Page 33 of Immortal Bonds

CREIGHTON

The blockers Creighton had used all his life were nowhere to be found. The scent of his mate, of Thalric, was everywhere. But we should call him Daddy, a voice in his mind — his own — encouraged him to sink into the relationship they already had.

All the late-night text messages and shared thoughts, the hopes and dreams he'd revealed to a man he thought was halfway around the world.

With no control, and the familiarity making him reckless, Creighton turned his head and bit into his Daddy's wrist. He kept his eyes focused on the bigger man, and when his Daddy groaned, his head falling back as pleasure swept through him, Creighton rejoiced.

This was magnificent. Having a partner was better than he could have ever imagined.

He'd gone so long believing he'd end up alone, that no one would ever find him in San Noctis. Definitely not his mate. He'd also assumed that said mate would be a vampire as well. It wasn't that interspecies relationships didn't happen; it was just rarely seen with fated mates.

He sucked down the big dragon's rich blood, ingesting it far too fast but unable to stop himself. His Daddy tasted delicious. He felt the warmth move through him.

Every other time in his life that he'd fed on another being, it had been transactional at best. The connection was meant to satiate a need, not to build one.

This time, though, Creighton could feel the essence of himself changing. He wasn't sure if it was the mate bond slipping into place or his body relaxing, knowing that his Daddy was there. He didn't even have time to analyze how all of this had happened.

All he knew was that the scent had broken through his blockers and the man before him had called him Little Biter. Only one other person knew that name. If he were more present, he might have paused and questioned it. Instead, he continued to drink for another long minute. Then he pulled back and licked his lips.

Daddy was still watching him, though his eyes were glowing brightly. The dragon in him had come forth. Creighton reached a hand up to adjust his glasses and said softly, "Hi, Daddy."

The big man before him groaned yet again, then pulled Creighton up off the ground and into his arms. He scrambled to grip his Daddy's shoulders, to wrap his legs around him in a way that would give him some stability. He needn't have worried. His Daddy banded one arm behind his back and the other under his bottom. He couldn't get away even if he wanted to.

"Mate," the dragon growled.

Thalric's gentle voice was gone. The soothing tone he'd been using was lost to his passion. Creighton didn't mind. In fact, he kind of liked it.

"You are mine," Thalric demanded. "I will protect you to the ends of the earth, to the ends of every realm."

Creighton nodded quickly, licking his lips again, hoping to be able to taste more of his mate's blood.

Not one to miss anything, Thalric smirked. "You may have another taste, but I want one first."

Creighton's brows dipped. "You drink blood?" he muttered quickly. It wasn't that he minded, of course. He was just curious. He'd never met a dragon that drank blood for pleasure.

Thalric shook his head and walked them over to the empty couch. He dropped down, bringing Creighton with him.

"Daddy," Creighton squealed, giggling at the way they both bounced on the furniture.

"Yes, Little Biter?" he growled back.

"What are you — oh." Creighton's voice cut out as he felt the hard length of his Daddy beneath him.

There was no mistaking the arousal. It matched his own, which he'd been ignoring because of his desire to drink from his mate. But now, with his bloodlust sated, the rest of his body was on board and eager.

He grabbed his shirt and lifted it over his head. His glasses got hung up, and he grunted in annoyance before his Daddy chuckled and helped him free. Once his glasses were back on his face and his chest bare, Creighton smiled shyly at his Daddy.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"I've got you," Thalric answered without hesitation. His firm response, with zero hesitation, ramped up Creighton's arousal. He felt as if he were going to combust.

"Daddy," he groaned, shifting his hips forward.

The other man didn't acknowledge his words with an audible response. Instead, he let his hands roam over Creighton's body. He paid attention to every detail of his boy's skin. At least, that's what it looked like to Creighton. He couldn't read the other man's mind, had no clue without words what he was feeling.

"Daddy," Creighton repeated, this time more firmly. "Please."

His Daddy took pity on him, leaning forward to wrap his lips around one of Creighton's pebbled nipples. He grunted, arching his back into the touch, wanting more. "Yes," he panted.