Broken Bones Read online

  Dan tried for their mental link again. Do you feel how much I want you? Dan wasn’t sure if Aiden was able to pick up actual words from him or just his feelings, but he did look up. His hair was mussed, his lips red and swollen from their oral massage around Dan’s dick. He was so vivid, he lit up from the inside. A trail of Dan’s precum spiderwebbed from his cock to Aiden’s rose-blushed lips, and then he slipped that foraging tongue out and whipped it across Dan’s oh-so-sensitive glans, swallowing down the bead of his seed that glistened on top.

  Dan figured that was a yes to his question. The closer and more passionate the two became, the easier it was to access their link. Maybe it was like shutting down the chaos in his head, and just feeling that opened up other receptors? Dan didn’t know and….

  Oh, fuck! I don’t care. Goddess, I don’t give a fuck right now. Just keep. “Ugh.” Just keep doing that right there.

  If Aiden had a gag reflex, he either didn’t know it or his body had forgotten about it, because Dan could almost swear his dick was bottoming out down his tight throat, the muscles of his esophagus squeezing him, pumping him. It was enough, and then it was too much. He felt his body convulsing as he lost control.

  “Fuck. Aiden. Fuck.”

  Aiden must have taken this to indicate how great a job he was doing. Give the man an A+.

  “I… shit… damn… fuck…. Arghhhhhhh!” First he was paralyzed, the pleasure so great he couldn’t move, and then Dan was spilling down his throat, Aiden swallowing his seed like a python devouring its prey. Exhausted, Dan fell back and let him drink him down, shivering with each pulse of Aiden’s gulps.

  Aiden climbed up and laid his head on the pillow next to Dan, eyes glowing and hungry.

  “You. Wow. So good.”

  “Ah, a man of many words and so very eloquent.”

  “Shut it.”

  “Yes, master.”

  “Unbecoming.” Dan turned away from the laughter in Aiden’s voice, feeling too damned good to allow him to rain down on his afterglow. “You are so, so good at that.”

  “You make it easy. I want to taste you, do things for you.”

  Gone was the smirk, the sarcasm replaced by a shyness Dan would never have expected from this tower of a man. Looking back at Aiden, he saw a crack in the tough façade, saw a vulnerability there that called to him, made him want to protect Aiden, keep him safe.

  “I was going to claim you, Aiden.”

  “Yeah, you were.”

  “Why stop me, then?”

  “More.”

  “More?”

  “Yes, Daniel. More. More time, more knowledge of each other. Your father wants us bonded. I want us knowing each other. I want more. You should want more too.”

  Dan let his mind clear for a moment, got rid of the sexual haze clouding it, and Aiden’s words finally connected to the thinking brain. He was right. They knew each other as doctor-patient first, with Aiden knowing or at least suspecting a lot more about him and his relationship with Keith. They had talked at his father’s home often as Aiden counseled him, shared themselves both there and here at Aiden’s home, but did they know each other beyond that? Enough to see a forever? He remembered a discussion he and the kids had about Anna’s choices in Frozen. Even Elsa, a cartoon character, realized you needed to know someone a little longer before you started snacking on their blood and pledging eternity.

  “More, huh?” Reaching up, he threaded his fingers through silky hair and tugged gently.

  Like a cat, Aiden moved into the touch. “Yes, a movie, dating, dinner. More of this before you tie your soul to mine for eternity.”

  “And what if I said I was ready now?” Dan was enjoying their closeness, none of Aiden’s usual sharp retorts present, just honesty.

  “Then I would ask you to give me a chance to be ready.”

  “And what if I said Keith is out there waiting, that we need to be prepared?” Dan rose to sit against the pillows at his back. It wasn’t just that he was afraid of his ex. He was, and if he was able to get tall, dark, and delicious as well as end the constant terror he had of Keith, it would definitely be worth it.

  “Then I would say that I would move the heavens and the earth to protect you, but I would still want more.”

  Dan sighed. He felt so good, sated, his dick flopping to the side, wet from Aiden’s kisses. If this was what getting more felt like, he could do it. Keith would just have to wait.

  If Aiden wanted more, then that’s what Dan planned to give. A date? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone on a date. In the beginning of their relationship, surely he and Keith had gone places, enjoyed time together. Movies, plays, even took a couple of vacations before their relationship became a blur of disappointments and verbal warfare. And later? Pain and fear, sometimes in the reverse order. So, dating would be… nice?

  “Well, okay, then. If we’re going to do this the right way, I am going to go home.”

  “Home.” Aiden’s voice rose in alarm.

  “Home to my father’s, Aiden. If we’re going to do this ‘get to know you’ the right way, then we don’t need to be in and out of each other’s pants, which I would love more than anything believe me. If we’re going to get that more you’re asking about, we’ll need a little more space than what we have right now, a little physical distance so we can focus on that relationship part and not just the very good sex part.” Yeah, and I’m an English teacher, right? Surely I could have phrased that better.

  Dan’s body wasn’t in agreement with his brain. In fact, it was trying its utmost to make its opinion known on the matter, raring and ready to go once more. Down, boy, Dan thought. Moving away from Aiden, he reached for his clothing and draped his shirt over his shoulders as he prepared to dress.

  “You’re right, but do you have to leave right now?” Aiden bent to nip at the inside of Dan’s thigh, close but not too close to the head of his dick, the aforementioned trying desperately on its own to sink between those delightful pieces of warm and sumptuous flesh.

  “I do if I want to stop myself from shoving my cock in that nice pucker of yours there. You’re not helping any with that either. Get off of me.” Dan pushed away from Aiden and climbed out of the bed. Grabbing his phone, he moved his fingers rapidly across the screen until his text requesting Conner to pick him up was sent.

  “I thought you’d stay longer.”

  “Not a good idea right now, Aiden,” Dan responded as he gathered the rest of his clothing and continued dressing. A sock here, underwear there, a belt. Well, he had obviously been in a great hurry to get to Dr. Kavanagh, hadn’t he? It would explain why his clothing was everywhere. He looked back to see Aiden smiling at him—no smirk, just a smile. It was nice, playful, and it turned him to putty. Aiden could have molded him into anything he wanted right then, and he would have let him, eagerly and without one complaint. Having those strong and very capable fingers kneading his body like fresh dough? Oh, Goddess. Dan had to get out of there.

  Moving quickly, he exited the bedroom and sought out the spacious den. The television was secreted away, the room well lit from the light streaming through the ceiling to floor windows. Light. A nicely lit room would help him get out of the sensual headspace he was in right then. His carryall tossed over his shoulders, he aimed for a comfortable seat far away from Dr. Aiden Kavanagh and waited for his brother to arrive.

  CHAPTER 18

  BACK HOME, Dan rested. And while he rested, he thought about where his life had taken him. It was funny. He would never have thought that someday he would be anticipating the call from the hottest doctor he had ever met, that the same doctor would be a sandman from childhood fairy tales, or that he and Aiden were destined to be bonded before his pack. Life was surprising. When he thought he had a handle on it, knew exactly how it was going to play out, suddenly he’s thrown this wild curveball that unbalances him, making him remember that he only had as much control as Goddess Moon allowed.

  In the two weeks before school started ba
ck up, he and his… intended? Was that what he should call Aiden without sounding too much like a girl? Whatever. He and his intended would date, get to know more about each other, and then hopefully that would be enough for Aiden to decide it was time for Dan to claim him. He was ready to love the man, taste that nectar he could almost smell running through his veins, make him completely his. Yes, and that was something, too. This new person, the new Dan, was someone entirely unknown to him. New Dan wanted to fuck him, pour his seed in him, and drink from him. Was this because of the bond he shared with Aiden? Was this always there, underneath the skin, and it just required the right trigger to bring it out? Whatever it was, it confused the hell out of Dan, and he wasn’t sure what to do with it.

  “Thinking hard or hardly thinking?” a bright voice questioned from his doorway.

  Ahh, Shelly. The perfect person, and one more tally to add to his list. What was she? Aiden had hinted at her being different, not human. Surely something was different about her for Keith to have been able to control the people in the club that night but not have fazed Shelly in the least. Unknowns? He used to think it was enough that he knew about wolves, even the vampires that sometimes came to visit from time to time, ancient friends of his father. But obviously there were a lot more layers to the world he lived in than even he knew. Shelly, whatever the hell she was, was his deirfiúr, his best friend. Right then that had to be good enough. He couldn’t take much more than that now, so even if he wanted to know what thrived underneath her skin, he couldn’t bring himself to care enough to ask. He had to believe that if it was important enough to her, she would volunteer her secrets and not require him to go digging around. Conner knew something. He was certain of it. That was more than sufficient. It had to be.

  “Earth to Daniel Tolliver, brother of my heart and sometimes knucklehead, I’m trying to be patient over here.”

  Dan looked toward his friend, her smile warming him. “And when, beautiful, have you ever been patient? I don’t think you know the word.”

  “Ahh, but when the man is right, he’s right.” That said, Shelly’s presence invaded the room, bringing her brightness with her. Throwing herself on his lap, she practically shimmered.

  “Ohhh, someone is happy.”

  “Why, yes. Yes, I am.”

  “And what brought this on?”

  “Well, besides the wonderful romp I had with your brother… oh, just a few minutes ago before he went off to do his Enforcer thing, a little bird—okay, maybe a big bird—told me that one beautiful man is going to start dating soon.”

  “TMI, Shelly. He is my brother, after all.”

  “Well, then. It should come as no surprise to you that he has a very lovely pogo stick that I so enjoy riding.”

  The follow-up bounce was enough for Dan, and he pushed her wiggling body off his lap. She laughed and dragged him down with her. Strewn across his bed, both she and Dan laughed and laughed. It was so nice to let go, he didn’t think he could stop.

  When the last of their giggles finally subsided, Shelly looked up at him. “Don’t overthink this, Dan. It’s a good thing. You two together are good thing. Dating is like the cherry on top, right? It’ll be fun. You could use a hell of a lot more fun in your life, Dan. Seriously. Look at you laughing. And no, it’s not just me before you even say it.” She read him so well. Always had. “Aiden makes you happy. Whatever the two of you have, it’s something you definitely need, baby. Okay?”

  Dan smiled, nodded, and then, knowing just how ticklish his best friend was, he went in for the kill. Her giggles echoed off the walls.

  Yeah, life was good, and he was grateful.

  AIDEN HAD called Conner first. Dan expected it was his olive branch, showing his brother that he respected his position in the hierarchy of their family. Conner had arrived to let Dan know his first “date” with Aiden would be the next day, around eleven. He would, of course, not be going alone, but Aiden’s call had maybe bridged the divide between brother and future in-law. Conner said Aiden’s name with less derision and even had a ghost of a smile.

  “He will do,” Conner announced as he thundered from the room, whistling his song.

  “The Louisville Science Center?” Dan questioned incredulously.

  “And what did you expect,” Conner responded, his voice mocking Dan’s own.

  Dan had been nervous all night, wondering. When he and Keith had gone out, it had been to a few productions at the Kentucky Center: Wicked and The Lion King. He’d seen The Nutcracker with him too. They had gone dancing once or twice, but Keith had what must have been proximity issues, because if anyone ever got too close to either of them, Dan was accused of flirting, which led to fighting and brutal repercussions. Dan wouldn’t have minded seeing a play, but dancing? He’d had all he could stand that last night.

  After the good-night text that had told him nothing, Dan found himself twisting, turning, and ruining the sheets with his inability to sleep. When he finally did close his eyes, sleep blessedly dream-free, he nearly didn’t hear his alarm go off at nine to give him enough time to get ready.

  Mrs. Dunham had kissed his cheek and fed him when he arrived downstairs a short time later. A few packmates were in the kitchen, one or two adolescents who had enjoyed the benefit of some extra tutoring while Dan took his hiatus from school. Young wolves tended to be homeschooled at first before entering public school to allow them to adapt to transitioning. When they entered middle school, some were not quite ready for the “human” world and rebelled, wanting to remain at home with their parents. It was Jeremiah’s belief that wolves needed to learn to acclimate themselves to the human world and the responsibilities that came with it, insisting that life would continue to change and develop. He would not have his pack behind the times, and wanted them able to compete. So, education was a must.

  “Heard you were going out, Prince,” one of the adolescents said.

  Mathias’s younger brother, Dan thought. Caleb, was it? There was no privacy in the pack. From young to old, knowledge of fellow members was shared. It strengthened the bond. He wasn’t surprised that Caleb knew, or even that he was interested. It was what the boy said next that grabbed him.

  “Be good to see you getting out there again. We were betting on how long it would be before you started getting a few cats, you know. Isn’t that what old maids do?” After he stopped snickering, he looked at Dan, his eyes still laced in his earlier humor. “We were worried, Danny. You worried us all. Right, Peter?”

  The other teenager looked up shyly, then away, hiding himself beside Caleb. A whispered noise that very much sounded like agreement exited his lips before he continued his breakfast.

  “Caleb O’Brien, you watch your tongue, and do not involve young Peter in your foolishness, yes,” Mrs. Dunham scolded before looking at Dan knowingly. “Even if we might perhaps agree that it’s about time that the young prince was out and about again.” Her warm smile was accompanied by a quick nod. “Doesn’t mean that it needs to be the subject of public discussion. Out of here. Go. Enjoy your free time before your break is gone. And take Peter somewhere where he can play in the sun a little. He is only half vampire. He could do with a little sun, right, Peter?”

  Another shy nod.

  Caleb’s “Yes, ma’am” was uttered faintly before he gently took Peter’s arm and dragged him away to do just what Mrs. Dunham requested.

  “Unfortunate one, little Peter.” Mrs. Dunham’s eyes watched as the two boys ran, Peter laughing softly, a shadow of Caleb’s more robust one.

  “Has he shown some improvement?” Dan questioned. “I’ve tried speaking to him once or twice.”

  “Little by little.” She sighed. “But we take care of our own. He’s young, yet. He’ll be fine.” She turned to face Dan now, an invitation to talk in her eyes.

  He knew her looks, had to learn them to survive that wooden spoon she wielded so well. And while she didn’t say the words out loud, he knew what she wanted. “I’m ready,” he said.

 
“No one’s pressuring you, young one,” Uncle Tobin said as he walked in. Solidly built like Dan’s father, he strode into the kitchen, followed by one of the twins. Logan or Keegan? Dan never knew. They were both identical, that family trait of red hair twisting down their backs. As teenagers, they could be moody, but all in all they were good kids.

  His uncle took a muffin from a cooling tray to munch on, and Dan had to admire how easily he escaped his knuckles being rapped by Mrs. Dunham. He snorted while she fussed over him a bit and laughed when he tossed another muffin to his son. She gave them both a bag to take with them, admonishing each to save some for the rest of the family.

  When they left, she turned back to Dan, who shook his head. She was a gift to all of them. “Well, Danny?”

  “Father—”

  “Would understand if you had a mind to stave off this decision of yours. No monster, great or small, comes without a weakness. This creature has one too, one that you may not need the tall and sexy doctor to defeat.” At Dan’s cough, Mrs. Dunham let out a very unladylike snort. “What, an old lady can’t see how fetching your young man is? My memory may be a little slow sometimes, but my eyes are not dim at all.” The twinkle in her blue eyes said as much.

  Dan laughed. What else could he do?

  “And, for that matter, neither are yours. Do you want Aiden Kavanagh, Daniel?”

  Dan considered her question a moment. Reflected on Aiden, on his body. And why not? Beauty was in the eye of the beholder, and Aiden had a lot to behold, both with and without clothes hiding those treasures. He remembered the laughs he had shared with him, his snark, his comebacks. He enjoyed learning him, knowing him. He thought about the vulnerability Aiden tried to hide, his own need to protect when none had ever done so before.