Chapter Four
Grisham checked out the bite mark in the mirror.
Damn. It sure felt worse at the time. And weirdly fantastic, too.
Touching around it, Grisham found it tender, but it already looked scabbed over and well on the way to healing. He supposed it hadn’t been as deep as he’d originally thought. Checking the position—it was on the flesh where his neck met his shoulder—he wondered if he’d be able to hide that at work.
Hopefully.
Grisham exited the bathroom, padding softly across the room. Grabbing his pants off the floor, he quietly dressed. With his shoes and socks in hand, Grisham stared at the man in the bed.
He still couldn’t believe he’d passed out from pleasure. Except, between three orgasms and the lack of sleep, his fatigue had caught up with him.
Cuzco hadn’t made a big thing of it.
Grisham figured it was a stroke to the guy’s ego, right? Cuzco had eventually woken him with a meal in bed. It had felt really domestic. Sitting naked together, their backs against the headboard, Grisham had eaten the tuna fish sandwiches with his lover. Cuzco had added diced pepperoncini as well as shredded pepper jack cheese to the mix. It gave what Grisham normally found to be bland food a fantastic kick.
They’d followed that up by another round of fucking.
Rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, Grisham tried to get his feet to turn away from the pretty man asleep in the bed. The early morning rays caused his red highlights to stand out even more. Cuzco lay on his stomach, and the sheet was only pulled to mid-thigh.
Holy fuck, he has a gorgeous ass.
When Grisham felt his blood flow south again, he knew he couldn’t just walk away. He put down his shoes and grabbed Cuzco’s phone from the nightstand. After typing in his number, he heard his phone chime.
Grisham returned the phone to the nightstand and again grabbed his shoes before finally hustling from the apartment. He promised himself that he’d text Cuzco in a couple of hours. No way would he not want to tap that man’s ass again.
After sliding his shoes on, Grisham jogged down the stairwell, skipping the elevator. He felt a pang in his chest. He even paused at the door and stared up the stairs. For some reason, he felt a desire to go back and wake Cuzco just so he could kiss him good-bye.
Shaking his head at his thoughts, Grisham shoved open the stairwell door. He strode swiftly, exiting the large building. Blinking a few times, he peered around, getting his bearings.
Right. My Jeep is in the marina’s main parking lot. God, I hope they didn’t tow it. That would be embarrassing.
Grisham had no idea how far the lot was using the road, so he decided to cut through the park. He could skirt to the left, avoiding the main attractions. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take too long.
Gotta go home and shower, then get to work.
Picking up a swift stride, Grisham hurried up the path Cuzco had brought him down just the afternoon before. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the salty sea air. It helped to wake him up, although he did wonder if any of the stores near the entrance of the park sold coffee.
I’ll have to keep an eye on the signs.
Grisham shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked, enjoying the views. He had to hand it to those who worked at the park. The area sported a fantastic place to live, what with the number of hiking trails he spotted before rounding a bend around a hillside and saw the marine park spread out below.
Making his way down the slope, Grisham saw a number of employees milling about. He couldn’t remember what time the park opened, but it must not have been, yet. Grisham didn’t see anyone who wasn’t in a uniform.
As Grisham passed an alleyway, he heard a distinctive cultured voice he vaguely recognized ask, “Has Ovram managed to break into Perisource’s files, yet?”
What the hell?
Grisham paused at the edge of the alley and peeked around the corner. His eyes widened when his suspicions were confirmed. It had been Kaiser Roush—the owner and president of the park—who had been speaking.
Another man stood nearby. He appeared similar enough to Kaiser that Grisham figured it was William, the man’s younger brother and the vice president of the place. It was Eban who answered.
“No, he still hasn’t had any luck.” The huge male scowled, shaking his head. “He says there’s some kind of redundant internal thingamadoohickey that keeps resetting blah, blah, blah.” He waved his hand dismissively. “You know I don’t understand any of that shit.”
The man Grisham pegged as William snorted. “Yeah. We get it.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Does that mean he can’t? Or has he given a timeframe for fixing the problem?”
Eban shrugged. “He didn’t know.” Turning his attention to Kaiser, he asked, “Should I send a team?”
Kaiser nodded. “Yes. We need into that system. Since Ovram can’t do it remotely, get him inside.”
“You know he’s going to tell us that the only computer that’s guaranteed to have access is in Armando’s private office, right?” William said, smirking. There was a definite light of mischief in his eyes.
Kaiser’s chuckle didn’t have any mirth in it. “Yes, which is why you need to take Dare. He escorted me into the asshole’s office the single time I visited, so he’ll know a good route.”
Eban grinned widely. “Hell, yeah. Finally.” He cracked his knuckles. “Some fun.”
His expression oddly calm in the face of Eban’s aggression, Kaiser replied, “This is an information-gathering mission. Nothing more.” Then his eyes narrowed. “It’s time we get that asshole for all the trouble he’s caused our people.”
Holy shit! Did I just hear the president of World of Aquatica order his people to break and enter into Armando Whitney’s home?
As soon as the trio of men disappeared out the other end of the alley-like walkway, Grisham hustled on his way. He frowned, uneasiness filling him. He wasn’t certain what he should do about what he’d just overheard.
Could he actually do anything?
Knowing he couldn’t just leave it—not if they really were going to break into the mansion of a very rich, very respected friend of the governor—Grisham decided that he needed more information.
To Grisham’s relief, he found his Jeep right where he’d left it. In fact, someone had even spread a very fine-looking cover over it, protecting it from moisture. Grisham appreciated the gesture, but he wondered who would do such a thing and why.
Knowing he couldn’t just ball up such a fine cover and leave it in the parking lot, Grisham carefully removed it, then folded it. He smiled as he stowed it behind his seat. Climbing behind the wheel, excitement thrumming through him, he pushed aside his unease.
Huh. Now I actually have a legitimate reason to call Cuzco.
Not that Grisham really needed one other than to ask to fuck again, but it still caused his heart to race.
Grisham started his vehicle and pushed those thoughts from his mind. As he headed out of the marine park’s lot, he mentally flipped through what he knew about the Roush brothers. Not much, as it turned out.
I need to know more, especially since Cuzco is working for them.
While Grisham didn’t know why the connection to Cuzco was so important, it just was. He had to be sure that his... well, not fuck buddy, really—not yet, but he hoped to change that—Good grief, my brain is going off the rails.
Blowing out a breath, Grisham shook his head. He enjoyed the sun on his face, the wind in his hair, and forced his mind to shut down. He just needed a few minutes of mental quiet.
By the time Grisham arrived home, he felt better. He knew what he was going to do. Shower and scrub the smell of sex off of him. Although if he were being honest, he would miss Cuzco’s scent.
Too bad.
As Grisham showered and he wiped away the last itchy traces of cum and lube—they certainly hadn’t been worried about cleaning up between rounds of vigorous sex—his memory wandered to their very, very enjoyable evening. His blood flowed south, and his dick thickened.
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
Grisham took himself in hand, resting his other forearm on the tile. He figured he could start running background checks on Kaiser, William, Eban, and any information on an Ovram after he got off. With the way his balls already tingled, which shouldn’t have been possible after his evening, he knew it wouldn’t be long.
* * * *
Cuzco woke to the sound of hard pounding on his door. Scowling, he eased one eyelid open. Then his second one popped open an instant later.
Even with his brain rattling from the noise, Cuzco realized he was alone in bed... and he hadn’t been when he’d fallen asleep. Where was Grisham? Shoving aside the sheet, he rolled to his feet.
After stumbling a couple of steps, feeling the delicious twinge in his ass, Cuzco tried not to walk too bowlegged out of the room. He nibbled his bottom lip as he realized Grisham’s clothes were no longer on the floor. Disappointment filled him when he didn’t see his lover in the dining room or kitchen either.
My mate left me.
Cuzco rubbed at his suddenly aching chest as he crossed to the front door. “Who is it?” he called. With the rise in human mates in the park, there was no reason to shock one if he happened to stop by.
“It’s Kaiser, Cuzco,” his deep-voiced alpha stated. “Open the door.”
Gasping, Cuzco swiftly yanked the door open and stepped backward. He spotted not only Alpha Kaiser but Beta William and Enforcer Eban. William was the most laidback and fun-loving, but even he sported a serious expression.
Uh oh.
Cuzco scurried to his bedroom, knowing the high-level shifters would make themselves at home. After grabbing a clean pair of sweats, he hesitated, nibbling his bottom lip. He knew he reeked of sex.
Do I have time to shower?
Better not.
Wincing, he tossed the sweats on the rumpled comforter and grabbed the jeans he’d worn the prior day. Cuzco pulled them on, zipped and buttoned, then headed back out of his room. Just as he’d figured, the others had made themselves at home.
William had pulled out a pan and was cracking some eggs into it. Kaiser stood at the coffee maker, pouring the brew into a pair of mugs he held in his left hand. Eban was dicing peppers.
It seemed they were going to make him breakfast.
“This is bad, isn’t it?”
“Well, it’s not good,” Kaiser told him, holding out one of the cups of coffee.
Sighing, Cuzco took the offered mug. He obeyed when Kaiser used a gentle hand on his shoulder to guide him to his small, round table. He settled to Kaiser’s left.
The smell of bacon, eggs, and hash browns filled the air, but his stomach felt too tied in knots to appreciate it. After he’d taken a sip of his coffee, Kaiser rested his forearms on the table, his own mug cradled between his palms, and focused a serious gaze upon him.
“Did you discuss shifters or mates with Grisham, yet?” Kaiser asked, his voice deep and soft.
Cuzco shook his head.
“Well, then he’s not freaking out over that, then,” William commented as he set a plate of cheesy scrambled eggs on the table. A scowl furrowed his brows. “Did he seem upset when he left? Where’d he go? He’s your mate, so shouldn’t you be keeping him too busy to be running background checks on us?”
Gaping, Cuzco froze. He didn’t react right away when Eban placed the rest of the food on the table—bacon, hash browns, and buttered toast. Cuzco was too busy watching William rummage through his cupboards and pull out dishes, which he transferred to the table.
It wasn’t until Kaiser tapped his clenched fist with his forefinger that Cuzco snapped out of it. He yanked his attention to his alpha. “Grisham is running background checks on you all?”
Kaiser nodded once. “He is.” Wrapping his fingers around Cuzco’s fist, he gently urged him to relax his hand. “Please. How did he seem when he left?”
Heat flooded Cuzco’s cheeks, and he ducked his head. “Um, he snuck out while I was sleeping,” he admitted, his tone rough even to his own ears. “I-I don’t know why he’d be upset.”
“Did he leave you a note? Or his number?” William asked, sliding a plate of food into Cuzco’s view. The big shifter’s tone took on a teasing quality. “It’s easy to smell you all had a fantastic evening.” Hearing that comment, Cuzco lifted his gaze to William’s, his surprise probably more than evident, for the beta leered while winking playfully and adding, “Hell, I’m not surprised you were worn out.”
Grimacing, Cuzco turned his attention to Kaiser. “No note that I saw. I—” He paused, uncertain what to say.
“We obviously woke you,” Kaiser released him and pointed toward the bedroom. “Why don’t you go look. You might have missed it.”
Cuzco nodded as he rose. He hurried to his bedroom, hope quickening his pace. His senses were inundated by a wall of masculine pheromones—male sweat, spilled cum, and the lingering scent of everything Grisham. His body responded to the delicious aromas, and his blood flowed south.
Groaning, Cuzco shook his head and crossed to the window. He shoved it open, then turned and looked at the bed, taking in the rumpled sheets and blankets. When no note appeared out of nowhere, Cuzco sighed with disappointment.
Spotting his phone, Cuzco frowned. It was on the opposite side of the nightstand as where he’d left it the evening before. A kernel of hope tightened his gut, and he snatched it up. After awakening the device, Cuzco grinned.
Not only did he have a new phone number on his screen, but there were also two text messages from it. The first made him grin.
Sorry I couldn’t stay. I had to be at work at nine this morning, and you looked too sexy to wake. I’ll call you this evening when I’m done.
Heading out of his room to share his good news, Cuzco opened the second message. His excitement faded as he paused in his living room, staring at the message.
Babe, please call me as soon as you wake up. I need to talk to you about your boss.