STORY EXCERPT

Jesse took a deep breath and grabbed the can of shaving cream, sprayed some on his hand, then lathered his face. He reached for his razor and lifted his chin, pulling the blade up against his skin. As he did, his thoughts went to Micah, and a smile came to his lips instantly. His mate was the most wonderful man he had ever met, and he really was the luckiest man to have ever lived to have Micah Angel as his. Even if they were to lose and die, at least he had been blessed with spending the last few years of his life with Micah, knowing what real love was.

Tears came to his eyes every time he thought of his mate’s love for him, but they were tears of pure joy and love. He never knew love like he felt for Micah, and the love that Micah gave to him in return, was even possible until he found his mate. He thanked Aurora and the gods every day for Micah. He didn’t know how he had lived the years he had before he met his mate because he couldn’t imagine life without Micah in it.

“Are you okay, baby?” Micah’s soft, sexy voice came to him from the doorway, and Jesse lifted his gaze to find Micah leaning against the doorframe. His gaze met Micah’s in the mirror, and he gave his mate a loving smile.

“Yes.”

Micah returned the smile and pushed away from the doorframe, then walked toward him, stopped behind him and placed a hand on his nape. “You look so sexy standing here with just a towel wrapped around your hips, your wet hair all brushed back away from your face, hanging loose down your back, and a foamy white beard on your face.”

Jesse chuckled. “It’s the white beard that does it, right?”

Micah leaned in and nibbled on his neck. “Mmmm, definitely the white beard.”

Jesse stood there enjoying his mate’s attention, for a moment just getting lost in the feelings. Gods he couldn’t get enough of his man. “So what’s the plan for today, love?”

Micah kissed his neck one more time, then looked at him in the mirror. He could see all the stress on Micah’s face as well, and the worry in his eyes. “I’ve called a meeting of the council and all their seconds as well as each one’s best strategists. I have a feeling this battle is coming soon, and we need to come up with some kind of plan. I know it will be impossible to figure out what Hades will do, especially with magic and powers involved, but I’d like us to start coming up with scenarios and try to formulate some kind of plan.”

“I agree. We can’t be fully prepared, but maybe putting everyone’s heads together will help us come up with something. Do you still think we should keep Phen, Ryland, and Lucifer in the dark about the battle not including them?”

Micah sighed heavily as he rested his chin on Jesse’s shoulder. “I’ve been thinking about that. The prophecy and Aurora said that we would all find our mates and would have to stand together to face this final battle. I know they are thinking that they will be involved because they have been here fighting alongside us every step of the way, but Dante and I believe that’s not the case. And now that Nicco’s mate has returned just as the horsemen have been set free, it makes us believe it even more. Even though others around us have found mates as well, I think it is just a coincidence and has no bearing on the prophecy, or the battle. You know they will want to be right there by our side, but I still don’t think they are supposed to be. I think that they have been brought in to help us get prepared for what is to come and to be the ones left standing when it’s all over. Like continuation of government.”

Jesse’s eyes went wide, and he turned his head to look at Micah. “So, you don’t think we can win?”

Micah wrapped his arms around Jesse’s waist from behind and hugged him. “That’s not what I’m saying, baby. Yes, I have a few doubts, but it would be irresponsible and foolish of me not to. We are few going up against many. You know Minos and Hades will come with an army of their rogues and Nephilim, and I need to be realistic. There is a good chance we may not be victorious. And even if we are, look at the rest of the world around us. What will be left when all is said and done? Lucifer, Phen, and Ryland would be a strong force of magic and power to lead those who were left,” Micah replied as he slowly carded his fingers through Jesse’s wet hair at the back of his head.

“That’s true. Can you see those left on Earth seeing Lucifer himself as one of their new leaders?” Jesse asked, laughing.

Micah joined in and then kissed Jesse again. “I would want to stick around just to see that.”

The two stood wrapped in each other’s arms for a moment as they thought of what that new world would look like. Then Jesse sighed and said, “I don’t like that they won’t be a part of this though.”

“I know, baby. Neither do I. Let’s get through tonight, then I have the meeting scheduled for first thing in the morning.”

ADULT EXCERPT

With the uncertainty of what was to come, he was almost desperate to feel this connection to his mate. More than he had realized. Jesse writhed against Micah as he ran his hands down Micah’s powerful back, loving the feel of all his rippling muscles. Lowering his hands, he cupped Micah’s muscled ass and pulled him closer, then thrust his hips, rubbing his cock against his mate’s thick thigh.

“Shit. I gotta have you, baby. I need to feel you wrapped around me. I need to feel our bond,” Micah said, panting.

“Yes, love. Take me, claim me again, and let me get lost in you. In our love.”

Micah pulled the towel from around his waist as he pulled back from the kiss. He raised the towel and swiped it across Jesse’s face, taking all the shave cream away, then wiped his own face before dropping the towel to the floor.

Micah took hold of his globes and lifted him off his feet, then placed Jesse on the counter. “Lean back, baby.”

Jesse leaned his back against the wall and brought his feet up and spread his legs, resting his heels on the edge of the counter, as Micah quickly stripped. Once his mate stood before him naked, Jesse let his eyes feast on all of Micah’s golden skin and hard muscles. Gods he loved his mate’s body. It was pure perfection.

“Keep looking at me with that hunger in your eyes, baby, and this is going to be quick.”

Jesse shifted his gaze to meet Micah’s and gave him a sexy smile. He reached out a hand and ran one finger down Micah’s chest from collarbone to his navel as he said in a husky voice, “I can live with that. We don’t have much time right now anyway, but later when we get home, I want to spend a few hours licking every inch of this glorious body of yours.”

“Damn, baby. Maybe we can bow out and have a private party here,” Micah said as he moved to stand between Jesse’s thighs.

“I wish we could, but as you said, we all need this tonight.”

“True, but I need you more,” Micah replied.

“And you have me. So take what is yours, love.”

Micah leaned in and claimed his lips again. At the same time, Jesse could feel Micah moving around and heard a drawer open. He knew what his mate was doing. A moment later, a slick finger pressed against his hole and Jesse moaned. Micah quickly prepared him, sliding one finger after another inside him until Micah had four fingers thrusting in and out of him easily.

“Now, love. I’m ready. Need you where you belong. Inside me,” Jesse said breathlessly, gaining a growl from his mate.

Micah pulled his fingers free and a second later, Jesse felt the blunt tip of Micah’s huge, thick cock, that he loved so much, pressing against him. Jesse slid his hips down further, allowing his ass to hang off the edge of the counter, and Micah slid inside, filling him with one thrust.

“Fuck, yes!” Jesse cried out and gripped Micah’s shoulders.

Micah wrapped his arms around Jesse, pulling him up, and held him tight against his chest as he thrust up into him. Micah buried his face in Jesse’s throat, nibbling, kissing, and sucking. Micah’s hands moved down his back to his ass and lifted Jesse off the counter. He immediately wrapped his legs around Micah as he held on.

“Fuck, baby. So damn good. Every time with you, every day with you, is heaven on earth. I love you, my heart,” Micah said.

“I love you too, love.”

Micah continued to power into him, and Jesse bounced up and down on his mate’s long, hard cock, loving every inch, every thrust, as he moaned and panted. His head dropped back on his shoulders as he released a long moan. Micah licked his mating mark, and a powerful shiver of lust ran up his spine. He felt the sharp tips of Micah’s teeth on his sensitive skin, and a rush of need raced through him. He loved when Micah claimed him. He needed it.

A slight bite of pain hit his shoulder. Then his head swirled in euphoria as the pleasure overtook and wrapped around him, filling him. Jesse’s body bucked against Micah’s strong one. His orgasm shot out in a rush, exploding between them, and Jesse screamed his mate’s name. “Micah!”

Micah snapped his hips faster, harder, then his body went taut, and he gripped Jesse tighter. Jesse felt Micah’s release as he was filled with Micah’s hot seed. Micah said his name low against his skin, and it came out guttural on a moan, telling Jesse of the pleasure his mate felt in this moment, too. He smiled knowing that he could satisfy his man and give him a place of comfort and release.

Micah licked across his mark, then lifted his head and kissed Jesse tenderly. Micah put their foreheads together as they both panted, breathing one another in. “I love you, Jesse,” Micah whispered.

“I love you too, Micah.”