Just Like Cats and Dogs (Sanctuary Book 1)

by BA Tortuga

  “That’s it, Puss. Just let me make you feel better. Let me love on you.” He knew it was working when Sam’s legs started sliding on the sheets, moving almost normally, that sinuous grace starting to return.

  He could scent it when Sam’s body stopped being all about pain and started edging into pleasure, into wanting. His body responded eagerly, his own happiness just bubbling right up. That wasn’t the only thing up all of a sudden. Gus moaned, suddenly too hot for his own skin.

  “Gus.” Sam groaned, one hand reaching back to touch his thigh.

  “Yeah, Puss.” He stroked back up to Sam’s hip, tugging them tighter together.

  “I can smell you.” Sam pressed closer, vibrating against him.

  “Do I still smell like home?” Sam had told him that once, back at the beginning.

  “You are home.” Sam sighed, but the sound was happy, settled.

  Thank God. They could do this. They really could. They just needed to be together.

  He trailed his hands out along Sam’s arms, his whole body covering his mate’s. He needed this so bad, and so did Sam. They needed to sink into each other, feel nothing else. He bit at Sam’s shoulder, teeth worrying the skin.

  “Mouthy Pup.” Sam’s hips rocked under him, sweet ass sliding on his cock.

  “Mmm. Weaned early, maybe.” Or maybe he just liked how Sam tasted—wild, fierce. Yummy.

  Sam’s chuckle bounced him around a little, and his cock settled in the crack of Sam’s ass. Oh. Oh, yeah. He huffed, his belly pulling in with the pleasure. That felt so good he rocked, getting more pressure.

  His brain was sound asleep, his body knowing exactly what he needed. All he had to do was move a little more and his cock would be right there, pressing at Sam’s hole.

  His Puss.

  His mate.

  “Made for you.” Sam’s words made him nod. Weird, but true.

  “Sam.” He breathed the word against Sam’s ear, asking permission as much as anything. The dark head bobbed, Sam pressing back against him, letting him breach the tight hole. Oh, fuck, yes. It felt like it had been years instead of weeks. Sam also felt like coming home.

  His teeth found Sam’s nape, not digging in, not yet, but it was close. He wanted to bite down and mark that skin, to obliterate every other scar there was. He slid deeper into Sam’s ass, his cock aching, his balls drawing up.

  He reached down, cradled Sam’s hip with his hand, moving them together. He wanted more of that amazing skin, more of those sounds that made him pant.

  When he eased them onto their sides, one of Sam’s legs drawn up to give him room, it was easier. Easier, and he could touch that fat cock, rub the tip, work it. Sam was hard for him already, and that made Gus want to howl with triumph. They were healing Sam. They were.

  They found a rhythm, slow and sure, Sam’s body like a glove around him. It was a perfect fucking fit, and Gus started moving, pushing in and out, letting Sam set the pace.

  His hand moved on Sam, measuring the sweet cock from base to head, thumb nudging the slit over and over. He wanted Sam crazy, wanted his mate right there.

  “Pup.” Sam’s ass rippled around him. “Good.”

  “Not a pup.” He growled the words before biting down on that hot nape, letting Sam feel his teeth.

  The connection between them snapped, flooding him like the taste of Sam’s skin, Sam’s blood, and Gus shook Sam a little, getting a happy yowl in response. He growled and grunted and moved faster, knowing it was safe now.

  He kept working Sam’s cock, kept touching and tugging, wanting Sam to feel it. He squeezed the slit shut, then tugged all the way down, right to the base, his hand meeting Sam’s balls. Long and lean, like his mate, that sweet cock fit in his palm, hot and heavy and perfect.

  Just like that tight ass closed around him like they were made for each other. God. He howled, his body losing control a little, slamming against Sam’s.

  Things went wild around the edges, with the rutting and the humping and the biting and the snarling. Gus lost track of how many times he pulled back and pushed into Sam’s body, lost track of how hard he was pulling and squeezing that hard cock. All he knew was want.

  All he knew was Sam.

  Sam’s ass clenched around his cock, jerking and milking him for a fierce heartbeat before heat spread over his fingers.

  “Fuck!” Gus cried out, his body seizing up for a moment before he shot, his hips smacking Sam’s ass.

  He wrapped around Sam, held on tight. His mate. His. Sam would be well again if it killed them both.

  It would be a hell of a way to go.

  28

  “Get up.”

  Gus poked him in the ass, hard, and Sam growled, deep in his chest. “Sleeping.”

  It was cold.

  “Too bad. Get up.”

  “I’m sleeping!” He growled, snagged Gus’s thighs.

  “Ow!” Gus’s hand came down on Sam’s ass in more than a poke, leaving a sting.

  “I was sleeping!” Sam rolled over, trying to hide in the covers.

  “You were. Now you’re getting up and walking.” Gus looked so mulish, jaw set.

  He was not. It was cold, and he was sore and tired.

  Gus poked his belly. “Up, damn it!”

  He sat up, scooted to the other side of the bed. “Stop it!”

  “Why. I’m bored. I want to go dig.” Gus looked a little pouty. Deliberately.

  “So go. You have a truck. You’re a smart Pup.” Like he’d ever get to go home. Ever.

  “I didn’t say I wanted to go home. I said I wanted to go dig. We need to get Gray and Marina home, but the world is our oyster.”

  And what was he supposed to do? Follow Gus around, gimpy and broken? He’d be better off finding a place and hiding.

  “Goddamn it, would you get up and test your legs? Please?” Gus’s eyes glinted with a kind of desperation, and only that had him trying to get out of bed.

  “If they don’t get better, I’ll find a place to hole up.” It was weird enough to be him, without adding the Frankenstein monster lurching around.

  “Babe, I know they’re better. I can see the scars have healed a ton.” Gus was standing hands on hips now. Waiting.

  He stood up, muscles screaming as he headed for the bathroom with its shattered mirror, the amazing shower. He heard Gus make a sound of approval, heard the man padding after him. He wouldn’t look at the scars—wouldn’t look at himself at all—ever again. He was ruined.

  “Sam.” Gus caught him, twirling him around like they were dancing. “You are not ruined. You’re mine.”

  His eyes went wide. “What?” Had Gus heard him?

  “I said you’re not ruined.” Gus’s chest bumped his. “Suck it up.”

  He slapped Gus’s ass. “Get out of my head, Pup.”

  “Why? Took me long enough to get there.” Gus’s cock rose between them, poking Sam’s belly.

  “Horndog.” He was trying to be in a snit, goddamn it.

  “Uh-huh. You’re up and moving. I can do you now.” Gus was grinning, not letting him wallow at all.

  He bit Gus’s shoulder, hard enough to sting. Fucker. Beautiful bastard.

  “Mmm. Again.” Gus put both hands under his ass and lifted, giving him better access.

  “Strong bastard.” The scent of need was irresistible, strong, and Sam bit again, eyes closing with pleasure.

  “Yours, though. You can do whatever you want with me. Cool, huh?” Gus carried him to the shower, solid as a rock.

  Damn, Gus made him laugh. “You are.” Every inch. It was annoying and maddening and wonderful and hot.

  He bit Gus again, testing the skin. It didn’t break for him, but Gus moaned, hands clenching on his butt. It felt almost like a massage.

  Don’t stop. He hummed softly, moved his lips over and bit again, sucking softly.

  “Mmm.” Gus moaned out loud and squeezed again. God, it felt amazing.

  His butt clenched, and he growled happily, pulling up a mar
k.

  Gus pushed against him, pulling so they could really feel each other. Sam resisted the urge to stare down between them at his cock, amazed at how hard it had gotten so fast.

  He hadn’t even wanted Gus a minute ago.

  Now, though? Fuck. He turned his head, nipped Gus’s ear. “Mine.”

  “God, yes. All yours. Want you slick and wet and open for me.”

  His whole body rippled, his balls going tight, just like that. He wanted that too, with a sudden, desperate need that made him gasp.

  “Now. Now.” He was awake—viciously, violently awake.

  “Yeah, babe. Now. I got you.” Gus pushed into the shower, letting him go for all of two seconds for the water to come on.

  He draped himself over Gus, biting and nibbling all the skin he could. The water made everything easy, made the sliding so simple. Made it easy for Gus to push right up under his ass.

  “Want.” His tail wanted to lash.

  “Mmm-hmm. Want you too.” Gus poked at him, cock against his hole.

  “I’m yours.” That thick prick spread him, stretched his hole and let him feel every bit as the tip popped in.

  “You are. You’re not broken. You’re fucking perfect, you hear me?” Gus slid home deep, all the way in until their hips met.

  He grabbed Gus’s hand, put it on his twisted thigh. Never perfect. Not even close. Gus just petted him, that other hand holding him up, steady as a rock.

  “Mate. Nothing else matters.”

  A purr started building inside him; he couldn’t help it. It had to come. If Gus believed it so hard, maybe he could try. He cut off the motor-like sound with another kiss, Gus’s mouth hot and wet.

  His back slid along the shower wall, the tile slick and cool against his skin, a huge contrast from Gus’s rough heat. He had way more feeling in his legs now, a lot more mobility.

  Gus wasn’t going to let him think about that, though, not at all. Gus was focused on his ass, on filling him up. His lover was good at that. Really good. That cock pushed into him, scraping madly.

  “Gus!” He pushed down, their hips rocking faster, that fat cock nudging his gland.

  “Babe. Please. Oh, God.” Gus’s teeth were bared, cords standing out in his neck.

  “Yes. Yes, more.” He was more awake than he’d been in weeks. Hungry. His legs still felt off, but they didn’t have that freakish heaviness, so he wrapped them around Gus and squeezed. Gus’s eyes went wide, and he got a wolfish smile, and then those hands wrapped around his hips hard enough to bruise. It felt too good, too right, and he went with it, moving faster.

  They slapped together, he banged against the tile, and all the while they growled in unison, bodies fighting for pleasure. Gus was so hard inside him, so deep. His hole felt stretched to the limit, his balls pulling up.

  “Gus!” He yowled the word, body clenching as he shot hard enough that his bones rattled. All but howling, Gus came for him, filling him deep inside. Making him feel it.

  They slumped together, panting, the water beating down on them. Gus nuzzled his neck, making this low noise. It was a happy sound.

  “You know… I was sleeping.” He rubbed his cheek along Gus’s temple.

  “You were. I get it. Kitties nap. Lazy bastard is right next to a picture of a cat in the dictionary….”

  He growled, bit Gus’s neck, hard, squeezing that fat cock at the same time.

  “Uhn.” Those pretty eyes crossed, and Gus started moving again, cock hardly softening at all.

  “Lazy what now?” He bit again, clinging. Yes.

  “Puss.” Gus’s skin started slapping his, water flying everywhere again.

  “Uh-huh. Harder. Now.” He could do demanding as well as lazy. Maybe better, the way Gus started really giving it to him, in and out, stretching his already tender hole. Beautiful wolf.

  Gus’s eyes glowed, teeth bared, deep growls filling the air and driving him wild, and he lifted his chin, offering Gus his throat. Gus struck like a snake, biting deep, sending shock waves all the way to his toes. The crazy heat of it made him scream.

  Yours. Yours. Yours. Yours. The word just echoed through him.

  “Mine,” Gus agreed, snapping against him one last time, coming deep and hard inside him.

  His cock responded, heat spraying from him, pulsing between them. They both shook, but Gus held him up, and once their breathing quieted, all they could hear was the water pouring down on them.

  “Damn.” There just wasn’t anything else to say.

  “Uh-huh.” They barely made it back to the bed, Gus having turned off the water and grabbed a towel.

  He ended up in Gus’s lap, both of them rocking, leaning together. They touched all over, and it was just happy-making. Gus and him. Happy. Weird.

  He rested his cheek against Gus’s, spent some time breathing. He didn’t smell the acrid traces of cigarette smoke he was used to from before. Maybe someone had quit.

  “What do we do next?” He nibbled Gus’s ear.

  “We get Marina and Gray back to your mom. Then we go where we want.”

  “I don’t know what that means.” He’d always been caught somewhere—at Mom’s, in the flat, in the studio.

  “Well, I’ll show you.” Gus stared into his eyes, serious as a heart attack. “It’ll be good, Puss.”

  “If you say so, Pup.” He held Gus’s gaze. “I suppose I can trust you.”

  “I think so. Just like I can trust you not to kick me on the chin, right?”

  “Well, not today. Possibly if I heal….”

  29

  Gus watched Sam stretch out, the sunbeam hitting his lower legs. While they weren’t healed up completely, Sam was getting around better, and they both knew they were just wasting time at this point. They needed to go home. They needed to start living again, start finding some way for Sam to stop hiding.

  He knew better than to believe that he and Sam could live with Sam’s mom in New Mexico, that the pack would take them in. They could go and drop Gray off, get Marina settled. They could close that chapter right off

  Sam’s people loved him, but the man was always going to be a freak there, and during the moon that could be damned inconvenient.

  Gus rolled his head on his neck and went to find Marina.

  The gal was sitting on the front porch of her cabin, watching the road. Gus wondered if she’d been born in a city or if she’d had room to run when she was a kid.

  “Hey, hon.”

  “Gus.” She smiled. “How’s Sam?”

  “Hiding.” He sat next to her, smiling back.

  “He had to live through a lot.”

  “He did. We need to get moving, though.” Gus frowned. “I got a bad feeling, honey. Can you talk to him?”

  “Sure.” She looked at him, suddenly so worried. “I…. When are you going?”

  “We’re taking you and Gray back to Sam’s people as soon as we can. Then we’ll head off.”

  Tension left her shoulders, like air out of a balloon. “For real?”

  “Yep. We won’t leave you hanging, honey. I promise.” Poor kid. He forgot over and over how young she was.

  “I just…. Gray says no one there will hunt me.”

  Gus wasn’t so sure of that. She was young, pretty, strong…. He winked. “Not in a bad way. Don’t let my cousins get after you too hard.”

  “I won’t. Gray won’t. Do you think they’re coming for us? The cats?”

  “I don’t know.” He kept having this itch on the back of his neck. “I can’t see why, but they might just.”

  “Sam offends them. He smells like a wolf, acts like a cat. He’s not in the pride structure. He doesn’t bow to the alpha. He just paid them.”

  “Paid them?” That sharpened his interest. “So this is a loss of income for them?”

  “Yeah. He wouldn’t give them his accounts.”

  Shit. They might just come after Sam after all. They needed to get his money transferred. Pete took care of all that for Gus so he could just be
mobile.

  “I’ll go talk to him, get him moving.” She shrugged. “Maybe he used up all his toughness. It has to build up, I think.”

  Gus nodded slowly, watching her go. He’d never thought of it that way. Next he had to get Gray moving. He thought Gray was having a ball, sort of a grand adventure away from home. Gray was in the sunshine—even as chilly as it was—white belly to the sky, tongue lolling.

  Walking right up, Gus used his toes to scratch Gray’s belly. “We need to move, man.”

  Gray sighed, leaned over, gnawed his ankle idly.

  “I know. There’s this money thing, though.” Gray was such a good wolf. Gus wondered why he was always human at home.

  Gray nodded, nose on his leg, the blank eyes looking sad somehow.

  “I bet you know more about it than me. All those scars, Gray. All those years. Why would he do that?” It still boggled his mind. Gus would have moved on.

  Gray shifted, slowly, one hand on his leg now. “What else could he do? He doesn’t fit in anywhere. He isn’t pack. He isn’t like them. You used to say it all the time, Gus. He’s the queerest man on earth living a life where he couldn’t have a partner. Part of him, I think, needed some kind of attention, someone that knew him, even if it hurt. He’s never ever spent a moon not caged.”

  Gus shook his head, reaching down to help Gray up. “You need clothes, man.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I have some somewhere.” Gray shrugged. “I like it here.”

  “I know.” He clapped Gray on the shoulder. “I’m sorry that you have to leave, but we need to get Marina to your mom.”

  “We will. We need to get Sam out of here before they come for him. I would imagine they’re pissed off.”

  “Yeah. You’re the second person to mention that today. Imagine no one saying it before.” Not that he was bitter or anything. It would have been nice to know.

  “I heard the pup telling you just a minute ago. Don’t snarl.”

  “What? No one thought to tell me they might track us here? I thought we had all the time in the world.”

  “How the hell would I know how they are? Why would they leave their territory? Even for money? We don’t chase intruders more than out of our land!”