Crimson Moon (6 page)

“I’ve got a tent that’s designed especially for vampires. I’ll make sure he uses it.”

“Good.” Neo took several steps down. “I’ll see you back here tomorrow evening.”

Ramiro was surprised. “Are you sure you don’t want me to accompany Spiro back?”

“He’ll be fine once he leaves Galway. I’ll let you know if I find anything out about Ian. For now, just…enjoy the time you have with Gunnar.” It was easy enough to read
Neo’s
mind. If something did happen to Ian, Ramiro wouldn’t be the only one to lose his soul. “I could say the same thing to you. Why don’t you ask Michael to join you?”

“Oh, I plan to,” Neo chuckled.

Ramiro turned away from the vault’s entrance. He felt like he was standing on the edge of disaster, but what could he possibly do about it other than enjoy the time he had?

Chapter Four

With the night drawing to a close, Gunnar stood beside Haig. “Keep an eye out for
Rafi
,” he told his friend. There was only one road into the pack lands and it divided Gunnar’s newly set-up camp from Haig, Kern and
Audric’s
.

Haig nodded. “I heard.” He glanced over his shoulder at Kern and
Audric
who were busy setting up the protective vampire-grade tent. “How much danger do you think we’re in? The pack has to know we’re here.”

“Spiro’s trying to finish up the wards around all our campsites. That’ll protect us as long as we stay within the perimeter. As of right now, our jobs are to observe and report back to Neo, nothing more.” Gunnar knew it was harder for Haig to remain calm while being so close to
the were
who had tortured his sister for centuries, but they still didn’t know what they were up against. “If we’re given the go-ahead to engage, believe me, we won’t leave you out of the fight.”

“I appreciate that.”

Spiro appeared with Ramiro at his side. In full protective-mode, Ramiro made Gunnar’s mouth water. Gods, he longed to run his hands over the vampire’s muscled chest. Gunnar’s cock hardened when Ramiro made eye contact. “Finished?” Gunnar asked Spiro.

“Yes, and just in time.”
He gestured at the horizon. “
Sun’ll
be up soon.”

“We need to get you back to your campsite,” Ramiro told Gunnar.

Gunnar was slowly getting used to the change in his sleeping schedule. It didn’t take long for him to figure out his strength diminished drastically at dawn. He knew Ramiro could go a day or so without sleep, but Ramiro had been a vampire a hell of a lot longer than he had. Gunnar slapped Haig on the shoulder. “Keep your eyes open and log everything you see. I’ll check in with you this evening.”

Gunnar started towards his campsite, eyes open for any sign of Juniper or his pack of monsters.

“Wait up,” Ramiro called, jogging after him.

Gunnar glanced over his shoulder to see Spiro had disappeared. “Don’t you have to accompany Spiro?”

“No. I’m here for the day,” Ramiro said, falling in stride next to Gunnar.

“The day?”
Gunnar’s heart began to beat faster at the implication. Would they repeat their earlier actions?

Ramiro brushed his hand against Gunnar’s thigh. “Is that okay?”

Gunnar’s throat went dry.
“More than.”

Ramiro grabbed Gunnar’s hand and led him inside the tent. He zipped the flaps against the first rays of sunlight, plunging the space into darkness.

“Guess this fancy tent of yours works,” Gunnar said. He’d been directing his men on where to set up camp when Ramiro had arrived with the special light-blocking tent. Although he could see, his vision was tinted red. In wolf-form, Gunnar had seen through the darkness in black and white. The red was one more reminder of what he’d become. “Is there a lamp or something in here?”

“You don’t need it,” Ramiro reminded him, unbuttoning his shirt.

“No, I don’t, but I think I’d prefer it.” Gunnar watched as Ramiro moved to the corner of the tent and turned on a small battery-operated lantern. “Does that help?”

Gunnar nodded before pulling off his T-shirt. The bed was nothing more than a thick sleeping bag laid out with a blanket on top, but to him it was full of promise. Was he hoping for more than Ramiro was willing to give?
Probably
.
But it didn’t stop him from secretly wanting it.

Ramiro wasted no time in undressing. He dug a small tube of lube out of his jacket pocket and slipped it under the sleeping bag.

Gunnar could tell Ramiro was trying to be subtle. Knowing Ramiro’s motives were to put Gunnar at ease made him trust the hot vampire even more than he already did. Their brief encounter earlier had left him hungry for more. But this time he was anxious to hold Ramiro afterwards. Something he hadn’t desired for many years.

“Stop worrying,” Ramiro said, pulling Gunnar into his arms. He brushed his lips across Gunnar’s temple, ending the gesture with a soft kiss. “Feel me,” he whispered in Gunnar’s ear.

Gunnar closed his eyes when Ramiro slowly lowered his zipper.

“Lay down and I’ll take off your boots,” Ramiro instructed.

“I can do it,” Gunnar returned.

“Of course you can. You’ve been doing for yourself for centuries, but now it’s my turn to do for you.” Ramiro knelt and began to untie Gunnar’s military-style boots. “It’s been a long time since I had someone to take care of.”

Ramiro’s voice was so soft, so gentle, Gunnar almost missed the pain in it. He wanted to argue that he didn’t need taking care of, but something in that deep cadence stopped him. Who had Ramiro taken care of?

Ramiro stared up at Gunnar. “Lie down. Please,” he added.

With his jeans pushed down to mid-thigh, Gunnar fell back onto the sleeping bag. He wanted to ask Ramiro about his past, but decided it wasn’t the time.

Soon, Gunnar was naked and accepting a deep kiss. The brush of Ramiro’s cock as he fitted himself between Gunnar’s legs made him groan. Needing more, Gunnar wrapped his legs around Ramiro’s waist. Gods, the press of Ramiro’s cock as he ground himself against Gunnar was beyond anything he’d experienced in his short-lived sexual past. “Skin feels so much better than fur,” Gunnar said, breaking the kiss.

Ramiro’s hips stilled. “You say that like you’ve never done this before.”

Although he hated to admit his lack of experience to someone as sexually active as Ramiro, Gunnar knew it was important to be honest. “Before yesterday, I’d never fucked in human form, and never face to face. Back home, there were a couple of like-minded
weres
, but it was forbidden. What we did, we did quickly and deep in the forest.”

Instead of being disgusted, like Gunnar had assumed, Ramiro smiled. “Man, are you in for a treat.”

After another quick kiss, Ramiro began licking his way down Gunnar’s neck and chest. He stopped at each nipple to tease and bite before moving on. The attention made Gunnar squirm. It was too much and not enough. He nudged Ramiro’s shoulders, hoping to feel that lapping tongue on his cock. “Please,” he begged.

Gunnar was on the verge of giving up control, something he’d never done. As Ramiro moved further down his body, Gunnar began to worry. Would he always be at Ramiro’s mercy? As Ramiro’s tongue swirled around the head of his cock, Gunnar had his answer. Fuck, he could handle being on the receiving end of Ramiro’s mouth for a few centuries.

Gunnar buried one hand in Ramiro’s thick, black hair while he grabbed the base of his cock with the other. He needed to feel the vampire’s throat. Once again, begging was in the forefront of his mind, but Ramiro quickly took the hint and swallowed Gunnar’s cock.

“
Ahhhh
, fuck!”
Gunnar yelled, thrusting deeper.

Ramiro released Gunnar’s cock and chuckled. “If you plan to fuck me, I’d better back off.”

It only took a moment’s hesitation before Gunnar shook his head. “I want to know what it feels like to…you
know?
”

Ramiro smiled. “Yes, I know.” He reached over to the hidden tube of lube. “It’ll be easier for you on your hands and knees,” he explained.

“No,” Gunnar said with a shake of his head. “I want to feel like a man, not a wolf.”

Ramiro took a deep breath. “Okay.” He leant back on his heels and bent Gunnar’s legs at the knees, placing his feet flat on the ground. “I’ll go
slow
. Just tell me if you become uncomfortable.”

Although Gunnar understood that Ramiro was trying to be gentle with him, the comment made him bristle. “I’m not a fucking kid. I know what’s involved.”

Ramiro grinned and held up his hands.
“Fine.”
He squirted some lube onto his fingers and ran them down the crease of Gunnar’s ass.

The moment the pad of Ramiro’s middle finger began circling Gunnar’s hole, he knew he was in trouble. Despite what he’d agreed to, Ramiro would no doubt draw the torture out for as long as possible. Gunnar lifted his legs, trying to figure out how to give Ramiro better access to his hole. Maybe Ramiro had been right and he should turn over.

“Hook your arms under your knees and lift them to your chest,” Ramiro said, interrupting Gunnar’s thoughts.

The moment Gunnar
complied,
he felt the first finger press against his hole. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from crying out as Ramiro sank in to the second knuckle. It wasn’t pain he felt at the intrusion, but the last of his reserve slipping away. He would do anything, be anything, if only he could know what it felt like to truly belong to someone.

Ramiro placed his hand low on Gunnar’s stomach and added another finger to his ass. “Feel,” he whispered.

Gunnar’s hips jerked as Ramiro pressed against his prostate. Of course he’d found that pleasurable spot before, but it felt completely different when nudged by someone else. “Again,” he growled.

Laughing, Ramiro prodded his prostate once more before withdrawing his fingers.

“Hey,” Gunnar scolded.

One of Ramiro’s black eyebrows rose.
“Patience.”
He reached for the lube and slicked his cock, before positioning himself at Gunnar’s
hole
. “I’ve thought of this. So many mornings I lay in bed and dreamt of this day.”

Before entering Gunnar, Ramiro reached up and cupped his cheek. He opened his mouth, but no words were spoken. Closing it, Ramiro gave a slight shake of his head. “Ready?”

Unable to speak around the sudden knot of emotions in his throat, Gunnar nodded. He held on to his legs as Ramiro’s cock pushed slowly inside. Although the pain was more than he’d expected, it wasn’t the worst he’d ever experienced. Still, he had to wonder… “Does it get easier?” he finally asked.

Ramiro stopped. “It’ll take your body a minute to adjust, but I promise it’ll be worth it.” He rubbed Gunnar’s stomach. “Just relax and breathe.”

Gunnar’s eyes closed as his head fell back to the sleeping bag. He did as instructed and, within moments, the pain seemed to lessen. Sighing, Gunnar grinned. “You were right.”

“Of course.
Did you doubt me?” Ramiro
asked,
amusement in his voice.

Opening his eyes, Gunnar scowled. “Stop being smug and fuck me.”

Laughing, Ramiro slowly slid in, an inch at a time, until Gunnar felt the vampire’s balls press against him.
“How’s that?”

“Good,” Gunnar answered honestly. “Damn good.”

Ramiro stretched out, resting his chest against Gunnar’s, and kissed him. “Put your legs around me,” he whispered after breaking the deep tongue-probe.

Gunnar released his legs and groaned. “I’m too old to be a pretzel anyway.”

“No you’re not.” Ramiro nipped Gunnar’s bottom lip. He pulled out before pushing back inside. “But I prefer to feel you wrapped around me.” Ramiro stared into Gunnar’s eyes as he began thrusting in and out.

There was something unspoken happening between them, and Gunnar wondered whether he’d ever be able to walk away unscathed. Each time Ramiro sank deep into Gunnar’s body it felt almost like a brand to Gunnar. Whether Ramiro knew it or not, it seemed vampires were capable of love because in that moment, Gunnar knew he was in love.

Only once before had he thought himself in love, but he now knew the truth. What he had felt for
Brandr
had been a crush, nothing more. He’d never lain with the older were, had never been asked. Why would a strong beta like
Brandr
look twice at a pup like Gunnar when he could have Gunnar’s father?

Gunnar gasped at the rush of pain and emotion that threatened to overwhelm him. He’d long ago buried the memories of his life before leaving Norway.

Ramiro slowed his rhythm. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.
Just the past trying to break in to the present.”
He knew he would eventually have to tell Ramiro about the darkness that lived within him, but not yet. If their relationship continued to develop, he would lower his walls. He pulled Ramiro’s head down for a kiss. He aggressively probed the interior of Ramiro’s mouth with his tongue, hoping to drive away the demons that still haunted him.

Ramiro’s thrusts increased in speed and intensity the longer they kissed. Perhaps Ramiro had his own demons to rid himself of?

Gunnar wrapped his legs higher around Ramiro’s back, giving himself room to reach his cock. As the erotic tongue duel continued, he began stroking his dick. He was close. He just needed that little bit… Gunnar pinched the sensitive spot just under the head of his cock and erupted. His body jerking with the force of his climax, Gunnar broke the kiss and howled Ramiro’s name.

“Fuck! So good,” Ramiro yelled, loud enough for the entire region to hear. His body bucked as he filled Gunnar with heat.

Gunnar’s eyes popped open at the warmth invading his persistently cold body. For the first time since he’d been kidnapped, he felt something other than the constant chill in his bones. “Heat,” he gasped, still trying to catch his breath.

Ramiro chuckled. “Yes.” He collapsed on top of Gunnar and kissed his neck. “There are only two things that can give vampires that kind of comfort, fucking and feeding.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Gunnar asked.