Hidden Passions (30 page)

~

Tony could not believe Chris was walking away from him. He wanted to make love to him, like, right then and a lot of times. Chris was already naked and hard. There was no damn reason they couldn't have at it.

Chris's fine bare ass disappeared into the bathroom while Tony gawked in amazement. The faucets squeaked, and then he heard water running into the tub. What did Tony need a bath for? Chris had just cleaned him up. Annoyed, he shoved his hand down his loosened pants. He hadn't lied about being worked up. His cock was so stiff it ached. Bothered too much by the deep-down itch, he rubbed up and down the shaft. He didn't use serious pressure. He'd rather wait for his tiger before he came. Chris didn't need to know that, however.

"I'm starting without you," he called.

Chris opened and closed a cabinet. "Don't you have bubble bath?"

"No, I don't," Tony said, miffed that he would ask. Did Chris think he was some girly queen? Then he relented. "I have bath
salts
. In the towel closet."

"Got 'em!"

The scent of lime and spice exploded into the air. Tony released his cock so he could fold his arms. Chris wasn't earning his forgiveness that easy.

"Come on," the tiger coaxed. "It's not as fun if I sit in this thing alone."

Chris was taking the bath too? That
would
make it more interesting. Tony dropped his pants without more ado.

He found Chris lolling in the clawfoot tub.

"Wow," Tony said, admiring the yummy picture his big naked body made.

His muscled arms were stretched along the rim, one long leg crooked up there as well. The richly scented water wasn't high enough to cover his erection. That was on full display, thrusting up from his groin all flushed and pulsing and delicious. Water glistened on the cat's smooth skin, or maybe it was sweat. Chris rubbed one hand over his own chest hair.

"Uh," Tony said, feeling like he was being hypnotized. Chris's pecs were solid and inviting, his nipples beaded like pencil erasers. The cat's hand drifted lower, over his six-pack abs and navel. Long strong fingers combed into the widening swath of his pubic hair. Chris's updrawn thigh sprawled wider as his wandering hand cupped and lifted his heavy sac. Tony gulped audibly. Chris's thumb cruised over the wet curve of one testicle, causing Tony's balls to jerk in sympathy.

"Don't just stand there," Chris teased, his eyes aglow with lust and humor. "The water's nice and hot."

Tony bet it was. "Shit," he breathed, realizing what was missing. "Hold that thought a sec."

Praying his neighbors weren't peeking in, he zipped naked to the kitchen, returning with two lit votive candles in slightly dusty cut glass holders.

"Aww," Chris said, seeing what he'd brought.

He was almost laughing, but Tony could tell he was also touched. Thinking a moment, he set the candles on the sink. If he put them too near bath, they were liable to get splashed out.

Chris swished his fingers through the steaming water. "I'm still waiting," he reminded.

Tony knelt beside the tub to give him a long deep kiss. Bracing one hand on Chris's bicep, he cradled the back of his head with the other. Chris's hand touched his chest and petted. They made low hungry noises as their tongues slid along each other.

When Tony pulled back at last, both their eyes opened languorously.

"Get in here," Chris whispered.

Tony swung in with his back to Chris. The tub was full enough to shut off the tap, the water silky from the oiled salts that had dispersed in it. They were big men, and it took a bit of negotiation for them to get comfortable. Tony sighed as his head settled into the perfect spot on Chris's broad shoulder.

"Good," Chris said, skating his hand over Tony's chest.

Chris's dick was pressed behind Tony's buttocks, thick and hard and hot enough to make him shiver.

"Do me," Tony said, needing that ferociously. "I want your hand on my cock."

"You don't want to be teased some more?"

"Nuh-uh." He took Chris's hand from the pectoral it was circling, dragging it toward the part of him that most desired to be held by it. Chris resisted just enough to make Tony use his strength.

Tony had a feeling they both got a thrill from that.

"Fuck," Chris breathed as Tony wrapped his hand around his very firm erection. Tony kept his grip over Chris's, forcing it up and pulling it down while his pelvis rocked his shaft through their tightly joined fingers. The oil in the water made the tiger's fist squeeze over him sleekly, beads of excitement at the tip of his cock lubing it even more. Waves of pleasure chased each other warmly along his nerves. Tony's eyes drifted shut, his head rolling against Chris's strong shoulder.

"Let go of my hand," Chris said, hushed and husky. "I know what you like by now."

He did . . . and what he didn't know, he figured out enjoyably. Tony released his hand and gripped Chris's knees instead. He needed something to hold onto. Chris put his second hand to work on Tony's cock, pulling one fist up him and then the other, making sure his fingers contracted as each stroke reached his swollen crown. Though the head of his penis was sensitive, Tony was too aroused for the extra pressure to be anything but welcome.

He groaned when Chris started swiping faster. Chris's tugs pulled sensations from deep within his groin, making his entire body feel like it was coiling up to come. Chris nearly sent him over when he nipped his bunched shoulder.

He was excited too. His tiger fangs were down.

"What me inside of you when you go?"

"Yes," Tony moaned. "Please."

Chris helped him lift and slide onto him. Water wasn't lube, but this water was slick enough. Chris's throbbing length went in with the exact amount of stretch and rub Tony was craving.

"God, that's hot," he said, squirming as Chris filled him. He understood what people meant when they talked about being impaled. Chris's knob hit his prostate and stayed there. The pulsing pressure intensified his awareness of the erotically charged gland.

Tony's hands clamped hard on the cat's kneecaps.

"Good?" Chris asked hoarsely beside his ear.

A tortured groan was the only answer he could supply.

"Okay then," Chris chuckled.

He returned his hands to Tony's thudding shaft. Without preamble, he jacked him at shifter speed, pulling one silky wet tight fist in a blur after the other. Tony gasped for air as his nerves all went nuclear. There was no holding back under that barrage. He ejaculated in a long concentrated burst, his pleasure made ecstatic by Chris's skill.

The only drawback was that it was over.

"More?" Chris suggested, his hard cock jerking inside of him. His breath was chopped by excitement, his heart pounding.

Driving Tony to climax had made him want his own.

"Yes," Tony said. "Fuck me, Chris. Push me forward and get me good."

Chris growled, a brief flash of light indicating his eyes had flared. With a bit of wriggling, he got his knees down into the tub, pushing Tony up by the ass until his arms braced him on the rim. Water sloshed, but their bodies stayed connected.

Tony pressed his cheek to his bent forearms so he could look back at Chris.

Chris's irises smoldered with orange fire. His chest was up, his hands free to roam Tony's back muscles. Tony arched to give the tiger's cock unrestricted access. Chris's eyes nearly closed with bliss, palms sliding down Tony's sides to his hips. The hold he got on them was steely. Tony's groin re-heated with interest.

"You ready?" his tiger lover growled.

"Oh yes," Tony said sincerely.

Chris knew exactly how hard to go to make Tony feel overwhelmed. Surrender was what he wanted, the sense that he was completely in Chris's power. He never felt threatened when Chris took over. Being with him, even in secret, had increased his sense of security, his trust in himself for picking a good man. Nate's words came back to him.

It's funny what knowing you're loved can do for a person
.

Chris's groin slapped his, his fingers steering him securely. Tony bit his lip with pleasure, his head flung back helplessly. Chris knew the signs that he was close to getting off and found them inspiring. He groaned as his own end raced nearer. Unable not to, his thrusts sped up.

Tony braced, his strength heightening the impact of Chris's drives.

"Tony," Chris moaned, jamming in and holding. "Tony . . ."

He went, flooding Tony's ass with heat. Tony thought it was over, but suddenly Chris snarled and started up again. This time he fucked him like an animal: ruthless and abandoned. His hips twisted as he pumped, desperate to give and get more and more sensation. Half a minute hadn't passed before he reached under Tony to jack his cock. Tony sucked in a breath, not having realized how close he was to going over a second time. Chris's longest finger found Tony's bulbus and rubbed it. The gland went buzzy and flashed hot.

Tony came so hard he literally saw stars.

Chris cried out and poured into him, the spasms of ejaculation deliciously drawn out. Tony's climax was longer too. When it ended he was too wrung out to move.

Chris's big chest rested on his back, his panting ringing in the tiled room. The floor was a candlelit expanse of water, splashed from the tub by their crazed screw fest.

"Oh man," Chris said in dismay. "We're gonna flood your basement."

"'s okay." Because it was what he could reach, Tony patted his ear weakly. "I installed a backup drain in the floor. The water should be gone in a few minutes."

"Good thinking," Chris said, relaxing on top of him.

"Just another reason to buy Rick's place: easy access to a boyfriend who's handy."

Chris kissed the back of his neck. His lips curved like he was smiling.

"I don't need a bribe," he said, "but you are very persuasive."

Some time passed before their strength recovered enough to clamber out of the tub, dry each other off, and totter to Tony's bed. Chris flopped onto it on his back. Looking like he knew he belonged, he patted the mattress beside him.

Tony quite enjoyed climbing up and snuggling into him, especially since they were both naked. His head settled on Chris's chest, his ear pressed to his heartbeat. The cat was warm and relaxed. His long fingers stroked Tony's drying hair.

"Oh hey," he said like he'd just remembered something. He rolled slightly and reached sideways.

Chris had tossed his jacket onto a nearby chair--one of the harp-back dining seats Tony had refurbished. Snagging the garment by the arm, he dug into its pocket and pulled out the dragon cuff.

Tony watched it glint as Chris tilted it. The scratchy runes were as mysterious as ever. Was he going to wear it, or was he still thinking?

"I feel like I should make a speech," Chris said. "A magic promise or whatever."

"The cuff is already yours. If it weren't, it would be zapping you."

"So I just put it on?"

"If you're ready. Or you could let me help."

Chris's lips twitched with suppressed amusement. He handed the cuff to him, then held out his arm. Tony's pulse beat faster. Ignoring his nerves, he sat up without a fuss and slid the band over Chris's hand. Part of him was tempted to make a joke about being engaged, but that seemed presumptuous.

Once the cuff was on, Chris turned his arm back and forth to consider it. His fit as well as Tony's.

"We're the guardians," he growled, imitating Tony's nephew.

Tony laughed. Chris's gaze lifted to his and stayed. "My cuff is humming."

"Mine too."

They both wore them on their right wrist. Chris clasped Tony's forearm so that the gleaming bands of metal were pressed together. A flush of warmth joined the low vibration. Tony's soul went still with awe. This man was the other half of him--twinned to him just like the electrum cuffs.

"We're a team now," Chris said quietly, seeming to feel the moment too. "We'll protect the dragons, and we'll stand by each other."

"We'll love each other."

"We will," Chris agreed. "And, by the way, you're an excellent partner already."

Tony grinned. This was totally like an engagement. Chris touched Tony's face, kissed him gently on the lips, and sat back. He seemed less dozy than before. "What sort of cake did you say you had in your fridge?"

"Chocolate."

Chris contemplated this. "Your parents spoil you."

"Like crazy." Tony's grin reached epic proportions. "If you stick with me, they'll spoil you too."

"Well," Chris said, his eyebrows arching higher. "I guess I'll have to then."

CHRIS wasn't an idiot. He knew the only things preventing him from committing completely to Tony were his own issues. These last few months as a couple had been great. Tony alone would have made his days a joy, but Tony came with perks.

Chris and Nate got along already, due to the wolf marrying Evina. Once Nate's pack wrapped their heads around Chris's existence in Tony's life, they treated him with interest, consideration, and--soon enough--affection. They didn't tease Chris like they did Tony, but doing that to his lover was kind of irresistible.

He and Tony lived together now. Rick had sold Chris his apartment with a minimum of haggling.
Treat my brother like he's special
was the only demand he made.

Chris became so cozy with the wolves he had to remind himself not to neglect his tigers. Setting aside his discomfort over the pool hall's associations, he hired a retired firefighter to reopen and manage it. Once a month, he and the cats--including Evina--took over the back room for poker night. Jonah's replacement, a young cat everyone called Twink because of his amazing balance, lost his whole first paycheck. Deciding that wouldn't foster good crew relations, Evina restricted them to playing for pennies from then on.

The evening Syd suggested Tony might like to join them--and Liam seconded--Chris nearly fell off his chair.

"Ask him to bring that chocolate cake his folks make," Vasur added, having sampled it when Chris brought a piece to work. "That bad boy is excellent."

So the clan and the pack began to twine together, asking after each other and getting familiar with their assorted personalities. It wasn't the case that no one ever butted heads, but only in normal ways. The fire crew seemed happier--possibly to their own surprise. Overall, Chris's life was running with supernatural smoothness.