Love Hurts (Eternal Flames Book 12) Read online

  Carefully, Ireland made his way back down the rock wall, then slowly through the trail to where he had left Flyer. As he approached, Ireland smiled when his gaze fell on the handsome man leaning back against the stone wall, mouth slightly parted, and a little drop of drool in the corner of his mouth. A whisper of a snore sounded, and Ireland thought it was adorable and he chuckled. As much as he wanted to let his mate remain sleeping, he knew they needed to get moving before they lost the last rays of daylight.

  “Come on, big boy, we need to go,” Ireland said, as he gently shook Flyer’s shoulder.

  Flyer sighed, yawned, then wiped the back of his good hand across his lips before saying, “I was starting to get worried. You were gone for so long. I wanted to come after you but then realized how stupid that would be. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

  “It’s okay, you’re tired. And with an injury and some blood loss, it’s understandable. You’re healing, Flyer. But we don’t have much daylight left and we need to get moving. I found a way where we can get to the summit and it should be okay for you to handle, even without your sight. I’ll have to direct your every move, but I think if you follow my instructions, we’ll make it.”

  Flyer smiled. “Okay, my savior, lead the way.”

  It took them a little longer than Ireland anticipated. Although Flyer was really good at following his instructions of where to place his good hand and feet, it was still slow going because of his injured arm. Once they reached the summit, they both sat as they panted, catching their breath as Ireland watched the last rays of the sun kiss the sky and the stars begin to twinkle.

  Ireland moved them down to the clearing he had found earlier and gathered some leaves together to make a soft place for them to sleep. Then he went out into the dark woods with just the moonlight to guide him and gathered some wood. As he did, Flyer used some of the twigs he had found to get the fire going. Ireland was impressed. He couldn’t even get a fire started with perfect vision, forget doing it with no sight and only the feel of your hands.

  Once all of that was taken care of, they pulled out a few MREs and began eating. It wasn’t the best tasting food on the planet, but it would keep them alive. Sitting, digging through what was supposed to be the military’s version of beef stroganoff, with the plastic spoon, Ireland heard movement behind them.

  Flyer grabbed the gun that he kept in his waistband and turned, raising the gun at the same time. “What was that?”

  Ireland lifted his head and sniffed the air, then smiled when he caught the musky scent of a family of foxes. Studying the area, he was happy to have his enhanced shifter sight, when he spotted what looked like a Mama fox and three cubs scurrying from one tree to the next. “It’s only some foxes,” he answered.

  “Can’t they be dangerous in packs?” Flyer asked.

  “Sure, all wild animals can be dangerous, but I doubt these will give us any trouble. It’s a Mama and some cubs just out hunting,” Ireland replied, then turned back toward the fire and started eating again.

  “But if there is a Mama and her little ones, aren’t we supposed to be extra careful? Won’t the Mama attack if we’re too close to her pups?”

  Ireland chuckled. “No, we’re fine. It’s the grizzly bears we need to watch out for. Now those Mamas are the fiercest, let me tell you. But the fox won’t be bothered by us as long as we ignore her. She’ll just keep moving on. Although, depending on how hungry she is, she may venture over here to get some scraps, but I doubt it.”

  “And why is that? She must smell our food.”

  “Yes, but she scents my porcupine and trust me, she doesn’t want to end up on the receiving end of my quills. She’ll keep moving on.”

  Flyer turned back and tucked the gun back into his waistband, then also began to eat. They remained silent as they finished their meal. Once they were done and everything was stowed away, Flyer and Ireland sat quietly as Ireland stared at the flames of the fire flickering like they were dancing.

  “I wish I could see the stars from up here. It must be amazing,” Flyer said, breaking the quiet as he turned his face up toward the sky.

  “It is. There has to be a few billion stars up there visible tonight. It’s one of the best things about being so far away from civilization. No city lights to shield the gods’ magnificent painting.”

  Flyer smiled as he blindly reached over and took Ireland’s hand. “That’s a nice way of putting it. I like that. I love flying at night away from the glare of the lights. I always get these same views of the night sky. It’s one of the things I love most about flying. The peace and serenity, then add that sight and it’s almost…”

  “Magical,” they said at the same time.

  Flyer sighed heavily then said, “Look, Ireland, I know there are things we need to talk about, and I know what you said to Rory about my vision and what you meant by that, but I just want you to know, that no matter how bad I want my vision to return, I would never ask you to do that just to help me.”

  “We would be helping Rory and the others as well,” Ireland pointed out tightly. They were having such a nice time and he didn’t want to ruin the moment with words that could… would… break his heart completely.

  Flyer turned to face him and lifted his hand, cupping Ireland’s cheek. “That may be, but I’ve been thinking. It’s no reason for us to jump into a lifelong commitment we may not be ready for yet.”

  Ireland tensed and wanted to pull Flyer’s hand away as the pain began to seep back into his chest, but Flyer must have sensed it. He grabbed onto Ireland’s hand tightly and slid his hand behind his neck. “Look, Ireland, I’m not trying to be an asshole here, and I am certainly not trying to hurt you, but we’ve only just met. I know technically we met quite a few months ago, but as a human we’ve only just been introduced. I know you said that we’re mates, and I know what that means. You were raised with the whole mating thing, but it’s all new to me and I’m just asking for a bit of time to wrap my mind around it. And maybe in that time, you and I can get to know one another, then who knows,” Flyer said and shrugged.

  Flyer was right. Ireland had to remember that his mate was human, so he didn’t feel the same pull as a paranormal would. He also didn’t understand the true depth of what being a mate meant until he actually mated. Ireland needed to give Flyer a break and all the time he needed, then keep praying that his mate wouldn’t actually reject him. The fact that Flyer wasn’t jumping his bones just to heal his injuries but had decided to stay blind on their wonderful journey, so as not to pressure him, or give in to other pressures, and was not being selfish, touched Ireland deeply.

  Just as Ireland went to say so, Flyer pulled him closer and pressed their lips together, and Ireland melted against the sexy man.

  CHAPTER 11

  Fuck, that had to be the best kiss of his life and Flyer wanted more. He pulled Ireland closer, so their chests were pressed together, and a thrill went through his body. Ireland felt so good in his arms, so right.

  As Flyer nibbled and licked Ireland’s plump bottom lip, he was pleased when the sexy man didn’t fight him or hesitate but opened for his ministrations. Flyer swept his tongue in deep, getting the full taste of his mate for the first time, and his head spun. He suddenly felt lightheaded and desperate. Flyer had never felt anything like this before with anyone. As much as he had a niggling feeling that he should pull away and stop what they were doing, he had an equally strong feeling that he should hold Ireland closer and never let him go.

  Flyer deepened the kiss, then he felt Ireland’s hands run up his chest and around his neck and it felt so good. Fingers brushed through his hair and the motion caused shivers to race down his spine. His mate’s taste was overwhelming and delicious. His mate? Flyer was surprised too, that those words weren’t causing any panic to rise, or the need to run as usually happened when faced with a commitment.

  He was always the one to find a hookup for the night. A wham, bam, thank you man, then on your separate ways. It wasn’t like he
ever made any promises to any of the men he bedded. Flyer had always been up front with them from the very beginning, letting them know that the one night, or a few hours, was all there would be. Yes, on the rare occasion someone wanted something more afterwards, but Flyer had always reminded them that it was not what he was looking for.

  Yes, Flyer was aware that his own fear of commitment stemmed from watching his parents’ less than loving relationship. His father had never wanted to marry his mother, but instead they just lived together. Then, every three years or so, his father would move out for a few months, and afterwards, would come crawling back.

  When Flyer was older, he questioned his mother about it and she told him it was because his father didn’t want to wholly commit to anything. Even if they didn’t get married, in their state of Montana it was considered a common law marriage if both parties lived as a married couple. There was no certain length of time like some people believed, only that both parties lived as husband and wife. It was one of the reasons his father never addressed his mother as his wife. But his dad was also afraid that people as well as his mom, would still consider them married if he stayed around too long, so that’s why he always took off. And when he did, he always found someone else to shack up with.

  Flyer could never understand why his mom put up with it, or kept taking the asshole back, but as he got older, Flyer feared he was just like his old man as he jumped from bed to bed.

  It wasn’t that he didn’t want the sexy man in his arms, and Flyer knew he was sexy just from the feel of Ireland, the soft curves of his body mixed with the hardness of muscle, which was exactly what Flyer found appealing in male lovers. He loved the contradiction of the soft and hard, and just from the feel of the man in his arms, Flyer could tell Ireland had it all.

  God, he wanted more. He wanted to tuck Ireland under him, then sink inside his warmth. Feel the man’s body stretch around him, then grip him like a glove as Flyer slid into the heat. A warmth filled him, and he felt his heart fill with need to have this man, but the fear he would hurt Ireland like his father hurt his mother, kept his desire under control.

  * * * *

  Ireland could feel the need coming from his mate and it thrilled him and his animal. As Flyer deepened the kiss and their tongues slid together, their tastes mingled, and their breath joined. Ireland knew Flyer felt the mating pull too, but he was sure the human didn’t understand it.

  When Flyer began to claw at his shirt as he pulled Ireland onto his lap and their hard cocks rubbed deliciously together, Ireland’s heart filled with joy. He could feel that his mate wanted him just as much as he wanted Flyer.

  His porcupine began to stir and scratch to get out. His animal wanted to claim what was theirs and damn the consequences. The beast knew there was something holding their mate back and understood their conversation of getting to know one another first, but his animal instinct was to heal his mate, protect him, and keep him safe. The porcupine didn’t care about human hang-ups. All he wanted was the bond they shared, even if they hadn’t bonded yet. He had pined for such a long time, following his mate around, praying Flyer would understand who he was and help him. Now that he was human again, and he could touch Flyer, claim him, the way he and his beast had both longed for during the past few months, neither of them wanted to hold back and would give into their desire in a heartbeat.

  But then suddenly things changed. Flyer’s movements became more practiced and less about loss of control and submission to their passion. It felt as if Flyer was only going with the motion so as not to hurt Ireland or insult his fragile male ego.

  A crack of a branch somewhere nearby caught his attention and Ireland pulled back from the kiss, but kept their faces close, then whispered, “Did you hear that?”

  Flyer pulled him closer and pressed his lips to Ireland’s ear, then whispered softly, “Yes, it sounds like, whoever or whatever it is, there is more than one.”

  “What do we do?” Ireland whispered back just as softly.

  “I want you to shift and find somewhere to hide. Just as you do, I will pull my gun out and start firing in their direction. It should give you enough time to get away.”

  Ireland gasped. Didn’t his mate understand yet that he wasn’t leaving him to fight this battle alone? “Not happening,” he hissed low.

  “Ireland―” Flyer began to protest but before he could finish what he wanted to say another cracking noise sounded. This one was a lot closer. Then everything happened all at once and so fast.

  A snap came from the other side of them and Ireland knew they were surrounded, so nothing Flyer just said would work. Then Flyer pushed him gently from his lap as he reached around and grabbed the gun from his waistband. At the same time, Ireland caught himself before he landed on the ground on his ass and turned in the opposite direction as Flyer and began to hiss. He didn’t want to shift into his porcupine for fear he would be trapped again, but he would if that was his only choice of weapon to protect his mate.

  Suddenly a group of men dressed in all black from head to toe, with weapons strapped all over their bodies stepped out of the darkness and a small whimper escaped Ireland’s lips as all hope evaporated.

  Flyer grabbed his hand and pulled him close, wrapping his free arm around Ireland’s shoulder. Although the motion and his mate’s need to protect him touched Ireland, he could see what they were up against and knew they had no chance of escaping.

  “Stand down, soldier,” a deep, commanding voice came from the largest man who stood in the front.

  Flyer relaxed beside him as he lowered his arm and sighed in relief. “Commander.”

  Commander? What? Ireland thought.

  The men in black moved closer and as they did they each removed the blackout masks that covered their heads. Ireland sighed, relieved as he recognized who they were. The Calvary had just arrived. Wade and his men, along with King Suneth and all of his gargoyles came closer, each smiling bright.

  “What the hell happened to you guys? Radar said he couldn’t locate you,” Flyer asked.

  “We were under attack just as our plane was about to land on a private airstrip near the ranger station. Six here isn’t bad at flying, as you know, but he’s no Flyer,” Wade explained as he chuckled.

  “Shit, so what happened?”

  “I pulled up and got us the hell out of there. Unfortunately, as they shot at your Bombardier Global Express XRS, they hit the comms and we had no way of contacting Rory again,” Six replied.

  “What? My baby? You took my baby? Dammit. Why did you take the XRS? Shit. Is she okay?” Flyer asked, and Ireland found it funny how all the guys looked at his mate in amusement.

  “It can all be fixed later, Flyer,” Wade said.

  “Son of a tit, Spike, is that you?” Nuzan asked as he came closer and circled around Ireland, his gaze traveling over every inch of his form.

  Ireland smiled. “Yup, it’s just little ole me finally back on two legs.”

  “Well shit, if I had known you were stuck in your animal form and were so damn hot, I would have moved heaven and earth to get you back to being human,” Nuzan said with a husky voice, but Ireland could see the humor twinkling in his eyes as well as the shit-eating grin he gave, and the way he kept flicking his gaze to Flyer.

  Ireland looked over at his mate, and although he remained quiet, Ireland was thrilled to see Flyer’s jaw tighten and his hands clench into fists, showing he wasn’t happy with what the guys were saying. Ireland decided he liked the jealousy on his mate.

  “Oh, I agree. If I had known you were this smokin’ I would have claimed you for myself,” Qavex added.

  Ireland could feel the blush rise on his cheeks as he smiled at the guys. They didn’t know him as a human, or know anything about him for that matter, but he still considered them friends, and he could see that this was their way of telling him they felt the same, and he appreciated it.

  “So, killing the asshole who put the spell on you to begin with pulled the spell off you. No
w that’s wicked,” Juddan said.

  Ireland’s eyes opened wide as he looked at everyone. “What? But how? And how did you find him?”

  “It’s a long story and we’ll tell you everything, but first I think we need to get you and Flyer out of danger,” Wade replied.

  “So, it wasn’t the kiss then,” Flyer mumbled so no one but him would hear, but what Flyer forgot was that gargoyles were also shifters, so they had enhanced senses too and they all heard him.

  “Ah, Flyer, did you kiss the little porcupine in hopes he was your frog prince?” Oz teased at the same time as Asbuth said, “Your very own Disney story of kissing the spellbound prince. Isn’t that cute?”

  “Alright you bunch of goons, let’s stop the teasing and get back to what’s important. Maybe we should all take this moment to rest before we have to get the hell out of here?” Suneth said, breaking the moment.

  Wade nodded. “I agree. We could all use a break before we head down to try to stop the cartel.”

  “Wait, you’re still going after them? I thought you were just coming for us?” Ireland said as they all dropped their packs and found places to sit.

  “You and Flyer have always been our first priority, that hasn’t changed,” Wade began. “But there is a situation here that you don’t know about, Ireland. Those men. The ones who are after you, are from a very dangerous drug cartel. Probably the worst one in the world. And we, my team and I, are in their crosshairs. We knew someone on the inside was trying to get us killed so that we would be out of the way, but we didn’t know who that someone was. Until now.”

  Flyer gasped, “What?” as he took his seat on the rock they had stood up from, then he grasped Ireland’s hand and pulled him down until Ireland was sitting on his lap. Not that it didn’t thrill him, but Ireland didn’t think Flyer was totally aware of what he had just done.