“Was it ever like that with the betas?”
Reese lifted his head. “No. I mean, when it came to everyone else, the Anubis molded them into a superior specimen. When it came to Koda? He was the one who molded the Anubis into something greater.”
*****
Instead of draining Luca, the fever swept through his body, bringing to life every cell and filling him with pleasure.
He knew without looking where the strange tranquility came from. The touch of fingertips moved over Luca’s body. Firm enough to work Luca’s muscles and gentle enough to build the euphoric high of arousal.
Nox huffed against the back of Luca’s neck, and he tilted his head. The invitation did not have to be spoken, nothing had to be said at that moment, because they were one and at the same time separate.
Nox dragged a line of wet heat to Luca’s pulse, there Nox scraped the sensitive skin with his teeth. Luca moaned and spread his legs, inching higher until Nox’s cock was between his thighs, leaving smears of precum over the soft place behind his balls.
Luca tightened his legs and rocked his hips. With just the right angle, there was a burst of electric static. He gasped, moving faster, wishing from more. Nox gripped Luca’s cock, and he thrust into the man’s fist.
Last night Luca had been humiliated for what he’d done. And even though Nox said it was okay, Luca hadn’t believed him. Until this moment, when there was nothing between them, not fabric, not flesh, not muscle, not bone, that whatever made them intertwined until there was no beginning or end.
This was not sex. It would never be sex. Sex was a physical act. This went beyond anything this world could offer. It was what lay in wait at the end of life, when there were no more regrets, no more worries, no more hurt. When a person didn’t need to be whole because there was nothing to heal.
The gentle tide rushing through Luca rose higher until it fell crashing into reality. He opened his eyes as he came. Nox jerked, and more cum ran down the inside of Luca’s thighs.
Both of them fell still.
Morning sunlight escaped past the gaps in the curtain, cutting bright orange lines through the room. Sand colored walls, wood furniture, a few pleasant pictures of meadows, barns, and of course, cats.
Luca looked back at Nox. The man’s eyes were a blistering shade of blue-gray. He watched Luca with confusion as if he was just as lost about what had happened.
And what had happened?
“We should probably get up so we can get breakfast.” But Nox made no attempt to move.
Luca rolled over, and Nox trembled.
“Are you cold?”
“No.” Gravel filled Nox’s voice. He lowered his head, exhaling against Luca’s lips. “You were sick last night.”
“I usually get a fever at night.” The fact it had waited this long to happen surprised him.
“I had to hold you.”
“Why?”
“Because you needed me to.” Nox licked Luca’s lips. “I will always give you what you need.” The promise came out on a visceral growl. Nox rolled his lips up; his teeth were sharp. Luca put a hand on Nox’s chest, and an electric charge chased the skin-to-skin contact.
Nox’s inhales and exhales quickened until he panted.
Luca moved his arm to take some weight off his shoulder, and Nox seized him by his hips. The thick length of Nox’s cock hardened.
The growl rose up again, sending vibrations echoing off Luca’s bones and threatening to set his insides on fire.
Nox rolled Luca onto his back, trapping him between his thighs. Ripples crawled under Nox’s skin. Black threads spiraled down his arms. They teased Luca’s fingertips before sliding up to his shoulder.
Nox’s human hands disappeared under a mass of fur and wicked claws. His jaw popped, his spine bowed.
The predatory expression he wore wavered. The man, not the Anubis watched Luca now.
“It’s okay.” Luca held Nox’s face and brushed their lips together.