Chapter 14

Preston lay awake in the hospital bed, listening to the murmurs of nurses and beeps from various machines. Hunter was in the bed next to him, and he also lay awake.

"I need sharper blades," he mused.

"Don't let your mate hear that." Preston had been there when Carter had barged in, hugged and kissed Hunter, then shouted at him.

Hunter smiled and stroked Carter's hair where he slept next to him on the bed. "He's a good mate. You have a good mate too."

"Eh. He did come and save my ass. I'll give him a second chance."

Hunter snorted, then winced. "No idea what's on those claws, but my wounds aren't closing as fast as they normally do."

"And you're a vampire. Imagine how I, a lowly human, feels right now." Fucked. Fucked was how he felt. His body was one huge throbbing pain, and his wounds still leaked fluid. They hadn't even scabbed over properly yet.

Costas had taken blood and samples and left with orders to sleep. All Preston wanted to do was go home, but was that little apartment home? They knew about it so it wasn't safe. He'd barely spent any time inside it, and now he was in hospital, deciding what he was going to do now. He had a target painted on his back. No doubt about that, so he was pretty sure Morefield and Salutem would want to keep tabs on him. That meant staying.

"Vir and Jim?" he asked, noticing they weren't in the room with them.

"Vir went back to Salutem once they'd pulled those quills out. I would have gone as well, but this wound isn't healing properly." Frowning, Hunter stared at his side, then stroked Carter's hair. "Jim is with his mate. Concussion—and Sax knows how to deal with those."

Manu. His mate.

What the fuck did he do with him? Preston wouldn't describe what he felt for Manu as love, but given time and plenty of Valium, he was sure it could go in that direction.

"They'll figure it out."

"Did they manage to kill or capture one of those things?" Preston's last image had been the demons fighting one outside. He knew Ray had disabled one so they could escape, but he wasn't sure he'd killed it. He hadn't spoken to Ray on the journey back to Morefield. He'd been busy dealing with blood loss and pain.

"I haven't been told anything. I'll be debriefed tomorrow when they let me out."

Preston arched an eyebrow. "They said they'd release you tomorrow?"

"Release voluntarily or me walking out. Both mean the same thing."

Preston chuckled, then winced. "Shit, those things hurt."

"They were barbed. They had to dig them out." Hunter sighed. "It moved fast," he murmured. "Faster than I had anticipated, especially for a thing that size."

"I noticed and smart too. The way it used Albie as a trap and hid in the tree above. Watching. Waiting."

"Albie woke up last night."

Now that was some good news. "I'm glad. He seemed like a good guy."

"He is. I don't work with him often, but when I have, he's always been smart, attentive, easy to get on with, pays attention."

Costas came into the room and frowned when he saw the two of them still awake. "You need more drugs."

"I need to get out of here and go home."

"Morning for both of you on the condition you sleep now and eat breakfast." Costas checked both their files and grunted. "Shifters and ex-military men plus medical personnel make the absolute worst patients."

Preston closed his eyes. "See? I'm sleeping. Can't you hear me snoring?" Preston pretended to snore and heard another grunt.

"In the morning."

Preston started to curl up on his side, then thought better of it when his body said ‘fuck off'. He was used to pain though, so he knew at some point he would sleep, and the sooner he slept, the sooner he could go home.

Manu waited outside for Preston."Thought you might want a lift home."

Preston arched an eyebrow but didn't say anything for once. He ached, he hurt, and he wanted to sleep for a week. Following Manu to his truck, Preston yawned, feeling the tiredness drag his body down. Still, watching his mate's ass had his dick coming to life.

Manu drove them to Preston's, saying nothing, which surprised Preston. But then again, if he was tired, then no doubt Manu was too. He'd heard from Hunter that Manu had pulled a double to provide cover for Morefield. With Albie out, Fabien deceased, and both Jim and Rand recovering, they were short of manpower.

They reached Preston's apartment, and Preston trudged up the stairs. Opening the door seemed like a military operation, and the short walk to his bedroom felt like a mile, but the moment Manu turned him around and kissed him, Preston forgot all about the aches and pains.

Preston tilted his head, deepening the kiss, and groaned as Manu's hands reached down and gripped his ass.

He could feel Manu move them around, and Preston went willingly. He walked backward until his calves hit the bed, and Manu leaned them over, toppling them both onto the bed. They didn't stop kissing, and Preston spread his legs, allowing Manu to lay between them, his hands pulling and tugging on Manu's hair. They ate at each other's mouths, the kiss all wet and messy, but Preston didn't want it to end. Manu surrounded him, and it in that moment, Preston was exactly where he wanted to be.

Later, their roles would be reversed, but for now, Preston would let Manu take the lead.

When Manu pulled at Preston's T-shirt, he broke the kiss and helped Manu pull it off, and then helped Manu pull his own free. Manu stared down at his body and then softly ran a finger over one of the cuts on his chest.

"I want to kill it," Manu growled.

"I might let you try, but I think I have more of a right to end the bastard's life than you do.

"You do, do you?"

"I was the one used as target practice."

Manu grunted. "I'll give you that, but if you're too slow, I'll take over."

"Manu. Less talk, more sex, or I'll use my hand."

As he talked, Preston's hands roamed Manu's chest, plucking at his nipples, and pulling him down over him. Manu placed a string of kisses down his neck and shoulder before sucking one of the nipples into his mouth.

"Preston," Manu muttered. "You're really annoying sometimes." Manu's tongue flicked across Preston's nipple, and Preston arched up, gasping in pleasure and some pain.

"Only sometimes? I was aiming for all the time. I need to work harder."

As Manu flicked one nipple, his finger and thumb tugged at the other, making Preston tremble. "You need to stop talking. You're ruining the mood."

Manu moved down Preston's body, licking, sucking, and biting on the way, until he reached the button on Preston's jeans. It didn't take long before he had Preston naked, and Manu moaned before leaning down and licking up Preston's shaft. Preston shuddered, moaning when Manu sucked the head into his mouth, his tongue dipping in and out of the slit, as if he was fucking it.

As he sucked on Preston's dick, Manu pushed his own jeans and sneakers off, and Preston sat up, leaning back on his elbows, watching Manu. Preston shivered, goosebumps breaking out on his skin when Manu took him all the way into his mouth, swallowing around the head of his dick.

Manu's fingers trailed over Preston's hole, and Preston was surprised to feel how wet they were. When Manu pushed a finger in, Preston fell back on the bed, arching his hips up, needing to feel more of Manu's penetration. He would never admit it, but he'd missed this. He might like to dominate in bed, but he did enjoy Manu topping him too.

One finger quickly became two, but Preston couldn't wait any more. He needed to feel Manu slide inside him and take him, not that he would ever admit that either.

"I'm ready; I can take it," Preston murmured, his body jerking when Manu's fingertips rubbed his prostate.

Manu sat up and pushed Preston's legs up and then lined his dick up with his hole before he pushed in, not stopping until his balls touched Preston's. Preston's head arched back into the pillow, and he moaned long and deep. "Manu," he breathed.

Manu threw Preston's legs over his shoulders and pulled his ass off the bed, leaning over him until Preston was virtually bent in two. Preston stared up into Manu's eyes, seeing the intensity in them. "Manu," he muttered again, his hand reaching up to palm his face.

He felt Manu pull out nice and slow before he suddenly pushed back in, and that was it. It was like his control had snapped. Manu's body moved rapidly in his, each thrust touching him in all the right places. Hard and deep, Manu owned his body. Preston could only hold on and go along for the ride, letting him do whatever he wanted.

He reached down, desperate to come, and stroked his dick in time with Manu's thrusts. It didn't take long before he was shooting all over his stomach, with ropes of come splashing up over his chest.

"Aww, fuck," Manu muttered, watching Preston come. "Squeezing me so tight. Gonna fuck you all the time."

Preston panted, then glared. "Don't forget I fuck you too."

Manu leaned over Preston, his hand gripping Preston's hair and turning his head to one side, exposing his neck. He ran his fangs up and down Preston's neck, and Preston closed his eyes, waiting with bated breath for the moment Manu bit. He could already feel his balls pull up again, seconds after his first orgasm, and he was desperate to come again.

Manu's breath ghosted across his skin, and he heard Manu's stuttered breath seconds before he bit. Preston's body bowed as another orgasm barreled through it, and he heard Manu's deep grunts as he came. Preston felt heat in his ass, and he squeezed his muscles, wanting Manu to enjoy every second of their time together. Yeah, he was keeping that one quiet too. Didn't want to give Manu a big head.

Eventually, Manu moved back and licked the wound closed, laying slumped on top of Preston. Preston's heart beat rapidly in his chest, sweat cooling on his skin as he ran his hands up and down Manu's back, listening to him breathe.

After a minute or two, Preston wriggled his body. "You're heavy and I hurt. Get off."

Snorting, Manu rolled onto his side. "You're no lightweight yourself."

"You're a shifter. You can take my weight. I'm a lowly human, and your fat ass can squash me."

Manu sat up and glared down at Preston. "You calling me fat?"

Preston grinned and put his hands behind his head, being careful with his fingers. "You need a work out. Why don't you get onboard and ride my dick?"

Scrambling off the bed, Manu grabbed his clothes. "I don't know why I put up with you. How the fuck are we mated?"

"Because you fucked me and bit me. I told you not to, but you did it, anyway." Preston sat up and looped his arms over his knees. "I know you love me. You can't help it. Look at what I have to offer. How could you not love it?"

Manu's eyes bugged. "How does your ego fit in this apartment?" Dressing roughly, Manu shook a finger at Preston. "I'm done."

"I notice you didn't deny loving me," Preston shouted.

"I'll love you with my fists in a minute!"

"Ohhh. Promises, promises. Nothing like a bit of pain with all the pleasure." When the front door slammed, Preston fell back on the bed and laughed, ignoring the pain that lanced through his body. He could feel Manu's anger through their bond and sighed.

Just so you know, I kinda have feelings for you too.

Like mine where I want to throw you off a bridge every time you open your mouth?

Here was me being all nice, and you ruined it.He could feel Manu's anger build and grinned. I'll suck your dick next time we see each other.

Now who's making promises?A few seconds passed then. I don't know why I care about you when you drive me insane.

Come back. There, olive branch extended. When there was no response, Preston added, please. There, he'd used the p word. What more did Manu want?

I need to go see Eli. I'll come after that.

Anything I can help with?

No… Thanks though. I'll see you later.

Preston lay on the bed and thought about what Manu needed to speak to Eli about. If he had to guess, he would put it down to two things: work and Alvin. Considering Manu had done nothing but talk about work since they'd pulled Preston's ass out of that room, he was leaning more toward Alvin.

Whatever it was, it was none of his business. Preston crawled under the covers and closed his eyes as a wave of fatigue rolled over him. Yeah, he needed to heal, and he needed sleep, and who knew? Maybe he wouldn't wake up alone. Now, that was strange. Preston wanting to wake up next to Manu.