Chapter Eleven

Rocky was stuck. Henri cuddled against him like a big cat. His arms were around Rocky’s waist, holding on to him as if he expected Rocky to disappear. Henri’s breathing indicated he was asleep. He was still naked from the waist down.

Rocky loved it. It was a big change from what they’d had before, but a welcome one.

Rocky stomach rumbled, telling him it was dinnertime. He would cuddle Henri forever if it didn’t mean he’d starve to death.

Rocky held him, rubbing his shirt-covered back.

Their bond had strengthened. Rocky could feel Henri’s contentment, even while he slept.

Rocky picked up his phone from where he’d laid it on the end table earlier and pressed Bandos’s number.

Bandos answered on the first ring.

“Are you busy?” Rocky tried to keep his volume down so as not to wake Henri. Either he succeeded or Henri slept deeper than most.

“I have two mates. One of them is Vaughan Somerset. I’m always busy.” Vaughan wasn’t only annoying on a good day, he was witty at least half of the time. It kept everyone on their toes, especially Bandos. But Echo seemed to balance them out.

“I meant with work.”

“I know.” Bandos whispered something to someone before talking to Rocky again. “We’re just figuring out what to have for dinner.”

“Aka arguing about it.” Vaughan sounded so close it was as if he’d taken the phone from Bandos. In all likelihood, he plastered himself against Bandos while on the phone.

“Food is why I called.”

“I’ll be there in five.”

“Henri’s house.”

“Do you need grocery supplies?”

“I’m not sure what he has here.”

“What were you wanting to make?”

“Some sort of pasta, salad, and garlic bread.”

“Sounds so good,” Vaughan said.

“Dinner for everyone here, then.” Rocky owed Henri a proper date. One that didn’t include inviting the family to crash it.

They ended the call a few minutes later.

It wasn’t even an hour before someone knocked on the door. Rocky grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and covered Henri so his naked bits weren’t exposed.

Henri stirred a little, sighing and then settled again.

Bandos came in first, followed by Vaughan, who had Echo strapped to his back piggyback style. Vaughan and Echo each carried one of those reusable grocery bags. They laughed with each other but quieted when they saw Henri’s sleeping form.

Vaughan mouthed “sorry” right before he scanned the room. His gaze first landed on all the books and then they went to where Henri’s pants and underwear still lay next to the couch. “Holy shit. So many books. And also holy sex smells.”

“Vaughan. That’s rude.” Echo might have giggled, but at least he admonished Vaughan.

Bandos raised his eyebrows and said, “Kitchen?”

Rocky pointed.

Henri stiffened. His breathing changed, and he pressed his face into Rocky, hiding although it was ineffective.

Rocky cupped his cheek, using his arm to block everyone’s view of him. Henri grabbed Rocky’s hand and placed it over his eyes.

Echo covered Vaughan’s mouth with his hand when he tried to speak.

Bandos nodded, and the three of them walked into the kitchen.

“They’re gone, baby.” Rocky tried to lower his hand, but Henri tightened his hold.

Henri didn’t speak right away. It was as if he had to get his bearings. His stomach growled.

“Bandos and his mates are here. They’re making us dinner.” Rocky hoped the explanation would make Henri say something, but he only nodded. “Are you okay?”

Henri nodded again, but he also yawned.

“Are you going to say anything?”

He sighed as if clearing the sleep from his body. That was when Rocky realized Henri was one of those people who took his time waking up.

Bandos, Echo, and Vaughan made noises in the kitchen. Pots clanked, and the sound of someone chopping vegetables was unmistakable. Then the sizzle of meat in a pan.

Echo said, “I want to learn how to chop fast.”

Bandos spoke. The deep registers of his voice settled Rocky, making him feel content. Getting to hold Henri made it all the sweeter.

“Take your time, mate.” Rocky needed to text Sully about dinner. The whole family should eat together.

“I’m still naked.” The embarrassment was evident.

“They didn’t see.” And even if they had, no one would say anything except for maybe Vaughan. Even then, it would have been teasing with no real judgement.

“My pants and underwear are on the floor.”

“Do you want to get dressed?”

When Henri nodded, Rocky made sure his hold was firm so Henri would feel secure in his arms before he grabbed Henri’s clothing. Henri wrapped his arms around Rocky, holding on when Rocky stood.

Henri chuckled. It warmed Rocky from the inside out.

Rocky smiled. “What’s so funny, baby?”

“I feel like a child with you carrying me around.”

“You feel grown to me.” Rocky could feel Henri’s cock against his abdomen. He knew the exact second it hardened.

Henri covered his face with the blanket. “I can’t help it.”

“I’m not complaining.”

Henri lowered the covers. Rocky could feel his stare, even though he didn’t take his gaze from where he was going. Henri’s home had way too many stacks of books to not pay attention. He could kick a stack or even brush against one, and the whole thing would tumble.

“You like it?”

“I like everything about you, baby.”

Carrying Henri around meant he was as close as he could get. He finally had Henri in his arms, and he wasn’t letting him go anytime soon.

When they entered the bedroom, Rocky closed the door. Rocky set Henri on his feet.

When Henri bit his lip, Rocky knew it was because of nervousness. He felt what Henri did, even though the bond wasn’t complete. Their connection strengthening in such a short time and without proper bonding wasn’t beyond the norm. It might very well be a blessing from the gods. If there was a scientific reason, Henri could explain it. Rocky would ask another time, though.

“Do you want me to give you privacy?”

Henri shook his head. “I don’t want to get dressed yet.” He dropped the blanket, exposing his hard length and nakedness.

Rocky knew what he wanted. He also knew they’d get teased if they did anything. But they probably would anyway, since the smell of cum hung in the air. Vaughan already said as much.

“What do you want?” Rocky didn’t wait for an answer. He slid next to Henri and took his cock in hand.

Rocky’s own length hardened in his jeans, but he would wait until later.

Henri moaned. And then moaned again when Rocky spit on his hand, using it to ease the way.

“Yeah. Like this. For now.” Henri leaned into him as if his legs wouldn’t hold him anymore.

Rocky wrapped an arm around his waist and lifted him, laying him on the bed.

When Henri’s legs fell apart as if in invitation, Rocky thought he’d lose his mind. It created a fire inside him.

It was supposed to be a quick jack-off session because some of their family were in the house. But he lost control around Henri.

Rocky kissed him, making demands, wanting everything Henri would give. He needed the bond as much as he needed his next breath. He was desperate for it because they’d waited so long to be with each other.

Rocky undid his button and zip, freeing his erection. He took them both in hand, knowing it wouldn’t be enough, but it was something at least.

It seemed Rocky wasn’t alone in his need. He was the one who ended the kiss. When Henri tilted his head to the side as if asking Rocky to bite him, Rocky growled and struck.

The whole thing went quicker than Rocky would have liked. As soon as he tasted Henri, he felt the bond click into place. It wasn’t complete, but they were close.

Henri sank his teeth into Rocky’s shoulder. The contentment entered his soul, taking over his mind and body. When he came, he forgot about everything else, but the way Henri made him feel.

He lay there for long minutes, catching his breath. It had been a long time since he’d had sex and it had never been as good as it was with Henri. When his bones stopped feeling as if they were mush, he lifted off Henri and gathered their cum onto his fingers.

When Rocky pressed a finger inside Henri, making sure his cum was inside Henri’s body, Henri tightened his hold.

Oh gods. Rocky. Rocky.Henri was in his head.

It was what he’d needed for so long. Emotion gathered in his chest. My mate.

Henri stopped biting him, kissing the wound he’d made. And then he tightened his hold. That’s right, dragon.

It was right. Nothing had been so perfect before.

Rocky licked across the bite wound and kissed it. He pulled his fingers out of Henri.

“I’m sorry my secret separated us,” Henri whispered.

“We’re together now.” Being with Henri was everything Rocky wanted.

“You make it sound as though it wasn’t difficult.”

It was one of the hardest experiences Rocky had ever had. “The past doesn’t matter. We have right now.”

“And the future.”

“Only now, mate.” The future was uncertain. It hung over them as though it were a shadowy specter. Rocky couldn’t do anything to take them away. All he could do was hold on to Henri, keep him close, and hope it was enough.