by Julia Talbot
“I didn’t. I swear. I would never want to hurt you. I’m so sorry.” Poor Grizz was working himself into a tizzy.
“Stop it.” He shut off the flow of words with a hard, sharp kiss, the sudden rush of Grizz on his tongue luscious.
Grizz moaned into his mouth, hands on his back, holding him close. Those two hands could snap his spine, but he knew Grizz was right. Grizz would never hurt him on purpose. They would have to work on not hurting by accident, but he figured Grizz was worth it. Peyton pushed right in, rubbing side-to-side, both of them making hungry little sounds.
They had stayed apart too long. They were both sorry fools. If they were going to be mates they had to work on things together.
Grizz was hard beneath the rough denim of his jeans, long and hot. That was so sexy, the way Grizz reacted to him so immediately, so perfectly.
“Need you, honey. Now. Please.”
Honey. That must be a high compliment coming from a bear. Peyton nodded eagerly, because he also wanted. Desperately.
He tugged Grizz all the way down on the bed with him, then climbed aboard to rub some more.
Grizz cupped his cheek, rubbing the scars. “I’m sorry.”
“Shut up, bear. Kiss me.”
Grizz nodded, then pulled him down, lips finding his. The kiss went on and on, and he had to taste a little…
Peyton let his fangs graze Grizz’s lower lip.
Grizz grunted, and he heard, ‘yes’ just as loud as anything.
The tiny bead of blood he licked away wasn’t near enough. All it did was bring out the predator in him, and Peyton wanted more. He slid down, kissing his way over Grizz’s chin to lick at the thick column of neck.
“Please, honey. I need it.” Grizz’s words surprised the hell out of him. He would never expect Grizz to beg for him to bite.
“You’re sure?” Peyton asked.
“I am. I know what I need now. I want you.” Grizz met his gaze, eyes glowing gold. The certainty there made him warm, all the way to his toes.
He grinned. He couldn’t have not, because he was so hungry. He hadn’t been--it was as if his soul had been put on ice--but he sure as shit was now. Peyton struck quickly, sinking in with his fangs, the pulse beneath his lips thundering.
Moaning, Grizz clung to him, squeezing him tight enough to make him grunt.
Life flooded him, stars sparkling behind his eyes. Grizz was like no one he’d ever fed on. Ever. Grizz was his. Strong and full of life.
“Yours. Yours, honey. I needed so bad.” Grizz twisted against him, big hands on his ass.
Yes. Peyton sucked hard, pulling Grizz’s life into his body. He tingled all over, coming back to life after that long freeze he’d just been thinking about. It took everything he had to feed and keep his defenses up, keep his thoughts quiet. He didn’t want to impose on Grizz with his mind.
“Where are you?” Grizz stroked his hair. “I can barely feel you.”
Here. He was right here.
“I want to hear you. I know what’s what now. I do. I swear.” Grizz was rubbing, panting, but his thoughts were pressing at Peyton.
He groaned, his whole world shuddering for a second. He could really mess up if he went totally open again, but he wanted to trust. He needed to. He truly believed Grizz was his mate. Was that stupid? Maybe, but what the hell. Peyton let the wall drop.
“Oh, fuck!” Grizz came all over him, a rush of pleasure, blood filling Peyton’s mouth.
Peyton cried out, swallowing convulsively, body jerking in Grizz’s arms. That was the brightest, hottest flame he’d ever felt. And he’d had a long life.
“I have you. I have you. Love.”
Love. He did feel loved, and he felt forgiveness coming on. Maybe he would bite Grizz and rub some of his blood into it. That would leave a mark. They could belong to each other.
Careful Peyton. Careful. Think about that before you commit.
He eased back, lapping and nudging the wounds with his tongue.
Grizz shuddered. “Need you to fuck me, Peyton.”
He couldn’t have hidden his groan if he’d tried. Yes. Peyton wanted inside Grizz, just as he’s taken Grizz’s blood into him.
“I’m not sure we have slick.”
Grizz glared at him. “Use spit. I won’t break.”
Well, that was clear. He pressed his fingers to Grizz’s lips, letting him lick and suck and get Peyton’s fingers good and wet. Except they still had their clothes on. Shit.
“Naked. It’s better naked.”
“So much.” Peyton tore at Grizz’s clothes. Grizz might object to losing the shirt, but too bad. He could buy more.
Grizz chuffed softly, pleasure pouring into him.
He stripped quickly before getting back to the business at hand. He needed in. Now.
He reached down and cupped Grizz’s muscled butt. “So fine. Want.”
“Uh-huh. Now.” Grizz didn’t wait for Peyton’s fingers. The big guy wetted two of his own and reached down to open up his hole.
Peyton’s knees buckled and he leaned forward, licking at Grizz’s fingers, that sweet hole.
“Oh!” Grizz shouted again, the sound utterly shocked. “Peyton.”
Peyton nodded and licked again, then again. He loved how Grizz squirmed with need, fingers stilling. His bear really could only focus on one thing at a time. Well, it was time to focus on this.
He pressed at Grizz’s fingers. “Hurry up, Grizz. I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
Grizz chuckled and braced himself. “Do your worst.”
“Oh, bear, you deserve my best. You really do.” He lined up, the head of his dick against Grizz’s entrance.
Peyton watched as the tiny ring of muscles opened, began to stretch. The sight made him dizzy. This was his mate and he knew it. Did Grizz know, or was he just going blind instinct?
“I know, honey. More.”
Oh. Okay. That was… Grizz was agreeing. Hearing him.
Peyton couldn’t have stopped now if a freight train ran through the trailer. Which would be awkward, but still wouldn’t end this. He just drove in and in, making sure Grizz felt every inch.
Grizz groaned, tendon standing out against the bruised skin of his neck. “More.” he said again.
Peyton pressed in until his hips were flush against Grizz’s. Then he circled his hips as best he could, grinding. “Feel that, bear?”
“Feel it. Honey, please.”
“Please what?” He could make Grizz suffer. Just a little. Grizz deserved a few rounds of teasing.
Grizz reached back and one huge hand covered Peyton’s ass and he squeezed.
Peyton’s muscles clenched right up, his body on high alert. He began to move, his hips rocking. Grizz pushed back, meeting him all the way, almost slamming them together. He grunted, his eyes rolling back. Now no one was teasing. They were just cooking with oil. So much for flirting.
Peyton bit his lip, feeling blood flow. Oh, now would be the time to mark his bear. Now would be the best time, when they were so connected, when everything was forgiven.
Please, honey. Yours.
He groaned and leaned down. You’re sure?
I am. Oh, I am.
He felt the push of Grizz’s need, of his desire to wear Peyton’s mark. So be it. He leaned down, bit down into Grizz’s shoulder, his blood and Grizz’s mingling together.
Grizz’s low sound was a growl, an exultant bear sound, one that made Peyton want to shout their mating from the rooftops.
My bear! He rejoiced, his head spinning.
Peyton. Grizz sounded so perfectly happy.
They were connected down to the bone--from cock to teeth.
Grizz wiggled, and Peyton sank his fangs deeper as if Grizz was prey. He had to keep them together. There was no escaping this.
Yes.
Hold me. Grizz was exultant.
I have you.
Love.
The word tore through him, because he’d never thought he would hear it this way.
Yes, bear. Love. He felt Grizz’s climax, deep in the base of his spine.
That was all he needed, his pleasure washing through him like a tsunami as he filled Grizz up to the top.
Grizz collapsed under him, panting, the bear musk heavy in the air. The grin Grizz work made him laugh out loud, and his arms gave out.
Perfect. Peyton landed with a thud.
“Uhn.” Grizz laughed. “Wow.”
“Uh-huh. Very wow.” In fact, he’d never felt so amazing in his whole existence.
“Thank you for coming back. For taking a chance on me.” Grizz stroked his lower back.
“I didn’t mean to intrude on you,” Peyton whispered. “Honestly. I was just so proud.”
“You scared me.” Grizz turned to face him, then pulled him into those brawny arms. “I’m used to going it alone, and you were in my head and I freaked.”
“Me too, believe it or not. I get into trouble a lot.” Peyton felt it was only fair to let Grizz know that up front.
“Really?” The word was dry as dust. “Cody said so.”
He swatted Grizz’s butt. “Be nice.”
“What? He warned me, is all. Said you needed a big, strong protector.”
“Uh-huh.” Still, he didn’t doubt that. Grizz deserved a warning. Cody was so getting a big pinch when Peyton saw him.
“I’m a selfish butthead, I sleep a lot, and I’m growly.”
“I get into trouble and bite a lot. We’re both a lot of fun.”
“So.” Grizz kissed his mouth. “We’re a matched set.”
“Yeah? So... I can come back home?” Peyton asked. He knew his exile had been self-imposed, but he needed to ask. To have it out formally.
“God, yes.” Grizz squeezed him until he squeaked at the strength of the grip. His ribs kinda creaked under the pressure.
He kissed Grizz hard, nuzzling into the place he wanted to be.
Grizz held him, then began snoring. Looked like while he had hidden in sleep, Grizz had been awake. Or maybe Grizz really did just like to sleep that much.
Whatever. Peyton was totally capable of rest, of being warm and safe. With his mate.
Chapter Ten
Grizz rode the next night, and when he felt a mental caress from Peyton it made him smile. Like, goofy in love smile. Lord, he had it bad, and he thought he might have convinced Peyton he would never, ever get freaked out like that again. He couldn’t. Not ever.
Peyton didn’t come to watch him ride and was super careful not to interfere, but his lover was still there, a warm, approving presence in the back of his mind.
They were going to have to practice at this mate shit, but Grizz thought it was totally worth it.
The scars on the lean face still hurt his feelings and made him worry. He’d hurt Peyton, permanently. The ache from his actions made Grizz rub his belly. He would never forgive himself for that.
Easy, bear. Mistakes happen.
I hurt you. Grizz grinned. Peyton was such a vamp. He lived in the now.
You marked... Grizz, I have to go back to the trailer.
What? He searched the lower stands, trying to find Peyton in the crowd, even though he knew Peyton was out on the midway.
A dull shot of panic flooded him, and he knew his blood sucker was scared. What the hell? He could feel the weight of Peyton’s panic pressing him down like extra-heavy gravity.
Head for the trailer. I’ll meet you.
He felt the agreement and then Peyton was moving, fast as light, sliding through the crowd away from him.
Okay. Time to do his job and protect Peyton, who had obviously seen or felt something that set him off. Grizz went into predator mode, his senses on high alert.
His Peyton. His.
He sniffed, searching for someone wrong. Sometimes danger had an odor. All he smelled was cooking grease and the press of the crowd, thousands of bodies of all kinds. The bulls emitted a brimstone scent that was hard to overcome.
He’d go to Peyton. He could protect his vampire from the safety of the trailer, keeping his big body between Peyton and any threat.
Grizz hurried his steps while trying not to be obvious. No drawing attention if Peyton had managed to slip away unseen.
Home. The single word in his mind made him feel good.
On my way, honey. He waved off a friend as he buzzed by, Peyton his first priority. He could apologize later, but he had to keep his vamp safe, close.
He’d promised Cody, but more than that? He owed Peyton. He made it to the trailer just as the door slid shut. Peyton hadn’t beaten him by much.
As soon as Grizz was inside, he wrapped around Peyton and held tight, kissing the top of his lover’s head.
Peyton clung to him, holding on tight. “Hey, bear.”
“Hey. what happened out there?”
“I saw... you know why I came here, right?” Peyton chewed his lower lip, those fangs threatening to draw blood.
“I know a little. Cody didn’t tell me much. Just that you had pissed off some vamp lord or lady or something.”
“Exactly. I was attacked by another of my kind and I killed him. His parents were...peeved. I just saw two of their own in the stands, plain as moonlight. Dammit.”
“Oh. Well, if there are only two…” Grizz waved a hand in the air. “I could go eat them.”
“They would taste bad.” Peyton leaned into him.
“Would they?” He reached over to lock the door. Not that a locked door would impede a vamp, but it would give him time to set up his counterattack.
“I don’t think they saw me. I hope they didn’t see me.”
“We’ll assume they did, just to be safe.” He wanted to go hunt them, truth be told, but it was important to stay with Peyton.
“So what do we do?”
“We stay here tonight, hang out and feed you so you’re good and strong. If they show up again, I eat them.” Grizz was a man with a simple plan. Why get complicated?
“That’s fair.” Peyton beamed at him, teeth gleaming. “You had a good time out there.”
“I did! I think I might get a check for that.” He’d had a good ride. So much better than before Peyton, with all the broken bones.
“My cowboy. I totally approve.”
“Oh, good. You won’t get bored?” Grizz felt very young for a moment.
“With what?” Peyton looked utterly confused.
“With me. With traveling and all. I can’t leave the rodeo yet.” It was a young shifter’s game, the Darque and Knight rodeo. He had to do it while he could.
“I like traveling and Cody is my best friend. You have television.”
“I do. I can get a bigger one.”
Peyton kissed him, hard and deep, making him groan. Damn, that was fine. Peyton made him feel like he was the only man in the world. Like he was sex on a stick. Peyton moaned, tongue sliding against his, pushing hard.
Someone wanted to work off some of his fear.
Grizz was all over that shit. All over it. He got working on Peyton’s clothes, loving how Peyton had cowboyed up again for him. He had to admit, though, the boots and jeans were tough to strip off.
When he bared his prize he licked every inch of skin he could find. Peyton was an addiction.
“Bear.” Peyton twisted under him, begging him for all he was worth.
“Yes. Your bear.” He nibbled one nipple, loving how Peyton cried out for him. That skin was fine and smooth, so pale. Not like his at all, tanned and hair rough.
“Love your skin. Love the way you touch me.” Peyton was so giving, letting him see everything.
“Good. You think Cod
y knew? That we would do this?”
“No. No, I think it was fate.”
“Mmm.” Grizz liked that idea. A lot.
“I do too. Kiss me.” Peyton’s presence just ghosted through his mind.
He gave that kiss, then another. And another. Peyton was just amazing.
The long, lean legs wrapped around his waist, hard cock sliding on his belly. The press of their bodies together gave Grizz such a happy, made him grunt.
Want you, Bear. In me.
For real? He would so fuck that ass.
Now. Well, that was clear.
He rolled over to find lube and kinda squashed Peyton. Oops. Good thing vampires didn’t need to breathe.
Peyton laughed, the sound fond. “Goofy bear.”
“Your goofy bear, right?”
“My goofy bear, right.” Peyton reached down to stroke Grizz’s cock. “Every part of you.”
“Every fucking inch, Peyton.”
“Mmm. You find that lube?”
Grizz brandished the tube. “Got it!”
“Go team bear!”
God, Peyton made him laugh. He rumbled with it, the sound coming from deep in his chest. Then he rolled Peyton to his back, bending to raspberry his belly.
“Bear!” Peyton rolled up and surrounded his head.
Yes. See? Peyton got his weird bear stuff. He really did. He didn’t have to fumble for apologies or try to hold back when he was just being him.
Peyton stroked his head, fingers dragging through his hair. Then he dug in with those long fingers and gave Grizz a bit of a massage.
He closed his eyes and moaned, the tension easing right out of his muscles. Oh, his mate was good to him. So good. Grizz needed to be good back, so he popped open the lube and got his fingers wet so he could reach down, intent on opening Peyton up. Getting him ready.
There was nothing he wanted more than to drive himself into Peyton, prove that his bloodsucker was safe.
Peyton spread for him, lifting those lean hips to give him access, and he caught himself growling deep in his chest. Possessive noises he had in spades.
He pushed a finger inside Peyton’s body, the tightness a revelation. “Don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. More.” Peyton wiggled, taking him deeper.
