Page 32 of Keeper of All

He stood leaning against Mao, watching Conrad and Kylo walk to the jeep. The sun had set hours ago, and the darkness above them was laden with stars. The night was thick with humidity that made the air feel like he was sipping molasses.

Ekon wasn’t sure he liked it. His skin was slick under his clothes, and thoughts of a cool shower were tempting after days of camping out and using magic to keep clean.

Conrad stuck a hand out the window, waving. “Don’t be a stranger,” he called before Kylo reversed to swing the vehicle around. The headlights blinded them for a second, then Ekon caught a glimpse of Conrad cradling the sleeping child held in his arms. A look of adoration and wonder, making him look nothing like the trained assassin he’d once been.

Ekon had never considered Conrad as the maternal type. Marvin, heck yeah. Conrad was more a “hell no.” Yet he didn’t look out-of-place cradling the child as if the most precious thing in the world. He supposed he was to them.

He had no memories of experiencing that kind of love and affection he’d witnessed tonight. The child was adored. Cherished.

None of the assassins had received much of that after they’d been captured. No one had bothered to train them in being maternal.

“Do you want children?” he asked, his brain not engaging before his mouth.

Mao stilled at his side. His thoughts were not open to Ekon, and it had to make him wonder why.

“Do you?” Mao asked instead of answering Ekon’s question.

“I never saw myself having a family,” he replied truthfully, not even considering hedging around the issue.

He hadn’t.

Fuck, he hadn’t considered that in any universe he would be blessed by the Fates with a mate.

Mao turned, and his dark eyes flashed the predator within. He cupped the back of Ekon’s neck drawing him closer until their chests pressed together. Solid muscle against solid muscle. The scent of sweat and man, its own kind of aphrodisiac under the starlight sky, serenaded by the sounds of the night. “What about now?”

Ekon tilted his head, hair falling over his shoulders, his eyes searching for what Mao was holding back. “Wouldn’t it need to be a joint decision when it affects us both? We haven’t talked about what happens next,” he pointed out, moving the last couple of inches to steal a kiss.

He tasted the herbs and the sweetness of the cake he’d nabbed from Brandon, but beneath it was Mao’s masculine flavor that Ekon wanted to feed off. He pushed Mao back against the doorframe, pinning him as he ravaged his mouth in a passionate kiss.

Each kiss more potent than the last. Fast or slow, they all had a devastating impact when they rolled through him claiming every inch of him.

He swallowed Mao’s rumbled groan when Ekon’s hand moved over his ribcage, down to his waist to land on his ass. Finger’s dug into the round, tight butt. His earlier teasing surfacing.

Want you to feel the way I do when you slide that fat cock deep inside me. When I clench, squeeze because I don’t want to let go. Wanna know what’s it like?

A moan of complaint, “come back,” turned into a hissed curse, and Mao arching his head back to give Ekon better access to his throat as he trailed kisses under his jawline to his ear, licking around the lobe before nipping at it.

I’m sure it’s like heaven on earth, Mao grunted, hips rolling until his throbbing cock pressed against Ekon’s erection.

Then will you let me have a taste of heaven?

The big body plastered to his, shuddered violently. Passion filled, heavy-lidded eyes begged before Mao gasped, “Yes.” Just don’t get me pregnant.

Chuckling, Ekon lifted Mao off his feet effortlessly, his hand’s clasping hold of Mao’s ass to heft him high enough to force him to wrap his legs around Ekon’s waist. The light of surprise the dark depths was exhilarating.

Their clothing did little to disguise the hardness confined inside, pressing together. “I’ll do my best, but no promises.” Ekon headed back into the house.

Wearing a look of alarm, Mao quickly slung his arms around Ekon’s neck, glancing down at the ground. “Erm… I can walk?”

Ekon nuzzled into the side of Mao’s neck inhaling his scent, his desire scenting the air revealing the eagerness for what was coming. “I know, but you were being romantic at the dinner table, and this is your reward.”

He sensed Mao’s confusion, and it was kind of fun keeping his mate a little off balance. Ekon carried Mao into the hallway only to encounter his mom and dad heading for the stairs.

“Been a while since I was swept off my feet like that.” Mom stated, not hiding her delight to her husband who chuckled.

“My back ain’t up for that but—”

Mao’s head shot back. “Dad, if you love me, please don’t say another word.”