Nodding once, Asher sat up, eased out of Zaiden’s body, and moved to the nightstand to retrieve the keys. Working quickly, he unlocked the cuffs, tossing them aside, and frowned as he rubbed the circulation back into Zaiden’s wrists.
“What’s wrong, Ash?”
“The cuffs marked you.” He held Zaiden’s hand up, tracing his fingertips over the red skin on his wrist. “I didn’t think they would do that.”
“It’s just a little chaffing,” Zaiden assured him. “It will be gone by morning. I’m fine.”
“You’d tell me if I hurt you, right?”
The distress in Asher’s eyes tugged at Zaiden’s heartstrings. He opened his arms, beckoning his love to him. “You didn’t hurt me, so stop it. I enjoyed every second of it.”
One hand slipped into Asher’s hair, massaging his scalp. The other traveled down his side, over his hip, and around to trail down the crease of his still-heated ass. He brushed over the base of the plug still lodged in his mate’s hole, tapping it lightly to wiggle it just a little.
Asher’s soft gasp turned to a muffled moan as he pushed his face into Zaiden’s neck and squirmed against him. “Feels good.”
“Did you like being filled while you pounded that monster cock into my ass?”
Asher nodded against Zaiden’s throat. “I’ve never felt anything like it. It was freaking awesome. It was supposed to be about you, though. You keep messing up my plans.”
Zaiden chuckled softly as he held his mate to him. “Are you complaining?”
“No. There’s so many things I want to do to you—with you.”
“And we have all of eternity to experiment, baby.” He patted Asher’s hip and sighed. “I’d prefer not to spend that time stuck together, though.” Zaiden wrinkled his nose as the jizz on chest began to dry, causing his skin to itch. “Shower.”
Chapter Thirteen
The remainder of March sped by in a blur of total bliss. Zaiden and Asher spent every available moment together, talking and laughing, learning a little more about each other with every passing day. Everything Asher learned about his mate nudged him that much closer to slipping over the edge and into free fall.
He’d never met anyone like Zaiden in all of his millennia on earth. Kind, giving, charming, and witty, Zaiden was everything he had ever hoped to find in a mate. Though their union had been sealed by trickery and happenstance, Asher didn’t doubt that fate had brought them together.
Zaiden looked up from his morning paper as though he’d felt Asher’s gaze on him, and smiled that special heart-stopping smile that left Asher feeling weak in the knees. He sighed like a lovesick fool, and could actually feel the goofy, dazed smile spread over his lips in response.
“What are you thinking about, baby?” Zaiden’s voice floated across the table to him, deep, rich, and smooth as honey.
Shaking his head to clear the fog, Asher sat up a little straighter in his seat and cleared his throat. “Oh, nothing. So, what did you want to do today?”
Zaiden eyed him knowingly, his eyes dancing with enlightenment, but he didn’t say anything. Asher knew he wouldn’t, and it just made him love the man that much more. Yes, deep in his heart, he knew he’d fallen for the big, gorgeous sprite, but he wasn’t ready to say it. It had been barely more than four weeks since they’d been thrust together and had their lives turned upside down. He just needed a little more time to be positive his feelings were genuine.
“I thought maybe we’d drive into Memphis for the weekend. Go see Graceland, get a hotel, and veg out on room service.”
Asher’s pressed his lips together to keep his mouth from falling open like a guppy. Clenching his hands into fists and lowering them to his lap to conceal their trembling, he nodded his head slowly in acceptance of the idea.
“Are you okay, baby?” Zaiden’s brow wrinkled, and he looked instantly concerned. “We don’t have to go. I just thought it might be fun. You can pick what we do, anything you want.” He rose from his seat and hurried around the table to kneel beside Asher. “You’re scaring me, Ash.”
He couldn’t hold it any longer. Whooping like an idiot, Asher launched himself into Zaiden’s lap, wrapped his arms around the man’s neck, and squeezed the life out of him. “Please, please, please!”
Zaiden laughed loudly as his arms wound around Asher’s back. “So, I take you like the idea?”
“Hell yes! I just didn’t want to seem like an overeager toddler, but holy crap, I’m so freakin’ excited! I’ve never been to Graceland before.”
“Never?” Zaiden looked appalled. “You are so missing out, darlin’.” He winked and kissed the tip of Asher’s nose. “Go pack our bags, and I’ll clean up the kitchen. We can leave in an hour.”
The excitement bubbled over, and Asher crushed his mouth to his mate’s in a soul-searing, toe-curling, mind-melting kiss. Jerking away and panting through his ridiculously huge smile, Asher jumped up from his lover’s lap and held out a hand to help Zaiden to his feet as well. “Thank you.”
“You are more than welcome.” Zaiden chuckled, slapping Asher’s ass and flicking his wrist toward the hallway. “Now hurry up or we’ll never leave.”
Asher nodded once, blew Zaiden an air kiss and hurried out of the room. Crap! He had no idea what to pack. What did one wear to Graceland? Would they be going anywhere else? Should he pack something nice in case they went out for a night on the town?
Oh, screw it. He’d just pack everything.
“And don’t pack the whole damn closet,” Zaiden called from the kitchen.
Asher covered his mouth with his hand to muffle his giddy laughter. The man knew him too well.
* * * *
Zaiden had just turned on the dishwasher when the doorbell rang. Hoping it was the surprise he’d ordered for Asher, he hurried from the kitchen to answer it.
“I’ll get it!” Asher flew out of the hallway and pounced on the door before Zaiden had even cleared the threshold of the kitchen.
Asher pulled open the door and froze, the muscles in his shoulders and back tensing, as his fingers still held a white-knuckled grip on the doorknob. “What the fuck do you want?”
Frowning at the less that friendly welcome, Zaiden hurried across the room to his mate. He stopped just behind Asher and stared in shock at the sight of Andrew George standing on his front porch. “Andrew?”
“Hello, Dr. Reed,” Andrew said shakily. “I’m sorry to bother you at home, but it really couldn’t wait.”
Torn between his ethics as a doctor and anger at the personal invasion, Zaiden didn’t say anything for several seconds. Finally, duty won out, and he nodded, placing a hand on Asher’s shoulder to pull him away from the door. “It’s okay, Andrew. Please come in.”
Asher snarled, his upper lip curling over his teeth, and Zaiden swallowed down a sigh. As hot as he found his mate’s little possessive streak, this was neither the time nor the place for it. “Why don’t you go finish packing, baby?” He kissed Asher’s temple and squeezed his shoulder.
Asher continued to stare at Andrew for several minutes before he nodded curtly, whirled around, and stomped from the room without another word.
Plastering a smile on his face, Zaiden motioned Andrew into the house and indicated he should take a seat on the sofa. “What can I do for you today?”
“I’m in love,” Andrew blurted out nervously.
Zaiden’s eyes widened before he schooled his features and nodded. “Congratulations. I’m not sure I understand what that has to do with me, however.”
“He doesn’t know I exist. I don’t know how to make him notice me. I can’t stop thinking about him.”
“Have you told him how you feel?”
Andrew chewed on his lower lip and shook his head. “I’m scared,” he whispered.
“It’s perfectly natural to be nervous,” Zaiden said gently. “How do you know he doesn’t return your feelings? Maybe he is as nervous as you are, and worried that you will reject him.”
“I�
�d never reject him,” Andrew stated firmly. “He is the most beautiful, amazing, perfect man I have ever met. I just want a chance.”
“Then you have to take that chance, don’t you? No one is going to hand it to you on a silver platter. If you want something, you have to go out and get it.”
Andrew cocked his head to the side as though considering Zaiden’s words. “You are absolutely right. I can’t wait for him to come to me.”
“Have you talked to Denise about this? Maybe she could help.”
Sighing, Andrew shook his head sadly. “I haven’t spoken with Denise since we filed for divorce. She moved out, changed her number, and practically vanished overnight.”
Zaiden’s heart hurt for the man. “I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps she just needs a little time to come to terms with the end of your relationship.”
“I think she’s found someone else.” Andrew’s eyebrows drew together. “I’m okay with that, and I hope she’s happy. I just thought that we could still be friends.”
“I’m sure you will, Andrew. Just give her a little time.”
“She said I was crazy,” Andrew whispered. “She doesn’t understand how I can love someone so quickly after meeting them.”
“Love is curious, don’t you think?” Zaiden’s thoughts drifted to Asher, and he grinned like a sap. He had the perfect night planned in Memphis. He never wanted his mate to forget the night Zaiden professed his feelings.
“I have to agree.” Andrew pushed a hand through his hair and sighed. “So, you think I should just tell him. Just get it out in the open and let the chips fall where they may?”
“Perhaps try courting this man. Everyone appreciates a little romance, Andrew.”
“Yes. Yes, that’s exactly what I’ll do.” Andrew sprang up from the couch so quickly, Zaiden jumped in surprise. “Thank you for your time, Dr. Reed. I’m sorry again to bother you.”
Then he practically ran to the door, threw it open, and hurried outside.
Shaking his head and chuckling, Zaiden rose from the cushions and turned to go find his peeved lover. He didn’t have to look far. Asher stood just inside the room, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned his shoulder against the wall.
“You are an idiot, Dr. Reed.”
“Excuse me?”
Asher growled, pushing away from the wall and letting his hands drop to his sides. “You know he’s talking about you, right? You just gave that psycho permission to stalk you!”
Rolling his eyes, Zaiden fought to keep his temper leashed. “He’s not a stalker, and I very seriously doubt he was referring to me.”
“Oh, don’t be so damn naïve, Zaiden! The man looks at you like you’re the last drink of water in the desert.”
“You mean kind of the way I look at you?” Zaiden clamped his mouth shut and looked away. Not that the words weren’t true, but he hadn’t meant to say them out loud.
“Don’t think you’re going to distract me with mushy words.” Asher’s glare slowly melted into a half smile, and he shook his head. “I don’t want to ruin our weekend, so I’ll drop it for now. We will talk about this when we get back, though. Understood?”
Satisfied that he’d won this round, Zaiden couldn’t resist a little teasing. He dropped his head to stare at his shoes and linked his fingers behind his back. “Yes, sir.”
“God, you’re trouble,” Asher huffed. “Come in here and help me finish packing, you big goof.”
“I have something I’d like to pack right inside that tight little a—”
“Zaiden!” Asher threw his hands in the air, rolled his eyes, and turned to walk down the hall, shaking his head the entire way.
Zaiden made to follow his mate, but the doorbell stopped him in his tracks. Growling in frustration, he marched over to the door and yanked it open. It was freaking nine o’clock on a Saturday morning. Why couldn’t people just leave them alone? “What?” he barked.
“Package, sir,” the UPS man said with a smile. Obviously, he was used to receiving such greetings, but Zaiden still felt like an ass.
Signing for the package, he smiled in apology and took the box from the man’s hands. “Thank you.”
“Have a good day, sir.”
Clutching the package in both hands, Zaiden hurried down the hall and burst into the bedroom. “Happy Anniversary,” he sang as he thrust the gift at his bewildered-looking mate.
“Anniversary?” Asher asked, slowly reaching out to take the box.
“We’ve been mated for one month today.” Zaiden puffed his chest out, proud of himself for having remembered such an occasion.
Asher bit his lip and set the box down on the mattress without opening it. “I didn’t get you anything,” he said quietly.
Waving away his concern, Zaiden plopped down on the bed and nudged the box toward Asher. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t need anything. Now, open your present.”
Giving Zaiden a small grin, Asher set to work ripping off the tape on the brown box and opening the top to reveal a smaller box inside. His mouth hung open, and his head shot up to stare at Zaiden with rounded eyes. “You got me a laptop?
Zaiden nodded enthusiastically. “You’re always writing your little stories in those notebooks you have. I thought maybe this way, not only could you write them faster, but maybe you could actually do something with them.” His voice softened and caressed Asher’s cheek with the back of his hand. “You’re incredibly talented, baby. You need to share your gift.”
Asher’s lower lip trembled and moisture gathered in his eyes as he continued to look into Zaiden’s eyes. “Thank you, Zaiden. This means so much,” he murmured.
“Hush now.” Zaiden coughed to clear the roughness from his voice. “Hurry up and finish packing.”
“Can I bring my present with me?”
Zaiden’s heart melted, and his insides turned to goo. “Anything you want, baby.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Holy crap, I’m exhausted,” Asher moaned as he climbed out of the driver’s seat and stretched his arms over his head. “That was awesome, but the drive sucks.”
Unfolding his long frame from the sports car, Zaiden had to agree. He’d suffer through it a thousand times over to see the look of excitement that had been molded on Asher’s face all weekend, though.
“We need to plan one of these trips like once a month. It was really nice to just get away and forget about everything.” Asher moved to the back of the car to pop the trunk and extract their luggage. “Thank you for taking me.”
“You’re more than welcome, and I think that’s a great idea. Where would you like to go next?” Zaiden lifted the larger suitcase from the trunk and drudged up the driveway toward the front door.
“How about Nashville? The drives not as long, and there’s some really great things to see there.”
“I like it.” Zaiden smiled as he pulled the front door key from his pocket and slipped it into the lock. “Plan out what you want to do, and we can go in a couple of weeks,” he said, looking over his shoulder at his lover.
“Perfect!” Asher beamed at him.
Zaiden pushed open the door, stepped through, and fumbled for the light switch to the side of the entryway. Light bathed the living room, illuminating the total destruction and chaos. Dropping the bag to the floor, Zaiden’s arm shot out to prevent his mate from entering the house. “Call the police.”
“I’m on it,” Asher replied, his voice tense.
“I’m going to check out the rest of the house. I want you to stay outside.”
“I’m more than capable of taking care of myself, Zaid. In fact, I’m a lot less fragile than you are. Why don’t you call, and I’ll search the house.”
“Call the police and do not fucking move!” Zaiden roared as he whirled around to face his lover.
Asher grunted, but nodded his head in assent. “If you’re not back in five minutes, I’m coming to find you.”
“Fair enough.” Zaiden left his mate standing on the front por
ch as he went to survey the damage to the rest of their home. As he feared, each room held the same wreckage that had greeted them in the living room. Lamps turned over, cushions shredded, their belongings broken and smashed.
Stepping into their bedroom and flipping on the light, Zaiden’s heart seized in his chest, and his blood turned to ice. The mirror over the dresser was smashed, the curtains and comforter slashed and torn, and their pillows shredded to scraps. Picking up one of Asher’s shirts, Zaiden’s hands shook when he found it little more than torn rags.
“Where are you?” Asher asked as he stepped into the room behind Zaiden.
“What are you talking about? You’re looking right at me.”
“No, Zaid. Look.” Asher pointed toward the ceiling, and Zaiden followed his finger, looking up and gasping in shock. Big, bright red letters marred the white paint on the ceiling, spelling out the question. “I told you Andrew was a fruitcake.”
“Andrew didn’t do this,” Zaiden said immediately. “He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He just doesn’t have it in him.”
“Open your eyes, Zaiden! The man is completely off his rocker!”
“Did you call the police?” Zaiden asked, changing the subject. He didn’t want to argue to with lover. He just wanted some answers.
“Yeah,” Asher sighed. “They’ll be here in a minute.”
“I thought I told you to wait outside?”
“Yeah, and it had been more than five minutes. So,” Asher held his arms wide, “here I am.”
Staring into his mate’s eyes, Zaiden’s heart galloped inside his chest. He never told Asher how he felt during their stay in Memphis. After a lot of debate, he finally decided he wanted the first time he said the words to be in the house they shared—their home. The words tumbled to the tip of his tongue, but Zaiden choked them back. Now was definitely not the time.
A car door slammed outside, pulling Zaiden from his daze, and he shook his head as he slipped past Asher and headed toward the front door to greet the officers.
* * * *
Evans, Gabrielle - Fire and Ash [Midnight Matings 3] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Page 9
