Page 23 of Nugget

Stryker shook his head. “Anyone who has ever met me will tell you that I’m anything but good. Evil, maybe. Wrong.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Gavin replied.

Was this guy serious? “I know we just had some really great sex, but you’ve lost your mind. Do you even remember how we met?”

“I’m not talking about being morally good,” Gavin responded. “I’m under no illusions about what you do. You steal. You take.”

“Never from anyone who doesn’t deserve it!”

“I know that too.” Gavin wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling Stryker closer.

It didn’t even occur to Stryker to resist until he was already being held by Gavin. “I’m not a good boy.” That was really the only thing he knew to say.

“It’s okay to just be my good boy,” Gavin told him. He lifted Stryker off his feet. Literally picked him up and started to carry him away.

“Hey!” Stryker wrapped his arms and legs around Gavin. “What are you doing?”

“I’m taking you back to the cabin,” Gavin said. “I already told you that I’d let you wash up while I made us some food. And the next time I’m buried deep inside you it will be in bed.”

Did Stryker really want to argue with that plan? “What about our stuff?”

“I’ll pick it up later,” Gavin replied. “No one will mess with it.”

It was too much of an effort to care really. Stryker laid his head on Gavin’s shoulder. “I can’t believe you’re carrying me. This is ridiculous.”

Gavin’s warm chuckle brushed across his neck. “I don’t want you to step on any sticks or something sharp.”

“You’re barefoot too,” Stryker pointed out.

“Shifter,” Gavin reminded him.

Well shit. Stryker hadn’t been thinking about that. Not that Stryker gave a damn that the man who’d just given him the best fucking of his life wasn’t exactly human. It wasn’t like humans had ever been kind to Stryker in the first place.

“Oh yeah, my big bad paranormal Papi,” Stryker teased. It was getting harder to keep his eyes open. Stryker was warm, Gavin giving off enough heat to sink into him, and even though both of their bodies were slick from the rain, Stryker couldn’t care less.

There was something to this being carried thing.

In his stalking, uh watching, Stryker had seen some of the other guys being carried by their partners. Stryker hadn’t really understood and had believed that it was something the more submissive partners wanted. Stryker got it now.

Gavin’s full attention was on him as he was intent on getting Stryker somewhere warm. Gavin spoke quietly but the words didn’t matter to Stryker. Not when he felt safe for the first time in his life.

They passed out of the tree line and onto the property that Stryker had seen from his cameras. As soon as Gavin stepped onto the lush grass, an electric jolt traveled up Stryker’s spine.

“That’s the magic ward,” Gavin said. “You get used to it.”

Stryker nodded. He’d suspected that was magic along the property. From what Stryker had gathered, Dean was one of the most powerful mages in the country. At least according to Noah. After Stryker’s interaction with the witches, he should probably be terrified of being surrounded by the paranormal. Instead,Stryker finally allowed his eyes to drift closed as Gavin carried him across the yard.

* * * * *

Gavin

Ushering Stryker into the hot bathtub, Gavin was glad he’d listened to River about making the space more modern and spa-like. Gavin hadn’t needed fancy, but River had insisted that he knew what the perfect bathroom would look like. All the extra-special features that were a must have.

Gavin had laughed at all the little things River had insisted were the perfect indulgence. Of course, Gavin hadn’t known that he would be helping his mate into that extravagant tub.

Stryker moaned as his foot sank into the water.

“Good?” Gavin questioned. He wanted everything perfect for his boy.

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