by Maggie Walsh
Taylor turned his head to look over his shoulder at Shelby as his body kept thrusting against the couch. “Thanks, you stripping diva wannabe, but I’m not humping the couch, you perv,” Taylor panted out his words, then moaned as he threw his head back.
“Diva wannabe?” Shelby huffed. “I’ll have you know, I am the queen of divas.”
“Yeah? Maybe in that city of yours, but here in Sanctuary, I am queen diva and don’t you forget it,” Taylor panted out and then moaned loudly.
Suddenly Gabriel appeared behind Taylor, making Shelby freeze. Gabriel had his arms locked around Taylor’s waist as he plowed into his ass. “Do you two divas mind having this conversation about who wears the best lipgloss later. We’re a little busy here,” Gabriel ground out between clenched teeth. He raised one hand and wrapped his fingers around Taylor’s throat, pulling Taylor’s head back further against his chest.
“Oh shit,” Shelby said in surprise. “I didn’t...I mean, I...How the hell did you do that?”
“My man is a god,” Taylor said with pride as a loud moan escaped his lips.
“But how did he just appear like that?”
“It’s one of his gifts. He can be invisible. It’s fucking hot as hell when he sneaks up on me, rips my clothes off, and fucks my brains out.”
Gabriel stopped moving and growled against Taylor’s neck. Taylor whimpered in protest from the action. “Shelby, if you want to stay and watch, be my guest, but stop the commentary. Sweet baby, I’m going to start getting really insulted if you keep talking to another man while I claim your hole.”
“I’m sorry, man of mine. Please don’t stop,” Taylor begged.
Gabriel tightened his grip on Taylor and began to thrust into him again. Then he disappeared and it looked like Taylor was humping the couch again. Shelby stood watching them for a few minutes as he thought about how wonderful it would be to find his own mate and have that connection to another.
But then he thought of his mate. He knew who he was. He had seen him many times at The Angel Club. He had been so thrilled when he spotted his mate at the club that he just wanted to run to the gorgeous man and claim him right there, but then he saw what his mate was doing. The man was sitting at a table with a fucking little twink between his spread legs and the twink was sucking his cock. Right there in the middle of the club where anyone could see them.
Not that Shelby was shy or anything, or had anything against public fucking, but he shouldn’t be meeting his mate while he was being sucked off by some other guy. It was just bad form. So Shelby hid in the back before his mate noticed him.
It had become a weekly torture while he worked at the club. He would be up on stage strutting his stuff and he would spot his mate out in the audience, and every time, the man had some twink either sucking him or had the little guy bent over a table as he fucked him. Sometimes he saw his mate with two men at once.
How was he supposed to mate a manwhore? Shelby was no shrinking violet himself, and had been with plenty of men through his life, but his mate had a new man every week. For all he knew, his mate had a new guy every night. So Shelby made sure to keep his distance from the wolf. If the man ever made eye contact with him, he looked away and turned in the other direction, hightailing it away from him before he got too close and realized who Shelby was, but now that he was here in this house, would he be able to continue staying away from his mate?
Chapter 5
“How long until we’re back?” Ash asked from the backseat of the SUV.
“We’ll be back in Sanctuary in about five miles. Then to the house in another twenty minutes from there,” Xander answered.
“Great. All this driving has made me tired,” Ash said.
Xander and Papa Angel chuckled as they gave each other a look. Ash was a little pistol. The guy was kind of shy and sweet, until he got comfortable with someone. Then he was funny as hell and loved to tease people. He also had a little diva in him. Xander rolled his eyes as he thought of having another diva in the house. Taylor was enough, thank you very much. Even though Ash was a little baby diva in training compared to Taylor, Xander was sure that Taylor would upgrade Ash’s status in no time. Then they would all be in trouble.
“How are you tired from driving, Ash when I did all the driving from Montana?” Xander asked with a laugh.
“I meant all this traveling in general, you smart-ass. Sitting here watching all these endless trees fly by for hours is boring and my ass hurts,” Ash complained as he shifted in his seat.
“I told you to get out and stretch your legs when we stopped at that gas station.”
“But I didn’t want to get out then, and that was like six hours ago, dude. My hiney hurts now,” Ash whined.
Papa Angel burst out laughing at Ash’s antics. “Son, we’re almost to our new home. Surely your hiney can hold up for a half an hour.”
“I don’t know that it can, Papa. Why did we drive anyway? With all the cool powers our family has, surely someone could have just popped us home?”
“Because Micah, Jesse, and the rest of them have too much going on as it is. They need to be able to go to battle at a moment’s notice. Plus, this gave us a chance to see some of the country and to learn the way between our two homes.”
“Fallon and Trevor look really happy, don’t they?” Ash asked wistfully.
“Yes they do. I’m glad we got to go back and help Fallon get the pack running smoothly again, and I couldn’t be happier to see that almost all of my boys have found their mates and are very content.”
“Speaking of your boys and being hopelessly happy,” Xander said and pointed out the window.
Papa and Ash looked to where Xander pointed and found Micah and Jesse cuddled up together in the back of a horse-drawn sleigh. They had a blanket over their laps and each held a cup of something steaming. Micah looked down at Jesse as the sleigh began to move and kissed his mate's lips.
“They truly are perfect for each other,” Papa Angel observed with happiness.
“Yes they are. We should all be so lucky to find our special someone,” Xander added as he took one more look at the two lovebirds, then looked straight ahead as he continued to drive through town.
“Can we come back and see the winter festival, too, Papa?” Ash asked excitedly.
“Sure, Ash. Let’s get home and rest, then maybe tomorrow we can come back and check it out.”
* * * *
“So, did you enjoy the show?” Taylor asked Shelby as he walked into the game room.
“Eh. I’ve seen better,” Shelby answered nonchalantly and took a sip of his wine.
“Said no one ever.” Taylor laughed as he walked behind the bar and grabbed a glass. He lifted the bottle of wine off the bar and poured himself a glass.
“I didn’t realize you were such a show horse, Taylor. A horse, maybe, but not a show horse.” Shelby gave him a mischievous grin.
“Says the man with a four-tone dye job and roots the size of my ten-inch dick,” Taylor gave back to him.
“Let’s see how you would hold up after being held by a bunch of sick freakoids for six months.”
“I thought I still looked pretty fierce after being held for four years by some sick twats.” Taylor walked back around the bar and sat next to Shelby. Shelby just stared at him in horror. “So tell me, what look were you going for? Because you missed.”
“I’m so jealous, Taylor.” Shelby gave him a smirk.
Taylor smirked back. “Oh yeah? Of who, me?”
“No. Of all the people who haven’t met you yet.”
Taylor just stared at Shelby with a devious smirk for a few minutes and then burst out laughing. Shelby joined him and Taylor gave Shelby a hug. “Damn, I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, hot stuff. So, hot man of yours can fuck you while invisible, huh? That must be a fucking blast.”
“Especially when someone catches us and thinks I’m humping the couch. Or the counter, or the pool table.”
“Yeah, yea
h, I get the picture. You and your man love to fuck wherever you want.”
“That’s not so true. We just have a hard time keeping our hands off each other. If we happen to be in other areas of the house besides our room then so be it,” Taylor answered with a chuckle. “I think you need a day at the spa, Shel. What do you say tomorrow we head out to the city, go to Indulgence and have a day of self-beauty? I could use a touch-up and a mani-pedi.”
Shelby whimpered from Taylor’s suggestion. “I would love to go to Indulgence. I could use a whole day of pampering. I need a total overhaul.”
“So it’s a date. We’ll see who else would like to join us and we’ll all spend the day being spoiled.”
“I wish I could, Tay, but I can’t go into the city. My family is still looking for me and that’s the first place they’ll look. Plus, the Alpha Prime doesn’t want me to leave the house,” Shelby informed him sadly.
“Hum. There must be a way we can get you in there without anyone knowing.” Taylor drank his wine as he got lost in thought. Finally, he turned toward Shelby with a big smile.
“What?” Shelby asked.
“Well, you are a vampire. You could just disseminate us there.”
“And what if I pop us right in on a human? Could you imagine?”
“Shit,” Taylor huffed.
“I have an idea,” Raffy said as he walked to them. Taylor and Shelby turned to look at him.
“Hi, Raf. Have you ever met Shelby?” Taylor asked.
“Yes, briefly, but I have heard a lot about you, and I helped Aaron and Jesse heal you.”
“Thank you for that. Nice dress. Where did you get it?”
“Oh, this? My mate bought it for me. He surprised me with it on my birthday.”
“It’s gorg. I’ll have to ask him where he got it. I would love one in red,” Shelby said.
“I’ll ask Christian for you,” Raffy offered and sat next to Taylor.
“Thanks. Anyway. I’m Shelby. Diva extraordinaire. And I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Good things, I hope?” Raffy asked nervously.
“Of course, brother. There are only good things to say about you,” Taylor said and wrapped an arm around Raffy’s shoulders, giving him a squeeze.
“Thanks, Taylor,” Raffy said shyly.
“So what is this brilliant idea you spoke of?” Shelby asked.
“Oh, yeah. Well, I heard you talking about Indulgence and I would love to go with you, but as you were saying, Shelby can’t leave the house. But...we can hire some of the people from Indulgence to come here,” Raffy informed them.
“We can?” Shelby asked.
“Oooh, that’s a great idea. Let’s start asking who wants in and then I’ll call over there to schedule it for tomorrow.” Taylor grabbed Raffy’s hand and Shelby’s hand, and pulled them both from the room.
* * * *
Xander stretched as his eyes fluttered open. Sun streamed through the small part in the curtain, making him squint. “Damn, what time is it? If the sun’s already up, it must be past seven.” Xander threw the covers back and sat up, sliding his legs over the side of the bed. “I guess it’s time to get going.” He stood and walked to the bathroom to get ready for his day.
After taking care of his morning business and a quick shower, Xander dressed in his enforcer uniform, black cargo pants, black T-shirt and black combat boots, then headed for the kitchen.
Xander walked into the kitchen to find everyone eating. He walked over to the table and sat in his empty chair. Then reached out, grabbed the coffee pot, and poured himself a cup.
“So how was the drive, Xander?” Raith asked.
“Uneventful.” Xander smirked and his gaze met Papa Angel’s. They both smiled and gave a small chuckle.
“What happened?” Bailey asked from his seat next to Lexi.
“Nothing happened. It’s just that I didn’t realize Ash hated car rides so much,” Xander explained with a chuckle.
“I don’t hate car rides,” Ash protested.
“In Ash’s defense, he’s right, Xander. He doesn’t hate car rides, per say. Just long road trips,” Papa Angel said with a laugh, then brought his coffee cup to his lips and took a sip.
“Sounds like something happened. Come on, give it up,” Taylor coaxed.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Taylor jumped from his seat with a squeal. “They’re here! I’ll let them in and show them where to set up while everyone finishes. Meet us in the game-room-slash-spa,” he yelled back over his shoulder as he ran from the kitchen.
“What was that all about? Who’s here?” Papa Angel asked.
“Taylor and a few of the mates wanted to go into the city today to a spa to have a day of pampering, but Shelby can’t leave the house just now, so Taylor and Raffy arranged for the people from the spa to come here,” Micah explained.
“Shelby?” Xander’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “You mean the same Shelby from the club? The one that took off back in the spring?”
“Turns out he didn’t just take off. He was taken. Kidnapped by his family,” Jesse answered as he grabbed his and Micah’s empty plates and stood.
Micah grabbed the plates from Jesse and stood. He leaned down and kissed Jesse softly on the lips. “Finish your coffee, then get ready for your day of pampering. I’ll take care of this,” Micah told Jesse and headed for the sink.
“You don’t have to do that, Micah,” Jesse said as he sat back down.
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. It’s your day off, so go relax.” Micah placed their plates in the dishwasher.
“I just had a day off yesterday.”
“And now you’re getting another one.” Micah winked at Jesse, and headed out of the kitchen.
“Seems like we missed something,” Xander said around a mouthful of waffles.
“You guys missed a lot. After breakfast is cleaned up, why don’t you and Pops come into my office and I’ll fill you in,” Raith said as he grabbed his, Aaron, and Rory’s plates and headed for the sink. Aaron and Rory both chuckled softly as they watched their mate.
“Me too? Or can I get in on this day of pampering? My hiney still hurts from that long car ride.”
Xander and Pops both burst out laughing from Ash’s whine as he rubbed his behind.
* * * *
“Oh my fucking god! Ouch! Stop! Please stop!” Shelby screamed out at the top of his lungs. “I am begging you on all things Prada to stop!”
“What’s the matter, sweet cheeks?” Taylor asked as he walked into the room, laughing.
“Taylor, make them stop!” Shelby continued to scream as he writhed around the table he lay upon.
“But I thought you wanted a wax, you drama queen.” Taylor continued to laugh at Shelby’s antics.
“Yeah, my eyebrows! Not my balls! Ow!” Shelby started slapping away the hands of the man waxing his groin.
“Then why the hell did you let him put the wax on your sac?” Taylor asked as he kept laughing.
“What’s going on in here? It sounds like Shelby is being murdered,” Jesse asked as he walked into the room. He held his hands up with his fingers spread apart as he blew on his nails.
“He wanted his eyebrows waxed,” Taylor explained, his face turning bright red as he panted for breath around his peals of laughter.
“I think you went a little too low for his eyebrows, Claude,” Jesse admonished gently.
“He asked for a complete wax job, Mr. Angel. I was just―”
“I did not,” Shelby said indignantly.
“I asked you if you wanted a brow, a Brazilian, or a complete wax, and you said, ‘I want it all.’ I took that to mean a complete wax,” Claude explained.
“When did you ask me that?”
“While Marcy was giving you a facial.”
“While Marcy...Well, duh. I was so relaxed and out-of-it, I was falling asleep.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell him to stop when he headed for your sac?” Taylor snickered. The room began
to fill with all the mates. Each was wearing a white terry robe. Some had towels wrapped around their heads, while others had green mud on their faces.
“I felt something warm and wet,” Shelby explained softly as his he looked away.
“And your lips stopped working?”
“I was asleep. Marcy was giving me a heavenly facial and I fell asleep. It is day time and I am a va…Anyway, the next thing I knew, a warmth engulfed me. Then the fires of hell burned my damn balls off!”
“Ha ha ha ha,” Taylor burst out laughing as he held his side. Jesse and the others tried hard to hold in their laughter as they all looked around the room as if something interesting was going on on the ceiling and floor all of a sudden.
“It’s not funny, you twat.”
“Shel, you can be the next karate kid. Wax on, wax off,” Taylor said with a Chinese accent.
“Yeah, and I can kick your ass, Mr. Miagi.”
“I don’t know how you didn’t wake up. I mean…” Taylor stopped as more laughter exploded from him and tears ran down his face.
“Yeah, like you would wake up when something warm and wet engulfs your sac. You probably start moaning like a prom queen.”
“Okay. Okay.” Taylor conceded as he tried to catch his breath. “I’ll give you that. I love being woken up by a warm, wet mouth around my balls.” Again, the laughter poured from Taylor as Shelby sent him a look that could kill. “But, at this point, I think you need to let Claude finish what he started.”
“Hell no! That shit hurts. Have you ever gotten your balls waxed? I assure you it’s not a day of shopping at Bloomies.”
“Yeah, but, he only did one side. You don’t want to be walking around with a sideways goatee, do you?”
“A sideways goate…” Shelby started to ask in confusion, but cut himself off when what Taylor asked dawned on him. Then his eyes bulged out from his head.
“I mean, I like me a good soul patch on a hot man’s face, but I draw a line at a soul patch on his ass.” Taylor burst out laughing again and leaned against Jesse for support. The other mates lost their battle with holding back their laughter and the room erupted with laughs, snickers, and snorts.
