Chapter Five

Amir's vision grayed, and he thought he might pass out again. He was so horny he could barely think, and now this absurdity? The only explanation was that he'd stumbled into an alternate reality. Otherwise, how could any of this be truly happening?

"That's completely insane, Dante. In my studies, I've come across several descriptions of Nephilim. They're gigantic." He indicated to himself. "As you can see, that doesn't apply here."

"But in studying the ancient languages, did you not find alternate meanings of those descriptions?"

Amir raked his fingers through his tangled hair. "Sure. But those had to do with whether the original interpretation meant great beings in size or if it referred to immense bravery." Amir snorted. "I've been running around Los Angeles in a terrified panic all night. I was cowering behind a dumpster when you guys rescued me. I doubt I'll be winning any awards for heroism."

Dante brushed his knuckles across Amir's cheek. "I don't think you're giving yourself proper credit. Why didn't you simply run away? You could've left the ring behind, or given it to the Rogues? Instead, you did everything you could to protect it, including risking your life. You're Nephilim, all right."

"But…" Amir shook his head. "That would mean my family…that my parents and everyone before them… I'm sorry. It doesn't seem possible to me."

Dante nodded. "It's confusing, I know. The angel gene remains dormant in most humans due to it being diluted over time. But clearly, it was activated in you. I don't know of your uncle, but perhaps he had it as well—which was why he trusted you with the ring."

Amir considered Dante's remark about Khaled. He thought back to several instances when his uncle made cryptic remarks telling him that he'd understand all one day or that there were many secret societies that most humans were unaware of.

As his memories unfolded, his gut tightened. What had once seemed like odd coincidences or unusual events now seemed to carry more meaning. The robed man he was sure he'd seen Khaled speaking to in the stockroom late one night, but then seemed to vanish when he entered the room. The strange singing, like the voices of a distant choir, permeating through his walls late at night. He'd assumed they were reoccurring dreams, but now he wasn't so sure.

Amir stole a glance at Dante, noticing for the first time how handsome his human form was. The sheer masculinity of his square face, combined with the solid muscles that screamed virility, made him want to climb Dante like a tree. He was easily six and a half feet tall, maybe more, and his smoldering, silvery gray eyes only served to enhance his potent sexuality. The mere thought of tangling his fingers in his short, tousled brown hair while Dante drove into him like a jackhammer sent a delightful shiver through his body.

"Do you need to lie down? Your face is very flushed." Dante's brow creased. "You should try to get some rest. I thought I—that we were going to lose you there for a sec."

"No, I'm fine." He shook his head. "Well, not fine, but I don't need to lie down. I have a zillion more questions, plus…" Amir fanned himself before wiping away the sweat on his nape and dragging the back of his hand across his forehead. "Why do you guys keep it so hot in here? I mean, seriously, I feel like I'm about to jump out of my skin."

Dante's eyes hooded, and he licked his lips. "Being together might've triggered your heat."

Amir blinked several times as that tasty morsel of information sunk in. "Oh, that's a thing with fated mates?"

Dante gave him a crooked smile. "A very big thing, actually."

The bastard had the nerve to adjust his package right in front of him. He acted as if Amir wasn't going to notice him putting that meaty paw on his crotch when they were sitting less than two feet from each other. Amir cleared his throat, but now the heat in his face was from embarrassment. Dante had clearly caught him looking.

"So I see. Is that…is that why I'm so turned on?" He held up his hands, palms out. "Not that I'm suggesting anything. I've never had a boyfriend before." Amir huffed. "Actually, I've never had anything before." His cheeks heated. "Pretend I didn't say that."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of." The timbre of Dante's already deep voice lowered more. "I'll take good care of you, I'll…" He abruptly shook his head then leaned back. "Sorry. I'm a selfish prick, there's no argument with that. But even I'm aware that this isn't a good idea right now, not after you were attacked. Not to mention how shocking this all must be for you."

Amir shrugged."But, I told you already, there's nothing wrong with me physically. Actually, I feel pretty great. Thanks to you guys saving me." Peering up at Dante, he met his piercing gaze. "Thank you." His bottom lip trembled, and he held in a sob. "I was so damn scared, completely terrified. I wasn't going to give them the relic, no matter what, but I know for sure I wouldn't have survived if you guys hadn't come along in time."

Dante caressed his cheek again, the touch only serving to increase the aching need in his core, the raging heat coursing through him that he was powerless to stop. His cock was so hard, his body so turned on, it wouldn't matter if he let Dante take him or not. He was going to come anyway.

"I hope you believe what I said, that I'll protect you no matter what."

Amir grabbed Dante's hand, holding it against his cheek. All he wanted to do was jump on Dante's lap, rip off his clothes, and let this magnificent beast of a man do whatever he wished to him.

Yet that part of him that always longed for a man to desire him had pictured a situation that didn't involve demons, angels, and gargoyles battling over the fate of the world. Dinner and a movie, holding hands in the park—or even making out in his little room above the shop—that was what he'd fantasized about. No way did Dante truly care about him. They'd known each other for what—an hour?

Amir let go of Dante and pulled away. "I'm just a means to an end to you, aren't I? If you weren't being forced to be with me, I bet there's a bunch of other gargoyles, or even angels for all I know, that you'd prefer being with."

Dante groaned. "That's not the case at all. I'm not that great at explaining stuff—especially when it revolves around emotions and relationships." He scratched at the stubble on his chin. "I need to be honest with you about some stuff. I've never pursued the love thing, not ever My encounters have all been hook-ups, usually one and done. So, I'm also a bit blindsided by all of this. I had no idea that this would be the night I'd meet my fated mate."

Amir swallowed past a lump in his throat, not sure why this mattered so much. "Are you disappointed?"

Dante sucked in a sharp breath. "No! Of course not. You're absolutely wonderful. If I'd met you at a bar or one of my other hangouts, I would've been all over you. Perhaps that's why we're fated? We have such incredible chemistry?"

Dante reached for him, and Amir allowed the gargoyle to take him into his arms, melting into his embrace.As Dante's lips brushed against his forehead in a gentle kiss, his mind reeled from the implications of all that was happening.

But his body didn't seem to give a damn about anything other than relieving the excruciating yearning that had taken over. Dante's lips trailed down his neck, leaving a path of fire on his skin, and Amir couldn't bring himself to care about anything else.

Dante pulled back slightly and locked eyes with him, desire and need reflected in his gaze. Comfort replaced anxiety over giving himself to this mysterious creature.

"Yeah, chemistry."

Amir pressed his face against Dante's strong chest, and he was enfolded in his large, strong arms. Perhaps the Divine Spark knew what it was he'd always dreamed of, and this mythical being who had come to life was his destiny. Who was he to argue with the Almighty?

"I think you're right," Amir whispered against his chest, the thump of Dante's heart beating loud and strong.

He considered his situation. The most stunning man he'd ever seen wanted him, or at the very least, wanted to get it on so they could have babies. A part of him still doubted that any of this was real, but this guy thought it was.

He'd been dying to relinquish his V-card for ages, and well, what was so bad about getting something good out of his predicament?And if he decided this crazy situation wasn't for him, he could always figure out how to get away from the muscle hunk later.

Dante pulled back again, favoring Amir with a teasing smile. "Then you like what you see?"

His need still gripped him, had become a raging furnace, the longing and desire its own entity. Reasoning and logic were swiftly evaporating, taking all common sense with them. He squirmed, concerned that he was sweating so much that he'd dampened his briefs. At this point, whatever was going on with his body, whatever Dante wanted to call it, none of that mattered. He needed Dante inside him, and he fucking needed it now.

"Um, I…" His voice shook, and his breaths were shallow. "I don't mind playing around a bit. I mean, we can always discuss details later, right?"

Dante moved in closer, his lips mere inches from Amir's own.

"Later's good."

The moment their lips touched, Amir threw his arms around Dante's neck. He'd never been kissed, yet instead of being nervous or afraid, he shoved his tongue into Dante's mouth, tasting him over and over with desperate swipes. It was as if now that he'd decided he wanted Dante to take him, his patience had evaporated.

Dante wasn't moving fast enough, Amir needed more. More touch, more tasting, more everything. He ground against Dante's lap, gasping and breaking free of the kiss the moment his ass landed on Dante's hard as fuck cock. A trickle of fear coursed through him when he thought about the monster in Dante's pants fitting inside of him.

His underwear became wetter, and his skin felt as though it might spontaneously combust. Every nerve in his body was alive and sparking. He'd worry about jumbo cocks later.

They tore at each other's clothes, and right as Dante tugged off Amir's jeans, the small wooden ring box containing the Seal tumbled out of the front pocket.

Amir frantically wiggled out of Dante's embrace, snatching up the box before Dante could take it. This time, his embarrassment was not the same as before. He felt as if a vise was squeezing his heart. Why couldn't he have met Dante under different circumstances?

Dante reached for him, and he shrank away. Now, his heart was being crushed. The expression of hurt on Dante's face gutted him.

Dante drew his eyebrows together. "Are you afraid of me?"

Amir shook his head. "No, of course not. I don't know why, but I sense you'd do anything to protect me. I can't help it, though. For the past three years, my uncle has drummed into my head that no matter what, I shouldn't let the ring fall into the wrong hands."

"I see." Dante rubbed his chin. "Then which hands are the right ones?"

Amir was about to answer but his words caught in his throat. Dante had a point. Was he supposed to run forever? How could he ever outwit those demonic killers? And if they got the ring and used it to turn the world to darkness, he'd never forgive himself. But what other options did he have?

"Were you serious about Archangel Michael? As in, the real Michael, assistant to the Big Cheese?"

"You did not just call the Divine Spark a Big Cheese."

Amir was about to apologize profusely, but before he could say anything, Dante was slapping his knee and hooting in laughter to the point that tears were streaming down his cheeks.

He was still regaining his composure, wiping a finger under his eyes as he spoke, "Oh high heavens, that's the best thing I've heard in at least a century." Dante grinned at him. "I think we're going to get along fine."

Amir couldn't begin to imagine what the long-term might be like, so he decided to focus on the immediate. The fate of the Seal—and if he was being honest—his vicious, unrelenting arousal. He still felt flushed, as if he was sitting next to a blazing fire with a wool sweater on. If he didn't get some relief soon, he was going to lose it.

Amir inhaled a deep breath. Forgive me, Uncle. I don't know what else to do. Surely, beefy gargoyles and archangels stood a better chance of keeping the ring safe than him.

"Okay. When Michael gets here, I'll give him the ring."

Dante arched his eyebrows. "Seriously? You'll give it to him, but not me?"

"Oh." Amir covered his mouth with one hand then glanced down at the ebony box inlaid with multiple tiny jewels that included sapphire, emerald, and topaz that he held in his other. "I didn't mean that you can't be trusted. You said that Michael was the one who guarded all the relics, though, right?"

Dante chuckled. "Good one. However, something you need to know about me is that I have a lot of knee-jerk reactions that might come across as a bit harsh. I promise to work on that so I don't drive you crazy." Dante tucked a few of Amir's curls behind one ear. "Giving it to Michael is the right call."

"You're not mad at me then?"

He swallowed hard, not sure why Dante's approval mattered so much, but he couldn't help himself. His intuition told him this all made sense, even if everything was happening too fast. Dante's talk of fate and destiny rang true.

Dante brushed his thumb across Amir's cheek. "Mad at my precious mate? Impossible."

Amir stuffed the ring box back into his jeans, rolled them up then tucked them under the bed. He scooted closer to Dante. "Um…then where were we?"

"We were here."

Dante gathered him into his arms and onto his lap. Amir straddled him the best that he could, but his legs burned with the effort to wrap them around Dante's massive thighs. Rutting against Dante's cock was maddening. He hadn't removed his briefs yet, and neither had Dante. This time, Dante took control of the kiss, crushing their mouths together before forcing his tongue between Amir's lips.

They clutched and clawed at each other, Dante flattening his palm against Amir's ass, holding him in place as he thrust his hips, meeting each move Amir made with his own. If Dante didn't stop, he'd come, and he wasn't ready to stop yet.

"Mmm…" Dante's throaty growl rumbled against his ear. "Let me taste you, my sweet angel."

Amir could barely breathe, his cock throbbing and his briefs wetter than ever. "No, don't. I-I'm going to come too fast as it is, Dante."

Dante bit Amir's bottom lip then scraped his teeth along the sensitive flesh. "And why can't you come twice?"

"Wha—?"

Dante squeezed his ass cheeks, then dipped a finger below the band of his underwear into his crease. "Yeah, that's right. So slick for me."

Amir was dizzy with want, desperate to have Dante inside him, but ready to give himself to Dante however he wanted him. He wasn't sure what Dante meant by slick, but fuck, none of that mattered. All he cared about was being taken, filled, fucked into oblivion.

"More, Dante. Everything."

Dante pushed him off his lap and onto the bed. He stared up at him in wonder as Dante tore off their remaining clothing. How could it be possible that this was the man, the being, who belonged to him?

Amir cried out the moment the heat of Dante's wet mouth surrounded his dick. Dante sucked and licked, using his tongue to flick and tease him in the valley beneath his cockhead. He grasped Dante's shoulders, his fingers digging into the solid muscles, his heels sliding on the sheets as he fought the overwhelming sensations. He came fast and violent as if he'd never come before.

He grabbed Dante's hair and curled his body inward, the aftermath of the intense orgasm still rocking through him. Dante licked him clean, his tongue rasping along the length of Amir's softening cock. Dante gently sucked on his sac, mouthing one ball before taking in the other.

Instead of being empty and sated, the inferno inside his body still held him in a punishing grip. He'd never survive in this state, not if this was what his fate with Dante meant.

Amir threw back his head, scrabbling at Dante's shoulders the moment he pushed a probing finger into Amir's ass. Without thought, he rode the thick hard digit, begging for more like a wanton slut, not caring who or what or why, only that he was filled.

"Not enough," he gasped out. "Don't tease, Dante. I need you inside me."

Dante encircled his neck with one arm, his other hand now adding a second finger to Amir's ass. He was aware of the stretch, that his hole was being spread open, yet all the pain he'd feared from being fucked wasn't there. All that mattered was being impaled by Dante's massive girth.

"Patience," Dante murmured, leaning down to brush his lips against Amir's. "I'm not rushing our first time. I want to revel in you, imprint every second to memory."

Amir let out a strangled sound as Dante added a third finger, the pressure and stretch growing more intense. But still, there was no pain. Instead, he was building to an ecstatic edge once again.

Dante's thumb swept over his swollen hole in small circles, the sensation making him twitch and writhe. A low guttural groan slipped from Dante's lips.

"So fucking good," he whispered, continuing his exploration. "Tight and warm and made for me."

Amir clung to Dante, nails dragging along the broad expanse of his back, Dante's muscles bunching and rippling beneath his fingers.

"Dante…" he whimpered breathlessly.

Those silver eyes locked onto his, and he withdrew his fingers. The moment the full head of Dante's cock touched his burning rim, Amir sucked in a deep breath, tensing.

"Shh, baby. I won't hurt you. You're so ready, so slick for me. Let me inside."

Amir exhaled as Dante pushed past his tight rim, his lips parting with a sigh as he was spread wide open, his body not only receiving Dante's cock, but gladly accepting the intrusion.

"All of you," Amir gasped. "Don't stop."

Slowly, Dante moved, his hips gently rolling in a rhythm that coaxed Amir's hole open more. Dante's eyes were heavy-lidded as they held him captive, the raw vulnerability more intimate than the act they were sharing.

Amir"s nails dug deeper into Dante's back as if he could force their bodies to meld into one. He moved his hips in tandem with Dante"s rhythm, clenching his tight hole around Dante's cock that kept driving into his body.

"Dante... Please..."

He captured Amir"s lips in a bruising kiss, simultaneously pummeling harder into him. The rhythm was relentless, insistent, and Amir found himself spiraling toward the precipice again. Then Dante hit something inside that sent a jolt of pleasure through his body. His breath hitched, and he whimpered, his sounds begging Dante to give him relief.

"Amir." Dante"s voice came out throaty, strained. He bent forward, his strong hand holding onto Amir's cock, stroking it in time with his thrusts. "Mine. All mine."

Dante's eyes were screwed shut, his features twisted in an expression of ecstasy as sweat dripped down his face, droplets landing on Amir's chest. He froze moments before he shuddered, an animalistic growl escaping his lips as he spilled his seed inside Amir.

Tingles built at the base of his spine, Dante jacked him off harder, brushing his thumb along the head of Amir's hard dick. The moment Dante pressed his thumbnail into the slit, Amir cried out, coming again. He rode the magnificent waves of pleasure until he went limp against the dampened sheets. He didn't know how, but Dante had managed to wrest another orgasm from him.

Dante didn"t withdraw, remaining deep inside Amir as he lowered himself onto his elbows, his ragged breaths hot against the dip in Amir"s neck. He used one hand to trace idle patterns across Amir"s sweat-soaked skin, each gentle stroke making him shiver beneath the weight of Dante's muscled body.

Dante didn't soften, didn't attempt to pull away. Amir tugged on Dante's nape and raised his head, silently begging for another kiss while Dante was still inside him. Before their lips could meet, Amir stiffened, his eyes going wide.

"Dante? What's happening?"

"Don't be frightened, angel." Dante nibbled along Amir's jaw. "This is part of the mating process for us. We're joined together by my knot, keeping my seed inside you."

"Oh." He wished he wasn't so clueless about what was happening. "I've never heard of that before. I'm guessing it's a gargoyle thing?"

Dante chuckled as he rubbed his nose behind Amir's ear as if scenting him. "Not just gargoyles, but definitely not a human trait. It gives you a better chance of conceiving."

He tensed at Dante's words. Nah. That part couldn't be real. There was no way.

"But I might not, you know, conceive. Don't be disappointed if nothing happens."

Dante switched to nibbling on Amir's ear lobe. "How could having your tight, hot ass wrapped around my cock be disappointing?"

Amir's anxiety ebbed away. At least Dante wasn't expecting miracles. And the sensation of Dante's thick cock swelling inside him, while different, wasn't unpleasant. In truth, he found the experience thrilling. The connection went beyond the physical.

Amir wasn't sure what to say, but he wanted Dante to know that he didn't regret their encounter. "I could never have imagined my first time being so incredible."

Dante chuckled softly, a rich, deep sound that skittered down Amir's spine. "Yes, our bond isn't like human relationships. It goes much deeper, stronger. You're mine now." He pressed a kiss to Amir's forehead. "And I'm yours."

Amir took a moment to absorb what Dante was saying. This talk of being fated, of being meant for each other. It wasn't a joke. He was dead serious. It wasn't a line Dante had used to get laid. But would someone so experienced, a stunning guy who was used to having anyone he wanted, want to be tied down to a stranger forever?

He dragged the pad of his fingers across the stubble on Dante's chin. "No more hook-ups in bars?"

Dante's eyes darkened. "Never. Only you."

A strange peace filled Amir, something akin to relief, yet it was much more than that. The feeling was more potent, almost primal. He rode the wave of being joined with Dante, the knot holding him, keeping them as one. Dante took his mouth over and over in deep, lazy kisses, as if all of eternity lay before them, endless stretches of time filled with nothing but ecstasy and pleasure.

A firm knock on the door broke them from their trance, their kiss coming to an abrupt end.

Dante groaned and muttered, "Seriously?" He gazed down at Amir. "I'll tell whoever it is to get lost."

"But what if it's important?"

"Nothing's more important to me than this." He gave Amir a crooked smile. "Plus, we're stuck together until my knot shrinks. Could make having a conversation a tad awkward."

Amir arched his eyebrows. "You're kidding."

"There are some things I simply won't joke about. This is one of them."

The knock sounded louder.

"What?" Dante shouted, and Amir winced from the sharp yell. His mate had an impressive set of lungs.

Ezekiel answered, "Open the door. Michael and the others are here."

Dante frowned, pressing his lips together. "You guys go on ahead. We'll see you in the conference room."

Michael yelled through the barrier. "Quit goofing around. I want to speak with you both before Amir meets everyone."

Dante groaned and whispered to Amir, "I don't know if it's because I've never knotted anyone before, or if it's because it's our first time, but I'm not sure how long this is going to last."

Amir gasped. "You can't let them in while we're like this!"

Dante stroked his cheek. "Of course not. No one gets to see you this way except me."

"Yeah, hold that thought. I'm not an exhibitionist."

"What in the name of the heavens is going on in there, Dante?"

Michael sounded angry. This wasn't how he'd wanted to meet the archangel, not at all.

Dante yelled back, "Don't get your wings in a twist. We'll be there in a sec."

"Time's up," Ezekiel said, laughing.

Amir thought he might burst out crying at the lunacy of the whole mess, but then the fullness in his passage began to subside. Relief washed over him right before it morphed into sadness. Their first time had come to an end, and the intimacy of being joined together through the knot had made everything make sense.

Dante framed his face with his palms and gave him a quick but thorough kiss. "Are you okay?"

Amir smiled, his heart easing. Gruff most of the time or not, he loved that Dante's softer side seemed to be saved for him.

"Yeah. I'm okay."

"You'll tell me if anything's wrong, though, right? I'm sorry you got stuck with my cranky ass, but don't be afraid to come to me for anything. Promise?"

"I'mnot sorry and I promise." He cleared his throat. "But shouldn't I put on my pants now?"

As if in answer to his question, Michael shouted, "You've got ten seconds before I bust this door down!"