by Maggie Walsh
He opened his eyes again and tried to sit up, but the twinge in his back pulled again. Gill ran his hands over his face and through his hair, scratching the top of his scalp. He needed to figure out where he was, why he was here, how he got here, and what the hell was about to happen. So first things first, he needed to get his butt out of the amazing bed he lay upon and get moving.
Motion behind the curtain at the open door caught his attention and Gill froze again as he held his breath. Suddenly a gruesome face flashed before his eyes, and his heart began to pound in his chest.
“You’re safe here. No one will harm you. I give you my word,” a deep, sexy, soothing voice said from somewhere outside the door.
“H-how did I… I… I mean… um… How did you…” Gill trailed off, then swallowed hard.
“How did you get here? How did I know you were finally awake? Or how did I know what you were thinking?” The voice asked.
“Um, all of the above I guess,” Gill replied, his voice coming out calmer than he felt. Gill was surprised to see that although he was concerned, he wasn’t exactly scared. More like anxious.
Heavy footsteps thudded against wood, the sound coming closer. Gill wanted to sit up and pull away, lifting the blankets to cover his naked chest. Shit. He had been so curious about the wherefores and the hows, as well as the decor of the gorgeous room, that he hadn’t even noticed until now that he was shirtless. Or was he more?
Gill lifted the blanket enough to peek underneath, then pulled them up to his chin as he closed his eyes tight. It was just as he suspected. He was lying in a strange place, with a strange man nearby, and he was completely naked. Shit, did that mean... Had he been violated? Wouldn’t he remember if he had been? Had this man done something to him while he was asleep? How did he get Gill out of his room at the shelter without him knowing? Son of a crap cake! What the hell was going on?
“Be calm, Gill. It’s okay. Like I said, I give you my word, no one will harm you here and no one has,” the voice promised.
“So then... what’s happening? How did I get here? Why am I naked? Where am I? Who are you? Why does my back hurt so much? And what are you going to do with me? If you’re looking for a ransom, I hate to tell you this, but my dad won’t pay. He doesn’t believe in paying off kidnappers or blackmailers, so if it’s money or favors you’re hoping for, you’re shit out of luck when it comes to my parents. And if you’re trying to get some kind of money out of me, then you’re in even less luck. I don’t have a dime,” Gill quickly fired off his questions in rapid succession, then began to ramble.
A sexy chuckle came from the open doorway, that went straight to Gill’s cock, and the damn thing went from limp and uninterested to steel rod and wanting in under two seconds.
The heavy footfalls came closer and suddenly the most gorgeous man Gill had ever laid eyes on stood there in the doorway with the sun at his back creating a soft silhouette. But Gill could still make out the man’s size, which had to be close to six foot six, drool worthy and the finest specimen of male perfection that Gill had ever seen, and age, which was older than him, just as he liked it. Whoever this man was, he looked to be about ten to fifteen years Gill’s senior, but he looked damn fine for his age. Not a wrinkle or grey hair to be found from what he could see from their distance.
“Gill?”
He blinked a few times, coming out of his thoughts, then cursed himself when he realized the guy had asked him something and he was clearly making a goober out of himself by staring and drooling.
“Yes,” he said, in a voice too high for his liking, and wanted to pull the covers over his head and hide.
Either this guy didn’t notice, or he was being polite and didn’t let it show, thus trying to spare Gill from his embarrassment. He was sure it was the latter.
Adonis took a few more steps into the room and slid his hands into the front pockets of the tight blue jeans he wore. The move brought his attention to the very large and impressive bulge that was now framed between those pockets, and Gill swallowed hard. Boy what he wouldn’t give to see that up close and in person. Shit, what was wrong with him? He didn’t know this guy or even where he was. For all he knew this guy had kidnapped him or he was an evil serial killer. And here his pathetic ass was lusting over him.
That deep, sexy, chuckle came again, and Gill looked up, his gaze meeting stunning sapphire blue eyes. Now that the man had come into the room further, Gill could see him more clearly, and the first thing he noticed was the guy was even better looking than he first assessed. He did indeed have a few silver-grey hairs at both temples. The look didn’t make him look old at all, just more experienced and wise. Gill really liked it.
“I am definitely and completely flattered by your response to me, handsome, but if you think you can get out of your own head for a few minutes and stop fucking me with your eyes while staring at my dick, I think we can get to the talking portion of this meeting. If you can’t, then we both run the risk of me ripping my clothes off and joining you in that bed, then fucking you through the mattress.”
Gill’s eyes went wide as heat filled his face and his cock twitched with need.
“I can smell your arousal, Gill, and I am fighting very hard to control myself. There are so many things we need to discuss, fated one.”
Finally Gill was able to take a breath and pulled in a lungful of air, then released it slowly. Okay, he could do this. He could stop behaving like an untouched teen boy and man up. As much as he wanted exactly what the man had said he was about to do, Gill knew that was insane and the man was right. One, they didn’t know each other, and two, they had a lot to talk about. He knew he should be afraid right now, but he wasn’t. For some reason he just knew he was safe here and with this man, so Gill straightened his spine and lifted his chin, ready for whatever was about to happen.
“First let me start by introducing myself to you. I am Russell Savage, but everyone calls me Savage. Th―”
“Why is that? Is it only because of your name or because you’re a savage? Or is that how you are in bed?” Gill asked plainly. Then his eyes widened again as heat rose up his cheeks and he covered his face with his hands. “Oh my fucking god! I can’t believe I asked that out loud. What is wrong with me? I swear I am not a slut. I am never this forward, like ever. Oh shit, please just shoot me now.”
The gorgeous man outright laughed, the sound filling the room and somehow it put Gill at ease a little. He really liked the sound of that laugh and the way it made everything around him and inside him seem sunny and happy.
“It’s alright, Gill, I know we don’t know one another, but I don’t think you’re a slut. So let’s try this again. I’m Russell Savage. Everyone calls me Savage, but please, I would like you to call me Russell, and I brought you here. Where is here you ask? My private island.”
Gill’s hands quickly dropped from his face as he now looked at Russell in shock, but before he could comment, Russell quickly continued, “Yes, I have a private island. We’re not alone here and you are perfectly safe. Besides you and I, there is Grey, my oldest and dearest friend in the world, who is also the butler here, but he is more than that. He is more like my assistant, because he not only manages the house and the island, he also manages all my holdings. Then there is Lani, who is a wonderful spitfire of a little thing, who runs the kitchen, cooks, and takes care of us all as well as the fruit and vegetable gardens. And last is Heath. He is a very smart, strong, and talented young man who helps around here and is in charge of maintenance. He also looks after many of the flowering gardens and the grounds around the compound. All three of them have been with me for a very long time and are my family. None of them would ever harm you and they would never allow me to either. So again, you are perfectly safe here, Gill.”
“Okay, well,” Gill started as he tried to sit up again, but the pull in his back twisted again. “Shit, what is wrong with my back? All I want to do is sit up for hell's sake. Lying down having this conversation is making me feel like
an idiot,” Gill grumbled.
Russell moved closer then slid an arm under Gill’s shoulders. “Here, let me help you.”
With Russell’s help, Gill was sat up and leaned against the headboard. The pain in his back was still there, but not so bad. Once he was comfortable, Russell released him and stepped away. Gill could swear he heard a quick intake of breath as Russell touched him, and then felt the reluctance when Russell released him, but he knew he must be mistaken. There was no way, even though the man seemed to be flirting with him, that anyone who looked like Russell Savage could be interested in a dweeb like him.
“There, is that better?”
“Yes, thank you,” Gill replied shyly.
Russell gave him a beautiful smile full of sparkling white teeth. “Hey now, none of that. You don’t need to be shy with me.”
Gill cleared his throat. “Okay, then if I am on some island, my first question is, how long have I been asleep? Because as far as I know, the last place I was at, was in Colorado and there are no islands there. So, how long have I been out and what caused me to be out?”
The smile fell from Russell’s lips and his eyes filled with anger, but somehow Gill knew it wasn’t at him, but Russell’s reaction was beginning to worry him. “I will answer all of your questions and I promise to always be honest with you, but first let me ask you this. What do you remember?”
CHAPTER 4
Savage watched Gill’s face closely, trying to concentrate on the conversation and not the scent of fresh chocolate mint candy ready to be tasted. Just touching Gill and being so close when he helped the man sit up, just about made him forget his mate’s injuries and give Gill what his eyes and lust-filled scent had been asking for.
“Honestly it is all broken up. I think I have flashes, but honestly Russell, I don’t think my mind wants to remember,” Gill softly replied.
Savage pulled up his high wingback chair close to his fated one, sat, then gently placed his hand on top of Gill’s. “It’s okay, Gill. Sometimes our minds know when our body needs healing and when you’re ready it will bring the memories back to you. I give you my word, as your mate, that I will do everything in my power to help you through that when the time comes.”
“Maybe it would be best if you just told me,” Gill suggested.
Shaking his head, Savage replied, “I don’t think that’s wise. However, I can tell you this, you were badly injured. You had three broken ribs, internal bleeding, a severe concussion, and well… a broken back. I didn’t think you would live until I brought you home. Grey healed you as best he could, he mended your ribs, fixed your spleen and was able to bring the swelling in your brain down. He has intermittently tried to heal your spine and you won’t have to wear a back brace because of his treatments, but the rest is up to you.”
Gill continued to stare at him, rapidly blinking. “Are you saying I won’t be able to walk?”
Shaking his head, Savage replied, “That isn’t what I’m saying at all. You feel pain in your back and that is a sign that things are healing. However, since you are human it will just take a bit longer. Grey will continue to do minor treatments and they will help with the pain.”
“So I can walk?” Gill asked.
“Yes, Gill, you can walk. It might just hurt a bit for a while and you’re going to have to do some special exercises to help heal as well,” Savage answered.
Gill gifted him with one of the most beautiful smiles. It was in this instant that Savage swore he would do everything in his power to make his mate smile for all eternity. Lightly brushing back his mate’s sandy blond hair, Savage whispered, “Your smile makes your light green eyes sparkle and brings on a heavenly glow that I could just gaze upon for hours. You are a truly beautiful man.”
Gill’s cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink, as he softly said, “You don’t have to say things like that. I know better.”
* * * *
Russell sat up straight, his eyes glimmering with a hint of anger. “I never say anything I don’t mean. I don’t know how you see yourself, but when I look at you, fated one, I see a man of beauty and charm. An innocence that this old heart had thought was gone forever. I can feel your goodness every time I get within feet of you. That goodness radiates out to those who are around you. You are simply the most beautiful man I have ever seen or been around.”
“Well that’s good, I guess,” Gill said, picking at invisible lint, uncomfortable with the compliment. Feeling a need to change the subject, Gill asked, “Um, you said I’m on an island and I believe you. I mean, why wouldn’t I, right? You did say you would always tell me the truth and all.” Shrugging, Gill continued without taking a breath, “but one never really knows unless you can read my mind… god, I hope you can’t…” Gill’s eyes went huge. “Not that I’m thinking of hurting you or anything bad, cause I’m not… but you know that cause I’m like five-five and one twenty and you’re like a whole foot taller than me and probably double my weight… not that I think you’re fat, because I don’t… not that I’d care, cause what’s important is on the inside and you seem like a really nice guy… Damn it. I talk too much sometimes.”
“Gill, breathe. It’s okay,” Russell said smiling wide. “I have an idea. Why don’t we sit here, and you can ask me a question and then I can ask you one?”
Gill tilted his head to the side, thinking about what Russell asked. Did he want to answer questions? Well it was only fair… right? “Okay.”
“Alright then,” Russell replied, sitting back and crossing his legs. “Go ahead, ask away.”
“You said I’m on an island. Does this island have a name?” Gill asked.
Russell grinned. “Savage Island. I know it isn’t very original, but it is my home and now it is ours.”
Gill felt his cock twitching to life once more. Damn, when Russell smiled he was so sexy. Gill could see the large bulge in the man’s pants and knew Russell wasn’t as unaffected as he tried to pretend, and damn, the man was blessed. Gill licked his lips thinking he really wanted to know how many licks it would take to get to the center of that tootsie pop.
“Gill, focus,” Russell practically growled.
“I am foc… oh… uh… sorry,” Gill whispered.
Russell asked, “So tell me, Gill, what is it you do for a living?”
Gill just stared at first. When Russell raised a brow, Gill nervously said, “I’m trying to figure out how to answer that.”
“It isn’t a hard question, Gill. What do you do for a living?” Russell asked with a short laugh.
Gill whimpered then heard the whiny sound in his own voice as he said, “But it is hard. You see I could tell you I’m a firefighter, but I’m really not. Oh, I’ve been going through the Academy, but I am not meant to be a firefighter. Heck, even Wyndingo knows I’m not firefighter material. I do okay in the training and honestly I think I could pass, but I never wanted to be a firefighter and the fire captain could tell… he said as much.”
Gill looked away and wiped a tear that slowly slid down his cheek. “I just don’t have the heart for the job.” Looking back at Russell, Gill quickly said, “I respect the guys I work with so much. Firefighting is in their blood. It’s not just something they do, it’s who they are. It’s just not who I am. You know what I mean? So you asked me what I do… and technically that’s what I do.”
“But not what you want to do?” Russell asked.
“That’s two questions, but that’s okay,” Gill muttered.
All Gill’s insecurities came to him at once. He wanted to answer, but what if Russell laughed at him? Gill would be humiliated. Yet, it was a question no one ever had really asked him… well Benji had, but Gill didn’t know if he counted or not since Benji didn’t know his real name.
“Fated one? Are you alright?” Russell asked.
“I… I’m scared to say. I don’t want you to laugh at me,” Gill admitted, picking at that imaginary lint on his lap again.
Russell sat forward and placed his hand over Gill�
��s, stopping him from continuing his fidgets. “Look at me, fated one.”
Slowly Gill raised his head until his light green eyes met those sapphire blue ones of the man next to him. “Yes?”
Russell gave Gill that deadpan stare, saying, “I would never laugh at your dreams and wishes. I would, however, do everything in my power to help you realize them and trust me, I am very powerful.”
“I know you want an answer to that, but I have to ask something very important,” Gill said with curiosity.
“Okay, if it is important you must ask,” Russell agreed.
“Why do you keep calling me ‘fated one’?” Gill questioned softly with a shaky voice.
Russell smiled. “You’re right, it is a very important question. Probably the most important one you could ask.” Sitting back, Russell looked Gill directly in the eyes. With the intensity of the man’s stare, Gill knew whatever Russell’s answer was going to be, it was going to be life changing for him in many ways. He didn’t know how to explain it, he just knew.
Licking his lips, Russell replied, “You are my mate. Now, I know you have worked with Wyndingo and his men and you know about shifters, correct?”
Gill didn’t say anything, he just nodded. Russell continued, “Then you must know what a mate is to a shifter, right?”
“Kind of,” Gill whispered.
“Well, let me make sure you completely understand. A mate is the other half to our souls. They are the one being in this world that makes us complete, takes away our fears of being alone, and the one we know will love us unconditionally. A mate is a gift from fate herself. Someone a shifter or other paranormal will search for, sometimes their entire lives and may never find. I can tell you I thought I was never going to have one.”
“Why?” Gill asked softly.
“Because I have been around for a very long time. I have seen many find their mates and yet was never blessed with my own… until I found you. You are my fated one. You are the man I will love and cherish, and even die for if I must. You, Gill, are the most important person in my world from this day forward. No one will ever harm you or speak ill of you ever again, or they will have to answer to me,” Russell replied.
