Turning away, Jonah checked Elliott. His friend was still gaping, and his eyes looked suspiciously wet, but he was still smiling. “Are you okay?”
“I will be once you get me out of here. God, Jonah, I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”
Jonah reached down and grabbed Elliott bridal style before giving one last menacing glance to the human still standing there, then left the house.
Chapter Two
Keenan carefully peeked around the kitchen door. He just needed a snack, but from the noises that came from the room, Nysys had to be in there, and god knew what the Nix had decided to cook now.
“Keenan! What do you think?”
Nysys was holding up something, but Keenan wasn’t sure what it was. It was round and pink, but that was about the only things he was sure of. The thing leaned on one side and there were holes in the pink cover. “Is that a cake?”
Nysys proudly nodded. “It’s just an experiment. I want to bake you a cake for your birthday, but I never baked one, so I wanted to try. What do you think?”
Keenan didn’t want to hurt the man, really, but he wasn’t even sure the cake was edible. Now that he looked at it more closely, he could see something red slowly trailing down from the top of the cake, and it didn’t really make him want to eat it. “Umm... what kind of cake is it?”
“It’s a basic cake with cherry jelly stuffing. I covered it with pink sugar paste.”
“I can see that.”
“Oh, wait, I’ll cut you a slice.”
Keenan cringed. He really didn’t want to be sick for his birthday, although if he got sick now, he would probably be okay by then. Hopefully.
He could have refused, but he knew Nysys really wanted to learn how to cook and bake, and he couldn’t find it in him to put the Nix down. Maybe he would decide he didn’t want a cake for his birthday, though.
Nysys presented him a plate and a fork, and Keenan started to push the cake around the plate. “I’m not really hungry, you know. I just came down to get some water.”
Damn it. He could see the smile slipping from Nysys’ face as the man reached for his plate.
“That’s fine. I’ll just put it away.”
Keenan grabbed his plate back. “No, no! I’ll try it. Even if I’m not hungry, I can still try it, right?”
He stabbed the cake and cut a piece, eyeing it as if the thing could somehow hurt him, and it probably could. At least this one didn’t have to be set on fire like the last thing Nysys had tried to bake. Keenan thought it might have been Crêpe Suzette, but the thing hadn’t been edible, especially once Nysys had burned it until all that remained was a small black piece of charcoal.
Taking a deep breath, Keenan closed his eyes and opened his mouth before quickly putting the piece of cake in it. He kept it on his tongue for a few seconds just to be sure it wouldn’t burn a hole in his stomach—not that something like that had happened yet, but Keenan wouldn’t put it past Nysys to somehow bake an acidic cake.
Once he was sure the cake was relatively safe, Keenan gave a tentative bite, his eyes flying open when the flavor of the cherry jelly exploded on his tongue. The cake was actually good! “This is great, Nysys!”
Nysys looked as stunned as Keenan felt. Keenan took another bite of the cake, enjoying the blending of the vanilla and cherry flavors while Nysys tracked his every move, as if he was scared Keenan would faint any moment now. “It’s good?”
Keenan nodded and held his fork up. Nysys looked at it dubiously, but then he leaned down and took it in his mouth. His eyes widened and his brows rose. “It’s good! Oh my god, I baked a cake that doesn’t taste of ashes and crap!” The little man started to bounce around the kitchen as Keenan chuckled and finished his slice.
He had to admit the cake was good, even if it didn’t look like it. “I’d like this cake for my birthday, but maybe you could ask Darin to help you with the coverage. That way you won’t have to do all the work on your own.”
Nysys narrowed his eyes a bit, but then he nodded, and Keenan sighed in relief. “I’ll do that. He’s better than me at doing that anyway, but I’ll bake the cake!”
Keenan was saved from further discussion about the cake by the doorbell. He frowned. They weren’t expecting any visits, but if Isaiah had opened the front gate, it had to be someone they knew. “I’ll get that. Thanks for the cake, man. It’s really good.”
“Geesh, with the amount of people living here you’d think someone else would have thought about opening the door,” Keenan said loudly before swinging the door open. His jaw just about hit his chest at the sight that greeted him.
Jonah was standing right outside the door, looking hesitant and delicious. It had only been two months since Keenan had last seen him, but he couldn’t help but take the vision in.
Jonah’s long, dark hair was bound on his nape, and Keenan could see his sky blue eyes looking down at him from his six foot six height. He wanted nothing more than to jump into his mate’s arms, but he stopped himself. What if Jonah wasn’t there for him?
“Jonah. How are you?” Keenan had a hard time keeping his voice as cool as he could, especially when he saw the hurt in Jonah’s eyes.
“I’m fine.” The man was avoiding Keenan’s eyes now and looking at his shoes.
“Are you here to see Dominic? I think he’s in his office.”
“No, I’m here to see you.”
Keenan couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on his face. He had been waiting for this since Jonah had disappeared. While he had been angry and sad for the past two months, talking with both Oliver and Jonah in the past few days had helped him decide that he wanted to give Jonah a chance. Mating was a one-time deal, and Keenan knew they could have something incredible if only they worked on it a bit.
“Okay. Do you want to go somewhere? We could check out the pond.”
Jonah tilted his head to the side, reminding Keenan of a puppy. The attitude was a little weird, considering how big Jonah was, but it was endearing. Keenan smiled at his mate and reached for Jonah’s hand, smiling even more Jonah looked stunned at the familiar gesture. “I’m a very touchy-feely guy, so you better get used to me pawing at you.”
Jonah growled a bit. “You better be touching only me, Keenan.” He seemed to realize what he had said right away, so he sputtered, “I’m sorry, you, I... I shouldn’t have said that. You can touch, well, anyone you want, if you want. Umm. Yeah.”
Keenan waved his worry away and pulled him along. “Don’t worry. I’ve been around mated couples for a while now, so I know you’re going to be jealous and possessive for a while, at least until we mate. And I have no intentions on touching anyone but you anyway.” Keenan knew he was assuming things, but he hoped that Jonah’s presence meant the wolf shifter wanted them to work their mating out.
Keenan led Jonah to the pond Bryce had dug for Finn, hoping that no one was there. The pond had originally been dug to help the Nix fulfill their need for water, but it had quickly become the place where couples got a little alone time. The mansion was so full of people that it wasn’t easy to be romantic. There was always someone knocking on the door or kids running around.
Keenan smiled when he saw that no one was there. He walked to the stone bench, Jonah trailing behind him, and plopped down on it after releasing Jonah’s hand. The wolf shifter stood in place, clearly at a loss about what to do or say.
“So, you wanted to see me?”
Jonah nodded. “I wanted to apologize for the way I left. I should have told you, even if it was hard to do it.”
“It doesn’t really matter now. I just want to know what you’re planning to do. What do you have in mind for us? Do you even want me as your mate?” Keenan didn’t like the hurt expression on Jonah’s face, but he had to know. He had to know if his heart was right for wanting to wait for the man.
“I do want you. I know I have no right to ask you to wait for me, but I have to find my friends before I can become yo
urs. I... I already found Elliott, and I know where Simon and Merle are. It shouldn’t be long now, because Kameron wants to raid the lab tomorrow.”
“You mean your friends are in the lab we’re raiding tomorrow?”
Jonah narrowed his eyes. “You are not raiding anything.”
“Well, of course not. I’m not exactly a fighter, as you can see.” Keenan was wearing black dress slacks and a white button-down. But more than his clothes, his body clearly said that he couldn’t fight. He was smallish, and while he didn’t have a lot of fat, he wasn’t a gym bunny, either. He had maybe a two-pack on his stomach, if one looked very closely. He was pretty sure Adam, Jeremy’s son, could beat him easily in a fight, even if the kid was only three.
“So, does it mean that after tomorrow you’ll be mine?”
Jonah smiled a tiny smile, but it was enough to illuminate his whole face and make him even more handsome. Not that the man was ugly when he didn’t smile, of course. He had that gruff sexiness vibe, what with his two-day stubble and his square jaw, and he didn’t smile easily. “It might take a little longer than a day, but I plan to be yours soon.”
With that, Jonah lowered himself on his knees in front of Keenan. Keenan wasn’t sure what was going on, but he couldn’t wait to find out.
* * * *
Jonah loved the way Keenan’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open. He knew his mate didn’t know what to expect, and he wasn’t sure of what he was doing either, to be honest. The only thing Jonah knew was that he needed to be closer to Keenan. That was the only reason he had gone down on his knees.
Carefully, slowly, he put his hands on Keenan’s knees, watching the man’s reaction to be sure he wasn’t doing anything Keenan didn’t want. When he saw the smirk on Keenan’s face, he let out a small, relieved sigh and pushed Keenan’s knees apart before knee walking until he ended up between them.
Jonah slowly moved his hands up Keenan’s legs, stroking the firm muscles he could feel under his palms. When Keenan didn’t push him away, Jonah circled his mate’s waist with his arms and inched even closer, until he could feel Keenan’s hardening cock against his stomach.
Keenan reached up and grabbed Jonah’s hair, untying it before burying his fingers in the long strands.
Jonah didn’t mind. At all. He cupped the back of Keenan’s head and oh-so-slowly got closer to Keenan, until their breath mingled and their noses bumped. Keenan’s green eyes were glittering and he was smiling, and Jonah took it as permission to do what he had dreamed to do for so long.
Holding Keenan tightly to his chest, Jonah gave his mate the lightest of kisses. The shock of their lips meeting for the first time was incredible, yet not enough. Jonah wanted more, and it seemed Keenan was on the same page.
The next time Keenan leaned into Jonah, he pressed their lips together as he held Jonah’s head still with his hands. Jonah opened his mouth, happily letting his mate in. He let Keenan set the rhythm as their tongues stroked against each other for the first time, the sensation shooting straight to Jonah’s cock.
His shaft hardened, and he could feel Keenan was in pretty much the same state as he was, but neither of them made a move to take this further. This was about discovering, it was sweet and almost loving. They would have time for the rest later, once Jonah was ready to give himself to his mate, once he felt he had done enough.
He could feel Keenan’s knees pressing against his sides, adding to the thousand sensations coursing through him.
He could feel the silky skin on the back of Keenan’s neck, the curve of his waist under his other hand, his hands in Jonah’s hair, massaging his scalp. Their chests were plastered together, and Jonah could feel Keenan’s pebbled nipples under the thin layers of cloth that separated them.
Jonah let Keenan explore his mouth, suck on his tongue and lick his lips until his mate was satisfied. Only then did he take control of the kiss. It was his turn to learn his mate, and that was exactly what he did. He nipped at Keenan’s gorgeous lips and tangled their tongues together until they were both breathless and achingly hard. Only then did they separate.
Jonah didn’t want to let Keenan go, even if he was starting to feel small pains in his knees. He wasn’t that young anymore after all, although he was still young for a shifter, being only ninety-one.
It seemed Keenan didn’t want to let him go either, but Jonah couldn’t stay in that position forever, so he grabbed Keenan’s waist and hauled him up. Keenan squealed and clutched at Jonah’s shoulders as Jonah sat on the bench and manhandled Keenan until he was resting sideways on his lap, Jonah’s arms around Keenan’s waist and Keenan’s face pressed against Jonah’s neck.
“You know, you could have just asked. I would have stood up and let you move,” Keenan murmured into Jonah’s neck.
“I know, but I like touching you, even if it’s only to move you around.”
They stayed silent for a while. Jonah didn’t know what Keenan was thinking about, but he liked the silence. It wasn’t awkward or embarrassing. It was just... silence. They were still communicating, even if not with words. The way Keenan’s fingers petted Jonah’s chest, the way Jonah kissed Keenan’s hair every so often—all those small gestures spoke louder than words.
“A week or two?” Keenan asked.
“I think so. Probably less. You’re going to wait?”
Keenan slapped Jonah’s chest, surprising him. “What do you think, man? I just kissed you within one inch of your life and you’re asking me if I’m willing to wait two weeks for you? After you left me alone for two months? Of course I’ll wait!”
A wave of relief washed over Jonah, his mind more at peace now than it was before. “I know. I just wish all this could already be over.”
“It soon will be.” Keenan hesitated. “I’m turning twenty-two on the 9th. We’re having a party here on Saturday. Do you think you might be able to come?”
“Of course I’ll come, but damn, you’re making me feel like a cradle robber.”
Keenan laughed, his head thrown back and his Adam’s apple exposed. He was so beautiful, so full of life, and Jonah couldn’t resist. He leaned down and kissed his mate’s strong neck, trailing his mouth up until he reached Keenan’s jaw, then his mouth. They kissed, their lips more gentle than before, but also more passionate. Now that they knew each other, they wanted more, both of them.
“How old are you?” Keenan asked as he tried to catch his breath.
Jonah groaned. “Don’t laugh or make jokes about how old I am, okay?”
Keenan put a hand on his heart. “Scout’s honor.”
Jonah narrowed his eyes. “Were you even a scout when you were a kid?”
“Well, no, but I can find some of those cargo shorts and a khaki shirt if it’s your kink.” The smile on Keenan’s face was devilish, and Jonah couldn’t keep the pretense that he was angry for much longer. He laughed, the sound echoing between the trees, scaring the birds.
Keenan was grinning at him. “So? How old are you?”
“Ninety-one.”
Keenan’s mouth opened in shock. “Shit, really? You mean I’m the mate of the pride’s grandpa?”
It felt nice to laugh again after the year Jonah had passed in the lab, to feel normal again, just joking and playing around with his mate. He growled playfully and moved fast, pressing Keenan into the hard stone of the bench and plastering their bodies together. Jonah’s cock took notice once again as their lips met.
Hands started to roam, even if both of them knew they couldn’t take this much farther, not right away. Still, they didn’t do anything to stop.
Jonah grabbed Keenan’s shirt and tugged it out of his dress pants, sliding his hand on the smooth skin that had been hidden underneath. He couldn’t be sure, but it looked like the only hair Keenan had on his torso was just under his bellybutton, the trail that led to his prick.
Jonah smiled. He liked his men with little to no hair, at least on their chests. Fate really knew what sh
e was doing. His fingers found a small, hard nipple, and Jonah rolled it between his thumb and his index finger, enjoying the soft mewl that escaped Keenan’s mouth. He swallowed the sound, eager to coax more of them from his mate, but the sound of someone approaching interrupted him.
He reluctantly separated from Keenan and sat back on the bench, fixing his mate’s clothes as best as he could so that it didn’t look as if they had just been interrupted, even if it was exactly what had happened. Keenan was having none of that, though, and he flopped down on Jonah’s knees, sighing happily and leaning his head back on Jonah’s chest.
“See? I told you we’d disturb them!” Sebastian hissed at Oliver, and Jonah smiled. It was good to be back with the living after spending so long on his own.
* * * *
Keenan scowled. Did Oliver and Sebastian really have to find them right when things were getting interesting? It wasn’t even an accident, they had been looking for them! Oh, Oliver would pay, and Keenan made sure he conveyed exactly that in the glance he shot his best friend. At least Oliver had the good taste to plead for Keenan’s forgiveness with his eyes.
Keenan stuck his tongue out at Oliver before trying to burrow even deeper into Jonah’s chest. He knew the time they had together was ending, and he didn’t like it. “What do you want, Ollie?”
Oliver winked at Keenan, and Keenan stuck his tongue out once again. It sure looked as if they were kindergarten kids. Well, they really were kids, at least compared to their two shifters mates. Keenan was twenty-two to Jonah’s ninety-one—and damn that was old!—while Oliver was twenty-five to Sebastian’s seventy-nine. It was a slightly better age difference, but it was still a lot. Not that Keenan cared about the age difference. He wouldn’t have even if they’d both been human, because he was convinced that love was love, no matter the age, skin color or sex. The only important thing was that everyone was over eighteen and that it was consensual. And it definitely was in his case.
Keenan Page 3
