Alessio's Fall Read online

  “You’re having second thoughts again,” Alessio said in a disapproving voice. “I’m not doing my job.”

  “No, you are. It’s just…” Kelias faltered. Time to lie and play the poor demon card. “I know it’s stupid bringing this up, but I’ve never really done anything like this.”

  “Like this?” Alessio asked skeptically. He kissed the side of Kelias’s neck. “Don’t make it complicated. One night. No rules. Easy enough?”

  That did make it easy. He nodded. Alessio spun him, so Kelias faced the door.

  “What if your neighbors hear us?” Kelias asked, although shamefully, the thought excited him.

  “I can smell your arousal, little demon. This is turning you on,” Alessio remarked unhelpfully. “Hands flat on the door.”

  “You’re turning me on,” Kelias corrected, pressing his palms against the wood. Damn it, he’d never had sex in this position, but he couldn’t deny Alessio’s words. Quick and dirty sex for round one, and round two in the bedroom—hell, he was looking forward to both rides.

  “Wait, I need to get some lube. Stay there. If you move an inch, I’ll bend you over my knee and punish you.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Kelias muttered, gasping when Alessio tilted his head and stole another kiss.

  “No, I’m completely serious.”

  Kelias heard Alessio’s fading footsteps. He wasn’t gone long, only a couple of seconds. When he returned, Kelias felt a sudden smack on his left ass cheek. He jumped, not in shock of the slap, but how arousing it was.

  Alessio let out an evil chuckle, and used his foot to spread Kelias’s legs further. “My good horny little demon.”

  He felt Alessio’s wet fingers on his puckered hole seconds later. A moan slipped from Kelias when Alessio inserted a digit in, finger fucking him, before placing a second.

  “Don’t tease,” Kelias whispered.

  “Hush. Be patient, pet. I need you to be ready to be able to take me. I’m not exactly small.”

  The reminder of Alessio’s massive member made Kelias squirm. Deeming him ready, Alessio pulled his fingers out. Alessio paused. Kelias whined.

  “What now?” Kelias demanded.

  “Do we need condoms? We shifters don’t really catch anything.”

  “We half-demons either, fortunately, so stop dallying. I need you in me. Now. Please.” Kelias didn’t like the needy desperation in his voice, but he’d been teased to his limits.

  Pushing his cockhead into Kelias’s slick hole, Alessio grunted, but he didn’t shove all the way. He took his time, making sure Kelias got used to his size. Kelias felt the slight flare of pain, but it soon disappeared and Alessio sheathed himself in Kelias hilt-deep. Breathing hard, Kelias dug his fingers into the wood, but Alessio ran his hands up his shoulders, biceps, triceps, resting on his wrists. Not moving, they stayed like that for a moment and Kelias felt Alessio thickening inside him, which only made his own cock harder.

  Alessio released his wrists, and then settled on his waist. He nipped at Kelias’s left earlobe, then asked, “Tell me how you want it, Kelias.”

  Kelias jolted at the sound of his name on Alessio’s lips. It sounded good and right, but no, Kelias refused to pursue that line of thought. Mindless fucking was what he needed. To forget about the problems of the world for a moment, and his unsavory task later.

  “Fast and hard.”

  “Good answer.” Alessio sucked on the spot between his neck and shoulder, and Kelias stilled. It didn’t escape him that was the place shifters placed their mating mark. Thank God, Alessio pulled away, probably sensing his apprehension.

  “Hush, little demon. I’m going to make you fly soon.” With that promise lingering in Kelias’s mind, Alessio began to move.

  His large finger deliciously dug into Kelias’s hips, bound to leave light bruises, but Kelias didn’t mind. He liked his lovers leaving their marks on him. They weren’t just souvenirs of a good time, but for a short while, Kelias could imagine. He’d dream of having a partner who owned him, body and heart, and cherished him with every breath.

  “My student, the hopeless romantic,” Rayne used to say when Kelias was younger. Then the training that followed would be harsh, the punishments harder than Rayne initially intended. “I’m going to beat all that softness out of you, Kelias. Make you strong.”

  Damn. The last thing Kelias wanted to do was think about Rayne, but Alessio turned his attention elsewhere. After his slow rhythm, Alessio picked up pace, hammering into him deeper and faster, reducing them both to panting messes.

  “Fuck, baby. You feel so tight, so perfect,” Alessio said, the best kind of poetry Kelias ever heard in a long time.

  The force of Alessio’s thrust practically made the door vibrate. Kelias had trouble keeping his hands still. When Alessio shifted the angle of his hips and hit his sweet spot, a breathy gasp tore out of Alessio. His balls tightened against his body, just as Alessio reached for his tormented shaft. Alessio aimed for his prostate, timing his thrusts to his fist moving up and down Kelias’s prick.

  Kelias should have panicked the moment he felt the swell of Alessio’s knot reaching out for him. Instinctively, he knew Alessio wouldn’t release him until they both reached climax, but it just felt too good and arousing. Jolts of pleasure hit his chest and close to bursting member.

  “Come for me, little demon. Let me hear your sweet cries,” Alessio whispered against his ear. He pinched Kelias’s tip, and that had enough to burst the pressure building in Alessio. Head reeling, heart racing, Kelias screamed his release. Strings of his cum coated Alessio’s talented fingers. Alessio wasn’t far, he growled, the sound rumbling and powerful, before erupting his load in Kelias’s ass. Unknotting him, Alessio slumped against him. Kelias’s legs felt shaky, but they stood like that until they recovered their breaths. Besides, it felt nice to have Alessio leaning his head against the curve of his back.

  “We’re not done,” Alessio said.

  “The mess—”

  “I’ll tend to it later,” Alessio replied, sounding dismissive. He reached for Kelias’s hand with his clean one, and tugged Kelias along like an errant puppy. Kelias let him take the lead, liking how Alessio automatically took control. They stumbled past the living room, dining room, and into a narrow corridor. Surprisingly, for a bachelor, the place was clean, not an errant shirt or unwashed utensil out of place.

  They reached the bedroom. Alessio spun him and kissed him again. God, Alessio’s taste was addictive. He reached out to pinch Kelias’s left nipple, grinding their bodies together, the friction between them waking Kelias’s member.

  “I hope you’re ready for round two,” Alessio said.

  “Yes.” Every inch of Kelias’s skin hummed with anticipation.

  “Lie on the edge of the bed, on your belly,” Alessio instructed, the firmness in his voice making Kelias shudder. Noticing his glazed look, Alessio continued, “I’m not going to hurt you, Kelias. Trust me, strange as that sounds from a man you just met.”

  “I do.” Kelias found he did.

  He draped his upper body on the foot of the bed so his legs dangled on the floor. Alessio approached him and placed a pillow under his stomach so Kelias’s ass was angled toward him, then positioned himself. Gently, he nudged Kelias’s legs wider. Moaning into the pillow, Kelias felt Alessio’s fingers lubing him again, but he was still slick from his earlier entry. Gathering Kelias’s hands behind his back, Alessio restrained his wrists with one hand. The sensation of being restrained, rendered completely vulnerable to another man’s mercy, made Kelias’s shaft thicken.

  Feeling hot and horny, he ground his groin against the pillow, which earned him a sharp smack on the left ass check. Stunned, not by the blow, but by how erotic it was, Kelias didn’t sense the second slap. He jumped.

  “Hush, baby,” Kelias coaxed, rubbing at his ass cheeks. He delivered a couple more blows. By then, Kelias begged and pleaded, so close to exploding just from the simple spanking.

  Without warning,
Alessio entered him. Still greased and stretched, Alessio easily accommodated him, willing his ass muscles to pull him further in.

  Grunting, Alessio drove himself in and out of Kelias, rhythm steady. This time, Alessio didn’t knot him, but it didn’t matter. They both came nearly at the same time, groaning. True to his word, Alessio hurtled Kelias over the edge once again. Kelias came a long time, cum unloading, as Alessio filled his ass. Utterly claimed and conquered, and fucked by the enemy, and damn, the forbidden nature of their relationship made Kelias only want to do it again. Alessio released his wrists, helped Kelias turn over, and then kissed him again.

  “Come one. Let’s clean up, then snuggle.”

  Dumbstruck, Kelias asked, “You want me to stay?”

  Alessio frowned. “Of course. What kind of asshole were you last with?”

  “Um.” Kelias had no words. He couldn’t reveal to Alessio his last couple of lovers had been fellow hunters who wanted a quick fuck to ease their loneliness. Before Alessio, Kelias saw sex as a way to momentarily get high, before returning to reality.

  “Never mind.” Alessio helped him up and they showered together. Kelias marveled at how Alessio helped wash his back and shampoo his hair. The unexpected kindness stunned him. Was there a hidden motive behind the suspicious tender gesture? Didn’t seem like it. After toweling off, Alessio replaced the comforter with a new one. Then he slid in and patted the space beside him. Feeling ridiculous dressed in the jogging pants Alessio lent him, Kelias hesitated by the side of the bed.

  “Don’t laugh, I never snuggled with anyone before.” Kelias expected the Beta to laugh, but Alessio only regarded him calmly.

  “You’re trying my patience. I want a little demon to use as my pillow.” At that tone, Kelias slipped into bed. Alessio pulled him close, and Kelias snuggled against Alessio, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

  With the afterglow of sex wearing off, Kelias began to realize the huge error of his mistake. He baited Alessio. Hooked up with him, thinking he’d get the upper hand. Kelias forgot to account for the effect Alessio would have on him. How could he know, that despite the Beta’s hardness, softness existed there, too?

  They’d known each other for a couple of hours. Strangers, but Kelias hated knowing the damning fact he liked Alessio, and he could learn, with time, to fall for such a man. Who wouldn’t? A mate like Alessio would be protective. Fierce. Wonderful.

  Christ. Kelias refused to let sentimentality rule his heart, but it was too late. Alessio caught him in his trap, when it should be the other way around. Seb would be out there, keeping watch and tracking Kelias’s movements. His friend would be disgusted, no, repulsed, to know Kelias had slept with a werewolf. Would Seb tell Rayne?

  “Little demon, thinking deep thoughts?” Alessio rumbled behind him.

  “No.” Kelias felt Alessio’s huge hand on his waist, rubbing at the faint scar there. An old knife wound.

  “What am I going to do with you, little demon? You’re a walking contradiction.”

  Swallowing, Kelias asked, “Why do you say that?”

  Alessio thumbed the scar thoughtfully. “You’re holding on to so many secrets, but for tonight, I won’t pry.”

  Relieved, Kelias leaned against his chest. He could hear it. Alessio’s steady heartbeats. Strong, like the man. “Thank you.”

  “What are you thanking me for? Didn’t we both have fun?” Alessio asked.

  “For tonight. For being…wonderful,” Kelias said lamely.

  Alessio chuckled. “Don’t tell me it’s that easy to win you over.”

  “Sue me. I always fall for the bad boys,” Kelias replied tartly.

  “You think I’m bad?” Alessio bit at his earlobe, and Kelias shuddered.

  “You’ll be the death of me,” Kelias whispered.

  “Don’t be overdramatic. Go to sleep, little demon. Tomorrow’s another day,” Alessio mumbled.

  Tomorrow might be your last day on earth, Kelias thought numbly, stomach clenching, and I doubt we’ll be going out on a second date.

  Chapter Four

  For the first time in his life, Alessio dreamt of tiny wolf pups, half a dozen of them, yipping and biting at his shoes, begging for treats. Alessio began to scold the little menaces when one detached itself from the litter, a pup with dark fur. The cute bugger stared up at him with dark eyes, and then a young boy replaced the beast, a child that looked startling like Kelias, except he had Alessio’s nose and stubborn jaw.

  “Papa, what’s wrong?” the kid asked, regarding him. The others started shifting. A heartbreakingly beautiful girl, who looked a little like Michella, asked him the same question. It didn’t escape Alessio that she had inherited some Kelias’s physical characteristics as well, like the color of his eyes and hair.

  Then Alessio woke up in his bed, body drenched in sweat. “Six kids? You’ve got to be kidding.”

  Besides, it must be his imagination, working overdrive. His wolf disagreed though. The beast kept a secret Alessio didn’t want to know. Well, a part of him suspected, but he refused to acknowledge it until he had more proof. Turning to look at the right side of the bed, he wasn’t surprised to see it empty. Had the half-demon run the moment he woke, thinking last night had been a mistake?

  A part of Alessio was relieved he could skip the awkwardness, but his wolf was pissed. The demon and he weren’t done, not by a long shot. Besides, a closer examination of Kelias’s body the night before sparked Alessio’s curiosity.

  Hundreds of question buzzed in his head. Those kinds of marks weren’t caused by a happy accident, or a good number of them. They were too precise. Practice cuts? Part of him had seen something before. Souvenirs worn by trained warriors versed with a blade? He refused to dwell on that particular path, not until he had more proof.

  His cell phone vibrated on his dresser. Seeing Michella’s number, he grinned. “Someone’s worried about their big brother.”

  Alessio could hear her frustrated sigh from the other end. Sobering, he asked, “More bad news?”

  “Our allies confirmed the Order of the Knife sent out two covert hunters a few days ago, meaning they must have reached town by now, but our members haven’t reported anyone suspicious.”

  “They must not be looking in the right places,” he said.

  “Ales, please take this seriously. They say the Order is targeting the acting leaders, meaning you and me. Watch your back.”

  “I will,” Alessio promised. “Look, we’ll hold an emergency meeting this evening. By then the spies would have more info, and we can brief the others about any newcomers in town.”

  Newcomers like Kelias? Alessio instantly shook aside that thought. Impossible. For one, the Order of the Knife harbored an intense and sometimes unexplainable hatred for the supernatural. They wouldn’t take a half-demon in. Kelias possessed certain strength, his warrior’s body confirmed that, but Alessio had met and spoken to some of these human fanatics. Kelias lacked their vicious edge, their blind loyalty to a hopeless cause.

  “Good, do we still keep Sergio in the dark?” Michella asked.

  “For now.” Alessio could imagine her thinking about that, but he knew she’d cave in.

  “All right. No reason to worry yet, right? Oh, and I heard from Jared you brought someone home last night,” Michella commented, her tone light.

  Alessio groaned. “Nothing my sister should be concerned about.”

  “Of course I’m relieved. It’s been awhile since you took a guy back to your place.”

  “I date,” Alessio cut in.

  “You prefer one-night stands and hook-ups. You never take them back to your apartment. See the difference? I want details.”

  Alessio snorted. “It’s just one night. I might not see Kelias again.”

  “Oh, Kelias is it?” Alessio could imagine her beaming.

  “Don’t you have better things to do, Gamma?” he asked.

  “Tell me next time,” Michella said with a chuckle. “I’ll see you later, br
other.”

  Alessio dragged himself out of bed and showered. Feeling better, and chucking off the dream as something absurd and unlikely, he headed out the room. The hairs on his skin rose when he heard the front door opening. He padded into the living room, keeping his footsteps quiet. Catching sight of Kelias’s dark head, he relaxed. The half-demon was cursing, shoving himself through the door, brown bags in his hands.

  Grinning, Alessio held the front door open. “Good morning, sunshine. Is that my breakfast I’m smelling?”

  “Our breakfast,” Kelias corrected. “Even you can’t eat this much.”

  “Dare me,” Alessio said, helping take the load off him.

  “I didn’t know if you were allergic to anything, or have food requirements,” Kelias said worriedly as they placed the food on the dining room table. “I mean, you aren’t vegetarian, right? Either way, I brought everything off the menu.”

  “Have you ever met a werewolf that doesn’t eat meat?” Alessio asked. The smell of pancakes made his stomach rumble.

  “Well, no. I honestly…haven’t met a lot of shifters,” Kelias confessed.

  “Let me guess, your parents didn’t let you play with a lot of kids who came from supernatural families growing up?” Alessio asked. They took their seats on the table.

  “I never met my parents. They died when I was little,” Kelias admitted.

  “Er. Sorry, I didn’t know,” Alessio said, cursing himself for being thoughtful. Did he seriously suspect Kelias of being one of the covert spies from the Order, this unexpectedly thoughtful guy? What a fucking laugh, because Kelias didn’t seem capable of deception. He read like an open book and Alessio couldn’t get enough of reading his expressions or body language.

  “It was a long time ago, but yeah. You can say I grew up in an all-human neighborhood.”

  Alessio winced at that. “Must be hard.”

  “What was your childhood like?” Kelias asked.