by Faith Gibson
Sabrina was shocked at his admission, and she searched his face for any sign he was joking. She knew in her heart he wasn’t. He had no reason to lie to her.
“One reason I live in the middle of the woods is to give my head a break. Being around so many inmates is tough, but for the most part, they’re resigned to their fate. We get a few who are constantly screaming their innocence, and I have to let my co-workers deal with them. The hospital is a hard place for me. The patients are sick or dying. The families are hopeful until they’re not. The only spaces in the building I feel at ease are the nursery and the morgue. Even the babies who are crying can have their needs met quickly. The morgue is self-explanatory. So, back to kids. I love kids, but I’m scared of the pain. I’m scared of not being able to meet their emotional needs and feel the backlash. Does that make sense?”
“It does. And the fact that you’re so worried about their emotional support tells me you’d be a wonderful father. But I get what you’re saying. Not that we’re anywhere close to talking about a family, but just so you know, that’s not a deal breaker for me. Yes, I would like to have kids, but I’m not getting any younger. I’ll be thirty-seven in August. I know lots of women have babies in their forties, but I’m not sure I want to be closing in on retirement age and have a child just starting college.”
Sabrina could feel Deacon’s relief at her words. Could see in his eyes the hope for a future with her. Maybe it had been a deal breaker for him. She took a sip of wine and leaned back into his side. “This is nice,” she said. “You were right: it is peaceful here. My neighborhood isn’t loud, but there’s always some noise like a car door slamming. A dog barking. Sirens in the distance.” Sabrina listened for any type of noise, and other than the rustling of the trees when a breeze blew and the hummingbirds arguing, there was nothing.
They sat in companionable silence, sipping wine and just being. But there was something she needed from him. “I want to see you dance.”
Chapter Fourteen
Drago rolled into town just as the sun was setting. He bypassed the warehouses, already assured everything was under control. Hagen Rossum was sitting at the dining room table, laptop open, and fingers flying across the keyboard.
“We have a problem, sir,” he said as soon as Drago closed the door. Drago liked that about the human. No need for formalities. Kallisto had taught him well.
“What is it?” Drago crossed the room and entered the kitchen to grab a beer out of the refrigerator. He was hungry but in no mood to cook.
“If you’re hungry, I left a plate in the oven.”
“What’s the problem, Rossum?” Drago set the bottle down and opened the oven to find a covered plate of chicken parmesan. He stuck it in the microwave then turned to give the human his attention.
“The one you had Renneck keeping an eye on has left town. From what I can gather, it was sudden. Do you want me to track him for you? Find out where he went?”
“Yes. I already have something set in motion, and he’s a vital part of that.” The microwave dinged. “Did you make this?” Drago asked, taking the plate and setting it on the island.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry if it’s not very good, but I like to cook. I’m just not as good at it as I am computers.” The kid kept his eyes down, and Drago didn’t like that, which was odd. Normally, he was all about intimidation, compliance, and subordination. The same way Alistair had been. For whatever reason, he wanted the human to be at ease around him. Drago had plans for Hagen. Ones that would carry him far within their Clan if he was useful.
“I appreciate the effort.” Drago took a bite and found it to his liking. “This is really good, Hagen. Feel free to cook any time you like as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work.”
“Thank you, sir.” The kid beamed from those few words.
Drago served under Alistair Gianopoulos for hundreds of years. He watched how his King treated not only those under him but his children as well. Few of the Greek Gargoyles were loyal to Alistair because they respected him. They served Alistair out of fear. Not the way the Stone Society followed Rafael. Those males, whether family or not, lived and breathed everything Di Pietro-related, because Rafael was solid. He ruled his Clan with honor, stepping in and doing what needed to be done, right alongside the other Goyles. His Clan would fight to the death to keep Rafael King of the Americas. Drago would have one hell of a battle going up against the entire Society. He needed his own males to be loyal to him, so maybe he would take a lesson from the American King.
Deacon never should have mentioned dancing. Now, he either had to pretend he couldn’t dance well and embarrass himself, or show his mate what he could do and deal with how it made her feel. Hell, he wasn’t sure if she was the same as the women from the movies. Sabrina might watch him with a critical eye and nothing more. Screw it. He took her free hand and pulled her to her feet.
“We’ll need to go inside where I can turn on some music.” Deacon led Sabrina to the living room and guided her down to the sofa. If he wanted to play it up, he could move a dining chair to the center of the room and really give her a show. Deciding against it, he left her where she was and pulled out his phone. He opened the music app and scrolled until he found the perfect song. It was the same one from the movie where he’d learned his moves. The only reason he’d seen the movie in the first place was because Matthew had been watching it one night while Deacon had been guarding the teen. Abbi and Amelia had already gone to bed, and Matthew had dared Deacon to dance, so he did. He enjoyed it so much he went home and it became an obsession of sorts. Practicing until he had every step, every move, down.
After pushing the coffee table out of the way, Deacon hit play and let the music take over. As soon as he began rolling his hips, Sabrina’s eyes widened. When he pulled his tee up exposing his abs, she swallowed hard. This was so unlike Deacon – this seduction – but he knew he was getting it right when Sabrina’s arousal hit his nose. Deacon called on his beast to keep his erection under control while he continued to move his hips. Ripping his shirt over his head, he tossed it across the room. Deacon ran his hands down his torso and back up, biting his bottom lip while looking at Sabrina through hooded eyes. He didn’t have the props needed to do the dance exactly as the character from the movie, and honestly, he wouldn’t have been as crass to pretend to orgasm while spewing water into the air. This dance was nowhere near as provocative as the one the guys did in the club, but it was steamy enough. He dropped to the floor, following the choreography for a few more steps, rolling his hips seductively, and then he flipped onto his feet.
Deacon pumped his hips, and Sabrina gasped. “Oh, my,” she muttered, squirming against the sofa. He never intended to continue through the whole routine, but he was enjoying himself. Given his mate hadn’t laughed at him, he took that as a good sign. Before the song was over, Deacon pulled Sabrina to her feet and into his arms. At that point, he was going to dance with her, but she had other ideas. Sabrina ran her hands down his chest, over his abs, and unbuttoned his jeans. When she paused at his zipper, she glanced up at him. For permission maybe. There was no way he would stop her if she wanted to take things further.
“You don’t have to,” he told her.
“I want you,” Sabrina whispered.
As much as he wanted his mate’s mouth around his cock, their first time wasn’t going to be with her on her knees in the living room. Deacon picked her up, cradling her like a bride on her wedding day, and carried her upstairs to his bedroom. It had been hundreds of years since he’d bedded a female, and it was going to take every ounce of strength he could muster to get through this without coming too quickly. Not only that, but he was already fighting his beast for control.
She is ours. Claim her.
I won’t. Not until she knows the truth.
Then tell her.
Not yet.
Deacon laid Sabrina in the middle of the bed. She was perfection, and she was his. “We don’t have to do this yet.”
“I want to. Unless you don’t.” Sabrina’s breathing was harsh, and he knew she wanted him. She was transmitting want and need as clearly as the words she spoke aloud.
“Oh, I do. I have wanted you since the first time I saw you.” Deacon removed Sabrina’s shoes, tossing them to the floor. He moved to her blouse and unbuttoned it. Slowly, he unwrapped this flawless present that was his mate. Next came her bra, a lavender lace number which matched the shirt she had on. Deacon bit back a groan when her breasts were revealed. They weren’t overly full, but they were more than enough for his large hands to enjoy. Next, he removed her jeans, leaving the lace panties that matched the bra. He would buy her sets of lingerie in every color under the sun if he was the one who got to see them on her luscious body. The one who got to remove them and cherish the treasures hidden within.
“Deacon, please,” she begged, her hands on her thighs, close to her juncture.
Deacon removed his boots and socks so he could get his jeans and underwear off. When he stood naked in front of her, Sabrina raked his body with her eyes from his head down, stopping at his erection. His cock was leaking as it jutted toward her. “Deacon…” Sabrina pushed her panties down her toned legs. She held her hand out to him, and he took it, allowing her to pull him down on top of her. His dick was pressed between their bodies, and that little bit of friction was almost enough to have him shooting his load. He didn’t want that. He wanted to give his mate what she needed.
“Do you have a condom?” Sabrina asked, taking care of his impending orgasm. He couldn’t make love to her. Not without protection.
“No. Like I said, it’s been a long time. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” Deacon leaned down, pressing their lips together. He had never gone down on a female, but he’d seen it done in porn, and he knew the mechanics. He could make her come with his tongue and fingers. That would have to be enough for now. Deacon knew he couldn’t give her diseases, but she was his mate, and she could get pregnant if the fates willed it so without protection. What started off as a brush of lips turned into a feast. Sabrina took control of the kiss the same way she had in her office. His mate wasn’t a meek lamb. She was fire and passion.
Deacon licked inside her mouth, tasting wine and Sabrina’s own essence. It was a heady mixture, one that could get him drunk when nothing else could. He nipped at her bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth with just enough pressure to have her gasping into his mouth. Wanting more, he licked a path from her neck down to her breasts where he laved her right nipple. Teasing, biting softly, blowing on it, Deacon leaned on his forearm so he could use his free hand to squeeze her other breast, twisting her nipple. Sabrina writhed beneath him, wrapping one leg around his hips, arching into him.
Take her. She wants to be with us.
“I can’t.”
“Can’t what?” Sabrina asked.
Shit. He’d spoken to his beast out loud. “Can’t stop tasting you. You’re exquisite.”
“Please, Deacon. I need…” Sabrina grabbed hold of his ears, pushing his head, urging him lower. Not being able to deny her, Deacon slid down on the bed, pressing kisses to her soft skin as he went. He had seen nude females before, but never had he gazed upon his mate. The way her folds glistened with moisture. Her scent called to him, and he spread her lips with his fingers and fastened his mouth to her, sucking, licking, teasing. Deacon’s cock was harder than it had ever been before, and he rubbed against the mattress, needing release before the beast overtook him.
Sabrina’s breaths were coming in shallow pants as she pushed her core against his mouth. Deacon flicked his tongue over her nub and pushed a couple fingers inside her slick passage. Fisting her hands into the bedding, Sabrina arched and yelled out as her orgasm flowed through her body. Deacon lapped at her release, his own not far behind. Turning his head sideways, he squeezed his eyes tightly, begging his fangs and claws to remain where they were. Embarrassment flowed through Deacon at having come against the bed like a virgin. He rested his cheek on Sabrina’s thigh, willing his heart to stop racing. If this was how his body reacted without making love, he surely wouldn’t be able to withstand it when he sank deep inside her. How did the others do it?
“First appointment I can get with my doctor, I’m getting on the pill.”
Deacon popped his head up, taking in Sabrina’s flushed face. The sated expression and smile she gave him rocked his world. “Does that mean…?”
“That I want to continue this? Oh, yes. If you make me explode like that with your mouth, I can’t imagine what you’ll be able to do with your… you know.”
Deacon grinned. “My ‘you know’ is happy to hear that.” He kissed her inner thigh before working his way up until they were face to face. “I’m happy to hear that.” Deacon ghosted his lips across hers. “I’ll be right back.” He climbed off the bed and retreated into the bathroom to clean himself. He took his time, thinking about everything that happened. Deacon wasn’t a seducer. He wasn’t a suave, experienced male, but Sabrina brought out his inner tiger. Well, Gargoyle. He shouldn’t be surprised, though. She was his chosen mate. He should have known everything with her would be easier than he’d ever found it before. After cleaning the release from his body, he wrapped a towel around his waist and returned to the bedroom. Sabrina was exactly where he left her.
“I think you broke me,” she joked.
“Nah. Maybe bent you just a bit.” He leaned over, kissing her again. When he tried to raise up, Sabrina snaked her arms around his neck, keeping his lips where she wanted them. His mate wasn’t shy. Except she couldn’t bring herself to say cock or dick. Deacon found that charming. Everything about her was charming, and he just knew everything would be okay. They would get to know one another, and when the time was right, he would tell her the truth of himself and the Gargoyles. She would accept the mate bond, and they’d live out the rest of their lives together. Maybe alone, maybe with children. But always together.
“Where did you learn to dance like that?” Sabrina asked when they came up for air.
Deacon pulled away and turned in search of his briefs. “Have you met Frey and Abbi’s son, Matthew?” Sabrina nodded. “I was staying with him one night and that Magic Mike movie was on. He bet me I couldn’t dance the way they could, so I got up and tried it. I wasn’t bad, but I definitely didn’t have the same moves the actors did. This is embarrassing, but I enjoyed it. I’ve always liked to dance, but that takes it to a whole different level. I came home the next day and spent some time watching the videos and practicing.”
“Color me impressed. Have you ever danced like that in a club?”
Deacon sat down on the bed next to her thigh and picked up Sabrina’s hand. He kissed her knuckles. “No way. First off, I don’t go to clubs, and second, that kind of dancing is meant to do one thing: seduce. Not that I was trying to seduce you exactly, but I’m not the kind of male to shake my ass for just anybody.”
“Only for me?” Sabrina played with the band around his underwear.
“Only for you. Now, what do you say we go grab another glass of wine and find a movie to watch?”
“Do you mind if I put on something more comfortable?”
“Not at all. Wait here and I’ll get your bags.”
“Or I could wear one of your T-shirts.”
“Or you could wear one of my T-shirts.” Deacon crowed on the inside, and his beast might have roared a bit. Okay, a lot. He opened a dresser drawer and pulled out one of his older tees. It was well-worn and soft as butter. Sabrina pulled her panties on then slid the shirt over her body. “Perfect,” he muttered before picking her up and carrying her back downstairs.
Chapter Fifteen
Sabrina was in heaven. She was snuggled up against Deacon’s chest, her legs bent behind her on the sofa. His arm was securely around her where he was once again rubbing lazy circles on her skin. She should be freaking out. Things were moving way too fast, but then again, they weren’t moving fast enough. Why had she gotten off the pill? Be
cause she had sworn off sex and didn’t need the chemicals in her body. And what man didn’t keep condoms? Someone who hadn’t dated in a long time. That was another plus in the Team Deacon column. There were so many checks in that column Sabrina needed a new sheet of paper. Not that she’d actually written anything down. The checklist was in her mind, and it was filled with nothing but good.
She hadn’t had many lovers in her life, but of those she had, they didn’t hold a candle to Deacon, and they hadn’t even had sex yet. She knew when they did, she would combust. Her body was still tingling from the orgasm he’d given her with his mouth and fingers. Just thinking about his impressive cock had her struggling to remain still. She couldn’t wait until one of them had protection and he could fill her up. Since they had another date tomorrow, they could stop at the drugstore and get condoms, since it would probably take too long to get in with the doctor. Damn, girl. Sabrina chuckled to herself. She’d never been this brazen when it came to having sex, but she’d never had a man like Deacon Wright.
Being with him was so different than being with Garrison. Deacon asked for nothing. He gave everything. “Why hasn’t someone snatched you up already?”
Deacon chuckled, the sound in his chest music to her ear. “I could ask you the same thing. But I think we were both waiting on the right one, and here we are.”
