by Faith Gibson
Matthew hadn’t thought of it that way. Since there was no wrong answer, he told Slade how he felt. “I would like kids someday. I love taking care of Amelia. I think about all the kids like her who are raised by shitty parents or those who are stuck in foster homes. I was blessed when Frey came into my life, and I’d like to pay that forward. But I agree with not doing it immediately.”
“I admire you.” Slade reached over and took Matt’s hand. “You have such a good heart to have been through all you have. But I’m not surprised. Abbi is a wonderful woman, and her influence is evidenced in your attitude. I always wanted a sibling growing up. I would have settled for a cousin or two. But both my parents are only offspring.”
“Honestly, Abbi is more like a mother than a sister. Losing our parents when I was young meant she had to look after me, especially when we lived with my aunt.” Matthew shuddered at the memories of Judy being stoned all the time. Even as young as seven, he knew something wasn’t right with her when she slurred her words and stumbled around the house. “Judy and Troy are the reasons I’ve never touched drugs or drank. Though I will admit…” Matthew closed his mouth. He was embarrassed how he had planned to get trashed when he thought Slade was hooking up.
“Admit…?” Slade took a bite, waiting for Matthew to finish his thought.
“It’s nothing.”
“If it was nothing, you wouldn’t be scared to tell me. You can be honest with me.”
Matthew set his fork down and pushed his plate back. He’d eaten most of his steak, and yeah. Most of the time he would clean his plate clean and still be hungry, but his stomach was churning. He drank the rest of his water, and the waitress was there within seconds, refilling his glass.
“Thank you,” he said to her as she walked away. “Last night, I heard you leave. I thought you’d gone out to hook up. It sort of pissed me off, so I decided to get wasted, but you’d drunk all the beer.”
The skin between Slade’s eyes wrinkled, and his mouth turned down. “Why would you think that?”
“Because when you mentioned why you chose the Keys, I jumped to conclusions. I didn’t know I was your mate, and you said you wanted to come here because we’re gay.”
“Oh, Matty. I’m so sorry.” Slade picked up Matt’s hand and kissed his knuckles. He’d seen Frey do the same to Abbi and had never thought of someone doing it to him, but now he understood the allure. It was sweet.
“No, it’s okay. Like I said, I jumped to conclusions.”
“Can I offer you gentlemen some dessert?” the waitress asked, interrupting.
“I want a slice of key lime pie. Matty?”
“I’ll have the same.” Matthew had never had the stuff, but it sounded good, and he’d seen signs everywhere for stores selling some sort of key lime concoction. When in Rome… After tasting the tart treat, Matthew decided he had a new favorite dessert. “This shit is good,” he mumbled around his last bite.
Slade laughed, his eyes filled with something Matthew couldn’t name, but it looked a lot like what he thought love would look like. He was head over heels for the Gargoyle, and he had been since the first time they’d hung out together. He never told anyone, not even Trevor, because he didn’t want anyone telling him it was only infatuation. Now, though, he had to wonder if it was the pull of the mate bond.
“Can Gargoyles fall in love?” he blurted out once Slade had paid the bill and they were on the ferry back to the main island.
“Of course. Do you think Frey and Abbi aren’t madly in love with one another? Or any of the other couples?”
“No, I mean… I just was thinking about how I feel about you and wondered if it was the bond and not love.”
“Matty…”
“Hmm?” Matt was lost in Slade’s gaze. The moon shining over the water reflected in Slade’s pupils. Slade pulled Matt closer and tipped his chin up before pressing their lips together. Matt’s chest tightened, and his stomach fluttered. He knew what lust felt like. He’d experienced it for months now. This was different. This was—
“I love you, Matty. If you feel half of what I do, then I’m one lucky Goyle.” Slade touched his temple to Matt’s, inhaling deeply. That was another thing he had noticed Frey doing to Abbi. He was beginning to understand a lot about what he’d observed the other Goyles doing with their mates. Slade was breathing in Matt’s scent. He knew this because he’d secretly done the same to Slade. He had even “borrowed” a shirt or two of Slade’s when he’d been to his condo just so he could take it home and sleep with it. Slade’s scent was soothing as well as intoxicating.
Slade took his hand and led him toward a row of small shops. Matthew walked around the island in a daze. How was this his life now? Slade let Matt take the lead in where they went. He tried not to show his excitement at anything in a window, because when he did, Slade insisted on going into the shop and purchasing whatever Matt had seen that caught his interest.
“Just because I like something doesn’t mean I need it.”
“It doesn’t mean you can’t have it, either. I told you I planned to spoil you, and I meant it. Think of it this way. My condo is now your condo, and I want you to help decorate it with things you like. All these trinkets will look good sitting around the living area.”
Matthew couldn’t wrap his head around that either. He had just graduated high school. Never in a million years would he have thought he would have a home of his own this soon in his life. Granted, it was bought and paid for by Slade, but still. And if he wanted a house instead? He knew all he had to do was tell his Goyle, and it would be his. So maybe he could allow the male to indulge him with these small items. Slade’s condo was fully furnished with everything one person – or two – could possibly need. But, when comparing it to the house he lived in with Frey and Abbi, there were certain things missing. Like photos of family and friends. Mementos of outings they’d taken. With that in mind, Matthew looked for small items that would blend in with Slade’s furnishings while reminding him of their first trip together.
Slade felt the change in Matthew’s attitude. It wasn’t a conscious thing most of the time. It came with being mates. He sensed what Matthew did whether it was joy, sadness, excitement, or nerves. This time, he saw it in the items Matt picked out after their conversation. The teen had gone from getting silly souvenirs to artful pieces. Slade smiled as he imagined where they would put the items once they returned home. Because when they got back to New Atlanta? He was moving Matt in with him. He wanted as much time together before Matt went off to college.
Yes, Slade was moving back to Athens when Matt went to school, but they wouldn’t be together twenty-four seven. Matt would have a curfew and have to stay in his dorm because of the teams’ rules. He had hoped Matt would change his mind about going to college. He didn’t need the education to get a good job, because Slade planned on keeping him so busy traveling afterward he wouldn’t have time to look for work. Maybe that was high-handed and selfish, but Slade couldn’t help it. If he’d known when he moved from Athens to New Atlanta that Matt was his mate, he’d have kept his old house. It wasn’t as close to campus as the apartment he was leasing, so it turned out the way it should.
“Oh, look!” Matthew grabbed Slade’s hand, dragging him into the store. What caught Matt’s eye was a stuffed animal he thought Amelia would love, so of course they bought it. Slade loved the fact that Matthew doted on his little sister. He really would make a good father when the time came. But that wasn’t something Slade was ready for, and he put it out of his mind. He had more things to deal with, like Matt having sex for the first time. Completing the bond. Keeping the beast at bay.
The later it became, the more Matt’s mood changed. Slade knew his mate was thinking about what would happen once they were back in the hotel. His beast had been thankfully silent. When they neared the hotel, Slade saw a gaming store tucked back on a side street, and he led Matthew to it. “Let’s see if they have the new Gods of Chaos.” Slade had a brand-new copy of the game
at home. He’d planned on giving it to Matt when the time was right, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a spare. Fifteen minutes later, they walked toward the hotel holding hands, their other hands full of shopping bags.
“Why don’t we change into something more comfortable and then check out our new game?” Slade offered. He wanted to give Matthew an out on having sex. Not that he didn’t want to get his mate into bed. He did. He just didn’t want to rush things before Matt was truly ready. Somewhere along the way, Slade had fallen in love with Matt. At first, it was the mate bond forcing him to acknowledge the male, but the longer he spent with Matt, the more his admiration grew. Slade knew from listening to the others speak about their mates, falling in love wasn’t really an option. Sure, the fates chose who their mate was, but never had they chosen wrong. At least not as far as Slade knew. Part of being in love was doing the right thing, no matter how much it sucked.
Matthew frowned but nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
Slade fixed them both sodas on ice and had the game ready to go by the time Matthew came back from his room wearing his usual basketball shorts and T-shirt. He slouched down on the sofa and picked up his controller. It didn’t take either of them long to get in the groove, and after several hours, they were still at it. They were evenly matched, so neither one had slayed the other. When Matt paused the game, Slade turned his head and looked at his mate.
“I think I’m going to turn in. I need my beauty rest.”
Slade was both happy and disappointed. He had thought about easing Matt into being intimate, but it seemed Matt wasn’t ready. “Okay. Sleep well.”
Matt continued to stare at Slade. His shoulders slumped, and he got off the sofa. “You too.” Matt walked slowly to his room and closed the door. Slade shut his eyes and sighed. He wanted Matt to take the lead and let Slade know when he was ready. Maybe Matt had wanted Slade to take charge. He swiped a hand down his face and rose to put the game away. He’d never been so unsure when it came to sex. His past experiences had been quick fucks. Both parties knew the score. Slade chose men who would be on the receiving end of things. There was no kissing. No softly spoken words. Just a means to an end, then they both went on their way with no phone numbers exchanged.
Instead of trying to sleep, Slade grabbed the ice bucket, filled it with beer, and went out onto the patio. Slade didn’t bother trying to figure out Matt’s attitude before he went to bed. His mate was probably sorting through all his feelings about sex and his decision on whether or not to complete the mate bond. Slade didn’t care if Matt looked eighteen the rest of his life. He could deal with the odd looks and snarky comments from humans. He had the approval of the only ones in his life who mattered – his Clan.
Reclining in the lounge chair, Slade sipped the cold beer while opening his senses to the male inside. Matthew wasn’t asleep. His breathing wasn’t shallow enough, and he was restless, flipping every so often on the bed as if he were trying to get comfortable. He wasn’t angry or sad, just… speculative? That was the best Slade could figure without watching Matt. They had spent a lot of time together over the last few months, and Slade was good at reading his mate’s moods. For the most part, Matt was a typical teenage boy who was still trying to get a grip on his hormones. Slade couldn’t compare his own experience with Matt’s, because transitioning for the first time had thrown him out of whack on top of the physical changes occurring in his body.
He finished off the first round of beers and went inside, refilling his bucket for the next round. As a Gargoyle, he could go for days without sleep, but he would welcome it just to get his mind off things. Nothing cleared his thoughts better than phasing and letting the beast go for a while. The moon called to him, but there was nothing he could do about it. The only time he got the chance to spread his wings and take to the sky was when he was patrolling the city. Maybe the others who lived on the outskirts with plenty of acreage had the right idea. Several of the Goyles lived close to one another, therefore taking up most of the land in their area. They could fly without the risk of humans seeing them. It had been a long time since he’d had that kind of freedom.
Slade didn’t think Matthew would mind living closer to his family, so he opened his phone and did a quick search on property for sale. In a couple months it wouldn’t matter, though. Matthew would be at the university, and Slade would be stuck in a small apartment. He wasn’t looking forward to it. At all. Slade selfishly wanted Matt to forego college, but he knew that wasn’t fair. Most of the other mates had jobs. Sophia helped Nikolas with the archives. Katherine didn’t work a job, but she had her photography to keep her busy. Kaya only stepped down from being chief of police when she became pregnant.
Slade had also left the police force. It had been an interesting job, but once he started watching over Matthew, he’d considered that his job. Now, he had to figure out what to do while Matt was at the campus. Between classes and basketball, Slade was going to have a lot of time on his hands. Maybe he would take some cooking classes. It was something he’d always been interested in, and if he had a place with a nice kitchen, he could keep himself occupied while waiting on his mate to come home. With a new plan in mind, Slade searched for houses for sale close to the university.
By the time Matt was stirring, Slade had showered and changed into beach attire, started a pot of coffee, and sent an email to a realtor in Athens. His mood was definitely better. He hoped Matt’s would be as well.
Chapter Eight
Matthew couldn’t sleep. How could he when the biggest decision of his life weighed on his mind? Screw choosing what college to go to or what major to study. Being the mate of a Gargoyle? Now that was something to keep you awake all night. Not whether or not he wanted to be Slade’s mate. That was a given. It was the part about never aging that had him tossing about. That, and spending time with Slade and not jumping his body was getting harder and harder. The male was too tempting.
He knew what Slade was doing when he suggested playing video games. He was giving Matt an out from having sex. Matt didn’t want the out. Not really. He wanted more kisses. But that would turn into touching, which would turn into blowjobs, which would turn into sex. Matt didn’t know if he was strong enough to stop once they got started. From the way Slade talked about his inner beast, he definitely wouldn’t be able to stop. He understood where Slade was coming from.
Matt often dreamed about having sex with Slade. Sometimes it went well, and others it was a disaster. Now that it could become reality? He wasn’t sure he was ready. Yes, he wanted his Gargoyle, but he didn’t want Slade to realize how inexperienced he was. He’d already admitted to being a virgin. Slade had been a virgin, too, at some point in his life, but that had been a long time ago. At over two hundred years old, Slade has probably had a dozen lovers. Ones who were more experienced. Maybe Matthew should watch more porn before he did the deed.
Matt heard the sliding glass door a couple times, so he figured Slade had retreated to the patio instead of going to bed. Matt had lain in bed staring at the ceiling instead of getting back up and spending time with Slade. Matt wanted the Goyle. There was no doubt about that with the way his dick stayed hard all the time, but Slade was right. There was more to being in a relationship than sex. And never looking older than he did right then? Matt couldn’t wrap his head around that. He’d spent most of the day thinking about it.
He wasn’t sure what to do. After debating about waking his friend, Matt picked up the phone and called Trevor. His friend was putting in lots of hours at both school and the morgue, but if anyone could give him advice about the mate bond, it would be his buddy. Yeah, Trevor was older, but ever since the guy had shot Troy, they had been as close as two friends could get.
“Matt?” Trevor answered groggily. “Is everything okay?”
Matthew eased open the door to make sure Slade was outside. He was, but with his shifter hearing, Matt couldn’t talk loudly. He shut himself in the bathroom and turned on the shower. “No. Dude, I’m freaking.”
/> “Why? Is it Slade? Did he do something to you?” Trevor was fully awake now.
“No, nothing bad. I… We’re on vacation. He brought me to the beach. He told me I’m his mate.”
“What? That’s great! Matt, that’s… Oh. It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. You know me, Trev. I’m not the most experienced when it comes to…”
“Sex. Yeah, I wasn’t either. Are you scared?”
“No. Not of completing the bond. Well, maybe. I know, it’s what I want. Hell, I’ve been in love with Slade for months, it’s just… If we do this, I’m never going to look any older.”
“And that’s a bad thing why? You’re adorkable. You’ll never have to worry about getting gray hair or those pesky wrinkles.”
Matthew laughed at his friend, because he wasn’t wrong. “I know, it’s just… I don’t know what it is.”
“Is he pressuring you?” Trevor asked, his humor all gone. Matthew was lucky to have such a good friend. Especially one who knew exactly what he was going through.
“Not at all. If fact, he wasn’t going to tell me until I graduated from college. He wants me to live a little before we’ve bonded.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“I don’t like it. At all. What if he figures out he doesn’t want me for a mate?”
“Oh, Matt. That’s not going to happen. Trust me, I know. And you know I know, because you were there when I had my head up my ass. Why would Jasper want an ass-backwards clone when he could have anyone he wanted?”
“Because you’re the shit. That’s why.”
“Yeah, and so are you. Does he want to wait because you look young?”
“He said that doesn’t bother him, but—”
“No. No butts, except for the ones you both get to enjoy going forward.”
Matthew snorted a laugh and covered his mouth, praying Slade hadn’t heard him. “You’re not funny.”
