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

by Fel Fern

  The other men wore similar unreadable expressions. It was eerie, like looking at a pack of predators who all had the same thought processes.

  “A monster who exploits the lost and weak needs to die,” Abram replied in such a chillingly cold, practical voice, he shivered.

  Eric blinked, swallowed. A moment ago, these men were joking, making Eric and his brother feel comfortable. He’d forgotten what they were at the core—hunters—and the scars and injuries they’d incurred during the time they served didn’t change what they were.

  Finally, Eric focused on his mate’s face, letting out a whimper when Grover slid one huge, callused hand over his cheek, cupping it. Eric didn’t look away like a coward. He stared at where Grover’s eyes used to be and waited for his mate to speak his mind.

  “Do you think I’ll let go of you that easily after I’ve just found you, little cat?”

  He let out a breath. Grover’s touch sent jolts down his body. His mouth went dry but he forced the words out. “I tried to rob you. I ran from you. Even after I’ve told you all the bad decisions I made, you still want me?”

  Grover thumbed his cheekbone, making tiny circles. “Everyone makes mistakes. I’ll just have to make sure you make up for it.”

  Why did Eric have a feeling that Grover would make punishment pleasurable?

  He choked. Hope kindled inside of him. This time, he didn’t want to snuff it out.

  “Eric, I think they have a point,” Evan said beside him. His brother’s answer surprised him.

  “Okay, what’s the other alternative?”

  “First, you need to tell us everything you know about Jackal and how he runs his operation, little cat,” Grover said and Eric was only too happy to.

  Chapter Nine

  After finalizing their plans, they left the bar. Grover knew he and the others would discuss the plan to hunt Jackal and his enforcers down in more detail once Eric and Evan were out of earshot. Grover still reeled with what Eric had told him, and yet he was pleased no secrets existed between them as mates any longer.

  At first, he’d been mad Eric had kept those secrets from him, but putting himself in Eric’s shoes, he understood. When it came to his mate, Grover would do anything to keep Eric safe, including gutting the bastard who’d fed lies to the brothers. He could sense Eric blamed himself for making the wrong choices, but Eric had only been a kid himself then, looking out for his brother.

  No. The only one to blame was that monster who preyed on those who didn’t have a home, or a network of friends and family to fall back on. It pissed him off to know this kind of monster prowled around town, thinking himself untouchable. Well, they’d see about that soon.

  Outside the bar, he told the brothers, “Let’s get you back to my place. You guys will be safe there.”

  “Mike and his mate offered to let me stay the night,” Evan said, surprising Eric and him.

  Eric bit his lip. It was true Mike and Bowen’s place was bigger than his, and they had a spare bedroom. Grover wanted to spend the rest of the evening with his mate, but he knew Eric was protective of his brother. He let Eric decide.

  Eric looked at him and he nodded. “I trust Mike with my life. Plus, there’s Brownie.”

  “Brownie?” Evan asked.

  “My German Shepard, she’s a former police dog,” Mike said proudly and he rolled his eyes. Mike saw it and let out a huff. “At lease Brownie’s better behaved than Pancake.”

  Evan giggled. This kid Grover thought was fragile, unlike his Eric, was proving him wrong in many ways. Living their lives in constant fear, mustn’t be easy, and he had Jackal to thank. Oh, Grover planned on taking his time, making the asshole scream. That stray thought, he’d keep to himself.

  “Are you sure?” Eric asked.

  “It will be fine,” Abram reassured. “Dusty will be staying with Mike and Bowen. I’ll be keeping guard outside Grover’s apartment tonight.”

  Eric nodded. “Okay, I trust you guys.”

  “That means a lot,” Grover said. Trust was rare for the brothers and the last thing he wanted was to shatter that precious gift.

  “Okay, call me if there’s anything,” Eric told his brother. They hugged, and parted ways.

  “I’ll drive you guys back to Grover’s place,” Abram said. The werelion led them to his truck. Grover and Eric got inside.

  The drive back was silent, but he didn’t mind. He was sure Eric was thinking over the day’s events and once they were alone, would open up to Grover. Fifteen minutes later, Abram announced they were in front of his apartment building.

  Eric got out, followed by Pancake, and Abram said in a quiet voice, “I’ll check out this Sanctuary and do a little recon.”

  He nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Once I’m done, I’ll head back here for surveillance.”

  Grover got out of the truck and once more, he felt the brush of Eric’s hand on his. He smiled. “You don’t have to hesitate, little cat. I like your touch.”

  In the background, Abram’s truck rumbled away. He wasn’t worried. Grover knew Abram could handle himself, especially now that Abram had gotten used to using his prosthetic arm. Mike was the same. Months ago, Mike used crutches, but after meeting his mate, Bowen, Mike went through intensive physical therapy sessions to be able to use his prosthetic leg and dispense with the crutches. His brothers were in better shape since the bombing incident. Not their best, of course, but good enough to handle scum like Jackal and his men.

  “Okay then,” Eric said with some relief, grabbing his hand.

  Brownie tugged on the leash and led them inside the building, up the elevator, and to his unit. The dog must have sensed something important had happened. He felt Eric’s hand disappearing into the back pocket of his jeans and come away with the key to the door.

  He laughed. “You touched my ass on purpose, little cat?”

  “What? Can’t I? You have a nice ass and I was just getting the keys,” Eric said, nonchalant.

  They entered his apartment. This time, he made sure all the locks were in place. He was surprised when Brownie brushed against his legs, then settled in front of the door.

  “Good boy,” he told the dog, who gave him a happy bark.

  “Can I get him his water and food?” Eric asked.

  “Of course, you know where everything is?”

  Eric let out a huff. Since when did his little cat know where he kept his stuff, given Eric had only stayed over one night. He heard Eric rummaging in his tiny kitchen. Grover felt Eric brush by him a second later. Judging by Pancake’s whine and the sounds of slurping, the puppy was well taken care of.

  He flared his nostrils. Most of the time, Grover relied on smell and touch to find his way, but he seemed to have memorized Eric’s distinctive scent. When he reached out, he grasped Eric’s shoulder, spun his mate, and kissed Eric deep and long. Heat coiled in his belly, going straight to his dick.

  When he pulled away from the kiss he said, “I better not find you gone when morning comes.”

  A real warning, not that he was worried, because this time he was more alert.

  Eric snorted. “I won’t leave. I know that’s dangerous and you guys are already taking so much risk, helping us.”

  “It’s nothing. You’re my mate and it’s my right to look after you.”

  At least Eric didn’t argue this time round.

  “And the others?”

  “They’ll hop at any chance at some action.” It was the truth. Now that Mike and Abram had learned to make use of their prosthetic limbs, he sensed caged energy in them. The same went for Dusty. It wouldn’t be bad to put their training and skills to use, especially for a good cause.

  “If you say so.”

  He ran his fingers up Eric’s arm, feeling the little cat’s reluctance, his doubts. Finally, he planted his hand over Eric’s chest to hear the steady strum of Eric’s heart. When it changed to a staccato rhythm, he smiled, liking how he had that effect on his little cat.

  �
��Relax. For now, we need more information. Abram will come through. Evan’s safe with Mike and Bowen. No use worrying for now.”

  “Hey, are you using sex as distraction?” Eric asked, then the infernal cat started rubbing his tempting, slender body against Grover, making him groan at the contact of heat and flesh. Eric purred and that made his dick pulse with need. “Because I sure as hell don’t mind.”

  In a softer voice, Eric whispered, “I missed you. It’s silly, isn’t it? But I thought I had to leave you behind and thinking that, it felt like someone’d knifed me in the heart.”

  Fuck, the things this little cat was doing to him. Eric’s words cut to the core, because he felt the same way. Losing Eric wasn’t an option, which was why he’d been dead set against Eric leaving town. That wasn’t a viable solution either. He didn’t know Jackal, but he knew men like Jackal, opportunists who used people, thought of them as disposable pawns solely because they could get away with it.

  If Grover and his brothers didn’t put a stop of Jackal, Jackal would keep chasing after Eric and Evan. Worse, Jackal would keep doing what he liked, recruiting folks who thought they had no other option but to accept the offer from a sweet-talking monster.

  No. Even the others had come to the same conclusion. Their town, their home needed to be purged of this taint. Putting the thought of killing aside, he wanted to focus on the present, to help Eric forget about his pain.

  “It’s not silly at all,” he answered, realizing silence had taken root and Eric waited for his answer.

  Eric let out a breath. “Okay. Good, we’re on the same page.”

  “Enough talk.” Grover left his walking stick by the door.

  He wouldn’t need it, now that they were in a confined space. A tug and Eric’s body kissed his. The eager little cat started fumbling for his shirt and he took Eric’s mouth again, missing the taste of him. Grover nudged Eric strategically to the bed, knowing they’d reached their final destination when Eric squeaked and fell on the edge of the bed.

  “Sneaky jaguar,” Eric murmured. “How do you know where we were going?”

  He chuckled. “This is my den, little cat. I know where everything belongs.”

  He reached out, felt Eric’s jaw and traced his way down Eric’s throat, rubbing that tempting spot. Eric breathed hard, pulse leaping under his touch.

  In a small, hopeful voice, Eric asked, “And me? Do I belong here, too?”

  “You know the answer to that. Now, take off your clothes.”

  Smiling at the eager sounds of Eric chucking away his shirt and his bottoms, he did the same until he was bared for his mate. Eric let out a whistle, another incentive to work out, although Grover kept his body in top shape just in case of emergencies.

  “Glasses, too, please.”

  Unlike their first time, Grover no longer feared rejection from his little cat. Eric saw him, all of him, even the broken bits, and accepted him wholeheartedly. He tossed the sunglasses aside and gently pressed Eric’s chest until the little cat lay on his back. Grover blanketed his body over Eric’s and started layering his mate with kisses and caresses, gentleness to compensate for the roughness later on.

  Eric craved his touch, he noticed, mewled and purred for him, which only made him rock-hard with hunger. Patience, Grover told himself, because he planned on teasing more of those noises from his mate. By the end of tonight, he was going to claim not just Eric’s body, but his heart. Fear of losing Eric had been the final straw. Whatever happened tomorrow or in the future, he was going to complete this mating dance and make Eric truly his.

  Chapter Ten

  Eric moaned, unabashed, body completely immersed in ecstasy under the full control of his mate. Needing something to hold onto, he fisted the sheets as Grover kissed his way down Eric’s body. God. Just when he thought Grover was all roughness and bite, his mate proved Eric wrong on all accounts. He shouldn’t have been surprised. All cats liked to tease, to play, didn’t they?

  He felt a little guilty earlier, agreeing to let Evan stay with Mike and his mate, but his brother had volunteered. Evan must have sensed Grover and he needed some time alone. His little brother was growing up and he knew Grover trusted each one of his brothers. Eric made a mistake in thinking them mere hunters, honed to kill. Grover and his friends were protectors, he realized, then his train of thought dissolved when Grover bit his nipple.

  Eric groaned at the sensation of teeth scrapping against the bud. Grover sunk his teeth in, marking him, and his cat liked that. Only natural, given how cats were territorial, and he liked the fact those marks screamed “mine.” Yes. He wanted to belong to Grover, for Grover to stake his claim on him and never let him go.

  He’d been given a glimpse of a future free of fear and worry, and full of love and affection.

  Eric loved Grover, had been falling hard for his mate since they’d met. It wasn’t much of a surprise. His heart nearly gave out and his cat despaired at the notion of them parting ways. Now that path was no longer an option, he felt freer.

  Grover’s mouth hovered over his balls he stilled, breaths hitching as Grover swirled his tongue around his cockhead. The jaguar shifter tongued his slit, explored every ridge and bump of his cock,

  “Baby, please,” he gasped, the term of endearment slipping away from his lips.

  Grover paused, a snarl rumbling out of his throat, telling Eric it wasn’t just Grover in there, but also Grover’s jaguar. “I like that.”

  “You do?”

  Grover licked his dick like it was a sweet lollipop in answer. He whimpered.

  “I like that sound, too. Do that again.” Grover opened his mouth and took his shaft between his lips.

  Pressure burst at the seams but he couldn’t come yet, not when they’d only begun. He held his orgasm away, shut his eyes as he enjoyed Grover going down on him. Dominant shifters seldom did the giving in any relationship. Was this a reward then?

  Grover bobbed his head up and down, the sight of his ferocious jaguar shifter amazing to behold. He cried out when Grover used a bit of teeth.

  “I’ll come,” he muttered.

  Grover pulled his mouth away from Eric’s dick and rubbed at his belly. “Not yet. Need to be in you first.”

  “Okay.” Breathless for a couple of seconds, he squeaked when Grover raised his legs over Grover’s broad shoulders. Ink sleeved both of Grover’s muscled arms and some lazy Sunday, he wanted to spend all afternoon tracing that intricate design. When he told Grover that, the jaguar shifter smiled.

  “We’ll make that lazy Sunday into a reality. I have plans.”

  “Devious plans?”

  “Dirty ones involving you lying helpless on your back or on all fours, begging me to fuck you.”

  He blushed at that but the erotic images rose in his mind, making him squirm. “Oh God, baby. You need to fuck me soon. I won’t last long.”

  “My pleasure.” Nonetheless, Grover pushed a finger in his slick asshole, then added a second. He let out a hiss of frustration. “Be patient, little cat. This little tease is punishment for you running out on me.”

  If this was Grover’s version of punishment, then sign him up, but he kept that bit to himself. Grover might just think of more creative ways to torment him.

  Grover twisted his fingers, brushing against his prostate, and he whined. The big cat kept pushing against that spot, making him incredibly horny and hot with arousal. Thank God Grover replaced his fingers with his dick. The sight of Grover’s prick still stunned him, making him wonder how such a massive cock could fit inside his tiny hole.

  Without warning, Grover pushed in and he threw his head back, gritting his teeth. Once Grover’s cock head moved past the stubborn circle of muscles, he breathed easier, knowing the burn would fade and turn to pleasure.

  “God,” he whispered once Grover buried himself hilt deep, velvety balls brushing against his ass.

  “Missed me?”

  “Are you talking about yourself, or your dick?”

  “I
f you can still talk, that means I’m not doing a good job,” Grover said, furrowing his brows.

  “Oh, believe me, baby. You’re doing an incredible job,” he said, voice husky with need.

  Grover gripped his thighs and he could feel Grover’s abs tightening as the jaguar shifter began to move. With each thrust, Grover went faster, deeper, making his head spin. Heat started from within and deviated outward to his rock-hard dick, which left droplets of pearl-like cum on Grover’s belly. He was marking his mate, too.

  “Kiss me.”

  Grover complied, sealing their lips together and found a rhythm which suited both of them. The jaguar shifter seemed capable of breaching his deepest places, of drawing his cat out and urging the tabby to come out. But not to play, to mate.

  He caught his breath as Grover released his mouth and nibbled on his lower lip.

  Every fiber of his being screamed at the big cat to do it and make Eric finally his.

  “I’m yours.”

  He must have uttered the right words because a triumphant snarl emerged from Grover’s lips. Grover fucked him with quick, but deep strokes now, the next push slamming into his prostate. He gasped, eyes widening at the sheer ecstasy, and Grover kept aiming for the spot. Soon, he would splinter apart. He raked his nails down Grover’s shoulders and pressed his mouth to Grover’s ear.

  “Claim me, baby. Make me yours forever.”

  Eric didn’t ask him again. The next thrust sent him over the edge. With a loud cry, he came, spilling his load. He caught sight of Grover opening his mouth, revealing sharp canines. Then the jaguar shifter struck the side of his neck, teeth hitting bone. It should have hurt, but the post-orgasm bliss cushioned the pain.

  Grover pulled his canines away and it was his turn. He left a smaller bite on Grover’s left bicep. The big cat let out a growl and after several more thrusts, filled his ass with warmth. After emptying his cock, Grover rolled to his side, bringing him close.

  He happily buried his head into Grover’s warm chest. With his ear pressed against Grover’s heart, he could hear its unsteady beat turning calm, full of confidence.