Chapter Seven
True to his word, Korvyn brought in the remaining dishes then headed to his room. He returned a few minutes later with an overnight bag. Stopping near the dining room table, he said his goodbyes.
Acheron responded with, "It was nice to meet you, and drive safely," as Rusty crossed to his brother.
Korvyn responded with a thumbs up, then focused on Rusty.
Placing his hand on Korvyn's shoulder, Rusty squeezed lightly. "Thanks for understanding, and--" He didn't know how to finish his sentence.
Resting his hand over Rusty's where it was on his shoulder, Korvyn murmured, "I'm real happy for you, Rusty. After everything you've done for the family, you deserve something just for you."
Rusty's heart warmed as his throat closed. He nodded, since he was unable to find his voice. Korvyn patted his hand, then placed them both on his wheels and headed toward the front door.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Rusty crossed to the front window and stared outside vacantly. He started when he felt lean arms wrap around him from behind. Acheron rubbed his palms over his stomach and chest soothingly, and Rusty relaxed in his hold.
"You worry about him?" Acheron murmured as he rested his cheek against Rusty's back between his shoulder blades.
Rusty nodded, settling his hands over Acheron's, rubbing lightly. "He puts on a good facade, but some days are hard for him."
"But he has you and now me." Acheron squeezed his torso, then relaxed his arms again. "Did you trick out a vehicle for him?"
Hearing the rumble of a vehicle's engine, Rusty nodded. "Yeah. A small van. One of the reasons I became a mechanic," he revealed softly. Scoffing, he added, "Never admitted that to anyone before."
Acheron hummed, then pressed a dry kiss to the back of Rusty's neck. "And his comment about all you've done for your family?"
Rusty hesitated, but knew he needed to share with his mate at some point. "Well, when my mother and brother were in that accident, mother fought a bout of depression." Sifting through his memories of that time, he explained, "Father was already on the outs with the pride, since he went against his alpha and chose to bond with a human." Peering over his shoulder, he caught Acheron's gaze. "The alpha at the time was kind of an asshole."
Acheron gave him a wry smile. "Sadly, there are a number of them out there."
Agreeing wholeheartedly, Rusty nodded. "My father went to part-time, so he could stay home with mother and Korvyn. Since he was no longer contributing much to the pride, they cut him off, so I got a part-time job after school at a mechanic shop to help pay bills." He shrugged. "I discovered I have a knack for it, and I find it interesting, so I'm certainly not sorry about falling into that line of work."
"And you've been doing it ever since."
Rusty nodded upon hearing Acheron's words.
"You are an amazing man," Acheron crooned. "Taking care of your family that way."
While Rusty appreciated Acheron's words, he didn't really feel that way. "It's what had to be done." He whispered the words as he watched Korvyn's van slowly trundle down the driveway, then turn left onto the road, and disappear in the distance.
Listening to Acheron hum thoughtfully, Rusty turned in his mate's grip. He wrapped his arms around the smaller man and dipped his head, burying his face against Acheron's neck. Inhaling deeply, Rusty enjoyed his mate's scent.
"Smell so good," Rusty mumbled. "I'm sorry I walked away from you yesterday. I was..." His voice trailed off as he struggled to come up with the right word.
Acheron rubbed up and down his back, tracing the knobs of his spine. He pressed a kiss to Rusty's neck as he softly responded, "Shocked, uncertain, overwhelmed?"
Rusty snickered as he rubbed his shaved cheek along the smooth skin of Acheron's neck. "I was going to go with an asshole, but overwhelmed definitely works." He slipped out his tongue and swiped it along Acheron's skin, relishing the light salty flavor of his mate. "You're right," he whispered. "I do jump to conclusions, especially when it's about anything to do with relationships that could disrupt my family." Lifting his head, Rusty peered into Acheron's dark eyes. "Can you forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive, Rusty," Acheron stated quietly, his near-black-eyed gaze serene. "We are here now. We are mates. We will work it out."
Acheron's smile filled with heat as he skimmed one hand down, slipping it beneath Rusty's polo shirt so he could finger along the waistband of Rusty's jeans. He slid his other hand up, then over Rusty's upper arm, to finally land on his shoulder. Acheron teased at the skin where his neck met his shoulder, right where Rusty knew he'd give him a claiming bite.
"What we need to decide now is... how quickly are we going to give in to our need to bond?"
A groan ripped from Rusty's throat as tingles worked through him. They started at the dual points where Acheron's fingertips teased, causing his nipples to tighten and bead as well as blood to flood his groin. His head swam as he gave himself over to the delicious sensations, and he tipped his head back in pleasure.
"Oh, you do look amazing when flooded with need," Acheron stated, a growl in his voice. He cradled Rusty's neck and tugged at the hairs on his nape. "But I need words, my mate. I won't jump to conclusions again." Leaning up, Acheron pressed a kiss to the bottom of his chin, then scraped his teeth along his jawline. "Talk to me," he insisted. "Tell me what you want."
"You," Rusty blurted out, finally finding his tongue. "You, my mate." When he inhaled deeply, his senses sang with the exquisite smells of their combined arousal. Rusty dipped his chin down, rubbing his cheek along Acheron's face, and finally met his mate's gaze. "You're mine, and I'm yours, and I want us to build a life together."
Acheron's dark eyes sparkled, and a pleased smile curved his lips. "Me, too." He glanced over his shoulder toward the hall. "Will you show me to your room?"
Anticipation warred with a spike of nerves, but still Rusty nodded. "Yeah." He was under no illusion about who was dominant in the relationship. His cat longed to submit to his mate.
"Now, then?" Acheron urged. Nibbling along his jawbone, he added, "Or would you prefer to curl up on the sofa and talk some more?"
"Don't wanna sit and talk." Rusty groaned softly before he managed to admit, "I'd already be leading you to my room, but I don't seem to be able to pull away from you."
Acheron rumbled a deep husky chuckle. "Hmm, then I'd best let you go."
While Rusty nodded in reply, he still moaned roughly when Acheron eased away from him.
Laughing again, Acheron slid his hands down Rusty's forearm, then gripped his hand. "Lead the way," he ordered, squeezing his fingers.
Rusty pulled himself together and did as his mate urged. He led the way across the living room and down the hall.
The home was a three bedroom ranch with two bathrooms. They'd turned the first, smallest bedroom into a home gym, allowing Korvyn to keep his body in shape as much as possible. His brother also had the larger, master bedroom, since he needed the space to easily maneuver his chair. They'd also remodeled the master bathroom to accommodate his needs.
Opening his own bedroom's door, Rusty took a second to point at a closed door across the hall. "That's my bathroom, should you need it."
Acheron grinned, nodding. "Not yet." He waggled his brows. "But good to know so I can clean you up after blowing your mind."
Upon hearing the husky note of promise in Acheron's tone, Rusty felt a shudder work through his body. His hard cock twitched behind his fly. He even imagined he could feel the pre-cum leak from him.
Inhaling sharply, Acheron growled low in his throat. He rested his hand on Rusty's lower back and pushed gently. Rusty obeyed the silent order and entered his room, crossing to the bed. He felt Acheron's heat, telling him he stayed oh-so-close behind him.
"Last chance to change your mind," Acheron rumbled into his ear as he slid his palm up his back. His second hand joined his first, massaging over his shoulder blades and coming to rest on his shoulders. He tipped closer to whisper, "If we climb into that bed, I will claim you, Rusty."
Feeling his heart trip in his chest, Rusty trembled. He gathered his courage and turned, taking in the hungry expression on Acheron's face. His feline rowled in the back of his mind, urging him on.
Rusty agreed with his cat. He loved the fact that he was the cause of Acheron's need. Letting out a possessive growl of his own, he wrapped his arms around his mate and pulled him close.
"You're mine, too," Rusty declared. "My mate. No other will touch you." Remembering Acheron's admittance of how much he liked sex, he declared, "You will get all you need from me."
Acheron rubbed up his chest as he pressed against Rusty's body. He gave Rusty a feral grin. "That's right, my sexy cat. Exactly right."
Rusty held Acheron's heated gaze for several seconds, reading his soon-to-be lover's possessive intent. The promise filling his eyes nearly took Rusty's breath away.
Breaking the stare-down, Acheron lifted onto his toes and pressed a light kiss to Rusty's lips. "Can't wait to see all of you, touch all of you," he murmured, drawing back a little. At the same time, he scraped his fingernails lightly down Rusty's chest and gripped his shirt. "Arms up."
Goose bumps broke out on Rusty's arms, and his nipples beaded. He obeyed, raising his arms. When Acheron lifted his shirt, he bent at the waist, making it easy for his shorter mate to pull his shirt from him.
When Rusty opened his eyes and straightened, his mouth went dry. The appreciative gaze that Acheron swept over his torso caused his lungs to seize. After dropping Rusty's shirt to the floor, Acheron boldly reached up and pinched his nipples.
Rusty moaned roughly, and he trembled.
Acheron grinned, his dark eyes hot. He rubbed his hands down Rusty's lean torso, tracing over his abdominals, then teased into the waistband of his cargo shorts. He scraped along the grooves of his V, causing his cock to jerk behind his fly.
Humming, Acheron focused on his groin as he continued to tease the sensitive flesh under his waistband. "Now, let's see the beautiful cock I can't wait to taste."
Parting his lips, Rusty panted softly. He stared down, watching with anticipation as Acheron popped the button on his fly. His breath shuddered in his chest as his mate began working down the zipper one slow tooth at a time.
Rusty moaned as fiery tendrils of need caused his stomach muscles to twitch. His oozing prick was slowly revealed, his hard length pressing from between the flaps. Acheron wasted no time in teasing his fingertips up and down his length, causing the skin of his groin to goose bump and his balls to tingle.
Never had someone teased him in such a manner, and delicious, tingly shivers racked his body. His head tipped back, and his eyelids slid shut. His fingers twitched at his sides as he reveled in the sensations his mate created with such simple touches.
"Step out of your shorts, Rusty, and climb onto the bed."
Snapping back to himself, Rusty blinked. He managed to focus on Acheron, who was peering at him with an expression on his face that was equal parts smug and feral. It took a few deep breaths, but Rusty managed to get himself moving.