Grover [Wounded Hearts 3] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Fel Fern

  Eric groaned, the sound music to his ears as he began to move his hand up and down. He stroked his little cat in leisure designed to tease and torment. Eric purred against him and he lowered his head, creating a trail of kisses down the side of Eric’s jaw and neck, lingering on the spot between shoulder and neck.

  Eric shuddered, body practically begging him to do it, seal the deal and put his mate mark.

  No. Eric didn’t know what he was asking. Grover might have been a deadly predator at the top of his game once, but now, he was only damaged. Eric deserved better, so he ignored his furious jaguar and took one of Eric’s nipples in his mouth and sucked. Eric cried out against him, but he didn’t let go of Eric’s dick. He kept the same pace, caressing until Eric’s prick grew thick and long under his care.

  “God,” Eric whispered. “You big tease.”

  “Cats like to play, even the big ones.”

  He grazed his teeth against Eric’s other nipple, hearing Eric’s indrawn breath. So fun. He could do this all day, playing with his little cat and seeing how many whimpers he could draw out of that sweet mouth.

  “Grover.”

  He liked how Eric said his name, full of need, tenderness. “Hm?”

  “I’m going to blow if you keep doing that.”

  He stopped. Eric let out a frustrated snarl as he slipped a hand between Eric’s thighs.

  “W-wha—”

  In moments, he lifted Eric. Eric didn’t weigh much and it was easy with his supernatural strength. Eric gasped, wrapping skinny arms around his neck, and automatically wrapping his legs around his waist.

  “Jesus. Warn me next time.”

  “You liked it. You’re aroused and I can smell it.”

  Eric shivered, dick rubbing against his abs. The muscles in his abdomen tightened and he knew playtime was over.

  “Fuck me. Please.”

  He chuckled. “So polite.”

  “I want to feel you inside me.”

  How could Grover possibly say no to that? Keeping one arm wrapped around Eric’s waist, he used his other to thumb Eric’s dick. He flicked the pre-cum at the tip, then gave Eric’s dick a few pumps.

  “Please!”

  He dragged his fingers lower, thumbed Eric’s puckered entrance.

  “Shit. I need to grab the lube,” he muttered.

  “No. You won’t need that.”

  He had a sneaking suspicion Eric was blushing, because the sweet little cat in his arms turned anxious.

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “I’m an Omega tabby shifter. We’re self-lubricating.”

  Grover growled in pleasure. Abram’s mate, Kane, was the same, but he hadn’t believed it. He pushed an experimental finger inside Eric’s entrance, surprised to find Eric slicked and primed for him. Still, he knew he wasn’t exactly small, and hurting Eric was a huge no. He added a second finger in and made twisting motions. All the while, Eric squirmed and whimpered under his care.

  “You ready for me, sweet cat?”

  Eric mewled in response and he guided his prick to Eric’s entrance and pushed in, halting when he heard Eric’s moan.

  “You’re so big.”

  “You can take it, baby. I promise to make you fly soon.”

  “Okay.”

  Once Grover pushed past the thick wall of muscles, he felt Eric relax in his arms.

  “I feel full, like you’re completely stretching me, but in a good way. Is that strange?” Eric whispered in his ear.

  He kissed Eric just for that, but this time he didn’t rush. Grover savored the taste of Eric in his mouth as Eric kissed him back. He pulled his mouth away and began to fuck his mate, thrusting in and out, finding a rhythm which suited both of them. Electricity started from his insides and spread to the rest of him.

  “Faster,” Eric whispered. “Please.”

  Grover picked up speed, going deep and deeper, breaching Eric’s most intimate places. He reduced them both to a series of grunts and pants. Animal noises. Never before had his jaguar felt so alive inside of him. Most of the time the animal felt caged, empty, but tonight, with Eric and his joined bodies, it felt free.

  “Touch yourself,” he ordered, satisfied when he felt the brush of Eric’s hand on his skin to do as he asked.

  “So close,” Eric whispered.

  “Go ahead, little cat. Come for me.”

  He shifted the angle of his thrust, his next entry making Eric gasp. The little cat raked his back with his free hand, but he didn’t mind the pinprick of pain. The fact he was capable of reducing his little cat to this whimpering, sweet mess thanks to one fuck made him want to do it all over again.

  It wasn’t just sex he wanted either, but more of everything. A man could afford to be greedy, once given the taste of heaven, and Eric was that. With Eric, he understood the notion of mates being able to complete each other.

  They hadn’t even known each other that long, and yet craved to spend every moment with his little cat. He wanted to know all of Eric’s little secrets, find out Eric’s likes and dislikes, to wake up every morning with his little cat tucked close to him and his dick buried inside Eric’s sweet, tight ass.

  He let out a breath and continued plunging his cock into Eric’s ass and against his prostate. The devious little cat set his teeth on his shoulder and that made him want to leave a mark on Eric, too. He nipped at Eric’s neck, his next thrust enough to push Eric to the edge.

  Eric cried out against him, painting his abs and ribs with cum. He wasn’t far behind. Hearing Eric’s groan triggered his own orgasm. He fucked his mate several more times before the pressure building inside him broke and he emptied his jizz down Eric’s waiting ass.

  Eric slumped against him. It took Grover several seconds to recover before he carried Eric to his bed. Thank God he hadn’t embarrassed himself and bumped over something. He’d made sure the apartment was modified for his use, but he couldn’t entirely avoid the occasional accident. Once his knees brushed the headboard of the bed, he lowered his little cat to the sheets.

  Grover felt his way around the bed. He fumbled for the chest of drawers near the bed, pulled one out, and pushed a hand in. Certain he’d found a clean cloth, he joined his little cat in bed.

  “Let me,” Eric said, grabbing the cloth before he could refuse. “Lie down.”

  Sighing, he let the little cat clean them up. He had to admit, it was nice being fussed over.

  After that, Eric snuggled close to him, and he brought Eric closer, content when Eric tucked his head under his chin and hugged him tight.

  “Do I pass?” he asked.

  “You’re kind of hard for a pillow, but you’re warm enough, so it’ll do.”

  That made him laugh. “Stay the night, little cat.”

  Hesitation on Eric’s end. “Okay.”

  Relieved by Eric’s answer, he let his head hit the pillows. Soon enough, Eric’s quiet snores filled the room.

  Maybe they could get a little midnight snack later on, because Grover had completely forgotten about dinner when he could have plenty of sweet desserts.

  Chapter Six

  “How are you feeling?” Eric asked his brother.

  Evan gripped his arm and he studied his brother. Like him, Evan had dark blond hair and brown eyes, but Evan was thinner, smaller. He looked like he was twelve instead of fifteen.

  “Better,” Evan rasped. “Any water?”

  “Take these, too.” Eric handed Evan a newly purchased bottle of water and slipped a couple of pills into his hand.

  Evan’s eyes widened. “Where did you get this?”

  “Hush, just take them. I didn’t use any of our quota money. The cold pills were in one of the purses I snatched this morning,” he murmured.

  Evan obediently took the pills.

  “You ate the sandwich I passed you earlier, right?” he asked. Evan nodded, then bit his lip.

  “Who were you talking to two nights ago?”

  He froze. “No one important.”

 
“Brother,” Evan whispered. “If you were talking to an outsider—”

  He shook his head, not wishing to bring it up any further. Somewhere perched on the rafters, a crow screeched, not just any normal bird, but a shifter. Crow shifters were considered scavengers, even by shifter society, but Jackal considered them valuable eyes and ears. Who knew what they would tell the boss?

  Loud footsteps echoed on the floor and he spun. Others huddled in their designated spaces, trying to hide, making themselves small as possible. Invisible. He knew the feeling. Eric lifted the blankets above Evan’s chest.

  “Go back to sleep,” he told his brother, brushing a hand over Evan’s forehead. “You’re no longer that hot.”

  “Be careful,” Evan whispered.

  He nodded and rose to his feet. It was Dunn the enforcer that scared him most. Dunn certainly had the look of enforcer down. The huge, bald shifter in his early forties seemed to love wearing leather pants and a tight tee that showcased his muscles.

  Dunn liked cracking his knuckles, too, the sound scaring off the younger thieves, sending them scurrying back to their hiding places. Plus, Dunn was the only grizzly shifter there. Bigger didn’t mean the best though, which was why Jackal would always remain boss of the operation.

  “Eric, the boss wants to see you,” Dunn said with a sneer. “You going to make trouble or come quietly?”

  Usually, Eric avoided brushing against Dunn, but for some reason, fear was absent in him today. It had been ever since he’d bumped into Grover. Dunn had nothing on Grover, who seemed lethal one moment, tender the next. He’d seen real scary and it wasn’t Dunn.

  “I’ll come quietly.”

  Dunn looked at him oddly and nodded. Yesterday had been collection day and he knew he’d come out short for Evan and himself. Sooner or later, Jackal would call for him, demand answers as to why he’d come up short when Evan and he were usually the best earners there. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he thought of yesterday’s mind-blowing date with Grover.

  God, but he knew sex with Grover would be amazing, a game changer. Even now, he could imagine Grover’s hot kisses, the jaguar’s possessive touch, and how the big cat could make him purr. The way Grover lifted him up with ease and he’d wrapped his legs around the jaguar shifter’s waist—the erotic image still burned in his mind.

  It almost made him smile, except he curbed the urge because smiles were lethal in this place. Besides, what did it matter?

  Surely, Grover hated his guts by now, because once he was certain Grover was asleep, he’d snuck out, exactly like the spineless coward he was. It unexpectedly hurt, leaving the powerful jaguar shifter so abruptly, and he’d felt like a dick, the world’s biggest jerk. It was so tempting to forget about his problems and stay, but he went back to Sanctuary because it was collection day.

  Evan made an excellent point about being extra careful. Jackal discouraged any of his thieves, especially his special boys—God, the nickname made him sick to the stomach now—to mingle with outsiders.

  That was how Jackal fed them propaganda. Trust family only and consider every outsider as potential threats. Last he’d checked, it was completely normal to go out on a date with someone he was attracted to.

  Jackal and the other enforcers would see it differently though. He was certain a few of the enforcers had given him suspicious glances when he’d come a little later than midnight. He could imagine them thinking he’d run but he’d never abandon his brother.

  Meeting Grover hadn’t affected his decisions. Eric had wanted out of Sanctuary and the claws Jackal had buried into Evan and him for quite some time. He just couldn’t quite figure out how to manage that, because one wrong move could mean the end of Evan and his life.

  Dunn led him past the little dens of the other thieves. Some gave him curious looks, others avoided looking at him at all. Jackal called them all family, but family didn’t rip each other off for profit, or try to cut each other’s throats the first opportunity they got.

  Eric had learned that valuable lesson during Evan and his first year staying there, when another thief offered them an equal cut in a robbery operation. In the end, the thief hung them both out to dry when the security system in the restaurant they were supposed to rob, sounded. Cops arrived but by then, Evan and he had shifted back to tabby cats and slipped away.

  Dunn finally started toward the staircase leading to the second floor, to where Jackal and his enforcers resided. A prickle occurred between his shoulder blades, but when dealing with predatory shifters, it was best to stand his ground.

  His tabby cat mewled inside him in protest as they walked past the rest of Jackal’s enforcers, who were playing a game of cards. The smell of beer and sex was thick in the air but he dutifully kept his head down. Pretending to disappear, fade into the background was another skill he’d acquired, and he prayed to God no one would notice him.

  Jackal let his enforcers off for practically anything in exchange for their loyalty, and that sometimes included taking thieves who couldn’t pay off the quota as fuck pets.

  “Wait here,” Dunn said, leaving him near the table to knock on Jackal’s office. Then Dunn disappeared inside.

  Shit. Eric didn’t want to be here alone.

  Hearing a pained whimper, he clenched his jaw. A wave of helplessness filled him and he hated that. Living in a den of monsters, he knew he couldn’t save anyone else, because he had trouble looking after his brother and himself. There were two other naked bodies either draped on the enforcers, or sitting on their laps like accessories.

  Eric understood with cold practicality only his ability to rake in more profits prevented him and his brother from taking their positions. Everyone in Sanctuary was dispensable, except for Jackal and his enforcers.

  “Look who it is, Jackal’s favorite little cat.” Nolan, another nasty enforcer, leered at his direction and he couldn’t keep his gaze to the floor any longer.

  Nolan had a naked redhead shifter on his lap, but he didn’t recognize the man in his late twenties—probably a newcomer. The redhead was covered in bitemarks and seemed to want to be elsewhere but there. Nolan continued, “I heard you didn’t meet your quota, Golden Boy.”

  Experience taught him that it was better to keep his mouth shut and say nothing. A physical beating would leave Evan vulnerable, with no one to watch over him. Insults were harmless, but he was tired of letting these assholes treat him like prey.

  “Well, you heard wrong.”

  Nolan laughed. “We’re going to have a fucking good time, breaking that little will of yours.”

  “No. I’m too valuable to Jackal to be someone’s pet.” Damn it all, he should stop running his mouth now.

  “You think you’re so special, cat? Think again. Everyone who lives downstairs is disposable, including you and that pretty brother of yours.”

  “Leave Evan out of this.”

  His gaze slid to Boone, the werewolf enforcer next to Nolan, but Boone avoided his gaze, clearly wanting nothing to do with the argument.

  “You little shit,” Nolan said with a snarl. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you, bitch. Give me a day and I’ll reduce you to nothing better than a cocksucking little hole.”

  “Eric, Jackal will see you now,” Dunn said, breaking the tension.

  Relieved, Eric entered the office, his heart still racing. He glimpsed violence and cruelty in Nolan’s eyes and knew it was only a matter of time before Nolan decide to bend a few rules to get to Eric and his brother.

  They needed to get the fuck out of there.

  The knowledge blazed crystal clear in his head, but he had no concrete plans, had no one to go to except—no. He couldn’t drag Grover into this. Grover might be powerful on his own, but against the full might of Jackal and his enforcers? Fuck, the world was unfair but he’d known since he left his jaguar that this was the best for all of them.

  “Eric, have a seat.”

  As always, Jackal appeared pleasant, even wore suits to appear sophisticated, bu
t he knew better. Monsters who tried to look civilized could never hide what they were. Jackal wasn’t as big or powerful as the other enforcers outside, but Jackal always said knowledge was power. Well, at least blackmail was. Jackal always had dirt on everyone there, kept tabs on all his pawns, making him the most dangerous of enemies.

  Eric sat, trying not to appear nervous, but his brush with Nolan had left him shaken.

  “Dunn says you failed to meet your quota. Can you tell me why?” Jackal brushed a hand over his wavy red hair as yellow eyes bore into him, studying him intently, reading his responses.

  Most of the time, Eric had a feeling Jackal saw himself as some twisted king of his own kingdom and all of them were tiny ants Jackal could easily step on.

  “I met Evan’s quota. I promise to turn in mine by the end of today.”

  “With interest?” Jackal added.

  Eric nodded. “Of course. I have a mark in mind.”

  Lies. Jackal had trained him to be the best liar after all, so he prayed he was putting all those skills to good use.

  Jackal sighed. “You know I hold my favorite boys dear to my heart. You and Evan won’t think to betray or disappoint me, like so many others before you, right?”

  “Never. Jackal, we owe you everything. Didn’t you say often enough, that if you didn’t take us in, we’d starve and die in the streets?”

  “I did, didn’t I?”

  Jackal liked to gloat, to think of himself as tyrant one moment and magnanimous benefactor the next.

  He nodded. “Once Evan gets better, we’ll both be back in full force. Let’s do something massive. I’ve been listening for potential heists. For example, the museum is hosting some precious gems exhibit within a month’s time.”

  In a month, Evan and he would be far away from this place. His heart ached. What about Grover? No. This was the best solution, but he’d think about that plan later. For now, he had to get through this meeting.

  Jackal’s eyes gleamed with greed. “Let’s discuss this further when your brother is at his best again.”