Ride and Reap (11 page)

“Shit,” Mercy muttered.

“Let’s go,” Sweet hollered.
“Phoenix is about to run out of juice.”

Flanked by other Hellhounds, Kane
could breathe easier. They placed more distance between them and the angry
hunters, leaving behind the nightmare road marked with impaled heads.

“Don’t worry, human.” Sweet
startled Kane, slowing down his ride to match Kane’s speed. “Those bastards
won’t give chase, and I assume you got Fisher?”

Kane nodded, noticing Phoenix
laying his head on Sweet’s back, looking exhausted.

“A snake without its head won’t be
worth much,” Sweet said, self-satisfaction in his voice.

“Thank you. For coming for us.”

Sweet snorted. “Make no mistake. I
didn’t come for you.”

Grinning, Kane nodded. “He’s dead.
Decided to turn himself into bits, but I managed to get Reaper and I the hell
out of there.” He paused, regarding Sweet gravely. “Still, I owe you big. If
you guys hadn’t come…well, I was starting to think ending my life alongside
Reaper’s would be a better alternative.”

To his surprise, Sweet nodded.
“Those fuckers like to hear a shifter scream. I still don’t like you, but I can
see you’ll take good care of my brother.”

With those parting words, Sweet
sped off, taking the lead. Hearing the other Hellhounds boasting to each other
about their kills, Kane hid a small smile. He glanced down to see Reaper
snoring, knocked out, but Kane knew he’d recover in no time. Christ, did it
feel good to be alive.

What were the chances of Reaper and
him making it out? Pretty slim, and they both knew it. Kane escaped death
twice. The first time when Reaper stubbornly stuck to him and saved his life,
and then this. Maybe the fucking universe was telling him something. That this
was one life Kane had to live and cherish, his fierce and loyal mate by his
side.

“Kev, maybe your death finally
brought about one good thing,” Kane whispered under his breath.

He glanced upwards, at the spread
of the ink black sky netted with stars. The night wind rippled at his face, and
although he felt the chill, Kane realized he’d never before felt so free.
Thoughts of vengeance, amplified by the poison of hate fed to him by Harvey,
chained Kane down to a single path that led to one way—his grave and Reaper’s.
Riding alongside the Hellhounds with thoughts of home and a future, Kane
silently swore he’d always be thankful for the rest of his life, for the gift
of the present.
 

Chapter Eight

By day three, Reaper’s wounds had
mostly healed. They made camp for the evening by the roadside, and Kane
nervously watched Mercy check through Reaper’s injuries. Back in human form,
Reaper proved to be more distracting. Sweet remembered to bring extra clothes,
so Reaper wore a pair of faded jeans and a plain white shirt under his jacket.

Noticing Kane hovering by during
Mercy’s final assessment, Reaper flashed him a smile. “Don’t look so nervous,
Kane. I’m as good as new.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Kane
murmured. He had a hell of a time, teasing and fussing over Reaper, but he had
a feeling Reaper was about to turn the tables on him.

“Did you enjoy yourself, riding my
hog and taking control, little human?” Reaper asked, flashing him a look. His
eyes gleamed yellow under the fading daylight, intent and hungry. Hungry for
him, Kane knew, by the way Reaper liked to press his wolfish nose up his crotch
to sniff him.

Mercy cleared his throat. “Well,
aside from a small scar, you’ll heal.”

Overhearing their conversation,
some of the Hellhounds hunkered over the campfire they made beside their parked
bikes made crude jokes. “Someone’s getting nailed,” Sweet pointed out.

Ignoring him, Kane crossed his
arms, feeling conscious when Reaper approached him. He gave Reaper an
accusatory look. “I was worried to death about you.”

“Were you?” Reaper asked.

Kane took a step back, his heat
hammering.

It was the good kind of fear that
put a delicious kind of edge in their relationship. On his neck, Kane felt
Reaper’s bite mark pulse in reminder. Affirmation Kane belonged to Reaper, and
vice versa, their souls bound until death did them part.

Excitement thrummed in Kane’s veins
at that, made his jeans feel unbelievably tight. No longer plagued with
thoughts of his old mentor and his misguided vengeance, Kane could focus on his
own needs. Reaper looked so fucking perfect, standing so close. He served as a
reminder of all Kane stood to gain, something he’d never thought he would
imagine having—his man, his mate, a home and a future.

Closing the empty space between
them, Reaper finally pulled Kane close, the heat of Reaper’s body chasing away
the cold of the desert. He leaned in close, so only Kane could hear his words.
“Baby, the way you’re looking at me is breaking my heart.”

Kane didn’t care the other
Hellhounds heard him. Pressing a hand against Reaper’s chest, Kane felt the
steady beat of his heart. “I fucking love you.”

More whoops and sniggers came from those
by the fire.

Reaper closed his large hand over
his wrist. “I know. Let’s take a ride.”

Taking the lead, Reaper led him to
his bike.

“Play nice you two,” Sweet called.

“Fuck yourself,” Reaper said, not
without affection. “Get on.”

Glad Reaper took the handlebars,
Kane contently took his rightful place behind Reaper, locking his arms around
Reaper’s waist. Feeling playful, Kane ground his erection against Reaper’s
back, making him growl.

“I can’t wait to taste that needy
cock, Kane, and fill the air with the sounds of your pleading.”

Kane flushed at the compliment, but
Reaper wasn’t done.

“Then put my mouth to that tight
little puckered hole of yours.”

“Reaper,” Kane said in a hoarse
voice. “Please.”

Chuckling, Reaper revved the
engine, and they were off. Only the moon and stars lighted the way, but with
Reaper’s supernatural ability to see in the dark, Kane wasn’t worried about
accidentally falling down a hole in the road.

“Where are we going?” Kane yelled
against the wind.

“Not far,” Reaper answered. “Unless
you don’t mind me fucking you in front of my brothers.”

Kane shook his head at that.
“Anywhere is fine. I like riding.”

He used to fear traveling at night,
with nothing but the car and the dead desert on either side of him. Kane
remembered huddling in a blanket in the backseat unable to sleep during his
journey from New Melville to Wolf County. Felt stupid now, thinking of
invisible monsters lurking in the sand. Kane pressed his head against Reaper’s
warm back.

“Don’t get too comfy, baby. The
night’s just begun,” Reaper said, stopping the bike on the side of the road.

Kane got off, looking back and
front, seeing nothing but the same seemingly endless scenery. Reaper snatched
something from the backseat of his bike, and grabbed Kane’s arm. They walked
away from the cracked road. Kane’s shoes crunched on hard soil and occasionally
turfs of yellowed grass that refused to die.

“Right about here,” Reaper said.

The terrain began to slope upwards,
but they continued their hike. Seeing the bloated moon ahead, Kane’s breath
caught in his throat. He took more halting steps, but Reaper caught he scruff
of his shirt. “Careful. Drop ahead.”

Swallowing, Kane took a step back
and saw Reaper was right. He peered down the drop. Moonlight highlighted red
rock formations.

“How did you know about this
place?” Kane asked.

Reaper laid something flat on the
ground. A blanket. He plunked down, patting the empty space beside him. Kane
joined him, snuggling close to Reaper’s warmth. It was a little colder here,
but Reaper was better than any other blanket.

“Sweet and I used to ride up here,
when we needed to blow off some steam.”

“We’re near Wolf County then?” Kane
asked.

“A two-day ride, three at the most,
if the boys want to stop by Beaver’s Mill for a couple of drinks.”

“I never thought we’d make it back
in one piece,” Kane confessed.

Reaper looked thoughtful. “Do you
wish you could have saved Harvey?”

Kane rubbed at his cold hands,
looking at them. He’d shed plenty of blood during his journey of revenge.
Harvey’s death would haunt him, like many ghosts from his past. He answered
Reaper truthfully. “Even if I wanted to try and reason with him, he was beyond
saving.”

Reaper caught his hands, blowing at
them, instantly warming them with his breath. “No use overthinking about the
past."

“I know.” Making the first move,
Kane leaned in close, tracing Reaper’s bottom lip with his tongue. Reaper’s
breath hitched, closing one hand over Kane’s wrists, restraining them. The pressure
of his fingers made Kane’s pulse speed up. “Make me forget. Remind me of life,”
Kane whispered.

“My fucking pleasure.” Reaper bit
his lower lip, drawing blood, then pushed his tongue between Kane’s half-opened
lips. Heat and Reaper’s taste flooded down his throat. Reaper laid him flat on
the blanket, releasing Kane’s lips to straddle him, yanking his hands above his
head.

“Please.” Kane didn’t know what
exactly he begged for, but Reaper seemed to know what he needed. Taking his
lips again, Reaper kissed him rough, leaving him gasping for more. He made a
path down Kane’s neck, taking his time to lick his mating mark.

“Who do you belong to, Kane?”
Reaper asked, voice hoarse with barely contained need.

“You, Reaper,” Kane said without
hesitation.

Hand on the hem of his shirt,
Reaper ripped the thin cotton fabric in irritation, baring Kane’s upper body to
his gaze. He moved on to Kane’s jeans, freeing Kane from the denim, until he
lay there, pinned and naked, all for Reaper.

“Mine,” Reaper said in agreement.

Shuddering at the look in his eyes,
Kane still couldn’t get over the fact anyone would want him, and go to such
lengths to claim his bounty. He heard the slither of leather on belt loops as
Reaper yanked his belt out, then tied Kane’s hands together with it, as if he
wanted both hands free to explore and taste Kane’s body. Reaper used his legs
to keep Kane’s apart. Kane’s body was effectively restrained, immobile and only
able to take what Reaper wanted to give. Jesus, the thought made his cock harden.

Impatient, frustrated, Kane tried
to rub his body against Reaper, but Reaper curled his fingers around his shaft,
a warning.

“Be patient. I plan to fucking take
my time.” Reaper nipped at the side of his neck again, leaving a faint mark,
before leaving a trail of bites downwards. He closed his mouth over Kane’s
right nipple, sealing the hardened bud with heat. Groaning, Kane squirmed at
the slight edge of teeth.

Yes,
Kane silently dared. He wanted to wear Reaper’s marks, temporary and permanent.
Fucked up as it was, he wanted to establish his role in a world that lacked
purpose the day he discovered his vengeance meant nothing.

Reaper bit, making him cry out,
hand holding Kane’s dick captive furiously working him. He gave Kane’s other
nipple the same treatment, and then grazed his sharp teeth against Kane’s ribs,
his abs, not drawing blood. Reaper’s intention had been to tease and torment,
and Kane hated and loved Reaper for it, for knowing his needs so well, and
accommodating them.

Lowering his head, Reaper reached
Kane’s prick now. Grinning, Reaper blew against Kane’s glistening tip.

“You bastard,” Kane rasped. “Son of
a bitch.”

“Let me hear you beg, Kane.” Reaper
nudged his thighs wider, callused hands pressing into the flesh to further
expose Kane’s straining cock, curving up to Reaper’s lips in invitation. Not
waiting any longer for Kane’s answer, Reaper’s tongue lashed at Kane’s
glistening tip, licking the pre-cum, prodding at the slit.

“Fuck,” Kane whispered, voice
hoarse. Reaper took his dick between his lips, easily accommodating his length.
The warmth of his inviting mouth pulled Kane in, and he nearly came then.
Remembering he didn’t have Reaper’s position, Kane held back his climax,
gritting his teeth when Reaper drew away, leaving him wanting.

“Ready to ask for forgiveness?”
Reaper dragged his tongue downwards, from Kane’s cockhead to his balls, taking
his time, although Kane could see the ridge pressing against Reaper’s jeans.
Who knew Reaper could be a damn sadist? “Let me see that tight little hole of
yours.”

Hands on Kane’s ankles, Reaper drew
his knees up, mouth on his hole. Kane swallowed, cheeks burning when Reaper
examined him there, his own shaft so thick, so near to exploding. With a lick
of his lips, Reaper traced the puckered rim, tongue sliding in to fuck him.
Kane jerked at the texture of his tongue lashing at that intimate part of him.

“Reaper, please,” Kane rasped.

Reaper raised his head, yellow gaze
triumphant. “What are you begging me for, little human?”

“I want…” Kane hesitated,
tongue-tied. “You.”

“Elaborate, baby.”

“Your dick in me, your hand on my
cock, giving me permission to come,” Kane whispered.

“Very good, baby. I’m so fucking
proud of you.” Reaper took his lips again, then stood, finally shedding his
clothes.

Kane enjoyed the sight of him,
powerful muscles flexing under the moonlight. His gaze lingered on the massive
cock between Reaper’s legs, and he licked his lips in anticipation.

“For yielding?” Kane asked,
watching Reaper fish a tube of lube from the back pocket of his jeans.

“For everything. For confronting
your old fears, taking a stand, and choosing me. Us.” Reaper positioned himself
between his legs, lifting them over his shoulders.

Warmth and tenderness surged
through Kane at those words.

“We’re worth it,” Kane answered,
groaning when Reaper’s lube fingers slid into his opening.

“You’re fucking worth it,” Reaper
corrected. He slid a second digit in, and began scissoring Kane for his access.

“You’re going to make me come, if
you keep talking like that.”

“Don’t you fucking dare. If you do,
well, I’m going to fucking enjoy making you suffer.” Making his point, Reaper
closed his fingers over Kane’s cockhead. “We clear?”

“Yes,” Kane uttered, gasping when
Reaper curled his finger in, reaching his sweet spot. His eyes widened, when
Reaper did it again. “We’re clear,” he said on a gasp.

“Good.” Reaper pulled his finger
out. “Time you remembered who this body belongs to, Kane.”

“Yours. Always, including my heart
and soul,” Kane couldn’t help but say, and that made Reaper’s eyes light up,
his wolf growl in assent.

Without warning, Reaper pushed his
way in, sheathing himself completely. Kane dug his fingers into the leather
belt at the fucking delicious burn, at the feel of Reaper’s dick stretching his
ass. He willed his inner muscles to clamp over Reaper’s shaft, making Reaper
groan, and tighten his grip over his hips.

“Fuck, Kane. So tight.” Reaper
blanketed his body over Kane, sweat-beaded flesh pressed against each other. He
became aware of the hard ground underneath the blanket, the endless night sky
sprawling above their heads, and the cold, rendered immune by the heat between
their bodies.

“God, baby. You feel so good. So
right,” Kane said, his last words, because Reaper began to move.

Each thrust, faster, deeper, fueled
by need and longing. Reaper let Kane circle his bound hands around his neck, so
Kane could hold Reaper close. Begging Reaper to help Kane forget had started
all this, but deep down, Kane knew they both needed this—a new beginning.
Sliding a hand between their bodies, Reaper began to glide his fist up and down
Kane’s dick.

Reaper reduced both of them to
panting animals, made their surroundings fall away, a pale comparison to the
collision of their bodies, and the intense explosion about to detonate.
Changing the angle of his entry, Reaper hammered into Kane, wrangling a breathy
gasp from him. Kane dug his fingernails into Reaper’s skin, as Reaper aimed for
his prostate repeatedly, his screams echoing through their vast surroundings.

“Give me your surrender, baby,”
Reaper commanded against his ear, pinching the tip of his shaft.

Kane’s mind reeled. With a
shuddering cry, Kane reached climax, spraying strings of his cum all over
Reaper’s chest and belly. Waves of pleasure ran down the length of him. Several
thrusts later, Reaper followed with a growl, emptying his load inside Kane’s
ass, like a predator laying his claim. If so, Kane willingly would be Reaper’s
prey. The thought made him flash a lazy smile, his mind still floating in a sea
of bliss.