STORY EXCERPT

As Laurie turned to walk toward the stairs to return to the workroom, a tall, solid man rounded a corner and came straight at him, brandishing a long knife and crazed expression. Laurie didn’t have quick reflexes, except on the lacrosse field. He’d been taught self-defence basics by Drax and another Enforcer, Baron Sanchez, but was always slow to react. Drax said Laurie analyzed and that was fine, but sometimes you had to react fast. This situation was a good example of that. He’d never had to think about it much because Marco and Luka always kept Laurie out of harm’s way, as did security at the coven.

Now he gulped, wondering where security was as the man raced toward him. Desta moved smoothly in front of Laurie and waved his arms around.

“Hey, hey, let’s take a moment.” Desta released his gift, which took away the deep feelings in emotions, the sting of feelings and anything that could cause undue stress and hurt.

It appeared to work as the knife lowered and the big man stopped and blinked. Laurie breathed out loudly in a rush, very relieved. Unfortunately, this set the man off again and with an enraged yell, the knife went up and he rushed toward them. Laurie yelped and stumbled back.

“Stay back, Laurie, I’ve got this,” Desta ordered.

Afraid for Desta, Laurie tried to think of a spell to stop any fight and subsequent injuries. The logical one was to turn the man into a book and he began to say the spell, raising a hand and pointing, but he jumbled the words in his fright and had to quickly begin again. By then the man was upon them.

Somehow, a person was able to move between the crazed man, Desta and Laurie and with one swift punch in the nose, the knife wielder crumpled to the ground unconscious. Laurie gaped, staring at the man on the ground, his brain slow to grasp what was happening. He fixed on the person who had effectively saved them from attack.

Desta was a wild dog shifter, six foot and fit, and though he would rather talk someone down than fight, he was still a skilled fighter and stepped up when needed. The person who punched the crazed man was Laurie’s height of five foot nine and slender too, but looked fitter than Laurie. He could probably run to the end of the coven driveway without getting a stitch and having to stop three times to catch his breath.

This man’s vibe wasn’t cool and relaxed like Desta’s, or awkward like Laurie. No, the man’s expression was serious and scowling, body tense. He made a displeased huffing noise and turned to them.

“Thanks, man, I’m Des and this is Laurie. Is he a friend of yours?”

“No.” The man snorted. “I’m Pat. I was dropping off fresh produce from the Morgan guild and saw this guy smash up a healing room and run this way.”

Laurie stood very still, hardly breathing. The moment Pat had spoken, his entire body came to life and he knew to his core that this man was his mate. The urge to race away to his room was so strong he took a few steps back. Pat narrowed his gaze on Laurie and it felt like he was seen, really seen. He paused, gripping the basket of ingredients so tight he snapped the handle. He froze in place, gaze fixed on his mate, mind racing, unsure whether he was going to go to Pat, or stand right here staring.

Security and people were mingling around, security checking the downed man. A few people checked on Laurie and Desta. One person stopped beside Laurie, so close it was uncomfortable, and he turned from gazing at his mate to look at the person, but the way they stood, he couldn’t see them properly, just a shoulder and hair.

“You’re either with the Master, or against him. This is your only warning,” the person whispered, so low no one else would hear. Then they were gone.

Cold spread through his body. He turned slowly but he didn’t see who had spoken. He’d pushed the dread and worry down so deep he hoped never to experience it again. Had the coven been infiltrated? Was the threat real? Was the Master back?

Security was hurrying toward them, Drax in the lead. “Thanks, Des. You and Laurie, are you both okay?”

“Sure, we’re fine, but it was Pat here who laid out the patient. I think he was high on something,” Desta said.

Drax looked Pat over. “Appreciate it. Morgan guild delivery service, right?”

“Yep. I’ve got more deliveries to get to.” Pat glanced at Laurie. “You know where to find me.”

The fae walked away, leaving Laurie’s heart racing and face flushing brightly. There were so many mixed emotions he didn’t know what to focus on. He’d been threatened, the coven may be under threat, and the fae delivery man just saved him and Desta, and Pat was his mate. What did Laurie think on first? What did he need to do?

ADULT EXCERPT

“I love your body.” Laurie wanted to climb all over Pat. “And your hair. And your eyes, they’re so deep, and you’re handsome.”

Pat really was. Not in the conventional way. He wasn’t tall with broad shoulders and classic features. Every inch of his five foot nine was tanned and sculpted muscle. His eyes really drew Laurie in, he felt like he was being seen which was an awesome feeling with his mate, and Pat’s hair was a mix of waves, curls and a bit of frizz, a few curls falling over his brow, which was carelessly hot.

Pat climbed back onto the bed. “Definitely not handsome. You are, and I love your body. You’re going to share yourself with me now, aren’t you, mate?”

Laurie nodded as he climbed onto Pat’s lap, draping his legs on either side of his mate’s hips and kissed him, one that went on and on, mouths fused as hands stroked and caressed and cocks rubbed together. Pat had found the lube at some stage and squeezed some into the palm of his left hand which he then wrapped around Laurie’s cock, spreading the lube as he moved from tip to root.

Each stroke sent pleasure throughout his body, causing him to shiver and balls to tingle. He wanted to come so bad.

An urgency buzzed between them, Laurie’s caresses becoming needy, Pat’s strokes quickening. Before Laurie could come though, Pat broke the kiss, removed his hand and with speed, lifted Laurie from his lap and laid on his back. The next moment, Pat was on top of Laurie and the top sheet was flung off the bed.

Laurie moaned softly, having his mate on him, surrounding him. It was one of the best feelings to him, he loved physical touch and intimacy with those he cared about and loved, and with a mate this had a tremendous impact on his feelings. Pat kissed Laurie’s neck then down to the centre of his chest while one hand urged him to spread his legs and give access. He happily complied, caressing his mate’s back and gasping when lips latched onto one nipple.

 Pat lightly rubbed over Laurie’s entrance, spreading lubricant. He would have tried to relax, but there was no way he could, instead his hands caressed and pressed, urging Pat to keep going, to go faster even. His balls ached and cock throbbed and soon he’d be coming just from Pat playing with Laurie’s ass.

Pat though had his own pace, which was good because he took time, sliding a finger just inside and wiggling, then repeating. Laurie moaned, fingers digging in lightly. Pat had moved to Laurie’s other nipple as he finally slid a finger fully into Laurie’s ass but just as soon as he did, he was withdrawing. Laurie murmured a protest but thankfully Pat slid a long finger back in. Laurie moved to meet each stroke, groaning when a second finger nudged into him beside the first. It was a snug fit and Pat took his time stretching, brushing the little knot of nerves deep inside that had Laurie’s cock jerking and leaking and balls rolling. He mumbled and groaned, trying to warn his mate he couldn’t hold on much longer as a third finger pressed inside and Pat sucked on Laurie’s neck, making his toes curl.

That demolished his will power and an orgasm tore through him before he could comprehend that he was coming, but he sure felt it, his body tense and stiff as waves of pleasure rolled through him. Pat nuzzled Laurie’s throat; all the while his fingers were deep in Laurie’s ass.

Laurie was still panting and a few last shudders rolled through him when the fingers were withdrawn and Pat moved to kneel between Laurie’s legs and, lifting his ass, positioned his cock. Laurie’s cock roused quickly, plumping up as excitement churned in his stomach. He breathed out as Pat pressed into him, biting his lip and trying not to squirm from the pinch and sting of being stretched. Pat stopped and withdrew, then pressed back in, this time releasing his breath in a rush and revelling in the feel of his mate filling him.

Lifting his chin, he kissed Pat while sliding one leg over the fae’s thigh. He gazed into his mate’s warm brown eyes as they kissed and squeezed his leg, urging him to go deeper and fill him completely. It was a moment he’d never forget, never wanted to.

Their tempo was slow at first, finding their rhythm, moving in sync. After a dozen strokes and deep kisses, it changed. Pat broke their kiss and grunted as he thrust in, pushing harder and deep, his cock sliding over the knot of nerves that caused the pleasure Laurie was already feeling to pulse higher and his balls to jerk. He arched beneath Pat, lifting his ass to meet each thrust and clutching his mate’s back.