Vying for his Affection (A Loving Nip Book 19) Page 8

  Rhyme could practically hear the blush that he just knew was staining Max’s cheeks. “Goodnight, Max.”

  After clearing his throat, Max responded in kind. “Goodnight.”

  After disconnecting the call, Rhyme pushed to his feet. He left his phone on the nightstand, then went and took a second shower before climbing back into bed.

  Just as Rhyme had promised his beloved, he dreamed about him. Of course, that also left him with the issue of waking up hard and wanting. In the early morning light of dawn, Rhyme gripped his dick and daydreamed about Max, too, spilling his fluids all over his chest once more.

  Time for another shower.

  Chapter Eleven

  Max glanced nervously at Rhyme, where his boyfriend sat behind the wheel.

  Boyfriend. God, how did that even happen?

  They’d been out on a date every evening that week, and Rhyme had been the epitome of a southern gentleman. He opened doors, pulled out chairs, and even buckled Max’s seatbelt for him. He was always on time, and he always ended the date with a goodnight kiss.

  Forty-five minutes later, like clockwork, Rhyme would call and tell him that he’d arrived home safely.

  As much as Max enjoyed the attention, his dick needed it even more. He was hard as nails just from sitting in the vehicle with Rhyme. On the phone the prior evening, the cowboy had told him to pack an overnight bag, because their date that evening was going to take place at the ranch.

  “And I intend to hold you all night long,” Rhyme had vowed.

  Now Max sat there, hard and aching, as anticipation thrummed through him.

  Rhyme groaned as he reached over and gripped Max’s thigh. “Oh, beloved.” He glanced toward him, then returned his focus to the road. “What are you thinking about so hard over there? I can smell your arousal from here.”

  “Smell my—” Max snapped his mouth shut as the heat of his blush flooded his cheeks. Except, then he wondered why. After all, Rhyme had been completely upfront about what he intended to do with him that evening. Speaking of—”I’m thinking about you fucking me and giving me three or four orgasms tonight.”

  Max didn’t think it was possible, but he would happily succumb to Rhyme’s attempts.

  Rhyme moaned. Releasing Max’s thigh, he pressed the heel of his hand to his groin.

  Staring in surprise, Max saw that Rhyme was in the same state as him. He glanced around, taking in the secluded road they were on. Max hummed as he reclined his seat as far as it would go.

  Then Max reached for his fly.

  “What are you doing?” Rhyme asked, a growl in his voice.

  Realizing he hesitated, which was ridiculous since not only had Rhyme seen his dick before, they’d had phone sex every night that week, too, Max unbuttoned. He’d skipped underwear that evening, since he’d hoped to get lucky. As soon as he unzipped, his erection bobbed up from between the flaps.

  “Fuck!” Rhyme hissed, and the truck swerved a little before he righted it. “M-Max.” His voice sounded deep, thick, and strained. “Are you trying to kill us?”

  “Nope,” Max quipped back breathlessly as he shoved his jeans down past his knees. “You’ve been teasing me all week, and this drive is too long.” Splaying his legs, Max cradled his balls in one hand and began jacking his dick with his other. “Gotta take the edge off.”

  “Damn it,” Rhyme snarled, and the truck began to slow. “You little tease.”

  “Not teasing.” Max panted softly as heat coiled in his gut. His nipples beaded, and he swiped his thumb over his crown. “You’re the tease.”

  “Not.” Rhyme swerved to the side of the road and shoved the truck into park. “Mine.”

  Then Rhyme turned in his seat and pushed Max’s hands away from himself. He rested his weight on the arm of the chair while gripping Max’s dick with his left hand. Slowly, too slowly, Rhyme began to jack him.

  “This is teasing,” Rhyme stated gruffly, his eyes alight with a feral intensity.

  Shivers racked Max’s body as he grabbed the door with his right hand and the side of the seat with his left. He glanced from Rhyme’s hungry gaze to his leaking dick and back again.

  “Rhyme,” he whined, trying to buck his hips to get more friction. “P-Please.”

  “Oh, handsome,” Rhyme growled. “Here’s not teasing.”

  Then Rhyme lowered his head and swallowed Max’s dick to the root. Hot wet suction surrounded his cock, yanking a howl of pleasure from Max’s throat. Rhyme bobbed on his shaft, tracing his length with his tongue, before swiping over his crown. Sinking back onto him, he lodged Max’s head in his throat and swallowed.

  Unable to help himself, Max moved the hand on the seat to Rhyme’s neck. He squeezed as he planted his feet and began bucking. Rhyme pulled off just a smidge, giving him room, and Max took total advantage.

  Max fucked Rhyme’s face, watching his spit-slicked erection disappear into his lover’s mouth over and over. Each time he bumped his cowboy’s throat, Rhyme swallowed around the head. Again and again, Max drove into Rhyme’s mouth.

  When Rhyme hummed, Max felt his balls tighten. His release coiled in his gut. Moaning in dismay, he fought against it, never wanting the exquisite sensations to end.

  Rhyme moved a hand between Max’s legs and pushed a finger into his ass. With unerring accuracy, he hit Max’s prostate. Fire surged through him, burning him from the inside out.

  Max screamed as his orgasm burst through him. His body twitched, his cock throbbed, and his seed pulsed from him in bliss-inducing waves. Even spots floated across his vision.

  While Rhyme eased up a little on Max’s dick, he never stopped sucking. He swallowed everything Max had to give. When his cock grew sensitive and Max whined and shifted in his seat, Rhyme lifted his head, allowing his semi-hard penis to slip from his lips.

  Rhyme looked up at him and licked his lips. His eyes glowed with an eerie red light that caused Max’s heart rate to spike for a new reason. Gaping, Max watched in shock as Rhyme licked his lips... and his fangs.

  Holy shit!

  “Wh-What are—” Max couldn’t convince himself to finish that sentence.

  “Easy, my beloved,” Rhyme murmured softly. He blinked once, twice, and the red disappeared. Easing his finger from Max’s ass, he rubbed over his thigh. “You’re completely safe. I would never ever hurt you.”

  With just those words, Rhyme confirmed what Max hadn’t been able to ask. The man was indeed something... else. But that couldn’t be possible, could it?

  As Rhyme helped Max straighten his clothes, all the while keeping his concerned focus on him, Max tried to decide what to think.

  “Let’s get to the ranch, and I’ll explain everything,” Rhyme told him softly after Max had zipped and buttoned his pants. Rubbing his thigh, massaging lightly, he added, “Please give me a chance, little bit?”

  Maybe it was because Max was still floating on the endorphins of his release, but he nodded. “Okay.”

  Sighing, his relief practically a palpable thing, Rhyme smiled at him. “Thank you.” After a second, he added, “You won’t regret it.”

  Max sure hoped not.

  They fell into silence as Rhyme drove.

  After a few minutes, for the first time since Max had accepted Rhyme’s apology for their misunderstanding, he felt awkward around the man. He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. The pleasure from his orgasm had faded, and now he felt... apprehension.

  “It will all be okay, Max,” Rhyme stated, glancing his way and giving him a reassuring smile.

  It finally hit him. That hadn’t been the first time that Rhyme had made a comment like that. It almost seemed as if he could read Max’s thoughts.

  “Can you read my mind?” Max decided to just throw it out there.

  “No, although once we bond, we will be able to share thoughts telepathically.”

  Max gaped. “T-Telepathically?” That time, he easily finished the sentence. “What are you?”

  Rhyme glanced his way, a
pained expression on his face. “Are you certain you want to have this conversation in the truck?”

  “Yes.” Not really.

  “Okay.” Reaching over, Rhyme rested his hand on Max’s thigh.

  Max couldn’t help it. He tensed.

  Yanking his hand away, Rhyme sighed.

  Max bet the man wouldn’t have looked too different if he had smacked him.

  “Sorry,” Max whispered. “I—” But he didn’t know what to say.

  Rhyme shook his head. “It’s okay. I’ll explain.” He glanced Max’s way again, his hands flexing on the wheel. “First, you need to understand that humans are not alone in the world.”

  Turning in his seat to focus more fully on Rhyme, Max burst out, “Are you an alien? Are aliens real?”

  Chuckling, Rhyme shook his head. “I have no idea if aliens are real.” He tapped his chest, saying, “What I’m saying is that beings which humans would classify as paranormal live and coexists right alongside them.” His mouth open, Rhyme hesitated while glancing at him once more. Then he claimed, “I’m a vampire.”

  Max gaped, jerking back.

  “Please calm down, Max,” Rhyme pleaded, his voice soft and soothing. “I would never hurt you. You are my beloved. My soul mate. It’s why we feel so drawn to each other.” While slowing so he could turn into the ranch’s long, winding driveway, Rhyme focused on Max. He squeezed Max’s thigh gently and stated, “I would lay down my life for yours, Max.”

  To Max’s surprise, feeling Rhyme’s warm hand on his leg sent a fissure of warmth spreading through his leg. The sensation traveled up his legs, and his prick actually twitched. He sucked in a harsh gasp as a fresh wave of arousal flooded him.

  “H-Holy shit.” Max stared at where Rhyme touched him in shock. “How is that possible?”

  “That you’re becoming aroused again even though I drank your seed just a few minutes ago?” Rhyme looked at his groin, then gave him a lecherous grin. “It’s because you are the other half of my soul. We were made for each other.”

  “I don’t believe in that shit,” Max countered, shaking his head.

  Rhyme shrugged before stopping before the ranch house. After shutting off the engine, he turned and faced Max. “It doesn’t matter if you believe in it or not, Max. You still feel the pull.” He waved his hand between them. “This thing between you and me, it can’t be denied.”

  Then Rhyme pushed out of the vehicle, closed his door, and rounded the hood.

  Too confused to move, Max sat and waited.

  When Rhyme opened the door, he picked up Max’s backpack first, which had been resting at his feet. Then he reached over Max and unclipped his seatbelt. Finally, Rhyme took a step backward and held out his hand.

  “Come on, Max. It’s time for me to show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

  Max snorted as he rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe you just made a Matrix reference.” Taking Rhyme’s hand, he allowed him to guide him out.

  “Actually, I was referring to Alice in Wonderland,” Rhyme admitted as he closed the door. Resting his hand on Max’s lower back, he added, “But I can see where you’d get The Matrix out of it, too.”

  “So, vampires. Are you sure?” Then a thought occurred to Max. “Or is everyone here into role play and this is an act? Because you were out in daylight.”

  Rhyme laughed, the move showing off his fangs.

  It suddenly hit Max... the way so many people on the ranch were always so careful about how they smiled. They’d never shown all their teeth. At the time, Max hadn’t really thought about it, but if they had fangs, it would make sense.

  After Rhyme had sobered, he slung his arm around Max’s shoulders and began guiding him through the place. “Whatever you think you know about vampires, forget it. Okay?”

  “So... you don’t drink blood?” Max arched a brow as he peered up at the smiling man. “Because I distinctly remember you biting me.”

  Rhyme rolled his eyes. “Okay. Yes, that one thing is true, but everything else is wrong.” He lightly squeezed Max’s waist, then slid his hand down to cup his butt. “We aren’t allergic to sun, garlic, or holy water. We can’t turn someone else into a vampire.” Then Rhyme winked as he quipped, “Like the song says, we’re born this way, baby.”

  Max snickered as he peered around wide-eyed at all the gorgeous wood floors, river rock fireplace, and high end, sturdy-looking furniture.

  “I’ll give you a real tour later, but if you ever get lost, return to here.” Rhyme pointed at the room which appeared to be a living room or lounge. “Then I’ll know where to find you.”

  Nodding, Max silently agreed. “Okay. So what’s this beloved soul mate business?”

  As Rhyme hummed, he led Max back out of the room and toward a set of stairs. “Well, vampires live a long time. Upward of five hundred years,” he told him, staring intently at him, as if trying to do the mind-reading thing he seemed to be able to do... even though he denied it. “So to alleviate the loneliness such a long life could cause, Fate gives us a beloved. A soul mate. Someone who, once we find them, will complement us and be our one and only throughout those long years.” Reaching the top of the stairs, Rhyme paused and pulled him into his arms. “Once we bond, we will do anything for that person. Lay down our life for them. Dote on them. Their happiness and safety is our primary concern... in all things.”

  Max’s mind reeled. That had been a lot to take in. It wasn’t until a door closed that Max realized Rhyme had started them moving again. Then he was turned and guided to a sofa.

  “Please talk to me, Max,” Rhyme encouraged.

  Cocking his head, Max tried to think of something to say. He recalled the last week... how Rhyme had done exactly as he’d told him. Rhyme had cared for him, pleasured him, and damn near swept Max off his feet.

  Lilibeth had given him so much crap every day because Max had been on cloud nine all week.

  And I want that to continue.

  That conclusion led to only one question. Threading his fingers with Rhyme’s, he took in his lover’s worried expression. Squeezing the vampire’s hands—holy shit, vampires are real—Max asked, “How do we bond?”

  Chapter Twelve

  Rhyme’s jaw sagged open as shock hit him.

  Did Max really just ask that?

  Staring at his redheaded lover, who was smiling mischievously at him, Rhyme realized that yes, he had. He growled softly as renewed arousal surged through him. His cock had softened when Max had begun to panic, which had actually been a relief.

  Sitting in the truck smelling Max’s arousal, then drinking his seed, had nearly had him shooting off in his jeans.

  With Max sitting on Rhyme’s sofa asking about bonding, his dick thickened right back up.

  “Sex,” Rhyme finally managed to get out of his suddenly too-dry throat. “Sex and blood.” Clearing his throat, he added, “I would need to spill in you and drink your blood.”

  Max rubbed his palms over his thighs. “I-I’ve never had unprotected sex before.” Cocking his head, he nibbled his bottom lip. “W-We’d have to be committed. Ya know? Um, monogamous, and get tested. I—”

  Rhyme squeezed Max’s fingers. “There are a couple more things. Paranormals cannot get or pass on human diseases.” Looks like he’d forgotten something rather important. Upon seeing Max’s questioning expression, Rhyme told him, “You’re it for me, Max. I will never stray.” Then he rolled his eyes. “Hell, after I bond with you, I won’t even be able to get it up for anyone else.” Then another thought struck, and he growled. “And if anyone else ever touches you, I will fucking destroy them.”

  Max’s eyes widened. “Oh! I—” His brows furrowed, the scent of shock rolling over him. “Really?”

  “Yes, really.” Lifting Max’s fingers to his lips, Rhyme admitted, “Paranormals do things fast. After I bond with you, I will want you to live here with me.” Upon seeing Max’s jaw sag open, he quickly added, “I know it’s a long commute, so maybe we can convince your bosses
that you can do your work from home several days a week.”

  Groaning, Rhyme added, “Shit, there’s so much to explain.” He rubbed his palm over his scalp while saying, “You asked earlier if I could read your mind. I told you the truth when I said I couldn’t. It can seem that way because we do have a better sense of smell, and when you’re upset or aroused, I can smell it.” Upon seeing Max’s eyes widen and his cheeks pink, Rhyme hurried to add, “A vampire also has the ability to alter memories, so people don’t remember us feeding from them, but I can’t with you, because you’re my beloved.”

  Max slowly breathed, his eyebrows furrowing. For a long moment, he stared at where Rhyme still held his hand. His jaw clenched, and so many expressions flitted across his face.

  Finally, Max met his gaze. “So, I’m yours, and you’re mine.” When Rhyme nodded, he asked, “But I only live for several decades. What happens when I die?”

  “Oh. Another thing.” Rhyme scoffed. “Sorry. There’s a lot.”

  Max just nodded.

  “When we bond, your life extends to match mine, so we’ll have a long time to live together.” Rhyme figured telling Max he was only one hundred thirty-eight years old and that they would have upward of three hundred and fifty years together could wait until another time.

  “It’s a lot to take in, Rhyme,” Max finally whispered, lifting his chin and meeting his gaze.

  For one heart-stopping moment, Rhyme thought Max would deny him... or ask for more time.

  Then Max smiled, his green eyes twinkling behind his black-rimmed glasses. “Are you gonna show me your bedroom before or after dinner?”

  Moaning, Rhyme jumped to his feet. He grabbed Max’s hips, then lifted him and tossed him over his shoulder. His beloved grunted before erupting into laughter as Rhyme rushed to his bedroom.

  “Oh, beloved,” Rhyme said on a moan as he carefully laid him out on his comforter. “Don’t move.”

  Then Rhyme whipped his shirt over his head as he kicked off his boots. He shucked his pants, taking his socks with them. Straightening, he burst with pride upon seeing the appreciative gleam in Max’s deep eyes.