Lessons Learned

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  Jude knew that he and Hayden would do their best to make sure they finished what Dasan’s parents had started.

  He spotted Nikolai and Colin in the corner booth. Jude waved and caught Colin’s attention. Nikolai stood up with a wide smile, making room for them. Hayden scooted into the booth and Jude sat next to him.

  “Thanks for saving us a table!” Jude shouted.

  “You going to sing tonight, Hayden?” Nikolai snickered.

  “Why? You afraid of a little competition, Markov?”

  “Oooh!! Them’s fightin’ words, Cox!” Colin laughed.

  “You might be able to sing, but can you dance?” Nikolai narrowed his eyes at Hayden.

  Hayden stood up and extended his hand. “Well, let’s go find out.”

  “I get to choose the song.” Nikolai slid out of the booth.

  “You’re on.”

  Jude sat with Colin and watched as Nikolai went to the DJ booth. Out on the floor, Hayden was joined by Seth Ralston and Jacob Steele. Jude smiled at Colin.

  “This should be fun.”

  “You have no idea,” Colin chuckled. “My man can strut his stuff.”

  The music started, skipped and started again. Jude busted out laughing as Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” boomed from the speakers. Jude watched as Nikolai rejoined the group on the dance floor and shook his ass. Hayden grinned and then turned around. Jude was in total shock as his boyfriend’s hips shook and his ass wiggled. Hayden’s shirt flew off and the club went insane.

  “Holy. Fuck,” Colin said slowly.

  “Yeah.” Jude swallowed hard. Hayden’s fingers were running along the waistband of his jeans, dipping inside. He was bare-chested, and pumping his hips. Nikolai was laughing and trying to dance as the men in the crowd screamed in approval. Seth and Jacob were shaking their asses and encouraging more of their group to join in.

  “Oh, your man’s sliding his way over here.” Colin smiled at the look of utter lust on Jude’s face.

  Jude’s eyes widened as Hayden’s hand gripped his cock as he slithered over to the booth. It was so damn…fuck. Hayden leaned into his ear.

  “Wanna come dance with me?”

  Jude’s toes tingled as the sex-filled voice slid down his spine.

  “Um,” Jude spluttered.

  “Sure he does!” Colin shoved Jude out of the booth. Yep, he and Scott were pretty good at this match-making stuff.

  Jude was swept into Hayden’s arms and crushed to his chest. He licked his lips as Hayden’s came within inches of his own.

  “Damn, you are one sexy man, Jude,” Hayden growled playfully.

  “Holy shit, Hayden.” Jude’s dick thickened.

  He knew Hayden could sing; he had no idea the man could dance.

  And well.

  Hayden’s fingers dug into his hips and Jude’s mouth watered as his mate’s mouth closed over his. Jude moaned and tilted his head, allowing Hayden easier access. Everything seemed to fade into the background as Hayden’s kiss filled his senses. God he wanted to kick his own ass for fighting Hayden for so long. He had been missing out.

  “Well damn, Hayden!” Nikolai laughed, clapping the man on his back. “I give you major points!”

  Hayden raised his head. Jude’s lips were wet and kiss swollen. Hot damn that was sexy.

  “Oh, I’m not done yet.” Hayden waggled his brows. He leaned into Jude’s ear. “I’ll be right back; the bathroom calls.”

  “Okay.”

  Jude went back to his seat and watched the floor. Loud squeals interrupted the song currently playing and Jude glanced at the stage. His stomach dropped as Scott, Kellan and Nicholas smiled from the stage.

  “Oh shit.” Jude banged his head on the table.

  “Hello, everyone!” Scott addressed the crowd. “We have a special treat for you tonight! It’s my brother’s birthday! Say happy birthday to Jude Brooks!”

  The crowd shouted and Jude shrank back into the booth further.

  “In honor of this special occasion, Jude’s other half — you know him well — is going to sing for his man tonight. Since we’re going to get an ass-kicking from our brother, we’ve decided to humiliate ourselves by helping Hayden out. Give a big round of applause for your favorite karaoke singer, Hayden Cox!”

  The crowd went crazy and Jude laughed as Hayden hopped up on stage. He took the microphone from Scott and sought out Jude at the table.

  “Jude, I know you’ve forgiven me, but I want to change at least one bad memory to a good one. I love you, babe. Happy birthday.” Hayden winked.

  Jude’s cheeks heated as the music started. Hayden was singing The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” Jude was blinded as the spotlight hit his table. Hayden jumped off the stage and walked toward him, singing. Every eye was on his man and Jude couldn’t have been more proud to have Hayden as a mate. He was beautiful, caring and sensitive, could sing and dance and was one hell of a badass soldier. Scott, Kellan and Nicholas were belting out the nanananas and Jude laughed. Hayden pulled Jude out of the booth and danced as he sang.

  The boy who had tortured him was now his mate.

  Jude wouldn’t have had it any other way.

  ~*~

  They stayed until closing. Jude stumbled into the house to find it decorated with streamers and balloons. A card sat on the table and Jude picked it up. It was from Dasan.

  I know you guys won’t be home until late, but I wanted to wish you a happy birthday and say how grateful I am that you and Hayden came into my life. There’s cake in the refrigerator, try not to throw Hayden into it. Happy Birthday!

  Dasan.

  Jude chuckled and put the card back down. He opened the fridge and laughed at the birthday cake. It was a white tiger head.

  “That’s cool!” Hayden peeked over Jude’s shoulder.

  “Well, you won’t be flying into it,” Jude laughed and shut the door.

  “So, I can kiss you and still be safe?” Hayden pulled Jude to him by the loops of his jeans.

  “You can do a hell of a lot more than that and be safe.” Jude raised his head and kissed Hayden.

  “Um,” Hayden backed away from the kiss.

  Jude searched Hayden’s eyes. “What is it?”

  “I want you.”

  “Yes and I want you, too.”

  “No, I mean I want you. I want you to make love to me.”

  Jude stepped back. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I want us to be connected.”

  “We are connected, Hayden. I’m not going to leave you; I’m in this for life.”

  “I know that, I just…I want to feel you.”

  Jude took Hayden’s hand and pulled him towards their room. Dasan’s room, thankfully, was on the other side of the house. Jude shut the door to their bedroom and turned to face Hayden. He looked a little nervous.

  “Are you sure about this?” Jude crossed the room to Hayden.

  “Yes, I am. My first time isn’t something I care to remember, so I’d like to replace that memory with a happier one.”

  “It should have been with me,” Jude grinned and unzipped Hayden’s jeans.

  “Yes, it should have.” Hayden gripped the hem of Jude’s shirt and pulled it up.

  “Well, I promise to make this time very special for you.” Jude removed Hayden’s shirt and ran his hands down the smooth planes of his chest, his fingers running over the skulls down his side. “These are sexy.”

  Hayden looked down at his side. “You like them?”

  “Hell yeah, it’s such a turn on.” Jude leaned over and kissed down Hayden’s ribs. “Are you getting more?” Jude breathed against Hayden’s warm skin.

  “I wanted one more.” Hayden threaded his fingers into Jude’s hair as his mouth went lower. Jude’s fingers made quick work of the zipper in his jeans and a loud growl escaped from Jude as he noticed Hayden was going commando. Hot breath skirted across his cock and Hayden’s legs trembled as Jude’s tongue swiped up the shaft.

  “I was thinking of putting your name o
n my chest,” Hayden gasped, as Jude slid his tongue through his slit.

  Jude looked up, his tongue doing a slow circle around the rim of Hayden’s cock.

  “Is that right?” Jude grinned, nibbling along the sensitive flesh. “Maybe we should go in together and I’ll get your name on me, too.”

  “Really?”

  Jude pushed Hayden on the bed and straddled him. “Yes, of course. You’re really having a hard time with this ‘I am yours for life thing’ huh?” Jude leaned over and kissed Hayden softly. “I am yours, Hayden. That’s never going to change, okay?”

  Hayden nodded.

  “Now, roll over on your side,” Jude commanded.

  Grabbing the lube, Jude slicked his fingers and cock. Hayden had finally confessed to the nightmare of his first time bottoming. Jude was going to make sure this time Hayden enjoyed it.

  Gripping Hayden’s cock with one hand, he circled Hayden’s hole with his other. Hayden’s back arched as Jude slid past the ring of muscle and stretched him out. Hayden’s body moved in time with both the slow stroke on his cock and the fingers in his ass. Getting a good rhythm down, Jude coaxed Hayden’s head back and kissed him. The taste, smell and feel of Hayden were like an aphrodisiac. His inner kitty was horny.

  Hayden gasped and then a low moan filled the room. Jude rubbed his cockhead against Hayden’s hole, pushing in an inch, and then pulling out. Hayden’s body relaxed as Jude kissed him, stroked him, and — finally — entered him.

  “Still okay?” Jude murmured against Hayden’s lips.

  “Yes, oh fuck yeah,” Hayden groaned as Jude filled him.

  The pressure was still there, but instead of being painful, it was pleasurable. He couldn’t stop moaning. Jude hit him perfectly time after time, nailing his prostate. Hayden pushed his ass back into Jude and the hand on his cock stroked faster. The kiss became hungry, both of them wanting to own the other. Hayden gripped the blanket as Jude pulled out, and then slammed into him.

  His orgasm exploded and a loud cry of ecstasy left his lips. Jude’s canines punctured his shoulder and heat shot in his ass. Hayden shuddered as Jude’s hand slipped over his cock slowly.

  “Jude,” Hayden gasped as Jude’s canines nibbled on his bottom lip. “Those aren’t your wolf canines.”

  Jude eased back. “No?”

  Hayden chuckled. Whiskers extended from Jude’s cheeks. “Um, no. I think your tiger was in charge just now.”

  Jude felt his face and smiled. “Cool.”

  Hayden laughed. “You’re so cute!”

  Jude sobered and cupped Hayden’s face. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m better than okay. I love you, Jude.”

  Jude kissed Hayden’s lips softly. “I love you, too.”

  “Happy birthday, Jude,” Hayden whispered.

  Jude grinned.

  ~*Chapter Eleven*~

  Hayden held Jude against him and looked around the room. The guys had done a wonderful job, and Chance had added his magic to the affair. After Jude’s birthday, they had settled into life as a couple. Jude had gone back to work and Hayden had taken a few weeks off just to stay with Dasan during his first month of school. Dasan had to take tests to determine where he would be placed, but he had been excited to be back in a school environment. Thankfully, Lev had tutored the younger werewolf from the beginning. Dasan was doing well and had made friends in school.

  They were like a family and Hayden loved every second of it.

  “Is it always like this?” Lev looked around the outreach center. He’d been in Washington for a week now. After spending a few weeks in Alaska with Wayne and Wayne’s mate, Conner, he’d been cleared to visit Dasan. He was staying with Hayden and Jude in their spare room while he was visiting.

  Black lights were strung from the ceiling and spooky music played. Spiders were in every corner and massive webbing spread throughout.

  “Yep,” Wyatt Quinton Dalton grinned. “Riley is throwing the party in Arizona this year, so he left it up to us Seattleites to decorate here.”

  “And decorate we did.” Preston Dalton took a look around.

  “So, I heard Nikolai Markov is coming,” Lev said.

  “You know him?” Wyatt asked.

  “I’ve heard of him; who hasn’t? He and his father are famous. Infamous?”

  “Yeah, we are, huh?”

  Wyatt looked over his shoulder. Nik was wearing his signature leather pants and biker jacket.

  “That’s your costume?” Wyatt snorted.

  Nik grinned. “Yep, I’m Nikolai Markov.”

  Lev’s jaw dropped.

  Wyatt snickered. “He’s a lot to take in, huh?”

  “You can say that again.” Colin walked in, rubbing his ass.

  Preston couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him.

  Colin scowled. “Shut up.”

  “What the hell are you supposed to be?” Wyatt took in Colin Greystone from head to toe.

  “What does it look like?” Colin turned around. “I was forced to dress up as an angel since Chance’s spell went awry and now I’m stuck with wings for God knows how long.”

  Nikolai shook his head. “I told you, when Chance says ‘Let’s try something’ you run.”

  Jude chuckled.

  “So, are we almost done?” Wyatt hugged Preston.

  “Yup,” Hayden nodded. “Tucker and Austin are finishing up the upstairs clown room.”

  Preston snickered. “Thank God Mateo’s at the Arizona center.”

  “Well, let’s get the refreshments going and welcome in some kids.” Hayden took Jude’s hand.

  “You guys look so cute,” Wyatt chuckled. “Salt and pepper, huh?”

  Jude adjusted his pepper cap. “They were the only costumes left, ‘Iron Man,’” Jude raised his brows at Wyatt.

  “I love how Tucker, Wesley, Kurt and Austin are ‘Angry Birds’. It just fits,” Hayden laughed.

  “So, Lev.” Jude turned his attention to the young man. “Bacon costume, huh?”

  “I like bacon,” Lev shrugged.

  ~*~

  The center was filled with screams and laughter as well. The party was a hit. Hayden watched over all the younger kids as the teenagers took over the top floor of the party. Jude stood with him, holding his hand. In all the years he’d dreamed of being with Jude, nothing came close to the reality.

  “Having fun?” Jude elbowed Hayden.

  “Yes. I love that Dasan, Skylar and Ryder are zombies.”

  “Stone’s a werewolf. How funny is that?” Jude chuckled.

  “Elijah seems a little bit happier. I like his costume. The Human Torch from the Fantastic Four? How cool is that?”

  “He does seem happier, but he’s not sniffing around Jaxon like he always is. That’s not normal.”

  “Well, Skylar hasn’t warmed up to Justice, either.” Hayden tracked Justice crossing the room headed for Skylar.

  “I’m pretty sure Justice has developed feelings for Skylar. It’s been bugging him that Skylar pushes him away.”

  “Let’s hope they settle some things then.”

  ~*~

  Skylar watched his friends. He was glad to see Elijah having fun. He hadn’t quite been himself lately. He’d been quiet for a few months, staying home more and more often. Skylar and the others had managed to get him out several times but unless music was involved, he usually stayed home. It had taken everything he and Ryder had, as well as Dasan’s begging, to get him to come out tonight.

  Even the prospect of seeing Jaxon Salvatore hadn’t enticed him. It was really starting to worry him.

  “Skylar Foxx?”

  Skylar turned to find a man smiling at him. He didn’t look familiar and he didn’t look like an outreach kid, either.

  “Who are you?”

  “A friend of a friend. Someone needs you to come home, Skylar.”

  “I am home.” Skylar raised both brows.

  “I’m sure Pierce would not approve.”

  Ice trickled through Skylar’s
veins at the name. Pierce Barnes had promised him so many things, and then Skylar found out what he really wanted.

  “Get away from me,” Skylar hissed through his teeth. The man seemed to stiffen, then cast a glance over his shoulder.

  “We’ll be in touch,” he said, and then walked away quickly.

  Skylar held onto the wall and took a deep breath. The alluring smell of cologne met his nostrils and then a very large form blocked his view of his friends.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Justice reached out and Skylar backed up. “What’s wrong? You’re shaking.”

  “It’s nothing.” Skylar moved away from Justice Salvatore.

  “Look, I don’t know what happened just now, but you can talk to me. I have no idea why you don’t like me.”

  “I heard you, okay?!” Skylar backed up further.

  “You heard me what?”

  “Just leave me alone!” Skylar turned and ran.

  Justice stood dumbfounded. What the hell? This was getting old. Curling his hands into fists, Justice ground his teeth and took off after Skylar. He caught up with him outside and jogged into his path. Skylar came to a sliding stop and his eyes widened.

  “Oh, no you don’t. You don’t get to run away from me again without explaining yourself. I’ve never even had a full conversation with you, so please explain to me why you think I’ve said something about you.”

  Skylar lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes. “I heard you at the Valentine’s Day party. You said I was horrible because of my past.”

  Justice’s jaw dropped open and he gasped.

  “Yeah, so, on that note. Have a nice night.” Skylar walked around the huge man.

  “You only heard part of the conversation.”

  Skylar stopped, but didn’t turn around.

  “I said it was horrible what you had to do, but at no time did I say you were horrible. You would have heard it in context had you stuck around.” Justice came up behind Skylar. “I would never judge you for the way you’ve lived your life, especially since it wasn’t your choice.”

  Skylar turned slowly. “So you don’t think I’m horrible?” he whispered.

  Justice grinned and shook his head. He stuck his hand out. “I think you’re a survivor. Justice Salvatore.”