Herve snorted at that. “Please. You only need to know whether or not you care enough for West to make a commitment to him. Everything else is secondary, with the exception of the children, of course.”
Axel narrowed his eyes at Herve. “So you think I should have just dove in and said bite me?”
Herve’s other eyebrow went up.
“Tried that,” Axel huffed. “West wasn’t ready.”
“West?” Herve asked.
West blinked at them both. What the heck? They’re ganging up on me?
As if reading his mind, Axel scooted closer to him. “I respect West more for that. I was acting impulsively, and this is a really serious thing.”
“That it is,” Herve agreed. “And I will wipe your memory without the least amount of guilt.”
Axel nodded. “Yeah, got that message already.”
Herve turned his attention to West. “Is there a problem? Do you think he isn’t someone you could spend centuries with?”
West’s mouth went dry. He coughed.
Axel glared at him.
West licked his lips. “I want Axel to be certain. And…” God, it was so hard to admit, but he had to be honest, with Axel and Herve. “And I’m scared to bite him.”
Herve’s eyebrows shot even further up his forehead. “You’ve not bitten him at all?”
West shook his head.
“But…” Herve frowned. “Well, usually vamps have taken a nibble of their chosen humans by this point. The humans don’t always know that’s what’s happening because of the substantially increased pleasure they derive from being bitten. Still, you’re afraid to do it?”
“Substantially increased pleasure?” Axel asked at the same time West answered, “Yes. I don’t want to hurt him like I was hurt, and if the memories come back while I’m doing it…”
Herve’s eyebrows finally returned to their rightful place. “Ah, but that, I can help with, West. Simply let me ease the memories down some. Not erase them,” he added quickly. “Dull them, that’s all.”
“No,” Axel said. “No fucking with his memories. I mean”—he turned until he was facing West—“not unless it’s what you want?”
That would be the easy way out, but West wasn’t thrilled with the idea of Herve messing with his memories any more than Axel was. “No. I have to be strong enough for you.”
“You are,” Axel whispered. “And I’m strong enough for you.”
“Syrupy sweet,” Herve proclaimed. “Definitely mate material. Come along, Axel, and let’s give you a tour. Then I’ll leave you two alone for the hour you’ll have left before the kids get up.”
Terrence waved at them from the corner. West had forgotten the man was even in there. He waved back.
Terrence gave him two thumbs up then raced away to the living area.
West thought, just maybe, that things would be okay.
“We’ll get there,” Axel said. “Wherever we need to go, we’ll get there.”
West hoped Axel was right.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Axel tried to project the confidence he hoped he’d feel. When he said the words, he meant them. He was just…afraid. There were many things that could go wrong between him and West. And yet, Axel was determined to stick with the man. West’s vulnerability and innocence were more seductive than any blatantly sexual come-ons. Axel wanted West, in every way possible. He’d have preferred to take his time and get to know the man, but that choice had been taken from him.
He could make the best of the situation, or be an idiot.
“So, you’ve got to prep me for meeting your brothers and sisters,” he informed West. “I have a feeling if I don’t pass the test with them, you’ll cut me free.”
West bit his bottom lip, but a smile tugged it free. “I might try to bribe them into changing their minds if that happened, but they’re all smart as can be. They’ll like you just fine. Eventually.”
Since West didn’t sound like he was joking, Axel perked up in alarm. “Come again?”
“They might be jealous,” West said.
That’d totally suck if they were. Axel was going to worry about it now until he got to meet them. “Really? I don’t know a lot about kids. I mean, I talk to some at competitions. I’m not a jerk to them or anything. I’ve just never been around them much except when I was one.”
West took his elbow and began walking. “They’re good kids. Case is the oldest, then there’s Cleo, Joseph, and Sadie. I was twelve when Case was born. My parents had tried for another kid after me for years, then they just gave up and Mom got pregnant. A lot.”
Axel laughed. “You don’t say?”
West laughed too. “Well, you know. So then there were four siblings, a lot younger than me. I loved every one of them from the minute I knew of their existence. They’ve always been the most important people in my life. There’s still room for more. For one more.” West blushed. “Sorry. That sounded less corny in my head.”
“Sounded pretty sweet when you said it. Don’t know why you’d be sorry.” Axel hadn’t been paying attention to anything but West up until they reached a set of double doors. “This is the kitchen, which is kind of the heart of the place.” West waved at someone, then tugged Axel into the doorway. “Hey, this is Axel. Axel, this is Mary, Alice, Joe, Rafe, Ollie, Veronica, and Sue. All of them have vamps for mates.”
“Are you going to be joining us?” Rafe asked of Axel.
Axel waved at the others. “I can’t answer that yet.”
“Herve’s given him a week to consider it.” West tightened his grip on Axel’s elbow. “We haven’t known each other for long.”
“Two days,” said one of the women. “That’s all it took for me to know Anton was my soul mate. That was over two hundred years ago.” She smiled merrily.
“And you don’t look a day over a hundred, Sue,” another woman added.
Sue swatted at her. “Be nice, Alice, or I’ll eat all the bacon.”
“Again,” a man muttered. “You know us guys need that bacon, Sue.”
“I know you need your butt kicked, you misogynistic ass,” Sue informed him. She didn’t sound terribly angry, and indeed, both she and the man chuckled.
“As you can see, we all have fun with each other,” Sue said a moment later. “If you decide to join the coven as West’s mate, you’ll be more than welcome.”
“How can someone be more than welcome?” Alice asked.
“Let’s go before they drag us into a debate.” West had Axel away from the kitchen and over to the stairs in a matter of steps. “So we’re on the third floor. Herve gave us the largest apartment he had available on the third floor. We’re actually not the biggest family here. There’s this other vampire, Garth? His mate had twelve kids before they met.”
“Twelve—” Axel gulped. “God, I can’t imagine that. So, who decorated the place?” Axel gestured to the gilt-framed paintings of dogs that seemed to be the predominant theme of the building so far. The ugly things were all over the place, on nearly every wall.
“Herve’s sister. I think she was pissed at him when she did it, but she’ll never admit it.” West tapped his foot.
Axel looked down at the dark green carpet. “That’s not bad.”
“It had been lavender throughout the first floor. Pretty color, bad choice in carpet.” West then pointed to the stair rail. “More fake gold, and general over-ornateness here. Herve refuses to change it. Says his sister can do it when she feels like it.”
“The furniture is nice,” Axel offered. It was all quality leather and real wood as far as he could tell.
“Herve let everyone vote on the furniture, but that was before I got here.” West smiled tremulously. “So, shall we go on up?”
Axel’s nerves were pinging like crazy. “The kids—”
“Will be up soon, but we have a few minutes.” West waited, and Axel nodded.
“Yeah, okay.” If they had time, Axel wasn’t going to deny either one of them some ple
asure. Plus, it might help him to relax. Orgasms with West tended to leave him boneless.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Heart pounding, West pulled Axel into his arms. They didn’t have long, and he probably should wait, but if he didn’t at least kiss Axel within the next minute, West thought he might just combust.
“Axel,” he murmured, then he brushed his lips over Axel’s.
Axel’s eyelids fell shut and he sighed, a sweet hint of pleasure to the sound. He flicked his tongue out as he ran his hands up and down West’s back.
West wanted to devour Axel in slow, luxurious licks, but he’d take what they had time for now. Even if they only did this, touching, holding, kissing, he’d be thrilled.
Except Axel sucked on West’s tongue and moved his hips from side to side, rubbing his cock over West’s.
West went up in flames of lust. He moaned and fisted a hand in Axel’s hair while grabbing his ass with the other hand. West then plundered Axel’s mouth, taking it with deep strokes and succulent kisses.
Axel pressed closer to him and hitched one leg around West’s hip. He moved his hands all over West’s back and ass until West felt like he was surrounded by the man.
West wasn’t even aware that they’d moved, but suddenly the backs of his legs hit the bed and he was falling backward.
Axel tumbled with him, then West rolled and pinned Axel beneath him. He pushed one leg between Axel’s thighs and nipped at Axel’s lips.
They could have come like that, rubbing and thrusting against each other. God knew West was close already.
Coming in their clothes wasn’t wise when they only had a few minutes. West scooted down Axel’s body, kissing and nipping his torso then belly until he was able to reach Axel’s groin. West unbuttoned and unzipped Axel’s shorts and buried his face against the thick cock encased in blue briefs.
“Nice,” West murmured, inhaling deeply afterward. He loved the way Axel smelled.
“West, please, I need your mouth,” Axel pled.
West needed Axel’s cock in his mouth, so that worked out well. He worked that heavy length out of Axel’s underwear. The head was wet-tipped and he poked the tip of his tongue right over the wide slit.
“Aww,” Axel wailed softly, clutching at West.
West let that salty flavor coat his tongue, then he sucked Axel in as far as he could.
At the same time, he reached up and pinched Axel’s tit.
Axel slapped a hand over his mouth and thrust his hips up.
West took it, wanting Axel to lose it for him.
Axel did, fucking and fucking until West’s lips ached, his jaw might have been stuck, and he was so close to coming himself that it might happen without even a hand to his dick.
Or a hand might be in order. West slid one down, intent on getting his dick out. He got the first button popped when someone began pounding on the bedroom door.
Axel gave a muffled shout and cum spurted into West’s mouth.
He swallowed and heard more banging on the door.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Axel knew what sheer terror was. It was having a child bang on the bedroom door while his brother drove you into a mind-shattering orgasm.
He wanted to crawl under the bed and hide.
Maybe that would be the best thing to do, considering he still had his dick hanging out.
“Cover up,” West mumbled, wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand. “Hang on, Case!” West shouted at the door. He looked at Axel. “I know it’s him. He always tries to beat the door off its hinges.”
“West? Who’re you talking to in there? I thought I heard you talking to someone else. Why’s someone in there? Is it Terry? Was he bouncing on the bed ’cause I heard it squeak a few times—”
“Oh fuck. Kill me. Just kill me,” Axel whimpered, trying to stuff his cock into his briefs.
West snorted rather loudly. “Not happening. You get to face the music with me.” Then he took Axel’s face in his hands and nuzzled his cheek. “Is it that terrifying?”
Axel’s panic ebbed to not-quite-fatal levels. “Yes, it fucking is, and I can’t say fucking anymore and I don’t want to screw this up and he’s going to hate me because I bounced on the bed and—”
West shut him up with a kiss that curled Axel’s toes.
“West? Open the door!”
Axel shuddered and pulled back. “I’ll try not to cuss.”
“They’ve heard bad words before. Vamps tend to be a filthy-mouthed lot at times. Terrence especially.” West stood up. “Chill, Case, or I won’t let you meet my boyfriend.”
“Your what?” Case shrieked. He wasn’t the only kid on the other side of the door that did so, either.
Axel whimpered and did up his shorts. He stood then dashed into the attached bathroom and closed the door. He needed a minute. Or hour. Maybe a day.
“I mean it, Case, calm down.”
Axel heard West open the bedroom door, heard the excited din of voices. He turned the water on and splashed his face repeatedly. He’d never been so fucking nervous in his entire life. Everything hinged on the kids accepting him, or at least not outright hating him.
That was when he knew without a doubt he’d give up everything to be with West.
God, he’d fallen hard and fast. They had barely begun having sex, and Axel was ready to commit to West.
Well, he supposed the heart knew what it wanted. Or something like that. Axel stared at his reflection, watching the beads of water drip from his chin. His hands shook off and on. He was a fucking mess.
“No fucking,” he whispered. “Stop thinking it.” Wait. He’d just said it. “Damn it! No, no da—argh.” He smacked his forehead.
“You okay in there?” West called out.
Axel shut the water off. “Yeah, er. I’m fine.” So not fine. I’m scared to death.
Axel dried his hands off and cleared his throat. He remembered to wipe the water from his face before opening the bathroom door—
And being met by a kid who was glowering at him. “Mister, why’ve you got a red spot on your forehead? Did you hit your head on the cabinet? Sometimes I do that when I’m sitting on the toilet and I bend over cause it comes out better like—”
“Case!” West yelped. “Stop! No toilet stories!” West’s face was bright red.
Case shrugged. “Well, that’s how I hit my head, but it was the back of my head. Talk about knocking the po—”
“Case!” West covered Case’s mouth with one hand. “I said stop. Keep pushing and Terrence won’t be taking you all to the movies tonight.”
Case’s eyes went huge and he said something that was muffled by West’s hand.
West stared at him for a moment, then uncovered his mouth.
A small girl pushed past Case. “Are you really West’s boyfriend?”
“Introduce yourself,” West directed.
Axel held out his hand. “I’m Axel, er Roger, but everyone calls me Axel. Axel Majors.”
“I meant for her to introduce herself,” West muttered.
“I’m Sadie and I have my brothers wrapped around my fingers. Terry says so. So does Uncle Herve.” She widened her already big brown eyes at him. “I guess that means something good.”
“It means she gets away with everything,” Case grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.
Another girl peeked around Case. “You’re cute. Are you nice? You have to be nice to be West’s boyfriend. He can only have a nice boyfriend. No mean ones that hurt him. We don’t like people hurting him,” she said in a particularly fierce manner.
Axel almost expected her to bare her teeth at him.
Then she did, and they were white little threats, he just knew they were.
“Cleo…” West moved to stand beside Axel. “Are you growling at Axel?”
Cleo blinked. “A little? Did it scare him?”
“Go sit at the table,” West ordered. “All of you.”
He waited until they’d cleared out of the room
, then pulled Axel into a fierce hug. “Oh God. You’re going to leave and never come back, aren’t you?”
Axel laughed, surprising himself. “You know, I don’t think I will. Leave, I mean,” he added quickly. “You have interesting siblings. Where was the other one, Joseph?”
West leaned back and looked very much like Sadie with his big, beautiful eyes. “You aren’t freaked out?”
“I am, actually, just not scared.” Much. “I’m not leaving you. They don’t seem to hate me on sight. Maybe they’ll love you enough to want you to be happy, and not worry about having to share you with me. It just might take them more than a week. What happens if I agree, and two weeks down the road, the kids decide I’m a di—er, they don’t like me? What happens then?”
“Then we sit down and talk to them.” West frowned. “I… We could co-parent eventually, but I don’t think at first we should do that. They’ve only had me for years now, and they need a chance to know you. A chance you and I aren’t getting, ironically enough. But”—West gently ran his thumb over Axel’s bottom lip—“I already know enough for us to build on.”
“You do? You’re sure?” It was a huge step and commitment. Axel wanted him to be certain.
“I do. I am.” West pushed his thumb between Axel’s lips. “God, I want to kiss you so bad.”
“Eww, gross!”
West sighed, his shoulders slumped, and he looked over his shoulder. “Joseph Michael, I swear I’ll take your DSi XL away for a week if you don’t get your butt to the table right now!”
The boy looked like a mini-West. He smiled and dimples appeared in his cheeks. “Just my butt?”
“Joseph!” West’s exasperation was unmistakable. “Go!”
Joseph ran, hollering, “West and his boyfriend, sitting in a tree—”
Axel couldn’t help it. He started laughing. Maybe everything really would be all right.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
West loved his brothers and sisters, he really did, but he’d never been happier to get them out of the door and off to school than he was just then.
Don't Drink the Holy Water Page 11
