by Faith Gibson
“Are you kidding? Do you know how often I’ve hidden an erection just from being in the same room as you?”
“Yeah, I do, because it’s been the same for me.”
Matthew took a deep breath. “Then why did you want me to play with Eric?” Slade growled, and Matthew rolled his eyes. “Play volleyball. Why did you encourage me?”
“Like I said, I want you to live your best life. Make your own choices. You’ve been through so much for someone so young. Until now, you haven’t been out of the state of Georgia. You’ve never done the things kids should do growing up. I’m not faulting Abbi. I admire your sister for taking as good care of you as she did, given the circumstances. I don’t want for you to jump into a relationship with me before you have a chance at seeing if I’m the one you want to spend your life with. Being my mate is a lifelong commitment. I hate to keep bringing it up, but you’re young. You’re getting ready to go to college. You’re going to make new friends. You’re going to need to focus on your studies and playing ball. If you decide you want me, it will be all or nothing. If you say yes, I won’t be able to stay away from you. Getting an apartment near campus wasn’t just about me keeping an eye on you. As your mate, I need to be close to you physically. Staying apart will be hard. Not because I don’t trust you, but I’m drawn to you by the mate bond. It’s been a miserable couple of weeks. When Deacon told me you were talking about starting college early, I knew you were feeling it too.”
“I felt so lost without you. I thought I’d done something wrong and you were mad at me.”
“Never. I thought it would be easier on both of us if we had some distance, but I was wrong. And it’s only going to get worse. Ultimately, though, it’s your decision. I’ve waited on you this long; I can be patient a while longer.”
Matthew was having a hard time thinking being so close to Slade. He loved being wrapped up in the strong Goyle’s arms, but his body wanted more. Now that he knew Slade was his, it was all he could think about. “What you’re saying is you are mine, and I am yours. We can be together for the rest of our lives, even if we wait a while to complete the bond.”
“Yes.”
“When I’m not at school, would I live with you or at home?”
“Matthew, you’re mine. You’ll move in with me, and my condo will be your home. Or if you’d rather have a house, we can find one together.”
“And when we’re home – condo or house – we’re going to be a couple? Do all the things couples do? You’re ready to give up all the other men in the world?”
“Yes. To all of that. Might as well say we’ll be married. Are you ready to give up all the other men as well? Because once you say you’re mine, that’s it. You’re mine forever. You ready for that?”
“Hell yes. Can I have a few days to decide on completing the bond? The whole looking eighteen thing is something I need to think about.”
“You can have as long as you need.”
Matthew didn’t need time to know what he wanted as far as everything other than completing the bond was concerned. “Good. Now, take me to bed and make me yours.”
Chapter Six
“Whoa, hang on.” Slade should have seen this coming, but now that the moment arrived, he wasn’t ready.
“I don’t want to wait. I’m your mate. We’re gonna have sex eventually, right?”
“Eventually, yes. Just because you’re my mate doesn’t mean I’m going to take advantage of the situation. Have you ever done anything with a guy before?” Slade didn’t really want to hear the answer, but he needed to know how experienced Matthew was. Matthew stepped away from Slade and looked out the sliding glass doors. He had turned away but not before Slade caught the blush staining his cheek and neck.
“Matthew?”
“When have I had time to do anything? You’ve been following my ass around for months.”
“And it’s a really nice ass,” Slade said, hoping to lighten the mood. When Matthew turned and glared at him, Slade couldn’t help but grin. “Seriously, though. I’m not saying I don’t want you, because I do. But I’m not going to just fall into bed with you.”
“I get it. You’re stuck with a kid – a virgin kid – for a mate. I wouldn’t want to have sex with me either.”
“I didn’t say that. I want you more than you could possibly know, but I don’t want to rush your first time.” Slade was already used to having blue balls. As soon as he figured out Matt was his mate, he stopped looking at anyone else.
“Most guys my age have been having sex for years. I don’t think I’m rushing into anything,” Matt argued.
Slade wanted to ease Matthew’s mind. He stepped up behind Matt and placed his hands on his mate’s biceps, rubbing the bare skin with his thumbs. “You aren’t most guys. You’re someone precious, and I’m thrilled you’re a virgin. You have no idea how special it will be for me to show you what making love is like. How wondrous it will be seeing you fall apart in my arms the first time. And every time after. How about this? Let’s go to dinner like we planned and maybe walk around the shops for a while. I want you to enjoy your time here at the beach, and I don’t want sex getting in the way. Because once I have you in my bed, I’m not going to let you out.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Matthew pulled away from Slade. His pouting was usually cute because he was playing, but Slade knew the teen’s feelings were hurt. He could feel the sadness as if he was the one hurting.
“Hey, come here.” Slade stepped up to Matthew, hugging from behind. He set his chin on Matthew’s shoulder and embraced him tightly. “I want you,” he said, pressing his semi-erect dick to the crease in Matt’s ass. “I crave you something fierce, but I want more from you than sex. You’re my best friend, and soon you’ll be my lover. One day my true mate. It’s my job to take care of you, and that doesn’t mean only in the bedroom. Your mental well-being as well as your physical needs are my responsibility.” Slade pressed his lips to Matt’s temple, inhaling the sunshine and salt and the scent that was pure Matthew he’d become addicted to. “Let’s go have some fun, and when we get back here tonight, whatever happens, happens.”
Matthew’s tension lessened, and he turned in Slade’s arms. “Okay,” Matt whispered, snaking his arms around Slade’s neck, pulling him closer. He played with the hair at Slade’s nape, his eyes staring at Slade’s mouth. Matt teased his lip with his tongue, and Slade took the bait, closing his mouth over Matt’s. The kiss was unhurried but no less captivating. Slade traced the inside of Matt’s mouth, yearning to learn every inch. For being a virgin, Matthew knew how to kiss, and it was all Slade could do to keep from getting carried away. The fates must hate him for giving him this tempting young man. He was surely being tested for some reason.
Matt’s cock was getting hard against Slade’s leg, so Slade broke the kiss and set his forehead on Matt’s shoulder. “Shit. You’re good at that,” he muttered, catching his breath. Slade reached down and adjusted his own hardening dick, and Matt chuckled.
“I’m glad my pain amuses you.” Slade kissed him on the temple before stepping away. “Let’s take our showers so we can go eat.” Matthew wiggled his eyebrows, and Slade laughed. “Separate showers.”
“You’re no fun,” Matt teased. “One more kiss first?”
Slade knew better than to give in, but he couldn’t tell Matt no, so he grabbed him around the waist, dipped him low, and planted a loud smack on his lips. When he pulled Matt back upright, the teen laughed and pushed him playfully. “I guess that’ll do.” He walked toward his room and turned around. “For now.”
Slade retreated to his own room and closed the door before stripping. The flimsy barrier was more of a symbol than an actual way to keep him from his mate. He wanted nothing more than to join Matthew in the shower. Or better yet, the bed where they could make love, even if they didn’t complete the bond. But he knew his beast; once it got a taste of their mate, it wouldn’t stop until they had bitten Matt. It was better this way. Matthew needed time to come to gr
ips with what Slade told him as well as to decide whether he wanted to seal the bond now or wait a few years.
I can’t wait years.
Yeah, I don’t want to, but it’s his decision.
His looks aren’t going to change that much.
Doesn’t matter. The choice is still his, now back off.
As much as he needed a cold shower, he turned the temperature to hot and allowed the heavy spray to beat against his back. He hung his head, doing his best to keep thoughts of a naked Matthew out of his brain. His mate now knew the truth, and all Slade could do was wait. If he was less than honorable, he would have taken Matt up on his offer of sex. Slade would never do anything to hurt his mate, physically or mentally, and he knew Matthew would regret having sex for the sake of it. Then again, he might not.
Slade thought back to his first time having sex. He had recently transitioned, and coming into his Gargoyle powers shifted his libido into overdrive. He didn’t understand why his father wouldn’t let him leave the house during his transition, but afterward? Slade would have fucked anything that moved in those first few days.
A couple weeks after he had his phasing under control, Slade met up with a friend of his who had also transitioned, and the male was willing to put Slade out of his misery. There was no love involved. No passion or tenderness. Their coupling was nothing more than slaking the need to get off. In two hundred years, Slade had not once made love, and he was ready to do just that with Matthew. He wanted Matt’s first time to be filled with all the things Slade’s hadn’t been, if he could only convince his beast to stay put and not push its way to the front. Before he worried about the beast, Slade would have to wait on Matthew to figure out if he wanted to be mated or not.
Slade made reservations at one of the larger tourist restaurants. It wasn’t fancy, but it had all the foods he knew Matthew liked. When his mate came out of his bedroom, Slade allowed his eyes to take in the tall, lean sight before him. Matt had chosen a polo instead of a T-shirt, pairing it with khaki shorts. He had on a pair of leather boat shoes Slade didn’t know Matt owned. He’d only ever seen Matt in jeans or basketball shorts. His mate cleaned up nicely.
“My eyes are up here,” Matt joked.
“Hush. Let me enjoy the view for a moment,” Slade tossed back. It was the first time he was able to admire the teen openly without fear of him seeing the heat in his eyes.
Matthew turned around and wiggled his butt. “You mean this view?” he asked over his shoulder, batting his eyelashes before busting out laughing. One thing was certain; Slade would never get bored.
“Come here, you big goof.” Slade held out his hand, and Matthew closed the distance between them. He grabbed the proffered hand, but instead of holding it, Matt slid it around his waist and leaned into Slade, kissing his jaw.
“You look nice, but I’ve never seen these clothes.”
“I bought them for Abbi’s performances. I needed to dress up a little for that and graduation.”
Slade hadn’t gone to Matt’s graduation or to any of Abbi’s performances. Whenever Matt was with his family or at work, Slade had made himself scarce. Not that he didn’t want to be near Matt, but the more they were together, the harder it was to deny the pull.
“I made reservations for us at The Crescent Moon. We have to take a ferry to get to it, if that’s okay.”
“As long as I’m dressed appropriately, because these are the fanciest clothes I brought with me.”
“You look perfect.” Slade ran his hands down Matt’s arms, not wanting to let go. “You are perfect,” he whispered against Matt’s lips as he moved in for what was supposed to be a quick kiss. His mate had other ideas. With only a three-inch difference in their height, it didn’t take much for Matt to bring their mouths together in a much deeper kiss. Slade’s beast as well as his cock came to life. He couldn’t wait for the day when they could say to hell with food and stay in all night making love. But that day wasn’t today. Slade broke the heated kiss and cupped Matt’s face in his hands. “Boy, what you do to me.”
“I know what I’d like to do to you,” Matt replied, grinning.
Slade reached around and popped the wise guy on his ass. “Later. Come on. Let’s go see more of the island.”
Matthew couldn’t get enough of Slade’s mouth now that he’d had his first taste. He’d kissed another guy before, but that’s as far as his experience went. The idea of being intimate with Slade was exciting and nerve-racking in equal measure. He wasn’t sure eating a big meal was such a good idea, because if his nerves got the better of him later, he didn’t want to have that much on his stomach to throw back up. He’d never been one to get sick easily, but he’d never had this much on the line before. While he’d been in the shower, all he could think about was getting his body ready for Slade to take him later. He washed all the key parts of his body especially well, but that didn’t mean he was ready for sex.
He knew all about the mate bond from Frey and Abbi, as well as Trevor and Jasper. It was impossible to deny the attraction, but that didn’t mean Slade wouldn’t find him lacking later. He didn’t want Slade to resent the fates for choosing Matt for him. Matt had been around some of the Gargoyles long enough to know the troubles they went through when they found their mates. He’d never heard one complain about their specific mate, just that none of them had an easy time of it when getting together. There was always something that kept them from starting their lives together easily. Matt figured his age and lack of experience was his and Slade’s bump in the proverbial road.
Doing his best to put the thought of sex out of his mind, Matt took Slade’s hand as they headed downstairs. The one thing Matt noticed about the island was almost everything they’d decided to do or see was close to their hotel. He and Slade were in shape, so walking instead of taking a taxi was a given. They didn’t have to wait long for the ferry to shuttle them to the smaller island where the restaurant was located. Matt stood at the railing, and Slade stepped up next to him, settling his hand over Matt’s. With their backs to the other passengers, Matt could pretend they were alone. He could also avoid any disproving looks shot their way.
Slade was the perfect gentleman, opening the door for Matt and pulling out his chair once they were shown their table. The view was perfect, just inside the open doors where they could see the water. He had worried things would change, that everything would be stilted or awkward, but he should have known better. Slade kept the conversation light with talk about places he wanted to take Matt in the future.
“Do you like my condo?” Slade asked halfway through their meal.
“Yeah. It’s cool.”
“You wouldn’t rather live in a house with a yard?”
Matthew didn’t miss the nervousness in Slade’s voice. It was surprising, because the Goyle had everything going for him. Looks. Money. A long future ahead of him where he could do anything he wanted. As far as Matt knew, the only thing Slade had to worry about was having Matt for a mate. “I’ll be living in a dorm my first year.” That wasn’t an option since it was one of the team’s rules for freshmen. As soon as he was a sophomore, he would be allowed to live off campus.
Slade stabbed a piece of fish, but didn’t eat it. “You know, you don’t have to go to school if you don’t want to. It’s not like you’ll need to work.”
If he was going to be mated to Slade – and he was – did he really want to go to college? Slade was loaded, but that didn’t mean Matt planned on mooching off him. He’d been working ever since he was old enough to pay his way. Granted, that was only a couple years, but he’d helped Abbi around the house as much as she’d let him. And if he didn’t go to college, what kind of job would he get? He could take over the gym, but he didn’t know anything about running a business. No, he needed to stay on course to get an education, just in case Slade changed his mind.
“Does that mean you really do want to be my sugar daddy?” Matthew teased.
Chapter Seven
Matt leaned ov
er and thumped Slade on the back several times when he choked on the bite of fish he’d just swallowed. After taking a drink of water to help wash it down, he glared at Matt. “Me and the word daddy don’t go in the same sentence.”
“You don’t want kids?” Matt loved being around Amelia and Connor. Both kids had been through so much at a young age, but now they were happy in their new lives. Being surrounded by parents and a Clan who loved them went a long way in healing past hurts. Amelia was so full of life, and the little girl never failed to bring a smile to Matt’s face. He never turned down watching his little sister when given the chance.
“I wasn’t referring to kids, but yeah. Sure. Someday?” Slade gave a lopsided grin at his non-answer. “Do you?”
“I…” Matt didn’t want to tell Slade the truth. He didn’t want to give him any reason to decide they weren’t right for each other.
“There’s no wrong answer. If you do, that’s something we can certainly talk about in the future. I’d like for us to have some time for just us before bringing others into the mix. We’re both young.” Matt raised his eyebrows. “Relatively speaking for me,” Slade clarified. “Compared to a human life, I’d be in my twenties.”
