by Lisa Oliver
“I’d like that.” Darwin’s lips brushed across Simon’s nipple and he knew it was hard. “You know what else I’d like?”
Simon could guess. It was the same thing he wanted but he let Darwin tell him anyway.
“I’d like us to be that couple who disappears from club events and reappears thirty minutes later looking disheveled and happy; the couple everyone teases because they’re secretly jealous. I want to know that every time a shifter gets close to me, they can smell you on my skin. I want to be the guy who goes to work with a damp ass, knowing that when I get home my mate’s going to fill me again. I want my mate to be so blinded by lust and love for me that silly trinkets like this,” Darwin knocked Theodore’s gift box on the floor, “are considered nothing more than rubbish that belongs in the trash.”
“I was going to send it back. It looks expensive.”
“If you want one I’ll buy you one.” Simon lurched as Darwin bit down on his nipple. “But it will have my name on it, no one else and I’ll attach a lead to the fucking collar so we’re never more than three feet apart.”
Simon didn’t think the visual from that assertion would make his cock harder, but he was ready to pound concrete and Darwin was still talking. “I want to know there’re no more walls between us,” Darwin continued in between nips to his jaw. “No more secrets. No more lies. I trust you damn it, and it’s about fucking time you trusted me too.”
“I do.” Simon tried not to twitch, but his neck arched unconsciously and he moaned as Darwin took full advantage. Darwin’s lithe body was hot against his skin; his cock leaving smears on Simon’s torso as he continued his mission of driving Simon crazy.
“You were scared for me, weren’t you?” Simon couldn’t deny it so he groaned instead. “You wanted to protect me, but you’ve got to trust I’ll protect you too.”
Lion against mouse? How…what…fuck. Simon knew Darwin was right. He’d been protecting him and… “Fuck!” He yelled as Darwin bit his ear. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean…gods, I want you.”
Leaning over, Darwin plucked the lube from the nightstand. “Just as well I’m flexible,” he said, kicking back the covers and reaching behind himself. Simon felt the drip from Darwin’s cock falling onto his stomach and he could do nothing but watch and moan; so grateful that Darwin was with him. Well before he thought Darwin was ready, his mate lined up and a yell escaped Simon’s lips as his cock was suddenly engulfed in heat.
“Don’t hurt…Fuuuuuck.” Simon grabbed Darwin’s hips as his mate sank down. His animal half surged forward, the need to claim his mate again driving out all other thoughts. Flipping his mate easily, Simon covered Darwin with his body, holding him pinned on the mattress.
“Don’t ever doubt I want you,” he hissed knowing his eyes would be pure snake. Darwin’s face showed no fear; his brilliant blue eyes were blown with lust and Simon felt two strong hands on his buttocks.
“Don’t fall asleep,” Darwin warned, “because as soon as you’re done, I’m claiming you too.”
Sleep was the last thing on Simon’s mind. His hips moved of their own volition, his heart soaring with every thrust. Darwin’s moans and grunts were music to his soul and the way his mate’s legs and arms held him tight, Simon never wanted to stop. He bent forward, catching Darwin’s plump lips, savoring the taste and the savage way Darwin sucked in his tongue and met him stroke for stroke.
“Love you,” Darwin panted when they finally broke for air and that was like the final stroke on his balls. Simon thrust deep and shuddered as his cock pulsed; his fangs piercing Darwin’s claiming mark effortlessly.
My love. My love. My very own love. Drinking deep, Simon savored the metallic taste on his tongue. My mate. My very own. And soul deep, Simon finally believed it. He finally felt as though he was home.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Come on guys, we’re on in a few minutes.” Darwin banged on the table as he headed backstage. Cam’s was rocking and already the fundraiser was a huge success. Various residents signed up for the karaoke with varying degrees of success. But the crowd was friendly, cheering even the lousiest of singers. Cam was beaming proudly as he and the Hooper boys kept everyone liquored up. The final singer was just finishing and as arranged, Ra and the gang would be dancing while votes for the winner were tallied.
“Hey, babe, are you forgetting something?” Simon called. Darwin stopped and felt his cheeks heat. He hurried around the table and grabbed his mate by the hair, claiming those harsh lips with his own. Simon seemed stunned for a moment, but quickly rallied and within seconds the crowded bar disappeared from Darwin’s consciousness.
“Not that I’m complaining,” Simon gasped when Darwin finally let him go, “but what I meant was you left your dance clothes with me.” He pulled Darwin’s bag from under the table. Darwin was sure his cheeks looked like an emergency beacon but he smiled his thanks and hurried after the others. He hated leaving Simon sitting at their table alone, but he reminded himself it was only for one song.
“I’m going to get laid tonight,” Rocky sang as he ran his hands down his leather pants. “Do I look hot or what?”
“Just remember to keep your pants zipped till after the show,” Darwin said, dropping his work jeans and replacing them with a far tighter pair. Swapping out his button-down shirt, for one of the t-shirts left over from his stripping days; one that barely covered his midriff, he pulled on his boots and checked out his friends.
“You guys look good,” he grinned as he heard Cam announcing for everyone to be quiet. Rocky and Lucien’s cheeks were flushed as though they’d had too much to drink but Ra, Seth, Mal and Liam all looked like walking sex. Even Brutus had come out of his shell; his thick thighs and bulging package on full display in the tight jeans he wore, his shirt barely containing his shoulders. “Let’s just have some fun with this, okay?”
“Fun. Right. Are you sure I look okay?” Seth turned to Ra.
“You look good enough to eat, babe.”
Someone else is going to get lucky tonight, Darwin thought with a grin as he listened to Cam’s announcement.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for coming tonight. Thanks to your generosity, we’re pleased to announce that not only have we raised enough money for our good doctor to buy his own ultrasound machine for the clinic, but thanks to your donations, there is also enough for two new beds and a host of other equipment for the clinic. Give yourselves a huge round of applause.”
As the noise swelled, Darwin was filled with pride. The only thing missing was Simon by his side. Just one song.
“And now, while our judges tally the votes to determine our karaoke winners, I am proud to be able to share with you all a very special treat. We’ve all seen them around town – Arrowtown’s sexy bikers, led by none other than the Ravishing Rider.” Darwin gasped at hearing his stage name from Jackson, “Let’s give a huge welcome to Darwin and the boys. Make it loud.”
Overcome with the swell of applause, Darwin pushed the men onto the stage. The opening bars of Hit me baby, rang out loud across the speakers and Darwin and the others began to move, exactly as they rehearsed. Stiff at first, it wasn’t long before the others were affected by the catcalls and whistles of support from the audience and Darwin relaxed. It’d been a long time since he’d danced before such an appreciative audience and he was determined to enjoy it.
~~~~/
Simon felt a burst of happiness as he watched his mate on the stage. Rocky was hamming it up for the audience, cupping his crotch and winking madly, while Mal and the others were a little more reserved. But it was Darwin who stole the show as he ripped off his shirt and flung it into the crowd. Reaching forward for his glass, Simon kept his eye on his mate, his cock stirring as he watched the sexy display. It took him a minute to realize someone was sharing his booth.
“It’s not easy to get you alone, you sexy beast.” Theodore Western, dressed in a suit that cost more than Simon’s car was sitting across from him. In the flesh, Theo
dore was the epitome of an arrogant lion shifter – handsome, blond, wide faced and full lips turned up in a sickly smile. “I’m disappointed you didn’t invite me to join in your little outing this evening and you’re not wearing the lovely gift I bought you.”
“I threw it in the trash.” Simon said, his eyes going back to his mate. Darwin could see the table, and from the tightness in his mate’s lips, he knew who Theodore was. Ever the professional, Darwin didn’t stop dancing, but Simon knew he had less than two minutes to get Theodore to leave.
“That’s no way to treat a gift from your Master, boy.” Theodore’s hand stopped Simon’s as he put down his glass.
Simon shook it off. “I don’t know where the hell you got the remotest idea I’d ever be your boy, but I’ve told you before, I’m true mated, I wear the scar and I’m fucking pregnant to my mate. Now get the fuck out before I throw you out.”
Mustn’t shift. Mustn’t shift. Simon felt a flutter in his belly and it was enough to stun him for a second. But Theodore grabbing his shirt, pulling him half across the table was enough to snap him out of it.
“I’ve listened to enough excuses. Your threats to Alpha Lamont were enough to get me kicked out of the pride. Now I’m going to take my revenge out of your ass.”
“Get your fucking hands off me,” Simon snarled as suddenly the pub doors flew open and the Sheriff along with a dozen deputies, none of whom Simon recognized barreled through the door.
“This is a raid! Nobody move!” The Sheriff yelled, shooting at the ceiling. Somebody screamed and then it was all on as people rushed for the exits, despite Cam’s urgent calls for calm. Simon searched anxiously for Darwin but there were too many people and damn Theodore was in his way. He felt a prick in his arm and all of a sudden, the world went black.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Simon! Simon!” Darwin tried frantically to see his mate above the crowd but when the deputies stormed the stage, he couldn’t see anything but the blur of uniforms.
“What the fuck is going on, Buffy?” Cam snarled at a portly man Darwin assumed was the head of the raid.
“You’re conducting a public event without the proper permit and breaching the town’s decency laws with this lewd display.” The Sheriff pulled a paper out of his shirt pocket. “I’m closing this place down, pending a full enquiry.”
“Like hell you are.” Darwin noticed the crowd on the stage got larger as more bodies piled on after the deputies who were struggling to hold them back. Ra had Seth pulled behind him, but Brutus, Mal, Rocky, Liam and Lucien were all backing Cam who looked furious. Darwin recognized Barney who had a slim blond with him and Trent from the garage who also had a menacing look on his face.
“For one thing, this is my place of business and under Arrowtown bylaws, I don’t need a permit to run a fundraising event; in the second place, no one here breached the decency laws, so what the fuck is going on?” Cam poked the sheriff on the chest.
“These men were dancing, led by a known stripper from Jackson. It’s lucky we got here in time to stop any further displays of flesh and debauchery.” The Sheriff tried to puff out his chest, but he was running out of room.
“Debauchery? These guys are topless. Fuck, Buffy, I’ve seen more flesh when you shift and believe me, I ain’t ever going to forget that in a hurry,” Cam snarled. “You, on the other hand are causing a public nuisance; endangering the citizens of Arrowtown by shooting your gun in a crowded room causing an instant panic. People could have got hurt trying to leave.”
“Mayor Quincy ordered this raid and sent along the backup needed seeing as no one in this little town was prepared to stop the filth going on right before their eyes. You hired a fucking stripper, Cam. What made you think the mayor was going to put up with that sort of thing in this town?”
“I hired a dancer and a group of volunteers to entertain the crowd while we conducted a fundraiser for the local clinic. Something we shouldn’t have to do if Quincy wasn’t so tight with the town’s purse strings. You’ve ruined a perfectly good, family fun evening, endangered public lives and caused a fucking scene for no reason but you and your cousin’s damn prejudice. Now get the hell out of my pub before I fucking throw you out.”
Cam turned to Ra, ignoring the blustering sheriff completely. “I am so sorry. You guys were great. But I’d best get onto some damage control. I’ve got to clean up the mess and let the winners know they can come and collect their money. Damn. I’m going to be closed a few days because of this.”
“Not if we can help it,” Ra turned to the others as the deputies left the stage, many of them throwing the sheriff dirty looks. “Any volunteers for cleanup duty?”
Darwin pushed forward. “I can’t find Simon,” he said urgently. “I can’t see him anywhere. That damn Theo was with him while we were dancing, but now they’ve both gone. Ra, I can’t find SIMON!”
Ra’s eyes snapped to the table they’d been sharing before the dance. It was empty; nothing but a couple of strewn bottles littering the table. “Rocky, see what you can smell. Sheriff, we’ve got a possible kidnapping. Any chance of you doing the job you’re paid to do, or do we have to do everything ourselves.”
“You can’t put in a missing person’s report until the person has been gone twenty-four hours. It’s the law. Come and see me tomorrow.” The sheriff jumped off the stage with a thud and strode out the door.
“I’m so going to get that bastard’s job,” Rocky snarled as he headed for the empty table. “I swear that guy gets lazier every minute. He storms in here like some Rambo out of a movie and yet when there’s a real crime committed he’s the first one out the door.” Stripping off his pants, he shifted in seconds, sniffing around the table and growling before shifting back. “I can smell drugs. Simon’s been drugged. Hopefully this Theo creep hasn’t got a car. Let’s go.”
“Stay here,” Ra said to Seth and Mal. His amber eyes caught Darwin’s and Darwin refused to look away.
“I’m coming too,” Darwin wasn’t going to be stopped by any man or predator. “Simon’s my mate, he’s carrying my babies. I don’t know why the hell one of you didn’t stop this nonsense with Theo before now and warn him off. You had to know he was a stalker. If you think I’m staying behind now you’re mental.” Darwin’s rage was the only thing keeping him sane. The very thought of his mate being in danger was enough to make him see red.
“We thought Simon could handle it. But….” Ra stopped as Darwin’s glare intensified. “You’re mates, come on. But no shifting, I don’t want you getting squashed.”
Determined to make Ra pay for his stupid remarks later, Darwin followed Rocky as his wolf form disappeared out of the club. To his surprise Cam followed along with Trent and the Hooper boys. “Don’t you want to get the bar fixed up so you can open tomorrow?”
“It’ll still be there tomorrow. One of our own is more important than a few broken bottles.”
His stomach in knots, Darwin could do nothing but nod. Support was something he’d have to learn to get used to.
Chapter Thirty
Simon groaned. His mouth felt as though it was full of dirt and his shoulders ached. Opening his eyes, he looked around. The pale lime concrete blocks let him know he wasn’t in the bar anymore. “Theo.” His voice sounded raspy even to his ears.
“That’s Master to you, boy.” Theo sauntered into view, his suit at odds with the color of the concrete. “Things would’ve been a lot easier if you’d just accepted my gifts.”
“Why….” Simon spat, the spittle landing close to Theo’s shoes. He tried again. “You don’t know me. We’ve never met before now. I told you I was mated. True mated. I’m pregnant for fuck’s sake. You’re breaking every shifter law there is and for what? A casual fuck?”
“A lion doesn’t allow himself to be influenced by bourgeois laws other people follow; everyone knows true mates are a fallacy. I saw your picture. I wanted you. It’s just that simple really.” Theodore moved close and Simon’s shoulders twitched as he
felt Theodore’s hand move across them. With his hands tied behind his back, his only way out was to shift.
“You touch me again and I’ll bite that hand off.”
“But you can’t bite me, can you Simon?” Theodore came around the front and leaned close. “You can’t shift unless you want to kill those babies of yours. Go ahead. You’ll save me the trouble of doing it when they’re born.”
Simon knew Theodore couldn’t know what type of shifter he was otherwise he wouldn’t be so blasé about getting close. Simon could be venomous in either form and he just needed the lion to get a few inches closer. But Theodore pulled back, tugging on his shirt cuffs. “Tell me, boy. What type of shifter do you believe you’ve tied yourself too? Should I be worried? Is he coming after you?”
Of a mouse, no. But Simon remembered the way Darwin took out Lenin. Sure, he’d collapsed afterward, but even shackled and facing coyotes, Darwin hadn’t backed down. “I’d be worried if I was in your position,” he said, knowing there was no trace of deceit in his tone. Personally, he hoped Darwin was still safe at the pub but he didn’t have to mention that.
“Hmm. It’s not important anyway. My plane will be here in an hour and we’ll be on the other side of the coast before he even realizes you’re missing.” Theodore checked his watch and then scowled. “Damn, being this close to your anger is making me horny.” He eyed Simon’s mouth, making Simon feel dirty.
Baring his teeth, Simon growled. “Don’t even think about it.” He snapped his teeth together and Theodore covered the bulge in his pants.
“You don’t have to be so difficult. You’ll have a good life as my pet. Once those…those…whatever it is you’re incubating are gone you’ll have no ties to the guy who claimed you.”
