CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: CONNIE

CONNIE SLID his arm around Kit's waist. He was proud of his mate. He was handling himself well meeting the other paranormals, especially Isadora.

Yes, ma'am." Kit laughed softly. "I mean yes. Thank you. I will. I, ah, I…"

"Yes, dear?"

It was obvious Kit wanted to ask Isadora something, so Connie nudged him gently.

Kit jumped, then scowled at Connie. Nevertheless, he turned back to Isadora. "Please don't think I'm being weird or anything, but I'm dying to know where you got that necklace. I love it."

Isadora touched the chunky gold chain around her throat. "You like jewelry?"

Austin snickered. "Of course he does. He's a clothes horse too. No kidding. And that chain totally looks like him. I'm surprised he's not asking you where you got your pant suit. You should see some he has. He has some skirts that I bet you'd love."

Isadora raised an eyebrow.

Connie felt Kit stiffen next to him, but he didn't know why. Did he think Isadora was about to insult him for some reason? Was it because Austin made some comment about Kit having skirts? Just how many other people had made comments about things Kit wore? She wouldn't do that, and now Connie was wondering who he needed to kill.

"I bought the suit at Treasure Trove. The necklace too."

"I love that store!" Kit exclaimed. "It's one of my favorite places."

A delighted smile crossed Isadora's face. "Oh my, you do have excellent taste. We simply must go shopping one day."

Kit nodded vigorously. "I'd love to. I never turn down a chance to go there."

That honestly surprised Connie. He hadn't expected Kit to accept an overture of friendship from Isadora so quickly.

"Good grief, the idea of the two of you on a shopping trip is terrifying," Austin teased. "Seriously, Isadora. I think you just might have found your new partner in crime."

"Another partner in crime, you mean," Isadora corrected.

"We'll corrupt him together. How does that sound?" Austin chuckled.

"It's amusing you think I'm not already corrupted," Kit mused.

Isadora's gaze darted to Kit for a moment before she finally nodded. "Interesting. I'm curious. Did Hudson tell you what I am, Kit?"

"He did, yes," Kit said quietly. "He explained who everybody was here."

"And does that terrify you?"

"Absolutely."

"Honesty. I approve." Isadora patted Kit on the arm. "But I am no threat to you. Just as I am no threat to Austin. You are a mate to two very honorable men, and Hudson is a genuine friend to me. I offer you my protection."

Connie was kind of surprised, but then again, he sort of wasn't. She had taken a liking to Austin and offered friendship to him, as well as her protection.

She seemed to have a thing for young human males. Connie's gaze wandered over to her newest addition—the waiter named Jamail. He wondered what the story was with him.

Kit opened his mouth and then closed it. "I… don't know how to respond to that appropriately. No one has told me what that means, but thank you. I have a feeling that's a very big deal."

"She's a formidable ally," Hudson said. "Tell her you accept."

"I accept," Kit said immediately.

"Your Majesty? Right Hand? I like your mate," Isadora declared.

"We like him too," Hudson joked, breaking the sudden tension that came with the seriousness of Isadora's offer.

"Please give him my phone number when you have a free moment, Hudson," Isadora said. "Kit? It was a pleasure to meet you. I do hope we can go shopping soon. Please feel free to call me anytime, especially if you are ever in need of help and Hudson or Connie or any of his dragons are unavailable."

"Thank you, and I will," Kit said.

"Good night, everyone," Isadora said, and then drifted off.

"Denisha, Maia, Austin, and I are going to Club Nomadic. Would you be interested in going?" Kage asked.

Hudson looked at Kit, who shook his head. "It appears not, my friend. But be careful."

"Always. Maybe we can get together and have dinner one evening at Embers," Kage said.

"I'd like that," Kit said.

"While it's on my mind, I wanted to let you know I consider you an honorary member of my clan. In other words, I am offering my protection to you, as well. If you ever need help and cannot get ahold of Hudson or Connie, contact me. I can open a portal and be to you immediately," Kage said.

"Oh, wow, thank you. That's an unexpectedly generous thing," Kit said.

"Hudson is my best friend," Kage replied. "Of course I would offer you my protection."

"I've done the same for Austin," Hudson added. "Plus, Isadora has also offered. Those are two very powerful allies."

Kit held his hand out to Kage. "Thank you. I am honored."

Smiling, Kage shook Kit's hand.

"Now, on a lighter note, I just remembered that Lanny said she's going to call and set up another book signing with you. Is that okay?" Austin asked.

Startled, Kit sucked in air, then started coughing. Hudson picked up the glass of water sitting on their table and handed it to him.

Kit gulped it and then handed it back to Hudson. "Sorry. Sorry about that. I just wasn't expecting that to come out of your mouth, especially after what happened the last time."

"The attack?" Austin asked.

"Yeah. That."

"That wasn't your fault, Kit. And I don't have bad memories about your place. Do I about what happened?" Austin shrugged. "Yes. But they're mainly about Nox, and we all know he's no longer a threat. If you're willing to host me again, I'd love to do it at your bookstore."

"I'm so glad to hear that. I was afraid you'd never want to come back," Kit said.

Austin stepped forward and tentatively hugged Kit. "Not your fault," he reminded Kit.

Kit hugged Austin back and then stepped away. "Then tell Lanny to contact me whenever and we'll set it up."

"And I also want to say congratulations. I don't know these two very well"—Austin motioned to Hudson and Connie—"but my mate speaks highly of your mates. If you ever need to talk about overbearing mates, you know where to find me."

"I appreciate it," Kit said. "And I may take you up on that."

Austin elbowed Kit. "As humans, we got to stick together."

Kit snickered. "Well, one of us is. Human, I mean."

"But not for long," Hudson muttered softly beside Kit.

Connie couldn't agree more.

Kage rolled his eyes as he took Austin's hand and kissed his knuckles. "My overbearing self will remind you of that later."

Kit outright laughed as a blush covered Austin's face.

"What are you laughing about?" Hudson asked as he slung his arm around Kit's shoulders. "Because I totally intend to remind you how you laughed when Austin said that… later."

"Ha!" Austin poked Kit.

Connie listened as the two groups laughed and joked, picking at each other as they walked out to their vehicles. Of course, every paranormal there went on red alert as soon as they walked out of the door.

Goodbyes were said, and everybody went to their limos. Connie constantly scanned the parking lot as everybody loaded up. He only breathed easier once they were in the limo and the door was shut.

Torres, Audrey, and Hudson rehashed the meeting while Sheila and Parker chitchatted with Kit.

Since Connie had a moment to himself, he replayed the meeting in his head, and how Kit had acted through it. He was happy with the way the other paranormals had accepted Kit.

Of course, Austin had kind of broken everybody in, so Kit had an easier go of it. Isadora seemed to like Kit. That was comforting. She was indeed a formidable ally.

Connie didn't realize how tense he was until they crossed the border of Hudson's territory. Only then did he relax. Thankfully, they were almost home, and this time they got there with nothing bad happening.

Mitchell parked the limo in Hudson's private garage, and everybody split up. He, Hudson, and Kit walked back to their quarters. Connie had his arm around Kit's waist, and Hudson was holding Kit's hand.

"What do you guys want to do?" Connie asked. "It is late, but—"

"I'm going to go change into something more comfortable, then I'll be right back." Kit looked Hudson and Connie up and down. "I suggest the two of you do the same, and then Hudson? You start looking for that flat surface."

Oh hell yeah. He liked where this was going.

With a wink, Kit turned and walked out of the room. He wanted to see Hudson take Kit. Desperately. His cock was already getting hard just thinking about it. He'd barely finished the thought before Hudson pushed him down on the couch.

"Hey, what—"

"You heard our mate. Get comfortable," Hudson said. "And for us? That's naked."

Hudson wasn't wrong. Although he didn't understand why Hudson had pushed him down on the couch. He reached for his pants, but Hudson pointed a finger at him.

"No."

"No?"

"No. Hands off. Just sit there."

"Okay? Then how am I supposed to—"

Hudson untucked his shirt. Connie caught a glimpse of Hudson's abs as he slowly lifted the shirt up. His mouth watered as skin was slowly revealed. Hudson pulled it over his head, his hair fluttering around him as he tossed it aside.

Connie watched it drift to the floor. Slowly, he raised his gaze and admired the chiseled chest in front of him. He swallowed as the urge to lick every square inch hit him.

His dragon agreed. His fingers itched to explore all that acreage of tanned skin. He licked his lips as Hudson's hand dropped to his waist, then paused.

"Don't stop," he whispered. He was completely invested in the striptease.

"Got to give in order to receive."

Oh, so it was like that, was it? He clasped the tail of his shirt and slowly worked it up. Inch by tantalizing inch, he exposed his chest, watching Hudson's throat work as he gulped, his eyes glued to the strip of skin Connie exposed.

That spicy scent he associated with Hudson filled the room. He glanced down and was pleased to see his mate was just as hard as he was. Hudson growled, the sound rolling across the room in invisible waves and smacking into him.

Connie shivered in pleasure. The sound was full of power and promise. He glanced back at Hudson's face, and the beautiful eyes of his dragon stared back at him.

"Take it off."

Wasn't that just like a royal? Demanding, demanding, demanding. Connie whipped the shirt over his head, smirked, and slung it at him.

Hudson caught it one-handed, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. His eyelids fluttered closed, then popped open. That searing gaze latched on to him, freezing Connie. He and his dragon shivered.

"Your turn," Connie whispered.

Hudson toed off his shoes and kicked them across the room. Connie didn't even blink. Shoes weren't what was holding his attention. He fought the urge to squirm as Hudson unsnapped his leather pants, letting them fall from his hips.

Connie's eyes crossed when Hudson finally stopped and freed his cock from the material imprisoning him.

Gaura help him. Hudson's cock was the most perfect cock in creation. Thick with gorgeous veins, it curved ever so slightly to the right. Nestled under it were perfectly formed heavy balls that he loved to suck.

"Off. All of it. Please."

Another smirk greeted his request, then Hudson let his leathers drop to the floor. He stepped out of them and kicked them across the room, where they joined his shoes and other clothes.

Connie was pretty sure he stopped breathing. He wanted to ask Hudson to bring that cock over to him so he could wrap his lips around it and… and every thought he had fell out of his head when Hudson turned his back to him.

By Gaura, Hudson's ass was a work of art. It was really a shame the man didn't bottom much, but he said it didn't feel good. Connie's breath caught. Hudson might not be fond of bottoming, but he was a huge fan of getting his ass ate.

Hudson calmly removed his socks. "Enjoying the view?"

"Absolutely. I'd like it a lot better if you'd bring that ass over here."

"I will just as soon as you strip. Fair is fair."

Connie was off the couch and on his feet before Hudson could blink. He envisioned himself slinking out of his leather pants in a sexy little striptease that would drive Hudson crazy. Instead, he seemed to be all thumbs.

The leather pants were determined to cling to every freaking piece of skin. He tugged, pulled, and yanked in an effort to get the sticky material off of him.

What the hell? How did Hudson's come off so easily? Did his pants have some dastardly plan to make him look like an idiot? He kicked them off finally—and ducked since the damn things went up in the air instead of across the room. At least he got the leather evilness off him.

"Problems, sweetheart?"

Connie huffed. "Thank the Flames Kit wasn't in here."

"Who said I wasn't?"

Mortified, Connie slowly looked toward the door, and sure enough, there stood Kit. He wore champagne-colored sheer embroidered shorts and a matching button-up shirt. The sexy shorts were completely unlined and sat low on his waist.

They showed everything, and Connie meant everything. He was pretty sure he was in jeopardy of swallowing his tongue. Then he scowled. Had Kit walked from the guest bedroom dressed like that? Surely not.

Because if someone saw him wearing such an outfit, Connie was going to pluck their eyes out of their head.

"I know what you're thinking, and he wore a robe," Hudson whispered to Connie.

Kit just shook his head.

"Okay, okay, sorry. It's just the thought of someone else seeing you dressed like that makes me slightly insane."

Hudson nodded. "Same."