Daamon's Choice

By Jory Strong

Fallon Mates #5:

After finally acknowledging his sexual attraction to the human scientist he’s been protecting, Daamon d’Vesti intends to return to Earth and act on it—only to learn he’s been matched to a female, and is expected to choose a co-mate and claim her. Torn between duty and desire, but unable to withstand the primitive, possessive hunger for Grayson, Daamon succumbs to temptation, allowing himself one taste, one day inside Grayson’s body before fulfilling his obligation to his people.

On the cusp of adopting a child, Grayson fights his fervent desire for Daamon, the mysterious friend and neighbor his foster son calls “Batman”. Mind-blowing sex isn’t enough, especially when Daamon infers his own future doesn’t include a male lover. But when a blackmailing ex threatens the adoption, Daamon proves to be not only the man Grayson wants, but also the hero both he and Parker need.

Please note: A previous edition of this story was published by Ellora’s Cave.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jory Strong
• Release date: Nov 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370865550

Jory Strong

Jory Strong has been writing since childhood and has never outgrown being a daydreamer. When she's not hunched over her computer, lost in the muse and conjuring up new heroes and heroines, she can usually be found reading, riding horses, or walking dogs. Her stories have won numerous awards, as well as been national best sellers. She lives in California with her husband and a menagerie of pets. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website at jorystrong.com or contact her at [e-mail].

Book preview

Daamon’s Choice

Fallon Mates

Jory Strong

Copyright 2013 by Jory Strong

Smashwords Edition

Cover design by Syneca Featherstone

* * * * *

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Thank You!

About the Author

* * * * *

Chapter 1

Grayson snagged the backpack next to the front door, slipping it onto a shoulder then grabbing the sleeping bag. You ready, Parker?

There was no answer when there should have been the sound of pounding feet. His heart took a dive. He'd been worried about this.

A sigh escaped. This was the tough part about being a single parent, though at twenty-seven to Parker's nine, he often felt more like an older brother than a father. An older worried brother, because somehow he had to make this happen.

Parker didn't need any extra emotional baggage. He didn't need to let himself down and consequently feel like a loser.

He'd already had too much of that from before his mother died, too many memories of failed expectations and too many internalized messages sent by people who thought he was a lost cause caught in a hopeless situation.

Grayson rubbed his chest, aching for Parker, and if he were honest, a little for himself. He wished he had backup or, more accurately, a partner. Times like this he needed someone.

Someone like Daamon, whose very coolness elevated him to superhero status in Parker's eyes.

Daamon even pulled off wearing silver superhero bands at his wrists, something most normal men couldn't manage and wouldn't dare attempt.

Grayson grinned at thinking about Parker calling their neighbor Batman. It made Daamon smile every time. And what a smile…

Every time Grayson saw it his heart went a little crazy.

He sighed. Now was not the time to be lusting after Daamon.

Parker, we need to head out. He refrained from saying, or you'll miss the bus to camp.

No answer. No surprise.

Dropping bag and pack to the floor, he headed toward Parker's bedroom.

Parker was on his bed, a book on his lap, his gaze fixed there as if he could disappear between its pages.

Stay calm. Be cool. Hide the concern.

Grayson plopped down next to him. Nervous, huh? Nerd meets nature, been there done that.

Parker fought a smile but the corners of his mouth crept upward. You're not a nerd.

Says who? Definitely not the people I work with. Definitely not the kids I grew up with. Definitely not most of the guys I've dated before and after you entered my life, stage center.

He tousled Parker's dark-blond hair, the color very close to his own. Is that a smile? Admit it, even you think I'm a nerd, at least some of the time.

The smile widened. Only when you start talking about work.

True. Put him in a room with other scientists interested in viruses, their impact and mutations and the tantalizing possibility of learning their secrets and tweaking them—

Grayson laughed. Definitely true, but you know what, most people spend huge parts of their day doing stuff they hate or that bores them or that lets them mentally check out. I get to spend it doing and thinking about stuff that excites me, the same way robotics and mechanical stuff excites you. How cool is that?

A lot cool, Parker said, his voice thin, his right thumb rubbing along the page edge. He looked up from the book, green eyes peering through glasses. What if the kids at camp hate me? What if I'm terrible at everything?

What if you get eaten by a bear? What if your canoe escapes and takes you with it? What if—

Stop already. He closed the book, hugging it by bending his knees and leaning forward, trapping it between his chest and thighs, his arms locked around his legs. I wish Matt hadn't gotten in trouble. If he were going…

You'd have a great time. But you know what, you'll still have a great time. There's no camp out there like this one. You get to do all the things kids at camp do, plus build bots and fight them. I wish I could go!

Parker's shoulders slumped. He whispered, What if I'm not smart enough, Dad?

Dad. It caused a torrent of emotions in Grayson, a swell and crash in his chest. Parker still didn't use the term very often, probably wouldn't until the adoption was finalized, and then it could take months, years for the sense of security to become deeply enough engrained for Dad to come readily and easily and naturally.

Grayson understood. He'd never called any of his foster parents Dad or Mom.

His heart ached for Parker's insecurity and worry and trepidation now that the moment had arrived to leave for camp. He knew the torment of being introverted. Of being brainy and socially awkward. He'd outgrown it to some extent, but as a kid… He remembered this agony. He remembered days where it seemed as if he'd been on the receiving end of a hundred cuts, some tiny, some not so tiny, but all of them painful.

You're kidding me, right? When it comes to building things, you run circles around most of the kids at school. He bumped his shoulder against Parker's. You run circles around me and I've got diplomas that say I'm a genius!

Parker laughed. They're mail-order diplomas.

No they're not! He grinned, his fingers digging into Parker's side. Take it back.

Parker shrieked. I take it back! I take it back!

Grayson retreated, giving Parker an all-is-forgiven shoulder bump and saying, I bet at least half the first-time campers are feeling the same way you're feeling.

Parker rubbed his chin against his knees. What if I forfeit my allowance until I've paid you back what the camp cost?

Grayson draped an arm over Parker's shoulders. "Let's do this, let's drive