Chapter Nine
Rusty panted, trying to catch his breath. His body felt lethargic, sweaty, and sated. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so good and so exhausted all at the same time.
Meeting Acheron's gaze, Rusty took in his lover's relaxed contented smile. His expression held a wealth of satisfaction and... not love, exactly, but definite warmth. Rusty's heart skipped a beat at the sight.
When Rusty processed Acheron's words, he hummed. "Yeah. Yours." Rubbing his hands up and down his mate's back, he murmured, "Just as you are mine."
Acheron nodded. "Hell, yeah."
Rusty swept his gaze over Acheron's dark, sweaty skin. Running his palms up Acheron's lean back, then over his shoulders, Rusty admired the differences between them. He really liked how his lighter skin contrasted with his mate's.
"Just relax there," Acheron urged, his voice soft and husky. "I'm going to get something to clean us up."
Rusty nodded, and Acheron dipped his head. He pressed his lips to Rusty's and teased them with his tongue. Rusty immediately opened, and Acheron slipped the warm muscle into his mouth, mapping him in slow, languorous strokes.
At the same time, Acheron eased his softened dick out of Rusty's passage. Rusty fed his mate a grunt at the unfamiliar sensation. His chute felt oddly stretched and weirdly empty.
As strange as being taken had felt, Rusty couldn't wait to be filled by his mate again.
Acheron eased the kiss to an end, nipping Rusty's bottom lip lightly in the process. He grinned down at him. "Be right back."
Rusty returned the man's smile, then watched in silence as the lean shifter eased off the bed. Watching Acheron stride across the room and exit through the doorway, he found his gaze riveted to his lover's ass. The dark brown globes were high and tight, not quite a bubble butt, but close.
His fingers twitched with a desire to touch.
Once Acheron was out of sight, Rusty closed his eyes and heaved a deep sigh. He relaxed on the comforter beneath him. Hearing the faucet run in the bathroom, an image popped into his head--his mate in the shower, water trickling in enticing rivulets down his lean naked form. Since it wasn't the shower running, Rusty's thoughts swiftly changed to Acheron provocatively rubbing a damp cloth over his chest and groin.
Noticing a slight tickle between his ass cheeks pulled Rusty from his imaginings. He winced when he realized the cause.
Rolling over, Rusty reached over to the nightstand and pulled several tissues from the box on it. He ignored the stickiness on his chest in favor of wiping between his thighs. Making a mental note to toss the comforter in the washing machine, Rusty threw the soiled tissues into the garbage by the bed.
"I'd intended to do that," Acheron said, revealing he'd returned.
Rusty turned his attention to his mate, watching him cross to the bed with a cloth in each hand--one wet, one dry. His lover's expression appeared concerned. Stopping beside the bed, Acheron placed the dry towel near his hip, then began wiping down his groin.
His cheeks ignited, and Rusty shuttered his gaze. He didn't stop Acheron's actions. Still, being cleaned by another, even his lover, somehow felt so much more intimate than the act they'd just shared.
Clearing his throat, Rusty mumbled, "Sorry. It felt odd." He flicked his gaze to Acheron's face, then glanced around the room. "And, well, new experience and all."
"Sorry I wasn't quicker," Acheron responded. His lover's deep voice was a melodious rumble and drew Rusty's focus to his face. Offering a lascivious smile, Acheron told him, "Don't worry, though. You'll grow used to the occasional mess." He waggled his brows before finishing, "Other times, we'll keep it clean... like in the bathroom at your work when we enjoy a nooner."
Rusty gaped for an instant, then barked a laugh. Relaxing, he rolled his eyes. "So very sure of yourself, are you?"
Acheron began rubbing the cloth over his groin, then up his stomach and torso. He hummed softly. "With you, always, my sexy kitty."
Feeling his skin heat and his blood warm just from Acheron's cleaning ministrations, Rusty shivered. "Yeah." His voice came out breathier than he could ever remember sounding, but having his naked, sexy mate leaning over him and touching him so intimately was doing funny things to him. "Gods, if you don't stop that"--Rusty realized that Acheron had finished cleaning and was now tracing his pectorals and teasing his nipples--"I'm going to get hard again."
Acheron offered him a hungry smile. "Is that such a bad thing?"
Remembering his mate's admission about loving sex, Rusty sucked in a harsh breath. His nostrils flared, and he shook his head. Deciding to do a little touching of his own, Rusty rocked up. He grabbed his mate and twisted, sending him sprawling, this time with Rusty half on top of him.
Laughing, the sound one of joy and pleasure, Acheron grinned up at him as he threaded his fingers through Rusty's hair. He lightly scratched at his scalp, and Rusty purred softly. He hadn't even been aware he could make the sound while in human form, but damn was his mate's touch amazing.
Obviously, Acheron had figured out how much Rusty liked it, too. He used his hold to urge Acheron closer. Before their lips touched, the trill of a phone interrupted them.
Rusty froze, not recognizing the ringtone. He lifted a brow in silent question. Acheron's brows furrowed, his eyes telling of his confusion.
"I have no idea who'd call me. Kontra's people gave me that phone, since I'd originally planned to travel with them for a while."
"And they all know you're here getting to know your mate." Rusty levered off Acheron, and his mate groaned, his annoyance clear. Easing to a sitting position, Rusty added, "They wouldn't have called if it wasn't important."
Acheron rolled and crawled to the edge of the bed. "Yeah." Leaning down, he grabbed his jeans.
As Acheron fished his phone out of his pocket, Rusty took advantage of the position and skimmed his fingertips down his lover's butt cheek.
Growling softly, Acheron glanced over at him as he straightened, but his expression was playful. "Yeah?" he asked, pressing the phone to his ear.
"Hey, Ach. I'm real sorry to interrupt. Just got a quick question."
Rusty recognized Adam's voice, his shifter hearing making it easy to make out the words.
"Sure, man." Acheron leered at Rusty. "But make it quick. I'm a little preoccupied."
"Uh... oookay." Adam sounded confused. "I'm calling about Korvyn. We'd offered him a place here for a day or two while you and Rusty got acquainted. Did he decide to stay there and, uh--"
"Wait. What?" Rusty grabbed the phone from Acheron. "Korvyn left"--he glanced at the clock on the nightstand--"over an hour ago. He should have been there by now."
"Would he have stopped anywhere first? Maybe at a friend's or he decided to go to a fuck buddy's, instead?" Adam hesitated an instant, then added, "Because I tried his phone, and he's not answering."
Rusty swallowed hard, his pulse spiking. "N-No." He whispered the one word.
"You sure, Rusty?" Adam prodded.
Opening his mouth, Rusty snapped it closed again. He didn't know what to say.
Acheron reached out and gently tugged the phone from his grip. With his other hand, he threaded their fingers together. Into the phone, he stated, "Even if he'd stopped for gas, he would have made it to you by now. He mentioned seeing if any of the new humans still under Kontra's care would be interested in a little fun, so stopping at a fuck buddy's place is definitely out."
Rusty rubbed his free hand over his face, struggling to get his mind to engage. Rising from the bed, he pulled away from Acheron, who gave him a questioning look. Rusty grabbed his pants from the floor and began pulling them on.
"Tell Adam I'm going to retrace Korvyn's steps. I need to be certain he hasn't been in an accident. I--"
Rusty heard his phone chime, cutting him off midstream. Turning, he searched for his phone, locating it on his dresser. Crossing to it, he snagged it and read the screen.
A deep sigh of relief filled him as he answered. "Hey, Korvyn. Adam just called. We were worried about you."
"You should be worried."
Rusty didn't recognize the voice. "Who are you? Where's Korvyn?" A shiver of fear worked through him, the sensation there and gone, eased by Acheron crossing to his side and rubbing his back soothingly.
"Let's just say... I'm someone who you shouldn't steal from," the smooth-sounding voice replied. "And Korvyn is here with me. Currently he's fine, but he won't stay that way if you and your friends don't return my property to me."
Acheron growled softly. "He's the fucking buyer." He hissed the words just loud enough to reach Rusty's ear.
"The buyer?" Rusty repeated softly.
It must have been loud enough, for the man chuckled, the sound cruel. "Good. You know of me."
Rusty curled his lip in a sneer. "What do you want?"
"I told you. My property," the man replied. "I paid for eight pieces of merchandise, and I mean to have them. Forty miles north of town is the trailhead for the Kerns hiking trail. Have your friends drop them off there by midnight."
"Or what?" The words were out of Rusty's mouth before he could think better of them.
The chuckle that sounded through the line was low and cruel. "Do you really need me to spell it out for you, foolish man? Do you want to hear how I'll return your brother to you piece by piece until I get what I want?"
Rusty growled, anger replacing his fear and concern. "You're an animal," he claimed harshly. "Dealing in human flesh... I don't know where all the men are that you're trying to steal the lives of."
"But your friends know," the man countered. "You have just over four hours. Better hurry."
"Wait!" Rusty cried. "Where's Korvyn? I want to talk to him. Prove to me that he's still alive."
The silence lasted so long that Rusty actually checked to make certain the connection was still open. Finally, he heard Korvyn's voice, and relief rushed through him.
"Rusty, don't do it," Korvyn told him. "We don't trade in lives."
"Oh, Korvyn," Rusty murmured, bowing his head. He sagged into Acheron's embrace, certain he would have hit the floor if his mate hadn't been there to hold him up. "I'm so sorry."
"None of this is your fault. I--"
"I've done as you requested," the leader stated. "Now, drop off my merchandise where I ordered. I won't be there and neither will Korvyn, but I'll know if it's been done." His voice lowered, taking on an edge of warning. "And if it hasn't been... well... Korvyn thought his life was hard before."
"You son of a bitch," Rusty snarled.
The man began to laugh, the sound cutting Rusty to the bone before the line went dead.
"I'm so fucking sorry," Acheron whispered, holding Rusty close. Rusty peered at his mate in confusion, and Acheron answered his unspoken question. "If I hadn't barged into your life until after Kontra had found this guy, Korvyn would still be here and safe. I--"
"Stop it," Rusty snapped, glaring at the smaller man. "This is not your fault, and we're going to bloody well fix this."
Vindictive rage surged through Rusty's veins as he straightened his spine. He cradled Acheron's jaw between both palms and peered into his eyes. Seeing the fear and concern in his mate's eyes, Rusty realized from where it stemmed.
My mate fears I'll blame him.
"This is not your fault," Rusty repeated before dipping his head and pressing a kiss to Acheron's lips. Lifting his head, he held his gaze. "We'll call Kontra on the way to their place. I know he and his people will be able to come up with a plan."
"They already know. Adam was still on my phone's line, and he heard everything."
"Good." Rubbing a soothing hand over Acheron's naked torso, he enjoyed the feel of his smooth skin. Still, he knew he couldn't get distracted, so after pecking one more kiss to Acheron's lips, he eased away as he urged, "Get dressed, so we can ride."
Acheron's eyes narrowed, and his expression turned almost feral. "Then after we deal with this asshole once and for all, we'll bring Korvyn home and pick up right where we left off."
Rusty nodded.
Gripping Rusty's nape, Acheron pulled his head down. He captured his mouth in a deep, tongue-fucking, toe-curling kiss, mapping him swiftly. A few seconds later, Acheron broke the kiss and stepped back. He swatted Rusty's ass, ordering, "Hurry up."
His heart feeling lighter than he had any right to feel knowing Korvyn was in danger, Rusty obeyed. His dominant lover was back, and somehow, they'd figure out how to bring his brother home.