offered.
“What about my shop?” Ashby asked quietly.
“Do you know anyone in Arkadia that you could leave the day-to-day management to?” Gabriel asked.
“It wouldn’t be the same. I stock things a certain way and I have customers that I see every day. Mojo
only trusts me to make his banana splits. I also do birthday parties at the shop, they are important to me.”
Ashby rubbed his face against Gabriel’s chest.
“Mon ange ,it sounds like you don’t want to live here with me, it is as if you have already made up your
mind.” Ashby looked up to see the hopelessness in Gabriel’s eyes.
“What if you could live in Arkadia?” Ashby asked turning on the sofa until he sat on his knees facing
Gabriel.
“That is impossible. The protective perimeter keeps any vampire from entering Arkadia. It’s been that
way from the beginning and with good reason,” Gabriel explained.
“Rebecca is proposing that you and the coven be allowed in Arkadia. She said she would discuss it with
the other town leaders,” Ashby said excitedly.
“Rebecca must love you very much.” Gabriel took one of Ashby’s hands.
“I’d like to think that she does, I love her. She said that we are the family that we chose for ourselves.”
Ashby bounced slightly on his knees.
“I would not get my hopes up if I were you, angel, not even Rebecca can make changes that affect the
entire town without the support of others.” Gabriel watched his bouncing mate with an amused smile on his
face. His angel seemed to be overflowing with life and he wanted to keep it that way.
“Angel, I want you to go back to Arkadia until the ones responsible for these attacks have been taken
care of,” Gabriel said, pulling Ashby into his lap and wrapping his legs around his waist.
“But we don’t have any idea of how long that will take. Don’t you want me here? I was going to help
with the coven remember.” Ashby’s eyes brimmed with tears. The sight of Ashby’s pain nearly destroyed
Gabriel’s resolve to keep his angel safe, and right now the safest place for him was Arkadia.
“I want you with me at all times. Never doubt that. I’m jealous of the time I lose with you when we
sleep. But I am willing to sacrifice the time with you to ensure your safety, and with the changes you
suggested I should have a much easier time taking care of things until your return.” Gabriel pulled Ashby
close as his little fox burrowed into his chest whimpering.
“But I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too, mon ange, but I want you safe, no I need you to be safe.” Gabriel kissed the top of
Ashby’s head, inhaling his scent from the cloud of blond curls.
“I need…” Ashby whispered and began to grind his body into Gabriel’s hardening prick.
“I will always provide for you, my angel. Always,” Gabriel said, and with his claws ripped apart
Ashby’s pants. He pulled back from Ashby to reach the fasteners to his slacks. Ashby immediately reached
between them and began to stoke his hard length.
“Bite me, take what you need from me and pound this thick cock into my hole so that can feel you deep
inside me when I’m alone in Arkadia.” Ashby panted. Gabriel’s head fell back as the image his angel
painted scorched him from the inside.
“Are you sure? I hurt you.” Gabriel hesitated and Ashby shook his head, sending his curls flying.
“I need this, I have to give you what you need so that you’ll be strong when I’m gone. I’m not afraid.”
Ashby leaned forward and deliberately bit down on the meaty flesh connecting Gabriel’s neck to his
shoulder. Gabriel moaned deep in his throat and retracted his claws. He reached into his slacks pocket and
pulled out a small tube of slick. Ashby raised an eyebrow.
“That sure of yourself?” he asked jokingly. Gabriel shook his head.
“That hopeful.” He slicked up two fingers and eased them into his mate’s tight passage. Ashby sat back
on his fingers then raised up, fucking himself on Gabriel’s hand. Gabriel watched mesmerized as his angel
looked down at him with lust in his eyes, tempting him the way no devil could. He could feel his own
desire filling him until he was harder than he had ever been before.
“This will be quick, mon ange. I’m not sure I can last long with you looking like every lustful fantasy I
have ever had.” Gabriel breathed heavily. Ashby looked through his lashes at his mate and reached between
their bodies to guide the heavy cock into his waiting hole. He rocked his body and pulled off the invading
flesh before slamming back down, driving him home. He took what he wanted from his mate. When he felt