Chapter 38
Snake
Sugar was on his back, sound asleep—too perfect to be possessed by one man—how was it possible Snake had stolen his heart? He traced the arc of his brows, the curve of his lashes, and the pout of his lower lip, making him stir.
“I love you, Sugar Constantine.”
The green eyes opened. “You’ve never said it first.”
“Then it was time I did.”
“You fucked it into me all night. But I’d like another round.”
Already hard, he got on top. Sugar wrapped his legs around Snake’s back. Cock poised at his rim, he paused. Waiting.
“Fuck me, vampire.”
One smooth stroke, and his lover came undone—taking Snake back to their first fuck, when Sugar had screamed like a banshee, carving scratches across Snake’s shoulders, deep enough to draw blood.
I loved him even then, but I was too broken to understand it.
Now he was whole—still wobbly, still healing—but fully open to this new existence.
Especially when it meant making Sugar wail in pleasure.
“You fucked me so deep, I tasted you.” He panted.
Snake rolled over, taking Sugar on top. “I’d do it again, but I need to make sure the crew stays on task. Frances won’t repair herself.” He squeezed Sugar’s ass with both hands. “But I’m not ready to leave this bed just yet.”
Sugar nuzzled his chest. “Mmm, say it again.”
“I love you, Sugar. My heart beats for you alone.”
Hearing his lover’s contented sigh sent heat through his body. He spread Sugar’s cheeks and massaged between—gently but firmly—the way he craved.
Sugar pushed against Snake’s fingers. “Yes, lover. Like that.”
“My needy angel.”
“I’m more addicted to you than ever before.” Sugar squeezed Snake’s hips with his thighs and bit his nipple. “Fuck me again. I want it.” Another bite. Harder.
“You asked for it, pet.”
· · ·
Snake strolled to the kitchen with a permanent smile on his face. He found Horatio there, wearing the same blissful expression, as well as Iggy, who stared into a cup of coffee with the glazed look of the well-fucked.
“I see I’m not the only one who’s completely satisfied this morning.” Snake slid into his usual spot. He patted Iggy’s hand. “Did you walk or crawl in here?”
“More like staggered.”
“I had to help him onto the bar stool,” Horatio said. “But look—he’s glowing.”
“You clean up nice, lad.” The boys had worked a miracle. While Iggy still resembled a proper pirate, his stunning features were polished to a diamond-like finish.
Iggy chuckled. “I’m cleaner than when I was in the womb, gents.” He lowered his voice. “But my nads may have dried up from exhaustion.”
A blond head popped up from behind the island. “Your fault for bringing the Umberto here, darling,” Stiles said.
“Damn that ridiculous dick-name,” Snake huffed.
Stiles snorted. “Dick-name. You’re the bees-knees, Captain.” He set a cup of Irish coffee in front of Snake. “We may have also worn out Dagger. Sorry not sorry.”
“But… my ship!”
“Won’t get fixed today,” Horatio said. “We all had to blow off steam after what went down yesterday, and don’t forget, Clairidia is locked down tight.”
Snake let out a long exhale. “I forgot about that. Thanks, Hor.” He scanned the kitchen. “Speaking of blowing, where’s your cute boyfriend?”
“Sleeping. Naked. On his stomach. I’m lucky I made it out of the room.” Horatio stirred his coffee and grinned. “Where’s yours?”
“Tucked under the covers with a smile on his face.” Snake fell into a wave of giddiness and was about to excuse himself when Iggy piped up.
“Snake, old chum, could you drop me off in Merona? I have to at least try to get my crew back together.”
“Why? Those blokes left you for dead!”
“A captain without a crew is worthless. I might as well smear myself with garlic and lie down under a liver bird’s nest.” Iggy picked at his breakfast and sighed.
“Excuse me?” Stiles crossed his arms. “We Humerians have impeccable taste. Do you think we’d spend the night fighting over a worthless man?”
Iggy trembled. “All apologies, Stiles. My luck’s been rotten for so long. I figure I’ve been cursed. Hope it doesn’t rub off on you lot.”
“Maybe our good fortune will rub off on you,” Snake said. “Come on. Let’s go to Merona and pay Alistar a visit, eh? You coming, Slayer?”
“Nah. I’m in too good a mood.”
Snake feared Horatio had gone daft. “Last night, you were losing your mind about the prophecy. Don’t you want to hear about it from the source?”
“You can tell me about it later.” Horatio hopped off his stool and kissed Snake.
“And me?” Iggy asked.
“Sure thing, hottie.” Snake bristled when Horatio gave Iggy a lingering tongue kiss. “Have fun in Merona, but don’t get arrested.”
Iggy stared as Horatio walked away. “Blimey. He’s a dreamboat, isn’t he?”
“He’s all right, I suppose. Let’s go.”
· · ·
Landing in Merona brought back a flood of memories.
In the distance, Snake saw the twinkling rainbow lights of Vibrations, the bar where he’d met Sugar—a life-changing experience if there ever was one.
He remembered the night they’d met clearly, although his guts still twisted over the lame pick-up line he’d used.
“Hello, beautiful. Where have you been all my life?”
In his defense, Sugar hadn’t been playing fair, flaunting his perfect body in the most daring of ways. Snake had sat in the shadows, watching the delectable creature scowl away every man, until he’d downed enough liquid courage to try his luck.
“Hello, beautiful. Where have you been all my life?”
By rights, he should have scooped up his dignity and walked away, but when Sugar turned to scrutinize him with those eyes, he was well past the point of no return.
And when Ormond showed up? Snake figured he owed it to Sugar to save him from a life of mediocrity.
Little did he know Sugar would be the one saving him, time and time again.
“Ah, good old Merona. We’ve had some wild times here.” Iggy clapped Snake on the back. “Let’s head to the Crow’s Nest. Alistar and his pals like to hang around the rear entrance, waiting for a chance to sneak inside. Little scamps.”
Boots tapping against worn cobblestones, they strolled down the boardwalk past pubs, liquor stores, and weapon shops. Being among other pirates gave Snake a craving for rum. He led them to an outdoor patio that faced the back of the Crow’s Nest.
“Might as well have a drink while we’re waiting.” Snake pulled his chair close enough to Iggy’s that their knees touched. “How did you enjoy your makeover?”
Iggy frowned. “Embarrassing at first. They washed me like my mum used to—though she never put a finger up my bum, but you get my drift. Then, blimey, the waxing! I’m bald from the neck down, except for a tidy patch above my cock.” He thrust out an arm. “Smell me.”
Snake sniffed. “Lime and bergamot. Suki’s favorite.”
“Mmm, Suki.” His eyes went blank and dreamy. “If he asked me to lick his boots, I would. Lick ‘em till they shone.” He shook his head. “They named my dick the Umberto and took turns riding me until I was saddle sore. Best night of my life!” He grinned.
“I thought Dagger joined in.”
“Oh. He did. Buzzy little fella. Got a bit cross when I tried to pick him up. But I let him fuck me twice. Like getting’ buggered by an electric toothbrush.”
“Tickles deep inside your balls, don’t it?”
Iggy nodded. “Bloody addicting, it is.”
“How is it you and I have never tickled each other?”
“Are you flirting with me, Cap’n Vinter?” Iggy walked his fingers up Snake’s thigh.
Snake was about to slide his tongue between Iggy’s lips when movement caught his eye. He pointed to the Crow’s Nest. “There’s a kid sneaking in the back window.”
“That’s Alistar!”
“Let’s go shake down the little bastard.”
Snake and Iggy entered through the same window and found a slight, long-haired youth peering through a cracked doorway that led to the bar area. Iggy grabbed him by his ponytail. “Freeze. You’re under arrest.”
Alistar struggled. “Lemme go, Iggy.”
“My friend here wants to ask you a few questions.” Iggy turned Alistar around. “Regarding a certain prophecy.”
“Snake Vinter?” Alistar’s voice shook.
“You’ve heard of me, eh?”
Alistar was five-foot-three, with a slim frame and the same flaming-red hair as his brother and late mother. He also had his mother’s breathtaking features, a fact the teen used to his advantage. “Ain’t no pirate that hasn’t. At least none worth knowin’.”
“Cut the flattery, kid, and tell me about the prophecy.”
“Why do you want to hear about that old thing?”
Snake grabbed Alistar by the front of his raggedy T-shirt. “Because Horatio Slice is a good friend of mine. But you already knew that, right?”
Alistar stroked Snake’s arm. “Take off my britches and I’ll tell you anything you want.”
“Bloody hell! How old are you?” Snake asked.
“Eighteen.”
Snake tightened his grip.
“Fourteen.”
“Start talking, or I’ll make you talk.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you everything, sheesh.
” Snake let go, and Alistar smoothed the front of his shirt.
“I was poking around the family vault and found a fancy old box that made my fingertips tingle when I touched it. Since it was long and narrow, I thought it was a treasure map, but it was just a moldy old scroll with weird writing on it.”
“Iggy said you took it somewhere to be translated.”
“Yeah. Some teacher at Clairidia University. I suppose Iggy already told you what it says, too.” Alistar glowered at Iggy. “Snitches get stitches.”
“Are you threatening me, Allie? I should take you over my knee.”
Alistar licked his lips. “Yes. You totally should.” He unsnapped his pants.
Iggy snarled. “I told you once already, you precocious tot—don’t ever talk to adults that way. Half the universe is crawling with predators who’d do worse than eat you alive. Now answer Snake’s question.”
“Well said, Iggy. You have good paternal instincts for a pirate.” Snake raised a brow at Alistar. “Speak.”
“I don’t remember, but I have a picture.” He flipped through images and handed his phone to Snake, hand trembling.
Iggy leaned over Snake’s shoulder. “Well, that’s a rather nice shot of your thumb, lad.”