Zed's Dishonest Mate by Sydney Lain Read Free Book Online Page A

couldn’t help it. Was it because Zed looked like he might care? Luka knew the truth. Zed was probably worried about the chore list. The one he couldn’t even read. He wanted love from the man. How pathetic could he be? Before Luka knew it the laugh turned into sobs. He tried to stop the tears.
    “It’s okay. I’ll get a doctor.” Zed moved in to wrap an arm around his shoulder and Luka flinched. He fought to control the sobs.
    Slowly the tears stopped. He looked at the sadness and anger on Zed’s face. What did he do now? “I’m sorry. I won’t let that happen again.”
    “Don’t be foolish. Cry when you want to cry. When I went to touch your shoulders, you flinched away. Does a vampire touch bother you that much?”
    Luka looked at his mate. For the first time, he saw a little of the man from his visions, not the angry vampire that wanted nothing to do with him. “No, that’s not it. My shoulders are sore and I’m afraid the touch will hurt.” Zed deserved some honesty in return.
    Zed started pulling at his shirt, the movements slow and gentle. “Let’s get your shirt off.”
    “No!” Luka exclaimed. “I mean, that’s okay. Everything’s fine.” He pushed at Zed’s hands.
    “Are you bruised?” Zed asked. “Don’t lie to me.”
    He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.” Zed narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t convincingly lie. “Okay, maybe a little bruised,” Luka conceded.
    “Then let’s take off your shirt. It’s going to happen after the doctor arrives. Let me see the damage.”
    Luka looked at his hands. He really wanted to avoid Zed seeing him like this, but the determined look in his mate’s eyes showed there was no way around this. He slowly nodded. “You’ll be gentle, right?”
    “Of course,” Zed said in a gentle tone that surprised him. His mate moved closer to remove Luka’s clothes. He just hoped that Zed didn’t go running from the room as every inch of bruised skin was revealed.

Chapter Four
     
    Luka stiffened and braced for pain. The stance formed easily with an expertise obtained from experience. Zed hated the bowed shoulders and the clenched teeth. The small elf expected pain and was ready to be beaten down.
    Zed studied the high-necked shirt. Pulling it over his small mate’s head might hurt. He didn’t know the extent of the bruising. He leaned closer. “Luka, I’m going to slice the shirt down the middle.”
    A hesitant nod informed Zed that his mate had heard and had reluctantly agreed. His nails grew. At this length, they were sharper than knives. He reached under the white material. His knuckle rubbed against Luka’s back. The elf hissed in pain. He clenched his eyes closed as if afraid to see Zed looking at his body. He would worry about that later. Now, Zed needed to assess the damage.
    His nail sliced through the fabric like a knife cutting through soft cheese. The fabric fell open and he grabbed the ends and slid the material down Luka’s arms. The small elf grabbed the fabric and then pulled it into his chest. He then wrapped both arms around the pieces of the white shirt and held it close like a security blanket.
    Zed slowly started to examine the smaller man’s back, lightly touching the dark bruises. He gently ran his fingers over the darkest spot on Luka’s left side right above the hip bone and then moved toward his ribs. The dark, angry marks covered the elf prince’s back. Zed reached the thin shoulders but Luka flinched, moving away from his extended hand. Zed’s blood boiled looking at the inflicted abuse. Some bruises were healed more than others, reflecting the ongoing abuse his mate endured.
    “This isn’t a little bruising,” Zed said, forcing the anger away. Luka didn’t need to see it.
    Luka shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not that bad.”
    Zed wanted to scream. Any abuse was bad and shouldn’t be tolerated. Instead, he lifted Luka’s chin up until their eyes met. Luka darted his eyes around, but Zed waited. Finally, Luka