Only Skin Deep: Paranormal MMM Romance, page 15
Colby had gotten to a point that his pottery business was more than capable of keeping them afloat. Glancing at his hand, he realized that security was still in jeopardy. He drained the last of his glass before rising. “Should I open another bottle?”
“Sure,” Luca said. "If you want to."
Colby did. He needed the liquid encouragement. After disappearing into the small pantry, he chose another bottle and returned to the dining room.
Luca and Ash rested their bottoms on the table’s edge on either side of where he’d been sitting.
“What’s going on?”
Luca pulled the bottle from his hands and set it behind them on the surface of the table. He turned back, heat and need in his eyes. “I don’t know, Colby. What’s going on?”
A tremor raced down Colby’s spine. “I don’t know.”
Luca reached out and grasped Colby’s waistband. He tugged Colby closer, chest to chest.
“I’m messy. I haven’t changed out of my work stuff.” While he’d washed the slip and clay off his hands and arms, and dusted off his shirt, there were still remnants of his workday left behind. He should’ve changed before eating, but there hadn’t seemed time. Luca, on the other hand, was fresh as a daisy after they’d worked in the studio.
“Then let’s get that out of the way,” Luca murmured, freeing Colby of the shirt.
It came off way too easily. Bare chested, he recoiled, pulling away from Luca.
“What’s wrong?” Luca asked.
Colby glanced down to the ugly side of his body, snatching the shirt to cover his scars. “I’m horrific.”
Luca tugged him closer again. “No, you’re not.”
Ash moved behind him, dropping kisses onto his scarred shoulder.
“You’re still the same man you were before the curse, are you not?” Ash asked.
But you didn’t know me before the curse. “Yes, I’m the same person. Mostly.”
“What’s changed?” Luca asked, his lips too close to Colby’s for good sense to prevail.
“I—I—” Colby breathed deep, attempting to calm his raw nerves. “I can’t say I’m completely unchanged after learning about witches, and demons, and familiars. An entire world I never realized existed is suddenly real. I mean, next you’ll tell me the boogeyman is real.”
Ash snickered behind him, and he wondered for a second if it was.
Luca reached out and tucked a few strands of his hair behind one ear, the barest touch from a finger causing Colby to lose his mind. “Now you know… and are better for it.”
“I could’ve lived the rest of my life not knowing about demons.”
Ash chuckled, his warm breath brushing along the back of Colby’s neck. “So could we all.”
Luca attempted to peel the shirt from his fingers, but Colby only clung harder. “I look like a monster. How either of you want me like this, I don’t even understand.” It was hard enough looking at his own reflection in the mirror.
“It’s only skin deep,” Luca murmured, trailing a light fingertip over the scars. “I’m attracted to more than just the outer shell. I want what’s inside. How about you, Ash?”
“Mmmhmmm,” Ash murmured, laying more kisses over one scarred shoulder.
"Although, there's fun to be had in the flesh." Luca leaned closer, his lips a fraction of an inch from Colby’s. Colby closed his eyes, needing that kiss as much as his lungs needed air. The second those lips touched his, he melted into Luca, starving to be wanted.
Ash wrapped both arms around Colby from the back, laying kisses along his neck and shoulder. Colby turned his head, breaking one kiss to surrender to another. Ash tasted his lips a few times before feasting on him, the hunger growing. Their hands… their hands were everywhere, touching, holding, loving him. He wanted to surrender and experience their charms.
Charm.
It’s magic.
It’s not real.
The scars were. He was damaged goods, in more ways than one. He broke away, gasping for air. “I think you should leave.”
“Colby?” Ash asked, frowning.
“I—I can’t. I can’t do this. I don’t recognize what’s real and what’s illusion. Until I can figure that out, I need space away from you both.”
The pair frowned, and he awaited their denial—but it didn’t come.
A portal opened at Luca’s side.
“You can have your time,” Luca said. “Just don’t ignore how you feel.”
Ash gazed at him before departing.
Luca held his gaze a moment before turning and following Ash. Instinct screamed for him to follow them through, but his feet were rooted to the floor.
Poof. The portal evaporated. Colby stared at the void where it had been, clenching his teeth against the ache in his chest.
“Do you like Ash and Luca?”
Colby lifted his gaze to find Daniel watching from the doorway.
“Like them? They’re simply here to help. I don’t like or dislike them.”
“Then why’d you kiss them?”
Colby opened his mouth to deny those words but closed it. Exhaustion washed over him, and he didn’t have the energy for that. “It’s complicated.”
“I’m not dumb.”
“No, you’re not, Daniel. But I don’t know how to explain it. Even to myself. How am I supposed to explain it to you when I don’t understand?”
“You wouldn’t kiss them if you didn’t like them, Coby.”
“Maybe.”
“I like Ash and Luca.”
“I’m glad,” Colby murmured.
“They saved you, Coby. They kept us a family.”
“They did,” Colby replied, a knot forming in his throat.
“They are good men,” Daniel said, insistent. “They have white light, not scary light.”
He held Colby’s stare a moment, frowning, before climbing the stairs toward his room.
Colby watched his brother’s ascent, wondering if he might borrow some of his brother’s eternal optimism and faith. Maybe then he could allow the men into his life without so much fear and doubt.
Chapter
Eleven
Colby rolled over and hit warm flesh. Lifting his head, he realized he was lying half-over Luca, one leg entwined. Behind him, Ash turned in his sleep.
How the fuck did I get here? The last thing he recalled was telling the pair to go home.
“Hey, babe,” Luca whispered. “You okay?”
Babe? “How did I get here?”
“You came over, remember? Said you needed us…” Luca paused and even in the low light, Colby could see the witch’s smile, all glinting white teeth. “And boy, did you need.”
Luca trailed a hand over Colby’s bare bottom and squeezed.
“I don’t remember any of that,” Colby murmured, frowning. He rose off Luca—planning to get out of bed—but a caress over his cock gave him pause.
He’d imagined how it would feel to be touched by Luca and Ash since the moment he first laid eyes on them. His curiosity wouldn’t allow him to move away, not before experiencing more. A moan rose in his throat, his body responding to the gentle stroke.
Luca persisted, each swipe growing stronger. Before long, he was getting a full-on handy—and then Luca lowered his head, mouth open.
Stop him. Stop him now.
Colby gasped at the first brush of Luca’s hot tongue over the head of his cock. Head falling back, he panted, lungs on fire. Luca took Colby to the back of his throat. Unable to stop himself, Colby keened with pleasure.
Ash moved to his side, sliding in close. “Round two started without me?”
Colby opened his mouth but was at a loss for words. Ash took advantage of that loss and captured his lips. He tasted Colby, seemingly starved—and swallowed every cry and moan. The onslaught was too much. Two men assaulted his senses.
Ash released his mouth and rolled under Colby. Colby faced forward with Ash behind him. Ash’s thick cock prodded between his ass cheeks, throbbing with life, while Luca continued suckling his shaft.
Before he could refuse, Ash lifted Colby and swiftly entered him. Colby sobbed as he slid onto Ash’s cock, impaling himself on the thick root.
All while Luca’s fiery mouth refused to let up.
They urged him closer and closer to the edge. Far past the point of no return, he surrendered to the sensual ambush, giving in to the pleasures they wrought from his flesh. Howls and moans poured from his lips as he neared orgasm…
And when it hit, his body grew stiff, the heavens opened above, and he witnessed stars encircle his body. Pleasure like none he’d ever experienced coursed through his body. He roared as he came, spurting deep down Luca’s throat.
Ash followed with a roar of his own, coming inside Colby’s ass… seconds before Luca rose to his knees, one hand on his cock, and stroked himself to release, shooting onto Colby’s chest and abs.
Colby melted against Ash at his back, a ringing sound pulsing in his ears.
It grew louder.
And louder.
His eyes opened, and he saw the light of day. The alarm clock beside him beeped frantically, demanding he wake. Slapping it off, he groaned, his body sore all over, as if he’d spent all night fucking.
It’s just the curse. I’m sore every morning now.
He sat up, sensing moisture on his thighs. Lifting the comforter, he scoffed when he noted damp sheets and briefs. A wet dream. What am I? Twelve again?
After rising and pulling his sheets from the bed and discarding his briefs, he entered the Jack and Jill bathroom he and Daniel shared. A quick shower rinsed off the rest of his cum and the reminder of the dream.
Well, maybe not the reminder so much.
When he was done, he wrapped a towel around his waist and noted his reflection. His disgusting reflection. The curse swirled over his skin, smoothing and tightening, again and again. He watched it move, hating the hold it had on him.
If only I hadn’t gone for that tattoo.
Yet there was a tiny part of him that wondered if he’d have met Luca and Ash otherwise.
Of course, you would’ve. They’re your mates.
He paused, lifting his gaze to the mirror. “They’re not my mates,” he told himself.
“Coby?” Daniel said from the other side of the bathroom door leading to his bedroom. “You okay, Coby?”
“I’m okay,” Colby called.
“Good. Can I pee?”
Colby chuckled. “Come on.”
“Are you naked?” Daniel asked, the door already open a couple of inches.
“Nope, all covered in a towel.”
The door swung open, and Daniel smiled brightly. Colby’s chest ached. That smile kept him going when times were hard.
That smile was his everything.
“Good morning, Coby.”
“Morning, Daniel.”
Colby got busy brushing his teeth while Daniel took care of business. When he was done, Daniel waddled toward the sink and washed his hands. He stared at Colby in the mirror, frowning. As he dried his hands, he turned to look at Colby closer. Inching near, he stared at the swirling flesh.
“Does it hurt?”
“No, it just feels… weird.” Colby moved his arm. The pain had passed, for the most part. Thankfully. “And stiff. It’s hard to move, especially in the morning.”
“Luca and Ash will fix you,” Daniel said, nodding. “They know what to do.”
Being reminded of the pair after his dream brought heat to his face. “Hopefully.”
Daniel brushed his teeth and his hair before turning to Colby. “The bus will be here soon.”
“Oh, I don’t think you should go to work today.” Colby’s mind spun, and he saw Daniel’s disappointment. Dangers lurked around every corner. Although their schedule was way out of whack and Daniel thrived on that plan—they needed to get back to life as usual. How they’d made it through the past days unscathed was a miracle. He’ll be with his mentors and friends, surrounded by people. It’s probably safer than him being home.
Not as safe as we’d be at Enchanted Ink. Why didn’t we stay there? Right, because I’m a dumbass.
“Sorry… but I think you need to take today off.”
Daniel frowned. “I want to see my friends.”
“I know… and you will. The bad men are still out there, and I worry about you going. Soon, you can go back.”
“We’d be safer with Ash and Luca, Coby.”
Desire swept through his veins at the mere thought of the men. Memories of the dream swam through his mind, and his cock thickened some.
I should go see them. See if there’s any news about breaking the curse.
He smiled to himself. “Why don’t we go visit Luca and Ash?”
Daniel beamed. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Colby said, knowing that would get his brother’s mind off his friends at the bakery. “Do you need help to get ready?”
Daniel marched toward his bedroom. “I can do it.”
Colby smiled to himself in the mirror… but the smile faded as the curse came into view. Daniel’s words returned to him.
Luca and Ash will fix you. They know what to do.
The familiar, droning buzz of tattoo artists at work hit Luca’s ears as he entered the front door to Enchanted Ink that morning. Atlas had his head deep inside an old tome when Luca approached the reception desk. There was an air about the man, one that said to bother him at personal risk. Or maybe it was the bubbly, buxom, tatted blonde in a black leather bikini top and pants who sat at his side, grinning madly. Luca frowned, unsure why she was behind the desk. His curiosity outweighed his sense of self-preservation. “Hey, Atlas… what’s going on?”
“Meet Betty. Our new receptionist,” Atlas said, waving a hand in her direction without looking up from his book.
“Hi,” Betty said, jumping to her feet and offering a hand. She reminded him of a golden retriever, starved for love and affection, wagging her tail. “You’ve got to be Luca. I’ve heard so much about you.” She frowned. “I’m sorry to hear you’re under the weather. Are you feeling better?”
Under the weather? Well, that is one way to say my magic is fuuuuuuucked. “Yeah,” he fibbed. “Still healing up.”
Atlas finally glanced up from his book. “Betty and I rescheduled all of your clients for today and tomorrow so you can get some rest.”
Luca sighed with relief. That bought him a little time. “Great. Actually, I was hoping you could print off my calendar so I could reschedule the rest of the week.”
Atlas put his book down and frowned. “The rest of the week…”
“I can do that for you,” Betty said, more excited than she should be. “I had no problem rescheduling the others. I can call. I want to help.”
Luca narrowed his gaze.
“Yeah, Betty, you can handle that. But first, can you give us a minute, Bette? I need to catch Luca up on something.”
“Sure,” Betty said. “I’ll go clean the front doors.”
“Again? Sure. Why not?” Atlas said, shaking his head before muttering under his breath, “You only did them a couple of hours ago.”
Luca watched her bounce over to the supply closet and turned back to Atlas. “Who in the hell is she?”
“A friend of a friend of a friend who needed a job,” Atlas said. “I owed them.” He lifted the book in his hand. “Only way I could get my hands on some out-of-print spell breaking volumes.”
Luca had sensed no magic in her, but given the fact he was out of order, who knew? “Does she realize what we really do here?”
“She’s a non-magical child of magic,” Atlas said. “Just like your old teacher. Exiled for it, too.”
“Well, Mrs. Stephenson wasn’t exiled for being non-magical.”
Atlas frowned. “Oh?”
“No, she worked in the human world, teaching human children, and then had the audacity to marry a human who wasn’t her fated mate. They exiled her for that.”
“Does someone like that even have a fated mate? I’ve read that they don’t.”
Luca shrugged. “Don’t know. Maybe, maybe not—but her family apparently thought she did.” He shook his head. “I can’t imagine exiling your own kin for something that stupid.”
“Me either,” Atlas said. He sighed. “Though, I’ve heard worse.” He pointed toward the door. “Her tale isn’t a kind and happy one, either.”
“Oh?” Luca said, eyeing her. Her grin was just as wide as she cleaned a window as it had been meeting him. “What’s her story?”
“I’ve probably said too much as it is. Not my story to tell.”
Luca didn’t press. He’d learn it if he was meant to. “As long as she’s been thoroughly vetted and doesn’t mess with our appointments, I’m good.”
“Cassius was more than thorough checking her out. With the demon issue, we can’t take any chances. She passed with flying colors. And she’s gotten the reservation system down like it was nothing—proving that it is not cursed. You guys are just lazy—so I think she’s going to be great.”
“Then why does your face look like your face does?” Although he wasn’t sure if Atlas ever looked anything but grim.
“She’s so… perky. And I mean the double entendre, too. Not only is she too happy and too excited, but those nipples are going to poke my eye out the next time she brushes past. I mean, it’s leather, for heaven’s sake. Leather can’t control those things?”
“I never took you for a body shamer, Atlas.”
“Body shaming? I’m not body sh—oh fuck, I’m body shaming, aren’t I?”
“Just a little.”
Atlas groaned.
Luca nodded toward the books. “Anything on that curse or the breaking thereof?”
“Nothing,” Atlas said, closing the book in his hand. “I’ve combed through everything I can imagine searching—although Quilliam has a couple of texts he’s requested from the council on my behalf. They should arrive within the next few days.”
Quilliam ran another one of the businesses in the Enchanted Ink building—Quill and Parchment, the magical bookstore.
