“You’re getting some. I thought that would never happen.” He leaned back, too pleased with himself. “Even your wolf seems happy.”
That was a subject he wasn’t ready to share with his brother. Not until he understood it better. “I thought you wouldn’t approve.”
Dean jumped off the couch and put an arm around his shoulders, an embrace Mark hadn’t known he’d needed. “You could do worse.” The side-hug grew too tight for comfort, and Mark shrugged out of it.
“Hey…”
The smile was gone; in its place, the concern he’d come to expect from his brother at least once a day since that night.
“He’s a good guy, and I was serious when I said I wanted my brother back.” He smiled, the signature brilliant Dean smile. “Ifhis magic cock helps…”
Mark punched his brother’s shoulder with enough force that he stumbled backward.
“Ow, fuck.” He rubbed at the spot, his playfulness replaced by a serious expression. “You know I will go to war if he breaks your heart, right?”
Mark rolled his eyes, but couldn’t contain his smile. “This isn’t that.”
Dean’s arm around his shoulders returned, the comfort it offered less than he needed. “You’ve always been clueless, even about your own life, little brother.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Whatever it is, you two aren’t hiding it as well as you think you are.”
His mother’s visit couldn’t have come at a worse time. Still, her presence in the house was a salve for his restlessness. There was so much to deal with, and Caster was having a hard time waiting for more information from Julian. Acting without that information could be disastrous, so this dinner his mother had insisted on was a welcome distraction. He knew nothing of it until she told him a few minutes ago. It seemed his household’s devotion to their queen surpassed their loyalty to him.
He sat in the living area adjacent to his room, waiting for Mark to dress. He hadn’t seen him since the study that morning, and it seemed even he had accepted his summons to dinner withthe Queen with little hesitation. Not that anyone would ever say no to his mother.
“Your mother is nice.” Mark entered the living area, fumbling with the top button of his shirt.
Caster smiled. “That she is, until you mess with one of her children.” He was on his feet and in Mark’s space before he remembered to keep his distance, his fingers itching to touch him.
“Stop looking at me like that.” His voice was a raspy whisper.
“Like what?” His fingers found a few errant strands of Mark’s full hair on his forehead, brushing them aside, his voice just as distorted.
“Like that.” Mark’s voice rose, but he didn’t move. “Like you want to fuck me.”
“I do… want to fuck you.”
He bit his lip, and Caster barely restrained his moan.
“Stop that.”
He hadn’t considered that the sight of the reddened lip would increase the battle raging in him. What is it about Mark that just ripped his control to shreds?
Mark placed his hands on his chest, perhaps to push him away. “I agreed to have dinner with the queen. I can’t show up all messed up.”
A reminder of his mother was the appropriate ice bucket to dampen his arousal. He stepped back and took a breath. It was clear he needed to do something about the overwhelming need for Mark, but that meant taking everything. On this topic, therewere few certainties except that Mark was not willing or ready to give him everything.
“The one thing she hates is tardiness.” Caster walked towards the door.
Mark said nothing, following close behind.
His heightened senses picked up on the increased numbers in his house. That wasn’t unusual. His mother traveled with a considerable entourage, most of whom were security. The sound of joyous conversation reached his ears as they approached the main living area.
His mother smiled when she saw him. He smiled back, her comfort stilling the worry he couldn’t leave behind. Her youthful vigor, the way she accepted everything life offered, was so like his brother Cyrus that he missed him every time he saw her. It didn’t help that they shared certain physical attributes as well. Her long, black hair, which she wore perfectly coiffed, spoke of a regality that belied her easy acceptance of everything and everyone.
“Good, you’re both here.” She glanced at Mark, her smile growing, and Caster sighed as the image of their conversations minutes earlier flooded his thoughts. Had he forgotten to fortify his mind again?