Piston: MM Paranormal Romance (Moon Burrow Bears Book 9), page 6
His response was nothing short of theatrical. He clutched his chest dramatically, a comically pained expression crossing his face.
"You're rejecting me?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with mock disbelief. "My heart can't take it."
Laughter bubbled from within me, a genuine and carefree sound that echoed in the room. Grabbing a nearby pillow, I playfully tossed it at him.
"Oh, please," I retorted, feigning exasperation. "You'll survive, drama king."
Piston caught the pillow with ease, his laughter mingling with mine.
In that moment, as our playful banter filled the air, I caught a glimpse of a side of him I hadn't seen before—a side that was endearing and magnetic.
Seeing his playful nature come to the forefront, I realized I wanted to learn more about him, to unravel the layers that made up the handsome bear shifter sitting before me.
The idea of a date suddenly seemed less intimidating and more inviting. Maybe this was the opportunity I needed to bridge the gap between the mysteries that had brought us together.
With a playful grin, I met his gaze.
"Fine, I'll have dinner with you," I conceded.
The decision felt like a step into uncharted territory, a chance to explore the possibilities that lay ahead.
Piston's grin widened, a spark of excitement dancing in his eyes.
"It's a date, then," he declared.
9
PISTON/ LINUS
PISTON
"You're really going all out for your vampire, huh?" Whizz remarked, his gaze sweeping over the transformed interior of the once-miserable cabin.
The very same cabin where Linus had sought refuge during the relentless pursuit of two deadly assassins.
I had dedicated the past three days to a complete metamorphosis, turning the bleak space into something truly magical.
I had approached Venom with a humble request to use this abandoned cabin for a special purpose.
His response was characteristic of him – a single raised eyebrow and a gruff inquiry about my intentions.
After explaining my plans for a romantic date with Linus, Venom's lips had curved into an unexpected, knowing smile.
"Linus is worth it," I had answered.
In the present, I surveyed the intricate arrangements before me.
"Do you think the candles are overkill?" Whizz crossed his arms, his analytical gaze finally giving my efforts the consideration they deserved. "No, but the room could use more color. Maybe add a vase of flowers on the table?"
"Good idea," I agreed with a nod, appreciating Whizz's input.
Whizz was still a little skeptical about my relationship with Linus, but I knew that beneath his tough exterior, there was a loyal friend who would eventually come around.
"I appreciate you looking after the girls tonight,” I added.
"It's not like I had any plans for this Friday night," Whizz replied, his tone slightly gruff.
I couldn't quite decipher if he was being sarcastic or not, but I chose to let it slide.
"Lily and Rose are looking forward to spending more time with their Uncle Whizz," I pointed out.
"Yeah?" Whizz's gaze softened briefly before he turned his attention back to me, his expression a mix of seriousness and concern. "Piston, let's be real for a second here. Do you really see Linus being a part of your family in the future?"
The answer came without hesitation, a truth that resonated deep within me. "Absolutely."
Whizz continued, his words cautious but genuine. "Despite the dangers he comes with? What if his family sends assassins after him again?"
"He has me," I replied with a touch of impatience, my protective instincts flaring. "Don't you think I can protect both Linus and the girls?"
"I'm not saying you can't, but it's a lot of responsibility to take on," Whizz pointed out.
I took a deep breath, reigning in my grizzly instincts, and met his gaze squarely. Whizz wasn't trying to undermine my decisions; he was just being his pragmatic self.
"You're forgetting one crucial factor. I also have my best friend at my side," I pointed out.
Whizz's response was a roll of his eyes, but I could sense the small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
He might not be comfortable with the "best friend" label, but he had proven his unwavering loyalty time and again.
"What’s the menu for tonight?" Whizz asked, changing the topic on purpose.
After I told him, Whizz raised his eyebrows. “Do vampires even eat human food?”
“I asked Thad, Zack’s mate about that. They can consume human food for pleasure, but it no longer provides them any real sustenance,” I answered.
“Looks like you did your research,” Whizz said. “Linus won’t be able to resist you.”
"Not everything's set in stone," I acknowledged. I continued, “Linus still believes his stay in Moon Burrow is only temporary. He doesn't want to drag me and the girls into his mess."
"It's too late for that," Whizz interjected.
I nodded in agreement. "I'm crazy about him, Whizz. I've never felt this way about anyone before. It scares the hell out of me. It's almost the same fear I felt when Elise left the girls in my care."
Whizz's hand awkwardly patted my shoulder, a gesture that spoke volumes despite his discomfort.
"You got this, Piston. Win your vampire's heart and convince Linus that his place is here, with you and the girls,” Whizz said.
"I'll do my best," I assured him.
Whizz's reservations were valid, and I couldn't ignore the challenges ahead. My confidence in matters of romance wasn't exactly legendary.
Whizz's lips curved into a faint, supportive smile.
"You've got your heart in the right place. And who knows, maybe you'll surprise yourself."
With Whizz's words echoing in my ears, I stood in the transformed cabin, my heart heavy with hope.
Linus was worth every effort, every risk. As the final touches fell into place and the room exuded an air of enchantment, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought us to this point.
Whether or not Linus became a permanent part of my life and my family, I was committed to giving this romance everything I had – just as I had with being a parent for Lily and Rose.
I glanced at Whizz. "Thanks for listening,” I told Whizz.
Despite his complaints, he’d stuck around and helped me with the rest of the arrangements. Whizz rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Just remember, I'm only one growl away if you need backup,” he said.
I chuckled and Whizz ended up laughing with me. I felt grateful for Whizz – for his watchful protectiveness, his honest advice, and his unwavering friendship.
With a quick pat on his back, I turned my attention back to the cabin. I needed one final touch.
“Do you have a pen and paper?” I asked Whizz.
“What for?” Whizz asked. He frowned when I told him.
“You better run to the stationary store and get some fancy letter and envelope. It’s much more romantic than writing your invitation on a post-it note,” Whizz informed me.
“Huh, you’re actually good at this,” I pointed out. “When your mate finally comes along, he’ll stand no chance.”
Whizz shook his head and vehemently said under his breath, “Not going to happen.”
LINUS
I relaxed against the sofa, my attention split between the book I was currently reading and the two girls.
Lily and Rose were dutifully doing their homework, but every once in a while I caught mischief in their eyes.
Piston told me to never let them stray from my sight, so I was taking his advice. Piston once asked me if I was getting bored, being in Moon Burrow.
My answer had be an automatic no. Erick mentioned in our last conversation that there was a chance my siblings would send another assassin after me.
Erick hadn’t contacted me since. I was getting a little worried but Piston and I concluded that he might just be busy, or he probably didn’t think it was safe to contact me again.
Either way, since I wasn’t in immediate danger, I was no longer confined to Piston’s apartment.
Piston had gotten permission from Venom, his lead alpha, to grant me guest rights. I could walk around Moon Burrow freely.
During nights I wasn’t with Piston and the girls, I explored the handsome little town. Shadowbrook never felt like home to me.
I spent the two centuries of my life embroiled in court politics and intrigue. Spending my days like this, with peaceful and beautiful moments with Piston and the girls—that sounded like heaven to me.
At the sound of a knock, I looked up. Setting the book aside, I approached the door tentatively.
Seeing Whizz through the peephole, I relaxed and let him in.
“Whizz,” I said. “Thanks for watching the girls tonight.”
“Not a problem. This is for you.” Whizz handed me a beautiful cream envelope.
I accepted it and took out the letter, my brows furrowing slightly as I tried to make out Piston’s distinctive and messy handwriting.
“He’s expecting you at the old cabin. Piston said you’d know the way there,” Whizz said.
My gaze lingered on the fancy invitation for a moment. When Piston asked me out on a date, I thought we would have dinner in town, maybe catch a movie after.
It looked like my grizzly had made other special plans. Excitement hummed in my veins as I tried to visualize what they were.
“Linus.” Whizz’s gruff voice jerked me back to reality. “You know I have my reservations about you, but I can tell Piston’s serious about you.”
"I appreciate your honesty, Whizz,” I told him.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Whizz and I had never discussed it, but we’d come to a silent understanding when it came to Piston and the girls.
Both of us would do anything to protect them.
“I’ll head there right away,” I told Whizz.
I glanced at my clothes for a moment, wondering if I should change into something fancier.
Remus had closed all my bank accounts but Erick had been quick thinking. He had opened another account for me and managed to transfer almost all of my life’s savings, so I wasn’t hurting for cash.
One of the very first things I did once Venom granted me guest rights was to purchase some clothes and basic necessities.
“You look fine,” Whizz muttered.
Lily and Rose had probably overheard our conversation. They made their way towards us.
“Everything alright?” Lily asked, looking from me to her Uncle Whizz.
“Absolutely,” Whizz said.
Rose held out her hands to him. Whizz automatically picked her up. “How are my two favorite girls this evening?”
The girls giggled and I knew Lily and Rose would be entertained all evening by their Uncle Whizz.
“See you later, girls,” I told them.
I wasn’t expecting a response. The girls had short attention spans and they loved spending time with Whizz.
“Bye, bye,” Rose said to me.
“Have a good time,” Lily said.
Feeling good about tonight, I exited the apartment and made my way to the woods.
I half expected to be stopped and questioned by one of Piston’s MC brothers but no one disturbed me during my walk.
I craned my head to peer at the stars. Tonight was a beautiful evening. The moon was full and bright, and the forest was alive with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.
I knew was close, because I spotted twinkling fairy lights on the trees surrounding the old cabin. Piston did all this for tonight?
I knocked on the door and realized that was foolish. Turning the knob, I widened my eyes as I took in the newly transformed cabin.
The air no longer smelled of mould and mildew. The walls were freshly painted. Piston had also thrown out all the broken furniture.
I felt a hand on my arm and I turned, only to find Piston standing next to me.
"Piston, this is... amazing. No one has done anything like this for me before,” I whispered in awe.
Piston grinned at me, then gave my arm a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm glad you like it, Linus. I wanted tonight to be something truly special."
“This must have taken a lot of work,” I told Piston.
“Well, I had an assistant,” Piston said.
“The girls?” I asked curiously but Piston shook his head.
“Whizz,” Piston said, then laughed because I must’ve worn a shocked expression on my face.
Piston led me by the arm to a candlelit table. I widened my eyes. The table was adorned with delicate china and crystal glasses, the soft glow of candles casting a warm, inviting ambiance.
Piston held out a chair for me and I sat down, eying the wonderful dishes on the table.
“You probably don’t eat human food normally—” Piston began but I cut him off.
“Everything looks delicious,” I told him.
We started on light conversation topics. I told him how behaved the girls were after they arrived home from school.
Piston told me about his work at the MC. We traded stories about our lives. I managed to make him laugh when I told him about my encounter with a certain famous playwright in the past.
Piston, in turn, told me about the time he saved a lost wolf pup during a winter storm.
The night air seemed to hum with an electric charge, a palpable connection that drew us both closer.
When the main course was finished, Piston reached for his phone. He swiped at the screen and a moment later, soft music played from speakers he installed somewhere.
Then my bear shifter rose to his feet and extended his hand to me.
"May I have this dance?" Piston asked.
“I didn’t know bear shifters danced,” I said, curving my lips upward to a smile.
“This one could,” Piston answered with a grin. “Back when Elise and I were in high school, I used to be her dance partner. She’d practice on me before going on dates with her boyfriends.”
I detected a note of sadness in his voice. Piston genuinely cared about his sister and his nieces.
Then I remembered my brother had a hand in Elise’s murder. Don’t think about that now, I told myself.
Tonight was all about us and the present. The ghosts of the past needed to take a break. I placed my hand in Piston’s warm one.
We swayed slowly together, our bodies moving in rhythm. Piston’s grip was strong and wonderful and his muscled body was incredibly warm.
I could melt against him and disappear.
"You know," I said, "I've danced in many centuries, but none have been as enchanting as this."
“Flatterer,” Piston said, but I didn’t miss the fondness in his voice.
We danced until the music faded. I was reluctant to part from Piston but he held my hand and led me out of the cabin.
We moved toward the edge of a tranquil pond. All the stars were out tonight, and their soft glow cast a dreamlike shimmer on the water’s surface.
“Tonight was almost perfect,” I told him.
“Almost? How can I remedy that?” Piston asked with a raise of an eyebrow.
“With a kiss?” I asked.
Piston rested his hand on my cheek, his thumb brushing against my pale skin. His tenderness nearly broke me in two.
How could this wonderful man be attracted to something so cold and ageless like me?
"Piston, this has been a night beyond my wildest dreams,” I murmured.
"Linus, I'm so glad I could give you a night to remember. You deserve nothing less." Piston leaned forward, his lips brushing against mine.
The kiss started out slow and tender. Piston gripped the back of my head. I playfully nipped at his lower lip with my fang, drawing blood.
Was that too much? But Piston only speared his fingers through my hair and deepened the kiss. I could lose myself in this man, in this bear shifter, I thought.
I had been in a silent war with myself, debating whether I should stay or go. Staying meant enduring the wonderful and protective bear shifter I’d fallen hard and fast for, as well as his lovely nieces.
Going, however, meant ripping my heart in two.
“Let’s head back inside,” Piston said, after pulling away from the kiss.
The hunger in his eyes made me shiver in anticipation and made me aware of how incredibly tight my pants felt right now.
“Let’s,” I agreed.
10
LINUS/ PISTON
LINUS
It turned out Piston didn’t just give the living and dining area a makeover. He paid special attention to the bedroom as well.
My footsteps crunched on wooden floors strewn with rose petals. I didn’t make it to the bed. Piston tapped me on the shoulder.
I spun, only for Piston to locked his lips with mine. He kissed me long and hard. The next thing I knew, we were fumbling for each others’ clothes.
My mouth went dry as Piston peeled off his shirt, revealing hard planes of muscles and ink.
Grinning at me, he dropped his pants and my gaze lingered on his gorgeous cock, which was already long and hard for me.
I undressed in a hurry. Once I was fully nude, Piston gave me a gentle push on the chest. I ended up on the soft, silken white sheets. Smiling at him, I crooked a finger at him.
Piston climbed on top of me, pinning my hands above my head. A thrill crept down my spine.
I leaned up a little, catching his mouth with mine. Piston thrust his tongue down my throat and I sucked down hard on it.
He left kisses down my neck, my chest. Releasing my hands, he made a trail down my ribs, my abs.
Reaching my cock, Piston smirked at me. Without warning, he licked me from root to tip.
I groaned as Piston even gathered my balls inside his mouth, sucking on them softly. I nearly came there and then, but managed to control myself at the last moment.
“How do you want me?” I whispered.
“On your hands and knees,” Piston ordered.
