Remembering Mitch’s words about his friends telling him to steer clear of Karen, Kardamon lifted both palms. “While Mitch did indeed attempt to do something stupid, I rectified that problem.” He offered the trio a reassuring smile even as he watched them exchange uneasy looks. Waving one hand, Kardamon admitted, “In the course of doing that, I discovered that Mitch is my mate.”
“Y-Your mate?” Andre’s jaw sagged open.
Aziel’s expression turned sympathetic while Aaden mumbled, “Oh, shit.”
Kardamon really didn’t like their reactions. “From your responses, I’m going to guess the fact that he claimed he’s not gay and then ran is not something that would surprise you?”
Andre grimaced. Aaden crossed his arms over his chest and shuffled his feet. Aziel rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the deck.
Needing something—anything—Kardamon asked, “Can you tell me about your friend?”
Aziel sighed deeply as he met Kardamon’s gaze. “Look, don’t take this as an insult to your mate”—he began slowly—”because it’s really not. We love Mitch. We really do.”
Andre and Aaden nodded emphatically as Aziel spoke.
The big African American continued, saying, “If you’re a friend, Mitch would give you the shirt off his back, but he’s a womanizing hound dog.” Again the huge human rubbed his neck in discomfort.
Aaden took up the explanation. “He loves tits and pussy and will do his smarmy best to seduce a chick a night.” His cheeks took on a rosy glow as he added, “Sometimes two.”
“But that’s not to say he isn’t a great guy,” Andre hurried to add. “Normally he’s real careful about hooking up with women who know the score. Uh”—his cheeks darkened—”I mean ones that don’t want attachment.” Andre’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand why he’d go after Karen.”
“Because she was coming onto him like a drunken prom queen.” Everyone’s brows lifted at Sumak’s proclamation. The small purple gargoyle shrugged. “It’s true. She’s been trying to assert her feminism since she was fifteen. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.” Sumak rolled his eyes, resting one hand on his hip. “She just happens to be a drama queen.”
“Uh, anyway...” Aziel heaved a sigh. “Mitch is a good man, but as straight as an arrow.” Then he frowned. “And he’s as secretive about his home life as I was about my IQ. Something’s up with that.”
Both Andre and Aaden stared at their friend in surprise. Aziel just shrugged.
Well, fuck a duck. My mate has a reputation.
Then something the guys had said snagged his attention. “A womanizer who would seduce more than one woman in a night.” He whispered the words, his mind churning. Seeing Aaden nod, he added, “So he has a hell of a sex drive.” Kardamon scoffed before he smiled, knowing it looked predatory. “Oh, but the mate-pull is going to totally fuck with him.”
It may make me an asshole, but I can use that.
Chapter Three
Flopping onto his back, Mitch growled under his breath. He reached under the covers, no longer able to ignore the throbbing of his dick. Gripping his swollen length, he began a slow teasing jacking while bringing up the picture of Sylvia’s naked body sprawled on her bed.
Mitch envisioned him climbing back into bed with her. He would place his hand on her hip and slide it up her smooth flesh until he cupped her breast. Tweaking his thumb over her nipple, he would work it into a distended nub, perfect for sucking on.
In his mind’s eye, Mitch lowered his head, intending to do just that. His erection flagged, and his eyes snapped open. He stared at the ceiling in frustration as he teased under his crown and focused on getting his dick back on track.
His balls ached, and he needed release so bad he could taste it.
“Damn dreams,” Mitch grumbled roughly.
They’d started two days ago, the very next night after leaving the estate. His dreams showed him doing things, things he’d never before considered doing. They scared the ever-loving shit out of him and left him aroused beyond anything he could imagine outside of sex.
Recalling Kardamon’s kiss, Mitch’s prick twitched in his grip. The male had tasted decidedly masculine with a hint of spice... maybe from something he’d eaten. He’d felt it going to his head, shocking him with the intensity of his enjoyment.
When his dick had flexed, Mitch had run. Except he couldn’t run from his dreams. Not unless he stopped sleeping, which wasn’t an option.
In his dreams, instead of fleeing Kardamon, Mitch continued to accept the gargoyle’s kiss. He wrapped his arms around the bigger male, sliding his hands up and down the male’s back. Enjoying the feel of Kardamon’s slightly bumpy, mottled-blue hide, Mitch found it so different than anything he’d felt before.
Goose bumps had risen on Mitch’s forearms, making the hairs there stand on end. Tingles had spread up his arms, and his fingers had twitched, gripping the male tighter to him. Their chests had pressed flush, and Mitch had found himself in the unique position of being the shorter, of tipping his head back to continue kissing.
With his body flush to Kardamon’s, Mitch pressed his hard shaft against the gargoyle’s thick thigh. The male helped, sliding his leg between Mitch’s own, putting exquisite pressure on his balls. When he found his back pressed into a tree and his mouth being plundered, Mitch surrendered to the feelings cascading through his body.
Mitch clung as he rode Kardamon’s leg. His hips undulated as he rutted shamelessly. He had but one thought in his head, and that was his need to orgasm. He felt Kardamon’s hand on his hip. The way his clawed fingertips sliding under his shirt, scraping over his stomach and back, added delicious stimulation, and tingles traveled down his groin to his balls.
Mitch was going to come from just kissing the gargoyle and rutting against his thigh. Never would he have—
His testicles pulled tight, and his orgasm swelled through him. Blissful ecstasy coursed through his system as his cock spurted, twitching in his grip.
Snapping his eyelids open, Mitch again peered at the ceiling. He couldn’t remember when he’d closed his eyes. Even with his eyes open, he could still see the gargoyle’s face, recalling his feral smile.
Mitch’s skin tingled, and his head swam. His breath came in ragged pants. Using his free hand, he shoved down the covers and groaned.
“Just fucking great,” Mitch grumbled, realizing he’d become so lost in his fantasies that he’d sprayed all over his sheet. He lifted his head, then banged it back down on the pillow. Groaning, he glared at his still half-hard cock. He tore his grip from his still jerking dick and blew out a hard breath. “This is so fucked up.”
Shoving off his covers, Mitch pushed out of bed. He swiftly went about the process of removing the comforter, then the sheets. After using them to wipe off his stomach and groin, he placed the latter in a pile on the floor before heading to his closet and grabbing his laundry basket.
“May as well do errands today.” Mitch glanced around the room at the half-packed space. “Gotta get some more boxes.”
Just because he didn’t have a place to go, Mitch still had to be out of there in three days. He sat back down on the mattress and rested his head in his hands. Rubbing his face, he tried to figure out what the fuck to do.
Staying at the gargoyle estate was out now that Kardamon had decided he wanted Mitch’s ass. He struggled to think of another option. Did he have any other friends he felt close enough with to ask about sleeping on their couch?
“Wait a minute.” Mitch jumped to his feet. “I’m fucking rich. Why don’t I just buy a place?”
Why hadn’t he thought of that before?
Liking that idea, Mitch leaned over and grabbed his laptop. He laid it over his bare thighs and fired it up. After he’d pulled up an internet window, he typed into the search bar.
The list of options popped up just as a knock sounded on his door.
Frowning, Mitch called, “Who is it?
”
“Aziel.”
Grimacing, Mitch debated his options. He’d been avoiding all his buddies since the barbeque. After he’d fled, he just hadn’t known what to say to them.
“Open the door, Mitch.”
Knowing he couldn’t ignore them any longer, Mitch put his laptop aside and rose. He crossed to the door and opened it. Aziel didn’t even bat an eyelash at his nudity. It wasn’t like they hadn’t seen each other nude in the locker rooms loads of times.
Predictably, Andre and Aaden were with him.
As his buddies filed into his bedroom and closed the door, Mitch crossed to his dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans. He noticed they were his last clean pair, reinforcing his need to head to the laundromat. “Mornin’, guys,” he greeted as he pulled them on. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“We dropped by to see if you needed help moving,” Andre told him. He set a number of boxes on the floor. “Got what ya need.” He grinned. “Heard you were gonna be bunking at the estate for a while.”
Aaden nodded as, on the desk, he set down a large paper sack with Goldy’s Burgers & Bites emblazoned on it. “And breakfast. Figured you’d be lounging in bed.”
The mouthwatering smell of biscuits and gravy reached Mitch’s nostrils. His stomach grumbled. “Damn, guys. Thanks!” He zipped his jeans but left them unbuttoned as he padded to the desk. “And naw, I decided to buy a house since I can’t find an apartment.”
Mitch opened the bag and pulled out the top cardboard to go container. Opening, he perused the contents and hummed appreciatively. “Damn, guys. Thanks!” He grabbed a fork from his desk drawer and took a seat. It wasn’t until he’d taken his first bite that he noticed the silence.
Sweeping his gaze over his friends, Mitch spotted Aaden and Andre sitting on his bed. Aziel leaned one of his huge shoulders against the wall. All three of them were staring at him as if he’d grown a second head.
“What?”
“You’re going to buy a house?” Andre asked the question as if Mitch had lost his mind.
“How are you going to do that?” Aaden sounded just as puzzled.
Aziel scoffed softly, drawing attention to his smirking expression. “Got a few secrets of your own, Mitch?”
Realizing the cat was out of the bag, Mitch turned in his chair and focused on his friends “So, uh... yeah.” He set down his fork, then rubbed his hands over his jeans as he leaned back in his chair. “Well, yeah. I’m wealthy.” Seeing Andre and Aaden’s dubious looks, he asked, “Have you heard of Lindson Industries?”
“Lindson Industries as in the investment firm owned by the cattle baron family out of Texas?”
Mitch wasn’t surprised that it was Aziel who’d heard of them. Nodding, he admitted, “It was founded by my great, great grandfather. My dad is currently the head, and my brother, Nicholas, is his right-hand man.” He sighed as he took in the shocked expressions on his buddies’ faces. “I’m the third son, and I never wanted that life, so when I turned eighteen, I figured out how to transfer my trust fund into stocks and mutual fund accounts.” Feeling his cheeks heat, betraying that he was blushing—certainly not something he did... ever—Mitch hurried to finish, “I went to college to get away from them, and they’ve been sabotaging my attempts to get an apartment because they’re not happy I wanted a life outside of them, so I’ll just buy a house.”
By the time Mitch had finished his rambling explanation, Aziel’s brows had furrowed. Andre’s jaw had sagged open, and Aaden appeared concerned. Mitch turned back to his food.
After a moment of silence, Mitch felt a hand land on his shoulder. He placed the forkful of biscuit and gravy into his mouth before he turned his attention to the left and found Aziel standing beside him. His big, black friend’s expression appeared kind, understanding even.
Aziel smiled. “Family problems, huh?” He grinned, tipping his chin toward the others. “Although I don’t have that problem, you’re in good company.”
Mitch turned to peer at his friends. Both men gave him wry smiles.
Andre lifted his hand and stated, “Most of my family wants to put me in one of those facilities that supposedly cures gays.” He lifted his fingers in air quotes.
Rubbing his hands over his thighs, Aaden muttered, “And my family knew about paranormals for years and hunts them.” He shook his head, scowling. “We all have issues.”
Aziel released Mitch and crossed to the bed and settled on the foot of it. “So, a house?” He cocked his head. “Is that really what you want? I thought you were going to move into the estate.”
Mitch grabbed a piece of bacon and took a bite, buying time to figure out how to respond. Until just before his buddies had arrived, he hadn’t even considered buying his own place. He hadn’t wanted to saddle himself with an actual house until he knew where he wanted to settle for the rest of his life.
His parents, however, were forcing his hand.
Naw, that ain’t right. It’s that damn Kardamon.
Knowing that wasn’t right, either, Mitch wiped his hands on a napkin. He still didn’t know what to say. “Shit, I’m too young for these decisions.”
Mitch had no idea how his buddies could be happily settled down at the age of twenty-two or twenty-three. There was still so much to explore. He wanted to travel the world, to experience food and drink and see the sights, not to mention to explore the lovely ladies of different countries.
None of that involved a home or a gargoyle mate.
“Too young?” Andre cocked his head. “What do you mean? Too young for what decisions?”
“I seriously have no idea how you all are okay being settled down.” Mitch couldn’t believe he’d just blurted that out. Seeing their confused looks, he swiftly added, “Don’t you want to travel? See the world? Experience new things?” Rising, Mitch gave in to his need to move and began pacing. He shared something he hadn’t ever voiced, since his buddies had begun to pair off before he could figure out how to tell them that he was rich. “I was gonna talk you all into going backpacking across Europe with me.”
“Why’d you go to college?”
Mitch paused in his movements, turning to face Andre, who’d asked the question. Meeting his friend’s gaze, he admitted, “To feel normal.” Again his cheeks heated, and he rolled his eyes. This shit’s gotta stop. “My childhood was anything but normal. Private tutors. Polo lessons. Piano lessons. Tutors who focused on economics and finances.” Scoffing, Mitch plopped into his seat and waved his hand around his dorm room. “Hell, college? Piece of cake!” Glancing between his friends, he told them, “Football and you guys. Bars and women wanting me because I’m hot and good in the sack? I finally felt normal.”
“So now you want to keep feeling normal, so you want to buy a house.” Aziel grinned at him. “Okay. What kind of house are you looking for?”
While Mitch realized Aziel had misunderstood, he didn’t bother correcting him. Instead, he replied, “You remember where Mace lived before Kort talked him into moving in with him? Something like that would be cool.” Mitch turned back to his food and grabbed a sausage link. “It was small, nice, and backed to all those jogging paths.” Before popping the food into his mouth, he added, “It really was sweet.”
Andre nodded. “Yeah, Mace loved his rental. We’ll check it out.”
Chewing and nodding, Mitch nearly spit his food out when Aaden started speaking, “So, uh, we weren’t supposed to say anything, but you’re our best bud, sooo... have the dreams started, yet?”
Mitch gasped, then immediately choked as a bit of sausage went down the wrong way. His eyes watering, he bent over and hacked, all while trying to keep his mouth closed so he didn’t spray the rest of his half-chewed sausage across the floor. A handful of napkins appeared before his watery-eyed gaze, which he took gratefully.
As he hacked into them, Mitch’s mind reeled. He felt someone patting his back and realized it was Andre. His friend was also glaring at Aaden.<
br />
“Shit, dude,” Mitch rasped, wiping his mouth, then the tears from his eyes. He glared. “What the hell?”
“Aww, come on.” Aaden frowned back at Andre. “What? Are we just supposed to lie by omission and pretend we don’t know that Kardamon is claiming Mitch is his mate?” He crossed his arms over his chest as he glanced around the room, looking distinctly uncomfortable, before focusing on Mitch again. “Look. He talked to us, and I know the dreams started within just a couple of days for me after I met Grigoris, so, uh, do you want to talk about it?”
Mitch growled softly, his jaw clenching. “I’m only gonna say this once,” he snapped. “I ain’t that gargoyle’s mate. No way am I goin’ the rest of my life without enjoying tits and pussy no matter what that crazy gargoyle is claiming.” He scoffed and curled his lip as he lied through his teeth, “And I sure as hell haven’t been having dreams about him.”
Picking up his fork again, Mitch pointed it at his laptop before returning to his food. “I just searched for houses for sale. Anything on there that’s in the neighborhood we talked about?”
Purposefully ignoring his buddies’ dubious looks and exchanged glances, Mitch ate the awesome breakfast they’d brought him. Too bad it no longer tasted so fantastic. Mitch forced himself to eat around the lump of fear in his throat anyway.
Chapter Four
Mitch is out house hunting?
Tapping his phone against his leg, Kardamon didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, it meant that his mate intended to stay in the area... right? It could also mean that his human intended to deny him.
“Hey, is everything all right?”
Kardamon turned his attention to his good friend and fellow gargoyle. “Afraid not, Craven. I could really use some help.”
Channeling the Womanizer’s Lust Page 3
