Chapter 3
Kissing his mate’s sweet lips as Brooks roused, Rogan wanted to learn everything about his mate. First, he needed to take care of him. When those brown eyes opened to lock with his, Rogan sent him waves of positivity. He kissed Brooks until he responded with eagerness before lifting his mouth away.
“Good morning, mate.”
“Um… Good morning. I should go to the bathroom,” Brooks said, self-consciously, as he eased away from Rogan and slipped from under the covers.
“Wait, Brooks.”
His mate didn’t listen, but fled toward the open doorway. Rogan followed quickly and caught up with Brooks when his new mate jolted to a stop, panting in pain. He wrapped his arms around Brooks and held him close as he recovered.
“The mate bond is complete, but it wants us together. We’ll need to stay close until it relaxes, My Adventurer.”
“I can’t even take a piss alone?”
Rogan allowed himself to smile since Brooks couldn’t see him. “Of course. This darn bedroom is too large. Let’s go into the bathroom. I’ll run a bath while you use the toilet.”
His mate’s grumbles enchanted him. Brooks was not a morning person. Rogan wrapped an arm around him and guided the sleepy man into the bathroom. While he used the separate toilet area, Rogan triggered the ancient water heater and started the water in the enormous tub.
When Brooks emerged, Rogan handed him a new toothbrush already spread with paste. “Want this? We’ll go get your things soon.”
“I don’t have much. Only what I can carry easily. I don’t stay in anyplace too long.”
Rogan recognized that as a warning. His mate didn’t realize his life had drastically changed when they’d met. Now, his adventuring would happen in tandem. Without replying, Rogan stroked a reassuring hand down Brooks’s back before using the toilet himself.
Exiting the small room, he found Brooks leaning on the wall next to the door. He was afraid to get too far away. Rogan took his hand and led him to the bath. As he passed the sink, he smiled at the sight of two toothbrushes together. Quietly, he celebrated finding his mate, allowing the positive vibes to seep into their connection. He saw Brooks’s tense shoulders lower a bit.
“Step in, Brooks. We’ll soak for a bit,” Rogan suggested, taking his arm to help him step in.
“I’m not an infant,” Brooks said and yanked his arm away.
“That’s enough. Unless you want to sit in the bath with a punished bottom, you’ll get that attitude under control.”
The flair of arousal in Brooks’s eyes told Rogan a lot. Brooks squashed it quickly, but it was too late. “I know you’re probably sore. The warm water will help.”
Without another word, Brooks settled down into the tub. When Rogan followed him, Brooks scooted over to the side, surprised by his company. Rogan pulled him close and wrapped an arm around him before leaning back against the porcelain. When Brooks relaxed next to him, Rogan rubbed his shoulder reassuringly but stayed quiet, allowing his mate to think.
“You’d spank me? I didn’t think I’d face abuse.”
“No abuse, Brooks. Punishment if you earn it.”
Brooks turned to search his face for a clue to Rogan’s mood and intention. “I’m not a kid, Rogan. I mean, you’re old, but I’m an adult.”
Rogan controlled his expression. Brooks was pushing for control when he didn’t want it. Was this why he’d roamed for so many years? “You’re fully grown, Brooks. I appreciate every inch of you. I also suspect that despite your grown-up status, there’s a Little inside you who would love the freedom to live as well.”
“Little? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rogan wouldn’t let him hide. “You do. Realize that our bond makes all things easier. Sex. Our relationship. My ability to see the real you. And yours to see me.”
He could almost hear the wheels in Brooks’s bright mind churning from those details. His mate sat quietly next to him as they enjoyed the warm water. Finally, Brooks whispered, “Can you read my mind?”
“Only if you allow me. I can, however, pick up a lot from your actions and the emotions I sense wafting off you. I also suspect that most of the mates have been Little. You might be an exception, but I don’t think so.”
“Skye is Little. I mean, I noticed she sits on her mates’ laps. I thought Oldrik and Ardon were just taking care of her. Don’t get any ideas. I’m not sitting on your lap,” Brooks declared.
“You will if you need that closeness. And I suspect you’ll enjoy it. If that makes you uncomfortable in public, we’ll make adjustments that work for you. At home, you will be whoever you’re meant to be.”
Rogan knew he needed to digest that information. He sat up, drawing Brooks with him. “Come here. Let me wash your back. It gives me a good excuse to get my hands on you.”
“Do you need an excuse?” Brooks challenged.
“No. But I want you to enjoy our time together,” Rogan told him quietly. He wouldn’t allow Brooks to hide from him. “Were you unhappy last night?”
After a long second’s pause, Brooks shook his head. “No. It was magical. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
Rogan smiled at him and pulled his face close to reward him with a passionate kiss. “Thank you for telling me the truth.”
He helped Brooks turn slightly to sit in front of him. Dispensing some of his favorite bodywash, Rogan spread it over his mate’s back. The feel of Brooks’s toned muscles under his fingertips rekindled the arousal that had simmered just under the surface since Rogan had met his mate. Brooks’s soft moan of enjoyment fueled that excitement. He took his time before splashing water over his mate’s back to rinse away the suds.
Rogan pressed a kiss to Brooks’s shoulder before whispering. “Turn around, Adventurer.”
He helped him change position and washed his chest. To Rogan’s delight, Brooks sat still, giving him free access. Rogan splashed water to rinse the soap away. When he shifted to Brooks’s thighs, his mate jerked and slid on the porcelain surface.
“Whoa, mate,” Rogan said, quickly wrapping his hands around Brooks’s waist to steady him. His fingertips brushed across his mate’s erection. Rogan’s caresses had also affected him.
A quick inhale made Rogan abandon Brooks’s thighs to concentrate on another area. He wrapped his fingers around Brooks’ cock and pulled from root to tip, drawing a deep groan from Brooks. He repeated the motion several times, only stopping when Brooks slipped again as he tried to thrust into Rogan’s grip.
Stabilizing him, Rogan whispered, “Let’s get you cleaned up and we’ll get out of this tub before you get hurt.”
“How come you don’t slip?” Brooks asked.
“Scales.”
Rogan let him think about that without explaining as he washed his mate’s legs and feet. “Up on your knees, mate.”
Brooks followed his instruction and asked a second later. “Scales? What do you mean?”
“Dragons have scales,” Rogan reminded him as he smoothed soap between Brooks’s buttocks.
“I can do that,” Brooks protested and grabbed for the tub’s edge when he slipped.
“Already finished,” Rogan informed him. “Sit back down to rinse.”
While that distracted his mate, Rogan washed Brooks’s balls and thick cock. He explored his mate’s shaft, searching for the most responsive spots. Feeling Brooks’s pulse through the thick veins along the underside, Rogan celebrated his mate’s life and vitality. He met Brooks’ gaze when his mate stroked a hand through his hair.
“This is real?”
“Yes, Adventurer. This is your new journey. You’ve searched for something or run away for too long. Is this what you need?” Rogan asked, caressing him. The slick soap provided a lubricant for his hand. He quickened his pace and wrapped his arm around Brooks to hold him in place against him.
“Oh, fuck!” Brooks protested. “Searched? Run? I can’t think when you’re touching me.”
“That’s the way it should be. Think about it later, Brooks. For now, feel.”
“I could…”
“You can pleasure me later, mate. Enjoy now,” Rogan instructed, tightening his grip around Brooks’ waist and cock.
“Fuck!” Brooks shouted. His voice echoed on the hard tiled surfaces around them as he spilled himself into the water.
Rogan coaxed the last of the sensations from him before releasing him. Brooks turned, seeking his reassurance, and Rogan pulled him close. Wrapped around his mind-blown mate, Rogan closed his eyes as he pressed his forehead to Brooks’s temple. He thanked the fates for bringing him such a treasure.
When Brooks shifted against him, Rogan said, “I’ll get out and help you.” He’d just stepped out when Brooks chose to follow him. Rogan quickly scooped him out of the tub and set him safely on the rug.
“Hey!” Brooks protested, rubbing his butt when Rogan sharply slapped his bottom.
“That’s a warning. Follow directions, Adventurer.”
“I won’t be a puppet, Rogan. That’s not who I am.”
Rogan schooled his face to keep his amusement from showing as he grabbed a fluffy towel to rub over his mate’s skin. “I know you are independent, Brooks. I do not wish to erase that from your personality. I do not wish to change anything about you. You will, however, heed my instructions to keep from endangering yourself. If you don’t, a spanking will help you learn.”
Heat flared in Brooks’s gaze. “That’s not going to happen.”
“It will, and you will simultaneously hate and love your spankings. Now, we are both hungry. Let’s get dressed and we’ll head to breakfast.”
“I’d like to go get my things,” Brooks asked.
“After breakfast, let’s take care of that.”
“Can we use the front door this time instead of the ring of deadly flames?” Brooks requested.
“Of course, mate. We’ll save the waterfall entrance for emergencies. How about I give you a quick tour of your new home, so you’ll know your way around.”
“Thanks. This place is huge.”
When they were dressed, Rogan showed him the main areas of the mansion, highlighting rooms that they would use frequently as well as all the entrances and main corridors. He hated that Keres had negatively impacted Brooks’s arrival. Hopefully, making new happy memories would eliminate any scary flashbacks. Rogan stressed that nothing had ever penetrated his deceptively beautiful fortress and Brooks would be safe here.
While Keres no longer lurked in the area. Rogan had alerted the other members of the horde of the attack. When he could leave his mate to meet with the others alone, all the dragons minus Keres would gather to discuss their options for dealing with the black dragon’s growing menace to the horde. Something needed to happen. Soon.