Mating Song (Eternal Flames Book 14) Read online

  He looked up to find Shadow standing there, center stage, looking so fucking sexy in his black cargo pants, tight black tee, and black combat boots. Deja let his gaze roam over all his muscled glory, then met Shadow’s incredible glacier-blue eyes, and saw deep stress there which caused concern.

  Deja took the bite of the tamale that still sat between his lips, then pulled his hand back as he slowly chewed. He had no idea what was going on here, but from the look in his mate’s eyes, Deja was worried. He placed the tamale on a plate, then made to stand, but Shadow stopped him.

  “No, don’t get up, just… just stay there,” Shadow said nervously.

  Deja was not happy hearing the slight tremor in his badass mate’s voice, but he sat back down and kept his gaze on Shadow.

  Shadow swallowed, then took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Suddenly music began to play softly in the background, and Deja straightened, giving his mate his full attention. As the song continued, he began to get really nervous when Shadow remained still, no words coming from his mouth, and his eyes stayed closed.

  Then the shock of all shocks happened when Shadow opened his mouth and began to sing softly. So low that Deja could barely hear him, even with the microphone before him. Good thing he knew the words to the song Shadow was trying to sing. Tears sprung to his eyes as the lyrics ran through his head. It was “Strong Enough” by Apocalyptica.

  “I’m not strong enough to stay away, can’t run from you…

  After another line, Shadow got choked up. Deja could see his Adam’s apple moving, and knew his mate was struggling to sing to him. He also knew this was so far out of Shadow’s comfort zone, but his mate was trying to do this for him. Shadow was speaking to his heart in the language Deja knew best, and the thought made him smile as tears rolled down his cheeks.

  Shadow missed the next verse and just stood there, frozen, but Deja waited.

  The sound of many softly moving feet came to him, and suddenly Wade, Snake, Six, Flyer, Rory, and Bullseye stepped onto the stage from the wings and stopped behind Shadow. Wade and Snake moved forward, and each placed one hand on Shadow’s shoulders, and Wade leaned in and whispered in Shadow’s ear.

  Shadow drew in a shaky breath as the music started over. When the right chord came, Shadow lifted his head and their gazes met. Deja gasped from the look in his mate’s eyes that were so full of worry, but also… could he dare hope… love. He listened, holding his breath, as he stared into his mate’s mesmerizing eyes.

  “You look in my eyes, I’m stripped of my pride, and my soul surrenders…”

  As the song continued and the music became more powerful, so did Shadow’s voice, and god, what a great voice Shadow had. It was deep and sultry. Almost smoky, and sexy as fuck.

  Suddenly, the look in Shadow’s eyes became almost pleading and even more intense as he took a step forward and gripped the mic tight. “What can I do? I would die without you. In your presence my heart knows no shame…”

  Deja could swear he saw tears in Shadow’s eyes but was sure it was just a trick due to the lighting, but the passion he felt coming from Shadow as he sang the words… Deja felt every one like a beacon to his heart. His mate was crying out to him. Shadow was accepting their mating and telling Deja that he wasn’t alone in this relationship anymore. Shadow was declaring that he was all in, and the thought almost crippled Deja as his heart sighed in relief.

  “There’s nothing I can do, my heart is chained to you, and I can’t get free… Look what your love’s done to me!”

  Shadow suddenly jumped off the stage and walked toward him. As Shadow stood only a foot away, Deja looked up and saw tears in his mate’s eyes. Shadow dropped down on one knee and his eyes pleaded with Deja as he sang the final line but changed the words from “Not strong enough to stay away,” to “And I don’t want to stay away.”

  As the music softened and began to fade, Deja couldn’t help himself. He lost control of his composure and vaulted from his seat, throwing himself at Shadow, and wrapping himself around his sexy mate like a spider monkey, as he broke down in tears.

  Shadow caught Deja effortlessly and wrapped his arms around him, and it was the best feeling Deja had ever experienced. Being in his mate’s arms was better than he had ever imagined.

  Large, strong hands pressed against Deja’s back, pulling him close and crushing him against a solid, muscled chest. “Please don’t cry, baby. I can’t take it when you cry,” Shadow whispered against his hair, then kissed his head.

  Deja pulled back until their gazes met and their lips were only an inch apart. “Do you really mean it, Shadow?” he whispered.

  Shadow slid a hand from his back and lifted it to cup his cheek. Deja closed his eyes as he leaned into the touch, luxuriating in the feeling. “I do, Songbird. I’m so sorry I put you through all of that, but I love you so damn much for giving me the time I needed to work out my shit. I’m just so, so sorry that it caused you pain in the process. Can you ever forgive me?”

  Deja opened his eyes as he smiled. “Kiss me first, then we’ll talk about it,” he teased.

  Shadow smiled, and Deja’s world righted itself. Gods, Shadow had an amazing smile. Shadow chuckled lightly, telling Deja he understood he had been teasing, then Shadow leaned in and captured his lips.

  The first press of Shadow’s warm lips to his, sent shivers up his spine and fireworks exploded in his brain. Deja tightened his hold around Shadow’s neck and opened to his mate, allowing Shadow to claim him with his mouth.

  CHAPTER 12

  Hearing whistles and cheers reminded Shadow that he and his mate were not alone. Reluctantly, he released his mate’s lips, but only enough to whisper, “Maybe we should take this to somewhere more private?”

  Eyes still glazed with passion, Deja nodded, muttering, “My place is on the second level.” Then quickly pulled Shadow in for another kiss.

  Shadow stood with Deja still wrapped around him and turned to head towards the stairs. Deja stopped the kiss long enough to pant, “Elevator, goes directly to my place.”

  Looking around, Shadow quickly located what Deja was talking about and rushed towards it, almost dropping them both on the floor when Deja started nibbling and licking on Shadow’s neck, then sucking on his earlobe.

  Smacking the up button, Shadow was thankful it opened right away for him to jump inside and hit the right button, then turning and pinning Deja to the elevator wall as their lips came together in frantic need.

  Both men thrust against each other and their hard cocks pressed together, seeking release. Deja began pulling on Shadow’s shirt. Understanding his mate’s urgency, Shadow pulled back from the kiss and used his hips to keep Deja in place as he pulled off his shirt, tossing it aside, ignoring the sound of a small thud on the floor and the ping of the elevator as its doors opened.

  Going back in for another kiss, Shadow noticed that Deja had removed his shirt as well, and when they came back together, Shadow damn near lost his load, feeling skin to skin with his mate for the first time.

  Deja pulled away and leaned his neck back, giving Shadow access to suckle and bite there, and then Shadow leaned down to do the same to one of Deja’s nipples and then the other.

  Moaning, Deja rasped, “Gods yes. Take me, mate. Take me as no other ever has before.”

  Shadow froze. Was his mate telling him what he thought he was? Could it be that Deja… no, someone as sexy as his mate could not possibly be a virgin? “Deja… Songbird… have you… I mean you’ve…”

  Deja brought his lust-filled gaze to Shadow’s, blushing a beautiful shade of red.

  Holy shit! His mate was a virgin. Shadow’s cock gave a jerk as an overwhelming feeling came over him. Deja had known no other. His mate would never know any touch but Shadow’s, and the thought of that made Shadow slow down, resting his forehead on Deja’s so he could take some slow even breaths. Control, he needed control.

  “Does the thought of me being a virgin change things?” Deja asked softly.

  Sh
adow could hear a hesitancy in Deja’s voice. Pulling back and looking into his mate’s worried eyes, Shadow brought his hand up, gently running it down the man’s face, whispering, “Only in the best possible way, Songbird.”

  “Then why did you stop? Don’t you want to fuck me anymore?” Deja asked nervously.

  Shadow never stopped looking into his mate’s eyes, asking, “Where is your room?”

  Deja pointed up and Shadow looked to see a few stairs that led to a platform where a large bed sat, then Deja laid his head in the crook of Shadow’s neck, running his soft hands along Shadow’s pectorals.

  Without saying anything, Shadow quickly carried his mate up the stairs and gently laid him on the bed, sat down and removed his own boots and socks before standing and looking back down on his mate’s beautiful form. Unsnapping the buttons of his pants, Shadow quickly removed them and then stroked himself, watching his mate lying there. “Deja, I will never fuck you.”

  Turning to the stereo, Shadow switched it on, then swiveled the dial until he found the station he was looking for. Soft jazz filled the room.

  Deja looked at Shadow’s naked form, and then focused on Shadow’s cock when he turned and returned to the bed. Deja unconsciously licked his lips, then looked at Shadow in confusion, “Then why… uh I mean… you’re naked. Doesn’t that mean you plan to fuck me?”

  Shaking his head, Shadow released his leaking shaft and slowly slid Deja’s sweats from his body. Once his mate was completely nude, Shadow quickly went back to his pants and pulled out the small bottle of lube he had brought in hopes that his plea would be embraced by his mate.

  Shadow could see Deja watching his every move. Making his way back to the bed, Shadow crawled up until he was kneeling between his mate’s legs. Shadow gazed over his mate’s delectable body and finally looked into Deja’s sparkling, lust-filled, light silver eyes.

  “We may go at it hard and fast,” Shadow softly said as he leaned down and licked one nipple. “We might go slow and gentle,” Shadow said, just as quietly, then licked Deja’s other nipple. “We might even decide we want to throw some toys in the mix,” Shadow whispered as he licked his way down towards his mate’s leaking shaft. “But no matter how we do this, Songbird, it will never be fucking. I will only ever be making love to you.” With those words Shadow took his mate’s cock in his mouth and slid right to the base, then rose slightly and slid back down once again.

  Deja let out a loud moan and lifted his hips as he grasped Shadow’s shoulders and squeezed, then slid his hands up until they were massaging Shadow’s buzzcut head. “Holy crap that feels good.”

  Loving the sounds his mate was making and the feeling of his mate’s touch, Shadow’s cat came out with a loud purr.

  “Oh! Oh! That makes my balls vibrate! Oh! Shit!” Deja babbled.

  Smiling around his mate’s thick cock, Shadow then wrapped his lips firmly around his mate’s shaft and began to suck and slide as he let his cat purr and his hand grasp his mate’s sac. He rolled the orbs around in the palm of his hand, gently squeezing then releasing. It didn’t take long for Deja to stammer, “C…Co… Oh damn…” Then Deja shot his load.

  Shadow swallowed all his mate had to give, then allowed the softening appendage to slip from his lips. “Damn you taste good.”

  Deja panted trying to catch his breath, but Shadow didn’t want Deja’s passion to lessen. He wanted his mate’s first time to be memorable and worthy of the man he was. He wanted this mating to be one that Deja would always look back on with a smile and wonder.

  Grabbing a pillow, Shadow placed it under his mate’s hips and Deja, mindful or not, widened his legs, presenting that beautiful puckered hole Shadow would soon fill. Spreading Deja’s cheeks wide, Shadow leaned in and ran his tongue from top to bottom of his man’s entrance. The musky taste that was all Deja caused Shadow’s cock to drip pre-cum on the comforter below them.

  Deja gasped, “Oh… Oh… what are you… no… yes… oh, Shadow!” Deja babbled as his head tossed from side to side.

  Having such a response from his mate made Shadow feel like a king and he wanted… no needed to hear more. He licked around the entrance then slid his tongue inside as he grabbed for the lube and made sure a generous amount was added to his fingers, rubbing them together to ensure that the slick was warm. Still using his tongue to enter his mate’s hole, he then placed his finger at Deja’s entrance and slowly pushed inside.

  Deja’s muscles tightened as his mate grunted and panted.

  “Relax, Songbird. It’s all going to be so good. Let me stretch you and make you feel good,” Shadow murmured using one hand to rub against his mate’s side and the other to stretch him.

  The second Deja began to relax, Shadow started to alternate his finger with his tongue, pressing further and further inside. When Shadow knew Deja was ready, he pulled back and placed a second finger inside, carefully scissoring them.

  “Shadow, that feels… it is… ung!!!” Deja panted.

  “Fuck, I love that I can bring you such pleasure that you can’t finish a sentence. And the sounds you make… Gods, don’t stop,” Shadow rasped, adding a third finger.

  Deja’s sounds of pleasure mixed in with the jazz was almost too much for Shadow to hold back his own release. Grasping the bottom of his balls, Shadow pinched and pulled a bit, bringing him some sort of control. With his cat so close to the surface and the fiery need racing through his body, he didn’t want to take the chance of hurting his mate.

  “Shadow, please! I need! Gods, I need!” Deja shouted as his body arched off the bed and his fingers dug into Shadow’s skull.

  Pulling out of Deja’s entrance, Shadow pulled back then lowered himself over his mate’s sweat-soaked body. “Songbird, hands and knees is the best position for a first time, but I would love to see your eyes as I enter you for our first time. However, it is your decision.”

  Deja lifted his hips as if trying to place Shadow’s cock to his hole himself, and looked at Shadow frantically saying, “I want to see you too. Please, Shadow, I hurt with need.”

  Shadow touched the tip of his dripping shaft to Deja’s stretched hole and pushed forward. “You are mine, Deja. Mine to love. Mine to hold. Mine to protect. Mine to care for. Mine for the rest of our days.”

  Deja looked into Shadow’s eyes, whispering, “And you are mine, Shadow. I will love you until my last breath, and into my next life. Claim me.”

  The feeling of passing Deja’s tight ring of muscles brought as much pleasure as did the love and light Shadow could see within his mate’s eyes. The flitter of pain, that was to be expected, had Shadow stop from trying to go any further. The second his mate relaxed once more, Shadow began to push further inside until his balls tapped against Deja’s ass. My mate. I am inside my mate. I am making love to my mate. Opening his eyes, he looked down and saw the need and wonder in Deja’s eyes. They were glistening with unshed tears as he lifted his hand and cupped Shadow’s cheek. “We are finally one.” A single tear slid down Deja’s cheek.

  Love. Shadow could see the love in his mate’s eyes and he knew Deja could see the same in his own. Slowly, Shadow pulled back then thrust forward. Deja moaned as he closed his eyes and arched his neck.

  Shadow took that opportunity to lick and kiss his mate’s throat and chest, then up to his Deja’s lips to take a passion-filled kiss.

  Deja’s hands slowly ran up and down the back of Shadow’s head to his shoulders as Deja moaned and moved his hips to meet Shadow’s cock with each forward thrust.

  The feel of his mate’s channel tightly wrapped around his cock, the sounds from Deja’s lips, the scent of their love filling the room, the look of unabashed pleasure within Deja’s eyes when he looked at him, and the taste of his mate’s lips with each kiss, had Shadow’s balls drawing tight.

  “Shadow, I’m gonna… Oh Shadow! Help me!” Deja begged.

  Lifting Deja’s hips a little higher, Shadow thrust forward and felt the spongy love gland he sought. Deja screamed and pushe
d harder onto Shadow’s cock and within seconds, cum spurted from Deja’s cock, covering their chests with his release.

  Shadow lost all control and his canines dropped as his seed quickly filled his mate’s hole. Deja arched his neck once more and turned slightly. Shadow didn’t think twice as he plunged his teeth into Deja’s shoulder and sucked in the life-giving blood. Lights began to flash on and off as Deja screamed out another release.

  Pulling back, Shadow licked his mark so it would heal, then looked into his mate’s eyes, and was startled to see a flicker of green within those light silver orbs. He felt the snap of their bond so tight around his heart, that Shadow realized they were now beating as one, as were the breaths they each took synchronizing. Confusion, contentment, and love rippled through Shadow’s body. It took a moment to realize those were not just his own feelings, but those of his mate, as well.

  “What’s going on, Shadow? What was that? When York explained a claiming, he didn’t say I would literally feel you within my own body like this,” Deja asked in confusion, then soon whispered, “I don’t mind it. I mean, I really like it actually. It’s just… I don’t understand.”

  Shadow allowed his cock to slip from his mate’s ass, then rolled them so Shadow lay on his back with Deja snuggled on his side, with his head on Shadow’s chest.

  Kissing the top of his mate’s head, Shadow softly said, “I have no idea, but as long as you are mine, I’m good with whatever happened.”

  Deja looked up, softly saying, “I’m sorry about last night. I… I didn’t mean to…”

  “Hey, none of that,” Shadow stated, pulling his mate up for a gentle kiss. Once they parted Shadow tucked Deja back into place, saying, “You only made me see that I have only existed in life instead of living it. I’m pretty messed up, Songbird. I didn’t know how much until this morning.”