by Joyee Flynn
Gigi gasped and darted toward the house yelling, “La la la la la” at the top of her lungs until she was out of earshot and couldn’t hear, in case he said it. I smirked at my father, knowing I’d won.
“But if you ever hurt my mate again, I won’t just kick your ass. I will kill you. And I won’t formally challenge you, which will void my leadership of the pride. Do you feel me?”
“Accidents happen every day, Gavin,” he sneered as he stared directly at Ant, the threat clear. I set my mate down on his feet and leaned him in the doorway before storming over to my father. I decked him hard in the face.
“I will kill you before you even have a chance to think up a way to come up with an accident for Ant to have,” I whispered in his ear so my mate couldn’t hear. “This is over, dad. I’m going to UPAC. You’ve gone against their wishes for the conference and matings. You will lose your elder seat for this and probably spend the rest of your life in prison.”
“Nothing says you can’t have one of your own to give you heirs and rule your own kind.” He smirked. Rat bastard!
“You still attacked my mate to try and trick me into leadership,” I sneered right back. “I wonder if they’ll feel that’s how an elder should act, Dad. I doubt they want a sneaky, conniving asshole as the ruling body of an entire species of shifter.”
His face paled as he reached for me. But I wasn’t having any of it. I spun on my heel and went back to my mate.
“This isn’t over, Gavin!” He screamed as I helped Ant into the house. I slammed the door on his lunatic ranting. I was so done with him.
“I’m so sorry, Gavin,” Gigi sniffled as tears ran down her cheeks. She moved in front of us into the kitchen and went right to the freezer for ice. “I’m so stupid for ever trusting him!”
“No you’re not, Gigi,” I said, shaking my head at the mess we were in as I helped Ant sit down. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just didn’t want you to kill your dad.” He shrugged and then hissed in pain. I guessed his shoulder was dislocated, to start with. “I realized what he was doing after a minute or two and didn’t want him to trick you. I’m sorry I shifted and crawled up his leg. It just happened before I realized it. He insults me, our mating, and brings this gorgeous woman to rule the pride with you to our home, and I just lost it.”
“I know, sweetheart,” I said and kissed him gently. “Gigi’s a nurse, so she can set your shoulder.”
“Well, at least no hospital trip today.” He chuckled and then groaned as Gigi put an ice pack against his cheek.
“Hold it there, sexy,” she said as Ant took it from her. Then she moved her hands over his shoulder and upper arm. I could tell from the look on her face that I’d been right. “It’s not broken, but it is dislocated. If we set it now, he should be fine in a few hours, maybe stiff until tomorrow.”
“Just do it,” Ant gasped as she moved it around. I’d seen her do this before with other members in the pride, so I knew what to do. I held Ant’s other shoulder and waist to stabilize him as he nodded in time with an internal count. Then she quickly yanked it out and up as there was a loud snap. “Fuck, that hurt!”
“I know, sexy man,” she cooed and slowly lowered his arm to Ant’s lap. “I love the earring by the way.”
“Never thought I’d be cool enough to get one.” He chuckled. Fuck! On top of everything else, my dad ruined our moment where I gave him the mating earring. Gigi was right though. It fit him perfectly.
“You’re way too cool to care if you are cool,” I purred and rubbed my finger over his ear. “It’s perfect, Ant. Do you like it?”
“I do,” he whispered as he stared into my eyes. “It means everything to me because it shows me how you feel and that this is real to you.”
I leaned in to give him a quick kiss, which ended up turning into something more passionate until Gigi cleared her throat. I spared her a quick dirty look before going back to my mate’s lips. We kissed for a while longer until air became necessary. Just as we broke apart, panting with smiles on our faces… the doorbell rang. Son-of-a-bitch! Couldn’t get just a minute in between fires? Groaning, I went to see who it was now.
Chapter 7
It ended up being one of the interviewers for the PA position. I escorted them to the play room, asking they give a few minutes before going back to the kitchen. When I got there, I smiled at my closest friend leaning her head in to Ant’s as they whispered in a conspiring tone.
“Should I leave?” I asked with a raised eyebrow as I leaned against the fridge.
“Ant was just filling me in about Marv. I never liked that guy. He totally had the hots for you,” Gigi answered, shaking her head.
“Thanks for telling me, brat.” I snickered, messing up her hair as I walked by to get us all some coffee. “So tell me what happened with my dad? How did you end up on Ant’s doorstep with him?”
“He called me yesterday and asked for a meeting,” she sighed, playing with the mug I handed her. “I went there, and he said in light of the forced matings from UPAC, you were devastated that you wouldn’t have an heir since you decided to be gay.”
“You knew I was gay, Gigi!”
“I know that.” She snickered and rolled her eyes. “I figured you wanted kids and he was just telling it his way. Anyways, he said I could keep my mate that I got from Scotland, but we’d be like president and vice president of the pride. Basically, I’d be a surrogate for you so you could have kids and heirs, and I’d be your lioness for the pride. I had no clue he hadn’t talked to you about it. He said you came to him.”
“Of course he did,” I groaned, closing my eyes as I reached out for Ant’s hand. “I never wanted to lead the pride, Gigi. I thought you knew that.”
“Things change, Gavin.” She shrugged. “I figured now that you found such a sexy mate you’d want to settle down and embrace your heritage. Being leader of the pride is your legacy, Gavin. How can you just walk away from that?”
“I don’t even like most people,” I muttered, guilt starting to weigh on me at the way she put it. “There are others that can lead.”
“Pleeease,” Gigi drawled and rolled her eyes. “Without an heir, there will be total chaos when your father’s rule is up, since now it will be open as to who is next to lead. We’ve got some power-hungry, ruthless lions, Gavin, and you know it. The right person won’t end up with the job, and we’ll be in big trouble since they’ll lead for three centuries.”
I opened my mouth to say something back several times but then snapped it right back shut. Was she right? Had I been so wrapped up in my own bullshit and stubbornness that I’d completely overlooked what was best for the pride?
“She’s right, isn’t she?” Ant asked softly as he rubbed the thumb from his good hand over mine.
“Yes,” I admitted after a moment, my shoulder slumping in defeat. I glanced from Ant to Gigi as if looking for answers. “I’m really going to have to lead, aren’t I?”
“Hey, it won’t be that bad,” she said gently and took my other hand. “I can still be your lioness in the pride without the babies, backstabbing, your dad’s set-up, or sex. Wolves have Betas for their packs. I could be like that for you. I wouldn’t just abandon you.”
“I know you wouldn’t.” I nodded numbly as it all sank in. Everything I’d fought against since the day I understood was becoming a reality. This sucked! I glanced at Ant, scared to see his reaction. “How do you feel about being mated to leader of a pride?”
He nibbled on his lower lip for a few moments as his nose scrunched up in thought. “I’m totally cool with it and with Gigi being your lioness as long as there’s no sex, you remain my mate and faithful to me, and we figure out a way to get your father out of our hair.”
“We can do that,” Gigi said brightly, and gave Ant a loud smacking kiss on his uninjured cheek. “He’s good for you, Gavin. Nice choice for a mate, man!”
“He found me, actually,” I replied as I reached out to cup Ant’s cheek. How did I get so f
ucking lucky? Most people would have turned and run already before this new development, but Ant was still here at my side. “I would never, ever cheat on you, Ant.”
“Glad we cleared that up,” he squeaked and kissed my palm.
“I’ll talk to my mate about approaching the council through his elder,” Gigi said as she stood up. She smiled wickedly and pulled down her shirt to show her collarbone. “He’s a vampire. Who knew biting could be so much fun?”
“TMI, woman,” I chuckled and leaned over to smack her ass. “You go do that, and then we need to figure out who we want as a second.”
“James. We both like him, he’s the only one bigger than you, and he’s sharp as a mother fucking tack.”
“Works for me.” I smiled at her. I should have realized she would have someone in mind. That’s just who Gigi was… smart, beautiful, fun, bright. Even if she had a stripper name that we all teased her endlessly about. But she was the best choice for the pride’s lioness, everyone loved her.
Lionesses were known as the enforcers of a pride. Even in the wild they were the ones who hunted, tended to the cubs, and kept the pride in line. Wolves had their Betas and they could keep them. I wouldn’t trade Gigi for anything in the world as the role of my lioness. She was not someone you wanted on your bad side and she always kept her word.
“Now on to the interviews,” Ant grumbled and looked down at his lap. “But pants first.”
“Right, pants would be good.” She giggled and kissed his cheek. Then she did the same to me and left with a wave.
I ended up going jogging up stairs to grab Ant a shirt that actually fit him, as well as a pair of lounge pants. After I brought them back down to him, we switched clothes, and he got dressed. Then I remembered an old shoulder splint I had in my workout box and went back for that. It took us another ten minutes to finally get our act together and talk with our PA candidate.
Of course, it ended up being unnecessary. The douche gave Ant a look that screamed of the contempt he had for my mate. I looked back at Ant, who wouldn’t meet the guy’s eyes, and I knew all I needed to. I let him out without even having bothered to ask his name. When he asked what my problem was, I told him I wouldn’t hire anyone who looked at my mate like that and shoved him out the door.
I didn’t ask Ant what that was all about, figuring he’d tell me when he was ready, or that I could ask after the interviews. Next we interviewed a lion who was giving my mate looks for a whole other reason. Yeah, he was gone right away, too.
“Naw, you’re not the jealous type.” Ant chuckled after I’d kicked the guy out.
“I am,” I growled playfully and knelt between his legs. He raised an eyebrow at me as I stuck my nose in his groin and started scenting him. “Mine!”
“Yes, but unless you want the next person to show up while I’m riding you, I suggest you cool it until after the interviews.”
“Fuuuuuuck,” I groaned as I backed away slowly. “I love the idea of you riding me. I’ll be good on one condition.”
“Okay, what?”
“I want to see the toys after the movers leave,” I answered with a wink. The doorbell rang as Ant burst out laughing, and I went to answer it.
Now the next applicant rocked. Brad was a mouse from Ant’s mischief, and they seemed to get along well. His resume and credentials were spotless… Which left me with one question.
“Why apply for a PA position that you are clearly overqualified for?”
“Well,” he hedged and then took a deep breath. “I’m really hoping this will lead me to something bigger and get my foot in the door for the career I aspire to.”
“Oh,” Ant replied, doing a double take. “You want to develop software at Gavin’s company?”
“No,” Brad said, shaking his head. “I want to do what you do, Ant. I was hoping that given some time and learning the ins and outs of it, maybe you’d expand and take me on like a junior associate.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” I replied slowly as I glanced at Ant. He had that I’m thinking face with the scrunched up nose, and was nibbling his lip.
“How about this,” he said after a few moments. “If we hire you, we’ll contract you for six months while I show you some things on the side on your off-time. After the six months is up, we can work on you being my intern while you train a replacement if I feel you’d do a good job as an associate of mine. Once your replacement is up to speed and on his own, we can renegotiate your contract. Fair enough?”
“Yes, yes!” Brad gasped as he nodded furiously.
“Gavin?” Ant asked me, and I gave him a wink. It was a great idea and a fabulous way for him to expand. He already said he had more clients than time. If he trained and molded someone to his style, they could increase his income and give Brad his dream job.
“We’ll be in touch tomorrow,” I said to Brad and stood. He shook our hands and squeaked as he left. I stared after him in shock.
“What is it? I thought you liked him,” Ant whispered as he touched my arm.
“He squeaked, and it didn’t turn me on,” I blurted out as I stared into his eyes. “It’s not the squeaking I find sexy. It’s when you squeak.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Totally,” I purred as I gently lifted him into my arms. “We have some time before the movers and no more interviews for today. I think we should cancel the ones for tomorrow and hire Brad. He’s going to work out.”
“I agree,” he panted as his eyes filled with lust. I walked us out of the play room and up the stairs. “What did you have in mind to pass the time before the movers?”
“I was thinking it was time I gave my first blow job and then see how much I can make you squeak.”
“Okay,” Ant squeaked and then smiled widely at me. I laughed as I entered his room and laid him on the bed. Then I quickly got both of us undressed, swatting his hand away when he went to help.
“You’re still going to ride me after the movers leave, right?”
“Oh yeah, baby,” he moaned as I cupped his balls and reached over for the lube.
“I like when you call me that, Ant. I really do.”
“Good,” he gasped as I tugged on his sac slightly. “I’m glad that you’re not one of those big macho guys who can’t take a term of endearment without bitching that it emasculates them.”
“Nope!” I uncapped the lube and slicked up my hand before closing it and tossing it by the pillows. I rubbed some in on my painfully hard cock before reaching down and pushing a finger into his hole. “Who do you belong to, Ant?”
“You, Gavin. Only you,” Ant whispered as he arched his back at my intrusion. “I wear your mating earring and only you can ever take me ever again.”
“Good answer,” I praised as I slid in a second finger and leaned over and swallowed his cock halfway down.
“Holy fucking shit, Gavin.” I chuckled around his cock, moaning when his musky flesh and scent hit my senses. This was fun! As much as I was sorry I’d missed out on this before, I was glad that my first time was with Ant. He squirmed as I sucked him harder, bobbing my head slowly.
After a few minutes, he started squeaking loudly, which I figured meant he was getting close. I pushed in a third finger and stretched him faster, and I used my tongue along his cock as I worked him along. I was so fucking turned on as I gazed up his body and saw the pure bliss on his face. I needed him right then more than I needed air.
“Coming! Gavin, I’m coming,” he screamed seconds before his cock exploded in his mouth. I almost gagged since his dick was almost completely down my throat, but then I pulled back a little and was able to swallow his seed just fine. And the taste! I’d tasted cum before, and it was salty and bitter, not like Ant’s. It was salty-sweet, sweet like when I kissed him. It was like mixing your popcorn with chocolate, and I was completely addicted.
As the last pulse of his seed shot in my mouth I started to lick him clean, while he went limp on the bed as he gasped for air. Ant gave a full-body
shiver when I kept running my tongue all over him, well after he’d been cum-free.
“Take me, Gavin,” he whimpered as he lifted his head. “I need to feel you.”
“Yeah, you’ll have to talk me into that one.” I snickered and moved into position. I lifted his legs up and his ankles onto my shoulders as his eyes went wide. “You didn’t say I couldn’t fuck you into the bed, just to take you.”
“Okay,” he panted as he smiled. “Fuck me into the bed, baby. Ride me with everything you got.”
“Gladly,” I growled, before slamming into him in one fast thrust. We both cried out as his tight ass spasmed around my cock and he started shooting ropes of cum. Guess my mate could have back-to-back orgasms. Nice!
I was too wound up and ready to blow to take things slowly. He was still coming as I pounded my cock into his ass and folded him in half.
“That’s-it-Ant. Enjoy-the-pleasure-I-give-you,” I grunted out as took him faster. Every time I snapped my hips forward, he gave out a sexy squeak or cry of bliss. It spurred me on as nothing else could have. I came so hard I thought the top of my head might explode. Roaring out his name, I slammed home and let my cock coat his most private places with my seed.
“A-fucking-plus,” he moaned as I lowered his legs before collapsing next to his uninjured shoulder. “Pun intended.”
“Want to go again in about five minutes?” I gasped, a wicked smile spreading over my face at his praise.
“I’d love to, but you know the movers will be here soon.”
“I recover quickly,” I pouted. “It’s a lion thing.”
“I’ll have to keep that in mind.” He giggled and took my hand in his. We were quiet a few minutes in comfortable silence before he broke it. “So did you like it?”
“I really, really did,” I answered, knowing he meant giving my first blow job. “You taste so much better than I expected, and I got so hard knowing I was giving you that much pleasure. But I don’t think I would have liked it with anyone else as much as I did with you.”
