In the Arms of the Beast Page 2

  “Do you, really? Maybe I should make you work for it?” Beast asked, opening a white door, which hid a single toilet and sink.

  Laurent laughed, entering first. “What would you make me do? Scrub this filthy floor? Because anything you’re insinuating will hardly be a chore.” He slipped his fingers into the waistline of Beast’s jeans and pulled him in.

  Beast snorted and turned the key as they entered, locking them in the tiny cubicle. It smelled excessively of a cotton-scented diffuser, and the spider webs on the ceiling were so numerous it might have made some people squeamish, but Laurent had seen conditions far worse than this in his lifetime.

  “Show it to me.”

  Beast grinned and spun Laurent around, pressing him against the door. “What do you want to see?” he asked but directed Laurent’s hand under his cut, to a secret pocket in the leather.

  Laurent reached in with his fingers trembling. “I will gladly see the other ruby later,” he whispered despite there being no need to. He sensed the shape under his fingers and pulled the gem out of Beast’s pocket. “Was the fight for it brutal? I’ve seen Jake recuperating with an outrageous amount of food.”

  Beast smirked, playing with a strand of Laurent’s hair as if the break-in were nothing. “He always needs his carbs after he transforms into the gargoyle.”

  But Laurent barely listened anymore. The glow of the ruby has been etched on the back of his eyelids the moment he removed it from a clean paper handkerchief. Even when he shut his eyes, the shape of the Pigeon Heart, its color—this vivid red with just a drop of purple—created a hue that defied straightforward description and filled his heart with relief.

  Beast had done it. He’d obtained the precious jewel that could stop Baal from destroying their beautiful world. The cycle which had been set in motion hundreds of years ago, long before Laurent was born, could now be halted so that Baal never hurt anyone or lead them to temptation again.

  “It’s magnificent.”

  Beast smirked. “Almost as pretty as mine,” he said, showing Laurent his engagement signet.

  Laurent stood on his toes and pulled on Beast’s T-shirt to get a kiss. “Almost.” He looked down at the ruby, mesmerized not only by its color but by its value as well. “What if Magpie takes it for himself?”

  Beast blinked, clearly not expecting this question. “Why would he do that?”

  Laurent grasped Beast’s hand and met his gaze. “I believe we should rethink handing over the Pigeon Heart. What if we are being too hasty? I implore you to take into account that Magpie himself had said he didn’t know the details of the upcoming ritual. He doesn’t know what the next stages are, only that they all lead to Baal pouring his world into ours.”

  Beast’s hand squeezed Laurent’s, but he shook his head. “That’s what you worry about? Maybe he doesn’t know for sure how it’ll all work, but he is a creature from that world. He knows the mechanics of that ruby magic. How could any of us compete with that?”

  “Would it hurt to wait and see if there are other ways of approaching the issue?” Frustration became denser in Laurent’s veins when Beast took the ruby from him and put it back into his secret pocket, as if he wanted to wordlessly uphold his original opinion. “You said yourself he is a selfish creature. There’s no guarantee he’s not working with Baal to trick us.”

  Beast’s throat worked as he weighed Laurent’s words. “He is capable of good deeds when it’s not a bother to him. He’s saved Vars, because he likes him. And he likes all the stuff he can have in this world. If Baal takes over, his expensive possessions and glamorous lifestyle will be history. He would be back to being a cog, one in a swarm of similar creatures, and he won’t let that happen if he can help it. Besides, he is our best bet. Who would you ask for advice? I don’t think there are any specialists in interdimensional relations with demons.”

  Laurent groaned. “There are many answers we can still seek. I could go to the library—”

  Beast put his big warm hand over Laurent’s mouth and kissed his forehead, drowning Laurent in the musky scent of his body. “You could continue doing that forever. There’s plenty of books out there, and many of them don’t offer anything but lies disguised as truth. At some point, we need to make a decision and follow what we know at the moment. The trees have already blossomed, Laurent. Waiting is too risky.”

  Laurent frowned at the patronizing gesture and spoke as soon as Beast took the hand off his lips. “This isn’t one of your television games where you get to try again if you fail. This is about our lives, those of our loved ones, and all of humanity on this planet. If you don’t believe in the knowledge preserved in books, then we could ask the oldest ghosts what they know. Maybe even the ghost of the person who started it all. We’d just need to urge Elliot and Knight to look for him. Why wouldn’t you be on the side of caution?”

  Beast briefly closed his eyes before glancing at Laurent with a more serious expression. “Because we need to put trust in someone, and the fact is that each and every one of the ghosts trapped on club grounds has made a pact with Baal. They’re dead, and we don’t know if Baal’s victory wouldn’t be in line with what they want. For all we know, they might be lying to us, too.”

  “You refuse to trust ghosts of people but you’re ready to leave our lives in the hands of a creature who is literally the son of Baal? I know you want to stop the end of the world, but you need to be more flexible. You’re willing to use the hammer in your hand where a screwdriver might be what the job requires. Be willing to reach for another tool and see what works best.”

  Beast leaned closer, again distracting Laurent with his touch. “Can’t you trust me?”

  Laurent swallowed, fighting a losing battle with the desire to lean those two inches forward and kiss Beast’s lips. “At least promise to keep your heart open, were there an alternative option to appear.”

  “Sure. I think all of us need to be open to whatever opportunities come along.” With an infuriating grin, Beast slid his hands to Laurent’s ass and squeezed. “It will be all right.”

  Laurent wasn’t as optimistic. Still, they were married. As husband and husband, they needed to create a united front, even if that wasn’t always the case behind closed doors. Things would have been much easier if Beast weren’t so stubborn.

  Laurent pressed his forehead to Beast’s chest. “I wish this could be easier.”

  “I’m pretty easy. Is that enough?” Beast teased, sending his fingertips dancing over Laurent’s nape.

  Laurent had no idea how Beast still made him smile with the weight of responsibility on their shoulders. “It’s true that your morals are loose at best.”

  Beast’s hands gravitated down Laurent’s flanks again, and he nipped on Laurent’s chin in a way that bordered on pain while being excruciatingly gentle. A soft whine escaped Laurent’s mouth as he pushed back into his man, seeking his warmth.

  “I was thinking about you all the time when I was there. But I’m back, and nobody was hurt. We’re gonna be safe,” he whispered.

  Laurent glanced to the blood on the leather vest and ran his hands down Beast’s chest, once more forced to think about that horrible wait. Anything could have happened. “I hate it when you’re away.”

  Beast gave a raspy laugh and caught Laurent’s wrists, pinning them above his head and diving right in to shower biting kisses down his neck. “I’d have hated it if you were anywhere near those bullets. I can only focus when I know you’re safe.”

  Those words sweetened the wait Laurent had to suffer through before. He met Beast’s blue gaze, and his breath sped up. Maybe he should stick with thinking of his man as indestructible? After all, Beast’s strength couldn’t be matched, and he moved through the world with such confidence Laurent envied him sometimes.

  Beast’s knee pushed apart Laurent’s legs, already moving up to rest against Laurent’s sensitive manhood. It triggered a whirlwind of shivers that ran all the way up Laurent’s body and resonated with the heated touch
of Beast’s lips.

  “It’s more difficult to put my life on the line now, but I’m also more set on returning home safe. There’s someone to come back to,” Beast said, pressing Laurent against the door.

  “Would you not rather wait until we get home?” Laurent whispered, even though the need for Beast’s touch was so urgent waiting wasn’t exactly a welcome idea. He rocked his hips against Beast’s leg with a groan. So he too had a dirty mind. Beast had a way of twisting him into a creature of desire, no matter how virtuous Laurent’s upbringing had been.

  “No,” was all his man had to say before he spun Laurent around with the same ease most people moved plastic chairs. His weight wasn’t crushing Laurent only because Beast didn’t want it to, but it kept Laurent immobile nevertheless, with a hardening cock pressed to his back and a big hand clutching his hair.

  He arched against his man with a whimper. Just thinking about the tattooed cock in Beast’s pants was getting him hot, bothered, and rock hard. No one else had this kind of power over Laurent, no one could bring him to his knees with a well placed touch the way Beast could.

  Teeth pulled on his ear, followed by a tongue so hot it reduced Laurent to shivers. “I think I deserve gratitude for saving the world. What should I take in return?” Beast asked.

  “Anything you wish,” Laurent whispered. He couldn’t deny that the illicit nature of doing this here had his blood run hotter. Maybe it was the years spent under strict discipline that made breaking the law so sweet. Not to mention that their friends were enjoying conversation and drinks close enough to hear some of the noise.

  But Laurent lost the will to protest when Beast opened his pants and dove his huge, rough hand inside.

  “You know what I want,” Beast said, rocking his hips against Laurent’s lower back.

  “If this is what you were thinking of during the heist, I’m surprised you didn’t get shot.” He had to bite back a smile at the touch of those beloved fingers, and slid his jeans that bit lower to give Beast better access. He’d meant the vow he’d made to Beast at their wedding. He was Beast’s. Body and soul.

  Beast laughed against his scalp and pulled Laurent’s hips back until he was leaning on the door. “I think it was highly motivating,” he said, uncovering Laurent’s ass with a firm tug on the jeans, and then sat on the closed toilet, facing Laurent’s buttocks with a wide smile.

  A flush crawled up Laurent’s neck when he glanced over his shoulder. Only Beast knew Laurent was excited by confidence and firm hands. He was about to make sure the door was locked when Beast pulled his cock out, and looking away was no longer possible. His mouth went dry at the sight of Beast stroking his prick while he admired Laurent’s shamelessly exposed ass, first swiping his palm over the flesh, then circling the hole with his thumb.

  He had no shame.

  Laurent loved that about him.

  “I don’t think we have that much time now,” Beast said and leaned closer to Laurent, keeping their gazes locked. He spat between the buttocks, and the dampness trickled down Laurent’s balls, making him tremble and curl his toes.

  His own dick was so hard it was starting to throb between his legs, and he gasped when his hips were pulled back as if he weighed nothing.

  Beast hauled him into his lap, and his thick cock nestled between Laurent’s buttocks, a thick, warm presence pulsing at the entrance to Laurent’s body. His legs could only spread so far while he still wore jeans, but Laurent straddled Beast, breathing harder when he imagined the view he presented his husband. The girth rested against his damp hole, but before he could have done anything at all, Beast grabbed his jaw in a kiss so firm Laurent already knew it would leave his lips swollen.

  “You want it… right?” Beast whispered, pushing the tip of his finger past the rim of Laurent’s hole and pulling on the entrance.

  Laurent nodded so fast hair fell on his face. “Yes. The place doesn’t matter when it’s you who is touching me.”

  Beast’s hand briefly tightened on Laurent’s neck, but then it curled into his hair, holding Laurent still when Beast’s thumb returned to his hole, this time slick and easing into him with no issue. “I know you’d hate it, but I wish everyone knew what we’re doing right now.”

  The heat in Laurent’s face gained a life of its own, throbbing with both excitement and the embarrassment he’d been taught to respond with. He groaned when Beast pushed his finger in faster. “This is only for my husband,” he rasped.

  Beast hummed and delivered the tiniest slap to Laurent’s ass while he stretched his hole in a hurry. “I know. But I’m so proud to have you that I sometimes dream of you stretched out on a table during a party,” he said and winked at Laurent.

  Laurent panted, arching to press his back to Beast’s wide chest. The vision was so lewd Laurent could hardly believe the words coming out of Beast’s mouth. “You would have lost your mind to jealousy within ten seconds.” He bit his lip and reached for Beast’s thick prick, unable to wait any longer. He wanted that massive, inked tool inside him.

  Beast gave a quiet laugh but still pushed his cock into Laurent’s fist. “You might be right. But a man can dream everyone else would be even more jealous that you’re only mine,” he whispered, quickly pulling out a condom. They didn’t use them very often, but in situations like this, the ease of cleanup they offered was a lifesaver.

  Laurent grinned at the upcoming pleasure when the tip of Beast’s cock teased his stretched hole. “You can always imagine it. Me completely naked, and everyone watching as you drive your cock into me.” He could only whisper such illicit words, but forming them with his mouth gave him an unexpected thrill that curled up in his balls, and he rocked against Beast impatiently.

  Beast’s breath caught behind him, but it seemed the words were the final straw for him. One strong arm tightened around Laurent, and the cock pushed in, breaching the tight opening and going deeper as Laurent sank lower until his ass met Beast’s balls and thighs.

  He had to bite his lips to prevent a moan from tearing out of his throat, but Beast helped him on that front by putting a hand over his mouth. Laurent exhaled against the fingers under his nose, dizzy with the arousal and the wonderful pressure of Beast’s dick inside him. There was nothing he wouldn’t give his man right now. His whole body trembled in Beast’s grip, but Laurent didn’t hesitate to raise his hips and push them down, riding that thick rod as if he could only come himself once he satisfied his Beast.

  There was no mirror in sight, and for once Laurent was glad, because they looked like a predator and his prey struggling for life. But it felt amazing. Bent in half, he couldn’t breathe as easily, and the lack of air made his head lighter with every thrust. They started out with Laurent keeping his feet on the floor and moving his hips in tune with Beast’s, but at some point, Beast gave a low growl and hauled Laurent’s legs up, embedding himself inside him.

  The deep penetration had Laurent whimpering into his man’s neck, but his choices were taken away from him, and he let himself feel the movement deep inside as Beast slammed home over and over. Few men would have the strength to hold their partner like this.

  Laurent slid one hand to Beast’s thigh, kneading the flesh that wasn’t covered with scars, while the other reached between his legs when he couldn’t take the pressure anymore. He stroked his cock in tune with Beast’s thrusts, arching back on the verge of orgasm. Their eyes met, and the magnetic connection it triggered pushed Laurent over the edge. He flew in his husband’s arms, feeling the thick girth inside him pulse in triumph too.

  Moments later, his feet were back on the floor, his warm hole almost painfully empty, but when Beast’s arms slid around him and pulled him to the firm chest, Laurent felt home again.

  With his pants still down, he stumbled into Beast’s lap, gasping for air and uncaring about the dirty room, because all that mattered was that he’d gotten to make love to Beast after hours of not knowing if they would ever see each other again.

  Chapter 2 - Beast<
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  Beast faced the monumental colonial facade at the front of the clubhouse. It was late in the day, and the light had a strange tint to it, dancing over the columns like ghostly flames when the clouds passed between the earth and sun all too fast.

  The ruby had been sealed away in a safe and was constantly guarded so that no man, woman, nor creature could put their hands on it before Mr. Magpie’s arrival.

  Beast and the others had gone to such great lengths to recover the precious stone that even Laurent, self-righteous as he could be sometimes, excused the heinous crime of stealing from an elderly couple. After all, if the survival of the entire world depended on a single robbery, as brutal as it had been, then there was no other way.

  Laurent wasn’t as certain about giving the Pigeon Heart away to Mr. Magpie, but Beast didn’t need to consult him on everything. As the leader of the Kings of Hell, he had the responsibility of keeping his people safe, and while advice was usually welcome, he wouldn’t bend to someone else’s fears. Even when that someone was his husband.

  Joker ruffled his dry, heavily bleached hair as he approached Beast. Magpie was due to arrive any minute, and most of the club members gathered in the front yard to welcome him, but time was stretching unpleasantly.

  “The bastard’s taking his time,” Joker said, pulling at the new piercing in his septum. The world would be working like clockwork if we cut off people’s ears for bailing.”

  Beast’s shoulders relaxed somewhat when he laughed. “That’s kinda extreme. And you’d have none left at this point.”

  Joker shrugged. “I’d cut my own ears off and game the system, prez. He could have let us know he’s runnin’ late. It shows a lack of respect for our time. I could be getting another blowie instead of freezing my balls off. It’s colder out here than it looks,” he said and rubbed his shoulders.