Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

J ohnathan stared at Luka as Nico loaded Mr. and Mrs. Novikov and Ilariy into his enforcer to take them to their new duplex. The end of his investigation seemed a little anticlimactic, but he’d be remiss if he didn’t admit he was glad everything worked out. He’d gone to everyone but the kids. He chuckled to himself. Had he started with them, they could have solved the case sooner and saved all of them some heartache. Now, he felt a bit sheepish not talking to the pack children and orphans.

“I can’t say thank you enough,” Luka murmured, his stoic gaze set on the retreating taillights of the enforcer. “Those children protected my brother from us.”

Johnathan rubbed the back of his neck and gave a nervous chuckle. “Yeah, they’re like that. Protecting pack is engrained on all of them, especially the Raferty kids. Dryers are the same way. You had a good group of kids watching over Ilariy.”

“Da,” Luka agreed. “As much as I’ve been around the desert, I never found that clubhouse.”

“Yeah,” he replied, “Nico did that on purpose. Unless you know the location, which you do now, you’d have never seen it.”

“Interesting.” Luka took a step toward him. “The moon is almost full.”

Johnathan stared at said moon and exhaled a shaky breath. Next week, those ruled by the phases of the moon would dominate the town. The scents and sounds would overwhelm and make physical demands he wasn’t sure he could refrain from claiming his mate. Though his rut was controlled by his mate, the biological instinct to join a mating, even if he didn’t belong, drove him to the brink more times than he liked to consider or think about.

“It is.” His mouth tingled as he recalled the feel of Luka’s lips coaxing him to open. “We have a small-town festival, more for Halloween than anything. The kids seem to like it.” The words spilled from him as he rambled.

“As you’ve said.” Luka closed the distance between them, wrapping his arm around Johnathan’s waist and pressing his large hand to the small of Johnathan’s back. “Do I make you nervous?”

He stared up at the dhole. Excitement and a coyness Johnathan found intriguing, swirled within his amber eyes. “No.”

Luka chuckled. “Not even a little?” He quirked a brow.

“You make me lose my inhibitions whenever I’m around you,” Johnathan said. “So, no. I’m not nervous.”

“Interesting.” He threaded their fingers together and tugged, guiding Johnathan into the darkness a few feet from the Sheriff’s Department, along with the buildings making up the middle of town. “We’re alone. Again.”

“We are,” he agreed, curious about where Luka was going.

“You are my mate,” Luka said. “I tasted you the second we kissed. Your smell drives me wild. My dick aches for release.”

Every single word he spoke turned Johnathan into a pile of goo. His cock strained against the fly of his jeans. The metal teeth of his zipper leaving an impression he swore he’d wear for days. “Yeah.” He closed his eyes, kicking himself for sounding so awkward. “I feel the same way.” Earlier, when they’d kissed, he’d been ready to strip at once. Mount Luka. Maybe experiment and allow Luka to fuck him. Yet, when he tried to say that exact thing, the only thing his brain could come up with was, “yeah.” Johnathan’s mouth watered. His heart pounded. “I can’t stop thinking about fucking you.”

Okay, maybe that wasn’t any better. He sounded crass. Like those jackasses who treated women like objects and not mates or partners. The idea made him sick.

“I’m glad you said it,” Luka groaned before crushing Johnathan’s mouth with his.

The whip of tension and arousal swirled around them, creating a vortex of pleasure and need. His eyes rolled up, and a moan filled his chest as he clawed at Luka’s shoulders. Damn, the man could kiss. He ran his fingers through Johnathan’s hair and tugged, tilting his face.

His world spun out of control while his skin flushed from hot to cold. His stomach wobbled as a knot of yearning built in his gut, demanding he give over to the pleasure expanding within him. “I want to see you naked.”

“Take me to your home,” Luka muttered across Johnathan’s mouth.

He didn’t say another word.

Johnathan pulled Luka toward the motorcycle sitting in front of the Sheriff’s Department. He didn’t have a helmet for Luka, so he gave the dhole his. His hands trembled as he put the key into the ignition and turned the switch. The headlight illuminated the road heading out of town. He licked his bottom lip as he snapped the pegs into place for his backpack. He couldn’t look at Luka. If he did, he’d probably do something stupid, like take him to the warm asphalt and fuck him in the middle of town.

He kicked his leg over the bike, settling on the seat, then patted the seat behind him. The comforting weight of the man climbing on behind him settled the anxious energy consuming him. Until Luka, without being asked, wrapped his arms tight around Johnathan’s waist. A possessiveness ripped through him as a snarl curled his lip. Mine. He swelled with pride. He was ten feet tall and bulletproof.

Revving the engine, Johnathan dropped the bike into first gear and took off toward his apartment. The cool night air whipped around them, doing nothing to ease his heated flesh or the hedonistic thoughts racing through his mind. The tingle of awareness where Luka’s hands gripped the front of his shirt and jacket caused indelicate thoughts to overwhelm his rationale.

Meeting a mate was an instantaneous combustion of sensations. None of which he controlled or directed. One second, he flew with the stars and the next; he questioned whether the desire pounding through his veins had anything to do with the fact it’d been a while since he last got laid. Could someone like him, an orphan with no name or legacy, find his mate? Did he deserve one? The answer sat behind him, clinging to him while the outline of Luka’s cock pressed to the small of his back.

Johnathan’s mind turned to mush.

He pulled into the parking lot and sped up, racing to the spot near the terrace area of the complex. Johnathan parked next to the other street bikes and cut the engine. He vibrated from head to toe. Needing to get himself under control before he did something he couldn’t take back or explain. Most of that stupid shit included adult toys, exhibitionism, and humiliation. He might be a desert hare, small and wily, but he had a voracious sexual appetite.

“You good?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder.

“Yes,” Luka answered, removing the helmet. “Edgy.”

He understood. He took the helmet from the man then extended his hand once they climbed off the bike. “Let me show you, my place.”

Silence descended as they walked from the parking lot hand in hand. The soft noise of televisions and radios eliminated the din of silence Johnathan never liked. Sage, heather, and jasmine perfumed the space, relaxing him as he put his key in the lock. The apartment location had been a lark. He’d loved the coveted space the moment he saw it. The corner space boosted two stories with a bedroom on each floor and a giant kitchen/living room combination. Then there was the master bedroom overlooking the desert to the east. He refused to put curtains on his window. On the days he worked the early shift for Jerome, he enjoyed drinking his coffee while watching the sun rise over the mountain range.

The second the door closed behind them, Luka had him pressed to the hardwood. His presence loomed large. His eyes were wild, the irises almost completely blown with lust. Luka’s lips parted and chest rose and fell as he panted for breath. The bridge of his nose was tinged pink with arousal. The hand at Johnathan’s chest curled into his jacket lapels, holding him in place while Luka dipped his face and buried his nose in Johnathan’s neck.

He inhaled.

“Are you on edge like I am, Luka?” Johnathan didn’t know why he pushed the dhole. Or why doing so sent a bolt of excitement crashing over him. “I want to fuck you all night.” His lips curled in a devious grin. “I have stamina for days. My refractory period is minutes. I can mate for hours.” He groaned, desperate to remove their clothes.

Luka slammed his mouth down on Johnathan’s. His kisses were all tongue, teeth, and snarls of arousal as they pulled at each other’s clothes. The whoosh of his blood filled his ears while adrenaline caused his hands to shake. The uncontrollable demand he claim what belong to him, made it impossible to take his time. Later, he’d make it up to Luka. Later, he’d take his time. Give Luka what he needed.

“I can’t wait,” Luka grunted, stroking his cock.

Shit, Johnathan shouldn’t have looked down. His heart slammed against his ribs. Luka’s thick, impressive cock glistened in the low light of his foyer. Johnathan’s mouth watered. Taste him. Suck him down. Let him fuck your mouth. Johnathan went to his knees in front of Luka and pushed his mate’s hand out of the way. A groan built in the back of his throat when he fisted the hot, velvety steel. Luka’s juicy tip leaked precum, teasing him. The scent of spice and hawthorn with a hint of rose hips invaded Johnathan’s olfactory.

He had to have a taste.

“Suck me, Johnathan,” Luka pleaded. “I want your mouth on me before I blow.”

He didn’t hesitate. They had all the time in the world to explore each other. Tonight was for the hedonistic craving consuming new mates. Tomorrow, he’d show his mate everything. Johnathan wrapped his lips around Luka’s tip and the dhole hissed. He braced one hand against the door while the other went to Johnathan’s hair. He flattened his tongue giving his mate better access as Luka slipped over the soft pallet of his throat.

Johnathan gagged, making a gurgled sound before breathing through his mouth and relaxing his throat. The guttural sound Luka let loose with twisted his insides and his dick grew harder, throbbing to the pounding of his heart. While he allowed his mate to use his throat like a cock sleeve, Johnathan jerked himself off, needing the relief to clear some of the arousal from his mind. He wouldn’t lose himself to the madness yet. He wanted to remember everything.

Luka’s breath came in broken, erotic pants. The soft whine at the back of his throat, enthralled Johnathan. He hollowed his cheeks, flicking the slit of Luka’s cockhead, pulling more of that delicious flavor over his tastebuds.

“Coming,” Luka sobbed, pumping his hips.

Johnathan hummed. The first jet of his mate’s release coated his tongue. He swallowed him down, taking everything Luka gave him while also getting off on the way the muscle at his groin flexed. Who knew he had a kink for throbbing cocks? A second later, he joined his mate, coming in thick ropes that splashed across the tiled floor—a mess he’d have to clean later.

Luka crumpled then, going to his knee in front of Johnathan. His mate stared at him with a mix of awe and wildness. He wanted that passion to consume him. Devour every inch of him until he no longer existed without his mate connected to him. Without a word, he took Luka’s hand and led him to the stairs and his bedroom.

“You weren’t joking, were you?” Luka mumbled, walking on wobbly legs.

“No,” he replied, the heated blast of need consumed him. “You’ll have to tell me to stop if I’m too much for you.”

Luka chuckled. “I can take it, little rabbit.”

Without a second thought to where they were or how uncomfortable they’d be, he took Luka down on the stairs. “That’s the wrong thing to say to me.” He grabbed Luka’s ass, squeezing and pulling apart his cheeks. “I have lube in my room...” Johnathan didn’t want to wait. The driving need to fill each of Luka’s holes with his cum, overrode his ability to think. “I don’t want to wait.”

“Then don’t.” Luka glanced over his shoulder. “You won’t hurt me.”

He wished he had the same confidence. “Then show me this pretty little hole.” He spread Luka’s cheeks and groaned. The puckered star winked at him, tempting him. “Fuck yes.” He buried his face there, licking and sucking, probing the entrance, testing Luka’s resistance while running his fingers along his mate’s taint.

The heady rush of pleasure at the sounds Luka made left Johnathan lightheaded. This man was perfect. He feasted on the tastiest ass he’d had in a long time. He moaned Luka’s name, running his tongue up and down his mate’s taint before taking Luka’s cock back into his mouth. With each well-placed slap against his mate’s hip, his cock jerked in Johnathan’s mouth, leaking the sweetest flavor over his taste buds. His world spun out of control. It was all too much, but not enough at the same time. He needed more. His hard cock dripped with arousal. His gut clenched with anticipation. Fuck, he needed inside his mate.

Now.

When Luka went down to his elbows, lifting his ass more for Johnathan, he couldn’t wait any longer. He’d be as gentle as he could be. Johnathan never wanted to hurt Luka. He probed the entrance with his fingers, watching the tight pucker flutter and open, allowing one finger than the second to push into his mate. Luka shuddered and his cock leaked. The translucent fluid dripped onto the hardwood stairs, creating a puddle under his dick. Fuck, that’s so hot. He eased his fingers in and out of his mate’s ass, remembering to pay special attention to Luka’s prostate.

The broken sob that came from his mate accompanied the leak of cum that poured from the tip of his cock while his balls throbbed. Johnathan watched in fascination and excitement as his mate climaxed in long flowing ribbons of cum causing the pool to grow between his knees. “Shit, rabbit. What are you doing to me?”

“Massaging your prostate,” he answered before pulling his fingers free. Johnathan was delirious with desire. Lust pounded through his veins, demanding he take what was his. He spit on his cock, then worked it into his length, knowing it wasn’t lube, but for now, it would do. He spit again, getting his dick wetter when he combined the spit and precum. “Hold on.”

Despite what some assholes thought, coming fast wouldn’t lube up the ass like KY would or any other gel. Still, the idea sounded like fun. He pushed the crown of his cock to Luka’s asshole and flexed his hips. The small, puckered hole gave way under the pressure, allowing him to enter his mate. Fire bloomed along his spine. His breath left him in a rush as he tried to control the need building within him. He groaned, taking his time. Johnathan hissed Luka’s name, clawing at his back as he grabbed his shoulders for purchase while sinking deeper into the hot, clenching hole.

“Look at your hungry little hole gobbling up my cock like a good boy,” Johnathan groaned. “Fuck, that’s so good.”

Luka hissed, gripping the stairs. His nails elongated, digging into the hardwood. “You’re huge.”

“Thank you,” Johnathan beamed then grunted. “You keep clenching around me, I’m going to fill this tight ass up with cum.”

His head swam. His heart felt like it would beat out of his chest. Everything inside Johnathan said give over, have fun. They’d be fucking in a few minutes as it was. Yet, he wanted to last for his mate. Their first time should be amazing. He wanted to protect his mate. Everything inside of him demanded he make sure everyone knew who Luka belonged to. He’d bite Luka, leaving his mark where everyone could see it. Excitement filled him. The idea of his mate carrying his bite, showing who claimed Luka, turned him on.

“Fill me up,” Luka groaned. “Do it, Johnathan. “Please.”

Johnathan’s eyes rolled up. He let go of his control and concentrated on where their bodies were connected. Each drag of his cock caused his sac and gut to tighten further. The coil of pleasure building within him, constricted until he thought he’d pass out from the pleasure and the razor-sharp pain of holding back his climax.

The first jerk of his cock after giving over to the bliss consuming him, startled Johnathan. He shouted. Digging his nails into Luka’s hips, he fucked him hard and fast, slamming his hips against Lukas as he unloaded inside him. The pleasure was too much. His balls throbbed. How he was able to climb up his mate’s back, and bite down on his collar bone while he continued to climax, left him dazed. This all-consuming feeling of being out of control while the singular desire to mate should have scared the shit out of him. If anything, he sank into it and gave over, pushing himself as deep as he could into his mate.

“We are nowhere near done yet,” he said, running his tongue over the bite he’d left in Luka’s flesh.

Luka chuckled, before throwing his words back at Johnathan. “Good. Because it’s my turn.”

Johnathan stared out the window of his bedroom overlooking the desert below, a hot cup of coffee in his hand. The sun crested the ridge, bathing the sand and desert foliage in shades of pink and orange. Behind him, in his bed, Luka slept. They’d spent more than half the night exploring each other’s bodies. By the time they slipped off to sleep, it’d been well after midnight and exhaustion consumed them. He’d woke an hour ago, his dick stiff and his tip wet. He thought about waking Luka so they could enjoy the sunrise together, however, he wasn’t a selfish asshole. The last few months and most recently, the past week had taken a toll on the Novikov family. The least he could do was allow his mate time to recharge and heal.

Speaking of which, Luka’s soft groan as he turned over in bed, drew Johnathan’s gaze to his naked ass. He bit back a moan. Teasing asshole. Had he not made the connection to what they were, he would have when his dick never went soft, no matter how many times he orgasmed—a side effect of finding his mate. He might not knot like the wolves or barb or whatever else the other did, but he had stamina in spades and could continue to mate until he passed out. Yet, even then, he’d be hard and ready for his mate.

“You’re staring at my ass,” Luka muttered, pushing the pillow out of his face. “I can feel you.”

“I bet you can,” Johnathan said putting his coffee mug on the nightstand beside him. “I had my dick inside that perfect ass for over half the night.”

“I know,” he said, peeking open his eyes. “I thought for sure you’d be inside me, fucking me when I woke up.”

“I love ass,” Johnathan said, “but I also like my partners conscious. Although, the thought had crossed my mind.”

“Well, I’m awake now. What are you waiting for?”

Johnathan smirked, grabbing the lube from where he left it the night before. “Insatiable mate.” The second he entered his mate’s ass again, he groaned. “Fuck... That’s better than coffee.” He flexed his hips retreating slowly, allowing his dick to drag against the walls of Luka’s ass. His mate pulsed around him, milking him for everything Johnathan was worth. “Guess I better call in. I don’t think we’re going anywhere today, mate.” He grunted, pressing his face to Luka’s chest. “You feel so fucking good.”

“Maybe you should,” Luka replied, pushing down against Johnathan meeting his thrust. “Don’t want them to get worried when you don’t show up.”

He chuckled then groaned at the feel of Luka’s ass clenching around him. “They’ll probably send Kalkin to find me.” Johnathan slid his palm over Luka’s hip and palmed his hard cock. “He has a way of interrupting everything.”

Luka shuddered. His eyes fluttered closed as a keen sound built in the back of his throat. “You should definitely call someone then. I’d hate to be interrupted.”

“As you wish mate,” Johnathan said, making like he’d pull out. When his mate protested, he slammed back into him, causing them both to shout with pleasure.

“Why don’t we wait,” Luka said. “He might be busy.”

Johnathan grinned, his strokes matching the thrust of Luka’s hips. “Of course. Don’t want to disturb anyone this early in the morning.”

Luka groaned. “Never.”

Hours later, they sat inside the diner eating lunch, both wearing shit-eating grins. Their little morning wake-up call, ended in the shower where Luka fucked Johnathan. His breath hitched at the thought. He’d never thought of himself as a bottom, but the idea then the experience of being surrounded by a man at least half a foot taller than him, fucking him in such a way, he couldn’t tell where he began and the man ended, left him a bit giddy and feeling like a kept mate.

Speaking of which...

“So, what kind of job did you want?” Johnathan hedged. Part of the day, while the kids were in school, he was supposed to show Luka around and see about work for him. Everyone in the pack had useful skills.

Plus, because of the mix up when they arrived at the Port of Los Angeles, the money every shifter received once they registered with the shifter society, wouldn’t be available to them until at least the middle of November. Obviously, Emersyn hoped it would be sooner and would do what she could, but sometimes bureaucratic bullshit got in the way of helping people. So, until the money came, the pack/pride would do everything they could to help the Novikov family.

“I want to do what you do,” Luka said. “Hunt.”

“A tracker?” Johnathan tilted his head. “Or do you mean help those who are trying to be free? Because I have to tell you, my job has many different titles.”

“Those who are trying to be free,” he replied.

Johnathan nodded. “I have the perfect job for you then.” If Luka was serious about it. He knew Keeley could use some help. With Pasquale moving up in the company to field agent with Tiger as his partner, his original position of answering phones was available. “We’ll check it out after you’ve finished eating.”

“You marked me last night,” Luka said, giving Johnathan whiplash with the way he changed subjects.

“I did,” he agreed. “Was that not what you wanted?” Instinct had taken over. Had Luka not wanted to be mated? No. There was no way. They’d both been into it. The second he bit his mate’s neck, Luka came in thick ropes of cum.

“I wanted it very much,” Luka said. “I never marked you, though.”

Relief surged through Johnathan. To be honest, he hadn’t even thought about it. They were so consumed with one another, everything felt natural. “Well, there’s always the Hunter’s Moon festivities. If you’d like to mark me as yours then...” He took a bite of his food and grinned.

Luka’s gaze turned molten with desire as the scent of his arousal colored the air surrounding them. “I will.”

“Then it’s a date, Luka Novikov.