Gannon Morgan [Seven Brothers for McBride 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Read Online Free Page B

at him, he found himself looking at Gannon’s mouth and wondering what he would look like in a rage. It was clear earlier that Gannon didn’t want him because of his defect, but then he’d changed his mind. Alden hadn’t seen McBride say anything, but he had a gut feeling that he had. Perhaps he told Gannon if he didn’t take Alden, then he wouldn’t get another thrall ever. Clearly disappointed, Gannon had been willing to settle, and Alden figured he was in for another series of broken bones and horrific bruises. Once Gannon found out he’d been beaten, though, his attitude was so markedly different that Alden had no doubts that Gannon would never raise his hand in violence.
    “If you don’t hit me, I’ll be the best thrall you’ve ever had.”
    “You’ll be the only thrall I’ve ever had.” Gannon leaned in.
    Hypnotized by his mouth and the way the words rolled around his lips, teeth, and tongue, Alden had no idea what Gannon was doing until he kissed him. Shocked by the sweetness of the contact, Alden leaned into him, inadvertently deepening the kiss. Gannon’s hands tightened on his but not brutally, more like he was surprised. When Gannon let out a pleased groan, Alden didn’t hear it, but he felt the vibrations against his lips.
    Slowly, Gannon pulled away. And then he smiled. “Wow.”
    One word gave Alden hope that the pain and trouble that had plagued him was finally over. If it was, he swore he would do everything in his power to please his mate. The scar that had seemed so scary was less so now that Gannon was smiling.
    Something passed between McBride and Gannon, but Alden wasn’t looking so he missed it.
    “Thank you, but I’m okay to finish up the workday. I want full pay so I can outfit my mate in style.”
    Alden was pleased but also afraid. He wanted to make sure he did everything he could to make his new owner happy. A terrible feeling that if he displeased him in any way he would be subjected to abuse or perhaps sold as a secondhand thrall made him doubly attentive to both men. It had been difficult enough to be sold the first time. After he’d been bled and fucked, it was even more likely he’d go into the hands of abusers.
    “Make yourself comfortable. Please don’t feel like you need to clean up.”
    “But I would like to.” Honestly, Alden didn’t think he would be comfortable if he didn’t organize the clutter. In the thrall house, he found the only way to cope with never knowing when he was going to be hit was by keeping the rest of his world in perfect order. Chaos from abuse made him crave structure.
    “If you want to, then do, but don’t feel you have to.” Again, Gannon leaned close, but it was Alden who made contact by moving closer.
    He discovered he liked the taste of his owner’s mouth. Alden had never kissed anyone, but he didn’t need to have vast experiences to know what he liked. He could easily fall in love with a man who kissed him like this and chose not to hit him. But it was also easy to be kind when the master’s eyes were upon him. Alden would have to wait and see what Gannon was like when McBride was not around.
    “I’ll be back from work an hour before sunset.”
    Alden nodded and then watched as Gannon and McBride left. He felt the most curious sense of unease. He had hated being around the other thralls because they hit him, but he’d hated being alone just as much because he was always anticipating them coming upon him unaware and hitting him. It seemed he was never comfortable unless he could brace himself alone in a room. There was a closet in the thrall house that he could sit in with his back to the door and his feet braced against the wall. They could bang all day and not reach him. But eventually, Alden had to eat or go to the bathroom, and he was fair game once again. He’d considered doing something similar in Gannon’s bathroom, but like the thrall house, there was no lock on the door and the two men would be able to kick the door