“I-I’m sorry.”
Ray’s squeaked words jump-started Marty’s brain. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he once again grabbed his lover, this time Ray’s hand instead of his wrist. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he threaded their fingers together.
“Stop,” he rasped. “Don’t apologize.”
He squeezed Ray’s hand, hoping to keep him quiet as he gathered his thoughts.
Ray’s brow ridges pulled down a bit, but he waited patiently.
“Would have—” Marty paused and cleared his throat. “Would have said yes. Want to be with you.”
Ray’s smile split his face, radiating his relief and pleasure. Leaning down, Ray settled his lips over Marty’s, brushing from side to side in a soft caress.
Marty sighed his pleasure at the sensation, flicking his tongue out to slide over the seam of Ray’s mouth. Even though he knew it was for the best, Marty still felt disappointed when his lover pulled back.
“I’ve gotta go,” Ray told him softly. “It’s time for my roost.”
Sighing, Marty felt a stab of disappointment. “What do we need to do to cause you to go through molt?” He knew he’d been told, but his foggy brain just didn’t remember.
Ray’s eyes widened a bit, obviously surprised by his question. At least, he was quick to answer. “We have to complete the bonding process,” he stated. “We’ve already shared blood, so all that’s left is me spilling in you. I, uh, I’d have to top you.”
“Top me,” Marty mumbled. “Right. ’Member now.”
Yeah, that’d been mentioned. Marty had to allow Ray to finish claiming him since he’d evidently already claimed the gargoyle.
He could feel his mind shutting down, the pull of sleep drawing him. For all his days, Marty would blame his next words on the meds coursing through his system. Fixing his gaze on Perseus, he smirked and asked, “Well, doc? When will I be well enough for sex?”
While Perseus barked out a laugh, showing off plenty of teeth that probably should have freaked Marty out, from the corner of his eye, he saw his lover’s jaw sag open.
Perseus patted his arm lightly. “Get some more rest, Casanova. It’ll be at least a couple weeks. You have plenty of time to work up to that, eh?” he added with a wink. Without waiting for an answer, Perseus shifted his gaze to Ray. “Let’s get out of here, Raymond. He’s in good hands with Stacey. Plus, I’m sure Leroy will be around, too.” Once more, he turned toward Marty. “Stacey works as the clutch’s doctor during the day. She’s mated to Greg, the gargoyle who assisted in bringing you here.”
Marty’s recollection of the event was vague, but he nodded anyway. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to stay awake much longer, he looked toward his lover again. “Kiss me, again,” he demanded. “I’m about to pass out.”
Ray grinned and obeyed, ducking down and sealing their lips together. Almost before the kiss ended, Marty slid back into sleep.
Maybe it was the absence of the steady beep, beep so often heard in a hospital that finally drew him from sleep. More likely, it was the sound of several people talking quietly that roused him. Marty kept his breathing steady and even while the fogginess eased from his mind.
Surprise flooded him when he recognized two of the voices. Forcing his eyelids partway open, Marty spotted both Matthew and Logan. The woman they spoke quietly with he figured was Stacey.
“I know it’s unorthodox,” Stacey was saying earnestly, “but it really was the best option.”
“He should be under police protection,” Matthew insisted.
Logan snorted, crossing his heavily muscled arms over his chest. “You really think the fucking police can give him more protection than the shit we saw set up outside?” Grunting, Logan shook his head. “Not a damn chance.”
As far as size went, Logan was just as big as Marty was, except his buddy happened to enjoy working out—a lot—and it showed in the way his bulging biceps stretched his t-shirt. Hitting his in-home gym was Logan’s favorite stress reliever. It was a far better option than the road he’d been headed down at one point in his life.
When Logan’s father had up and left him and his mother at the age of seventeen, the teenager had spent the next two years acting out. A six month stint in the county jail along with lots of tough love from Marty, Matthew, and both their mothers had gotten him to straighten himself out. Marty couldn’t help but smile, thinking maybe it had actually been him and his brother’s threats to knock some sense into Logan—and then carrying through on more than one occasion—that really put him back on the straight and narrow, not that they’d ever shared those little incidents with their parents.
“Hey,” Marty called gruffly, his voice still a little hoarse from the tubes he knew had been forced down his throat. “I asked to be here.”
Matthew spun, since his back had been to Marty. His brows were drawn up in shock. Logan smirked and lifted a brow. “Welcome back to the land of the living, Marty,” Logan rumbled.
Before Marty’s still sleep-slow brain could come up with an acceptable come back, Matthew stalked toward him and snapped, “Why the hell would you come here instead of staying in the hospital?” Stopping by the bed, he leaned close. “It’s because of these guys that you were injured!”
“It’s because of some asshole with a gun that I ended up injured,” Marty growled. No way would he allow anyone to badmouth Ray, not even his brother.
Stacey leveled a cool look at Matthew as she stepped up to Marty’s other side. “I will not have you upsetting my patient,” she stated with quiet dignity. “If you cannot conduct yourself in a civil manner, then I’m going to need you to leave.”
Matthew’s eyes narrowed, and Marty just knew his brother was gearing up to say something else…uncivilized.
“Matthew,” Marty lifted his good hand and tangled his fingers in his brother’s open flannel shirt. “Please, brother.” His brother peered down at him, his brows creased in concern. “Let this go.”
A pained expression crossed Matthew’s face, but the way he bowed his head told Marty his brother listened. “You’re the only family I got, M.” Pain filled Matthew’s hazel eyes, turning them almost brown. He gently untangled Marty’s fingers from his shirt and twined them with his own. “Do you have any idea what it was like to watch your blood flowing from your body and know I had no way of helping?”
“Ah, but you did help,” Marty assured. “You called the ambulance, didn’t you?”
Swallowing hard, Matthew jerked a nod.
The glittering of his brother’s eyes told Marty more than the way his lips pinched at the edges, that his brother was trapped in those few moments. Marty squeezed Matthew’s hand. “You saved me, little brother. I can never thank you enough.”
A harsh sob sounded from Matthew, and he lowered his head to rest his forehead on their joined hands, hiding his face. “You’re not allowed to leave me alone, Marty,” he gasped.
Marty smiled. Thinking of his gargoyle lover, of how his life would now be extended, of his increased healing ability and no longer having to worry about getting sick, he knew that was one promise he could surely make his brother. Another gift from Ray, he realized.
Of course, that did mean he’d outlive his brother by centuries, but he’d dwell on that later.
“Matt,” Marty murmured, squeezing his brother’s hand harder. When his brother finally lifted his head to meet his gaze, Marty didn’t comment on the glittering tracks marking where tears had fallen. Instead, he whispered, “You won’t lose me. I can assure you of that.” He squeezed again and smiled. “Trust me on this.”
Matthew sucked in a harsh breath, then nodded once. “Yeah.” He nodded again and managed a smile. “Yeah.”
Logan came closer and patted him lightly on his sheet-covered leg. “Well, all right, Marty. Nice digs,” he quipped with a wink. “You gonna tell us about this rich new boyfriend of yours?”
Marty smiled widely at that, appreciating Logan’s ability
to interject levity into the situation. “Yep.” For the next couple of hours, he told his brother and best friend about Ray…well, everything except that Ray was a gargoyle.
Finally, fatigue took him back under and Marty fell asleep again.
“We got him! We got him!”
Ray’s excited cry roused Marty from a sound sleep. His eyelids snapped open and he craned his neck to see his grinning lover running toward him. Marty smiled back and opened his mouth to ask about it, except, then his brother shouted, Logan gasped, and Ray froze, his jaw open and his eyes wide.
Chapter Twelve
Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit!
The refrain echoed continually through Raymond’s mind as he stumbled back a step and swept a panicked gaze over the strange humans in his mate’s room. Who the hell were these people?
“Ray, baby. Calm down and come over here,” Marty’s soothing croon broke through Raymond’s panic. “Focus on me, baby.”
Raymond slowly turned his head and, finally yanking his gaze from the startled humans, peered at his mate.
Marty had somehow levered up onto one elbow and he wiggled his fingers at Raymond. “Please, baby. Please, come here.”
Never able to resist his mate, Raymond quickly moved forward. He cringed at the disbelieving, shocked stares from the strangers in the room. Finally, he reached Marty’s side and grasped his fingers in one hand. His other hand he rested on his human’s shoulder and pressed just a bit, wanting to urge him to lie back down, not hurt him.
Fortunately, Marty sighed and willingly let Raymond ease him back to the mattress. “Hey, baby,” Marty quietly greeted, his eyelids sliding closed for a few seconds. Then, they opened again and his mate smiled up at him. “Hey there, sexy. What were you hollerin’ about?”
Remembering why he’d come sprinting down to the hospital wing and into his mate’s room, Raymond once again grinned. “We got him. Simon. The guy who shot you. He tried to break in right after sunset and Vane caught him.” Remembering the scene on the security monitor, Raymond shivered. Damn, he hoped he never had to see the massive gargoyle snap another human’s neck. The memory of the completely blank expression on the gargoyle’s face—as if taking the man’s life meant absolutely nothing to him—sent shivers down Raymond’s spine.
Gods, I hope I never see anything like that again.
Remembering his human’s question, Raymond smiled. “You’re safe, handsome. Vane stopped Simon.” He felt his cheeks flush as he remembered that mental picture anew. “You’re safe,” he added lamely.
His relief shone from his expressive blue eyes as Marty smiled warmly up at him. “I’m glad to hear that.” Marty winked. “Now I just gotta talk you into fucking me through the mattress soon.” His voice lowered a smidge, turning throaty. “I’m sure we can come up with some way that wouldn’t put strain on my wounds.”
Raymond bit back a moan. He swept his gaze over his lover, remembering what his injuries were. Even before his brain could catch up, he started nodding.
“What the fuck is going on?”
The words weren’t loud. In fact, the deep voice didn’t do much more than hiss them. Still, they cut through the quiet room like a knife through soft butter.
Raymond couldn’t help but cringe. That is, until Marty wrapped his right arm around his waist and gently traced up and down his spine. While doing that, his sweet human looked toward the clearly shocked humans and smiled. Hell, they must have been completely stunned to remain quiet for so long. “Matthew, Logan, I’d like to introduce you to my lover and partner, Raymond.”
Raymond’s heart pounded at the introduction—partner? Holy shit!—but Marty wasn’t done.
“Ray, love, the big, sexy, scarred fellow is Logan. You ever need help in a bar fight, he’s your man. The smaller fellow is my brother Matthew.”
Although Raymond didn’t really appreciate hearing his mate call another man sexy, he knew Marty didn’t mean anything by it. Knowing what was expected of him, Raymond forced a small smile and murmured, “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Wait a minute,” Matthew muttered. His mouth opened just a bit and a pink tongue swept over his bottom lip. “You’re Raymond Patterson?” He snorted even as he slowly shook his head. “All the security makes sense now. Damn humans and their prejudices.”
Raymond’s shock couldn’t be more profound. “Wh-What?”
“I’m kinda wonderin’ the same thing, actually,” Logan rumbled, although his inscrutable gaze gave nothing away. Logan slid his gaze from Raymond to Marty. “You gonna explain?”
“No, he won’t,” Perseus stated, sauntering into the room.
The gargoyle doctor smirked at the pair of men as they both stared in stunned shock at him. Standing six foot seven with a broad muscular frame, he wasn’t much bigger than Logan or Marty. In fact, he was actually a bit leaner than the heavily muscled and tattooed Logan. Still, with his green coloring and tail, Perseus was easily discernible as not human.
“I want a moment with my patient,” Perseus stated. He winked at them, then pointed at Maelgwn and Sapian, who had followed the doctor into the room—both men were in human form. “These fine gentlemen will explain everything you need to know.” Then, his grin broadened and he swept his gaze up and down Logan in obvious appreciation. “Although, if you have any follow-up questions, stud, feel free to come back and ask.”
Oh! Was there some measure of attraction there? From looking at Logan, Raymond couldn’t tell if it was mutual. The human gave no emotion away whatsoever.
“Go ahead and go with them, Matt,” Marty urged.
That was when Raymond realized Marty’s brother peered at his lover for guidance.
Matthew sighed and nodded. “You gonna be okay?” he asked, squeezing his brother’s calf through the sheet.
Marty nodded. “Yeah. Everything will be fine. Give me a few weeks and I’ll be back to kicking your ass, little bro.”
Snorting, Matthew grinned and shook his head. He turned to Raymond and held out his hand. “Take good care of my brother. I’ll swing by later.” His grin widened. “Gotta make sure you’re good enough for him after all. Brother’s prerogative and all that.”
After a second’s hesitation, Raymond took Matthew’s hand. As they shook, he couldn’t help but glance furtively at Marty. His lover smiled, looking as happy as someone who’d been near death’s door the day before could be. Now, his color looked better and as Perseus checked him over, the gargoyle doctor smiled, nodded, and looked pleased by everything he was seeing.
“Sorry I yelled on the phone, man,” Matthew said. He released Raymond’s hand and rubbed the back of his neck. “I was, uh, was a little—”
“Don’t worry about it,” Raymond hurriedly assured. “I would probably have done the same in your shoes.”
“All right, gentlemen,” Sapian called, gaining attention. “I’m sure you have plenty of questions. Come with me. We’ll get some coffee, and I’ll explain what the hell is really going on in this world of ours.”
Logan bumped Matthew’s hip, then wrapped a brawny arm around the shorter human’s shoulders. “Come on, Matty boy. I gotta funny feeling this will be very, very interesting.”
Matthew went along readily enough.
Once they’d left with Maelgwn and Sapian, Perseus drew Raymond’s attention, saying, “All right, boys. I know the pull to complete your bond is probably driving you nuts, but it really would be best if you waited a few days.”
Raymond grimaced, glad his black skin didn’t show blushes even if he could feel the heat in his cheeks. However, he couldn’t do a whole hell of a lot about the aroused scent he knew his body exuded. Any time he got close to his mate—hell, any time he even thought about his mate—his body grew hard and ready, eager to mate.
“This bed is big enough for both of us,” Marty pointed out. “Can I at least feel his arms around me?”
His brow ridges shot up at his human’s admission.
Marty grinned, “What? You don’t think I’m gonna admit what I want?” Without even waiting for Perseus to agree, Marty started wriggling over on the bed. “Come here,” he insisted, still moving. “Want to feel your heat next to mine.”
Raymond rested his hands on the bed. His body vibrated with need, wanting to be close to his lover. Perseus threw up his hands and shook his head. “Just be careful,” he muttered. “Ripping the stitches inside his stomach would be…life threatening,” he growled as he stalked from the room.
That made Raymond pause. He peered at his lover, really looked at him, and his heart clenched in his chest. Marty still had an IV attached to his left arm. His skin seemed pale, especially since normally Marty sported a nice bronze tan, and his cheeks were flushed from the exertion of moving sideways on the bed.
“Maybe you should just get some rest,” Raymond suggested softly. When Marty looked like he’d protest, he took his lover’s hand in his own. “I don’t want to hurt you, Marty. If I did that, even by accident, it’d kill me.”
Marty’s eyelids slid to half-mast as he breathed out a sigh. “I really do just want you to hold me, babe,” he told him. “Sure, I’d love to have you fuck me through the mattress. I’d love to feel you move inside me, have you spill your seed, mark me inside and out, but while the spirit’s willing, the flesh—” He smirked even as fatigue filled his eyes. “Let me sleep in your arms for a few hours, babe.”
Raymond wasn’t going to make his lover ask a third time. He could hold his man and keep control of himself. With that plan firmly in mind, he eased onto the bed, doing his best to avoid jostling his lover too much. Finally, he settled on his side and cuddled up to his human. With his left arm under his head as a pillow, his front pressed to Marty’s good side, Raymond breathed in his mate’s scent. He let out a quiet sigh.
Removing the Gargoyle’s Mask Page 10
