Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Trademarks

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

About the Author

Also by Joyee Flynn:

Love's Denial

Warrior Camp, Book 3

Joyee Flynn

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Cover Artist: Reese Dante

Editor: Devin Govaere

Love’s Denial © 2010 Joyee Flynn

ISBN # 978-1-920468-86-6

All rights reserved.

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Dedication

To my girl Alison:

Thanks for always having my back and being the most painless editor I've ever had.

You rock, girl, and I'm eternally grateful.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Learjet: Bombardier Inc.

Jägermeister: Mast-Jägermeister AG

Beretta: Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.

CHAPTER 1

It was really rather pathetic that my sex life was so bad that I had to go to Rune to get some. I was Yuri Stanalovic, for god sakes! Century after century I was used to having men throw themselves at me, simply for the chance to say they'd been with me. But now, everyone was finding their mates and settling down. My two best friends, Dimitri and Matteo, had recently done just that. So here I was, seeking out Rune because I needed to scratch the itch.

I knocked on his door and walked into his room without waiting for an answer. He always left the door unlocked in case someone would come by and give him some TLC. I wanted to do a happy dance when I saw he was sleeping. That meant I didn't have to get into the whole master bullshit with him. Rune had some fucked up ideas about sex.

Crawling into bed with him, I saw he was already naked. I shed my own clothes and grabbed the lube I brought with me. One of the issues I had with Rune's idea of sex was that he liked it rough, so rough he bled or got hurt in the process. Yeah, I like some rough sex here and there, but nowhere along those lines.

I squirted some slick on my fingers as I moved his legs apart. Positioning myself between them, I found he had a butt plug already in his ass. I bit my lip to keep from laughing and used the lube on my cock instead. He snored lightly as I pulled out the plug and pushed his knees up to his chest. I lined up my dick and started to push into him.

"Oh fuck," Rune whispered as his eyes fluttered open. By the time I saw the recognition on his face at who I was, I'd bottomed inside of him. I moved so I could lean over him, and tried to kiss him. Like Rune always did, he turned his head to the side. That was another issue, god forbid we were actually intimate and it was about more than just fucking.

"Fine," I growled as I moved back and hooked his legs over my shoulders. If he wanted a hard fuck, I'd give him one. I pulled out slowly before thrusting back into him so hard the bed hit the wall. Rune moaned loudly as I started pounding into him. I knew it wasn't his fault that he had emotional issues, but it pissed me off right then.

So I took it out on his ass. I slammed into him so hard, over and over again, that he was screaming from my ferocity. "Harder, fuck me as hard as you can, Yuri. Hit me, I want you to beat me," he panted.

"I'll fuck you hard, but you know I won't hit you," I grunted, starting to not want to even do that. "Shut up about that shit or I'll lose my hard-on."

"Yes, master," Rune answered as he grabbed his own cock. He squeezed it so hard that I was surprised the damn thing didn't burst. I looked away as I kept thrusting in and out of him. After a few more minutes, he screamed as his dick exploded, shooting cum all over both of us. That was all I needed. His ass clamped down on my cock, and I roared out my own release. I kept thrusting into him through my orgasm, trying to draw it out.

When I was done, I sat back on my heels, letting my spent cock slip from his ass. Rune had fallen back asleep with a smile on his face. I, on the other hand, didn't feel like smiling. The itch I felt was for more than just fucking, but at least my cock was happy. As I got off the bed and started getting dressed again, I felt my phone vibrate in my jeans. Pulling it out I saw I'd missed calls and texts from Alexander.

What does he want at this time of night? I wondered as I left Rune's room and headed towards the command center. It was just downstairs, in the main housing for the warriors. I jogged down the stairs and turned left towards the tech room. After I entered, I saw Alexander and headed his way.

Alexander was actually the mate of one of my best friends, Dimitri. He was also in command of the training camp. I was ranked third, under Dimitri. Normally, most warriors fought for that first position and I could have, probably, even won. I was older and better trained than Alexander, but I liked the job that came with being third on the base.

I was in charge of all the outside missions, which included things from chaperoning duty to organizing some official council member's security, sometimes even search and rescue. I loved my job. It was what I had been born to do.

"Where the fuck have you been?" Alexander grumbled as I neared him.

"It's the middle of the night. What do you think I was doing?"

"You smell like sex." Dimitri chuckled, punching me in the arm. "Anyone I know?"

"Yeah, and don't remind me about it," I mumbled, reaching out for the file Alexander was holding. "What's up?"

"An attempt was made on the life of the leader of France's covens," Alexander stated as I looked over the file. "The head of the American councils was contacted. They want outside help, since they think it's an inside job. The guy is the last in his line."

"Yeah, that normally screams insider," I agreed, but was still confused. "Why contact us?"

"You," Dimitri said gently, knowing I wasn't going to like it. "They want you sent because of your gift."

All vampires had heightened senses, extreme healing capabilities, and strength. We also had one special gift that was something we were born with. Mine was being able to tell when someone was lying. It was as if a breeze blew through the room that only I could feel. Depending how big the lie was correlated with how strong the breeze. If was a little white lie, it felt as if someone blew across my cheek. When it was a big fat lie, it felt like the wind on top of Mount Everest.

"Makes sense," I conceded, though I thought I might not be the best choice. "But I think an aura reader like Matteo might be better suited to keeping someone safe. I have to have the enemy open their mouths, then get close when that happens. Matteo can tell from a distance who the assholes are."

"Exactly what I said to the head of our council." Alexander nodded his approval. "Matteo's gift is out since he blew open that shit in Russia a few decades ago. No one knows about you, except some of us locally."

"Do I have a choice in this?" I scoffed, pretty sure I knew the answer.

"Nope." Alexander smiled at me.

"Then when do I leave?" I asked, sticking my tongue out at Dimitri who was making faces at me over his mate's shoulder. They had the kind of love I never thought I would want, but after seeing both my friends with it, I'd started longing for it.

"Immediately," Alexander answered as he elbowed Dimitri playfully. "Pack what you need. The jet is landing at the air strip in an hour to pick you up."

"I want all the files of all the ranking vampires close to the leader," I said, switching to mission mode. "Email them to me so I can study them on the plane. I also want the hierarchy. Who gets the most by getting this guy out of the way? I want his lineage, everything, Alexander. If I'm going to figure out who's the mole or the traitor, I need to know as much as I can before I'm ass deep in alligators."

"Already working on it." He smiled as everyone got quiet. "Safe passage, my friend. You need backup, you call us and we're on the next flight. Otherwise, cover your ass like a motherfucker and come back to us."

"You got it, boss." I snickered even though what he said meant a lot to me.

"Hey, we just don't want to have to break in a new guy," Dimitri said sarcastically as he gave me a hug. Matteo was next, as his mate Nate gave me a little wave. Nate was a good guy, but I didn't interact with the pre- and post-trans that much, so I didn't really know him.

Rushing back to my room, I showered, packed and was in one of the camp's SUVs within forty minutes. One of the post-trans guys gave me a ride to the air strip. Most of the mundane tasks like that went to them. The pre-trans were training and learning how to be a warrior. The post-trans were doing some training but mostly learning the ropes. They were like interns before they got the official warrior title.

The plane was waiting when we pulled up. I thanked the kid, grabbed my bags, and hurried over. Once I was all strapped in, we took right off. I love the perks of a private air strip. The captain came on the overhead and told me it was safe to turn on my electronics. I booted my computer up and got right to work.

I'd been forewarned the flight would take about eleven hours, depending on the winds. Again, the perks of having access to a Learjet. No stopovers, connecting flights, or any of that bullshit. France was eight hours ahead of what I was used to in Nowhere, Wyoming, so I figured I should try and stay awake for the flight and study up on what I was walking into. We took off at one in the morning, Mountain Time.

The flight would put in us France at noon, my time. Add eight hours to that, plus travel time once we landed, and I would be getting to the French Royal Compound around nine in the evening, Paris time. If I could stay awake, hopefully I would be so tired I'd crash and get adjusted to my new time zone. It was the plan anyways.

I studied the files on everyone surrounding the Royal for hours. When I felt my eyes starting to cross, I got up and stretched my legs. The plane was, of course, furnished with a mini kitchen, complete with a fridge stocked with blood and food. Realizing I'd not eaten or had any blood in a while, I loaded up.

Then I started to look into the Royal himself. France was still doing it old school. Even though the legitimate government in the human world wasn't a monarchy and hadn't been for centuries, vampires weren't as quick to change with the times. The new ruler of the French Covens was one Grand Duc Dominic Reynard Courtland Aldrich. His lineage went all the way back to Charlemagne, who I learned had been a vampire. I hadn't known that bit of history.

The Grand Duc, which is Duke in French, recently came into power at the age of thirty. Great, he's just a kid, I thought, rolling my eyes. But as I read on, my heart went out to the guy. His parents had been murdered by unknown parties when he was a child away at school. It seemed his parents had thought that any good ruler of the vampire race needed to be fluent in their understanding of the way humans lived. So they'd sent their only offspring to a human boarding school in England at the age of ten.

While it wasn't unheard of for vampires to attend human schools, especially those who hadn't gone through their transition yet, it sounded harsh to be sent away at ten years old. But then again, at ten, I'd been working in the fields of my family’s farm in Poland. So what did I know?

The file listed his accomplishments and changes since coming into power, most of them seeming to bring the covens into the twenty-first century. I liked the guy, on paper at least. He had a Masters from Oxford and seemed to have learned a lot from spending so much time around humans. The bad part being that change brought fear, and when people were scared they did drastic things. Like trying to kill off or overthrow a monarchy.

I rubbed my hands over my face as my eyes started to hurt again. Being a vampire with heightened senses came with all kinds of gifts, like a photographic memory. But I was trying to learn about a century’s worth of history and background in an eleven hour flight, including the entire chain of command of the French hierarchy. Fortunately for me, I wasn't going to report to anyone except my liaison and the head of the Western European Council.

"We're going to be landing in less than ten minutes, Mr. Stanalovic," the pilot said on the overhead. "Please turn off all electronics and make ready."

I did as he asked and packed everything up before making sure I was all strapped in for our arrival. Looking at my watch, I saw we had made good time. Good, because I was hungry again and ready to sleep. Moments later, I felt the plane's altitude drop as it descended. I popped my ears as we hit the tarmac, and other than a few bumps, the landing was text book.

Once the plane stopped, I unbuckled myself, got up, and grabbed my bags. I opened the side door, the steps rolled out, and I strolled off the plane. I looked around to see that there was no one waiting for me. Just as I was getting pissed and about to call Alexander, a limo drove towards me. Raising an eyebrow, I walked a few feet towards it when it stopped, not wanting to get too close in case it wasn't a friendly.

"Mr. Stanalovic?" the driver asked as he got out of the car and raced over to me.

"I'm Yuri Stanalovic," I answered, eyeing the guy over hesitantly. I was fairly big even for a vampire warrior, coming in at almost seven feet. Yeah, try finding clothes when you were six-ten. It's not fun. Then you also had to figure in that I was over three hundred pounds of solid muscle. Most of my clothes were special order.

"I apologize for not being here when you landed," the driver said, freezing when he saw the look of distrust on my face. "You arrived earlier than Councilman Matthews told me to expect."

"Not a problem," I answered, relaxing when he said that name. It wasn't the real name of the councilman, but the one I had been told to listen for when other people did anything on his behalf. I handed the guy my bags and got in the back seat, not even bothering to wait for him to get the door for me. The guy was frazzled enough at being late, no need to act like a stuck-up priss on top of it.

Twenty minutes later, we were pulling into a large estate outside of Paris. I'd thoroughly enjoyed the ride over. If time allowed it, I would really like to have seen some of the sights. In all my travels as a warrior, France hadn't been one of them. I knew it wasn't all cool and warrior-like to admit to wanting to do the tourist thing, but we need vacations too.

I opened the door and got out on my own when the car stopped in front of a large mansion. And seriously, I wasn't sure mansion covered it. I decided to call it a castle, because, damn, the place was massive. The grounds were extensive and very much looked like the house of someone royal. I mean there were even hedges and bushes in the shapes of animals.

The castle itself had to be at least four stories, with towers that added several more. I snickered to myself when I saw the towers, but then remembered it was England that had the tendency to lock their royals in towers, not the French. Also, I took note of the lack of proper security measures in the front, including reinforced doors and cameras. The driver popped the trunk, and I reached in and grabbed my own bags.

"Thanks for the lift, man," I said to his shocked face, and walked up to the main doors. They opened for me without me even having to knock. Good to know security was so tight. I'd really have to check into that.

"Mr. Stanalovic, I'm Edmund Dantes." The smaller man introduced himself to me as he walked quickly towards me. "You'll be reporting to me while staying here."

"No, I really won't be, Mr. Dantes," I replied, raising an eyebrow while smirking, even if I kept the formalities of last names. Funny, the guy wasn't lying, he really thought I was reporting to him. "I'll be reporting directly to Councilman De La Cruz. If you have any questions or issues, you're to take them up with him. Sorry you weren't informed properly, probably due to the last minute nature of this whole thing."

"Umm, I'll have to talk this over with Mr. Egan, the Grand Duc's head of security," Edmund stuttered, looking perplexed. The other thing that came in handy as a vampire was that we understood pretty much every language. It was almost if we had our own personal translators in our brains. Edmund was speaking fluent French, and I was speaking English back at him, without either of us missing a step.

"That's fine. Let's go see him," I replied, waiting for him to show me the way.

"That's not possible. He's unavailable at the moment," Edmund answered, his eyes going wide.

"Look, I know this sucks for you since your chain of command gave you the wrong instructions." I was trying to be patient, but I felt fucking tired. "I got dragged out of bed at midnight my time and hopped on a plane an hour later at the decree of your council and mine. My orders are to keep the Grand Duc safe and take out the threat. Which means no one holds my leash except the council. I flew almost eleven hours without any sleep to get here because the situation is that serious. So, I'm telling you to take me to whoever is in charge around here because I need to speak to him now."

Edmund stared at me as if I were the devil himself for a few moments before falling back on that perfect persona. "Right this way, Mr. Stanalovic."

"Yuri's fine," I answered, trying to be less of a dickhead. I followed him down the hall, making two rights before we came to a conference room, mapping out what I saw in my head as I went. "I'm probably going to be here a while and we're going to interact. I don't need formalities."

"And you are just a warrior after all. It's not like you deserve the respect," another man said, disdain dripping off his words as he walked out of the room. Interestingly enough, I felt the breeze indicate he was lying. I'd have to file that information away for later.

"Well, jeez, thanks." I snorted as I put my bags down. I didn't want to have my hands full as I faced off against someone this hostile. "And you would be?"

"Charles Egan, the head of the Grand Duc's security, and advisor," Chuck said, obviously sticking his hands in his pockets. The message that I wasn't worth shaking hands with was received loud and clear. I crossed my arms over my very large chest, knowingly showing my muscles off to the smaller man.

"Oh goody, so it's going to be like that," I answered mockingly, giving the guy the once-over. "So you're just a glorified security guard and a know-it-all. Now that we've got that settled, I want the complete layout of this place, the Grand Duc's schedule, a list of every employee staffed here, and anyone else who has access to the Grand Duc."

"You can't just come in here and start barking orders," Chuck snarled, and again I felt the wave tell me he was lying. What was this shit? Some sort of glorified pissing contest?

"Yes, I can," I growled as I let my fangs come out, showing clearly I wasn't to be fucked with. "I was sent here by my council, and yours, because someone almost killed the Grand Duc. I'm here because you can't do your job and keep the guy safe. So suck it up and get me what I need."

"Oh, I like this one," a softer voice said with a chuckle from behind me. I saw the other two men bow and realized who it had to be. Turning to face the newcomer, but not giving Chuck boy my back, I gave a bow as well.

"Yuri Stanalovic, Your Highness," I said as he eyed me.

"Did you just arrive?" the Grand Duc asked. I nodded, and he continued. "And what have you found so far?"

"That depends, Your Highness."

"On what?" he asked, with a grin and raised brow.

"On whether you really want an answer, or just some bullshit line." I shrugged, figuring that if I was going to be protecting him, he'd need to know the real me. "If you don't want what I really think, I suggest you never ask me anything."

He chuckled. "I appreciate honesty, Yuri." His face really lit up when he smiled, and unfortunately, I felt my cock harden in my jeans. It wasn't good to lust after someone you were sent to protect. He was smaller than my normal tastes, about five-nine and one-sixty or so. But it was his almost ankle-length raven-black hair and light brown eyes that kept me starting. His eyes were so light they were almost yellow, absolutely gorgeous.

"Unless your security here is equipped with facial recognition software, I'm extremely disappointed," I said. "No one's checked my ID or asked for my official orders from the councils. For all they might know, I'm the one trying to kill you and I intercepted the message that someone new was coming to head your security. I could have killed the real Yuri and taken his place."

"Anything else?" the Grand Duc asked, looking pleased.

"I would prefer the rest of my assessments be given to you in private," I answered, wondering how much he knew about me.

"Now see here," Chuck growled but stopped as the Grand Duc held up his hand for silence. Well, that was a neat trick.

"Get Yuri everything he asked for, within the hour, Charles," he said firmly. Then he turned to Edmund. "Please show our guest to the chamber connecting to mine. I will be up there shortly, Yuri. We can chat more then."

"Thank you, Your Highness," I replied, glad the guy seemed to be on my side. He simply gave me a nod and went on his way. Edmund was gracious enough to take one of my bags for me, but Chuck was seething. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under.

"Follow me," Edmund said, biting his lip. I had a feeling old Edmund liked seeing Chuck get put in his place. I picked up my other bags and trailed along behind him, taking in my surroundings as we went. This was going to be my home and headquarters for a while; I needed to learn it like the back of my hand.

CHAPTER 2

After I was shown to my room and got settled in, I knocked on the door to the Grand Duc's adjoining room. I heard him call out to come in, and I checked out the door as I walked through it. Adding it to the mental list of things I wanted changed, I closed it behind me.

"Sorry to disturb you, Your Highness," I said as I walked towards him. His room was amazing, so modern in the middle of an ancient castle. The Grand Duc had a suite, of course. He had his own sitting room, mini kitchen, and double doors I'm assuming went to his bedroom. There was a massive flat screen TV, a few computers, and a bunch of other neat toys I could see in the sitting room.

"Let me ask you something, Yuri. How much are you going to report to the council? Am I under any scrutiny here or can I be myself around you and it stays with you?" he asked as I approached him. I mis-stepped and almost tripped, completely shocked by the question and his frankness. Taking the seat across from him when he gestured, I thought about my answer.

"If you’re asking me if I plan on telling the council if you cuss, my answer is no," I said carefully. "The only things I plan on reporting are viable threats, changes I plan on making, and anything I find out regarding who's trying to kill you. Other than that, I wasn't sent here to snitch to the council on how you run the French Covens."

"If I understand you correctly, unless it has to do with my safety or security measures, what you see and hear stays with us?"

I mulled that over for a few minutes. "Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I can't protect you unless you trust me. And I'm not a snitch. Unless I feel it's something the council needs to know pertaining to why I'm here, my mouth is sealed. Gossip isn't my thing."

"Thank fuck," the Grand Duc said with a sigh, throwing me again. He completely shed the regal persona and acted like Joe Normal from off the street. "You want a beer?"

"Yeah, that'd be good, I'm wiped." I chuckled, enjoying the change. The Grand Duc stood, walked over to the fridge in his suite, and grabbed a couple of beers.

"Oh, and when it's just us, you can drop the 'your highness' shit. Just call me Dominic or Dom," he said, handing me a beer. "I swear one day I'm going to forget my first name with all the formalities."

"You are so not what I expected." I twisted off the cap to my beer and took a swig. "I mean I know you're a pup, no offense, but I expected the regal thing to be ingrained in you."

"Nope, part of growing up around humans who thought I just came from money," Dom snickered. "Okay, so what did you want to tell me in private?"

"First, I need to question you about a few things. What happened? I know there was an attempt on your life, but other than that, I wasn't told shit." I needed him to know he could trust me, and I also needed the details.

"Someone took a shot at me with a large enough caliber rifle that my head would have just about exploded." He sighed, then took several gulps of his beer as I thought about that one. I watched him closely, not only was he chugging his beer to delay answering me, pacing in front of me, but fidgeting with his hair as well. Vampires are incredibly hard to kill. Short of being completely engulfed in fire or decapitation, I didn't know of any other way we can die. Blowing up a vampire’s head would sever the neck, basically giving the same result as decapitation.

"Where were you?"

"I was getting into the limo to come back to the compound after a meeting," he answered. "You want to know how I didn't get hit."

"Yeah, but why does that seem to make you nervous?" I asked, completely confused.

"Because it would give away what my gift is," Dominic replied, eyeing me. If I hadn't known better, I'd say he was looking at me as if he were imagining what I looked like naked, but his file stated he was straight. "I get glimpses of the future. Not like I can tell you what cards you're holding in your hand. They’re more like life-changing events."

I snorted. "You dying would be life-changing. Okay, so you got an image of someone taking a shot at you before it happened, and what, ducked?"

"Pretty much." He shrugged. "I told everyone I heard it, which is partially true. I mean, the thing was loud, but not even one of us could have moved in time."

"I want a list of who was with you that day and who knew where you would be," I told him, trying to figure out what else I needed. "I might need to know more later, but seriously, I've been up for like, two days. I didn't sleep on the plane, thinking it might help me adjust to the time change."

"Fair enough. But first, what didn't you want to say around Chuck?"

"You call him Chuck too?" I laughed, loving how cool Dom was. "I kept thinking of him as Chuck, wanting to call him that just to piss him off."

"He's such a fucking douche," Dom groaned. "I honestly might guess him as the assassin, but I don't think he has the balls to come after me himself. He's a weasel."

"I wanted to tell you he was lying earlier, but I'm not sure why," I said. Dom gave me a confused look, and it was my turn to explain. "My gift is being able to know when people are lying."

"That must come in handy."

"Really, it's more of a pain in the ass in my personal life. But, yeah, in cases like this, it comes in handy. That's why my council sent me when your council asked for outside help. I need that to stay between us, Dom."

"Don't sweat it, Yuri." He smiled at me, and again, I felt my cock harden. "Trust goes both ways with me."

"Good to know," I answered before finishing off my beer. "I just don't get why he was lying. He knew my real orders and that I didn't answer to him, but why lie about it? Also, he was lying when he said I didn't deserve any respect. Something's just not right with him. I don't ever want you alone with him, okay?"

"I'm so fine with that." Dom snickered. "I'd get rid of him if I could, but he's been an advisor forever and has friends on the council."

"Oh great, that makes my job fun," I grumbled. I shut my trap when Dominic got up and took off his robe, revealing his bare, nicely toned chest. His hair flowed around him like a waterfall as he moved and I was dying to touch it. Quickly, I snapped myself back from the idea of getting too close to him. "I think I got a good start on what I need, but I'm going to sleep on it."

"Alright, I'll talk to you more tomorrow," he said as he opened the doors into the other room. Walking through them, he went and sat on his bed. "Just close the door behind you. My consorts will be coming shortly."

I dug my nails in my hands, really not liking the idea of him being intimate with anyone, especially when I was right in the next room. "I'm going to want to meet them and question them tomorrow."

"I'll let them know." He smiled as I got up and just about ran to the door. "Thank you for coming, Yuri. I feel better knowing you're on my side."

"You're welcome, Dom," I answered, before slipping into my room. My room wasn't as cool, but it was definitely as nice as a swanky room in Vegas. There was a large king-sized bed, my own bathroom, and even a mini bar.

I threw out the empty beer bottle and paced around my room for a bit. I was dying to know what was under those silk pajama bottoms he wore. Shaking my head, I stripped and got into bed with a raging erection. I knew I had to take care of that before I'd be able to sleep.

Reaching down, I wrapped my hand around my cock and started to stroke it. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Dom sucking my dick as I played with all that wonderful hair. After several minutes of trying to fight the images, I just went with it. I could almost feel those sweet lips wrapped around my cock as he went down on me. It didn't take long until I was shooting my seed all over my hand, groaning loudly as I finished.

I reached over, grabbed a few tissues off the nightstand and cleaned up. Being so attracted to Dom was going to be a problem, one I needed to get over and quickly. But he was all I thought about as I turned on my side and fell asleep.

* * * *

Just as I had gone to bed with images of Dom on my mind, I woke up with the same. I rubbed my hands over my eyes, and the image remained. Sitting up quickly, I let out a gasp when I realized it was really him sitting there.

"You scared the shit out of me, Dom," I grumbled as I threw back the covers and got up. Heading to the bathroom, I turned when I heard him chuckle. "What?"

"Nice dick," he answered as he gestured to my morning wood. "You have something against pajamas?"

"Fuck," I grumbled as I grabbed a pillow from the bed and held it in front of me. "I don't know. I normally sleep nude and I'm not used to waking up and having someone sitting there watching me. Keep in mind I'm also jet-lagged."

"Don't cover up on my account." Dom smirked. "I thought the view was quite impressive."

"Umm, thanks," I answered and rushed to the bathroom. After I did my thing, showered quickly, and had taken care of all other necessities, I had to admit I'd hidden enough. With a towel wrapped around my hips and another I was using to dry my hair, I walked back into my room. "So why were you watching me?"

"I was actually just waiting for you to get up." He laughed as he eyed me over. "To be honest, I've not been around many warriors, I mean, this closely. I guess I was just curious."

"Glad I could help your curious nature." I snorted as I pulled out some boxer briefs and cargo pants.

"Well, I don't think they make all warriors like you," Dom said, and whatever was in his tone made me turn and look at him. I swear I saw lust in his eyes before he looked down at the files on his lap. "I wanted to make sure Chuck got you everything you asked for."

"Thanks," I replied as I pulled the boxer briefs up under the towel. I took off the towel then and walked over to him without putting on pants first. There it was again. I could swear he was just about drooling at the sight of me. Wasn't he supposed to be straight? I mean, his consorts came by last night. Shaking away the thoughts, I took the files from him, and I almost felt an electric jolt as our hands touched. I stared into his eyes for a few moments before turning away.

"The top file is my schedule for the next few days. I thought we needed to discuss it before anything else," he said as I opened it up. I put the stack on the table and read it over as I pulled on my pants. Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dom was staring at me. Fuck! He really was going to be the death of me. I'd just about had a wet dream last night thinking about how he'd look riding my dick.

"The highlighted ones are off the compound?" I asked as I went to get shoes and socks.

"That would be correct," Dom answered as he stood. "The first meeting is here and will take a while. That should give you time to check out whatever you need to and get acclimated."

"Yeah, as long as coffee is in there somewhere, I'm good," I said.

"A man after my own heart," he replied quietly before opening the door and leaving me alone. What the fuck was that? Was he really bi-sexual? Or was he just a flirt when he didn't have to act like a royal?

I finished getting dressed, grabbed the files, and headed out. Pulling out the map, I worked my way to the kitchen. And I found quite a spread. There were all types of beverages, pastries, and just about any breakfast food you could imagine. I filled up a plate, fixed my coffee, and sat at the table as I studied the map.

"The help normally eats in the kitchen." Charles sneered as he walked in and went to refill his coffee.

"Pull up a chair then," I said sweetly as I didn't even bother to look up.

"What does that mean?" he growled as he approached me.

"It means you're the head of security. That's the help," I answered as I turned to face him. "It's a paid position, just like mine. Doesn't matter if you're the maid or the cook, a paid position is the help."

"I'm not just security, I'm also an advisor!"

"Yeah, that's also a salaried position." I snickered. "Hell, advisor just screams help, doesn't it?"

"You'd be smart to learn your place," he snarled as his hands started to shift into claws.

"I know my place, Chuck," I answered, smiling at him. "It's taking care of the job you couldn't handle. So bitch and moan all you want, but I'm now in charge of the Grand Duc's security. And I'll be making changes, so hop on my train or stay the fuck out of my way."

"The council over-reacted by sending you here. I kept the Grand Duc safe!" he yelled before storming off. Again, I felt the wave. He was lying, but I didn't know about which part. That was the frustrating part of my gift. It wasn't like I beeped as soon as a lie was told. And unless answering yes or no questions, it could be hard for me to gauge what the lie was.

Shaking my head, I cleaned up my breakfast and headed to the main security and tech center. When I got there, I simply leaned in the doorway for a while, just observing. I made several mental notes of things that need to be changed before I found Edmund.

"I never got an answer yesterday. Do you guys have facial recognition software?" I asked when he was done talking with one of the tech guys.

"We don't," he answered, almost cringing away from me.

"I want it ordered. The Grand Duc approved of me making any changes I saw fit," I assured him before motioning to the front door monitors. "No one gets in here without first being verified. Handle that however you want for now, but eventually, we're going to put in a guard at the front gate. I also want to talk with whatever security provider you use. New gates need to be installed in the front and back."

"I'll get you our contact's number and their catalog." Edmund nodded before rushing away. I wasn't quite done with him, but okay, at least he didn't have a problem taking orders from me. Looking at the time, I saw the Grand Duc had his next meeting in less than an hour. And that one was off the premises. I flipped open his schedule and saw I didn't have the information on who was working his security detail.

When Edmund returned with what I’d asked for, I said, "Thanks, I also need to know who's on each of the details for the Grand Duc's security when he's got meetings off location."

"I can get you a copy of that," he said, starting to turn away again.

I chuckled as I grabbed his arm. "Wait, I've got more. Is there somewhere private where I can interview the guys on the detail? And later, when the Grand Duc is in his two o'clock meeting here, I want to question everyone who was there the day someone shot at him."

"I can set you up in one of the back offices," Edmund answered as he gestured to follow him.

"Thanks, Edmund, you're being really cool about all of this," I said as we walked towards the back.

"I like my job, and I respect the Grand Duc. If you're here to help keep him alive, I'll do whatever needs to be done," Edmond replied. He was telling the truth, which made me feel better now that I had one ally who knew how to get things done. Edmund opened the door, and we went inside to a medium-sized office with no windows. This would work well as an interview room. "The Grand Duc is a great ruler and loves his people. He's truly brilliant, and the changes he's made are prosperous for our kind."

"Nice to know you're on my side." I winked at him as I set everything down on the desk. "I want the guys for this afternoon's detail one at a time. I need the information on the cars you guys have and which you normally use for escorting his highness. I also need three guys you'd trust with your life, and the Grand Duc's, to help me do some of this stuff. Are you cool with that?"

"Absolutely," he answered, smiling. Edmond started to leave, but then paused. "I'm glad you're here, Yuri."

Before I could even respond, he left and closed the door behind him. I was glad someone wanted me, but the way he said it made me think Edmund knew a lot more than he was letting on. Taking a moment before the interviews, I dialed Councilman De La Cruz's number.

"Yuri?" he asked when he picked up the line.

"Yes, Councilman, I'm here."

"Glad to hear your voice, son," he said, sounding relieved.

"Why do you sound worried?"

"Word got out we were sending outside help," he answered cautiously. "I think we should keep communications limited."

"Understood, sir," I said, rubbing my hand over my face. Fuck! We just had problems all over. "Then I won't be giving you updates as we first discussed. I've made a good start, and the Grand Duc is onboard for whatever I need to do."

"Good, that makes me feel better." He sighed.

"Do I need to bring in backup, sir?"

"No, just find some allies fast," he hinted, and I heard the message loud and clear.

"About to start right now, Councilman."

"Good, if you need me, call. I'll find a way for us to talk without ears around if need be."

"Thank you. Take care," I said as we hung up. Seconds later, there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

"Hi, I was told to report here by Edmund," a big guy informed me as he walked in.

"Close the door behind you, and have a seat." He did as I asked, eyeing me over. I pulled out a fresh pad of paper and a pen. "I need your name, position, and number of years working here."

"Rick Santos, I'm security team Alpha leader, and I've been here for over fifty years," Rick answered immediately.

"You're on the detail for the meeting?" I asked.

"I am." He nodded. "Can I ask who you are?"

"Sorry, I figured someone would tell you." I chuckled. "I'm Yuri Stanalovic. I was sent by your council to assess the threat on the Grand Duc and keep his ass alive."

"Good to know." Rick smiled. We went over the basic questions; who was on his team, procedures for when the Grand Duc was off the property, etc. He answered my questions thoroughly, filling in the blanks of things I didn't even ask. I started to get a complete picture of how security was run here. This guy was good, but the system sucked. Now for the hard part.

"Next I'm going to ask you a series of questions. I want just a yes or no, got it?" I asked and waited until he nodded. "Do you want the Grand Duc dead?"

"No."

"Did you have anything to do with the attempt on his life?"

"No."

"Do you know who did?'

"No."

"Do you have any theories?"

"Yes."

"Are you happy with working for the Grand Duc?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any reasons to distrust anyone on your team?"

"No."

"Other teams?"

"Yes."

"Are you willing to keep secrets from your chain of command if I deem they should be?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"If it's something that could hurt the Grand Duc and if it could get me fired," he stated firmly.

"The Grand Duc is on board with whatever I'm doing," I assured him. "I'm here to keep him safe, but we've got either a mole or moles, or this is an inside job. There are things I'm going to want kept quiet. I need to know if that's something I can trust you with."

"Yes, as long as it's not something that will endanger the Grand Duc by not knowing."

"Fair enough." I nodded, giving Rick the once-over again. "This next part stays between us. The Grand Duc and my liaison to the council know, but that's it. I know you don't want him hurt, so I'm trusting you."

"You don't know that for certain. I could have been lying through my teeth," Rick growled, looking pissed.

"I do know that, my gift is to tell when someone's lying," I answered. I saw the confusion on his face for a moment before a smile replaced it. "Now you see why I was sent, and my gift needs to be kept on the down-low."

"I do. I will keep it a secret," Rick replied, still smiling. "We're going to get the son-of-a-bitch now."

'That's the plan, but I'm surrounded by people I don't know if I can trust. And that won't help me protect the Grand Duc." I sighed and put my pen down. I took a moment to rub my eyes and gather my thoughts. "You're in charge of your team. I want one team to aid me in clearing people and getting this place into 2010 technology. Somehow, it got out that I was coming here, and the council may be compromised. Unless I bring in my team, I've got no one to rely on and help me."

"My team won't fail you, they're good guys," he stated firmly. "Tell me what you need to get the Grand Duc to his meeting safely, and I'll get it done while you interview my team."

"Oh, I like you." I chuckled as I handed him my list. "We're working with a little over a half an hour here. I'm trusting you to know which of those are the priorities if you can't get it all done before we leave."

"I can get this done," Rick said after reading through the list. "Any of my guys give you problems, I want to know."

"What would you think of having your team train with some warriors at the camp where I'm from?"

"I think it's smart, but not until after we get this threat to the Grand Duc handled," he replied, standing.

"Good, then let's do this," I said, smiling widely. I'd just found my ally and right hand man. The day was suddenly looking up.

CHAPTER 3

After interviewing Alpha team, I was satisfied with their answers, these were the good guys. I'd gone over how they were to flank the Grand Duc when they escorted him from now on. They were like Rick, all five completely on board for whatever was needed to keep Dominic safe. We headed to the main doors, just as Rick ran up and joined us.

"We're all good, Yuri," he stated as he fell into step with me.

"Nicely done, Rick," I replied, throwing my arm around his shoulder. "We might just keep him alive after all."

"If you're all done being intimate, we have a meeting to get to," Dominic said from behind me. He didn't sound happy. Turning to face him, I removed my arm from around Rick and eyed Dominic.

"Rick got a lot done that was needed in a very short amount of time," I explained. I wasn't really sure why I felt the need to explain. Dominic was out of line, but I needed him on my side. "I was just showing my appreciation."

"By touching him?" Dominic asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why, isn't that quaint?"

"You have two others joining you, correct?" I asked, deciding to ignore his questions and tone. He was acting more like a jealous lover than a charge in my protection. I didn't know what it meant, but we didn't have the time for me to figure it out.

"Yes, Yuri, that is what the schedule says, does it not?" he replied snidely as he walked away from me.

"Flank him," I ordered to everyone else. "Advisors in the front of the Grand Duc until we split at the SUVs."

"We take the limo to the Grand Duc's meetings." Charles snickered as if I'd made a mistake. "It shows his importance, even in the human world."

"Not when the main goal is to keep him alive," I answered, scanning the area before gesturing for everyone to proceed out the door. "Charles, you’re in the middle one. Your Highness, you’re in the first one with me."

"This isn't how things are done," Charles growled as he followed us.

"They are now," Dominic answered, without breaking his stride. "Do as Yuri orders or don't come to the meeting. It's your choice, Charles. I suggest you choose wisely."

"Rick, you're driving," I said, trying not to laugh at the expression on Chuck's face. I opened the door for Dominic, who nodded to me as he climbed in. Once he was secured, I walked around the SUV and got in the back with him. Rick hopped in the driver’s seat and away we went. I turned to Dominic, who was staring straight ahead with a frown on his face. "If something happens, I want you down on the seat towards me so I can cover you."

"So you want me in the sixty-nine position with you?" He smirked, turning to me. I just about swallowed my tongue at the images his words gave me, and tried to shake it off.

"You're to face down so I can cover your head. You can heal from almost anything else besides a head shot," I answered, controlling my lust. I caught Rick's expression in the rearview mirror, he gave me that 'don't ask me' face.

"Why are we in the first car? Isn't it normal for the one under protection to be in the middle one?" Dominic asked, frowning at me again.

"And that's exactly what an attacker would expect, Chuck's the bait in case anyone tries something."

"Smart, very smart." He nodded. We pulled up to the offices where the meeting would be held, and I was glad it was a short drive. Simply sitting next to Dominic had me itching to pull him into my lap and hold him. We waited until everyone else had exited before joining them.

Since the meeting was with humans, I had to leave my sword at the castle and opt for normal security-issued Berettas. Good weapon, but I preferred my sword. I led the way inside and into the elevator. Half our group took one elevator and the rest of us took another one. The elevator was quite cramped; Dominic stood directly in front of me and moved all the way back to make room. I bit back a groan as his firm little ass pressed against my thighs and my dick hardened against his back.

The little imp gave me a smirk over his shoulder, knowing full well what his nearness was doing to me. I wanted to shout at him, 'What the fuck? I thought you were straight'. The elevator ride seemed to last forever as we rode up to the thirty-fourth floor. When the doors opened and everyone started to exit, I grabbed Dominic's arm and pushed him behind me. He wasn't ready for the move, and his hands landed on my ass. I wanted to melt into the floor with lust, and I must have imagined it, but I swear he gave my butt a squeeze before taking his hands off me.

"Even inside, I want someone blocking any aim at you," I informed him as we got off the elevator.

"It's fine, I like the view," he mumbled. I wanted to drag him to the nearest corner and confront him but it would have to wait.

"Mr. Aldrich," a man said as he approached us at the receptionist’s desk. He shook Dominic's hand and looked at all of us in shock.

"Wonderful to see you again, Eric," Dominic said smoothly as he walked with the man. "Please forgive the extra security, but there was an attempt on my life last week."

"Oh my, I understand completely," Eric answered in fluent French as he led the way into a conference room. Rick and I went in with them as the rest stayed out in the hallway. Charles and the other advisor, whose name I'd not even asked, came in as well. There were two more men inside who stood when we walked in.

"I'm Patrick," one man just about purred as he walked over to me, also speaking in French. "I've not seen you before. Are you from around here?"

"My French sucks," I answered honestly, hoping he'd get the hint. I wanted him to think I wasn't catching on to how forward he was being.

"Oh, you are American," Patrick replied in English. Fuck! "I do love an American man, so adventurous. I'd love to give you a tour, show you anything you'd like to see."

I went to open my mouth and quickly shut it. The man was just about batting his eyelashes at me. Fuck!

"He is here for a while, Patrick, and he's working," Dominic almost growled out. "I don't think you're his type." That threw me, and if it had been anyone else, I would have sniped that I could answer for myself. But he was right, I was working.

"Well, here is my card for when you are off work." Patrick winked at me and handed me his card before joining the meeting. I quickly shoved it in my pocket, trying to not be rude as Dominic was staring daggers at me. Looking at Rick for help, he quickly averted his face from me. Yeah, thanks man. Nice backup there. Douche.

I switched back into bodyguard mode, ignoring Patrick's roaming eyes and Dominic's stares. Couldn't I just melt into the floor now? I was used to being invisible and in the background, all this attention was making me feel uncomfortable. And what was with Dominic? It was all very distracting and taking my focus off the job.

Charles did most of the talking in the meeting for our side. I wasn't sure if that was normal in business meetings. Did underlings normally handle the bargaining when the main cheese was right there?

"I am simply saying that I don't think this last shipment of your product was up to its normal quality," Charles stated firmly. "I have concerns about your quality control."

"Yes, we do," Dominic said, turning to Charles and making his point quiet clear. Chuck looked quite peeved to be corrected like that in front of others, but kept his mouth shut. "We use your, and only your, office products throughout all my companies. I believe in long-term business relationships, not just shopping around for the best deals. That being said, we pay for a certain level of quality. I was very disappointed when I picked up one of your pens and, not only did it not work when I clicked it on, it leaked ink all over sensitive material I needed to sign."

"That can happen to anyone, no matter how wonderful the products may be," Eric defended.

"Yes, but it happened with three pens in a row, Eric," Dominic answered, raising an eyebrow. "And I asked random employees around my companies, who all said they thought the level of quality had been declining."

"I'd have to look into that," Eric replied.

"You do that," Dominic stated, and stood. "I wouldn't be bringing this to you if it were only about a few pens, we're both too busy for that. Check your records, we've had more service calls needed in the past six months than in the last three years. I pay for quality, and if this keeps up, we'll be finding it somewhere else."

"Absolutely," Eric replied as everyone else stood. "I appreciate the face-to-face on this. Your father taught you well."

"He died before I was old enough to learn anything business-related," Dominic said, straightening out his shoulders. I saw the obvious defensive gesture. "I respect the relationship we have built, that's why I'm here personally."

"Of course," Eric replied sweetly as he led us to reception. I was glad when all the goodbyes were exchanged and we could go. Moments later, we were standing at the elevators. The first one opened, and I went to lead everyone on, but Dominic held me back.

"Take the first two down and secure the area, we'll follow," I ordered, not wanting to draw attention to Dominic's gesture. They split in two groups and got on, and when a third elevator opened up, the two of us walked into it.

"What a fucking wanker," Dominic growled once the door closed. "He likes to remind me every time we see each other that I inherited the companies from my father. So did he, just a decade earlier. Someone else I'd like to be rid of."

"Needed a breather?" I chuckled. He nodded and leaned against the wall of the elevator. "It's none of my business, but why are you going to meetings like that? I mean shouldn't someone lower on the food chain go?"

"One, it helps my cover with the human world," he replied, counting off fingers. "Two, if I didn't do it, Chuck would, and I trust him as far as I could throw him. Three, I'm still new to taking over, I want to be personally involved when there's a problem."

"Makes sense," I answered after I mulled it over.

"And what was that shit with you and Patrick? Are you that hard up for sex you have to flirt in my business meetings?" Dominic growled, standing up straight and stepping towards me.

"I wasn't flirting," I exclaimed. "The guy acted like he was picking me up in a bar!"

"Know a lot about that, do you?"

"Why do you care, Dominic?" I asked, seething.

"I don't," he snarled. "I simply think it was unprofessional of you, and you're on my dime."

"I'll try to make sure no one is attracted to me at your next meeting," I grumbled, rolling my eyes. The elevator opened then, and I stormed out of there and led the way to the SUVs. We all climbed in and rode back in silence. Once we returned to the castle, I made sure my charge was safe and on to his next meeting before retreating back to the security offices. What the fuck was his problem?

* * * *

Through the rest of the day's meetings and during dinner, Dominic and I barely spoke two words to each other. When it was time for his nightly visit with his consorts, I accompanied him up to his suite. I walked in with him and checked out the room before deciding it was safe. I'd already interviewed and cleared his consorts earlier in the day.

"Enter," Dominic said when there was a knock on the door. His women came in, dressed in long silk robes, and went to greet him. Dominic, in turn, started to get undressed. That would be my cue to leave. "Running off so soon, Yuri? You're more than welcome to join us. Amber likes variety."

"Thanks, but she doesn't have the right equipment for my tastes," I ground out between my teeth.

"You're gay?" Dominic asked, looking unconvinced as he took off his pants.

"Yeah, very," I answered, trying to get the fuck out of there. Was he just that socially inept that he didn't get it? I know he'd felt my hard-on earlier in the elevator. Trying with everything I had not to look at him now that he was down to only boxers, I edged closer to the door.

"Well, enjoy your evening, I know I will," he said as he took the girls' hands and led them to the bed. I mumbled something unintelligible and raced out the door, shutting it quickly behind me. When I was alone in the hallway, I let my forehead thump on the closed door. I wanted to watch Dominic have sex with every fiber of my being, I just wanted the sex to be with me. Hearing the girls giggle through the door, I felt my hands start shifting into claws.

Great! On top of everything else, I was starting to get jealous. I needed a drink, or several. Heading down to the lounge, I saw a few familiar faces. It was like a bar for those who lived and worked in the castle. I sat on one of the stools and ordered a triple Jäger. As soon as it was poured, I gulped it and ordered another.

"Someone's trying to get drunk tonight," a smooth voice said from my left. Downing my drink, I turned to see who was talking to me. It was Kevin, one of the tech guys.

"Rough day," I answered as I drank down the glass the bartender had just refilled.

"We could take the bottle and go somewhere more private," Kevin said, eyeing me up. "There's a pool room down the hall, you could show me how you handle a stick."

Is this guy for real? I wondered, but then decided I didn’t care, I needed the distraction. I nodded as he got the bottle from the bartender. He led the way to the pool room as I checked him out. Kevin was pretty good-looking, about six-two, one-ninety or so, with a nice ass. He had ear-length curly blond hair and dark eyes. Perfect, the exact opposite of Dominic.

"Strip," I growled as he closed the door and I took the bottle from him. His eyes went wide as I took a long swig, already feeling a little drunk. "Or were you just all talk?"

"Not at all, but a man does like a little foreplay," he said as he slipped his shirt off over is head.

"Fine, on your knees." I smirked.

"Gladly," Kevin replied as he dropped to his knees and went for my zipper. He gasped as he pulled out my eleven inch cock. "Oh my, I've found a third leg here."

"Suck it," I slurred. Guess I might have drunk a little more than I thought. Of course, I'd only picked at dinner, not being in the mood to eat.

Kevin licked around the head of my dick as I pulled off my shirt and pushed my pants down. I took one last gulp from the bottle before setting it on the pool table. He was taking his sweet time, teasing me. I wasn't in the mood to be teased.

"Swallow it," I growled, having had enough with the foreplay. "Do you have lube?"

"Mmm-hmm," He nodded as he reached into his pants and pulled some out.

"Good, get yourself ready as you blow me," I spat out as he started to deep throat me. "I'm not in the mood for a long foreplay and get ready session."

"I'm already prepared," Kevin purred as he let my cock slip out of his mouth. "Do you want to put that monster in my ass?"

"Yes," I answered as I pulled him to his feet. Kissing him, I reached for his groin and massaged it through his pants. He moaned loudly and deepened the kiss. We played some really good tonsil hockey before he pulled away and lost the pants.

"Fuck me. I want you to give it to me good," he said, lust dripping off his words as he bent over and braced himself on the table.

"Happy to oblige," I replied as I lined up my cock and started to push into him. Kevin buried his face in his arms and muffled out a scream. He hadn't been kidding that he'd prepared himself, he was perfectly stretched out and lubed. Man, he'd really been trolling for a fuck tonight. Part of me was glad he'd come to me, the other part was still in Dominic's room picturing him fucking one of those girls.

I got pissed when that thought crossed my mind and took it out on Kevin's ass. One hard thrust and I bottomed out inside of him. His squeals of delight were muffled so we didn't invite company, but I could hear him just fine. Pulling out slowly, I grabbed his hips tightly before slamming back into him.

"This is what you wanted, isn't it, Kevin?" I grunted as I fucked him hard.

"Yes, oh god, yes," he panted as his ass took my onslaught. "Faster, give me everything you've got, Yuri."

"Beg me," I growled, intentionally slowing down and messing with him.

"Please, fuck me hard and fast. I want that cock to pound into me so hard you break me," Kevin pleaded. Great, another one who liked pain. What kind of men was I attracting here?

I heard a noise as I started to thrust into Kevin faster. Looking up, I saw Dominic standing in the back doorway leading to one of the studies. I stared at him as I fucked Kevin hard and fast. Not looking embarrassed for interrupting, his eyes never left mine as he watched.

"You like this, don't you?" I asked him, but Kevin answered.

"Yes, I love your cock," he purred. "Fuck me good, Yuri."

Dominic didn't say a word, just watched us. I was drunk enough to not care if I was stepping over lines. "You love the feel of my big dick in your ass?"

"Yes," Kevin hissed. "I'm going to come."

"Not yet, I've got a lot left in me," I growled as I slapped his hand away from his own cock. Just to be a shit, I leaned over and licked Kevin's ear. When I glanced back up, Dominic was gone. Taking the fun out of the sex I was having.

"Please, please let me come, Yuri," Kevin begged.

"Fine, come," I grumbled. Kevin stroked his dick a few times before he cried out and shot his seed on the side of the table. I cried out my release seconds later when his ass clamped down on my cock. Still thrusting, I pumped his ass full of my cum.

When I was done, I pulled out of him and gave his ass a smack. Without a word, I went and grabbed my clothes. I got dressed and left the room before he'd even stood back up. But I took the bottle of booze with me. Taking a long swig of it, I decided it was time to have a little chat with Dominic. Jogging up to my room, I quickly showered and went to the adjoining door. I walked in quietly and closed the door behind me.

"Yuri, yes," Dominic hissed as he fingered his ass. I had a great view of him. He was kneeling on the bed, three fingers in his ass as he stroked his cock. I walked towards him silently. "Yes, shove that big cock in my ass."

He was so focused on what he was doing, he didn't even notice I was standing right behind him. "Is that an invitation?" I whispered as I licked along his neck.

"Fuck!" he screamed as he came. His orgasm was so intense that his entire body shook. I pushed a finger into his ass along with his and massaged his prostate as he climaxed. Wrapping my other arm over his chest, I held him to me as his dick shot ropes of pearly white seed all over his hand and bed.

"You are so fucking beautiful," I told him as he finished. I finally had the chance I'd wanted since I met him, and I ran my fingers through his hair. Holding him to me as we pulled our fingers out of his ass, I reveled in the feel of the silk I was touching. I'd never seen or felt such amazing hair in my life.

"Let me go, I'm not gay," he panted as he tried to get away from me.

"Really? Straight men normally jack off to the idea of another man fucking them?" I snorted.

"Please, Yuri, let me go," Dominic whispered. That got my attention, and I removed my arms from him. He scrambled away from me and pulled part of the blanket over his spent cock. "I can't be gay, I'm a ruler of my people."

"Who ever said they were mutually exclusive?" I asked, completely confused, horny, and drunk. "You're in charge, if anyone gets to be with whoever they want, it's you."

"I've never been with a man, I just can't," he said, looking away from me. I wasn't having any of that. Crawling on the bed, losing my towel in the process, I grabbed his small chin in one of my large hands.

"Who says you can't be gay and rule?"

"My father did once when I was younger," Dominic answered, not fighting my hold. "He hadn't been talking about me, but the ruler of Egypt. I heard him tell my mother and his advisors that no one could rule effectively and be a homo."

"He said that?" I asked, completely shocked. "That might be true in the human world, but vampires aren't like that. Being gay in our community is much more accepted."

"But not by everyone," he whispered as tears filled up his eyes. "I just can't be gay when I know my father would have hated me for it."

"Being gay isn't a choice, Dominic," I said quietly. When the first tear slipped out of his eyes, I grabbed him and pulled him onto my lap. He looked so fragile and distraught it just about broke my heart. "I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but your dad was an ass for saying that. Your sexual preference doesn't determine if you're a good ruler or not."

"There's enough upheaval with the changes I'm making, I can't just announce I'm gay on top of that." Dominic sniffled. He snuggled closer to me, holding onto me as if his life depended on it. "I've already got someone or several someones wanting me dead. I can't be gay."

"Dom, you're gay whether you admit it or not, baby," I replied.

"Please, don't do this to me right now," he whispered.

"Do what, baby?"

"Make me deal with this or talk about it," Dominic answered. "Please, not tonight? You're the first man I've ever wanted so badly it hurts. I wanted it to be me you fucked on the pool table, and I don't know what to do with that. Can we please just go to bed?"

"Okay, sweetheart, we can shelve this conversation for tonight," I said as I kissed his forehead. Before I could move away, Dominic wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled me down to his lips. I moaned and melted into the kiss. He tasted better than I'd dreamed. I licked along his lips, and he gasped. Taking advantage of his open mouth, I slid my tongue inside.

This is what I had been looking for, this passion, this desire. He didn't just want me for a quick or kinky fuck. Dom wanted me, Yuri, the man. I explored every inch of his mouth with my tongue for several moments before he pushed back away from me.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," he cried out. His face read of lust, confusion, fear, and panic.

"It's okay, baby, I'll go," I said as I moved him off my lap. It killed something inside of me to leave him, but it was what he was asking for.

"Stay. Stay with me," he whispered as I got off the bed. Staring at him, I saw the scared man who desperately needed to feel safe. Nodding, I climbed under the covers along with Dom and pulled him against my chest. He sighed loudly and wrapped his arms around mine as they wrapped around him. Slowly, he relaxed in my embrace, and I watched him drift off to sleep.

What had he gone through, living thirty years denying who he really was? I couldn't fathom the pressure he was already under, plus the lack of love he'd grown up with being orphaned at such a young age. He’d just inherited the rule of all of our kind in France, and now, someone was out to get him. Fuck! I'd be ready for the padded room with just that. To top it off, he was so far in the closet he was trying to lie to himself.

And I was falling for him. I had to be stupid or just a glutton for punishment. Closing my eyes, I had a feeling it was both.

CHAPTER 4

I awoke to soft lips on my neck. Shivering as I opened my eyes, I saw it was Dominic. He glanced up at me, seemingly worried I'd reject him. I smiled as I thought on how to squash those fears. Moving quickly, I rolled over so he was under me. He let out a small yelp and stared at me in surprise.

"Good morning," I purred as I leaned down and claimed his lips. This time he was brave and slid his tongue in my mouth. I groaned, deepening the kiss as my hands roamed his much smaller body. When he wrapped his slim legs around my hips, I just about lost it.

"You're fucking huge," he whispered, sounding apprehensive.

"We won't do that today, you need to work up to someone of my size, baby," I answered as I pushed some of his silky hair off his face. "I would never hurt you, Dom, not even during sex, I couldn't bear it if I caused you pain."

He smiled as he kissed me again, and pulled me closer. I reached down and pulled off his pajama bottoms. Dom moaned loudly as I touched his hard cock, just running my fingers along it. Having an idea, I pushed myself off of him a bit more. Then I grabbed both our dicks and started slowly stroking them.

"Oh shit, I'm almost there already," he gasped. I smiled down at him as I moved my hand faster.

"Nice to know I affect you like that," I replied, trying to make him feel at ease. It seemed to work because he smiled widely and ran his hands over my arms. We both moaned as I squeezed our dicks a little tighter. Dominic went wild then, his head turning from side to side on the pillow as he groaned in pleasure. "Look at me, Dom, don't close your eyes."

Immediately, he stopped thrashing about and stared at me. "It's too much, too intense."

"Just let go, baby," I whispered. "I'll catch you. Only feel what I'm doing to our bodies."

"Oh fuck, yes, Yuri!" he cried out as he came. His eyes never left mine as he panted and yelled as wave after wave of his orgasm hit him. Feeling his warm seed on my hand and stomach, plus the look on Dom's face, was all it took to push me over the edge as well. I roared out my release as I watched my cock explode. Streams of my cum shot all over us, mixing in with Dom's.

Something primal went through me right then. I desperately wanted to claim Dominic as my own forever. Biting my lip, I tried to regain my sanity while still staring intently at his neck. I wanted him, all of him.

"I have to get to a meeting," Dom said quietly when we were both done. My eyes snapped up to his, shock running through me. Didn't he feel it too? Or did I mean that little to him? Was I just the quick hand job in the morning, and then he was on his way?

"Oh, okay," I replied as I moved off of him. Without a word, he got off the bed and went into the bathroom. I sat there staring at the closed door in complete dismay. What the fuck just happened here?

Shaking my head, I got off the bed and headed to my room. Once behind the closed door, I showered up and got ready for the day. Maybe he was just freaked out about being with a man for the first time? In all my centuries, I couldn't remember ever being dismissed like that after making out with someone. Then again, I'd done it to men when it didn't mean anything to me. But it had to mean something to him, didn't it?

Deciding to table my issues for now, I left my room and walked to the kitchen. On the way, I realized there was a call I had to make. I dialed Alexander, hoping he was awake still with the time difference.

"Hello, Yuri?" he asked, sounding like he'd been woken up.

"Yeah, sorry, Alexander." I sighed as I got my breakfast and coffee. "I forgot about the time difference, my bad."

"No worries, what's up?"

"Their security needs a lot of work here, and I don't want outside guys doing the installation and training. Any chance you could send me a few of Rune's techies?"

"Why are you not contacting the council there?"

"For one, I want guys I trust to know what they’re doing," I answered honestly. "The other reason, I think my call should tell you why."

"I read you loud in clear," he said, sounding much more awake. "Do you need backup?"

"I think I'm good," I replied, nodding at Rick and his team as they came into the kitchen as well. "I cleared one of the security teams, and they're open to change and working with me. When the threat is passed, I wanted to talk to you about sending some of them to the camp to be trained. They're not warriors, but they can hold their own. If they're going to protect the Grand Duc after I leave, they need more training."

Rick's gaze never left mine as he nodded in agreement. A couple of the other guys raised an eyebrow, but I knew they wouldn't have any objections. Not really. They knew that they needed more fieldwork and training to be effective.

"I'll pass on that request, but in the meantime I'll send you some techs," he said then paused. "Actually, I'm going to send a few post-trans as well. Our systems are already up-to-date, a few of our guys would benefit from seeing this sort of upgrade."

"And give me a few sets of extra eyes and ears." I snickered, knowing full well what he was up to.

"Yeah, that too. Don't fight me on this, Yuri."

"Nope, I think it's smart."

"It has to be bad if you're not arguing with me," Alexander said carefully. "Should we be worried?"

"Nothing we've not seen before, but not an easy assignment either," I replied, knowing I had people listening around me.

"Read you loud and clear, brother. Be safe and get your ass home in one piece."

I snorted. "Aww, shucks, I think you miss me, honey."

"Watch it, or I'll tell Dimitri you were flirting with me."

"Yeah, right. Dimitri would never believe that about me. He may be your mate, but he's one of my best friends. He knows my feelings about other people's mates." I laughed before I gave him the zinger. "Besides, Dimitri's more my taste anyway."

"Oh, it's on when you get home," Alexander growled then hung up. I ended up laughing to a dead line.

"So you got something going with this guy, Dimitri?" one of the Alpha team guys, John, asked. I saw Dominic enter the kitchen out of the corner of my eye. His head turned towards us before he could school his features.

"No, not even close." I snickered, returning to my food. "Dimitri is my best friend, and so not my type. He's like a brother. I just enjoy fucking with his mate's head any chance I get. Alexander might be the most jealous, possessive man I've ever known."

"Great, more ill-mannered Americans to deal with," Chuck grumbled by the food, his back to us. But that also meant he couldn't see Dominic had entered the room.

"If the council trusts Yuri to keep me safe, I would think you would have enough faith in our council to work with him," Dominic said smoothly. All eyes went to him as he stood there, sipping his coffee as if he were one of the guys instead of their ruler. "Make sure we have rooms ready for his guests, Charles."

Chuck just stood there with his mouth open in shock as Dominic strode out of the room. My heart hurt as he seemed to ignore I was even there. It's not like I expected him to prance over and hop in my lap, but would a good morning have killed him?

And that's the way my entire day went. Dominic never acknowledged my presence any time I was near him. He never said two words to me or even looked at me. By the end of the day, I was pissed with a capital P.

That night, when I knew he would be alone, I went to the door adjoining our rooms, only to find it locked. He locked me out? What the fuck was that bullshit? Instead of going to his main door where I knew someone from Rick's team would be, I decided to let it go. For now.

I got ready for bed and crawled between the covers. What was Dominic's damage? Had he not liked what we'd done that morning? He seemed to enjoy it. I knew I'd been gentle with him. It couldn't be that. So what was it? I fell asleep without the answers, only more questions.

* * * *

For days, Dominic pulled the same shit, avoiding me and locking the door connecting our rooms. I was getting really fucking tired of it. But what was I going to do, pitch a fit and embarrass us both? Or try to get at him though his main door where people stood guard? There were eyes and ears everywhere.

At least the job was going better. Alpha team ended up being my go-to guys when I needed anything. I kept them on the majority of the Grand Duc's details. Alexander sent me a couple of techies and three post-trans, including Lance. I'd heard stories from Dimitri and Matteo, though it seemed whatever pole he'd had stuck up his ass was now gone.

Lance, Mark, and Wally, the post-trans' I'd gotten, were helping me install some new doors in the Grand Duc's suite. Rick had asked if Alpha team could observe, promising they wouldn't interrupt my teaching unless they had questions. I'd ordered doors meant for a panic room, wanting the adjoining room I was staying in to be just that if needed.

"Okay, so we pulled out the old doors and frames. Now we put up the hidden bar system before the frame, which hides it," I explained to them. "What's the purpose of doing this?"

"Any intruder or attacker will think they're coming upon a solid oak door they can break through instead of one with steel-enforced bars," Lance answered. And he was right. It was meant to seem just like a sturdy, heavy wood door. The steel bars slid through the door and locked onto the floor if the button was hit once inside.

"Give the lad a cookie," I replied as I started showing them how to install it.

"Yes, let's reward the traitor to his own family." Chuck clapped as he walked up to us.

Before Lance could even respond and move on him, I pushed him behind me. "You've got a problem with me, Charles, I get that," I snarled at him, letting my fangs extend. "But you have no right to get nasty with my people. If you're pissed at me, take it out on me, leave them out of it."

"How can you defend him? He testified against his own father to the council," Charles spat out at me. In a flash, I was on him. I grabbed him by the shirt and raised him off the floor so we were at eye level.

"His father is the disgrace," I growled, noticing my post-trans and Alpha team moving to back me up as we drew a crowd in the hallway. I made a mental note of those who started to approach us to support Charles. "He sent an assassin to put a bullet through my best friend's head, instead of challenging him. There's no honor in that. Lance chose to let our justice system handle it. Would you condone lying to our councils, Chuck?"

"Absolutely not," he sneered back at me. I felt the wave come over me, the fucker was lying. "Unhand me this instant!"

"Fine," I said, letting him go to drop the foot or so I'd had him off the ground. "I'll put up with your snide comments and crap when it's directed at me. Don't fuck with my people, Chuck. I won't be such a nice guy then."

Charles looked around and saw that he didn't have as many allies at his back as I did. He took a moment to smooth out his designer suit before huffing away. Most of the crowd dispersed then, but a few lingering around gave me a nod, signaling whose side they were on.

It also made me wonder if Chuck wasn't running his mouth. Why was there such a crowd in the hallway of the Grand Duc's suite? This wasn't a typical place to have that much foot traffic. I also noticed Dominic had shown up at some point during the confrontation. Seeing Lance was shaking with anger and visibly upset, I decided to put all that on the back-burner.

"Grab the instructions and make sure everyone is familiar with all the components," I said to Rick as I grabbed Lance's arm. He gave me the signal that he wouldn't leave the area and would make sure no one tampered with the equipment. Pulling Lance away, I realized the conversation I was about to have with him would do Dominic some good as well. We gave him a bow as we passed him, not going out of earshot.

"Is that what people really think about me, that I betrayed my father?" Lance asked, his hands in fists.

"Not anyone with the slightest shred of honor and integrity," I answered. He stared down the hallway where Charles had gone. I gave his shoulders a firm shake. "Let it go, Lance. This wasn't about you, he was pushing my buttons."

"It felt very much about me," Lance replied, focusing on me then.

"I know that, and I get why you're upset. But it really wasn't. This is about me, and I'm sorry you got labeled cannon fodder." I sighed. "Look, Lance, you were in an impossible situation with your father going after Matteo like that. Do you think you did the right thing?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I care about Matteo. He was the first person to call me out on being a spoiled brat with a chip on my shoulder. I'd never had anyone do that with me before."

"Then that's the only opinion that matters," I said firmly.

"Do you think I did the right thing?"

"I do, and not just because Matteo's my friend." I let him go and ran my hands through my hair. I also wanted to check that Dominic was listening to this next part. "Our parents are only vampires, they're not gods. They aren't infallible or always right. We learn from them, we love them, but in the end, we are our own men. In the end, can you look yourself in the mirror every morning and be proud of the man you are, after testifying against your father?"

He thought about it for a few minutes before nodding. He gave me the opening I needed to drive my point home, and I rolled with it, knowing full well Dominic was listening.

"My father didn't believe in sending warriors to training and having them fight for our race. He tried to fight the council when they came for me, and actually tried to hide I was born a warrior. We were just poor farmers in a lawless part of what is Poland now. And he saw them taking me away from him as him losing help. He didn't see that it could lead to a better life for me. He didn't really think or care about the lives I might save as a warrior.

"One day, he caught me messing around with one of our neighbors, a boy about my age. He beat me within an inch of my life. I hadn't transitioned yet, so I could still die from a bad enough beatdown. He thought it was because I was a warrior that I turned out to be gay, that no male with his genes could be a fag. Keep in mind, we're not talking about times like now. This was the Middle Ages, being gay wasn't an option." I sighed, seeing Dominic flinch at what I had said.

"People were, but it was a dirty little secret wives or husbands kept," I continued. "But when I realized I liked men, I decided it would be lying to everyone to hide that. I couldn't lie to people like that and look at myself in the mirror every morning. I choose to do what I felt was the right thing. My father didn't agree, and I knew others wouldn't either, but I did the best I could in a tough situation. I felt it was disrespectful to the people I love to lie to them about who I was."

"I thought I was in love with Matteo," Lance admitted when I was done. "I couldn't let my father kill him like that. I mean, I care about him, but I think I just like being in the middle of him and Nate."

"Yeah, I know. I walked up on you guys, remember?" I smirked as we headed back. Slinging my arm around his shoulder, I continued to tease him. "You were passed out from being fucked like an animal. If memory serves, you called my best friend a sex machine."

"Maybe," he answered, embarrassed, but then he recovered. "I heard you asked for lessons and were just jealous that you weren't in the middle of them."

"Right! I was totally yanking his chain." I laughed as we got closer to Dominic. I glanced at him then. "And I'm not interested, there's someone else I want."

Dominic looked at me with lust in his eyes before schooling his features and walking away. Lance wasn't done with the banter yet. "Is it Rune?"

"Nah, doesn't matter," I mumbled as we joined everyone else and got back to work. The more we got done, the more I ended up distracted. Rick and Lance had to elbow me a few times so I'd focus. Finally, I decided it was just going to keep getting worse unless I talked to Dominic. I wasn't sure how, but tonight I needed to find a way to get him alone.

CHAPTER 5

I found my opportunity after dinner when Dominic tried to slip away unnoticed. While it didn't work for him, it did for me. I ended up getting ahead of him on the way to his suite and finding a hallway that would give us some privacy.

When he walked by me a few minutes later alone, I grabbed him. Pulling him into the hallway with me, I lifted him up under his arms, pushed him against the wall at eye level, and pinned him there with my body. He wrapped his legs around my waist before catching himself and letting them hang down.

"Put me down," he ground out at me. "This is unacceptable!"

"No, ignoring me for four days is unacceptable," I growled quietly. "And I'm also making a point. I told you not to go anywhere alone. If I were the one out to get you, you'd be dead already. All the cameras aren't installed yet, and this area is deserted."

"Fine, you've made your point, now release me," he replied.

"I don't want to," I whispered as I kissed his neck. While I'd had every intention of talking with him, Dominic being in my arms again was driving my crazy. "Why have you been avoiding me after what happened between us?"

"What happened between us?" Dominic asked, causing me to freeze and stop kissing him.

"In your bed the other morning," I said, moving so I could look at him.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied. That got my attention real fast, and I felt the wave tell me he was lying. "I demand you put me down."

"Is that really how you're going to play it? That nothing happened?" I asked as I lowered him to the ground. "Did it really mean that little to you? Do I matter to you at all?"

"Yes, you're an excellent security specialist," Dominic said without blinking an eye. I stepped away from him then, feeling as if he'd hit me.

"Security specialist," I repeated quietly, trying to get the words to sink in. Backing away from him slowly, I could see the resolve on his face. "Fine, you want to lie to yourself, you go right ahead. But don't you dare lie to me."

I stormed off before he could respond, not wanting to hear any more of his bullshit. What was it with me that everyone treated me like I was disposable? Why didn't I seem to have any value to people? I couldn't figure it out as I headed up to my room, wanting to be alone. Once inside, I locked the door so no one could bother me during my pity party.

Seeing a bottle of white wine in the welcome basket that had been in the room when I got there, I grabbed it and walked over to the windows. I pulled them open and leaned on the ledge after opening the bottle. Taking several long gulps, I stared at the sky, wondering what to do now.

After centuries of being alone and lonely, I’d finally met someone who I wanted a future with. And he was so far in the closet and screwed up there was no chance of us being together. That still didn't explain the other morning. Was he just curious, and I happened to be easy and there for him to play with, just a toy? That's all I seemed to be to anyone, a plaything.

Yeah, I knew sometimes getting laid was simply a quick fuck, like with Kevin. But then there was Rune, who acted like I wasn't worth more than just sex to him. There had been so many over the years. Some I knew what it was and some I wanted to see if there could be more, but they never gave me the chance to find out, like I wasn't worth it. Had I just been too easy to get into bed? Or was there something more I wasn't seeing?

People always came to me first when they wanted help. That was me, Yuri, the reliable guy you could trust to get you out of a tight spot. I'd cleaned up so many messes over the years I was losing count. Part of the time it was my job, like with Dominic. Most of the time, I just couldn't not help if I could, no matter the cost to myself.

But then who was there for me when I needed someone? I could call Matteo or Dimitri, I knew that. I snickered as I thought about calling them up and complaining about what happened with Dominic. What would that resolve? And would I actually feel any better talking about how I felt or would it just make me feel like more of a loser?

I just seemed to draw the short straw most of the time. Dominic wanted to play with a man and see how it felt: let's use Yuri, he doesn't matter. Or the council needed someone to help them with a dangerous situation that could get me killed: sure, send Yuri, it's no big thing if he gets killed, he's only a solider. Just once I wanted someone to put what I needed or wanted first. Was that really too much to ask?

Thinking it over, I kept drinking and just staring out into the night. I felt tears burn my eyes as I thought about why I didn't seem to have any value to anyone past what I could do for them. Did I miss it when I had the words 'not worth shit' tattooed on my forehead? Actually, it was probably the 'doormat' I had stamped on my ass.

Normally, I felt this way about something in either my personal or professional life, but this was the first time I felt it in both, all to do with Dominic. He might not have been the one to send me here, but his bullshit wasn't helping keep either of us alive while we were in this much trouble. And the way he was treating me personally was more than I could handle.

I decided I needed to figure out what I needed to do to stop the way people kept treating me, I just didn't have a fucking clue how. I mean, was there a way to change the value others put in you? Crawling into bed, I dropped the empty bottle on the floor and hugged a pillow to me. No matter how hard I didn't want it, all I wanted was for it to be Dominic I held instead of the fucking pillow. That was the last thing I thought before drifting off to sleep.

I woke up the next morning not feeling any better, but knowing that staying in bed wouldn't help either. Warriors couldn't call in sick, since we never fell ill, and it wasn't like I could take a mental health day. Yeah, try explaining that one. Sorry, I'm staying in bed because the Grand Duc hooked up with me and now is lying about it ever happening. And it's breaking my heart so I'm going to just hang out alone for a bit.

Yep, that would happen… right before they called in some other warriors to kill the nut-job guarding the Grand Duc. As I got ready to get downstairs, I thought about what to say to Dominic. After about twenty minutes of racking my brain, I was dressed, showered, and walking out of my room. I ended up realizing the only thing to do would be to say nothing unless it was work-related. He wanted to pretend it didn’t happen, and I didn't trust myself to not snap at him.

Grabbing breakfast, I joined Rick and Alpha team at the kitchen table. I was eyeing people over, still trying to determine who the threat was. A man I had seen a few times sat down next to me. He was dressed as one of the advisors, so it was odd he would join us peons.

"I'm Xavier," he said, reaching to shake my hand.

"Nice to meet you," I answered as I took his hand. "I'm Yuri."

"I know. You've caused quite a stir throughout the castle." Xavier chuckled. He eyed me over like dog would a juicy steak. "I'm very sorry we've not had the chance to meet yet."

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"I've been around a long, long time and heard lots about the great Yuri Stanalovic over the centuries," he purred. Xavier put his hand on my thigh and leaned in. "Besides, Kevin speaks very highly of you."

I choked on my coffee when he moved his hand higher and squeezed my groin. "Um, thanks," I said as I pushed his hand away under the table. "Nice that the buzz about me is good."

"Very good," he murmured before sitting up and removing his hand. "I do have some things I need to share with you in private about the Grand Duc's security. Might I join you in your office after breakfast?"

"That should work," I answered, shooting Rick a look. I quickly finished eating and stood up then took my dishes to the sink. Xavier was right behind me the entire time.

"Do you prefer to top?" he asked me when we were alone in the hallway. Xavier's hands also found their way to my ass. I moved out of reach before turning around.

"I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong idea about me," I mumbled before leading him to my office.

"Playing hard to get, I love that," Xavier chuckled as he closed the door behind us. I closed my eyes and tried to think of what to say. In a flash, he was touching me again, his hands opening the fly to my pants. "I want this cock in my mouth."

"Wait, stop," I said, pushing him away. He was already on his knees in front of me.

"I'm not the type of man you say no to, Yuri," he said quietly, and I caught a glimpse of anger in his eyes. "I'm the head advisor to the Grand Duc, and if I want something, I get it."

I had planned on being nice until he said that. "I don't give a fuck if you're the Easter Bunny, I'm not going to have sex with you if I don't want you. Now, get out of my office before we take this conversation to the Grand Duc."

"Please, let's." Xavier snickered as he stood. "Who do you think he'd believe? His head advisor, or some warrior who works his security detail?"

"It's still rape, even if you blackmail someone into it," Dominic said from behind Xavier. I hadn't even seen or heard him join us. "I suggest you never, ever pull this shit again, Xavier. Or I'll be finding a new head advisor."

"Of course, Your Highness," Xavier grumbled before booking it out of my office.

"I apologize for his behavior," Dominic said as he closed the door behind Xavier. "It was inexcusable."

"It's fine, I'm used to being treated like shit around here," I replied as I grabbed the files I would need for the day. Walking towards the door, I side-stepped Dominic as he stood there with shock written all over his face.

"Stop, we need to talk," he said, finally recovering.

"No, we don't," I grumbled as I reached for the door.

"Are you disobeying a direct order from me?" Dominic sneered. I couldn't even control my emotions then. I dropped the folders and was on him in an instant. Pinning him to the wall, much like I had the night before, I growled in his face.

"This isn't about work, it's about how you fucked me over," I snarled. He was smart enough to look somewhat frightened. Though I knew that, in truth, I'd rather tear off my own arm than hurt him. "You toyed with me, lied about it, used me, and tossed me away."

"That's not how it happened," he said quietly.

"Take your bullshit elsewhere, Dominic. I can't take anymore," I answered, ready to yell some more. But when I felt the first tear escape my eyes, I lost the ability to use my voice. I dropped him as if he burned me and ran from the room. Not giving a shit about the people looking at me, I held it together until I was out the back door and several hundred yards away from the castle.

Fuck him! Fuck this job and fuck this whole place! I wasn't just some piece of trash everyone could keep using and abusing. No more! I wouldn't let it happen anymore, even if it meant I had to be alone for the rest of my years.

I walked around for hours, ignoring my ringing phone. Figuring it was the next best thing to crawling into bed and pulling the covers over my head, I just kept walking. The grounds were extensive, but I could always see the castle. It wasn't like I could really get lost. When I felt like I had my emotions in check, I headed back.

* * * *

That night after dinner, I was sitting up in bed studying a map of the castle, marking where improvements were finished and what was left to do. I was intermingling that with drawing designs of what installations and specifics I wanted to have put in. The two-way beeped on my phone, and I reached over to grab it.

"What's up?" I asked as I held down the button to talk.

"We've got a guard who is on grounds duty not checking in and a perimeter sensor tripped," Edmund said. "You told me to let you know, right?"

"Hit the silent alarms, I want you to notify all non-combatants to get to the security offices now," I barked out as I flew out of bed. I threw on clothes and strapped on my sword as I burst into the Grand Duc's room. Dominic sat up in shock and stared at me as the book he had been reading fell to his lap. "The Grand Duc is secured, I'll notify all teams of their assignments."

"I'm on it," Edmund said as he signed off. I immediately hit the keys to get Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta leaders, and the post-trans.

"We have perimeter sensors tripped and possible man down," I informed them as I ran to Dominic and grabbed his arm. "I'm securing the Grand Duc. Alpha team, report to his suite. Post-trans, I want I want each of you heading up one of the security teams. I want Bravo to secure everyone in the security offices. Charlie, I want you on the back entrances, and Delta on the front. The use of deadly force is green light, I repeat, use of deadly force approved."

I received a bunch of affirmatives as I half dragged Dominic to my room. Once he was inside, I hit the buttons for the locks and steel bars on the main door. Then I did the same for the steel shields that came down on the windows.

"As soon as I close this door, you hit the green button and secure yourself in here," I ordered, pointing to the switch he needed to hit. "You do not open this door unless it's Rick or me giving you the all clear. Do you understand?"

"No, don't go, Yuri. Stay with me," he begged. His eyes were wide and panicked as the gravity of the situation sank in. "You can’t go out there and get hurt, I forbid it."

"You don't get a vote. Now bar yourself in here," I replied as I went back for the adjoining door.

"Yuri, please, I can't lose you," Dominic cried, grabbing me again. "Please, I'm sorry for what I did. Don't go out there!"

"Dominic, I'm the most qualified, I have to go," I said a little bit more gently then.

"Shots fired, shots fired on the back lawns," someone announced over the two-way.

"I have to go, and you have to stay here," I ordered Dominic. "Don't fuck with me now, Dom. People could die if you slow this down."

"You come back, Yuri. Don't you fucking die, promise me!"

"I'll be back to give the all clear," I said as I closed the door in his face. Seconds later, I heard the bars slide into place and knew he was secured. I got on the two-way. "Grand Duc is secured. Alpha, get your fucking asses here now!"

"We're here," Rick said as he ran into Dominic's suite, his team on his heels. "What do you want us to do?"

"I want two of you on each entry point to the room," I ordered. "No one comes in this room. He's secured in my room, all the panic measures taken. Anyone tries to get in this fucking room, you shoot them in the head."

"You've got it," Rick answered as they moved. "What about you?"

"I'm joining Charlie in the back, that's where the sensors were tripped."

Lance came on over the two-way.

"Yuri, we've got at least a dozen Zakasacs approaching out of the trees and coming fast," Lance yelled. That was the term we used for the vampires who had crossed over to the dark side. The translation from ancient Slavic was 'the bringer of death' or 'to be bitten to death'. It seemed a fairly accurate term, considering that’s what Zakasacs were. "What do you want us to do?"

"Get in and secure that entrance. Change of orders, I want all the post-trans to the back doors. I'm on my way," I ordered before turning back to Rick. "They are faster than you can ever imagine. Do not hesitate. You shoot for the head, you got it?"

"We can help you," Rick argued.

"This might be a diversion so I want you here, guarding him. I trust you to keep him alive!"

"We won't fail you, we'll keep him safe," Rick said as chambered a round in the gun. I gave them a group nod before racing to the back doors.

Zakasac were once vampires as we were, but they chose to take lives for the power it gave them, unlike us, who drink blood for necessity. They might gain even more strength and speed, but they gave up the sunlight and their souls. The only way to become Zakasac is to drain someone. Our race had strict rules about killing humans or other vampires.

Human myths of vampires stem from the Zakasac; soulless demons who slaughter for the thrill of the kill, and burn in the sun or if they touch holy items. They are the reason our race has warriors, and the camps to train them. Our job is to protect our race and humans alike from the threat of the Zakasac.

"Charles wants us to move the Grand Duc," Edmund informed me over the phone. "He's negating your orders."

"Put him on now," I growled as I sprinted down the stairs and changed direction towards the offices. I ended up getting there faster than Edmund could get him on the line. Going straight towards Charles when I saw him, I grabbed him and threw him against the wall. "My orders stand! You move him, you'll get him killed. Let me do my fucking job, or I will end you myself. Are we clear?"

"Yes," he hissed out, and I dropped him.

"Get on the phone with the nearest hospital our people have. Let them know to get ready for potential traumas," I barked out before running out of there. Seconds later, I was at the back doors with Lance, Mark, and Wally. "How far out are they?"

"About a hundred yards. They're avoiding the flood lights," Lance answered.

I turned to the leader of Charlie team. "Secure the doors behind us and shoot anything that comes through unless I give the all clear."

"You got it," the guy answered me as I pocketed my phone and took out my sword.

"You guys with me?" I asked my three post-trans'. "You aren't warriors yet, this isn't required of you."

"Wouldn't miss it." Mark snickered as he pulled out his sword as well. Lance and Wally nodded as they did the same. "We're with you all the way."

"Good. I lead, you guys handle any I don't see or get past me. If I go down, you get your asses back inside and tell Rick he's in charge. You are a last resort. We clear?"

"Crystal clear," Lance answered as his fangs and claws came out. We all joined him, claws and fangs at the ready. I opened the back door, leading them out as quickly and quietly as I could. The Zakasacs had advanced, probably realizing that there was no way to avoid the lights.

I sprinted forward, wanting to attack while they were still scattered, otherwise I was in way over my head. The first one launched at me, and I dove to the side as I swung my sword, severing his head. I had seconds before the next two were on me. Kicking out to the side, I hit him square in the chest as I decapitated the female.

"Wound them so we can finish them," Wally called out from behind me. I realized he was right. I'd taken two out, but there were at least another ten coming. I leapt towards two and swung in a circle with my sword. Those two got sliced wide open at the chest. I caught Lance and Mark finishing them off as I went after the next ones.

This time I wasn't so lucky. One clawed up my side before I was able to drive my sword into her chest. Wally came up and took off her head as I pulled my weapon back out.

"Behind you," Lance called out. I pushed my sword back behind me, and the Zakasac impaled himself on it. Turning and thrusting up, I split him almost in half. It was then I realized these weren't very old Zakasacs, they’d been sent to be cannon fodder. Fuck! What was going on inside as I was out here?

"We need to finish them off quick and get back in the castle," I yelled as I took another one's head. I saw Wally and Lance taking the head of a different guy at the same time. The last two froze in their approach. I snarled loudly and got into my fighting stance. They glanced at each other and turned tail.

"Do we go after them?" Mark asked, coming up next to me, panting.

"No, they were the distraction," I answered as I took off towards the castle. They were all close on my heels as I reached the door. "It's Yuri, we're clear. Let us in."

The doors opened, and Charlie team had their weapons drawn and aimed, just in case. "They all gone?" the leader asked me.

"Yeah, stay here and secure the doors," I yelled as I ran past them. "Call if you need us, but I think they were sent to keep us busy."

"We got it covered," he called out to me as I reached the stairs. Not waiting for the post-trans, I ran full speed as I pulled out my phone.

"Everyone check in," I ordered as I reached the Grand Duc's floor.

"We're clear now," Rick called out as everyone else said all was clear.

"I'm outside the doors and coming in," I yelled as I grabbed the doorknob from the hall and pulled it open. I screeched to a halt when I saw the chaos inside the Grand Duc's suite. There were a half-dozen dead vampires I didn't recognize and a few of Alpha team were hurt. "What happened?"

"They busted in the main doors about two minutes ago," Rick informed me as he tended to one of his men. "We took them out as they entered. I don't know who they were, but they had to know the layout of the castle. They weren't just banging on random doors. One minute it was as quiet as could be, and the next second, they broke in as a group."

"Alright, let's take care of your men," I said gently, realizing how shaken up the Alpha team members were. I called down for Delta team to mobilize some of the SUV's for the injured. None of the wounds looked life-threatening, but I still felt the guilt of ordering men into a fight when they got hurt. But at least Dominic was safe, and we only had one vampire MIA. The original guard walking the grounds was gone, presumed dead or taken.

CHAPTER 6

Lance was calling out orders as Rick confirmed the all clear from Bravo team. Charlie and Delta secured all the exits as Bravo swept the castle room by room. Edmund informed the hospital as to what we were bringing in as Lance oversaw the moving of the injured. He was really shaping up to be one hell of a warrior. I was surprised.

"Your Highness, we've got an all clear, you can let me in," I yelled through the door. Instantly, I heard the steel bars being withdrawn. When they were secured, the door flew open, almost hitting me in the face.

"You're okay, you're really alright?" Dominic asked as he threw himself into my arms, wrapping his arms and legs around me. He planted several kisses all over my face, then ran his hands over me, examining me for himself. I don't know who was more shocked at the way he was acting, me or the audience in the room. He moved his hands down my chest and stopped when he got to the gashes healing on my side. "You're hurt. Oh my god, are you in pain?"

"I'm fine, Your Highness," I answered as I untangled his body from mine and lowered him to the ground.

He started rambling. "Yuri, I'm so sorry for the way I acted. When I thought you could go out there and die, it seemed so fucking stupid to worry about admitting I was gay."

"We're not alone, Your Highness," I hissed as I put my hand over his mouth. He froze as it sank in that the room was full of other people. Slowly, he pulled away from my hand and turned around. The look on his face would have been amusing if I didn't know what he had just admitted could be a big deal.

"I-I meant… that is, I didn't realize… I wasn't thinking," he stuttered, frantically glancing around the room. Without a thought in my head, I stepped in front of him and pushed him behind me. No matter how badly he'd hurt me, I couldn't just stand there and let him be humiliated.

"No one repeats what they heard in this room, or they deal with me," I growled as I eyed each of them. Alpha team was missing a few members since two of them had already been taken down for transport to the hospital. So it was just four of them and my post-trans. My guys nodded to me, and I knew they would keep their mouths shut.

Rick, on the other hand, turned and looked at his guys, who all burst out laughing. He held up a hand and got it under control when I snarled and advanced on them. "With all due respect, Your Highness, we've known for a while now that you’re gay," Rick said gently.

"You have?" Dominic and I asked at the same time.

Rick nodded before continuing. "We're your security detail. You pay us to watch over you and watch you. We wouldn't be very good if we didn't notice such things."

"What things?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That his consorts are for show." Rick shrugged. "They never smell as if anyone's been intimate, and he would smell like their perfume if they had."

"You've never been with them?" I gasped as I turned around to face Dominic. Before he could even answer, I changed my mind about wanting to know. "Never mind, it's none of my business."

"Yes, it is, that's what I was trying to say," he said quietly, before turning back to Rick. "Why didn't you say that you knew?"

"We don't care who you sleep with or want," one of Alpha team answered. "You're the best ruler ever. No one gives a shit if you like men or women."

"They don't?" Dominic asked, his eyes going wide. "But I thought…"

"I don't want to speak ill of the dead," Rick said gently as he approached Dominic. "But I worked for you father and you are twice the man and ruler he ever was. He was a bigot and a racist. As sad as it was that he was killed and you were left alone so young, most of us are grateful he was unable to influence you. Just be happy, Your Highness, you deserve it."

Dominic just stared at him before glancing around the room. I saw the tears building in his eyes as he whispered, "Thank you. And not just for protecting me tonight."

Mark snickered. "That was mostly Yuri. You should have seen him, he was totally badass. He killed like eight of the Zakasacs without breaking a sweat."

"You fought them alone!" Dominic yelled, totally changing demeanor and turning on me. "Are you out of your fucking mind? You could have been killed. I have dozens of men trained to protect me and you go off all on your own?"

"Your Highness, I didn't mean it like that," Mark stammered, trying to help me. Dominic merely held up a hand and silenced him.

"Dude, you did enough, let's leave," Lance hissed as he pulled Mark and Wally out with him. I noticed the rest of Alpha team carrying their last injured and heading to the door as well.

"None of them have been trained to handle that type of threat. That's why we have warriors," I answered him finally as I made my way to the main door as well. "I'm glad you’re safe, Your Highness. Good night."

"Yuri, please stop," Dominic called out as he rushed after me. "We need to talk. I'm trying to apologize to you!"

"I can't do this, Dom," I said as I braced my hands on the closed door. Rick had been a shit and closed us in as they all left. I didn't turn to face him even though I felt him trying to pull me around. But I had a foot and over a hundred pounds on him, he'd have better luck moving a tree if I didn't want be turned.

"I'm sorry, Yuri," he whispered as he slid between me and the door. "I feel for you as I never have for anyone else before, and it scares me. I didn't know what to do with it, and I was an asshole. When I realized you were going out to face some unknown danger and might not come back, all I wanted was to tell you how I felt about you. It seemed so stupid to care what other people thought about my sexual preferences right then."

"I'm glad you realized that," I told him honestly, finally looking at him. "But I can't be the plaything you use to come to terms with it. It hurt me too much to be used as a toy and tossed aside like that, Dom. I can't risk it again."

The tears finally spilled out of his eyes as I moved away from him and walked back towards my room.

"Then be my mate," Dom said as I got about halfway to the door.

"What?" I gasped as I spun around so fast, I almost landed on my ass. I'd forgotten for a second I was injured. Realizing I needed to sit down before I fell down with pain and shock, I moved towards a chair and just about fell into it.

"Be my mate, Yuri," he answered as he approached me uncertainly. "You're not a toy or plaything to me. I know that's the way I've treated you, but it's not how I feel. If you're afraid of me pushing you aside again, then be my mate. I can't leave you then, and it can settle your fears."

"That's not a reason to mate," I said as sorrow overwhelmed me. He didn't say he wanted to be my mate, just that he would so I'd be with him. I felt tears running down my cheeks, partially because the wound in my side had torn back open. Getting clawed by a Zakasac was like having acid poured on your skin. And without the adrenaline pumping through me from the fight, I was starting to feel the pain.

"I want you to be my mate because I…" He froze as he tried to say something. Dominic opened and shut his mouth a few times before he continued. "I've fallen for you."

"You have?" I asked quietly, realizing he'd been trying to say he loved me. "You've never told anyone that you love them before, have you?"

"No," he whispered as he came closer. Crawling on my lap, Dominic wrapped his arms around my neck and straddled my lap. "But I do you."

"Really?" I replied, completely shocked. "Then how could you push me away like that? You broke my heart, Dom."

"I'm sorry," he said as he leaned his forehead against mine. "You scare the shit out of me, Yuri. I've been alone for so long, then you come into my life when everything is already turned upside down by someone trying to kill me. All of a sudden, I'm dealing with wanting you and having to admit I'm gay as well. I thought it would be better to lie to you about my feelings if the fact I'm gay could hurt my people."

"You can have both," I replied, before hugging him close to me. Yeah, he'd been an ass, but he was going through hell. "You can't do that to me again, Dom. My heart shattered when I thought you tossed me aside."

"Can you ever forgive me?" Dom asked as he started kissing along my neck. "I'm so scared, and not just about us. But you're the only thing in my life that makes me happy and feel safe. You have to forgive me, Yuri."

"Okay," I moaned as he licked up my neck and sucked on my earlobe. "But we're not going to mate."

"Why not?" he gasped, leaning back to stare into my eyes as his filled with hurt. "Don't you want me?"

"I do, God, I want you so much it hurts," I answered as I grabbed his ass firmly. "But I think you're going through enough right now, and going from everyone thinking you're straight to mating a man is too much. Can we just take things a little slower and see where they lead?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but then shut it quickly. After a few moments of searching my face, he smiled. "Hottest man I've ever met, strong, powerful, and smart. How did I ever get so lucky?"

"It's your ass. I just want to get into your tight little ass." I snickered as he kissed me gently. "And your hair. From the moment I met you, I've been dying to run my fingers through it."

"Can I be stupid for a minute?" he asked quietly as he buried his face in my neck.

"I'm not sure what that means, but you can ask me anything, baby," I answered. He started to shake, and I wasn't sure what was wrong. I held him tighter, rubbing his back to try and soothe him.

"I know I've been such a jerk to you and you don't have to answer." Dominic sniffled. I wasn't sure where this was going, but I had an idea. "How do you feel about me?"

Yep, that was it! I took a deep breathe and decided to lay my cards out on the table. "That night I held you and we messed around in the morning might have been some of the best moments of my life. I'm falling so hard for you, Dominic. You have to know that, otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten so upset when you pushed me aside."

"I'm sorry," he cried, and I felt his body shake with his sobbing. "I didn't know what to do about my feeling for you. And I thought I should put my people first."

"It's okay, baby," I said, quieting him. I kept rubbing my hands over his back as I stood and walked us over to the bed. "You get a free pass this time because of what you're going through. But you have to promise me something, Dominic."

"Anything, I'll do anything if you give me another chance," he gasped out, and then he looked up at me.

"If you ever get scared again or are confused, you have to come talk to me," I said firmly. I was willing to forgive him, but I wouldn't put up with this shit again. "We're going to be in a relationship, and that means we're in this together. No pushing me away or running again, okay?"

He leaned in and kissed me as his fingers moved up my head. I thrust my tongue into his mouth and felt his body melt into me. God, could he kiss! For someone who'd never been with anyone, he was blessed with the gift of being a fantastic kisser. When we broke apart, he took my face in his hands. "I promise, Yuri. Please just be patient with me, I'm scared out of my mind."

"You're worth being patient for." Then I kissed him again.

"Wait, how is your injury?" he asked, pulling away from me.

"It's almost healed." I chuckled as I leaned back and pulled my shirt off.

"There's something else I'm really afraid of," he whispered as his hands roamed over my chest. "Promise you won't laugh at me if I tell you?"

"I won't laugh at you, baby," I said gently. I put my hand under his chin and made him look at me. "You can tell me anything and we'll figure it out, okay?"

He nodded and then seemed to think about what I said before continuing. "I've seen you naked, Yuri. And I've never had sex before, never even had anyone touch me until you."

"Listen to me, Dominic," I said firmly as I held onto the sides of his head. "I would never hurt you, even during sex. If you want us to be together like that, we'd work up to it. There are ways to prepare you to take me inside you."

"I know the first time hurts, but fuck, you're huge," he replied as his hands traveled down my stomach and cupped my groin. "I'm just scared you'll tear me in half with that third leg of yours."

"Third leg, huh?" I snickered.

"What else should I call it?" he asked as he squeezed my cock through my pants. "I saw how you were with Kevin."

"Kevin had prepared himself, looking to get fucked," I explained gently. I slowly pulled his shirt off and marveled at his small, lithe body. "Besides, he'd had sex lots of times, and he liked it rough. That's very different than making love to a virgin I'm falling for."

"I trust you, you know that, right?" he asked as he started to unzip my pants. "You said you wanted to know when I was afraid, and I want to be honest with you."

"I know you trust me, baby." I hissed as he pulled my cock out of my boxer briefs. "And I'm glad you told me. We need to talk about these things. It's normal to be scared of your first time, especially when it's with someone much more experienced than you."

His head shot up to look at me as he dropped my dick. Oh shit, that couldn't be good. What did my big mouth do now? "What if I can't please you?"

"You are so amazing." I chuckled as I quickly rolled us so I was lying on my back and he straddled me. "I thought you were going to get pissed because I said I was very experienced."

"You're centuries old, of course you've been around the block." He shrugged as he started stroking me again. "Doesn't mean I want to hear about it."

"Fair enough," I groaned. He kept playing with me as I pulled down my pants and boxers. "You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with, Dominic. We can go as slow as you like."

"Are you kidding me?" he exclaimed, causing my eyes to dart to his face. "I'm thirty years old and still a virgin! I want to try everything and right now. The consorts are my friends, my only friends, but we've never even made out. I never want to have to jack off again."

"That can be arranged," I growled, remembering the sight of him that night I walked in on him touching himself. "What do you want first, baby?"

"Can I try to swallow this monster?" he asked as moved down lower, looking at me for permission.

"No, you can't." I laughed sarcastically. "That would just be so horrible for me, please, I'm begging you. Never blow me."

"Smart ass," he mumbled as he leaned forward and licked the head of my cock. Fuck! It was incredibly hard to be good and patient. I wanted nothing more to push his head down and fuck his sweet little mouth. Instead, I fisted the sheets as he slowly sucked on me like a lollypop. Dom moaned as he took more of me into his mouth, and I almost came from the vibrations of his throat on my dick.

"Baby, you're killing me here," I moaned. He looked up at me confused as his head bobbed up and down my cock. "It feels fantastic, and I'm close to coming."

He smiled widely around my dick and swallowed more of me. I tried to keep my hips still, but they seemed to move on their own. His hot little mouth was like heaven as he moaned and sucked my cock until I thought I might die of bliss.

"Dominic, I'm going to come," I hissed out, trying to pull away. He wasn't having any of it, instead started massaging my balls. That was all it took. I climaxed so fucking hard I saw lights flash behind my eyes and I seriously thought I might pass out. Dominic swallowed all my seed as my dick shot stream after stream of cum down his throat.

"How did I do?" he asked when my cock was spent and soft. I lay there panting as he crawled back up my body until he was sitting on my stomach. "Did I do it right?"

"Are you sure that was your first time?" I said swallowing loudly as I tried to catch my breath. "I've never come that hard from a blowjob before."

"Glad you liked it." He smiled widely at me. Dominic looked so adorable as he sat there looking like the cat who ate the canary. "Now what?"

In a flash, I rolled us over and let my hands change into claws. I glanced up at him. "Now I get to do what I've wanted to do since I saw you pleasing yourself that night."

"What's that?" he gasped as he watched me wide-eyed. I didn't answer, simply slid my claws under the waist of his pajama pants and started to shred them. They fell away after they were nothing more than strips of fabric, it was like opening a gift. I moved off of him enough to flip him over under me. He let out a yelp of surprise as I licked his shoulders.

"I want to eat this perfect little ass," I purred, licking my way down his back. "If that's okay with you, baby?"

"Yes, please," he begged. I swirled my tongue around his lower back, just above his firm, tight cheeks.

"What would you think of a tattoo here?" I asked. I growled at the image of my name above his butt, branding him as mine for life. I let my hands slide back and massaged the tops of his ass. "I want my name right here. That way anyone who sees you naked knows you're taken, always to be mine."

"Anything you want, my Yuri," he moaned. I felt my cock harden again at him calling me that.

"I like that," I purred before licking along the crack of his ass.

"Like what?"

"When you call me 'your Yuri'," I answered as I pulled his cheeks apart.

"You are mine, right? I'm yours and you’re mine?" he asked quietly.

I snarled loudly and rolled him back over. "I am yours," I growled as my fangs came out. He stared up at me, not looking afraid, but maybe shocked. "And I don't share. If we're together, there's no one else, Dominic. I won't even stand for you pretending with your consorts. You're all mine, no one else's, we clear?"

"Yes, Yuri." He nodded, his voice cracking. "I don't want anyone else but you."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, trying to calm down. I moved up so our faces were almost touching. "I didn't mean to scare you, but I can't share you, baby. I'm just not that type of guy. I don't share. I'm greedy and jealous, and I want you all to myself."

"I'm glad."

"You are?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Very," Dominic purred as he stroked my cheek. "You wouldn't get jealous if you didn't truly care about me. I don't want you to share me. Ever. I want us to be exclusive and to keep you all to myself."

"I'm only yours, baby," I whispered against his lips. "You need to know that I'm a very, very jealous man when it comes to you. I'm not sure why, but I've never felt so protective or so in need of staking my claim before."

"I like it, it makes me feel special," he answered as he wrapped his arms around my neck. "Don't you dare apologize for wanting me that much. You can be as jealous as you want, tattoo that I'm yours on my forehead if you want."

"I don't think we have to go that far." I snickered. "I know you've not been with anyone, and if we stay together, you'd be giving up that chance."

"I've had the chance to be with plenty of people. I want you, only you, Yuri," he said firmly. I saw the look of determination in his eyes, and I smiled. "But I won't share you either. No more Kevins, or whomever else you've been with. I'll do or be whatever you need to keep you satisfied in and out of bed, but there can be no one else."

"Baby, you just be yourself because that's more than I've ever dreamed of," I answered, feeling tears threaten again. No one ever cared for me enough to be willing to change if I needed it. It warmed my heart in a way I couldn't ever put into words. "I fell for you just as you are, Dominic. I don't want anyone else or for you to change. Well, except maybe for coming out of the closet."

"I think I'm way out now." He giggled. I looked down at him with wide eyes, I wasn't sure I'd ever heard a man giggle before. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I realized I've never had a man giggle when he's in bed with me before," I answered. Dominic turned his head away and flushed bright red. I moved my hand and brought his head back to face me. "I like it, a lot. It's hot when you giggle."

"Are you sure?" he asked, looking unconvinced.

"I'm very sure," I replied as I brought his hand to my hard cock. "Does that feel like I was turned off by it?"

"No, no it doesn't," he whimpered as he squeezed me. "I've been told that my giggle sounds like a girl's and it's not very royal of me."

"Then you save it just for me," I said gently, realizing it was a sore subject for him. His eyes brightened when I said that, and it hit me how badly he'd been treated. I couldn't imagine everything he'd been told and learned without ever being showed love. "Now I'm going to please you beyond anything you've ever experienced. And you giggle as much or as little as you want, baby."

"Okay," he whispered, lust filling his eyes. I waggled my eyebrows as him as I moved back down his body. I licked down his hard dick, and he groaned loudly before I flipped him back over. Pulling back the cheeks of his ass, I moaned when I caught sight of his tight, pink, puckered hole.

"Do you have any butt plugs, baby?" I asked as I licked his hole.

"No, why?" He hissed and squirmed under me.

"Because I want to make love to this perfect ass as soon as possible."

"Oh God, yes, Yuri, I want you inside me," Dom moaned loudly. "How do we do it?"

"Leave it to me, I'll get what we need." I licked the outside of his hole again. I growled in approval at the way his hole twitched as I licked him. Dominic moaned loudly as I kept working his ass. Staying with a slow pace, I licked him over and over again. When his moans turned into whimpers, I knew he was going crazy. "Do you like that, baby?"

"Yes, fuck, I need… Yuri, I don't know what I need, but something. Please, no more teasing me."

"I know what my baby needs," I purred. I slowly pushed my tongue into his ass now that it had opened up for me. Dominic gasped as the muscles in his ass quivered around me. I pulled my tongue out before thrusting it right back in. He pushed himself up from laying flat down and impaled himself on my tongue.

"Oh fuck, I've never felt like this," he whimpered. I reached under him and ran my finger over the slit of his cock while I rimmed his ass. He was leaking copious amounts of pre-cum as I groaned at the taste that was completely Dominic. I wasn't normally a big fan of eating my partner's ass, but with him, it was different. I wanted everything with him. I wanted to taste every inch of him, take everything he had to give me.

Deciding to switch it up, I flipped him and moved so I was lying with my head between his legs. He looked down his body at me, and I stared straight at him as I swallowed his entire dick. Dominic cried out loudly as his body shook. At the same time, I pushed two fingers into his ass, zeroing in on his prostrate.

"I'm going to come, Yuri," he gasped, panting as I braced him with my other hand. He stiffened up as I kept rubbing my fingers directly over his sweet spot. Then he screamed as his cock exploded in my mouth. I groaned as his hot seed hit my taste buds before I swallowed it all down. It was salty and sweet, like buttered popcorn. If I hadn't already wanted Dominic so badly, I knew I'd be addicted to him.

The muscles in his ass clamped down on my finger, and I had a perfect picture of what it would be like the first time we made love. I pulled out of him just in time to catch him before he collapsed on my head. His now-spent dick slid out of my mouth as I gently laid him down.

"I've never… it's never been…" he panted.

"I know, baby," I interrupted him. I moved up alongside him as I pushed his long hair out of his face. Staring down at him, I was so enamored by the look of bliss on his face that I thought my heart would burst out of my chest. "I'm not an easy man, Dominic. But I promise to give you every part of me if you'll keep my heart safe."

"Of course, I will," Dominic whispered as he ran his hand along my chest. "You have mine, Yuri. Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Always, my Dominic." I smiled as I moved us under the covers. I spooned against him and wrapped my arms around him. He was already breathing heavy with sleep as I realized for the first time ever that I was really, truly home.

CHAPTER 7

My cell phone woke me up the next morning. Rolling over to answer it, I realized I was alone in Dominic's bed. I frantically glanced around looking for him, to no avail.

"What?" I growled as I picked up the phone.

"Good morning to you too, asshole." Matteo snickered on the other line.

"Sorry, I seem to have lost my charge again," I mumbled as I wiped my hands over my face. "I woke up alone."

"I'm sorry, did you just admit to being in the Grand Duc's bed," Matteo exclaimed. "Care to explain that one?"

"No, I don't. Not until I find him and know if he's running from me again," I answered, too tired to put on my verbal filters. Why was I admitting all of this to my best friend?

"Fine, but I want details when we get there," he chuckled.

"Wait… What?" I asked, completely awake now.

"We talked with Lance after you were attacked," Matteo said gently. "We're your friends, Yuri. You think we wouldn't be on the first plane out once we found out this was more than just some asshole trying to assassinate the Grand Duc? There were Zakasacs involved with vampires to get at this guy. Something major is going down there, and we're not leaving you alone to deal with this!"

"Does Alexander know?" I asked, smiling at my friend’s determination to be at my back.

"Who do you think ordered us on the damn plane?" he chuckled.

"Can you pick me up something on the way?"

"Sure, what do you need?"

"Butt plugs." I snickered, knowing if it were anyone else except Matteo I would have been embarrassed.

"And why do we need those?" Matteo asked ever-so-sweetly.

"Because when I find my little man, I'm getting him stretched out for my cock as soon as possible. Maybe after he learns the fun of sex, he'll stay in bed," I growled as I got up and pulled on my clothes. "How long until you're here?"

"Less than two hours."

"Good, I'll let them know you’re coming," I answered as I got back to my room. "Hey, Matteo?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for coming, brother," I said, letting the appreciation and relief show in my voice.

"You'd do the same for us, brother," he replied. "I'll make sure to get what you need before we show up at your door."

"You are a true friend."

"Don't forget it." He snickered before hanging up. I laughed for a moment before tossing my phone on the bed and racing to get ready. And ten minutes later I was showered, dressed, and on a mission to find my wayward man. Again.

When I reached the kitchen, I leaned Dominic was in a meeting with his advisors that should be getting out soon. I stuffed some food in my face and raced over to get there before it was done. Hiding in one of the hallways by the main conference room, I bided my time.

I didn't have to wait long, five minutes later, the doors opened, and people started to leave. Dominic was the last one, and he had his head buried in some file. As he walked by me, I reached out and grabbed him, pulling him into the deserted hallway. He let out a yelp and dropped the folder as I lifted him into my arms.

"I don't like waking up alone," I growled as I licked his neck. "And I thought I told you not to go anywhere alone."

"Then you should always be at my side," he moaned as he wrapped his legs around my hips. "I need you on all types of levels."

"Do you now?" I chuckled as I felt his cock harden against my stomach. "What does my baby need right now?"

"You, Yuri, always you," he whispered in my ear before sucking on my earlobe. "You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake you. I wasn't sure how hurt you were last night and whether you needed to heal."

"I appreciate the thought, Dominic. But after the last morning you deserted me in bed, didn't you think I might read something into your absence?"

"Shit, I didn't," he answered as he stopped and leaned back to look into my eyes. "I'm sorry. Nothing's changed from last night, I swear. I'm not letting my fears get in the way again. I won't hide who I am anymore or how I feel about you."

"Thank God," I whispered as I leaned my forehead against his. "I wasn't sure when I found the bed empty."

"How can I make it up to you?" he asked, worry all over his features. "I promise to never just leave bed again like that. I didn't know it was a big deal or that it would upset you."

"How much time do we have before your next meeting?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows.

"I'm already late," he sighed, sticking out his bottom lip in the cutest pout. "Can I get a rain check?"

"Always," I replied as I nipped his lower lip. He responded by giving me a passionate kiss and pulling me closer.

"We better stop or you're going to be really late and have a sore ass," I panted as we parted.

"A sore ass?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, after I spank you for leaving me in bed alone." I snickered, but then stopped when I saw his face turn bright red. "What's wrong, baby?"

"I think I like that idea," he mumbled, turning away from me.

"You do?" I asked as my cock hardened enough to pound nails.

"Is that bad?"

"No, it's so fucking hot I want to fuck you right here against the wall," I purred. His eyes went wide as he smiled at me. I ran my hands over his ass and squeezed the firm globes. "I've never wanted someone the way I want you, Dominic. You're like a drug I can't get enough of."

"I feel the same way," he said firmly. "I wanted to stay in bed with you all day, but I knew I couldn't."

"That means a lot to me," I replied quietly. And it really did. I unwrapped his legs and lowered him to the floor. Deciding to bite the bullet and tell him how I really felt, I took his face in my hands. "I love you, Dominic."

"I-I…" he stammered.

"You don't have to say it back." I smiled, trying not to put pressure on him. I bent over and picked up the files he had dropped.

"But it's how I feel," he said, grabbing my arm. I turned back to him as he pulled me down to his face. "I love you too."

I kissed him deeply then, trying to show all the joy I felt in that kiss. He moaned and wrapped his arms around my neck.

"You're fucking gay!" Charles yelled, startling us both. We broke apart, and I instinctively pushed Dominic behind me. "This is unbelievable, you can't be gay."

"Yes he can," I snarled as my fangs and claws came out. Dominic laid a hand on my arm, and I turned towards him. He gave me a nod to show he could handle this.

"I've always been gay," he stated firmly, looking Charles in the eye. "I was under the impression that I couldn't be the Grand Duc and be who I truly am. I was wrong, and I'm not going to hide it anymore."

"The advisors won't stand for this," Chuck snarled as he shook with rage.

"It's not their fucking decision or business," Dominic replied, completely keeping his cool. "You answer to me, Charles, not the other way around. And it would behoove you to remember that."

"He's a commoner," Charles stammered, but it was obvious that some of the wind was taken out of his sails. "You're supposed to find a Duchess!"

"Too bad," Dominic said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I suggest you get to the next meeting and stop telling me what to do before I lose my temper."

Charles’ hands tightened into fists, but he kept his mouth shut and gave a half-assed bow before walking away. We waited several moments until we knew he was out of earshot.

"Dominic, I'm so sorry," I whispered, moving away from him. "I shouldn't have done this in public like this. I wasn't thinking."

"I'm not." He smirked as he tilted his head to the side and studied me. "I wasn't kidding about not hiding anymore, Yuri. You aren't some dirty secret that I'm going to hide away from everyone. I'm proud that we're together."

"You are the most wonderful man I've ever known," I said, trying to hide my shock. I guess I hadn't really thought this all through yet. Dominic smiled warmly at me as he took my hand. "I'll walk you to your next meeting."

"It's like we're in school, walking each other to class." He giggled quietly. "It feels nice."

"Yes, but I wish that was the reason I'm going with you instead of escorting you out of fear for your life," I answered. "No more walking around alone, Dominic. It's not safe."

"I promise." He nodded as we walked to his study. When we got there, several of the advisors were standing there looking pissed. Wow, Chuck moved fast. Dominic led us right up to them without even flinching. "Let me stop you before you even make the mistake of talking. Yuri is my choice. He's a credit to our race and a fine warrior. And to be honest, I don't give a shit if you like it or not."

Several of them gasped, obviously not used to Dominic speaking that way. He paused for a moment to let his words sink in. I saw other advisors joining us, but they were smiling. Had Chuck run to his buddies to corner Dominic while leaving others out? That was interesting.

"If you have a problem with this, let me be very clear. Yuri isn't going anywhere unless he chooses to end it between us. If you don't like it, there's the fucking door," Dominic said, not letting go of my hand. "Now, I suggest we get on with business."

I smiled at him as he turned to me, raised out joint hands, and kissed mine. He winked at me as he let go and walked into his study.

"Why fuck his number two when you can go straight for the Grand Duc himself?" Xavier growled quietly at me. He leaned forward and groped my groin as he whispered in my ear, "This isn't over, you piece of shit."

"Yes, it is," I hissed back as I grabbed his wrist and moved it away before squeezing it. The pain showed on his face as I made my point. "You fucking touch him or hurt him and I will end you."

Xavier didn't say a word when I released him, spinning on his heel and going into the study. Chuck and the others scurried in after him as a few of the advisors smiled at me as they walked by. A couple even gave me a nod of approval. Once they were all inside, I realized leaving Dominic alone, even with his advisors, could be a mistake.

"Rick, I need you at the Grand Duc's study," I said after calling him up.

"Be there in three minutes," he answered. I paced in front of the door as I waited for one of my only trusted allies here. He raced up to me a few moments later. "What's up, Yuri?"

"Chuck and the advisors know about me and the Grand Duc," I replied quietly as I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. "About half of them didn't take it very well."

"I won't leave his side." He nodded in understanding. "Just do me one thing?"

"Sure," I replied, feeling confused.

"Make him happy," Rick said, fidgeting. "He's had a shit life and a lot of responsibility and messes thrown at him for one so young. The Grand Duc deserves a partner who can help him and really be there for him."

"I love him," I admitted, feeling my cheeks grow hot.

"That's good enough for me." He smiled as he reached for the doorknob, but then turned back to me. "Oh, and you've got some very large friends in the security office demanding to see you."

"Shit," I cursed, rolling my eyes. "I forgot to tell you they were coming. I just found out a couple of hours ago, then all this went down."

"No problem, but I suggest you hurry." He snickered. "I think they believe we've tied you up somewhere, and not in a good way."

"Got it." I chuckled as I turned and ran for the offices. A minute or two later, I burst through the security office door and gasped when I saw them, all of them — Alexander, Dimitri, Matteo, and Nate. The gang’s all here.

"From what Lance told us, you handled everything last night," Alexander said as he shook my hand. "But that doesn't mean we didn't all agree you needed the best backup you could get."

"I never say no to good help," I answered as I turned to Dimitri and gave him a hug. I did the same to Matteo, but I shook Nate's hand since I didn't know him as well. "Especially now."

"Is the cat out of the bag?" Matteo smirked. Everyone looked at him confused, and I realized my best friend had kept his mouth shut.

"Yeah, one of the advisors caught us kissing in the hallway." I sighed as I led everyone to the security conference room. The post-trans followed along as well considering I'd ordered them to do just that when they arrived. "And he was already high on the list of suspects. But after this, I need the help. About half the advisors were ready to corner Dominic and looked pissed. The other half seemed to not have gotten the invite but looked happy for him."

"Dominic?" Dimitri snorted. "When you were told to keep him safe, did anyone say you should also do that in his bed? Or is he that hot you just couldn't resist?"

"Don't talk about him like that," I snarled, not even caring it was one of my best friends. Everyone's eyes went wide at my reaction, making me realize how I'd over-reacted. "I'm sorry, I'm worried about him even more now that people know."

"You love him," Dimitri stated.

"Yeah, I know it's fast."

"It's different for everyone," Matteo said, than glanced at Nate. "I knew right away it was Nate, both times. Even before my memories came back to me, I knew he was the one for me shortly after meeting him."

Several months ago, Matteo had been shot in the head. Though he physically recovered quickly, his memories came back a little slower. Some never came back. At first, he didn't even know that he was mated or who Nate was. But they worked out their issues and Matteo's recovered the memories that needed addressing.

"Thanks for understanding," I replied quietly, feeling my face heat up again. Then I switched to business. "Wally, can you get everyone copies of the background files?"

"Yup," he said as he booked it out of the room. I pulled out the map and notes I'd brought with me from my room.

"This is what I've gotten done so far," I explained as I pointed out the areas of change. Everyone leaned in and studied the improvements as I then detailed what still needed to be done. Somewhere during catching my friends up with where we were, Wally came in with the copies and passed them out. We moved into background and what I'd learned about everyone in the castle.

About an hour or so later, Dominic knocked before walking into the room. "I was told we had guests." He smiled widely.

"Your Highness," they all said as they stood and bowed.

"These are your friends, are they not, Yuri?"

"They are, Your Highness," I replied, raising an eyebrow, wondering what he was getting at.

"Then fuck the 'your highness' shit, I'm Dominic." He chuckled. Dominic moved so he could shake everyone's hands. I chortled at my friends' shocked faces. "I'm sorry if I interrupted, but Yuri owes me a rain check."

"What was it for again?" I snickered as he sauntered over to me and sat on my lap after I took my seat. Dominic glanced over his shoulder at me as he wiggled his ass against my groin. I gave a slight growl as I grabbed his hips to hold him still. "Be good, baby, I already owe you a spanking."

"Promises, promises." He giggled.

"Don't mind us, you've already seen us all fuck." Matteo winked at me.

"He has, has he?" Dominic snarled, turning around to face me in a flash. "Is there something I should know?"

"No, baby." I smiled widely, "Dimitri and Alexander have sex on just about every flat surface no matter who’s around. Matteo and Nate were having sex outdoors with Lance, and we stumbled upon them."

"It's your turn to give us a show." Dimitri laughed hysterically. I saw Dominic's cheeks turn bright red, and I gave him a questioning look.

"Is it wrong that the idea turns me on?" he whispered in my ear. My cock got as hard as a rock instantly.

"I think it's hot that you're a little exhibitionist," I purred. "There are no windows in this room."

"But I don't even know your friends."

"I was just kidding," Dimitri said, sounding nervous.

"Shut up, Dimitri," Nate chided. "Let them work this out, and we might just get a hot show."

"Dom, we can play on our own," I said carefully. I was surprised at my reaction to the idea. I never thought I'd be into sharing Dominic with anyone else. But I loved that they might see how hot and responsive my man was.

"I said I wanted you to show me everything." He hissed as he rubbed his hard cock against mine through our pants. "I like the idea, and I think you really love the idea, Yuri."

"I do," I whimpered as I grabbed the arms of the chair so hard I almost broke them.

Matteo cleared his throat and handed me something. "You'll need this."

"What is that?" Dominic asked, craning his neck to see in the bag as he kept toying with my groin.

"I asked Matteo to pick up plugs and lube so we can get you ready for me," I panted.

"I've got twenty minutes until my next meeting," he moaned as he pulled off his suit jacket. His hair cascaded around him as the jacket slipped to the floor and he began to slowly unbutton his shirt.

"You're killing me," I groaned. "Who knew you were this kinky?"

"I didn't, but I think I just want you, no matter the situation," Dominic purred. He pinched his nipples once they were revealed. I growled loudly and ripped his shirt off of him.

"Stand up and turn around, you've been a very, very bad boy," I ordered. Dominic's eyes went wide and filled with lust. He did as I said, facing the conference room table and wiggling his ass at me. I smacked one of his firm globes hard. "Don't tease me, this is a punishment."

"Okay," he yelped. Running my hands over his cheeks, I worked my way around to the front of his pants and unzipped them. I glanced over Dominic's shoulder to see my friends squirming in their seats. It got me even harder than I could ever have imagined. All those lustful looks directed at my man just did it for me.

"How do you want me to do this?" I smirked at Matteo. "I want you guys to see how beautiful my baby is."

"Have him lean forward, brace his hands on the table, and spread his legs," Alexander said, all but drooling.

"You heard him, Dominic," I ordered as I pulled his pants off. Dominic did exactly as Alexander suggested, leaning over just enough to stick his ass in my face but so our voyeurs could still see his naked body. He moaned loudly as I pulled the slick and smallest butt plug out of the bag, placing it on the table next to his hand. I saw his cock leaking pre-cum and smiled. "Are you ready, baby?"

"Yes, please, Yuri," he panted, already very excited. I used both hands to massage his tight, firm globes. Quickly, I smacked his left cheek and growled when his body started to shake with desire. I changed it up, giving each side a few good slaps before rubbing my hand prints. Dominic groaned and said something I couldn't make out.

"What did you say, my Dominic?"

"Harder, I want it harder," he begged as his whole body quivered. I had to bite my lip to keep from making appreciative noises and letting him know how much I was loving this.

"No more wandering off alone," I said firmly as I spanked him hard several times in a row.

"I promise," Dominic hissed as he bent over a little more.

"Hold still," I growled as I smacked him hard, hitting his tight hole this time.

"Oh please, fuck, do that again," he whimpered. I saw his dick was leaking copious amounts of pre-cum then. A feral smile came over my lips as I reached through his legs and rubbed the slit of his cock with one finger. "Yuri, I-I can't… more, I need more."

"You're not to make requests during your punishment, Dominic," I ordered. Every time the tone of my voice was firm and demanding, a large shiver went through him. I think my baby liked to play the little submissive!

"Yes, Yuri."

"Never leave me sleeping in bed alone again," I said, my voice cracking with the fear I'd felt this morning. I couldn't hide how it had affected me, being scared he changed his mind again.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered as he looked at me over his shoulder. When I saw tears in his eyes, I spun him around and claimed his lips. Pulling him to straddle my lap again, I thrust my tongue into his mouth. He moaned loudly as I poured everything I'd been afraid of losing into that kiss. Squirming on my lap, I realized his ass was tender. I ran my hands down his back and rubbed his hot cheeks.

"Look at those handprints," I heard Nate hiss. I broke the kiss, looked over Dominic's shoulder and snickered. I'd been so focused on my hot man, I hadn't noticed what everyone else was doing.

"I think they got as turned on as I did," I whispered to Dominic. He looked over his shoulder to see Nate with his hands on Matteo's cock and vice-versa. Dimitri had borrowed my bottle of lube, since it was sitting on the table in front of him, and Alexander was sitting on Dimitri's dick as he rode his mate.

"It was fucking hot, don't stop," Dimitri grunted as he fucked Alexander hard and fast. He reached around and started stroking Alexander's cock in time with his thrusts.

"Holy shit," Dominic hissed and turned back to me. "I think I like to watch too."

"Whatever my baby wants," I purred, licking the side of his neck.

"I want you, Yuri," he replied, taking my face in his hands. "I love you so much already."

"I feel the same way, my Dominic," I stated. "I need inside of you so bad it hurts."

"Then do it, take me now." He smiled, and I was so tempted, but I couldn't. This wasn't the time or place for his first time.

"Not yet. I want our first time together to be gentle and special," I replied. Kissing him again, I reached over and took back the bottle of lube. As our tongues slid across each other's, I squirted some slick on my fingers. I grabbed one side of his ass as I rubbed small circles around his hole to open him up.

"Oh fuck, look how tight his little pink hole is," Matteo moaned. I pushed one finger in as I looked at Alexander and Dimitri. They were both almost drooling as Dimitri pounded into Alexander's ass even harder.

"You're going to make me a sex addict." Dominic hissed as I wiggled my finger around.

"That's my evil plot." I chuckled. He gazed into my eyes, and my heart felt it might burst with love for this strong little man in my arms. When he was ready, I slid in a second, then later a third finger.

"Yuri, please, I have to come," Dominic whimpered. I reached between us and stroked his cock. As I rubbed over his sweet spot, Dominic braced his hands on my shoulders. His face was taut, the tendons on his neck sticking out as he stiffened up.

"I love you forever," I said in awe. Just watching him in the throes of passion was enough to melt me. He screamed out my name as his cock exploded, shooting stream after stream of his pearly white seed all over both of us. While the waves of his orgasm were still coming, I pulled my fingers out of his ass and replaced them with the plug. It seemed to set him off again, causing him to orgasm all over again.

"He has multiple orgasms?" Matteo moaned as I heard a few grunts and knew Dominic wasn't the only one who'd climaxed.

"That was fucking awesome," Dominic panted when he was spent. "The plug feels weird, but good. Does that make sense?"

"Oh yeah," I purred in his ear, holding him close to me. "You are the hottest thing I've ever laid eyes on. So responsive and adventurous, how did I get so lucky?"

"I'm asking myself the same thing," he whispered against my lips. It was one of the greatest moments of my life, and the rest of the world just slipped away. The others didn't even hit my radar as I stared into his eyes. I knew then that he really, truly was the one.

CHAPTER 8

Later that day, after the sun had set but before dinner, Dominic asked to see the changes I was making. He was keeping completely professional with me, though I suspected he was trying to be supportive and interested in order to be a good partner.

"We hid thermal cameras that blend in with the foundation so they can't be seen unless you're looking for them," I said, pointing one of them out. He leaned closer to me and stared up at the castle.

"You're right, I can't see them," Dominic replied, wrapping an arm around my waist. "I knew you were good, Yuri, but this is impressive."

"Well, thank you, baby." I smiled as I kissed the top of his head and threw my arm over his shoulders. "On to the motion sensors."

"This would be a nice romantic walk if my arm didn't keep hitting your damn sword," he grumbled as we walked away from the castle.

"I never leave home without it." I chuckled as I grabbed his hand instead. "Better?"

"Maybe," Dominic replied, smiling up at me. He told me about his day since our fun in the conference room, and I pointed out how we hooked up the new sensors. It was a perfect way to wrap up a day, strolling along with the man I love, trading stories about our day.

Until the sour smell of Zakasacs hit my nose.

I turned quickly to see them coming about a hundred yards away. They were faster than vampires, and we were almost a mile away from the castle.

"Click your panic button," I said as I dropped Dominic's hand and pulled out my sword.

"What?" he asked, looking confused.

"On your watch, the switch that sends out an emergency signal with your GPS location," I answered as I frantically looked around for a better defendable position.

"What's going on?" Dominic replied as he turned on his locator. He stared up at me with wide eyes.

"We're about to be attacked, baby," I explained as I found what I was looking for. I dragged him about ten feet away to where two very large oak trees had grown together and intertwined. They were hundreds of feet tall and couldn't been ripped out by our attackers and there was a thick branch about forty feet up. "You're going up there."

"No, Yuri, don't do this," he begged me as looked past me. "I won't leave you."

"My job is to protect you. I love you, Dominic," I said before I quickly kissed him. "Help is on the way, just stay put."

"I love you too, Yuri," he answered, grabbing my arm. "Please, let's just run."

"No time," I said as I grabbed him around the waist. "Grab on and hide."

"I won't leave you," he cried out as they got closer. There was no more time to fight about it. I tossed him up as high as I could. He reached out and swung up onto the branch. I tried to ignore the tears streaming down his face, knowing he'd be safer up there. Turning back, I had just enough time to take a breath before they were on us.

There were twelve Zakasacs, and three approached me at once. I swung my sword in a roundhouse, taking one head and a couple of arms off. The dead one dropped and so did the one whose arms I severed, but the third raked his claws down my left arm. Swinging with my right, I chopped his head off before back-swinging and hitting another that was attacking.

One jumped on my back, clawing it up as she tried to get me to drop my weapon. The next Zakasac went to attack my face, and I turned so he clawed up the girl on me. As she screamed and dropped off me, he moved to attack again, but I was too quick. With one strong swipe, his head was hanging off his neck. Two more jumped on me as I kept swinging.

They clawed up my face and neck as I reached and grabbed the Zakasac that was trying to get up the trees. I threw him as hard as I could, still defending our position as best as possible. Even through the painful agony of the burning from their claws, I kept fighting. The only thought I had was keeping the man I love alive. I kept thrusting out my sword while trying to wipe my blood out of my eyes with my uninjured arm.

Claws pierced my side and dug inside me. He was trying to go up into my ribcage and take my heart out. I had seconds to cut off his arm, fighting it while still inside me. Taking another hit to my face, I finally fell to my knees, not being able to take anymore.

"Yuri!" Dominic screamed from above.

I failed him, I thought as another burst of adrenaline hit me. Just then I heard shouts and more fighting going on. The one attacking me fled, and I knew help had finally arrived. Falling to my side, I couldn't have moved if I'd wanted to.

"Hang on, buddy," Matteo yelled, sounding far away. I opened my eyes to see he'd just taken one of their heads before racing to me. He dropped to his knees and looked me over. "Fuck! How were you still fighting?"

"Get Dominic out of here, now," I growled, having trouble breathing.

"Yuri, stay with me, sweetheart," Dominic cried as he came into view.

"Save him," I begged Matteo.

"They're all gone, Yuri," he answered as he dropped his sword and grabbed the severed arm sticking out of me. "This is going to hurt."

"Could be more coming, get him safe," I hissed.

"No, I'm not leaving you again," Dominic answered. He moved my head to his lap, peppering me with kisses. "Please don't die, Yuri. You can't leave me like this."

"I love you," I whispered. Matteo pulled the arm out of my side. I would have screamed if I could have gotten enough air in my lungs to do it. My vision swam as the pain got worse and worse. The last thing I saw was Dominic sobbing as he brushed blood away from my eyes.

* * * *

I woke up to the feeling of being surrounded by naked flesh. Opening my eyes, I saw an unclothed Dominic sprawled all over my right side. Must have made it to heaven, I thought as I moved closer to him. I licked down the side of his neck while running my hands over his naked body. He moaned loudly and spread his legs even farther.

"So fucking hot," I growled as I ran my fingers along the crack of his ass. I just about lost it when I felt the plug in his ass. Wiggling it around, Dominic's eyes flew opened as he gasped.

"You're awake," he cried out as he wrapped his arms around me. "I was so scared you'd never regain consciousness."

"So I'm not dead?" I asked, completely confused and still coming around. It was then I realized it wasn't only Dominic's flesh I was feeling. Reaching behind me, I touched someone's naked hard-on. "What the fuck?"

"I took one for the team." Matteo snickered as he sat up.

"Now I know I'm in hell," I groaned, moving the wrong way and feeling pain again.

"You lost a lot of blood too fast," he explained as he got out of bed. "Your body temperature was near freezing. They started pumping blood into you, but with your wounds, you were just losing it again. Doc said we needed to get your temp up, so we got naked and into bed with you."

"Doesn't explain the hard dick I felt on my ass," I said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Mine," Dominic snarled at Matteo, fangs dropping down. He moved so he was sprawled over me, staring holes into my friend's head.

"Hey, I can't help my morning wood," Matteo said as he held his hands out in front of him in a sign of surrender.

"That's hot, baby," I murmured in Dominic's ear.

"That your friend was hard?" he asked, squinting at me.

"No, I don't want Matteo." I snickered and took his face in my hands. "It's hot that you're so possessive of me."

"Oh, well then, glad to oblige." He giggled as he nestled against my chest. "I thought I was going to watch you die."

"What did happen?" I asked Matteo as he got dressed.

"We killed the rest of them, but when they saw us, they tried to flee," he explained. "Dominic recognized one of them as Xavier's twin brother who supposedly died decades ago."

"And here my money was on Chuck," I answered as I pulled my baby closer. He was shaking so bad I figured I could hear the rest later. "Thanks for the help, Matteo. I'll find you later."

"No problem, brother," he replied, giving me a knowing nod. He headed for the door and closed it behind him.

"You can't ever do that to me again," Dominic cried. "I thought I'd lost you."

"Can't promise that, baby," I whispered as I pulled him fully on top of me. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

"No!" he yelled, pulling away from me and sitting up, straddling me. "I order you to promise me. Next time I will not hide and leave you to die. You will give me over and save yourself!"

"Never," I snarled, and in a flash, rolled us so he was under me. "Not only would it be dishonorable and cowardly, but I wouldn't let you die any more than you'd want me to."

"You had an arm sticking out of you," he whispered, tears flowing down his cheeks. "Your entire back, neck, shoulders, chest, everywhere was torn to shreds. There were more bite marks than anyone could count. You've been out for a week, Yuri. No one thought you'd make it."

"But I did, baby," I said as I pulled us both up. He moved so he was straddling my lap as I sat back on my heels. "I will do everything I can to always come back to you, but you know I wouldn't just ever hand you over."

"I know," Dominic said as wrapped his arms around my neck. "I can't lose you, I love you."

"I love you too, baby," I whispered as I tried to soothe him. It was difficult considering we were both naked and I kept thinking about the plug in his ass. I tried thinking of anything else, but my cock wasn't cooperating.

"I need more than this, touching you isn't enough," Dominic complained as he started licking my neck. He squirmed on my lap as well, trying to wrap his legs around me. I bit back a groan and held him closer. "Make love to me, Yuri."

"We need to stretch you out, Dominic," I answered, completely frustrated. "I need you too. I was just as scared for you as you were for me."

"I've got the largest plug in me." He hissed as he sucked on my earlobe. "You've been out for a while. I kept stretching myself out. It was like, if I was still getting ready for you, I couldn't give up on your recovery."

"I will always come back to you, baby," I said as I moved so I could stare in his eyes. "I love you so much. I will always find a way to you."

"Make love to me, mate me," Dominic whispered against my lips. We shared a soft, needy kiss before he continued. "Please, I need to feel you in every way. I'm ready, Yuri. Please?"

"Baby, I would love nothing more than to take you right now," I answered, choosing my words carefully. "But I'm not sure this is the time. Both our emotions are all over the place, I just woke up from being out a week…"

"You don't want me." he stated more than asked as he tried to pull away from me.

"I always want you, Dominic. That's not what I'm saying here," I answered as I held him tighter. "Mating is forever, and you only have one chance to have your first time at sex. I don't want you to regret it later that you chose me."

"No, you listen here, Yuri Stanalovic," he growled as he grabbed my face roughly. "I may be a virgin, but I'm no child. I know what I want, and I want you! I've had over a week to think about this. I want nothing more than I want you, and I'll do whatever it takes. I'll move to the U.S. if that's what you need, or—"

"Wait, what?" I asked, covering his mouth with my hand. "Go back to that part about moving."

"I don't simply expect you to drop everything and your entire life to move here," he answered with a shrug. "Mates don't assume things like that. If you want me to move to the U.S. so we can be together, I'll do it."

"And leave all this?" I asked, completely astonished. "Your position, your people, everything?"

"None of it means anything to me without you. I'd give up being the Grand Duc in a heartbeat if it meant a life with you."

"Dom, I don't know what to say," I answered quietly.

"You don't have to, I get it," he replied as he climbed off of me. I watched him, totally confused until I realized he was crying. Why was he crying?

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he mumbled as he started to get dressed. "I get it, this was a temporary thing."

I moved across the bed as fast as I could and grabbed him. He gave out a yelp of surprise as I tossed him onto the center of the bed and surrounded his smaller frame with my body.

"This is not temporary," I growled. "Who said that?"

"I thought that's what you were telling me." He stared up at me, his eyes wide, but his brows drawn together at the same time. "I thought you were telling me no."

"To mating with you?"

"Yeah, you said you didn't know what to say," he whispered, his eyes still full of tears. "Isn't that what people say when they're trying to dump someone?"

"No, well, yes, but that's not how I meant it," I answered as the light bulb went off over my head. "What I meant is that I didn't know how to respond to you being willing to move to the U.S. for me."

"I can't expect you just to do it for me and not be willing to do the same," Dominic replied, still looking confused. "I would follow you anywhere, Yuri."

"I know that now, baby," I whispered as I leaned my forehead down to his. "No one's ever cared about me that much before or cared what I wanted. But I don't want you moving to the U.S."

"Um, right, okay," he mumbled as he tried to push me off of him.

"No, I want us to live here, your people need you," I said gently. Dominic's head snapped back to face me as his mouth dropped open. I smiled widely down at him. "I want you more than I've ever wanting anything in my life, baby. I was just shocked you'd be willing to give everything up for me. Will you be my mate?"

"Yes," he whispered, nodding his head frantically. "So you still want me?"

"Does it feel like I don't?" I purred as I pushed my hard cock against his groin. I reached down and unzipped his pants. He moaned as I slowly pulled them down his body and off his feet. I eyed him all over, like a starving man with a buffet in front of him. Dominic smiled as he pulled his legs up to this chest, showing off the large plug in his ass. I growled my approval loudly as I reached out and wiggled it. "You're to always have this in when my cock's not in you."

"Why?" he gasped as his dick started leaking pre-cum.

"Because I want you always ready for me, you never know when I'm going to fuck you." I hissed as his cock twitched. "Once I get inside my perfect mate, I'm going to take you as often as I want."

"Yes," Dominic whimpered. "Please, no more teasing. Make love to me, Yuri."

"Anything my baby wants," I purred as I pulled out the plug. He'd used a lot of lube to get that sucker in, so I didn't even need to put any more on us. "Are you ready?"

"Yes! Please, take me, fuck me, mate me, make me yours forever," he begged as he started to squirm.

"My pleasure," I answered as I started to push into him. I moaned as I watched my cock sink into his tight hole. His ass was made for me. We both groaned as I bottomed out inside of him. He wrapped his legs and arms around me, pulling me down to him.

"I love you, Yuri," he whispered. I mashed my lips down on his, loving the feel of his body wrapped around me. I moved my hips, and Dominic gasped. I slid my tongue into his mouth. My baby was so perfect for me. Even the taste of him was absolute heaven. I lifted my head up, staring down at him as I took him slowly and gently.

"You're mine forever now, Dominic." I hissed as his body enveloped me. It was killing me to not pound his sweet ass into the bed, but I wanted to be gentle and loving our first time together.

"Only you, Yuri," he whispered as he tilted his head to the side. "Claim me for eternity."

I moved my arms under his shoulders, bringing him closer to me as I snarled. I wasn't sure what it was that snapped my control; his submissive gesture of baring his neck to me, agreeing that he was mine, asking me to claim him, or all three. Licking his neck, I felt him shiver as my fangs dropped down.

"No one else can touch you, Dominic," I said firmly as I started taking him a little faster. "This is my ass now. My body to please and have whenever I want, your heart is mine now. No one else can have you."

"Just as you are mine," he growled before I felt his fangs sink into my neck. I screamed out partly in surprise, partly in bliss. Leaning down, I bit him as well. We both moaned loudly as we drank down each other's blood. I felt him stiffen up under me a moment before he cried out and filled the space between us with his seed. The muscles in his ass tightened around me, causing me to fall over the cliff with him.

I lifted my head and roared out my release, pumping my seed into his tight ass. Several more thrusts and I was finally spent. I rolled us over so I didn't collapse on him, smushing my little mate.

"My mate," I whispered as I ran my hands over his body. I really liked the way that sounded.

"Is it always that fantastic?" Dominic asked against my neck. He started licking closed the mating marks, and I felt my cock get hard again.

"No, it's never been like that for me," I answered. "I've never been with someone I've loved before, or with my mate. I'm not sure I've even made love before."

"I've seen you have sex, Yuri." He giggled as he sat up, my dick still inside him.

"Yeah, sex, but not making love," I said, feeling my face heat up. "I've only just fucked before."

"We get to do both as mates, right?" he asked, blushing now as well.

"Oh yeah," I purred as I thrust up into him. He groaned and braced his hands on my chest. "We get to do whatever we want now that we are mates. Making love, fucking, hot kinky monkey sex, whatever you want, baby."

"I want to ride my mate," he answered, waggling his eyebrows at me. And did he ever! My hot little mate rode me as I've never been ridden before. Just watching his face in the throes of passion as his gorgeous hair swept around him was enough to drive a man insane with lust. When we were both close, he sucked on my nipple than sank his fangs in me. I came so hard I was surprised I didn't pass out.

CHAPTER 9

The next day I stood outside an interview room with Matteo, Nate, and Dominic as we watched Dimitri and Alexander question Xavier. I had my arms wrapped around Dominic as we listened to the complete nut-job.

"The kid grew up and thought he should actually rule," Xavier sneered. "When I found my brother wasn't really dead, we decided to join forces and take over."

"Where is the nest?" Alexander asked, pacing in front of him.

"Fuck you, the council's going to kill me anyway," Xavier spat at him. In a flash, Dimitri struck him across the face and blood went everywhere. "I'm not turning in my brother."

"I can't believe he's been holding out this long in the belief his brother is still alive," Matteo groaned, wiping a hand over his face. "We've told him several times that his brother is dead."

"People believe what they want to believe," I mumbled.

"Hey, this wasn't your fault," Dominic said as he rubbed my arms. "No one knew Xavier's gift was to be able to put thoughts and images in other people's minds. Your gift protected you from his evil."

"Yeah, but I should have figured out why I was getting such weird responses from Chuck," I grumbled. Xavier had been using Charles as a puppet and putting thoughts in Dominic's mind that they were to be trusted. I kept feeling that Charles was lying to me, and he was. Half of what he was saying he really didn't believe, he just thought he did because of Xavier.

"I feel so violated." Dominic shivered. "I thought Xavier was the best thing since sliced bread. The only changes I was able to make were the ones he wasn't involved in."

"When I realized I couldn't influence the Grand Duc's butt boy, I tried to seduce him," Xavier stated. Our attention went back to him then, wanting to hear the rest.

"Butt boy?" I snickered as I pulled Dominic closer

"That sounds like an interesting idea," Dominic purred as he pushed his ass into my groin. I bit my lip to keep from moaning, partially because I liked the idea of my mate's cock in me.

"We should try it later," I whispered in his ear before licking it.

"You'd let me?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at me with wide eyes.

"You let me, so of course you can," I answered, pushing my dick into his lower back so he knew the idea turned me on. "I told you, my body is yours as yours is mine."

"You guys can handle this without us, right?" Dominic asked Matteo.

"Yeah, we've got everything, he's just repeating himself now. The council's already sentenced him to death," Matteo replied, raising an eyebrow. "Some place else you need to be?"

"Always, actually." Dominic chuckled as he grabbed my hand tightly and dragged me after him. I winked at my friend as we ran by him, Matteo and Nate burst out laughing, knowing what we were going to do.

"Where's the fire, baby?" I asked when we were in the hallway, just to tease him.

"In my pants," he growled as he turned around and leaped into my arms. "You try focusing when you have a plug in your ass all day long because your mate orders it. Then you say I can fuck you? I'm dying here."

"We can't have that." I snickered as Dominic ground his dick against my abs.

"I want to eat your sweet ass, then pound it into our bed," he hissed. I knew he was teasing me, but it was working. For one, I almost melted when he called it our bed.

"I like how that sounds," I growled as I held onto him and started jogging to our rooms. "Our bed. I could get used to hearing it called that."

"Our bed, our room, our lives," Dominic said in between placing kisses on my face and neck. When he started using his tongue along my jaw line, I became unglued.

"Baby, I'm about to fuck you in the hallway if you don't behave," I grumbled.

"I thought I was fucking you." He giggled and leaned back in my arms to glance at me.

"I don't care who's fucking whom, but you're about to get naked in the next two minutes."

"I change my mind. I like you inside me too much," Dominic hissed in my ear. "I can fuck you another time, but right now I want that big cock in me."

I snarled in his ear and ripped the back of his pants. As I wiggled the plug, he moaned loudly and squirmed in my arms. I was jogging up the stairs to his suite with his now-exposed ass hanging out. It would have been funny if I wasn't so fucking horny for my mate. Seconds later, I just about broke down the door trying to get in our rooms so fast.

Once in there with the door closed behind us, I spun around and pushed Dominic against it. I shredded his clothes with my claws, and they fell off of him in tatters.

"I think I got my warrior all wound up." Dominic giggled as he worked on my shirt.

"Ya think?" I growled as I pulled the plug out of his ass, unzipped my fly, and pulled out my cock. I lined it up with his sweet hole. "Hang on, baby. This is going to be a rough ride."

"Good, we haven't done that yet," he purred, licking along my neck. Dominic knew that was one of the hot spots that drove me wild. I lowered him onto my dick with one hard downward pull of his hips. He cried out loudly as his head flew back and hit the door. "Harder, Yuri, harder! Fuck me into the door."

"Dirty, dirty, little mate," I grunted as I pounded into his tight ass. "My dirty little mate."

"And you love me for it," he gasped as I changed angles and nailed his sweet spot.

"One of the thousand reasons I love you," I murmured in his ear. Then I had an idea that my kinky mate might like. "You up for something very different, baby?"

"Give me what you got, big man." He giggled and wiggled his eyebrows at me. I unwrapped his arms from around my neck and took several steps away from the door. My cock was still in his ass as he bent backwards, his head coming down to my calves. He reached over his head and braced his hands on the floor. I pulled out slowly before thrusting hard back into him. "Fuck, this is almost surreal."

"Too much?" I asked, suddenly concerned.

"No way, I want to try this way," he panted as he tightened his legs around me. "It's just tighter and at a different angle."

"That's the point." I chuckled as I moved inside him again. "But I thought my baby was flexible enough to do it."

"I am," he said, lifting his head to smile up at me. "Now fuck your horny mate."

"My pleasure," I growled as I thrust hard back into him. We both moaned loudly. I was able to go deeper into him as his ass was tighter around me. It was un-fucking-believable. It definitely wasn't an everyday position, but he said he wanted to try everything.

"Oh fuck," Dominic groaned loudly as his cock spurted stream after stream of pearly white seed. Most of it landed on his chest and I marveled at the gorgeous sight as the muscles in his ass clamped down on me. He was just finishing as I was about to come. I moved my hands under his lower back, swinging him back up so we were face-to-face.

"I love you," I cried out as my dick erupted in his ass. He rode me as many times as I pulled him down onto my cock. It kept my orgasm going much longer than normal. When I was finally spent, I walked on weak legs through the sitting room and into the bedroom. Once there, I flopped down on my back with Dominic straddling me, my dick still inside him.

"I almost missed the chance to have this," he whispered as he leaned down and kissed me. "I was so busy trying to deny my love for you, I never thought about what I could be giving up."

"None of that matters anymore, baby," I answered, wrapping my arms around him tightly. "We found each other, Dominic. That's all that matters."

"I'm so glad we did," he said as he snuggled his face in my neck. I was too. This strong, amazing, loving little man in my arms made me feel things I didn't know were possible. And now that I'd had them, really felt them, there wasn't any chance in hell I would ever give them or him up.

The End

About the Author

Joyee Flynn grew up in Chicago, living in the same house all her life until she went left for college. Though she has a great life, she loves to get lost in fantasy that only books can bring. Her wide interest in reading is reflected in her writings. Currently, Joyee lives with her dog, Marius, named after a vampire from Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire series. She dreams of one day living out in Montana, with enough land to have a few horses, and find a couple of cowboys of her own.

A lover of men, Joyee's all about them in any form in her books. Vampire, werewolf, military, doesn't matter at all as long as they are hot, hard, and sex fiends!

WWW.JOYEEFLYNN.COM

Also by Joyee Flynn:

Warrior Camp

Love's Deceit

Love's Indecision

Love's Denial

Wolf Harem Series

Second Chance Bite

Spencer's Secret

North American Dragon Series

Dragon Mine

Marius Brothers Series

Micah

Remus

Stefan (Coming Soon)

Hounds of Hell Series

Avoiding Hell's Gates

With Stormy Glenn:

Delta Wolf Series

Chameleon Wolf

Mating Games

Blood Lust (Coming Soon)