Chapter Eleven
Pacing his living room floor, Tank swallowed against the dryness of his throat. He sipped his water trying to relieve the ache, but nothing worked. He was tired too, his body weighing what felt like a thousand pounds and he blinked when his vision blurred. He couldn't understand why his body was behaving like this. He'd eaten, slept, and made sure he was in good health with no lingering effects from his injuries. He'd done everything he'd been advised to do.
Shaking his head, he sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at a football game on the TV, but not paying any attention. He probed the healing wound on his leg, noting that it wasn't as painful now. He was good, everything was okay, so why did he feel this way? What was causing it?
Niles. It had to be Niles.
He dropped his head into his hands and closed his eyes. When was the last time Niles had fed from him? Tank knew Niles would need his blood now they were mated. It was before the accident and that was a good two weeks ago. Would he need blood so soon? Man, he was an idiot. He should know the answer. He needed to speak to Niles.
Niles.
When there was no response, he tried again.
Niles.
When there was still no answer, Tank growled in frustration. Damn stubborn mate.
Niles, let me help you. I know you need to feed.
I'll manage.
Sighing in relief, Tank continued, Please, Niles. I fucked up. Punish me all you want, but don't punish yourself.
When there was nothing, Tank slumped back on the sofa, and stared up at the ceiling. "Shit."
I'll be home in an hour.
Tank jerked in surprise when he heard Niles' voice in his head.
I'll be there.
Jumping up, Tank quickly showered and dressed in clean clothes then drove over to Niles'. He knocked on the door and stood waiting, rocking on his feet. When there was no answer, his shoulders slumped. Had Niles' lied to him?
He was about to leave when he heard a sound from the other side of the door. Turning, he saw it open and stared at Niles, his mouth falling open in surprise.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes scanning over his mate.
Niles looked paler than normal, dark shadows under his eyes and to Tank he looked like he'd lost some weight too.
"Road traffic accident, RTA, on Baker's Road."
Niles walked back into the house leaving Tank to follow. In the kitchen, Tank watched him move around, far too slow for his mate, and to his eyes, a little unsteady on his feet.
"It's been nonstop for forty-eight hours," Niles muttered, bracing himself against the counter, his head dropping.
Tank walked over to him and gently turned him to the nearest chair. "Sit and relax. Have you eaten?"
"I had a snack from the canteen."
Tank stared at Niles, then walked over to the refrigerator. Steaks and the makings of a salad. Pulling them out, he checked both and was glad to find they would be okay to eat.
"I'll cook while you relax. Aren't you a heart doctor?"
"Cardiothoracic surgeon."
"Okay, so—"
"One of the drivers needed heart surgery due to injury, and another developed problems. Aftercare, notes, reviews." Niles shrugged. "Long shift."
"Oh, okay." Tank prepared the food and cooked the steaks. He kept an eye on Niles watching him as he slumped further and further down in his chair, his eyes closing. When the food was ready, he plated it and placed it in front of Niles, nudging him awake.
"Eat this and then you'll feed." When Niles' eyes shot to his, Tank added, "Don't think I don't know you need to feed from me. You should have told me sooner. You're a doctor and you of all people should be more responsible."
Niles shrugged again, and Tank sighed in frustration at the lack of concern his mate was showing. Niles didn't say anything more, and they sat eating in a heavy, awkward silence. Several times throughout the meal, Tank would pause to make sure Niles was eating. He was, but it was slow going.
When they'd both finished, Tank cleared the dishes away and glanced at Niles, seeing him virtually asleep on the table. Leaving them in the sink, he walked over to Niles, tapping him on the shoulder.
"Come on. Let's get you to bed so you can feed and sleep."
Niles stood and brushed past Tank causing him to sigh again. Stubborn vampire. He followed him upstairs and managed to catch the bathroom door closing behind Niles. Seconds later, the shower came on, so Tank sat on the edge of the bed waiting for him to finish.
He glanced around the room, so similar to his own. He'd spent nights here, sleeping and fucking, enjoying the closeness and developing relationship with his mate. Everything was the same, and it reminded Tank what he was throwing away. Family or mate? Tank shook his head. What a fucked up choice to have to make.
The shower turned off and a few minutes later, Niles walked out with a towel wrapped around his hips. He crawled onto the bed and lay on his back, closing his eyes. Tank stared, and waited, but Niles said nothing.
Shaking his head again, Tank stripped his off his t-shirt and crawled over Niles. "Is this how it's gonna be?"
Keeping his eyes closed, Niles murmured, "You offered to let me feed."
Tank tilted his head and gave Niles a grim smile. "Neck or wrist?"
Niles opened his eyes and Tank saw the faint red glow begin to appear in them. They stared at each other, neither saying a word. Tank slowly lowered his head, giving Niles a chance to say no. When he didn't, Tank slid his lips over Niles' and felt the quick, indrawn breath he took.
He moved further over, settling over Niles, and could feel the evidence of his arousal. Niles was hard and so was Tank. He rubbed his dick along Niles', aching to feel no barriers between them and angled his head, licking across Niles' lips, eager to slip his tongue in and kiss his mate properly.
"Tank," Niles whispered, and he parted his lips letting Tank’s tongue slide in.
Moaning, Tank deepened the kiss, his hands tunneling into Niles' dark hair. Their tongues danced together, an erotic tango that Tank had missed. He'd never really been into kissing, but with Niles, he found he could do it all day and still want more. He always wanted more with his mate.
As they kissed, he slid a hand down Niles’ body, loving the feel of his mate beneath him, but worried that he could feel Niles' ribs. He'd lost too much weight.
He broke away from the kiss staring into Niles' glowing eyes. "Niles," he murmured.
Niles shook his head and pulled him back down and Tank went willingly. He was here now, and he'd give Niles everything he needed. He'd make sure he took what he needed.
He pulled the towel apart and cupped Niles' balls, rolling them between his fingers. He slid his hand up and palmed his dick, his fingers circling the width while his thumb smeared the precome over the head. It wasn't enough for Tank; he needed more. He needed to taste.
Pulling his mouth away, he placed a soft, gentle kiss on Niles’ lips then moved down his body until he was above his dick. He'd never done this before Niles, and even though he was better at receiving than giving, he wanted to please his mate.
He licked it from base to tip, enjoying the shudder that rolled through Niles' body. God, he'd missed him. His taste, his smell. The way his body felt, the way they connected. Niles arched up and Tank sucked the head into his mouth, his tongue going to all the spots he knew Niles loved to be touched. He wanted to please his mate, give him what he needed.
Niles’ hand gripped his hair. "Lube," he groaned out when Tank swallowed more of his dick.
Tank pulled off, found the lube on the bed, and went back to Niles' dick, sucking it back in. As he licked and sucked, he poured some lube onto his fingers. He rubbed two of them over Niles' hole, and when he felt Niles push out, he pushed them in. Two fingers soon became three, and he twisted them, making sure to hit Niles' hot spot.
Niles cried out, his body shuddering with every swipe of Tank's fingers over that spot, and his ass tightened, gripping Tank's fingers. Tank couldn't wait to feel that tight ass encasing his dick.
He made quick work of preparing Niles and when he was certain he was ready, he quickly stripped and knelt between Niles' spread legs. He leaned over him and teased him with his dick, rubbing it over Niles' hole.
"Don't tease me, Targon," Niles begged, the red shining in his eyes.
Tank pushed, popping past the muscle, and paused when the head was in, giving time for Niles to adjust. When Niles nodded, Tank slid all the way in and lay on top of Niles, his hands holding the sides of his head. He kissed him as his body moved, his tongue mimicking his dick. Niles moaned, his hips arching up, meeting every thrust into his body, and he wrapped his legs around Tanks waist, bringing them closer together.
Tank moved his hand and gripped Niles' hip, holding him in place. He couldn't go slow even though he wanted to. He needed Niles too much. He’d missed his body and the sounds he made when they were like this together.
Niles moved with him, his body responding to Tank's every thrust, and Tank kissed him, pouring as much emotion into it as he could. He opened himself up to Niles, letting him feel everything he did, letting his emotions flow through their bond to Niles. He needed Niles to know how much he cared, how much he wanted and needed him.
Tank moved faster, needing more, and Niles gave it. Niles' hands gripped him, holding him in place and Tank stared down into his glowing red eyes, seeing his fangs exposed. He knew what his mate needed.
Tilting his head, Tank bared his neck. "Take what you need. Feed from me."
Niles groaned, and Tank jerked when Niles' fangs pierced his flesh. As soon as he felt that first pull on his neck, he came, his body shuddering. He let the waves of ecstasy roll over him and gladly followed, letting go completely.
Niles came too, and Tank's orgasm shot higher when Niles' pleasure rushed through him, causing his own to build, the connection letting their emotions entwine causing their pleasure to reach new heights.
Tank didn't want this moment to an end, but he knew that it would. He lay on top of Niles, comforted by his presence and scent. He'd missed him since he'd last seen him at the hospital.
"I've missed you. I know I fucked this up. Please give me another chance."
"Why? Are you going to tell them about us? Have me come over for family meals?"
"Niles, don't—"
"I can't live a lie, even for you."
"Niles—"
Niles pushed, and Tank moved off him, noticing the wince on Nile's face when he pulled free from Niles' body. "You need to leave."
Tank sat up, watching Niles stand. "Niles, please."
"You know how I feel about you. You can feel it through our bond. I love you, Targon, but I'm not willing to live a lie. I won't be someone you hide from your family like a dirty secret. You're my mate. You're either in this with me or you're not. You need to decide." Tank watched Niles walk to the bathroom where he stopped and glanced back at him. "Go, Targon." He walked in and closed the door with a dull thud. Tank stared at it, realizing it was truly over and he had no one to blame but himself.