Turning on his heel, Garret went into the high rise, leaving Holden standing shattered on the sidewalk in front of the limo.

"Holden. Let's go." The sympathetic tones of Declan's voice were soft but firm. "He'll get over his anger soon enough. We have a plane to catch." Holden's heart screamed at him to just blow off the d.a.m.ned trip and follow Garret back up the penthouse. His mate's thoughts were shut off to him and Holden knew that Garret was beyond p.i.s.sed. He couldn't even pinpoint what exactly had gotten to Garret. He just knew the man he loved was upset, angry, and disappointed in him. Holden wanted to run after him and throw his arms around him, kiss him and coax him into a better humor.

"Holden!"

This time Declan's voice thundered. With a sinking heart, Holden turned away from the high-rise and walked toward his brother. Declan threw his arm around Holden's shoulders, giving him a brief squeeze.

"You'll sort it out. He loves you."

Declan's soft words filled Holden's ears as he got in the limo. Emily looked at him with huge sad eyes. Holden blinked, startled. He'd never seen her without her icy composure before. Her hazel eyes were filled with tears and her lips trembled with emotion.

"Make it right, Holden," she whispered as Declan got in and the limo pulled away. "You can't lose your mate. The pain is...indescribable." She rubbed her breast bone unconsciously and with a dawning sense of horror, Holden realized she knew what she was talking about. "Do whatever it takes to make things right between you. You both deserve to be happy like Sean and Careen. Not like me and..." She broke off and dipped her head, wiping at her eyes. "Not like me," she finished gruffly and turned away from him to stare out the window.

Holden's eyes met his brother's. They were sympathetic and filled with pain too. "She's right.

You have to make it up to him." Declan's warm hand squeezed his knee briefly. "I know you'll figure out a way to get past this. He loves you and you love him. All the screaming harpies in the world can't change that."

They rode the rest of the way to the airport in silence punctuated occasionally by the softest of sniffles from Emily. Holden knew that Garret's anger wasn't so much about Gina as it was about Holden's words and actions. He'd disappointed his new mate somehow and he wasn't sure which of his actions or words had done the deed.

Along his spine his clan mark writhed. He could feel the heat of it as it contorted itself into a new shape because of his mating. He wanted to talk to Garret, but his mate's thoughts were very firmly closed off from him. As the corporate jet's tail and wings came into view, Holden's stomach sank. His dragon b.i.t.c.hed and hissed and roared within him at being separated from Garret so soon. The roiling in his stomach, and in his soul, made him feel as if he was about to throw up.

One glance at Emily, huddled in the corner of the limo, limp with misery, made him realize that he would never survive without Garret. He would work like a fiend to finish what Declan needed from him. Eating and sleeping meant nothing to him if it added to the hours and days of separation. The sooner he finished with the takeover, the sooner he could go home and fix his life.

Chapter Eleven.

Garret walked through the next ten days like a zombie. If he didn't fill each moment with work until he fell asleep exhausted, his brain conjured up the sound of Holden's voice protesting, "I'm not gay!"

The words were true so Garret wasn't sure exactly why they disappointed him so. Maybe it was because Holden's first words were not "He's my mate!" For Garret, the whole scene had been one huge painful blot on his relationship with Holden. He'd been flying so d.a.m.n high too, newly mated, feeling his clan mark twisting and changing until it writhed up his spine making him want to rip off his shirt and show the world who he belonged to. And who belonged to him.

In his heart, regardless of anything Holden might have said to his ex-girlfriend, Garret knew that they belonged to each other. He knew that Holden felt the same. If Holden hadn't felt the emotion in his heart, he would never have bathed Garret in his dragonfire. Perhaps it was the newness of their mating that had made the confrontation with Gina sting so badly. The instant he'd walked away from Holden, Garret had felt his mate's pain. It had been all he could do to walk into the building and get in the elevator. He'd wanted to run back to Holden and kiss him and f.u.c.k him into submission. He'd been filled with the urge to prove to Holden how special their relationship was.

Each day that Holden was gone felt like a nail in Garret's coffin. At night, in Holden's bed, he tossed and turned, his body aching for his mate. Every day at Antaeus International seemed tenser than the last. Stressful didn't even cover it when it came to work. Without Emily there to smooth his transition into the company and without Holden to help him acclimatize, everything seemed to take longer to do and whatever could go wrong did.

To Garret's surprise, Sean had been helpful and supportive. One afternoon, he'd shown up in Garret's new office, dressed for golf, with Alfred Stone and Marius Granville flanking him. All three men had praised his work and stroked his ego. He'd gone home feeling much better about what he did at Antaeus International.

Still, Holden's thoughts didn't leak out to him and each day that went by without contact made his heart heavier. His stiff British upper lip wouldn't let him admit that he yearned for his mate with every breath he took. A couple of times, he'd tentatively tried to reach out to Holden but caught himself before he could interrupt his lover's work or sleep. Never having had a mate before and never having been on the wrong side of a disagreement that wasn't exactly a disagreement, Garret didn't know how to handle what had happened between them the afternoon that Holden left for Australia.

He spoke with Emily three times in the ten days they'd been gone. Each time she'd seemed more lackl.u.s.ter and inattentive than the last. Garret felt the way she sounded.

Careen had taken him to lunch both days on the weekend and dragged him around to a lot of stores asking him his opinion on a bunch of stuff he didn't much care about. During the week, on the nights he hadn't worked late, she and Sean had taken him to dinner. He'd been dragged to an industry event as well where he'd met all of the Granvilles from Granville Cemetery and Alfred's brother, Austin, too. Afterward, he'd had a little too much to drink with Vahid and Brian Dumont. He'd been shocked at Vahid's drinking, but Brian told him Vahid had been under a lot of stress lately and Sean had ordered him to take a vacation. Brian worked closely with Holden and held a law degree as well. He was just waiting for Declan's call to come take Holden's place. As they drank, he told Garret he was surprised he hadn't yet received the notice. Apparently, Holden and Declan usually worked much quicker. Either the Australian takeover was a nasty b.i.t.c.h on wheels or they were biding their time over it.

Any way that Garret looked at it, it seemed his mate wouldn't be coming home any time soon. So it was with a profound sense of shock that he heard the key turn in the lock at 3 o'clock in the morning on the eleventh day of their separation. Part of him wanted to jump up and run to greet Holden. Before he could decide, Holden's shadow appeared in the open bedroom doorway.

"I'm so f.u.c.king sorry."

The words were croaked out in a hoa.r.s.e whisper filled with more pain than Garret had ever heard in anyone's voice before. He turned over onto his back and rose up on his elbows. "Why didn't you call to tell me you were coming home?" he asked, in a low tone.

Holden took two shaky steps into the room. "I'm sorry, Garret. Everything I said. Everything I did came out wrong that morning. Whatever p.i.s.sed you off, I didn't mean it." A pleading note entered Holden's voice. "Please, Garret. I'm not even sure which thing hurt you and it's been tearing me up inside to the point that I'm useless to Declan and the company. I spent every moment that I was there wishing I was home with you."

A lump formed in Garret's throat. Ten days later, he wasn't sure either what had upset him so. All he knew was that he'd missed Holden fiercely. He reached over and threw back the covers, inviting Holden in. With a low sound that seemed to come from the depths of his chest, Holden stumbled to the side of the bed, pulling his clothes off.

When he slid between the sheets, his naked thigh brushing Garret's, electricity crackled between them. However, instead of s.e.xual heat flaring instantly, Garret's heart soared in a way it never had before. Holden pressed against him, his arms wrapping tightly around Garret as they sat on the mattress.

Feeling Holden's nuzzles on the curve of his neck below his ear, Garret's heart contracted painfully. With a rush, their minds opened and their thoughts mingled. Garret hugged Holden in a tight embrace, feeling how overcome by emotion his mate was.

Oh, G.o.ds. I missed you so much. I spent the whole time stressing over us.

I missed you too, Holden. I'm sorry I was so angry. I'm not even sure now what exactly set me off.

I was wrong. I shouldn't have said anything to her. I should have just told her it was none of her business and sent her away. Nothing is more important to me than you. Nothing. Not Antaeus International. Not my brothers or my sisters. Only this.

Holden's arms tightened around Garret as their mouths met. They both moaned at the pleasure that swept over them. At first, their kisses were short and sweet, damp lips clinging while their hearts conveyed their feelings to each other. Garret traced the seam of Holden's lips with the tip of his tongue. When Holden's mouth opened, Garret's tongue swept inside. Their kisses had an edge of desperation in them from the long days of their separation. Holden sucked on Garret's tongue as his hands stroked the clan mark that now swept from his lower back up between his shoulder blades, two entwined dragons, both black but one with an emerald in its mouth.

Without looking, Garret knew that Holden's mark now matched his.

A groan came from their mashed together lips, but Garret wasn't sure if it was his groan or Holden's.

I'm so glad you're home. I love you, Holden.

Holden pressed closer, his body tight against Garret's. I love you too, Garret. I don't think I can even convey how much I love you.

Garret felt his mate shaking with a combination of exhaustion and an excess of emotion. He slid down into the bed, cradling Holden to him and tugging at the sheet with one hand. A heavy sigh escaped Holden as he relaxed, his body going limp.

So tired.

Sleep, love. I'll be right here with you. I'm never going to let you go, you know.

Good. Cause I need you, Garret.

Within moments, Holden fell into a deep sleep. Garret held him, nuzzling his soft inky hair until he too fell asleep.

Garret awoke to the feel of hands stroking his c.o.c.k. He smiled without opening his eyes.

Holden was there and all was right with his world.

"Did you buy a car yet?"

"No," he replied, still not opening his eyes. "I couldn't bear to. Your car smells like you.'

Holden's hand stroked him with a twisting motion that sent pleasure shooting through his veins. He sighed, his hips arching into his mate's touch.

"Fireball time," Holden teased.

Now, Garret's eyes opened. Golden irises with dark elongated pupils stared down at him.

"You want to kiss me then?"

Holden grinned. "I always want to kiss you, touch you, lick you, f.u.c.k you."

Garret raised one brow as he rolled over, sitting up. "That's a nice little s.e.x rhyme."

"Isn't it? It's my new mantra."

Garret could see that his mate was supremely happy. He had to admit, he was too. Chuckling, they swallowed fireb.a.l.l.s and fell into each other's arms, kicking the covers to the floor and rolling all the over bed as their mouths met in a pa.s.sionate kiss. Garret nipped at Holden's lower lip and growled. Holden's hands teased the crease of Garret's a.s.s, making him shudder. Their hips pressed together, the hard ridges of their c.o.c.ks rubbing against each other.

Pre-c.u.m leaked copiously from their c.o.c.ks, wetting their abs and making the friction feel delicious. Panting, Holden's gaze caught and held Garret's as their lips parted.

"f.u.c.k me, Garret. I want to feel you inside me. I want to know what you feel when I'm deep inside you and coming so hard I think my brains are going into shock." The words were delivered in a voice that shook with a combination of fear and excitement.

Garret completely understood the level of trust and commitment Holden had just handed him and it made his heart soar.

He stroked his hands over Holden's face, tracing the beloved angles and planes. "I've wanted to make love to you for so long," he murmured. "I can't wait to move in you and watch the pleasure streak across your face."

"Then do it." Holden's expression was fierce, filled with more l.u.s.t than Garret had ever seen him express before. "Get the lube."

Garret reached into the drawer of the nightstand and emerged with a new tube. He stroked his palm over Holden's pecs. "We don't have to do this today," he said softly. "We can build up to it."

Holden grabbed Garret's chin, kissing him hard on the mouth. "No. I love you. I need to feel like I belong to you."

A chuckle rose from Garret's chest. "You don't feel like you belong to me now?" he asked teasingly, his hand stroking Holden's c.o.c.k. "This is mine. Your c.o.c.k. Your thoughts. Your heart.

And your a.s.s, although I've barely stuck a finger in it."

Holden choked on a laugh. "Did you know that you have a way with words too?"

Garret nodded, noticing that there were spots of color high on Holden's tanned cheekbones.

That told Garret that his mate's comfort level wasn't quite where it should be. Garret would bet that Holden was a lot more virgin than most men. He had a sense that even Holden's female partners hadn't invaded his dark hole. However, the fact that Holden was now open to anything between the two of them spoke volumes about how far he had come in his acceptance that love and mating was people specific not gender specific.

Still, Garret knew how sensitive that area of Holden's body was. He'd stroked it enough times while sucking Holden's c.o.c.k to know that it was a major erogenous zone for his mate. It did make him curious to know why Holden had never indulged in a.n.a.l play before.

"Maybe I was saving myself for you."

For a moment, Garret was silent. His startled eyes met Holden's. The black dragon's face was a study in amus.e.m.e.nt. Then a huge laugh roared up out of Garret. He leaned in and kissed Holden, flicking his tongue over his mate's sensitive lips.

"I can't imagine belonging to anyone else. You complete me, Holden," he murmured, his mouth still curved in a smile even as he kissed his mate.

"You say that now. The first time we share a woman you'll be p.i.s.sed that I'm such a selfish b.a.s.t.a.r.d." The teasing light in Holden's eyes sent waves of emotion crashing through Garret.

"I may get angry with you, but I will never love anyone the way I love you." Garret's words were spoken with a quiet ferocity that found an answering fire in his mate's eyes.

"Just f.u.c.k me, Garret," Holden said on a soft breath, his voice shaking with emotion.

Garret sprawled atop his lover, his hands caressing every inch of Holden's smooth skin. He nuzzled Holden's throat then took his mouth in a deep kiss. Their tongues tangled, stroking and teasing.

I could do that to your a.s.s. Wriggle my tongue just like that. Holden's eyes blazed up at him. Another time. I need you to f.u.c.k me and kiss me. No way is your tongue going from my a.s.s to my mouth.

Garret snickered softly. Fireball.

Maybe another time, Holden insisted. Right now, there's only so much new stuff I can take.

You'll take me...

And I'm sure I'll love it.

It will hurt, Holden, Garret warned, his fingers digging into his mate's hip. I'm not small, and you've never been stretched.

Holden's hands caressed the back of Garret's head. I want all of you. I already know it won't be all pleasure, but I need this. I need you. Just f.u.c.k me already.

Garret broke their kiss, his chest heaving as he rose to his knees, straddling Holden's hips.

"Turn over."

Slowly, Holden rolled to his belly. Garret's thighs and knees quivered with the effort to remain still as his mate pushed up on his knees enough to elevate his hips and b.u.t.tocks. With his breathing harsh even to his own ears, Garret stroked his hand over the smooth muscular curve of Holden's right a.s.s cheek. His dragon growled, urging him to take Holden. Garret knew he had to go slow. He wanted the experience to be something his mate would want repeated often.

Garret's eyes caressed the masculine curves of Holden's body. All those rippling muscles were his to touch and lick forever. A shudder of pleasure went through him and his c.o.c.k twitched.

Holden's fierce beauty held him enthralled. One hand skated over his lover's hip to grasp his straining c.o.c.k. A moan broke from Holden and his back bowed. Leaning over him, Garret's tongue swirled along his mate's clan mark. Impossibly, he felt Holden's c.o.c.k surge and thicken in his grip.

Licking his way down the clan mark from shoulder blades to the small of Holden's back, Garret felt his lover's desire rising rapidly. Sitting back on his haunches, he pressed Holden's hips higher, one hand kneading the black dragon's firm b.u.t.tocks as the other continued to stroke his c.o.c.k. Letting his fingers trace the crease between the globes, his touch light and teasing, Garret carefully gauged the level of Holden's excitement. When he realized that his mate was nearly mindless with l.u.s.t, he reluctantly let go of his c.o.c.k and reached for the lube.

Generous amounts of the slick liquid poured into Garret's palm. He shivered, knowing what the lube was for, what it meant. His c.o.c.k ached in a way that pushed his control to the edge. With trembling hands, he pressed Holden's b.u.t.tocks apart and stroked his wet fingers over the puckered entrance. He heard Holden's breath hiss, but staring at the place where he would soon put his c.o.c.k had him on a single-minded mission. Again, he stroked his fingers over Holden's a.n.u.s, rubbing copious amounts of lube in and around it.

A long shuddering moan escaped Holden as Garret pressed a finger past the tight, virgin ring of muscles. Gently, Garret pressed his finger into the wet, resistant hole. The heat of Holden's channel surrounding his finger almost made him come. Panting loudly, sweat breaking out at his hairline, Garret slowly f.u.c.ked Holden with his finger. When Holden began to thrust back onto the digit, Garret squirted more lube and pressed a second finger into his lover.

"Ohhhhh!" Holden's moans grew loud and uncontrolled as Garret f.u.c.ked him with two fingers. Do you like that, baby?

Oh, G.o.ds, Garret. You never told me it would feel like this.

I'm not hurting you, am I?

No, no. Garret, I need more. f.u.c.k me!

The l.u.s.t filled thoughts of his mate made Garret tremble. He pulled his fingers from Holden's body and stroked lube thickly over his c.o.c.k.

Breathe, Holden. Just concentrate on your breathing, he told his mate as he pressed the head of his c.o.c.k to Holden's a.n.u.s. He rubbed the crown against Holden's sensitive flesh and felt a shudder go though him. You want this, don't you? You want my c.o.c.k in your a.s.s, filling you.

Yes! d.a.m.n you, Garret! Stop teasing me and f.u.c.k me already! How many times do I have to beg?