Federal Paranormal Agency 6 - Leannan (5 page)

The phone
rang
only once before the man answered. “Yeah.”

“Someone broke into my house.”

“Fuck,” he breathed out. “Are you okay?”

“I need you to come over and bring a couple of guys.”

“I’m on my way.”

Ending the call, Duncan shoved the phone into his pocket. He strode toward the dead man bleeding all over his beautiful hardwood floor and knelt down. “Fucker,” he growled.

Duncan pulled back the black mask covering the guy’s face and tilted his head, studying the man’s features. He didn’t look familiar. Pushing up his sleeves, Duncan checked the man’s forearms, looking for any distinguishing marks, but there were none. All the men in his crew, himself included, had an intricate Celtic design tattooed on the
inside
of their right wrist. Whoever this guy was, he’d been hired to kill Duncan. Of that, Duncan was certain.

When there was a knock on his front door, Duncan stood up and headed toward the entryway. He unlocked the door and pulled it open. Stepping aside, Duncan lifted his arm, silently inviting Niall, Brandon, and Aiden into his home. The three men filed past him, walking into the living room.

“Do you know who he is?” Niall asked, staring down at the dead body.

“No clue.” Duncan shook his head.

“What do you want us to do?”

“Get rid of the body and clean up this mess. Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

“Where’s your houseguest?”

“You’re asking a lot of fucking questions, Niall.”

“Do we need to take care of him as well?”

Duncan snapped. He reached out and grabbed the collar of Niall’s shirt in a tight fist, pulling him in close. Niall’s eyes widened, fear filling the globes. He lifted his hands, palms up.

“Nobody touches him. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” Niall murmured.

Duncan dropped his hand and stepped back, schooling his features.
Thomas saved my life.
Just the thought of someone hurting the young man sent him into an unexplainable rage. Normally, Duncan stayed in complete control. In his line of work, he couldn’t allow anyone to see weakness. Thomas was getting to him. The young man had the ability to crawl beneath all of Duncan’s walls and expose his vulnerable heart. In the future, Duncan would need to be careful. Luckily, he could trust his men.

“I’ve got a meeting in the morning,” he said, changing the subject. “Find out who hired this bastard.”

Niall nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll lock up when we’re done.”

“Good.”

Leaving Niall, Aiden, and Brandon to clean up the mess, Duncan made his way to his bedroom.

His heart pounded erratically against his chest as fear and nervous energy churned in his gut. Would Thomas be upset? Would he demand answers, and could Duncan be completely honest? Did he want Thomas to know every aspect of his life? Shaking his head, Duncan realized that he didn’t want Thomas to know the truth. The young man was a clean slate, his mind untainted by what Duncan truly was. Thomas didn’t know about Duncan’s life or his business.

When he stepped into his bedroom, Duncan found Thomas curled into a ball on the bed. Breathing out a quiet sigh of relief, he strolled over, careful not to make a sound. Duncan took a moment to just look at Thomas, his eyes wondering over each feature.

With his eyes closed, Thomas looked like an angel with baby-soft skin and pouty lips. The memory of the kiss they shared still lingered on his lips. Duncan pulled the blankets back and climbed onto the bed. He carefully maneuvered Thomas, hoping the man didn’t wake up.

Thomas groaned, a little whine slipping from his lips as he shifted restlessly against Duncan.

“Shhh,” he whispered. “It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.”

Baby.
Duncan couldn’t believe how easily the pet name rolled off his tongue. Tucking Thomas against his chest, Duncan held him close. He moved his hand up and down Thomas’s back, gently petting him, coaxing the young man back to sleep.

He saved my life.

Duncan was still having a hard time wrapping his mind around all that had occurred. He wasn’t sure how Thomas had even heard the intruder. The hired gun sent to kill him had bypassed his security system and managed to get inside Duncan’s home. Instead of being scared and hiding from the danger, Thomas ran toward it, protecting him. He laid his cheek
on
the top of Thomas’s head. Now that the young man was in his arms, Duncan was able to rest a little bit easier.

Duncan woke up to an empty bed. Frowning, he slowly sat up and looked around. When the sound of running water reached his ears, Duncan climbed out of bed and strolled toward the bathroom. Stepping over the threshold, he leaned against the nearest flat surface as his knees weakened. Duncan licked his lips, his eyes roaming over the most beautiful naked form he’d ever seen.
Jesus Christ.

With his body covered, Thomas was a vision. Naked, the young
man
was absolute perfection with lean muscles and graceful lines. Toby stood under the heavy spray with his head tilted back and his eyes closed. Duncan allowed himself a few moments to feast with his eyes. Thomas’s facial features were delicate and lovely. His button nose was set against high cheekbones, emphasizing his full lips and jaw line. His skin was smooth and carried a light tan. Bubbles, from the shampoo he’d been
lathering
, slid down his body.

When he’d spotted Thomas inside the alleyway, outside his pub, it was as if all of his prayers had been answered. And now, there wasn’t
any doubt
in
his mind. Thomas—the beautiful angel—would be his.

“Are you just going to stand there and stare?”

Dragging his gaze back up Thomas’s body, Duncan met the young man’s beautiful blue eyes. He pushed himself off the wall and strode toward the shower stall. The question seemed more like an invitation to join him. Pulling off his clothes, Duncan dropped them to the floor before stepping
into
the shower.

The steam caressed his naked flesh before hot droplets of water peppered his skin. Duncan kept his eyes firmly planted on Thomas as he stepped under the spray. His cock hardened instantly, curving back toward his stomach.

Thomas lifted a
hand,
as if he wanted to reach out and touch
Duncan,
but quickly dropped it. He covered his crotch, trying to hide his erection from Duncan’s view. Thomas’s jaw tightened, and he looked down. It seemed as though he were fighting an internal battle.

“Thomas?”

The young man’s head jerked up. “Yeah?”

“Come here.”

“I…” He took a shaky breath but still stepped forward, moving closer to Duncan.

“You can touch me.” Hell, he wanted Thomas’s hands on him.

Thomas stood frozen for only a moment, as if contemplating his options. He grabbed a bottle of shower gel from the nearest shelf. He flicked the lid open and poured a generous amount out on his hand before placing the bottle back where it belonged. Thomas worked the soap into a lather between his palms.

Reaching up, he set both his hands on Duncan’s shoulders. He moved slowly, massaging the lather down Duncan’s chest and stomach. His movements were stiff, but it didn’t take long for his confidence to grow, and he visibly relaxed. Thomas didn’t look up at him or even try to make eye contact. Instead, he studied Duncan’s body, running his smooth hands over his skin. Thomas lowered himself to the floor at Duncan’s feet, washing his thighs and legs.

“I didn’t realize you had so many tattoos. I mean…” He swallowed rapidly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I saw the one on your wrist. It matches the design
on
the sign at The Temple. And then last night I caught a glimpse of your arms, but I didn’t really get a chance to look because, well, you know...”

He didn’t need to finish the sentence. Duncan knew exactly what he was talking about.

Thomas was obviously a very observant young man. He’d noticed the Celtic design tattooed on the inside of Duncan’s wrist and easily matched it to the pub’s sign. Each man that worked for him carried the same tattoo. It was a mark of allegiance. Duncan rarely showed off his ink. It was personal and private. He usually wore suits to keep the black and
gray
designs hidden from the outside world.

Duncan looked down at the man on his knees before him and found Thomas looking up at him. Desire and need shone brightly
within
the blue depths, tempting Duncan. Even with the water pouring down over him, Duncan’s arousal couldn’t be doused out.

Duncan held out his hand and Thomas took it. He pulled the man to his feet and wrapped his arms around Thomas’s waist, drawing him in close. When their naked bodies touched, Duncan groaned, and Thomas let out a heavy sigh of delight. Duncan leaned down and
caught
a brief flash of surprise cross Thomas’s face before he brought their lips together.

* * * *

Fuck!
Hot, strong, and delicious. Thomas whimpered. His teeth ached as his fox rose to the surface, desperate to sink his canines into Duncan’s flesh.

When he’d woken up, surrounded by Duncan’s strong arms and spicy scent, Thomas’s first thought had been to mark and claim his mate. It scared him, forcing Thomas to get up and put some distance between them before he acted without thought. Even though they were mates, Thomas knew he wouldn’t be able to keep Duncan. With all the uncertainty about their future, Thomas needed to stay strong.

Pushing all thought away, he focused on the feeling of Duncan’s lips against his own. Duncan’s tongue swept across Thomas’s lips, and he opened his mouth, granting access. Rising on his tiptoes, Thomas flung his arms around Duncan’s shoulders. The man’s body was a work of art, roped with muscle and covered in
tattoos.

Duncan pushed him back, pressing him against the cool, wet tiles. Duncan leaned into him, connecting their bodies and their mouths. His cock rubbed against Duncan’s as the older man pinned him to the wall. Thomas whimpered. He moved his hips, trying to gain more friction against his shaft, and arousal raced through Thomas’s veins. He moaned as Duncan’s tongue danced against his.

“Please,” he whimpered against Duncan’s lips. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was asking for.

Duncan rocked his hips, moving his thigh between Thomas’s legs, teasing his cock. Thomas groaned and squirmed against the wet tiles. He started moving with Duncan, their bodies coming together frantically. Whining into Duncan’s mouth, Thomas tried to hold back his approaching orgasm, but it was impossible. Pleasure tore through him, strong and sharp. Disconnecting their lips, he cried out Duncan’s name, his voice echoing throughout the bathroom. His hips jerked, and his muscles flexed as he came, shooting hot jets of spunk against Duncan’s thigh.

Soon, Duncan followed him over the edge into bliss. His muscles tensed, and his hips thrust forward. He buried his face against Thomas’s neck and growled as he came. The shower rained down on them, washing away the scent of Duncan’s arousal. Lifting his head, Duncan kissed him. His lips
lingered
for only a moment before he stepped back, giving Thomas space.

“You’re so beautiful.” He winked.

Duncan pulled Thomas under the spray. He ran his large hands over Thomas’s body, rinsing him off before reaching around him and shutting the water off.

“Are you ready for your first day of work?”

Thomas shrugged. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“After my meeting, I’ll stop by the pub, and we’ll have lunch.”

Duncan opened the shower door and stepped out. He grabbed a towel and handed it to Thomas before getting one for himself. Thomas watched as Duncan dried off, rubbing the soft cotton material against his skin and short, black hair. He wrapped the towel around his waist, cinching the material tightly before leaving the bathroom as if nothing had happened in the shower.

Thomas wasn’t really sure what to think of the whole situation. Now that Duncan was gone, he felt cold and alone. Drying off in a rush, Thomas wrapped the overly large towel around his shoulders. He knelt down and picked up the clothes he’d worn to bed. Tucking the pile of material under his arm, Thomas made a hasty exit, practically running toward the guestroom.

He opened the door and slipped inside, closing it behind him. Leaning his back against the door, Thomas closed his eyes and took a couple deep breaths. “What the fuck am I doing?”

A little bark pulled Thomas out of his slump, and his eyes flew open. He looked down and found the little puppy sitting only a few feet away. He tilted his head to the side, staring up at Thomas.

“How could I forget you?” Thomas sighed heavily. “I’m screwing up big time, buddy.”

Dropping the towel to the ground, Thomas grabbed his backpack and dumped out the contents onto the bed. The clothes were still slightly damp from the heavy downpour on his walk to the pub, but he didn’t have any other options. Thomas pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before hanging the other clothing items around the room to dry. Turning on his temporary cell phone, he shoved the device into his back pocket.

The smell of urine hit his sensitive nose, and he looked around, searching for the source. “Crap,” he muttered.

Thomas grabbed the discarded towel from the floor and tossed it over the little puddle on the carpet. He did his best to clean up the mess, hoping Duncan wouldn’t be pissed.

The pup whined
sadly,
as if sensing Thomas’s emotions, and Thomas grinned. “It’s not your fault, little guy. It’s mine.
C’
mon.” He picked the puppy up, holding the little beast in one arm as he left the bedroom.