by Lynn Hagen
“Come on. I’ll take you.” Phoenyx grabbed Edward’s hand and led him from Jake’s Java Hut, while Edward worried he’d already become addicted to Phoenyx’s touch.
Chapter Five
Phoenyx wasn’t sure what to expect when they reached Edward’s grandmother’s house. It was a tiny brick home with plush grass that had been recently cut and a white picket fence running along the sidewalk by the front door. But if a person paid closer attention, they could spot the signs of a home that needed some care.
There was rotten wood by one of the windowsills, a slight tear in the screen on the front door, and clear tape holding up one of the numbers in the address.
Edward used his key, but as soon as he opened the door, he called out, “Grandma. It’s me, Edward. I’m coming in.”
Phoenyx didn’t even think to stay outside. He walked in to the strong odor of menthol. With his inhuman senses, the smell nearly gagged him, but he tried his hardest to ignore it.
The living room was modestly furnished, with tons of pictures of Edward in different stages of growing up scattered over the mantel and hanging on the walls.
Phoenyx walked over to them and smiled as he saw how the male looked at such a young age and then watched as he grew into the man he was today. There was a woman in some of the photos, and she looked considerably older than a mother would’ve been, so Phoenyx assumed she was Edward’s grandmother.
Not a single picture of his parents.
“Grandma!”
Phoenyx whipped around and rushed toward Edward’s distressed voice. In the small kitchen he found Edward and a woman who stood on a stepladder. She gripped the railing tightly as she looked down at her grandson, and then her gaze swung to Phoenyx. She had the same honey-gold eyes as Edward’s, but years of wrinkles surrounded them.
“Why are you on that ladder?” Edward looked as though he’d have a heart attack at any second. “Are you trying to fall and break another hip?”
“I needed a bowl out of the cupboard.”
Edward placed his hands on her hips and helped her work her way down. He didn’t let go until her feet were planted on the floor. “But I made all your meals for you and stored them in the fridge. What do you need a bowl for?”
Phoenyx took the stepladder and folded it, setting it aside as Edward guided his grandmother to the table.
“When did you prep food for me?”
“Two days ago.” He went to the fridge. “Are you hungry? What do you want me to heat up for you?”
She looked Phoenyx over with a scrutinizing gaze. “Are you my doctor?”
“No, ma’am.” Phoenyx stood by the stove, trying his best to keep out of the way, but the kitchen was so small that it barely accommodated his six-foot-five frame. “I’m Edward’s friend.”
The wrinkles around her mouth tightened when she smiled. “Edward made a friend. I’m so proud of him. It was always so hard for him to make friends when he was a boy. So shy and kept to himself a lot.”
Edward grabbed a plastic container from the refrigerator and tossed it into the microwave. He didn’t look at Phoenyx as he pressed the buttons and waited for the meal to heat up.
Phoenyx took a seat and jerked when the chair wobbled. He feared it would collapse under his weight. “I didn’t have any true friends until I became an adult,” he said.
Phoenyx was a little fascinated with her. He’d never had a female role model in his life, and this was the woman who had raised Edward, taught him all her values, and under the many lines of maturity, Phoenyx saw the striking resemblance between the two.
A fierce protectiveness washed over him for this slight woman who didn’t seem to have all her wits about her.
“Here you go.” Edward placed the bowl in front of her, and it looked like green and brown mush.
Phoenyx wrinkled his nose. “What is that?”
“Blended food.” Edward took a seat on the opposite side of her. “She can’t handle regular food. I have to blend everything together so she can eat it. It’s chicken and beans.”
More like baby food.
“Grandma, this is Phoenyx.” Edward turned to him. “This is my grandmother, Estelle.”
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Phoenyx said.
“You’re a very good-looking man, though I’ve never liked redheads. Are you Edward’s beau?”
“Eat your food, Grandma.” There was a fine blush that worked its way over Edward’s cheeks. He looked at Phoenyx and then quickly found her food very interesting.
Phoenyx hid his smile. There was something refreshing about being around someone so innocent. A blush, a stolen glance, and the way Edward always tried to hide the lust in his pretty golden eyes.
Phoenyx was used to dealing with seasoned men, rough around the edges, or downright cutthroat people. He’d interacted with the warriors’ mates, but it wasn’t often, and their heated looks had never been aimed at him.
Thank fuck.
“My grandmother should have around-the-clock care, but money is tight, so I do the best I can.” The way Edward’s eyes shined was testament to how much he truly loved her.
He was determined more than ever to find out if the human was his mate. He wanted Edward to look at him with adoration, with such love that had always eluded Phoenyx.
Surviving thousands of years without anyone at your side was a lonely existence. And although Edward was keeping secrets from him, and they barely knew each other, Phoenyx could see himself coming home after a battle and curling into Edward’s embrace.
His heart ached at the thought.
When Estelle finished eating, Phoenyx went to the living room while Edward took her to her room. He heard bath water running, and some time passed before Edward reemerged.
“I got her to bed with an audiobook.” Edward looked exhausted. “She’ll listen until she falls asleep.”
“How old is she?”
“Eighty-one.” Edward dropped onto the couch and sighed. “She just started declining in the past year. Before that she was very independent.”
He heard the fondness in Edward’s voice.
“I just hate that I can’t do more for her, but it is what it is. She raised me when she didn’t have to, so it’s my turn to take care of her.”
Golden eyes with a golden heart. Estelle wasn’t the only person Phoenyx was fascinated with.
He relaxed deeper into the cushions as he stared out the front window. If Edward wanted to stay for the rest of the day to keep an eye on her, Phoenyx had no problem with that.
Just as long as he got to spend his time with Edward.
A male who was quickly stealing his heart.
* * * *
Edward was always a bit depressed when he had to leave his grandmother, but he had to go to work or his boss would demand he go to the town clinic to be cleared to go back to work. He hated that Keaton Richards was so strict about the rules, but there had been a lot of slackers that came and went from the juice hut.
He couldn’t really blame Keaton. If Edward ran a business, he would want people he could rely on. If only Keaton knew what was really going on with him.
After he’d showered and dressed in his uniform, Edward walked toward the living room. He paused when he heard Phoenyx’s deep voice. He had to be on the phone, because no one else was in Edward’s home.
Edward moved closer, not that he was trying to be nosy. He wasn’t. He just wanted to know…okay, so he was being nosy. There was still so much about Phoenyx that intrigued him. He knew about the demon’s past, and about suspecting that he was Phoenyx’s mate. But he also suspected there were many, many layers to Phoenyx.
“You’d be surprised how much I know.” Phoenyx’s voice had a slight snarl to it. “And never doubt the fact that I can find you. The only reason you’re still breathing is because I’m preoccupied right now.”
Edward inhaled a small breath.
Phoenyx visibly stiffened, though he didn’t turn around. “Get your affairs i
n order.” He lowered the phone. “Edward.”
Hanging around The Manacle, Edward had learned about the nonhumans’ heightened senses. Phoenyx had heard that tiny gasp. Phoenyx had been caring and kind toward him, patient. But Edward didn’t have a single doubt the man could unleash a terrible wrath on someone. He was built like the warrior he was, and so far Edward had been spared the man’s anger.
He still hadn’t seen it toward himself, but whoever had been on the other end of the phone… Edward backed away.
“Don’t.” Phoenyx lowered his head. “Don’t be frightened of me. Please.”
He still hadn’t turned around, but Edward heard the exhaustion in his voice. An almost begging quality to it.
“You just threatened to kill someone.”
Phoenyx stayed silent, as if gathering his thoughts. He tucked his phone into his back pocket. “I honestly don’t know how the mates deal with my brethren. Our lives are bloody, brutal, and there are times when I feel as if I can’t catch a break. I was trained by Panahasi many years ago, and I told you that my job was to protect those who can’t protect themselves.”
“Keeping the world safe is one thing. You’re taunting someone,” Edward pointed out. “Why?”
Phoenyx lowered himself to the couch, and as much as Edward wanted to keep a safe distance, his feet were moving of their own accord. He sat next to the giant, tucking his hands between his knees.
“Even if you aren’t my mate, I would never do anything to hurt you,” Phoenyx said. “You never have to be afraid of my anger.”
There was pain, as though the thought of Edward scared of him actually hurt him.
“Anyway.” Phoenyx cleared his throat. “Don’t I have to get you to work?”
Wow. The guy knew how to switch gears quickly. “Uh, no. I still have a full hour. If we use the shadows, I can shave off another twenty minutes.”
Edward wasn’t a fan of that mode of travel, but it beat walking.
“Sorry”—Phoenyx chuckled—“but unless we can emerge into darkness, no shadow is going to work.”
Drat. “Then I guess I still have an hour.”
Phoenyx had sufficiently changed the subject, and Edward had let him. It had been depressing as hell, and that wasn’t the mood he wanted to be in when he went to work.
Phoenyx chewed on his bottom right lip. “What do we do to pass the time?”
That was one loaded question that Edward wasn’t sure he should answer.
* * * *
Phoenyx couldn’t stand the aching look in Edward’s golden eyes. Was it because something was wrong, or did the human want Phoenyx to make the first move?
Never the bashful type, Phoenyx leaned forward. Edward brushed his hand on Phoenyx’s arm. The gentle caress caused a surge of heat to rise. Phoenyx moved closer, the exotic scent of Edward—thick honey and wildfire—seeping into Phoenyx’s skin, curling around his senses.
“I could make us something to eat,” Edward offered.
“I already have my dessert right in front of me.” He shook his head, trying to calm his racing heart. Every cell in his body was humming, the blood rushing quickly through his veins.
Edward’s eyes sparkled with desire as a blush stole across his face. The human wanted Phoenyx. There wasn’t any doubt. Phoenyx slipped his shirt off and tossed it aside. Edward placed his hand on his chest and gazed up at him.
“I’m going to trust that you won’t hurt me.” Edward kissed Phoenyx’s jaw, his throat, and then trailed his lips over Phoenyx’s chest.
He didn’t dare move. Not when Edward unfastened Phoenyx’s pants and tugged at them. Shit. This was really happening. He was about to find out if Edward was his mate, and Phoenyx wasn’t sure if he was excited or terrified.
What if Edward wasn’t? Phoenyx could still be with him, but that was taking a gamble since his actual mate might come along. Then again, Phoenyx would never know since he’d have to sleep with the person, and he wasn’t the type to cheat.
God, he needed to stop thinking so much.
He lifted his hips to allow the material to be pulled down his legs. Edward stopped long enough to remove Phoenyx’s boots and then slipped the pants and underwear free. His cock was hard and ready, slapping against his gut.
“God you’re beautiful,” Edward murmured.
Phoenyx dropped his head, gritting his teeth when Edward enveloped Phoenyx’s cock with his lips. His hands shot out, gripping the throw pillows as he felt a maelstrom of pleasure overtake him. His demon was calming, taking in the sensual way Edward was teasing and licking him, sucking him down his throat and then pulling back to lick at the tip.
Phoenyx’s hips began to move, and soon he was fucking Edward’s mouth and drowning in the pleasure. But he wanted more, needed to give the man just as much pleasure.
“Get your clothes off,” he said between gritted teeth. Edward stood and crooked his finger, and Phoenyx rose from the couch like his dick was tethered to the male. They ended up in Edward’s bedroom, where his mate stripped, and Phoenyx’s cock throbbed in sync with his heartbeat.
Edward grabbed the lube from a drawer and tossed it onto the bed before climbing on, and damn if Phoenyx didn’t follow. He wouldn't have been able to stay away even if the earth suddenly erupted into chaos. Nothing would keep him from Edward. Not when he needed to find out if the male was his mate.
More than that, he was attracted to Golden Eyes, and the male was offering himself so freely. How the fuck could he resist that?
Phoenyx turned until his body was opposite Edward’s, his face hovering right about Edward’s cock.
He nuzzled in the wiry curls before licking his way up the fully hard shaft and sucking at the engorged head to savor Edward’s pre-cum. Edward was killing him, killing him with pleasure as it built and increased. The connection between them was staggeringly powerful as Phoenyx wrapped his arms around Edward’s legs, pulling them close as he continued to suck the man down his throat.
His lover moaned around Phoenyx’s shaft, and Phoenyx nearly came. The vibration, mixed with the knowledge that Edward was finding pleasure in him, was an aphrodisiac. He continued to thrust his hips, fucking the male’s mouth as he encouraged Edward to do the same.
Edward groaned and bucked, and Phoenyx could feel Edward’s chest rising and falling rapidly. His rear end lifted off the bed, plunging his shaft farther into Phoenyx’s mouth. He didn’t think Edward had done it on purpose, but Phoenyx opened wide, taking the hard flesh down his throat. Edward thrust his hips upward toward Phoenyx’s mouth again, pumping furiously with short, even strokes. He could tell his lover wanted to get off. Grabbing Edward’s hips, Phoenyx pushed and pulled on the man, sucking Edward’s cock down before letting it slide back out. His lover’s balls were drawn tight to his body, telling Phoenyx that the man was close.
Phoenyx didn’t want this to end so soon. He was not going to let him come this quickly.
He pulled back, teasing the flesh, feeling Edward’s cock pulsing in heated need under his tongue. Fire, passion, and intense sexual arousal burned in Phoenyx as he tortured Edward’s cock while his hands explored the man’s inner thighs, adding pleasure wherever he could.
Edward pulled his head back, releasing Phoenyx’s shaft. “Please make me come.”
Phoenyx smiled around the male’s cock. He had Edward pleading for release. He was about to tell Edward that he wasn’t coming anytime soon when his lover swallowed him down to the root, his throat massaging his sensitized shaft.
Phoenyx was frozen in time and space as he found his pleasure and felt his body emptying as endless streams of cum filled Edward’s mouth. Never before in his life had he come that quickly. The male knew what the hell he was doing because Edward had gotten Phoenyx off too damn fast.
Phoenyx doubled his efforts, sucking Edward down and then backing off, hollowing his checks as he inserted a finger into his mouth and then into Edward’s ass. His lover cried out as his seed spilled down Phoenyx’s throat. Edward bucked, h
is fingers digging into Phoenyx’s flesh as his orgasm tore through him.
Letting Edward’s cock slip from his mouth, Phoenyx turned over, gazing down at the man as Edward’s honey-gold eyes slowly fluttered closed.
“Oh no, sweetheart. I’m far from done with you.” Phoenyx grabbed the lube, coated his fingers, and then inserted two into Edward’s tight ass.
“Fuck!” Edward squirmed as he spread his legs. Phoenyx would’ve enjoyed suckling on Edward’s softened cock, but he knew how sensitive it was right now.
Phoenyx had no problem getting hard again. Not when he had Edward spread out beneath him. Not when he wanted to fuck him so badly that he had to force himself to calm down.
He pulled Edward onto all fours as he lined his aching shaft up with the pulsating and glistening entrance and pushed inside, both gently and insistently. He groaned at the tight, wet heat.
“Oh my god,” Edward moaned. “Don’t stop.”
Like Phoenyx could.
“I can’t believe I’m actually having sex with a demon,” Edward said. “I can’t believe I waited to jump your bones.”
A burst of warmth spread through Phoenyx. Edward had been attracted to him since they’d first met. He knew the feeling. Phoenyx had been fascinated with the human from the word go. He still couldn’t believe they were having sex, that he would finally find out if Edward belonged to him.
Anytime Edward was near him, Phoenyx felt as if he was losing his mind. He still couldn’t believe the innocent human could be his. Phoenyx had to have done something right in life to be rewarded with such a sexy and caring man.
When he bottomed out, Phoenyx pulled back and set up a steady rhythm, his cock sliding in and out of Edward’s ass. Hearing Edward’s cries of pleasure spurred his own desires to a fevered pitch.
Then Phoenyx felt it, their connection, their souls binding together. He’d suspected it, but now that he knew for certain, a ton of worries crashed around him.
