Healing the Fox

by Michelle Houston

  As he swung around, his gaze landed on Scott.

  It was almost comical, the way his eyes widened, the slight curl of his lips, and the blush that stained his skin from his forehead down into his chest. Redheads really couldn't hide embarrassment.

  "I was mmmmaking you dinnnnner,” Cris stammered out.

  "So I see.” Scott couldn't help but reflect on how amazing it was. Just moments before, he had been dragging his ass just to get this far, but at the sight of Cris’ bare chest—the faint red hairs curling around his nipples and dusting his stomach, blazing a trail down to the waistband of the jeans—and he was wide awake More than, really. If his cock was anything to judge from by, he could go all night and into the next day without pause.

  "I really appreciate it. I was just debating which delivery place to call for dinner."

  "Not while I'm here.” If anything, Cris’ blush deepened. He really was charming, and the idea of keeping him was incredibly tempting.

  Raised with four sisters, Scott couldn't resist teasing, especially given his own discomfort with the topic. “Oh, really now? Staking your claim, are we?” As Cris’ face flamed fire engine red, Scott wondered if he had gone too far. Likely the other shifter hadn't been the butt of two older sisters’ jokes and the bane of two younger ones. More than likely he also wasn't feeling the irresistible pull of a mating bond.

  "I didn't mean ... I wasn't trying to ..."

  Pushing off from the wood frame, Scott moved towards the other shifter and rested his hand lightly on his shoulder. “I know that. Sometimes, my inner devil overrides the better angels, and you see what results.” He resisted the urge to stroke his hand up and down Cris’ arm.

  "Um, good. I wouldn't want you to think that I was... I mean, I don't want to make it seem like ... I do find you attractive, but I know that you might not ... Oh hell, dinner's almost ready."

  Before he could second guess himself, Scott allowed his inner beast to take over. He stepped closer to the other shifter, just enough to brush lightly against him. Tipping his head down, he moved slow enough so the other man had more than enough time to pull away before their lips met. At the heat of contact, Scott slid his hand down from Cris’ shoulder along the lines of his arm and cupped his elbow.

  Pulling him closer still, he nudged his tongue against the opening of Cris’ mouth until he was granted entrance.

  A rush of pleasure swept over him, beginning at his lips but swirling down his body until his cock strained against the zipper of his jeans. The smell of desire rapidly filled the room as the two battled for control of the kiss, their mouths mashed together, teeth clicking as their tongues rubbed together, thrusting and parrying.

  Breathless and a bit lightheaded, Scott finally broke the kiss and moved back. Looking at the other shifter, he could see Cris was just as affected. His cheeks were flushed, but not with embarrassment. His eyes had a faint glazed look, and his cock strained against the fly of his borrowed jeans.

  For a brief moment, Scott wished the jeans were just a bit looser, so that the head of the other man's cock could nudge its way free. As it was, he had to fight the urge to unzip the denim, sink to his knees, and suck him off.

  Clearing his throat, he tried to put some distance between them before he said to hell with dinner, lifted Cris onto the dining room table, and feasted on him instead. “Do I have time take a quick shower?"

  "Barely."

  As he stepped under the warm spray a few minutes later, Scott couldn't help remembering his shower from the night before. If he closed his eyes, he knew he could easily imagine the redhead's hands touching him, stroking the soap over his body. But, with a hot meal on the table, one that was home-cooked and didn't require him to make it, a quick orgasm was going to have to wait.

  Although, if he played his cards right, the night might end with one.

  Shaking the thought away as soon as he had it, Scott focused on two words. Patient. Houseguest. He kept repeating them in his head as he climbed out of the shower, dressed, and headed back into the kitchen. It didn't matter how much his cock ached to sink into the redhead's ass, or how much his own ass begged to be plundered. Cris was his houseguest, his patient, and he had no clue what the other shifter had planned beyond recovering. He certainly had no right to ask him to stay, nor did he want Cris to out of a sense of obligation. If they mated, it was going to be at Cris’ initiative, not his.

  While he had been in the shower, Cris finished up dinner and managed to set the table that sat in the corner of the room, a homey little breakfast nook area. Settling himself into his normal seat, he waited while the redhead settled himself across from him before he picked up the salad tongs and dished himself a small portion before handing the bowl over and repeating the process with the spaghetti. Reaching for the warm and golden Italian bread that smelled so fantastic, Scott tore off a small corner and chewed slowly, savoring the flaring of taste on his tongue.

  It had been a long time since he enjoyed fresh baked bread. Scott was rather intrigued that Cris managed to put such a meal together from just the stuff in his pantry and freezer. Scott's sisters insisted on keeping his stocked up with options, but most of the space was filled with quick fix meals.

  "So, how was work today?” At Cris’ innocent question Scott almost choked on his dinner. For a brief moment he allowed himself to imagine how it could be, coming home to the svelte redhead each night. It was an altogether too tempting fantasy.

  As soon as he got his coughing under control, his eyes still watering, Scott managed a “fine."

  A soft chuckle greeted his response and he looked into Cris’ golden eyes to see them twinkling with devilish glee. In response Scott threw the rest of his bread at him, then immediately wished he hadn't. As the other shifter fished the flaky treat out of his lap, Scott snatched it back and took a bite, which earned him another chuckle.

  Not that he minded. He could grow used to Cris’ soft laugh.

  Shaking his head at his fanciful notions, he tried to tame his body's response to the soft sounds. All too easily he could hear what other sounds the slender man would make as Scott pounded his ass. If he closed his eyes, Scott knew not only would he hear the slurping moan of a mouth around his cock, but he would also be able to feel the phantom sensations.

  "What about you?” Scott cleared his throat and tried again when his voice came out raspy and hoarse. “How was your day?"

  "Lonely, but relaxing. I changed the sheets on my bed and finished up the laundry you had left over. I hope you don't mind.” Christian tipped his head slightly as he spoke, sending a cascade of red locks down to his cheeks.

  Scott curled his hands into fists on his thighs, resisting the urge to reach out and brush the soft hair back so that he could see the other shifters face. Watching Cris’ facial expressions became was becoming almost an obsession with him. “Mind? Hell, I certainly don't. Feel free to do whatever around here, just don't tax yourself. You're supposed to be healing, not housecleaning for me."

  Cris nodded and flashed him a quick smile before returning to his dinner. The rest of the meal passed mostly in nonsense talk as they discussed some of the things Scott did with his job and the home rehab. Cris, he found out, was wrapping up his college degree. Temporarily out of school for spring break, he had decided to go camping and let his animal roam for a few days. He was expected back on campus in two days.

  As soon as that registered, Scott lost his appetite. Settling back in chair with a sigh, he pushed his plate away and tried not to mourn the loss of something he never truly had. “Where did you leave all of your gear?"

  When Christian named the little state park about forty miles away, Scott offered to take him there as soon as he was done with dinner.

  "If it's okay with you, I'd actually like to stay tonight and head there tomorrow.” As the other shifter stood up and came around to stand behind him, Scott held his breath. A soft kiss pressed against his neck, then the soft glide of a hand ran down his arm. Closing his eyes, he
allowed himself a brief moment of fantasy before he had to face the reality that, at best, he could have one night with Cris. One night with someone he could easily picture spending a lifetime with. Because, as soft spoken as the other man was, he possessed a core of steel, evident by the fact he had survived two days alone on the side of the road, dying, and still remained sane. He was a man Scott could easily be proud to call his mate.

  Scott could see where Cris would want to have sex, to reaffirm to himself that he was indeed alive. He'd be a shit to take advantage.

  "I uh, have no problem with you staying another night, but you don't have to do anything you don't want to, Cris.” It took everything he had to get the words out, and still he felt they weren't enough. Scott almost fell out of his chair as it was suddenly jerked back from the table. Without any warning the lithe form of the other shifter straddled him and dropped into his lap, his warm svelte body sending shivers of awareness and need throughout Scott's body.

  "I know. I want this."

  Before Scott could caution him again, the other shifter wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and held him still as he plundered his mouth. Moaning at the intimate touch of another man's tongue rubbing against his, Scott gave himself up to the sensations. He had fought his attraction to the other man since day one. His inner fox had scratched at his insides, wanting to get out and curl around the injured shifter, offering the comfort of warmth.

  Now that the man was seated on his lap, grinding so deliciously against his erect cock, Scott couldn't hold to what he should do, which was to get up and walk out of the room, leaving temptation behind. He might be a shit for it, but he surrendered to his need and the other's shifter's desire and wrapped his arms around Cris’ back and pulled him tighter against his body.

  They kissed for what seemed an eternity, each struggling to give and receive the pleasure of two men discovering each other. Their hands roamed as they wished, stroking over arms and chests, along backs and thighs. It was a heady sensation to learn just where to touch the other shifter and to have him discover where Scott liked to be stroked.

  The teasing and foreplay slowly drove Scott out of his mind. His cock was so hard he felt like he would burst with need, but he enjoyed Christian's touch too much to move things any further. He was also determined that if they were going to go any further, it would be at the other man's coaxing.

  Relaxing into his chair, he rocked his hips slightly, rubbing his denim covered cock against the cleft of Cris’ ass, savoring the delicious friction. It didn't help to control his raging needs, but he was too far gone for that. If he didn't come soon he was going to lose his mind.

  As suddenly as Cris had sat down, he broke the kiss and stood. His body was surrounded by the light coming through the window from the setting sun, and Scott shuddered at how it wrapped him in red warmth, glistening almost like fur. When Christian's hands went to the waist of his jeans and started pulling his shirt free, Scott's breath held. He watched, savoring the sight of his lover stripping for him, hurriedly removing one of the layers that stood between their naked bodies rubbing together, joining together.

  He could handle whatever Cris wanted to do: blowjobs, hand-jobs, getting his ass fucked or doing the ass fucking. It didn't matter. What mattered was the slender yet masculine body that was now standing before him completely nude as Cris unzipped his pants and let them slide to the floor. Cris’ cock was hard and flushed with need, the crown blood red and weeping, drops of pre-cum glistening on the tip.

  Scott licked his lips in anticipation of sucking the other man's cock into his mouth, and tasting the tangy sweetness than would be unique to the other shifter. Carefully he stood, aware that his pulse was racing. He was just about to pull his own shift free when Cris stepped against him, his slender yet firm hands covering Scott's. “Let me,” he whispered, and Scott could deny him nothing.

  Standing there passively, he allowed the other shifter to slowly peel his shirt over his head. He couldn't hold back a soft moan as Cris tossed his shirt aside and knelt in front of him, carefully helping him out of his shoes and socks before turning his attention his belt. Still kneeling, his face on crotch level, Cris slowly unbuckled the belt and slid it free from the loops while Scott watched, mesmerized. Christian slowly licked his lips, his golden eyes alight with anticipation and desire.

  As his pants were unzipped and his cock broke free from restraint, Scott wanted to pull the other man to his feet and pound into him, but he waited in breathless anticipation to see what the other shifter would do. As warm lips parted and wrapped around his erection, Scott's knees buckled. Grabbing onto the table beside him with one hand and his lover's shoulder with the other, he held himself upright while Cris licked and sucked on his cock, learning his taste.

  Standing there in his kitchen in broad daylight, getting the blowjob of his life, Scott didn't think he could feel any happier or sadder at the same time. It was going to rip him apart to let the other man go, but he knew he had to. Cris had a life to return to, and he had no claim on him.

  Shaking his head at himself, he pushed the thoughts of tomorrow aside and focused on building the memories of today that would sustain him. He could feel his balls tightening, heralding his orgasm. Groaning at the loss, he pushed Cris back, determined that he wasn't going to orgasm in his lover's mouth. There was time enough to that throughout the night. This first time, he wanted to be buried balls deep in the other man's ass.

  Almost like he was reading his mind, Cris gracefully got to his feet. Unable to hold back, Scott grasped the other man and pulled him close for a kiss. Desperation laced his motions as he took possession of Cris’ mouth, giving no quarter. He was determined to mark the other man, to lay some claim that he would feel even after they parted.

  Soft moans and growls filled the room as their inner foxes pushed close to the surface, thrilling in the animalistic mating they had moved into. This was no longer the civilized learning and exploring of two men, it had transformed into the heated battle between two shifters, each vying for domination even as they thrilled in their forced submission. Finally winning the battle of wills, Scott broke the kiss and turned Cris in his arms, pressing him against the table.

  Without coaxing, Christian grasped the edge of the table firmly and arched backwards, rubbing the smoothness of his ass against Scott's cock. Leaning his face into the curve of Cris’ shoulder, Scott bit down slightly, holding the tender flesh between his teeth as he guided his cock into the waiting, and welcoming, ass of his lover. His cock was well lubricated by saliva and his own pre-cum, and glided in easily, pressing forward firmly and hard. Rather than pull away, Cris arched his back, shifting his hips just enough to force Scott's cock all the way in.

  Both men were panting with need by with time Scott was balls deep, his cock throbbing. Reaching around Cris’ waist, he grabbed the other shifter's cock in one hand while he used the other to hold him steady. Stroking up and down the other shifter's erection, he timed it to his own strokes, driving them both wide with need.

  Alternating soft nips and kisses against Cris’ neck, shoulder, and back, he claimed the other man, his cock thrusting and withdrawing in an increasing pace until they were both almost mindless with the need to climax. Grinding his hips and pounding deep, Scott continued to work the other man's cock in his hand, holding on somehow until he felt the other shifter's cock jerk. A warm spurt of cum landed on the table, followed by another and another as he milked Cris’ cock with his hand.

  While his lover still trembled with the quakes of his orgasm, his ass muscles fluttering and clenching tight, Scott allowed his head to drop to rest against Cris’ shoulder as he pounded harder and faster, his thrusts growing shallower as he embraced the fury of his own orgasm. Growling at the molten sensations flooding from his cock, Scott kept pumping his hips, allowing Cris to milk the last drops of his cum from him.

  Weak and completely sated, he slipped free from Cris’ ass and dropped into his chair. With a small smile curling his lip
s, Scott watched as his lover slowly pushed himself up from where he was resting, almost boneless, against the table. Cris managed to turn and somehow straddle him again, his now limp cock brushing against Scott's stomach, leaving a faint trail of his cum.

  Scott wanted to rub it into his skin, forever marking his body with Cris’ scent, but restrained the urge. Tonight was all he could have, and he was determined to enjoy it without forcing any kind of a bond between them, no matter how much his inner fox was biting and clawing for him to do so.

  It took some doing, but he managed some time later to stand, with Cris wrapped around him, and carried the other shifter to the bedroom where he proceeded to spend most of the night creating memories. At some point, he even allowed his fox to indulge, and shifted form, rubbing his sleek body along Christian's until the other shifter indulged him and shifted, too, provoking a bout of wrestling and playing that ended with them shifting back to their human forms and finishing what their teasing had started.

  When the next day dawned bright and clear, Scott woke to the delicious sensations of warmth around his cock. Fluttering his eyes open, he found Cris straddling his body, his back turned towards him, slowly rocking in his lap, teasing his ass-ring with the head of Scott's cock. Without missing a beat, Scott grabbed the phone off the nightstand and called in to work. It was hell trying to keep his voice steady as Cris grasped his cock and guided it to where it wanted to be and started bouncing on him, with the delicious sounds of their flesh slapping together echoing in the still room.

  Finishing the call as quickly as he could, Scott disconnected and tossed the phone aside, then spent the majority of the day mating and sleeping with his lover.

  He was certain of it, in a way he had always longed for, but now he almost wished he had never experienced this—Christian was his mate, and destined to rip his heart out. Determined that the other shifter never know, Scott poured all of his heartache and passion into claiming his mate's body, silently offering all he had to give.