Reclaiming His Dragon

Reclaiming His Dragon Eden Cole Copyright © March 2011, Eden Cole Cover art by Sugar and Spice Press ISBN 978-1-936668-07-6 This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. Sugar and Spice Press North Carolina, USA www.sugarnspicepress.com

Reclaiming His Dragon

Eden Cole

Chapter One Lorcan arrived in the human world at night. The moon beamed down over his shoulder, lighting the city’s darker streets, but he didn’t need it to see. He stood on the top of a building, an inconspicuous place where he could get his bearings. Somewhere below him was his mate, his lover, Jayden, and he intended to find him. Lorcan drew in a deep breath of the evening air while he folded his spiky wings behind him. They bent and contracted at impossible angles until he could tuck them away inside his back. The skin there molded over the openings and then smoothed until he knew he appeared to be human. At his feet were clothes he’d transported with him through the space and time rift, and he bent to pick them up and put them on. Black jeans, a black T-shirt, and a black jacket along with boots for his feet. “Thirty days,” he murmured. Just one month to find his mate and reseal their bond. Lorcan had waited ten years for Jayden to come back to him and return to the dragon shifter world, but he hadn’t come. He’d tried to put Jayden’s needs and desires first, telling himself that if this place was where he was happy and being away from Lorcan was what he wanted, then he’d let him be. But he couldn’t wait any longer. What about him? He needed Jayden. Lorcan walked to the edge of the building and scanned the ground. No one seemed to be nearby, so he stepped over the edge. He fell fast and hard but landed with ease. Small cracks spidered the ground beneath him, but he paid them no mind as he headed out of the alley and walked down the street. Up ahead, a neon sign read Open above a store, and it blinked off and on. This was where he’d tracked Jayden. He stopped walking in front of the place and paused looking up and down the street. The window was half covered on the inside with piles of boxed goods. The little he could see told him this was a convenience store, small, with every available space used.

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Lorcan stepped inside. A bell over his head jingled. The man behind the counter helping customers glanced at him. If Lorcan expected a greeting, he’d be waiting a long time. Instead he got a glare of suspicion. The all black, he decided, and ignored the man. He walked deeper into the store and scanned the short aisles. On the very last one, at the back was where he spotted Jayden. Six foot three, built like a dragon should be, blond hair and blue eyes, Jayden was everything and more Lorcan was attracted to. While he watched his lover, he recalled the many times and places they’d been intimate in their world. Lust and longing hit him so hard, he could barely draw in a breath. He couldn’t hold back another moment. He hurried toward his mate and touched his shoulder. Pleasure and desire vied for dominance in him. “Jayden,” he breathed. “It’s been so long. I’ve missed you. Damn, you look good enough to eat.” He knew he was rambling but he couldn’t help it. This was his other half. Jayden blinked in surprise and shifted his wide shoulders in a way that dislodged Lorcan’s hand. Hurt knotted in Jayden’s throat. They’d argued when they were last together. Was he still holding onto his anger? “Who are you?” Jayden asked. Lorcan blinked, not understanding. “What do you mean?” “Just what I said.” Jayden’s voice was as deep as Lorcan remembered. Those rumbling tones had gotten him hard with just a few whispered words when they were together. “You obviously know my name, but I don’t know yours. And I’d appreciate it if you step back a little.” Lorcan had imagined their reunion a half dozen different ways. His favorite was Jayden taking him into his arms, kissing him until they were both dizzy, and then inviting him back to wherever it was he was living in this world so they could make love all night long. This coldness, this distance hadn’t entered into his mind for a second. Shifters of their kind lived many years, so anger could last awhile just as any other emotion. He had expected that Jayden might still be mad, but not knowing him? No, there must be a mistake. 2

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He glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was nearby, and when he found that no one was, he leaned in closer to Jayden rather than stepping away. Jayden’s clean, masculine scent assaulted his nostrils, teasing him, making him want to kiss those full lips of his. With effort, he kept control of himself. “You’re telling me you don’t remember that I am your mate? We’d been joined for twenty years before you left our homeland. Newlyweds, sure, but we can’t toss it aside because of an argument.” Jayden laughed. “Dude, you are crazy. If I was married—and it certainly wouldn’t be to a man—but if I was and it had been twenty years ago, I’d have been ten. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date to prepare for.” “D-Date?” Devastation hit Lorcan hard between the eyes. He’d heard wrong. Jayden wouldn’t cheat on him. He couldn’t. And what did he mean “with a man” as if that was a bad thing? Jayden pushed past him after scooping something up off of a shelf, but Lorcan grabbed his arm to stop him. “You at least remember that you’re a shifter, right? A dragon shifter?” His mate frowned and seemed even more put off. “Whatever, buddy. I have to go.” Lorcan could only stand and stare as Jayden took his items to the front of the store, paid, and left. When the manager called to him demanding to know if he intended to buy anything, Lorcan snapped out of his reverie and left the store. Once on the street, he picked out the direction Jayden had gone in, but he hesitated to follow. Had his lover really lost his memory? And if so, how? No injury that he knew of lasted with them. They healed quickly and never got sick. Surely, even Jayden’s mind would heal if he’d sustained a concussion or been in an accident. And what about this date? Since Jayden had been repulsed by the thought of sleeping with a man, the person must be a woman. Had he slept with a woman? Lorcan swallowed down nausea considering it. No, he had to get to the bottom of this and fast. Couples renewed their vows with each other every ten years where he was from. They performed a ritual that 3

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included making love and speaking their commitment to each other. In thirty days, that time would be up, and if he didn’t get Jayden back, it would be equal to a divorce in this human world. Worse, if he mated with another person after that, he would form a bond, and the connection he and Jayden had would be broken. Ten more years would pass before he’d get another shot. He would not give up that easily. Because he shared a bond with Jayden, he would be more drawn to Lorcan even if he had lost his memory. Lorcan would just have to charm him back into his arms, one way or another.

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Chapter Two Lorcan had been watching Jayden across the restaurant for most of the night. He’d been forced to order something off the menu to keep his table, but he hadn’t taken a bite or sip the entire time. He frowned watching his lover, gritted his teeth each time Jayden smiled at her and took her hand. He knew his lover well, and was sure Jayden wasn’t attracted to this person. But it didn’t stop the jealousy. Why is he pushing himself with her? Who is she? “Your check, sir,” the waiter said, his tone indicating his annoyance with Lorcan. Lorcan examined the slip of paper and froze. He had no human money, and the gold coins his people dealt in would bring suspicion. “Thanks,” he muttered while considering what he would do. Another glance in Jayden’s direction showed his lover had no trouble pulling money from his wallet and tossing it on the table. Lorcan picked up his bill and flipped it back and forth between his fingers. “Why don’t you let me treat you?” A man had stopped at his table and leaned a hip against it. His crotch was very close to Lorcan’s hand, and the smile on his face was suggestive. “I’ve been watching you for while, and I saw you notice that guy over there. Let me tell you, I already know he plays hard to get.” Lorcan stood, towering above the man by several inches. The shudder of delight that passed through him was clear when he saw Lorcan’s build. Lorcan ignored his murmur of “yum” to ask, “You know him?” He nodded. “Yeah, he comes in a couple times a week. First time with a woman though.” The man rolled his eyes. “Please, I can spot a gay man even if he has none of the signs from a mile off, and that big piece of eye candy is gay.” He belongs to me. Lorcan was about to say it aloud, but he resisted. He had no money, and this man had offered to cover it. Humans and their world meant nothing to him. Jayden was the only one that mattered, so he felt no guilt at using the small man. “Thank you for paying.” 5

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The man smiled. “My pleasure. You can make it up to me later. I’m Guy. What’s your name?” He sidled closer to Lorcan as he flicked a small square of plastic on the table. The waiter returned, scooped it up, and left again. “Lorcan.” He hesitated. “Do you live near here?” “Oh I love it when a man knows what he wants and is not afraid to let it be known.” Guy simpered running a finger over Lorcan’s sleeve. He was not attracted in any way to this man. Men from his world were all strong, all male, whether they preferred a female mate, a male, or both. “Can we go there?” Lorcan prompted when Guy didn’t move. “Oh yes, let’s go. I have a feeling tonight will be like nothing I’ve ever experienced.” Lorcan offered a tight smile when the waiter brought back the credit card and said to Guy, “Yes, it will be.” **** Jayden lay in the bed with his eyes closed and the woman sleeping next to him. His stomach roiled, and he rolled to his feet and stumbled toward the bathroom. Why had he brought her here? To prove something to himself? To convince himself, if no one else, that he wasn’t gay? The feelings that had always been there, the desires for his same sex had tormented him for years, and what he had hated most about himself was that he always had dreams of hot, explosive sex with another man. Almost nightly they plagued him. They were vivid to the point that he could smell and hear it, even taste. Damn everything, the taste of his lover from those dreams drove him to the brink of insanity. But the dreams weren’t the worst thing about the whole experience. That prize went to the fact that every time he woke up from them he had a raging hard-on that refused to be relieved with a hand job. In addition, he had a rash on his forearm, a spot that would turn silver and shimmery. He’d consulted doctors who could give him no answers. But each time he calmed down and the dreams faded, so did the rash. 6

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Jayden splashed water on his face, but the grogginess and the dream didn’t fade. Unlike previous nights, it seemed intensified, as if it intended to break out of his imagination and become real. He dried his face and went to the kitchen to grab a beer. The liquid slid down his throat, cooling his body somewhat. Thinking a bit of air might help him to snap out of it, he went out to the balcony and slid the door closed behind him. As he dropped into a chair, he ran the bottle over his brow. Voices from the apartment complex’s pool reached him although it was on the back side of the building across from his. He tuned them out and stared at the sky, filled with millions of stars. For some reason, whenever he looked at the sky, he was consumed with a sense of nostalgia, as if he used to spend a lot of time there but now he didn’t. That was absurd of course because he never flew. He never left his city. He’d never been on a plane and had no plans to go on one. He drained the last of his beer and set the bottle down. Scooting low in his chair, he tried to relax. Cicadas in the trees clicked and lulled him to sleep. Seemingly the second he lost consciousness, he was caught up in a dream. The man floated just off the balcony in mid-air. No, he didn’t float exactly. Huge, boney wings extended from his back. The two were like appendages, curved arms that were a part of him, with sharp hooks at the ends of each point. They flapped as if in slow motion, capturing the air enough to keep him up but not enough to take him high above the building. Jayden’s mouth went dry as he stared. The man was beautiful, hard, and strong. He felt ashamed to think the man was sexy, but he was. His hair grew long, down to his shoulders, dark as midnight. Even from this distance, Jayden could see that his eyes were liquid gold. They mesmerized him. He drank in the muscular form, the broad chest, flat stomach, and narrow hips. He didn’t want to look at the man’s crotch but couldn’t help himself. Another dream on top of this one slipped into his mind—the two of them in a giant bed, locked in each other’s arms. Both of them were naked. 7

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Jayden shook his head. He refused to think like that. “Who are you?” “I’m your lover, Lorcan,” was the reply. “The hell you are.” Jayden sneered. “I don’t do men.” “You’ve done me plenty.” Jayden clenched his hands into fists. “Never! I don’t want that. I’m not gay. I have a woman in my bed right now.” To his surprise, the man looked like he’d stabbed him in the heart. He saw the pain clearly in his eyes and felt it in his own heart. That was impossible. Wait, this is a dream. Weird things happen in dreams. “I love you, Jayden,” Lorcan told him. “I’ve come for you because we’ve been apart long enough. We can’t wait any longer, or it will be too late.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re not even human. What are you?” “A dragon shifter, the same as you.” Jayden sputtered. “I’m human. In fact stuff like you doesn’t exist. I know you’ve been haunting my dreams for ten years. I’m sick of it. Leave me the hell alone. Go find some other guy to hound.” The man looked hopeful. “So you haven’t forgotten?” When Jayden didn’t answer, he went on. “Did you really have sex with her? Please tell me you didn’t, Jayden. I can’t deal with thinking someone else touched you.” Jayden wanted to lie. He wanted to tell this man details of sex he couldn’t remember having his entire life. Sex with a woman. The fact of the matter was he couldn’t even get his cock up for her. She’d opened her blouse and exposed perfect breasts. He’d played with them and ran her fingers down between her legs. He’d tried kissing her and let her guide his hand, but disgust had overwhelmed him. Now that he thought back on it, he couldn’t even remember her going to sleep and him doing the same. What she should have done was storm from his place cursing him out. “I don’t know what happened,” he admitted to Lorcan after a few minutes. “I know I didn’t have sex with her. She just went to sleep. I couldn’t as hard as I tried. Maybe I should admit the truth about myself.” 8

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The man flew in and touched down on the concrete in front of him. He was so close now, Jayden could touch him, and everything inside of him wanted to. Lorcan ran a hand down Jayden’s face. He thought of moving away but didn’t budge. The other man who was his same height and similar in build, ran a thumb over his lips. Jayden closed his eyes and lifted his head. Shockwaves of pleasure hit his system. All of his willpower kept him from parting his lips and taking that thumb into his mouth to suck on it. “You put her to sleep,” Lorcan told him. Jayden frowned. “What are you talking about?” “Human minds are weaker than ours. We have the ability to make suggestions to them, and they follow. Out of self-preservation, you may have told her to go to sleep, and she did.” Jayden didn’t bothering telling him what a load of crock that theory was. He was still too caught up in Lorcan’s touch and his nearness. While they were inches apart, it didn’t appear to be enough for Lorcan. He moved closer until his chest brushed Jayden’s. Jayden stepped back, but there was nowhere to go. The chair stopped him. Lorcan reached for his hips and brought them together. Jayden sucked in a breath at having a man’s hard cock touch his own. His eyes widened because he realized his was just as rigid. “Don’t do this,” he begged. If he were awake, he’d crack the guy across the chin and ask questions later, but here the sensations overwhelmed him. He liked what he felt. Lorcan moved his hips slightly, rubbing his crotch against Jayden’s and making him weak. “You want it as much as I do.” Lorcan leaned in and ran his nose along Jayden’s jawline. “You smell so good. I’ve missed that scent, so familiar. I’ve missed being inside of you and having you inside me.” “I’ve never…” Lorcan caught Jayden’s bottom lip between his. Tiny hairs scraped his chin. Hesitantly, he reached around to touch Lorcan’s ass. He could tell himself all night not to get off on how it felt to stroke the muscled

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hardness, but he did anyway. And Lorcan’s moaning made it worse. Jayden drove them tighter together. His balls ached to empty in release. “Yes,” Lorcan groaned. “Take me now, Jayden, like you used to.” He pulled back a little and worked the man’s belt loose and lowered his zipper. Right away, his erection swelled out through the gap but still prisoner by his boxers. Jayden reached for the waistband to drag them down. “Jayden?” a feminine voice called. He jerked awake and sat up. Searching the balcony and the air where he had seen the man in his dreams, he found nothing and couldn’t believe the depression that settled on his shoulders. “Jayden?” his date called again. He stood up and went inside. She was fully dressed and standing near the door. He knew he’d blown it. “I’m sorry. I…” “No, don’t worry about it.” She gave a nervous laugh. “I can’t believe I let you take me home on the first date. I never do that.” He didn’t believe her. “I guess we weren’t meant to be. Dinner was great. Thanks.” She opened the front door. “I’ll call…uh, good-bye.” Jayden said nothing as the door closed, and then he started toward the bedroom but changed his mind. He sat on the couch and flicked the TV on. The volume went up loud enough to keep him awake without disturbing the neighbors. He prepared for a long, boring night.

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Chapter Three Lorcan grinned, happier than he’d been in a while. He’d made the mental connection with Jayden. While his lover had slept on the balcony, he’d come to him in his mind, and Jayden had responded. If that stupid human hadn’t interrupted them, Jayden would have gone all the way. This was different from the dreams he’d been having. But knowing he did dream of him was encouraging. He had hope. At first, thinking he’d slept with the woman had been too much, but then knowing it had gone sour thrilled him. He’d watched her drive off and sat on Jayden’s balcony watching him through the curtains. His mate wasn’t going anywhere the rest of the night, and it looked like he refused to sleep. Lorcan had decided to return to Guy’s apartment to get some rest himself. He stepped down onto the smaller man’s balcony and folded his wings. When he went inside, he caught the sound of snoring. So he was still out. What Lorcan had told Jayden was true. All of the dragon shifters could make humans bend to their will. Their directive of course was not to do such a thing unless they were in danger of being exposed. Humans couldn’t know of their existence or of an alternate Earth on another plane of existence where dragon shifters inhabited the planet. As far as Lorcan was concerned no rule would stop him from doing whatever it took to get his mate back. He would have Jayden if he had to break every one of their laws. He went into the bedroom and considered the other half of the bed that Guy didn’t occupy, but the thought of lying next to the man disgusted him. The only man he wanted to sleep with, whether resting or having sex, was Jayden. He strolled around the side of the bed and stooped beside Guy, resting his forearms on his thighs. “Mind if I borrow some of your money?” he asked, pushing at Guy’s mind. Guy shifted in his sleep and muttered, “Wallet.”

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Lorcan looked and found it on the nightstand. He flipped the aged leather open and counted the bills. A hundred should do for now, he figured. He folded the twenties and stuffed them into his pocket, then put the wallet back. “Thanks,” Lorcan told him. “You had a good time, didn’t you?” “Oh yes,” he whispered with a wicked smile, eyes still closed. Lorcan stood up. Let him believe he’d had sex with Lorcan for half the night. Better that than to feel he’d been duped. He left to find a hotel. He would get some sleep and regroup tomorrow. Now that Jayden was accepting that he was gay, it should be no problem at all seducing him. Of course Lorcan would have to be careful. Approaching his lover spouting facts about their past might not be the best approach since he didn’t remember any of it. Lorcan would have to pretend to be human, a challenge but not impossible. Deep down, Jayden loved him and was still connected to him. He’d reach him before too long, and then they could return to their world to live out the rest of their lives together. He couldn’t be more content with the way things were going. Everything would be fine from now on. **** Jayden’s phone rang on his desk, and he glanced at the display. His friend and coworker Brian was calling. He sighed. He’d want to know how Friday night had gone, but Jayden wasn’t ready to admit his failure to anyone else. He let the call go to voicemail, but he should have known Brian wasn’t the type to let things go. A knock on the panel at his wall opening caught his attention. “So?” Brian insisted. “How was it? She was hot, right?” Jayden pretended to be consumed by his work, but Brian pulled the pen from his hands. He lifted Jayden’s chin, but Jayden pulled out of reach. His friend was the type not to feel weird from touching another man. At first Jayden had thought he was gay, but Brian had shown him a picture of his girlfriend. She was beautiful, even more so than the one Jayden had gone on a date with. 12

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“It didn’t go well, okay?” “Damn,” Brian swore. “I was so sure. She comes off all sweetness, but I thought she’d be the one to bust your cherry.” Jayden frowned. “I’m not a virgin, and I don’t have a cherry!” Brian laughed. “Easy, partner, I was only teasing. You say that, but you and I both know there’s been nobody in what? A few years?” Ten. He was positive he’d never been with anyone over the last ten years, but before that he couldn’t say. The only thing he felt sure of was that he wasn’t a virgin. He had no evidence and no memory that confirmed it, but he couldn’t explain that to Brian. “Uh…” Jayden mumbled, not wanting to admit anything. Brian laughed. “How about we get a couple beers after work, and you can tell me all about Friday night. Deal?” Brian didn’t wait around for him to answer. He waved and left the cubicle as suddenly as he appeared. Jayden sighed. He guessed he couldn’t get out of confessing his problem of getting it up. Maybe his friend would have some pointers. Miserable, he went through the rest of the day like a zombie, and with dread knotting his guts, he met Brian at a bar. Being late afternoon, most of the patrons were in suits or business casual. He knew from experience the music volume would go up and the place would be wall-to-wall in a few hours. When he paused just inside the door to look around, he heard his name. Brian signaled from a corner table. Good, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about half the establishment hearing about his failure. “I took the liberty of ordering your favorite,” Brian commented and slid an amber-colored bottle over to him. Jayden sighed his thanks and took a long swig. The cool liquid made him feel a bit better. “So about Friday,” he began. Brian slammed his drink on the table, and Jayden looked up into his face. “I broke it off with my girl,” he blurted. Jayden gasped. “Seriously? What happened?” Brian shrugged. “She started getting clingy, wanting a commitment. It’s not that I don’t want to settle down. Just that she’s not the one. I think I knew that from the start.” 13

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“I’m sorry to hear that, man.” Jayden didn’t know what to say. “If you need to talk…” His friend hissed. “No, I don’t want to talk about it. We drink.” He laughed and called for a picture of beer. They downed a few glasses, and Jayden found the balls to tell Brian what happened. Brian seemed to ponder everything he’d told him with a slight frown on his face. He poured himself and Jayden another beer. By this time, Jayden felt a little buzz, but he knew it wouldn’t last long. No matter how much he drank, it didn’t stick. That was a good thing or a bad one depending on his mood. “I’ve been thinking,” Brian said. “Have you considered the possibility that you’re gay?” Jayden sputtered. He shoved his chair back about to get up, but Brian brought a hand down on his shoulder. Jayden tried shaking him off, but since Brian was a close match to him in build, that was no easy task. “Let me go,” Jayden ground out. Brian was his usual calm, assured self. “Hear me out before you blow, okay? I’m not saying you’re gay, but you have to admit anyone would have suspicions. And I’m not condemning you for that. You’re my buddy. We’re fine either way. But you gotta know, right?” Jayden hesitated. “Well? Do you want to be one of those guys who lies to himself all his life and is miserable?” “No,” he admitted. “I don’t want that. But…the thought…” He couldn’t help the image of Lorcan sliding into his mind. Desire tingled deep beneath the surface. He was glad he stayed seated now that his cock was growing hard. Just talking about it worked him up. Maybe he was gay. “You want to know for sure?” Brian pushed. Jayden ran a hand through his hair and looked away. Truth was, he did want to know. He needed to find out, even if he didn’t like it. “Yeah, I want to be sure. I just don’t think I can, you know.” Damn, now he was talking like a virgin. Or a child that couldn’t say the S word. He almost laughed at himself. 14

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“And I don’t blame you,” Brian said. “While we’re laying our cards on the table, I’ll tell you this. I’ve always wondered if I swung both ways.” Jayden’s eyes grew round. “You’re fucking with me.” “No, I’m not.” Brian looked sheepish. “I’m embarrassed to admit it too, but that’s why I feel like what I’m about to suggest is the right thing to do for both of us.” Jayden’s mouth went dry. “You’re not saying…?” Brian held up his hands. “Not sex.” He paused as if he tried to come up with the terms of whatever he was about to propose. “Dating. To keep it safe and less threatening, how about you and me date each other for say…a month. No sex. We can try kissing or something like that down the line, but not until you feel comfortable. But we definitely go out.” Jayden shook his head in disbelief. He’d never in a million years thought Brian would say something like this. In fact, he didn’t think he’d ever consider it, but he was. This was all the fault of the dreams and how they’d intensified in the last few days. Brian continued. “Before you say no, just think about it. But it has to be real dates you know. Like in public, not like we always do, two buddies hanging out. When we’re together, we have to get into it and make it real.” His friend’s eyes shone as if he were excited. Jayden wondered if he’d harbored feelings for him all this time and kept it quiet. From the sound of it, Brian had never tried it with a man. This must seem like the perfect opportunity to see if what they both felt was real or just a passing desire that had more to do with not getting laid in forever. At least on his part that might be it. He owed it to himself to find out? “I’ll have to think about it,” he said, feeling like he’d wimped out. “Can I let you know tomorrow?” Brian clenched his hands into fists but then forced them flat. He leaned back in his chair and offered one of his easy smiles. “Sure, no problem.” Jayden left the bar with his hands in his pockets, head down. As the evening air cooled his face, the effects of the alcohol died away. He didn’t even feel the buzz within a couple minutes. He walked to the end of the street and then turned south. All the while, he thought over his situation 15

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and his choices. When the sun had set, he found himself at the edge of the city park, and he took a trail into it. The trees for whatever reason had always comforted him and helped him to calm his mind enough to consider whatever problem he was mulling. The sounds of nocturnal creatures reached his ears, along with distant voices of people laughing. He let all of it wash over him to the point that he wasn’t paying attention to his immediate surroundings. The man was a few feet away before Jayden noticed. His vision was better than most other people’s, even at night. The only thing he’d ever been grateful about it was that it meant he didn’t have to wear glasses. Tonight it allowed him to pick out the face of the man who had accosted him in the store. His heart beat faster. The same attraction he’d felt then and that he’d experienced in his dreams took hold of him. The truth was they looked similar, this man and his dream man. Maybe he’d given the man in his mind this guy’s face—because despite his craziness, he’d wanted him. Had he told him his name then too? Jayden thought he did. “Who are you?” he asked anyway. “Lorcan,” the man said. He strolled closer. Jayden was overwhelmed with longing. He took a step back. The man stopped. “Nice night, huh?” “Yeah,” Jayden answered. He remained wary. He should get going and leave this nut behind, but he didn’t want to. “Where are you headed?” Why the hell did I ask that? “Nowhere in particular.” Lorcan folded his hands behind his back. If he thought that made him less threatening, he was an idiot. Jayden only wanted to stroke his chest more. Lorcan fell into step beside him, and they continued walking in silence. This was crazy. He didn’t know this guy. They were in a park, in the dark, and anything could happen. They stopped as if in agreement beneath a burned out streetlight. Jayden didn’t need the light anyway. The moon was enough. They stood too close. He willed himself to move away, but when Lorcan touched his cheek, he leaned into the caress. The guy didn’t even have to run his 16

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thumb over his lips. Jayden went after it. He opened his mouth and took it in, pulling on it lightly. Lorcan sucked in a breath. What the hell am I doing? He released Lorcan’s thumb and stepped away. Lorcan caught his arm. Jayden stopped. His throat was so dry, it made it hard to swallow. And yet, when Lorcan ran his hand down his arm and twined his fingers with Jayden’s he grew so hard it was painful. Desire took hold of him, an ache he couldn’t deny. Why him? Why now? He wasn’t ready to go this far. The emotions were too intense. Lorcan rested a hand on his shoulder and turned him to face him. Jayden didn’t resist. He didn’t pull back when Lorcan brought them closer with his hands on Jayden’s hips. Their cocks brushed. Lorcan’s chest pressed into his. And when he didn’t think he could deal with this need any longer, Lorcan’s mouth covered his. Their tongues met, curling together. Jayden heard a groan, but it was a few moments before he realized it was his. He was desperately hungry. He devoured Lorcan’s mouth, kissing, sucking at his lower lip, tasting him. “My heart,” Lorcan muttered. “Shut up,” Jayden demanded. He backed him into the light post, being rough and not caring. Their legs parted to allow one thigh between Jayden’s legs and one between Lorcan’s. His balls were tight. He ground into the man. He could come, oh how he craved to come right now with this man. But this isn’t a dream, and I’m about to have sex with a man in public. No, I can’t do it. He thrust away from Lorcan panting. Scrubbing a hand across his mouth, he shook his head. “This is crazy. I’m not gay!” He knew he sounded like a petulant child, but he didn’t care. He had to get out of there now before he did something he’d regret. Pivoting on his heel, he jetted in the opposite direction. Half of him thought Lorcan would follow, and he wanted it. Another part of him was scared shitless. Jayden didn’t stop until he reached his apartment. He jabbed his key in the lock, twisted it, and let himself in. Not until he’d slammed the door 17

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and shoved home the bolt did he pause to catch his breath. This was crazy. His life had never been this eventful. If anything it had been boring. Brian and his insane notions was the only thing that brought him light over the last couple years. After some time, he pushed off the door and headed into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and reached for a beer then changed his mind. Water would be better. He twisted the cap off of a bottle and drank it all down in one swallow, and then he fished his cell phone from his pocket. Brian was on speed dial. He answered on the first ring. “Hey, dude, you left so fast, my head’s still spinning,” he joked. Not as fast as I ran from Lorcan. “About that proposal of yours,” he said. “Yeah?” “Let’s do it.”

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Chapter Four Lorcan paced his hotel room growling. Dating! Fucking dating! His husband was dating another man? This was too much. First Jayden claimed not to be gay, and then he agreed to go out with a man? Lorcan had no choice. He would have to break more laws and kill the bastard. He had no right to try taking what belonged to Lorcan. Still cursing, he left the room to hunt down the man. He knew his scent. He’d seen him through the bar window that night he and Jayden had a drink together. On the street, Lorcan paused long enough to pick up his scent on the midday breeze. The trail led him to a tall office building in the downtown area. Both Jayden’s scent and the other man’s mingled here, causing Lorcan to grit his teeth. He walked down a few blocks to two buildings close together where he could duck down an alley. From there, he removed his shirt and brought his wings out. Once he was on top of the structure, he scaled each until he was back to Jayden’s workplace. Sitting on the edge of the roof, he could watch the ground and the entrance. When that bastard came out, Lorcan would follow him and put a stop to this once and for all. He didn’t have long to wait. An hour later, the man exited the building. Lorcan was relieved to see that he was alone and that Jayden wasn’t with him. He wouldn’t want to frighten his lover. When his quarry was several blocks down, Lorcan took to the street again and followed on foot. He weaved around pedestrians keeping his eyes on the man. They stopped at a sandwich shop where Lorcan leaned against the wall waiting not worried that the man would see him. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. Lorcan frowned thinking he was fantasizing about what he would do with Jayden. Never! After walking around and around following the man, Lorcan began to think maybe he needed to make his move somehow. But there were too many people. The lunch hour, he realized, was not the best time of day. If he came in closer and touched the man, maybe he could push into his mind to stay away from Jayden. No, that wouldn’t work. Because they 19

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worked together, it was likely Jayden’s appeal would resurface in him, and Lorcan didn’t have time to waste. Convincing him to visit a dark alley would work out better, and Lorcan could crack his neck. He picked up the pace to close the gap between them, but as soon as he did, the man turned and stepped into a small bookstore. Lorcan followed. He searched the tiny space in time to see the man disappear through the back. Had he spotted Lorcan? Damn. He ran toward the back to find a door leading to the alley. At the end of it, the man was just turning on the street. Lorcan sprinted to the end. The man was nowhere in sight. He sniffed the air to pick up his scent and promptly sneezed. His nose burned, and he put a hand up to cover it. Swinging around behind him, he noted that he stood in front of a restaurant that seemed to cook with every spice in existence. Lorcan sneezed again and winced. Normally, when he knew he’d be around strong scents, he mentally toned down his strong sense of smell. This time, he hadn’t been paying attention to his surroundings. The damage was done. He glanced up toward the skyline and spotted the building where Jayden worked. The man was probably already back there by now. Lorcan growled and turned away. The time would come again. He’d make sure of it. **** The day had passed too slowly for Lorcan, but his anger hadn’t burned off. Neither had his desire for Jayden lessened. Each second, his thoughts were consumed with his mate. Need tore at him. In his world, there had been duties he performed. Family and friends kept him distracted, and somehow he’d made it from one day to the next with Jayden gone. Especially since he’d resolved that his lover must be happier without him. Here, he couldn’t stand being apart, and he knew Jayden was suffering too, even if he didn’t recognize why. He left his room and flew the short distance to Jayden’s apartment. Landing on the balcony, he watched his lover just coming in from work. 20

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He’d stayed later, Lorcan realized. Jayden dropped his briefcase on the couch and loosened his tie. He continued on to the back of the apartment, and Lorcan waited until he was out of sight before he pulled at the sliding door. He gave just enough pull to pop the lock but not enough to let it slide open too fast. After easing it open, he slipped inside and closed it behind him. Sounds of Jayden moving around in his room reached him. He strolled down the hall and made it to the room in time to hear the shower come on. Soon steam billowed out from the open bathroom door. Lorcan’s cock hardened as he imagined Jayden naked. He stopped at the jamb to watch his mate’s outline moving behind the barrier that separated them. He argued the decision to walk in there and join him, but he knew Jayden would just push him away. Sure Jayden wanted him, but he might think the other man would do just as well. Lorcan refused to believe that. He was the only one for Jayden. He stood so long staring that he almost missed the fact that Jayden had turned off the tap and was getting out. He searched the room and then ducked into the closet. Now he felt like a common burglar or a pervert, but he couldn’t make himself leave. “What’s that?” Jayden muttered nearby. Lorcan tensed when he heard Jayden sniff. Too late he remembered that just like he could track down a person by scent, so could his lover. The same suppression he was doing with his shifting ability must be working with his sense of smell, but his scent this close was impossible to miss. He backed deeper into the closet behind rows of jackets and slacks hanging up and neatly piled boxes. The walk-in closet was well ordered, but then that was no surprise. That’s how Jayden was. He liked all things neat and tidy—and explainable. Jayden jerked the closet door open, and Lorcan thought the jig was up, but then Jayden didn’t come inside. He muttered something about stress getting to him and walked away. Lorcan stayed put until he heard the bed springs creek. He clenched his hands and tightened his jaw. The space in his slacks compacted at the front within seconds. Not until he picked up Jayden’s steady, soft breathing did he leave the closet. 21

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His lover lay across the bed on his back, naked except for boxers, with an arm slung over his eyes. Lorcan feasted his eyes on the muscular form, tanned and toned. Jayden’s chest rose and fell causing Lorcan to be mesmerized by his brown, flat nipples. He remembered teasing those with the tip of his tongue and hearing Jayden’s sharp intakes of breath. Jayden loved his nipples played with, and Lorcan had always been happy to comply. He moved closer to the bed thinking one touch would be enough, and then he would go before it became too much for him. For some reason, he glanced at the notepad at the side of Jayden’s bed, and all his anger came flooding back. He picked up the pad and read, “Dinner, eight; dancing, ten with Brian.” So that was his name. Lorcan frowned down at his sleeping mate and leaned in close to him. He closed his eyes and pushed with his mind. He couldn’t make Jayden do anything he didn’t want to, but because they were bonded, he could join him in his dreams and show him if not in the real world in the fantasy one just who he belonged to. **** Jayden stood in a massive room with floor to ceiling windows. They were recessed from the outside as if they were cut in stone. For some reason, he felt like he was in a castle, and it felt familiar. More so the bed did. The thing stretched wider and longer than any king size he’d ever seen. All the furniture was sturdy and masculine, cut more for endurance rather than style. Yet, still it was nice in a rich burgundy stain. Something stirred in him that he couldn’t put his finger on. He knew this place even though it felt foreign. The room felt like home, but that was impossible. He lived in a one-bedroom apartment in an okay neighborhood. The rent was reasonable. He turned from examining his surroundings when the latch on door clicked. Not a round doorknob, he noted, but more like an ornate handle that was pushed down to open the door. When the man came into view, 22

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Jayden forgot all about castles and knobs. His whole attention was on Lorcan. A light of anger danced in his pale eyes as he frowned at Jayden. “So you’ve forgotten who you are?” Lorcan demanded. Jayden was about to remind him he didn’t know who he was and why he couldn’t get it through his head, but the other man stalked across the room and shoved Jayden hard. He was surprised at the force of it. The blow was powerful, but he withstood it easily. He landed on his back supporting himself in a half sitting position with his elbows. Only then did he realize he was naked except for a towel wrapped around his waist. “I’m going to make you remember,” Lorcan ground out. He climbed on the bed between Jayden’s gapped legs. Jayden licked his lips and swallowed. “Don’t do this,” he pleaded, his voice no more than a croak. Lorcan rested a hand on his thigh. His skin burned under that single touch, and he struggled to catch a breath. “I don’t want this.” “No?” Lorcan slid his hand higher along Jayden’s leg. He squeezed lightly, pulling a breathy sigh from Jayden. Jayden closed his eyes, ordering himself to punch this guy, to give him a blow like he’d given him, but he couldn’t do it. One caress, his mind begged. One amazing stroke, and then he could free himself from this dream. Lorcan bent down and kissed his stomach. He circled Jayden’s navel once and then dipped into it. Jayden swore. He laid a hand on the guy’s shoulder, but he couldn’t bring himself to push. Instead, he tightened his hold, giving the tiniest of pulls. When he thought about what this would mean, going all the way with another man in his dreams, he realized even that much was the point of no return. He kicked at Lorcan and flipped to his hands and knees to scramble away. Lorcan caught his ankle and dragged him back. He flattened his big body over Jayden’s and ran a hand up his thigh while he kissed Jayden’s neck. Lorcan drew in a deep, shuddering breath. “You smell good fresh from the shower.” “Fuck you,” Jayden ground out.

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“No, fuck you,” Lorcan said and pushed his hard cock against Jayden’s ass. Liquid heat suffused Jayden’s body. He tried everything to resist what was happening to him. Lorcan refused to back off. He rose up a little so he could guide the tip of his cock over Jayden’s ass cheeks. “You’ve had this so many times, and you loved it. You used to beg for more even when we were both exhausted. Lorcan spread his cheeks and pushed his cock against Jayden’s anus. “Remember!” Jayden tore at the sheets. He struggled against his own desire and Lorcan holding him down. When his dream lover worked his way with kisses along his back until he reached his ass, Jayden shivered. He went limp when Lorcan licked his tight hole. “No,” Jayden whispered. “Yes,” Lorcan insisted. Jayden didn’t know where Lorcan got the lubricant, but all of a sudden he was working his greased fingers into Jayden. To his surprise, it didn’t hurt at all. Lorcan moaned and kissed his back while three fingers worked in and out of him, making him feel full, yet driving his pleasure higher. “See how easy you take my fingers?” Lorcan asked. “And you’ll take my cock just as smoothly.” “What if I don’t want this?” Jayden shouted, pounding at the softness under him with no effect. “Then push me away.” Lorcan sat up and straddled him. He continued to tease Jayden’s anus with his strokes. Every time he went in, he pressed against Jayden’s prostate. He knew what he was doing. He seemed like an old pro at it, knowing where to touch. Jayden’s cock was rock solid, and each time he squirmed trying to get away, it brushed the sheets. His sensitivity was so heightened soon he wouldn’t be able to hold his orgasm. Lorcan began working him faster. Jayden raised his hips and groaned. He reached back to take hold of Lorcan’s thick wrist. For a few minutes they were both pushing Lorcan’s digits into him. He gasped and struggled to get control. And then Lorcan stopped when he was on the edge of climax. Jayden felt like sobbing with both relief and disappointment. He didn’t have more than an instant to decide what he really felt because 24

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Lorcan greased him up more and then plunged his massive cock inside Jayden’s rear. Jayden cried out, not from pain but from ecstasy. He stretched around Lorcan to accommodate a man as well-endowed as he was, but it was like his body knew Lorcan, that he’d been there many times before. Aside from all that, it just felt so damn good. He didn’t protest when Lorcan grasped him around the waist and then pounded like an animal inside of him. Lorcan crushed him under his weight, forcing their bodies flat out on the bed. Lorcan only raised up enough for his cock to slide out of Jayden a couple inches before he came slamming down again. “You belong to me,” Lorcan growled in his ear. “Me alone!” His voice was rough and gravelly; a tone Jayden didn’t remember ever hearing before. Jayden thought he was angry and cold, but in an instant it changed, and Lorcan’s voice broke. “I can’t stand not being with you, Jayden. I love you. Remember! Please, remember.” Nostalgia washed over Jayden. He thought he heard a dragon’s roar in the distance. He was in another world, and yet he still felt so full of Lorcan, a sensation he never wanted to lose. His heart ached, but he was on the cusp of an explosive orgasm. He was one with the man on top of him. Their fingers laced together. Lorcan flattened against him, pushing him into the mattress. Their mouths met in a familiar and greedy kiss. A memory danced on the edge of his consciousness. “Lorcan,” he murmured against his lover’s mouth. He groaned, “I’m so close to coming. You always made me feel so good.” “Yes,” Lorcan cried out. And then banging from somewhere distracted him. The feeling of having Lorcan inside of him was gone. He felt alone. The banging continued. Jayden opened his eyes to find himself in his room. Someone knocked at the front door and called his name. Brian. Jayden sat up and looked around the room. The window was open, and the evening breeze unsettled the vertical blinds. He glanced down at

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himself. His cock was erect behind his boxers, and he frowned. “Stupid erotic dreams. When will they stop?” While he slipped on a pair of jogging pants he went to open the door. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember anything more about the dream other than he’d been having sex with Lorcan. He sighed. Maybe if things worked out with Brian, he could try having sex with him for the first time. Then the dreams would stop. If he was going to stay sane, they had to. “Damn,” Brian grumbled when he opened the door, “what took you so long?” “Sorry, I fell asleep after I got out of the shower.” Brian’s gaze dropped to his crotch like he could imagine the dreams Jayden must have had. “Well you’re late, dude. We said seven, didn’t we? You’re not even dressed.” Jayden ran a hand over his face. He felt like he needed another shower. “Just give me a minute. Won’t take long.” Brian slapped him on the ass as he turned away. “Hurry up. I’ve planned a fun night, and it’s not going to be like two buddies, so you better be ready. Make yourself pretty already.” Jayden frowned over his shoulder at him, but Brian only laughed. Jayden wasn’t looking forward to this at all. For some reason, all he wanted was to recapture that time with Lorcan. That’s not real. This is, and I’ve got to see it through. No matter what. He took another quick shower, and dressed for his first date with a man.

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Chapter Five Lorcan hadn’t intended to end right back where he was before—at a romantic restaurant staring across at Jayden on a date. The difference this time was that he made sure he had money from the human world to pay for his meal. He set himself up to be closer to Jayden so he could overhear their conversation and see how far this was going to go. “This has to be official,” Brian was saying. “We can’t just be two buddies hanging out.” Jayden nodded, but the way he raised his glass to his lips every few seconds let Lorcan know he was nervous. Lorcan figured he wasn’t actually drinking it. Jayden hated wine, and even when they went to nicer places such as this back home, he’d order a soft drink. Of course, that bastard ogling him wouldn’t know that. He’d ordered for the both of them, as if being on a date meant he needed to take the lead. “I think with the candle on the table, the low lights, and the soft music, this is definitely the right atmosphere,” Jayden commented. “But it still feels odd.” Brian leaned across the table and took Jayden’s hand. Jayden jerked away and knocked over his glass. A waiter rushed up to clean the mess amid Jayden’s hurried apologies. Lorcan couldn’t be happier with how things were going. “Sorry,” Jayden mumbled again. “Hey, don’t worry about it. I moved too fast,” Brian assured him. “I don’t understand why this whole thing doesn’t bother you. You don’t care that people are looking at us.” Brian shrugged. “Let them look. No matter what you do or what kind of lifestyle you live, there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t approve.” He tried taking Jayden’s hand again, and this time he didn’t pull away. Lorcan gritted his teeth and shredded his napkin in his hands. Of course, he shouldn’t have been able to given that it was cloth. He stuffed the strips in his pocket.

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Brian brought Jayden’s hand to his lips and kissed it. Lorcan bit down on a growl of rage. He couldn’t shift here, and his attempt earlier to get rid of Brian had failed. For the time being, all he could hope for was that Jayden wasn’t being pulled in by this human. He could offer nothing that Lorcan did. Lorcan was so wrapped up in his internal rant that he almost missed Brian’s next words. “So tell me a little about yourself. We always talk about my love life and your lack of one. And we’ve discussed how in that accident ten years ago, you got amnesia. Have you recalled anything, like before that? Family?” Lorcan’s heart pounded in his chest. He leaned forward hopeful. But then again, if Jayden remembered his past and what he was, he wouldn’t tell Brian. Maybe they would discuss the accident itself. That could give Lorcan a clue as to why his mind hadn’t healed. Jayden shook his head. “No, nothing. Some people helped me, gave me a place to stay and found me a job, and when I made enough money, I hired a PI to look into my background, but he found nothing. He said it was like before the accident I never existed in the world.” Lorcan winced, knowing that was true. He hadn’t existed here. He and Jayden had talked of visiting the human world together some day, but they never had. They’d been content with their lives except for arguments. Making up after a fight had been an unbelievable thrill. All they knew of the humans was learned from their research of this world in preparation of one day coming. Of course, he was glad to see that most things were pretty much the same. The one major difference was where their skies held planes and helicopters, in Lorcan’s world, the skies were filled with dragons. He closed his eyes, missing home, and missing Jayden more. Jayden, I love you so much. He hadn’t meant to push the thought and didn’t know he had until his lover dropped his fork on his plate. Lorcan glanced over to him and caught the arrested expression on his face. He scanned the restaurant, and Lorcan ducked his head with a hand blocking his face.

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A sudden pain arrowed through Lorcan’s head making him wince. He gasped, surprised at the feeling since he was never sick and didn’t suffer from headaches. “Are you okay, sir?” a waiter asked. Lorcan forced a smile. “I’m fine.” By the time he convinced the man to leave him the hell alone, he realized Jayden and Brian had settled their bill and left. Lorcan yanked a few bills from his pocket and tossed them on the table. He hurried outside, but there was no sign of the two men. He recalled Brian had driven, so he went back to the alley he’d used to land there and took to the sky. Jayden’s scent was easily traced to a nightclub. The cool air and the freedom of flying cleared his head. He landed on a rooftop, dropped to the ground, and put his shirt and jacket back on. When he entered the dark interior of the club, he paused only a few seconds to locate Jayden. He and Brian stood at the bar drinking beers. Brian leaned over to say something in Jayden’s ear. His hand rested at Jayden’s lower back. Lorcan tried filtering out the music and the other voices to zone in on what Brian was saying, but he couldn’t get his own mind to settle enough to concentrate. While he watched with narrowed eyes and pinched lips, Jayden drained the last of his beer in a few swallows and followed Brian to the dance floor. “Buy me a drink, baby?” a woman said dancing up to him with her hands raised and body gyrating in a way that must be appealing to the other men. Lorcan wasn’t tempted in the least. “No,” he said. She blinked at him as if surprised to get that response, but he moved past her and made his way through the crowd. He waited at the side of the dance floor, scowling and silent, hating every time Brian felt free enough to touch Jayden. They stood close, chests just touching. The music was fast, but they didn’t attempt to keep up with its beat. Brian’s eyes never left Jayden’s flushed face. From their conversation before, Lorcan had drawn the conclusion that this was a test between them, to see if they were into men. Yet, Brian’s 29

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obsessed expression told him the man wanted Jayden almost as much as Lorcan. His mate was so gullible, if Lorcan didn’t put a stop to it, they’d wind up in bed before the night was over. He couldn’t have that. Lorcan weaved his way through the wiggling bodies until he drew up behind Brian. He put a hand up to tap him on the shoulder, but he chose that moment to do some ridiculous dance move. The shift let him see Lorcan standing behind him, and he stopped. The animosity rolling off the man in waves pissed Lorcan off, but he felt the same way. “May I cut in?” he asked, using the terminology he’d seen a man use in a human made film. Jayden’s eyes widened, and he stood still. Lorcan half expected him to deny him, but he nodded. Brian opened his mouth to speak, but Jayden squeezed his shoulder. “It’s fine. Don’t worry.” Brian backed off, and just as the fast music changed to something more sensual, Lorcan took Jayden in his arms. His heartbeat, which always raced when he touched his lover, felt like it wanted to jump from his chest. Holding Jayden close felt right. He belonged there. Lorcan moved in closer so their bodies just touched. He thought Jayden would push away, and he didn’t think he could stand it if he did, but Jayden stayed where he was. To Lorcan’s pleasure, he even raised his arms and wrapped them around Lorcan’s neck. They were face-to-face, staring into each other’s eyes. Together they swayed to the music. Lorcan’s cock was so hard, he knew Jayden must feel it, but he didn’t react. “This feels…” Jayden began and then seemed to change his mind. “Who are you?” The question hurt, but Lorcan smiled. “You asked me that before.” “I mean not that mumbo jumbo about being my mate some dragon shifter nonsense. Really who are you? Do you have any family?” Lorcan got excited. Maybe if he told Jayden more about himself, something in that might jog his memory. He had to be careful not to reveal too much about their world and put Jayden off. At least for now he was willing to listen. “I have ten brothers and sisters. My parents came from a

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time when having a lot of kids was expected or whatever. I guess that’s universal.” He stopped, realizing he shouldn’t have said that last part. Jayden smiled and touched his cheek. A shudder went through him. Right now, there was only the two of them, and Lorcan didn’t know when this opportunity would come again. “We’re very close, my family and I, but sometimes I still felt alone. When I was sixteen, I used to go out on a hill near my home and sit for hours. Under me, the grass was always greener than any other spot, the sky bluer. Probably after a month of doing that another boy came along. I hadn’t seen him before, and he told me he’d just moved into the area. He was a rarity among our kind…I mean the people in our neighborhood. Everyone had big families. He did not. He was an only child.” Truth was that boy was Jayden, and that day was the first time they met. A year later, they’d been intimate together for the first time, and hadn’t been apart since. Jayden was special, so rare and beautiful. Every man and woman wanted him, Lorcan remembered. Maybe it was because there weren’t a bunch of look-alikes running around in the form of brothers and sisters. Maybe it was because of his blond hair and pale blue eyes. Of course there were other dragon shifters of his coloring, but they didn’t live in the area that Lorcan had come up in. That made him a gem, a prize. But he’d chosen Lorcan to be his lover. “I hear sadness in your voice when you talk about your friend,” Jayden said. “Did you two lose touch?” Lorcan nodded. Jayden stroked the back of his head leaving his fingers in Lorcan’s hair in just that way he used to do whenever Lorcan was angry about something. Lorcan gasped and looked up at Jayden, but there was no light of remembrance in his eyes. Lorcan lowered his gaze to Jayden’s lips, and he wanted so badly to kiss him. But if he did, that might run him off. He couldn’t take that chance. Just being here with him after so long felt good. The music flowed 31

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over them as they moved, and Lorcan melted even more when Jayden drew him nearer, his hands roving over Lorcan’s arms until he reached Lorcan’s waist. He raised his hands higher and took Lorcan closer. Their bodies were crushed together, Jayden’s fingers burning his back now. “I don’t know what it is about you,” Jayden admitted. “I want you. I can’t help it. From the first moment I saw you in that store, my dick was so hard. That scares the shit out of me. Why you? Why not Brian at least? I know him.” Lorcan opened his mouth to tell him when pain shot through his head. He braced himself against it, but he couldn’t hide his discomfort from Jayden. “Lorcan, what’s wrong?” he asked, worry etching his deep tone. “You’re never ill.” Lorcan gasped. When he looked at Jayden, his face held only concern. He couldn’t have realized what he’d just said. If he truly didn’t know Lorcan, then how could he know that Lorcan was never ill? He was about to point out this fact, but Brian walked up and laid a hand on Jayden’s shoulder. “Hey, my turn now. Go get your own date.” His comment to Lorcan may have been meant to sound offhand, but again Lorcan felt the animosity. The pain receded from his head as fast as it had come. He stepped back. Was this a side effect to their bond ending soon? He didn’t think so. He’d never heard of such a thing, but this was their first ten years, and he was the first to admit he’d never paid attention to anyone else’s relationship. And why should he when his heart had been consumed with Jayden. “Lorcan, are you okay?” Jayden asked again, but he let Brian lay a possessive hand around his waist. Lorcan felt ill for a whole other reason. “I’m fine. Thanks.” He considered sending Brian crashing into a wall but felt this wasn’t the time or place. He had an in now. If he stayed calm, Jayden was likely to date him as well, and with their closeness, he would win without a doubt. “I’ll call you. K?” As he turned away, Lorcan had the satisfaction of seeing the disappointment in Jayden’s eyes that he was leaving. While every fiber of 32

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his being cried out to be with his lover, he grinned knowing it wouldn’t be long.

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Chapter Six Jayden stood in front of his bathroom mirror slapping on aftershave lotion. He couldn’t get Lorcan out of his mind. He knew he’d told Brian that they would take this thing slowly and that over a series of thirty days, they would date and see where things led. But the truth was, he wanted to have sex with Lorcan. While he thought about it a tent grew in the towel he’d wrapped around his waist after his shower. Yeah, he wanted him all right. Last night after Lorcan left, Brian moved in on him, touching him. They’d found a small area in a corner, and just to see how it went, he let Brian stroke his cock through his jeans. He’d gotten hard, but it wasn’t the same. He already knew a single touch from Lorcan would have had him exploding in his boxers. Maybe he was gay. Maybe he was bi like Brian. He didn’t know. This morning when he woke up, all he could think about was how soon he could get to Lorcan. As his friend, he’d shared everything with Brian over the past couple of years. Before he made any moves, they talked it over. To his disgust, he realized he’d leaned too much on his buddy. He and Brian had a date tonight to see a play after dinner. But this morning, if he could track down Lorcan, he wanted to give sex with him a try. That time in his dreams had been scorching hot. If real life was half as good, he’d be satisfied. He’d thought his first time she be with his friend, but Lorcan wouldn’t get out of his head. And he wasn’t going to tell Brian about it. Not this time. Maybe afterward. Jayden smiled at his reflection and then went to get dressed. He had no idea where to find Lorcan. Every time they met, Lorcan had tracked him down, but for some reason, he was sure he’d come across him. Dressed in lightweight slacks and a T-shirt, he left his apartment and began walking down the street. Something told him he headed in the wrong direction, and he swung around and walked north instead.

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Twenty minutes later, he stood in front of a hotel. A doorman whistled for a taxi and helped a woman inside of it. He greeted others and opened the front door to the hotel for other visitors. Jayden stopped and looked around. Surely, Lorcan didn’t live here? If only he knew the man’s last name, he could have looked him up in the phone book. “Jayden.” He startled and spun around. Lorcan strolled up, and Jayden breathed a sigh of relief. “Hey,” he responded and then felt tongue-tied to explain what he wanted. Lorcan looked good, his muscular form fitted into jeans and a buttoned shirt. His dark hair was wet as if straight from a shower, and Jayden grew tight thinking of the other man wet and naked. While he stood there saying nothing, Lorcan’s gaze dipped from his face to his crotch. He expected a look of amusement or a smug expression, but Lorcan’s eyes reflected the same desire Jayden felt. “It’s good to see you,” Lorcan said. Jayden felt like he was holding back so he wouldn’t scare him. He appreciated the consideration. “You too,” Jayden commented. He searched his mind for a way into saying, “let’s fuck” without being crude or putting Lorcan off. In the end, Lorcan settled it. He moved ahead of Jayden toward the hotel steps and held his hand out to Jayden. “Wanna come inside to my room?” Jayden’s eyes widened. “To your room? You live here?” “Temporarily,” Lorcan admitted. “I’m new to the area and hadn’t planned on staying long.” For some reason that got to Jayden. He didn’t want Lorcan going far. Then again, the fact that Lorcan wasn’t going to be around long might be a good thing. He wouldn’t have to deal with awkwardness if they had sex and things didn’t go well. He’d never have to see him again when he left. Still, the ache that knowledge brought confused him. Jayden took his hand, and they naturally fell into a twined fingers hold climbing the few steps to the door. Before the doorman could make it to them, Lorcan opened the door and stepped aside for Jayden to enter. They 35

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were like young lovers discovering their sexuality and each other for the first time. Across the elevator they faced each other as on each floor people stepped between them. Jayden couldn’t help himself. He wanted to be nearer to Lorcan. He made his way around the walls of the elevator to find Lorcan had the same idea. They met at the rear of the small crowd of people. With everyone’s backs to them, Lorcan reached out and brushed Jayden’s pants front with the back of his hand. Jayden’s cock twitched. They shared a secret smile. Jayden swallowed and did the same to Lorcan. He almost lost it. Lorcan was rock hard, and he could tell he was big even with that small touch. Hunger took hold of Jayden. Gay or not, he wanted to lick this man from head to toe. Throwing out all caution, he leaned over and whispered in Lorcan’s ear, “I bet you taste so good.” Lorcan sucked in a noisy breath and gripped the handrails like a vise. He took long moments to calm himself and just as the doors dinged open, said, “Not as good as you.” Jayden was done waiting. He locked hands with Lorcan, and they hurried out of the elevator and down the hall. While Lorcan unlocked the door, Jayden moved up close to him and nuzzled his neck. Wanting another feel of his massive cock, he reached around Lorcan and stroked it. Lorcan groaned and sank against the door. “If you do that I won’t be able to get in the room,” Lorcan said. Jayden smiled. “So we’re going to do it out here?” Lorcan looked back at him. “This isn’t just a visit.” “I think we’re past that. I came to get what I’ve been lusting over in my dreams. I want to see if you’re as good in real life.” He pulled at Lorcan until he faced him, and Jayden lined his body with Lorcan’s. Feeling their cocks pressed together this way sent him into overdrive. Even though he was still scared, he couldn’t change his mind now if he wanted to. “I want you to fuck me,” he murmured against Lorcan’s lips. “Hard and rough like you did in my dream.”

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Only after he’d said it did he realize Lorcan probably didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. But “hard” and “rough” must have tipped him off because Lorcan’s eyes almost glowed with his excitement. His grin widened, and he fumbled the door open. While he backed into the room, he didn’t take away the arm he’d wrapped around Jayden’s waist. Their tongues twirled together, lips caressing as they moved farther into the room. Behind him, Jayden heard the door shut, but he paid it no mind. His attention was consumed with Lorcan. In the center of the room, Lorcan stopped and leaned away to pull Jayden’s shirt over his head. Jayden scrambled out of it as quickly as he could. His slacks followed with Lorcan’s help. When Lorcan got to his boxers, he paused to stare down at the rise in front of Jayden. Lorcan moaned and licked his lips. In slow motion, he pulled the boxers down until Jayden’s cock popped free, standing erect and leaning out a little from his body. “I’d forgotten how big you are,” Lorcan said. Jayden frowned at him in confusion. Lorcan startled and then smiled. “We’ve been lovers in our dreams, right?” Jayden laughed. “Yes, we were. Come on. Take your clothes off so I can see you.” “Your wish is my command.” Lorcan retreated a few steps and then began unbuttoning his shirt. Jayden stared without shame. His temperature seemed to rise just looking at each inch of Lorcan’s broad chest coming into view. The man was solid muscle, well developed. Any man or woman would want him, and Jayden was about to have it all. Lorcan couldn’t take his pants off fast enough for Jayden. He panted in anticipation, greedy for sight of his dick. Would it be as big and hard as it had been in his dreams? Would all his fear come flooding back just looking at it? He didn’t realize at first that he took a step closer to Lorcan when he began lowering his zipper. Unlike Jayden, he wore nothing under his jeans.

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“Damn!” Jayden swore and dropped to his knees without thinking. Before he knew what he was going to do, he took the wide rod in his hands and stuffed the thick tip between his lips. A groan tore from his throat. Still not considering if what he did was what he was supposed to, he reached around and grabbed Lorcan’s firm ass cheeks. He drove his cock deep into his mouth until it hit the back of his throat. “Ah, Jay!” Lorcan exclaimed. “You’re going to make me come.” Jayden pulled back and then took him in again. The flavor was incredible. The texture inflamed his desire. He stuck his tongue out and ran the tip along the fat vein that ran the length of Lorcan’s dick. When he drew back, he stared in amazement, but he didn’t stop squeezing Lorcan. “It’s good. I never imagined…” “Suck it,” Lorcan begged. “Take it all, Jayden.” Jayden did as he was told. He didn’t know it, but he could take every inch of Lorcan into his mouth. He relaxed automatically as if he’d spent many sessions taking Lorcan deep down his throat. He drove Lorcan forward to push in more of him. He couldn’t get enough of this man. He wanted to devour every inch of Lorcan and never stop. When he pulled back, he took Lorcan’s hand and tugged him to the floor. Lorcan didn’t fight him when he pushed him to lie back. Jayden explored his body, licking and kissing. He stuck his tongue inside Lorcan’s navel and laved his abs before making his way down to his balls. First he sucked on one and then the other. All the while Lorcan groaned his name and shivered under him. Jayden licked Lorcan’s muscular thighs and squeezed them just to feel the strength under his palms. How he’d ever considered the softness of woman could be this good, he didn’t know. He felt like a man starving. “I can’t get enough. I’m going insane,” he murmured between nips at the warm, smooth skin. “Don’t get enough,” Lorcan encouraged him. “Take all of me. I belong to you.”

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Jayden took him at his word. He climbed Lorcan’s body and teased his nipples first with his fingers and then with his tongue. He nipped the flat peaks, and Lorcan cried out. Jayden drew back with a gasp. “Did I hurt you?” “No, it feels good. Do whatever you want with me. Just promise I can have my turn after.” Jayden’s heart pounded in his chest. He nodded. “I promise.” He began working back down Lorcan’s body, along his thighs, kissing and biting on the flesh. He pushed one of Lorcan’s legs up. His mouth watered at the sight of Lorcan’s tight asshole. He swallowed, all his nervousness coming back, but it didn’t deter him from reaching out and stroking a circle around the rim. Lorcan jerked. His back arched up off the floor, and Jayden met his eyes. “You like it?” Jayden asked in awe of his reaction. “I love it.” Jayden bent forward and licked the hole. Lorcan shouted his name. He licked again and put pressure on the opening without penetrating it. He licked and licked until Loran pleaded for mercy. When he was done teasing Lorcan he sat up and straddled the bigger man. Jayden had always liked his own build. Even working out minimally in the gym, his muscles had swelled and stayed hard. His abs were ripped. Brian had told him it was in the genes, but he’d noticed his friend had the same good genes. With all that, Lorcan was bigger than him. His chest was wider, his abs tighter, and his cock, that amazing cock he couldn’t stop staring at, was thicker and longer than his own. He moved up Lorcan’s body a little and let his ass rest on Lorcan’s dick. Wiggling his hips a little made Lorcan grunt with pleasure. “You know how to get to me,” Lorcan commented. Jayden shook his head. “No, this is my first time, remember? I don’t know what it is, but this with you is natural. All I know is what I like and touching you, tasting you, and even riding you feels so good. Do you even know how beautiful your body is?” Lorcan chuckled. “Look who’s talking.” 39

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Jayden leaned down and kissed his chest. He nuzzled up until he met Lorcan’s chin. Their breath warmed each other, and if he thought that this point Lorcan wouldn’t kiss him, he was wrong. Their tongues met and intertwined. Jayden rocked against him with his eyes closed. He felt so close to the edge, but he wanted to hold on. He craved to be filled but hesitated. “I want to come, but…” He let the words trail off wishing the nervousness would just go away for good and he could lose himself in fucking this man. “In other words,” Lorcan said, running his fingers through Jayden’s hair, “you’re not going to do it on your own. I have to make you, hmm?” Jayden shivered. A flashback of his dream came to mind, of Lorcan declaring he belonged to him and then taking what he wanted. Between them, Jayden’s dick pulsed. That was exactly what he wanted. He always considered himself a strong man, but somehow he realized the way he fell into step with what Brian suggested and how he waited now for Lorcan, he was made to have a stronger man dominate him. The knowledge alone brought him close to an orgasm. He echoed his plea from earlier. “Fuck me, Lorcan. You know how much I need you inside me.” “Yes, I know.” Lorcan rose up, taking Jayden with him. They walked over to the bed, and Jayden rubbed at his stomach as if it could undo the knots there. He expected Lorcan to see his fear and soothe him, but the set to Lorcan’s jaw was firm. “Bend over on the edge of the bed.” “Just like that? I mean shouldn’t we—” A stinging slap to his ass shut him up. He gasped and gritted his teeth. Part of him wanted to lash back at Lorcan, but the other part liked the discipline. He did as he was told and climbed up on the bed. While he watched with his ass in the air—something that wasn’t as weird as he thought it would be—Lorcan pulled a condom and a small tube from a drawer. He fitted the condom over his cock and then greased his fingers. When he pushed one against Jayden’s hole, he gasped and closed his eyes. He moaned as Lorcan worked him, pushing the single digit in and 40

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sliding it out slowly. He advanced and retreated until Jayden couldn’t stand it. “More, Lorcan, give me another finger. Pump it in me.” “Mm, you learn fast to let go and trust me, don’t you, Jayden?” He leaned in and kissed Jayden’s back. While he continued to run his tongue over Jayden’s hot skin, he pushed three fingers in. Jayden felt the stretch. He ached a little but nothing like he expected. The pleasure was incredible. He began to buck and arch his hips. He reached back and took hold of Lorcan’s wrist, forcing him in up to his knuckles. “Fuller!” Jayden pleaded. Lorcan smacked his ass and then stroked it. “You want my dick inside you?” “Yes, yes, now.” Lorcan moved closer and ran his cock head over Jayden’s opening. Jayden scratched at the sheets. He heard them tear, but he paid it no mind. He wanted to be stuffed full of Lorcan, and waiting wasn’t an option. “Who do you belong to?” Lorcan demanded. Jayden gritted his teeth. He didn’t answer, and then he couldn’t when Lorcan pushed the head of his cock into him. His thighs shook, and his arms threatened to give out, but Lorcan pulled back. Jayden growled. “Fuck, don’t tease me.” “I said,” Lorcan enunciated in clear tones, “who do you belong to? Tell me now, or you’ll get nothing. I will suck your dick until you’re about to come and then leave you wanting.” Jayden panted. Just hearing Lorcan promise to suck his shaft set him on fire. But to make him reach the edge was cruel. Some distant memory flashed through his mind, but he couldn’t pin it down. “You always…you like teasing me. Damn it, Lorcan, you know that drives me crazy.” Rather than answer, Lorcan pushed his head in again. The thick cap popped past Jayden’s hole, stretching him, filling him but not giving him all he needed. He knew the location of his prostate, that wonderful spot that would have his come shooting out in seconds. Lorcan knew it too, and he avoided it on purpose. He wondered how he knew Lorcan was aware of every aspect of his body, but he let the mystery go for now. 41

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His lover pushed in a third time and pulled out. Jayden cried out. “I’m yours, I’m yours, Lorcan. All yours!” Lorcan’s cock slammed forward, every inch piercing Jayden’s ass until he was full. His lover’s hands gripped his hips in a cruel hold and pounded into him. Their bodies slapped together, Lorcan’s balls tapping him each time he drove deep. Jayden shouted his pleasure. He called out Lorcan’s name and told him over and over he was his. Lorcan moaned, whispering, “Yes, yes, baby, yes. You’re mine, all mine.” Jayden thought he’d added the word “dragon” to the end of that chant, but he couldn’t be sure. All he did know was he was going to come. His balls drew high, his cock twitched. He reached down to stroke and squeeze it in time with Lorcan’s thrusts. Just when he was on the edge about to fall, Lorcan pushed him forward so he flattened on the bed. His cock was jammed high into Jayden, but he didn’t stop pumping. Their bodies were tight together, Lorcan on top of him. Lorcan reached under Jayden and replaced his hand on his shaft. Jayden clutched the sheets gasping for breath. Now Lorcan was both pumping into his ass and stroking his cock for him. The sensations were coming from front and back, and nothing had felt so good in his life—or so right. He couldn’t hold on anymore. Jayden let go, and his come filled Lorcan’s hand and spilled onto the sheets under them. Seconds after, Lorcan growled, and Jayden knew he’d come as well. They lay unmoving trying to catch their breath. After a while, Lorcan pulled out of him and stood up. Through slitted eyes, Jayden watched him discard the condom, and then he lay on the bed again. He stroked Jayden’s face and pulled him into his arms. Jayden snuggled close. This was amazing. He was cuddling with a man, and it wasn’t weird or disgusting. “Hey,” he said on a yawn. “Hm?” Lorcan answered, sounding just as worn out. “So, I think I’m gay.” They both burst out laughing. Lorcan kissed him. “Yeah, I think I am too.” 42

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Chapter Seven Jayden woke up to a dark room. He would have concentrated on remembering where he was and what he was doing there, except it was abundantly clear by the fact that someone was sucking his cock. One of his legs was thrown up over the man’s shoulder while he worked Jayden. The grunts and other sounds of his mouth as he licked and sucked drove Jayden’s lust higher. He was hard and ready. He raised his hips to meet the hungry mouth each time it descended. And his shouts of need rivaled his lover’s. The man didn’t let up until Jayden exploded and emptied every drop of his hot seed into the guy’s mouth. From the sounds and the moans, Jayden knew he’d drunk it down. Only then did he let Jayden free and climbed up to lay on top of him. “I guess I should have waited until you woke up, but I couldn’t help myself,” Lorcan whispered. Jayden chuckled. “I’m glad you couldn’t. That was a great way to wake up.” He lay content under Lorcan, feeling no need to be anywhere but where he was for the moment. As his mind cleared of fog, he remembered everything they’d done over a few hours before they fell asleep. The sex had been nuclear. And he’d put all that off for fear? He was an idiot. “It’s so dark. What time is it?” The moment the words left his mouth, his cell phone rang, and he recalled the date with Brian. “Oh hell,” he muttered as he rolled Lorcan off him and leaned across the other man’s body to reach for his pants on the floor. He located them and dug his cell out. The call was from Brian all right. “Hello?” “Hey, buddy, you’re late. Didn’t get cold feet, did you?” Brian teased. Lorcan reached over to the side of the bed and clicked a lamp on. Jayden looked down at himself sprawled on top of Lorcan. Their legs were tangled together, their cocks mashed against each other. Lorcan had folded his arms behind his head completely relaxed with the situation. Jayden considered pulling himself up, showering and dressing, then leaving this 43

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man behind to go on a date with Brian. That just wasn’t happening. Even if every muscle in his body was tight and sore, he’d fuck Lorcan’s brains out again. At the very least he wanted to return the favor of a blowjob. He couldn’t wait to suck him and drink his hot come. He grew hard just thinking about it. “Uh, no,” he said at last, “look I’m sorry. I’m not going to make it. There’s someone else.” “What?” Brian’s voice filled with rage, and Jayden frowned in confusion. They weren’t that serious. “Where are you, Jayden? Tell me now.” “Dude, calm down. I’ll call you later.” Jayden hung up and dropped the phone on the floor. He straightened himself on top of Lorcan and kissed his lips. “Where were we?” “Right here.” Lorcan wrapped his arms around Jayden’s waist and held him tight. They snaked their tongues into each other’s mouths while they moved in a slow grind. For a long while, the only sounds in the room came from their low moans and their greedy kisses. Jayden pulled Lorcan’s arms from around him and raised them above his head. He linked his fingers with Lorcan’s and kissed along his jaw line to his throat and neck. Lorcan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as Jayden teased it with the tip of his tongue. “I love you, Lorcan. I don’t understand why or how. I feel like I know you. From the first minute you pushed into me, I felt like I belonged to you. Don’t let that scare you off. I don’t know how else to explain it. Maybe I’m too new at this.” “You don’t have to worry about me getting scared off. I’m right there with you. I love you too, but I know why.” Jayden leaned up and stared down at him. He felt knots in his stomach again, but this time he wasn’t going to pull away. He wanted Lorcan even if he was crazy as a loon and started that dragon stuff again. “Hear me out, okay?” He moved as if he wanted to sit up, and Jayden climbed off him with reluctance. Still as Lorcan repositioned himself, Jayden took in his

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powerful build. He’d like to spend a long time staring at Lorcan’s naked body, but he should focus on the topic at hand. “Okay, go ahead,” Jayden encouraged him. “I’m going to keep it simple. You and I are married. We had a huge argument, and you walked out. You’ve been gone for ten years. Or ten in a few days.” He hesitated. Jayden stared at him. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and yet it sounded right. He didn’t have a memory of his past beyond ten years ago, and there’d been the accident. He ran a hand through his hair. He stood up and paced the floor. “I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but do you have any proof? Like a picture of us together?” Lorcan left the bed and searched through the bag he had sitting on a chair. He retrieved a small envelope and handed it to Jayden. Jayden opened it and took out the picture. The scene showed Lorcan and Jayden embracing on what looked like a mountaintop. While he didn’t remember it, it did feel familiar. He stroked his thumb across Lorcan’s face and then set the photo aside. Inside the envelope was another item, a dragon’s scale. Jayden’s eyes widened. “This is…” His throat dried. He swallowed over and over. Lorcan got him a glass of water, and he took a sip before walking over to the balcony. He was about to step out, but Lorcan laid a hand on his shoulder. “Might want to slip something on,” Lorcan suggested. They both cleaned up and then slipped into a pair of jeans. While Lorcan called room service for something to eat, Jayden stepped out on the balcony to get some fresh air. He remembered everything now, from the argument to leaving to coming to the human world, and even the shipwreck after arriving here. All that time, he didn’t remember, but how had Lorcan suffered knowing he was gone? Then again, just as easily as Lorcan found him, he could have done so a lot sooner than ten years. Lorcan joined him on the balcony and handed him a drink. Jayden drank some and watched through the open door as Lorcan made him a plate of food and brought it out as well. Jayden took a few bites and set it aside. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I remember everything.” 45

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“Everything? You mean…” “Yes.” Lorcan walked over to him, and they embraced before Jayden pulled away. “I don’t know how I suppressed my ability to shift all this time. I admit the skies called to me on a daily basis, but I attributed it to wanting to get away from the rat race.” Jayden gripped the rails in front of him. Even now his wings itched to come out. They’d been folded away for too long, but he needed to straighten things out with Lorcan. Everything Lorcan had told him was the truth. “Our bonding ends in a few days. Is that why you came? You didn’t bother before that.” “Don’t be stupid,” Lorcan barked. “I love you. That will always be true, whether you are bonded to me or someone else.” Jayden sighed. “Why didn’t you come?” “Because I wanted you to be happy.” Lorcan walked over to him and pushed a hard thigh between Jayden’s legs. Jayden leaned against the wall. His cock stiffened, taking up all extra space in his pants. They needed to talk, but all he wanted was for Lorcan to fuck him. The desire he felt was reflected in his mate’s eyes. “We argued about everything back then. I admit I was selfish and wanted it my way or nothing. The only time we weren’t yelling was when we were making love. When you left…” Jayden’s heart cracked when he heard the break in Lorcan’s voice, but Lorcan’s eyes were dry. He tightened his jaw and seemed to wait for the emotions to pass so he could speak again. Jayden turned his lips into Lorcan’s palms when he caressed his face. “I wanted to let you do what you wanted. All the time, I expected you to come walking back any time. I threw myself into work.” Jayden grinned. “You work?” Lorcan chuckled a little and then grew serious again. “Yeah, I moved out of my father’s castle into a place of my own. I make decent money, although I suspect I’m paid more because of who my father is. That was one of our arguments, remember? That I depended on him too much? You hated living in the castle.”

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Jayden nodded. “Yeah. Living directly under your father’s thumb was not my choice for my life. I can’t believe you’re on your own now.” “I’d do that and more if it means being with you, Jayden.” He kissed him, and Jayden parted his lips to taste Lorcan’s tongue. Lorcan unbuttoned his slacks, lowered the zipper, and pushed his hand into Jayden’s pants. Jayden closed his eyes gasping for breath. He’d suffered a long time without this. Lorcan wrapped his fingers around Jayden’s cock and began stroking it, tugging gently, but Jayden stopped him. “If you don’t stop, we’re not going to finish talking it out.” Lorcan panted backing off. “You’re right. I just want to eat you up, taste you over and over until I can’t move. Listen, if you’ll accept me, Jayden, and you want to live here, I’ll stay. I’ll do whatever you want.” “That’s not what I want.” The pain that flashed in Lorcan’s eyes tore at Jayden. He rushed to reassure him. Jayden held him close and kissed his mouth. Moments passed when all they did was hold each other and kiss. At last Jayden moved back. “We gotta do this fast because I’m going to lose it if we’re not in that bed soon.” “Agreed,” Lorcan muttered. “So what did you mean? Your body tells me one thing, but your words tell me another.” Jayden shook his head. “It’s not that. I want you. Make no mistake about it. I know who I am and what I am. I’m a man who loves only one dragon. You. I’m not going to give you up again, but I don’t want you to decide that you’ll do whatever I want. I want us to work out everything and come to a decision we’re both good with.” Lorcan grinned. “I can accept that.” Then he frowned. “There’s one thing. Why did you forget everything in the first place? A car wreck should not have damaged your mind, and even if it did, you would have healed within a few hours, if not days.” “I can answer that.” They both whirled at the voice, and Jayden gasped when he saw Brian standing there. Now that his memory was back, he knew how to access all 47

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of his senses, and one was telling him something he wouldn’t have believed in a thousand years. Brian, his best friend who he’d met in the human world was also a dragon shifter.

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Chapter Eight “You want to explain to me why you kept what you are a secret from me all this time?” Jayden demanded as he approached Brian. He was a little taken aback by the open lust Brian directed at him, and he stopped several feet away from the man. Lorcan came up behind Jayden and moved in front of him as if in protection. “Yeah, explain yourself, because I never once sensed you as one of us this whole time.” Brian sneered. “And why should you? Both of you are little more than hatchlings. But that doesn’t change the fact that I want Jayden. I want to bond with him, and in a few days, I’m going to do just that. He will belong to me and not you.” “Over my dead body,” Lorcan spat. “That can be arranged,” Brian countered. “Just like I suppressed Jayden’s memory of you and his life in our world, I can do it again. I can wipe you out of every thought and replace you with myself. And when we are bonded, even that won’t matter. You and I both know that Jayden will love me. He will be devoted to me and me alone after we perform the ritual.” “You wiped his memory? How?” Lorcan demanded. He stormed over to Brian and grabbed him by the shirtfront and slammed him against the wall. “Tell me.” Brian laughed unfazed. “The same way I did this.” He spoke a single word and had Lorcan crumpled on the floor biting off a groan of pain while holding his head. “Stop it,” Jayden shouted. He launched himself at Brian and drove a fist into his jaw. Brian fell sideways, and when he scrambled to his feet, he spit out blood. His eyes narrowed on Jayden. “I’ll forgive you for that because when we’re bonded I’ll make sure you make up for it with your body—over and over again.” Nausea rose in Jayden. How he could have thought of this man as a friend he didn’t know, not to mention considering him for his first experience at sex with a man. Now that he’d gotten his memory back, he 49

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knew he was no virgin. He and Lorcan had had a healthy sex life, and he intended for it to continue that way for as long as they both lived. Jayden went at Brian again and tackled him and sent them both crashing through the half open balcony door, back into the room. Glass shattered everywhere. Jayden got two good slugs in before Brian flipped their positions and pinned his shoulders down. Jayden winced at the slices in his bare back from the broken glass. “S-Stop,” Lorcan called. “You’re hurting him.” Brian sucked his teeth. “Minor injuries. He’ll heal without a scar.” Jayden kneed him in the nuts and flipped him off of him. “That’s the difference between you and Lorcan. Any little injury to me hurts him. You only lust over me. You and I will never be mated.” Brian came at him again and knocked Jayden into the wall. Jayden tried fighting back, but he couldn’t believe Brian’s strength. The man had definitely been suppressing what he was. All of them knew the older a dragon shifter, the more powerful. But they lived by a code that all respected. “Nothing’s going to keep me from what I want.” Brian curled clawed fingers around Jayden’s slacks and tore a small gap in the material at the waistband. Jayden shoved hard at him until his muscles burned, but he could not get any leeway. “I watched you when you moved into our area. So fresh and handsome. That pale hair and blue eyes. When you changed and flew, it took my breath away. I knew I would have you.” Brian leaned in and licked Jayden’s neck. Jayden pushed at his chest. He tried to knee him again, but this time Brian had his legs firmly held into place. Even through his clothes, Jayden felt Brian’s erection, and it disgusted him. No one but Lorcan could turn him on. He knew that now. Brian seemed to sense his thoughts. “Oh don’t worry. When we bond, you’ll want me. You’ll never refuse me entrance into your bed.” He laughed, a maniacal sound that held rage as well. “I used to hope that since you were no one special and your family had no connections we were meant to bond. I was a poor orphan, and no one gave a crap about me. I thought at last someone for me. But then here he came with his money and 50

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his father that practically owns half the city. After you met Lorcan, no one else mattered. You had eyes for him alone, and when you mated with him, I was at first devastated.” Jayden had to admit he felt sorry for Brian. He couldn’t imagine having no one at all in his life, no one to care. He’d thought the only person he had was Brian, but that was a lie. He knew now he had Lorcan and his family back home, and Lorcan’s family. Going away to the human world for ten years was nothing to them since they lived so long. His family would welcome him back like he’d left just last week, but no one might have even known Brian had gone. Jayden didn’t even remember him from the time before he left. “I’m sorry it happened like that for you,” Jayden explained. “I had a lot of different men and women trying to get my attention, but I knew Lorcan was it for me. If you go back, I know it will happen for you. Or your mate could be here.” Brian’s eyes narrowed, and he flared his nostrils. “My mate is here. I chose you a long time ago, and I built my plan. I knew I had ten years before your renewal would come up, and in that time I could win you. Who knew wiping your memory of Lorcan would result in you thinking you weren’t gay.” He swore and looked away for a minute deep in thought. “Wait, you didn’t intend to do that part?” Jayden asked. “Hell no. If everything worked the way I wanted, you’d have been my lover this whole time, and each time we fucked, your desire for Lorcan would lessen.” “Except,” Lorcan growled as he forced himself to his feet, “even though you have no respect for laws, that doesn’t make them untrue. Jayden can never accept another lover until our bond dissolves. Period!” “Then I will wait a few more days,” Brian responded. “And then I’m going to have him like I’ve dreamed of for so long.” He ran his hand down the front of Jayden’s pants, but Jayden took advantage of his distraction and punched him in the eye. Brian staggered back. Jayden landed a kick to his leg, and he went down to his knees. 51

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Lorcan followed up with a punch of his own that landed Brian flat on the floor unconscious. “Let’s go,” Lorcan said holding his hand out to Jayden. “We don’t have long before he comes to. He’s older than we are and able to do magic we’ve only read about in books. He’ll heal, and we better be long gone.” Jayden took his lover’s hand, and they gathered shirts and shoes before rushing out on the balcony. Under cover of darkness, they both brought out their wings, unfolded them, and took to the night sky. Jayden’s pulse raced as wind swept his face and billowed over his wings. He soared high and looped around a few times soaking in the wonder of flying again. Then Lorcan jerked him back to reality, and they raced toward the horizon. They reached a tall building and set down on it, and Lorcan dug something from his jeans pocket. While he punched a code into a tiny silver square, Jayden moved in close to him and nuzzled the side of his rough jawline. Lorcan needed a shave, but he liked him like this. Hard and masculine. “What’s that?” Jayden asked of the unfamiliar device. Lorcan didn’t look up, but he did pull Jayden closer with an arm around his waist working with the device in one hand. “Something my father invented five years ago. It opens a doorway that connects our worlds. We don’t have to go to an elder to open the way or wait for damn stars to align and such or however they used to do it.” Jayden’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding? I wondered why we stopped here. You mean we can go home tonight?” This time Lorcan did look at him. “Yes, we can. I still don’t know if you prefer it here, but we need the protection of my family for just a little while until we can re-bond. Then we can deal with Brian.” He squeezed Jayden closer. Their shafts rubbed and twitched against each other. “I can’t risk him taking you from me again.” “I want to go home,” Jayden answered. “I want to see that place you got and live there with you as a couple.” Lorcan’s eyes brightened. “Really?” 52

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Jayden nodded and kissed him. “Really. And if we have to stay at your father’s place until then, that’s fine. There’s a particular room with an enormous bed in that castle that I remember doing some interesting things in.” From the look Lorcan gave him, Jayden thought his lover would rip his clothes off right then, but he restrained himself. The gateway opened, and they hurried through it before closing it down behind them. At last, Jayden was back home with Lorcan where he belonged. **** Lorcan woke up in bed alone, and he had a moment of panic thinking Brian had returned and taken Jayden. But then he heard Jayden whistling. He pinpointed the location to be the kitchen, and he smiled. They were at his house, and while it was much smaller than his father’s castle, it was bigger than the apartment Jayden had lived in for years. He’d been worried it wouldn’t be good enough for Jayden. But his mate had been walking around the place cleaning up, cooking them food, and generally behaving domesticated to the point that Lorcan couldn’t deny Jayden was happy. So was he. The ritual bonding had gone smoothly the day before, and they’d spent a wedding night of total bliss in each other’s arms. Tomorrow he planned to leave Jayden here so he could hunt down Brian and finish things once and for all, but he wouldn’t admit that to Jayden until the last minute. Lorcan tossed off the sheet that was covering his naked body and stood. He cleaned himself up but didn’t bother putting on clothes as he left the room to search for his one and only. When he entered the kitchen, he found Jayden just as naked but with an apron thrown over his head and tied around his waist. Jayden’s bare ass faced Lorcan while he stirred sugar into a cup of coffee. That one would be Jayden’s because Lorcan didn’t take sugar.

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He strolled over and stroked Jayden’s ass before crowding into him and kissing his neck. “You left me alone in the bed.” “Just to get you some food,” Jayden assured him. “We went at it all night.” “There’s only one thing I want to eat,” Lorcan assured him, “and that is you.” His lover shook a little and smiled. Lorcan reached around and ran his hands over Jayden’s rippled abs. He explored lower to the shaft already grown thick and long. Jayden dropped the spoon. He shuddered again in Lorcan’s arms as Lorcan massaged him from base to tip. “You never get enough of me,” Jayden whispered. “Do you want me to?” “Never.” “How can anyone get enough of this,” Lorcan said and planted a kiss on Jayden’s lips, “or this.” He kissed him on the shoulder. Each time he reached a new spot as he descended to his knees, he asked the same question. By then Lorcan was at Jayden’s rounded, muscled ass. While he ran his hands over Jayden’s body, he kissed his cheeks. He sucked lightly at that heated skin and ran his tongue along the slit. “Bend over a little,” he commanded. Jayden did as he asked, and Lorcan pushed his cheeks apart. His pink, puckered hole soon glistened from Lorcan licking it. Jayden moaned, gripping the counter. Lorcan pressed in closer as he dropped small kisses on the tight opening. He massaged Jayden’s balls in his hands and pumped his cock. “Ah, Lorcan, that feels so good,” Jayden murmured. “I’m going to come if you don’t stop.” “That’s what I want,” Lorcan answered. “I want us both to spill right now. Tell me you have lubricant nearby.” Jayden dropped the tube in his hand, but for a while longer, Lorcan concentrated on Jayden’s ass. He moaned with each hungry lick and kiss. Part of his pleasure was in feeling Jayden shake as he feasted off his body.

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Lorcan let go of Jayden’s cock to squeeze his thighs. He nipped his way down to his knee and then back up to kiss the balls that just peeked through Jayden’s legs. Lorcan stood up and opened the lubricant. He pinched out a small amount and massaged it onto his cock. Then he coated his fingertips to push into Jayden. His lover cried out his name and went up on his toes. “You like that?” he asked. “Hell yeah,” Jayden rasped. “Come on, give it to me.” “No more embarrassment about what you want, huh?” Lorcan rubbed his shaft head over Jayden’s cheek. “How do you want it?” “You know how.” “You’re not getting it until you tell me how you want it.” He teased Jayden with his head and popped it past Jayden’s tight barrier before he withdrew. Their thighs were just touching, so he felt the tremor that passed through Jayden. He loved this man, so he’d give him whatever he wanted. Lorcan had every intention of spoiling Jayden even if he wouldn’t admit it. This was their game. Lorcan pretended to hold off until Jayden did what he commanded, and Lorcan would reward him. “Tell me,” he repeated. “I want it hard,” Jayden whispered. “I want it so hard I can barely stand it. Fuck me, Lorcan!” Lorcan gave it to him. He stuffed his cock into Jayden’s rear, knowing it was going to be a tight squeeze. Jayden took every inch, shouting for all of it. Lorcan began with a slow pump until Jayden’s muscles relaxed. But he didn’t wait long to crank it up. He pushed all the way in until his pelvis was flush with Jayden’s ass. He paused to watch the sexiness of having their bodies touching this way, and then he withdrew until just the tip was buried inside Jayden. That was enough. He pounded in and out, arching his hips and slamming his body into Jayden’s. When he’d buried himself and held once more, he grabbed Jayden and led him over to the table while keeping himself inside. Jayden bent all the way to the table, and Lorcan went at him again, pounding his dick deep over and over. “Is it too much?” he asked. 55

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“No, do it. Don’t stop!” Lorcan heard a knock on the front door, but he ignored it. He put his arms behind his head and linked his fingers. All the while, he thrust into his lover. Jayden cried out. “I’m going to come.” “No!” Lorcan commanded. “Hold on to it.” “I can’t.” Jayden’s voice had gone deeper, more like the growl of a dragon than a man. Hearing it, Lorcan grinned. Yeah, he’d gotten his dragon back all right, and he would lay claim on him the way he was doing until Jayden learned not to stray. Lorcan leaned forward a little and rested his hands on Jayden’s back. His fingers resembled claws. He pressed down a little and shoved harder. Jayden roared. A man stepped into the doorway leading to the living room and paused to watch. Lorcan didn’t slow his assault on Jayden’s beautiful body. He leaned into Jayden even more and ravaged his perfect body. When he couldn’t hold out any longer, he let himself come with a command to Jayden to let go as well. They released in unison calling out each other’s names. Breathing heavy and worn out, Lorcan pulled his dick out of Jayden and sat down on a chair. He tugged Jayden on his lap and wrapped his arms around him. He spent several minutes kissing Jayden before he looked around to his visitor. “So what do you want, Luke?” he asked his oldest brother. Luke’s eyebrow was raised, and amusement colored his handsome face. “So that’s how two men get it on, huh? Interesting. Anyway, I came to tell you Brian has been captured. He’s confined waiting for you to make your challenge.” “What?” Lorcan roared and stood up almost dropping Jayden. “I wanted to hunt him down and rip him to shreds.” “You still can. Well, the ripping to shreds part. When you challenge him for interfering with the bond with your mate, you can fight him in the arena before witnesses. If the last one alive is you, you’re vindicated. Do you accept?” 56

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“Of course I do,” Lorcan snapped. “That bastard’s head will be on a platter tonight.” Luke looked doubtful. “Don’t you want to wait to challenge him tomorrow? Uh…after the enthusiastic show you just put on I’d think you’d be worn out.” “Don’t underestimate me. Tonight when I go to bed it will be with a clear mind knowing that no one is out there ready to take Jayden away from me. ” Lorcan headed toward the bedroom, calling over his shoulder, “You can tell them I’ll be there within an hour.” Luke shrugged. “Will do. Good luck.”

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Chapter Nine The arena was several stories tall on the inside and was built big enough for both flight and the oversized bodies of fully transformed dragons. Bleachers that went up to the ceiling surrounded the fighting area, and a transparent barrier had been set up to catch any wayward fire. Of course none of the watchers could be injured with fire, but having one’s clothes burned off was inconvenient. While Lorcan watched he stretched and plotted his strategy in his head. Jayden stepped up beside him. Lorcan leaned over and kissed him. “Go find a seat. This won’t take long, and we can get back to where we left off.” Jayden flared his nostrils. “I don’t need a seat. I’m fighting too.” “No, you’re not.” “Yes, I am,” Jayden insisted. “Look, I have just as much right to be out there as you do. He interfered with my choice of a mate, so I can challenge him.” Lorcan watched his handsome face. Jayden was strong, and knowing what he was meant all his innate fighting ability had returned to him. He had no fear of facing his enemy as a dragon shifter should be, but Lorcan wanted to do this for him. He wanted to protect Jayden from now on since he hadn’t done it in the past. He’d never let him down again. “Keep him here,” he told Luke, and headed out to the center of the floor confident that his brother would do as he asked. Lorcan ignored Jayden’s angry shout behind him. He’d make up for it tonight when they were alone. Brian entered the arena from floor level through a tunnel. He was already in his dragon form, and he breathed out fire with every step. Lorcan had to admit he was big, much bigger than him. And with his age, this would be a harder win. At least he could be thankful for small favors. The arena had been set up in a way that suppressed magic. This fight would be all about fighting ability and strategy. He had a chance, and he

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would take it. He only hoped that when this was all over, he wouldn’t end up dead and Brian would get Jayden anyway. The fight raged on for hours. Lorcan’s muscles burned, and Brian had bitten or scratched him with his claws so many times that he barely had time to heal from one before there was another. He had an abiding ache in his head, just subtle enough to at first go unnoticed, but when he was weary and trying to get rest away from the other dragon, he felt it. Somehow Brian was still using forbidden magic, even in this place. Lorcan could call for a hold and have an investigation, but some would see it as him finding an excuse. No, he wanted this over. He flew up to his enemy and brought a heavy paw down across his face. The pain intensified in his head. He dipped toward the ground and shook his head. Brian brought the full force of his body with his hit. Lorcan hurtled backward and slammed into the barrier before crashing onto the ground. Blood seeped into his eye, and he lifted a hand to wipe it away. When he looked down he realized he’d changed back to his human form. Not a good sign. Another hand reached down to help him. He looked up to find Jayden standing there. “No, Jayden, get out of here. He’ll kill you.” “Not with us fighting together.” He squeezed Lorcan’s shoulder, making him wince. The grin on Jayden’s face let him know his mate had done it on purpose as payback for having him held back. Lorcan looked toward his brother who happened to be close enough to talk to him at the sidelines. Luke shrugged. “He punched me.” Lorcan saw no sign of it. He suspected Luke had let Jayden go because he’d been losing. He growled his frustration. “Hey,” Jayden said, “you can be angry about it if you want, or we can fight together. That’s how it’s supposed to be anyway, right? You and me together?” Lorcan hesitated a minute longer and then gave in. He nodded and turned to face Brian. “You’re right. Let’s do this together from now on. I love you, Jayden.” 59

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“I love you too, always and forever.”

The End

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