear about your scars, too, when you’re ready... maybe after I take off all these clothes and fuck you into the mattress.”
Grinning, Tian nodded. “A mattress would be good.”
Chapter Seven
For the first time in a long time, Tian didn’t second guess himself. He watched Roman ease carefully from the sofa, noting the way he favored his right side. Tucking that information away for later, he allowed Roman to lead him by the hand toward a closed door.
Tian followed, taking the opportunity to admire the male’s backside. The gargoyle had to stand around six and a half feet tall. Plenty of muscle played beneath the deep orange hide of his legs and back. The way the male draped his black wings over his shoulders hid his sides and thighs, and Tian guessed that was on purpose.
He hides his scars.
Lifting his free hand to his right shoulder, he rubbed across one of his own scars. The bullet wound had healed several years before. Even the road rash scarring he had on his left side and hip he’d earned in the line of duty. He carried them as badges of honor. From Roman’s tone, he guessed the gargoyle didn’t feel the same about his own scars.
Tian wondered at that. The gargoyle had survived being set on fire! How could he not be proud of his obvious strength and perseverance?
Something to find out.
Once Roman opened the door and led him inside, Tian swept his gaze over the space. It actually had a bit of a sterile feel to it. The art on the walls was generic, no knickknacks or personal effects. The only personal items were several books on the nightstand.
Tian wondered just how long Roman had lived there. Even his own, little-used apartment had more stuff in it. Then, Tian’s gaze fell upon the open door that led to the bathroom. He spotted several bottles on the corner of the counter that he could see.
Remembering Roman’s claim of extensive scarring, Tian bet the bathroom was his sanctuary. He’d wager his paycheck that it had a jetted tub for relaxing stressed muscles. Tian found himself looking forward to checking out the space.
Then, Tian’s focus fell on the bed. Later. Much later. The huge mattress sported a navy-blue comforter and a number of large pillows with matching covers. There was even a lighter blue throw blanket at the foot of the bed.
“Wait.” Tian’s word caused Roman to pause next to the bed and turn to face him. Seeing the male’s furrowed brows and concerned expression, he hurried to reassure him by asking, “You roost as stone statues, right? That’s your sleep?”
Roman’s square features softened as he grinned, amusement lighting his purple eyes. “We do. You’re wondering why I have a bed?”
At least that helped Tian understand the sterile feel.
Tian felt his cheeks heat a little as he nodded.
“We have beds for a variety of reasons.” Roman shrugged as he told him, “It helps us feel more normal. It makes the space seem more welcoming. Plus—” he waggled his brows as his tone grew husky, “while I’ve never had another in this bed, many single gargoyles are a horny lot. They have beds for fucking.” He cleared his throat as he peered at his own mattress. “I enjoy lying on it when I’m sore.”
Humming, Tian squeezed Roman’s hand. “I give a decent massage,” he revealed, earning a surprised look from the gargoyle. He waggled his brows, lowering his voice huskily. “I’ll be happy to show you some other time. Right now, however, please tell me you have lube in that nightstand.”
Roman’s nostrils flared, and his eyes appeared to darken. He jerked a nod. “I do.”
“Then get it,” Tian encouraged.
Tian rested his hand on Roman’s back, directly to the right of his shoulder blade, and skimmed his fingertips down the wing hiding what had to be a ripped back. He watched carefully for the male’s response. Immediately, Roman shivered, confirming that what Collin had told him was true.
A gargoyle’s wings were sensitive to touch.
Humming, Tian swept his fingertips back up again. He grinned when he felt the wing under his fingers twitch. The appendage lifted toward his hand as if searching for more contact.
“Like that?” Tian crooned. “Maybe you should lie on the bed with your wings spread. I could play with them and fuck you instead.”
“Oh gods!” Roman groaned, the sound deep and throaty. He jerked a nod. “Sure, fine. Gods, just don’t stop. Been so long.”
Tian froze for a heartbeat, then resumed his petting. He hadn’t actually thought the gargoyle would agree. The male had talked about fucking him, and in truth, Tian really, really wanted the gargoyle’s dick in his ass.
Next time.
With how horny they both were, Tian bet they could go a few rounds during the course of the evening.
With that thought in mind, Tian moved a few steps left, so he was behind the gargoyle more fully. He shrugged his shoulders to slide his jacket from his arms and off his body. Alternating hands on Roman’s wings in the process, he kept up with the petting.
Tian gripped the hem of his t-shirt next. That took a bit more finesse to remove, but he managed it. By the time he was finished, Roman’s torso heaved and his wings had lifted fully from his shoulders. Tian slid his hands up and down, left and right, tracing along the fine, flexible bones in the massive, eight-foot wings.
“Lean over and grab the lube from the nightstand,” Tian ordered, seeing as he’d taken over their play. Roman obeyed damn quick, which caused Tian’s own cock to twitch and ooze behind the fly of his jeans. “Drop it on the mattress, then take off your loincloth.”
Roman’s breathing rasped from him, betraying his excitement almost as much as the twitching of his spread wings and the way his tail tapped against Tian’s leg. He swiftly obeyed, tossing the lube on the bed. The deep blue of the comforter offset the pale color of the tube, reminding Tian of how messy the position he had in mind could be.
“Get comfortable on the bed, Roman,” Tian urged. “On your stomach. I’m going to grab a towel to put under you, so we don’t make a mess.”
Snorting roughly, Roman peered over his shoulder at him. “Got a thing about the mess sex makes?”
Tian smirked, refusing to feel bad about his idea. “I have a small apartment with a small washing machine. Cleaning a comforter isn’t an easy thing for me.”
“You won’t have that problem here,” Roman claimed, turning to face him. As he did so, he curved his wings half over himself once
more, probably out of habit. Touching Tian’s jaw with the tips of his forefingers, he whispered, “I appreciate the thought. It shows you are a considerate lover.” Then, a low growl escaped him as he cradled Tian’s head more firmly. His purple eyes darkened as he drew closer. “You’re my considerate lover. After this, I will not share you with another.”
Tian recognized a warning when he heard one. Totally on board with that, he grinned up at the gargoyle. “I realized that before I returned, Roman, and I’m totally okay with that.” Lifting his hands, he rested his palms on Roman’s chest, then caressed his pectoral muscles and under where his wings rested. “Completely—” He flicked his thumbs over Roman’s nipples, causing the big gargoyle to gasp and his nostrils to flare. “And totally—” He did it a second time, enjoying the hunger invading the huge male’s features as well as the way the gargoyle’s nipples beaded oh-so-nicely.
I want to suck on those soon.
“Okay with you being my only lover,” Tian finished, enjoying the feel of Roman’s slightly pebbled hide sliding under his fingers. “Just so you’re aware, I’m a jealous bastard, too. I hear you can’t stray once we bond, but I won’t accept you straying before we bond, either.”
Roman actually appeared surprised for an instant, his ardor clearing shockingly fast. Then a huge smile split his lips. “Gods, I know I’m a possessive bastard, but it makes me damn happy to hear you say that.”
Chuckling, Tian winked. “Well, since I plan to put that bed to good use several times this evening, you lie down. I’m going to get a towel.”
“First,” Roman replied, his grip tightening.
Before Tian could question what Roman was talking about, the gargoyle lowered his head and sealed his mouth over Tian’s own. Surprise flooded him, and he gasped. He certainly hadn’t expected to be kissed by a creature so different than himself.
That was bigoted of me.
The thought was there and gone as Roman took advantage of his slightly parted lips. The gargoyle swept his longer-than-normal tongue into his mouth and lapped it along Tian’s own. He plundered his mouth, offering no quarter as he wrapped his other arm around his body and crushed Tian to him.
Tian moaned as the erotic tongue-play seemed to cause all his blood to flow straight south. His head swam, and he could barely keep up with Roman’s licks and nips. He slid his hands up to the gargoyle’s shoulders and hung on for the ride.
By the time Roman broke the kiss, Tian’s lungs were screaming for relief. He panted harshly, staring up at the gargoyle in shock. While the male might not have copulated in years, the man sure remembered how to kiss.
Roman licked his lips, his gaze sweeping over Tian’s face. “You taste amazing,” he rumbled heatedly. “I think I’m going to be tasting you often.” Roman waggled his brow ridges as his smile turned feral. “And not just your mouth.”
Groaning, Tian shuddered as the image of him feeding the gargoyle his cock flashed into his mind. His prick throbbed in his jeans. He eased his grip on Roman’s neck as he tried to regain some semblance of his senses.
“Wow, yeah, okay,” Tian murmured, licking his own lips and tasting the residual musky flavor of his gargoyle. My gargoyle. Oh, yeah. “We might have to cool it around the kids, though.”
Roman’s brows shot up. “Kids?”
Tian’s face flushed hot as embarrassment filled him. “Shit, I wasn’t going to say anything about that, yet.” Shaking his head, he asked, “Can we shelve that discussion for another time?”
For a few seconds, Roman swept his gaze over Tian’s face. His purple eyes narrowed, and he cocked his head. Tian feared he’d press for more.
“Another time.” Easing his hold, Roman nodded as he openly ogled Tian’s bare torso. He reached out and lightly traced over the puckered edge of Tian’s scar on his shoulder. “Get the towel. I’ll be waiting.”
Tian obeyed swiftly. He hardly even spared a glance at the impressively appointed bathroom, barely taking in the deep, jetted soaking tub—confirming his earlier suspicion—which even had steps in and out of it and a handrail for safety. Grabbing a towel that hung on the nearest rod, he turned and hustled back to his waiting lover.
Spotting the huge male sprawled on the bed, Tian nearly swallowed his tongue. The gargoyle’s left wing was spread wide while his right lay half-against his side. Again, Tian recognized it as a self-defense mechanism.
I’ll have to work on him.
The position still put most of Roman’s delectable ass on display. The globes were round and firm. He had his heavily muscled legs spread quite a bit, spreading the valley deliciously.
Even the oddness of a tail sliding back and forth across his cheeks didn’t detract from Tian’s attraction at all. In fact, the way the appendage twitched, slightly moving the pretty cheeks, caused a bead of pre-cum to ooze from Tian’s dick. His mouth watered at how the wrinkled skin of his hole appeared and disappeared, taunting him.
“Oh, Roman,” Tian crooned as he stalked toward his soon-to-be lover. “You are spectacular.” He popped the button of his jeans, then lowered the zipper. “Can’t wait to plug that pretty hole. Gonna drive my dick so deep.”
As Tian hadn’t had sex in a year and a half and he was normally a bottom, it’d been nearly a decade since he’d topped. Once he’d figured out he loved a dick up his ass, and seeing as he looked so much younger than he was, his one night stands had stopped asking. It’d just been expected that he’d bottom.
Now, Roman’s ass is mine!
“Gods, the way you look at me,” Roman muttered, drawing Tian’s attention to his face. The gargoyle peered over his shoulder, meeting his gaze. “Like seeing that expression on your face, mate.”
Chuckling roughly as he shoved his jeans and underwear off, taking his socks with them, Tian grinned at Roman. He grabbed the lube, then paused. “Condom,” he whispered. Seeing Roman shake his head, he lifted a brow. Unable to resist, he swept his free hand over the male’s left flank. “You clean? You trust that I am?”
“Not that,” Roman gasped, continuing to eye him. “I’m a paranormal, Tian. I can’t give or get the same diseases.” His brows furrowed, and he licked his lips. “I-I have them. Perseus gave me some, if you really want... but I’d prefer...”
Tian groaned and pressed the heel of his hand against the base of his shaft. His balls rolled. Just the idea of sliding into Roman’s tight, hot body with nothing between them...
“Oh, fuck, yeah,” Tian muttered. He bent and retrieved the towel, uncertain when he’d even dropped it. “Lift your hips a little. Let me get this under you.”
Roman obeyed.
With the way the gargoyle leaned most of his weight on his left knee and right elbow, Tian easily realized that his hip must not do too well in odd positions. He vowed to remember that as he fucked him. After situating the towel under his groin, Tian climbed between his legs on the bed.
Tian poured a generous amount of slick onto his fingers. He snapped the lid closed with his thumb, then dropped the tube near his knee. Reaching out, he brushed lightly over where Roman’s tail attached to his spine, rubbing gently.
Groaning low in his throat, Roman twitched under his ministrations, shuddering. “Hurry,” he pleaded. “Gods, please hurry.”
Gripping Roman’s left globe, Tian pulled the firm mound aside. He placed his finger against his hole and pushed. Feeling the guardian muscle clamp onto his finger, Tian bit back his own moan. He could hardly wait to bury his dick in so damn deep.
With that thought in mind, his need driving him, Tian began opening his lover in earnest.
Chapter Eight
Roman shuddered and trembled, losing nearly all control of both his tail and his wings. The last time he’d been stretched, he couldn’t remember it feeling so damn fantastic. Uncertain if it was because it’d been so very long since he’d had sex or it was the fact that it was his mate touching him, everything felt amplified.
Tian’s fingers felt f
antastically huge, stretching him gloriously. His mate petting his tail made his appendage twitch, which caused his balls to roll. The way he pressed against his prostate sent delicious, fiery tingles through his groin, his prick jerking and oozing.
“Tian.” Roman moaned his lover’s name. “Please. Please fill me.” His body trembling, his claws digging into the headboard of the bed, he felt his channel spasm around the fingers filling him. He certainly wasn’t above begging. “More. All of it. Please.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Tian chanted, sounding just as turned on as Roman felt.
The scents rolling off Tian’s body, his arousal, the sweat and musk, made Roman’s mouth water for a taste. He realized it was a damn good thing he was facing away from Tian. Promise or no promise, after so long without sex, then to have his mate there with him, he wasn’t certain of his self-control.
When Tian eased his fingers from his body, Roman groaned. It didn’t matter that he’d been the one to ask for it. Feeling suddenly empty, a shudder worked through him.
Roman peered over his shoulder. He saw Tian pour more lubricant onto his hand, then slick himself up. The man’s prick appeared slender, and maybe a little long for his size, and Roman wanted it buried inside him in the worst way.
“Gods, you’re beautiful,” Roman muttered, drawing Tian’s attention.
“Are you talking about me or my dick?” Tian grinned widely, then somehow, he managed to hold Roman’s gaze as he guided his prick to his hole. “This what you’re looking for?”
Tian pressed against him. Roman could feel the stretch to his ring. He breathed out, pushing at the same time, even as he attempted to twist a little further. Desperately wanting to see his lover’s dick slide into his body, he even attempted to rock his ass up toward him.
The Truth is even Stranger Page 6
