In the Eyes of Crazy(13)

Land’s dick filled the rest of the way and he whimpered into the kiss. Payson cupped his head and probed deep, sweeping his tongue into Land’s mouth. As Payson plundered, caressed, and nipped, Land tried to remember why he should be trying to leave.

“Payson,” snapped a deep, gravelly voice. “You need to explain things first.”

Right, that’s why. One—they weren’t alone. Two—some of these guys could turn into wild animals. Land couldn’t remember three as Payson broke the kiss and sucked on his earlobe, sending delicious tingles straight to his cock.

“Payson!” Kontra snapped again.

Huffing in obvious irritation, Payson rocked back on his heels. “Fine,” he muttered. Payson stared Land in the eye and said, “I’m a shifter. I turn into a hyena. Even when I’m an animal, I’m perfectly capable of rational thought just like a human, and I remember who everyone is. You are my mate, the other half of my soul. I’ve been searching for you for decades. We’ll bond by having sex without a condom. I’ll devote myself to your pleasure, safety, and happiness. We’ll have mind-blowing, fantastic sex as often as possible.” Payson looked at Kontra. “Did I cover everything?”

“I’m sorry. Wait. What?” Land squeaked, his mind again reeling.

Sam chuckled, the sound deep and gruff. “Maybe you should try that again, Payson. A little slower this time.”

“Why don’t we all go sit in the living room?” said a muscular guy with sandy brown hair.

Land didn’t know how many times his mind could be blown in the course of an hour, but it surprised the crap out of him to see the guy walk right up to Kontra, tuck himself close, and angle for a kiss, which the big biker gave, with relish, if the tongue action was any indicator.

“You’re gay?” he whispered. He sure hadn’t seen that one coming.

“We all are. Or at least, mostly. Some of us have bedded a woman or two,” Eli stated from over his shoulder. His smile, however, was focused on a small African American who strode over carrying a mug, which he offered to Land.

“I’m Sam Bailey. I turn into a wolf. I thought maybe you’d like some tea,” he said, smiling sweetly as he held out the mug.

“Uh, thank you,” Land replied, absently taking it. A wolf?

“That was nice of you, my sweet,” Eli murmured, leaning down to kiss Sam.

“Are you all shifters?” Land blurted before he could think better of the question.

“No, I’m human. My name’s Ben,” said a short, slender blond being held by a broad-shouldered African American with dreadlocks. “So is Hunter,” he said, pointing at the guy who’d been sitting at the table earlier.

Now Hunter held a small man in his lap, a guy with frosted-tipped black hair as well as eyeliner. Land had never thought makeup on a man was sexy, but the little guy pulled it off nicely. Seeing his gaze focused on him, the man smiled and said, “I’m Yuma. Not all of us turn into a predator either. My animal is a penguin. Lamar’s is a peacock.”

Yuma pointed at a short blond holding a cup of coffee. The man lifted his cup in acknowledgement before taking a sip.

“This is so surreal,” Land murmured. He could just feel his brain on information overload. Payson’s hand on his back, smoothing in slow circles, finally broke into his consciousness. It was then he realized he actually leaned against Payson, taking comfort from the man.

Going through and cataloguing everything Payson had run through, Land decided some things were more important than others. “What does it mean that I’m your mate?”





Chapter Six


Payson cocked his head. Hadn’t he already answered that? What was his mate looking for? Taking his alpha-mate, Tim’s advice, Payson urged Land to his feet and led him into the nearby living room.

He looked over his shoulder and eyed the group of men, his gaze fleetingly coming to rest on Adam. I’m sorry, he mouthed. Adam gave him a two-fingered salute and a smile. Relief flooded Payson that his buddy wasn’t angry. He’d tried to calm down, when he’d seen Adam sitting close and holding a bag of frozen vegetables to the back of his mate’s head. Then he’d heard Adam’s comment about accidentally hurting Land and his hyena had snapped. The only thought he’d had was to get his mate as far away from the shifter who’d hurt him as he could. The fact that he was taking on a seven hundred pound tiger wasn’t even a blip on his radar. Good thing Kontra had been there to shake some sense into him. At times, Payson needed that.

His gaze landed on Mutegi and Ben. Mutegi was a warthog shifter who’d mated with the human, Ben, over a year ago. Maybe they could help him explain things to Land. After catching Mutegi’s attention, Payson lifted a brow and tilted his head toward the living room, silently entreating his friend to join them.