There was no reason for Banyan to be nervous, yet he was. His beast was urging him to give Urijah another chance, but he was hesitant. After several hours of drinking, eating, laughing, and dancing, he and Urijah were finally alone. They had danced together, holding each other close, as their families looked on. The way Banyan saw it, he was King, and could do whatever the fuck he wanted. In the end, no one had cared. Dacey muttered, “It’s about time,” and Tamas added, “I knew it all along.” He had ignored them both.

When Gautum was standing by the front door, he took Banyan’s face in his hands, tears filling his eyes. “You will never know what you mean to me.” Banyan didn’t try to hold back as he hugged his uncle tightly.

“I think I do,” he whispered. When they released one another, Banyan added, “Give me a few days to get my feet under me, and I’ll be by to see you and Freyda.”

Gautum glanced over Banyan’s shoulder to where Uri was saying goodbye to his family. Grinning, he said, “If ya know what’s good for ya, your feet won’t be touching the floor.”

Banyan coughed back a laugh. He hugged Freyda and Halina, promising to see them soon, and just like that, everyone was gone. Banyan closed the door, keeping his hand pressed to it and his back to Uri.

“Would you like for me to go?” Uri asked.

Banyan stood up straight and turned around. “The only place you’re going is upstairs. You have three minutes to get naked and on the bed,” he instructed.

“Don’t you think we need to talk first?”

“What I think is I’ve waited long enough to get inside you.”

Instead of heading upstairs, Urijah began removing his shirt, taking his sweet time in releasing each button, giving Banyan a glimpse of skin. Skin he had seen up close. Skin he had touched. Tasted. Skin Banyan wanted to writhe against. Lick. Suck. Fuck.

Uri shrugged out of his coat, letting the shirt fall to the floor with it. He licked his lips as he began unbuckling his belt. Banyan couldn’t decide whether to look at his mouth or his hand. Both were enticing. Urijah made the choice for him when he lowered his pants, sans underwear, letting them pool at his ankles. Keeping his eyes on Banyan, Uri stroked his hard cock while toeing off his shoes.

Banyan had wanted Urijah to go upstairs so Banyan would have a moment to gather his thoughts. He finally had his mate where he wanted him, so why was he hesitant? Because he broke your heart.

Banyan needed to play it safe. He would fuck him, and then they could have whatever conversation Urijah wanted. There would be no harm in having sex. At least that was what he tried to convince himself of. They had been intimate plenty of times in the past, but it wasn’t making love. It was hand jobs and blow jobs. Nothing more than a release. Getting Urijah in bed was the one thing that could possibly tie them together forever. If Banyan didn’t keep control, he might lose himself in the moment and bite Uri. He would have to make sure that didn’t happen.

Banyan couldn’t process the possibilities. All he knew was his mate was gloriously naked and waiting for him less than five feet away. Broad shoulders, bulging biceps, muscular thighs, and his hair… Banyan stalked to his mate and grabbed a fistful of hair, leaning Uri’s head back so he could get at his neck. With his free hand, he grabbed Urijah’s leaking cock. Banyan raked his fangs down Uri’s throat until he reached that point on his shoulder where all he had to do was bite down, and he would seal the bond. He couldn’t do that. Not yet. Retracting his fangs, he sought Uri’s mouth, thinking it the safer bet.

He was wrong.

The way Banyan tore at Uri’s mouth was just as rough as the way he stroked his dick. He wanted to make it clear this wasn’t making love. This was pure, unadulterated fucking. He wasn’t going to be gentle. Uri didn’t need gentle, proving it in the way his mouth sought for domination and the way his hands grabbed at Banyan’s ass, digging his fingers into the meaty cheeks. Banyan shoved Uri against the door and ground his clothed erection against Uri’s, gripping his hair tighter.

“Fuck, I want your ass,” Banyan husked against Uri’s mouth.

“Then take it.” Urijah placed his hands on Banyan’s hips, pulling him closer.

Banyan grabbed Uri’s thighs and lifted, causing Uri to wrap his long legs around Banyan’s hips. Urijah was just as large a male, but Banyan had no trouble holding his mate up. Slanting his mouth over Uri’s, Banyan kissed like a male possessed. He pushed Uri’s back into the door, giving himself room to release his own erection from the confines of his pants. When he was free, he wrapped both their cocks in his large fist. Banyan used the pre-cum as natural lube, stroking hard and fast. His beast demanded he take Uri’s ass and bite him, sealing the bond, but Banyan refused.

Urijah dug both hands into Banyan’s shoulders as his breathing sped, his chest heaved. “Godsdamn, B. Feels so good,” he muttered, staring down at where Banyan was working them over, his long hair falling around his face. “Fuck, yeah,” Uri husked. Urijah’s words were the best kind of porn, spurring Banyan’s climax to rush to the surface. He had no intention of shooting his load so quickly, so he released his grip and lowered Uri’s feet to the floor.

“Go upstairs, get on the bed, on your hands and knees,” he demanded. He had always imagined their first time would be with one of them on their back – he didn’t care who – and gazing into each other’s eyes as they made love. He still wanted that now, but he couldn’t risk it. If he looked at Urijah while fucking him, watched as his mate came apart in his arms, he had no doubt his emotions would get the better of him, and he’d do something stupid like give in to the mate bond.

Would that be so bad?

Yes. I can’t trust him.

Urijah looked up the stairs then back at Banyan. Either Uri didn’t want to have sex or he didn’t want to bottom. Neither made Banyan happy. “Uri,” he growled. Uri’s eyes widened, but instead of doing as commanded, he dropped to his knees in front of his mate. Banyan’s cock jumped at the sight of Uri licking his lips. This was something Banyan dreamed of often and used as mental fodder when he jerked off alone. There was no hesitation on Urijah’s part once Banyan pushed his pants farther down his legs, presenting his cock to his mate.

Banyan wanted to close his eyes and enjoy what Uri’s tongue was doing. He wanted to feel every sensation of his mate sucking the head before swallowing his shaft all the way down, but he couldn’t. He had to look. Banyan had to see it as it happened. He had imagined this scenario hundreds if not thousands of times, and there was no way he couldn’t enjoy the sight of his dick disappearing into Uri’s mouth, lips stretched wide.

Urijah’s words earlier had set Banyan off, but this… Urijah on his knees, sucking Banyan’s cock, tugging at his balls… this was a dream. A fantasy come true. The more times his length disappeared into the warmth of his mate’s mouth, the stronger the urge to come. “Uri…” that was all the warning he gave before his orgasm hit and he erupted down Uri’s throat. Uri swallowed every drop, sinking back on his heels when Banyan was no longer pulsing. The look of bliss on Urijah’s face was too much for Banyan. It was full of something he wasn’t ready for. Not yet.

“Now, I’ll go upstairs,” Uri said as he stood. He kissed Banyan on the side of the mouth as he passed by. Banyan remained rooted to the floor as he came down from the high of his climax, admiring Urijah’s strong back and firm ass as he took the steps two at a time.

If Urijah hadn’t gone upstairs, Banyan had no doubt he would be fucking him on the floor by the front door in a matter of minutes. He was still hard, and he was ready to finally get inside his mate. Not wanting to keep Uri waiting, Banyan stalked his mate up the stairs, removing his clothes as he went. When he reached the door, Urijah was in the middle of the bed with his chest lowered and knees spread out, presenting himself to Banyan. The sight of Uri’s tight pucker had Banyan ready to shove his cock inside and mark his mate. Ready to phase completely and roar the house down. Climbing behind Uri, Banyan couldn’t resist running his hands down the smooth skin of his back. While he wanted to dig into Uri’s skin, slam his cock home in his hole, Banyan begged his shifter to ease back on the aggression. The beast inside would take Uri hard and fast if he let it have control. Banyan didn’t want to make love, but he didn’t want to hurt Uri either.

He caressed Uri’s sides until his hands reached Uri’s hips. Banyan spread Uri’s cheeks apart, his mouth salivating at the sight before him. In all the years he’d been having sex, Banyan had never seen anything more enticing. He couldn’t resist shoving his face between Uri’s cheeks and teasing his hole with a flick of his tongue. When Uri groaned, Banyan gave in to the desire to feast on Uri’s ass. Just because he wasn’t willing to make love didn’t mean Banyan planned on rushing their first time.

Banyan slid a finger inside Uri while continuing to work him over with his tongue. When he found Uri’s prostate, he thought his mate was going to knock him off the bed. Uri bucked, and Banyan removed his finger so he could hold his mate in place. “B, please,” Uri begged.

“Please what?”

“I need you,” Urijah whispered.

“What do you need, Uri?” He rose up on his knees and stroked his hard cock, ready to put it where his tongue had been. But he wanted to hear his mate ask for it. He had waited to hear the words fall from his mate’s mouth for centuries. Had waited for this moment, and he wasn’t going to give in to Uri without him saying it out loud.

“I need you inside me. Marking me. Making me yours. I’m already yours, but I want you to fill me up with your seed. I want you to be my first. My last.”

Banyan’s hand stilled as Urijah’s words sunk in. Urijah had never let anyone inside of him, just like Banyan had kept himself for Uri.

“Please, B. Take my ass. Make me feel it.”

Uri’s words were the catalyst the beast needed to take over. Banyan fought for control, but in that moment, the shifter was too strong. Using only the leaking moisture from the tip as lube, Banyan directed his cock to Uri’s glistening hole and pushed inside. He didn’t ease his way in. He didn’t give Uri a chance to adjust to his size. Banyan’s sight was blurry as he fought to keep the beast from completely taking over. He didn’t want to hurt Uri, but the shifter needed to claim his mate as much as Uri needed Banyan to mark him. Uri’s claws came out as he hissed through the pain.

“Fucking hell, Banyan.” Urijah gripped the bedding, shredding it. Banyan could feel Uri’s unease, and he fought hard to stop the harsh thrusting. He had to concentrate on keeping his own claws where they belonged, but he couldn’t stop his fangs from dropping. Seeing his dick encased in Uri’s ass, hearing Uri’s muttered curses, smelling their combined musk, his senses were on overload, and Banyan was ready to explode. When he reached out again, what he found made him sick. His mate wasn’t feeling the pleasure, and it was enough for Banyan to regain control.

When Banyan pulled out, Urijah asked, “Where are you going?”

Banyan stood by the bed, chest heaving as he stared at his mate. He felt like the biggest dick ever. Taking a moment to make sure the beast was under control, he opened the drawer on his bedside table and retrieved a bottle of lube. Rarely did he use the stuff, but now he was glad he had it handy. “Making it good for both of us,” he stammered. At least he prayed he could make it good after being such a selfish prick.

Taking our mate isn’t selfish.

Hurting him is, you bastard.

After crawling back onto the bed, Banyan hesitated. He wanted this but not at the expense of Uri’s safety. He silently begged the beast to hang back. When Uri’s breathing had settled down, Banyan poured a substantial amount of lube on his palm and slicked up his cock before gently slathering Uri’s hole, pressing only one finger inside and twisting, making sure to hit Uri’s gland. Uri let out a moan, and Banyan added another digit, wanting to make his mate feel good.

Writhing against his fingers, Uri groaned, “Fuck, B. I need your cock.”

Banyan wiped the excess lube on the sheet before spreading Uri’s cheeks apart with his hands, his hole open and ready for Banyan to get back where he belonged. His heart tattooed a strong, steady rhythm inside his chest while somewhere deep inside, words of love and affection floated around, confusing him. Between the beast demanding Banyan to bite Uri and reminding him they were meant to be together, he wanted to tell his beast to shut the fuck up, but he couldn’t. This was Urijah. This was their mate, and deep down Banyan knew he had never stopped loving Urijah. He had given his heart to the male almost eight hundred years before, and he’d never gotten it back.

He didn’t want it back.

When he pressed inside, Banyan did so with the intention of taking it easier than he had before. Uri had to be feeling the burn from Banyan’s roughness. He never intended to hurt Uri. He’d just wanted to make his mate understand this was fucking and nothing more. Now, Banyan was having a hard time remembering that. With each roll of his hips, the urge to turn Urijah over grew stronger. He knew Uri had to be sensing his emotions. They might not have completed the bond, but they were Gargoyle. His confusion filled the room, mixing with the excitement of it being their first time.

“B, stop thinking so hard, and just fuck me,” Urijah said, looking over his shoulder. Banyan gasped. Literally sucked in a breath at the sight of Urijah’s normally light blue eyes now stormy with need and so much more. Pain. Lust. Love.

“Whatever’s going through your head, we’ll deal with it later. I’ve waited a long time to be with you, but if this isn’t something you want, if you need time to come to terms with everything…”

Banyan didn’t need time. He thought he did, but now that Uri was giving him the out, he realized he wanted to do this the right way. He wasn’t ready to complete the mate bond, but he was ready to make love. “Turn over,” he commanded.

 

 

Urijah could barely breathe. He didn’t know if Banyan was trying to get back at him for all their years apart, or if he was always that rough when fucking. Uri had never allowed anyone to breach his ass, and if that was the way Banyan was going to go about it, he wasn’t sure he wanted it. Banyan’s mood was changing so rapidly Uri couldn’t keep up with what his mate was feeling. When Banyan pulled out, Uri was almost relieved. When Banyan ended up standing beside the bed, Uri could see the shame in his eyes for being so rough. The beast had no doubt taken over. While Urijah had been hanging on and breathing through the pain, his own beast had been growling in appreciation. Fucker.

When Banyan came up with a bottle of lube, Uri was definitely relieved. Banyan’s tongue had felt beyond amazing, and Uri had almost come from the rimming alone. But when Banyan shoved his cock in without any more preparation, Uri thought he was going to scream like a little bitch from the pain. He might be Gargoyle, but Banyan’s cock was thick, and Urijah’s hole virgin.

The slide of Banyan’s slick fingers into his stinging hole was a welcomed change, and when Banyan hit his prostate, Uri was back on board to continue. Banyan’s emotions were still all over the place, but something had changed. The pace was slower, and with the added slickness, the pain was gone, replaced by only pleasure. Banyan’s grip on Uri’s hips was firm but not digging like it had been. When Banyan’s pace faltered more than once, Urijah turned to him and told him to stop thinking so hard. The pain he saw in Banyan’s eyes had Uri ready to put a halt to what they were doing. They both were conflicted. Him with not understanding why Banyan had been so rough, and Banyan with whatever was going on in his mind. He told Banyan they could wait, but his mate shook his head and softly said, “Turn over.”

Urijah did as told, scooting back until his head was on the pillow. He wasn’t sure if they were going to resume having sex or if Banyan wanted to talk. Hell, Urijah half expected his mate to roll off the bed and leave the room. Instead, Banyan ran his gaze over Urijah’s body while stroking his own cock leisurely. Urijah took that as a sign they weren’t finished, so he dropped his knees open, inviting Banyan to come closer.

“Stunning,” Banyan whispered as he released his cock and leaned over, capturing Uri’s lips in a soul-stealing kiss. It wasn’t hurried. It was slow and calculated, their breaths mingling as their tongues swirled. Urijah couldn’t resist putting his hands on Banyan. While he was ready to continue fucking, this softer side of Banyan was a nice change. His mate was struggling; Uri knew that. He wanted Banyan to have plenty of time to come to terms with Urijah’s change of heart, but then again, he didn’t want to give him too much time to think. He only wanted Banyan to feel. To sense how much Urijah wanted this. Wanted them.

Uri poured every bit of love he could into their kiss. Into the way his fingers ghosted over Banyan’s skin. Into the link that was back. That invisible tether which connected mates had grown stronger since he arrived for the coronation. It wasn’t absolute and wouldn’t be until they completed the bond, but it was the strongest it had ever been. Uri used it to push what was in his heart to his mate, praying it reached Banyan and helped him to understand Uri was all in. He wanted their life together. Wanted to spend every waking moment with his mate. Making memories. Making love.