Evidently, Tobias had picked up on his unease, for he paused in his ministrations of cleaning his back to murmur, “Hey, now. What is it?”
Hunching in on himself even more, unable to hide his embarrassment, Roland shook his head hard.
Strong, thickly muscled arms wrapped around Roland’s torso. Tobias held the pale blue, soapy cloth in one hand against his skinny chest while the claws on the other hand rested on his stomach. They moved slowly, rhythmically scraping and petting his sunken abs. Tobias rubbed his head against Roland’s temple.
“I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s wrong,” Tobias murmured. “I only want to help.”
With how the gargoyle wrapped him up, Roland felt the press of something long and hard against the small of his back. Okay, that answered one question. Now, what the hell was he supposed to do about it? Will Tobias expect me to please him in some way? Fear flooded him as Roland registered just how large the erection pressed against him truly was.
Roland’s body tensed so tightly, his muscles actually hurt. Through a clenched jaw, he managed to ask, “Do you, um…do you expect me to—” That was all he could get out, embarrassment warring with the fear permeating him.
Tobias froze for several long seconds, his big body still where he wrapped around Roland. Finally, he said, “I think I know what you’re asking, but just to clarify…do I expect you to let me fuck you?”
Hearing it stated so bluntly, Roland’s cheeks heated. He hoped the steam from the hot water hid his reaction, then realized that was stupid because Tobias would just pick up on his scent. Unable to get his tongue to work, he managed to nod, his movements jerky.
“No, little one,” Tobias told him. “You’re in no condition for that kind of activity.”
An odd emotion surged through Roland, and it took him a few seconds to realize it felt an awful lot like indignation. “Is-is it because-because I’m—” Once more, words failed him, so he moved one hand from his groin only to wave at himself where he still used his other to cover his cock.
Tobias’ chuckle sounded a little rough before he rumbled, “Ahh, Ro.” He paused and nuzzled Roland’s temple. “That has nothing to do with it.”
If not, then— “Why?” Crap! Did I just ask that? Do I actually want him to stick that huge dick I feel up my— He couldn’t even finish the thought in his head, although he did feel his body flush at the image in his mind. Even his groin warmed a bit.
“Because, my mate,” Tobias replied. “We just rescued you from captivity. You’re malnourished, tired, and in need of a little TLC. You don’t know me and I don’t know you.” He again nuzzled the column of Roland’s neck.
Liking how Tobias’ hide-covered jaw felt on the skin of his neck, Roland tilted his head to give him more room, hoping for more. Tobias must have gotten the message, for he rubbed some more. Then, he pressed sucking, open-mouthed kisses up that same flesh from the corner of his shoulder all the way to behind his ear.
Then, Tobias murmured, “Once we get to know each other, there will be time enough for sex.”
That odd heating in Roland’s groin actually intensified. To his shock, his cock actually moved on its own behind his hands. Excitement of a different sort filled Roland.
He hadn’t had an erection since before his capture. After getting castrated by that asshole Goldman, he had believed he never would again. Could Tobias actually cause his body to respond? Was that the mate-pull thing his parents had told him about—oh, so long ago?
Remembering words Tobias had spoken earlier, Roland turned his head a bit and peered through his lashes at the dark green figure. “You said the doctor may be able to help with, um, stuff?”
Tobias lifted his head and met his gaze. His dark gray eyes met his gaze steadily as he replied, “Yes. We should go see him after our shower. I’d like to consult with him on foods, too.”
“Foods?”
Nodding, Tobias reached for the soap and once more lathered up. As he returned to his cleaning, he replied, “Yes. While you don’t appear horribly malnourished, you should definitely be carrying more weight.”
Roland nodded and returned his focus to the wall. How was he supposed to interpret Tobias’ words? Did that mean the gargoyle didn’t like the way he looked? Roland hadn’t had interaction with others for decades and he didn’t really know how to interact with adults. He’d been just a kid when he’d been caged. Inadequacy filled him.
“Lift your arms, little one,” Tobias ordered, interrupting Roland’s jumble of confused thoughts.
While Tobias’ tone sounded soft, it still held plenty of command, and Roland found himself instantly obeying. He lifted his arms.
Tobias soaped first one pit, then the other. The feel of the cloth scraping over the surprisingly sensitive skin caused him to shiver. Who knew that’d feel so good? He was almost disappointed when Tobias moved around to his chest, but then he rubbed the soapy cloth over his nipples.
Roland gasped as heat blossomed across his chest. His nipples beaded. The skin of his chest goose-bumped. “Oh!”
Chuckling, Tobias lightly scraped the thumb claw of his free hand over Roland’s hardened nub. Sparks of pleasure seemed to follow the few hairs that trailed down his chest to his groin.
“Like how that feels?”
Roland swallowed hard upon hearing Tobias’ rumbled question. “Mmm-hmm,” he admitted. It felt really good.
“I look forward to exploring every inch of your body,” Tobias stated, his deep voice somehow sounding even deeper. “But my time with you grows short. The sun will be up in a couple of hours, and we still have much to accomplish before then.”
Frowning in confusion, Roland muttered, “The sun?”
“Yes,” Tobias replied. “I’m a gargoyle. Until our mating is complete, I will turn to stone during the day, then awaken to care for you at night.”
As Tobias spoke, his hands swept down Roland’s chest, washing his stomach. Distracted by his words, Roland didn’t consider Tobias’ destination until he cupped Roland’s flaccid penis in one hand and gently rubbed the cloth over it with the other.
Roland squeaked, his body jolting.
Tobias released his dick and pressed that hand to Roland’s stomach and chest. He held Roland still against his chest as he continued to use the cloth to clean his groin. “Hush, Ro,” Tobias soothed. “We’re just cleaning. Exploring to give pleasure will be another day.”
Stilling in Tobias’ hold, Roland sucked in a lungful of air. He struggled to slow his racing pulse. He’d never been touched like this, as if he was something to be appreciated. No, it was more…cherished, maybe?
Roland thought it felt nice for Tobias to touch his penis, the feel of the cloth over the wrinkled skin of his empty sack felt even better. He actually felt his dick twitch at that. Wow, maybe with enough work, he could actually get an erection. Would Tobias be willing to work that hard, though?
Tobias moved on to his legs, washing first one, then the other. He even picked up each foot and cleaned between his toes. That was weird. Finally, Tobias tossed the washcloth on a small shelf and grabbed a bottle. He squirted the thick liquid into his palm and began working it into Roland’s hair.
Shampoo. Oh, when was the last time his hair had been washed? Tobias massaged his scalp, rubbing and rubbing. Roland sighed.
Amazing!
Finally, Tobias urged Roland deeper into the spray, turning him this way and that, rinsing off all the soap. After turning off the water, Tobias pushed open the shower door and grabbed a large towel and wrapped it around Roland, then proceeded to dry him.
“Come on,” he urged. “Head into the bedroom. There are sweats and t-shirts in the drawers. Find something that fits okay. I’ll be right there.”
Roland nodded and followed the big gargoyle’s instructions. He headed into the bedroom and opened the top drawer. He pulled out the top pair of sweats and held them up. Finding them way too big, he checked the tag. XL. Opening
and closing drawers, checking tags of sweatpants, he searched for a medium.
Just as he found it and started pulling them on, Roland heard a door bang open and someone call, “Yo, Tobias. You in here? Maelgwn’s lookin’ for ya.”
Roland yanked the sweats up his first leg, then shifted his weight and lifted his other leg, angling for the hole. The door leading out of the bedroom opened and in strode a red gargoyle with white claws. Roland froze, uncertainty filling him.
Who was this gargoyle? Was he a friend?
Looking around, the male’s gaze landed on Roland. His mouth widened into a large smile, showing off plenty of sharp teeth. “Hey, there, pretty shifter.”
The guy’s greeting snapped Roland out of his haze. He shoved his second leg in, but lost his balance in the process and landed on his butt. Grunting in pain, he struggled to get the now-tangled pant leg up his leg.
“Hey, sorry to startle you,” the male stated, coming toward him. “I’m Kort. I’m looking for Tobias, that’s our clutch’s second. You know, kinda like a shifter beta.” He stopped and knelt in front of him. “You okay? You need some help?”
As Kort reached toward him, Roland finally managed to get the sweats under his butt and around his waist. He wasted no time scooting backward away from the gargoyle’s outstretched hand. He couldn’t say why it was okay for Vane to touch him or Tobias to touch him and not this gargoyle, it just was.
Kort pulled his hand back and rested his forearm on his knee. “You okay?” he asked again.
“F-fine,” Roland managed to say. With several feet between them, he stopped crab-walking and pointed toward the bathroom. “Tobias is—” Seeing the other gargoyle step out of the bathroom, his hide dried, his thick, black hair still wet, and his loincloth back in place, Roland finished, “There.”
Turning, Kort said, “Hey, Maelgwn sent—”
“Why is my mate on the floor with you kneeling over him?” Tobias snarled, cutting off the other gargoyle. He stalked forward, his gray eyes glittering, dark with the promise of retribution. “What have you done to him?”
Kort lifted his hands to either side of him. “Nothing, I swear.” His voice squeaked a bit.
Roland realized that, if the furious look etched on Tobias’ dark features were aimed at him, his voice would probably crack, too. Along with that realization, it hit Roland that Tobias was angry on his behalf…unjustly so, but still.
“I’m fine,” Roland assured, slowly rising to his feet.
Tobias turned his attention toward Roland, his expression easing to one of concern as he swept his gaze over him as if searching for injury. He held out his hand, palm up.
Knowing what the gargoyle silently requested, Roland skirted the still kneeling Kort and crossed to his…gargoyle, mate, friend? He wasn’t sure what to call Tobias at that point. Sliding his hand onto Tobias’ palm, Roland allowed the male to pull him close and tuck him against his side.
Using his other hand, Tobias cupped Roland’s jaw and tipped his head up so their gazes met. “Why were you on the floor with Kort kneeling over you?”
While Tobias’ voice remained gruff, Roland scented the concern rolling off him. He just knew that if he said the wrong thing, Tobias would tear Kort limb from limb. Fear seeped through him and he prayed he never had that kind of aggression directed at him.
Swallowing hard, he admitted, “He startled me when he came in and I fell over putting on my sweats. He was just trying to help.”
Tobias lowered his head and openly scented his neck. “You are upset, fearful,” he whispered. “Did he do something to upset you?”
“N-no.”
“Then, why?” Tobias demanded.
“Y-you’re angry,” he blurted. Searching Tobias’ face, trying to figure him out, he continued, “People hit when they’re angry.”
Tobias’ jaw sagged open. His breathing hitched and his face actually somehow paled. “I’d never hit you. You’re my mate.”
Swallowing hard, Roland nodded. Right, the gargoyle believed they were mates. He’d forgotten. Except… “My dad said he and mom were mates, but when they argued they hit and threw stuff at each other or us. I learned to stay out of the way,” he whispered.
Roland watched Tobias’ Adam’s apple bob as he waited with bated breath for a response.
Chapter Four
Every instinct in Tobias screamed for him to wrap up his mate in his arms and to promise him that he’d never hurt him, no matter what. Unfortunately, from the fear and confusion pouring off the young shifter, Tobias didn’t think he’d believe him, no matter what his own scent might project. From the sounds of it, trust of others had been shattered long before he’d been kidnapped.
Still, Tobias couldn’t help but try. Continuing to cradle Roland’s jaw and nape, he told him, “Although I can’t predict what the future will bring, I will never purposefully hurt you, Roland.”
Roland continued just to stare, his gaze sweeping over his face a couple of times.
Tobias rubbed his thumb over Roland’s thin lips and smiled. “Let’s go see the doc,” he murmured, before leaning down and pressing a light peck to the corner of his mate’s mouth. While he would have loved to engage in a proper lip-lock, he didn’t plan to have his first true kiss with his mate while in front of another.
Turning toward Kort, who wisely averted his eyes from Roland’s bare torso, Tobias asked, “Why did Maelgwn send you?”
Kort slowly rose to his feet as he replied, “He’s asking for a status update on the rescued shifters.”
Tobias frowned. “I’m headed down with Roland to see Perseus. Let him know I’ll check in before roost.”
Although a flash of surprise crossed his face—which he quickly hid—Kort nodded. “Yes, Second. I’ll report back.”
After sliding his arm around Roland’s torso possessively, Tobias urged his mate forward and out of the room.
Waking from roost, Tobias gave himself a full body shudder. He spread his wings up and away from his sides and stretched his arms over his head. While he wanted to track down his mate, immediately, he knew he needed to check in with Maelgwn first.
Tobias had just managed to get to the parapets before the sun had risen. He’d only had a chance to check in with his chieftain due to how long he’d been with Roland and the doctor. He’d hated leaving and had ended up calling Vane to come sit with his mate, so he could go see his chieftain.
Hopping off the roof, Tobias headed into his chambers. He made a quick stop in his bathroom to take a piss and brush his teeth and hair. He pulled his dark locks into a queue at the nape of his neck, then strode from the room.
Deciding to skip the morning meal for now, hoping that he could talk his mate into joining him for a more private meal in a bit, Tobias strode swiftly toward Maelgwn’s study. He knocked briskly on the door only to wait impatiently for several seconds. Finally, he heard his chieftain shout for him to enter.
Tobias pushed the door open and the smell of spent seed hit his senses. Smirking, he peered toward the desk and spotted Maelgwn’s human mate, Bobby, curled up on the chieftain’s lap. The human’s cheeks sported a rosy glow.
“Good evening to you two,” Tobias rumbled, amused at the darkening flush working its way across Bobby’s cheeks.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Bobby replied gamely. “The little lynx, right?”
As he nodded, Tobias crossed the room and settled in one of the large chairs in front of the desk. “Roland, Vane’s friend.”
“Having a shifter as a mate makes it easier, doesn’t it?” Bobby asked, cocking his head and glancing up at Maelgwn’s face, offering him a shy smile.
The chieftain smiled down at him while running a hand down his arm.
Bobby leaned into the gargoyle’s touch and the smile quickly turned heated.
Damn, will I ever have that kind of look directed at me by Roland?
Tobias sure hoped so. “Normally, I’d say yes, since
they already know about the paranormal world and mates, but there are…extenuating circumstances,” he admitted.
When he’d swung by Maelgwn’s office the evening before, he hadn’t had the chance to explain everything to his chieftain, only telling him that all the shifters were beginning to come around and Perseus was treating Roland, his mate, last. After that, he’d promised to swing by first thing upon waking and he’d headed to his balcony.
“Explain,” Maelgwn commanded.
Sighing, Tobias ran his hands over his thighs, giving away his unease to Maelgwn.
“Surely it’s not that bad,” Maelgwn commented.
Tobias watched the muscles in his chieftain’s arm tense as though he tightened his grip on his own mate. Appreciating the telltale sign that his chieftain understood problems with a mate, he explained, “My mate was castrated before finishing puberty. He doesn’t recognize me as his mate.”
He watched the blood drain from Bobby’s face even as Maelgwn moved the hand that had been resting on his desk to below it. Tobias guessed it was to either cup his own balls or maybe his mate’s.
“Oh, God,” Bobby whispered. “The poor thing!”
“I’d prefer that information be kept quiet,” Tobias requested.
“Of course,” Maelgwn instantly assured. “It’s on a need to know basis.”
Bobby nodded quickly, his green eyes big as saucers in his pale face.
Clearing his throat, Tobias continued, “Raised voices scare him, which isn’t surprising. I found that out when I yelled at Kort. When I assured Roland that I wouldn’t hurt him, reminded him that he’s my mate, he said his parents were mates and not only hit each other when angry, but threw things at each other.” He paused and shook his head. He didn’t understand how mates could act that way toward each other…unless they weren’t fated mates. Maybe Tobias needed to verify that Roland understood the difference.
“He has no trust in the mate-pull,” Maelgwn mused. “Interesting.”
Tobias growled. “Interesting? That’s what you think that is?” He lurched to his feet and started pacing. “I have a temper, Maelgwn. You know that,” he snapped.
Coaxing His Skittish Lynx Page 3
