“It seems a little unfair that I’m dancing naked and you’re not,” Kobe whispered playfully.

  A tingle of excitement rushed through Zion’s body as he pulled away, gazing up into a handsome, mocha-colored face that held the prettiest pale-brown eyes. Kobe was so manly, so gorgeous that Zion found it hard to breathe.

  “Shall I assist you?” The Warrior’s fingers traced along Zion’s shoulders, dropping down Zion’s arms until Kobe’s fingers played at the buttons on his shirt. Zion didn’t say a word. His breath was frozen as Kobe began to slip the plastic through the eyelet, one at a time as they continued to sway to the music.

  “Have I ever told you how handsome you are?” Kobe asked as he released the last button, Zion’s shirt floating to the floor.

  “No,” Zion breathed out.

  Kobe released the snap on Zion’s pants and then pulled the zipper down, but went no further. Instead, he reached around and slid his hands down the back of Zion’s pants, cupping his ass as the demon dipped his head, capturing Zion’s lips.

  Kobe’s fingers curled into flesh as his tongue teased Zion’s lips, teeth, and then dueled with Zion’s tongue like an intimate caress. His heart pounded and his head swirled, his breathing labored as Zion gripped Kobe’s biceps, opening his mouth wider as Kobe kissed him passionately.

  The candles flickered throughout the room, the music slowly filtering through Zion’s mind as Kobe slowly rocked them toward the couch. Zion’s skin was humming, his mind fragmented, and all he wanted was to feel Kobe wrapped all around him.

  This was a sanctuary, a romantic escape that he had never experienced and never wanted to end. It felt as if his very soul was at peace when he was with Kobe. He felt safe, cared for, and wanted.

  Zion wanted to give something back. He wanted to let Kobe know just how much all of this meant to him. Not just the pretty candles and soft music, but all of it. The laughter, the trust, the feelings that had him all tied up on the inside.

  And there was only one way he could think—at the moment—to show Kobe just how much he cared. Pulling away from Kobe’s lips, Zion nibbled along Kobe’s chest, his lips skimming over one large pec, licking a path to Kobe’s nipple.

  Kobe was massaging Zion’s hair, his eyes locked onto what Zion was doing. Those eyes. God, those gorgeous pale-brown eyes made Zion feel tight and needy.

  “Don’t stop,” Kobe whispered. There was an almost animalistic growl in his voice. But the tone was desperate, captivating Zion as his tongue snaked out and swirled around the dark-brown bud. His hands ghosted over Kobe’s sides, feeling the raw muscles under his fingertips and a thrill of excitement shot through him.

  Kobe’s hand tightened on Zion’s hair when Zion bit down gently on Kobe’s nipple. “God, short stuff.” He hissed, the pale-brown growing darker. Zion’s fingers trailed down to Kobe’s waist, playing with the ridges of the man’s body.

  Zion had never tried so hard or was more consumed with pleasuring someone. He wanted Kobe to love what he was doing, to want more…to want him. He loved the way Kobe’s fingers were caressing his jaw. It made Zion feel the man’s approval as his tongue swept over the man’s chest until he reached Kobe’s sternum, and then he began to descend, slowly licking his way down to the hard planes of the Warrior’s stomach.

  One hand was massaging Zion’s scalp, the other tracing soft lines back and forth across his jaw and neck. There was a hum radiating inside Zion, shooting out systemically, making his cock ramrod hard.

  But this was their night and Zion wanted it to last forever. He didn’t want to rush a moment of what they were doing together. It was as if time itself was suspended. No one existed but Zion and Kobe. No one mattered but the two of them, right here, in this apartment with the candle flames slowly swaying back and forth. The music was filling Zion, making him feel as if he could do anything and everything with this man.

  The soulful sounds made Zion feel sexy, like a seductress who was bewitching the man standing above him, gazing down at Zion as if he were king.

  Zion lapped at Kobe’s navel, kissed the scar on the man’s side, and nibbled his way to the bare hip that was perfectly shaped. Kobe’s erection was gently resting against Zion’s right cheek, reminding him just how much Kobe wanted Zion.

  Amazingly, Zion felt Kobe’s legs slightly trembling. A Demon Warrior who shook from the promise of what was to come? That knowledge made Kobe more real and even more tangible to Zion. He no longer felt like a street rat trying to please someone important. Kobe’s trembling made Zion feel as if they were equal, like they were on the same level.

  Trailing his tongue along the path leading from hip to groin, Zion turned his head and placed a soft kiss on Kobe’s cock, feeling the man jerk slightly. Kobe’s fingers tightened and loosened in Zion’s hair, and then the demon began to run those fingers over Zion’s scalp, both hands playing in the strands.

  Zion never knew his scalp was an erogenous zone for him. But as the tingles turned into pulses of tantalizing exhilaration, he knew he didn’t want Kobe to stop playing in it. He even moaned out salaciously as he wrapped his lips around the head of Kobe’s erection.

  “You like your hair played with,” Kobe correctly surmised as his hips jerked forward. “How about when I pull it?” The tug wasn’t hard, but when he pulled, Zion’s cock jerked.

  “Mmm,” Kobe said teasingly, his voice a dark and provocative sound. “You like that.”

  Zion was struggling not to come in his pants. He had never been this aroused, ever. He felt as if he were kneeling before a god the way Kobe was making his body come to life, making it scream for more. He was treading on enchanted ground, everything around him magical.

  Wrapping his hands around Zion’s hair, Kobe pulled, and at the same time, the demon plunged his cock deeper into Zion’s greedy mouth. Zion sucked and licked, drinking down the pre-cum that was spurting from the head of Kobe’s cock.

  Being a demon himself, Zion knew that Kobe’s erection shot out a lubricant to relax muscles. His throat became pliant, enabling him to take the thick cock all the way down his throat.

  Kobe hissed. “Yes,” he murmured. “Take it all, Zion.”

  Hearing his name on the Warrior’s lips propelled Zion into a higher plane, sending his senses rocketing. He palmed Kobe’s sac, massaging the flesh in his hand as he pulled back and then took the shaft down his throat again.

  Kobe’s hips began to rock and soon he was fucking Zion’s mouth. The demon’s motions matched the slow rhythm of the song filling the room. It was as if the man’s cock was seductively moving to the beat.

  “Zion,” Kobe gritted out before the palms of his hands gripped both sides of Zion’s face, holding him in place as Kobe’s cock moved faster, drove deeper. Zion sealed his lips tight around the erection, his tongue licking feverishly, desperately anticipating Kobe’s release.

  And then the Warrior’s head fell back as he let out a guttural groan, hot spurts of cum splashing the back of Zion’s throat. Zion grabbed Kobe’s hips, holding on as he drank every last drop.

  When Kobe glanced down at him, Zion could see fire in the man’s eyes, literally. It was like he was looking into a reflection of a fireplace crackling with heated embers. Kobe pulled back, removing his cock from Zion’s mouth.

  It was still hard. The man’s erection hadn’t diminished in the least.

  “Take your pants off.” Kobe’s tone was borderline feral.

  Zion pushed up from his knees, his fingers shaking as he shoved them into the waistband of his pants and moved the fabric down his body. Stepping out of his jeans, he tossed them aside. Zion wasn’t sure what to do. He just stood there with one arm crossed over his chest, his fingers strangling his other arm.

  Kobe cupped the back of Zion’s neck, pulling him close, rubbing his shadowed jaw over Zion’s cheek. “You are so damn sexy, Zion. How the hell did I get so lucky?”

  Lucky? Heck, it was Zion who had hit the jackpot. Not because Kobe was a Warrior, but because Kobe was the sweetest, gentlest, and most erotic man he had ever met. No, it was Zion who should be thankful.

  Kobe swept his arm behind Zion, taking them both down to the carpet. Zion’s back pressed into the floor, Kobe hovering over him as his lips blazed a trail along Zion’s neck. The Warrior situated himself between Zion’s legs, the head of his cock at Zion’s hole.

  He could feel the small spurts coming from the head of Kobe’s cock, relaxing Zion’s muscles as the Warrior ran his hand over Zion’s hair, teasing Zion’s neck with his teeth. “I can’t believe how badly I want you, Zion. God, I’ve never wanted anyone like this before.”

  Zion tilted his head to the side, giving Kobe more room to play. “If you start naming past lovers, I’m going to bite you.”

  Kobe chuckled. “Even I know that’s a very distasteful thing to do.” The Warrior nipped him on the chin. “My point was, this feels different. I don’t know”—he shook his head—“somehow this feels like the most important moment of my life.”

  That’s exactly how Zion was feeling. He couldn’t explain it, but it was as if this was it, the big moment—whatever that meant. It didn’t make any sense to him, but he wasn’t about to stop what they were doing to analyze a damn thing.

  Wrapping his legs around Kobe’s waist, Zion pulled the Warrior closer. “Let’s just go with it.”

  The smile that spread across Kobe’s face was nothing short of rapturous. Zion grabbed the man’s face and pulled him, kissing Kobe with desperate hunger.

  Kobe chuckled as he pulled back. “Needy?”

  Zion felt his face heat up. “Very.”

  “Well then,” Kobe said right before the head of his cock slipped past the ring of muscles, Zion groaning as his head tilted back. He snaked his arms around Kobe’s neck, lifting his ass to take in more of the man’s girth.

  Kobe placed his hands on either side of Zion’s head, the muscles in his neck straining as he gazed into Zion’s eyes. He could tell the Warrior was fighting for control. He could see the tension of fine lines on the man’s face.

  In one fluid movement, Zion hitched his hips higher and slammed his ass down on Kobe’s cock, shuddering and jerking with the fullness.

  “Damn, short stuff,” Kobe moaned, his eyes fluttering closed for a brief second. “So good.”

  When he opened them, the flames were still there, burning hotter as Kobe began to move his hips, pulling all the way out before slipping his cock back into Zion’s ass. Zion’s fingers curled into the nape of Kobe’s neck, his legs growing tighter around the demon’s waist.

  And then his very breath left his body as Zion felt them binding. He stilled, gazing up at the Warrior, fighting back the need to cry out his joy.

  Kobe looked stunned. The flames in his eyes reverting back to pale-brown, an angelic smile spreading across his handsome face. “Mine.” The word was a gentle proclamation, said in reverence.

  Zion wrapped his arms tighter around Kobe, hugging the man, nearly strangling the demon as he held on.

  “My mate,” Kobe whispered as his hips began to move again, harder, faster, as he kissed the side of Zion’s face. “You’re mine.”

  Finally releasing his hold on Kobe, Zion arched his back, crying out Kobe’s name as he came. His body writhed, the combination of finding out that Kobe was his mate and his orgasm tearing through him was more than Zion could take.

  He grabbed at Kobe, clinging to the man as his mate plunged deeper into Zion’s ass, small, animalistic sounds rumbling from his chest.

  And soon Kobe was pulling Zion up from the floor, impaling his cock repeatedly as he shouted out his release. Kobe began to slow his pace, sweat trickling down from his scalp as he cupped Zion’s cheek. “Wishing actually does work.”

  “You wished I was your mate?” Zion was stunned. He had felt the attraction between them, but never in a million years would he have guessed that Kobe had wanted to be his mate.

  “Mmm.” Kobe pressed a kiss to Zion’s chin. “I did.”

  Zion couldn’t stop touching the demon. His fingers trailed along Kobe’s back, playing with the muscled outlines. This very large, very sweet, and very sexy man was his.

  He finally allowed himself to feel happy. For too long Zion had been living in his own personal hell. He laughed, grabbing Kobe close, peppering kisses over the Warrior’s face and neck.

  “I take it you wanted the same thing,” Kobe said as his grin widened.

  Rubbing his hands over Kobe’s head, Zion nodded enthusiastically. “But I was so afraid to let myself dream of this.”

  “Not a dream, short stuff.” Kobe eased his cock from Zion’s ass and then settled next to him. “I’m yours.”

  Chapter Ten

  Kobe cursed when he felt his nose bleeding once again. His lessons weren’t going as well as he thought they would. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried to control his powers, to keep away the migraine or the nosebleeds, he wasn’t very successful.

  It didn’t help matters that Panahasi was instructing him today. The leader was relentless. “Concentrate.” Panahasi nearly snarled the word. “Your mind isn’t focused. Your thoughts are scattered.”

  Kobe knew where his mind was, and he couldn’t help it. Thinking about Zion was a constant. He was still amazed that the little demon had turned out to be his mate. He felt as if life was finally giving him a break.

  Panahasi threw his arm forward, the energy released knocking Kobe on his ass.

  “You might as well just stay down.” Wayland snickered.

  That was another thing. As part of his punishment for not keeping up with his lessons, Panahasi made sure every single Demon Warrior was present. Talk about taking a huge hit to his ego.

  Kobe pushed from the floor, ignoring the teasing he heard coming from the other Warriors.

  “Many things will distract you,” Panahasi said. “You must learn to filter everything out, including your inner thoughts.”

  “He’s thinking about how he dicked Zion down,” Hondo said as he hooted with laughter.

  Spinning around, Kobe shoved into Hondo’s mind, giving the man a mental slap. Hondo growled, cocking his arm back and then throwing a fireball at Kobe. Panahasi swiped his fingers and the fireball disappeared.

  “I warned you about monkeying with my brain,” Hondo snapped.

  “Then stop talking about the personal things I do with my mate!” Kobe was getting very pissed. He didn’t want anyone imagining what he did with Zion.

  Kobe stumbled when Panahasi hit him with another energy wave. Before he knew what he was doing, Kobe shoved into Panahasi’s mind and knocked the leader on his ass. He stood there stunned, unable to move as he watched the man get back onto his feet.

  “Holy shit,” Cadeym whispered.

  “Goddamn,” Donny said, a wide smile breaking across his face.

  “And no migraines or nosebleeds,” Panahasi commented. “Your full concentration was on me.”

  Kobe felt the need to apologize but kept the words trapped behind his lips. This was all a part of his lessons.

  “Takeo.” Panahasi waved for the Warrior to come forth. “You’re next.”

  The Warrior took a stance in front of Kobe, giving him a slight bow. Before Kobe could do anything, Takeo’s images split apart. They began to move around and Kobe wasn’t sure which one was the real Warrior.

  “Concentrate,” Panahasi said from behind him.

  That was easier said than done when Takeo began what Kobe had learned long ago were Aikido moves. Kobe was taken down within a matter of seconds, his face pressed into the floor before Takeo released him.

  “Getting that ass spanked.” Kane chuckled.

  Kobe tuned the man out as he jumped to his feet, slipping into each image’s mind until he found the real Takeo. But before he could knock the man on his ass, Takeo slammed the door to his mind and then physically slammed Kobe.

  He was really tired of getting his ass handed to him.

  The Warrior began to move again, flawlessly working his way around Kobe. His legs divided, scissoring Kobe before Takeo took him down. Kobe growled out his frustrations. He slammed his fist into the floor before getting back onto his feet.

  This time he threw his hands up in a defensive move, but Takeo got around them, tearing into Kobe, coming after him with everything he possessed—or so it seemed.

  Kobe was taking a beating, being dropped to the floor repeatedly before his mind snapped and he shoved into Takeo’s so violently that he felt his body actually becoming one with the Warrior’s.

  He was shouting commands, twisting his body around in defensive moves, and unleashing his anger.

  Before he knew what happened, Kobe was lying on the floor, blinking up at Panahasi. The leader had Kobe by his throat, a snarl on his lips. Kobe glanced over to Takeo to see the man on his knees, holding his temples as his nose bled.

  “What happened?” Kobe asked Panahasi.

  “You lost focus and nearly killed Takeo.” Panahasi released him. “If I hadn’t yanked you out, his mind would have been crushed under your weight.”

  Kobe rolled to his side and then stood. There was no migraine or nosebleed.

  “Losing focus is not your goal, Kobe,” Panahasi reprimanded him. “While you were mentally tearing Takeo apart, one of the other Warriors could have snuck in behind you and killed you.”

  Takeo finally raised his head and glared at Kobe. The expression made him feel like shit. Kobe knew that Takeo had come from the harshest of backgrounds, worse than any of the other Warriors. He hadn’t meant to hurt the man.

  Panahasi moved in closer, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “When properly trained, you will be the deadliest of your brethren. You will not only have the capability to control one mind, but many at a time. Do not treat your lessons so carelessly again.”

  Kobe felt well and thoroughly chastised.

  “Hondo.” Panahasi once again moved out of the way, Hondo taking his place.

  “Scramble my brains and Chris will turn you into a eunuch.”

  Kobe pushed, feeling inside Hondo’s mind. But the Warrior wasn’t that easy to defeat. His hands became ablaze with fire, stretching them out as he tried to slap Kobe. His concentration became divided.