* * * *
“That’s it baby. That’s it. Take your pleasure. Feel my tongue savoring your flesh. You’re there. You’re there.”
Cato stood nude with his back against the wall in the darkness of his bedroom and gripped his cock hard while he furiously stroked the blistering-hot flesh. At the first sound of her soft moan drifting through the air, he’d leapt from the bed and plastered himself against the wall. He was already rock-hard from imagining her in the shower. The sound of her soft pants brought a growl from his chest. He wanted to bust through the wall and control her pleasure and to see her expressions as he brought her over again and again. He needed to have his face covered in her sweet cream.
Pre-cum dripped from the tip of his dick and he continued to slick his flesh until he was practically standing on his toes. She was close and he could feel it. He was in her mind and she was thinking of him. Her husky words drove him to the edge of madness as he waited for her to crest and join him. Her cry of completion sent cum rocketing through his balls and he barely pulled his cock up in time before hot jets splashed across his belly. “Ah, baby. Yes. So good,” spilled from his lips before he clenched his teeth and rode out the excruciating pleasure. Gradually, his muscles released and he let go of his cock when he felt her fall into a deep slumber. On wobbling legs, he stumbled into the bathroom and cleaned the mess from his body.
Gripping the edge of the sink with both hands, he lowered his head and willed his breathing to return to normal. His mind spun with questions. Had he already completed the mating? How was he able to enter her mind and know her thoughts? He’d always been told that only the final mating mark allowed a mind connection with an Earth female. Were they wrong? Could it also happen with a strong Occasio bond? Perhaps the third mark had occurred when he’d made love to her in their shared dream and the necklace only reacted once he was lucid?
They’d only been mating with Earth females over the last three years. It was entirely possible they hadn’t logged all the anomalies. He knew of one Insedi male that’d found his Earth mate through continuous dreams. Of course, later they’d learned that his female was psychic and was calling for him.
Pushing up from the sink, Cato wobbled back to his bed and fell to his back on the soft mattress. It didn’t matter the whys of it. All he knew was Luna was thinking of him as she pleasured herself. He lay in the dark for what felt like hours with a wide grin and the beginning of hope suffusing his body.
* * * *
Wake up. I’m at the front door.
I’ll be right there. Just throwing on my jeans.
Cato blinked at the sunlight streaming through the windows and skidded around the corner into the great room. He spotted Kallon peering through the glass of his foyer. A huge grin spread across his face and an eyebrow cocked up. Rolling his eyes, Cato pulled the front door open and gestured for the physician to come in.
“Did I interrupt something?”
Cato shook his head. “Nah. I slept like the dead. Haven’t done that in years. Luna’s still asleep.” He glanced back at Kallon when he heard a mumbled, “I would imagine so.”
“Not what you think, doc. She’s in her own room. I’m taking it slow. One step at a time. You want some coffee? I have it on a timer. Should be ready.”
“Sure.”
Cato gestured for him to sit and poured two cups. He slid one in front of Kallon and motioned to the cream and sugar. “If you want real cream, it’s in the fridge.”
Kallon shook his head. “Nope. This is good. So, tell me everything. I’m assuming she hasn’t been having issues or I would’ve gotten a frantic call by now.”
Plopping down next to him at the counter, Cato doctored his coffee until it was the color of caramel and took a tentative sip. “She woke up just fine. In fact, she was in such tip-top shape, she was able to get the slip on me and hold me at screwdriver-point until I explained a few things.”
Kallon’s burst of laughter was followed by an, “Ah, shit!” when he spilled his coffee on the counter. He jumped up and grabbed the paper towels and started mopping up the mess. “Damn, Cato. Warn a guy before you make him bust a gut. I almost spilled it in my lap. I got precious cargo to protect you know.”
Laughing, Cato poured him a fresh cup and sat back down. “Sorry.”
Scooting back into his seat, Kallon glanced over and chuckled. “I would’ve loved to have seen that. Wait until Maxim hears.”
Cato lifted his palms. “Hell, no! Don’t say anything. Especially to him. He’ll chew on that until I’m ready to beat his head in. Spare me. Will you?”
Nodding, Kallon grinned. “Okay, but you owe me. That’s two markers I have on you now.”
“Deal.”
“So, please continue. How did you get out of that one?”
“Put your coffee down. Ready? I let her tie me up.” Cato watched in amusement as Kallon stared wide-eyed at him.
“Tied you up? She literally tied you up?”
“Yup. She did it fast, too. My mate’s a total badass.” He took a sip of his coffee and watched Kallon shake his head before his lips stretched wide in another grin.
“I knew I was going to like that female. Well, obviously you wheedled your way out of that or I’d be sawing through some rope right now instead of drinking your fine coffee.”
Cato snorted. “Almost came to that. I finally convinced her to hang around until she had a better plan to escape Bryan. She remembers the attack and says it wasn’t him. Can’t identify the guy so we’re still at square one there. After all of that, I slowed the roll on revealing anything else to her. She already has major trust issues with men in general. We just hung out the rest of the night and watched a movie. The damn cat fell in love with her at first sight. The feeling looks mutual. I don’t think I belong to him any longer.”
Kallon laughed and shoved him with his elbow. “See? Donk has good taste. That cat is scary in love with you, so I don’t think he’s going to jump ship. Hey! Maybe that’ll keep her around. She’ll be too sad to leave him and will have to mate with you so she doesn’t have to share custody.”
Cato punched him on the arm and chuckled. “Damn. I’ll have to keep Maxim away from you. He’s rubbing off.”
Rolling his eyes, Kallon got up from the stool and poured another cup of coffee. “Yes. Please save me. The warrior has no idea how to sit through one complete round of chess without saying a word. He actually beat me twice. Hell, now that I think about it, maybe that was his strategy the whole time.”
Leaning back against the countertop, Kallon’s face took on the “professional look” which let Cato know things were serious again.
“So. Are you planning to go a few more days with the ruse that you’re helping her develop an exit strategy? You know, the longer you put it off, the greater the chance she’ll be pissed that you kept it from her.”
Cato nodded. “I know. I just need a little more time to gain her trust. I won’t put it off for too long. I may call in the Filia and Cassie to help me out when they get back. The Filia didn’t have anyone to soften the blow and had to watch Drusus and Severus mist. Freaked her out I heard. Cassie took it very well since she trusted the one telling her. They’ll be back soon. Maybe that’ll save my sorry ass.” Even though the words sounded good, he lifted his questioning gaze to Kallon and tried to explain his fear.
“How can you rationalize the existence of an alien race, a planet with three moons, magenta-colored grass, and towering trees of yellow without someone thinking you utterly insane?” He shrugged, slid his chair back from the bar, and side-stepped Donk as he darted from the room.
Cato sighed heavily. “Well, she certainly has a vivid imagination. When I found her case, I went through it and discovered a hidden compartment. Her artwork and a journal were in there.”
Kallon sat back on the stool. “Is that how you found out who she was?”
“No. It was a name tag attached to a shirt, of all things. I glanced through some of her artwork, but I refuse
d to look in the journal. She’s been violated enough without me adding to it.” Cato looked up and smiled. “She’s very talented, my little artist. Perhaps she’ll show them to you one day.”
“Yes. I’d like that very much. I’m sure it’ll happen, Cato. Like you said. Give it some time. She’ll come around.”
Cato shuddered and opened the refrigerator. “Gods I hope so. Okay, enough of the ‘what if’ shit. I’m going to make breakfast. I want to feed her again. It makes me happy.” He glanced over to Kallon and raised a brow. “Despite what you might’ve heard from Maxim, I do know how to cook.”
Kallon laughed. “No worries. He’s not bashed you once in that area. Not putting your tools away is one thing he does go on about. I’m beginning to believe he has a point.”
Cato shook his head and chuckled. “Bite me.”
* * * *
Luna fought tears stinging the backside of her eyeballs as she slipped back inside the bedroom. As soon as she’d heard he’d known about her journal, she’d stopped before she made it around the corner into the kitchen. She’d been glad he’d shoved himself back in his chair or he might have heard her gasp of outrage at the betrayal. She glanced down at Donk as he twisted around her legs. “Your master is a sorry son of a bitch! I’m sure he found my journal enlightening and a good for a laugh. Vivid imagination? Is that his code word for insane? Asshole! I’m such an idiot! He’s no better than Bryan.” Her eyes darted all over the room in a frantic search of where to start first. She had to get out of here before she broke down and made a complete fool out of herself.
Chapter 22
Luna pulled the dresser drawer out and dumped her clothes on the floor. Grabbing her suitcase, she let loose a few more juicy curses when the handle broke away. Flinging it aside, she ran to Cato’s room and dug through his closet until she found a duffle bag. She held her breath the entire time. Back in the guestroom, she quickly stuffed all her clothes and art supplies inside. She ran to the bathroom and collected her toiletries. She refused to put them in the clear plastic bag and left it on the sink.
While stuffing her feet into her sneakers, she pulled the duffle bag straps over her shoulders. “Hell, this is much better than the case anyway,” she snarled. Opening the bedroom door, she mumbled under her breath, “I hope this is your favorite one, dickhead.”
Moving close to the wall, Luna made her way to the back door and crossed her fingers that he didn’t have an alarm activated. Pushing through, she let her breath loose when nothing sounded. She shoved Donk back inside the house and prayed he wouldn’t screech and give her away. She seriously thought about taking him with her but was afraid he’d limit her transportation choices. She did a power walk through the gorgeous backyard garden and refused to stop and stare at the fantastic waterfall and the multitude of colorful flowers dotting the landscape. It’d only piss her off more.
Guessing the direction of the main road, she used the woods for camouflage, yet stayed close to the edge. Last thing she needed was to get lost in the woods and have to be rescued by the lying sack of shit. After a few minutes of trudging along through the trees, Luna was relieved that it’d been daylight when he’d decided to reveal his true nature. She was pretty sure it would be scary as hell at night. Soon, the quietness of the forest surrounded her and all she could hear were her jumbled thoughts as the anger bled into sadness and disappointment.
She’d woken up in such a good mood and it astounded her at how fast that had changed. When masculine laughter wafted into her room, she’d gotten up and was hoping to meet one of his “brothers” so she could find out more about her mysterious benefactor and the star of her dreams. Wincing, she chastised herself for ever having that unbelievable orgasm while he was running through her head. Just the thought that he’d rifled through her journal and read any part of her musings and deeply personal desires, made her want to throw up. Why would he play her like that? If he thought her off in the brain department, why would he act like he gave a shit what happened to her?
Luna froze in her tracks. What if he really did have something to do with her attack and was just holding her while they decided what to do with her? Shaking her head, she mumbled, “No, that doesn’t make sense. Why get me better and try to kill me later? Damn it! I don’t know what to think anymore.” All she knew was that her heart was breaking into a thousand pieces and there was no hope of ever putting it back together again. Obviously, there weren’t any men in the world that were truly caring and honest. They were all out for themselves and could play a fantastic game of “fool the stupid girl” to get what they wanted, until the mask got pulled and all the ugly spilled out. “To hell with that! I don’t need anyone to help me and I certainly don’t need a man.”
Luna stumbled out onto the two-lane road before she realized she’d found it and was relieved to see a car coming her direction. A young couple stopped and offered her a ride into the city. Two hours later, the bank account was closed, her precious cat figurines nestled safely in her bag, the storage unit paid for another month, and her butt was planted in the back of a cab and heading out of Austin. She glanced over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes. She wished she’d never set foot in that town. Even as the thought passed through her brain, a part of her wished she’d never left.
* * * *
Cato heard the door open behind him and glanced over his shoulder. He grunted and turned back to the monitor. “What do you want, Maxim? I’m busy. Hey, Kallon.”
“Damn, cuz. I’m hurt. I came by to check on you. I brought the physician with me in case I found you slicing your wrists or something stupid like that.” Maxim grunted and mumbled under his breath, “Hey, watch your elbows, doc. I was only playing.”
Hearing the sound of metal scraping against concrete, Cato sat back in his chair and waited while his two interruptions slid up next to him on either side. “I’m fine. You can both leave now.”
“You’re not fine, Cato,” Kallon said as he tapped the tabletop. “You’ve been holed up in here for close to a week and everyone’s getting worried. Caelius said you barely spoke to him when he came by for the notes you have on slang language. You hurt his feelings. You know how sensitive he is. Your nose is buried in this computer and it’s got to stop.”
Glancing back and forth between the two, Cato couldn’t help the anger that laced his words. “My mate’s gone. What’s the magic line of time you feel it’s okay to stop caring? A week, a month? I’ll tell you what it is. Never. I’ll never stop looking. She’s out there and she needs me. Now go away and leave me alone.” He felt a warm hand touch his shoulder and he looked into Kallon’s pale green eyes as he leaned forward and spoke with compassion.
“We didn’t say to stop looking, Cato. I’d be doing the same thing you’re doing. But I’d hope my friends would check on me and make sure I’m not killing myself while I do it. Feel me?”
Cato closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m not thinking straight.” He felt a tap to his other shoulder.
“Yeah. And you’re starting to smell ripe, my brother. You’ve had the same gods damn shirt on for four days. Give it a rest. You even look like you’re gonna breathe in my face and I’ll have to punch you.”
Cato’s burst of laughter resounded throughout the room. He fought hard to suppress it in case he couldn’t stop and proved he was the lunatic they imagined. He looked at his cousin and couldn’t help but smile. “I could always count on you making me see the truth of things, Maxim.” Kallon tapped the table and got his attention.
“We brought you a clean set of clothes and your shaving gear. Either trim the beard or get rid of it. The only thing it’s good for is letting me know you’ve been eating. You actually have crumbs in the damn thing. For the love of Dii, please go take a shower.”
Cato laughed and swiped at the beard. “Fuck. I’m losing it.”
Maxim stood and tugged on his arm. “If you mean your mind, then we’re here to help you get it back. If you meant the beard, then
I’m all for it going ghost. Come on. Get a move on. Petrus is on his way. He’s going to keep an eye on what you’ve set up so far. We’ve got plans tonight and you’re holding us up.”
Frowning, Cato took the bag Kallon shoved against his chest and glanced back to Maxim. “Plans? What plans?”
Pushing him toward the bathroom, Maxim clapped him on the back. “We’re going bowling. You still like to bowl, right?”
“Sure. Maybe some other time. I need to rest.”
Kallon stood up. “Nope. Not going to work. I’m calling in my marker.”
“Damn. I forgot about that. I haven’t been in so long, I’m going to suck at it.”
Maxim grinned. “Good. Then I can spank your ass.”
Cato snorted. “It’s on, cuz. Challenge accepted.” Closing the door to the bathroom, Cato leaned back against the cold panel and blew out a breath. The last thing he wanted to do was leave. He’d just hacked into the camera feeds from a bus station in Dallas and was anxious to start sorting through the images. He had to be getting close. She couldn’t have just disappeared off the grid that easily. But if he wanted to get back to it, he’d have to placate Maxim and Kallon and act like he gave a shit about bowling. That would buy him another week of peace at least. He glanced down at his rumpled clothes and deciding daily bathing would keep him from reliving this day.
Cato looked in the mirror and winced. “Fuck! You look like shit.” Quickly, he got rid of the scraggly beard and jumped in for a fast shower. As he put on the clean clothes, he had to admit he felt much better. Maybe he did need to get out for a little bit. It might help him think of more places he could throw his net to catch the little minx that had easily slipped off his radar.
Fueled by Lust: Cato (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 18
