Chapter Nine #2
“We don’t,” Evan agreed. He brushed his fingers across Nix’s cheek. “Dragons do bond. My dragon bonded to me, my clan, and his chosen partner.”
“Can the bond be broken?” Nix asked.
Evan stiffened as he frowned. “You want to break the bond?”
“No,” Nix said quickly. “I don’t. I just want to know if it’s possible. If I have a choice.”
“You always have a choice,” Evan replied. “The bond can only form with your permission, with you wanting the connection as well.”
“Okay.” That was good to know.
“You can walk away at any time,” Evan said. “Technically so can I. The bond is the dragon’s way of claiming what he considers his.”
Nix blew out a deep breath. “I can’t wait to see him.”
“He wants to show off for you,” Evan said. “First break we get, we’ll fly to my home in Colorado. Maybe we can spend Christmas there.”
“Really?” That perked him up. “Can my brothers come? My mom and dad? I’ve never been away from them for the holidays, but I really want to go to your home. And see your dragon.”
“Of course they can,” Evan agreed. “It will be nice to decorate the house. To celebrate the holiday once again. It’s been a long time.”
Nix went to reach for him but damn it he was still tied to the headboard. “Uh, can you untie me now.”
Evan chuckled while flicking out his claws. He cut easily through the rope.
“You keep doing that, you’re going to run out of rope,” Nix pointed out.
“You let me worry about that,” Evan told him. He helped Nix sit up, rubbing both his arms. “You were tied up for longer than I planned. Nearly half the day. Take it easy. You might not be able to use your arms for a while.”
“They’re tingling but alright. Doesn’t hurt,” Nix told him.
“Your shifter abilities are amazing.”
“I am amazing,” Nix quipped.
“You are.” Evan kissed him gently. “Nothing else hurts?”
Nix wiggled from side to side. “My ass misses your cock.”
“Down, boy,” Evan told him. “Food, hydration, and some cuddling on the couch watching a movie.”
“A shark movie?” Nix teased.
“Absolutely not,” Evan said. “And no underground creatures.”
So not fair! Oh! “Mutant spiders!”
Evan sighed.
Nix was totally going to get his way! “And food? What did you order? I’m still thinking about the lasagna we shared at the hotel. How does a hotel have such good food?”
“The restaurant has a very good chef. Trained in Italy,” Evan told him. “And I ordered us pizza.”
“Pizza! Fuck yes!”
Evan booped his nose. “Language, boy.”
“Sorry, Daddy!” He totally wasn’t sorry.
“Sure.” Evan snorted. “Let me help you put on some pants and I’ll carry you to the couch.”
“I can do it.” Nix pressed his hands to the mattress, but his arms gave out.
“No!” Evan lifted him up. “I kept you tied up for too long. Let me help.”
Nix was placed on his feet beside the bed. Evan strolled over to the dresser and pulled out another pair of lounge pants. These were plaid, cotton, and looked comfortable.
He lifted a foot as Evan helped him dress. Nix didn’t even complain as Evan picked him up, heading toward the couch. Banging shook the front door as they reached the living room.
“What the hell?” Nix asked.
“That’s an aggressive knock for a pizza delivery,” Evan commented.
“Unnecessary,” Nix agreed.
“Stay there.” Evan sat him on the couch and pulled a blanket from the back. He laid the blanket over Nix’s chest as the banging resumed.
“Be careful,” Nix called.
Evan stomped to the door. Nix watched over his shoulder as Evan yanked it open with a scowl.
“Cousin!”
Evan stumbled back as another man literally leaped at him.
Nix pushed himself off the couch.
Pushing the strange man off, Evan shook his head. “What are you doing here, Lithis?”
The small blond guy grinned then looked over at Nix. “I came to meet your man of course!”
“I didn’t agree to this,” Evan said sternly. He slammed the front door closed. With the stranger in the room with them.
The blond rushed forward. “Hi, Nix! It’s so good to finally meet you.”
“Uh…” Nix looked from the blond to Evan and back. “Hi?”
The blond was hugging him a second later.
“Get your hands off him,” Evan growled, crossing the room to yank the stranger away from Nix.
With the stranger being forced away, Nix stumbled. Evan wrapped an arm around Nix’s waist.
“I’m not going to steal your man,” the stranger said.
“Like you could,” Evan challenged. “And you weren’t invited here.”
“Technically you did say I could meet him.” The blond dropped into Evan’s favorite chair. “I had to wait until you got home. It took forever.”
“It’s been a couple of days,” Evan said.
“Could someone fill me in here?” Nix asked, still clutching Evan’s side. He pulled Evan down onto the couch with him.
The blond ran his gaze up and down Nix’s body. Realizing that the blanket had dropped, Nix pulled it around his shoulders to cover his near nakedness.
“Stop looking at him,” Evan warned.
“Of course, cousin,” Lithis said. “I would never look at what is yours.”
Evan snorted before turning to Nix. “Nix, this is my cousin Lithis. Cousin, you know this is Nix.”
“I do!” Lithis clapped. “It is so good to meet you, Nix! You are just as cute as you are on TV.”
“Thanks.” Nix had no idea what was happening. Or why Evan’s cousin was there. Although the tall, lithe young man with shocking white hair was cute as well. Not that he held a candle to Evan’s attractiveness. Evan literally pushed all of Nix’s buttons.
“Let’s chat, Nix,” Lithis said. “My cousin doesn’t tell me anything, ever, but I just had to come once he finally reached out. Because of you. I need to thank you for that.”
Evan shook his head. “The two of you together is pure trouble.”
Nix laughed. He did kind of like Lithis. Well, now that Lithis wasn’t hugging his man. “Do you like pizza Lithis? Evan just ordered us some.”
“I love pizza!” Lithis said with excitement.
“Cool.” Nix grinned at Evan’s cousin. “Whiloe we wait you can tell me all of Evan’s secrets.”
Evan’s groan was full of pain.
“No problem. Evan and I got into all sorts of trouble growing up so I’ll happily tell you all. And if you know of any cute single teammates while I’m here, please feel free to introduce us,” Lithis said with a wicked grin.
Already possibilities came to mind. Perfect! “Let me tell you about my newest friend, Marlin,” Nix offered. Maybe if Lithis sexed Marlin up well Nix could get a ride in Marlin’s fancy car. That would be awesome!
“No!” Evan shouted.
Lithis’s grin grew. “Oh?”
Nix smirked. “They would be perfect together.”
“No!” Evan repeated. “It will end in disaster.”
“But it will be so much fun until then,” Lithis said.
Nix was all for having fun.