Chapter Eight

"Everything okay?"

After asking the question, Trynche shoved the last of his second cinnamon roll into his mouth. He'd done his best to scarf his food while Spieron had shown everyone what Sheldon was up to. The fact that the rogues had touched base with the ex-mayor surprised him. After all, they thought they were superior to humans.

Or maybe that's why they're willing to use him. They see him as a tool to be exploited.

Either way, Trynche knew his elders and the rest of their people would figure out how to handle him. His focus right then was on his mate. Trynche knew everyone around him would understand if he didn't stick around to help brainstorm.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Enrique replied slowly.

To Trynche, his mate didn't really sound too certain.

"Would you like to go somewhere and talk?" Trynche offered before draining the last of his coffee. "Somewhere quieter?"

And where we can be alone.

Enrique pushed his whiskey tumbler away even though it was still half full. "Yeah, uh, yeah, that would be great." He nodded as he spoke, then glanced around the large lounge. "Um, is it okay, though? For us to leave?"

Trynche nodded, aiming a smile at his mate. "It'll be fine." Rising to his feet, he held out his hand. "Come on."

After just a second of hesitation, Enrique reached out and slid his palm into Trynche's own. A zing of heat traveled up his arm, and he felt certain that if he'd been human, the hairs on his arm would have stood on end. His gut clenched, and he felt his blood begin heating in his veins.

Think unsexy thoughts.

While Trynche knew that no one would give him shit about getting turned on by his mate—especially since they weren't bonded, yet—his hard-on would be blatantly obvious behind the fabric of his loincloth. He was concerned about Enrique's response. He didn't want to make his mate uncomfortable.

"So, uh." As Trynche led the way out of the lounge, receiving a few encouraging smiles and a thumbs up from Ruacin, he racked his brain for where to go. "Some place quiet." Trynche smiled at Enrique, feeling a little uncertain. "Are you, uh, okay with being alone with me?" When Enrique appeared confused, Trynche cleared his throat awkwardly before explaining, "I didn't want to presume."

"Oh, yeah. Alone is fine." Enrique paused in the dining room, his attention on the mini-fridges. Indicating them, he asked, "Is there water in one of them?"

"Yeah, absolutely." Trynche quickly crossed to the one on the left and opened it. He grabbed a couple of bottles—water was a great idea—and handed one to Enrique. "Do you want anything else?"

Trynche opened a second fridge. "Are you hungry?" He indicated the pre-made sandwiches. "Or a snack?" Trynche pointed at the myriad of chip bags and fruit on another counter. "Feel free to take anything."

"Uh." Enrique hesitated, then grabbed a bag of lightly salted peanuts. "Maybe for later."

Nodding and smiling, Trynche rested his free hand on Enrique's lower back since his human's hands were occupied. He applied a little pressure and guided him through the rear mud room and out the back door. Pausing on the expansive deck, Trynche thought about settling on one of the several hanging two-person chairs. They'd been customized by Gladstone to hold a gargoyle in his true form and his mate.

Would my mate cuddle on the swing with me?

"Would you—" Trynche began.

At the same time, Enrique started, "Can we—"

Both paused, and Trynche grinned at his mate. "After you."

Enrique hesitated for a second, then asked, "Can we go back to that room we were in a couple of nights ago?" His neck began to darken, the pinkish hue creeping up his neck. "Is that bedroom in the bunkhouse still available?"

Surprise shooting through him, Trynche hesitated.

My mate wants to go into a bedroom with me?

Clearing his throat, Enrique tucked his pouch of peanuts under his right arm. He popped the cap on his water bottle and took a big swig. Once he'd twisted the cap back on, he gave Trynche a side-eyed look.

Realizing he was gaping like a slack-jawed yokel—one of the ranch hand's, Virgil's, favorite sayings—Trynche snapped his mouth shut. "Yeah," he quickly stated. "Yes, of course." He urged Enrique down the stairs and toward the bunkhouse. Anticipation filled him, along with heat and desire, and he did his best to control himself.

With them heading into the bedroom where Trynche had enjoyed pleasuring Enrique, it was damn difficult though. His mouth watered as he thought of how delicious his mate's cum had tasted. He swallowed quickly, trying to figure out why Enrique would ask to be alone with him in the bedroom.

Surely Enrique can't be wanting a repeat of our activities. He's a human and needs time, right?

Once they reached the bedroom, Trynche paused and stood in the middle of the room, feeling decidedly awkward. He didn't know what to do or say, so he opened his water and took a drink. As Trynche swallowed, he watched Enrique shut the door... and lock it, and Trynche nearly choked.

Trynche managed to swallow the water before giving in to his urge to cough. Covering his mouth, he caught his breath. He knew he stared at Enrique with wide eyes, but he didn't know what to say... or do.

The desire that filled Enrique's brown eyes as he leaned back against the locked door and swept his gaze over Trynche sent a flash of heat through him.

"Uh, wh-what are we doing?" Trynche asked. Realizing just how inane that sounded, he quickly questioned, "Do you want me to pleasure you again?" Licking his lips, hope springing within him, Trynche offered, "I'm always happy to do that, you know."

Easing his tongue out, Enrique slowly licked his lips.

The move caused a rush of lust to flair through Trynche's body. He wanted to taste his mate's lips so very badly. Easing a step closer, he tossed the bottle of water onto the bed, freeing his hands.

"Enrique?" Trynche rumbled softly. "Please talk to me." When his human continued to rove his gaze over him, he murmured, "Anything you want, you need, my mate, I'll do my best to give it to you."

"Do you want to bond with me?"

Trynche gaped at the unexpected question. Seeing Enrique's eyes narrow and jaw tighten, he quickly nodded. "Yes," he answered honestly. He would always try to be honest with the other half of his soul. "Yes, I want to bond us."

"Okay, then." Enrique eyed him as he pushed off the door and moved past him, heading toward the bed. "Think there's lube in here? Or can you get some?" After placing his water and peanuts on the nightstand, Enrique turned to face him with a smirk. "I remember how hung you are, and I'll need plenty to take you."

Arousal surged hot and fast through Trynche's veins, causing his prick to swell so fast he thought he would pass out from loss of blood to his big head. Still, confusion hit him just as swiftly. Trynche desperately wanted to do just as Enrique had requested—spend the evening fucking and being fucked, bonding them forever.

Except, I can't... not without understanding where his request is coming from.

"Enrique," Trynche began slowly, taking a step toward his mate. "I want to do that more than anything else in this world." With his fingers twitching, Trynche barely resisted grabbing his seemingly willing human and tossing him on the bed. "But I need to know why because your acceptance seems sudden." Seeing Enrique lick his lips again, Trynche found his attention slipping to his mate's mouth again. "Why?" he asked hoarsely, arousal firing through his veins. "This can't be undone, so I need... I need to understand." After pausing a second, Trynche blurted out, "I'll never let you go, my mate. You're it for me. I need you to understand that."

Blowing out a slow breath between pursed lips, Enrique appeared to be deciding the best way to respond. He slipped out of his flannel shirt and set it on a nearby chair before gripping the hem of his undershirt and pulling that off, too. Once Enrique had placed that on the chair, he settled on the bed.

Seeing his mate's gorgeous, smooth skin over the defined muscles of his torso and arms distracted Trynche... until his human started talking.

"It kinda hit me earlier," Enrique began slowly, his fingers clenching where they rested on his thighs. "If you were human and we'd met at a club, with the way we're attracted to each other"—Enrique's smile was small and a little uncertain as he met Trynche's gaze—"we woulda fucked in the bathroom before heading to one of our places for a hot night between the sheets."

"Think so?" Trynche certainly wouldn't have been averse to that, not one bit. Easing onto the bed beside Enrique, he couldn't resist reaching over and taking his hand. "You're that attracted to me?"

Mentally, Trynche preened.

Scoffing, Enrique nodded as he smirked, giving him a side-eye. "Yeah, Trynche. I think you're hot." He continued to admire Trynche's body, his gaze hot as he roved it over him. "I've always been attracted to men larger than myself, and your muscles are sexy. Your wings, skin, and hair are so unique." Humming, Enrique licked his lips. "I want to explore every inch of you."

As much as Trynche appreciated the hungry looks Enrique was giving him, he had to remind his human of the truth. "And the fact that I'm a gargoyle and believe we're soul mates?"

After a second of hesitation, Enrique met his gaze. "I warned you about sucking at relationships, and I'm hoping that, with me agreeing to bond with you, you'll know that I'm serious about this, too." His human's voice came out so soft, yet earnest. "That way, when I screw up, which I'm sure I will, you'll find it in your heart to forgive me."

Grabbing his water off the nightstand, Enrique busied himself with taking a drink. Trynche guessed that he just needed to wet his throat because he could smell the nerves rolling off his mate. He remained quiet, waiting, pretty sure his mate had something else to say. His patience was rewarded a moment later.

"This is my way of saying that I accept what you're claiming." Enrique held Trynche's gaze. "I understand how serious it is for you, even if I don't completely understand it myself." Furrowing his brows, his human claimed, "I do want a partner, have for years, but could never find someone who fit." Enrique paused and rubbed the back of his neck. "Not sure where I was going with that."

Trynche chuckled softly. "I do," he claimed. Leaning closer, he wrapped his arm around Enrique's shoulders and tugged him closer. "You couldn't find someone who fit because none of them were me." Staring deep into his mate's wide dark eyes, Trynche claimed, "I'm your soul mate."

Then Trynche did what he'd been aching to do since the second he'd scented Enrique and realized who he was to him. He lowered his head and sealed his mouth over his mate's. Gently, Trynche used a canine to scrape along Enrique's lower lip, drawing a gasp from the man.

The opening was exactly what Trynche had anticipated. He delved his tongue into the other man's mouth, exploring his heat. His mate's rich masculine flavor flowed across Trynche's taste buds, and he groaned as he relished the man's deliciousness.

Trynche tightened his arm around Enrique, pulling him closer. Lifting his other hand, he cradled his mate's jaw. He tipped his head to the side a little, slotting their mouths together more fully, all the while licking along the other man's tongue, mapping and tasting him.

When breathing became a necessity, Trynche broke the kiss only to take in a swift, noisy breath. Then he dove back into the kiss. He couldn't get enough of his new and forever lover's exquisite taste.

Finally, needing more, Trynche lifted his head. He panted harshly, his lungs burning. As he caught his breath, he admired Enrique's flushed face and widely dilated eyes.

"So that's how you kiss around those canines," Enrique murmured, sounding breathless. "Didn't even really feel them. Wow."

Trynche grinned, a low chuckle escaping him.

Enrique winced, muttering, "Didn't mean to say that out loud."

"Gods, you're so fucking sexy," Trynche replied, rubbing his thumb over his human's cheekbone. "If you're sure, I'll take you up on your offer." His cock throbbed behind his loincloth. "I'll bond us and make you mine forever." After a second of hesitation, Trynche added, "Just as I'll be yours."

Enrique licked his lips before swallowing hard. "You're not going to try to take over my life, though, right?" he asked, suddenly seeming uncertain. "I have my business to run."

Shaking his head, Trynche assured, "I won't take over your life, my mate." After pecking a kiss to his mate's lips, he added, "I just want to share in it."

Nodding, Enrique held Trynche's gaze steadily. "I'd really like that."

Heartened by those words, Trynche decided not to question Enrique further. He needed to have faith that his mate knew his own mind. Besides, there was nothing he wanted more than what Enrique was offering him.

Leaning over, Trynche opened the nightstand. He pulled out the lube he knew would be there. Paranormals were a horny lot, and lube was kept just about everywhere private. Trynche stood, and seeing no reason to be coy, he slipped the stays of his loincloth, allowing it to fall to the floor.

"Damn."

Hearing Enrique's softly whispered word, Trynche focused on his mate. He saw the hunger and appreciation filling his human's dark eyes and barely resisted preening. Being a gargoyle, Trynche felt attraction more through scent than sight, so aesthetic beauty was a little lost on him. The look in Enrique's eyes reassured him that his human liked what he was looking at—Trynche's gargoyle body.

And my big dick.

Enrique's focus appeared riveted to Trynche's long, hard cock, jutting ramrod straight from his groin. He felt himself twitch as he watched his mate reach a hand toward him. His stomach clenched in anticipation, and pre-cum oozed from his slit.

The last time, Trynche had done all the touching, and when Enrique's lightly calloused hands wrapped around his length, he nearly blew his load right then.

Groaning roughly, Trynche shuddered as his mate jacked him, shooting zings of sensation through his entire body.

"Fuck, your touch." Trynche couldn't keep his appreciative growl from his voice, and he rocked his hips, pushing into his mate's touch. "So fucking good."

Trynche didn't think anything could be better, but then Enrique gave him a wicked grin, leaned forward, and wrapped his lips around Trynche's crown.

With a moan, Trynche nearly felt his eyes roll to the back of his head. He clenched his thighs as his balls tightened. With a whine of shock, Trynche realized he was about to come embarrassingly fast.

"Enrique!"

Trynche shouted his mate's name—the only warning he could give—right before bliss bowled through his system, making him sway.