Camry couldn’t believe he’d fallen asleep. He rarely slept in a vehicle to begin with—too uncomfortable. But to fall asleep in a stranger’s truck, Camry must have been damn near exhausted.
“Um, hi,” Camry replied uncertainly. He glanced left and right, having a hard time meeting the other man’s gaze. Finally, Camry peered at him from beneath his lashes. “You, uh, you should have woken me.”
“You looked so peaceful,” Tasker told him with a smile. “I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
“Well, um, I’m awake now,” Camry pointed out needlessly. “You can put me down now. I can walk.”
Tasker chuckled as he began climbing the stairs, making it look easy even though he still carried him. “No, my mate,” he countered with a roguish grin. “I finally have you right where I want you. In my arms.” With a wink, Tasker added, “I think I’ll take advantage a little longer and keep holding you.”
Camry opened his mouth, then closed it again, uncertain what to say to that.
“Just relax for another moment,” Tasker urged him. “I’m almost there.”
Since Camry didn’t know what to say to get the gargoyle to release him—at least, not without hurting his feelings, which he found himself loath to do—he stayed quiet and relaxed against the gargoyle’s chest. With his palm resting on Tasker’s pectoral, he barely resisted the urge to pet the male. The gargoyle was built lean and muscular, although he was a little broader than Camry’s own body, but he guessed there was so much hidden power within him.
“Turn the knob for me, will you?” Tasker asked, stopping before a familiar-looking door.
Camry noted that the room he’d used several nights before was right across the hall, so he knew he was about to open Tasker’s door.
Am I ready for that step?
“Camry?” Tasker’s single word held a wealth of concern. When Camry continued to hesitate, Tasker began to turn toward the opposite door as he said, “If you’re not ready, we can—”
“No,” Camry murmured, grabbing Tasker’s door’s knob. “I’m just nervous.”
“I know you probably won’t believe me,” Tasker replied quietly as Camry opened the door and pushed it partway open. “But I am, too.”
“How can that be?” Camry didn’t understand. “I bet you’ve been with loads of guys. How can you be nervous?”
As Camry asked the question, he took in Tasker’s suite. While the layout was similar to the room across the hall, there were plenty of homey touches, too. The room had been painted in shades of blue, there were throw pillows on the sofas, and a blanket lay folded on the back of the largest one.
There were a few seashells here and there as knickknacks.
Camry realized Tasker had remained silent, and he snapped his gaze up to the male’s face.
That seemed to be what Tasker had been waiting for, as he pinned Camry with an intense expression. “I won’t lie. I’ve been with more people than I can actually remember,” Tasker told Camry bluntly. “But none of them were you, and you are everything to me.”
“Wow.” Camry couldn’t think of anything else to say. Sometimes, the things Tasker said to him just took his breath away.
Tasker didn’t seem to need a response. He used a foot to close his door before striding through the room. Turning right, he headed into the bathroom, which was definitely bigger than the one across the hall, since it sported that huge jetted tub Tasker had mentioned.
“When we first moved to this estate over a century ago,” Tasker began saying as he placed Camry on the vanity. “The place was old and rundown. We each picked our suite, and we were given options on how to refurnish it.” He leaned over and started the water running into the tub. Then he grabbed a bottle and squirted something into it. “I chose blues because I’ve never actually seen a blue sky, but I’m open to changing it if you want it decorated a different way.”
“Why would you change it for me?” Camry asked, confusion filling him as he watched Tasker straighten and turn to face him once more.
Cocking his head, Tasker replied simply, “Because you’re my mate, and I hope, someday, I’ll convince you to live with me.” A wry smile curved his blue lips as he added, “Mates live together after they bond, after all.”
Then Tasker opened a cupboard and pulled out a bundle of fabric. “Here are some shorts. I’ll leave you to change and get in on your own.” After placing the item on the vanity next to his hip, Tasker told him, “Feel free to change the temperature if I didn’t get it right. I’ll be back in a few minutes after I change into shorts, too. I’ll have some food with me, too. Are you allergic to anything?”
Camry shook his head. “Not allergic to anything.” With a shrug, he added, “At least, nothing I’ve tried so far.”
“Good.” Tasker leaned forward and pecked a soft kiss to his lips. His dark eyes gleamed with want, but he pulled away from Camry. “I’ll be back in a few. Get comfortable.”
Then Tasker hurried from the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
After taking in a deep breath and letting it out just as slowly, Camry eased off the vanity. He knew what Tasker was doing by offering him space. The gargoyle had told him over and over that they would go at his speed.
The male was probably taking a moment to regain his own control.
Camry appreciated that. As much as he wanted to sit in the male’s obviously strong arms and relax with him—maybe even accept some of that pampering Tasker mentioned—he didn’t think he was ready for much more than that. With his experience being limited, Camry didn’t have a frame of reference to fall back on.
Even his limited porn watching hadn’t prepared Camry for someone as virile as Tasker seemed to be.
After shucking his clothes, folding them, and placing them on a chair, Camry pulled on the shorts. They covered more of him than the short-shorts at work, but not by much. They were also form-fitting, so if Camry hardened, he knew it would be clearly outlined.
At least that knowledge caused his burgeoning erection to die a swift death as nerves flooded him anew.
Camry did his best to push it out of his mind. Crossing to the tub, he bent and swished his hand through the pooling water. It was a little hotter than his taste, but he didn’t mind.
Easing into the large tub, Camry realized that whatever Tasker had poured into the water made it feel silky smooth against his skin. The heat also began to relieve the soreness in his muscles nearly instantly. With a sigh, Camry rested against the curved back and stared at the ceiling.
After a moment, Camry wondered what was keeping Tasker. He was about to call out to the gargoyle, but his nerves got the better of him. Rubbing the water over his arms to distract himself, he continued to wait.
A moment later, the soft strains of music reached him. He didn’t recognize the style, which was filled with piano, soft vocalizations, and flute-like instruments. Whatever it was, he found it relaxing.
The door opened, revealing Tasker, who was pushing a small trolley laden with covered trays. After he’d positioned it beside the tub, he reached down and picked up a couple of things from the lower shelf. Tasker lifted them, revealing his offerings.
“I have bottled water, beer, wine, and the fireball whiskey you enjoyed before,” Tasker shared, holding two in each hand. “What would you like?”
“I should really drink water,” Camry stated on a groan. “But you’re making it difficult to be good.”
Chuckling, Tasker placed the bottle of water on the top of the cart. “Okay. After you drink that, what would you like to follow it up?”
Camry grinned. “The beer would be great.” Then he noticed the label. “How did you know that was my favorite?”
Looking chagrined as he returned the fireball and wine to the lower shelf, Tasker admitted, “Gus overheard Morgan urging you to have a beer with him. He said the brand name and how it was your favorite.” As Tasker removed the lids from the trays and set them aside, he explained, “Gus texted the info to me, and I found a couple of bottles in one of our bars.”
“One of,” Camry mused. “How many bars are in this estate?”
“Including the private one in the chieftain’s office?” Tasker’s eyes were narrowed, and he appeared to be doing a mental count, so Camry didn’t respond. “Uh, seven, I think.”
“Seven.” Camry whispered the word, amazement flooding him. “It’s impressive how you all live.”
Tasker touched Camry’s shoulder. “Will you ease forward so I can sit behind you?”
Camry complied, scooting forward in the tub.
Once Tasker was behind him, his blue legs bracketing Camry’s own medium-brown ones, the contrast drawing his attention, Tasker gripped his upper arms and encouraged Camry to lean against him.
After Camry relaxed against Tasker’s strong chest, the gargoyle whispered into his ear, “You could live this way, too, my mate.” He pressed a kiss to Camry’s neck before whispering, “I hope you’ll take me up on my offer soon, but tonight, we’ll relax, I’ll pamper you, and I’ll help you unwind and rest.”
Relieved to hear that Tasker didn’t expect too much to happen—and I’m not disappointed—Camry rested the back of his head against Tasker’s shoulder. “Thanks, Tasker,” he murmured. “This is... this is really, really nice. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, my mate,” Tasker replied huskily.
Then Tasker reached over and grabbed the water bottle. He twisted the cap, and Camry heard the distinctive pop of a seal being broken. When Tasker handed it to him, he didn’t hesitate to accept it and bring the bottle to his lips.
The cold bottle felt good against the palm of Camry’s hand and the water even better as it slid down his throat. He downed half of it in one go before resting it back on the edge of the tub. Tasker was immediately there, offering a small plastic plate filled with meats, cheeses, nuts, and seeds.
“No fruits?” Camry asked curiously as he picked up a piece of prosciutto-wrapped cheese.
“There’s some up there if you want it,” Tasker confirmed. “Green grapes and slices of apples. I wasn’t certain if you’d want something with that much sugar, even natural sugar, this late at night before bed.”
“Maybe a few of each, but you’re right, I probably shouldn’t have much,” Camry conceded. Without thinking, before popping another bite into his mouth, he told Tasker, “I don’t normally eat much of anything after work. I’m too tired to prepare it and not organized enough to do it beforehand.”
“Hmmm,” Tasker hummed, pecking the side of his neck. “How do you keep your weight up with all the exercise you do, then?”
Camry winced. “Think I’m underweight, Tasker?”
In truth, Camry was, and he knew it. He just wasn’t underweight enough to worry about it.
Tasker shrugged, his shoulders moving behind Camry’s. “I noticed because I want to know everything about you, not because I don’t like the way you look.” Nipping at Camry’s neck, he rumbled huskily, “You should probably know, due to our heightened sense of smells, paranormals find attraction different than humans. We go by scent, so a person could be absolutely stunning by human standards, but if they didn’t smell good or right, then we wouldn’t be interested in them, even if they paraded themselves naked in front of us.”
Chuckling at that visual, Camry tipped his head back so he could meet Tasker’s gaze. “I think I like that,” he admitted. “Because I did almost parade myself naked in front of you.”
Tasker chuckled as he shook his head. “That wasn’t quite what I meant, but I’m glad it pleases you.” Then he dipped his head and pressed a lingering, sipping kiss to Camry’s lips. He licked at Camry’s bottom lip once, then groaned and lifted his head. “Drink your water. Eat the food. I’m trying to be good here.”
Camry opened his mouth. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Tasker that he didn’t want good. Just as quickly, he thought better of it. Camry didn’t want to lead the gargoyle on, after all.
Smiling and nodding, Camry picked up his water and finished the bottle. When he set it aside, Tasker was there instantly with the open bottle of beer. After murmuring his thanks, Camry ate a bit more of the meats and cheeses, then started on the walnuts, pecans, and sunflower seeds.
Once his plate was clean, Camry reached for the beer.
“Do you want more?” Tasker asked.
As Tasker spoke, he lifted a hand and trailed hot water over Camry’s shoulder, creating warm rivulets of pleasure as it slid down his arm. His blood heated and began flowing to his groin. He felt his dick stir, hardening in his shorts. Considering his ass was pressed against Tasker’s groin, he knew the gargoyle was in a similar state, and that knowledge seemed to make his own body respond that much faster.
“Maybe in a little bit,” Camry replied, his voice coming out huskier than normal. “Gonna enjoy my beer first.”
“Anything you want.”
“Anything?” Camry couldn’t help but ask.
“Well.” Tasker suddenly sounded cautious. “Almost.”
Camry’s ardor cooled just a little as curiosity forced him to ask, “So, what’s off the table?”
What would this experienced gargoyle refuse to do?
“Please don’t ask me to walk away from you,” Tasker murmured, a note of pleading in his tone. His voice grew rough for a reason that Camry guessed had nothing to do with arousal. “I can’t do it, my mate. Now that I’ve met you.” His arms tightened around Camry’s torso, clutching him close as if Camry were suddenly preparing to flee. “You’re everything to me.”
The need to soothe Tasker rushed through Camry, and he quickly set down his beer. Sinking both arms into the water, he rested his hands over the gargoyle’s forearms. He rubbed up and down them, massaging lightly.
“Hey, relax,” Camry crooned, tipping his head back so he could meet Tasker’s gaze. Seeing the concern in the male’s deep green eyes, he quickly assured, “I may not be ready to let you fuck me, but I don’t want to walk away. I just... need a little more time to work up to that.”
“What about fucking me?” Then Tasker’s eyes widened, and he grimaced. “Shit. I can be patient. Forget I said that.”
Except, with the idea planted in Camry’s head, he couldn’t. “You’d let me fuck you?”
Tasker’s blue eyebrow ridges furrowed. “Didn’t we make that clear? Claiming has to be both ways.” Then he shrugged. “Besides. I’m a switch. I love giving and receiving, and I hope that you’ll end up that way, too.” Rubbing over Camry’s stomach, Tasker added, “There are so many wonderful positions for us to explore together. I look forward to every second of it.”
Once again, Camry found himself whispering, “Wow.”