by Jools Louise
Chaz heard more people arrive in the café, and smiled as he spied his roomies. Kieran, Kevin, Douglas, and Aston grinned at him, and then walked over to start giving John grief, as was their usual custom. Chaz’s eyes widened as he spied another familiar figure striding in behind his friends. Ryder Black was back in town, his eyes firmly fixed on Douglas, looking determined.
Chaz was about to get involved when Douglas suddenly turned, and was immediately pulled into Ryder’s embrace, hugging him tightly. Relief was etched into every line on Ryder’s face, along with such love, that Chaz felt the heat from where he sat. Douglas had a dopey expression on his face, and a wide grin that practically split his face. He certainly wasn’t pulling away.
“I’m glad Douglas got his man,” Max said, smiling over at his friend. “I thought he’d never get over Ellis’s death.”
“Me either,” Chaz replied, snuggling against Sherman and feeling a kiss placed atop his head. “He didn’t mention that Ryder was coming to town.”
“He didn’t mention that Ryder was so sexy,” Cracker said, staring avidly at Ryder.
“You’ve spoken to Douglas about him?” Chaz asked, surprised.
Cracker nodded, and got to his feet, still staring across the room. “Yeah, Douglas and I are mates. We’ve been keeping it quiet, because I knew he was hurting. He told me what happened to his first mate, Ellis,” he said distractedly. “And it looks as though Ryder might be, too. Douglas came to see me earlier, at the workshop. We’ve been talking about all kinds of stuff. He told me about Ryder, and all about how confused he was.” Cracker grinned wickedly, cracking his knuckles. “Time to get acquainted and unconfused about things.”
“Oh, this should be good,” Fester said drolly, sipping his coffee before biting into a pineapple Danish pastry.
“Oh yeah,” Jester replied, smiling and high-fiving his friend. “Cracker’s toast.”
Chaz giggled, and watched the trio carefully. Ryder looked at Cracker warily, then with interest, before he gave the big man a once over that oozed sexual attraction. Chaz swore that the heat in the room went up five degrees. Douglas was now sandwiched between the two huge males, with a look of nervous excitement on his face. A moment later Douglas was lifted up and carried right out of the café by Ryder, with Cracker in tow.
Chaz leapt up, charging across the café to prevent John going after the three men.
“John, no!” he cried, grabbing John’s arm tightly, pulling him back. “Douglas wants this. He needs this. Didn’t you see how much Ryder loves Douglas? And Cracker is a sweetheart. They’ll treat Douglas the way he needs to be treated. As their mate.”
John snarled, his eyes glittering like ice, staring after Douglas. The big Brit considered Douglas family, a son almost, and took particular exception to displays of force around the younger man. Chaz saw common sense return and John sighed heavily, tugging on his short ponytail.
“If they hurt him, I’ll be their worst fucking nightmare,” John growled.
Chaz hugged him, nodding. “If they hurt him, I’ll help you hold them down.”
“I can’t speak for Ryder Black,” Sherman intoned as he walked over, looking solemn. “But Cracker is loyal as can be, and would kill himself before harming a hair on your boy’s head. He’s been searching for a mate for years…he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that.
He and John exchanged a silent communication, one look conveying a whole conversation, until John nodded, and backed off.
“I don’t care how loyal your boy Cracker is to you, Sherman,” John advised, standing nose to nose with the big lion shifter. “And I don’t give a crap how many years he’s been searching for somebody to mate with.” John stared fiercely into Sherman’s eyes. “If he fucks with Douglas…there won’t be anywhere he’ll be able to hide from me.” He turned to head back to his cookie dough, then glanced over his shoulder. “Just so you know how fair I am, that goes for Ryder Black, too.” Then he stalked off, his frame rigid with restrained violence.
Chaz let out a relieved breath. John was laid back and cool as a cucumber ninety nine percent of the time. It was that last one percent that you riled up at your peril.
Sherman’s arms went around Chaz and he kissed Chaz gently. “Do you want to leave here?” he said huskily. Chaz glanced over at where Max and Harley were deep in conversation with Jester and Misty, and Fester, then looked at John, who nodded.
“I’ll make sure they’re okay,” John called, smiling slightly, albeit with a hard stare at Sherman. Chaz bit back a smile. John was on fire today with all the warning stares and testosterone overdose.
“See that you do, or there won’t be any place that you can hide from me,” Chaz mocked gently, and got a one fingered salute from his friend, as well as a wry smile.
“Touché,” John retorted, and then laughed. “Now scram, I have cookies to bake.”
He waved them off with a tea towel, shaking his head ruefully.
“Let’s go,” Chaz said to Sherman, feeling his pulse rate increase from its usual setting to an “oh my god, I’m gonna get laid” kind of tempo.
Chapter Two
Sherman smiled to himself as he walked over to Chaz’s apartment. John Hastings was a cool cat, and Sherman had no doubt at all that the snow leopard shifter would kick Cracker and Ryder from one end of Sage to the other, if either even looked as though they would hurt Douglas. Sherman couldn’t fault the guy. That was exactly how he would react if anyone upset Chaz. He ignored the fact that John had also warned him, as well, deciding the guy was overreacting. As if Sherman would hurt someone he’d been searching his whole life for. He’d harm himself before that ever happened.
They arrived at Chaz’s place without incident, and quickly reached the penthouse floor. Chaz let them in, and they were treated to a chorus of loud moans and groans and the occasional growl, coming from Douglas’s room. Chaz grinned at Sherman, who chuckled. It didn’t sound as though Douglas was in any danger.
“I guess we don’t need to worry about making too much noise now,” Chaz said wryly, rolling his eyes. “I’ve already had to put up with the twins and Aston’s sexy murmurings. I’ll just be sure to tease Douglas later…or maybe request soundproofing.”
Sherman turned his focus onto Chaz and lifted his mate into his arms, carrying him through the apartment. Chaz whispered which room was his, and Sherman felt his cock twitch in anticipation. He could smell Chaz’s arousal, feel his heart beating super fast.
As soon as the bedroom closed behind them, Sherman had Chaz pinned against the wall. Chaz’s legs wrapped, vicelike, around his waist and their lips met with a clash of teeth and tongues. Sherman moaned as he tasted his mate again, cupping Chaz’s cute bubble butt in both hands, and grinding him against the large python now living in Sherman’s pants.
Chaz arched his back, whimpering and clutching at Sherman’s dreads, clinging onto them for dear life. Sherman felt the pinch and sting as his braids were tugged, loving the added eroticism of Chaz’s uncontrolled passion. Unhitching his claws, Sherman scored at the seam of Chaz’s black pants. He gave a low growl of approval as his fingers met bare skin, and a thin strip of fabric. Chaz was wearing a thong.
“I didn’t notice this before,” Sherman said, parting Chaz’s cheeks and brushing both thumbs against the sides of his lover’s hole. He felt Chaz’s shiver of desire, and the shuddering breath he took. “I was too busy getting to the mother lode to notice the wrapping. This is so sexy, baby.” Lifting Chaz up higher, he hooked the man’s legs over his shoulders, after stripping his pants right off, his butt crack completely exposed and his hips thrust up at an angle that allowed Sherman premium access. The thin strip of red stood out against Chaz’s flesh. Sherman moved the strip of thong aside and mouthed Chaz’s musky flesh, nuzzling between the firm globes of flesh. He used one hand to hold Chaz in place against the wall, and felt Chaz jerk when his tongue pressed into his mate’s succulent heat. Fucking in and out, Sherman felt his cock thicken even more as he enjoye
d his mate’s musky flavor. Adding a finger to the mix, Sherman stretched Chaz, probing inside in preparation for what was to come. Chaz bucked when Sherman introduced a second finger, scissoring them as he loosened Chaz even more.
Chaz was whimpering, pleading with Sherman for more, shunting back and forth as he pleasured himself. Sherman nuzzled his face in his lover’s warm crevice, rasping his whiskery jaw against the sensitized flesh. Chaz cried out, his body convulsing, and then a thin wail rent the air as he came, overcome by the added stimulation. Sherman latched onto his lover’s exploding cock, capturing as much of the delicious cream as he could, the thong not covering his dick at all now. He loved cream.
Chaz seemed to melt against the wall, his eyes closed and a soporific smile tilting the corners of his mouth. Sherman let his gorgeous mate slide down his body, and gathered him close. He pressed a series of slow, drugging kisses against Chaz’s plump, moist lips and savored the addictive taste on his tongue. Chaz sighed, his legs encircling Sherman’s waist and his fingers stroking Sherman’s hair. Sherman shuddered, his hand going to his dick, releasing it from the confines of his pants. Free from constraint, it sprang free, slapping against Chaz’s ass, causing them both to gasp aloud.
“Fuck me,” Chaz pleaded, clutching fistfuls of hair now, pulling almost painfully as he rocked on Sherman’s cock.
“Baby, please,” Sherman grunted, desperately trying to stop himself from coming. The friction against the bulbous, moist tip of his dick was too much. He needed relief. Giving a bellow of surprise, he came hard, splashing his hot seed over Chaz’s bare ass, marking him with his scent.
Chaz chuckled, and kissed Sherman hard, his tongue swirling with the big lion shifter’s as Sherman panted, shaking from the intense outburst of passion.
“Poor baby,” Chaz said, snuggling into Sherman’s big chest. “Got a little too excited, didn’t you?”
Sherman let out a hoarse chuckle, and turned, throwing the minx onto the bed, grinning at Chaz’s surprised yelp as he flew through the air. Stripping swiftly, Sherman palmed his cock, shaking it at his mate teasingly.
“Sweetie, I got a lot of lead in this here pencil,” he growled, waggling his brows. “Were you worried I’d run out of juice?” Then he crawled up the bed, stalking his sexy prey. Chaz rid himself of his own clothing, wanting nothing between them when they completed the union. He reached for a big tube of lube under his pillow, placing it within easy reach.
Chaz giggled, gripping Sherman’s bulging biceps when the big man slid his cock along Chaz’s crease. “Sweetie, that might just be a deal breaker, if you ever run out,” he laughed. Sherman growled again, nipping Chaz’s lower lip sharply as he placed his cock against Chaz’s entrance. With a curse, Sherman eased back a little, lubing up quickly, then moved back into place.
“This rod here is magical,” Sherman promised, pressing a little harder, grinning when Chaz gasped out a moan. “It just keeps refilling, over and over.” Then he began a slow, steady plunge into heaven, popping through the guarding ring of muscles. Chaz clutched at Sherman’s shoulders as his ass was breached, and Sherman swallowed the breathless moans that erupted. He closed his eyes, resting his forehead against his lover’s, undone by the exquisite warmth that was slowly swallowing his cock whole. Chaz’s body welcomed him, with barely a protest, and he sank deeper. His thick member pushed on inexorably, until he was fully encased inside Chaz’s snug chute. They both panted, exchanging languid kisses as they became one.
Sherman enfolded Chaz in his arms, stroking his thigh as he began to move. Long, slow strokes which matched the lazy tempo of their kisses. He wanted their lovemaking to last. The urgency had dissipated, their mutual release having taken the edge off. Now they could savor the feel and taste of each other, rather than racing to the finish line.
* * * *
Sighing, Sherman trailed his tongue down Chaz’s chin, lapping at his Adam’s apple before moving on down. Sweat slicked Chaz’s skin, giving a delicious friction as they moved together. Chaz smoothed his hands down Sherman’s back restlessly as his mate rolled his hips, fucking Chaz in a relentless, undulating motion. That was erotic as hell. Deep strokes hit his gland with each glide, filling him over and over. He melted into Sherman’s sweet kisses, loving how gentle Sherman was. The bigger man’s softer side was something that Chaz craved. He needed this lovemaking, needed the tenderness as much as he needed the more energetic stuff. He felt himself falling harder for Sherman, and felt tears brimming at the beauty of what was unfolding between them.
“You’re exquisite,” Sherman murmured against Chaz’s lips. “You ass is so sweet and tight, so warm.” He gave a little snap of his hips, the sudden punch of power leaving Chaz gasping, whimpering as he held onto his lover. “I love the taste of you on my tongue…you’re addictive as honey. I can’t get enough of you.”
“I’m falling for you,” Chaz whispered, staring up at Sherman’s beautiful face through a veil of tears. “I know it’s fast, but I feel as though I know your heart. I felt the connection as soon as I saw you.”
Sherman’s face softened, and his stunning eyes filled with tenderness and Chaz dared to hope there was love there, too.
“Baby, I’m already there,” he replied gruffly, and his lips captured Chaz’s in a kiss that curled the blond’s toes. His heart melted, and he wrapped both arms around the big shifter’s neck, and tightened his legs around Sherman’s waist, rolling his hips in time with the slow, drugging thrusts.
Sherman made love to Chaz with a skill and loving intensity that brought Chaz to a slow boil. Their hands explored every available inch of each other’s bodies, their lips devoured with delicate greed. Chaz felt the man’s love with every move, every breath that he took. He opened to Sherman like a meadow after a long drought. He craved what Sherman gave him, and soaked up every caress, returning the affection with interest.
Without warning, the gentle simmer ignited into a fast boil, and Chaz felt his balls draw up. Another sharp snap, and Sherman gave a low, deep growl before driving deep, his body shaking as he came hard, sinking his massive fangs deep into Chaz’s neck. Chaz felt the spatter of warmth deep in his ass, and he exploded, his own cum spewing over the both of them. He snarled with need, and bit into Sherman’s broad shoulder, claiming his mate just as he was being claimed.
Sherman’s big hands cupped his ass, squeezing gently as they came down together, snuggling into each other as the wave of pleasure receded, leaving behind a feeling of utter contentment.
“Hmmm,” Chaz murmured, closing his eyes as he rested his head against Sherman’s big chest. He heard Sherman chuckle and felt the soothing warmth as the big shifter stroked his back. He felt his lover’s large cock inside him, his heat wrapped around him, and never wanted to leave. Within seconds he was fast asleep, feeling safe and sated.
* * * *
Sherman awoke early, blinking in the dim light streaming through the window. He yawned, feeling too comfortable to move, but needing to piss like crazy. Glancing to his side, he saw his mate fast asleep still, clutching at a pillow in the shape of a goldfish. Sherman hadn’t noticed it before, but he thought it was cute how Chaz held onto it…cute but a little sad, too. The pillow looked battered and worn, as though his lover had been hugging it a lot over the years.
Easing his arm from under Chaz’s head, Sherman slid from the bed quietly, not wanting to awaken his mate. The man had looked tired the night before, after the long day at work. Today was Sunday, and Chaz had the day off. He needed the sleep. Heading into the bathroom, he sighed as he relieved himself, and wondered what he’d done to get this lucky. Fifteen years spent living in that hell-hole of a prison, and before that living a life of violence just to survive. He’d had to fight for everything, and especially the right to breathe free air. Now, he’d found a place that didn’t judge his past, but encouraged his desire to change and build a new life.
Flushing the toilet, Sherman stepped into the shower, enjoying the blast of heat pounding onto him.
He gave a start when the shower door opened and Chaz stepped in, bleary-eyed and yawning.
“I missed you,” Chaz murmured, wrapping his arms around Sherman’s waist and raising his face for a kiss. Sherman obliged, gripping his mate’s short blond hair and taking his sweet lips in a hungry kiss that soon had them both panting.
“I missed you, too,” Sherman growled, lifting his mate up and cupping his butt in both hands. His cock sprouted into a raging erection, and he nipped at Chaz’s succulent lower lip as he eased the man down, enveloping his dick within Chaz’s quivering chute, already loosened from last night’s lovemaking. “Exquisite,” he snarled, moving Chaz up and down, fucking him steadily as the water rained down on them.
“Sherman,” Chaz wailed, mashing his mouth hard against the lion shifter’s, arching his back in ecstasy as Sherman began to thrust upward, fucking powerfully up into his mate with each downward plunge of the man’s ass.
