Gunpoint

By Erin M. Leaf

Soul-bruised and bitter, Charlie left the military for peaceful solitude. When he’s mugged at gunpoint, his isolation is shattered, because the guy with the weapon is his mate, and Charlie’s falcon insists on truth: the other half of his soul is a desperate man who doesn’t know he’s a shifter.

Warren has no money for rent, his sister’s ex beat her bloody, and he’s working double shifts to survive. He thought his life couldn’t get any worse, but then he mugs an ex-soldier who somehow turns the tables and offers him something impossible: hope.

Of course, nothing is that simple, and Charlie’s resistance to their bond sabotages their relationship before it really begins. Warren can handle hardship, but now his enemies are bigger than the bully next door, and he’s broken the darkest taboo of the Sky Hunter falcons. Only Charlie can save him, but can a damaged ex-soldier save himself, too?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Aug 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781772339758

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2016 Erin M. Leaf

ISBN: 978-1-77233-975-8

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

For my readers—writing is impossible without you.

GUNPOINT

Sky Hunters, 1

Erin M. Leaf

Copyright © 2016

Chapter One

Hand over your wallet.

Charlie froze as the cold metal of a gun barrel pressed into the back of his neck. Well, shit. There goes a pleasant hike. He turned slowly, edging to his left and closer to the brush along the side of the trail. Birds chirped in the thick forest canopy as though nothing was out of the ordinary. From the corner of his eye, Charlie noted that the man holding the gun to his head looked desperate and young, and therefore unpredictably dangerous. He frowned.

Quit stalling, the guy said, grey eyes darting around nervously.

Charlie’s neck muscles tensed at the growled command, immediately undoing all the relaxation this mental health break was supposed to help him maintain. He needed to be calm, to recover from being on active duty, and to find a new balance in his life as a civilian, so he’d taken to prowling the local hiking trails. However, getting mugged at gunpoint wasn’t exactly conducive to moving on after his medical discharge. Fuck.

Did you hear me? the guy asked.

Charlie fought the urge to rub his neck and an even stronger urge to assault his attacker, but the old wound in his shoulder had started throbbing. He eased his arms up slowly, ignoring the stab of pain a muscle cramp sent down his back. Okay. No problem. I’m just turning around the rest of the way. No need to get excited. I don’t want any trouble.

Slow. Move very slow.

Charlie obeyed. The cold metal of the gun fell away, and he finally got a good look at the mugger as he turned. Nervous and twitchy. Dark hair, good muscle tone, and … fuck. He’s mine. His cock swelled against the front of his sweats as his most visceral instincts informed him that he was standing in front of his fated mate. A mate I never really believed in. Shit. What the fuck do I do now? I’m not in any position to hook up with someone. Not now. Maybe not ever.

And if the guy looked down, he’d immediately know how turned on Charlie was. Of all the times for his shifter instincts to abruptly wake up and screw with him… His thoughts broke into pieces as the man frowned.

Your wallet. Now. He shifted his weight, but his hands held steady on the weapon. His eyes never dropped away for more than half a second, despite his obvious concern about any witnesses. He seemed vaguely familiar to Charlie, as if they’d met before, but his expression showed no recognition.

And I would’ve remembered him. Especially him. Charlie’s gaze flicked down the man’s muscular body, then back up again as he struggled to keep his inner hunter contained. He was a falcon, one of the Sky Hunters, and his animal side had already accepted who stood before him. His mate. The one with whom he was fated to spend his life, and Charlie wanted to claim him right the fuck now while also wanting to get the hell away. Talk about a mind-fuck.

I’m too damaged to do right by a mate. And also, this guy has no clue what he is. He knew that instinctively, too. I’m sorry, but I don’t have my wallet with me. I didn’t think I’d need it in the woods. He gestured to his shirt and pants. No ID, either. No phone.

The man gripped his weapon harder, turning the tips of his fingers white. You’re fucking with me, and I don’t have time for it. His grey eyes went flat with frustration.

Charlie squinted at the gun, still trying to get his libido under control.

Is that a—Fuck me sideways, it’s a fake. Jesus. A surge of anger rushed through him, whether at the situation, or his mate’s stupidity in threatening strangers with a damned squirt gun, or whatever, he didn’t know. He didn’t care. He took a deep breath. I don’t carry cash when I’m trail running. Charlie took in the man’s worn jeans and cheap t-shirt. The guy’s sneakers had a hole near the left big toe. Look. If I had money on me, I’d give it to you, but I don’t.

The man ground his teeth.

Charlie debated for a half-second, then went to his knees. I can give you something else, though. He let his voice drop down at the end, making his statement into sort of a half-promise. If he understands what I’m offering, good. If not, well … no harm done. His thoughts trailed off as his fingers twitched, itching to get his hands on his mate. He wanted to put his mouth on skin. Needed it, and to hell with the consequences. One taste would not initiate a bond. One taste and then he could get the fuck out of here.

What the fuck? The dark haired man stared at Charlie. Are you crazy? He let the tip of the gun droop.

Charlie didn’t move, even though he wanted to grab the guy and pin him to the ground. You know exactly what I’m offering. The confusion on the guy’s face surprised Charlie. Hmm. He’s even younger than I thought. Charlie suppressed the urge to just lay hands on his mugger and take him down. The guy couldn’t be older than twenty-one. Twenty-two if he was lucky. And I’m thirty. Hell, this is a fucking disaster. Not that he could do anything about it. Sky Hunters mated for life, and they rarely saw it coming when it happened. Already he could feel their connection heating up inside his body, trying to lure him into initiating a bond. But I won’t give into it. Whoever the guy is, he doesn’t deserve to be shackled to me for the rest of his life.

The guy sighed. No. This is nuts. I’m sorry. He started backing up, but Charlie grabbed his hips. He didn’t even realize he’d made the decision to grab until he felt denim under his fingertips.

Shit. Not good. Get a grip, man. Charlie took a deep breath. What’s your name? He pressed his fingers under the guy’s waistband. The thick cock pushing out at the zipper told him the man wanted what he was offering.

My name?

As if compelled, Charlie undid the button and slowly drew the zipper open, even as his falcon screamed in the back of his head. No underwear. God help me. His heart nearly seized up as a gorgeous cock eased out right in front of his face. Or don’t tell me. It doesn’t matter, he muttered, voice low and gravelly. His own arousal was already off the charts, and he hadn’t even done anything yet. He caught the guy’s dick on his palm. It felt hot as hell. He wanted to lick it like a lollipop. I’m going to suck you. You don’t have to do a damn thing but take it.

We’re in the middle of the trail, the guy protested, as if that meant anything.

Charlie bit back a laugh. So? You had no problem trying to mug me in the middle of a trail. How’s this any different? A half smile twisted his lips. And it’s a hell of a lot less violent.

The guy bit his cheek, then blew out a harsh breath. It’s wrong.

Charlie snorted. "Seriously? You pointed a gun at me. This is nothing in comparison." He slowly dragged the tip of a finger down the guy’s hard-on. Mate or not, this won’t change anything. I’m not committing to him. I’m just … easing the tension. Letting the steam out so I can let him go.

You’re crazy. The man shuddered, finger still on the trigger of the fake gun.

I don’t hear you saying no. Charlie smiled and leaned in, touching his lips to the tip of the man’s dick. He smelled fantastic. Charlie licked, savoring the first taste of his mate. Tangy and sweet. That’s a combination I could get used to.

The man groaned. My name is Warren.

Charlie stilled for a moment. Where have I heard that before? he mused, but then Warren’s hips jerked forward and he had a mouth full of cock. No one could think straight in that situation, and Charlie didn’t even try. He opened his throat and sucked another groan out of Warren. The dick in his mouth swelled more, and he inhaled, savoring the scent and taste of the guy he vowed to let go. He bobbed his head, scrubbing his tongue along the hard length.

Oh, God. Warren sounded broken. What are you doing?

No way he isn’t feeling the urge to bond, too, but I bet he has no idea why he’s feeling so on edge. Not that it matters. Charlie looked up through his lashes. Warren had his hands fisted in his own hair, fake gun forgotten against his skull. Charlie pulled off, kissing the tip. What you’re feeling is real, he said, wondering if Warren would believe him. But don’t worry. I have no intention of bonding.

Warren glanced down, his face even younger-looking now. What?

Charlie smiled, fisting the cock in front of his face and slowly jacking. We have the potential to connect. In here. He put his free hand against his chest. It’s real.

Warren frowned. What the fuck are you talking about? His grey eyes had bled into black, a sure sign that Warren had shifter DNA in his background. He wouldn’t shift, not without being taught how to consciously harness his abilities, but part of him was already an apex predator. His instincts were waking up. It happened fast, most times, when humans had shifter in their backgrounds. The power always came out in the end.

Charlie pursed his lips, then shook his head. No sense trying to explain all that now. Warren would never believe him, especially not if he’d been raised human. Shifters kept to themselves. And breeding with humans was frowned upon, so it wasn’t likely that Warren knew about his abilities. Nothing. He opened his mouth and sucked the man’s erection back inside his mouth. I’ll make him come, and then we’ll see what happens.

Warren moaned, hips moving. His eyes glazed.

Charlie reached around and squeezed his mate’s perfect ass, enjoying the feel of solid muscle under his hands. He sucked harder, watching Warren’s face go tight. When he let the tip of a finger stray towards Warren’s asshole, Warren choked off a groan, and suddenly Charlie’s mouth was full of warm, musky jizz. He swallowed once, twice, then backed off. A dribble of cum escaped his mouth, and he wiped his hand across his lips.

Oh, fuck. Warren went to his knees. His jeans tangled around his thighs. "Fuck. What just