Page 8 of The Wentworth Vampire

"The Coven is waiting for you, Mateo. Master Hadden has been overseeing the operations, and Thayer and I go severaltimes a month to make sure they feel that Wentworth leadership is still in place.” Teo patted him on the shoulder. "As soon as you're ready, you need to get down to business. You have that gorgeous and capable beloved to assist you, so there is no reason to wait.”

“Yes, sir.” Mateo mocked and winked at his brother. Teo arranged for his brother to shower, and he brought him a change of clothes. He knew Mateo’s tastes and brought jeans, a long-sleeve t-shirt, and heavy boots.

Mateo was glad to wash that place and those people off him and get some normal clothes. He thanked Teo profusely for the gifts, but what truly brightened his afternoon was when Pascal came walking back into the room.

While in the shower, he had been feeling particularly lonely for his tall, handsome vampire and might have put out a call for his return. Mateo was pleased that he answered so quickly.

“You look good.” Pascal praised the look. “Much better than that other outfit.”

“I asked them to burn it.” He joked.

“Good.” Pascal walked up to him and pulled him in for a firm embrace, followed by a kiss that lasted and branded. This wasn't a quick peck or something that was testing the waters. Pascal was clear and forceful in his demands, and Mateo was more than ready to deliver.

He hadn't given much thought to finding his beloved or who he might be, but was pleased with what Fate had gifted him. Pascal was his perfect partner, an ideal match for a man who was charged with putting his Coven back together. There wasn't anything he couldn't do with Pascal at his side, and that was a truth that settled right to his soul.

Teo and Thayer had left a few minutes earlier, so it was just him and his sexy beloved. The kiss turned hungry and intense in a way that pushed for more. Mateo held onto Pascal with a rigid grip. After a lingering mood filled with exhilaration, they caught their breath and leaned into one another. They were close in height, although Pascal had a couple of inches on him, which was just enough that their bodies fit together so right.

“Let us go to my quarters," Pascal suggested, and Mateo chuckled.

“That sounds like a great idea.” Mateo stepped back but couldn’t bear to take his hands off Pascal. He had to touch him; the contact was imperative. Pascal covered his hand with his own and gave him a knowing smile that melted everything inside Mateo. His heart was putty in this man’s hands.

“Let’s go.” They hadn't known each other long, but they were both paranormal, so the bond hit harder and faster as both experienced the pull equally. It was fierce, all-consuming, and explosive.

They took the elevator to the ground floor and stepped out into the lobby before taking another elevator to the twenty-second floor and to Pascal’s quarters. Pascal held him with an arm around his shoulders throughout the ride. Mateo had no complaints and wrapped his arm around Pascal’s waist. Visions of their time together were dancing in his mind, and Mateo's imaginings were hot and steamy.

There was a lot to talk about and to get straight between them in regard to the future and expectations, not to mention Mateo's duty to return to the Wentworth Coven and take leadership. Pascal understood vampire culture and duty, so Mateo was confident that he would understand.

“Do you sense anything in the air, anything that doesn't belong?" Pascal asked very seriously. He was looking around the elevator and taking in the atmosphere. Mateo instantly brought his mind back to the situation at hand. Clearly, Pascal was concerned, and Mateo trusted his instincts.

“Do you sense something?” He asked.

"I thought I did, but it might be my fear for your recovery and safety playing havoc with my paranoia.” He tried to lighten the statement.

"My recovery is complete. I'm a vampire, so I heal quickly, and having you, my beloved, nearby made everything go that much quicker. As far as my safety is concerned, I appreciate your worry, but I am capable of protecting myself in most cases.” He hadn’t been able to defend himself when his father attacked, but that was unexpected. “Magic is a sticking point for many when it comes to defense, but I understand more than I used to and hopefully won’t fall for manipulations so easily in the future.”

“I know you are capable. I remember you, too, from my years with the Revere Coven. You were the handsome son of the Master, so strong and charming. I didn’t have your picture, but I held your memory as someone I would never have the opportunity to meet. I had dreams and wishes, but never in a million years did I ever think Fate would bring it all to me.” Pascal bent and kissed him. It was a slow, soft kiss and felt like a promise.

“I don’t feel anything strange or out of the ordinary, answering your original question.” He smiled up at Pascal. “But I agree it would be wise to be careful and vigilant regarding our security.”

"The Hadden Center is thoroughly protected from all magic influences, so we should be safe.”

“This magic is different. It makes you feel like you’re in a dream state, but it's brief, and then the power of the spell, whichever is being utilized, hits and hits hard. The sensations are difficult to describe, but the outcome is being totally flattened before you know you’ve been hit.” Mateo wondered if the protections around the Center considered all magics, even this new strain.

“It’s something new and appears to be a combination of influences designed by this sorcerer of sorts. We have leads, but so far, he has been impossible to trap. Even the Cyprians have been unable to catch him, and those guys are well-trained with a power that spans the universe and the ages." Pascal made their situation clear, but Mateo was the man’s captive, so he knew just how powerful and dangerous the man was. He didn’t need to be convinced.

The elevator stopped, and they got out with Pascal still holding him with an arm across his shoulders. Mateo was loving the intimacy. Pascal's quarters were near the elevator, and Mateo was duly impressed. Master Hadden treated his men well. The apartment was spacious and well laid out with plenty of space in the main room and the kitchen area.

He gave the place a quick glance, not really an interior decorator type, but he knew what he liked, and he liked the warmth and simplicity of Pascal’s home. Pascal offered him a drink or food if he were hungry, but Mateo’s mind was on one thing and one thing only. He needed to claim his beloved, and he needed to do it as soon as possible.

They stood in the living room, still touching and still studying one another. "We're both adults here, Pascal. We bothknow what we want." Mateo made his next move clear, but still Pascal seemed surprised.

"I want to claim you, Mateo," Pascal responded and slipped his hand behind Mateo's neck and pulled him closer, taking his lips in another passionate kiss, which Mateo reciprocated. Soon, things escalated when Mateo pushed Pascal against the wall, pressing himself flush against his hard body.

“I want you so bad my skin is on fire with want of you.” He was going on pure instinct now as his vampire took over. The kiss was ravenous and wild, and his hands searched for Pascal, needing him closer and needing to touch every last inch of his gorgeous body.

“I'm yours, Mateo." Pascal's deep voice came out ragged as his heartbeat sped up and his breathing became labored. His excitement was palpable, and Mateo was going to eat it up. This powerful assassin, this skilled seer of magics and mysticism with the energy of the Dark Fae and the light of the Mage belonged to him; this man belonged to Mateo.

Piece by piece, he stripped Pascal of his clothing. Gone was the expensive, well-cut suit, and now Mateo could see and touch the smooth muscle and heat of the flesh beneath. Pascal did not disappoint. All that was left were his black silk briefs, and they did not hide much. "You take my breath away, Pascal. Your body was made for me, your flesh quivers at my touch.”

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