Declan smiled again and moved the tray from the bed. "That was nothing. Wait until you try my spaghetti. Ronnie says it's the best in the world."
Sean grunted as Declan helped him lie back down. He probably wouldn't have done it if he hadn't been on the verge of falling asleep again, but since he'd first caught sight of Declan's hair, he'd been fascinated by the golden locks. They were simply beautiful. Sean slid his fingers through the silken strands, grinning goofily as how soft they felt on his skin. "Pretty," he murmured.
A chuckle rumbled in Declan's throat. "You like my hair, huh?"
"Uh hmm," Sean sighed. His eyes were mere slits by then and he could barely form words. "'S soft."
Declan leaned down until the tip of his nose brushed over Sean's throat. "Maybe one day soon you can feel it on other parts of your body."
Sean frowned and wrinkled his nose. "Could tickle."
"Perhaps," Declan murmured as he pulled back. "Are you ticklish, Sean?"
Sean nodded, face serious. "Very."
"Interesting to know." Declan pressed a gentle kiss to Sean's forehead. "Get some sleep, baby."
Grumbling, Sean wanted to argue. He'd slept so much already. But his body seemed to agree with Declan because he passed out rather quickly, the conversation melding into a part of his dreams, and it became something he forgot about by the time he awoke the next morning.
This time when Sean awakened he found himself alone and his body had healed even further. Sean slipped from the bed, careful not to agitate his ribs which still seemed tender, but nowhere near as painful as the day before. He made his way to the bathroom to relieve himself. Looking in the mirror afterward, he gaped at how the bruises had already become yellowed and appeared to be over a week old rather than a matter of days. How was that possible? Even the ones on his ribcage were fading.
"Sean?" Declan called through the door.
Sean opened the door and stared at Declan, confused. "What did you do to me?"
Declan frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Gesturing to his face and body, Sean replied, "I have never healed this quickly before. You must have done something."
A look flashed too quickly over Declan's face for Sean to identify. "You're a shifter. You heal faster than a human."
"No," Sean denied. "I am a shifter who has never shifted. I heal just as slow as a human."
Surprise dominated Declan's features. "You've never shifted?"
"No. This prevents me from shifting." Sean pointed at the collar. "My father hates... hated... shifters. He didn't want me to shift. He came home one day with this and has never once taken it off."
The surprise morphed into anger and Sean stepped back, suddenly scared at the way Declan's mood had changed. He didn't really know Declan and, despite how kind Declan had been since Sean's arrival here, it didn't mean the man wouldn't lash out at him. He didn't understand why Declan had grown mad, but if Declan intended to start throwing punches, Sean didn't want to be the nearest object.
Declan must have seen his instinctive reaction. "I would never hurt you," Declan said stiffly, hands balled into fists at his side. "Ever."
Sean flinched at the offense in Declan's tone and he could see the hurt in Declan's eyes. "I-"
"We will see about getting the collar removed," Declan interrupted him, moving away from Sean to stand at the window, his back to Sean. "I have never heard of such a thing before, but I know of someone who might be able to help."
Sean felt guilty as hell and he didn't know what to do. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, shuffling his feet in discomfort.
"It's fine. You don't know me and I truly hope to change that." Declan turned from the window to look at Sean. "If you'll give me the chance."
Flushing, Sean wrapped his arms around himself. He nibbled his bottom lip for a second and then nodded. "Okay."
Declan smiled and came forward, placing an arm around Sean's waist. "You really shouldn't be walking around just yet. Not until the doctor gives you the all clear. Then I can show you my home and introduce you to the streak."
"Is it okay for me to see Sam and the others again?" Sean asked as Declan helped him back into bed.
"Of course," Declan replied. "I'll send them in after breakfast. Would you like something to eat?"
Sean nodded eagerly, his stomach choosing that moment to growl loudly. Declan laughed huskily and pulled the blankets up to Sean's waist. "It's good to see I won't have to force you to eat. You're far too skinny and need to get some meat on your bones."
Embarrassment flooded Sean and he looked down at his lap, picking at the sheets. He knew he wasn't anything to look at. His ribs stuck out against his skin from lack of nourishment over the years and he felt like he was all elbows and knees in his five foot eleven frame. A gasp exploded from his lips when Declan gripped his chin and forced his face upward. "Don't," Declan growled gently. "You're beautiful and will only grow more exquisite as you heal."
Then Declan did something Sean never would have anticipated in a hundred years. He kissed him. Sean parted his lips in surprise, his breath leaving him in a tiny rush of air, as Declan cupped the side of Sean's face and then brushed his mouth over Sean's. Sean had seen kisses on TV during the times he'd been able to sneak a peek while upstairs at his father's and he'd always wondered what it felt like, but nothing had prepared him for the warmth or the softness of another person's lips on his own. The tendrils of feeling it sent through him were unlike anything he'd ever experienced and Sean didn't want it to end when Declan pulled away. He was tempted to follow and barely managed to restrain himself, staring at Declan, eyes wide in wonder and shock. Declan ran his thumb over Sean's bottom lip, rough calluses dragging over the smooth flesh causing even further electrical shocks to Sean's system.
"I'll be right back," Declan rasped.
Sean could do nothing more than nod mutely, watching as Declan left the room. His body felt hot and tight, and he pressed a hand over the stiff length between his thighs. He'd gotten hard before, but rarely, and never because of another person. He squeezed and bit back a moan. What was happening to him? None of the sensations running through him were things he understood. Sean released his penis and slumped against the pillows. He needed to get his body under his control before Declan returned.
6
Declan
When Declan had seen Sean's utter enjoyment at something as simple as a sandwich he'd been furious. If he could bring Sean's father back from the dead and kill the son of a bitch all over again he would have. There'd been no way to miss just how deprived Sean was from the outside world. He knew there were a lot of things he still needed to know about Sean, but it seemed Sean had never been taught even the smallest of things. Declan intended on making it his life's mission to show Sean everything and anything his mate desired.
He smiled on his way down to the kitchen, his lips tingling at the remembered feel of Sean's mouth under his. He'd purposely kept the kiss light, not wanting to press for more, certain Sean had never experienced a kiss before. He'd been right if Sean's expression had been anything to go by. The innocent wonder on Sean's face made Declan's heart ache at just how much Sean had missed out on in life and his balls tighten at knowing he'd be the first to touch Sean in such an intimate way. His tiger relished the fact Sean was untouched, the beast prowling beneath the surface of his skin, yowling to go back upstairs and claim their mate before anyone else could dare try. Not that anyone would go near Sean without his permission. None of the other males had even been upstairs since Sean's arrival in Declan's home. They knew Declan would gut them if they even tried. It would take all of Declan's self-control to even allow Sean out of his home before he'd placed his mark on Sean, but as long as Declan was with him, it would have to be enough.