Chaz (VLG #15)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Shoni openly stared at Chaz’s home after he carried her through his front door. Once he sealed them inside, he put her down to give her a tour. It was obviously a cave that had been meticulously carved out into five rooms. It consisted of a kitchen at the front, followed by the living room, bathroom, and two bedrooms.

“Why two bedrooms if you lived alone?” She was curious.

“It’s how all the homes for unmated males were created. Winters feel long, and extra space is always welcome. We take up hobbies or use them as exercise spaces. My father’s spare bedroom became an art studio. He likes to paint. I wasn’t home enough after I moved in here to fill that room with anything.”

“Why three fireplaces? Do we really need them in the main bedroom, living room, and even the kitchen?”

“They are our source of heat in the winter. All three will not only keep our entire home toasty warm throughout the cold season because of where they are located, but some of us use them for cooking, too. I didn’t want to deal with propane tanks to grill meat in my kitchen. I cook camp-style over the fire.”

“That makes sense.”

“We have electricity. You must have seen the plug-in appliances like an oven, large fridge, and microwave in our kitchen.” He winked. “I love popcorn with one touch of a button and baking desserts.”

“Me too.”

“The wall between the living space and kitchen opens to the outside. I’ll show you once Fray and I build railings for your safety. I’m going to help him do his ledge, too, for Lenore.”

Shoni shot him a curious look.

“There are ledges on the cliff face that mark the outside entrances to our homes. We can fly in and out without going to where we flew in this time. That larger opening is used mainly for deliveries and training purposes. Fray and I have been gone for a while, so we secured our home openings from the inside before we left.” He pulled her into her arms.

“Why railings?”

“It’s a deadly drop to the ground below if you don’t have wings. I won’t risk your life. The wall will be kept sealed until Fray and I find the time to make certain you and Lenore can’t accidentally fall from the ledges. You will enjoy the view once it’s done.”

“Thank you.”

“Your safety always comes first.” He took her hand, leading her toward the massive bed. Their tour had ended in that room. The frame had been made with rustic logs and looked extremely sturdy. It was also the biggest one she’d ever seen. She guessed it was two king-sized mattresses lying side by side.

“Did you make the furniture?”

“No. I purchased it from a skilled VampLycan craftsman. Fray and I flew our beds here from his clan. My brother has one just like this.”

“Wow.”

“It’s not as hard as it sounds. We secure heavy loads with straps and harness them to our bodies. Two of us can carry a lot of combined weight when needed.” He stepped close to her and gently gripped her hips. “There’s a few things we need to discuss.”

“Okay.” She felt nervous. Chaz looked too serious. She hoped he didn’t have bad news to share now they’d finally arrived at his home.

“You may give off what we term the calling once we start to bond. It’s a Gargoyle side effect.” He hesitated. “Some of them can be cold and unfeeling. I think it was nature’s way of making certain the males formed tight bonds with their mates. It will mean that you’ll scent of strongly needing sex once you drink some of my blood.”

Shoni swallowed hard. The thought of drinking blood wasn’t a good one, but she was all in for whatever it took to become his mate.

He softened his voice. “It’s so we have a lot of sex during that time and the bond is tightly formed. That being said, it’s why I immediately bought you here. I didn’t want other Gargoyles or GarLycans getting the chance to challenge me for you. Some of them might do that since we’re not officially mated yet. I doubt it would happen, but I’m not willing to take that risk. We’ll stay here until our bond is completed.”

“Is Ember safe, or will someone try to claim her?”

“Your cousin will be fine. She’s here because of you. Everyone will have been told she isn’t seeking a mate. You have agreed to be mine. Old Gargoyle law is a bit confusing, but only women who want mates can be challenged for.” He paused. “My father is going to deliver dinner every evening until your scent assures every male in my clan that we’re fully bonded. He’ll leave those meals outside our door.”

“Doesn’t he want to meet me before we mate?”

“That’s not necessary. My father is thrilled that Fray and I have both found mates. He’s currently not at the cliffs. I got a text from him telling me he’d gone hunting today. He put some food in our fridges before he left if you’re hungry. We have plenty of breakfast and lunch options.”

“I’m good. We had a big meal on the plane and snacks on the smaller one. Our fridges? I only saw one in your kitchen.”

“Fray and Lenore’s, too. We usually refill our fresh food stores after we return, but this time was different since we brought our mates home. Dad did it for us.”

“That was nice. What fresh foods?”

“Bread, milk, eggs, and other things along those lines that don’t keep well after a few weeks.”

“What about Ember?”

“Dad stocked her with food, too.”

“I feel a little guilty for abandoning her.”

“She knew it was coming. I spoke to her about my plans while you were using the bathroom on the first flight. She said she’d be fine and didn’t need us babysitting her.”

Shoni chuckled. “That’s Ember.”

Chaz released her and stepped back. “I’ve waited long enough to mate you, Shoni. Let’s take that shower.”

They both entered the bathroom. She longingly glanced at the oversized tub. She really had missed taking baths. It wasn’t like any she’d ever seen before. It appeared to be carved out of stone. Chaz turned on the water in the shower, drawing her attention to him. “Do caves have hot water?”

He faced her, beginning to strip. “Yes. Electric tankless water heaters are a wonderful invention. We used to heat water over a fire and mix it with some cold so it wasn’t scalding. We’d dump buckets on our heads while standing over a drain or fill up a tub to bathe.”

“I’m really glad you’ve modernized your caves.” She kicked off her shoes and started to remove her clothing. Her gaze kept wandering over Chaz’s amazing body as he revealed it to her.

He entered the roomy shower area first, seeming to test the temperature. Just the sight of him made Shoni aroused. She drew closer. He turned to face her. “I want to bond the hell out of you.”

“I want that, too.”

“Fast shower. Then, I’m going to make you mine.” He released her, grabbed a shampoo bottle, and dumped some white liquid into his hand. “Wet your hair. I’ll wash it and then your body.”

There was something deeply intoxicating about Chaz washing her hair. She loved the way he lightly massaged her scalp as he worked out the shampoo and conditioner. He wasn’t done. Chaz reached for body wash and began at her shoulders, rubbing his big hands over every inch of her skin.

A moan broke from her when he paid meticulous attention to her breasts with both of his hands. He pressed against Shoni’s back. There was no missing his hardened erection that bumped against her. He slid his hands lower.

“I’m clean enough,” she blurted. “Bed now.”

Chaz chuckled, releasing her. “Rinse off first.” He backed away.

Shoni didn’t need to be told twice. She stepped under the water, removing all the soap, and then made room for him to do the same. Chaz only took a few seconds before turning off the flow of water. He grabbed a few large folded towels off a shelf next to the open shower area and tossed her one.

She caught it, opening the towel. It was beach-sized, and she started to dry off. Last, she used the towel to squeeze out some of the water from her hair. Part of her inwardly cringed at what she must look like since he’d used his products to clean her hair.

“You’re so beautiful,” Chaz rumbled, almost seeming to read her mind.

She stopped messing with her wet hair. “I don’t look like a drowned rat?”

“Hell no.” He threw the towel at the tub and stalked naked toward her.

It was quite the sight, too, with him sporting an impressive hard-on. Chaz took the towel from her, tossing it, and then scooped her into his arms. She gasped, not expecting that. Chaz strode out of the bathroom and into the bedroom with her cradled in his arms. He gently deposited her on the top of the quilt-covered mattress.

“I’ve waited long enough to mate you.” He crouched next to the bed where she sat, going right for her lips.

The kiss was hot enough to make Shoni feel as if he were setting her body on fire. She clutched at his broad shoulders, scooting her butt to the edge of the bed. All she wanted was to be pressed against his warm, firm skin. Chaz tore his mouth away, breathing hard. She opened her eyes, staring at his incredible ones. A ton of blue streaks flared in the liquid silver color. They never ceased to amaze her.

“I’m going to prepare you for me.” He paused. “Then I’m going to flux. The wings will probably come out. I just wanted to remind you that it might happen. Don’t be startled or scared. I’m going to bite you while we fuck to trigger my mating instincts. It shouldn’t hurt. I’ll do it when you’re distracted. Me drinking your blood will also make my sperm cause some slight changes inside you.”

Shoni nodded. “I understand. You said something about having to drink your blood, too. Am I supposed to bite you when you do that to me?”

His features showed his amusement. “No. I’m going to very lightly shell in the flux. You’d probably hurt your teeth. I’ll have you drink some of my blood from a goblet after. It’s traditional to use one with Gargoyle matings. My father gifted us the one he and my mother used. Fray agreed to let me inherit it since I’m the oldest.”

Shoni wasn’t certain if that was sweet or disturbing. She decided to go with sweet. “That was nice of him.”

“I think he was probably happy to get it out of his home. It’s a reminder of when he fed my mother from it and how he no longer can now that she’s gone.”

Sadness filled her. She couldn’t imagine losing Chaz, and they weren’t even officially mated yet.

“We have one more thing to discuss. I could get you pregnant. We can’t use condoms to bond.”

She stared into his handsome face. The idea of having his baby was appealing. “Is that going to upset you if it happens?”

“No. I’m all in with you, Shoni. All. In. The idea of becoming a father is a bit terrifying, I won’t lie, but we can do anything together. Are you okay with taking that risk?”

She nodded. “I’m all in, too, obviously. I bet we’d make adorable babies.”

“Agreed. I love you.”

Tears filled her eyes as she smiled. “I love you too. Make me yours.”

Chaz kissed her again, his big hands exploring her body. His wonderful scent seemed to grow stronger. Those pheromones he’d once told her about were appealing, in her opinion. They made her crave him even more. She ran her hands over his shoulders and arms instead. Shoni couldn’t touch him enough.

He gently pushed her onto her back, coming down on top of her, never breaking their kiss. She spread her legs, loosely wrapping them around his waist. Her calves rubbed against his firm ass cheeks. He growled against her tongue. It was strong enough that she felt his chest pressed against hers vibrate. Even that was sexy.

Chaz reached down, gripped one of her thighs, and hiked it up more right as he broke the kiss. He went for her neck, trailing hot, wet kisses from just under her ear to the top of her shoulder. One of his hands slid between their bodies, and he started to play with her clit. Shoni moaned.

He stopped kissing her. “You’re so fucking wet. I can’t wait anymore.”

He strummed her clit faster as he resumed kissing her throat and shoulder. She felt fangs rake her skin as he lightly bit her. It was enough to send her over the edge as she came hard.

Chaz stopped touching her clit, gripped his cock, and then pushed against her vaginal opening. He entered her with one slow thrust, burying himself deep. It felt amazing as the climax continued to wreck her body and mind. He drew out her pleasure as he started to take her fast and hard.

It barely registered to her when the texture of his skin began to change. She was too lost in pleasure. Shoni’s eyes flew open, though, when Chaz’s fangs sank into the top of her shoulder. All she could see was his gray skin and massive black wings blocking out the rest of the room.

Pain and ecstasy became blurred as she came a second time. Chaz made a deep groaning noise as he slowed his hips. She felt him coming inside her as wet heat seemed to spread where they were intimately joined. His body shook over hers, and she clung to his slightly shelled body.

He slowly removed his fangs, licking where he’d bitten her. Shoni panted, her body going lax under him. As the pleasure slowly faded, she felt lightheaded and a bit intoxicated. It wasn’t from alcohol but from Chaz. He gave her a natural high.

“Wow,” she panted.

Chaz lifted his head, his eyes a spectacular view to see. They were mostly blue with silver streaks. He flashed her a sexy grin. “This is just the beginning of our bonding time. We’re going to do this for days with only food and sleep breaks.”

“I look forward to it.”

Chaz’s skin lightened as he unshelled. “Blood will help.” He lifted off her, separating their bodies.

Shoni watched as he got off the bed and turned, his wings starting to withdraw into his broad back. It had her sitting up, gaping a little. It was yet another amazing thing about her new mate. She almost blurted that he was like a superhero or something.

He walked to the dresser and lifted an antique goblet. It was beautiful. He came back to bed, taking a seat on the edge, inches from her. “I will bleed for you now.”

“Okay.” She stared at the goblet he held. “Those look like gold accents on the stem and rim. It’s beautiful.”

“It’s real gold.”

Chaz held the goblet with one hand and allowed his claws to grow out from the fingertips of the other. Shoni watched in fascination as it happened. It was really cool that he could do that. His claws were thick, long, and sharp-looking. He reached up to his chest and pressed in the tip of one a few inches above his nipple, slicing the skin. His claws faded, and he pressed the lip of the goblet under the cut to catch his blood.

“My blood will make you healthier, stronger, and live longer.” He paused. “You are my entire world now, mate. Drink all of this for me.”

Shoni swallowed hard as Chaz pulled the goblet away from his skin and offered it to her. She accepted the heavier-than-it-looked object, took a deep breath, and blew it out. Then, Shoni drank before she could overthink it, pretending it was hard liquor. She’d never been a fan of that, either, and downed drinks fast to get it over with.

Thankfully, there wasn’t a lot of blood to drink. She swallowed twice before it was gone. The taste had her grimacing, but she’d done it. Chaz took the goblet from her hand, placed it on the side table, and kissed her.

He helped take the taste away, and when she moaned, he drew back, smiling. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“I like sex with you much better.”

“It will get easier. I’ve been told that, over time, you’ll crave my blood. It’s a mate thing.”

“Oh, good.”

He laughed and leaned in. “Then let’s get back to your favorite part of bonding.” He kissed her again.