Chapter Eleven

“I’m nervous.”

Nate joined Ryker at his side, his mate sliding their hands together. The contact helped tremendously, but that didn’t stop Nate from trembling slightly.

“You’re nervous to meet a toddler?”

Ryker shifted the large gift under his free arm. “Come on, honey bear. The cub was inside your head, helping you wield your powers. That practically makes you two brothers, or something.” He mumbled the last two words.

Nate still couldn’t believe they’d used a toddler’s mind to accomplish it. When he’d opened his eyes, he’d been back in his body, a bit tired but no longer hanging on by a fingernail.

But Ethan had been gone. Quinton had explained that it had taken a lot out of the boy to help, so his uncles had taken him home to rest.

If it hadn’t been for the rug rat, they wouldn’t have made it out of the motel, and Nate wouldn’t be standing there nervously, about to meet Ethan in person.

All because the kid liked grapes.

They approached the door of the quaint home, Nate taking a few deep breaths of frigid air, his exhales tiny bursts of clouds in front of his mouth.

Despite creating snowstorms to lure people to the motel, Nate had forgotten just how cold winter could become and he was freezing his nuts off.

When Ryker raised his hand to ring the doorbell, Nate seized it, giving his mate’s wrist a light squeeze.

“Close your eyes.”

Ryker’s soothing voice settled over Nate, making him instantly obey. “What do you smell, sweetheart?”

Nate took a deep, cleansing breath, drawing the cold air into his lungs. “Pine trees, crisply fresh fallen snow, and your dark, woodsy scent.”

A scent that never failed to evoke the feelings of safety and love. Some might think it too soon, but after what they’d been through, Nate couldn’t care less what others thought.

“Mmm. I smell peppermint—sharp, sweet and drives me wild.”

Ryker brushed his cheek over Nate’s, the rough texture of his beard causing Nate to gasp. “Open your eyes, honey bear.”

When he did, he found a tiny person in the doorway, practically bouncing where he stood. “Um, hi.”

He assumed this was Ethan.

“Uncuh Dyke shoe me.”

Ethan bounced again, his gaze landing on the gift under Ryker’s arm. His eyes lit up, and Nate could practically see the boy drooling.

“What did he say?”

Nate asked, grinning at the toddler’s exuberance. He was a gorgeous little boy, with golden blond hair and pretty green eyes. The rug rat also had deep dimples.

“He said I shushed him.”

Ryker picked Ethan up with one arm, settling the boy in the crook of it.

Jesus. Nate would never stop swooning over his mate’s sheer strength or the way his muscles flexed.

“He opened the door while we were doing our exercise,”

Ryker explained as he and Ethan smiled at him.

Nate was thankful his mate hadn’t said anxiety attack. He didn’t want to look like a punk in front of his hero.

That would be Ethan.

An incredible presence packaged in a tiny kiddo.

“It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Nate stuck out his hand, but Ethan launched his small body at him. Nate squealed, afraid he wouldn’t catch the boy.

“Pay whiff snow!”

Ryker arched a brow at Nate who struggled to keep the squirming toddler in his arms. How could someone so small feel so solid?

“I got a hunch you’re his new favorite uncle.”

He liked being someone’s favorite, especially to a pint-sized cutie. “He sounds jealous,”

Nate whispered conspiratorially to the boy.

“He jem-us!”

Ethan giggled.

“I’m standing right here,”

Ryker playfully growled as Nate cracked up.

“Very jealous.”

Nate winked at his mate.

“Berry jem-us.”

The toddler nodded, but he wore a scowl, like he was a little adult assessing his uncle.

“Okay, you two can stop picking on me now.”

Ryker crossed his arms, scowling right back at his nephew, until Ethan giggled again.

“Watch,”

Nate whispered, shifting Ethan to one arm, lifting the other to twirl his index finger around.

A single snowflake, the size of a dinner plate began to form a foot away, the crystals slowly growing, reaching to connect to create a sparkling work of art, if Nate did say so himself.

Ethan had remained transfixed the entire time, his tiny lips parted, his green eyes wide.

“Anuder!”

he squealed. He jumped around in Nate’s arm, and Nate would’ve dropped the boy if Ryker hadn’t pulled Ethan away.

Nate was strong, ten times that of a human, but a squirming kid wasn’t easy to hold on to.

“Why don’t we go see what’s in this box, and maybe Uncle Nate will make some more, okay?”

Ryker bounced Ethan, who giggled and nodded.

Nate was an uncle. Ethan had claimed him as one, and now Ryker. Damn it. He wasn’t going to cry that this family, who had known him only a few days, made him feel like a part of them more than Nate’s own ever had.

The inside of the house was cozy, the smell of gingerbread clinging to the air. Nate turned and grinned at the Christmas movie playing on the large television.

He was still getting used to how flat they were when his had been what Ryker had called a boob-tube. This one took up half the wall it was sitting in front of.

“I guess I’m going to have to learn demon anatomy,”

a blond said as he entered the room, a welcoming smile on his handsome face. “We can’t have one in the family and I don’t know how to treat him if needed.”

This had to be Stewart.

Nate glanced up at Ryker, then stepped a little closer, unsure of what the guy was talking about.

“He’s a doctor,”

Ryker whispered too loudly.

The two introduced themselves as Ethan tried to wrestle his gift from Ryker. “My peasant.”

“Ethan.”

Stewart shook his head. “You have to wait until it’s given to you.”

Ethan eye-balled Ryker, an expectant look on his face.

“It’s heavy, so you have to sit down to open it.”

Ryker lowered his massive body to the rug where toys were scattered. Ethan sat, and as soon as Ryker set the box down, the boy tore into it to reveal a large snow globe, the base made of silver.

Ryker picked up the globe and shook it, sending the snow swirling around a majestic bear with woods surrounding it. He twisted the lever in the back of the base, and the soft strains of a lullaby drifted through the quiet room.

Nate had seen it before his mate had wrapped the gift and knew on the ornately designed base, an inscription read “Ethan Da Bear.”

The boy giggled and launched himself into his uncle’s arms. Ryker chuckled, falling to his back as Ethan made roaring bear noises.

When Nate looked at Stewart, there were unshed tears in his eyes as he watched the two. Nate knew how the guy felt. It was a touching moment between a little boy and an uncle who loved him deeply.

A sudden chill rushed over Nate, causing him to look around. He automatically thought of Diobno, but he’d never been able to detect his uncle.

And Diobno was dead. He would have questioned his uncle’s fate, but this felt different. It wasn’t an evil sense he felt, but…

Ethan glanced up, looking past Nate, his tiny brows furrowed. He pushed away from Ryker and walked over to Nate, hugging his leg. “My Uncuh Nape,”

he whispered.

Jeez. Nate really was going to cry. Hesitating for only a moment, he ran his fingers through Ethan’s soft hair.

“Thank you for helping me, rug rat.”

Nate’s throat grew too tight to say anything else. There weren’t any words to convey just how grateful he felt for what Ethan had done for him.

The boy gazed up at him, a wide smile on his face. “Pay whiff snow.”

With a chuckle, and sniffing back tears, Nate nodded. “Let’s go make the biggest snowman ever.”

* * * *

With his heart hammering, Raziel’s gaze locked onto the little boy who’d gotten up and walked toward him. Each small step felt like an eternity, drawing out a moment that would change everything. The child’s golden blond hair gleamed in the light, a mirror of his mother, Carol, but it was the eyes—those hauntingly familiar green eyes, the exact shade of his own—that stole Raziel’s breath.

Ethan was breathtaking, the most beautiful boy Raziel had ever seen. How could he have not known? How could a being so perfect have existed without his knowledge?

Invisible and aching, Raziel’s entire being screamed to reach out, to cradle Ethan in his arms. Yet, he didn’t dare. The moment his hand connected with the child, their bond would instantly resonate on earth and in heaven, alerting every angel that a Nephilim existed.

Then the hunt would begin for Raziel’s son.

* * * *

“I can hear your thoughts.”

Ryker’s lips ghosted over Nate’s jaw. “They’re so damn naughty, honey bear.” His mate pulled away and settled on his back, leaving Nate panting for more. “Turn around and get on top.”

It took a second for Nate to understand what Ryker wanted. To give each other oral sex at the same time. He slid his hand over his mate’s rigid stomach and kissed along his chest. He wanted to map Ryker’s body, get to know each dip and cut line.

Nate wasn’t rushing anything. If he’d learned nothing else at the motel, it was patience. It wasn’t as if he’d had anything else to do. After what his uncle had put him through, then getting some baby half-angel’s powers zapped through him, all Nate had wanted was a lazy Christmas morning.

The first one he’d celebrated in so long that the holiday spirit had seeped back into Nate’s bones.

Now he sat atop Ryker, his cock hard and heavily throbbing, knowing just one touch from his mate would send him over the edge into a mind-blowing orgasm. His body was on fire with need. Every spot Ryker touched, every lick he gave, drove Nate’s senses crazy.

Which was the best sensory overload Nate could ask for.

Ryker grabbed him and flipped him, making Nate laugh. “As much as I’m enjoying your tongue on my chest, other parts of my body are whimpering from neglect.”

“You’re so full of it. I just sucked your cock an hour ago.”

And was willing to do it again.

“Maybe I’ve become addicted to those lips riding my prick,”

Ryker said with a soft, playful growl. “You did have a red ribbon wrapped around your naked body when I woke up, telling me any part of you that I wanted was mine.”

“And you chose my lips?”

Nate asked in astonishment. “Teddy bear, there are more interesting things on me that you can enjoy.”

“Oh, I plan to.”

A guttural, deep groan escaped Nate, his eyes fluttering closed as he hugged Ryker’s hairy legs. His mate sucked Nate’s cock down his throat, lashing his tongue over Nate’s erection like it was a candy cane from the tree downstairs. He sucked the cock down then rode the length back up, repeating the erotic pleasure a few more times.

Sweet hell. Ryker was the one who had the best lips.

Nate curled his fingers into the blanket, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. His hips bucked, and he felt as if he’d died and gone to heaven. Never in his life had he experienced anything so wondrous or so mind-blowing.

Ryker’s tongue was pure magic, leaving Nate a panting mess. The abrasion from his mate’s beard only heightened the pleasure. The scrape of whiskers on his sensitive skin was so freaking incredible. Nate became lost in the sensations, his legs trembling, a thousand moans escaping.

Ryker released his cock, and Nate damn near cried out in protest, ready to throttle the guy for committing such a heinous crime. If it wasn’t illegal, it should’ve been.

“You can join in anytime, honey bear.”

“I… what?”

Ryker had obliterated his mind, and his mate wanted him to think? Nate shook his head, blinked a few times, and then Ryker’s words sank in. “Oh!” This was supposed to be mutual. “I can’t help it you’re so good at blowjobs that you scramble my brains.”

A deep, rich chuckle rumbled from Ryker. “You know how to stroke a guy’s ego. Now let’s see if you know how to stroke my cock.”

“I have a hundred years of cobwebs to clear out, so I’m allowed to be a little greedy.”

Ryker gripped Nate’s shaft, giving his erection a light squeeze. “True, now put your beautiful lips back on me.”

Nate wrapped his hand around the girth of Ryker’s shaft and slid his tongue over the slit, moaning at the taste of pre-cum and hungrily lapping up the clear liquid.

“That’s it, baby.”

Ryker strangled Nate’s cock as he hissed, spreading his legs wider apart before he placed both hands on Nate’s hips. “You can get as greedy as you want on my dick.”

Nate nearly choked, fighting back a laugh while he had a hard cock in his mouth. That wasn’t what he meant when he said he was allowed to be greedy, but right now, he wasn’t going to argue.

Ryker’s tongue teased Nate’s shaft as it slid up and down the side of the hardness then climbed back to the top to suckle the head, causing Nate’s eyes to cross.

The room filled with moans, desperation, and need. Nate’s balls had already drawn close to his body. When his mate slid a finger into Nate’s ass, it was over. He gripped Ryker’s cock tightly, throwing his head back and crying out. Ryker drank him down, swallowing every last drop of his seed.

Hungry for his mate, Nate sucked and licked, pulled and swallowed. He slid the flat of his tongue over the heavy vein then took Ryker down his throat. Ryker fucked his mouth in short bursts, squeezing Nate’s thighs.

With a few tight pumps of his hand, he had Ryker calling out his name. Cum spurted down his throat, and Nate was ravenous for the taste. He was ravenous for everything pertaining to Ryker. The man who had gone through hell to save Nate not once but twice.

Nate pulled back and rested his cheek on Ryker’s thigh, ready for a nap. He lay there, content, listening to the sound of Christmas music somewhere in the house. When he glanced at the window, he smiled. “It’s snowing outside.”

Ryker repositioned them, pulling Nate into his arms. “Think it’ll be a snowstorm?”

Snuggling close, Nate was so freaking happy he didn’t know what to do with himself. “Only if someone needs rescuing.”

He placed a kiss over his mate’s heart, smiling at the way Ryker sighed. “Does the offer to carry me still stand?”

His mate kissed his temple, his warm lips lingering. “Honey bear, you’re never leaving my arms.”

THE END