Moonlight Denial: Shades of Moonlight Book One

“He’s going to hate me,” Nicoli said miserably for the hundredth time.

“He’s not going to hate you,” Ethan said with a sigh, tired of trying to reassure him.

“He is, he’s going to hate me,” Nicoli insisted.

“Why do you think he’s going to hate you?” Ethan finally asked.

“Because I brought up the whole Omen thing. Andre is in this totally bad place with him and what do I do? I direct the vampires’ full frontal assault at Omen! How the hell is Andre not going to hate me?”

Nicoli and Ethan walked side by side down the sidewalk toward Nicoli’s home. Nicoli had it set this way with the full intention of speaking with Ethan about a particular subject, but what had happened at the family meeting now took precedence in his mind. The scene of Andre’s angry confrontation with Conrad kept playing in his head and he couldn’t help but think it was his fault. If only he had just kept his mouth shut.

“Oh, Nicoli, Andre is not going to hate you over a little thing like that,” Ethan told him.

“Why wouldn’t he? I’m the reason the clan is going to target Omen now. Not that I care how Omen will feel about it, but Andre was totally upset. I sicced the freaking clan on his old lover!”

Ethan chuckled softly as he lowered his sunglasses to look at Nicoli over the rims.

“You’re overreacting.”

“How am I overreacting?” Nicoli demanded.

“Well, for one, Omen is our enemy anyways. As much as Andre hates it, he knows it, and with what Omen did to you we all know he is going to be a complication we’ll have to deal with down the line. And two, we won’t be doing any frontal assaults against Omen. That would be stupid. Andre is most likely right and if we questioned Omen he’d offer nothing and forcing the information mentally might not do anything either since we’d have to use so much force it would make him brain dead,” Ethan explained.

“What? But Omen’s human…how could he be able to resist you guys like that?” Nicoli asked. The prospect confused him utterly. How could a human ever have the resilience to fend off a vampire that was adept in the ways of the mind?

“Well, because Omen is a vampire hunter,” Ethan said. “Do you really think they would have humans fight against vampires that couldn’t even protect their own minds? Vampire hunters are trained early on how to strengthen their minds against a mental assault. They hone all of their skills and strengths so that they can even stand a fighting chance against us. That’s why Omen would hardly be any help with finding out who the Guardian is. Plus he’s just an ass.”

Nicoli couldn’t help but chuckle, which made Ethan smirk and ruffle his hair.

“Don’t worry so much. Conrad is right and Andre just needs to cool down. Blaming you will be the last thing on his mind.”

“Are you sure?” Nicoli asked uncertainly as he smacked the hand away and fixed his hair. He looked up into Ethan’s reassuring smile as an arm slipped around his shoulders in a companionable fashion.

“Positive. How could he be upset at his little Nickel?” Ethan asked teasingly as he lightly pinched Nicoli’s earlobe with his other hand and held on tighter with his arm when Nicoli tried to move away.

“Oh God, he told you about that?” Nicoli asked, his face reddening in embarrassment.

“Of course. He loves giving and sharing nicknames.”

“What’s yours?”

“That’s confidential.”

“What!? That’s not fair!”

“Tough. Life isn’t fair.”

Nicoli scowled at him and faced forward. He would have put some distance between them, but the arm around him would not relent. He jumped in surprise when Ethan’s mouth pressed itself against his ear.

“You’re so cute when you pout,” Ethan whispered huskily.

“Cut that out,” Nicoli snapped, nearly elbowing Ethan in the face. “I don’t pout.”

“Yeah right. These lips were made for pouting…and maybe a few other things.” The purr crept up into Ethan’s voice as he teased Nicoli’s lips with his finger. It was quickly pulled away, however, when teeth snapped at it.

“You want to keep those you keep them to yourself,” Nicoli growled.

“Feiiiisty,” Ethan growled back, but his was filled with playfulness.

To Nicoli’s dismay he was beginning to see the repercussions of sleeping with Ethan. The man’s flirting dial was now cranked up to overload, which was something Nicoli wouldn’t mind if they weren’t in public. If they were somewhere private he would jump Ethan’s bones in a heartbeat and pay him back in full all the hell he’d been dishing out.

“So, what are you going to do about Omen? About if he knows who the Guardian is?” Nicoli asked, using the questions as a rebuff to Ethan’s advances and distract his own mind that was beginning to get swallowed up in dirty thoughts.

Ethan seemed aware of the ploy and sighed as he straightened up.

“Who knows? Like I said questioning him will be pointless. Conrad will think of something. Probably something along the lines of stalking him for a while, see if he goes to any shady rendezvous with some suspicious people,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Do you think that would work?”

“It very well could, but let’s not dwell on it for now. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?” Ethan asked seriously, his playfulness thankfully gone as he gave Nicoli his full attention.

“Oh…that,” Nicoli murmured. He knew what he wanted to say, but a part of him felt he was making the wrong choice, but that was nothing new. That voice had always been in the back of his mind and would probably persist until everything was over. Then he’d just have to deal with a voice telling him what an idiot he was for the rest of his life.

“You know how I’ve felt since Omen took me. Wondering if what I’m doing is really what’s best and all that and if I should just stop now and turn back for my family,” Nicoli said and he could feel the arm around him tighten somewhat.

“Yes…so does that mean you’ve decided on something?” Ethan asked slowly.

“Yeah, I have.” Nicoli took in a deep breath as he collected his thoughts. “I’ve decided that I’m gonna continue to help you.”

“Really?”

Nicoli laughed at the sound of absolute shock Ethan produced.

“Yep. What can I say? I’m an idiot.”

“Not that I’m unhappy with that. I’m ecstatic even, but can I ask why?”

Nicoli chewed on the inside of his cheek as he thought. It seemed like an easy enough question, but for some reason he was finding it hard to give an answer.

“That’s a really good question,” he said. “And I wish I could give you a clear cut answer, but something tells me I’ll never have one. Even I know this isn’t in the best interest of me or my family, but…I dunno I just feel like if I back out I’ll not only be letting you down, but I’ll be missing out on something huge. I want to see where this all will lead and I want to be a part of it when we get there. Plus, with what happened today, I dunno, for the first time I felt useful. I went with Cora and Gavin to humor them, but I was actually able to help. That made me feel that, maybe, I can do more than just stand there and let you guys do all the work and I want to see if it wasn’t just a fluke…pretty selfish of me, huh?”

Ethan chuckled as he gave a comforting squeeze with his arm.

“You’re young, you’re supposed to be selfish. You have the rest of your life to be non-selfish,” he said. “And you need to have more faith in yourself. I knew from the beginning that you were going to be helpful. I wouldn’t have asked you to do this if I thought you were going to be a useless sack of flour.”

“I guess,” Nicoli murmured, trying to fight down a blush. How was it that Ethan could be a complete, annoying ass one second and endearingly sweet the next? Nicoli felt he’d never completely understand Ethan and maybe that was part of Ethan’s charm.

“But if I really am going to go through with all of this, we have to find a way to make sure my parents are safe. I don’t care about what happens to me…okay that’s a lie, but I’m more worried about them. I’d never forgive myself if my mom or dad was targeted because of the shit I’m doing.”

“Well, I guess that just comes with the territory of what we’re doing,” Ethan said.

“That’s not helping,” Nicoli grumbled.

“Let me finish. We may not be able to keep your parents completely safe from outside threats, its not like we can have one of my family guarding them twenty-four seven, but I don’t think you have to worry about Omen trying something like that again.”

“What?” Nicoli asked, looking up at Ethan in confusion. “Are you sure?” A sense of relief filled him when Ethan nodded, but he resisted the feeling for a moment.

“Yes, you see, while Omen is an ass, he’s also smart. Trying to pull the same stunt twice in a row against us would be stupid. He basically lost his only chance to catch us off guard. If he tried going for you or your family again he’d know we’d be expecting it and most likely than not it would not end well for him…especially if you got your hands on him first,” Ethan said with a smirk.

“You’re damn straight,” Nicoli growled, imagining what he’d do to Omen if he ever had the chance, even if the guy was Andre’s old lover. “But, even if Omen isn’t a threat to them, is their anyway I can ensure my parents’ safety? Because if anything like that ever happens again, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to leave all of this and not look back. No matter how many selfish impulses I have.”

“…I understand,” Ethan replied. By his voice Nicoli knew he didn’t like the idea, but it sounded like he would respect the terms. “I can’t give you an answer at the moment on what we could do. I’ll discuss it with the others and see what ideas they can come up with.”

“Thank you. I guess that’s all I can ask for right now,” Nicoli said, looking up at the reddened sky. The sun was going to disappear completely soon and Nicoli was glad he had called his mother and told her he was on his way home. The last thing he wanted was a completely frantic Laura asking him if he really had been at the library that whole time he was gone. It was peculiar, before Omen had kidnapped him just the thought of his mother’s over protectiveness annoyed him, but now he found he didn’t mind all that much. He figured he liked have his mother worry over him rather than not having a mother at all.

The thought sent a chill up his spine and he hoped Ethan didn’t feel it with the arm that was still around him. He drove the thought away from his mind. He wasn’t going to think like that. His parents were going to be fine. He had to believe that. That made him wonder if all of this was going to be worth it in the end. Of course, there was no way to know until they reached the finish line, but that didn’t stop him from pondering.

“Hey, Ethan?” Nicoli murmured, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

“Yeah?”

“How do you think this is all going to turn out?”

“Hopefully the way we want it to,” Ethan replied simply. “With us getting all the Hearts, destroying them, and everyone making it to that point in one piece. At least that’s the way I want it to go.”

“Yeah…that sounds like a good turn out,” Nicoli said, wishing it was as easy as it sounded.

“Of course it is. Because I thought of it,” Ethan said with a grin and gave Nicoli a playful jostle with his arm.

“Down boy. Don’t let your ego get too big,” Nicoli said with a chuckle as he tried to keep his balance. Not that he wanted to admit it, but Ethan’s arm around was comforting. He had the strong urge to place his own arm around Ethan’s waist. Just to make it easier to walk side by side, he told himself. He didn’t go through with it, though. If someone were to see them now they could assume that the arm slung over Nicoli’s shoulders was a gesture of friendship, possibly more, but that couldn’t be confirmed. If Nicoli’s arm was around Ethan’s waist, however, that didn’t need any speculation at all. That’s the reason he didn’t do it, or at least that’s the reason he kept telling himself.

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After Nicoli and Ethan’s talk it didn’t take them long to reach their destination. They were a couple of houses down when Nicoli’s home came into view. Ethan came to a stop and his arm slipped from Nicoli’s shoulders.

“Okay, I suppose this is where we part ways. I assume I’ll be seeing you soon for Gavin’s lesson. Can’t wait to see that,” Ethan said with a wicked grin.

“Don’t say it like that, you’re going to make me nervous,” Nicoli snapped as he rolled his shoulders. They felt a bit cold now that he lost Ethan’s arm.

“Oh, you should be,” Ethan teased, his grin widening. He chuckled and leaned back when Nicoli tried to smack him. “Well, I suppose we should part ways now. Have a good night,” he said and he turned to make his way back to his own home.

“Yeah, you too,” Nicoli said. He gazed at his house for a moment before turning to look at Ethan’s retreating back. His eyes moved between the two before he made a decision and took off after Ethan.

“Ethan, wait,” he said as he grabbed Ethan’s arm and pulled him to a stop.

“What is it?” Ethan asked, again looking at Nicoli over his sunglasses.

“There’s actually something else I have to talk to you about,” Nicoli said as he wound his arms around Ethan’s and held it to his body tightly. “Really badly.” A part of him wanted to let the playful lilt that was in his throat out, but the other part wanted to catch Ethan by surprise. He knew some alarm went off in Ethan’s head when a fair brow rose quizzically.

“What about?”

“Not here,” Nicoli said as he looked around at the neighboring houses, wondering if anyone was watching them from the windows of their cozy living rooms. “Let’s find somewhere more private.” He turned and started dragging Ethan towards his house, but then veered off the path and snuck into his backyard. When he made sure he couldn’t see his parents through the windows he hurried along into the woods.

“I don’t know if I want to go in private,” Ethan said. He glanced around as they went deeper and deeper into the forest. “Last time you wanted to talk in private you stomped on my foot and screamed at me.”

Nicoli chuckled and shook his head, but his eyes stayed directly ahead of him.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be stomping on your feet…though there may be some screaming.” He whispered the last part under his breath. It was so soft Ethan asked,

“What was that?”

“Nothing. This may be far enough.” Nicoli stopped and let go of Ethan’s arm. He turned to the way they had come to gauge the distance they had walked. He could no longer see his house, or any other evidence of civilization. It was good enough. He could feel Ethan’s eyes on him, patiently waiting for an explanation. Nicoli ignored him for the moment as he shrugged his backpack off and tossed it to a nearby tree.

“So what else did you want to talk about?” Ethan asked. “You’re not having more misgivings about anything, are you?”

Nicoli fought the urge to grin wickedly. Ethan was totally unaware of the approaching danger. Perfect

“Oh no, nothing like that,” Nicoli answered as he took a few steps towards his prey. Then, without any warning, he pounced. He grabbed the lapels of Ethan’s jacket and threw his entire body weight forward to slam Ethan backward into the nearest tree.

“Nicoli! What are you –”

Ethan’s voice was a joy to listen to sometimes, but at that moment Nicoli wanted him to shut up and he did that the best way he knew how and that was by crushing their lips together in a fierce, forceful kiss. He felt Ethan’s body freeze and he smiled against the lips he was attacking. He was never going to get tired of shocking Ethan right out of his boots or, in this case, his pants.

Nicoli knew when Ethan came back into his right mind when he felt hands rest on his hips and the mouth respond to his kiss. That was when Nicoli pulled away and grinned at a dazed Ethan.

“Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?” Ethan asked when he finally found his voice.

“Do you even have to ask?” Nicoli inquired, he pressed his body up against Ethan’s firmly and made sure their pelvises were flushed against each other. “You have to make up for what you did last night. You think I was going to let you get away with tormenting me with raunchy thoughts all night?” He grounded his teeth together not to make a sound as he thrust his hips into Ethan’s, but he reveled in the groan his victim produced. “Now what are you going to do to make it up to me?” he asked, slowly and torturously grounding his pelvis into Ethan’s.

“Anything you want,” Ethan said breathlessly. His head fell back against the bark of the tree and his eyes slid closed as his fingers tightened on Nicoli’s hips.

“That’s what I like to hear,” Nicoli said with a smirk and rewarded Ethan with heated kisses up his neck. As he suckled on the flesh right below Ethan’s jaw line his hand snaked between their bodies. Ethan tensed when Nicoli’s hand closed around the evident bulge in his pants and began kneading it tenderly, but with enough pressure to drive him mad.

“So, anything that I want, huh?” Nicoli asked then leaned up enough so that his mouth was near Ethan’s ear. “Does that mean you’ll give me every inch of your big, hard, throbbing cock? Give it to me so hard that I can’t speak or scream, let alone breathe? Give it to me until I come so hard I have no feeling left in my body for hours afterwards? Is that what you’ll give me, Ethan?” he whispered huskily before nibbling on Ethan’s earlobe. He could feel Ethan’s body trembling against his own and lustful moans had accompanied Nicoli’s words as he spoke. When Ethan didn’t answer him he stilled his hand and he felt vicious delight when Ethan groaned in frustration.

“Come on, Ethan, I’m waiting for an answer,” Nicoli teased. “Are you going to give me all that?” His was surprised when the hands on his hips slipped around him so he was completely enveloped in Ethan’s arms. Luckily he was able to extract his own arm before it became trapped. Nicoli bit down on his bottom lip as a hand cupped his rump and held him still as Ethan’s hips moved against him, causing wonderful friction.

“Yes, all of that and more. Much, much more,” Ethan murmured as he lifted his head and stared into Nicoli’s eyes. Before anything could be said Ethan leaned forward and kissed Nicoli desperately.

Nicoli allowed this for a few minutes, enjoying the feel of Ethan’s lips against his mixed with the gentle rubbing of their hips, but when Ethan’s tongue asked for entrance Nicoli took that as his cue to pull back.

“Good,” Nicoli said and couldn’t help but touch his tongue playfully to Ethan’s that was poking out awkwardly with no where to go. Nicoli ignored the grunt of protest Ethan gave when the tongue retracted as he practically shimmied his way out of Ethan’s grip. Once he was free he took a few steps back and drank in the sight of a disheveled Ethan that was watching him intently, hungrily.

“Now, go get my lube,” Nicoli ordered as he jerked his thumb in the direction of his house.

“Uh…what?” Ethan asked, the sudden demand snapping him out of his haze.

“You heard me. Go. Get. My. Lube,” Nicoli repeated, annunciating each word slowly. “Because you know how I feel about the whole spit thing and I doubt you have any on you.” Since Ethan seemed to like his pouting he stuck out his lower lip as he slowly began to unzip his jacket.

“I’d go get it myself but I’m not as fast as you and if my parents catch me I won’t be able to come back.” When his jacket was fully unzipped his hand ran up his shirt, hiking it up until the skin of his stomach peeked out. His other hand busied itself by grazing against his cheek then burying his fingers in his hair. “And I’d hate for that to happen since I’m so hot and bothered. Oh Ethan I just can’t stand it.” He bit down on his finger and moaned plaintively as his other hand trailed down to his crotch and he began rubbing himself as he arched his back. “Please, Ethan,” he begged.

He had his eyes closed, but he cracked one open just the slightest to see that he had Ethan’s full attention and it looked like the guy was about to drool buckets.

“Right. Lube. Now,” he said, his tongue tripping over itself as the words stumbled out. Then he was gone with a whisper of wind following his leave.

Nicoli carefully opened his eye fully and when he was sure Ethan was gone he straightened up and grinned in the direction Ethan had gone.

“Wow, he makes this way too easy,” he said as he let his jacket slip off his shoulders. “But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. No one can resist Porno Nic.” He knew how to be seductive on all points of the board, from classy seductive to down right slutty, raunchy seductive. One of his former male lovers had taught Nicoli well on that aspect. The guy had really liked to role-play.

Nicoli listened to the leaves crunch underneath his sneakers as he walked over to his pack and deposited his jacket onto it. All he had left to do now was wait. He knew with Ethan’s speed, coupled with his sexual desperation, he wouldn’t take long. But even waiting a minute was torturous to Nicoli. He hadn’t been lying, he was hot and bothered. Extremely so.

He looked down at the tent in his pants and he glanced into the surrounding woods to see if Ethan was on his way back. When there was no sign of him Nicoli reached down and began rubbing himself again, moaning at the combination of underwear, pants and hand against his trapped member. He figured there was no harm in ‘entertaining’ himself until Ethan came back.

His breath hitched and came faster as he rubbed and squeezed, imagining it was Ethan who was touching him. His other hand sneaked up his shirt and he let out a long moan as he pinched his nipple and rolled it around between his fingers. In his mind it was Ethan doing this. Ethan touching and stroking him, bringing him closer and closer to that edge he longed for, but resisted. No, not yet. Not just yet.

Nicoli was ripped from his fantasy and shrieked when real arms came around and grabbed him from behind, pressing him against a rock hard body. Panic made his lust evaporate and he turned his head to see who had grabbed him and he scowled.

“Ethan! Don’t fucking do that!” he yelled at the grinning blond that still had a tight hold on him.

“Starting the party without me, I see,” Ethan said, ignoring the yelling as he rested his chin on Nicoli’s shoulder and looked down at the activities. Since Ethan had grabbed him his arms were stuck where they’d been with one hand still on his clothed member and the other up his shirt.

Nicoli’s face flushed, but he refused to get embarrassed about being caught red handed. Instead he licked his lips, making sure Ethan saw it, and continued to massage himself.

“I just wanted to make sure I didn’t lose the moment. I didn’t want to change my mind by the time you got back. That wouldn’t be fair, now would it?” he asked lowly as he pushed back into Ethan and stroked himself faster.

“No…not fair at all,” Ethan replied, his voice distant as he was mesmerized by the sight of Nicoli touching himself.

“If it makes you feel better,” Nicoli whispered as he pressed his cheek against Ethan’s. “I was thinking of you the whole time.” He turned his head enough to run his tongue along Ethan’s cheek.

That seemed to break any resolve Ethan had left and he growled as he held Nicoli tighter. One of the arms moved down around Nicoli’s waist and he mewled as Ethan began to hump against his ass. It was more than apparent that Ethan was still aroused.

“Damn it, Nicoli,” Ethan growled through clenched teeth. “I need you so bad.”

“Then fucking take me,” Nicoli said breathlessly. He yelped when he was jerked from his spot and he found it was his turn to be pushed into trees as his backside met bark. Before he could even fully comprehended the sudden place change Ethan was on him.

Nicoli moaned deep in his throat as his lips were ravished. They were kissed, sucked, and nipped and the first chance he got he sent his tongue into Ethan’s to do battle with the one that dwelled there. As the muscles did the familiar dance Nicoli was aware that Ethan’s hands were busy tugging at the button of his jeans. When it finally relented the zipper was roughly pulled down.

“Oh, Ethan,” Nicoli groaned as his pants were pushed down until they bunched around his knees. He shivered as his skin was exposed to the chilled air, but he soon forgot about the cold as Ethan’s hand was more than willing to warm his member.

“I love it when you say my name like that,” Ethan said as he kissed the corner of Nicoli’s mouth and his hand stroked Nicoli’s now free cock.

“Ethan. Ethan. Ethan,” Nicoli murmured over and over in between kisses, but when he went in for another kiss he found Ethan’s lips weren’t there to meet him. He blinked his eyes open in confusion and was further perplexed when he didn’t see him.

“…Ethan?” Nicoli gasped and shuddered when something wet ran from the base of his cock to the tip. He looked down to see a crop of wavy, golden hair and realized that Ethan had gone down on his knees. “Uh, what are you doing?”

“Nothing,” Ethan said innocently as his tongue reached and massaged the tip of Nicoli’s cock.

“Oooh God,” Nicoli whispered, and his knees felt like jello, but he didn’t allow himself to get wrapped up in pleasure when he figured out Ethan’s intention. “Um, Ethan, Buddy, we’ve talked about this.”

“And?”

“And we agreed that we weren’t going to go here, remember?”

“I distinctly remember saying that you didn’t want my fangs anywhere near your dick, but, what’s this? I don’t think there’s any fangs here,” Ethan said and flashed Nicoli a fangless smile.

“Yeah, but what if – oooh.” His complaint died as Ethan’s hand returned and began to fondle him ever so nicely.

“Give me some credit, Nicoli. I’m not hungry. My fangs aren’t going to be playing peek-a-boo, as you put it,” Ethan reassured him.

“But–But – nngh!”

Ethan hadn’t given him time to protest and enveloped the tip of Nicoli’s manhood into his mouth. Ethan was smart enough to let Nicoli’s knees rest against his shoulders so that he didn’t collapse from surprise and pleasure.

Nicoli shut his eyes and his breathing became labored. It felt so good and soon his fear of pointed ivory nicking delicate flesh ebbed and he was able to loose himself in the feeling. Before he was too far gone a voice reached into his mind and brought him back to reality.

“Watch me, Nicoli.”

It took all of Nicoli’s willpower to do so and he looked down into two pools of molten teal that were staring back heatedly. When Ethan knew he had Nicoli’s full attention he stopped playing with just the tip and Nicoli watched with bated breath as his cock disappeared further and further into that amazing mouth.

A quake rippled through Nicoli’s entire body when Ethan’s noise brushed against his dark pubic hair, his member now fully in Ethan’s mouth and nudging the back of his throat. The man had skill. Nicoli would have said how impressed he was, but he was too busy trying to keep himself from coming as Ethan began bobbing his head, deep-throating Nicoli like a million dollar whore.

Nicoli couldn’t help but fist his hands into rich, golden locks as he began to thrust into that delicious mouth. What stunned him was that Ethan let him. He stopped moving his head completely and simply ran his tongue along the shaft as Nicoli pumped in and out of his mouth.

Nicoli soon realized that Ethan was not going to be idle. His body tensed and he let out a strained gasp when a slick finger rubbed against his entrance. He had no idea when Ethan had lubed up his fingers and he didn’t care. Ethan’s free hand went to Nicoli’s butt cheek and pulled it from its twin to gain better access and that exploring digit sank into Nicoli.

Nicoli was lost in the sensation of being penetrated while thrusting into Ethan’s deceptively warm mouth. It was so wonderful he was far from aware when a second finger was added and barely registered the uncomfortable stretching when the third one came. By this time Nicoli was so close to climax that his thrusting was becoming erratic.

“Ethan–close,” was all he could say and then he wished he hadn’t said it when Ethan’s hand left his rear and was placed on his hip to still him. He let out a curse in protest when Ethan then removed his mouth with a pop.

“What the fuck?” Nicoli snarled.

“Patience. Because I know I won’t have any if you come and I have to wait for you to recover,” Ethan said and rewarded Nicoli by delving his fingers as far into him as possible.

Nicoli cried out and his body felt like it was going to implode from the intense pleasure that wracked his body from the brush against that hidden nub inside him.

“Then get inside me already. I can’t take this,” Nicoli snapped, pushing back on the digits.

“Yes, sir,” Ethan said with a grin as he withdrew his fingers and stood up. “Here, turn around.”

Nicoli did as he was told with a helping hand from Ethan. He rested his arms against the trunk and buried his face into them. The anticipation was killing him. He could hear Ethan squeezing more lube out of the little tube and, for reasons unknown, it made him think of a precaution he needed to take.

“Ethan? Can you do me a favor?” he asked, his voice muffled by his arms.

“At the moment you can ask me for anything.”

Nicoli considered that for a moment, but lost himself in the sound of Ethan unzipping his pants and applying the lube onto himself. No, he had to keep focus.

“Don’t come inside me.”

The slick sound of hand against cock stopped and there was a short pause before Ethan chuckled.

“What, are you afraid of catching something from me? Because for one, you can’t that’s impossible and two, don’t you think it’s a little late for that?”

Nicoli buried his face further into his arms. He knew exactly what Ethan meant and he was slightly ashamed of himself. He prided himself on always being safe during sex, but the first time with Ethan he had been too far gone to even think about condoms, but he had figured that vampires couldn’t carry STD’s so he hadn’t fretted too much over it.

“No, that’s not it,” he said. “It’ll be too awkward to go home with a messy ass. I’d rather not have to deal with that.”

“…oh, good thinking. All right as much as I’d rather come in your fine, delicious derriere,” Ethan said as Nicoli felt hands went to said part of his anatomy and spread his cheeks apart, revealing the entrance they hid. “I won’t.”

“Thank you,” Nicoli said before sticking his rear out more. “Now hurry, please.” He sighed contentedly as he felt the tip of Ethan’s member press against him, but it didn’t move to go further. Instead Ethan lay against his back and ran his tongue along the back of Nicoli’s ear.

“All right, brace yourself. I need this far too badly so I won’t be stopping once I’m in. I’ll go slow, but I won’t stop until I’m in fully. Okay?” he said. He wasn’t asking for permission, he was giving a warning and the sound of need in his voice made Nicoli groan and he turned his head to look back at the other.

“God, yes. I don’t care. Just get in. Now.”

“Whatever you say,” Ethan said.

Nicoli threw his head back and let out a wail as Ethan’s shaft sank into him. As promised it went slow, unhurriedly invading his passage, but Ethan also didn’t stop to let Nicoli adjust to his girth. Nicoli gritted his teeth as that familiar pain radiated up his spine, but he was able to keep his body relaxed and he groaned in both bliss and relief when the material of Ethan’s pants met the bare skin of his ass.

Nicoli panted heavily and rested his head against his arms again as Ethan finally halted long enough to let him get used to the intrusion. Ethan placed his head in the groove between Nicoli’s shoulder blades as he waited; trembling with all of the self control he had in his body.

“Can I move?” he finally asked and from his voice Nicoli knew he was fighting so hard not to lose control.

“Yes, move. Move now,” Nicoli pleaded, pushing back against Ethan’s cock, impaling himself further if possible.

Ethan said nothing but grabbed Nicoli’s hips as he carefully withdrew a few inches before delving back in. They both grunted in approval and a slow rhythm was soon made that gradually increased as Nicoli’s passage accommodated the rutting.

Throaty mewls and moans left Nicoli as he was slammed into again and again. It was heaven as every inch of his insides was caressed by Ethan’s cock that teasingly brushed against his prostate every now and then. The only thing stopping him from enjoying the experience fully was the base keeping him up. He was wearing a long sleeved shirt, but the bark was biting into his skin and added an odd mixture of uncomfortable pain to his pleasure.

He was willing to overlook the slight discomfort, but apparently Ethan was not.

“Hey!” Nicoli cried in outrage when Ethan abruptly pulled out. He was hushed with a kiss as Ethan pulled him away from the tree, which was awkward since his pants were still around his knees.

“Don’t complain, I’m being considerate,” he said.

“I thought we agreed to fuck consideration,” Nicoli grumbled as he was coaxed down onto his knees.

“I agreed to nothing of the sort,” Ethan said with a chuckle as he placed his hand on Nicoli’s upper back and pushed until he was bent over onto his hands. “Now, where were we?” he asked as he knelt behind Nicoli and placed his hands on delightful hips.

“In the middle of a really, really good fuck,” Nicoli replied as he crouched his upper body to the ground and raised his rump further into the air.

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

Nicoli didn’t try to hold back his cry of pleasure as his body was penetrated for the second time. Ethan’s shaft slipped in much easier this time and they continued as if they had never been interrupted. Nicoli’s fingers dug into the dirt and foliage as he pushed back against Ethan and clenched his inner walls to bring his lover on the cusp of climax.

He knew it was working when Ethan sped up and Nicoli was grateful Ethan’s pants as slid down further as skin smacked against skin. Nicoli knew he was close to his own completion, but he wasn’t aware just how close until Ethan’s fingers wrapped around his leaking cock. Blinding hot heat erupted within him and it all focused in a small pool in his loins as he came into Ethan’s hand.

Before he could even slump forward Ethan held his hips in a bruising grip and let out a feral growl as he thrust one last time and climaxed deep within Nicoli. Ethan held his quivering hips against Nicoli until he was completely spent.

The two collapsed together in a sweaty, exhausted heap. Nicoli leaned against his arms as Ethan draped across his back like a welcoming heavy blanket. Nicoli spent a few minutes concentrating on his breathing, trying to slow his rapidly beating heart. His head was bowed against his arms and when he opened his eyes he had a perfect view of everything under him.

He saw his streams of come cooling on the dirt ground and when his eyes trailed back further he could see Ethan’s legs behind his own and how Ethan was still buried hilt deep inside him. He also saw something else that diminished his happy afterglow before putting it out completely. A trickle of come had escaped his passage and was traveling down his thigh.

“God damn it, Ethan! What the fuck did I say about coming inside!?” he yelled as he lifted his head to glare back at Ethan, but met nothing but unruly blond hair.

A lazy groan rumbled against his back and Ethan did nothing but wrap his arms around Nicoli’s middle and nuzzle his face further in the spot between Nicoli’s shoulder blades.

“Don’t yell at me right after sex,” he murmured.

“I wouldn’t have to yell if you’d fucking do as I asked! You even said you wouldn’t do it.”

“Would it help any if I told you, you were so amazing that all rational thought had left me?” Ethan asked.

Nicoli paused then shook his head and began trying to squirm out from underneath Ethan.

“No. You’re just a dick. Now get out and get off,” he ordered, but no matter how much he twisted Ethan wouldn’t budge. It soon got to the point that Nicoli felt like a bucking bronco, but still Ethan didn’t even try to move and only tightened his grip.

“Just calm down and enjoy it,” Ethan said, sounding completely relaxed. “You have plenty of time to get mad at me later.”

In what was possibly a form of apology, or just a way to calm Nicoli down, Ethan thrust forward, driving himself deep into his aggravated lover. Even though his member was softening it still managed to caress the one spot that made Nicoli shudder and still.

Nicoli grumbled as he settled down on his arms once more. He supposed Ethan was right. There was always another day to get pissed off at Ethan and he’d rather end the day on a high note rather than an angry one. Besides he could probably rush into the house, feigning to have to go to the bathroom really bad, and clean himself up. He could deal with it if it was due to mind blowing sex.

They stayed like that for several minutes, enjoying the closeness of each other, but soon the cold of night swept over them, making Nicoli shiver continuously. The faintest rays of the sun still raced across the sky, but in the woods it was getting quite dark and the two decided it was time to part.

They pulled apart and began getting dressed and adjusting themselves, Nicoli doing so while clenching his rump muscles the entire time. As Nicoli threw on his jacket and zipped it up Ethan came up beside him.

“Nicoli, I have to ask you something.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“What you said the first time we did this, about it being casual, you still stand by that, don’t you?”

Nicoli’s hand froze halfway through zipping and he turned to Ethan with furrowed brows and, even in the darkness, he could make out the look of absolute worry on the other’s face.

“What brought that up?” Nicoli asked as he continued zipping.

“I just wanted to make sure. You know…so there are no misunderstandings.”

“What?” Nicoli said as he grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. “You think I’m gonna fall head over heels for you and all of that other mushy crap?”

Ethan chuckled and visibly relaxed.

“I have been known to break hearts.”

“I’m sure you have, but don’t worry about me,” Nicoli said with a pat to Ethan’s cheek. “This is just fucking. The only feelings that go behind it are lust and pleasure. I don’t see myself falling in love with you any time soon.”

“Good, that’s what I wanted to hear,” Ethan said as they began leaving their little love nest.

“Yeah, so don’t feel bad if a new stud comes along and I hop off your bandwagon for theirs,” Nicoli said.

“Ha I won’t feel bad since the chances of you finding someone who’s better at pleasing you than me is slim to none.”

“What about if it was Andre?”

Nicoli’s laughter could be heard ringing through the woods as Ethan gave an indignant sputter and offered no clear reply. Apparently Andre was stiff competition in the pleasing department.

***********************************************************************

Ethan walked home with a skip in his step and a happy tune whistling from his lips. He felt light and happy, a wonderful difference to earlier that day. Night had fully settled by the time he departed from Nicoli’s. He had lingered at one of the windows for a few minutes to see if everything with Nicoli was all right when he returned home.

Nicoli was questioned by his mother why it took him longer than it should have to get home from the library in which he replied that it had been such a good afternoon that he decided to take a stroll around town and a little through the woods, which explained the stains on his pants. After discussing it for a few minutes his mother had been satisfied and Nicoli rushed to the bathroom, saying he really had to go.

Ethan had left after that, seeing that all was right with the world. Another reason he was so happy – as if the sex wasn’t reason enough to be happy – was because he had cleared up the tiniest misgivings he was having about the physical part of their relationship.

Conrad and Felix had both said they were worried about Ethan getting too close to Nicoli, and adding sex was bound to make them worry more. But what Ethan had to convince himself was that it was just sex. There was a major difference between sex and making love and what they had was just plain, gratifying sex. There was no emotional connection between them that way, the way that said they had feelings between each other that went beyond the necessary. He was also relieved that Nicoli seemed to share his same mindset. All he wanted was pleasure. No feelings, no commitment, no hassle. Nicoli was the perfect fuck buddy in that regard.

As Ethan strolled along his good mood began weighing down when the back of his neck prickled. It was as if a presence was hovering above him, drilling holes through the back of his skull. He knew the feeling and knew it well. He was being followed.

He had made it to the heart of downtown and he quickly deterred from his path down a small alleyway. The presence was still there, so he waited until he was quite a ways down the alley before turning and staring down the way he had come with narrowed eyes.

“All right, who’s there?” he called out, his voice dark and menacing. “If you don’t come out I’ll hunt you down and drag you out of your hiding place and you won’t like what happens after that.”

He waited for a few seconds and his ears pricked when laughter reached them. A figure formed at the opening of the alley and made its way towards him.

“You sound positively vicious. I actually have chills running down my spine,” the figure said and Ethan raised his eyebrows when he recognized the voice and saw who it was when they drew closer.

“Conrad?” he asked in astonishment.

Conrad chuckled as he neared his child and stopped just a few feet away.

“Yes, it is I, so you can relax.”

Ethan had mixed feelings about seeing his sire. On one hand he was happy it was only his father who had been following him and not someone like Omen. On the other hand he really did not want to deal with Conrad at the moment. Their fight earlier was still fresh in his mind and he remembered how sour his mood had turned the first time he had slept with Nicoli because of the other vampire.

“What are you doing here?” Ethan finally asked.

“Gavin forced me out of the house,” Conrad said with a sigh. “I haven’t fed for quite some time and Gavin thought it was time I go find some food before I fainted from lack of blood. I fought him on it for some time, but you know how Gavin gets if he thinks one of us is being deprived of food. Then I smelled you in the area and wondered if you would like to join me for a hunt. You know this town better than I, and I thought you could show me where the best feeding ground is.”

“I’m not hungry,” Ethan replied. It came out as more of a snap than he intended, but there was nothing he could do about that. He wasn’t lying to spite his sire either. He had fed recently and it would last him for at least a week. It was the reason he hadn’t taken any blood from Nicoli during their coupling.

Conrad stared at Ethan for a moment before sighing.

“All right, I suppose I deserve your cold shoulder,” Conrad said. “I also have an ulterior motive for seeking you out in private.”

“Which would be what?” Ethan asked, crossing his arms.

“A peace offering. Do you know how much it tears me up inside to know that you are displeased with me? Add Andre also not holding me in the highest regard does not help matters.”

“Is he still angry?” Ethan asked, trying not to act overly interested to a promised peace offering.

“No, he’s just sulking now. You both excel in that skill.”

“So what exactly did you come here to offer me?” Ethan asked, ignoring Conrad’s try at humor.

“It has come to my attention that I may not be doing right by you,” Conrad said slowly. He looked very uncomfortable and Ethan could tell he was willing his body not to squirm. Conrad rarely ever admitted he was wrong, and when he did he took no pleasure in it. “In my drive to protect you from yourself and this boy I may have made a rash decision that, in the end, would hurt you more than it would help or heal.”

Ethan knew exactly where this was coming from. Conrad had been talking to Faith. Leave it to the little angel of the family to make Conrad see the error of his ways. Ethan had to remember to give his sister a kiss when he returned home.

“So…what are you saying? You’re not going to kill Nicoli?” he asked, and couldn’t hide the hope in his voice.

Conrad visibly grimaced and his jaw tightened.

“That’s partly what I’m saying,” he replied. “My judgment is not fully lifted from the boy, but it will be lightened.”

“How do you mean?” Ethan asked.

“I…” Conrad took a second to draw in a breath and give Ethan complete eye contact. “I will not kill the boy at the end simply for helping. But –” he said before Ethan could go into a victory dance. “I will kill him if he proves to be a threat.”

Ethan’s soaring mood deflated at that.

“You think his very existence is a threat. How is that any different?” Ethan asked in exasperation.

“What I mean is that if it becomes evident that Nicoli is going to betray us or hurt one of us intentionally or maliciously or anything in the same vein, I will kill him. Other than that his life is in the hands of Fate and God. That is the difference.”

Ethan could only stare at Conrad in shock. He almost didn’t want to believe his ears. If he did and it all turned out to be some horrible joke he wouldn’t be able to take it. But nothing in Conrad’s posture or expression even hinted that he was trying to be humorous.

“Are you serious? Do you really mean that?”

“We’ve already been over this, Ethan,” Conrad said with a small hint of a smile. “I don’t say what I don’t mean.”

Ethan couldn’t contain himself. He launched himself at Conrad and enveloped him in a tight bear hug that raised the elder vampire’s feet right off the ground. When Ethan set him back down kisses were peppered all over Conrad’s face with the last one lingering on his lips.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Ethan preened happily before giving Conrad a deeper kiss. “You won’t regret this,” he said when he pulled away. “Nicoli would never do any of those things. You have nothing to worry about.” He gave another tight hug and buried his face in the crook of Conrad’s neck.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I have many things to worry about,” Conrad said with a sigh. He then smiled as he pet Ethan’s hair and slipped his other arm around broad shoulders. “The things I do to make you happy.”

“Yes, and you’ve made me so very, very happy,” Ethan said as he stood up straight and couldn’t help but give Conrad one more kiss. “Now, I’ll go show you the best place to hunt around here,” he said as he began ushering Conrad out of the alley.

“I thought you said you weren’t hungry?”

“I’m not, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help you hunt.”

“Of course…I hope you know this doesn’t mean I’ll like the boy because I probably never will.”

“I know, Dad, and that’s quite all right. You don’t have to. Tolerating him will do just fine.”

====================================Ch. 39