21. Ezekiel
21
Ezekiel
I ’d had many men on their knees for me over the centuries. Too many to count, if I were being honest.
But the sight of my mate, of Sam, peering up at me from where he knelt at my feet?
I’d never seen anything sexier.
He was lapping at my cock with more tantalising licks. Gentle caresses that hinted at more, but were never quite enough. My whole body was vibrating with the need to come. To rut into his hands, his throat, his hole. Anything that might give me some relief.
From the permanent smirk on his face, he knew exactly what effect he was having on me.
“Doing okay, Zeke?” he asked innocently, rubbing his cheek against the head of my cock. “You’re looking a little…tense.”
Fuck, who knew he was hiding this side of him? This sexual minx side that wanted to…play . I should’ve seen it earlier—right around the time he sent me a photo of himself in only a jockstrap. Reaching above him, I angled the shower head so the water would hit his back. This way, he’d stay warm, but his face and mouth would be clear of the spray. “I wonder why.”
He slowly stroked my cock, his grip intentionally loose. His other hand caressed my thigh as he grinned in amusement. “Do you want me to speed up?”
“No,” I said through gritted teeth. If Sam wanted to play, then that’s what we were going to do, my need to come be damned.
I braced one of my arms against the wall, the other finding its home on the glass screen. It anchored me, holding me up so that I might not fall apart at the hands of my mate.
Oh, who was I kidding? That was going to happen regardless.
“You take all the time you want, baby,” I said fervently, widening my stance to allow him more access. “Like I said earlier, my body is yours. Do with it what you will.”
I could become addicted to the faint blush that covered Sam’s body. With no clothing to hide it, I could see how it spread down his chest. Later, I’d trace that with my tongue, map out and memorise all the parts of him.
I couldn’t wait.
During the next few minutes, I had to call on every ounce of patience I possessed as Sam licked, kissed, and caressed every inch of my cock and balls. He even toyed with my taint, sliding upwards to tap at my hole.
It wasn’t like I had much patience to begin with, especially not when compared to other angels. Still, I felt like a fucking martyr for how long I managed to hold out. I really should get sainthood.
Eventually though, I couldn’t wait any longer. “Please, Sam. Please. Please. I need your mouth on me.”
Sam’s lips were slightly swollen from the attention he’d been giving me. “Has it not been on you all this time?”
Going on instinct, I slid my hand into his hair and tugged gently. “You know that’s not what I want.”
Sam’s pupils blew as his eyes widened. Oh yes, my mate liked this. He liked it very much. “Maybe you should show me what you want.”
A small growl escaped me. My other hand left the wall, wrapping around my shaft to steer it. “Open wide, baby.”
Sam’s pretty lips parted obediently and my cock pulsed. Using my grip on his hair, I carefully guided him onto my cock. There was no teasing from him now. He let me into his mouth, taking me far deeper than I’d intended.
“Fuck, Sam.” My chest heaved as my entire body trembled. “Careful, don’t hurt yourself.”
He paused, my cock hitting the back of his throat, and rolled his eyes.
Rolled his eyes.
And like he was trying to prove a point, took me an inch deeper.
I didn’t have time to worry, not as his head started to bob. Slow at first, then faster. His hands weren’t idle either, one toying with my balls while the other was between my cheeks, rubbing over my hole. I knew Sam preferred to bottom, but did that mean he never topped? It didn’t bother me if he didn’t, but I loved that he seemed into playing with my hole regardless.
Sam moaned, the sound vibrating around my cock. It started fireworks at the base of my spine that quickly shot upwards as my orgasm barrelled towards me.
I tried to pull back, but Sam was having none of it, digging his fingers into me. His message was clear.
He wanted my cum.
That knowledge had me groaning loud enough to vibrate the glass shower wall. He wanted me inside him. I was making him mine.
It wasn’t enough. I wanted to come over every part of him. To rub it into his skin so everyone knew he was mine. To fuck it into his hole until it was dripping out.
My power rose as the urge to claim him in other ways screamed at me.
Not yet. I forced it down with clenched teeth. Not until he knows the truth.
The final pulses of my orgasm were rolling through me when movement caught my attention. Sam’s hand was flying over his cock. Disappointment twinged as I realised I wouldn’t be giving him this orgasm.
Then his heated eyes met mine, my softening cock in his mouth, and that disappointment vanished.
He was getting off over me. Over what we’d just shared.
That was good enough for me.
His grunt as he came wasn’t as loud as mine had been, which was probably a good thing. Fuck, I hoped none of the others had heard.
White spilled over his hand and my mouth watered. I reached down, gripping under his shoulders and scooping him up before steadying him on his feet. Fortunately, the spray from the shower was far enough to not have rinsed it away.
Confusion joined the ebbing desire in Sam’s eyes “Zeke? What are you doing?”
“What I’ve been dreaming about since I heard you come over the phone,” I said roughly, grabbing his wrist. “Tasting you.”
I licked up every drop of his cum, not letting any fall. It was only when I was done that I realised that Sam might not enjoy having someone lick him clean.
Sure enough, Sam was frozen, his mouth agape. I dropped his hand quickly, clearing my throat as I reached for the shower gel. “Sorry, guess that was me being a bit intense again. Here, I can clean you up proper?—”
I didn’t get a chance to finish my sentence before Sam surged towards me. His mouth met mine, his feet sliding as he threw himself into my arms.
Shit. The shower gel clattered to the floor as my arms went around him to stop him falling. Thankfully, balance wasn’t something I ever had an issue with.
With him safe, I let myself sink into his kiss. It was a thorough kiss too. Sam must’ve been able to taste himself on my tongue.
My cock twitched, hardening again.
“Never apologise,” he said breathlessly when he finally pulled away. “Don’t question or censor yourself with me, Zeke. I like you. That means I like you exactly as you are. Okay?”
“Okay, but you have to promise to tell me when you’re feeling uncomfortable.”
He leaned his forehead on my shoulder, but I didn’t miss the dimple in his cheek as he smiled. “I always do, don’t I?”
“If you say so.” Sure, he’d opened up about several things, but often just because I’d pushed him on it. How much more did I have to learn about Sam? Fuck, I couldn’t wait to discover it all.
He hummed like he could tell exactly what I was thinking. “I’m not the only one not being completely open. And that’s okay, we have time to get to know each other…right?”
“Right,” I echoed back hollowly.
Sam was right—there was a lot he had to get to know about me. Not just the angel stuff either, but about my past. About my father. About my temper.
There was nothing I could learn about Sam that would make me walk away.
I just wished I knew if he’d feel the same when the situation was reversed.
S am’s grumbling stomach had driven us out of the shower and down into the kitchen. I’d offered to have one of the others bring us food again, but Sam had flushed scarlet before muttering, “And have them think I’m lazy or being rude? No thank you.”
They wouldn’t do that. They’d be far more likely to assume we were too busy fucking to leave my rooms. Or that I was keeping my new mate all to myself.
Quite frankly, both of those sounded preferable to facing my unit again. But, if things went to plan, Sam was going to be here for the long haul. These angels would become his family, just as they were mine.
The sooner Sam felt comfortable here, the better. And the only way to make that happen was for him to spend time with them.
Despite this, my shoulders were tense as I led Sam down into the kitchen. They’d behaved okay that morning, but who knew how long that’d last? Barely a day passed without one of them pissing me off intentionally, god only knew whether they’d stop because Sam was here.
My shoulders relaxed when I realised it was quieter than earlier. Rami and Noah were sat at the table, chatting. Nox was also there, but ignoring them as he read a newspaper.
Not the best combination, but not the worst. The twins were absent, so I was counting that as a win.
All of them would’ve heard us enter, but not one of them acknowledged us. Not out of rudeness, I knew, but to not make Sam feel uncomfortable.
If they kept up this level of thoughtfulness, I’d have to just maim them next time they pissed me off. I’d save the murder for the twins.
“Afternoon,” I said, keeping my arm firmly around Sam’s shoulders. “Thought we’d come and see what’s for lunch.”
“You don’t have to keep hold of him like that,” Nox drawled as he turned the page of his paper. “No one here is going to steal him from you.”
He was one to talk. Often he and Micah were so glued together I couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.
Noah snorted before I could respond. “You say that now, but wait until the twins get in here.”
Sam laughed. “They’re certainly…persistent.”
“Probably testing how far they can push Ezekiel with you here,” Rami said. “Don’t worry though, I’ve got your back. If you don’t want to see your boyfriend get his hands dirty, I’ll do it on his behalf.”
“I’m sure it won’t come to that,” Sam said faintly, his skin paling. “I don’t want to cause any discord between you all.”
The table erupted into laughter, making Sam turn to me with a puzzled frown.
“Discord is part of the furniture here,” I explained. “It’s practically our love language. Speaking of furniture, why don’t you sit down and I’ll find us something to eat.”
“I can help,” Sam said hurriedly. “I don’t want you waiting on me, Zeke.”
“It’s all prepared,” Rami said, patting the seat beside him at the end of the table. “There’s a choice of Spanish omelette or chicken risotto.”
Sam cleared his throat, his fingers tapping. “Omelette sounds great.”
I watched him from the corner of my eye as I strode for the covered dishes Rami had left out. Rami patted the chair again, and Sam stiffened his shoulders, that fake smile of his appearing. I didn’t think the others could spot it as he walked over and perched on the offered seat. But I could.
Something was bothering Sam, but what?
I tried to put my finger on it as I quickly plated us both thick slices of the omelette along with a portion of salad. Did he not like the food on offer? Was he uncomfortable eating off our plates? I doubted it was that, given he’d been fine doing so this morning. Then again, both he and Benji had told me that something that was okay one moment might not be the next.
Fuck, this was so frustrating. Part of me was tempted to blurt out that he was my mate right there and then, for the purely selfish reason of being able to read his emotions more clearly with a bond.
Just then, he glanced over his shoulder at the back door. It was directly behind him, leading out to the surrounding gardens and woodland. Two seconds later, he did it again. He clenched his fists on the table, and even though he was quietly chatting with Noah and Rami, his discomfort was apparent.
At least, it was apparent to me.
The third time he glanced back, his shoulders now tensing, I knew exactly what was bothering him. Thankfully, it was an easy fix.
Plates in hand, I marched back over to the table. Putting them in the exact spots we’d been seated in this morning, I ignored Sam’s questioning look as I walked over to him. “Come on, we’re going to sit here.”
Sam flushed, his gaze darting to Rami, who was staring at me like I’d grown an extra head. “It’s fine, Zeke. I’m okay here.”
I’d believe that if he unclenched his fists. “Well, I’m not okay with you here. I want you next to me, so up you get.”
“Wow, you really are taking possessive to the next level,” Rami quipped, leaning back in his chair. “Sure you don’t want to scent mark him too?”
“Hardy har,” I said without any heat as I led Sam to his seat. He sat down, looking at both the door leading to the kitchen and the one to the garden. From this new seat, he could see both. His hands finally unclenched, a small smile tugging at his lips. His eyes met mine, shining with gratitude. Thank you , he mouthed.
“Maybe we need to stage an intervention,” Noah was saying, tongue in cheek. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea if we let Ezekiel live out his full crazy in front of Sam.”
I ignored them. Let them mock me. I’d take whatever they wanted to throw at me if it meant Sam was comfortable.
I slid into the seat beside my mate, nudging his plate closer. Only once he’d rolled his eyes and picked up his fork did I do the same.
Neither of us spoke as we ate, letting the quiet chatter from Rami and Noah fill the air. Occasionally Nox would pipe up, offering his opinion or a snarky comment before he returned to his paper. A twinge of guilt hit me when I realised Micah must be busy if Nox was killing time in here. It was safe to say I hadn’t been pulling my weight over the past twenty-four hours.
Sam’s elbow brushed against mine and the guilt ebbed. Micah would understand. Out of everyone, he knew what it was like when you found your fated mate. They took up every inch of your brain space, whether you wanted them to or not.
Rami and Noah left after a little while, leaving the two of us alone with Nox. Sam relaxed even further, teasing and flirting with me quietly as we continued with our meal.
We’d almost finished when the twins entered. I tensed automatically. While everyone was trying to be on their best behaviour, I hadn’t forgotten the flirty comments they’d made to Sam this morning.
Did I think they actually wanted to seduce Sam? No. They would never betray me like that. Fated mates were sacred.
But did I think they’d flirt with him just to get a rise out of me?
Abso-fucking-lutely.
Sam hadn’t seen the temper I’d warned him about yet, and I wanted it to stay that way as long as possible.
But from the gleam in Theo’s eyes as they fell on my mate, I suspected it wasn’t going to last much longer.
“Look who it is,” he purred, strolling in and leaning on the table directly in front of Sam. Judging by his sweat-drenched tank top clinging to his chest, he’d come straight from the gym. “My new favourite housemate. Are you having…fun?”
Sam’s brows shot up as he looked at me as if to say ‘is he for real?’
I sighed in answer, giving him a half shrug. Thing was with the twins, Theo especially, they’d get bored eventually. If you fed into their teasing, it’d end up escalating.
It was a lesson I hadn’t wrapped my head around for the most part. My father’s lessons were too deeply written into my psyche for that to happen. Hopefully Sam would be more successful than me.
“Hi,” Sam said, giving Theo a small smile. “Sorry, I’m not sure which twin you are.”
Nate appeared beside his twin, mirroring Theo’s position. “It’s not hard. I’m Nate, the more attractive one.”
Theo sneered at him. “No fucking way is that accurate.”
“Nate’s left earlobe is longer than Theo’s.” I cut in before they could start arguing, already feeling Sam tensing beside me. My temper began to bubble deep in my gut. “Eventually you’ll realise that Theo is far more irritating than Nate, and that Nate is marginally grumpier.”
“Rude,” they said in unison. If I’d thought me revealing their tells would shut them up, I’d thought wrong. They escalated their bickering as they went about making lunch, the noise level gradually rising. My fury climbed with every new decibel they hit.
“Do you want to leave?” I whispered to Sam after noticing him wince. His knee was jiggling beside mine.
“No.” He gave me that too bright smile, the one I was rapidly coming to hate. “I’m fine.”
Like fuck was he. Theo and Nate were now duelling each other with baguettes. Theo landed a hit on the side of Nate’s head and crowed in triumph. Even Nox rolled his eyes before returning to his reading.
Sam flinched at the noise and the monster within growled. “Can the two of you keep it down, please? You’re louder than a herd of fucking elephants.”
“You’re one to talk.” Nate snorted. “Do you think we didn’t hear you two earlier?”
I heard Sam’s quick indrawn breath. The jump in his pulse.
I saw his pallor dim before flushing red. He ducked his head in embarrassment, his hands clenching into fists.
I could taste his humiliation on the air.
Sam had talked about sensory overload, but this was like sensory awareness. Every part of me was focused on how he was feeling in this moment.
How Nate’s comment had made him feel.
I wasn’t overwhelmed. I was focused. Homing in on Nate with deadly precision, the monster wondered how long it would take to make him drown on his own blood.
Before I could react, Theo spoke. “Yeah, after all the shit you gave Micah and Nox, wasn’t like you two were being quiet in the shower.”
There was a pause. A small, humiliated moan from Sam at my side.
The monster took over.
Punish them.
Hurt them.
Humiliate them like they humiliated Sam.
I wasn’t sure whose voice the monster had—my father’s or mine. But it didn’t matter.
Nothing mattered but making them pay.
“ Zeke! ”
There was a dim noise in my ear.
“ Zeke, let them go. ”
The monster paused, recognising the voice. Flames licked at my ankles. The pain cleared my vision long enough for me to see and note that I had both twins pinned against the island by their throats. Neither of them were fighting back, their faces ashen as they stared at something over my shoulder.
At someone.
“Zeke, I’m fine, stop this now. ” There was a touch on my back. Right between my shoulder blades. Right above my heart.
The monster quieted instantly. He retreated back into the depths of my soul, like he could hide what he’d done from him.
From our mate.
From Sam.
Sam.
I’d let the monster free in front of him.
Fuck.
The haze cleared completely and I dropped both the twins. They slumped to the ground, clutching at their throats. The two of them were staring at me in horror. Not at what I’d done; I did far worse to them on a daily basis.
They knew what had happened. What this might cost me. The monumental mistake that had just taken place.
Sorry , Theo mouthed. Nate nodded in agreement, looking up at me pleadingly.
I shook my head, telling them it was okay. This was on me. I couldn’t have hoped to keep the monster hidden forever.
The flames at my ankles died away and I felt a compulsion net lift. Nox stood on the other side of the island, watching us intently. I nodded at him in thanks, grateful he’d thought to intervene in a way that wouldn’t reveal our true natures to Sam.
Not that it mattered. I highly doubted my mate was going to stick around now.
I’d shown Sam my true colours.
And all of them were a deadly shade of red.