Aveoth Read online

  He hurried down the stairs and unbolted the door, pacing outside as he waited. Minutes passed before he heard soft foot treads on stone. He faced Fray as he came around the corner. A huge grin adorned the man’s features. He stopped near Aveoth, opened the cloak he wore, and offered him a black box with gold lettering.

  Aveoth accepted it. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Have you ever used them?”

  “It’s been a long while.”

  “Just open the foil, take out the condom, roll it down your shaft, and toss it away right afterward. Don’t allow yourself to soften or the contents spill.”

  Aveoth nodded. “So not much has changed over the years.”

  Fray put his hands on his hips. “They come in different sizes now. These fit us better.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  “I’ll get you more. I can make a trip to Velder’s gas station. They always keep them in stock there.”

  “I appreciate it. It won’t draw much attention?”

  “Not with me buying them. I like humans, so it’s not unusual for me to keep a supply of condoms. They get pregnant easily.”

  An emotion Aveoth couldn’t read flashed across Fray’s features.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing, my lord.”

  Aveoth narrowed his eyes. “Answer.” It was a demand.

  “I was kind of hoping you’d found your mate.”

  “I have—but that’s between just us.”

  “Then why the condoms? Ah shit. It’s none of my business. Sorry.”

  “Our relationship is new. Jill just learned about our kind. She needs more time before we add a youngling into the mix.”

  “That’s smart.”

  Aveoth cocked his head.

  Fray shrugged. “Sorry again. My mouth gets me into trouble every time.” He bowed.

  “Don’t worry about it. I always know where I stand with you and your brother. I appreciate your bluntness.”

  Fray lifted his head and winked. “I’m happy for you, my lord. Enjoy your evening.”

  Aveoth watched the GarLycan walk away and then turned, entering his home. He bolted the door and took a deep breath. A lot rested on the next few hours. He’d never felt pressure before regarding his sexual performance. Of course, if he was still secreting the hormones, that would make things smoother.

  He ran his tongue over the roof of his mouth but he couldn’t taste anything in his saliva. Then again, he hadn’t the evening before, either. “Damn.” He straightened his posture and headed upstairs. “Let this go perfectly.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Jill felt extremely nervous. She had showered, dried off as quickly as possible, and then climbed into the middle of Aveoth’s huge bed. There was a pile of pillows behind her where she sat, leaning against them. At first she’d thrown the covers back, exposing her nude body, but then she’d flashed to the memory of Winalin—the bitch. That flawlessness she’d seen had her under the covers and drawing them to her breasts.

  “Not a competition and I’m better. I’m not a conceited cunt.”

  “Who are you talking to?”

  Jill jumped and turned her head. “You didn’t make any sound. I didn’t hear you coming.”

  Aveoth walked to the side of the bed. His eyes were doing that swirling thing, turning mostly silver. They were sexy as hell.

  “Who called you a conceited cunt?” He looked angry.

  “No one. I was thinking about Winalin.”

  “Why?” He scowled.

  “She might be a horrible person but she’s got a seriously rocking body.”

  “I didn’t notice.” His gaze lowered to her chest, where she clutched at the bedding to hide her breasts. “There’s no need to hide yourself.”

  “I like honesty in a man, Aveoth. There’s no way you didn’t notice that Winalin is perfect. She’s got that supernatural beauty going for her. Porn producers would kill to get her on their payroll. Guys would pay a fortune to watch her getting bent by some plumber.”

  He laughed. “I am ashamed to say I understood that. She’d do it for humans, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good thing I’m not one.” He moved over to the night table and set down a big box of condoms. “She only annoys me.” His gaze swung to her. “Don’t compare yourself to her. It’s an insult that I won’t allow. You’re a thousand times more attractive in every way.”

  She glanced at the condoms. “You got them.”

  “Of course.” He turned toward her. “What would make this more comfortable for you, Jill?”

  “Kiss me.”

  “I plan to.” He suddenly spun away and strode across the room. “Mood lighting.”

  She watched him as he bent near the fireplace in the corner and lit it. The flames grew as the logs caught fire, and then he stood, quickly moving to turn off most of the lights in the room. He went to a cupboard along one wall, opened it, and took out candles. She smiled as he lit them, placing them on various surfaces near the bed.

  He was a romantic. That surprised and delighted her.

  He finally came back to the bed. She could see him well enough but had to admit the dim lighting helped her relax a bit.

  “Better?”

  “Yes.”

  “Relax, Jill. You almost look frightened. I promise you pleasure.”

  “All guys say that.”

  “I’m not a guy.”

  He was her badass GarLycan. A lord of his clan. Her Wings. She nodded. “Strip.” She pushed the covers down to reveal her breasts.

  He growled low, his fascinating gaze fixing on them. “Beautiful.”

  “I’m pretty attached to them,” she teased.

  “I am as well.” His voice deepened as he almost tore his shirt off.

  She admired his bare chest. The guy had a lot of muscles. He was total eye candy, and the sight of him turned her on. He bent, tearing at his boots. He just tossed them aside, then straightened, both hands going to the front of his pants. Then he was the one teasing, as he very slowly unfastened them.

  She glanced up, his heated, silver and blue flashing gaze locked on her face. He pushed them down and she broke eye contact.

  The guy was hung. She’d seen it before, when he’d flashed her that morning, but he looked even bigger now, thicker, and she swallowed hard. There was that saying about bigger being better. She really hoped that was true.

  He kicked away his pants and bent again, putting his hands on the bed. She stared into his eyes as he crawled to her.

  “Don’t be frightened,” he rasped. “We’ll take things slow.”

  She licked her lips and shoved the covers totally out of the way so they weren’t between them. “I’m not afraid. Remember what I said about the first time being awkward?”

  “How can I remedy that?” He stretched out beside her, the mattress dipping with his weight.

  She had to lean back a little to not fall against him. “Kiss me. That should do it. You’re really great with your mouth.” Her memory flashed to his face between her legs. That helped turn her on more. The man had nearly licked her into a coma of climaxes.

  “I’d like to avoid that in case the ravage hormones are still present. I want your mind clear when I make love to you, Jill.”

  “That’s sweet. Really.” She reached up and slid her hand along his cheek, then into his hair. His skin was warm and his black hair silky to the touch. “But it was hot in more ways than just my body feeling as if I were burning alive inside. My mind is clear right now when I say I want you, Aveoth. Please kiss me. I’m not one to do drugs, but I could get addicted to the one you produce. I want it…and you.”

  “I can’t resist you, Jill.” He sat up a little, leaned closer, and stared deeply into her eyes. “Are you certain?”

  “Yes. Just remember the condom. I couldn’t put a sentence together last night. It was all about my body craving for you to touch me. I wanted you inside me so much. I might actually beg, bu