Love Hurts (Eternal Flames Book 12) Read online

  Pulling a container from the tasty wood box, Flyer smacked his lips, saying, “Oh hot damn, fruit salad.”

  Spike made another whimpering sound. Flyer looked in his direction. “What’s wrong with you? Are you hurt?”

  Shaking his head, Spike looked longingly on the strawberry Flyer held in his hand. Flyer’s eyes widened. “Are you hungry?”

  Spike made another pitiful sound and Flyer stretched his berry holding hand out to him. Spike didn’t waste any time latching onto the fruit and nibbling the morsel as fast as he could.

  “Oh, Spike, I’m sorry. I had no idea you were hungry. Hell, I don’t even know what a porcupine eats. It seems like you are enjoying that, what about this?” Flyer asked setting a blueberry in front of him.

  It didn’t take Spike half a second to devour the berry and he looked at Flyer, hoping for more. Flyer smiled and set the bowl of fruit in front of him. “You take this. I’ll just grab another sandwich.”

  Spike quickly dug in with his large claws, nibbling, smacking his lips together, and chewing until just about every piece of fruit was gone and his tummy was satisfied.

  Flyer placed the empty paper and fruit dish back in the basket and sipped at his coffee. “You know, I’m used to taking these trips alone, but having someone to talk to isn’t half bad.”

  Quickly Flyer looked at Spike, saying, “But don’t be getting any ideas. I’m just saying, it’s kind of nice to have someone to converse with, even if you can’t talk back.”

  I can talk, you just don’t understand me. If you did you would know I just need a kiss and everything will be explained. We can be mates and live happily ever after. Spike said.

  Flyer got up and walked to the back of the plane. “You know, I could swear when you chatter and squall like that you really are talking to me. I wish I had been given the gift Timmy was and could talk to animals. Then maybe I would know why you won’t stop following me. I mean, Spike, you have to know that we are not going to work.”

  Flyer came back to the front, and Spike sniffled, and wiped his eyes. They were mates, which meant they were meant to be together and they would more than work.

  “Don’t give me that pitiful look, Spike. I mean come on, I’m a human, you’re a porcupine. There is no way I can have an animal in my life. Hell! I can’t even keep a plant alive. I work all the time and I’m never around,” Flyer explained then opened the box and pulled out a tool.

  Spike watched as Flyer went back under the control panel. He didn’t like not having anyone at the yoke. Spike squeaked and chattered until Flyer came out from under the panel. “What is all that racket about?”

  Spike stood and looked at the yoke, and Flyer smiled. “I swear you are really talking to me and if I’m right, you’re worried about the plane crashing. Don’t be. The plane is on autopilot. We’re fine. I have to do what I can to get this comms system back up so I can get hold of Wade. They have to be tripping by now.”

  It didn’t take long for Flyer to do what he needed, then he slid back out and sat in his chair. “I think I might have it or at least it’s as good as I’m gonna get for now.”

  Spike watched as his mate placed his headset on and started turning dials. “Foxtrot to Whiskey. Foxtrot to Whiskey. Come in Whiskey.”

  It took a few more tries until finally another voice came on, “Flyer? Is that you?”

  “Yeah, it’s me, Commander,” Flyer answered.

  Spike could hear a lot of static and knew there was still a problem when Wade said, “Flyer, we have a bad connection. Where the hell are you?”

  “I had to make a small detour. Porcupine spikes made an appearance in my plane. Shocked the hell out of me and coffee spilled all over my instruments. I had to land and refuel, then clean up the mess and fix my comms system. I’m in air again, but my comms are still not good, and the GPS is out. There’s a storm and I had to take a detour so it’s going to take me longer to get to my destination.”

  Spike could tell they were still struggling with understanding each other, and he thought he might be able to see what the problem might be.

  Seeing that Flyer was so focused on talking to Wade, he wasn’t paying much attention to him, so Spike made his way off his seat and started to crawl towards Flyer’s feet.

  “What the—Oh hell no!” Flyer snapped, and Spike quickly found himself picked up and in the best seat of the house—on Flyer’s lap.

  Flyer scowled at Spike, saying, “Commander, are you there?”

  Wade quickly replied, “I’m here, soldier. You ne to p and and n’t pro. We got ip enem knows we’re com. Do you hear, Flyer? Do you know your coordinates?”

  Spike couldn’t stop from trying to get closer to the delicious smell of cedar and willow leaves. Getting on his hind legs, Spike sniffed and started to climb up his mate’s chest. Flyer tried to stop him, hissing, “Stop, Spike. I need to talk to Wade and it’s hard enough to understand the man without dealing with you.”

  Spike stopped, but was soon nuzzling Flyer as the man said, “My GPS is down so I’m not sure where we are exactly, but the storm is too strong for a straight shot. I’m not sure where—Damn it Spike, what are you doing?”

  I just want one little kiss. Spike said to himself. Then was shocked when his mate snapped, “Timmy insists you want a kiss, but come on, little dude, I’m human and you’re not.”

  Flyer went to turn his head, but Spike quickly moved closer and pressed his little porcupine lips against Flyer’s sensual, warm human ones. Spike felt a sparkling, then energy ran through him and the next thing he knew, he had shifted, and his now human lips were finally kissing his mate.

  Flyer pulled back, shouting, “What the fuck!”

  “Flyer! Flyer!” Wade yelled.

  Spike grabbed Flyer by the neck and pressed his lips back onto his mate’s. Flyer ran his hands along Spikes naked back and hips. Spike opened to Flyer and soon the two were tongue dancing and it sounded like fireworks, whistles and bells were going off all around them.

  Suddenly Flyer hissed and pushed Spike off his lap. “Shit! Sit down, Spike, if that’s who you are! And strap in!”

  Ireland quickly sat back in his seat, but as he reached for the seatbelt he gazed out of the front window and froze as his eyes widened. The treetops were getting closer and coming at them fast. A loud bang came from below the plane, followed by a deafening screeching sound, and the plane jerked violently.

  Flyer snapped, “We just lost an engine! Fuck! We’re going down!”

  Spike couldn’t believe it. He was finally back in his human form after being stuck for over three years, he was finally with his mate, and now he was going to die. He turned his head to look at Flyer as terror filled him and saw that Flyer had a death grip on the yoke so tight, his knuckles were white. His hands shook as he tried to control the aircraft, but then another jolt knocked them sideways and something crashed into the windshield.

  Ireland screamed as wind beat against his face and chilled his naked skin. The plane dropped drastically and now they were flying through the trees. The sound of the branches scraping against the fuselage was deafening and Ireland began to cry. Looking back to the front, he saw the ground getting closer.

  “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” Flyer screamed into his mic as sparks flew from all around.

  Ireland sucked in a deep breath and was about to scream, but it got caught in his throat. Suddenly he was jerked forward as the plane tilted and the nose dropped. He smacked his head into the dash, then everything went black.

  CHAPTER 6

  God his head hurt. What the hell happened? Last thing he remembered he was flying, but then he went under the control panel to see if he could fix the GPS and comms, but then…nothing.

  Shit. Flyer tried to move his right arm to bring it up to his head, but the limb wouldn’t move. He tried opening his eyes but found that hard to do as well. What the hell is going on? Think, damn it, think.

  Okay, I was flying, and everything was going okay, then…Spike! Oh shit. Spi
ke was in the plane and made me spill my coffee on the controls, which then led to a whole fucked up series of unfortunate events. Well didn’t that just make me Jim Carrey? Fuck, I’m off course and because the comms was fucked, and my GPS was too, Wade and the guys won’t have any idea where I am. But why does that thought concern me now?

  Well, because you can’t see or move, dipshit, which means you’re no longer flying. Feel your surroundings, asshole, you’re not moving. Which means you’re not in the air anymore. Which means…. “Fuck! I’ve crashed!”

  One minute there was a cute little, pain in the ass, porcupine in my lap and the next? There was the sexiest man I have ever seen in my arms, with his bare ass pressed against my groin, and damn what an ass that was. Well, what I could feel of it. Spike kissed me and as soon as our lips touched there was a jolt of electricity that raced up my body and my cock filled in a millisecond. And that kiss. Shit, what a kiss.

  Wait, the kiss. Timmy was trying to get me to kiss Spike and I thought, ‘Is he out of his mind? I am not into bestiality.’ But it was the kiss. The kiss turned Spike into a man. How the fuck? What the hell? Am I stuck in some kind of Grimm’s version of ‘The Frog Prince’?

  Movement came from somewhere and a voice, but it sounded muffled. Flyer tried to listen harder, but he couldn’t make out who it was. He lifted his other arm, relieved when that limb did what he wanted, and he rubbed the hand over his face. Something wet and sticky covered his hand. Flyer shook his head, trying to clear some of the cobwebs.

  “I don’t know,” he heard the voice clearer now and could tell that it was strained.

  “Can you see anything outside? A landmark? Anything?”

  Wade? Was that Wade’s voice?

  “No, nothing but trees, rocks, dead leaves on the ground, and more trees,” the voice answered.

  “Do you hear anything? Smell anything?”

  “Um, hold on,” the voice answered.

  Flyer tried to call out, but his voice came out too low and his throat hurt like a motherfucker.

  “I don’t hear anything but a strange clicking noise, but I think that’s coming from the plane. And I smell…”

  “What, Ireland? What do you smell?” Wade asked.

  “I…um…I smell fuel. And it’s really strong too.”

  Fuel? Shit! We’ve crashed and now there’s a fuel leak. We need to get the hell out of here.

  “O…y, Ir…nd, you…ing...at.”

  “I’m losing you. Can you repeat that? Wade? Wade, are you there?”

  Whoever this Ireland person was, Flyer could hear the panic in his voice and that was really starting to worry him.

  “I…land? I..nd?”

  “Shit. If you can hear me, I’m gonna try to fix the radio again. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Flyer heard movement again, then the banging of metal against metal. There were a few curse words spoken in a harsh whisper and a loud bang. “Damn it!”

  “Hello? Is someone there? Spike?” Flyer asked in a raspy voice. Shit his throat hurt.

  “Ireland,” a strained voice came back to him. Even though it was low and soft, Flyer found himself liking the sweet voice.

  “Huh? What do you mean? There is no freaking way we’re in Ireland. I mean, damn, I knew I was off course, but that’s overkill.”

  “Not Ireland the country. Ireland. That’s my name,” the soft voice answered again, and Flyer recognized it as the one that had been talking to Wade.

  “Ireland? Great name. Do you think you can get me out of here, Ireland? I think my arm is trapped and I can’t seem to open my eyes,” Flyer replied.

  “Your arm was twisted in a weird position, but I managed to get it down against your chest and tied a sling around it. It looks much better now.”

  “Thank you. Hey, there was someone else on the plane with me. A friend named Spike. He’s…um…shit I can’t think of what he looked like. Oh, but he’s naked, that much I do remember. Do you see him around somewhere? Is he okay?”

  Flyer heard some metal scraping together, then a loud thud as something dropped. A few crinkling noises, and then what sounded like a heavy chair being dragged across a concrete floor. He felt something being pressed against his lips.

  “Drink,” Ireland said, and Flyer realized it was a bottle. He opened his mouth and allowed the guy to pour some of the cool, refreshing water down his throat.

  “Thanks,” he mumbled. Flyer tried to get himself up, but a sharp pain shot through his arm and into his neck, causing him to hiss, “Shit, that hurts.”

  “Here let me help you,” Ireland said. “When I checked you over earlier, I didn’t see any blood or injuries below the chest, but let’s go slow okay?” The voice came from so close that it surprised Flyer momentarily. But as the guy spoke, Flyer was shocked at the realization that his cock was beginning to fill.

  “So who are you, Ireland? Where did you come from? Where exactly did I go down?” Flyer asked as he felt an arm slip in under his back and another grab his uninjured arm. He struggled a bit, but thanks to Ireland, he made it upright and leaned back without too much pain.

  “There’s something all over your face. That may be what’s stopping you from seeing. Hold on, I know I saw another bottle of water here somewhere,” Ireland said, then Flyer heard him move away.

  Again, a few things were moved around before Ireland was back. “Here, take this rag I found and hold it under your eyes while I pour the water down your face. Don’t worry, it smells clean.”

  Flyer grasped the cloth and did as Ireland instructed, then yelped out a little as cool water ran down his face, flushing over his eyes. After the first wave, water was then squirted directly at his eyes as if from a sprayer.

  “Sorry about that, but rub them with the cloth and see if it helps,” Ireland said.

  Again, Flyer did as instructed, rubbing the now soaked cloth across his eyes. After a few swipes, he blinked and although he could see light and shadows, everything was fuzzy. He wiped across his eyes again, this time a bit harder, then tried again, but still nothing.

  “Please tell me you haven’t lost your sight,” Ireland’s words came out so sad that Flyer just wanted to wrap the man with the sexy name and voice in his arms and make everything okay so he would be happy again. What the hell is wrong with me? I have no idea who this guy is and here I am wanting to console him and lusting after him. Damn I am twisted.

  Using the backs of his hands, Flyer rubbed his eyes again and blinked, trying to clear them, but still nothing happened. “I’m not sure what splashed in my face, but I’m hoping it’s just temporary,” Flyer said.

  “Your skin is kind of red where the goo is, and your eyes are a little swollen. I think maybe it was some kind of oil maybe?” Ireland replied.

  Flyer touched his face again, rubbing the sticky substance, then put his fingers under his nose and sniffed. His face screwed up in disgust before he said, “Hydraulic fluid, but that wouldn’t cause a burn on my skin or eyes. It would sting like a mother, but I should still be able to see.”

  “How about glass in your eyes, maybe? When those trees hit the windshield and the air started rushing in, I thought I was gonna pee myself.”

  “No. That couldn’t be it. Windshields of planes are made to not shatter. If anything, when the branches hit, they just pop out.”

  “That’s true. You do have a nasty gash on your head and another on your right temple. Some of the blood was mixed in with the other goo you wiped off.”

  “Maybe that’s the problem. Hopefully if I rest and keep flushing them, my vision will clear up. Wait a minute. Did you say you were on the plane? That means…” Suddenly realization hit him like a bullet to the brain, and Flyer gasped, “Spike?”

  “Ireland. Ireland Lancer. Porcupine shifter,” he replied in an almost whisper.

  “Well I’ll be fucked,” Flyer said in awe.

  Mirth laced Ireland’s voice as he replied, “If you’re good, maybe later, but I was hoping you would be the one
to do the fucking first.”

  Flyer’s eyes opened wide at the teasing tone, then his body was flooded with a heat he had never known before as Ireland’s words gripped him, making him crave what the man was clearly offering.

  Flyer gave Ireland what he hoped was his best flirtatious smile. “Once we figure out where we are, and get the hell out of here, we can talk about this fucking you’re offering.” Ireland chuckled, and the sound went straight to Flyer’s cock making it jerk with interest.

  “I’m sorry I made us crash. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that…I was getting desperate,” Ireland said, then rushed to explain. “Not desperate like that. Desperate because as you know, I’ve been following you everywhere, trying to get close to you and get you to realize that I wasn’t an ordinary porcupine, but a shifter who was trapped in his animal. Then when you actually kissed me as Spike, I felt the wave of magic rock through me. When your lips were finally kissing mine, I lost all control and thought.”

  Flyer stayed quiet for a moment. He wanted to be angry with Spike, um…Ireland, because, well, he had made them crash for God’s sake, but for the life of him, Flyer just couldn’t be mad at the man. He felt sorry for him. The sorrow filled him as he thought about all the months Spike had pretty much stalked him, and he had just pushed the creature away. But this poor man had been stuck in his animal form. Damn, I was such an asshole. How could I not have done anything to help this man? Well, in his defense, he had no idea that Spike was a shifter and not an actual porcupine. Yeah, but there were times he was still a little too harsh and the guilt filled him.

  “It wasn’t your fault, Flyer. There was no way you could have known who or what I truly was. Heck, all the shifters around us didn’t even know and we all can usually sense another shifter.”

  Flyer tried to lift his arm to touch Ireland’s cheek, forgetting for a moment about his injury, but a flash of pain rushed through his arm, making his shoulder twinge and his fingers go numb. He hissed as he grabbed the arm with the other and held it against his chest. “How did you know what I was thinking?”