Haven 1: Caution: Contents Under Pressure by Gabrielle Evans Page A

though hesitantly, and Stavion set about removing his boots and his clothes. He left his boxers on and crawled under the blankets, almost choking when Jory immediately moved to snuggle against his chest.
    “You came back,” Jory said for the third time. “I missed you, Stavion. I’m so glad you’re home.”
    Gathering his mate in his arms, Stavion held him tightly as tears stung the corners of his eyes. He didn’t know what had changed in his absence, but he’d be forever grateful for it. “I missed you, too, Jory.” Stavion sighed, kissed the top of Jory’s head, and closed his eyes.
    He heard the steel plates slide over the windows just before he drifted off into the first peaceful sleep he’d had in weeks.

    * * * *
    The grinding of the metal over the windows woke him.
    Jory blinked open his eyes and smiled as the moonlight bathed his face in a white glow. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept for so long and without nightmares. He imagined the warm body pressed against his back had something to do with it.
    Turning slowly, he wiggled around until he was facing his mate and snuggled against his chest, inhaling deeply. Sweet mercy, the man smelled like heaven. Doubts, reservations, and uncertainty crept in on his happiness, but he beat them back ruthlessly. It might not work out.

    It might end in disaster. He’d never know for sure unless he gave them a chance.
    Nuzzling against Stavion’s warm throat, he sniffed over and over, loving the sweet smell. It reminded him of the vanilla bean ice cream he’d been fond of as a child—cold and sugary.
    Hesitantly, he reached up with shaking hands, pressing just his fingertips to Stavion’s chest and skimming them over the man’s pectorals. Oh, the skin was so soft. Jory couldn’t find one single imperfection, and it was incredibly smooth—no hair at all. Curiosity had him brushing his hand lower until he reached the waistband of Stavion’s boxers. He wondered if the big vampire was bare all over.
    Sucking his bottom lip between his teeth, he traced one finger back and forth along the top ridge of the waistband, unsure of how to proceed. Stavion was his mate, so surely that meant he was free to explore as he wanted, right? Then again, maybe it would be rude to do it without permission. Jory had never initiated sexual contact, and he certainly never had a mate. He was unclear on the rules and boundaries.
    He didn’t want to wake Stavion to ask, though. The man still made him nervous, and he was enjoying learning his mate’s body without anxiety that he would do something wrong. If Stavion was sleeping, he couldn’t be disappointed.
    With a shaky breath, he dipped two fingers into the waistband to brush over the skin on Stavion’s lower abdomen. Just as he’d expected, it was as smooth as the rest of the vampire’s body. He paused and bit his lip again. Should he continue?
    Jory pushed his fingers just a bit lower until the tips brushed over the base of Stavion’s cock. He sucked in a deep breath and choked down a groan when he found it hard and warm to the touch. His own dick responded, filling and swelling in record time to press against Stavion’s belly.
    Ghosting his fingers along the engorged length of Stavion’s cock, Jory swallowed hard when it seemed to go on forever. The man was hung like a damn horse, and Jory wanted to see it. He didn’t want to move, though. So, instead, he settled for tracing the pulsing vein that snaked along the top of the shaft then ran his finger around the slight ridge of the mushroom-shaped crown.
    Tentatively, he moved farther along the head, squeezing it very lightly between his thumb and forefinger. His thumb moved closer to the tip, barely skimming the smooth skin, and he gasped when he encountered wetness. Rubbing his thumb over the leaking slit and smearing the pre-cum over Stavion’s cockhead, Jory wondered if the man tasted as good as he smelled.
    He was still debating wrapping his lips around the