Coaxing His Skittish Lynx

by Charlie Richards

  When Tobias growled, it rumbled through his chest and even his dick, vibrating Roland inside and out. Roland grunted. “Oh, wow.”

  “Yeah, wow,” Tobias stated. “I do like the sound of that. We’d—” Stopping, Tobias grunted. “Damn, I can feel the pull of the sun. We don’t have much time.”

  Concerned, Roland asked, “Not much time? For what?”

  Tobias eased him off his cock, drawing a moan of loss from Roland, and laid him onto the bed. Holding Roland’s gaze, he stated, “I turn to stone during the day, Roland. I’ll do that until our bond is complete. Then, I’ll go through molt, which will allow me to take on a human form and only need to turn to stone occasionally to rest.”

  When Tobias glanced toward the window, Roland followed his gaze and he realized it was no longer pitch black outside.

  “You either fuck me hard and fast, completing the bond, or we’ll have to wait until tomorrow evening.” Tobias leaned close, his dark face earnest. “This is your call, Roland. I hate leaving you needing, but if you need more time, it’s yours. All you have to do is ask.”

  To Roland, there was no decision to make at all. He knew his mate wanted to complete their bond. He’d been forward about it from day one. “I want you,” he replied, discovering that it was true. He didn’t know everything about the male, yet, but he wanted to find out. “Tell me what to do.”

  “I’ll get myself ready quickly,” Tobias told him, opening the lube and pouring some onto his fingers.

  Roland hadn’t even realized the gargoyle had brought it with him. He watched in fascination as Tobias reached behind himself and grunted. Wanting to see, Roland wriggled out from under the male and crawled around his lover.

  Upon seeing one of Tobias’ thick digits spearing his own ass, Roland gasped. His dick jerked and oozed and he suddenly felt hot all over. When Tobias shoved a second finger in and started twisting his hand while pulling them in and out in small increments, Roland gripped the base of his dick and moaned.

  Tobias peered over at him and grinned. “You ready, Ro?”

  Roland liked the nickname and he liked the throaty quality of his mate’s voice even more. “Yeah.”

  “Slick up and get behind me. Take me, my mate.”

  Grabbing the tube Tobias indicated, Roland didn’t need to be told twice. He quickly popped the cap and drizzled some onto his bobbing prick. Hissing, Roland squeezed the base again while jacking his erection, covering himself with the lube.

  Tobias gripped his wrist, gaining his attention. He winked. “Careful. Don’t want you to blow until you get in me.”

  “Yeah. Right.”

  Roland knee-walked forward, getting behind his lover. As he watched, Tobias slid his fingers out of his hole and lowered to his elbows, offering himself. For just a second, Roland stared at the lube-slicked hole, excitement coursing through him.

  Licking his lips, Roland guided his penis to Tobias’ offered opening. At the first touch of his sensitive head to the firm muscle, a shiver worked through him. Excitement and anticipation coursed through him, and he shoved…hard.

  When the head of his dick slid through the muscle, stretching it, Roland groaned at the exquisite pressure. Wanting, needing more, he kept pushing. Blissful heat and pressure swallowed his length. Roland moaned in pleasure. He grabbed onto Tobias’ hips and used the hold to start jacking his hips. He watched his dick slide in and out of his gargoyle, felt the pull of his inner muscles massaging his dick. His body felt so hot he feared he’d combust.

  “Tobias,” he whimpered, knowing, somehow, unbelievably, he tipped on the edge again.

  “Do it,” Tobias growled. “Fill me up, lover.”

  At the forceful tone, Roland moaned and obeyed. He sank in deep, as far as he could go, into his mate. His dick felt as if it swelled within the confines of his lover and fluid spurted from him, filling his lover’s channel.

  Leaning over his lover’s back, his body shuddering, Roland sank his canines into the highest flesh he could reach, the thick flesh beneath Tobias’ shoulder blade. As his lover’s life-essence once again flowed over his tongue, he smiled at feeling his lover jerk and groan beneath him. Roland joined his lover in moaning when he felt the rhythmic massage on his still-buried shaft.

  Roland hummed and slid his canines free, then licked the wound, sealing it. “Wow.”

  Tobias chuckled beneath him. “Definitely.”

  Fortunately, Roland’s penis finally began to soften. As he slipped free, he couldn’t help but notice the fluid and slick around his prick and dripping down Tobias’ thighs. Why the hell did that make him so proud?

  Tobias rolled to his back, grabbing Roland and dragging him to his chest. He caught Roland’s mouth with his own and thrust his tongue in deep. He opened quickly to his mate, loving how it felt like a thorough claiming. By the time Tobias broke the kiss, Roland panted, struggling to catch his breath.

  Grinning up at him, Tobias murmured, “Thank you, my sweet Ro.”

  Roland snickered. “Shouldn’t I be thanking you?”

  Shrugging, Tobias replied, “Mutually beneficial then.” He threaded his claws through Roland’s hair, massaging gently. “When I go through molt, it’s painful, but don’t be afraid. I’ll be fine.”

  Roland nodded. “Okay.”

  Tobias closed his eyes and sighed. “The sun rises. Soon, I’ll be able to hold you, pleasure you, keep you safe at all times.” He smiled slightly. “I don’t want you to see this.” He crooked a finger. “Kiss me. Then, please leave. I’ll come out in a few minutes.”

  Not knowing what to say, Roland nodded. He leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Tobias’ lips, then eased off his lover’s chest and rose. Walking toward the balcony door, Roland paused with one hand on the handle of the French doors. He looked over his shoulder and smiled, then headed onto the balcony.

  While the morning air was chilly on his naked skin, Roland strode to the railing anyway. He rested his hands on the stone and stared out, watching the sun rise. He thought about the changes to his life in just a short forty-eight hours.

  “Thank you, Vane,” he whispered.

  While it had taken a long time, his friend had come for him. He’d met a kind, if dominant, gargoyle that seemed to want to care for him. Kidnapped at fifteen, Roland had never learned to stand on his own two feet, and while part of him wanted that chance, he liked the idea of not having it thrust upon him all at once even better.

  Tobias would help him learn.

  Thinking of his lover, Roland glanced over his shoulder at his doors. He’d forgotten to ask how long molt would last. After a few minutes staring at the doors, he headed toward them. Roland hesitated only an instant before curiosity got the better of him. He pulled open one door and peeked into the bedroom.

  Roland saw Tobias’ form in the morning light, still on the bed. Moving slowly toward his lover, he frowned. A few steps later, Roland gasped. He ran the last few steps and knelt beside the bed. Reaching out, he rested his hand on Tobias’ hand.

  “Oh, no,” he whispered, fighting back tears.

  Tobias was stone.

  Their mating hadn’t worked.

  Chapter Eight

  Wrapping his arms around himself, Roland swayed on his feet. He fought a wave of lightheadedness. Focusing on where he touched his mate, he concentrated on his breathing until the black spots faded.

  He knew he should have eaten more. The cinnamon toast Doctor Perseus had given him had long since worn off, as had the meal he’d enjoyed with Vane. He’d been instructed to eat after applying his gel, but…well, that hadn’t turned out quite like he’d planned. Then, he’d expended far too many calories enjoying his first erection in twenty-five years with Tobias. Not that he was complaining about that.

  Damn it! Why didn’t it work?

  The idea that they weren’t really mates popped into his head, but his lynx instantly snarled at that. He itched idly at the drying cum on his chest. Su
ddenly, his hand froze and his gaze lowered to his hand, then his groin. His hand trembled as he lifted his flaccid dick and stared at the empty pouch beneath.

  Swallowing hard, Roland fought against the tears that pricked the backs of his eyes.

  Roland released himself and strode to the phone attached to the wall. Picking up the headset, he held it against his ear as he scanned down the list of numbers. He punched in the numbers for the doctor’s wing and listened to the other end of the line ring twice.

  “Nurse Leroy. How can I help you?”

  “I-is Doctor Perseus there?” Roland asked. He didn’t know if he wanted to tell his problems to the human nurse. Would he even be able to help?

  “Afraid not. Is this Roland?”

  “Yeah.” Roland glanced over his shoulder at Tobias. He couldn’t wait. He wanted answers before his mate woke up. “Do you know anything about gargoyle matings?”

  Leroy remained quiet a moment, then stated, “I’ve been learning. You, um—” Leroy paused for a second, then told him, “The doc said there’ll be complications because of your current inability to get an erection. That should solve itself in time. You just gotta have patience.”

  “Uh, that’s not actually the problem,” he muttered, fighting to keep the heat from his cheeks even though he knew the other man couldn’t see it.

  “Oh, well what’s up?”

  Roland grimaced at the human’s open curiosity. While shifters weren’t prudes by nature—hell, they got naked together quite often to shift and run—he’d barely had the birds and the bees conversation before getting kidnapped. He sure hadn’t talked openly about sex with anyone.

  “Hey,” Leroy said, cutting into his thoughts. “I can’t help if I don’t know the problem.”

  Sighing, Roland grimaced. Damn, that sounded familiar…so many problems. He sucked in a huge breath then blurted out, “I-fucked-and-claimed-Tobias-and-he-did-the-same-to-me-but-he-still-didn’t-go-through-molt.” He said the words so fast he wasn’t certain Leroy could understand.

  “Uh,” Leroy started. “Could you slow that down a little for me? Did you say you already started bonding?”

  “No, we completed our bond…well, according to Tobias,” Roland told him. “He thought he’d go through molt this morning, but didn’t, and now there’s a stone gargoyle stretched out on my bed.”

  “Damn,” Leroy muttered. “I’m fairly new at working with gargoyles. I don’t understand all the nuances, yet.”

  Rubbing a hand over his face, Roland struggled to figure out who to talk to. He knew Vane and Matthew were busy working with Maelgwn because the detectives were supposed to arrive soon.

  “Shit, the detectives. What if they need to search rooms? They’ll find him!”

  “Hey, easy, Roland,” Leroy soothed. “Don’t go borrowing trouble.” Roland listened to the human breathe for several seconds, but he didn’t know what else to say. Finally, Leroy said, “I’m gonna go find Einan and Cornelius. Maybe they’re available. If not, they’ll be able to tell me who has time to get to you. Just sit tight. Don’t let anyone in that you don’t know, okay?”

  “Yeah, okay. Thanks.”

  “Sure,” Leroy assured. “I’ll be there as soon as I can with back-up.”

  After that, the line disconnected. Slowly, Roland hung up the phone. He turned and stared at Tobias again. He didn’t even fight the urge to go to his mate. Tracing his fingertips over what he knew was a dark green brow ridge when not sleeping stone, Roland leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his mate’s frozen lips.

  Roland straightened and swept his gaze over his lover’s form. His gaze snagged on his stone groin and his dick where it rested against his left thigh, impressive even while flaccid. Wait, where had he left his loincloth? He should really clean the white flecks from his groin, abs, and chest.

  Striding to the front room, Roland glanced around and spotted Tobias’ loincloth on the floor near the sofa. His face heated as he thought about what they’d done there, a smile coming unbidden to his lips. Shaking his head at himself, he grabbed the small bit of fabric and folded it as he returned to the bedroom. He laid the scrap on the foot of the bed, lightly touched Tobias’ clawed foot, then headed to the bathroom.

  Since he had a few minutes, he figured he’d get cleaned up. He didn’t relish the idea of seeing anyone with cum on him. He knew a shower wouldn’t clear away Tobias’ scent from his skin—and he found he liked that fact— but he at least wanted to be clean when Leroy came.

  Roland showered, then took a few minutes to wipe down his gargoyle before throwing a blanket over him, covering him from the waist down. Silly, maybe, but since it was the only thing he could do for the guy… Finally, he dressed in a pair of sweats, climbed onto the bed, and pressed close to his lover’s warm, stone body.

  Sleep caught up with him quickly.

  The loud knock on the door roused Roland. He rubbed his face groggily before swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He sighed and glanced at the clock. Ten in the morning. He couldn’t have been asleep for more than an hour or so and fatigue weighed heavily upon him.

  Someone pounding on the door again got Roland moving.

  Roland grunted as he pushed to his feet. After rounding the bed, he leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to Tobias’ mouth, then hustled to the front room just as another series of knocks sounded, followed by a deep voice he didn’t recognize calling his name.

  “Who is it?” Roland called.

  “Einan and Cornelius,” Roland heard the deep voice say.

  “And Leroy. Open up,” Leroy called as well.

  Unlocking the door, Roland pulled it open and peered at a bronzed skin male that appeared human but scented as gargoyle. He had his hand wrapped protectively around a man with a bulging belly whose scent seemed shifter mixed with something else. Roland decided they must be Einan and Cornelius, because he recognized Leroy from when he’d been rescued.

  “Come in, please,” Roland offered, stepping back. He couldn’t help but stare at Cornelius’ massive belly. If he didn’t know better, he’d think the guy looked—

  “Yeah, I’m pregnant,” Cornelius commented.

  Roland yanked his gaze away from the man’s middle and met his eyes. He flushed with embarrassment at being caught staring.

  Fortunately, Cornelius’ green eyes twinkled and he grinned. “Doctor Perseus tells me it’ll only be a few more days before I’m due to lay our egg.” He beamed up at Einan who wore a proud if somewhat nervous expression at his mate’s words.

  Gaping, Roland mumbled, “P-pregnant? Egg?” What the crap?

  Cornelius’ sighed as he lowered himself to the sofa. “Yeah, gargoyles can get their male mates pregnant, so watch out.” He waggled his brows.

  “Holy shit!” Roland squeaked.

  Leroy shook his blond-haired head and rested a slender hand on Roland’s arm. “Don’t let Cornelius freak you out, cutie. I know for a fact that Doc Perseus gave you cinnamon toast earlier today. As long as you eat a couple of slices a day, you’ll be just fine.”

  Roland nodded quickly. “I’ll remember,” he mumbled. He wondered why Tobias hadn’t told him. Did the gargoyle want, uh, cubs?

  Einan clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m sure Tobias didn’t fail to tell you on purpose. Now, why don’t you tell us what happened and we’ll see what we can do to help.”

  Immediately, Roland felt his face flame. He had to clear his throat twice before he managed to mumble, “We, uh, we bonded. You know?” He cut a look at Einan, hoping for the gargoyle’s help.

  The dark-haired male in human form’s brows shot up. “Tobias allowed you to fuck him? Huh. I didn’t know he had it in him.”

  The comment confused Roland, since his lover hadn’t seemed in the least bit reticent about bottoming. He’d thought he’d done it before…of course, they’d kinda been in a hurry. Still, Roland nodded.

  Einan grunted, then crossed to the door to the bedroom and
pushed it open, peeking in. “So, you fucked him, he fucked you, and you exchanged mating bites,” he mused slowly. Leaning in the doorway, he turned to look at Roland. “And, yet, he didn’t molt.”

  “Yeah,” Roland whispered. He exchanged a look with Leroy who offered him a reassuring smile. Sighing, Roland admitted, “There are extenuating circumstances.”

  “Oh?” Einan crossed his arms over his chest. “What would that be?”

  After a sigh, Roland whispered, “I was castrated.”

  From the corner of his eye, Roland saw Cornelius pale and cover his balls. In front of him, Einan shifted away from the wall restlessly and his hands clenched. The male frowned. “So, you, uh…” He cleared his throat, then finished, “So, you don’t have any balls? How does that work?”

  Leroy, thankfully, answered for him. “Without the right amount of testosterone, it’s difficult for a man to get and sustain an erection. Doctor Perseus and I came up with testosterone replacement therapy for him. I’m not sure why he reacted so fast to it, but evidently he did.” Leroy smirked and cocked a brow, but didn’t question him further on that, which Roland appreciated. Instead—his voice clinically detached—he continued, “While the testicle creates the semen and a majority of the testosterone, it only makes up about five percent of what we ejaculate. The rest is created and stored elsewhere and mixes with the semen when a man orgasms.”

  Einan’s dark eyes appeared a bit glazed over, as if he didn’t understand some or all of what the nurse had just explained. It was Cornelius that actually spoke up. “Oh, well then it’ll just take longer, that’s all.”

  Roland focused on the shifter, hope filling him to discover a possible answer. “You think?”

  “I don’t top and Einan doesn’t bottom,” Cornelius stated matter-of-factly, nodding as he spoke. A suggestive smirk curved one side of his mouth as he told him, “But he loves how I taste and sucked me off plenty of times.” He winked. “Just have Tobias suck you off a few times. His molt will be more painful, but it’ll happen.”