Evans, Gabrielle - Fire and Ash [Midnight Matings 3] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Gabrielle Evans

“When a phoenix claims his mate, he gives himself over to that person. We are bound for eternity.” His small hand inched up to rest over Zaiden’s heart. “Our hearts beat as one.” Those slender fingers moved to brush over his lips. “Our breaths are synchronized. Our minds and souls are intertwined.” He tilted his head back to look into Zaiden’s eyes. “Are you getting it yet?”

  Zaiden stroked his mate’s cheek lovingly with the back of his knuckles. “How does that make me your fire, baby?”

  “You calm me or entice me. When I’m excited, my flame burns brighter. When I’m content like now, my flame barely smolders. You do that to me. I was trying so hard to deny it, to fight it. Now that I understand and accept our mating, it’s easier for me to control.” He smiled softly. “You can still call my fire, though.”

  “How do I do that? And why would I want to?” Zaiden wasn’t opposed to the idea. He just didn’t understand how he could control something integral to his mate’s very being.

  Asher held his hand up, his palm facing Zaiden’s face. Hesitantly, Zaiden lifted his hand as well and pressed it to Asher’s. “You’ve seen my fire. Think about what it looks like, what it feels like when I touch you. Imagine the flames dancing over our hands.”

  Staring intently at their clasped fingers, Zaiden pictured tiny orange flames leaping across their skin. He gasped when fire immediately flickered to life, engulfing their hands and wrists. It wasn’t orange though, but a deep purple. He had never seen anything like it before.

  He didn’t have long to dwell on it, however. The pleasure followed immediately, starting in his fingertips and spreading throughout his body as it set a quick course to his already filling cock.

  “Feels good, right?” Asher moaned quietly, gripping Zaiden’s hand a little tighter. “You do that.”

  “Are you messing with me?”

  “Nope. I’m not doing anything. You’re doing it all.” Asher licked over Zaiden’s collarbone. “So, now you tell me. Why would you want to call the fire?”

  “‘Cause it feels fucking awesome,” Zaiden whispered breathlessly. “You know what would feel even better?”

  “What’s that?” Asher mumbled as he crawled on top of him and nibbled down his chest.

  “If you wrapped those pretty lips around my cock.”

  Asher snorted and bit Zaiden’s nipple roughly before sliding down his body to rest between his legs. “I guess we’re going to have to test that theory.”

  Stroking him slowly from base to tip once, Asher leaned forward and engulfed the spongy head in his mouth. He licked at the oozing slit, capturing Zaiden’s pre-cum on his tongue as his muffled moans vibrated along Zaiden’s shaft.

  Holy mother of mercy! His mate’s mouth felt like heaven on him, and Zaiden couldn’t stop himself from arching up into the welcoming heat of Asher’s mouth. Pushing up on one elbow, he watched the erotic show with heavy-lidded eyes. He swallowed back a cry of pleasure when Asher wrapped his hand around the base of Zaiden’s dick and began to bob his head, dragging his lips along the upper half.

  Then he popped off completely, looking into Zaiden’s eyes with a wicked grin. “You ready?”

  Zaiden nodded dumbly. He didn’t know what he’d just agreed to, but he would happily accept anything his lover was willing to do to him. He follow Asher’s gaze down to where his hand still gripped Zaiden’s leaking cock.

  His entire body tensed, as purple flames erupted over Asher’s hand, slowly dancing up the length of his prick. The pleasure swamped him, immediate and intense. Then Asher dove forward, swallowing him to the back of his throat, and Zaiden completely lost it.

  He had never felt anything so amazing in his life. It was as though his very soul burned for the man between his splayed thighs. Dropping back to the floor, he twined both hands into Asher’s long hair and began to thrust up into his mouth, nudging the back of his mate’s throat with each push.

  Asher’s other hand slid beneath his tightening sac and stroked his perineum before moving further down to caress his fluttering entrance.

  One stroke, another, then Asher swallowed around the head of his cock, and Zaiden erupted like a bottle rocket, screaming until his throat felt raw as he unloaded his balls, shooting rivers of cum into his mate’s waiting mouth.

  Slumping back to the carpet, he tried to control his racing pulse as he panted and moaned, shaking his head from side to side. His brain wouldn’t work, he could barely see, and his tongue felt thick and heavy in his mouth. The room blurred around the edges and began to fade until he finally gave up the battle and slipped into unconsciousness.

  Chapter Ten

  “I like this one.”

  Rolling off the mattress, Zaiden stood to his feet and shook his head. “Let’s keep looking.”

  “But, I want this one,” Asher whined.

  “We can come back,” Zaiden cajoled. “Let’s just keep looking.”

  Asher arched an eyebrow at him before he flopped back on the bed and moaned loudly. “Oh, wow! This is awesome. I want this one.”

  Zaiden’s cock twitched in interest at the sight of his mate squirming and moaning on the mattress. Glancing around, he realized he wasn’t the only one who’d taken notice. A few women and even a couple of men had stopped in their conversations and browsing to watch Asher’s little show in the middle of the furniture store.

  Growling, Zaiden stepped closer to the bed and smacked his lover on his hip. “Fine, we can get this one,” he hissed. “Now, will you stop that!”

  Asher just smiled evilly as he arched his back and moaned louder. “This bed is so perfect. Just imagine how hard you could fuck me on this.” He spoke loudly, much louder than the distance between them warranted.

  Zaiden closed his eyes, his cheeks heating as he heard several gasps and a few sniggers behind him. “Get up, Ash.”

  Flipping over to his stomach, Asher rocked his hips into the mattress, humping it with quick, sharp jabs. “Oh, yeah. It’s really sturdy. I don’t think we’ll break this one like we did the other two.”

  Squeezing his eyes tighter, Zaiden fought against his utter embarrassment. He was going to kill the little punk when they got home. “Asher, I swear to everything that is holy, if you don’t get the fuck up in the next two seconds…” He trailed off, leaving the threat hanging.

  “I’m not sure I’m doing this right. I think we need to make sure that it will stand up to our combined weight.” Asher pushed up on his hands and knees. “Get behind me the way I like it, so I can make sure this is comfortable.”

  Without thought, Zaiden reached down and swatted his mate hard on his rounded ass in reprimand. Asher moaned and whimpered like a pro, lowering his chest to the mattress and wiggling his ass. “Fuck yes,” he cried out. “You know how I like it rough. Do it again, baby. I could come just from you spanking my ass.”

  Changing tactics, Zaiden lowered his voice, letting it flow deep and commanding. “Get up from the bed, and I promise to make this ass glow nice and hot for me when we get home.”

  Asher wouldn’t let up, though. “Oh, but I need it now, Zaid. I’m so hard,” he whimpered.

  “Fucking faggots,” some guy grumbled as he stalked by them, shooting death glares in their direction.

  Sudden rage overcame his embarrassment, and Zaiden turned to follow the man. He didn’t care what people said about him, but no one spoke about his mate in such a way. A tight grip on his wrist stopped him, and he looked back to see Asher staring up at him in apology. “Sorry, Zaid. I was just having some fun.”

  “He has no right to talk about you that way.”

  “Let it go. He’s not worth it.” Asher crawled off the bed and molded himself to Zaiden. “Are you mad at me?”

  With a deep sigh, Zaiden grinned crookedly and tapped the tip of Asher’s nose with his forefinger. “I’m not mad, baby.”

  A pretty brunette cleared her throat beside them as she wrung her hands together nervously. “Can I help you gentlemen?”

  “I really want that spa
nking,” Asher whispered seductively.

  “We want this one.” Zaiden spoke to the saleswoman without taking his eyes from his mate’s hypnotizing gaze. “I’ll pay extra if you can get it there today.”

  * * * *

  After purchasing the mattress, they picked out a nice bed frame with a slatted headboard, perfect for attaching handcuffs or tying scarves around. It took all of Asher’s willpower not to bounce as they made their way through the mall in search of a bed and bath shop to purchase new linens.

  Happy right down to his toes that Zaiden wasn’t mad at him for his little stunt in the furniture store, he practically vibrated with excitement. He hadn’t set out to embarrass his mate, but boy, had it been fun. Zaiden looked so adorable when he blushed, and that deep, sexy voice of his sent shivers right down Asher’s spine as he replayed it over and over in his head.

  “I like the blue ones.” Zaiden brought him out of his thoughts as he pointed toward a plain navy blue bed set.

  Asher wrinkled his nose. “How about something with a bit more flair?” He perused the aisle, looking over the options, until his gaze landed on the perfect set—a deep crimson comforter with gold satin sheets. He could already picture his mate spread out for him, his pale skin a perfect contrast to the bright red and faded gold.

  Zaiden shrugged and bobbed his head. “That works. I’m not picky.”

  “Ugh! You are no fun!” Asher huffed as he tossed the comforter and sheets into the basket. “Ok, we need pillows, curtains, and probably an area rug until we can have the carpets replaced.”

  “Whatever you want, baby.” Zaiden smiled indulgently, but Asher could practically see him rolling his eyes internally.

  “Why do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Just let me have my way. If there’s something you like or don’t like, you need to tell me. Otherwise, how will I know? You make me feel like I’m just taking over your house.”

  Zaiden’s smile never faltered as he shook his head. “It’s as much your house as mine. I’m really not picky. I told you that. If I feel strongly about something, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, I’d just rather let you have your fun. You’re too cute when your eyes light up like that.”

  “I am not cute,” Asher grumbled.

  Zaiden looked as though he’d argue for a minute, then his eyebrows drew together, and he tilted his head to the side as he stared at something just over Asher’s shoulder. Glancing over his shoulder to see what his lover was frowning out, he spotted a tall good-looking man watching them from the end of the aisle.

  “Andrew?” Zaiden pushed past Asher and walked right up to the man. He held his hand out, smiling as they shook.

  Asher watched them talk and laugh for a minute before curiosity—and a bit of jealousy—got the better of him. Strolling up to the pair, he wrapped a possessive arm around Zaiden’s waist and plastered the biggest smile on his face he could muster. “Hi. We’re fucking.” Okay, so there had been a teensy bit more jealousy than curiosity.

  The man Zaiden had called Andrew nearly choked at Asher’s announcement. His eyes went wide, and he coughed a few times before he could finally pull himself together. “Well, congratulations, I suppose,” he answered when he could speak again.

  “Asher.” Zaiden wore the biggest shit-eating grin on his face as he spoke. “This is Andrew George, a former patient of mine.”

  Asher nodded his head, but didn’t release his hold on his lover or offer his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise,” Andrew said around a smirk. He eyed Asher up and down, letting his gaze linger a little too long on Asher’s groin before moving on to do the same thing to Zaiden. “How long have you two been together?”

  “Long enough,” Asher sneered icily. “I’m not going to mince words. I don’t like you, and we’re leaving now. Later, dude.” He turned away and tugged on Zaiden’s elbow. He didn’t know what the hell had gotten into him, and he didn’t much care. Zaiden was his, lock, stock, and barrel. Andrew George could go fuck himself.

  “Little hostile, don’t you think?” Zaiden chuckled as he allowed Asher to pull him back toward their shopping cart. “He’s a nice guy once you get to know him.”

  “Whatever. I don’t like him, and you can’t make me.” Asher knew he’d moved past the point of jealous lover and right on to petulant child. He’d claimed Zaiden, and Zaiden had claimed him in return. He felt fully justified in his possessive attitude.

  Zaiden eased up behind him, pressing Asher’s chest into the bar of the cart as he leaned over him to whisper in his ear. “You’re sexy as sin when you get jealous. Maybe I should invite my ex-boyfriend over for dinner one night.”

  “Do it, and I will castrate you. That’s not even funny, Zaiden.”

  Zaiden chuckled lightly, then nipped Asher’s earlobe playfully. “Duly noted, baby. Your little possessive streak gets me going, though. I want to bend you over the nearest flat surface and to hell with anyone who wants to watch.

  Asher moaned, pushing his ass back into Zaiden’s crotch and grinding against the hard ridge there. “Can we go home now? I really think we need to go home now, Zaid.”

  “Our new bed won’t be there for another couple of hours. Let’s finished our shopping and grab something to eat.”

  “Goddamn tease,” Asher mumbled as he worked to calm his labored breathing.

  “Not a tease. I’m going to take special care of you tonight, baby.” He scraped his teeth over the back of Asher’s neck, sending electricity down his spine and straight to his already straining cock. “Will you trust me, Ash?”

  “Yeah. Okay,” Asher breathed. With Zaiden’s mouth and hands on him, he’d agree to just about anything at that point. If Zaiden said to drop to his knees and suck him off, Asher would have that gorgeous cock in his mouth in nanoseconds.

  “You’re not moving, Ash.” Zaiden smirked at him, one eyebrow cocked.

  “Shut up. I’m trying to remember how to breathe. You fight dirty.”

  “This coming from the man that practically fucked his imaginary friend in the middle of a freakin’ furniture store.”

  A very unmanly giggle escaped his lips, and Asher slapped a hand over his mouth to cut it off. “Oh, you loved every minute of it,” he mumbled around his fingers.

  Rolling his eyes, Zaiden slapped Asher’s ass and gave a little nudge between his shoulder blades. “You’re going to kill me. I just know it.”

  “Naw, I’m immortal, remember? You’re stuck with me forever.” Asher made a kissy face at his mate, then ducked around the cart and hurried down the aisle, laughing like a loon.

  Judging from the look in Zaiden’s eyes, Asher was going to get a good paddling when they finally made it back to their house. He absolutely couldn’t wait.

  Chapter Eleven

  “What the hell?” Zaiden pushed his lover behind him and hurried across the parking lot to his vehicle. He stood there in shock, his mouth hanging open like a guppy as he shook his head in disbelief. Who the hell would have done such a thing?

  “Seriously?” Asher growled as he stepped up beside him and dropped the bags to the concrete. “Is there something you need to tell me?” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared up at Zaiden.

  Zaiden just continued to shake his head like an idiot. “I have no idea who did this.” He moved closer to his vehicles, running his fingertips over the words etched into the hood.

  HE IS MINE!

  “Maybe it’s a jealous lover or something. Maybe they just got the wrong car,” Zaiden said hopefully. He might have teased Asher earlier, but he didn’t have any exes that would do something like this. Hell, he didn’t really have any exes at all. Which would explain why he kept fucking up with his mate left and right.

  “Well, we need to call the police.”

  “I don’t think there’s much they can do about this.”

  “Probably not,” Asher agreed. “But your insurance company is going to want to see a police report before they pay
to have this fixed.”

  Nodding like a bobble-head doll, Zaiden could think of nothing to say. Thank heavens one of them was working with a full deck.

  A sudden thought occurred to him, chilling his blood, and stealing the breath from his lungs. What if whoever did this had the right car, but wasn’t referring to him. What if someone wanted Asher?

  Fear had him spinning on his heels and dragging his mate into his arms, crushing him close as he peppered kisses over the top of Asher’s head. He didn’t know if he loved the man yet, but he did know he was quickly on his way to not being able to live without him. He’d do whatever needed to be done to keep his mate safe. No one would take the man from him. No one.

  Asher pushed away, staring up at him as though he’d lost his damn mind—which he probably had. “What is wrong with you? You’re shaking like a leaf.” Asher’s voice softened, and he placed his hand over Zaiden’s heart. “Your heart is beating so fast,” he whispered. “What’s wrong, big guy?”

  Zaiden shook his head, trying his best imitation of a reassuring smile. “Nothing. Just a little shocked I guess. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.”

  “You are lying.” Asher glared at him. “Don’t lie to me, Zaiden. I’m not a child.”

  Sighing heavily, Zaiden dropped his chin to his chest and reached up to rub the tension from the back of his neck. He didn’t want to sound paranoid, but maybe if he expressed his concerns, Asher could put his mind at ease.

  “What if that message isn’t about me?”

  “Yeah, you already said that. Like maybe your car just looks like someone else’s.”

  “No.” Zaiden cupped Asher’s cheek in his palm as he stared into his amber eyes. “What if the message is to me, not about me?”

  “You think someone wants you to stay away from me?” Asher’s brow wrinkled as he thought over the statement. “I don’t think that’s likely. I just moved here. I’ve barely even left the house, and I definitely haven’t spoken with anyone longer than it’s taken me to purchase something.”