At Year's End (The 12 Olympians) (20 page)

Lance eyed the taller man with an appreciative eye.

“Oh yeah. I’m fucking hung like an elephant and I excel at all sports.”

Killian’s brows furrowed and he stared at the man’s crotch. “Elephants are very big.”

Lance laughed again. “I like this guy.”

Elijah was
laughing so hard, he started coughing. He had missed this. Laughter was something he hadn’t had in a very long time.

“It’s good to see you, Elijah. I’m glad you’re back.” Lance patted Elijah on his back.

Elijah glanced at Jaxon. “Me, too.”

An hour later, the club had slowed down and Ryder stood on stage announcing the next song. Jaxon was seated at the bar next to Elijah. They hadn’t moved in over an hour. Elijah wanted to dance.

“We’re
slowing it down for you now. Olivia is going to sing ‘Gravity’ by Sara Bareilles.”

Elijah hopped off the stool and grabbed Jaxon’s hand. “Let’s dance!”

They moved to the middle of the floor and Elijah wrapped his arms around Jaxon. It was the closest they had been to each other since he’d come home. Jaxon’s scent enveloped him and Elijah inhaled deeply.

Strong arms
circled him and Elijah rested his head on Jaxon’s chest. It felt so good. It felt so
right
. They moved slowly, Jaxon’s nose buried in his hair, his hands at his hips. Heat slid down Elijah’s back to his toes as Jaxon’s warmth flowed through him.

Something about this man
— the one he’d been convinced wanted him dead — called to him. Elijah sighed into Jaxon’s chest.

“Everything okay?” Jaxon asked quietly
, near his ear.

“Yes. Everything is fine.”

They closed down the club. Jaxon walked Elijah out to Skylar’s car and tried his best not to hold his hand. Oh God, he missed Elijah so much.

Jaxon took his keys from his pocket as Skylar walked out with Justice.

“Um, Jaxon?” Elijah fidgeted.

“Yes?”

“Thanks for the dance.”

“
My pleasure,” Jaxon winked and walked toward his bike.

Elijah sighed watching that
perfect ass. He heard a slight chuckle to his right and glanced over at Justice.

“What?” Elijah glared.

“Nothing.”

~*~

Jaxon sat on the bench as kids played in the water. The Fourth of July party was in full swing and plenty of boats were out on the water. He’d spent two weeks spending just about every day with Elijah, taking him to the aquarium and back to the sandwich shop on the pier.

He
was coming around, but Jaxon still couldn’t kiss him, and it was proving more and more difficult to be around him. God, all he wanted was to hold Elijah in his arms.

Jaxon smiled as Elijah got up on his water skis
. The boat was being driven by Justice, and Jesse was helping with the other kids on Austin Jacobson’s pontoon boat. The fireman had lent his services just as he had the year before.

The Esposito twins were bouncing around in a playpen right next to
Jaxon, along with Kane Waters. Kane and Matty had been mated as newborns and could talk to each other telepathically.

Maggie, Matty’s twin
, was human but she knew what her parents were, as well as her brother. Jaxon smiled and handed Maggie her juice cup. A shadow passed in front of him and he looked up to see Andrei Panchenko smiling at him. The head of the Russian Mob sat down next to him and motioned to the water.

“Elijah is good.”

“He really is.” Jaxon pulled his sunglasses down.

“How are you? Elijah has not yet remembered?”

Jaxon shook his head. “No. He’s okay hanging out with me, but I can’t get close to him.”

Andrei turned on the bench to face Jaxon. “You must not give up. He will remember in time.”

“That sounds funny coming from you,” Jaxon smiled.

“Ah yes. You are referring to my husband’s memory loss.” Andrei nodded. “I was afraid at first that if he remembered who he was, he would leave me for his one true love.”

Jaxon nodded. Special Agent Devin Lyons had been put in charge of Andrei’s safety a while back. Unbeknownst to Devin, his real name was Tanner McKinley, he had been engaged to be married and he had been brainwashed to become Devin Lyons and carry out an assassination.

“And we all know that ain’t
gonna happen, precious.”

Andrei snorted as his husband plopped down in his lap.

“Devin,” Andrei drawled.

“Lover boy
,” Devin whispered into Andrei’s ear playfully.

Jaxon chuckled. “Oh my God, you two are so meant to be together.”

“I’m not going anywhere sweet cheeks, because
you
are my one true love.” Devin bit Andrei’s earlobe. Devin regarded Jaxon. “Elijah
will
remember. The guys who held me captive had years to fuck with my head; they only had Elijah for a little over three months. The kid is resilient, Jaxon.”

“I just miss him so much
,” Jaxon sighed sadly.

“Well, he seems to like you.” Andrei elbowed Jaxon.

“He’s my mate — why isn’t the mate bond kicking in?” Jaxon rubbed his face with his hands.

“Maybe it has, that is why Elijah spends time with you
,” Andrei suggested.

“At any rate,” Devin leaned back against his husband. “His subconscious knows who you are.”

“How do you know?” Jaxon asked curiously.

“Because the phoenix that popped out of his chest
knew you
. It recognized you as Elijah’s mate, which is why you’re not a pile of crispy remains. The rest will come, Jaxon.”

“God, I hope so.”

~*~

Elijah stifled a laugh. The way Dasan was drooling over Ruslan Borkosky in swim trunks, the whole beach
probably knew how he felt. Ruslan was talking with Colin Greystone, boyfriend of Nikolai Markov. It was no secret that Nikolai hated Ruslan, for lots of reasons — including the fact that he had briefly dated Colin, who he was supposed to kill before having a change of heart. Colin had kept him as a friend after he and Nikolai became a couple, much to the hotheaded younger Markov’s chagrin.

Elijah was getting
the gossip on everyone from Ryder, who seemed to know everything about everyone.

“Lord, does that man not know how hot he is?” Dasan sighed
and shook his head.

“I think his ego took a beating when Colin got together with Nikolai
,” Ryder suggested.

“
Hey, Ryder! Check out Dane.” Stone waggled his eyebrows.

“Yeah? Look at Killian. Even in July he’s wearing a trench coat
— on the beach! Who does that?” Ryder cracked up.

“Oh, I think Justice heard you
,” Dasan chuckled.

Justice was pointing to Kil
lian’s trench coat with a frown and shaking his head. Stone’s eyes widened as Killian made a face, then removed his coat.

Holy hell and M
other Mary.

“Oh. My. God
,” Ryder whispered. “Look at the size of his biceps!”

“Dayum!” Skylar
whistled appreciatively. He straightened when Justice looked his way with a cocked eyebrow. He mouthed ‘I love you’ and Justice winked at him.

“He’s okay.” Elijah tilted his head
, checking out the shape shifter. All of them turned to look at him and Elijah shrugged. “What?”

“He’s
okay
?” Ryder’s eyes were incredulous.

“Well, yeah
,” Elijah said slowly. “He’s not my type.”

“What is your type then?” Skylar grinned.

Elijah opened his mouth and then shut it. Jaxon was chasing Matty Esposito down the beach, his massive thighs moving smoothly under tight swim shorts. His bare chest showed off his nipple ring and his colorful tattoos.

“Uh huh.” Dasan ran his hand in front of Elijah’s face. “Jaxon is his type.”

“Jaxon’s everyone’s type,” Ryder laughed.

Elijah’s head snapped back and he glared at Ryder.

“What?” Ryder smiled smugly.

Elijah grumbled, but his eyes strayed back to Jaxon on the beach. He’d caught Matty and was twirling him around. Maggie, Matty’s sister, was attacking Jaxon’s legs
with her chubby little hands.

Elijah found himself smiling. Jaxon was sweet and kind.
Elijah knew he wasn’t ready to be with him, though. It was going to take time. And although he felt a pull to Jaxon, he wasn’t ready for more with the man.

“Hey, you okay?” Skylar p
ut his arm around Elijah.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

Cuffs and Stuffs was brimming with people. Jaxon stood against the bar with Justice and Jesse. Elijah was laughing with Skylar and Stone across the floor. Jaxon had tried everything, taken Elijah to every place they’d ever been together, bought him their favorite foods, showed him pictures — and all he had accomplished was convincing Elijah they’d
been
a couple. It hadn’t brought back his memories; it hadn’t gotten Elijah closer to him.

Jaxon sighed
. He couldn’t do it anymore. He couldn’t be close to Elijah and not be the way they were. Being at the club just made it worse.

“Jaxon.” Justice gave his brother a knowing look. “Don’t give up
, bud.”

“I’m not giving up, but this isn’t helping
.” Jaxon regarded his brothers. “I need time to myself. I can’t be this close and not…” Jaxon shook his head, trailing off.

“Just a little more
— ” Jesse started.

“What? A little more what?
Time? Patience? It’s been weeks. I can’t.” Jaxon straightened up and took a deep breath. “I’m going home.”

Jaxon crossed the floor just as Olivia and Ryder took the stage. Ryder took the microphone and smiled at the crowd.

“We’re going to slow things down for you. Olivia and I are going to attempt to sing ‘Say Something’ from ‘A Great Big World,’ featuring Christina Aguilera.”

Jaxon walked over to Elijah and put his hand out. “May I?”

“Sure.” Elijah put his drink on the table and took Jaxon’s hand. They went to the center of the floor as the music started.

Jaxon held Elijah close,
reveling in his scent. God, but he wanted Elijah so badly. He just needed some space, some time to get used to not being able to kiss him, make love to him. The lyrics of the song were so damn ironic. Jaxon felt his throat close up and his eyes begin to water. Oh shit, he was going to cry. Jaxon reeled in his emotions and just held Elijah, memorizing every scent, every inch of skin.

“Is everything okay, Jaxon?” Elijah asked.

Jaxon pulled back and studied Elijah’s face. He was so beautiful. Jaxon cleared his throat and tried to smile. He had to go, and he had to go now. He palmed Elijah’s face.

“I have to go away for a bit
. I’ll think of you every day that I’m away.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m not sure yet.” Jaxon’s thumb caressed Elijah’s cheekbone. “You have fun, okay? Keep up with the singing, you’re good at it.” If he was going to go, he was going to take something to tide him over. Jaxon leaned in and brushed their lips together.

Elijah’s breath hitched as their lips met softly. So many feelings rushed to the surface, Elijah almost fell over from the intensity. He opened his eyes and met Jaxon’s.

“That felt like goodbye
,” he whispered.

“I won’t be gone long
,” Jaxon assured him.

Jaxon made
himself pull away and began walking backward through the club, away from Elijah and away from everything he knew. He kept eye contact until he couldn’t anymore. He turned and pushed through the clubs doors, outside and away from the one man he had ever loved.

~
*~

Elijah stood in the middle of the dance floor with the searing heat of Jaxon’s
kiss still on his lips. The lyrics of the song flowed through his head. Pain sliced through his temples and Elijah cried out, doubling over from the intensity. Memories blasted through his skull like a movie fast-forwarding. Jaxon’s face came into view — laughing, smiling. The memories just kept coming, one after another after another: Jaxon running down the beach in New Zealand, Jaxon feeding him bacon, Jaxon’s face when they made love.

“
Oh my God!” Elijah’s head whipped around to the door. “Jaxon!”

Elijah ran across the floor, pushing people out of his way. He ran into the parking lot. Jaxon was already astride his Harley, revving it up.

“Jaxon!” Elijah screamed.

*

Jaxon tried to wipe at the hot tears streaming down his face, but the damn helmet was in the way. He let go of the gas and a sound caught his attention. It was Elijah. Jaxon threw off his helmet and shut off the engine.

“Elijah?”

“It’s duck season!” Elijah shouted.

Jaxon’s heart lurched. “What?”

“It’s duck season! Please don’t go! I remember! I remember!”

Jaxon ran across the parking lot and grabbed Elijah, holding him close
and swinging him around. “Oh, thank God! I was so scared I’d lost you! I love you, Elijah! I love you so much!”

“You…love me?” Elijah searched Jaxon’s eyes.

“I’ve always loved you, Elijah.” Jaxon rubbed his nose through Elijah’s hair. He looked up to see most of the guys watching, huge smiles on their faces.

“I love you, too, Jaxon.”

Jaxon yelped and pulled away. The necklace around his neck had turned orange with heat. Justice and Jesse both shouted in surprise as their own necklaces heated. Jaxon looked down to see the necklace burning his chest. The pain crawled around his neck. Smoke rose from his skin and Jaxon noticed in astonishment that the necklace had tattooed itself on his flesh.

“Take it off and give it to Elijah!” Justice shouted, removing his own necklace and placing on Skylar. “Jesse, put it on Noah!”

Jaxon’s eyes widened in surprise as the necklace cooled around Elijah’s neck. A flash of light exploded and enveloped the six of them. Jaxon’s heart raced as a feeling of peace swept through him. The light dissipated and Justice slumped against the building.

“It’s done
,” Justice panted.

“What’s done? What the hell, bro? You couldn’t have
warned
us?” Jaxon shouted.

“No, I couldn’t. Even I didn’t know the extent of it. Dad just s
aid that when the three of us all found love, the necklaces would come into power.”

Jaxon pulled Elijah into his chest and held him. “I don’t even care; I got back what was missing.”

“I love you, Jaxon,” Elijah murmured into Jaxon’s neck. “I love you so much.”

Jesse narrowed his eyes at Justice. “Come into power? What does that even mean?”

Justice shrugged. “The power and protection of love? Jaxon said it saved him by deflecting Hepatitis’ fireball.”

Jaxon sighed. “
It’s Hephaestus — and I’d really like to lay one on my boyfriend if you guys don’t mind?”

Justice smiled. “How
’bout we give these guys some time alone?”

“Ye
ah, let’s do that.” Skylar took Justice’s hand.

Jaxon held Elijah close,
stroking up and down his back. God, but he’d missed being close to him. The pain in his chest dissipated with every second he held Elijah.

“God, I missed you, Elijah
,” Jaxon murmured into Elijah’s hair.

“Please kiss me, right now
,” Elijah whimpered.

Jaxon took Elijah’s face in his hands and
searched his eyes. The love was there. Jaxon leaned in and brushed their lips together. Elijah whimpered again and Jaxon pulled them flush, his tongue licking the seam of Elijah’s lips until he opened up. Jaxon slid in like silk and entwined their tongues. A soft moan rose from Elijah and his hands went to Jaxon’s hair, fisting it. Jaxon drank him in, savoring each whimper, every moan, the very taste of the man he loved.

It felt like hours had gone by before they finally broke from the kiss, each of them touching the other
’s face, as if they were afraid it wasn’t real.

“I missed this, I missed
you
,” Jaxon whispered.

Elijah blinked. He slapped Jaxon’s bicep. “You were going to leave?”

“Not forever, just for a few days. I just needed to get away. Being so close to you and not being able to kiss you, or hold you.” Jaxon shook his head. “I couldn’t take it.”

“Why don’t we go to your place?” Elijah whispered huskily. “We can get reacquainted.”

Jaxon chuckled. “One thing first.”

“One thing?”

Jaxon leaned in and captured Elijah’s lips. He wrapped him up in his arms and kissed him the way he’d wanted to for months. Elijah moaned and wrapped his arms around Jaxon’s neck, responding fiercely. Jaxon broke the kiss, letting his lips trail softly across Elijah’s.

“I want to hear you sing
,” he whispered.

“Sing?” Elijah opened his eyes.

“Yes, sing. I missed it.”

“Yeah?” Elijah grinned.

“Yep.”

~*~

The club was in chaos as Elijah jumped on stage. He bowed as the roar of the crowd almost deafened him. Skylar, Stone, Ryder, Dasan and Nate stood behind him. Elijah waved his arms at the crowd trying to settle them down. He laughed as the shouting, whistling and clapping just got louder.

“Calm down people!” Skylar shouted into the microphone. “Do you want to hear our Elijah sing or not?”

The resounding ‘yes’ from the club almost shook the walls. Skylar laughed and handed Elijah the microphone.

“It’s all yours
,” he winked.

Elijah smiled
at the crowd and found Jaxon against the wall. He crooked his finger and Jaxon walked forward.

“This is for my man. And don’t go booing him!” Elijah laughed as the
crowd laughed.

The lights went down and Elijah closed his eyes, letting the sensation of being on stag
e fill him. Jason Derulo’s ‘Other Side’ started and Elijah got into his ‘club mode.’ Skylar bumped him and he grinned. Elijah began singing to shouts and whistles. Jaxon winked at him as he got closer to the stage. He stopped and his mouth dropped open. Elijah stifled a laugh and resumed singing.

The guys came in with the ‘
ohhhs’ as Elijah walked back and forth across the stage. He crouched down to the edge of the stage and motioned Jaxon closer. He palmed his face as he sang the lyrics. Elijah backed up and got into formation as the song came to an end. The club was pure pandemonium as Elijah bowed. He had missed this so much.

“Thank you!” Elijah shouted.

“How about another one?” Skylar shouted at the crowd.

“Hell yeah!”
came the unanimous reply.

Elijah pulled Skylar over. “Imagine Dragons
’ ‘Demons’.”

“Gotcha.” Skylar winked.

The club rocked with the bass of the song and Elijah stood in the middle of the stage singing. The last of the cobwebs dropped away as his memory was restored completely.

Yes, he’d had a hard life, but the life before him more than made up for anything he’d endured.

He was the son of a god, not a demon.

He had love.

Elijah belted out the lyrics as
he walked back across the stage, the guys providing back up. It was as if he’d never left; they fell into sync perfectly. Elijah met Jaxon’s eyes and winked at him.

Jaxon was
his; the man had scoured the Earth looking for him. His mate was a badass. Elijah had to smile at the thought. He lined up with the rest of the guys as the song came to an end. The club exploded with clapping and whistling. Elijah held Skylar and Ryder’s hand as they bowed.

“Now I’m going to go home and make up for lost time with my man!”

Whistles and catcalls filled the club and Elijah laughed. He hugged Skylar and the guys then jumped off stage into Jaxon’s waiting arms.

“Let’s go home, Jaxon.”

~*~

Jaxon shut the door and turned the deadbolt. The clicking sound seemed to reverberate all over the quiet house.

A warm hand slipped across his ass and Jaxon closed his eyes as Elijah’s hands traveled underneath his shirt, caressing his back. They locked eyes and Jaxon took Elijah’s hand, leading him upstairs. They entered Jaxon’s room and Jaxon shut the door, locking it.

He turned to find Elijah standing in the middle of the room. Closing the distance between them, Jaxon pulled Elijah into his arms and took his mouth. A loud sigh came from Elijah as Jaxon ran his hands up
his back, pulling his T-shirt off.

Jaxon threw the shirt into the corner and kissed Elijah’s neck, licking at the pulse. His hands wandered down Elijah’s torso
, caressing hot skin. Their tongues met, sliding across each other, tangling as Jaxon’s fingers traveled across Elijah’s abdomen. Soft sighs and whimpers filled the room as Jaxon unbuttoned Elijah’s jeans and slid the zipper down slowly. Pulling Elijah’s jeans down over his ass, Jaxon slipped a hand inside his boxers. Elijah’s dick was hard and ready, and already leaking as Jaxon palmed it.

“Jaxon…” Elijah panted against the older man’s lips.

“I want to taste you,” Jaxon whispered.

Jaxon tore his mouth away from Elijah’s lips; one hand began slowly stroking Elijah as the other hand squeezed one ass cheek, pulling Elijah closer to him.
Jaxon ran his tongue down the corded muscles of Elijah’s neck, making his way down to one nipple.