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Haaapy birrrrthday to y The line cut off and ended
with a squeak.
Kiernan met his daughter s shocked, wide-eyed
expression over Demitri s back. Her brown-eyed gaze swept
over them, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. She
had a white-knuckled grip on the tray of cupcakes.
Dad? she finally squeaked. I didn t, didn t realize
you d, um.
With his arms around his young lover, Kiernan forced a
smile. Perhaps you could wait in the kitchen, Valerie?
Yeah, yeah, right, sorry, Valerie replied, her voice
higher pitched than he d ever heard it. She spun on her heel
and fled as if the hounds of hell were after her.
For several seconds, silence filled the room. I m sorry,
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Charlie Richards
Demitri whispered. His words muffled since his head was
tucked against Kiernan s armpit.
Hey, now, it s not your fault, Kiernan stated, confused
about why Demitri would take the blame. Evidently, he d
been used as the scapegoat once too often. He cupped his
lover s jaw and urged him to lift his head, so he could look
him in the eye. Although walking in on me with someone is
shocking, he smiled and rubbed his thumb over Demitri s
eyebrow, smoothing away the crease lines. Valerie does
know that I m gay.
She does? Demitri asked.
Kiernan nodded. Yep. Leaning forward, he brushed his
lips over Demitri s mouth. He knew he couldn t do
anything, so kept the pressure light, then drew away. Let
me see your back. I ll put more ointment on it, then find you
a clean t-shirt and sweats.
For just a second, Kiernan thought Demitri would refuse,
but then he shifted sideways, sliding away from him, and
looked toward the far wall. Kiernan took that as the
invitation it was and pushed the sheet and blanket down.
Surprise, then confusion, hit his system at what he saw.
The slender marks had scabbed over and were no longer
pink or raw-looking. The welts had almost disappeared.
Even the heavy bruises across his shoulder, lower back, and
thighs had progressed into the sickly yellow and green
stage.
How the hell is this possible? Kiernan didn t realize
he d muttered the words aloud until Demitri slithered
further away from him and off the side of the bed.
The young man stood and faced him. Crossing his arms
over his chest, Demitri stared at the rumpled quilts. I ve
always healed super-fast. He shrugged and looked away.
I d rather not talk about it.
Kiernan shook his head. No one healed that fast. He
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Freeing Demitri s Wolf
opened his mouth, then heard dishes rattling in the kitchen,
and snapped his jaw shut. Shoving a hand over his buzzed
scalp, he frowned, his mind reeling. Finally, he focused on
Demitri again and completely hated the dejection on his
young lover s face.
Heaving a sigh, Kiernan crawled out of bed and walked
around it to Demitri. He wrapped him in his arms, relieved
Demitri didn t fight him. Okay. Maybe this is one of those
things we need to discuss once we get to know each other a
little better, hmm?
When Demitri didn t respond right away, he used his
forefinger under his chin and tilted his head back. Hmm?
he pressed.
Demitri stared into his eyes, obviously searching for
something, acceptance maybe? Kiernan tried to assure with
his expression that his lover having badass healing skills
wasn t a turn off.
Finally, Demitri smiled tentatively. Yeah, okay.
Good. After kissing Demitri lightly, Kiernan released
him and moved to his dresser. He pulled out clean sweats
and a t-shirt for Demitri and handed them to him. I ll let
you have first crack at the bathroom, he said. Then we ll
head down and you can meet Valerie.
Is it really your birthday? Demitri asked, heading
toward the bathroom, obviously intent on following his
instructions.
Kiernan nodded. Yeah, I wasn t expecting Valerie this
weekend, he admitted.
He paused in the doorway and smiled at him. Happy
birthday.
Smiling back, Kiernan winked. Thanks, darling.
Once the door closed, Kiernan grabbed a pair of faded
jeans and a t-shirt. He pulled them on as he waited for his
own turn at the john.
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Charlie Richards
Ten minutes later, Kiernan twined his fingers with
Demitri s and led the way down the stairs from the loft and
into the dining room. He spotted his daughter sitting at the
small table with her hands wrapped around a mug of coffee.
Obviously hearing them, Valerie looked up and forced a
smile. Sorry, Dad, she murmured. I didn t even think&
Her gaze strayed to Demitri, and he could read the questions
in her eyes. Um. Happy birthday? I brought cupcakes.
Kiernan chuckled. Valerie was trying, he had to give her
that. Thank you, sweetie. He glanced at Demitri, noticing
the man s high color. Valerie, this is Demitri Vinetti. He
squeezed his lover s hand. Demitri, my daughter Valerie
Wabinaw.
Nice to meet you, Demitri immediately responded
softly.
Valerie nodded. Likewise.
You want coffee or milk with your cupcakes? Kiernan
asked.
Milk, please, he whispered, his gaze darting around the
room.
Kiernan could practically feel the tension flooding the
kitchen and wondered what he d need to do to settle things
down. He d really wanted just to have a quiet morning
relaxing with his lover, maybe learning Demitri s body,
learning how it felt to be buried balls deep in his ass.
His cock slowly started to fill at his thoughts, and he
sucked in a deep breath to put a halt on his libido. Kiernan
reached up and grabbed a tumbler and a mug from the
cupboard. When he turned around to put them on the
counter, he caught sight of Demitri s face, taking in his flared
nostrils and hungry eyes.
It was a look so hot, Kiernan s pulse jumped and his
blood heated. Demitri, he whispered. Never had he been
the recipient of such a look, and he desperately wanted to
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Freeing Demitri s Wolf
strip his lover and kiss every inch of his lean body.
So, how long have you two been dating?
Valerie s question snapped Kiernan out of his lust-
induced stupor. He cleared his throat and turned to the
refrigerator to pull out the milk. As he poured, he answered,
Demitri works at the diner. We ve been chatting for the last
couple weeks now. He smiled as he slid the glass toward
Demitri. I guess technically we ve only been dating a
couple days, huh, darling?
Yes, he replied softly.
Upon seeing his shy glance, Kiernan grinned and, unable
to help himself, he reached across the counter, cupped the
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