Hale

Chapter Eight

Despite McKinley's yellow eyes, claws, and fangs, he resembled a man, if a freakishly large man. So Hale was unprepared for the toughness of his skin. Punches glanced off his belly and chest. McKinley caught his last blow and wrapped Hale in his massive arms. Braced chest to chest, Hale should have locked his lips around McKinley's jugular and ripped his throat out. With his mouth almost level with the man's neck, it was the perfect weak point to exploit.

But Hale couldn't think past the desire exploding through his body. His beast thrilled at the sensation of this male against him. Just as he'd been with Paige, Hale wanted nothing more than to take McKinley and fuck him. But McKinley wouldn't accept anything less than Hale's submission. He instinctively knew that, but he didn't know what to do about it.

McKinley threw him to the ground and they rolled over, each scrambling to be on top. Hale ended up on the bottom and sucked in a breath when McKinley deliberately became deadweight. Shit. The bastard weighed a ton, and in the time it took Hale to catch his breath, McKinley had leaned down and taken one of his nipples between his teeth.

Stunned at the feel of this male's lips on him, Hale froze.

McKinley groaned and closed his eyes, sucking on the nub like a starving man.

“So fucking good,” he murmured and licked, bit, and teased until Hale wanted to explode.

The scent of evergreen appeared out of nowhere, drawing Hale deeper into McKinley's web. Too easy. Not right. More, need to fight. His beast raged at him to fight back, now, while McKinley's attention was distracted.

Forcing himself to obey, Hale thrust McKinley from him and regained his feet. He crouched, waiting to spring into action. McKinley rolled to his feet quickly, but he had to be in pain. His jeans stretched tight across his crotch.

“My house, my territory, my rules,” Hale growled. “Make it easy on yourself.

Submit.”

“In your dreams, Rogers. But I'll make it as fair as I can for you.” McKinley threw his jacket to the floor. He tore off his shirt and kicked off his boots. Clad in jeans and nothing else, the man made Hale want to check for drool.

“Holy shit.” Hale stared in fascination at McKinley's body. Hell, he was even bigger than Roane. Which made Hale wonder if he was as big all over. Unconsciously, his gaze sought McKinley's crotch again. Mindless with desire, he stood and gripped himself, locked in pure need.

The asshole took his moment of weakness and turned it to his advantage.

McKinley caught Hale in the middle with his shoulder. He took him down like a linebacker and pinned him to the ground. Their bare chests rubbed together, the slight pelt of dark hair over McKinley's pecs throwing Hale past rational thought.

“Fuck. If I don't come soon, I'm gonna go crazy,” Hale breathed, staring into McKinley's eyes. Up close, they looked like cat eyes, slumberous, seductive, conniving.

As he stared, McKinley's pupils dilated.

“I hurt,” the big guy rumbled. “I ache all the time.” He rubbed his jean-clad hard-on against Hale's cock, and the movement nearly broke him.

“Mating heat,” Hale managed and licked his lips, eager for a taste of McKinley's salty skin. “You need another Circ. I can smell it.”

“No. I need you.”

When Hale would have reached up to touch McKinley, the Circ caught his hands and pinned them to the floor above his head. It was the most erotic thing he'd ever experienced. With Roane he willingly submitted. McKinley forced him to acknowledge his place. The beast accepted him without pause, even as Hale struggled to come to grips with what sex with McKinley might mean. He tugged at his hands, but McKinley tightened his grip.

“McKinley, dammit, let go.”

“No,” he breathed. “God, you feel so good. I'm burning up. Never felt…like…this.”

Hale stared at him in surprise. “Not even with Paige?” he rasped, forcing himself not to turn and bare his neck, to feel the male's hot breath over his skin and throat.

“Afraid…to hurt her. No sex.” McKinley moaned and suctioned his mouth to Hale's throat.

The pleasure was more than Hale could bear. To his astonishment, his dick swelled, then pulsed under McKinley. He cried out as he came hard and long without wanting to.

McKinley sucked harder, then let go. He lifted his head, and Hale saw drops of his own blood clinging to the male's lips. “You taste so good,” the Circ said thickly, then plastered his mouth to Hale's. The kiss was rough and dominating, and so damned right that Hale sighed into McKinley's mouth. My surrender is yours.

McKinley froze and pulled away, his beast no doubt sensing his triumph. He stared down at Hale, and whatever he saw must have satisfied him. He quickly backed away and stood, stripping off the rest of his clothing. In seconds, he knelt over Hale with that enormous, slick cock.

“Finally. Gonna take what I really need,” McKinley growled. “Give you what you need. Spread your legs.”

Hale regarded him with a hint of challenge, knowing what his mate— this male, he corrected his beast—really needed.

McKinley swore and knelt between his thighs. “Little bastard. You know you're mine. I said spread your fucking legs.” Not giving Hale a chance to disobey again, he put his hands on Hale's thighs and moved them himself. In the process, he slid his hands over Hale's seed. On a groan, he lowered his head to Hale's cock and took a good, hard lick. Then he sucked Hale's dick into his mouth until he had Hale hard and willing once more.

Need to come again, to mark my mate. Mine. Mine and hers, his beast growled.

McKinley wouldn't let him climax. He let go of Hale's cock and leaned over him.

“Now, you're going to accept me, aren't you, Hale?” Hale couldn't refuse, though he wanted to. He groaned as McKinley positioned himself between his legs. Moving Hale's legs over his shoulders, McKinley prodded for entrance and slowly pushed himself inside. Even changed, Hale felt the intrusion burn through his ass. But the need only grew.

“Yes,” McKinley moaned, his eyes wild as his scent filled the room. “God, yes.” He sank his entire length, then began pumping. “Can't stop. Can’t stop,” he breathed as he pistoned like a madman, seeking that respite only a Circ could give him. Fire blazed in his eyes as he stared down at Hale, locked in a lover's rough embrace.

Hale accepted the stronger male's taking, the discomfort only heightening his pleasure each time McKinley fucked him harder. “Mark me,” he whispered.

“I will. Shit, ah.” McKinley moaned and stilled as the scent of cum filled the air.

After a moment, he continued to move, sliding in and out of Hale's ass with an ecstatic expression on his face.

Hale had never seen a man so beautiful, so raw. McKinley's orgasm made his dick ache. He was just as hard as before, needing to come. To mark my mate.

When McKinley finally allowed Hale to lower his legs again, Hale groaned and tried to reach for his cock, needing relief.

“No. Mine.” McKinley withdrew from Hale's ass and swallowed Hale's cock to the back of his throat.

Arching into that hot, wet mouth, Hale tried to fuck as deeply as he could. Then McKinley's tongue stroked him, licking away, increasing his pleasure. A finger prodded his ass, this time shoving deep to brush against his prostate.

Hale cried out as he came, shuddering when McKinley massaged his balls with an expertise that shocked him. The giant Circ was the best fuck Hale had ever had, and he'd topped Hale with little effort.

Instead of feeling dominated and taken, Hale felt at peace.

Glancing down at the male still licking him clean, his beast found a kinship with McKinley's wild side. Solid, warm contentment settled over him, and he reached for McKinley without thinking about it. Giving in to his beast, Hale rolled the male onto his back and stretched out over him like a blanket.

He lay there, listening to McKinley's racing heart. Content to lie there forever, it was a moment before he realized McKinley's arms had circled his body, and that he'd changed back without thought.

Sighing at the perfect moment, Hale rubbed his cheek against McKinley's chest and closed his eyes, trying to keep the rest of the world at bay. The PPA, Pearson Labs, McKinley's part in working for the enemy, Paige… At thoughts of his missing mate, Hale's beast woke and demanded they find her. Get our female. Tie her to us. Bring her here. Need to fill her with seed.

“Shit, not now.”

“Huh? Problem?” McKinley sounded less than concerned, his voice thick, as if he teetered on the verge of sleep.

When Hale made to rise, McKinley wrapped his arms around his waist and tightened his grip. Hale's cock brushed his new lover's, and he groaned at the answering heat between them. Damn, but this joining had been as hot as his turn with Paige, which brought into question how she'd react to this news.

As much as Roane might advise Hale to go with his dreams and instincts, Hale knew none of them were ready for McKinley, including him. He didn't know if he could trust the male, but he did know Paige loved him. The jealousy that should have been there at that thought didn't come, and Hale worried even more. Because he wanted Paige to see them. He wanted Paige to join them. Right here. Right now. Paige and McKinley and Hale. What a mess.

McKinley could only lay there, staring at the ceiling in shock. His arms had moved of their own accord, his beast not willing to let Rogers— Hale—escape. This was what he'd been missing. This complete and total sense of inner peace. His and Hale's scents had merged, and now a pleasant aroma of vanilla and evergreen lay over the room. The only thing missing from this scenario was Paige.

He stroked Hale's back, surprised and overjoyed that the man didn't try to leave again. If anything, he moved his ear closer to McKinley's heart. A rumbling moved through Hale into him. Dear God, he—they—were purring. He'd heard about a few instances of such in the labs, but he hadn't believed it to be true. Circs purred when content, and most of the rogues in Pearson Labs were anything but.

Hale sighed, his breath stirring McKinley's left nipple into a hard nub. Though the desperation to claim Hale had faded, his arousal seemed to be rousing again. Amazed that instead of an aching lust, he felt a sense of pride and tenderness toward Hale, once again smaller than himself. McKinley didn't know what to think.

“We need to talk,” Hale murmured. His palm drifted over McKinley's broad chest, and he toyed with one taut nipple.

Heat streaked through him. “So talk. And move your hand, while you're at it,” he grumbled. Unless you want another load in that fine ass.

“Sorry.” Hale removed his hand as if burned. On a sigh, he tried to slide away.

“It's okay. Stay.” He hoped Hale wasn't looking at his face, because it felt hot.

Embarrassed that he wanted to maintain contact, McKinley wasn't sure how to act.

He'd never in his life felt so confused about anyone, with the exception of Paige.

Hale settled back onto him but levered himself on his arms to look down. Their gazes caught and held. “For someone so ugly, you make me awfully hard.” Startled at the teasing note he hadn't expected to hear, McKinley grinned back.

“Back at ya, playboy.”

Hale frowned. “How did you know they call me that?” And so the “honeymoon” ended. He groaned. “Maybe you'd better get off me so we can talk. Circ to Circ.” He coughed and reached for his jeans. “And maybe we'd better cover up.” Before I fuck you again.

“Good idea.” Hale flushed and turned away. He reached in a drawer and threw on a pair of shorts.

Once standing and facing one another, McKinley started. “I've been working for Pearson Labs for three years.”

“Yeah, as Pearl's bodyguard.”

“That's what he thought.”

“Oh? Oh… So you're telling me you killed Pearl?” McKinley scowled. “What the hell kind of leap in logic is that? No, I didn't kill Pearl. I wish I knew who did. I'd hang a fucking medal on him.” Or her. He thought of Paige. “I work for someone else interested in what the labs are up to.”

“You're kidding. So you aren't one of Pearl's boys? But you're Circ. How do you explain that?”

“I don't, not yet. Hell, even Paige doesn't know everything about me.” Even I don’t know everything about me. Anytime he tried to remember, the headaches and the attacks started.

“But you tried to kill me and Derrick. You threatened Sabrina.”

“Come on, Hale. If I'd wanted you idiots dead, you wouldn't be sitting here right now. And yes, I threatened Sabrina, because she'll get herself killed if she goes back to the labs. Pearl had ugly plans for her. For all of you, eventually.” Hawkins's gruff request for assistance replayed in his mind's eye. “A lot of people are depending on me to stop Pearson Labs.”

“Hey, I'd like nothing better than to burn that place to the ground. For some reason, they've let us be for years, and Doc's ordered us to leave them alone. I used to think it was because he didn't want to put us in danger. Then I thought it was because of his ties to Elliot. You know they're half brothers.”

“I know. What Doc probably doesn't know is that Pearson Labs wasn't under Elliot's control for the last two years. New management's taken over.”

“Yeah, we figured that out. But we don't know who it is.” McKinley smiled and felt his fangs rip through his gums at the prospect of hunting down and killing Kohl. “I do. And when I'm done with him, he'll wish he'd never laid eyes on me.” Knowing he needed to fill in Doc and the others, and not wanting to go through it twice, McKinley sighed. “You think I could tell you all at once?

And I'd like to see Paige.”

Hale nodded. “Good idea. Why don't we—I mean— you can shower first, if you want.” He blushed again, and McKinley grinned. “Fuck off, you monster.” The insult rolled off his back. From Hale, the word “monster” sounded like an endearment. And Hale's blush contradicted the gruff warrior McKinley knew him to be.

“Monster, huh? You mean my monster cock, don't you? That big shaft that has you aching to suck it whole? You like my cum, don't you, playboy?” He could smell Hale's arousal, and he ached to take him again. “Sure you don't want to share the shower?”

Hale's shorts tented in front of him. “Dammit. Leave my hormones alone. Take your shower and clean up. I'm going to have a helluva time explaining you after bringing Paige home when she and I, ah…”

McKinley froze. “When you what?”

Hale met his gaze. “Damn it. We had sex, okay? We couldn't help it. Just like with you and me,” he muttered and ran a hand through his hair. He faced McKinley as if facing a firing squad. “I'm sorry. I tried to resist her, I did. But then her scent hit me in the SUV. That small, cramped space filled with the sweet scent of cherries. All that Circ need, just the two of us… I lost it.”

The image in McKinley's mind turned him on more than it should have, but he kept his cool. “Did Paige enjoy it?” he asked softly.

Hale swallowed. “Yeah, we both did.”

McKinley nodded, turned on his heel, and entered the bathroom alone. The beast inside him purred again. His mates, together, so close… But the man felt hurt. The woman he loved had been with Hale, another Circ. Somehow, when she'd had sex with human men, he'd been able to disregard it. She needed, and he couldn't give it to her.

But Hale could; he had.

Wishing he could wash away the confusing hurt as easily as he washed away the grime over his body, McKinley took his time in the shower. Rationally, he understood what had happened. If Hale had felt an inkling of what McKinley had for him, then he couldn't have denied himself with Paige. Still, he needed to do something to vent his anger. He took longer than necessary to rid himself of the need to maim Hale. Once washed and dried, he held a large towel around his waist.

When he passed Hale on the way out to wait in his bedroom, Hale stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I'm sorry. I know she loves you, and I get the sense you love her right back. I feel like shit, and it's not my fault,” he said through gritted teeth.

McKinley sensed regret, arousal, and an odd ache. He hurts because I hurt. Amazed, he regarded Hale with less upset and less rage. “You want to make it better?”

“Yeah.” Hale warily stepped back. “I do.”

McKinley dropped his towel and gripped his erection. “Get in the shower.”

“Shit. This is gonna hurt, isn't it?”

“Yes, it will. For one of us.”

Hale looked like he wanted to argue. He clenched his fists, frowned, and blew out a breath. “Dammit. I knew you were going to be trouble. My beast won't answer me.

What the hell did you do?”

“Nothing. Probably your guilty conscience at work.” McKinley couldn't have been more pleased. The rare times a Circ had failed to call forth his beast at Pearson Labs, Elliot had tied the instances to emotional, not physical, wounds. Hale honestly regretted hurting McKinley. The jerk cared.

Hale groaned. “I am so fucked.”

“Yes, you really are.”