Chapter Five
Davey sat by the pool with his sweats pulled up to his knees and his feet dangling into the cool water. Despite the beautiful surroundings, gloom and desolation had set in.
Was that really all he was ever going to get with the man who had claimed his heart and soul? The one person he wanted to mate with, be with, forever.
Forever.
Damn, that was a long time, but was it enough with the beautiful creature who’d been with him only moments ago?
He leaned forward and stared at his wavy reflection. He wasn’t a bad-looking guy. His golden hair could do with a trim and today he was sporting a bit of stubble. People always commented on his eye color, as if it held them captivated when they first met him. It was just blue to him, though, the same as the vast expanse of the sky.
What did his lion man see when he looked at him? A scruffy shifter who was a bit unkempt and not as buff as he was? He seemed to like Davey much better as a dog. He’d been kind, sweet—admiring almost—when he’d stroked him in his canine form.
A tingle traveled up Davey’s back at the memory of his touch. It slid over his scalp, dipped lower, passing through his chest and his abdominals to his cock. Oh, to feel that hand there, caressing him, working him, bringing him to orgasm.
He directed his face to the sun, which was slipping between two trees, and closed his eyes. He should resist masturbating out in the open. But the urge was great. The lion’s scent was still in the air and acting as an aphrodisiac.
Davey slipped one hand down the front of his sweats and gripped his cock. It was filling with blood and grew in his fist. He let out a small groan and parted his lips, giving in to the feeling.
He’d have to jack one out. It was the only thing to do.
A rustle came from behind him.
Quickly he pulled his hand from his sweats and turned. His heart leaped. Behind him stood the mountain lion. It was staring straight at him with its feet set squarely on the grass and its big body seeming to fill the space between him and the forest. Its shadow stretched to the right, creating a dark patch of ground.
Davey sprang to his feet, preparing to shift if necessary. If the lion was going to attack he’d have to try to outrun it. He was no match for a fight. Adrenaline spurted into his system and his cock deflated.
But the lion appeared frozen to the spot. The only movement was its chest as it breathed in and out, slow and steady.
“You came back,” Davey said, hoping the quiver in his voice wasn’t audible. The lion continued to stare at him.
Davey swallowed. “I’m glad. That you came back.” The lion twitched and stepped forward.
Davey’s knees shook and his muscles tensed, preparing for the worst.
But instead of attacking, the lion began to shift. As before, its face became human as it stretched upward and feline limbs switched to arms and legs.
Davey blew out a breath as relief washed through him.
“There’s more shifters around here?” lion man asked.
“Yeah.” Davey nodded. “I’m from a pack of dog shifters. We live about five miles west, peacefully, in seclusion.” He decided not to mention Titan and his gang for now. Things weren’t so peaceful with them.
The man turned, giving Davey a fine view of his high, pert ass, which was the same golden shade as the rest of his skin.
“What’s your name?” Davey asked.
“Why do you wanna know?” He looked over his shoulder at Davey.
Because I’m obsessed with you.
“I’m Davey.” He paused. “Isn’t it usual to know someone’s name if you’re having a conversation with them?”
“It’s a while since I had a conversation with anyone.”
“So you only speak to dogs, huh? Not very cat-like.”
He spun around. “My name is Lawson and as for talking to dogs, well, you might stink to my cat nose but you were in a fix so I helped you.”
“And I’m very grateful.” He’d leave the stinking comment for now. “I’d still be there if it wasn’t for you.”
“You could have shifted and released yourself.”
“No, my human ankle is bigger than my dog one. I’d have been more severely injured instantly. Perhaps even permanently maimed. So thank you, Lawson.” Davey enjoyed the way the name felt in his mouth as he’d spoken it—all rounded and drawn out and with a sexy movement of his tongue at the end.
Lawson stared at him as if seeing Davey afresh.
After several seconds Davey spoke again. “So you live up here alone?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“Because you’re scared of being experimented on?”
He huffed. “Experimentation doesn’t appeal. But no, it’s not just for that reason. I like my own company. The same as my shifter animal tends to be, I’m a loner.”
“I understand. I spend a lot of time out here by myself. The peace and quiet is soothing.”
Lawson glanced at Davey’s sweats. “You have clothes when you shift to human form.”
“Yeah, it’s ancient magic passed down through the pack.”
“Impressive.”
“It’s useful if there are humans around.” He let his gaze drop to Lawson’s groin. “Though you look mighty fine naked.”
Lawson tipped his chin. “You think?”
“You know you do.”
“I am what I am.” He rubbed his hand up his left arm, removing a small bug that had landed there.
Davey watched his actions, wishing he could touch him that way. He wanted to get close, press his skin against Lawson’s and inhale his scent, taste his flesh, his mouth, his tongue.
“Makes it easy to do this, though,” Lawson said.
“What?”
Lawson didn’t answer. Instead he stepped up to the pool and jumped in, hugging his knees as he did so.
The splash hit Davey and after a quick intake of breath, he laughed.
Lawson surfaced, flicking his hair from his face. “Fuck, it’s cold in here.”
“Sounds good.” Davey made a quick decision. He shucked off his sweats and ran toward the pool. He leaped into the air, grabbed his knees and performed the same bombing move into the water.
The cold gripped him and water fizzed into his ears. He kicked upward and pulled in air when he breached the surface.
Lawson was several feet from him, perfectly still.
“I thought cats didn’t like water.” Davey gasped as the cold attacked his cock and balls.
“Do I look like a cat right now?”
“I guess not.” Davey grinned. “Far from it.”
“So you can do more than doggy paddle, right?”
“Too damn right I can.” Davey struck out toward Lawson, proving he was at home in the water and a very competent swimmer. Except when he reached him, he didn’t know what to do. He came to an abrupt halt just a foot away and found he could touch the base of the pool.
He stood straight, the water caressing his skin.
Lawson was even more beautiful this close up. He sparkled with droplets catching in his light stubble and hair. His lips were plump, his skin flawless and his eyes captivating. His lashes were wet and had stuck together in tiny points.
Davey could have sworn pure lust was racing through his bloodstream. He’d never had the urge to kiss anyone, be with anyone. But all he wanted to do was get up close and personal with Lawson. Explore every inch of his body with his fingers and his tongue.
“Fucking hell,” he murmured.
“What?” Lawson frowned.
“I hope you don’t kill me for this.” He cupped Lawson’s face and pressed his mouth over his.
Lawson tensed.
Davey tried to show him with the pressure of the kiss how desperate he was to be his mate. There was something there. Lawson had to feel it. It was too big and powerful to ignore. A low hum vibrated onto Davey’s mouth. It was more of a purr than a growl. He took it as a good sign and tugged Lawson’s body flush with his as he stroked his tongue over the seam of the other man’s lips.
Suddenly Lawson’s arms were around him, dragging him closer still. Their wet flesh slicked together as his mouth opened and he let Davey in.
Davey wanted to shout for joy but nothing could persuade him to take his mouth from Lawson’s. He deepened the kiss, intoxicated by the subtle sexy flavor of the man who had his arms tight around his torso.
Their cocks came into alignment, each as hard as the other.
“Ah fuck.” Lawson broke the kiss but stayed close. “What the hell…?”
“We’re mates.” Davey blinked rapidly, emotion bubbling up. “Can’t you feel it?”
Lawson said nothing but his eyes flashed with something bright and beautiful and he was breathing hard.
“Written in the stars,” Davey said, a little out of breath. “That’s what they say about mates.”
“Mates.”
“Yeah. Together forever.”
Lawson shook his head. “This is all so fast, I mean… Fuck.”
“Don’t fight it,” Davey said, brushing his thumbs over Lawson’s cheeks, just beneath his eyes. “Please, go with it.”
“We can’t fight it, I agree. But…”
“Why is there a but?”
“I thought… I thought I was destined to be alone forever.” Lawson screwed up his brow. “I didn’t expect this…to…”
“I didn’t expect to fall for a cat.”
Lawson huffed but Davey silenced him with another passionate kiss. He was standing in cold water but had never felt so hot or so alive. Lawson hadn’t denied it. Shifters mated in a heartbeat and it had happened to them.
Why else would they have both been here, today, hunting for each other?
He reached downward, slipping beneath the waterline and over Lawson’s chest. He stroked through the patch of body hair before venturing lower.
When he reached Lawson’s cock he took a firm hold of it. Lawson shivered and expelled air.
Davey pulled back. It was the first time he’d ever touched another man’s cock and it was incredible—like his, but not. And boy, did he want to feel Lawson come and know the noises Lawson would make when he did so.
Suddenly Lawson stepped back, removing himself from Davey’s grip.
“I’m sorry,” Davey said, panic zipping through him. “I didn’t mean…”
“It’s not you, honestly it’s not.” He turned and swam several strokes to the edge of the pool. Hauling himself up, he gave Davey another impressive view of his ass.
“So what is it?” Davey followed him, lifting from the water.
They stood there, face to face, utterly naked and dripping.
“I haven’t… I mean, I’ve always known I was gay but, living alone for so long, since I started shifting, I have never...”
“You’ve never been with a guy?”
Lawson shook his head and glanced at the ground. It was strange to see such a big, powerful man become vulnerable.
Davey’s heart beat all the stronger for his new mate. There was no denying the love there for him and always would be. “I’m the same.” He reached forward and took Lawson’s hand in his. “Except I didn’t even know I was gay until I met you, and this attraction, this pull, gripped me here.” He banged his fist on his chest. “And I knew. Like an arrow going through my heart or something.”
“Cupid got us, huh.” A hint of a smile tugged Lawson’s mouth. “And both virgins.”
“I guess.” Davey glanced at Lawson’s impressive hard-on. “We can take it slow if you’d rather.”
“I’d say that’s a good idea.” Lawson untangled his hand from Davey’s but far from stepping away, he came closer. “But no need to move too slow.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean we’ve both waited a long time to find each other.”
“Cats and dogs don’t cross paths often.”
“You’re right there.” Lawson set his hands on Davey’s shoulders. “But as we have I think you should...”
“What?”
Lawson applied pressure to his shoulders, forcing Davey to bend his knees a little. “I think you should finish what you started, but not with your hand, with that sexy mouth of yours.”
Davey swallowed as his tongue and inner cheeks tingled. “Really?”
“Yeah, really.” Lawson pressed harder and Davey folded to the ground.
Davey came eye level with the cock he’d been holding only moments ago. It was thick and long, the head smooth and domed. Two bulging veins ran up the underside and his balls hung low and heavy.
Davey didn’t need telling twice. He swiped his tongue over the slit, gathering Lawson’s flavor.
Lawson groaned and slotted his fingers into Davey’s wet hair.
Excitement rushing through him, Davey took hold of Lawson’s cock and gave it a few firm push-pulls.
Again Lawson groaned. He locked his legs and canted his hips forward and back.
Davey opened his mouth wide and, after taking a large breath, set about sliding Lawson’s cock deep.
“Ah, ah. Fuck. That is…so…good.”
Davey didn’t reply. He kept on going, adoring the way Lawson’s glans smoothed over his tongue. He hugged it and when the tip reached his throat he swallowed gently several times to tug on the end.
Lawson moaned long and low and dug his fingers into Davey’s scalp.
It was a dream come true. A wet dream. Everything Davey had fantasized about over the last few days since he’d met Lawson was happening. And it was better than any fantasy because it was real. He really did have his new mate’s cock deep down his throat.
He used his hands, working Lawson’s root the way he’d enjoy having his own massaged if he were in the same situation.
Lawson was gasping. His body was tense and his cock was twitching.
Davey withdrew, almost letting him slip from his mouth, before sinking deep again. He set up as a fast rhythm, employing his tongue and hands too. A glossy coating of pre-cum, thick and salty, spread over his tongue. He groaned low in his throat, a primitive growling sound. This first taste of Lawson’s pleasure was the most intense sensory experience he’d ever known.
“Ah, I’m coming, fuck…” Lawson rocked his hips in time with Davey’s movements, but suddenly stilled, his cock lodged in Davey’s mouth. “Ah…oh…yeah…”
Davey swallowed as cum shot from the throbbing cock in his mouth and burst down his throat. He was so hard himself, he was surprised he hadn’t come too. Feeling Lawson’s pleasure was incredible.
Another release kept him swallowing and massaging. He cupped Lawson’s balls and was rewarded with a long moan of pleasure.
When it seemed the bliss was ebbing, Davey stood.
Lawson was panting, his face red.
“Are you okay?” Davey asked, stroking Lawson’s cheek.
“Yeah. Never better.” He smiled weakly and his eyes were glazed. “You have one hell of a mouth.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“More than approve. I’m going to treat you now. Show you how fantastic it is to come down your new mate’s throat.”
Davey’s cock twitched and his balls retracted. It was his turn. He could hardly believe it.
Lawson took hold of his cock. His hand was firm and warm. Davey closed his eyes and let them roll back.
Who the hell said dogs and cats aren’t compatible?
Nothing had ever felt so good.
“Shit, what’s that?” Lawson suddenly released him and stepped away He tipped his head as if sniffing the air.
Davey spun around, his chest tightening as his breath caught in his throat. “Is there someone there?”
“Dog.” Lawson backed away.
“Don’t go,” Davey said. “Please.”
“I have to, this is so fast…” He was already melting into the shadows.
“Meet me here, tomorrow.”
But Lawson was gone.
Did he hear me?
Davey turned back to the forest. There was something there. A dog? A raccoon? A skunk? He wasn’t sure.
He raced for his sweats on the other side of the pool. But he was too late. A figure was striding from the undergrowth.
“Raul, what are you doing here?”
“I was worried about ya.” Raul frowned and glanced at Davey’s semi-hard cock.
“I’m fine.” Davey injected as much indignation as he dared into the statement.
“Apart from being butt naked.” He frowned.
“I got hot, went for a swim.”
Raul looked at the pool then glanced around the clearing. “You alone?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Only I thought I heard something before I shifted. Talking.”
“I was…er…singing. You know.”
“What you got to be so happy about?”
Davey pulled on his sweats. “I’m better, aren’t I. Been a shit time lately what with that trap and Julie.”
“Yeah, I guess. Come on.” He jerked his head. “Shift, will ya, so we can get back to camp? Aleco’s called a pack meeting.”
“What about?”
“Dunno.” Raul paused and smelled the air. “It’s catty around here. Must be a damn mountain lion about. You should be careful out here alone.”