Phoenix Arizona (10 page)

Matt threw back his head, and with a primal bellow of Phoenix’s name, his seed exploded inside his mate’s tight, hot ass. He scooped his hands under Phoenix’s shoulders, lifting him up until they were chest to chest. He growled then sank his teeth into Phoenix’s shoulder.

Phoenix cried out again, and Matt felt warmth between them. His mate had painted them both with his spunk.

“Oh. My. God.” Phoenix groaned as his head tilted onto Matt’s shoulder. Matt chuckled.

“Liked that, did ya?” He licked the wound closed and held Phoenix in his arms. Having his mate so close felt so damn right to Matt. It was as if that piece that was missing from his heart finally filled in.

“Is it that obvious?” Phoenix laughed into his neck, warming Matt’s heart.

“Just a tad.” Matt laid him down, getting off of the bed and grabbing a towel that was lying on the dresser to wrap around his waist. He went across the hall to the bathroom to wet a washcloth to clean his mate with. Once he was spunk-free, he opened the bathroom door.

“If it’s anything like it sounds, can you find me a doggie?” Armando teased as he came out of his room.

Matt snorted. “I don’t think you’re trainable.” He ducked away from Armando’s hand as the guy tried to slap his head.

“I’ll give you trainable, fleabag.”

Matt grinned and stepped back into the bedroom. Phoenix still lay where he left him. Matt took the warm cloth and wiped his mate’s belly and cock. Pulling a leg up, Matt wiped his seed from Phoenix’s ass.

“Mmm, I think I need a nap.” Phoenix yawned and rolled to his side, placing his hand on Matt’s leg.

“Get some rest, pup. I’ll be back to pick you up at six.” He kissed Phoenix on the lips then got dressed, pulling his holster back around his shoulder and replacing the gun in it. He grabbed his badge and settled the chain around his neck. Matt bent and kissed Phoenix one more time before he covered him and quietly closed the door.

“Try not to bite anyone. And chasing parked cars is a very bad thing to do, doggie,” Armando called out as Matt rolled his eyes and left the apartment. He wasn’t averse to decking the guy good-bye.

* * * *

“God, that smells good. What is it?” Phoenix asked as he stepped behind Armando to inhale the delicious aroma. His stomach grumbled loudly at the smell of food. He had eaten lunch, but Armando was one hell of a cook. Phoenix would gladly eat anything the man cooked any day.

“Sloppy cornbread and it’s not ready yet, so keep your paws away.” Armando tapped Phoenix’s knuckles lightly with the spatula.

Phoenix sighed heavily, giving the man his dramatics. “Are you going to give up on the dog jokes anytime soon?”

“Are you kidding? I’m having way too much fun. So the answer is a definite
no
.” Armando slid the Pyrex into the oven and began to clean up the mess he made preparing dinner. Phoenix rolled his eyes as Armando began to hum to himself, telling Phoenix without words that the request was a lost cause.

“I didn’t think so.” Phoenix crossed the kitchen, reached into the fridge, and grabbed the juice. He took a glass from the cupboard and poured himself a glass of juice then sat at the table. He smiled to himself as he watched his best friend wash the dishes. The man was going to give Matt hell, and Phoenix knew it.

The thought of Matt only reminded Phoenix that he had woken up missing Matt almost to the point of pain. He couldn’t understand it. They had only been separated a few hours, but it felt like an eternity. This was crazy, insane, and downright scary. Phoenix may never have dated before, but he knew it wasn’t supposed to hurt when his boyfriend wasn’t near him. He rubbed his sternum as he sipped his juice, wondering maybe if he should just call the whole thing off. He was getting in too deep. He was physically hurting for crying out loud.

Did he have the hots for Matt that bad? Phoenix sipped his juice, watching the clock and counting the time until Matt returned.

Two more hours.

He began to bounce his leg manically as he strummed his fingers on the table. His skin felt a bit stretched, and Phoenix was sweating. He glanced at the clock again. Maybe he should go take a shower. That should kill about ten minutes.

Fuck, I have it bad.

Phoenix felt a bit flushed as he took his glass to the sink and dipped it into the soapy water. He needed to pull his head out of Matt’s ass. It was buried so far up there that Phoenix couldn’t think past the man. All he wanted was for those two stinking hours to hurry up so he could see the guy again. Damn, it was warm in here.

“You okay, Nix? You look amped up.” Armando dried his hands and then tilted Phoenix’s face up, looking into his eyes. “You high?” He growled out the question. “Your goddamn pupils are dilated.”

“No.” Phoenix jerked his head free of Armando’s grip. What had his best friend seen? “You know I don’t do drugs.”

“You’re sweating like a damn pig, and you’re all pink and bouncy. What in the fuck did that cop give you?” Armando bit out the question, his brows pulled down into an angry scowl. “If he’s pushing drugs on you, I’ll slice the bastard’s balls off.”

“I said I didn’t take any drugs, Armando!” Phoenix felt his teeth chattering as he raced from the kitchen. He ran into the bathroom and slammed the door, feeling nauseous as hell. He looked in the mirror at his reflection. His skin was flushed and his pupils were indeed dilated. What the hell was wrong with him? He couldn’t get Matt off of his mind. It was like the guy had seeped into Phoenix’s bones and was trying to take over his damn body. Phoenix actually hurt being separated from Matt.

“Nix, open this door now.” Armando pounded on the cheap wood with a heavy fist.

Phoenix slid to the floor. His hands were shaking and his stomach was in knots. “Call Matt. I think something’s wrong with me. His number is on my dresser written on a napkin.” Phoenix couldn’t understand what in the hell was wrong with him. He’d never wigged out like this over a man before. Sure, the sex had been earth shattering, but it almost felt like Phoenix was going through Matt withdrawal.

He listened to Armando’s footsteps hurry away, and then the sound of Armando’s heavy footfall was running back a few minutes later. Phoenix curled his legs to his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs as he rested his forehead on his arms, rocking back and forth. It hurt and he couldn’t understand why.

“He’s on his way, Nix. Open the door.” Armando jiggled the handle. “I would really hate to break it down.”

Armando would do it, too. Phoenix crawled on his hands and knees to the door and then reached up, turning the lock on the handle.

Armando pushed the door open and then peeked in. “Fuck, Nix.” Armando swung the door wide as he squatted down next to Phoenix and laid his hand on Phoenix’s forehead. “You’re burning up. I’m going to take you to the hospital.”

“No.” Phoenix shook his head as he slid away from his friend. “I need Matt.” His body began to shake so violently that Armando pulled Phoenix into his arms. Phoenix balled up and whimpered, wanting Matt so badly that it hurt beyond words.

“What did he do to you, Nix?” Armando demanded softly as he rocked Phoenix in his large arms. “I’m going to kill that fucking dog.” He carried Phoenix to his bed and laid him down gently. Phoenix watched as Armando ran from the room and then came back with a wet towel. It felt cool against his heated skin when Armando placed the towel over his forehead. He ran his fingers through Phoenix’s hair, smiling down at him. “We’ve been through too much together, little brother. Tell me what Matt gave you.”

“N–Nothing. You know I don’t do drugs,” Phoenix repeated as his teeth chattered until he thought they would shatter in his mouth.

Armando pulled the towel from Phoenix’s head, narrowing his eyes as he pulled the skin down under Phoenix’s eyes. “Then what the hell is wrong with you?”

“Separation anxiety.”

Armando jerked his head around, and Phoenix wanted to cry with relief when he saw Matt standing in the doorway. His body jerked at the sight, his arms immediately lifting, wanting Matt to fill them. His skin buzzed with anticipation as Matt crossed the room. Never before had Phoenix seen a more beautiful sight in his life. He slapped Armando’s shoulder when his friend wouldn’t get out of the way fast enough.

Matt knelt by Phoenix, scooping him up until he rested against Matt’s chest. His body immediately started to relax, the shivering eased, and his skin began to cool down.

“What in the hell is that supposed to mean, cop?” Armando snapped as he glared at Matt. Phoenix could tell that Armando wanted to throttle the guy, but Phoenix was relieved when Armando crossed his arms over his broad chest instead.

Matt glanced down at him, brushing aside the fall of bangs as he gave Phoenix a soft smile. “Our bond is growing stronger and soon Phoenix won’t be able to be away from me, although it’s happening at a faster rate than I expected.” Matt rubbed soothing circles on Phoenix’s back, kissing his forehead and holding him tight. Phoenix wasn’t trembling anymore, and he could feel his stomach unknotting.

But hearing Matt say that he was suffering because they were apart made Phoenix want to smack the man. How in the hell was he going to work like this? Matt was good in bed, but his dick wasn’t that spectacular. Well, it was, but not enough to make Phoenix go through physical withdrawal. He just didn’t understand it. They had only met last night!

“Great, you gave him rabies.” Armando waved a hand at Phoenix, his expression murderous. “How the hell are you two supposed to work if you can’t be separated?”

Phoenix’s thoughts exactly.

Matt pulled his holster off, and then yanked his shirt over his head. Phoenix panted at the sight of Matt’s naked and well-defined chest. His cock instantly began to fill.
Oh, hell.
He really was going mad.

Matt neatly folded the shirt and then put it under Phoenix’s chin. Phoenix inhaled deeply, and his body was instantly flooded with Matt’s scent. His cock jerked and his heartbeat raced, but he didn’t feel as if someone had punched him in the gut with a sledgehammer.

Matt ran his knuckle down the side of Phoenix’s cheek, smiling at him before he kissed the side of Phoenix’s head. Phoenix wanted to cry from the overwhelming feelings inside of him for this man.

“As long as he has my scent near him, he should be fine. I’ll have to remember to leave something of mine over here for him,” Matt said as he glanced up at Armando.

“So you’re going back to work naked?” Armando asked as he raked his eyes over Matt’s bare chest. “Please put a shirt on, doggie, before your fleas jump all over the apartment.”

Matt glared at Armando. “Not likely, queeny. I’ll drive over to my place and pick a few more T-shirts up.” Matt stood, placing Phoenix back on the bed. “I do have to go. You should be okay until I come back for our drive, pup.” Matt kissed his cheek, giving Phoenix one of those amazing smiles.

Phoenix frowned when he saw the way Armando was staring at Matt. Maybe he
had
gone mad, because it looked to Phoenix like Armando was staring at Matt with respect. No, it had to have been the fever. When Armando caught Phoenix staring at him, he quickly changed his expression to one of irritation.

“Believe me, doggie. I’ll call you if he goes all weird again.”

* * * *

Armando walked Matt to the door, opening it as the cop made to leave. Phoenix was his best friend, and Armando would be lost without the man. Although a romantic relationship hadn’t panned out between them, Armando would kill for his Nix. The man was like a little brother to him, and he would do whatever he had to in order to protect Phoenix. “Uh, thanks,” Armando muttered quietly as Matt passed him.

Matt stilled, cupping his ear with his hand. “What was that? You have to speak up. I could have sworn you just thanked me, queeny.”

Armando chuckled. “Fucker.”

“Bitch.” Matt grinned as he walked out.

Valentine raised an eyebrow at Matt as he climbed back in the car. Somehow Matt knew his partner and friend was about to say something sarcastic. The shifter just had that look. “You know, usually when someone stops for a quickie, they put
all
their clothes back on.”

Yep, good old Valentine.

Matt slammed the door closed, letting out a heavy breath as he sat back. “Shut up, John.”

“Touchy. Is your mate okay?” Valentine asked as he pulled away from the curb and steered the car back out into traffic. Matt knew he wouldn’t have to tell his partner to take him home. Valentine was pretty perceptive, and he was already heading that way.

Matt rested his elbow on the door, running his fingers over his chin as he glanced out the passenger window. “He has separation anxiety. I gave him my shirt so he could have my scent.”

“So soon?” Valentine asked with disbelief as he shot a glance at Matt and then concentrated on driving once more.

Matt nodded with a jerk of his head. “It stunned me, too. I wonder why it’s hitting him this fast.” Matt rubbed his hand over his head as he thought about what Phoenix was going through. He couldn’t understand it. Their bond should be forming slowly. Over time they would be able to read each other like the backs of their hands, but this was rapidly progressing within hours. Matt had never heard of such a thing. It should take months before they started feeling anxious when either of them was too far away from the other.