The Seahorse Who Loved the Wrong Lynx (7 page)

“I’ve heard, yes.” Corbin smiled tightly. “Preston told me. He also

told me about your accident.”

Layton supposed that it was bound to happen since Preston had

still been very pissed at his brother when Layton had gone. “It was

nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Corbin shook his head, his shoulders slumping. “It was all my

fault. If I hadn’t treated you that way…God, you can’t imagine how

sorry I am.” Corbin gave him a pleading look. “I’ve seriously never

considered you as my mate. Perhaps I was wrong. Look, I broke up

with Cherise. And if you’d just teach me…”

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47

Layton stared at the lynx, giving the words time to compute. He

couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Corbin was actually

considering mating Layton because he felt guilty.

A few months back, Layton would have punched Corbin. The

mere suggestion was humiliating. It felt like a pity fuck, and a selfish offer from Corbin’s part, whether the lynx realized it or not. But now, Layton had reached a realization, and it allowed him to stay calm.

“You’re an idiot,” he shot back. “I don’t want to be your mate. I

don’t think I ever did.”

Corbin gaped at him. “You can’t be serious. Layton!”

Layton stopped Corbin with a raised hand. “No, look. I’m sorry

I’ve been stalking you all this time. I don’t know why, but I was

convinced that you were my mate. But recent events have made me

realize I was wrong. So, let’s say we’re even and shake hands, okay?”

It was true. In the end, Layton had been haunting Corbin’s steps

for many years now, and Corbin’s reckless, insulting words were

nothing compared to that.

Corbin reached for his hand, still looking doubtful. “If you’re

sure.”

It was strange that Corbin questioned Layton, especially now,

when Layton had finally found a certainty again. Oh, he still couldn’t understand many things, but one was absolutely clear. He’d been

mistaken about one of the most important aspects of his life. He had no idea how that was even possible since he’d always been convinced

shape-shifters could identify their mate on sight. But whatever the

reason, Alexis’s powers seemed to have snapped him out of that

mistake, and Layton intended to make use of this chance.

He nodded and smiled at Corbin. “Take care, okay? I’ll be off.”

“Are you leaving again?”

Layton shook his head. “I need to talk to Preston.”

“Ah.” Thankfully, Corbin didn’t ask what Layton meant to tell

Preston. Instead, he asked, “Could you put in a good word for me?

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We’ve been at odd and ends with each other for weeks. I really need

him to hear me out.”

“I’ll tell him.” Layton squeezed Corbin’s shoulder. “Don’t worry

about it. He’s your brother, and he loves you. He’ll come around.”

They said their good-byes, and Layton left the auto shop, heading

toward Preston’s home and business. The bookstore was open, and

Preston was behind the counter, seemingly going through some

paperwork.

He looked up as Layton came in. Butterflies fluttered their wings

angrily in Layton’s stomach. How could he have missed this? It

seemed impossible.

“Hi, Preston,” he croaked out.

Preston beamed at him, although his eyes were a little sad. “Hey,

Layton. Welcome back. So, did you make up with Corbin?”

“I suppose I did, in a way.” Layton shook himself, knowing he

wasn’t making much sense. He also realized that he’d visited Corbin

first could easily be misinterpreted. Layton owed Preston a huge

apology. In fact, he didn’t know if he could ever make it up to the

lynx. “Preston, I want to tell you something, but I really don’t know where to begin.”

Preston’s expression softened. “With the beginning, of course.

Wait, let me just close the shop down so we can talk calmly.”

Layton was thankful when Preston placed the “closed” sign on the

door. There were so many things he wanted to tell Preston, but when

he was finally faced with it, he thought that he might not be able to do so. It occurred to Layton then that, in spite of them having sex,

Preston might not want him for a mate. After all, Layton had fucked

up once. How could he be trusted to not make a mistake?

Layton gestured him to a couch, and as they sat down, Layton

reached out to Preston and took his lover’s hand. “I need to ask you something.”

“Whatever you want,” Preston replied in a startled tone. “What is

it, Layton?”

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49

“Do you…Do you think I’m your mate?”

The lynx tensed visibly. “That’s an unfair question,” Preston said

in a pained tone.

“I know. Just be honest. Please. It’s very important.”

Preston looked away from him. For a few excruciatingly long

moments, he remained silent. Then he met Layton’s gaze again. “I’ve

known you’re my mate for years, lovely,” he replied, his voice not

shaking one bit. “I’m sorry if that’s not what you want to hear, but yes, I am convinced that’s true.”

A sense of relief flooded Layton, and this time, he couldn’t stop

his tears. He pounced on Preston, hugging him tight and blurting out,

“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.”

Preston held him patiently until finally Layton ran out of

apologies. He broke away from Preston and wiped his eyes,

embarrassed about his outburst. It was official. This pregnancy had

his emotions even more erratic than usual. “Sorry,” he said again.

“Okay, you already told me that.” Preston seemed puzzled. “Care

to tell me what you’re even sorry about?”

“All this time, I’ve been convinced Corbin was my mate, but in

fact, it was you. You were the one for me, and I couldn’t see it.” He clenched his fists, frustrated with himself for his blindness. “Can you ever forgive me? Can you give me a second chance or have I ruined

things up beyond help?”

“Layton, lovely, please don’t fuck with me.” Preston’s voice was

calm, and the profanity sounded almost out of context. “Don’t say

anything you don’t mean.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you,” Layton replied. He swallowed around

the knot in his throat and looked down at his hands. “I really can’t imagine how it must have been like for you. I mean…Knowing that.

With me being such an idiot jerk.”

“Sure you can.” Preston’s tone was too kind to be dismissive.

“After all, my brother did the same thing to you.”

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And didn’t that put things into perspective? Layton had hated

every single time Corbin had pushed him away for someone else. If

he’d been someone else, he would have cried himself to sleep for half of his mature life.

“I deserve it,” he said. “You don’t.”

“Let’s not play the blame game now,” Preston said. “No one ever

wins, and I’m not exactly an angel, either.” His fingers landed on

Layton’s chin, forcing Layton’s head up. Their eyes met again and

Preston smiled. “Hi.”

Layton’s self-flagellation began to dim when faced with that

bright expression. “Hello,” he replied stupidly.

“Tell me, lovely,” Layton said huskily, “do you really mean this?

Did I hear you right? Do you think I’m your mate?”

“I know so.” Preston looked like he wanted to say something, but

Layton stopped him. “Please, listen. I won’t deny I wanted Corbin. I wanted him very badly. But…compared to that, this…It’s different

somehow. It’s like that need I had for him was empty, fake. I can’t

explain it. Maybe it was just lust and I confused it with something

else.”

“Maybe.” Preston licked his lips. “Are you sure, though? It isn’t

because of Corbin being an ass?”

“You know, I asked myself that same question. It’s why I went to

see him again. I wanted to know how I truly felt about him.”

Preston’s blue gaze pierced into his very soul. “And you got your

answer.”

Layton nodded. “I want you to claim me, Preston. If you still think

you can give me a chance, if I haven’t fucked this up beyond repair, I want you to claim me.”

Preston released a sound that seemed like a cross between a growl

and a sob. Before Layton even knew what was going on, his lover, no, his mate, shot to his feet and pulled him up. Layton found himself

draped over Preston’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He might have protested—there were still many things they hadn’t discussed—but

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51

then Preston’s hand caressed his bottom, lingering over the crease,

and Layton’s mind and body went into “fuck now” mode.

Preston carried him upstairs into the same small apartment they’d

first made love in. It was tiny, but comfortable and cozy, with that lived-in look. Most importantly, it was all Preston, with books

cluttering every available space and plenty of couches and armchairs available for any reader who wanted to cuddle up with one of the

volumes or, alternatively, for a couple who couldn’t wait to get to the bed. There was even a fireplace, a lingering trace of the age of the building. It was hardly practical this day and age, but Layton’s parents owned one, confirming Layton’s theory that his father was a closet

romantic. It seemed Preston shared this trait because the remnants of a fire still burned there.

Preston made for the bedroom, but Layton poked him. “The

fireplace,” he said.

Preston snickered. “Your wish is my command,” he replied, his

voice filled with gravel.

There was a fur rug in front of the fireplace, but thankfully it was fake. Layton didn’t fancy fucking on a dead animal, and it seemed

neither did Preston. The lynx deposited Layton on the fur, and Layton relaxed as he waited to see what his mate would do.

Preston tossed a couple of logs in the fireplace, seeming to avoid

looking at Layton. When a joyful flame blazed, Preston turned toward Layton again. There was something in his eyes, a sort of disbelief, as if he couldn’t quite fathom the concept of Layton truly being there.

Layton smiled at him. “Come to me, Pres. Claim me.”

When Preston didn’t move, Layton took it upon himself to prepare

a more irresistible invitation. He started unbuttoning his shirt, hiding a smirk when Layton’s gaze followed his every motion. Once he

revealed his chest, he advanced to his lower garments. He got rid of his shoes then slowly began to lower his zipper.

Preston released a gurgling sound. Clothes started flying off, but

unlike Layton, Preston didn’t bother with a slow strip. Seams ripped
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and material tore as Preston made short work of his outfit. Layton

didn’t even know where his mate’s shoes landed because a few

moments later, Preston was on him, pressing their mouths together,

and technicalities ceased to matter.

With their lips still fused, Preston helped Layton out of his jeans.

At last, they were both naked, skin to skin, rubbing against each other, seeking the pleasure they could only find through their bond. Layton didn’t know how he could have ever doubted the identity of his mate.

It seemed so obvious now, and the relief just added to the pleasure he felt at Preston’s touch.

Preston’s tongue made love to Layton’s mouth, wildly, sweetly,

taking and giving. His hands roamed over Layton’s skin, mapping

every inch of him, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Layton could only surrender to his mate’s masterful touch. He wrapped his arms

around Preston’s neck, pulling the other man closer.

They only broke apart to breathe, and then the kisses and the

touches started all over again. At one point, Preston decided tasting Layton’s mouth was not enough and proceeded to explore the rest of

Layton’s body with his tongue.

He sucked on Layton’s Adam’s apple, seemingly finding great

enjoyment in licking across the hollow of his neck. All the while, his hands never stopped kneading, touching, loving. Every caress

appeared to be engineered to drive Layton crazy.

Lower down Preston went, until he reached Layton’s nipples.

When Preston’s mouth enclosed around the tight buds, Layton pushed

up, arching against Preston with a silent cry. Preston chuckled, and the light vibration only served to augment the pleasure. Layton’s skin was engulfed by flame, a hotter one than could ever burn in the

fireplace. If Preston didn’t claim him soon, he’d certainly die.

Preston’s tongue traveled from his nipples over his abdomen until

it hovered over Layton’s prick. Instead of going where Layton most

wanted him, though, Preston bypassed Layton’s cock and buried his

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53

nose in Layton’s pubic hair. He inhaled deeply, as if he couldn’t get enough of Layton’s scent.

Layton’s entire body trembled with the effort to remain still. But

as Preston started mouthing Layton’s balls, it was getting increasingly hard to maintain his resolve. Preston’s teasing licks swept over

Layton’s wrinkled sac, and Layton writhed on the fur rug, the slight, artificial hairs rubbing against his oversensitized skin.

And then, all of a sudden, Preston took Layton’s cock in his

mouth. Throughout the past weeks, Layton had relived his first time

with Preston often until he’d almost begun to believe that he was

embellishing reality, and it couldn’t have been that good. It was