Page 24 of Midnight Rain

He could take the fall with no problem, but Austin might break a bone or, at the very least, crack one.

Austin winked at him as he slung himself over the side.

“Austin!” Cormac leaped forward, ready to pull him back, but Austin was already working his way down. With a snarl, Cormac went after him.

Only Cormac jumped down, landing on his feet, ready to catch Austin if he fell. His heart didn’t restart until his mate was close enough for him to grab and pull down.

Austin landed in his arms. “How in the hell did you just do that?”

“If you wanted to shave a few centuries off of my life, all you had to do was say so.” But Cormac didn’t let Austin go. It felt too good to have the guy in his arms.

“Don’t give me that dad tone,” Austin argued. “We’re going to have fun, whether you like it or not, young man. If you resist, I’m going to ground you.”

“You’re very odd.” Cormac held Austin tighter as the rain became heavier. Fat drops hit their faces and bodies, yet Cormac didn’t head for the door.

“Put me down,” Austin said.

Reluctantly, Cormac set his mate on his feet. “Just promise me you’re not going to dangle over another ledge.”

Instead of answering him, Austin took off, ripping his shirt over his head and slinging it away from him.

With a growl, Cormac gave chase, but he made sure not to catch Austin. He wanted to see how much clothing his mate would take off.

Austin ran for the trees, his body slick as the rain soaked them. It was like watching a wood nymph, as the moonlight made Austin seem ethereal.

When his mate reached the trees, he shoved his pants down and off, throwing them aside. He spread his arms and tilted his head back, closing his eyes.

Cormac slowed as he became transfixed on Austin.

His mate lowered his wet head and smirked at Cormac. “I dare you to do the same.”

His shirt was stuck to him, but Cormac ripped it over his head and dropped it. Then he removed his jeans. They both stood there in nothing but their underwear. Austin’s gaze slid over Cormac’s body. “Please don’t eat me, big, bad wolf.”

Now it was Cormac who was smirking. “I’m more like the ferocious jungle cat who wants to rub his scent all over you.”

He stalked forward, and Austin’s chest rose and fell faster. “My, what big muscles you have.”

Cormac’s grin grew. “The better to pin you down and fuck you, my dear.”

Austin squeaked and spun, taking off into the forest.

“Wrong move, darling. Don’t you know you shouldn’t run from jungle cats?”

A peel of laughter floated behind Austin. With a shit-eating grin, Cormac gave chase.

Chapter Seven

Austin stopped when he realized how far he’d gone into the forest. As adventurous as he was, it was dark out, and he had no clue how far he was from the house. He turned in a circle, wondering where Cormac was. Austin wasn’t even sure which way the house was.

“Cormac?” He looked around, his body soaked. At least the trees were blocking out most of the rain, but that didn’t stop his surroundings from being creepy.

Maybe he should have thought through his plan before he’d gotten off the roof. At the time, all Austin wanted to do was have some fun with Cormac because the guy had been deprived of it his entire life.

Austin looked upward when he heard an owl’s hoot. This was no longer fun. He wanted to go back but hadn’t the foggiest which way to go.

When something touched his back, Austin screamed and jumped back, hiking one leg up as he positioned his arms for a karate chop, even though he’d never taken a karate class in his life.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.”

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