The space station looked like every other space station he'd ever seen, utilitarian and dull. It had gray walls, gray carpet, gray chairs bolted to the floor, and a line of gray doors separating overnight sleeping pods from the airport's main thoroughfare. As he turned the corner, he smiled at the only bright spot of color, an enormous blue banner covering an entire wall. In white letters against a blue background were the words Meet your mate at our mate hunt.
Joriah looked at the sign wondering what exactly a mate hunt entailed. Was this the mating festival his father spoke of, or an entirely different event? Although confident of his own appeal, Jory knew his family's power and wealth were his greatest attractions for previous lovers. Now he only had his own charm to fall back on to catch a man. The thought both troubled and excited him.
Let the hunt begin!
His gaze snapped away from the sign when three dark-haired men, wearing nothing more than silver loincloths and strategic tattoos, slunk by. Oiled bodies shimmering with power flexed as they prowled across the airport giving flashes of muscular butt cheeks with every step.
"Fuck me," Jory whispered, watching the fine specimens pass him.
Visions of lying in bed with three gorgeous studs flashed through his head in brilliant detail. The second man in the trio turned in Jory's direction and licked his lips before crooking a finger towards him.
"Oh, hell yes!"
Jory gave a quick glance over his shoulder to see if the man was trying to encourage someone else.
He smiled when he saw no one stood behind him. Well, he didn't need an engraved invitation, and Father had said he should explore his place in the universe. What better way than with three gorgeous men? He could imagine a lot of exploring, at least inside the bedroom.
He only made it one step before a motion to his left caught his eye. A man sat at a table by the walkway, sipping something blue out of a crystal glass. With deep black hair and a strong muscular body, the man flashed Jory a captivating smile, and he forgot all about the muscle-bound oily triplets.
"Mmm."
Maybe Peter was right.
He was a fickle bastard.
That still didn't excuse the jerk from burning all Jory's beautiful clothing in a bonfire in the middle of his bedroom.
Fucker.
Moisture pooled in Jory's mouth as he checked out the handsome stranger. Long, long legs stretched out under the table into the empty space across from him, while skin-hugging leather pants faithfully outlined the man's muscular thighs and a tight white shirt gave mouth-watering testimony to a fine set of muscles. The man's hair was deep black, trimmed short, but still long enough to get a proper grip on in a moment of passion. Jory's fingers twitched with the anticipation of sinking into that lush landscape while the other man sank into him.
A power stronger than Jory felt able to resist pulled him towards the gorgeous stranger.
Everything and everyone else faded into the background as Jory walked forward, and he didn't stop until he was standing above tall, dark and soon-to-be-his.
"Good afternoon."
When the man looked up and Jory saw his brilliant green eyes, he almost broke and ran from a belated onset of nerves, but the same compulsion pulling him towards the stranger wouldn't let him leave. His reticence vanished under the waves of desire washing through his body. His lips tingled with the need to kiss the other man. Not naturally so forward, Jory frowned at his overwhelming fascination with the other man. Shaking his head, he ignored the little voice inside questioning his interest. He had one goal, and nothing would stop him from achieving it.
"Good afternoon." The man's voice, rich and deep, settled into Jory's balls.
"Forgive me but I have to taste you," Jory said right before he leaned down and took the man's mouth with his own.
Divine.
The stranger's flavor exploded over Jory's tongue, sweet with a touch of masculine salt, hinting at sweaty pleasures. More, he wanted so much more.
Rough whiskers scraped his face as the kiss continued. Two large hands grabbed Jory's ass, urging him closer until he sat on the man's lap. When they finally ended the kiss, Jory was straddling the stranger's hips and panting as if he'd finished a hard sword practice.
The erection pressed against his own let him know he wasn't alone in his desire.
For a long moment, they stared at each other, breaths coming in gasps as they tried to regain their composure. Jory began to rise, but large hands grabbed him and pulled him back down.
"Don't go." The words were rough with need, the emerald gaze certain.
Jory leaned in for another kiss. His heart pounded hard against his chest when they finally broke apart. "I'm not leaving. I'm getting off your lap before I come in my pants like a teenage boy."
Nipping at the thick, muscular neck earned him a satisfying growl. The sound vibrated beneath his lips, making them tingle along with every other part of his body. Jory forced his mouth away from the man's tempting skin. "Name?" he panted. Full sentences were beyond him as his brainpower vanished and his blood rushed south.
