“Gig?”
“When are you playing?” Drew clarified.
“Friday night,” Ciaran answered. “Will you come?” He looked hopeful.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Drew replied. I wouldn’t miss anything you did. Even if it’s your first step toward leaving me.
Chapter Eleven
Friday night was the night before Halloween. Drew helped a nervous Ciaran pick out a long-sleeved black shirt, worn jeans, and black boots to wear for his gig. He also assured Ciaran several times that he was very talented and the crowd would love him. Ciaran seemed grateful for the reassurance.
At seven forty-five, Ciaran grabbed his guitar, slung the case onto his back, and they headed for town. It was starting to get very cool at night. The air was crisp, the night was clear, and the moon was nearly full. The night was so beautiful Drew regretted the short length of the drive.
The coffee shop, Stomping Grounds, was decorated with jack-o-lanterns, black cats, spiders, and other Halloween-themed items. When Drew and Ciaran walked in the door, the owner, Janie, came to greet them. Ciaran introduced Janie and Drew, and Janie directed him to a stage in the corner of the shop.
There were quite a few people sitting at the tables, sipping coffee or spiced cider. Many of them were eating the pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice cake, and pumpkin cookies Janie had added to the menu in honor of Halloween.
While Ciaran was getting out his guitar and preparing for his show, Janie directed Drew to a table by the stage. She left for a couple of minutes and returned with two spiced ciders and some pumpkin cookies. She placed one of the drinks in front of Drew.
“I remembered that you don’t drink coffee,” she said by way of explanation.
Drew smiled. “You have a good memory. Thank you.” He took a sip of the cider. It was hot, and he could taste cinnamon and nutmeg.
“Ciaran’s really talented. I heard him playing in the park, and I knew he’d be just perfect to start my new Friday night music shows.”
“He is very good,” Drew agreed.
“He told me you taught him to play,” Janie continued.
“I taught him the basics. The student has definitely exceeded the teacher in this case.” Drew laughed.
Janie grinned in response. “Well, I’ll be back,” she said, standing. “I have to go introduce Ciaran.”
Janie went up to the stage and turned on the microphone. “Hey everyone, welcome to my new Friday Music Night. Tonight’s performer is Ciaran. He’s new in town, so you don’t know him yet, but after you hear him play I guarantee you’ll want to! Everyone, please welcome Ciaran.”
Janie left the stage and rejoined Drew as the audience applauded politely. Ciaran leaned forward to thank her, already beginning to play his first song.
The audience was hooked.
Ciaran played covers of both older and newer songs, pleasing all ages . His skill with the guitar was obvious, and Drew thought his voice had never sounded better.
After a few songs, Ciaran asked if anyone had a request. A woman in the back called out “Tonight I Wanna Cry” by Keith Urban. As Ciaran began to play the rather sad country song, so much love filled Drew, he thought he would burst.
He was in love with Ciaran.
He knew that, accepted it even, but also knew that tonight was an ending of sorts. Ciaran’s gig was really going well. Janie would probably want to hire him to play again, and other people would want to as well. Drew could see the young women (and even some of the older ones) in the room admiring him.
After tonight, Ciaran could probably have his pick of girls to date. He would be shy at first, especially after his loveless upbringing, but someday soon he’d meet someone special.
As Ciaran sang about finally crying over a lost love, Drew felt like crying himself. Ciaran wasn’t lost to him, because Drew had never had him in the first place. In a way, that seemed worse. What was the saying? ‘Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all? Watching Ciaran, Drew decided it was true.
Please let this be over soon, he prayed desperately.
Ciaran played a few more requests, thankfully all more upbeat songs. Drew sat in agony, wanting more than anything to get away from Ciaran’s sexy voice and all the adoring women staring at him as he played. Finally, seemingly an eternity later, Ciaran announced that he was going to play his last song for the night.
“For my last song, I want to play a song I wrote. This song is for anyone who has ever had a friend they wished was more than a friend.” He looked straight at Drew. Their eyes met. He began to play a soft ballad Drew had never heard before.
Then he began to sing, and Drew forgot to breathe. The lyrics were about a man in love with a friend. A love never revealed. As the man listened to his friend’s relationship problems, he silently wished for the courage to tell of his own growing love.
Every chorus ended with a reference to the two being just friends. Throughout the song, Ciaran’s eyes kept returning to Drew’s. Drew couldn’t look away.
Don’t get your hopes up! Drew told himself harshly. He couldn’t possibly be singing about me. It’s just a song. He shook his head and tried to focus on the song.
“Will I get heaven or hell when I say how I feel?
Tonight is the night this all ends.
Whether I win or I lose, I just can’t take any more.
I’ve been dying a little each night,
As just friends…” Ciaran sang.
As he played the last chords of the song, there was dead silence. Suddenly, the applause began. The audience, which had clapped politely when he began playing, was now applauding energetically. There were even a few whistles and shouts.
Janie went back up to the microphone to talk to the audience again, and several people approached Ciaran to congratulate him on his great show. His eyes met Drew’s again, and Drew smiled at him. “Great show,” he mouthed. Ciaran smiled back, but his attention was quickly taken by the young woman next to him.
Drew’s chest tightened at the sight of Ciaran smiling and talking with the pretty brunette. He didn’t mean anything by it. It was just a song. I was an idiot to even think otherwise for a second. I’ve got to get out of here. He waited until Janie returned to the table.
“Wasn’t that great?” Janie squealed. “The audience loved it! And that last song! I didn’t know he wrote songs too.”
“It was a wonderful show,” Drew said honestly. He paused for a moment. “Can you do me a favor, Janie?”
“Sure,” she agreed.
“Can you give Ciaran a ride later? I need to go now, but I don’t want to drag him out of here. He seems to be having so much fun…” he trailed off.
“No problem. I want to talk to him about playing for me again,” Janie said.
“Thanks Janie,” Drew said. He made his way through the crowd as quickly as he could. At last he was outside. Taking deep breaths of the cool air helped a little. Getting on his bike and driving out of town helped even more. As soon as he reached the cabin, he went out to the woods and stripped down.
Running through the woods in wolf form, Drew told himself how stupid he had been. He should never have let himself fall for Ciaran. He ran and ran, trying to tire himself out so he wouldn’t have to think anymore. Hours later, he finally Changed back and returned to the house. His watch said 2:30. He came in quietly through the back door, hoping Ciaran was either not there or already asleep.
Chapter Twelve
“You left me without even telling me you were going.”
Drew jerked in surprise as Ciaran’s soft voice broke the silence of the dark kitchen. He turned on the light and saw Ciaran sitting at the kitchen table. He wasn’t sure what to say, so he said nothing.
“Did you not like the show? Or maybe you are tired of having me here. If that is the case, just tell me,” Ciaran said. When Drew still didn’t reply, he stood, saying, “Fine. I’ll pack my things and be gone by morning.”
No! Drew’s heart cried as Ciaran turned
to leave the room. He wanted to beg Ciaran not to go, but he couldn’t get the words out. The only thing that came out was “The last song you sang…”
Ciaran stopped without turning. “What of it?”
I have to ask. “Did you mean it?” Was it about me?
This time Ciaran turned, and his violet eyes met Drew’s. They were filled with tears. “I meant every single word,” he whispered vehemently.
For a moment Drew remained motionless, unable to believe what he’d heard. The look in Ciaran’s eyes—like nothing was more important than this—convinced him. Suddenly he and Ciaran were standing in the center of the room, and his hand was reaching up to stroke Ciaran’s cheek.
Ciaran leaned into the caress and closed his eyes, sighing softly. When Drew tipped Ciaran’s face up, he allowed it without hesitation.
Drew leaned down to kiss him, and the rest of the world disappeared. He traced Ciaran’s lips with his tongue. Ciaran opened to him instantly. At first he seemed unsure as Drew’s tongue stroked inside his mouth, but soon his tongue was caressing Drew’s in return.
As their kiss grew increasingly passionate, Drew reached under Ciaran’s shirt to caress his back. Ciaran moaned into Drew’s mouth and reciprocated. Drew couldn’t believe how good it felt to be touched this way, after so long. The fact that it was Ciaran only increased his pleasure.
He broke away to trail a string of kisses along Ciaran’s jaw and down his neck. Ciaran whimpered and arched his neck to give Drew better access. Before Drew could think about it, he was unbuttoning Ciaran’s shirt and slipping it off. The buttons clicked as it hit the ground. The small sound brought Drew out of his lustful haze. Shit, Drew, he’s never done this before. Back off! Drew cursed.
“I’m sorry, Ciaran,” he apologized. “I’m getting carried away.”
“Please, don’t stop,” Ciaran gasped, clinging to Drew and rubbing against him.
“It’s hard to do the right thing when you do that.”
“This is right, Drew. Don’t you feel it? Just touch me,” Ciaran pleaded.
Drew gave up trying to resist. “Let’s go somewhere more comfortable.”
He took Ciaran’s hand, and without speaking they rushed to Drew’s room. Once there, Ciaran grabbed the hem of Drew’s shirt and pulled it over his head. His eager hands roamed over Drew’s chest and stomach, leaving chills in their wake. Drew fell backward onto the bed, pulling Ciaran with him.
“I want to touch you,” he said. “I’ve been wondering how far down your wings go.”
“Why don’t you find out?” Ciaran dared, grinning seductively.
“Maybe I will,” Drew threatened, advancing. Ciaran laughed and tried to squirm away, but Drew easily pinned him down. He unfastened Ciaran’s jeans and slid them down over his long, slim legs. When he got them down most of the way, he realized Ciaran’s boots were still on. He laughed.
“I ought to leave you stuck like this,” he joked as he removed the boots, socks, and finally, jeans. When he was finished, he turned Ciaran onto his stomach and stared at his back. You’re so beautiful, he thought. When Ciaran turned his head and looked at him in surprise, Drew realized he’d said the words aloud.
“You are beautiful,” he repeated. He traced his hands over the delicate markings that were Ciaran’s hidden wings. “I can’t believe these are real. Or that you can hide them like this,” he mused as he touched. Drew leaned down to kiss the marks, and Ciaran shivered.
“That feels incredible,” Ciaran breathed. When Drew ran his tongue over a shoulder blade, Ciaran groaned aloud.
His wings are sensitive. I wonder if they’re even more sensitive when he isn’t hiding them. Drew filed that thought away to test later.
Ciaran wriggled out of Drew’s grip and turned over. “You must be getting warm. You are wearing so many clothes,” he commented as he worked on the button of Drew’s jeans. Drew toed off his shoes and socks and let Ciaran remove his jeans, then pulled Ciaran in for another kiss.
The kiss quickly turned passionate, and Ciaran again began to rub against Drew. When Ciaran’s cock nudged against his own, Drew thought he might embarrass himself by coming in his boxers like a teenager.
“I want you so bad,” he muttered against Ciaran’s lips.
“Then take me,” Ciaran said. “Make love to me.”
“Are you sure?”
“I have never been more sure of anything,” Ciaran stated firmly.
Drew’s heart swelled at the words. This wouldn’t be just a quick fuck to take care of physical needs. This would be making love, and he realized that was just what he needed.
I love you, he thought, gazing into Ciaran’s eyes. He didn’t say the words aloud, but he hoped Ciaran could see some of what he felt in his face. He reached down and slipped Ciaran’s boxers off, then did the same with his own.
Ciaran looked rather uncertain. “What should I do?”
“Whatever you want. Touch me, touch yourself.”
“I want to make you feel good.”
“You already have, just by being here,” Drew told him.
After that, they didn’t talk much. Drew reached out, took Ciaran’s cock in his hand, and stroked it slowly. Ciaran moaned and thrust into his hand, unable to keep still.
Drew only stroked a few more times before Ciaran pulled away and began to kiss his way down Drew’s body. He started at Drew’s jaw, trailed kisses down his neck, his chest, and his stomach. Finally, he slowly kissed his way down to Drew’s thighs, avoiding his aching cock.
Drew whimpered and tried to shift his cock closer to Ciaran’s mouth, but Ciaran only moved to the other thigh and teased it with kisses.
Just when Drew thought he would go crazy, Ciaran looked up into Drew’s eyes and took Drew’s cock into his mouth.
It was ecstasy! Ciaran’s mouth was warm, wet, and silky-soft, and he was looking up into Drew’s eyes just like in Drew’s fantasies. The reality was even better. He wanted to close his eyes, but he kept them open and focused on Ciaran’s.
Ciaran tightened his mouth around Drew’s cock and began to suck in earnest. Drew nearly came watching that angel’s mouth bobbing up and down on his cock.
When he knew he couldn’t take much more, Drew lifted Ciaran’s mouth off him. He rolled Ciaran over onto his back and reached into the drawer of his bedside table for the lube. He poured out a generous amount and slid a slick finger into Ciaran’s hole.
Ciaran’s eyes widened in surprise. At first he didn’t seem sure he liked the sensation, but when Drew crooked his finger and rubbed it over a certain spot, Ciaran panted and squirmed.
“Ready for another?” Drew asked.
Ciaran nodded, so Drew carefully added another finger, and later another.
Soon Ciaran was whimpering and thrusting his hips up to meet Drew’s fingers.
Drew grabbed the lube again, slicked his cock, and positioned himself at Ciaran’s entrance. He watched Ciaran’s face as he slowly pushed into his lover’s tight hole. He moved a short way in, then drew back. Drew tried to thrust shallowly again and let him get used to being stretched, but Ciaran bucked toward him impatiently and he slid all the way inside.
“Are you all right?” Drew asked anxiously.
“Fine. Don’t stop,” Ciaran ordered.
Drew laughed and began thrusting, slowly at first and then faster. Ciaran pushed up, meeting him stroke for stroke. Drew had never felt anything like the smooth, hot tightness of Ciaran’s ass. He could feel his orgasm building quickly, so he reached down and gripped Ciaran’s cock in his large hand. He began to pump it in time with his thrusts. Ciaran writhed and cried out in a language Drew didn’t understand.
Suddenly Ciaran was coming, semen shooting from his cock and onto Drew’s hand. “Drew!” he cried, closing his eyes tightly and arching his back. His body clamped down tightly onto Drew’s cock.
Seeing Ciaran come put Drew over the edge. In seconds, he was coming too, crying out wordlessly. He collapsed onto Ciaran’s chest, exhausted an
d happy.
For several minutes they laid there, breathing heavily. Finally Drew said, “I’m crushing you,” and rolled off onto his back.
Ciaran smiled. “I liked it.”
Drew felt that over-full feeling in his chest again. He didn’t know what to say, so he got up and went to the bathroom. He returned with a warm, wet cloth and gently cleaned the come and lube from Ciaran’s stomach and thighs. Ciaran closed his eyes and let him work. When he finished, he tossed the cloth in the hamper.
“It’s late,” he said. “We should sleep.”
Ciaran sat up, looking suddenly uncertain. “You are right. I should return to my room.”
“I’d like it if you stayed here with me tonight,” Drew offered.
“I should like that very much,” Ciaran answered, his face lighting as he smiled.
Drew smiled too, and came back to bed. Ciaran shifted to his side, so Drew moved behind him, spoon-fashion, and put an arm around him.
“Comfortable?” Drew asked.
“Very,” Ciaran replied happily. Within a few minutes he was asleep. Drew remained awake for a while, just enjoying the feel of Ciaran in his arms and listening to him breathe. He fell asleep happy.
* * * *
The next morning, Drew awoke to Ciaran’s sleeping face. Ciaran had moved during the night and was now lying facing him with his hand beneath his cheek. Drew remembered their first night together at the motel, when he had awakened and wanted to kiss Ciaran. Now, at last, he could. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Ciaran’s lips.
Ciaran awoke and smiled at him.
“Good morning,” Drew said, grinning.
“Good morning to you.” Ciaran leaned forward for another kiss. “Happy Halloween,” he said into Drew’s lips.
“Happy Halloween,” Drew agreed. He felt so much love for Ciaran that he just couldn’t hold it in anymore. He said softly, “I love you.”
Ciaran’s violet eyes widened, and his lips trembled slightly. “You do?”
“I really do.” Crap, he looks like he’s going to cry. Maybe I should have kept my big fat mouth shut.
Bat-Boy and The Wolfman Page 4
