Chapter Fifteen
Ekon
He listened intently to Mao talk throughout the flight, asking questions wanting to know what a “real family” was like.
An observer by nature, the Thalassa family was the first he’d spent any time with.
They were more complicated than a pixel challenge to find that one tiny pixel that didn’t fit.
That didn’t mean they didn’t work together, they did, just dominating personalities got in the way, usually Alexi and Markov, Victor too.
The stories Mao told him were more like fairy tales when he had none of his own to compare to. His mom sounded like a made-up person. The only truly generous soul Ekon knew was Marvin. The way Mao spoke about his mom, she was similar, if his mate wasn’t exaggerating.
“Did you get into trouble for blowing a hole in the middle of your mom’s garden?” he asked, chuckling at Mao’s first attempt at using explosions.
Ruby red color invaded Mao’s golden skin as his head tipped and he laughed uproariously. “Trouble… heck,” he spluttered through his laughter, “I couldn’t sit down for a week.”
Ekon’s brows drew together in a frown unsure why his mate thought that was funny. Then what did he really understand about families?
We’ll have to learn.
He considered how he could do that when he had no template to follow. No instructor to drum in how to do things right.
Mao’s smile dimmed. “You won’t need a template.
You just be yourself, Ekon. It’s all you’ll ever need to be.
” He shifted forward in the plush leather seat opposite Ekon, taking hold of his hands.
Rough skin tickled as thumbs stroked over the pulse at his wrist. Their gazes locked, and there was the truth.
“Mom and Dad, fuck my brothers too, will give you a crash course in family whether you want it or not,” he grumbled and Ekon’s lips twitched at how Mao wasn’t pretending.
The grumpy expression at thoughts of being pestered to be social had Ekon grinning. “I’m sure I can handle a crash course.”
“You keep believing that,” he muttered, eyes alight with amusement despite the put-out tone.
“Excuse me,” the flight steward murmured in a cultured voice, “we are preparing to land, you need to buckle up.”
Ekon hated this part of flying, and though he wanted to hold on to Mao’s hands, he let go and did as bid.
He glanced out the window and was surprised by the lush green rain forest beneath them. It seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see.
Paraguay in the past had been a flying visit in and out with no reason to linger once the assassination had been carried out. Before the concern at not seeing a landing strip became an issue, Ekon saw it.
He peered closer. Was that thin strip of land big enough to put the jet on?
Mao’s delighted chuckle brought his attention back to his mate. He looked relaxed, lounging, watching Ekon with an alertness that spoke of the intelligent cat hidden beneath skin. “It is. I instructed the pilot to use this airstrip as it’s closer to my family home.”
The bump of the wheels ten minutes later proved Mao right as they glided effortlessly to a stop and close to a battered-looking Jeep.
A genuine smile tugged at the corner of his lips while releasing the seatbelt before they were told to. Ekon was up and striding to the door, the steward muttering something unintelligent as his booted foot tapped impatiently at having to wait for the guy to open the door.
“In a hurry?” Mao asked with some amusement, moving at a slower pace, retrieving the pack holding the journals Ekon hadn’t wanted put in the hold.
He couldn’t explain it, and Mao didn’t ask him to.
They were so in tune with each other since the magic explosion, Ekon did wonder if they’d really need to speak aloud again.
“As much as I’m not a talker, I do like listening to you”—Mao’s dark eyes twinkled with a wicked glint—“speak.”
That wasn’t what he meant, and they both knew it when Mao sent a replay of the night before of the noises Ekon made when Mao had his tongue in his ass.
Stop it. I do not want to walk off the plane with a hard-on. Aloud he said, “You never said Conrad was picking us up?”
“Thought it might be nice for you to see a friendly face.” Mao shrugged it off, like it was nothing.
Ekon placed a hand on the back of Mao’s neck and angled his head to steal a kiss. Except one taste was never enough, and when Mao’s lips parted against his and their tongues got reacquainted, time slipped away.
Hot, muggy air didn’t register past the heat of the kiss. A voice did. “Pleaseee, you’ve had hours on the jet to fuck, and you’re choosing now to bump uglies with each other.”
Ekon found his mouth released and Mao cursing. “Fuck off Conrad. I’ve a long memory and recall you and Kylo making—”
“Do not fucking go there, brother!” Kylo shouted from his position leaning against the front of the jeep, booted feet crossed, watching them with an interest that had Ekon uncertain how to respond.
It was easier to look at the other man striding across the tarmac to meet him as he came down the steps. Conrad, tanned and glowing with happiness. Dressed for the humidity, in loose fitting cargo shorts and a black T-shirt, wearing sturdy boots on his feet. Probably to prevent a snake from biting!
Yellow Anaconda. Ugh!
Giant Parrot. Why the ever-loving fuck would someone name a snake that?
Forest Flame. Yeah, that fucker was probably lurking in the trees that surrounded them right now just waiting to take a bite.
Mao’s snort quickly came with a burst of chuckles that filled Ekon’s head. I’ll keep you safe in the forest.
You won’t need to I ain’t roaming in any forest…
Ekon then had a thought. “Your family, they do live in a house, right?” he asked aloud, panic-stricken when he recalled reading that some panther families lived in the wilds of the forest—not in houses.
Mao clutched his sides as he laughed. Conrad and Kylo exchanged confused looks as they grabbed the bags the steward had placed at the bottom of the steps.
“What the fuck do you think we live in?” Kylo questioned, like Ekon was being ridiculous.
“Forget it,” he mumbled embarrassed, doing his best to not make eye contact with anyone stomping to the Jeep.
“What’s with him?” he heard Kylo ask.
“He’s just worried about meeting the family,” Mao supplied.
It wasn’t a total lie, Ekon was.
Conrad jogged up to him and slung a heavy arm over his shoulders. “You’ll love Mom. You wait and see.”
Ekon relaxed at how easy it was to be around Conrad. He’d always been the one to make them all smile. “Where’s the tiny terror?” he asked, needing to get away from thoughts of snakes.
Conrad rolled his eyes at the grunting coming from Kylo. “He’s with his grandma being spoiled rotten.”
“The boy will have no teeth left if she keeps baking to keep the kid in cake heaven!” Kylo complained and despite it, wore a look of affection.
“He’s not the only one eating them!” Conrad pointed out, grinning.
“Whatever… pregnancy makes me crave sugar.”
Mao stopped at the side of the jeep, his head fired around and a bag thumped to the ground. “Again!” He eyed Kylo’s belly like a faulty detonator.
“Christ, you don’t have to make it sound like I’m pregnant every five minutes.”
Mao jabbed a finger at Kylo, and Ekon could sense the unease of his thoughts at being the one to get pregnant. “You’re an alpha!”
Conrad shook his head, huffing out a laugh. “Can you hear how stupid you’re being when you were there when Kylo went into labor last time.”
“Don’t fucking remind me,” he grumbled, climbing into the back seat, blushing a bright red. “I’ve tried to expunge that from my mind.” He shuddered, glaring at Kylo as he got behind the steering wheel.
“Who says you won’t be the next one to get pregnant?”
Ekon bit his lip hard enough to taste blood to conceal the desire to laugh at the outrage at such a preposterous thought coming from Mao.
Conrad didn’t hold back as he jumped into the front passenger seat.
I can sense how funny you think that is. Mao’s scowl was fixed in place, adding to Ekon’s amusement.
It is kind of when you know I’m an alpha-omega mix, so if anyone is getting pregnant it’s a high probability going to be me. Also, you haven’t let me—
Do you want to…
Fuck you? he queried when Mao couldn’t seem to fathom a way to finish his thought.
Mao nodded jerkily as the jeep took off. Conrad and Kylo bickering about the fastest way to get home.
I’m happy with what we’ve been doing.
Mao twisted in the seat to look at him. That doesn’t answer the question. Is it something you want to do?
Ekon worked to pick through Mao’s feelings to make sure he didn’t stand on any land mines by saying the wrong thing.
I can feel what you’re doing, Ekon. Just answer me truthfully.
He sighed aloud. I did. I am happy with what we’ve been doing.
But…
Alright, I wouldn’t mind finding out what it’s like to sink into you. Feel your ass clasping my cock. Feel you squeeze as I feel you unravel.
Fuck!
The scent of arousal met his nose, and Ekon reached to wind down the window to stop it filling the small space. A grin tugged at his lips as he got exactly how much Mao wanted what he described, but felt surprise too.
“So, how long are you home for this time?” Kylo questioned, breaking through the sexual tension with a splash of reality. “You know Mom’s gonna want you both to stay close.”
They hadn’t talked about that. Ekon hadn’t thought beyond finding what this magic inside him was all about.
Mao, he sensed, chose his words carefully. “Mom knows that she can’t always have what she wants.”
The non-answer seemed to make sense to Kylo who chuckled. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Not long later they pulled up to a large set of iron gates.
Kylo leaned out the window and touched an electronic pad.
The gates opened smoothly, and Ekon got his first view of the Putney home.
The main structure was big, with what looked like added bits when the brick and wood had aged differently.
It gave the place a higgle-dy-piggle-dy feel which was very appealing in its imperfection.
Magic protected the house, he could feel it rub up against his own, acquainting itself, was the only way he could describe it.
Why do you have magic protecting your home?
Can you feel it? Mao sounded intrigued.
Yes. It’s strong, but not as strong as what’s inside me.
The conversation stopped and he’d barely unsnapped his seatbelt when a woman rushed out of the house, rubbing her hands on an apron. Ekon could see where Mao got his good looks from. But it was her eyes that caught his attention.
They held a light in them that made him feel the warmth of an early morning sunrise. It was refreshing as it brought color and the hope of a new day.
All she’ll want to do is love you. Just give her a chance.
Mao slid out of the jeep, and the woman charged at him. Though a foot shorter she appeared to be as tall as Mao she reached and brought him in for what looked like a bone-crushing hug. “Congratulations, my darling boy.” She let go and glanced at the vehicle. “Where is my new son?”
Conrad snorted with laughter when he turned in his seat to witness Ekon’s panic. “That, my friend is you. Better get out there before she drags you out of the car, and trust me, she’ll win.”
Oh gods!