Lucian really didn’t like this place. He was coming to realise that Cass couldn’t smell that there was something wrong with it as he relaxed against Lucian’s chest, his smaller frame so damn trusting of Lucian that it made his hearts want to beat out of his chest.
That, however, was not enough to put him at ease.
The place stank.
Stank of mold, mildew, rancid things, sex, drugs, and even death. It was heavy in the air. It might not have been a dungeon, but it felt as close as one could get without the grand entrance. This also hadn’t been the smell that had greeted him when he’d scouted the location either.
It had to be these back rooms.
The next question was how Mr. Collins, the so-called hussy, had gotten access to these back rooms and the ability to book them? Had he used Cass’ name? Or did Mr. Collins have more connections in this strange human world than Lucian gave the glasses-wearing man credit for?
He had snagged a decent looking human, so maybe that was the case? Lucian couldn’t be sure, all he did know was that he wasn’t exactly pleased with the treatment that Cass was getting here. It was making Cass uncomfortable and Lucian didn’t like that.
He also knew that he had no control over if they stayed or left. Especially since Cass seemed to like this hussy. This human who looked innocent but had nearly ruined his nephew’s relationship. Cass should be upset with him too, but he didn’t appear to be at all. It was probably because Cass had to work with him still.
Lucian hated how complicated this world was.
He missed the old days where he could just take what he wanted and then convince them that he was the right choice, on his terms. Instead he had to go through all these elaborate rituals, abide by their way of life and all the messy stuff that came with it.
That was mean. That wasn’t true. Lucian liked doing the little things with Cass, he was just frustrated that their time had been interrupted and now he had to share Cass when he had expected that he wouldn’t have to do something so ridiculous. He was already sharing Cass a lot.
He just wanted a day to just himself. Especially since he was going to have to leave soon for Cass’ safety.
Lucian could shed anywhere. Most of the dragons were gone, and at this point, the only beings strong enough to harm him lived with him. He had it on good authority that the one he was the most worried about killing him when he was vulnerable had a soft spot for him.
Cass wouldn’t even consider killing Lucian like that. He had a feeling that the man would be a lot more hands on. Gods, thinking about Cass wrapping his hands around Lucian’s throat as he tried to strangle him to death? Fuck, he was getting turned on just thinking about it.
The bigger problem was the ’heat’ that came after it. Lucian had never called it that, nor had any of his brethren. He’d have to warn Byron about it as well, but...Lucian normally called it his mating season. After all, when was the best time to make a baby when you were all fresh soft skin, gentle claws and the uncontrollable urge to touch your bond partner? Your mate?
Lucian had only experienced it a few times, and all of those times had come after he’d bitten someone like this. Had he done the other times out of amusement? Yes. Lucian was an honest dragon, and he’d done those bites out of curiousity and boredom. That was not the case for his darling Cass.
His sweetness. The man who made his hearts beat and his cocks so hard that he’d do anything to get the man to touch him. However, his sweet, loveable, villainous soon-to-be mate was frail. Fragile.
He was just getting back onto his feet in terms of his health, and Lucian was happy to help him with that. He loved being able to provide for him, and loved it more when Cass thanked him for something that was so ridiculous. Of course Lucian would take care of his health. He was his. It was his duty, and he took it seriously.
Which was why Lucian was going to put some distance between them. He did not want to break Cass, nor did he want to do something to Cass that would make the man hate him. Like he had when he had bitten him the first time.
Lucian needed to let the time expire on the bite, needed to let it fade even if it would kill him to feel their souls disengage. It would crush something in him, but it was the right thing to do. He would just need to earn that trust back. It had never felt like this with the others that he had bitten, which was why Lucian was so sure that Cass was everything to him.
Lucian turned his attention back to the situation that he found himself in. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t what Lucian had wanted. He wanted to be pressed against Cass, watching those pretty ruby eyes flutter closed, those thick, white lashes coming down and opening when Lucian fed him. His cheeks flushed, his lips plump, his gaze all hot and warm.
Gods, thinking about Cass all pliant and warm in his arms was enough to make Lucian want to go back on his plan. But...what he got instead wasn’t so bad. Cass hadn’t protested when Lucian had pulled him into his lap, but he had protested Lucian hand feeding him. It was annoying, but he got to see another side of Cass.
He kept discovering the cutest little sides to him.
It was so cute when the other man looked up at him, checking to see how he was doing, fiddling with the buttons on his jacket, not even aware that he was doing so. He kept plucking at the buttons on the jacket that Lucian was wearing, as if he was imprinting them into his memory. His hair was soft, smelled good against Lucian’s nose, his body warm against his own. Cass kept wiggling too, nervous. His emotions were fluttery, flustered. He was clearly embarrassed about the position he found himself in but he wasn’t moving.
That little change, that little acceptance made Lucian want to pull the man into another alleyway and kiss him silly. This time he’d go down on the man until his legs shook, his voice gone as he choked on the pleasure that Lucian gave him. Maybe he’d even let Lucian stick his tongue in his ass again.
He’d liked that. He’d liked that a lot.
Lucian had worried he’d hurt the man at first when he’d felt Cass’ mind go blank the first time he’d eaten him out when he’d been fully aware. Then the man had convulsed, the loudest moan leaving his lips.
Lucian huffed, a bit of smoke curling from his lips at the memory. God, he would be using that memory for the whole time he was gone. The feeling of him convulsing on his tongue, wiggling, anxious, chasing the pleasure he gave him.
Shit, his mouth was watering.
"Lucian, are you okay? You’re quiet." Cass’ soft words, his concern, washed over Lucian and he turned his gaze downward. Cass’ brows were furrowed, his expression severe. He would have looked a little scary to those who couldn’t see the tender man who lived underneath that expression.
Lucian’s lips curled up.
He would be smacking him mercilessly if he knew what he was thinking about right now. Gods, he couldn’t wait for when they were bonded and Lucian could run his mind like this and get Cass all worked up. He couldn’t wait for Cass’ shouts, his cheeks flushed as he grabbed Lucian, maybe even Edgar, and tugged them away to have his wicked way with them.
He just wanted this waiting period to be over. So that he could touch him without guilt.
"Sorry sweetness. Just distracted. Did you miss me?" Lucian asked, unable to refuse nuzzling his face against Cass’ sweet one. Lucian felt the man’s annoyance at his actions fill him, and that only made him smile wide. The reason being that under all of that annoyance was a small, warm little bundle of happiness that followed it.
He wondered if Cass was even aware of it, but given the rough treatment that Lucian received, maybe not. That was okay. Lucian could wait, especially as Cass backed his ass up tighter against Lucian’s pants. He had to be aware that Lucian was hard, but he didn’t flinch away.
Lucian let out a breathless laugh.
Ah, this was so much fun.
"I did not miss you. You’re right fucking here." Cass growled and Lucian just wanted to smother the man with his lips. However, he was smart enough to know that Cass would not like to do that with others around. Well, not with these others around.
Lucian could get away with it if it was Edgar and probably...Gideon. Ugh. He hated that. Lucian couldn’t even play with Gideon the same way that he could play with Edgar. Lucian didn’t like to be penetrated himself. Had tried it, didn’t find it appealing. He liked to be the one on top and he knew instinctually that Gideon was the same.
That was why Lucian found it so annoying that Cass’ gaze kept glancing towards the human. Even if his lifespan was the shortest of them all, that didn’t mean he liked it. He would just have to sit back and watch Cass and Gideon...do things together. He couldn’t participate in the slightest. It wasn’t like when he was with Edgar and Lucian could tease them both.
Lucian was getting upset again. He needed to focus. He was on a date with Cass, even if they had company. He needed to spend his time wisely. Being angry wouldn’t do anything when he was going to be faced with a severe lack of Cass for two months, and that was only if his mating season was around the same length as it usually was.
Lucian wasn’t even sure of that.
"Feed me?" Lucian asked, pushing his luck. It was worth it to watch Cass’ face turn pink and his lips pucker. Fuck. Those lips had sucked him so good earlier. What a hungry little demon he had on his hands. Who was going to feed him properly when he was gone? Damn Gideon and Edgar, that was who.
Much to his surprise, Cass grabbed something from the table and slowly raised it to Lucian’s lips. It was on a fork, but it still counted. Lucian took the morsel of food gratefully, pleased. A deep rumble left his chest, one of contentment and he watched as Cass’ face shifted to a deeper shade.
"You aren’t allowed to do that right now." Cass whispered, then made a pointed look lower. It took Lucian a moment to connect the dots. Oh. Oh.
Cass had felt it. Lucian’s grin in response was completely wicked.
"Sweetness, shall we take this somewhere more private?" He whispered against Cass’ ear, aware he wasn’t being quiet enough. The soft little gasp from Cass, the way that Mr. Collins’ eyes went wide and Christopher gave a begrudging nod of approval had Lucian’s chest wanting to puff out.
The smack against his pec was well deserved, and Lucian grinned, unrepentant.
"You-You damn horny lizard!" Cass burst out, before he slapped a hand against his mouth, Lucian laughed.
Awe, he was such a sweetheart, wasn’t he?