Only Skin Deep: Paranormal MMM Romance, page 4
“He mentioned his brother works at a bakery called Friends of Boston? So, they must not live too far away.”
Boston had grown all around Salem. With mass transit, they would be within the city limits in minutes. “Yeah, that’s the bakeshop where they hire young people with disabilities, training them for the workforce, if memory serves.”
“Oh yeah, I remember hearing about that place on the news or something.”
“Is his brother disabled?” Ash asked.
“He has Down Syndrome. Colby mentioned in a video that they’re raising funds for a group that serves folks with Down Syndrome based here in Massachusetts.”
“Gives of himself to charity. That’s a big, green check mark in his ‘is he a good guy’ questionnaire.”
Luca returned to his spot on the coffee table and pulled out his phone. “I’ve spent the last hour watching his TikToks. He seems genuinely nice, but who knows if it’s a show or not? I realize it’s all about image on social media.”
“You downloaded TikTok?” Luca had an aversion to social media and didn’t use it. Although Ash had caught him scrolling through tattoos on Instagram once or twice. Luca claimed he’d only downloaded it to research designs and get a bit of inspiration during an artistic dry spell.
“If it would help us get to know our mate, I’d download all of them.” He handed the phone over. “Look.”
Ash eyed the man paused on the screen. “Handsome. Looks young, though.”
“From my digging, he’s between twenty-five and thirty.”
“Looks younger than that,” Ash said, his gaze traveling over the lines of Colby’s face. It was a pleasant face. He smiled. “Should we be looking at this? I don’t want Fate pissed at us.”
Luca clucked his tongue, leaned over, and pressed the screen, starting the video. As soon as he heard Colby's voice, Ash’s mate’s mark tingled. He hissed in pain, lowering the phone to eye the triskelion.
A small nub appeared where his third swirl should be, just as it had for Luca.
“I forgot how much that hurt. It’s been a while.” He and Luca had been together for a few years, but he still remembered when his mark had formed Luca's swirl. The first, he'd been born with, but the second had felt like multiple bee stings all at once. Luca had taken the pain in stride—but then, he was used to being tattooed and bore all kinds of ink on his body. Ash was a wimp and only had three small tattoos.
“You have such a low tolerance for pain, I swear,” Luca said, winking.
“Keep it up, big boy, or I’ll show you some pain.”
Luca slid off the table and straddled his lap. Ash felt the swelling of Luca’s cock against his own growing shaft. Luca’s grin grew wicked as he collected the sides of Ash’s face. “Promise?”
He slanted his lips over Ash’s and claimed a kiss. When they parted, Luca’s eyes were closed for a couple of heartbeats. When he reopened and met Ash’s gaze, he smiled.
“I do promise,” Ash whispered. He slid his hands along Luca’s strong thighs, his heartbeat quickening. Considering what he’d experienced, nothing sounded better than getting lost inside Luca’s body. “After the day I had, I could use something to take my mind off things.”
Chapter
Three
Need had grown within Ash since the moment he’d walked in the door. Between what he’d seen, and since learning there was a third, as well as sensing Luca needed a magical recharge, Ash required flesh-to-flesh contact. Luca rolled his hips, his cock thickening more against Ash’s and signaling he, too, wanted. “Is that all I am to you, mate? A distraction?”
“You know damned well you’re more than that,” Ash growled. He hooked his hands under Luca’s thighs and rose to his full height.
Luca clutched at his neck, eyes wide. “Fuck, Ash. I realized you were strong, but I didn’t know you could lift my heavy ass like that.”
“Heavy?” Luca might be tall, but he was lean.
“I’m two inches taller than you,” Luca remarked.
“I’ve got bigger muscles.” Ash chuckled, continuing to walk toward the bedroom.
“You could’ve warned me,” Luca snapped, ignoring the bigger muscles comment.
They were equally matched. His muscles weren’t all that larger, but Luca allowed him to imagine the difference was grand. “That’s what you get for calling me a wimp.”
He’d spent most of his life being underestimated. As a squirrel shifter, most in the supernatural world assumed he was just a little guy, forgetting that squirrels easily lifted ten times their body weight. Not only that, but their tails also helped give them uncanny balance. Even in his human form—without that tail appearing—his balance was superhuman. It took a lot to knock him off his feet.
Luca had long ago learned not to underestimate him, although the occasional reminder wasn’t a bad thing, either. He marched them into their bedroom and deposited Luca in the middle of their bed. Reaching for Luca’s belt, he undid it deftly, his gaze traveling from the buckle to his mate’s eyes.
“Now that I realize you can do that, I’ll be expecting to be carried off to bed all the time.”
Ash barked with laughter. “I toss you all around the bed as it is. Not sure why it was such a surprise.”
“True,” Luca said. “I never imagined I’d find a man who could manhandle me. It’s definitely hot.” He arched his back and crossed his arms over his chest, grabbing the hem of his t-shirt before peeling it over his head. Ash’s gaze was immediately drawn to the illuminated tattoo on his witch’s chest… and down farther to the hairs arrowing toward the tent in Luca’s jeans. “I’d always assumed my mate would be a big, tough guy.”
“In the grand scheme of things, I am a big, tough guy,” Ash said before yanking down Luca’s jeans. “I can’t help if you're taller.”
“And tougher.”
“Bullshit,” Ash spat before fighting a grin. He pulled off his Salem PD polo shirt and tossed it to the floor.
“Who can’t stand getting a tattoo?” Luca asked, incredulous.
“I don’t like needles. Big whoop,” Ash said, kicking off his shoes.
Luca sat up and undid Ash’s belt, tugging until it was loose. Together, they pushed his pants past his hips and let them pile around his ankles. Both in their briefs, he and Luca slid along one another’s bodies, caressing cocks through the cotton fabric. His fingers slid to the head and traced over the warm, damp spot where Luca’s pre-cum collected in the fibers.
Candles appeared in the air around them, hovering in a circle over their heads. The flickering light danced along the walls and their shadows moved independently, having their own decadent fun in varying positions. Reaching inside, Ash freed Luca’s cock and balls, lifting them over the top of the briefs. Luca was hard and hot and throbbing, just like Ash loved to see him. He slid down the bed and wrapped his lips around the tip without preface. He was starved for Luca’s body and there was no need to waste time.
Luca hissed at the first faint touch of his lips. One hand slid into Ash’s hair, fingers tightening in the strands. The tiny bite of pain hit, and he groaned around Luca’s cock. He slid up and down the length, taking a little more with each stroke.
“Fuck, that’s good,” Luca muttered. He lifted his hips from the bed, feeding more of himself into Ash’s mouth. “That’s a good boy. Take my cock, baby.”
Ash growled, the dirty talk getting him harder. He slurped and suckled, savoring the pre-cum at the head on the upward lashes of his tongue. Lifting his gaze, he met Luca’s stare, watching how his mate reacted to each lick, suck, and pull.
Luca’s head fell back. A sheen of sweat glistened on his chest, illuminated from the magical tapers above. Ash retreated some, allowing Luca’s cock to pop from his lips. Luca groaned in dissent and Ash smiled, a bit of sensual torment on his mind. He reached for a candle and brought it just above Luca’s nipple.
“Shit… Ash…” Luca panted, clearly unable to speak more.
Ash dribbled a bit of the hot wax over the peak, enjoying the arch to Luca’s back as he hissed from the pain.
“Fuck, that hurts,” Luca cried.
“Want me to stop?”
“No,” Luca spat, gasping for air before adding, “More…”
Ash dribbled a little more wax onto the other nipple, and Luca reacted just as fiercely. His entire body shuddered with delight, his cock jerking. Luca liked his pain—as shown in his multiple piercings along both ears, lip, and nose. He’d never entirely explained why he’d never gotten his nipples pierced. He sure loved for them to be tormented. Or perhaps that was it—piercings might prevent Ash from being as rough with them?
He trailed a few drops down Luca’s abdomen, and his mate writhed on the bed. Luca’s cock stood at full mast, leaking pre-cum. He sensed what Luca wanted next. With his free hand, he stroked Luca’s cock from base to tip and held it aloft before dripping some of the wax over the balls below. Luca cried out, hissing.
“Damn you,” Luca spat, smiling. “You’re the worst.”
“Oh, and here I thought you liked this?”
“I do.” Luca chuckled, shuddering again. “But all you’re doing is proving that I’m the tougher mate.”
Ash handed the candle to Luca. “Have at it.”
Luca slowly rose to his haunches, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes as he knelt at Ash’s side. “But you’re not into pain.”
“I can’t have you thinking you’re tougher than I am.”
Luca smiled wickedly. “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He lifted his hand and took the candle before pushing Ash back against the bed. “Ready?”
Ash stiffened, his cock throbbing painfully. If he could take that, he could take anything. “Yeah.”
Luca hovered over him, placing he candle directly over one of Ash’s nipples. He allowed a few drops to fall, and Ash clenched his teeth—but never made a sound. Luca’s eyes glittered in the light from the candles, and Ash noted his excitement. That alone got him off, seeing Luca’s pleasure. He wanted nothing more in the world than to make Luca happy, his own pleasure insignificant.
Appearing impressed, Luca moved his hand to Ash’s cock and stroked up and down, continuing the caress as he dropped a bit more wax onto the other nipple. Once again, Ash refused to react… though he suddenly understood a little of Luca’s love of the bite of pain. When it faded, the enjoyment of Luca’s hand seemed even more pleasurable.
Darkness illuminated the light.
Luca trailed a bit of wax down Ash’s abdomen, growing closer to his cock.
Ash snatched Luca’s wrist. “I might be tough, but I’m not insane. None down there.”
Luca grinned madly. “Weak!”
Ash laughed. “The difference between us is that pain gets you going. It has the opposite effect on me.”
They both glanced at his rock-hard erection.
“Doesn’t look like it’s a problem tonight,” Luca whispered.
“That’s because you were giving me a handjob, too.”
“Or so you say,” Luca said. He lifted his hand and released the candle. It returned to float with the rest of them. As soon as he’d released it, he hunkered down and captured Ash’s cock between his firm lips.
Ash inhaled at the warm, tight sensation of Luca’s mouth around his shaft. Grasping Luca’s ankle, he spun the big guy and brought his mate’s cock closer to his own mouth. Manhandling, indeed. Luca might be taller than he was, but he was infinitely stronger. When Luca wasn’t using magic, of course. When he was, they were on fairly even footing—but his battle magic would only last but so long.
Ash could go all night.
He drew Luca into his mouth and down to the back of his throat. From there, it was combat—who gave the better blowjob? The first few minutes were well-matched, but they both struggled the longer it went. The growing pleasure made it harder to focus. Finally, Luca’s cock quivered, and Ash sensed he was close. He quickened his sucking, and within seconds, Luca blew a thick load down Ash’s throat.
Luca groaned, his body shaking as his release washed over him. Ash swallowed every drop, cleaning his cock when the spasms were over. When Luca stilled over him, he spun them, pinning Luca to the bed.
“So, who’s the weaker one?” Ash asked, lifting a brow.
“You consider it weak to come?” Luca asked.
“Not exactly… but I consider the ability to control oneself to be strength.”
“Ahh,” Luca asked. “How about I just let you have this one so you hurry and fuck me?”
“Let me have it?” Ash asked, both brows up.
Luca heaved them both over, ending up straddling Ash’s lap. “You’re not the only tough guy here.” He hovered over Ash, one hand holding him aloft. He pressed his lips to Ash’s, kissing hungrily before pulling away. “I guess I have to take what I need instead of giving in.”
A bottle of lube appeared in Luca’s hand. He sat upright, filling his palm. After coating Ash’s cock, he lifted a little and swiped lube behind him.
“You’re not prepped,” Ash said, spinning them again.
Air rushed from Luca’s lungs when he hit the bed. “Damn, Ash… why won’t you let me lead?”
Ash was too busy pushing Luca’s legs up to answer. He trailed a finger around Luca’s hole before sliding it inside. “I’ll let you lead when you stop rushing and hurting yourself. You’re too greedy to slow down when it’s needed.”
“Damned right I’m greedy.” Luca gasped, bearing down on Ash’s finger. “I need more.”
“I know, baby,” Ash whispered as he gently finger-fucked his mate. Luca met his gaze, the hunger in his eyes apparent. “But I want to make it good.”
Luca held his gaze, his breaths coming in gasps and short pants. One finger became two… which eventually became three. Luca bit his lower lip, looking too sexy for words. His growls of pleasure were music to Ash’s ears.
When he had Luca squirming and mewling, his mate was ready. After giving his cock another swipe of lube, he angled it down, pressing the head against Luca’s puckered hole.
“Gimme,” Luca whispered.
“Greedy…”
“Greedy… but not ungrateful,” Luca said pulling his legs back more.
Ash sank into his mate, getting halfway in before sliding back out and attempting again. Three strokes in and he was balls deep.
“Fuuuuuck,” Luca rumbled. “Come on… gimme more.”
Ash pulled out and sank back in, over and over… their tempo slow to start but soon rising to a fevered pace. He leaned in and captured Luca’s lips, swallowing the moans and whimpers that followed. When Ash rose, Luca worked his own cock, once again hard. His hand flew over the shaft so fast that his hand was a blur. Ash’s cock was gripped snug, Luca tightening around him with every thrust.
He rushed toward the edge, more than ready to go flying off it. They were wrapped in a hurricane of emotion, Ash’s senses gone haywire. There was only him and Luca in that moment. The rest of the world faded away into nothingness. He leaned in, hungry for more of Luca’s kisses.
A quaking around his cock set him off and he came, hard, stars floating in his vision. Or maybe it was the candles, he couldn’t be sure. Luca screamed, coming again, splashing his stomach with another load. They reached the pinnacle together, bodies trembling against one another.
When he’d come back down to earth, Ash withdrew and rolled to his back, panting. Luca curled alongside him.
Luca laced his fingers with Ash’s. He lifted that hand and kissed the back of his mate’s.
“That was intense,” Ash murmured.
“Likely a little added lust from our marks.”
Ash turned his head and gazed at Luca. “Hmm?”
“When we first met, our marks burned, and we near about killed one another to get into bed. Colby might not be with us, but the mark burned—only a little, sure—but it likely kicked our libido into high gear.”
“Ahh, makes sense,” Ash said, clapping his hand down on Luca’s thick thigh. “Although, I want you all the time as it is.”
Luca turned, curling into him. “Back atcha.”
Ash grinned, leaning in to steal a kiss. “I think we need to get back to the topic at hand.” His chest tightened as thoughts of Colby circled in his mind. “I can find an address. For Colby.”
“He’s human and likely doesn’t believe in our world. Fate will bring him to us. It brought us together.”
Witches and their adoration of Fate. “And if it doesn’t?”
“A situation will present itself. Just be patient.”
Ash sighed. He was a very patient man—unless it had something to do with his mate. When it came to Luca—and now Colby—he refused to waste precious time. “What if it takes too long?”
“Too long to whom? You?” Luca rolled to his stomach. “Fate will bring him when it’s supposed to happen.”
Ash grumbled under his breath.
“You think I don’t anticipate meeting him? It’s killing me. But I also understand what can happen if we tempt Fate.”
“Eli and Pierre,” Ash whispered.
“Yeah,” Luca murmured, trailing a fingertip along Ash’s chin. “Hungry?”
He squeezed his arms around Luca tight. “Starved.”
After stealing a kiss, Luca crawled out of bed and marched toward the bathroom. Ash watched him and his stellar ass walking away, yet his brain was still stuck on Colby.
His gut told him not to wait.
He always trusted his gut.
I sure as hell hope Luca’s right.
A few days later…
Colby entered the dining room where his brother was putting together one of his Star Wars Lego sets he’d gotten for Christmas on the table. “You wanna go watch me get my new tattoo?”
“Nope. Don’t like that place.”
“Is it the needles? Because I swear they don’t hurt.” Much.
“Needles suck. That’s not why I don’t want to go, Coby. That is a bad place. Very bad.”
Colby frowned. “I promise you it’s not.” A couple of days before, he’d gone in for a pre-tat meeting to discuss what he wanted. The artist had been amazing and sketched a gorgeous image of exactly what Colby wanted. It was as if the artist had crawled into his head. Daniel had joined him and grumbled the entire time. “But if you want to stay home, I can order you a pizza and you can play video games while I’m gone. I’ll call Mrs. Martinez and ask if she can check in on you.”
