Justice (17 page)

He didn’t have therapy today. After agreeing to meet with Oscar and Josiah, Paul had had a short session with Vivian the night before. Today, there’d be tea on the front porch in the early afternoon, and time with Vivian if he needed it later.

Vivian was on the patrolling schedule now, but only for a couple of hours every other day. Justice wasn’t worked in, but that was okay since Justice was with him.

There was definitely a nervous fluttering in Paul’s stomach about the upcoming meeting with Oscar and Josiah. Intellectually, he understood that he couldn’t blame a whole breed for what was done to him. It wasn’t his intellect that was freaking out on him. Or threatening to.

He’d get through it. Justice had lost his job yesterday. Paul wasn’t going to cost him his family, too.

God, he could use a distraction. He could just nudge Justice over on his side and slip right into that tight, hot ass. There was probably still lube from last night. Paul loved fucking Justice again after having come in him. It seemed so dirty and erotic, but it wasn’t dirty. It didn’t demean either of them.

Fucking Justice without a care for his pleasure, that would be demeaning. Paul wouldn’t do that, not even to escape his own fears. It startled him to realise he was putting Justice’s happiness and care before his own. For months, Paul had been lost in himself. Of course he hadn’t seen it that way, but his selfishness had been truly appalling.

Yes, he’d been through some very horrible shit. Maybe his reactions were normal, if that word could be applied to the situation. Even so, it was time for him to really move past it.
No more trying,
he told himself,
it’s time to actually do it.

He wrinkled his nose.
That almost sounded Yoda-ish.

Beside him, Justice stretched and yawned. Paul really did appreciate the show, all those muscles rippling, Justice’s long limbs reaching out as he undulated.

Justice’s dick was erect, pushing up at the sheet. Paul helped it get free, giving the material a tug.

“Mmm, s’a good start,” Justice said in a scratchy voice.

Paul thought so, too. His own erection was going to have to chill, because he wanted to focus on pleasing Justice.

He started by rolling on top of that big, tanned body and licking the closest strip of skin. There was nothing like the taste of his man. Paul lapped at Justice’s neck, giving it a good drag of teeth here and there. Justice was panting in minutes, clutching at the sheets and digging his heels into the mattress.

Paul nipped the bruised wound where he’d bitten deeper the night before. God, he loved the way Justice came apart for him.

He ran his hands up Justice’s sides, then around to his pecs. Taut nipples tempted him and so he moved down and nibbled on one while pinching at the other.

Justice flowed like water beneath him, rippling and moving so smoothly in his need. Paul sucked up a deep purple mark above his right nipple, then marked the left as well. Justice’s cock was leaking pre-cum between them—he was rubbing that thick length alongside Paul’s shaft.

It took all of Paul’s control to stop himself from grabbing Justice and rutting away to completion. Instead he worked Justice’s nipples into dark, heated peaks as Justice writhed.

When those nipples were bordering on raw, Paul moved down to lick a path to Justice’s cock. Along the way, he left a trail of purple love bites over ribs and chiselled abs. He delved his tongue into Justice’s belly button and Justice clenched almost every muscle in his body as he made a strangled sound.

Paul grinned and laved that hole again before settling himself in a more comfortable position to suck Justice’s dick. As close as Justice was, as hot as his desire and need was running, Paul wasn’t going to tease any longer. Justice was going to come, soon, and Paul wanted that jizz in his mouth.

He pushed at Justice’s legs then cupped his balls at the same time he sucked in Justice’s crown. Justice jolted as if he’d been jabbed with a cattle prod. He had always kept still and let Paul control the depth and speed of the blow job. Paul revelled in having stripped Justice of that last bit of control. Justice’s pleasure poured into him as that thick length sank farther into his mouth.

Paul moaned and despite his best intentions, he just had to fist his own dick. While he tongued the veiny shaft, sucked until his jaws ached, he also stroked his own cock and shared the pleasure of it with Justice.

Their lust synchronised, their ecstasy meeting and melding into one overpowering sensation. It covered them both as Justice shouted, driving his cock in, breaching Paul’s throat. Paul swallowed and only had a second to appreciate the feel of his throat muscles holding in that heated length before he pulled back, his own shout muffled as he came.

Justice’s spunk hit his tongue at that same moment, and Paul had never felt so complete as he did then, not even before he’d been abducted. Justice was so deeply entrenched a part of him, Paul couldn’t imagine living without him. Couldn’t imagine not having the affection and want between them, the laughter, tears and lust.

There was no way he would ever waste time even trying to imagine his life without Justice. He wasn’t wasting any more time on what might have beens and what-ifs.

* * * *

So far, so good. Justice kept his arm around Paul’s shoulders as Oscar and Josiah approached.

Oscar was walking in front of his mate, which made their height discrepancy more apparent to him. Then again, he was probably worrying over something stupid. Josiah would have looked taller than Oscar no matter where he stood, if he were by his mate. That was because Josiah was quite a bit taller than Oscar.

Paul stiffened slightly as Oscar continued approaching them. Josiah hung back, tucking his hands in his back pockets and staring down. It was an open, non-threatening position, and he pointed that out to Paul silently, using their mental link.

Oscar came up the porch steps. Justice wanted to stand, but he was going to let Paul decide what to do. Paul huffed and jabbed him in the rib, either accidentally or on purpose, Justice really couldn’t tell. They stood, and Justice smiled at his cousin.

“I see you come bearing gifts,” he said, gesturing to the jug of iced tea Oscar held. “Grandma’s?”

“Yeah.” Oscar set down the container and offered a hand to Paul. “I’m Oscar, and I tend to be blunt, so just tell me when I can let my mate inch closer.”

“Ass,” Justice said, tempted to bap Oscar on the back of the head.

Oscar glared at him. “What? Oh. Please. I always forget the please.”

“I was thinking more along the lines that you sounded snarky and could use a paddling,” Justice informed him. “But since you did say please.”

Paul laughed, the sound not quite true, but he was trying. “It’s, uh, I guess it’s nice to meet you. I’m not really sure about that yet.”

Oscar gave Paul an approving look. “A man who isn’t afraid to be blunt in return. I think I like you already.”

Paul let go of his hand. “Well, I don’t have your shifter senses, so I need a little more time to make up my mind about you.” Paul delivered it with a smile that made it clear he was teasing. “I, uh, I guess he can come over here. Josiah, I mean.”

“Didn’t think you meant our invisible friend,” Oscar grumbled.

Justice popped him on the back of the head. “Ass.”

Oscar glared at him. “If I didn’t deserve that, I’d so totally beat your ass.”

“No doubt.” Justice was bigger, more muscled, but Oscar’s wiry strength would seriously cut into Justice’s chances of winning if they ever did spar again.

Oscar held out his hand towards Josiah, who began to walk their way. He moved slowly, checking on Paul’s reaction every other step.

“I’m fine.” But Paul trembled a little as Josiah stopped beside Oscar. Paul’s breathing was faster, but he wasn’t in the throes of a panic attack. Not yet, at least. Paul studied Josiah, who at first kept his gaze down, but eventually, Josiah looked Paul right in the eyes.

Paul fidgeted, rubbing his wrist with his other hand as he tended to do when he was nervous. Then Paul stood up a little straighter. “Hey,” he said, pressing against Justice but keeping his voice steady. “I’m Paul, but you know that.”

“Josiah.” Josiah offered to shake hands. Paul hesitated but covered it well, sliding his palm against Josiah’s. “Nice to meet you.”

“Same.” Paul went back to twisting at his wrist. “You don’t look like any of the ones I…I knew before.”

Oscar beamed, the big smile so uncommon for him that Justice gawked while Oscar preened. “He is a stud, isn’t he? Never seen a more handsome man.”

Paul glanced at Justice. “Well, I’m going to have to disagree.”

“That’s probably a good thing. It’d be weird if you were lusting after my mate.” Oscar blanched. “Sorry. Again, there goes the mouth.”

“It’s okay. Do you want to have a seat, and maybe we can talk for a while?” Paul asked. “I can get us some glasses. I meant to bring them out in the first place, but…”

But he’d wanted an excuse to go in and get himself together if necessary. Justice had talked it over with him and frankly, Paul was doing so much better than either of them had expected.

“That’d be nice. When you get back, we can talk about what plans we’re implementing here, and if you have any questions for Jo that would put you more at ease around him, please ask.”

“Wow, Oscar, that sounded very mature and compassionate,” Justice teased as Paul went inside. “I’m impressed.”

Oscar flipped him off. “Be a shame if I tripped when I was pouring your glass of tea. Might end up getting you wet.”

“Behave, sweetheart,” Josiah told Oscar. “You’re a little wired today.”

“I’ve had about three hours’ sleep all week, I’m brain-dead, not wired,” Oscar retorted.

Paul returned holding a tray with iced glasses and fresh chocolate chip cookies on it. “Brought out the heavy-duty friendship-building food. Cookies.”

“Home-made?” Oscar asked. “Oh, they are,” he cooed as he plucked one off the tray. “Who baked these?”

“I did, last night.” Justice held up his hand for a second then lowered it. “Because I am just that awesome.”

“You really are,” Paul said as Oscar groaned around a mouthful of cookie. “And you’re all mine.”

“Young love,” Josiah sighed. “Or maybe that should be new love. Y’all are both older than Oscar.”

Justice stilled on the inside, his senses pricking sharp then calming. He looked at Paul, who was staring at him with a rather shocked look on his face.

It was in that moment, as he gazed into Paul’s eyes, that he realised he did love his mate. Not just liked, not just felt affection for, but the deep, abiding love he’d always hoped to have.

Justice couldn’t hide it from Paul, either. He saw no reason to try. He let the feeling flow from him to his mate. Paul’s eyes shimmered with tears, and his lips trembled.

“Maybe we should go—” Josiah began.

Justice waved him off. He cupped Paul’s chin and gently kissed those quivering lips. He didn’t mind anyone seeing him, knowing he was proclaiming his love to his mate with the kiss.

Or that Paul was proclaiming it right back, opening for him, trusting Justice to lead the kiss and keep him safe, not to abuse his strength. Justice drank in his mate’s taste, the quiet, barely-there sob that Paul fed into him. He held Paul after the kiss ended, with Paul sitting beside him on the porch swing again, legs tucked under him and curled against Justice’s side.

It was a peaceful visit, an easy, getting-to-know-one-another event that would always be one of Justice’s favourite memories. The first time he ever fell in love, or better still, the only time he would ever fall in love, because it would last forever between him and Paul.

After an hour of visiting, Paul seemed comfortable, mostly, around Josiah. Justice didn’t think he’d be asking the guy to play poker or anything any time soon, but the seeds of friendship had been planted.

“We’d better go. Remus and a slew of family are supposed to be arriving tonight and tomorrow.” Oscar grinned at him. “It’s like a whole ’nother family reunion for y’all since you didn’t make the original one this year. Grandma Marybeth even mentioned making it a twice-yearly event so everyone can make it to one or the other, or both.” Oscar stopped grinning so quickly it was like he’d slapped a mask on. “I’ve gotten better about the reunions, but I still don’t like them.”

“Aw, I think you do,” Josiah teased. “Can’t admit it, because people might think you have a soft heart.”

Oscar gave his mate a narrow-eyed look. “I don’t have a heart.”

Josiah laughed and laughed until he had to bend over and hold his stomach. Justice wasn’t the only one wondering if the man had slipped a rung on his mental ladder.

“Come on,” Josiah gasped, his eyes crinkled with the size of his smile. “He’s trying to be Billy Badass here, or Oscar—”

“Don’t say it,” Oscar warned in a low voice.

“The Grouch,” Josiah continued, “And we all know he’d turn himself inside out for any one of his family or friends. He loves them all.”

Oscar turned his nose up, but the corners of his mouth twitched as he hooked an arm through one of Josiah’s. “I’ll make you pay for spilling all of my secrets, mate.”

“Promises like that just warm my willy,” Josiah retorted.

Oscar scrunched up his nose as he looked at Josiah. Justice laughed and Paul snorted.

“Please don’t ever use that phrase again,” Oscar finally said. “Not if you ever hope to have your
dick
anywhere near me again.”

Josiah saluted Oscar. “Turns me on when you get all bossy, you know.”

“Which is only part of why I do it.” Oscar waved at them then headed back to his place.

“They seemed kind of fun, actually,” Paul said as he watched them walking away. “I like Oscar. He’s not nice all the time. Makes me feel like less of a jerk, because I’m not nice all the time either.”

“But I wouldn’t have you any other way,” Justice assured him. “I do love you, just as you are, and I’ll keep loving you no matter how you might change.”

Paul’s eyes welled over and he hugged Justice so hard it knocked the breath right out of him. “I love you too. So much.”