Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Atlas was lost, delirious from the hot perfection of Benjamin clenching and spasming around his cock, gasping his desperate little gasps right into Atlas’s mouth. Benjamin’s inner muscles clamped down like a fucking vise, even as his limbs went limp, his head rolling back on his shoulders.
Atlas emptied inside him with an agonized groan, then held the human tightly to him.
Poor little mouse. Overwhelmed by pleasure.
Atlas could relate.
Who would have guessed Benjamin’s unassuming human body would be so perfectly hot and tight and welcoming?
Or that it would be so lovely to look at in all its mortal fragility?
When Atlas had stripped Benjamin nude on the bed, he’d had to fight the urge to stop everything in its tracks, to gaze at him a little longer, to memorize every bared bit of skin.
Atlas had seduced plenty of human lovers. Basilisks were sensual by nature, and regular release helped keep his more vicious instincts in check. But he’d never had someone he’d wanted to drink in quite like that. No one he’d wanted to hold close and protect from imaginary dangers.
Now Atlas withdrew from Benjamin’s body, his spent cock retreating back into its slit. He carefully set Benjamin’s limp form down on the mattress.
Atlas couldn’t stop looking at him. There was so much secret passion hiding underneath that subdued exterior. The way he’d wrapped his arms around Atlas’s neck and kissed him like the world was ending…
That was it for Atlas, then. No going back. He could have been embarrassed at finding himself a mouse for a mate, but he’d been among humans long enough not to care. He was proud of the treasure he’d found. They only needed one predator in the nest, anyway.
Benjamin’s lashes were already fluttering as he found his way back to consciousness. Atlas lay down beside him, reverting back to his human form simply for the pleasure of entwining their legs together.
Benjamin blinked at him and then—in a disarming move that struck right at Atlas’s cold, black heart—snuggled closer. “Hello. Did I dream that?”
Atlas grinned at him, unable to resist the opening to tease. “I don’t know. Do you often dream about fucking me?”
Benjamin wrinkled his nose. “Is arrogance a natural trait of your species?”
Atlas’s grin widened. “Yes.”
Benjamin let out a little laugh, a surprisingly husky sound. Atlas immediately wanted more.
Laugh again. Laugh louder. Laugh only for me.
But Benjamin was absently stroking the outside of Atlas’s thigh now—the one that Atlas had thrown possessively over his hip—his brow furrowed in thought. “I read somewhere that snakes don’t lose single scales. They’re not separate like that. They shed their whole skin.”
“I’m not a common garter snake, mouse. I’m a basilisk.”
“Well, I’m not a mouse. I’m an accountant.”
“Mm.” Atlas ducked his head, nibbling at the shell of Benjamin’s ear. “A delicious accountant.”
The ear he was nibbling on flushed pink, citrusy mango filling the air. Did endearments embarrass him? But Benjamin didn’t retreat—he let Atlas nuzzle him as he continued petting Atlas’s leg. It was oddly soothing.
“I’m surprised you celebrate Christmas, what with not being human.”
“I don’t.” Whichever one of Atlas’s inconsequential paramours had tried to leave panties at his doorstep obviously hadn’t known him at all. “But you do.”
Benjamin did a little half shrug, the best he could manage with how thoroughly Atlas was wrapped around him. “It’s been a while since I’ve had people to make it worthwhile, but I used to like to do the whole thing. Cookies and carols and gifts under the tree.”
Atlas frowned. “I don’t have a tree.”
“I do.” Benjamin gave him a sideways glance. “A small one though. I could show you.”
Atlas couldn’t help it—he squeezed Benjamin tight and rolled them until Benjamin was sprawled over him, propped up with his hands on Atlas’s chest. He caught his little mate’s eye. “Are you inviting me into your lair?”
Benjamin grinned. “My mouse den.”
Atlas was… touched. There went his cold, black heart again, skipping a beat.
It was one thing to lure someone into his clutches and another thing entirely to be invited in the other direction.
Benjamin was the type to retreat when faced with the dangers and disappointments of the world, which meant his home was his safe space. And he was inviting Atlas into it.
Fuck. Atlas was a goner, wasn’t he? His species was covetous by nature, and it was no use fighting instinct. His fuckboy days were over. He wouldn’t miss them. Not when he had Benjamin to taunt and tease and nibble on.
He booped the tip of Benjamin’s nose, laughing when Benjamin wrinkled it in protest. “I’m keeping you. That’s my real Christmas gift.”
Benjamin treated him to an epic eye roll. “You keeping me is your gift to me? That’s some ego you have there.”
“Me keeping you is my Christmas gift to myself.” Atlas gave him his most guileless look. “I’ll have you know I’ve been very good all year.”
There was that husky laugh again. “No, you haven’t.”
“I’ll be good next year, then.”
“As long as I don’t have to hear the thumping.” Benjamin suddenly tensed, that lime-rich embarrassment scent souring in the air. “Will I have to hear the thumping again?”
“No. Basilisks mate for life.” Atlas didn’t add that the life would be an incredibly long one, and that regularly gifted basilisk scales would ensure Benjamin was there for all of it. Best to get his little mouse thoroughly enmeshed with him before saying anything that might scare him off.
Although, he’d just said the words “mate for life” out loud, so maybe Atlas was going to scare him off anyway.
Benjamin’s expression was solemn, his gaze searching. “I was getting pretty lonely,” he finally said.
“I know.” Atlas had been able to scent it, part of that dull despair that had tricked him into thinking Benjamin hadn’t been appealing. “But now you have me.”
Benjamin’s brows rose to his hairline. “Just like that?”
“Do you want it to be more complicated?”
For a moment, Benjamin looked like he might say yes, like human sensibilities might win over the connection they’d forged tonight. But then he frowned, shaking his head. “No. I’m just going to consider it a Christmas miracle, I guess.”
There he went, surprising Atlas again. “Me? Your miracle?”
“Yes, you.” Benjamin’s frown deepened, like he was getting ready to tell Atlas off. He was surprisingly fierce sometimes. A little mouse with sharp, sharp teeth. “Is that a problem?”
Atlas’s cheeks hurt from how hard he was grinning. “No, little mouse,” he crooned, stealing a kiss from those frowning lips. “No problem at all.”