Wounded

by Maggie Walsh

  Aaron smiled as he turned to them. “It looks great. Let me just quickly put a drop of this in microscope to make sure.” Aaron went about doing what he needed to do. He looked into the microscope, studying his sample. Finally, he pulled back and turned to them. “It’s all good. Let’s get that transfusion going.”

  Aaron grabbed some equipment he needed, and he and Demetrius moved to the cell. He attached one end of the tube into the demon Nephilim and the other into Demetrius. Aaron adjusted a clamp on the tube and suddenly the tube filled with rich, bright blood running from Demetrius into the demon Nephilim.

  “How long do you think this will take, Aaron?” Micah asked.

  “The transfusion should take about twenty to thirty minutes. I don’t want it to go in too quickly. After that, I have no idea.”

  Micah and Jesse took a seat as they waited. Aaron stayed by Demetrius, watching what was happening and taking notes. If the demon Nephilim made any noise or movement, then Aaron recorded it in his book. After the transfusion was complete, Aaron removed the tubing from between the two Nephilim and Demetrius joined Micah and Jesse.

  They sat there waiting for two hours after the transfusion was done, and there was still nothing from the sleeping Nephilim. Occasionally he twitched or grunted, and Aaron recorded everything.

  “I’m sorry it’s taking so long, everyone, but as I said, I wasn’t sure what would happen. Why don’t you all go and I’ll stay here with him. If there is any change or he wakes up, I’ll have one of the guards come and get you,” Aaron offered.

  “Are you sure, Aaron?” Jesse asked with a yawn.

  Aaron gave him a smile. “Go, Jesse. You and Micah look wiped out. This is all part of research. Sometimes it can be a lot of waiting around to see what’s next. I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, but the minute something happens,” Micah said as he stood with Jesse.

  “I will, Micah.” Micah, Jesse, and Demetrius left, and Aaron pulled a chair closer to the cell to sit and wait.

  Chapter 9

  It was five minutes to nine and Shelby was nervous. His mate should be here soon to come for him for their date. Seeing as they were staying in, he wasn’t sure exactly what to wear. He had called over to Nicco earlier and asked him if he could stop by his apartment and grab all his clothes. Nicco had done as he asked and brought over every scrap of clothing he could find. Shelby had been so excited. He missed his clothes. He loved every piece he had very meticulously picked out. He was so happy to be reunited with his babies. Versace, Christian Dior, Christian Louboutin, and a little Betsy Johnson for those moments he felt wild and crazy. Then, of course, there were his perfectly tailored Ralph Lauren suits.

  Nicco had also managed to bring all his favorite babies, too. His shoes. He didn’t know how the vampire managed to bring all four hundred pairs, but he did. He picked up his favorite pair of Jimmy Choos and wondered what his mate’s feelings were about men wearing heels. Maybe he should just go for it and hit his mate with his style right off the bat. He wasn’t a drag queen and he didn’t really wear women's clothes like Raffy liked to. He was more like Taylor. If he saw something that called to him, he got it. It didn’t matter if it came from the men's department or the women's.

  He spotted a pair of Gucci loafers and thought about wearing those with his favorite green suit, but then his Louis Vuitton black ankle boots caught his eye. They would be perfect with his black, form-fitting Christian Dior slacks and the cerulean blue short-sleeved Dior Homme dress shirt. He loved that ensemble together, and the pant legs were brought up just enough to show off his shoes. That was it, he would wear that, but would he be over-dressed for their date? Hell, he loved it, so he was wearing it.

  Shelby laid out the items he had picked, then added a pair of cerulean socks to add a little peek-a-boo hint. He pulled out a transparent jock and laid that on the bed. No pantie lines for him. The thought made him giggle. He loved wearing jocks. They made him feel manly, yet sexy at the same time, and if his mate played his cards right tonight then maybe he would get a look at them. Shelby chuckled again as he headed for the bathroom to get ready.

  Now he stood here unsure of his choices. Maybe he should have dressed a little more casual? What would his mate be wearing? He was a wolf enforcer and the man probably had no need for dress-up clothes. Shit. He needed to change. Shelby turned to head toward the closet when a knock came to his door.

  “Damn it,” he huffed under his breath. Too late. Shelby walked to the door and grabbed the knob. He took a deep breath and placed a soft smile on his face. Pulling the door open, he was instantly frozen except for his cock. The damn thing woke up and stood at attention from the sight before him.

  His mate stood there looking edible. The man wore a black tuxedo that fit his body perfectly. It stretched around his bulging muscles, allowing Shelby to get a glimpse of the yumminess hiding under that suit. Xander had also left his shoulder-length, light-brown hair loose instead of pulling it back at the nape like all the other times Shelby had seen him. The man was fucking gorgeous with a capital fuckin G. Shelby just wanted to pull him into his room and strip him out of that tux as he licked every inch of skin he revealed.

  “Wow. You look amazing,” Xander said to him, bringing Shelby out of his wicked thoughts.

  “Um...thanks. I was just about to say the same to you.” Was that his voice that sounded so husky and out of breath? “I was afraid I may be overdressed, but now I’m thinking I’m underdressed.”

  “No, you look perfect. Are you ready to go?” Shelby nodded and stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind him. They walked side-by-side down the hall toward the stairs. Shelby had the overwhelming need to reach out and grab Xander’s hand, entwining their fingers. It just felt like the right thing to do, but he fought the impulse.

  Shelby was a little confused when they headed past the kitchen and down the back hall. He went to question it when he felt the soft press of Xander’s hand on his lower back, leading him to keep going. He liked the feel of Xander’s hand there. It felt like a protective move, like he belonged to Xander, and Shelby was shocked to realize he liked the feeling.

  They continued on until they stopped at the door to the atrium. Xander opened the door and stepped aside for Shelby to enter first. He was a little confused until he stepped into the glass-enclosed room and stopped. Little twinkling white lights surrounded the room, giving the area a soft glow, and all the little lights reflecting off the surface of the water made it appear like it was sparkling. Soft music played in the background and Shelby noticed a small table covered in a crisp white cloth set up in the corner. Two chairs were placed on either side of the table and place settings for two. There were also two lit candles that sat on the table. Next to that was a cart with a few covered dishes.

  Xander took Shelby’s hand and led him to the far side of the pool. When they reached their destination, Xander released his hand and pulled out one of the chairs for him, and Shelby sat. Then Xander took the other seat.

  “Would you like some wine or would you like to start with a glass of O negative?” Xander asked as he pulled a bottle from an ice bucket and began to open it.

  “Wine...please. I already fed when I woke up.”

  “Good. I wasn’t certain, so I wanted to make sure you got what you needed,” Xander said as he grabbed the wine glass from in front of Shelby and poured the dark red liquid, then did the same to his own glass, before returning the bottle to the ice. Damn, that was so thoughtful of his mate to think of his needs like that.

  They drank their wine and talked, hesitantly at first, but when Xander started telling him stories about the people that lived in this house, Shelby began to relax. He laughed at some of the crazy things Xander told him, and shared a few stories of his own about the guys from the club.

  They ate as they talked and Shelby was very impressed with the meal that Xander said that he himself had prepared. He served them thick T-bones with double-baked potatoes that had a sharp cheese melted o
n top, and different-colored steamed squash that Xander had then stir-fried with a peanut sauce. It was amazing. Xander had also made a dill-and-cucumber salad for before their meal, and chocolate volcano cake for dessert. It all tasted so wonderful that Shelby wanted more of everything, but he was so full he wanted to open the button on his pants and slouch back in his seat.

  When Shelby finished his last bite of cake, he slid the plate away from him and rubbed his belly. “That was the best meal I have ever had. Thank you.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure what foods you liked so I just went with some of the things I cook the best. I hope it was okay.” Xander’s voice shook slightly, giving away his anxiety.

  “It was wonderful, really. I wish I could fit more in, but if I have one more bite you may have to roll me out of here. That meal alone will make my ass drop. I’ll have to spend hours on the treadmill to get it back up,” Shelby said with a laugh.

  “I hope you don’t have any problem getting it up,” Xander stated and Shelby could hear the drop in his tone. The man’s voice was husky and sexy.

  Shelby raised a brow at his mate and gave him a saucy smile. “I never have before.”

  Xander returned the smile and licked his lips. “Why don’t I help you get rid of some of those calories?” His mate was flirting with him. That was always a good sign.

  “Oh, and how do you propose doing that?” Shelby flirted back.

  Xander stood and took the two steps around to Shelby. He held out his hand and look at Shelby expectantly. Shelby raised his hand and placed it in his mate’s. Xander pulled him gently from his seat and Shelby stood. Xander said nothing as he walked them away from the table to an open spot on the patio that surrounded the pool.

  Xander turned toward him and whispered, “Dance with me.”

  Shelby immediately raised his free hand to rest on Xander's broad shoulder and Xander’s free hand slid around his waist, pulling him closer. They spent the next fifteen minutes in silence as they swayed to the music. Xander was a great dancer and led him like they were made for each other. Well, he guessed he was right there, because fate did make them for each other.

  The song changed and Shelby closed his eyes. He loved this song. Rihanna’s “Stay” always made him feel melancholy, but right now, standing here in his mate's arms, listening to the song now made the words mean more. They said what they both couldn’t.

  Shelby felt a change in his mate’s stance and opened his eyes. Xander’s face was inches from his and his eyes were filled with heat, but also something else...longing. Shelby lifted his chin. The movement brought their lips within an inch of each other’s. Xander’s head came down and closed the distance. His strong but soft lips gently whispered across Shelby’s and in that instant he knew he wanted more. Shelby stepped in closer, bringing their bodies flush, and he pressed his lips to Xander’s. Xander slid his tongue across his lips, asking for permission, and Shelby gave it to him. He opened his mouth and met Xander’s tongue with his own.

  The arm around his waist tightened slightly, crushing their bodies together, and Shelby pulled his hand from Xander’s so that he could wrap both arms around his mate's neck, snaking his fingers through the soft locks of his mate’s hair. He felt Xander’s other arm slide around him and his hand pressed against Shelby’s back, holding him close.

  Xander took over the kiss, deepening it, and Shelby thought his shoes were going to melt off his feet and his socks would fly off. Now he understood why all those damsels in all those old movies raised their foot. He had the same urge to do the move, but instead he pressed closer. The kiss felt like it went on forever, but when Xander pulled back, breaking the kiss, Shelby whimpered from the loss. The kiss had been too short. He wanted more.

  “Gods, you taste so good, mate. I think I may become addicted to you.

  “Talk is cheap, big boy,” Shelby growled and plastered his lips to Xander’s again. He kissed his mate hard and fucked his mouth with his tongue. The kiss turned feral and they both grabbed and groped at the other. Suddenly, Shelby’s back was pressed against something cold and hard, and at the same time something hot and hard was pressed against his stomach. Damn, it felt huge.

  Xander cupped Shelby’s chin with one hand and held it tight. Suddenly, Shelby felt like he was about to explode. The move caused him to feel possessed, claimed, and a part of him was scared. He had had enough of people trying to control him, possess him, and he sure as shit wasn’t going to let his mate. Shelby broke the kiss, pulling his chin free from his mate’s grasp. They panted heavily, trying to get air into their lungs as they stared at each other.

  “I love the feel of you in my arms, the press of your lips on mine, and your hard cock against my thigh. Your taste makes me feel lightheaded and your scent, oh gods, your scent is the most alluring thing I have ever had the pleasure of smelling.”

  Damn, his mate spoke pretty. His words eased Shelby’s tension and made him want to let the man fuck him right then. “You’re not a bad kisser yourself there, stud, and if that pole jabbing me is any indication of what you’ve got hiding under those slacks, then I think I’m in for a bumpy ride.”

  “You can ride me any time you want, beautiful Shelby,” Xander’s voice went down an octave as he spoke the words. The sound went directly to Shelby’s cock. He grabbed the front of Xander’s jacket and smashed their lips together again. Buttons popped, zippers opened, and material ripped as they both rushed to get the other naked. Shelby hissed at the first touch of skin against skin, and he loved how the hair on his mate's chest tickled his sensitive nipples. He rubbed his chest against Xander’s as his pants dropped to pool around his ankles.

  Something inside him told him to stop this, or at least to slow it down. He didn’t really know this man yet, but his heart and body told him to shut up and enjoy. Xander’s thick, muscled thigh thrust between his legs, pressing against his cock and balls. The feeling was delicious and erotic. Shelby began to thrust his hips to get the friction his dick wanted. Xander’s lips moved down his throat and he gave Shelby a small, teasing bite where shoulder met neck, right where he would claim Shelby if his mate allowed it.

  Their movements were desperate and animalistic, and Shelby was shocked at how his body responded to Xander’s touch. He was also surprised at how his mate's body responded to him. Xander’s big, hard cock rubbed against his hipbone feverishly as Xander licked and sucked his neck, hands roaming over his heated skin. Shelby’s hips picked up speed, the need to come growing stronger. Xander pulled back from his neck slightly and whispered in a growl against his skin. “Don’t come.”

  With the growl, it sounded like a command, and Shelby didn’t take well to demands. His senses came back to him like a sledgehammer and he stopped all movement. Xander noticed and pulled back to look into his eyes. Shelby could see the lust there and knew his mate’s wolf was taking over, but hell if he was going to let some fleabag mutt tell him what to do. Hell, nobody told him what to do. Well, no one except maybe King Dante, the Prime, and the Heart, but other than that, everyone else could go fuck themselves. Shelby pushed against Xander’s shoulders and his mate took a step back, releasing Shelby from his grasp.

  Shelby bent down and pulled his slacks back up, zippering them. He saw his shirt lying on the floor and snatched it up. Shelby moved away from the glass wall and took a step away from Xander.

  “What is it, mate? What did I do? Did I hurt you?’ Xander’s voice came out stressed and worried.

  “I don’t take commands from anybody,” Shelby stated and headed across the room.

  “What? What demands?” Xander asked in a rush as he turned to watch Shelby go.

  “I come when I want to come and I won’t let even you stop me. So if you’ll excuse me, my dick needs some attention,” Shelby huffed and left the room. Xander stood there stunned as he watched his mate leave him...again.

  * * * *

  “Hey, X. How’d the date go last night?” Jesse asked when Xander walked into the ki
tchen and sat at the center island.

  “Fine,” he mumbled in a gravelly voice. He cleared his throat.

  Jesse stopped what he was doing and looked at him. “You don’t sound so convincing. I thought for sure Shelby would have melted from everything you did for your date.”

  “It was fine, okay?” he snapped, then dropped his head in his hands, running his fingers through his hair and tightly gripping the strands.

  “Okay.” Jesse turned from him, grabbed a cup of coffee from the counter, and walked across the room, taking a seat at the breakfast nook by the window, and began to look over some paperwork.

  Xander sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just frustrated.”

  “It’s okay, Xander. You look like you had a rough night. Would you like to talk about it?”

  “No...Yes...I don’t know.” He huffed and stood up, going to the coffee pot and pouring himself a cup, then he joined Jesse at the table. He sat and took a sip, but remained quiet. Jesse looked back down to the papers in front of him. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, Jesse. I thought I did everything right.”

  “You want to tell me what happened? Maybe I can help.”

  Xander explained the events of the night. Every detail from the moment he picked Shelby up at his door until Shelby left him standing there with his pants around his ankles. After he finished, he went quiet again, waiting for Jesse to respond. Jesse reached out a hand and placed it over Xander’s.

  “It sounds like he freaked out, X. Maybe things just started going too fast for him. For some, realizing that you have a mate out there is one thing, but finding them and it all becoming a reality is quite another. You did say he has been having a problem with visions of you with those other men. Maybe one of those flashed across his mind at that moment?”