Chapter Twenty-One

Two weeks later…

Gavin stood at the back door, staring out at the view. He held a mug of coffee in his hands, but it had gone cold a while ago. He couldn’t bring himself to move yet, not even to dump the cold beverage down the drain.

Dale was working on his deck this morning. It struck Gavin that he’d first laid eyes on Dale in this same fashion, standing inside Wyatt’s home watching him work on a similar deck through the glass.

So much had happened since that day a month ago. It was hard to believe it was July already. He’d spent the last several weeks recuperating, first at the clinic and then back at the house. In a way, it felt like it was his home too.

Dale had gone to the apartment—now vacated by both Paige and Gavin—and retrieved his belongings before Gavin got out of the clinic.

Gavin had faced the Arcadian Council soon after he was released from the hospital. He’d been nervous, but the meeting had gone smoothly. Dale had filled him in on everything that had occurred the day of his accident, and Gavin knew he owed his life to the split-second decision of George.

Of course, Gavin would probably be alive even without George’s intervention, but his life would not be the same if Dale had been sent to prison for his interference with nature. Gavin was concerned for George, and he knew Dale was too, but George had come to the house with two other council members and didn’t mention a word about what he had faced in front of Eleanor or the rest of the council. Asking was out of the question.

Transitioning to life as a shifter instead of a regular human had gone smoothly so far. Gavin had switched forms more times than most grizzlies normally did in the same time frame in order to spend most of his days and nights healing. The doctors said he wasn’t one hundred percent yet, but their diagnosis seemed odd to him because he felt stronger and more alive than he’d ever felt. He was curious to know how much better he could feel when he reached his full potential.

There was one problem plaguing him, however. Although he felt physically stronger, emotionally something was off. And that something had everything to do with the man currently ignoring him outside.

Of course, Dale knew exactly where Gavin was and that he was watching him through the window. But as was par for the course lately, Dale pretended not to know, working hard as if he were so deep in concentration to get this extremely important job done that he didn’t have the time to be bothered to lift his face and wave. Or fuck, at least smile.

Perhaps it was a blessing that Gavin had managed to perfect the art of blocking people because lately his mind was a tornado of thoughts, none of which were filled with much hope.

There was no way to pretend Dale hadn’t pulled away from Gavin. He’d doted on him for days at the clinic and even the first few days at the house, and then he’d withdrawn gradually until he reached a point where he rarely spoke, didn’t make eye contact, and often didn’t come to bed until late.

He’d switched from constantly touching Gavin any time the two of them were both in a room to hanging on to the side of the bed to avoid contact.

Gavin’s chest hurt, and he’d swallowed back more than his share of emotional stress lately. Clearly, Dale needed him to move out. Whatever bond they’d had before Gavin’s first shift had fizzled until they were living the shell of an existence like an old married couple after fifty years together.

Whatever it was, Gavin knew he needed to pack his stuff and move back to the apartment. He’d spoken casually to Paige and found that the apartment was still vacant. Alton hadn’t been able to find another renter yet.

Gavin needed to figure some things out anyway, and he wasn’t accomplishing anything while living in Dale’s home. Granted, he had the excuse of spending the majority of the last month recuperating from a dozen broken bones and shattered vertebrae that should have ended his life.

But at some point, he needed to admit he was perfectly healed now. He hadn’t touched his thesis since before the accident. His life was in limbo. He had choices to make, including whether or not to stay in Silvertip.

If anyone had asked him two weeks ago, he would have emphatically insisted he was now a resident of this small town with no intention of leaving. But that was before Dale went cold on him.

Dale hadn’t worked for the first few weeks while Gavin was in the hospital either, but he’d jumped fully into the swing of things two weeks ago, working long odd hours in his home office and then spending his free time outside building this deck. Even though he’d lived in the home for several years, it was suddenly imperative that the deck be finished post-haste.

Dale was avoiding Gavin.

It was time to find some courage, face his once lover, and move out.

He glanced down at his coffee and turned to dump it in the sink. With a deep breath, he stepped outside.

Dale glanced up so briefly it was ridiculous. This was not the same man who’d professed such an unwavering connection just weeks ago. He had buyer’s remorse.

Gavin’s hands were shaking, and he stuck them in the front pockets of his jeans, rocking forward and backward on the balls of his feet before speaking. “I’m going to call Paige and Wyatt and have them help me move my stuff back to the apartment later today.”

Dale had his back to Gavin, but he stiffened before finally spinning around. “What? Why?” His face was pale, his eyes wide as if he’d just received the most horrifying information. It made no sense.

Gavin tipped his head to the side and narrowed his gaze. “You obviously need some space. You’ve been avoiding me like I have a plague. I got the hint. I’m stronger now. I actually feel better than I did before the accident. I will be fine on my own. I need to figure out what I’m doing next with my life anyway. Finish my thesis. Find a job. Learn to live as a shifter.”

Dale dropped whatever tool he was holding and took a few tentative steps closer. “I don’t want you to leave. Why would I want that?”

Gavin frowned. “You rarely speak to me, Dale, and you haven’t touched me in days. I can’t remember when.”

Dale shook his head. He swallowed, his face even paler. “No. God. Is that what you thought? That I didn’t want you here?”

“What the hell else is there to think?” His voice rose a bit. His heart was pounding with sadness and confusion.

“You have it all wrong, baby.” It was the first time he’d heard Dale use that endearment in weeks, and it came out gentle and loving. What the hell.

“Do I?”

“Apparently so.” Dale suddenly rushed forward, backing Gavin into the window behind him and cupping his face. He pressed his body firmly against Gavin. “You’ve misinterpreted me.”

“How so? You’ve obviously lost interest.” Gavin’s throat was tight. His cock had also jumped to attention. He reached with one hand to cup Dale’s closely shaved cheek, his fingers threading in the long loose locks of his hair.

Dale searched his face and then slowly smiled. “Baby, God.” He held his gaze. “I’ll never lose interest in you. Never. You hear me?”

“You have a strange way of showing it.” What the hell was going on here?

“I was letting you heal.”

“Letting me heal? What the fuck does that mean? I’ve been healing fine. I’ve been perfectly okay for over a week, during which time you’ve ignored me as if I were intruding on your life. I got the message that you’re no longer attracted to me. So, I’m moving out.”

Dale inhaled so slowly, his eyes closing halfway. Was he scenting him? “Baby, I’ve never been more attracted to anyone in my life. I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but you’re ten times sexier than you were before you transitioned. When I’m in the same room with you—or even the house—my dick won’t behave. I can’t hold a thought or function properly. My bear wants to claim you. Bite you. Bind you to me in every possible way.”

“Then why are you ignoring me? Do it,” Gavin challenged. He had expected them to bind when he got out of the hospital. He thought that was what Dale wanted. He knew it was what he wanted. Not a shred of doubt lingered in his mind. But then this withdrawal occurred.

Dale flinched. “I was waiting for you to get accustomed to your new existence. You weren’t ready. It would be unfair of me to bind to you when you don’t fully grasp yet what that means. It’s not the same as a human marriage. It’s permanent in a way that can’t be broken. We would be bound together for life. A long life. Shifters don’t break up and go their separate ways like humans. We aren’t capable of it, and that’s difficult to comprehend. I don’t even fully grasp the entire force of what it means to bind because I’ve never done it. It’s a commitment you have to be certain of in your soul.”

“And are you?” Gavin forced those words out through a tightness that started in his chest and rushed up to include his throat.

“Me?” Dale’s grip on Gavin’s cheeks tightened. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“So you ignored me? I’m still not grasping the connection.”

He smiled slowly. “I did it for self-preservation. I didn’t know you’d noticed and taken it the wrong way. My bear wants you for itself selfishly. I want you to make your own decisions, not influenced by my damn lust.”

“You think I don’t get it?” His voice rose. “I watched my best friend meet and bind to her soul mate just a month ago. Paige and Wyatt are a sight to behold. If that wasn’t evidence enough of what it means to bind, I don’t know what is.” He rolled his eyes. “Jesus, Dale, your lust isn’t one-sided. Don’t be so blind. I’ve wanted to fuck the daylights out of you from about two minutes after I woke up from that coma.

Dale stiffened. “You want to fuck me?”

“Of course.”

He licked his lips. “You mean…?”

“I mean I want to press my cock into your tight ass and feel what you feel when you do it to me. I want you to experience the same thing. I’d also like a repeat performance with you on top. I’m free now. Are you?” Gavin held his breath, waiting for Dale to respond. Had he asked for too much? Maybe when Dale said he didn’t bottom he meant never. And that was okay. It wasn’t a deal breaker, but Gavin would sure like to try it at least once. He was curious, and part of him wanted the one piece of Dale no one else had ever claimed.

Too many seconds went by while Gavin promised himself he wouldn’t be disappointed. And then a slow smile and Dale’s low, deep, sexy, raspy voice. “I’d like that.”

The air whooshed from Gavin’s lungs.

Dale reached around him and opened the back door. Without looking, he backed Gavin into the house and shut the door behind them. In a heartbeat, Dale lifted Gavin’s shirt and whipped it over his head. He dragged one finger down Gavin’s chest until Gavin shivered. “You’re sure you feel up to this?”

“Lord, Dale. I’m positive. Nothing hurts. I’m one hundred and ten percent.”

“Good. Get naked.”

“So bossy.”

Dale grasped Gavin’s chin with his fingers and met his gaze, inches separating them. “I’m not going to be slow or gentle this time, baby. It’s been a long time since we last fucked, I’m horny as hell, and the fact that you’re now a shifter makes you even sexier. So yeah, get in the bedroom, remove everything, and get on your knees.”

Gavin didn’t hesitate. The moment Dale released him, he padded down the hallway. His hands were shaking from the desperate need to fuck, so badly it was difficult to remove his jeans. He managed though, and his cock bobbed even stiffer as he lowered himself to his knees in the middle of the room. Submitting to Dale made him so damn hot. It had been amazing even before the transition, but he instinctively knew it was going to be twice as good now. He’d dreamed of this moment for weeks. It was finally here.

His newfound ability to sense things stronger than before came in handy as he listened to Dale’s footsteps coming down the hall. He closed his eyes and pictured every detail as he heard the swish of fabric that indicated Dale’s chest was now bare. The teeth of his zipper resounded in the room next.

Gavin inhaled long and slow, savoring the scent of lust and Dale. His pheromones filled the entire house. It had been difficult to concentrate for the last several weeks with the pull to bind tugging at him.

A tingling spread down Gavin’s arms and torso as Dale set his hands on Gavin’s shoulders. “It makes my dick so hard when you submit to me like this.”

Gavin’s face was angled toward the floor, and he opened his eyes to see his own erection standing proud and eager. “Me too, Sir.” The entire flavor of this role-play was different somehow. Enhanced. So much more intense now that Gavin had transitioned.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I want you inside me.”

Gavin’s breath hitched. Thank God.

“Not promising I’m going to love it or that we’ll do it all the time. I also don’t want you to confuse fucking me with topping me.”

“Yes, Sir.” He shuddered as Dale punctuated his words with a squeeze to his shoulders.

Dale leaned down and set his lips on Gavin’s ear. Now the chill switched to goosebumps as Dale’s breath wafted across his lobe. Dale whispered, “You are so damn sexy. I’ve never craved having a man’s cock inside me before now.”

Gavin nodded, his face flushing. It meant the world to him that Dale would not only permit him to at least try the new position but that Dale also seemed to lust for it.

Dale pressed gently on Gavin’s back. “Hands and knees.”

Gavin complied, wondering how this was going to work but not offering any suggestions. If Dale needed to control the situation and find his way, Gavin would let him.

“Let me fuck you first, baby. I need to take the edge off. If I don’t, my entire attention is going to be on getting myself off instead of the feel of you inside me. Okay?”

It was odd that he would ask permission. “Of course, Sir.” Gavin’s pulse picked up, and he rocked back into Dale’s touch, needing any contact.

But Dale stood and padded across the room instead. He pulled open the drawer of the bedside table and returned with lube.

Just knowing his ass was about to be penetrated by this gorgeous lover of his made his dick harder every time, but this time was even more significant. Gavin just hoped Dale would understand that same intense craving and even enjoy it.

He also prayed he wouldn’t come all over the floor the instant Dale penetrated him.

Dale set a hand on Gavin’s lower back and tapped his tight hole with his other fingers. Cool, wet lube drew a moan out of Gavin’s throat. “Please.”

“God, I love it when you beg like that. Let me stretch you.”

Gavin didn’t think he needed stretching, but then again, it had been weeks since he’d had anything inside him. Four very long weeks.

One finger slowly entered him and thrust a few times.

Gavin rocked back into the contact, his cock bobbing in the air.

Dale added a second finger, stretching and twisting until Gavin thought he would lose his mind. “Please,” he pleaded again.

A third finger joined the first two. “So tight. So damn tight. I’m going to come the second I’m inside you.”

Fine. Good. Do it.

Dale chuckled, reminding Gavin he could read his thoughts. “It’s going to be so fun dominating you now that I can hear your thoughts. You’re going to learn a whole new level of submission, and I’m going to have to find creative ways to punish your silent insolence.” He punctuated those last words with the hard pounding of his fingers as deep as they could reach, and then his hand disappeared.

Gavin whimpered, trying hard not to think any thoughts at all.

“Not going to silently command me anymore?”

“No, Sir.”

Another chuckle. “You work on that while I fuck you so hard you can’t keep your mind from opening up.” Dale grabbed Gavin’s hips with both hands, kicked his knees apart, settled between them, and thrust his length all the way to the hilt without another word.

Gavin’s vision blurred at the sharp, intense stretch. The slight edge of pain made him almost come. He’d never come with no contact to his cock. Today might be a new day. He gritted his teeth, concentrating on keeping his thoughts subordinate and his orgasm at bay.

“Damn, you’re even sexier when you juggle too many things in your mind.” Dale pulled partway out and then thrust back in. His words were clipped. “So…good.”

He wasn’t kidding. Nothing had ever felt this good. Having Dale inside him like this was even better since the transition. It had been amazing before, but it was out of this world now.

“I. Can. Hear. Your. Thoughts.” Dale pounded harder, groaning after he spoke.

Gavin didn’t care what his partner heard anymore. Instead, he let himself slide into that place where nothing else existed except the feel of his ass being filled by the only man he’d ever love.

Another moan. Had Dale heard that last thought clearly? Dale gripped his hips tighter and then grunted as he gave one final thrust and held himself deep.

The pulsing of his lover’s cock was almost more than Gavin could handle and keep from coming. In fact, he lifted one hand and gripped his dick firmly to dampen the need. The fact that he could hold himself up with one hand was a testament to his new increased strength.

Dale was breathing heavily when he slid out of Gavin’s ass. He reached around and wrapped his hand over Gavin’s. “Good boy.”

Gavin nodded, unable to speak, still trying to get ahold of himself.

“Saving that for my ass, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Gavin felt the smile against his neck. “I’ve never been in love before either,” he whispered. “I thought I was, but it was nothing like this. And I’m honored to have you be the first and only man who gets to enter me.”

Gavin closed his eyes and gripped his cock tighter.

Dale slowly stood, his hands on Gavin’s waist to help him to his feet also. He nestled himself at Gavin’s back and wrapped his arms around him from behind. His chin rested on Gavin’s shoulder when he spoke again. “Where do you want me, baby?”

Oh. He was going to let Gavin choose?

“I want it to be good for you. I know you’ve thought about it. Pictured it. What position were we in?”

Gavin swallowed, gathering strength to ask for what he wanted. “You on your back on the bed? Legs open for me?”

Dale gave him a tight squeeze. “Got it.” He released his lover and climbed onto the bed.

Gavin watched Dale’s face closely to read him. Dale didn’t look concerned or nervous. That was a good sign. He even lifted his knees and let them fall open wide. His impressive cock was still fully erect. Or it was again.

Gavin reached for the lube Dale had left on the bedside table and poured a generous amount onto his fingers. He closed the top and set it next to Dale’s knee in case he needed more. And then he climbed between his lover’s legs and lowered his hand toward the tight hole calling to him.

Dale shivered slightly at the first contact. “Cold,” he muttered.

Gavin smiled, keeping his gaze on his partner’s cock, his balls, the puckered hole he was about to penetrate. He followed his instinct, imitating the actions he liked Dale to perform to prepare him. He circled the entrance several times and then pressed one finger against the ring of muscle. He pursed his lips, forcing himself to encourage Dale with actions instead of words. He didn’t want to appear to be topping his Dom.

As luck would have it, Dale took over, instructing Gavin in whispered breaths. “Go ahead, baby. One finger first. I’ll try to relax.”

Gavin eased his middle finger into Dale, reaching with his other hand to once again grip his cock so he wouldn’t come. As he pushed his finger in as deep as he could, he lifted his gaze to find Dale smiling. “It’s heady knowing how badly you want to fuck me. Even if I don’t enjoy it, I would do it again just to see that look on your face and to please you.”

Gavin nodded, unable to find the words to respond.

Dale grabbed Gavin’s wrist at his opening. “I’m not fragile. You’re fine. Add another finger.”

Gavin let his ring finger slide in with his middle finger, stretching. Dale was so damn tight that he worried he wouldn’t be able to fully enter him before he came. It was a legitimate fear.

Several thrusts later Dale sighed, relaxed into the mattress, grabbed his thighs with both hands, and pressed them open wider. “That feels amazing.”

Thank God.

“Every time you hit my prostate…” His words trailed off, and Gavin curved his fingers to ensure he hit just the right place with every thrust.

Dale’s sigh became a moan. “I can’t believe this, but I think I might come again. Add a third, baby, but quickly. Need you inside me.”

Gavin complied, his pointer joining the other fingers to stretch his partner wider. It was going to be so tight no matter what.

“Now, Gavin. Baby, now.”

Gavin pulled his fingers free and held his cock at the puckered entrance. He watched closely as he slid the tip of his dick over the hole. He’d never wanted anything this badly before. And he wanted to savor this moment to remember it forever.

In his heart, he knew everything between them would change after this. It was almost more poignant than Gavin becoming a shifter. This was Dale’s way of fully giving himself to his partner. That fact did not escape Gavin’s attention.

Dale moaned. “Now, baby. Do it.”

Gavin gritted his teeth, willing his dick to stand down enough to hang on for the ride, and then he pushed forward. So tight. So fucking tight. This was not going to be like a handjob or even a blowjob. Inch by inch, he entered until he was fully seated. Sweat had built on his forehead, and a drop ran down to slide into his eye.

Dale was holding his breath, not speaking or communicating anything yet.

“Sir?”

Finally, he exhaled and reached for Gavin’s chin, looking him in the eye. “So fucking good. Do it again.”

Gavin grabbed Dale’s knees and pulled almost out before thrusting forward much harder this time. An incoherent sound left his mouth. He was not going to be able to hold back.

“Not yet, baby. Hold on to the need. I want you to fuck me first.” Dale released Gavin’s chin to wrap his hand around his own cock and slide it up and down the shaft. He moaned.

The sound of Dale’s pleasure caused a slow burn to grow in Gavin’s belly. He held his breath as he fucked harder, faster, deeper, willing himself not to come yet. He wanted this to last, and he wanted Dale to come with him.

Another thought wormed its way into his mind. The binding. He’d never understood what it might feel like. The desire. The urge to…bite someone. It rose to the surface. It dug its claws into Gavin from the inside. It shocked him, making him gasp and lick his lips.

“Not this time, baby.” Dale’s words reached into his mind. “Not tonight.”

Gavin was startled by his lover’s interruption of his thoughts. He needed to learn to block better, or he would spend his life as an open book. The distraction temporarily kept him from coming though.

He watched as Dale tipped his head back, his neck elongating, his mouth falling open. “I’m gonna come. Come with me.”

Gavin thrust again, releasing his breath as he finally let go. He buried himself as deep as possible and came harder than he’d ever come before, a scream of pleasure filling the room.

Dale’s warm come jutted out in stream after stream, landing on his belly while Gavin watched through the haze of pleasure. Time stopped while Gavin soaked in this perfect moment. When he finally eased out, Dale was watching him. He held his gaze while he reached for the box of tissues on the bedside table and tugged several out to wipe his belly and then his thighs.

Without a word, he pulled Gavin down from his knees. He nestled Gavin on his side so that Dale spooned him from behind, holding him so close Gavin almost couldn’t breathe.

Dale’s mouth teased his ear. “I love you.”

Gavin licked his dry lips, still a little shell-shocked from the best sex ever. “I love you too.” He swallowed and asked the nagging question that wouldn’t let go. “Why haven’t you bound us together?”

“Mmm. I haven’t even touched you for a while, baby.”

“Yeah. I didn’t like that by the way. Don’t do it again.”

Dale chuckled, the vibrations shaking Gavin’s entire body. “I promise, bossy.”

“Sir…”

Another laugh. “Little late to take that on, don’t you think?”

“What I think is that you’re avoiding the question. Sir.”

“Snarky and bossy.” Dale smoothed his hand down Gavin’s belly and wiggled it between them until he flattened it on Gavin’s ass. “Just because you can shift now doesn’t mean I can’t spank your ass every now and then, sub.”

Gavin clenched his ass, more of him wishing Dale would spank him again than not. He wanted to know how it would feel now that he was a shifter. Would it be different?

Of course, Dale read his errant thoughts again. “There will be plenty of times in the next eighty years or so that I take you over my knee and make you beg me to let you come.” He squeezed Gavin’s cheek and then pulled his hand back out and set it on Gavin’s thigh.

“Was it…good?” Gavin asked. “Would you do it again?”

Dale’s lips teased Gavin’s shoulder. “It was better than good. It was amazing. And we will most definitely be doing it again.”

Gavin’s entire body warmed. “And why didn’t you bite me?”

Dale sighed. For a long time, they lay there, saying nothing.

Gavin recognized Dale’s need to think, and he let him. Something was eating at Dale. He had something to say, but Gavin held his tongue.

Finally, Dale patted Gavin’s thigh and pushed himself to sitting. He scooted off the opposite side of the bed and left the room.

Gavin didn’t know what to do or say or think. He was a little freaked out as he lifted his body and shuffled his butt back to sit and lean against the headboard. He even grabbed the sheet and covered his legs and cock. He didn’t usually hide himself from Dale, but the air was heavy with the weight of something he couldn’t put his finger on. He could scent Dale returning, the edge of nervousness and maybe fear coming from his partner.

Dale held a tidy stack of papers in his hand. He climbed back onto the bed, setting them face down as he took a spot next to Gavin, their shoulders touching. He didn’t say a word while he picked up the papers. He held them upside down for several moments in his lap before slowly turning them over and handing them to Gavin.

Gavin took them, but his gaze was on Dale. “Whatever this is, you don’t have to show me.”

“I do.”

“Does this have anything to do with why you haven’t bound us together?”

“Yes.”

“And you think it will make a difference?”

He sighed. “I don’t know.” He shook his head. “No. I don’t.” His face was serious. “I think you will still bind to me, but I also think you will look at me differently. And I can’t conscientiously bind you to me for life while I keep this from you.”

Gavin held his partner’s gaze. “I don’t care what’s on these papers.”

“I know you don’t, but I do.” Dale smiled.

“It won’t change anything.”

“Yes, it will. It always does.”

It always does? Others are aware of this?

Again, his thoughts were not his own. “Some people know. Not many. My parents. The Arcadian Council. Wyatt. A few others.”

“Ethan? Did he know?”

Dale shook his head. “No.” He glanced down guiltily.

Gavin didn’t want to look. He didn’t want anything to ruin this perfect morning.

Finally, Dale lifted his hand, cupped Gavin’s face, and kissed him gently. “I haven’t killed anyone. I’m not dying of a disease. It’s not that bad. Just look.”

Gavin lowered his face and lifted the sheets of paper. The first page said Standardized Intelligence Testing at the top. An IQ test? He scanned down the page, pausing when he saw the number at the bottom. Holy shit. He flipped to the next page. Mensa Approved Intelligence Test was typed across the top.

The next page held test scores for college admittance. The next was his high school transcript. The next was his college transcript. And on and on. Several more awards and documents that told the story of one very intelligent human being.

Gavin lowered the stack to his lap and lifted his gaze. “So, you’re saying you’re smart.”

Dale gave a sharp chuckle and shrugged. “That’s what they tell me.”

“This is why the Arcadian Council needs you so badly.”

“I’ve been told that also.” He kept his gaze on his lap as if he were embarrassed.

Gavin tossed the papers aside and spun to straddle Dale’s lap. Their cocks lined up next to each other as Gavin took Dale’s face in his hands and forced him to look at him. “I’m about to bind for life to a genius.”

A slow smile spread across Dale’s face. “If you don’t mind.” It was the humblest thing Dale had ever said, like a request. He licked his lips. “It seemed wrong to keep that from you if we’re going to bind.”

“You scared the hell out of me, making me think you were dying or had some giant debt or something.”

Dale laughed now, his body loosening up. “I told you I wasn’t dying, and I should probably show you my financial portfolio too.”

Gavin lifted a brow.

“The council pays me well.”

“You haven’t even been working for them for more than a few weeks.”

“But I worked for them for several years before I quit.” He shrugged. “I don’t need much money. I just banked it.”

“So I’m binding myself to a rich guy who’s smart? My own personal sugar daddy?” he teased.

Dale cupped his ass and pinched both cheeks. “If you ever call me that again, I’ll whip you until you can’t sit.”

“A sugar daddy?” He couldn’t resist the urge to say it again. Bring it on…

One second Gavin was straddling his lover’s lap, the next second he was on his belly over Dale’s thighs, his ass in the air. He braced himself with both hands against the mattress, his cock going from its semi-erect state to full-on rock hard in an instant.

Dale flattened his palm on Gavin’s ass. “The scent of your arousal when I’m about to punish you is intoxicating.” Without hesitation, he lifted his hand and slapped Gavin’s cheek hard. He did the same to the other cheek right afterward.

Gavin moaned, pursing his lips and pressing his forehead into the bed.

“Fuck. You’re so sexy.” Dale swatted him several more times. “I would ask if you were okay like I did last time I spanked you, but this time I can read your lascivious thoughts as well as smell your damn arousal.” Another hard spank, lower, at the juncture of Gavin’s thighs and his butt.

He was going to come. There was no way to stop it.

Except there was one way.

Dale stopped spanking him. He grabbed him by the waist, flipped him over, and hauled him onto his lap sideways.

Gavin’s dick throbbed with need. His ass stung where it rubbed against the hair on Dale’s thighs. He started to reach for his cock to circle it in his fist, but Dale grabbed his wrist and held it away from his body.

Gavin considered fighting against his lover, but his body was so overwhelmed with the need to come he couldn’t focus.

“Look at me,” Dale demanded.

Gavin blinked as he focused on Dale’s face.

“Be mine.”

Gavin stared.

“Be mine. Say you’re mine. Tell me you want to be with me for the rest of our lives.”

Gavin nodded. “God, yes. I want to be yours. I already am yours. Forever.”

“I’m going to bite the soft spot at the base of your neck. It will sting for a second, but then my serum will run down my teeth into your bloodstream and they say you’ll feel an unimaginable euphoria.”

“Do it.” He’d never wanted anything more. “Do it, Dale. Bind us.”

“I want you to do it at the same time.”

Gavin nodded. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He glanced at Dale’s neck, the desire to join so strong it was potent in the air. He suddenly realized instinct had taken over. He knew the exact amount of pressure to apply as if he were born to do this. He could also feel his own serum at the surface, fighting to be released.

Dale licked his lips and lowered his face, releasing Gavin’s wrist.

The moment Dale’s teeth brushed over Gavin’s skin, Gavin grabbed his lover’s shoulders and leaned closer. He was too consumed with what Dale was doing to bite him at the same time. Besides, the logistics of simultaneously binding made it not feasible.

Dale dragged his teeth across the skin again, making Gavin moan. And then he punctured the skin so quickly Gavin didn’t have time to freak out. A second later, he felt the warm spread of the binding serum entering his body. He thought he might faint from the elation, but he didn’t want to miss out on this moment.

And then Dale’s teeth released him, and he licked the spot.

Gavin wasn’t sure if he wanted to fuck first or bite first. He chose the second, dropping his mouth to Dale’s neck before the wave of perfection had fully passed. He imitated Dale’s bite, letting his teeth sink in slowly and then the serum.

If the first bite was earth-shattering, the second one stopped the world on its axis.

The moment Gavin released his bite, Dale flipped him onto his back, nearly knocking the wind out of him. He met his gaze with crazed eyes that held the same urgency Gavin felt. Dale dropped his mouth to Gavin’s in a crushing, all-consuming kiss. They would have bruised lips when they were done.

Dale’s hand found its way to their cocks, masturbating the two dicks in his single grip.

The warmth and pressure was too much. Gavin couldn’t concentrate on the kiss because all his brain cells raced to the impending orgasm. Dale was more in control for some reason, continuing to nibble on Gavin’s slack lips while he pumped his fist up and down so fast there was no way to stop himself from coming.

“Come with me, baby. Come for me. Love you so much.” This sounded in Gavin’s head. He wished he could return the words, but his brain wasn’t working any better than his motor skills. The entire world was all about his dick in Dale’s hand, coupled with his mate’s cock.

And then he shattered, his come thrusting out in long, drawn-out, ribbons between them. He was also aware that he was not alone. Dale joined him at the same second.

When the wave of lust subsided, Dale was panting, his forehead pressed against Gavin’s. Neither of them spoke. Dale ran his hand up and down Gavin’s torso while Gavin found enough motor skills to lift his fingers and stroke Dale’s biceps. “Now I see what all the hype is about.”

Dale chuckled into his head. “You’re not kidding. I’m gonna need to do that again in about thirty seconds.”

“Make it fifteen, and you’ve got a deal.” His cock was already coming back to life.

“We’re not going to be able to leave this house for a week.”

“I’m okay with that.” Gavin was still trying to catch his breath, loving the fact that shifters could share so much without moving their lips.

Dale finally spoke out loud. “Let’s move to the shower for the next round before all this come glues us together.” He released Gavin’s dick and pushed onto his elbows. He didn’t make any motion to roll off the bed yet though. Instead, he stared down at Gavin’s face, his expression serious. “I’m the luckiest man alive.”

Gavin grinned. “Not even close.”