Vying for his Affection (A Loving Nip Book 19) Read online

  Something else to figure out... eventually.

  “This way,” Rhyme encouraged, leading Max toward the trees.

  A trail appeared between the trunks, the dirt packed hard from the passage of plenty of feet. They heard the chatter of voices and the crackle of a fire long before they saw the gleam of the flames. A moment later, the people appeared in the dim light of the fading sun filtering through the trees.

  Rhyme slid his hand down to rub at the small of Max’s back. Teasing at his spine through his shirt, he appreciated the tremble that worked through the small sexy body next to him. He spotted several knowing looks on the faces of his beloved’s co-workers, and he loved being associated with his human.

  Fortunately, the bosses didn’t appear to mind at all that Max was using the business outing for a bit of recreational fun. They smiled and greeted them both pleasantly as Rhyme and Max sat down beside Jerome, their scent betraying their amusement. Only Esmerelda scowled at them before turning her attention to the guy sitting next to her, dismissing them.

  George chuckled from his position a few places down. “Damn, Max. It sure didn’t take you long to change your tune about that cowboy.” Waggling his eyebrows, his scent betraying that he teased, he added, “Let me guess. He showed you his big dick, and you couldn’t resist.” George winked. “Heard you were a queen after all.”

  Jerome reached over and smacked George upside the head.

  “Hey!” George cried, rubbing the back of his head. “What the hell was that for?”

  “For being a dumbass,” Jerome deadpanned back. Then he turned and addressed the woman sitting next to George. “Sorry, darlin’. If you’re gonna date this one, you’re gonna have to get used to his unfiltered mouth.” Jerome shrugged.

  For a second, the blonde glanced between them all... and Rhyme scented a hint of unease from George. Then she wrapped one arm around George’s own and pressed her sizable tits against him. “Oh, it’s all right,” she murmured coyly, rubbing her other hand up and down his chest. “I can handle a guy with no filter.” She glanced between Jerome and the others while adding, “It’s guys that mean to hurt with their words that you have to watch out for.”

  “And their fists,” Stanton added, his expression serious. “Them ain’t no good, and you get away from them asap.”

  “Absolutely right, and excellent advice,” Lilibeth stated firmly. Then she patted Rhyme’s knee and leveled a serious gaze upon him. “You use your fists to get what you want, Rhyme?”

  “No, definitely not,” Rhyme immediately replied. Then he smiled and focused on Max. “I’m much more apt to use seduction to get my way.”

  Lilibeth hummed. “As long as it’s not something that will hurt my Max.”

  Rhyme felt a rush of possessiveness surge through him upon hearing Lilibeth’s words.

  Max is mine, not hers!

  Knowing she didn’t mean it the way it sounded, Rhyme ruthlessly shoved it back. Instead, he forced a smile. “Absolutely not. I only want what’s best for Max.” He realized the conversation should be with his beloved, not his beloved’s friend. Turning on the bench seat to focus on Max, Rhyme took his human’s hands between his own. “We’ve just met, so promises are pretty empty since there’s so little trust between us. I mean to prove my words when I say that caring for you is my sole focus.”

  Upon seeing Max’s wide-eyed look, Rhyme mentally winced. That had been so close to a declaration of love, and it was way too early for that. As a vampire, however, his feelings developed at super speed, and his words were the truth.

  “U-Um, okay.” Max’s eyes were wide behind his black frames, and he looked a bit shell-shocked. “Th-Thanks?”

  Rhyme chuckled softly before dipping his head and pecking a kiss to Max’s upturned lips. Then he settled more comfortably on the bench seat, resting his arm along the back so he could cradle Max close. Rhyme glanced around at Max’s friends and coworkers, feeling surprisingly relaxed with the group. Well, most of them. Esmerelda was still turning her nose up at them.

  Whatever.

  “Hey, Laredo,” Rhyme called to a fellow vampire who was one of the guys chaperoning the dinner. Due to the fact that Rhyme was an enforcer and Laredo a tracker, the other man immediately paused in his conversation with a guest and gave him his attention. Rhyme smiled at the human who Laredo had been chatting with before asking his friend, “I’m sure inquiring minds would like to know... when will dinner be ready?”

  Laredo chuckled as he pointed at the array of dinners wrapped in tin foil and cooking in the coals at the edge of the bonfire keeping everyone warm. “Right about now. There’s the meat, potatoes, carrots, and onions.” Then he pointed over his shoulder toward the covered wagon and the buffet-like rails that ran along the side. “The coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, and apple cobbler will all be waiting there.”

  Standing, Laredo clapped his hands together. “Welcome again, everyone. How about we start with drinks? There’s beer, wine, soft drinks, and juice.” Laredo pointed toward several barrels with their lids off. “I’ve been told it’s been verified that everyone on this trip is over twenty-one, so help yourselves.”

  From his prior outings, Rhyme knew that the barrels of drinks and hot trays of food would be refilled from damn near endless stores kept in the wagon. There was always plenty of everything. Fortunately, everyone in the coven was happy to eat leftovers, too.

  Just because there was a dining hall didn’t mean everyone ate in it for every meal.

  Rhyme stood and shuffled along with the crowd, keeping close to Max’s backside. He chose a beer while his beloved picked up a twelve-ounce bottle of merlot. Then they moved into the line for food.

  Placing his bottle on his tray, Rhyme skipped the baked beans in favor of the mac and cheese, coleslaw, and apple cobbler. Max only took mac and cheese and cobbler. Finally, they stood before the fire where Laredo asked what they wanted—hamburger, chicken, or only veggies.

  Rhyme and Max both chose the burger meal, and Laredo settled a tin foil package on each of their trays next to their plates of other food. “Enjoy.”

  “We will. Thanks, Laredo.” Rhyme dipped his head in appreciation, and his fellow vampire returned it with a smile. “Come on, handsome.”

  After they’d settled back on the bench, they both set their trays on their thighs and dug in.

  Rhyme took a bite of mac and cheese. As he chewed the soft, melt-in-his-mouth goodness, he carefully unwrapped the hot tin foil. With only a bit of singed skin on his fingertips—which would heal in about fifteen seconds—Rhyme revealed his seasoned hamburger, onions, potato slices, and julienned carrots.

  Yum!

  Upon seeing Max wave his hand and hearing him hiss, Rhyme hummed. “Here, Max.” He carefully picked up and settled his opened container of food onto his beloved’s tray, then he grabbed Max’s unopened one for himself.

  “Wait. Are you sure?”

  Rhyme nodded as he began unwrapping the new package with deft moves. “Yeah. No problem, hon.” Once he had the second package opened, he winked at Max. “See?”

  “Hey, is there ketchup?” someone hollered.

  “Blasphemy!” Zane shot back. He was the vampire in charge of stocking the wagon, refilling the trays, and monitoring food. “You take that back right now!” But then he held up a basket and shook it. “Packets of ketchup, mayo, mustard, and even relish for all you crazies.” Using a cheeky wink to soften his teasing, Zane walked over and held the basket out to the man who’d spoken.

  Everyone laughed for a moment, then began eating. Several others asked for the basket to be passed to them, but it was done in discreet whispers and with plenty of snickering. Even Max took a couple of packets of ketchup and poured them onto his slices of potatoes.

  Rhyme snorted as he shook his head when his beloved offered it to him.

  Almost two hours later—food eaten and alcohol consumed—Rhyme once again had Max wrapped up in his arms while on the hay wagon. This time, his beloved snu
ggled against him. While it was probably due to the wine his human had consumed, Rhyme enjoyed it anyway.

  Once the ride was over, Rhyme again helped Max from the wagon. He twined their fingers and started them strolling after the others. Biting back a sigh, he tried to think up some way to prolong things.

  Unfortunately, Rhyme couldn’t think of a single damn thing other than sex or explaining the existence of vampires. He wanted to do both but had reservations. If they had sex, would Max feel like this was a vacation fling? If he explained vampires, would Max think he was nuts and go running?

  Gods, this is so hard.

  “Is there somewhere we can make out, so I can feel you up?”

  Rhyme froze as his gaze snapped to Max. His beloved laughed as he grinned up at him cheekily. Then he shrugged and winked.

  “I don’t wanna have sex, but I sure would like to get to know you a little better.” Max’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses as he looked up and down Rhyme’s frame in blatant perusal. “And I mean that in the carnal sense of things. We’ve been good all evening.” Max rested his palm on Rhyme’s chest and rubbed, fondling his nipples. “Now I want to play a little.”

  Moaning, Rhyme nodded. “Hell yeah.”

  Thinking quickly, Rhyme chose a direction and started guiding Max toward a secluded section of the ranch that backed up to the foaling barn—a section out of bounds for guests. It promised a high probability of privacy.

  Perfect.

  Chapter Nine

  Max knew it was the alcohol in his system that had him making such a bold statement. As he followed Rhyme into the darkness, he felt damn pleased that he had, however. His body had been primed ever since the hot-as-fuck kiss the big cowboy had laid on him while on the wagon.

  I want more of that.

  Less than a dozen paces into the trees and Rhyme pulled Max into his arms. He spread his legs as he relaxed against a tree trunk. Max found himself sprawled over the large man’s torso. The adjustment of Rhyme’s height meant their bodies lined up from groin to shoulders.

  Upon feeling Rhyme’s erection pressing against his own, Max let out a helpless whimper as he bucked his hips. He searched for friction, but the other man’s big hand on his ass didn’t allow him to move. Rhyme gripped Max’s nape with his other hand, urging him to tip his head up so their gazes clashed.

  Seeing the stark need etched across Rhyme’s dark features, Max shivered. For just an instant, he thought the other man’s eyes flashed with a hint of red. Dismissing that just as quickly as a trick of the moonlight, Max rubbed over Rhyme’s wide torso, enjoying the feel of hard flesh under his palms.

  “Holy shit,” Max whispered, stroking and caressing. “Can I open your shirt?”

  Rhyme moaned, and his hands twitched where he held Max. “I so wanted to be a gentleman,” he stated, his voice gruff, betraying his need. “You’re just so fucking delectable, little bit. Making it so hard.”

  Max grinned up at Rhyme as he bucked his hips, rubbing his stiff dick against his soon-to-be-lover’s equally rigid erection. “I do make you hard,” he teased as he worked his fingertips between the edges of Rhyme’s pearl-snapped shirt. Without waiting for permission, he tugged. “Can I take advantage of you, Rhyme?”

  Then Max popped the first couple of snaps and teased over the warm, firm flesh revealed to him.

  Growling, Rhyme dipped his head as he huffed a breath. “Yes, my beloved.” The move shielded his face beneath his hat brim, but his words were stark with need. “Do whatever you want with me. I am yours.”

  Max’s heart tripped wildly in his chest.

  If only that were true.

  Unwilling to pass up an offer like that, Max massaged his left hand under the flap of Rhyme’s shirt. At the same time, he began popping the shirt’s remaining snaps. He shuddered as he admired the smooth dark flesh revealed to him, all toned and hard muscle.

  “Oh wow,” Max whispered as he arched his back so he could see more.

  The move pressed Max’s groin harder against Rhyme’s, and his big lover moaned. When Max teased his fingertips down his chest, skimming over his nipples, the cowboy hissed and bucked against him. Only Rhyme’s hold on his ass kept Max from tumbling backward.

  “Sorry,” Rhyme mumbled, massaging Max’s nape, offering reassurance. He lifted his head, revealing his lips curved into a harsh, hungry smile of need. “Feel too good. Love your touch. So—”

  Feeling emboldened by Rhyme’s rasped words, Max cut him off with a twist of his nipple. The big man sucked in a harsh gasp, then let it out on a low groan.

  “Max!”

  The way Rhyme cried his name, low and guttural and needy, sent Max’s heart soaring. That he could reduce such a huge, confident man into a being of such need, sent a burst to his ego the size of a fireball. Max’s body thrummed with desire as he spread Rhyme’s shirt and teased along his sculpted abdominals.

  “Oh, damn, Rhyme,” Max whispered, peering up and meeting his gaze. “You’re so very stunning.”

  Rhyme moaned as he shook his head. “Not as stunning as you,” he countered, sliding his hand into Max’s hair, threading the strands between his fingers. “So beautiful.”

  Then Max couldn’t reply, because Rhyme sealed his mouth over his lips. The big man pushed his tongue into his mouth and plundered it. Max whimpered as the man began to fuck his cavity the way he wished Rhyme would fuck his ass.

  Answering Max’s noises with a moan of his own, Rhyme teased along his tongue and sucked it into his mouth. When he felt a prick to his tongue, he gasped at the unexpected sting. Then Rhyme teased along his appendage, and the move sent a burst of tingling pleasure through his body.

  Issuing a sharp whine, Max tore his mouth from Rhyme’s as his body bucked almost spastically. He was on the edge of orgasm... and from so little stimulation. His balls tingled and rolled, and his cock throbbed.

  “Relax, my beloved,” Rhyme crooned into his ear before licking the flesh below there. “I will take care of you.”

  Rhyme insinuated his hand between their bodies, releasing his neck.

  Unable to help himself, Max watched as Rhyme opened first Max’s fly, then his own. He used his hold on Max’s butt cheek to shift his hips back a little. That allowed him to push down both their briefs.

  When Rhyme’s long, dark erection burst free of his underwear, Max hummed in approval. Just as he’d noticed in the restroom, the cowboy was long, thick, and uncut. His mouth watered with his desire to tease his lover’s foreskin.

  “Gods, baby,” Rhyme rumbled. “Whatever you’re thinking, another time. I promise. I just... gods, after all the teasing today.” A whine full of need erupted from his throat. “Need release. Need to touch and taste. Please, beloved.”

  Max yanked his gaze from the beautiful view below and tipped his head back. He took in Rhyme’s clenched jaw and flared nostrils. This time, he definitely spotted a hint of red in Rhyme’s eyes.

  Maybe he has allergies?

  In the next instant, Max’s thoughts dissolved since Rhyme dipped his head and pressed his lips to his neck. He licked and sucked, teasing along his column of flesh. Tipping his head back, Max offered more room, and Rhyme didn’t disappoint. He mouthed sharp, sucking kisses along his flesh.

  Max sighed and shivered in his hold. His nipples beaded, and his skin goose bumped. When Rhyme gripped both their shafts in his big hand and began jacking them, Max barked a cry and nearly came out of his skin.

  “Come for me,” Rhyme crooned, his words slightly garbled seeing as he hadn’t lifted his mouth from where he continued to nip, lave, and lick at his neck. “Want to smell you. Taste you. Feel you buck with your pleasure. Spill on me so I can smell you on my skin.”

  The visual sent Max careening over the edge. His balls pulled tight, his orgasm crashing over him. Opening his mouth on a silent cry, he tipped his head back and rutted spastically.

  The sweet bliss created by cresting endorphins sang through his system. Clinging to Rhyme, he shivered against him
, delighting in the way the cowboy’s calloused hand continued to slowly stroke his sensitive shaft. Just as Max’s sensitivity began to become too much, he felt something odd... Rhyme’s teeth at his neck.

  Max gasped as he felt the pop of teeth piercing his skin. Sucking in sharply in surprise, he let that breath out on a moan when his nipples tightened and his balls churned. Then his gut clenched as a second orgasm blindsided him

  Sagging against Rhyme, Max bucked in his hold. He vaguely recognized the fact that his lover sucked on his neck as he massaged his ass. Bliss and lethargy pinged through him in equal measure, causing his body to hum pleasantly.

  Rhyme lifted his mouth from Max’s neck, then licked his tongue across his flesh. The move sent tingles of aftershocks across his skin. He shivered, clinging to the cowboy.

  “W-Wow,” Max mumbled.

  “Mmm-hmm.” Rhyme nuzzled his neck for a moment, then lifted his head and smiled languidly at him. “You taste almost as good as you feel.” Rubbing his hand up and down Max’s spine, he murmured, “So sexy. So responsive. Can’t wait to explore you fully.”

  Tension Max hadn’t even been aware of eased from his body, and he rested his whole weight on Rhyme. This really isn’t a vacation hook-up. He arched his neck so he could stare up and meet his new lover’s gaze, ignoring the press of his glasses on his temple. Smiling languidly, he rubbed up and over Rhyme’s shoulders, admiring their wide breadth.

  Rhyme dipped his head and gave him an awkward kiss. “Okay, little bit. Let’s get you back to your bed before you pass out on me.”

  Max chuckled and nodded. “You wore me out today.”

  Grinning, Rhyme winked. For just an instant, the moonlight gleamed off Rhyme’s teeth, accentuating the sharper than normal canines. Then he murmured, “You’ve had a lot of activity today,” distracting him. He pecked a kiss before offering, “Let’s use my shirt to clean up our stomachs before I walk you back to your cabin.”

  Nodding, Max slowly pushed away from Rhyme. After making certain his trembling legs would hold him, he took a step backward. Watching Rhyme shrug out of his shirt, he felt a fresh wash of arousal as his dick twitched, and his mouth watered.