Forbidden, page 6
part #21 of Assassin-Shifter Series
“Um, I can’t. I’m meeting with Cal at midnight.”
“Cal?” Ryder raised a brow.
Elijah stopped walking and regarded his friends’ faces. “If you must know, he’s my boyfriend.”
“Since when?” Skylar spluttered.
“Couple months now.” Elijah shrugged and started walking again.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell your best friends. Wait! So is that why you don’t come out with us anymore?” Stone prodded.
“I’m here, aren’t I?” Elijah pointed out.
Skylar turned to Ryder with a frown as Elijah walked into the club.
“Yeah, he’s here until midnight.”
“Come on,” Ryder urged Skylar forward.
The club was hopping as they made their way inside and set up. Stone took a look at all the equipment and then checked out the club lights. The set for the stage looked wrong; one of the lights was out of position.
Stone snaked through the crowd and stared up at the light that was supposed to be aimed on the stage. Frowning, he went in back and grabbed the ladder. He positioned it and climbed up, angling the light toward the stage.
He lost his balance as someone backed into the ladder. Grasping desperately at air, Stone felt himself falling, then he was caught in someone’s arms.
“Thanks, man. That would have hurt.” Stone looked into the eyes of his lifesaver and almost came in his pants. Tall, dark and nummy’s hair hung partially across his eyes, obscuring the color, but his face was plainly seen: He was absolutely gorgeous. Soft-looking lips parted, and a short breath left his lips as he placed the younger man on his feet.
Stone looked up at the man’s face.
“Hi.” Stone felt like an idiot. Trying again, he said “Hey, I’m Stone.”
The man just nodded and stepped back into the shadows.
“No name? You’re mysterious aren’t you?”
Killian stepped back into Stone’s space and looked down at him. The child was much shorter than he’d imagined. Of course, he’d been in the forms of a squirrel and a pit bull when he’d been with the child. “You’re short.”
Stone visibly bristled at the comment.
“You’re tall. So?” Stone crossed his arms. “Do you always say what’s on your mind?”
“Your eyes are too far apart.”
“So that’s a yes then?” Stone glared at the man. “You really need to learn some decorum.”
Killian’s brows furrowed.
Stone sighed in frustration. “You can’t just say whatever comes to your mind.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s rude, that’s why. You need a haircut,” Stone pointed out. “And your top lip is too big.”
Killian ran his hand through his hair with a scowl.
“See how that works?” Stone turned on his heel and walked away. What an ass! Although, he had saved him from a bad landing. Stone sighed and turned back around to apologize, but the man was right in front of him. He took a few steps back and looked up.
“Killian,” Killian blurted.
Stone couldn’t help the small smile that rose to his lips. “Killian, huh? I like it. Is there a last name?”
Killian contemplated that question. He’d never used his surname. “Tenebris.”
Stone put his hand out. “Stone Marinos. Nice to meet you, Killian Tenebris.”
Killian eyed the extended hand. He’d never touched anyone up until he’d grabbed Jesse. The longer his hand was out, the more Stone’s brows furrowed. Killian finally slid his hand into Stone’s.
“There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Stone grinned and pulled his hand back. “I have to go. It was nice meeting you. And use your party manners,” he laughed.
Killian’s eyes followed Stone back to the stage. His whole body shook and his hand tingled. He’d been right.
Something was not human about Stone.
Noah kept his eyes glued to Jesse at the bar. So far, Chance hadn’t picked up on anything out of the ordinary. The team was spread out all over the club — the four original Skull Blasters were on the roof, and Seth, Jacob, Ross and Hayden were on all four points outside on the ground. Jude was by the back door. Noah nodded to Jesse when he waved. His heart rate was through the roof; if something happened to Jesse, he wouldn’t survive it.
Jesse raised a brow at him and motioned him back. Noah crossed the floor, keeping his eyes on everyone. Killian gave him a nod as he passed by him. The shifter was actually helping them, would wonders never cease?
Noah smiled and went down the hall to the back room. He was grabbed and thrown into the wall and then soft lips were on his. Noah chuckled as Jesse’s fingers gripped his hips.
“Hey.” Noah kissed Jesse’s lips lightly as he pulled away.
“Damn, you look so sexy,” Jesse breathed.
“Yeah?” Noah waggled his brows.
A low whistle came from the left of them and Noah chuckled as Jude winked at them.
“Well, now,” Jude chuckled at the two of them righting themselves.
“How’s your mate, Jude?” Noah smiled wide.
“He’s just fine, thank you. Don’t look so smug, thinking you know everything. Okay, I did want Hayden; I just wanted him on my own terms, not with the fates telling me I should want him.” Everyone had given Jude grief over the rude way he treated Hayden for years, when it was obvious he actually cared for him.
“Explain?” Noah’s brows furrowed.
“Look, I’ve seen the toughest guys I know brought down by this mate bond thing. I mean, look at Scott. I was afraid I’d become someone else, have a completely different personality, if I got mate whammied.”
“But you didn’t,” Jesse pointed out.
“No, I didn’t. I know that now. But before, I thought somehow it would change me, make me lose my identity — the stuff that made me… me.”
“It didn’t change Scott either, Jude; he just fell in love. Just like you did,” Noah reasoned.
“You guys look so cute,” Jude changed the subject, smiling at Noah and Jesse entwined. “I hope this crap is over quickly for you, and then you can be together the way you were meant to be.”
“Amen.”
Noah looked up to see Sebastian with his husband, Detective Nicholas Stevens.
“Know something we don’t?” Noah eyed Sebastian carefully.
“Even if I did, I couldn’t reveal it.” Sebastian turned to leave, and then looked over his shoulder. “I can say one thing; you’re in for one hell of a big surprise.” As the offspring of a female werewolf changed by the created ones, Sebastian had received the sight — the ability to see the future. At times it had been a burden.
“It’s time.” Nicholas nodded to Noah.
“Okay.” Noah took Jesse’s hand and they made their way out to the club. Noah pulled Jesse into his arms as the crowd started to count down to midnight.
Jaxon made his way through the crowd and nodded to Killian. The shifter nodded back, and then disappeared. Jaxon searched for Elijah and finally spotted him with Skylar and Ryder. He was saying something, and pointing to his watch. Jaxon crossed the floor, pushing people out of his way.
He could do this.
It was New Year’s Eve. People kissed on New Year’s Eve, so he could kiss Elijah, right? Hell, some people kissed total strangers. Jaxon huffed to himself; he just needed to do this before he talked himself out of it.
Elijah turned right into him as he finally reached the young man.
“Hey.” Jaxon pulled Elijah into his arms.
A surprised Elijah looked up into Jaxon’s eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Well, it’s a few seconds until midnight.”
The crowd was chanting as Jaxon leaned in closer. Elijah’s breath hitched as their eyes locked. Jaxon caressed Elijah’s cheek as he drew the younger man closer, and closed his eyes. Their lips were an inch from each other, breath mingling, fingers clutching.
The loud ding of Elijah’s phone stopped Jaxon short.
“I have to go.” Elijah backed up into the crowd.
Jaxon stood in the middle of the floor as Elijah got further and further away. A hand landed on his shoulder and he turned to see Skylar regarding him with a sad smile.
“Jaxon!” Justice waved to get his attention.
Jaxon clapped Skylar on his back and pushed through the crowd. Noah and Jesse were kissing as if no one else was around and Jaxon had to smile at his little brother. He’d found love.
“Come on!” Justice stayed at the bar as Noah took Jesse back to the office.
Killian paced in the office, looking just like Jesse. Noah removed Jesse’s shirt and handed it to Killian.
“You’ll smell like him now, too.” Noah took Jesse’s hand and smiled at the men in the room. James winked at him.
“Get to safe house Number Four. We’ll keep you updated. Chance has a dimming spell cast on you; it keeps you from glowing on the map.”
Jesse turned to his brother. “Thanks, Jaxon.”
“Stay safe, bro.” Jaxon held Jesse to him. “I love you,” he whispered.
“Love you, too.” Jesse squeezed him, pulled on another shirt, and then took Noah’s hand again.
“See you soon?” Jesse nodded to Killian.
Killian shook his head. “Let’s hope we catch Peter.”
“Good luck.”
~*~
The plane landed at an Army base in Georgia. As soon as they hit the ground, Jesse was sweating.
What the fuck? It was January! Noah spoke to a few men and they handed him the keys to a Hummer.
They climbed in and Jesse took in his surroundings. He’d been a SEAL, assigned to bases that were in cooler climates — nicer climates. Less humid climates. Noah was chuckling as Jesse eyed him sideways.
“What’s so funny?”
“I can see exactly what you think of this place. A little spoiled in the Navy, were you?”
Jesse crossed his arms.
“Aw, come on, babe. You’ll love it here. We can go fishing in the Chattahoochee River.”
“The what?”
Noah laughed and took his hand. They crossed a bridge and then drove on a winding road.
“Did you spend a lot of time here?” Jesse asked.
“A couple months for some training. I like the area, which is probably why James sent us to this safe house. I know the land and we’re in good company; the guys on post know to keep things quiet. When James wants something done, it gets done.”
They drove for another fifteen minutes before small shops came into view. Jesse sat up as the landscape changed; there were fewer trees and more housing. A small gas station stood on the corner, and Noah took the turn right after it. Houses lined both sides of the narrow road and Jesse realized they were in a subdivision. Another few minutes and they were pulling into the driveway of a single story home. The brown siding and tan shutters gave the house a homey look. Noah backed into the garage and closed the door.
“Home, sweet home.” Noah leaned over and gave Jesse a chaste kiss.
They exited the Hummer and Noah grabbed their bags from the back. Unlocking the door connecting to the house, they stepped into an air-conditioned paradise. Jesse couldn’t believe how nice the place was. Bookshelves filled with DVDs lined one wall and another held a massive sixty-inch flat screen TV.
“I see we’re hiding out in comfort,” Jesse chuckled.
Noah dropped his bag in the living room and strode into the kitchen. He checked the fridge and smiled. It was stocked. Juice, milk and sodas lined one side, along with water bottles.
“How many rooms?” Jesse walked down the hall on the left.
“Four. Three on the right side of the house, and the master on left.”
Jesse walked through the house slowly, getting a feel for everything. He made his way across the house to the master suite. A king-sized bed took up the longest side of the room and an entertainment center sat directly across.
“There are three bathrooms,” Noah informed him.
“Well, we only need two,” Jesse laughed. “You go on the other side of the house.”
“What?” Noah poked his head into the bedroom. “You mean I can’t sit with you in the bathroom while you sh—”
“No,” Jesse said firmly.
“But honeeeey!” Noah drawled.
Jesse laughed. This was side to Noah King he hadn’t been aware of — and he loved it. They had a lot of time to get to know each other better, though. The times they’d been able to see each other hadn’t been frequent, but somehow, Jesse knew Noah was supposed to be his. They headed back to the kitchen.
“So, what’s for dinner?” Jesse opened the fridge.
“What would you like?”
“You can cook?” Jesse looked over his shoulder.
“Of course! I saw some shrimp in there. I can grill some up.”
“Wrapped in bacon?” Jesse grinned.
Noah had a look of mock horror on his face. “Someone cooks shrimp without bacon?”
“I know, right?!” Jesse cracked up.
Noah made his way closer to Jesse and pushed him up against the kitchen counter. He caressed his cheek and kissed him softly.
“I knew there was a reason we were meant to be.”
“You think we are? Even though you haven’t been slapped with the bond?”
Noah took Jesse’s face in his hands. “I know you belong to me. I don’t need a bond to tell me that much.”
Jesse pulled Noah in closer and ravaged his mouth. God, he couldn’t get enough of the man. Noah’s hand crept down the front of his jeans, and then squeezed his painfully erect cock. Jesse moaned in his mouth.
“Noah…”
“God I want you,” Noah growled against Jesse’s lips. “I have waited so long just to be with you.”
Jesse opened his eyes to find Noah gazing at him.
“That’s how I knew you really wanted me, Noah. The fact that you waited for me, and you came to see me whenever you could.”
“I haven’t been with anyone from the moment I laid eyes on you, Jesse Salvatore. I’ll never want anyone else.”
The loud rumbling of Jesse’s stomach made Noah chuckle. “But dinner first.”
Jesse helped Noah with dinner, setting up the grill out back. They ate on the enclosed back porch, with the fan on high.
“Holy hell, it’s hot out here.” Jesse wiped his forehead with his napkin.
“Didn’t you live in Arizona?” Noah chuckled.
“That’s different. It’s a dry heat, not a swampland.”
“Well, once we finish, we can take a nice, long cold shower.”
“Together?” Jesse waggled his eyebrows.
Noah leaned over and cupped Jesse’s chin. “Yes, together.”
Jesse swallowed hard. The thought of being with Noah naked raised his cock to full mast. He was sure the smell of his arousal was in the air. Noah leaned in close and licked across his bottom lip. Shit, the guy knew just what turned him on.
“Are you trying to make me come in my pants?” Jesse whispered.
Noah laughed. “Why not? I’m about to come in mine.”
“Shower?”
They were naked in seconds.
The shower wasn’t even on yet and Jesse was pressed into the wall, Noah’s lips all over his flesh. Jesse turned the water on as Noah’s tongue traveled down his abdomen toward his cock. Wet heat surrounded his cock and Jesse cried out, his fingers gripping Noah’s hair tightly. God, it’d been so long since anyone but himself had touched his cock. He was going to blow in seconds.
“Noah…too close…too fast!”
Noah sucked him down to the root and Jesse’s mind blew along with his dick.
Noah swallowed him hungrily, moaning as he lapped at Jesse’s dick, squeezing out any remaining cum. Jesse slumped down to the shower floor and Noah gathered him into his arms.
“Are you okay?” Noah pressed a kiss to Jesse’s neck.
“God, yes,” Jesse breathed.
Noah chuckled. “Tired?”
“Don’t you want—”
“No. This was about pleasing you and I’ve just begun, Jesse. I can tell you’re tired, the heat can do that to you.”
Jesse sighed and Noah grinned. He turned the water off and dried them both. Settling into bed, he flicked the light off and pulled Jesse into him.
“Night, Jesse.”
~Chapter Seven~
Noah awoke with Jesse’s body pressed firmly to his. He caressed Jesse’s cheek; the bruise on his jaw was still visible and Noah leaned in to kiss it gently. Jesse moaned softly and arched his back, pressing his face into Noah’s neck. Noah inhaled the scent of the man he loved, letting his fingers glide slowly up and down Jesse’s spine.
Having Jesse in his arms, pressed into him — it was everything Noah had ever wanted. He’d never fallen for anyone in his life; he’d had his share of one-nighters, but Jesse was The One.
Moving carefully, Noah got up without disturbing Jesse and went to the kitchen to make coffee and breakfast. After setting everything on warm, he crept back to the bedroom.
Jesse was on his stomach, one foot stuck out of the sheet that sat just above his ass. Noah removed his clothing and crawled up the bed. He grabbed the lube from his bag and put it on the bedside table. Leaning down, he kissed Jesse’s shoulder.
“Mmm, Noah,” Jesse mumbled.
Noah smiled and kissed down Jesse’s spine, tracing a path around the tattooed skull. His fingers trailed the smooth skin of Jesse’s biceps as he kissed his way to his neck and shoulders. Jesse mumbled and stayed flat on his stomach; the sheet fell away to reveal his tight ass. Noah ran his hand over one globe, as he kissed and licked his way back down. Jesse’s ass arched and Noah slid between his legs, lightly biting one cheek.
“Noah?” Jesse opened one eye and looked over his shoulder.
“Well, it had better be Noah!” Noah winked and kissed Jesse’s cheek. “Morning.”
“What are you doing down there?” Jesse grinned, looking over his shoulder.
Noah locked eyes with him as he trailed his tongue down Jesse’s crease.
“I’m loving you.”
Noah gripped Jesse’s globes and spread them apart; the puckered flesh trembled as he blew on it. A loud moan met his ears as he flicked his tongue over Jesse’s hole. He kept his hands on Jesse’s ass, massaging both globes as he feasted on the man he loved. Jesse’s moans were getting louder as Noah speared his tongue inside. Noah inhaled the wild, musky scent and licked his lips as he dove in again.
