Delany's Catch

Delany’s Catch Diana DeRicci Published by Purple Sword Publications, LLC www.PurpleSword.com DELANY‟S CATCH Copyright © 2010 DIANA DERICCI ISBN 978-1-936165-56-8 Cover Art Designed By Anastasia Rabiyah Edited By Traci Markou This publication is protected under the US Copyright Law and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights: you are not allowed to give or sell this publication to anyone else. If you received this publication from anyone other than PurpleSword.com, or Purple Sword Publications, LLC‟s authorized third party resellers, you have received a pirated copy. Please contact us at our website at www.PurpleSword.com and notify us of the situation. Piracy robs authors and publishers of potential royalties. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

Chapter One The brass bell over the door chimed as Jake tentatively eased out of the storage room, one cautious foot in front of the other, his arms full of stacked boxes. He maneuvered by memory, aiming for the flat ironwork table to the right of the register counter. Sunlight filled the store through the large single window along the front wall. “I‟ll be right with you,” he managed, then sneezed as dust filtered through the air. The precarious stack dared to tip and slide with the harsh jerk of his upper body. “Nonono,” he muttered, trying to rebalance the tower before they toppled to the ground. Strong hands lifted the top two boxes. “Let me help you.” “Thanks,” he offered, plopping the last one onto the closest surface. Straightening, he swept his bangs off his forehead and collided with the clearest blue eyes he‟d ever seen. He was eye to eye to the hottest set of shoulders and chin that a man should be allowed to have. Synapses popped audibly as he stood there, he was sure with his mouth open in awe. He offered a hand, hoping he could remember his own name. “Jake Holiday.” The hand grasping his was firm, cool, a little rough on his palm. Tiny shocks rifled up his arm. “Delany Coltrane, or Del.” Del released Jake‟s hand. Jake wanted him to take it again, but let it fall to his side instead. “Sorry to come in so early, but I‟m looking for an address and saw you were already open.” Jake shook himself. He smiled in spite of his flushed embarrassment. “Not surprised. You don‟t look like a book person.” Of course he wasn‟t there as a customer. Or anything else for that matter. He was letting his imagination, and his hormones, get the better of him. A single, not too thick, black eyebrow arched. “Oh?” Del crossed his arms over his chest, smirking as he tilted to lean on a hip. “What kind of person do I look like?” Shit! That’s it, insult him right before he marches that gorgeous body right out your door again. “I didn‟t mean…” Del waved it off. “I know,” he said through a broad, teasing grin. “So tell me.” Jake wanted to melt into the floor. Or into this man‟s arms. He managed to do neither. “A fitness trainer maybe,” he hedged, trying to not sound like a total loser. He really needed to get out of

the bookstore more often. Though the assumption likely wasn‟t off the mark. Del was sexy as sin in a basic black muscle shirt and tight jeans, with thick-soled boots on his feet. He looked like he belonged in a gym, either training or coaching, and not weight junkies, professional fighters. He had strong, square sculpted features, and piercing eyes. Roped with muscle, his tanned arms were dusted with black hair. Not a lot, but enough that Jake would feel the sensation if he touched, or stroked. He swallowed, snapping his eyes back to Del‟s. Then he purposely took a shying step away, to reach innocently for the top box he‟d carried out. Quit acting like a damn woman! Gonna swoon at his feet next? he mocked himself. Knowing my luck, he’s straight anyway. Jerking the top of the box open, he asked, “What address were you looking for?” Del seemed to literally unfurl from his poised position. A shiver stole down Jake‟s spine. “I‟m well versed in Shakespeare, and Poe,” Del breathed at Jake‟s ear, ignoring the question. “And I‟ve been known to read a mystery or two. As for what I do, I was a bodyguard. Now I own my own business.” Jake stiffened in his loafers with Del right at his shoulder. He wasn‟t prepared for the motion when Del reached and plucked the clutched book he held from between his fingers. Body heat flowed over him with Del so close. His body thrummed with longing, to just lean a few inches backward into that delicious chest. It had been years since he‟d reacted this strongly to another guy. He hoped he could keep his composure until his ideal fantasy left. Then he could melt. “Holiday Reading? I take it this is your store?” Del asked with quiet inflection, tapping the shipping label on the box with a corner of the book. Jake nodded, scared to try to talk. His tongue had become a fixture to the roof of his mouth. “You don‟t exactly look like a book person either,” he whispered, a hint of playfulness in the timbre. Oh God. Jake was going into utter meltdown. That voice was right at his ear. “You look like a model to me. Trim and sexy, fit enough to fill out those khakis, nicely I might add. Amazing eyes. That adorable expression you make when you move your bangs. A big, bad wolf like me would eat you up,” he growled low.

bitch.

A model? Was he kidding? “You— You‟re gay?” Jake almost choked. Life was a cruel

“Hook, line, and sinker,” Del breathed just before he swept his tongue over Jake‟s pulse point. Sparks erupted in a flurry of sensation that lit a fire over his nerves. Jake did whimper then. **** Del couldn‟t believe his luck. Either bad or good, depending on who he asked. First, he was going to be late for his client appointment. That was definitely a bad thing. Second, he‟d just stumbled across his mate. He sure as hell didn‟t want to leave him now, either. Setting the book in his hand near the opened box on the table, he crowded a trembling Jake. Patience was a honed trait, and though the man before him was overwhelmed, he wasn‟t overtly scared. Brave little man, he thought with a pleased croon. He definitely was aroused. The heat coming off his flesh would scorch Del if he got any closer. The scent of Jake was intoxicating as his blood ignited. It was all Del could do to keep himself from burying his nose into the crook of his neck and inhaling. Or drowning in that delicious, sexy musk. Or licking the erratic beat of his pulse again. Del‟s heart pounded in answer, echoing the throbbing ache of his cock in his jeans. He couldn‟t ever remember being drawn to a redhead, though Jake was more cinnamon-auburn with shaggy lengths highlighted with deep gold to fall behind his ears, and those irrepressible bangs resting over Irish green eyes. Clover green. Sundappled meadow green. Del knew he‟d be dreaming about those eyes tonight. Bringing the written address out of his pocket, he held it in front of Jake, not touching, but letting him know in no uncertain terms he was captured. “Do you know where this is?” Jake‟s head jerked as he nodded. “Two blocks east. Corner building.” Before Jake could guess what he was up to, he curled an arm around his shoulders and tipped his chin up to kiss him. Not hard, more a tease, a taste. Enough to enjoy, and definitely enough to tempt. Because it was only one of many to come for Del.

He liked his men tall; Del didn‟t like short, weak men. Though Jake was lighter in build than he was, there was strength in his frame. He didn‟t want a man he would break. Jake whimpered again and in answer, Del nipped his lower lip to lick away the sting. “Thank you,” Del said, the words raw with the pleasure zinging through his bloodstream. If he‟d been the kind, it would have been a purr. Then before he did something that would make him much, much later, Del turned and strode out the front door of the bookstore, breathing deeply of the morning breeze to clear the man‟s sexy musk out of his system. It was far too tempting to completely blow off the appointment altogether to get to know his newly found mate, and Delany couldn‟t afford that. At least by the time he‟d reached the outer doors of the fivestorey building, he‟d managed to lose most of his erection. Though the pulse of his blood remained. With the taste of his skin on Del‟s tongue, he knew he‟d be returning to Holiday Reading. **** Jake sank down into the closest cushioned chair, unable to comprehend what had just happened. That gorgeous being was gay? A shiver cascaded in ripples down his spine while the memory of his tongue stroking his neck made him stretch and relish the sensation like a cat. That wasn‟t all Del had done, either. He‟d kissed Jake like he‟d wanted to do more than merely say thank you. Jake hadn‟t been kissed in almost three years, not since his lover left him high and dry to move to some place in Seattle with a new man. Apparently refusing to allow him access to Jake‟s bank account had been the last straw for Mario. “Son of a bitch,” he muttered, not wanting to think about his ex. So what if he‟d shut himself off from the world in his bookstore? It was his, and it was comforting. It didn‟t change, and it didn‟t cheat. And if the store lost money, then that was his own fault. He sighed as his thoughts tumbled into the melancholy. With the economy, the store hadn‟t made a profit in almost six months. He didn‟t want to lose it, but his saving for a rainy day was quickly vanishing beneath the lack of customers. He could tap his private funds, but if he had to do that, he worried the need for extra income would never stop, which meant the store would be a total crash and burn, and he‟d be broke.

Tipping, he let his gaze take in the towering shelves and all the visible spines. So many good books. Like unwanted pets, books were even easier to toss away and forget. Ever since early in his childhood, Jake had loved books. It wasn‟t even until he‟d moved from home to go to college that he‟d realized he was gay, though thinking back, he always had fixated more on the male characters of any story. He‟d become a voracious reader in his teens and when he‟d discovered gay romance and gay erotica, hello world! He wasn‟t such a loser after all. There were people just like him out there. He didn‟t live in the closet, but he couldn‟t bring himself to be „loud and proud‟ either. His parents tolerated his preferences. At least his mother understood it wasn‟t a flip of the switch choice. He knew he owed his brother for any leniency. He was why Jake wasn‟t berated more. They‟d get their grandchildren from him. Grimacing, he also allowed that he was the one who would make them proud. Jake was just…Jake. Gliding a hand through his hair, he pushed it out of his eyes, his bangs swinging right back into place. The only thing really bringing him money was the trading he‟d been doing with other stores. A sort of co-op situation that rotated stagnant stock between his and area stores. The idea was to keep people returning to hunt for new treasures. It was slowly building up the return customer base, but it may not be fast enough to save the store. He just didn‟t know. At least he was trying. He‟d emptied one box and was almost to the bottom of a second, finding prominent shelving space for the new stock when the door chimed merrily. “Morning!” he called. “Feel free to look around. New stuff going up right now.” He hoped to entice the customer to stay a little longer. More browsing equated to more purchases. “Damn, you look good.” Jake‟s rising hand faltered, Del‟s voice completely knocking his equilibrium out of whack. Again. Clenching the shelf lip in a death grip, he shoved the book into its slot. Managing to not be drooling at the same time, he hopped off the single step to face the god who‟d invaded his store that morning. He leaned against the bookshelf as if he owned the world, a gleam in his crystalline blue eyes that elicited a shiver Jake had to fight to hide. “If you say so. I didn‟t think you‟d be back.”

The blue of his eyes intensified, growing heated. Black lashes lowered a fraction. “I never said I wouldn‟t.” Good point. Jake nodded. “Did you find your address?” “I did. Thank you.” Jake rolled a shoulder, inching to the end of the shelves to scoot around the other way. Escaping? So what? He didn‟t feel threatened by Del, not in a physical sense, but there was definitely something about the man that sent his nerves into a hyper-aware sense of Fuck me now! “I thought I‟d see if you‟d eaten lunch,” Del invited, trailing him as if Jake weren’t trying to run. He seemed almost humored as he followed. “Uh, no. My help isn‟t due for another two hours.” Del paused, then opted to lean on the counter on his elbows to study him. With the counter between them, Jake at least felt like he could breathe, which he did with steadied effort. “You don‟t work alone?” “Not today,” Jake replied, not offering more than was actually asked for. “Smart man,” Del said with a pleased tone. “Never give out your entire schedule.” Jake blinked, unprepared for the concurrence of opinions. Or the fact that he hadn‟t tried to force for more. A moment later, a frown darkened Del‟s features. “Who is your help?” “Nicole. A college student. She works after class hours.” Almost as if he‟d read his thoughts, Jake watched the realization flow over Del‟s swarthy features. A woman. Del‟s shoulders relaxed, probably not even aware he‟d tensed waiting for the answer. The man was incredible to just watch. The deep tone of his skin showed he‟d spent a lot of time outdoors. With jet black hair that was long enough to dig fingers through, and blue eyes that continued to knock Jake for a loop, he guessed he had some Italian or Greek in his blood somewhere. Probably in his early thirties, which made him at least five years older than Jake. Not that he minded. Older usually meant more sane. Usually. He had been known to be wrong. “What‟s ticking through that mind of yours?” Del asked, a private burr that sang through Jake‟s blood, making him ache, almost as if he were stroking Jake‟s cock with the vibration. The

man leaned on his elbows with lifted, cupped hands to press to his chin. Relaxed, though intensely alert. Watching Jake specifically. “Curiosity, mostly.” Jake wondered if he‟d actually tell him what he wanted to know. Would you kiss me again? He forced himself away from that temptation. “Okay. You said you had your own business. This one is mine.” He swept a hand to encompass the shelves. “Your turn.” “I provide security guards and bodyguards for people. Do what you know,” Del drawled with a smile on his lips. Hot. Jake shook himself, keeping his attention focused. “It‟s been good to me so far.” “But there are a lot of companies who do that,” Jake mentioned. “Competition must be high.” “There are, but only a few who cater to our specific market, person to person, without prejudice. I do work with everyone, but I also have a reputation for confidentiality and empathy under duress. Something I will not tolerate is sloppy work or abuse because of sexual orientation. Some prefer to only work with like minds to feel safest. Many of my clients are very public and very well known. They want their privacy maintained no matter what. Working with me, with my services, keeps everything on a strictly need to know basis.” “Ah.” Jake tapped the countertop. He could see that. He hadn‟t exactly come out of the closet unscathed. He‟d been a very young nineteen, his first year in college. The home reception had been less than overjoyed. He‟d learned to cope with that feeling. But it gave him a new light to see the man across from him in. It told him that beneath the raw exterior beat the heart of a sensitive man. Knowing Del could take something delicate and treat it with the utmost respect, that spoke volumes to Jake. “What about you?” Del asked, gliding around the end of the counter to bring more privacy to their conversation, though they were the only two in the store. When Jake didn‟t move away, he stopped within a few hand spans, able to touch, but not forcing more. Jake‟s heart began to beat a tango into his ribs. “Well,” he tried. Drawing a breath, Jake lifted until he found himself captured by the intensity of those blue eyes again. “You don‟t really want to know about me,” he denied weakly, his brain sizzling as synapses fired and fried. Really, what could he give this man that a hundred others couldn‟t? Men and women would be throwing themselves at Delany Coltrane. Even if he were to lead the charge, he didn‟t stand a chance.

Del shook his head. “Wrong, but I have time.” “Time?” Jake squeaked. “Tons.” Del‟s hot breath flickered over Jake‟s lips as he narrowed the gap between their lips. He didn‟t blink, mesmerizing Jake until a fraction from either would close the space between. Then he stopped. Jake‟s pulse pounded like a sledge against his eardrums, his blood growing thicker by the second, as well as his erection. Raw hunger burned through his body. “Save that thought. I‟ll order lunch.” Del withdrew, pacing around the counter while unclipping his phone from his belt. “Oh God,” Jake whispered, shaking and shaken with Del‟s attention elsewhere. Reaching while hidden behind the counter, he straightened the aching hard-on beneath his khakis. A shudder of pure hunger sliced down his frame in answer to the touch.

Chapter Two Del hit speed dial on his cell phone to take care of the worrywart at his office. “Hey, boss.” Her voice chirped over the line. “Hello, Sierra,” Del replied, gazing blankly through the glass of the bookstore to the world outside. “Any fires?” “Not a one.” There was the faint tap of keys clicking in the background. Sliding his hand into his pocket, he pressed at the telltale bulge of his erection with a thumb, hoping it would relax. Just a little. He‟d been rock solid since the second he laid eyes on the green-eyed vision again. Desire hummed through him. Khakis and a mocha brown pullover had never looked so good. A beep on the phone from Sierra‟s computer brought him back to the conversation at hand. “Good. I won‟t be back into the office today. If you need me, just call.” “Did the meeting go okay?” she asked, apprehension clear in her tone. The keys stopped clicking. “Yeah, that went fine.” He smiled lightly at her sound of relief. He focused on the glass‟s reflection, able to make out Jake‟s still frozen form at the counter. He wasn‟t the only one who‟d been sent for a loop that morning. “You should be hearing from their secretary by this afternoon.” “I‟ll have the contract ready.” “That‟s what I like to hear,” he goaded. “Bite me.” “Only for you, darlin‟.” He chuckled when he got a raspberry over the phone for teasing her. “So, why aren‟t you coming back in?” Damn! He‟d almost gotten away without the questions. He couldn‟t lie to her, but he couldn‟t bring himself to share, either. Not yet. “You‟ll see, probably by the next pack meeting.” A low whistle cleared the phone line. “Are you serious?” “I hope so,” he quietly said. “Not a whisper, understand?” “My lips are sealed.” “That‟d be a first,” he grumbled. “Wha-?” “Nothing. Goodbye Sierra.”

With his office prepared for the new client, he dialed his favorite burger place. “One second.” He cut off the greeting. “Hey, Jake, you‟re not a vegetarian, are you?” “No.” He shook his head. “Why?” “Anything special on your burgers?” “I‟m good. Surprise me.” He tried to be nonchalant about it, but his cute guy wasn‟t used to being treated well. Del could easily fix that problem. Del hid his wolf-sized grin as he made his order, with the address to deliver it. With food on its way, he mostly had to behave himself. He‟d already come close twice to throwing the man down and learning every angle of his frame with his teeth and tongue, just reveling in the newness of his physical self. Jake‟s scent was driving him wild, the spicy heat of his arousal mixed with his natural raw musk. He was wary though, which meant Del had to show a little patience, even if it did kill him. He followed him hungrily as Jake moved from behind the counter, stacking books into the crook of his arm to take to the shelves. Intentionally, he restrained himself from looking south. “Want some help?” Jake whipped around, the lengths of his hair flying with his bangs falling over his forehead. “You don‟t have to.” “I know.” Clearing the distance between them, his feet silent on the carpet, he grabbed a stack for himself off the table. “I want to. Besides, it‟s not fair to sit and watch you do labor until our food gets here.” Jake‟s lips parted then closed. Pinching them together once, he nodded. “Okay. Those are general fiction. They‟re shelved by author. If there‟s more than one, use the last name of the first listed author.” “I can handle that.” Blocking Jake‟s movement, he neared his ear. “Among many other things.” Jake‟s exhalation sent a zing of lust right to his groin. Spinning on a heel, Jake fled around the corner. Del watched him go through lowered lashes, feeling the heat of hunger burning inside, the need to stalk, and capture, high. “Run, my little man. I will catch you,” he promised under his breath. His wolf was officially on the hunt. **** Silence returned, or nearly, as Jake and Del shelved books. It was comforting and unsettling at the same time. Jake was used to

having the mornings alone in the quaint bookstore, or mostly with the exception of the occasional customer, just the sound of the world going by and the whoop-whoop of the ceiling fan overhead. There was comfort knowing he wasn‟t completely alone, though it was Del himself who unsettled him. How many times was he going to snap himself back into the now after daydreaming of giving the man a blowjob, craving to discover his taste? Or imagine the strength of having his mouth fucked by Del‟s tongue? Jake could imagine the defined muscle of his chest, visibly outlined through the shirt he wore, feel the heat of it beneath his fingers as he stroked and kneaded. Jake wondered if his nipples were sensitive, if he liked to have them sucked and licked. Del looked like the kind of man who had tattoos, too. His breath hitched as he tried to picture just where they could be. Jake gnawed on his bottom lip. Three years without any contact, a kiss, a touch. He hadn‟t even felt inclined to indulge in sex. Random moments at home became fewer as they left him feeling less and less satisfied. Mario‟s betrayal had left him sore and bitter for quite some time before he could bring himself to think of anything else, then time simply lessened the need. That had to be why he was reacting like a starving man before a buffet over Del. At six-one, he was a solid height, was healthy, not a bad financial catch, could switch, though he knew he wasn‟t alpha material for the long haul. He liked the mastered feeling of being a bottom, liked being dominated by a stronger male. Something in him just went limp with desire knowing he was wanted like that. Jake frowned through a low sigh. It didn‟t matter. In a perfect relationship, it shouldn‟t matter at all. There would be a balance. He swallowed his own snort. A perfect relationship? Who the hell are you fooling? There was no such thing. At least he didn‟t live alone and own a cat. Derision dried his chuckles into arid dust. He leaned his head to rest on the shelf behind him and closed his eyes. Whatever had brought Delany to his store today, he‟d be gone tomorrow. Today was an aberration. With his eyes closed, at least he could dream. It had been so long since he‟d even felt inspired to do that much. Jake imagined the press of firm, seeking lips on his neck beneath his jaw. He shaved every day, but wondered how it would feel if he didn‟t. Would Del like the raw abrasion, or was he the kind that wanted a softer touch? Jake liked it a little rough, enjoyed the burn of a hot necking session. Slow, hungry kisses that enflamed as

much as teased. Hot lips that would linger before a delving tongue traced muscles and tendons. A shiver inched down his back as the desire gained momentum. A low moan slipped from his lips as he let it run rampant, losing himself in it for a moment. “Mm, what are you thinking of?” Jake‟s eyes popped open. Right in front of him stood the object of his fantasy. Del stroked a hand down Jake‟s arm, twining their fingers together. Then he brought that hand up, pinning him in place. Blanketing his length, chest to thigh, Jake couldn‟t hide the sign of his want. His eyes almost rolled into his head when Del rubbed his length seductively alongside Jake‟s, sharing the thrill. “Fuck, you‟re sexy,” Del growled. “I could watch you like this for hours, so relaxed and not even aware of how you look.” “You- You were watching me?” Jake rasped. His lungs ached as he sucked air. “I couldn‟t help myself,” he breathed, nuzzling Jake‟s jaw. “All I could think was I wanted to be where you were.” Caged against the shelves, Del clasped his other hand, bringing both to rest on level with his head. “I‟m not going to stop this time, Jake,” Del warned. “Stop?” Jake‟s brain was in a lust-filled haze. What had he begun? Jake‟s vision landed on Del‟s firm lips. He didn‟t care about anything just so long as Del kissed him. A sound permeated the air between them. A growl, or maybe a groan. It might have even been himself, he had no idea, because Del commanded the moment, licking at Jake‟s lips then thrusting inside. Jake‟s spine sparked then went limp. There was nothing else in that moment but the heady taste of Del. The man was spice and mint. Jake‟s fingers clawed around Del‟s grips, and Del answered, thrusting into Jake‟s erection, grinding into the swelled edge between. He whimpered. His balls ached, the need for more so strong, he wanted to take Del‟s hand and slide it under his zipper. The idea of being stroked by the strong hand locked around his own sent a string of cries into Del‟s mouth. Del released his lips, but nothing else. “Geez, Jake,” he muttered. “You‟re going to make me come in my jeans.” He panted where he rested, his lips pressing lightly to Jake‟s temple and face with tender kisses. “Want to taste you,” Jake managed, his voice hoarse with a hunger that swept common sense out the window. He didn‟t care how, but he wanted Del now.

“Food is coming,” Del reminded him. Jake jerked a hand free and cupped Del‟s cock, squeezing his length into his palm through the stretched wall of denim. Damn the man was huge! He quivered imagining the burn, the pleasure of being filled with that throbbing cock. Jake trembled with need, his chest brushing against Del‟s with him leaning into Jake, holding him prisoner. Del hissed, his eyes slamming shut. “Fuck, Jake.” “Yes! Please!” A chuckle split the quiet, then a full laugh. Jake couldn‟t understand his reaction. Why was he laughing? He was too turned on for anything to make much sense. Del captured his roaming hand, but didn‟t pin him again. “Soon, Jake.” He brought his other hand down. “Not here.” He pressed his lips to Jake‟s. “My sexy man. You drive me beyond wild.” Comprehension dawned. He was saying no. Jake understood now. His heart raced as his breathing slowed. He couldn‟t look at those beautiful blue eyes as he said, “I‟m sorry. I shouldn‟t have done that.” “Whoa,” Del whispered. He cupped Jake‟s chin, forcing him up from his dejected stance. “You didn‟t do anything. I wish I could let you do more. And I will. But not here, and not right this second. When I make love you to Jake, there will be no interruptions, and no lack of privacy. Understand?” Jake‟s heart stumbled, then kicked into a new gear. Afraid he‟d say the wrong thing, he simply nodded in agreement, terrified that he was seeing more, reading more into Del‟s words. He knew how the game was played. Jake knew he couldn‟t be hearing it the way he desperately craved, to feel real emotion in Del‟s words. That would mean he cared, and after less than four hours together, he knew he was definitely guilty of dreaming. “Time, sexy. I mean that,” Del said, speaking so his lips brushed seductively over Jake‟s jaw line. “There‟s so much you need to know. I will admit it‟s nice to know you are just as wild for me. It wouldn‟t take me three seconds to rip your clothes off of you and fuck you until you scream.” An electric shiver marched down his spine. Jake groaned, imagining the ways he would scream for the man before him. Del‟s chuckle was kind. “Exactly. Patience.” He hovered, then formed to Jake‟s lips, a gentle claiming. Jake‟s fingers strafed into thick, short hair, holding him steady. The kiss was a mere echo of

the passion they‟d just shared, but the heat was there. It was enough to give Jake the confidence to see where Delany would take him. The chime of the bell reluctantly separated them. “Told you,” Del murmured. Jake grinned. “You win.” “I always do.” Then Del released him to go pay for their lunch. **** “Is that a burger, or a cow on bread?” Del held up his burger, studying it critically. “Technically, it‟s a cow and a pig on bread. You forgot the bacon.” Jake shook his head, laughter rolling his shoulders. “What? It‟s only a half pound.” Del couldn‟t see the problem with it. It was an excellent grade of meat, too. “Yes, and you have a second one that looks just like it, right there.” Jake pointed at the second wrapped burger. “Protein or fried carbs and starch? Hmm,” Del mused. “I‟ll go with the protein, thanks.” “Smartass.” “See! You are getting to know me.” Jake choked, then drank from his straw, coughing to hide his laughter. Delany had discovered a whole new meaning for the word smolder. The living definition was sitting across from him. Every time he looked into those green eyes, his cock leaped and his heart pounded like a marathon runner‟s. The man was a menace all on his own. When sunlight hit his hair or lashes just right, there were flecks of flame in the color. Passion. Did Jake have any idea how close he‟d been to getting exactly what he‟d wanted before the door had sounded? Watching the man devour his fries, Del sincerely doubted it. When he‟d turned the corner and found Jake daydreaming, he‟d been struck silent by the sheer state of blissful rapture on his face. And Del knew, he wanted to be exactly wherever Jake was. Only it wasn‟t a where, more a what he was doing, and unless his senses were well off base, Jake had wanted to be doing him. He was pacing inside, wanting to get his man home. Now that he‟d found him, the intrinsic fear that he‟d lose him before Del had completely won him, filled his soul. And his wolf didn‟t care for that scenario in the least.

“Tell me about you,” Del invited, wanting to know the man in front of him. And keep his wolf patient. If Jake wasn‟t running, then his wolf was attentive, not angsting. Jake made a dismissive motion with his shoulder. “What‟s to tell? I‟m twenty-eight, the younger of two sons. Parents still live in southern California. I moved up here to go to college and stayed.” “How did you get the bookstore?” Del asked, intrigued. Jake was young to own a business like this, rather than just work it. Wiping his hands off on a napkin, he leaned back in his chair. “I bought it with my savings. The old owner was closing it, and I couldn‟t let that happen.” “You sank your savings into this?” Jake‟s jaw tightened. He lowered his green eyes, but not before Del caught the flash of pain darkening them. “My parents didn‟t agree with me either.” “Hey, hey,” Del was quick to say. “I‟m not judging you. It was a gutsy move to make.” Jake glanced around, then dropped his gaze, keeping them hidden behind auburn brown lashes. “They‟re probably going to be proven right. People don‟t read books anymore, not unless there‟s a coffee shop inside as well where they can loiter, read and leave and never pay a penny for the privilege. Libraries with benefits,” he mocked with scorn. Jake‟s lips twitched as he leveled his voice. “It‟s a sore spot with me. I know a few authors in the area, and I avidly support them.” “What‟s wrong with the store?” Del slowed his eating, to listen thoughtfully. “It‟s losing money. I‟m in a good location, and locals know I‟m here, but…” He let out a woeful breath. “Never mind. My problems. I doubt you want to know them all.” Not true. But he couldn‟t jump in feet first this soon. Del wanted to help Jake, but it would make Jake suspicious and reticent. His mate losing his business was not an option. He‟d think on it for a day or two. “What did you go to college for?” Del had served in the military, learning the bones of his business through action, not books. He left that to Sierra and his tax people. “What do most parents want? A doctor, or a lawyer, or an accountant. Something solid, respectable. I have an accounting degree, for all the good it‟s really done me. Mom and Dad still don‟t consider what I do „real‟ with the bookstore, so I stopped worrying about it so much.”

“Why?” Jake stirred the ketchup on his carryout lid with a french fry. For several minutes, Del didn‟t think he‟d answer. Maybe he‟d pushed Jake too hard. “It‟s okay, babe,” he offered, resting his palm over the one decimating the ketchup. He wouldn‟t pry it out of Jake, not if it hurt him. “I‟m the second son, and they never let me forget it,” he dryly managed, not lifting his eyes once. And not up to their standard. Del heard it as clearly as if Jake had spoken the words. “Because you‟re gay?” “Mostly. Mom tries to understand. I did this.” Bleak eyes swept the closest shelves. “Rather than stay in their ideal career. At least if I was an accountant, they could overlook the gay part of me easier.” Watching the flickering echo of pain ghost over Jake, Delany realized just what a blessing he‟d had with his family. They hadn‟t been thrilled, no, but once the initial shock was absorbed, they were still his family. They loved him, and embraced his friends, and many were flamboyant and colorful. Jake was almost sedate in comparison to a few. He barked a low chuckle as one came to mind. “They‟d probably die of shock then if I introduced them to Dennie.” A quizzical peek proved Del had his attention. “He‟s a peacock like none other. But he‟s the best friend a man could have.” “A boyfriend?” Jake asked, popping the soggy fry between lips that Del wanted to nibble and lick endlessly. He snorted once the question registered. “Not by a long shot. He‟s a character. Literally. Small stage plays and theatre. Where do you think I learned my Shakespeare? I‟m one of his line readers.” He‟d also done a couple nights of free guard work when an overamorous fan had tried to get to Dennie. That hadn‟t lasted long, especially once Dennie‟s stalker got a face to face introduction to Del‟s snarl. “Really?” Jake sat straight. “Yup.” Del took a huge bite, letting Jake regroup from sharing his family. He had a strong feeling not many knew the walled off pain or the deeper secrets to the man. Finishing the last of his lunch, he balled up the trash to throw it all away. “When does Nicole come in, and can you leave her alone for a while?”

“She should be here in about ten minutes, and yes. She works the store to do her homework. I‟m not completely blind to what she does.” “Is she trustworthy?” “So far. It‟s not like I have much she could take. The till has never been wrong.” “Good. I‟m glad to hear it.” “Why?” Jake tilted his head, staring upward when Del stopped at his shoulder. “Why what?” Del couldn‟t help teasing the cute guy just a little. “Why do you care if she‟s coming in?” Jake asked, with a hint of exasperation. Del didn‟t try to restrain the full smile bubbling up. “Because I want to hear you scream,” he replied. He strolled to the table to grab more books, with Jake‟s thunderstruck expression making him feel bulletproof.

Chapter Three Jake managed to stand from his chair, though his legs shook with the force of their own earthquake. He did not just say that. Somehow he found himself right behind those broad shoulders. “Don‟t play with me Del,” he warned him. “I‟m not a boy-toy.” He couldn‟t deny how much he wanted Del, but he‟d be damned before he‟d let himself be fucked like a cheap thrill. Del could‟ve had him up against the bookcase and Jake would‟ve taken it in stride. This, this sounded way too deliberate. Like he was a conquest. Del swiveled, all laughter vanished from his face. “Play with you?” The books in his hand fell to the table with an audible clunk. “Baby. Christ.” Warm hands cupped his face, intense blue eyes searching his. Seconds spun out until Del muttered a low curse. “I‟m not here to hurt you, baby,” he finally whispered, their faces, their bodies, mere inches apart. “Never want to hurt you.” Del stroked Jake‟s cheek with a gentle thumb. “Want a lot of things with you, but never to hurt you.” Jake blinked, unsure where the surge of mistrust welled from. They‟d been fine, bantering, teasing, flirting. Why did he have to go and open his mouth? Because within the last few hours, he‟d also begun to open his heart. As stupid as it was, as insane, it was happening. No one since Mario had even come close to cracking it, and this man was walking in and making Jake feel exposed. “Shh,” Del said seductively, his lips brushing over Jake‟s with a light sawing tease. “Put your arms around me.” The command was gentle. Jake did as Del asked, supported against his wider, slightly taller frame. He felt good. The scent of his skin was alluring beneath his shirt, a spice that was all male. Jake felt himself relaxing naturally. Del moaned a pleased sound, then he sealed himself to Jake‟s lips. Jake went under without a whimper of complaint. Del‟s palm held his cheek as he slid a hand to the back of his neck, molding Jake into him completely. The tip of Del‟s firm tongue danced over his lips, lingering, coaxing until Jake opened, asking for more, and Del gave it. Sliding between his lips, he delved, stroking Jake‟s tongue, and he shivered, imagining Del licking over his cock in just the same way. A shift in weight brought Del‟s ridged jeans into direct contact with Jake‟s hip. He sensuously rolled over Del‟s erection, feeling the tension building again, the sharp suck of air, a quiet

groan filling the space between the two men. Del licked at the roof of Jake‟s mouth, tasting and teasing. Then Jake moaned throatily when Del captured his tongue between tender teeth and began to lovingly suckle it. Somewhere, he knew he heard the chime of the bell over the door, but couldn‟t bring himself out of the euphoria Del had swept over him. “Wow, that is hot.” Jake jerked, breaking the oral seduction guiltily. When Jake tried to straighten out of Del‟s hands, he simply curled him tighter into his chest, winding an arm around his shoulders to keep him right where he was. “Hello, Nicole,” Del greeted. He rested his head to Jake‟s, letting them both regain their composure. Jake heard the pace of his heart beneath where he rested. It seemed to be thudding as hard and erratically as he knew his own was. The surprising discovery made him feel warm all over. “Uh, hi.” Jake heard her suspicion. “You are?” This was followed by the loud thunk of her backpack on the sales counter. “Delany, but friends call me Del.” “We‟re not friends yet, big guy.” Jake giggled, cutting it off with a gulp. He rolled his eyes at the sound. Del had melted him into a puddle at his feet. He could not remember ever giggling. He smooshed his cheek briefly into the chest beneath him letting him know he was okay, then gradually loosened himself from around Del. Before letting him go completely, Del neared, stealing a gentle kiss from Jake. When he was almost thinking clearly, Jake faced his only other real friend in the world. “Oh thank heavens!” “What?” Nicole‟s brown eyes widened. Kohl black eyeliner made them seem even bigger when she did. “You washed out that damn lime green.” “You like the magenta better?” She lifted a hand and fluffed her bobbed do. Jake nodded. “Much better. The green made you look dead.” She muttered a rude sound under her breath, then her eyes darted suspiciously from Jake to Del and back again. “So um…” Nicole crossed her arms, still apparently undecided about Del. “Like, should I be calling the cops or are you going to be getting felt up regularly in the store?” “No, no cops are necessary, and as for the other, I have no idea.”

“As often as possible,” Del quickly interjected. Jake glowered at him. Del‟s eyebrows rose almost into his hairline. “Why lie? I‟m not going to stop kissing you.” Nicole walked up to Del. Only as tall as a garden sprite though with as much backbone as a bull elephant, she stared up at Del, enunciating each word with a poked finger to the chest. “Hurt him and I‟ll cut off your balls and mount them on my rearview. Got it?” Jake groaned. He couldn‟t bring himself to look at Del for his reaction. Good lord, he‟d just met the man! “Thanks Nicole.” He pinched her shoulders between tight fingers and spun her around. “Back into your cage and don‟t forget your Prozac, dear.” She almost went without a fight. Almost. Then she faced Jake. “And you? It‟s about time.” Then she whirled away on her own to sit on the stool behind the counter, ripping into her backpack to drag out textbooks the size of small countries. “Protective, isn‟t she?” Del drawled. “Only a little.” Though Jake smirked when she shot them both with a pointed, arched stare. “Shelve what you can, don‟t stress over it,” Jake instructed. She waved a hand not even glancing in his direction, focused now like a stalking cheetah on her studies. “Yeah, yeah. See you at seven.” “Seven?” Del asked from his side. “I have to lock the store.” Del nodded. “Okay. Anything else?” “No.” Del clasped his hand, not in the least shy about it. “Good,” he breathed. “That gives us more than five hours.” “Call if anything comes up!” Jake called out as Del practically dragged him through the door to the sidewalk outside. Balking, he dug in his heels. “Hey, caveman!” he snapped. “Slow down.” Del lifted a hand over his face, rumbled peals of laughter rising from him. “Sorry. I didn‟t want to laugh in front of her. She‟d take it wrong, and probably kill me in retaliation.” Pressing stiff fingers into his eyes, he got his guffaws under control. Jake halted at his side with a fist on his hip. Then he shook his head. “Yeah, you‟re probably right.” Nicole really did make the cutest protector. All five-feet two-inches of her brusque self. Especially when compared to the six-three height of Del. Del brushed his fingertips over Jake‟s cheek a moment later, sending Jake‟s heart right into his ribs. “My place?”

Jake swept his bangs out of his face, then dug stiff hands into his own pockets. “Look, Del. I‟m not—” Del silenced him, letting his thumb drift to press his lips closed. “I‟m not that kind of guy. You have no idea how hard it was to leave for my meeting this morning. I left there and came straight back to you. There‟s no one else.” Jake looked beyond him, into the street. Cars zipped by as the lights cycled. “No one else today,” he corrected very quietly. “You‟re gorgeous. Who will it be tomorrow?” “You.” Jake‟s annoyance was doubling with the rising fear and insecurity swelling inside like a riptide, threatening to pull him under. “And for the record, you‟re the sexy one.” Jake managed to not let the automatic caustic reply slip free. Just barely. “Come on,” Del enticed, a playful grin cutting over his features. “I promise to behave, if it‟ll make you feel better. Just come with me. A few hours.” Unsure, though wanting like never before, Jake knew he was cracking. “You‟ll bring me back to lock up? I have the only key and I have to cancel the register.” “Of course.” Del inched closer to sneak a kiss. “You ever play You‟re It in school?” Jake twisted to peer at him, unprepared for the direction Del was taking. “Yes.” “Baby, you are so it, you‟re never going to see the end of me.” Jake wished that were true. “Cheesy,” he said. “But you smiled.” Del seemed way too proud of himself over that fact. All Jake had to do was follow those tight jeans. Perversely, he knew he would, willingly, misgivings and all. Trying his best to not bare his heart completely, knowing it would only be battered and broken if he left it on his sleeve, he nudged Del‟s shoulder. “I‟m sure there‟s a game on somewhere.” **** Del‟s wolf was whining, wanting to comfort the man at Del‟s side. Something was bothering his mate. He was nervous and unsure. Even Del could sense the tension radiating off of him now. Taking a slow breath in through his nose, he calmed his desire as much as he could. Time. He‟d said he had it. Time to put his money

where his mouth was. He wouldn‟t push for more than Jake was willing to give. Though holding back was killing him. Damn he wanted Jake Holiday. They didn‟t say much on the drive, both lost in their thoughts. He tapped the garage opener pinned above him on the visor and the door began to lift ahead of them. “Nice house,” Jake said, eyeing the front of Del‟s home, a suburban carbon copy of most of the homes in his area. Nothing fancy. Del lived alone, and for himself, he didn‟t need much. It was more for the location than anything else. What Del needed was room to run and he had friends close by with open woodland, available to the free running of the wolf pack. He stopped thinking about it when the next obvious worry was how Jake would take his secret reared up on him. “What do you have?” Evasion tactics deployed! “An apartment. Nothing fancy.” “Close to the store?” “Yeah. How‟d you guess?” Jake let his buckle snap loose, smiling congenially at Del. “Just a good one.” Sliding from the pick-up, he waited for Jake, then hit the garage button when he stood at the access door. “Make yourself at home. There‟s no one else but me and you.” Del wondered if Jake realized how he meant those words, that there‟d never been any intimate male in the house with him. Friends and family? Couldn‟t stop them. Lovers? Just Jake. Soon to be lover, he corrected himself. Del popped open the fridge. “Beer? Water?” “Not right now. Thanks.” “Sure.” Del opted for a bottle of water for himself. Spying Jake looking a little lost, he reached for a hand and tugged when he found skin. He came to rest easily on Del‟s chest. “Hey, it‟s okay. We‟ll go kick back on the couch.” Del ran his hands down Jake‟s spine, stopping at the top of his ass. He‟d been dying to get his hands on it, just to touch, shape, feel. Del knew he wouldn‟t be able to stop with his hands though. He couldn‟t wait to sink his teeth into those perfect globes, marking the firm skin with love bites, marking him as his. He let out a slow breath, determined to not accost Jake. “Has anyone ever accused you of being overwhelming?” Jake slouched comfortably along Del‟s frame with his arms loosely looped around his torso.

“Once or twice,” he answered. “Come on, sexy.” He led Jake to the living room, to toss him the remote once they stood in front of the TV. “Here. Be useful.” He sat to unlace his boots, kicking them off with a sigh of pleasure. He wiggled his toes within his socks. “Much better.” He set them by the couch to find later, then scooted back. Palming a pillow, he settled it on his thigh. “Come here.” He patted the pillow. “Let me at least touch you.” Jake hesitated, obviously torn, though wanting gleamed in the green of his eyes. “I‟ll probably fall asleep.” “Is that a bad thing?” Del swallowed his groan when Jake bit his bottom lip. Sexy everything. Jake sat on the couch, slipping off his loafers, then stretched out on the sofa with his head on Del‟s thigh. He pulled a hand up, letting the other lay over his side and hip. Del flicked his fingers through the jagged lengths of Jake‟s hair. The collar of his pullover gaped, but not enough. Del wanted to see his chest. The peeks of skin weren‟t enough. Down. He admonished himself. Jake wasn‟t skittish, but he was unsure. “When was your last boyfriend?” Jake tensed. “It‟s okay, you can tell me. I‟ll tell you. The last guy I dated was over eight months ago. He was fun, but we didn‟t hit it off for the long term.” Grasping the water bottle, he drank several swallows. “Your turn.” “You really want to know?” “Yep, so spill.” Jake drew a breath, the exaggerated motion making his shoulders hike up. “Three years since I was with anyone. We were together for over a year. He was cheating on me with another man, while trying to get into my bank account. Last I heard, he‟d moved to Seattle with the same guy.” “Fuck,” Del whispered. “No wonder you think I‟m overwhelming.” Three years? Alone? Watching the expressions flit over Jake‟s relaxed face made him want to make things at least a little right for him. Who in their right mind would cheat on this wonderful person? Didn‟t Jake know he was perfect? Considering what he‟d already learned, Del was positive Jake had no idea just how perfect he truly was.

Jake‟s chuckle was quiet. “Yeah. Just a bit, but I don‟t really mind. You‟re the most excitement I‟ve seen since the lightning storm two months ago.” “What happened?” He trailed a finger over the shell of Jake‟s ear, learning his shape, to return to the smooth silk of his hair. Del loved the play of color, the heat of the red with the gold tones and brown. Like the man, a menagerie of experiences. “A strike hit the transformer across the street. No damage, but man, beautiful fireworks.” He stretched, relaxing more, pushing deeper into Del‟s petting.

Chapter Four Jake relaxed beneath the sweep of Del‟s fingers, his body unwinding in stages. Del could almost see as he let the tension evaporate in waves. The anticipation was excruciating. Del knew they‟d fit together perfectly. The flare of passion back in the store earlier had been delicious, and he wanted more. A lot more. The sportscaster on the TV gave the latest news reports on all the west coast teams. Del listened with half an ear, his vision soaking up the facial features of the man resting unencumbered on his thigh. Letting his hand roam, he left the locks of hair to scoop under Jake‟s chin. The firm cut of his jaw was like no one else‟s. He licked his lips remembering just how good Jake had felt under his lips, kissing the hard curve. He had the slightest indent in his chin. Del hid his grin, knowing he‟d spend many, many hours nibbling and licking that very spot. There wasn‟t much of anything about Jake that didn‟t turn him on. Jake sighed, a breathy sound of pleasure. The hand at his hip rose and cupped Del where he formed around his jaw. Del let him guide his motions, gave Jake the freedom to explore and control. Del‟s heart thudded to a jolted stop when he lifted that palm and tenderly centered a kiss on his flesh. “You‟re a dangerous man, Delany.” Jake paused to drop another kiss right before flicking his tongue between two fingers. Blood raced in answer to the playful action. “Me?” Del swallowed when he sounded raw to his own ears. “Mm hm.” Jake blew his mind, doing the unexpected by sucking a digit between his lips. Del shuddered as lust raged anew. “How am I dangerous?” God, he could barely think to speak with that wicked tongue rolling circles around his finger. “You make me want,” Jake admitted. Del‟s eyes slammed closed, losing himself to the sinful sensation of his finger being sucked in slow pulls. His cock pulsed, filling instantly, craving the wet heat of that mouth on him. The picture of his cock gliding easily in and out of Jake‟s perfect mouth made him groan deep in his chest. “Jake,” he warned. Del was sinking and fast. “Tell me,” Jake whispered.

Anything, Del thought. He moaned, which was all he was capable of. “Do you have any tattoos?” Del fought through the fog, his gaze zeroing in on the wet sheen of his finger disappearing between those lips. In and out. He panted with Jake‟s pace. Piercing green eyes opened, not a single hesitation to be found in their heat. “Are you clean?” “Yesss,” Del replied, knowing which was the important question, just as his finger vanished into the hot cavern of Jake‟s mouth once more. Then conscious thinking stopped altogether. Jake rolled from Del‟s side, landing to kneel between his thighs. He couldn‟t move a muscle, surprised by the wildcat inside Jake. He‟d been ready to take his time. Something had changed Jake‟s mind. Del wasn‟t going to tell him to stop. He wanted everything Jake had to give, too much. He unsnapped Del‟s jeans, exposing a strip of flesh. He leaned forward and inhaled. “Damn, that‟s heavenly,” he purred. He buried his nose into Del‟s groin, swirling his tongue as he‟d done over Del‟s finger, licking and nipping lightly with his teeth. Del shuddered on the couch. Heat spiked his spine, landing with a shocking surge at the base, wrapping his balls tight. Del‟s body went slack and Jake didn‟t hesitate, yanking at the waist of his jeans and boxers until they‟d pooled around his ankles. He kicked a foot free, and between them, Jake stripped Del from the waist down. His cock sprang up from the nest of black curls, throbbing for release, for touch. For anything. “Beautiful,” Jake said appreciatively. “I knew you were big. Can‟t wait to feel this.” A bead of pre-cum had formed at the slit. Del was mesmerized by the glint of hunger in Jake‟s green eyes admiring him. Had anyone ever looked at him like that, with a need so apparent, on the surface? A shiver rolled over his shoulders. Del hadn‟t been wrong. Jake was it. Then his head fell backward, a gusted breath growing into a groan when Jake swept the flat of his tongue over the full head of Del‟s shaft. “Shit,” he moaned. Jake swirled his tongue, just like he‟d done with Del‟s finger. Enthusiasm was something Jake was not short on as he braced his hands on Del‟s thighs and took Del‟s whole length deep.

Del‟s shout filled the house. He gripped the armrest to ground himself. God, he wanted to fuck that scorching mouth. The heat was better than anything he‟d imagined. Jake rose slowly, licking at the vein beneath, then finding every nerve to suckle and lap at on his climb to the top. When Jake repeated his downward performance, his hot breath bathing tight, aching balls, Del screamed. His hips jerked. Hair fisted beneath his fingers. He didn‟t even remember moving his hand to Jake‟s head. “Fuck! Take it.” He writhed on the couch, thrusting, his hips rising and falling with a perfect rhythm to Jake‟s lashing tongue. His ears filled with the quiet moans and gasps of Jake‟s pleasure in what he was doing. The whole of it was sweeping him under, driving his desire higher and higher. It all felt so good. Bites of pain from Jake‟s clawed nails digging into his bared thighs sent shards of hunger slicing through his bloodstream. Thunder pounded in his ears. Opening his eyes, he watched his dick gliding in and out of that heaven. His entire body went taut, hissing with the pleasure. Jake moved with him, his tongue whipping a frenzy over his engorged shaft. His tight mouth rode up and down his length like a wild thing. It was too much. The countdown had begun. “Now or move,” Del warned him, unable to hold back any longer. Jake lowered a fraction more and Del felt the convulse of his throat around the tip of his cock. “Fuck!” Del‟s world exploded. Lightning pierced his vision, streaking in vibrant colors as his orgasm burst free. The pulse of his seed thickened his cock, and still Jake held on, gulping and swallowing. Fucking anaconda, Del dazedly managed, as his hips lifted one last time, the final thrust jettisoning the last of his load for the hungry mouth engulfing him. Gasping for air, he sagged boneless. Reflexively, he soothed the grip he‟d had on Jake‟s hair, petting him to ease the sting of his strength. Licks and panting breaths winged shocks up from his pelvis into his body, making him twitch in answer. “Fucking best ever,” he blurted. His heart was permanently lodged between ribs, thudding hard enough to vibrate his spine. Jake stood, and without any warning, ripped his shirt over his head. Del ate up the visual. Strong shoulders, a sparse V of reddish-brown hair diving between his pecs. Rose red nipples. Taut

little points that Del itched to taste. On autopilot, he fisted the bottom of his shirt and tugged it free, tossing it to the side. The instant burn of desire in Jake‟s eyes melted Del to the core. “You‟re gorgeous.” Jake‟s gaze raked over Del, up and down and side to side. After yanking off his socks, he stood in front of Jake. He couldn‟t think, much less speak after that orgasm. Instead, he palmed the back of Jake‟s neck and devoured his mouth. The lingering salty flavor on Jake‟s tongue made Del shudder. He‟d never found that erotic, but holy hell, on Jake‟s tongue? He didn‟t want to ever let go. He worked Jake‟s light belt loose, unfastening the button and lowering the zipper in seconds. “Too many clothes,” he growled. Helping Del, he shimmied out of his khakis, kicking them to the side. “Oh, fuck. Don‟t tell me you go commando?” Del would never be able to think a coherent thought again with that knowledge. “Only during the summer. I don‟t like the pinch around my boys in the heat.” Del leaned back, discovering the playful grin and matching laughter in Jake‟s eyes. “You mean that?” “Check back in January, and find out,” Jake challenged him with a saucy smirk. “Shit.” The space between their mouths vanished. **** Jake molded willingly to the heat of Del‟s body. The man was incredible. No doubt about it. “Take me to bed,” he whispered when Del finally released his lips. “No doubts?” Jake coughed, clearing his throat. “Now you think to worry about doubts?” Del grinned. “Good point.” He leaned his forehead against Jake‟s. “Perfect. Utterly perfect.” “You don‟t know me that well,” he advised. “I snore and I‟m a bed hog.” Del chuckled. “You don‟t scare me.” He slipped down to drift lingering kisses across Jake‟s throat to his shoulder. “Why, Jake?” The words hummed against skin and nerves. “Because fighting it seemed stupid, and there‟s no telling where you‟ll be tomorrow.”

Del straightened. “Where I‟ll be?” “Forget it. Now. Don‟t ruin now,” Jake said, sorry he‟d been so quick to answer honestly. The expression on Del‟s face said he wasn‟t going to forget it, but he was willing to push it to the side. That was all Jake could ask. Spinning them both, Del walked him backward through the house. It was foolish, but Jake didn‟t want to think about after, or tomorrow. This was the happiest he‟d been in three years. Mario was forgotten, the emptiness he‟d lived in, destroyed. He wanted now. “I want to give you that look every day,” Del told him, halting them. Jake didn‟t bother to investigate where they‟d stopped, sensing they were in Del‟s room. His entire focus was the man in his arms. Threading his hands into Del‟s hair, he tugged him close. He didn‟t say what he was thinking, what he was feeling. He knew better, but it didn‟t stop him from thinking it, or wanting it. Love me. Take me. He‟d tried to be emotionally open and honest with Mario. All that had gotten him was a pre-emptive visit to the clinic and three years of celibacy. Tender lips coasted from his, caressing and sipping along his jaw to the skin beneath his ear. He shivered as sensation swarmed over his flesh. “Do you have supplies?” His voice was hoarse, breathy with need. Del nodded in answer. “Even if I didn‟t, I‟d find a way to make you happy, babe.” Jake sank into that illusion. Foolish? Yes. But so hungry for the attention. He realized Del could be a very dangerous drug, one he could easily become addicted to. He didn‟t fight it when Del laid him down on the bed. “Just relax, Jake. My turn.” His gaze flowed over Del‟s features, scoping over the strength of his neck and shoulders to linger on his magnificent chest. Black curls circled his nipples, but very little elsewhere. Jake bet they‟d tickle his lips. He licked his lips wanting to taste the skin, the subtle beat of his heart apparent beneath tanned flesh. Continuing down his long length, he admired solid thighs and the sculpted hardness of Del‟s ass. The man was beyond gorgeous. And even after the explosive orgasm he‟d just experienced, his cock was filling, tightening to stand proudly from his groin where he lay, hovering over Jake.

“If you don‟t quit looking at me like that, I‟m not going to be able to take my time with you, sweetheart,” Del warned him gently. Jake‟s chin moved, bringing his gaze to Del‟s. “Looking like what?” Del‟s kiss was tender. “Like you want to eat me again.” Jake grinned with a devil‟s quirk. “But I do.” Del groaned, smacking Jake‟s hip. “Behave. You‟re going to kill me.” Before he made a conscious decision to do it, his hand was splayed over Del‟s chest. Fire raced up his arm as his palm heated over that delicious chest. Del‟s lashes lowered and he sucked in a breath. With a headshake, he tenderly removed Jake‟s hand, kissing the palm to hold it firmly by the wrist to the bed. “Don‟t make me cuff you to the bed, little man,” he warned with a low growl. “I‟m only two inches shorter,” he reminded the watchful expression gazing at him. Then he sniffed. “Two inches.” Del groaned low laughter, burying his face and lips into Jake‟s shoulder. Without another word of warning, faster than a snake, he found and shackled both of Jake‟s hands beneath his grip, pinning his arms over his head. Jake lay stretched and exposed, and thrilled at the fire in Del‟s eyes. “More like eight and a half that will be making you scream,” Del replied. Jake‟s lashes fluttered, his body arching from the promise of those words. He moaned at the first flick of Del‟s tongue, succumbing to the lashing over his nipple. “Mm. I knew you‟d taste fantastic.” Moist breath razed over sensitive flesh, sending an army of goose bumps over his body. The trailing of his lips roamed his chest and abdomen, his tongue laving over the indents of the muscles when he clenched. “Damn, that‟s hot. That‟s it baby.” He muttered then licked hard when Jake almost doubled over with pleasure. “So tight.” Jake thrashed when he dipped deep into his bellybutton. “Got to let you go, baby. Don‟t move.” Jake managed a shaky nod. “Don‟t stop.” “Deal,” Del shot back right before he swallowed the head of Jake‟s cock. “Aahh!” Del hummed his approval and Jake fell away from his body. Nothing had ever felt so good. Jake spread his legs with the firm seeking of saliva dampened fingers. He didn‟t even know when Del

had done it. His mouth hadn‟t stopped at all from torturing Jake‟s cock. He didn‟t know if he wanted to tell Del to be careful or to just fuck him until he passed out. Jake didn‟t know if he was coming or going. Del wrapped his tongue around Jake‟s shaft and licked him from root to tip. The whimper was impossible to stop. The burn of his ass was quickly replaced by pleasure when he thrust his finger knuckle deep. “Yes! Oh God! More. Don‟t stop!” Del hummed again, withdrawing only enough to spit on his hand. “Fuck me, Jake. You‟re so tight.” Del nuzzled his groin, sliding into Jake‟s body. Del pulled out and Jake snarled in frustration. “Easy sweetheart. I don‟t want to hurt you.” He hovered over a writhing Jake, purposely taking his time with the kiss, drawing Jake deeper into him whether he wanted to go or not. Retreating to his place between Jake‟s legs, the popped top of the lube bottle could be heard out of sight. Jake reached over his head, fingernails clawing around the seam of the mattress. Hot breath fanned over the tip of his cock again. He thrust, craving, needing. Then pleasure roared over him when Del slid two slicked fingers as deep as he could go. Gritting his teeth, he arched his neck, pushing down. Growls of hunger vibrated his chest as he rocked. He was going to explode. “Oh, God. Del, more,” he gasped, then howled when Del complied, thrusting and twisting to loosen his channel. His spine arched, his feet planted on the bed, desperate for whatever Del had planned. Del sucked Jake‟s cock hard, then let him go. The release made his length slap his damp belly, slick with sweat. White leaked from the tip and Del slowly licked it clean. Jake whimpered, lost in the moment. “Not yet. Baby. Want to be in you.” Jake heard the crinkle of the condom then Del‟s hands were on him, holding him steady. “Now, Jake. Open your eyes. Look at me.” Jake did as told, his head spinning, harsh pants raking his lungs. “Beautiful Jake. My man.” Del breached his ass, taking him one slow inch at a time until he completely stuffed Jake full. Pleasure like nothing in his lifetime crashed over him. “Today, tomorrow.” Sweat was beading on Del‟s shoulders, his jaw clenched tight with his control. Blue eyes flashed with heat and desire. Jake

knew he could fall into those pools and stay there. “Do you understand? No one else in my bed.” “Say it, Jake. Tell me you understand.” Jake licked parched lips. “I- I understand.” Hell, he‟d say it was snowing in Africa if Del would just move! “Mine,” Del growled. Jake clutched the mattress tighter. “Yours.” It was a gasped syllable of surrender. Del‟s head snapped back and his spine arched. Jake swore when he did surrender, he felt the throb of the cock impaled within his channel in answer. The pulse in Del‟s neck thundered, echoing Jake‟s. Through half closed eyes, Jake watched him shake his head hard, sweat dampening his hair. Then he began to move, rocking his hips, his fingers holding Jake immobile. “Take me, babe.” The raw, animalistic heat was fading, a gentler, loving sensation taking its place. Del stretched forward, pumping his hips steadily, to capture Jake‟s mouth in an electric kiss. Releasing the bed, Jake wrapped his arms over Del. “Yours, Delany,” he breathed, his focus fading as sensation poured like a raging river into his bloodstream. He nuzzled at Jake‟s neck, his hips stroking deeper, rubbing Jake‟s shaft between them. “Come with me, baby. Let me feel it.” Jake glided a hand between their sweat slick chests, grasping his flesh. He moaned and Del gasped. “Shit. No, don‟t stop,” he quickly said when Jake hesitated. “Feels so good. I knew it would.” Stroking his cock with Del‟s rhythm, his orgasm wouldn‟t be denied again. He arched into Del‟s strong strokes, and with the shift, Del found his pleasure button. Once, twice, and Jake screamed, falling deep into languid darkness as his orgasm shot onto his chest, splattering them both with white drops of spunk. Del stiffened, his hips jerking in answer. Shudders racked his frame as his balls tightened, the last efforts dribbling from the tip of his cock. Gently releasing him, Del removed the condom, then slid from the bed. Jake couldn‟t move. He heard water then felt the warmth of a washcloth on his stomach, stroking his body, followed by the light tease of a tongue. He shivered. “No more,” he pleaded. “Need a minute.” Or a few hours. That had been explosive. “Shh.” He slid an arm under Jake‟s head and rolled him to rest on his shoulder. “Rest, babe. Rest.” Jake didn‟t open his eyes once before he fell asleep.

Chapter Five Del held the mail in his hand when he opened the passkey protected door to Coltrane Protection Services the following morning. Thunderclouds were rolling in from the coast and the day was humid. The threat of bad weather wasn‟t going to ruin the warmth he carried inside. Sierra‟s Cheshire cat smile wasn‟t even enough to put a dent in his mood. She sat straight in her wheelchair, her hand tapping the rest casually. “Well?” Del shut the door, then dropped the mail into her in-box. “Well, what?” He knew what she wanted to know, but he wouldn‟t say a single word, not even in front of a firing squad. Or in his case, Sierra. A lot had happened the day before, but he hadn‟t claimed Jake. He‟d had to fight the wolf for that and almost lost. Denying the mating urge had been a far cry from easy, but Jake deserved time to get to know Del, and that meant everything there was about him before he took that final step. Which meant no one heard anything before Jake, himself, first. Del was still in a state of shock over the whole of yesterday. The man wasn‟t far from his thoughts either. Del was counting the minutes to be with him again. He was already trying to think of excuses to call him. Good to his word, he‟d awakened Jake, got them both dressed and took him to his store to lock up. The total sum of the store‟s business wouldn‟t even buy a burger meal somewhere. Del knew it had to be upsetting, but Jake wasn‟t letting it show. He was determined to help Jake keep his store. “How did it go yesterday?” Sierra pulled him out of his ruminating of the day before. “Didn‟t Jackie come get the contract?” He paused at the far wall, reviewing the coming events calendar. He didn‟t have to. Del did the schedule meticulously every week. She scowled. “Yes, he did, but he‟s not the one I‟m asking about. And you know it!” Her blonde ponytail flipped in agitation. Del kept his smirking grin off his lips. Firebrand, he teased warmly. The sound of rubber wheels on hardwood floor filled the front office. Determined, he mused. The office was sparse specifically so Sierra could move unhindered. She was actually going to chase him for answers. The firm poke of a finger in his hip made him look down.

“Don‟t be an asshole,” she groused. Del leaned against the wall and slid down on his back, resting on his heels to be on eye level with her. Reaching his arms over his knees to circle a wrist between fingers, he met her stares. Feisty and fiery at twenty-three, Sierra had been adopted by his entire pack when he‟d hired her. Taking her under their protective wing had brought her into their world, one she willingly embraced. No one of their pack treated her differently, simply because they all knew what it was to be different in a superficially perfect world. Injured on prom night, permanently in a wheelchair, she was determined to live her life; the fact that she moved on wheels was no different than if she toddled around on four-inch heels. It was rare, maybe even unprecedented to bring in an unmated human, but Delany wouldn‟t take it back for the world. He knew Sierra, and many of his pack, felt the same. She was welcomed and loved by all. “I‟m not trying to be.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It was very unexpected. Literally turning a corner and there he was. Like seeing someone for the first time across a crowded room.” Sierra was hanging on his every word. She‟d lost so much, the one thing he‟d always hoped was that she‟d find someone to love, for herself. “It sounds so romantic,” she said, in a distant, wishful voice. Then, “Did you think he was cute before your wolf decided he wanted to nail him?” “Sierra!” She rolled an innocent shoulder. “Well? Did you?” He stretched and smacked a quick kiss to her forehead. “You‟re terrible.” Evil. He almost retracted every good compliment he‟d just given her. Leaning back to see him when he stood, she said, “Is he cute? I‟m just curious if you all rely on your wolf, or if any of you actually have a brain above your belts?” Del‟s mouth snapped shut, stunned for a heartbeat. “Where is that coming from?” Sierra whirled in place a scant second later, her lips pinched tight. Her cheeks were a bright fire engine red. “Never mind. It was a stupid question. Sorry for being nosy.” He took two strides and caught the handle of her chair, spinning her to face him. “Sierra.” “Don‟t take that tone with me. You‟re not my dad.” Her eyes snapped in warning.

“No, but I am an older brother, who does care and gets concerned.” She plucked at the hem of her shirt, a nice blouse to work in, but she usually only wore jeans or slacks to work. The office was fitted for her specifically to be able to work it like any other person. He didn‟t require uptight business attire to do it, either. “It‟s not important, Del. It‟s a one-sided crush. I know nothing will come of it.” The fight dried up out of her posture. Her chair slipped free when she rolled to rest again in the larger than normal gap behind her desk. “One of the pack?” She refused to meet his gaze, gathering papers. He sat on the corner of her desk. “He‟s straight?” “Del!” She glared with meaning. He tossed up his hands. “Okay. I‟ll let it go.” For now. “I need your help,” he said in an effort to move past the touchy don‟tpoke-the-bear sitting in front of him. “What kind of help?” She regarded him suspiciously through her lashes. “You know of Holiday Reading? The bookstore on Plantation?” “I know the area, but I don‟t usually go that way myself.” Del plucked a pencil out of her holder, twirling it between his fingers, his brain thinking. “Okay, well, that is Jake‟s store. The economy is running him into the ground. How could we help get the word out to send him business?” “Pshaw,” she mouthed. “That‟s easy. Viral messaging. Especially if he runs a discount or coupon with the effort. Not spam, but friend to friend. What does he have?” “A lot of everything, and he can do special orders.” “Nice!” Sierra rubbed her hands together. “Give me the address and I‟ll hit my old classmates up first. Several of them owe me huge. They‟ll help spread the word.” He dipped and kissed the top of her head. “You‟re amazing.” “Just don‟t call me Grace,” she replied, tongue in cheek, smiling for him, annoyance forgotten. Del sauntered to his office, closing the door. He didn‟t usually, but he didn‟t need Sierra eavesdropping on his personal calls either. He hit speed dial on his cell phone and waited for him to answer.

“Holiday Reading.” “Well, hello gorgeous,” he purred. “Morning to you, handsome.” Del grinned, unable to repress it. Just the sound of his voice was giving Del a woody. “You sound good.” Getting comfortable in his chair, he stretched his legs out, making room in his jeans. Geez, the thoughts I get, and it’s all your fault. Most of them were, at the least, X rated. “Hold on a second.” Del waited. “There. That‟s better.” “What did you do?” “Locked the door and went in the office.” Del groaned. Jake left him speechless. “Ever had phone sex at work?” “Jake.” He was trying to warn him, but it came out too raw. Jake didn‟t have that problem. In fact, the sound of his voice was having the exact opposite effect on Del. “I would suck you right now, if I were there.” Del could easily imagine it too. His eyes slammed shut as remembered sensation vibrated through him. “You love to suck cock, don‟t you?” “Major turn on. How long did it take you to figure that out?” Jake‟s laugh was throaty but carefree. Del let his head fall to the headrest of his chair. He was hidden behind his desk, and with the door closed, Sierra wouldn‟t just pop in. “You‟re too tempting for my own sanity, sexy.” “Tell me you‟re not turned on, and I‟ll change subjects,” Jake challenged him quietly. “I am. You know I am, but I‟m at work.” “Probably locked up tight in your office, right? Walk on the wild side.” Del laughed deeply. Damn, he wanted to meet that dare. “Who are you and what did you do with Jake?” “I can still feel you.” Del‟s breath slammed to a stop. A shiver rolled over his shoulders. The coarse sound of metal grating echoed through the phone. “Give you one guess to what that was.” “You are a fucking tease,” Del gasped, reaching for his snap and tugging it free with a hard yank, taking his zipper down at the same time. His cock throbbed as freedom stretched before him. He jerked his shirt up as a precaution, exposing his chest. He didn‟t have a spare in the office.

“Only for you,” he whispered. There was a catch in his voice when he said, “I like pleasing you, Delany.” “Oh, babe. You please me. You have no idea how much.” “Then tell me when you‟ve got that gorgeous cock out, because I want to suck it bad.” Del panted as he clasped his own flesh. “God, you‟ve got me rock hard.” Jake moaned, a breathy excited sound that drove Del insane with desire. “I can‟t wait to taste you again. You felt so good, so hot between my lips.” He made a purring sound. “I can remember how it felt when you went deep. You weren‟t expecting me to take it, were you?” “No.” Except it was a gruff sound, rather than an actual word. He worked his hand up and down his shaft, squeezing at the tip to glide to the root. His hips jerked in answer. Pleasure spiked to gather at the base of his spine. He licked his lips, remembering the taste of Jake on his tongue. The need to mark him had beat at him, to claim him as his, but he‟d managed to keep it at bay. “I‟d take you deep and play with your balls. Roll them in my hand, lick them.” Jake moaned, as though savoring the idea. “Shit, Del, you better keep lube in your fucking office. I can‟t wait for you to bend me over and fuck me.” “What if I wanted you to fuck me?” Del blinked, shocked he‟d said that. He‟d never made that offer to a lover. Surprisingly, the idea of Jake doing it sent shocks of desire coursing through him. “Baby, if you want it, I‟ll fuck you „til you howl.” “Oh God.” Del gasped. His ass clenched as pleasure snaked up his spine imagining the sensation of Jake taking him as enthusiastically as he did everything else. His fist tightened. His cock pulsed as pleasure multiplied. “I want your mouth on me.” Close, so close. His head rocked on the chair, heat filling his veins. “Yesss,” Jake whimpered. “Let me suck you. Mm, so good, want to take you deep. Oh God. That‟s it! Fuck my ass!” Del bit his lip to quiet his groaned shout as he shot ropes of white onto his bare chest. Jake‟s cry echoed his within seconds. Blood thundered against his ears. He groaned as he went limp in his chair, his cock throbbing as the last drips leaked from the slit. His mouth felt dry. “Fuck,” he muttered. He couldn‟t move. “Yeah,” Jake replied, sounding just as loopy.

He couldn‟t believe he‟d just done that. Or the mess he‟d made. He might as well just go home and change. Maybe he‟d stop by Jake‟s on the way and let him do this properly. Shit. He was becoming a Jake junkie. Hearing the panting of the man on the other end of the phone, Del really couldn‟t make himself care to stop. “Wild side hell, you need a cage and a keeper.” Del grinned, staring at the ceiling, ready to offer his services on all counts. “Nah, that‟s Nicole, but I have plenty of need for my own bodyguard,” he purred playfully. “Lots of body to guard.” “Now who‟s being cheesy?” “Yeah, but I made you smile,” Jake said, the sincere tender inflection clear even through the phones and miles of distance. “Go do your big boss stuff. I‟ll talk to you soon, tonight, next ten minutes. Something.” Del laughed. “Yeah, you too.” Del pressed the disconnect switch. “Man, I love him.” Then he froze. Shit! Did I…? Was that…? He formed the words on his lips. “I love Jake Holiday.” He curled into his chair, knowing he was grinning like a madman. It felt so perfect. He held the words close, cherishing the newness. He couldn‟t wait to share it with Jake, but knew he had to be patient with his new love. One day does not make a relationship. Searching through drawers, he dug out tissues and did his best to clean up his mess. Not even a day and he‟d gone off the deep end. His motions slowed. Not even a day? Technically, no, he supposed not. Throwing out the bundle in his hand and readjusting himself to dress, he drew a slow breath. “Time. You‟re not going anywhere, and if you‟re lucky, he‟s not either. So don‟t screw it up.” Del only hoped the part that needed to, was listening.

Chapter Six It was after twelve when the threatening rainclouds broke. The office dimmed with no sunlight, but Del worked, signing things for Sierra or having her take orders for new client jobs. Around three, Del felt a sense of unease. The rain had stopped, but a fine haze remained. Walking outside was like walking through cotton. A wet wall of thick that a person could feel on their skin. Glancing out his window, Del‟s mind kept imagining Jake. At three-twenty, Del gave in. He‟d just drive over to the store and say hi to Jake. No harm in it. Sierra was used to him coming and going, but as an afterthought, he told her, “I‟ll be back before you leave this afternoon.” She blinked, looking up from the computer on her desk. “Okay. Drive careful.” He‟d just slid into his pick-up when his phone rang. Keys in hand he answered Jake‟s ringtone. “Hey, babe.” A throat cleared, followed by a gruff, unknown voice. “Sorry. Is this Delany Coltrane?” Del stared through his windshield. “Yes.” His heart had kicked into his ribs. That impending feeling just hit a new high. “This is Officer Bannicort. I was told to call you. There‟s been an incident at Holiday Reading. Are you a friend?” “Is Jake all right?” Chills brought the hair to a stand across his neck. “I can‟t discuss that over the phone. Could you come down here, please? He asked for you by name.” “I‟ll be there in ten minutes.” Tossing the phone to the console, he jammed the keys into the ignition. He revved the engine, then catching himself before he went tearing out of the parking lot like a lunatic, he called Sierra. “Something‟s happened at Jake‟s. Doubt I‟ll be back after all. You gonna be okay?” “I‟ll be fine. Go. And let me know everything‟s okay.” “I will.” He didn‟t even say goodbye before he ended the connection. His tires squealed on the wet pavement as he raced for Plantation Drive. ****

Jake unlocked the store front door after his phone call with Del. He couldn‟t stop the grin. There‟d never been a man like him. Poking his head outside, he felt the humidity, then quickly closed the door. Not good for the books, but he couldn‟t stop the weather. With a list in hand of requests from one of the neighboring stores, he began a search, pulling titles to ship. He lost track of time, occasionally rediscovering a book he‟d forgotten on the shelf. If customers would do the same, find long lost treasures, books to read again, memories to keep… Yeah, when pigs fly. He sighed, putting the one he held on the shelf with a poignant ache. The store was going to crash and burn. He had maybe four months left before he‟d have to close it and sell. It was killing him, but he couldn‟t hide from reality. And reality was a bitch in heat. The chime over the door sounded. “Hello!” he called, just like he always did. He wasn‟t expecting an answer. The store wasn‟t huge in some regards. Customers liked to browse in relative relaxation, not with a hovering salesperson at their shoulder. With two books in hand to add to the ones he‟d already set aside, he turned the corner and his jaw dropped. “Hey! Get out of there!” Jake‟s shout startled the person rifling through the register. No more than sixteen, wearing torn jeans and an old t-shirt. His long hair was tied in a ponytail. Holding a knife in front of him, he realized he‟d pried the register open. A kid. I’m being robbed by a damn kid. “Where‟s the rest?” the thief snapped, glaring at Jake. “To what? This isn‟t the Taj Majal. Get out of there!” “Fuck you!” The kid leaped over the counter, lunging to make Jake retreat. “Where‟s the rest?” He swung the knife between them. Jake used the books as a shield, and the blade struck those hard when he stabbed. “You got it, get the hell out!” “No way!” He attacked and Jake brought the books smacking down on his hand, jarring the knife loose. It hit the floor somewhere out of his sight. He wasn‟t expecting a round house to the chest. The books flew out of his hand and he landed with a hard grunt against one of the front half-height cases. The sudden impact to his temple sent stars streaking across his vision. He gasped, sucking air. His lungs burned, aching to fill but got nothing but pinched pain for the effort. The door bell chattered hard as the thief burst outside. When Jake clutched at the bookcase to raise himself off the ground,

several more heavy hardbacks toppled from above, raining down on him, bashing his head with unforgiving corners, harder than bricks. A tossed arm was too little, too late. Winded and dizzy, he passed out. **** “Jake! No! Jake. Come on, lug, wake up.” Nicole tapped his cheek and Jake winced. Something shifted next to him. “Shudup. I‟m fine,” he groused. His head was killing him. “Of course you are. That‟s why you‟re napping on the floor with a dozen books for pillows. Let me call the cops.” Nicole propped him up to lean on the bookcase behind him. “Stay.” “Arf,” he muttered. “At least I know you‟re mostly okay,” she griped, though with obvious relief, then walked to the counter and proceeded to talk in the phone. After she‟d given the details, she clasped her hands around Jake‟s arms. “Come on. One, two, three,” she ordered, hefting him to his feet. “Oh, slow,” he begged. “Head is going to fall off.” Everything tilted as he weaved on his feet. “Okay. Work with me here. I‟m short, remember?” Jake tried to smile. “Yeah, but it‟s the short ones you have to watch out for.” “Heh, I thought it was the quiet ones.” Jake pressed his cheek to her hair, not even trying to see through his double vision, letting her guide him to sit at the table where he usually sat rather than behind the register. “Them too.” He sank down gingerly, holding his head in limp hands, elbows propped on thighs. So long as he wasn‟t moving, he was mostly okay. A few minutes later, two patrol cars pulled up. Questions began. Water was pressed into his hand, then aspirin. “Twenty-three dollars?” The officer practically shut his notebook for that. Jake knew he wanted to. He wouldn‟t have blamed him for it. “It was a petty robbery. I‟m fine.” “He tried to stab you!” Nicole practically shouted. “Excuse me, sir, you can‟t come in here.” “The fuck I can‟t,” growled a voice Jake recognized immediately. “He‟s the one you called,” Nicole snapped, glaring at the morons in uniform. Jake winced and closed his eyes again.

“Mr. Coltrane?” He didn‟t respond, simply knelt next to Jake and wrapped his arms around him. “It‟s okay, babe. I‟m here.” Jake rested his head on his strong shoulder. With him there, it would be all right. Del tipped him up to examine his face. “You can tell me later what happened. Do you need to go to the doctor?” His gaze floated everywhere, his fingers trailing as he investigated for himself. “No, nothing that serious. Had the wind knocked out of me and hit my head.” Del cupped him and pressed a kiss to his forehead, then his lips. “It‟ll be okay, babe. Promise.” Jake managed a wan smile. Del stood, but stayed at his side, asking a few quiet questions. Nicole even came and leaned on him and Del wrapped an arm over her in answer, which seemed odd to Jake considering the day before he knew she had been debating whether or not to include him as part of the human race. “No one will be working a shift alone by themselves again.” Jake shook his head slowly at Del‟s statement. He could barely afford Nicole, but he couldn‟t work the store non-stop. He definitely couldn‟t afford a third, much less a fourth person. The looming fear of losing his store seemed to be mocking him. With almost no income, and safety making it impossible to work alone any longer, the truth was killing Jake. He sighed, leaning against Del‟s strong thigh. Not today. He didn‟t want to think about it today. Eventually the police left, fingerprints lifted from the register and the door. The kid‟s knife was nowhere to be found so he had to have grabbed it as he fled. Quiet filled the store. “At least it hadn‟t been you, Nicole. I‟d never forgive myself if something like this happened to you.” He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “How‟s your head?” she asked, flipping his bangs to see into his eyes. Jake managed to lie convincingly. “Not too bad.” Del only lifted an eyebrow, returning to the phone plastered to his ear. For the last twenty minutes, he‟d been making call after call. Jake didn‟t know what for. He was just ready to go home and soak his head in about three fingers of whiskey. “Okay, Nicole. Jersey will be here within the hour. She‟s working with you on your shift. Just tell her your hours.” “What?” Jake asked, snapping straight only to regret it. “I can‟t afford another person.”

“She‟s not on your payroll, Jake. She‟s not even doing it for the money. She‟s a bookworm. If all she does is sit and read with Nicole and gab, then she‟s happy.” Jake tried to stand, even though it only made his head throb harder when he did. “What are you doing, Del?” “Making sure you and Nicole are safe. It‟s what I do, Jake. Don‟t take it the wrong way, okay?” He approached and stopped in front of him. There was earnest need to do this in his blue eyes. A tender hand cupped his cheek. “Let me do this for you. Your safety is important.” Jake waffled, finally agreeing with a weak sigh. “Only until I figure out how to afford someone else.” Which will be never. Maybe he should start dusting off his résumé. Del dug a card out of his wallet. “Put this with your stuff. Anything happens, call me.” Nicole didn‟t argue, simply slid the card into her backpack. “Come on, babe. Let‟s go home.” Del wrapped an arm around Jake and led him to his truck. **** “Are you taking me to your place?” Jake asked as Del started his truck. “I‟d like to. You can stay if you want.” Jake glanced at him gratefully. “I was hoping you‟d say that. Can we stop by my place? Pick up a few things?” “I was hoping you‟d say that,” Del echoed him. Jake‟s smile was small, but it was there. He vowed to spend the rest of his life making his man smile. Del drove where Jake directed him, only a few blocks from the store to an apartment complex. He punched in the security gate code Jake gave him and entered. If the store was making money, he wasn‟t wasting it on the apartment. An older complex, many of the buildings in his view were in desperate need of paint, with the grounds needing to be resodded. The only saving grace seemed to be the security gate. He didn‟t think complexes allowed vehicles to remain untended, but he spotted three that should have been towed months, if not years ago. Maybe this far into the complex interior, they just didn‟t care. Del clenched his hands, not wanting to picture Jake living there alone. Walking there alone after dark. “Do you own a car?” “I have a moped. I don‟t usually have far to go to do anything. I keep it inside,” he tacked on, sounding tired.

To not be stolen. Jake didn‟t need to finish the sentence. Time. Give him time. Del had never felt so protective of another person in his life. He knew he couldn‟t demand, or Jake would dig in his heels harder than he had the day before. “Let‟s get you some things. You can leave them at my place, if you want.” Jake twisted to stare at him. “Kind of soon for that, isn‟t it?” “It‟s up to you, but I‟m hoping to see more of you.” Don’t press. It was killing Del to not just bring him home and take it from there. Jake seemed to think about that, but didn‟t reply. He pointed to a spot. Del locked the truck tight once they were out. “I won‟t be long,” Jake said over his shoulder stepping inside a second-storey apartment, disappearing into what had to be the bedroom. Del took a few minutes to investigate his home. There wasn‟t a lot, but it all looked cared for, though he‟d probably been there a few years. It was your standard dull white-wash on the walls with some non-descript, outdated brown carpet. The furniture was sparse, but Del imagined he didn‟t need much, living along. Neither did he, in that regard. There was a TV stand and a stereo set up to the side. A few shelves here and there, with photos and a baseball in a cup. The pictures above the TV were what drew him. Frames of a couple, and of two boys. He could easily see Jake in the boy on the left, younger than the other. His brother, he was sure. He couldn‟t think if he‟d even mentioned his name. There weren‟t many photos at all. Del wondered if his family had any of Jake or if they hid him away like the family‟s dirty little secret? Didn‟t they know the incredible man who was their son? If all they cared about was how he looked with a degree, not if he was happy, he sincerely doubted they had even a clue. How would his family react to Jake? Crossing his arms, he hadn‟t given it much thought. It hadn‟t disturbed him, that was why. Del knew they‟d love him. And the pack would accept him. He was brave, honest, caring. He knew he‟d have to introduce him soon, explain soon. He couldn‟t fight the urge to claim him forever. He couldn‟t think about it right then. Tonight, he‟d take him home and care for him, the way any man would care for his partner. Love and cherish him. Spoil him a little. Ease the stress of what happened out of his system. And maybe somehow, he‟d convince him to never leave.

Chapter Seven “I don‟t understand it,” Jake mumbled, checking his numbers for the third time. “This is the fourth week we‟ve had a steady profit.” Nicole leaned on her elbows, regarding him. “That‟s good, though, right? I mean that‟s what they tell me in my economics class. Profit is good.” Jake laughed. He‟d worked the day to keep Nicole company. With Del out of town on a business assignment, there hadn‟t been much for him to do other than work, anyway. Jersey had become a regular as had another one of Del‟s friends. A young guy by the name of Martice. He was an odd character. Very quiet, but respectful and seemed to have a crush on Nicole. And neither he nor Jersey had said one word, except to decline when he‟d tried to pay them. It had killed him to put together those two paychecks, but Jake refused to let them work for free. They said they weren‟t and that was all they‟d say on it, no matter how hard Jake tried to get answers. He had his suspicions that Del was covering their time, but with no one talking, he couldn‟t prove it. The doorbell chimed. Nicole swung around to the front of the store. “Oh good! I was worried you‟d be closed.” “What can I do for you?” Jake tuned them out. That was another thing. People had been coming to the store, either to shop, browse, or even in the case of the book club, order. That had floored him. Fifteen books, and they‟d said they‟d be back. For the first month in over half a year, he was going to have a profit. A solid profit after overhead and Nicole‟s pay. He pushed his bangs out of his face, staring at the numbers one more time, expecting them to change. They didn‟t. Jake was so stunned, he could have danced on the sidewalk in a Speedo. “Hey, babe.” Jake jerked his attention up. “Hey yourself.” Grinning happily, he leaped from behind his desk and rounded it with a long stride to curl into Del‟s embrace. The welcome kiss after two weeks without sent heat to all four corners of his body. He dove between Del‟s teeth and plied over his tongue, teasing and playing to draw him close enough to suck on him. Del shivered, his fingers kneading his back to drift to his ass, then held on tight, pelvis to pelvis.

“Mm. That was a good kiss. Maybe I should come back and do it again?” Del teased when he let him go. His eyes glittered with a playful meaning. Jake shook his head. “I have a better idea.” Devilment flitted over Del‟s face. “Do I know of this idea?” “You very well might.” An intense low growl vibrated Del‟s chest. Jake loved that sound. Someone tapped Del‟s shoulder. “You two ready to lock up or should I just turn out the lights?” “Smartass,” Jake muttered. Nicole had the audacity to laugh. “This is news?” “Come on. We‟ll drive you home.” Nicole peeked around Del‟s wider body. “Please say you‟re keeping him.” Jake didn‟t say anything, and Del‟s expression gave away nothing. His poor guy was tired. He‟d probably finished in L.A. then drove straight home. “Let me lock up and turn on the alarm.” Another new addition, thanks to Del‟s propensity to want to keep them safe. In the truck, Jake sat next to Del with Nicole on the outside. Dropping her off on her work nights, before Del had to leave on an assignment, had also become regular. Del refused to let her ride the bus if he could do anything about it. Waving to Nicole, watching until she was inside her parent‟s home, Jake said, “If I didn‟t know any better, I‟d swear you were going to take care of everyone.” “Nope. Just the people I care about.” “I missed you while you were gone,” Jake admitted, glancing at Del‟s profile then dropping to his hands in his lap. “It sucked being in L.A. without you. Longest two weeks ever. I don‟t think I‟ll be doing any more personal jobs. I don‟t like being away from you.” Jake flushed at the sentiment. “You have your own business, Delany. You can‟t ignore it to watch me constantly.” Del grinned wickedly. “How about I just watch you because, then? Like watch you get naked? Watch you in the shower? Watch you scream my name?” Jake‟s lips parted on a rasped breath. He had an avid imagination when it came to Del. There were a lot of ways and reasons to scream Del‟s name. “Love that.”

Jake blinked, focusing on Del‟s intense expression. “The face you make when you‟re turned on.” A few minutes later, Del parked his truck in his garage, the door shutting behind them, leaving them in private. Jake didn‟t have a chance. Del released his buckle and pounced, taking them both to the bench seat. His mouth was voracious as a starving man‟s, his tongue thrusting and tasting. Del‟s fingers fisted into Jake‟s hair. “Missed you.” He moved down Jake‟s throat, dropping hot little kisses, sucking to lick away the sensation. The stiff bite of stubble scraped over Jake‟s jaw and he moaned hoarsely. Shivers hit his frame in rolling waves. The sharp sting of teeth made Jake gasp. Inarticulate sounds rumbled from his throat. Whimpers. The tug on the bottom of his shirt was insistent. Hot lips trailed a path down his chest. Jake lifted the hindering shirt over his shoulders, unintentionally trapping his arms in the fabric in the confines of the truck cab. “Sexy,” Del mumbled, not stopping. He was devouring Jake. He writhed when Del swept his tongue over the seam of his hip. Shit. When did he do that? Where’d my jeans go? Cool air swirled around his groin, naked and aching. A purposeful tug dragged him to the edge of the bench with Del‟s body weighing him down. The scrape of his jeans slid off his legs and he was free. “Oh God.” Jake‟s cock was throbbing, so needy, hungry for everything Del could give him. Then Del was laving over his length, sucking him like he wanted to taste him for days, or suck his balls right out of his body. He cried out, arching his hips, seeking that insistent, hot mouth. Never in his life had he been taken, not like this. Seduced and devoured. Jake sobbed. “Please.” Del hummed, a deep rumble of lust and desire that careened right up Jake‟s spine. Del positioned one of Jake‟s legs, widening his pose, and filled the space like a key in a lock. “Fuck! Del!” The pressure on his shaft deepened, Del‟s cheeks tightening with purpose. Pure heat rode up and down his shaft. Jake rocked his head. The flick of a hand on his chest sent sparks through his vision. Sensation screamed over his nerves. Then Del cupped his balls, twisting the tight nub of Jake‟s nipple at the same time. “Fuck!” His shout shattered the silence of the garage, filled it to the roof as his orgasm rocketed through his veins. Jake soared beneath Del‟s driving mouth, his tongue undulating against his nerves as he hungrily swallowed Jake‟s pleasure. Muscles clenched over and over

as the suction of Del‟s mouth wrung every last drop out of Jake‟s body. Gasping and weak, he laid there, shuddering as Del lapped up the last traces. Limply, he ran a hand over his chest, searching for his heart. He wouldn‟t have been surprised if Del had sucked that out of him too. “Fuck me,” Jake rasped. Del chuckled with meaning. “That‟s next, baby.” Wet trails cooled when Del propped himself straight. A gentle hand looped over Jake‟s, tugging him upright. “Come here.” Jake had no strength to argue. He‟d never been sucked like that. Del‟s kiss was tender, the tap of his tongue over Jake‟s teeth bordering playful. “Missed you,” he repeated softly. Jake wrapped his arms around the man holding him. The man he was falling for. He nuzzled into Del‟s chin and neck. “Take me to bed, big guy,” he murmured sleepily. “Always.” **** “Don‟t worry,” Del said for the fifth time. Jake was keeping count. “They‟re going to love you.” Jake nodded, swallowing down his apprehension. He swept his bangs out of the way. Del caught his hand and threaded their fingers together. “Relax,” he crooned. “You‟re acting like a long tailed cat in a room of rocking chairs.” Jake laughed. “Haven‟t heard that one in ages.” “Gram was from Louisiana. All kinds of good southern silliness from her side of the family.” “A lot of people will be there?” Jake asked, trying to prepare himself. Man, he couldn‟t believe it would be this hard. It was just July Fourth. A barbecue. Food and people. People I don’t know. “Probably most of the family plus all the pack.” “Pack,” Jake parroted, unsure. “Sounds like a lot that way.” “It‟s easier than telling you how many with each family. The lump sum is the pack.” Del winked and Jake answered with a more relaxed smile. “I‟ll have to keep an eye on you, make sure no one tries to steal you away from me.” That made Jake laugh deeper. “Uh huh.” He tugged at his shorts. “If I were any paler, I‟d be a ghost.” “Time to get out of the store more, that‟s all. And how many times have I licked you like an ice cream cone?” Del snorted. “Pale, my ass.” He shot Jake a quick, speculative look. “I know. We‟ll go to

the beach for a day. Haven‟t done that in years. Just hang out, soak up some sun and saltwater.” Jake relaxed more. “Sounds like fun. Haven‟t done it since college.” “We‟ll pick a day, invade and go crazy.” Jake scooted closer on the bench seat of the pick-up. He loved seeing Del so relaxed. Who was he kidding? He loved the man, period. The bookstore was, by some miracle Jake knew better than to question, coming out of the red with a steady profit. Things had been going well with him and Delany. For the first time in years, he knew he was in love with the right man, and happier than he‟d ever been. Resting his cheek on the strong shoulder at his side, he let his worries drift away, wanting to enjoy the day with his lover. **** Del grabbed his hand as soon as they were out of the truck. “Don‟t worry. Most of them know about me, and I‟m not even the only one.” “That‟s six,” Jake said under his breath. “Huh?” “Nothing.” Jake raised his lips and Del stole a quick kiss. The front door was wide open, music and noise reaching them from all over as they walked closer to the house, through the parked cars that filled the front yard and driveway. Large ball lanterns were hung across the porch, and between the trees for when the sun went down. It was only because he was following the lanterns that Del saw the two pups as they charged out of the tree line. He didn‟t have time to let his stomach hit the ground, because before he could tell them to stop, to caution them to be more covert in their antics, they launched at him. Both aimed for his chest. “Shit!” Jake screamed in sheer terror and jumped out of the way. Del took the full impact, letting the boys take him down. Mock growls and yips filled the air as they tossed and tumbled. Del would‟ve laughed in the sheer freedom if Jake hadn‟t looked nearly so shocked, or terrified. Thank God the man didn‟t carry a weapon or have something handy to strike with. It only took a few minutes to grab a scruff apiece and haul them up by their necks. Once on his feet, he met both their gazes. “Lincoln, Andrew. What have we told you?”

They whined pitifully, slack in his hands. Andrew tried to lick him, kisses to say he was sorry. Del snarled low in his throat and Andrew quickly went limp. “Go play where it‟s safe.” He couldn‟t scold them too deeply. He hadn‟t been an angel growing up either. “Don‟t make me find your mother,” he added as a second warning, setting them down on their paws. Faster than lightning, they disappeared back into the trees. “What the hell?” Jake croaked. “It was nothing.” Jake‟s mouth popped open once, then snapped shut. “Being mauled by two large dogs is nothing?” “Delany? Is that you?” Oh shit. He‟d never get a chance to explain it at this rate. He‟d hoped bringing him to the picnic would open up the possibility gently for Jake. He‟d been battling with himself for weeks on how to tell Jake about his lupine blood. So much for higher hopes. He should‟ve known someone would be running wild. “Hi Mom!” he called. He faced Jake, cupping his jaw with both palms, connecting them. “I‟m fine. They didn‟t mean any harm. They‟re kids…pups,” he quickly corrected. Bile soured his throat. Fear. That was what had stopped him all these months. He didn‟t want to lose the best thing that had ever happened to him. Del had purposely fought the claiming urge, wanting Jake to understand first. But he hadn‟t even been trying to bring Jake into his world. He realized that now. Everything had been going so well. Now… Foolish. He‟d be calling himself worse if he didn‟t start explaining things and quickly. Jake leaned against a car fender, his green eyes wide. Whiteknuckled, he held onto the car with a death grip. Del curled him into his chest, praying for the tension to leave his lover. “Shh. It‟s okay. Honest.” He stroked Jake‟s hair, even flipping his bangs to distract him until the shock began to fade. “Nothing is going to hurt you.” “Where‟d they come from?” Jake asked. Tremors tore down Jake‟s frame and ripped Del apart. “They were going to hurt you.” The knowledge that he was scared for Del almost crushed him. He needed to explain it, but it would have to wait. Del couldn‟t break something like this to his lover while at the pack barbecue. Jake was a smart man, he would understand. At least, Del prayed he would

understand. He feared he‟d badly misjudged Jake‟s ability to accept the truth. “Actually, no they weren‟t. They were playing.” He brushed kisses over Jake‟s eyes. “Come on. Mom knows we‟re here now, so that means so does everyone else.” Jake nodded shakily. Del clasped his hand once more. Walking through the house, he shook hands and introduced Jake. As more people welcomed them, he felt more of the uneasiness leave Jake. Hopefully it would be less than a bad memory to be forgotten by the time they left. It would make having to explain it a little easier if Jake didn‟t think he was some bloodthirsty animal beneath it all.

Chapter Eight Jake sought over his shoulder, searching the thick tree lined expanse circling the wide backyard, waiting for them to reappear. They‟d looked like half-grown huskies, or maybe malamutes. He wasn‟t very good with dog breeds. After Del had dusted himself off, Jake took a good look and saw that Del was okay. Not even a scratch that he could see. He didn‟t understand how Del could take being attacked like that so easily. Jake was a city boy. They‟d never even owned a dog. Though Del did seem to know the dogs. As he sipped on his beer, he let the incident drift out of his thoughts when no one mentioned it again. “Whose house is this?” Jake asked, taking in the large home and even larger expanse of property. A deep breath brought him summer heat and trees. Nothing like living in town. Kids ran rampant, and the smell of cooking meat wafted through the air. His stomach rumbled. “Kelley‟s and Anna‟s. You‟ll like them. They‟re here somewhere.” “Delany Coltrane!” Jake smirked when he actually saw his lover wince. They turned together. Even though he wasn‟t related, he knew that tone of voice and couldn‟t help waiting for the berating that was coming, for what he had no idea. But moms were universal. “Hi, Mom.” A taller woman with an ample bosom and long black hair stalked up to them. When she was close enough, Jake noticed the strands of almost pure white in her hair. Not gray or even silver. The contrast was startling beautiful. “You‟ve been here half an hour and I had to come looking for you to meet your beau.” The most endearing thing Jake had ever seen was done by Del. He blushed. Del leaned over and kissed his mom. “Jessie Coltrane. Jake Holiday.” “Pleasure,” Jake said, shaking her hand. She looked up and down at Jake, squeezed his hand and seemed to give her approval with a smile for him. Somehow he didn‟t think it was that easy to win this woman over. “Where‟s Dad?” “Talking to Alpha, I think. He vanished a couple minutes ago.”

Jake tilted. Alpha? He shrugged it off. “You boys go get something to eat. Oh, Del. Sierra is here. I think she‟s in the pool.” “Thanks. I‟ll let Jake meet the other firing squad.” Jessie smacked her son‟s shoulder, grinning with the rebuke. “Behave.” “Love you.” She sniffed and whirled away, catching up with more people. “I like her. Very energetic.” Now he knew where Del got his personality from. “She liked you too. She‟s not very physical about showing things. Demonstrative.” “Hey! That‟s a big word for you.” “Shut up,” Del groused affectionately. Jake‟s lips twitched fighting the laughter. “Come on. You‟ll like Sierra too. She‟s as fierce as Nicole.” “Another one?” “Much, much, worse.” Jake followed around the side of the house. Several large trees shaded the area. It had been set apart with a large patio and chairs. Kids whooped and screamed as they cannonballed their way into history. At the far end around the steps was a small group of about four or five, just listing lazily in the water. As they neared, a lightweight blonde lifted her arm and waved. She turned her head and spoke to a young man at her side. There was no hope of hearing even his own thoughts with all the mayhem going on in the pool. She bit her lip, then nodded. Del and Jake paused, watching as the guy at her side scooped her up in his arms and tenderly lifted her water drenched body. That was when Jake saw the wheelchair. He set her down in it carefully, draping a towel over her shoulder. Then he walked at her side. She rolled up to them and Del leaned over and smooched her on the cheek. “Sierra, Jake. Hello, Tyler.” The young guy at her shoulder nodded. She grinned happily, like she knew a secret. “Nice to meet you.” She lifted a hand and Jake took it, surprised at her grip. With an irreverent grin, she stated, “He‟s cute. Keep him.” Del groaned and rolled his head. “Sierra.” “Whaaat? Just saying it like it is.” A harried young woman came running around the corner from the front of the house then. “Has anyone seen Alpha?” Jake

snapped up, surprised to hear it again. Collective headshakes were her answer. Who the heck was Alpha? “What‟s wrong, Annalee?” Del drew her closer. “Andrew…under a log…playing—” “Shh.” Del put a hand on her shoulder, comforting her. The woman was ready to burst into tears. “Breathe. Do you know where he is? Did he say he was badly hurt?” She sucked a hard breath. “Lincoln knows. Came back for help. He‟s pinned. He‟s only nine. He can‟t move it.” Del nodded. “Okay. Let‟s go.” Del caught Jake‟s gaze. “Better come. No telling what he did.” Jake nodded. Though he had a real uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. There was something guarded and worried in Del‟s blue eyes. He had to be imagining it. It had be because he was worried about the boy. Jake followed regardless. He hesitated when he saw one of the dogs again, dancing with agitation on his front paws in front of the house. Del walked right up to him, his hands on his hips. “Okay, Lincoln. Let‟s go.” The animal whirled on his haunches at Del‟s command. Del followed, and Jake followed Del. Silence was thick between them as Del broke through the underbrush, cutting through the trees behind the dog loping ahead. Jake was trying to understand what was going on. Dogs were called Lincoln and Andrew? Both Del and Annalee spoke like they were young boys. These were the same two who had attacked Del when he‟d arrived. Though the one ahead seemed more anxious now than aggressive. And unbelievably so well trained, able to answer to direct language, not commands. That uneasiness was growing in Jake, though he didn‟t stop. Someone was out here, hurt. “I know this ridge,” Del said. “Lots of deadfall. They were likely playing tag and a log rolled.” “Boys? All the way out here?” Del shrugged. “Better out here than where they‟ll be seen.” Del strafed a hand over his head. “I just wish… Fuck. Too late now. I can hear him.” It was several more seconds for Jake before he caught a slight, woeful whimper. “Okay, Lincoln. Go back to the house and clean up. We‟ll bring him home.” The dog in front stopped and hung his head. “I know you‟re sorry, kiddo. It‟ll be alright, and so will Andrew.” Del

got down on a knee, eyeball to eyeball. “Tell your mother the minute you get back we‟ve found him so she doesn‟t worry.” The dog nodded once then with a crisp snap of his body, bounded back the way they‟d come. Del didn‟t get up right away. “Del?” “I should have told you, Jake. I knew this was going to bite me in the ass. I waited too long.” “What?” “I-” A sharp yip interrupted him. “Coming Andrew.” Del‟s shuttered eyes avoided Jake as he let out a slow breath. “You‟re about to see it, babe. God help me, don‟t hate me.” Heavily, Del turned and strode between trees. Silence pervaded. Del hopped over a log and slid down a slope, stopping with his hand on a trunk. “Hey, kiddo. Anything broken?” Del studied the ground and the log. Jake watched Del, unblinking. The dog shook his head. “Did you try shifting?” This time he nodded, scrabbling with his front paws. A back leg looked to be pinned. He flopped down into the leaves, whimpering. It sounded like crying to Jake. “It‟s okay, Andrew. This is my mate. He‟s going to help, okay? He‟s going to tug on you when I lift the log.” Del faced Jake, cool efficiency coating his expression. There wasn‟t room for worry, only rescuing the dog. “Step around on that side. When I lift the log, brace a hand under his chest and tug. He should pop out.” Jake swallowed, but didn‟t hesitate. Crouching down, he got a good look at the animal. That was no animal he‟d ever seen. No dog that he‟d ever read about had ocean blue eyes. “Ready, Jake?” Jake snapped his attention back to what needed to be done. Del hunched down and embraced the log, clasping his arms together. Jake scooped an arm around the animal‟s chest as Del had instructed. A cold nose and hot breath tickled his armpit. The animal was limp, trusting. Please don’t bite me. “Ready.” “Relax Andrew. One, two, three.” Del heaved and the log creaked as it lifted several inches. Jake fell backward, taking the brunt of the animal‟s fall on his chest. His arms circled it automatically, holding to keep either from rolling further. Gradually, he became conscious of the change of weight, the loss of fur.

The animalistic whimpers faded, changed into a child‟s sobs. Not a dog. Jake trembled. Holy fucking shit! Not a dog! Del plucked Andrew from Jake‟s chest, tucking a naked child, arms and legs clinging like a monkey, against his chest. He held a hand down for Jake. “Thanks,” he breathed. Then he brushed wheat yellow curls away from tear streaked eyes. “Hey, Superman. It‟s okay.” “I‟m so-sorry Uncle Del.” “Shh. Let‟s go see if Alpha has some ice cream. Would you like that?” The boy nodded. Del‟s lips moved, thoughts racing like the wind over his eyes, but he didn‟t speak. He turned, and hiked back up the slope from where the log rested, Jake following cautiously. And very quietly. **** Del‟s heart was in his throat. An hour. Within one whole hour, and his life was destroyed. Delany Coltrane had faced down military fire, had wrestled with drugged up fans, had even tackled a thug the size of the Empire State Building because of a guard job. But he couldn‟t look at Jake. His heart beat with pinched pain, his chest burning with the fear of what he‟d find on the other man‟s face. Disgust. Shock. Horror. Maybe even denial. Hell, that was almost preferable to the rest. At that moment, he‟d get on his hands and knees and beg for the chance to explain. The problem was he didn‟t think anything he said would make a single dent in Jake‟s mind. He‟d waited too long, held back too much. Like pretty much everything. The shock of reality had made Jake pale more than he‟d joked about on the drive there. The recognition when Andrew changed on his chest had knifed Del right through the heart. Jake would see him as a monster. Not too surprising, Annalee, Trixie and several others, including a now dressed Lincoln, waited for them at the edge of the woods. “Thank God! Thank you Del!” Annalee sobbed, reaching for Andrew. “He‟s fine. A little bruised, and tired.” He chucked a finger under Andrew‟s chin. “Ice cream. The perfect remedy, right?” Andrew nodded. He went to his mother without a sound, tucking into her shoulder.

After a couple slaps on the back, the group dispersed, leaving him alone with Jake. He put his hands in his shorts pockets. “Want to talk about it?” he asked quietly. Jake faced him. He almost winced at the blank expression, and the shadowed eyes. Disbelief. “I think I want to go home.” Jake‟s voice was as devoid of emotion as the rest of him. Del didn‟t argue. What could he say? Until he knew what Jake was thinking, he couldn‟t say anything. The ride was excruciating. Tension sat like a third passenger between them. Jake didn‟t touch him, and Del didn‟t try to reach for him, though every cell of his being cried out for him to keep him close, to not let his mate get away. Del feared he was already further than he‟d ever be able to reach. He stopped the truck outside Jake‟s apartment. It was understood that he meant his home. He put the vehicle in park, his hands circling and clasping around the steering wheel. Anxiety over what was coming made his mouth cotton dry. “Jake? Say something. Please,” he whispered. “Alpha, pack,” he snapped, drawling into a sneer. “When the fuck were you going to tell me! What are you going to tell me now? This is insane. Rescuing that dog… A mate? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Del winced. He was rambling in his anger, disjointed and it was his fault. “It‟s complicated.” Del stared through his windshield, and saw his entire life flash before his eyes. And the future. Without Jake. “That wasn‟t a dog. That child…” He pressed his hands over his face. “Wolf,” Del offered hesitantly. “What?” Jake choked. “Wolf, not dog. Andrew and Lincoln are wolf shape shifters.” He sucked a slow breath, letting it out between his teeth. “The same as me.” Jake tossed his head, his mouth gaping open, his hands gesturing wildly. “Oh, right. I‟m supposed to believe that.” “Jake, you saw him change.” He stared coldly out his window. “I don‟t know what I saw Del.” “Jake,” he pleaded. “Please. Don‟t do this.” Don’t hate me. Give me a chance.

Jake threw his door wide open, the hinges catching it to smack it inward again. He shoved it harder with a furious sound. “Go home, Delany. Leave me alone.” The slam of the truck door reverberated through his teeth and bones. He watched as his life stalked away, disappearing into that one bedroom apartment. He swallowed hard, thickly, his throat tight. For the first time in his life Delany felt…empty. He‟d never cried, over anything, but fuck, if this didn‟t qualify, he didn‟t know what did. At the least, he was going home and getting his ass riproaring drunk. Maybe he wouldn‟t feel the pain if he was drunk. But he had his doubts.

Chapter Nine Del‟s phone rang. He ignored it. He rolled over on the couch, tossing an arm over his face. The phone tried again. “Piss off,” he muttered. The phone listened. At some point, he got up to use the bathroom, grabbed the nearest bottle to swallow several times, then stretched out on the couch. Exactly where he‟d been since the Fourth. Since he‟d dropped off Jake and watched his entire world implode. He couldn‟t go near the bed. Del wanted to rip his own heart out whenever he did. Too late, bastard. Jake already did it for you. He grunted and closed his eyes. When the phone rang, he didn‟t even register the intrusion. **** Bang! Bang! Bang! “Del! Open this God damned door before I call the cops and tell them you‟re suicidal!” Del snorted, then groaned. Bottles clanked when he moved. Shit. Was that all me? Fucking metabolism. Can‟t even get a good drunk on without robbing the liquor store. Bang! Bang! The pounding repeated. “Delany James Coltrane!” “Shit,” he hissed. “Go away!” The last person he wanted to see was…anyone. Dennie didn‟t deserve to see him like this. No one did. “Sierra is with me, and I swear on my mother‟s grave, if you don‟t open this fucking door by the time I count to ten, I will call nine-one-one.” “Bitch! Leave me alone!” he snarled. He smacked his lips. Whatever died in his mouth… He didn‟t bother to finish the thought. “One. Two. Don‟t tempt me hotshot. Three.” Del sluggishly moved his upper body to sit. “Four. I have my cell phone out. Five.” “Fuck off!” “Sierra is sick with worry. No. Six.” Del groaned. “Seven. You‟re almost out of time. Eight.”

Stumbling, he got to his feet. Something crashed to the floor. He didn‟t even bother to look to see what it was. Walking with his hands on the wall to get him there, he neared the door. “Nine!” This was in a strident shout. Del winced at the sound. Half blind, he managed to roll the knobs for the locks. He cracked the door, he thought. “There,” he croaked. “Now, go home.” Sierra‟s gasp told him all he needed to know. He looked like death warmed over. He knew that‟s how he felt. “Jesus Christ on a crutch,” Dennie muttered aghast. And that was the triplicate opinion. “I‟m not dead. Leave.” He went to close the door the little he‟d opened it, but Dennie shoved his way in. “No fucking way, princess. Sierra, coffee, stat. I‟ll get his hairy ass in the shower.” Del chortled. “Aw, I didn‟t know I was your type.” He sagged against the wall. “You‟re not, you ape. But even the flies have petitioned to have you fumigated.” He grabbed a shoulder, keeping him at arm‟s length, his nose in the air. “Let‟s go, pookie. In the nice hot shower with you.” Del mumbled. “Leave me alone.” His feet dragged, resistant to the shoving. “Nope. Intervention.” Del‟s vision was blurry. Dennie stopped shoving and he stopped moving. His shirt was tugged over his head and dropped unceremoniously to the floor. “We‟ll burn that one. These too,” Dennie muttered, drawing his shorts off. “Damn. I almost wish you were my kind. You are hung.” Del laughed, though it was weak. “That‟s better,” Dennie said sincerely. “Come on. Hot water, and then coffee.” Tugging and pushing, he managed to prop Del up in the bathroom. The splatter of water echoed loudly for several seconds. “I‟m not going to have to actually bathe you too, am I?” Dennie asked, eyeing Del cautiously. “I‟ll manage.” Dennie patted his cheek. “Good boy. Scrub hard.” Del chuckled. “Oh brother, you know what I mean. Get in there.” Then he shoved Del right under the water. Del howled. “It‟s cold!” “Was it? Darn,” Dennie cooed. “Asswipe.” “Asslick.”

“Love you.” Del sighed, leaning on his hands on the shower wall, letting the frigid water soak into him and drive away the alcohol fumes. Maybe Dennie was just what he needed to get moving again. He‟d ignored life for days. Time to move on. “I‟m not the one you should be saying that to,” Dennie told him quietly. Del closed his eyes, his spine taut as he trembled. “I know.” He blew out a harsh breath, spraying water in the process, then managed to find the knob to adjust the spray. “I fucked up Dennie. Big time.” “So fix it.” He kissed a finger and pressed it to Del‟s cheek. “Get clean, then come on out.” “Yes, ma‟am.” “Dick.” “Bitch.” “Love you,” they chimed together. Del laughed, freely. The first real laugh since Jake walked out of his life. “I‟m going to get him back, Dennie.” “I know you will.” Then Dennie shut the shower stall and slipped out the bathroom door, letting Del get his head on straight. Clean, shaved and mostly human, in fresh clothes, he sauntered his way to the kitchen a little later, listening to Sierra and Dennie henpeck each other. “No, it goes like this,” Sierra said, with a strong note of exasperation. “But I know—” interrupted by a petulant male grunt “—it fits like this.” He leaned on a shoulder against the doorjamb, watching his two closest friends try to figure out how to put together his coffee grinder. They‟d tried to make coffee for him from scratch. Just one of the reasons why he loved—and tolerated—them so much. Dennie was in true form, with sapphire blue tipped spiked blond hair, lean as a whippet in gray metallic silk and designer jeans. What he lacked in strength, he made up for in pure determination. “Guys, I have a full canister already prepped in the freezer.” They both lifted guilty expressions. “He broke it!” Sierra pointed, quickly swiping her hands away from the victim. Dennie growled, narrowing his eyes at her. “Brat! You started it.” She stuck her tongue out at him. Del laughed, straightening from the wall. A destroyed grinder was nothing for their friendship. He lifted it from Dennie‟s hands.

“That‟s okay. I‟ll do it.” Making coffee would give him something to do with his hands for the moment anyway. “So what have I missed?” Dennie pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and sat demurely. Sierra backed up. He peeked over a shoulder. “What?” “Del, do you even know how long you‟ve been MIA?” He shrugged a shoulder to her question. Opening the freezer, he retrieved the canister. “I don‟t know. Three, maybe four days.” Unease slithered across his shoulders. Had it been that long? Something told him it was worse than that. He didn‟t ignore it this time. He faced the two at the table. “What?” “Del, you‟ve been out of it for almost two weeks.” Sierra‟s hands twisted to stop in a tangle on her lap. “When we heard,” she tucked her chin, sharing a look with Dennie, who nodded, encouraging her to continue, “we let you have some time.” Del was grateful for Sierra. She knew the crux of the problem, even if she didn‟t tell Dennie everything. “Then Nicole called, at her wit‟s end, looking for you, wanting you to talk some sense into Jake.” “Why? Is he okay?” Worry thickened more, making his skin prickle. “Del,” Sierra said carefully. “He‟s put the bookstore up for sale.” “What?” he shouted. He stiffened, jerking upright from where he leaned against the counter. “Nicole started calling right after the picnic, worried about Jake. He‟s lost weight. Won‟t talk. Works non-stop, then out of the blue, he told her was going to sell it.” He scrubbed his face. “Why?” “I think the why is self-explanatory,” Dennie pointed out. “Not completely,” she said, clearing her throat. “He found out about the viral campaign to bring him business. Someone mentioned a name and one thing led to another and he learned it was me, which meant you, finding him customers.” “Shit,” Del muttered. “I guess he didn‟t exactly see it the way we did.” That they‟d only been trying to help. She shook her head sadly. “I tried to explain it, and I think he believes me, but he‟s still hurting. You need to talk to him, before he leaves. You need to explain everything, Del. Tell him everything,” she emphasized.

“I don‟t know if he‟ll even talk to me.” He gazed at his friends, looking for help. A miracle. His attention snapped to her once more. “Wait, leaves?” Sierra nodded. “Nicole said he‟s been putting feelers out for jobs. We‟ve been talking every day. You have to do something, Del.” Del felt his heart thud into his ribs. He ran a hand over his head. No, he could not let his mate go. Not like this. His mind began to click, turning over with an increasing speed. “I have to go. Can you guys lock up, or whatever? Stay if you want.” He didn‟t care. He had to get to Jake. Now. Striding from the kitchen, he rustled through the debris of his living room until he found his wallet and keys. What a wreck. His house was next. Jake was now. Finger combing his hair, he was out the door. His breathing caught painfully when he stopped his truck in front of Holiday Reading. Boxes lined the front and a huge For Sale sign filled the window. “No. Please don‟t do this, Jake.” Del walked through the door. Jake popped out of his office at the summons of the bell over the door. Shadows deepened his eyes, a chill overtaking them as they settled on Del. “What do you want?” “Can we talk? Please?” Del kept his hands in his sweats pockets. He craved to touch. To soothe. To calm. He should have listened to his wolf all along and claimed him, kept him at his side until Jake loved him. He prayed he hadn‟t lost his chance because he‟d fucked up. Taking a step forward, Del could see the weight Jake had lost. His cheeks were hollow, the cinch of his waist tighter on his khakis. Del was a bigger fool than he‟d originally thought. Wallowing in his own self-loathing, he‟d completely overlooked the care his mate needed. “Now you want to talk?” Jake sniped. “I tried to call you. You never answered. Never returned my calls.” His eyes narrowed, flashed accusingly. Del deserved every single condemning barb running behind those beautiful eyes. “You… You called?” How many times had he ignored the phone? He remembered throwing it once. Had he even looked to see who had called him? Jake tossed up his hands. “Fuck off, Del.” He spun, marching back into his office. “No! Wait.” He searched his pockets frantically. “I don‟t even know where it is!”

“Nice.” Jake sat down, his head in his hands. “Just leave, Del. I don‟t have time for this.” He followed until he stood at Jake‟s side behind the desk. “Jake. I‟m sorry. For everything. I should have told you, but I was terrified. Do you have any idea how big something like that is to share? How much I have to trust you with not only my secrets, but every person in my family and pack?” Jake rocked his head. “Forget it, Del. You cannot convince me. I would rather forget that day ever happened.” Del staggered backward until he hit the flat of the wall. “Jake? I love you. What do I have to do? I‟ll do it. What do I have to say?” A shudder rocked the man in the chair. “Nothing, Del,” he whispered. “Just go.” Del couldn‟t move. Twice now, his world was being crushed. Gradually, the pain slicing through him receded enough for him to see, to understand. He knew what he had to do, and should have done long before now. He had to give Jake his absolute trust. It was desperate, but at this point, Del was fighting fire with fire. He‟d be damned before he gave Jake up without a fight. Spinning on a heel, he left the office.

Chapter Ten Jake pinched his temples under tight fingers. He‟d never felt so beaten. Not even words of love penetrated the pain. He had tried to call, wondering if maybe… But when Del never answered, never called back, he knew when to take a hint. Obviously he‟d been fooled in more than one way. Jake was tired of being played, tired of being fucked and hurt for caring. The game may change players, but the outcome never changed. He heard his office door shut and the lock turn. Lifting, he spotted Del. “What are you still doing here?” Del tossed his keys and wallet on the desk. “Doing something I should have done long before the picnic. I shouldn‟t have taken you expecting you to not see my reality. It wasn‟t fair to you to try to hide it from you. The longer I fought the mating heat for you, the easier it was to say I was waiting for the right moment, for the right chance to tell you everything. I was never so wrong in my life as I was with you Jake.” He tugged off the muscle shirt, flipping it over his keys. “The reason the pack gathers like that is so there is freedom to be wild, among friends, in safety.” He ripped off a sneaker, pitching it to reach for the other one. “So the kids can be kids and learn how to control their wolf with adults around to mentor them.” He shimmied out of his sweats. They pooled at his feet and he kicked them free. Standing there naked, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath made Jake‟s throat tight. He was still magnificent. A determined gleam lit his blue eyes from within. “I‟ve been fighting my wolf since day one with you. You don‟t understand what you saw, and I hurt you by not treating you like my equal and explaining it. That ends here. I love you Jake Holiday. And so does my wolf. He wants to meet you. Just know, on my life, he would never hurt you.” Jake blinked, trying to take in what he was saying. It didn‟t matter. It was over. Standing shakily, he then walked around the end of the desk. “Del,” he began, then stuttered to a stop. His hand reached blindly for the corner of his desk. Before his eyes, Del changed, shrank. Fur began to sprout from skin. Legs reshaped. Teeth formed within an elongating jaw. Jake‟s legs turned to rubber. He collapsed to the floor. Within seconds, less than two yards away, stood a gray wolf.

Where Del had been standing. “This isn‟t possible,” Jake gasped, his lips dry. He closed his eyes, rubbing them, then opened them slowly. Still there. The wolf didn‟t sit, didn‟t pant, didn‟t move. “Del?” The wolf lowered its head. “Is that… Are you…?” Jake trembled, fisting his hands to try to stem it from becoming noticeable. “It‟s real?” The wolf nodded. “Holy hell,” he whispered. “You can understand me? Like Andrew did?” Another head bob. Jake leaned on his shoulder to the side of his desk. The wolf lifted a paw, padding slowly forward, silent on the old Berber carpet. Jake couldn‟t move. His heart pounded loudly as the animal neared, to stop when he was close enough to lay his jaw on Jake‟s bent leg. “What does this mean, Del? What are you?” A chuffed whimper vibrated the wolf‟s chest. Then it raised its head and Jake met those perfect blue eyes. He closed his, his heart beating erratically. He didn‟t move when he sensed, then heard, the shuffle of the wolf alongside him. The pant of hot breath tickled beneath his ear. A shiver cascaded wildly down Jake‟s spine at the moist sensation. The flick of a tongue over his ear made him twitch. “Del!” he cried without thought. He snapped straight, slapping a hand over his mouth. His vision was filled with the watchful face of the wolf, right in front of him. Curious. Patient. “Oh, fuck. No, change back, help me,” he pleaded. His eyes were wide, sinking shut to calm his heart rate. He was sitting on the floor with a wolf! Trembling violently he feared he was going to be sick. Seconds later, strong arms engulfed him, brought him into a solid, human, chest. “Shh, baby. I got you.” Jake clung shamelessly. Del stroked his side, petted his hair, murmuring as though he were a child who‟d awakened from a horrible nightmare. He wasn‟t so sure it wasn‟t a nightmare, one he hadn‟t awakened from.

“I‟m so sorry, Jake.” Del‟s voice was quiet, whispers over his skin. “I didn‟t know you‟d called. I didn‟t answer the phone for anyone since you left. I haven‟t been to work. There‟s no excuse for what I did to you, Jake.” His arms cradled him, his body rocked him. “Please, give me a chance, Jake. I love you. I don‟t want to lose you.” Del pressed his forehead into Jake‟s shoulder. “You wanted to tell me?” “Every day, with every breath.” Lips drifted over Jake‟s jaw. Warmth began to invade his soul. “There‟s more like you?” “All over. Not only wolves, either, though we keep it quiet.” Del nuzzled to Jake‟s temple. “Jake, it was my mistake, and I hurt you. I‟m sorry.” Jake smiled weakly, tipping unconsciously into the heat of those lips. “That‟s three.” Del‟s chest staggered, then he chuckled. “Cheesy,” he breathed. “Made you smile.” Jake‟s lips curved, unable to keep it at bay. Del stretched out on the rug, taking Jake with him until he covered him. Tenderly, he brushed at Jake‟s bangs. “Don‟t sell the store. Please don‟t leave.” “I might not be able to stop it now. I had a bid come in this morning.” Jake‟s heart swelled at the dismay in Del‟s eyes. He really didn‟t want him to go. “What are you going to do?” Del‟s hands swept up and down Jake‟s sides. Straddling Del‟s naked hips was making it impossible to not feel the strength of his body beneath him. The enlarging length of his shaft nestled beneath him, pulsing telegraphed desire into his bloodstream. “The sale is for the location. I‟m keeping the books.” “You could relocate?” Del suggested hopefully. A foot caressed Jake‟s calf. He kicked off his loafers, tugging his shirt free. He tossed it onto the desk. “I could.” His lashes lowered in ecstasy when Del began to caress his chest, his fingers gliding and stroking over Jake‟s body. Questing fingertips grazed over his nipples, and he gasped quietly, the shock of pleasure sinking into him quickly. He‟d missed him so much, even if he‟d been unable to admit it. He twitched, fighting the giggles when Del purposely ran along his ribs. “I‟m a horrible mate for you,” Del mumbled.

Jake‟s eyes popped open, staring right into those piercing blues. “Why?” “While I was at home, drunk out of my mind, you‟ve been neglecting your health. How much have you lost?” Concern darkened his face as he circled Jake‟s waist and nearly touched front and back. Something Del couldn‟t have come close to doing in the past. Jake shrugged. “No idea.” “Doesn‟t matter. I‟ll take better care of you. I promise.” **** Del‟s gaze followed Jake‟s movements. “Will you let me? I will never say it enough. I love you.” Jake‟s expression had been softening in stages. Del knew he was winning when he‟d taken off his shirt. Now Del couldn‟t keep his hands off of him, wanting to touch and caress every angle, to drift over smooth skin. He kept hoping Jake would say it back, but today had been a shock, the last two weeks hell. His man deserved all his attention. He deserved patience after the way Del had treated him, avoided telling him the truth in sheer self-preservation. Running his palms upward, Jake arched, his head falling backward on his neck as a slow gasp leaked from his mouth. “Sexy,” Del breathed. Ran smooth circles over his abdomen with his thumbs. Jake slinked forward, his palms braced on either side of Del‟s head. His eyes glittered with desire, wanting deepened the color of his cheeks. No one had ever looked at Del like that, with pure hunger. He swallowed, shivering. No one had ever looked at him as though he were the prey. Jake hovered, his lips resting a breath from Del‟s mouth. “No more secrets. No more bullshit. You have to help me to understand what it means, not hide it from me.” Del shook his head. “I swear. But…” He glanced away. Jake grasped his chin within firm fingers. “Del,” he growled in low warning. The demanding sound hardened his entire length. “The mating urge.” He breathed through his nose, stifling the moans in his throat. The man was killing him. “I‟m listening.” “It‟s a need I can‟t hide from you.” Jake smiled knowingly. “You mean when you get all grumbly and growly?”

“Yes. I‟ve been fighting it, to make you my permanent mate.” An auburn brown eyebrow arched high. “Permanent?” He said the word, as though tasting it. “Deeper than marriage,” Del explained breathlessly. Jake‟s lashes fluttered. He rocked his hips over Del‟s, and he moaned in answer. “I wouldn‟t do it without your acceptance, and I won‟t.” “I see,” he replied thoughtfully. When Del lifted a hand to twine through Jake‟s hair, Jake captured it, pinning him. He shuddered. Jake‟s strength took him by surprise. His lungs burned as he fought to breathe through the sensations. Jake was in control, and Del willingly gave it to him. A light of acceptance gleamed in the green when his lashes rose. “Wolves mate for life.” The statement held a wondrous echo. Del nodded. “What are you keeping yourself from doing?” Jake neared and licked Del‟s jaw, pressing chest to chest. He groaned hoarsely. Sensation was turning his body electric. It didn‟t even register any longer that he was lying on the floor, naked, pinned by a man he could toss over his shoulder without an ounce of effort. Del couldn‟t move a muscle. “Marking you. A bite.” A visible shiver stroked down Jake‟s frame, until he wiggled over the heated ache of Del‟s cock. “Permanent?” he moaned. He answered in a near-inaudible gasp. “Very.” Del held his breath, his heart thundering like a cannon into his ribs. Slowly, excruciatingly, Jake‟s gaze opened, capturing Del‟s. Now that he‟d laid it all on the table, he could only hold his breath and pray. Falling into the fire in Jake, he waited, followed as Jake neared his lips. “Do. Not. Move.” The three words were puffs of breath against sensitive lips. Del gulped then nodded. Releasing his hand, Jake straightened and unfastened his belt. Del couldn‟t look away. He licked his lips as Jake lowered the zipper. Commando. Jake drove him right out of his mind with desire. He shivered deep inside. Then Jake stood, straddling Del‟s hips, to step out of his khakis. Setting them on his desk, he reached around and tugged open a drawer. “One of these days, I‟ll tell you the fantasies I had about you in this office.” The bottle of lube curled into his fingers. Then he straddled over Del‟s erection. A single bead had dripped from the slit, to fall into the curls beneath. Jake stroked his finger over it,

capturing it to bring to his lips. Del followed that motion like his life depended on the outcome. Jake flicked his tongue out, savoring the single drop, licking it away with studious attention. Then his hand drifted to clasp a hip. His gaze zeroed in on Del. “Listen very carefully, Delany. I don‟t want any other lover.” The depth of Jake‟s voice was mesmerizing. He held his hand up, the one with the small bottle. “You want permanence; I‟ll give it, freely. I trust you. Even when you drive me out of my mind, I can‟t hate you.” He neared, licking a path from Del‟s groin to his armpit, nipping with determined teeth at flushed flesh. Goose bumps popped up in waves across his chest. His nipples tightened into sensitive points, unable to not watch the magic man holding him down with his will and his voice. “First, I‟m going to fuck you until you scream the roof down, then you‟re going to take me, hard and deep over my desk.” He neared to whisper into his ear. “And if you leave this room without biting me, you will never see me again, understand? You want your mate, and come hell or not, I want my man.” Del‟s breath whooshed out of him. “I‟ve created a monster. And I love it.” Jake smirked. “Ready to make the commitment?” He held the bottle. That was when Del realized Jake meant it. There wasn‟t a condom in sight. A slapped hand to his chest froze him before he got two inches off the floor. A moment‟s hesitation dampened Jake‟s lusting aggression. “I would understand if you want to get tested first.” Del‟s heart melted into a puddle of goo right there. “No one since jerkwad, right?” Jake‟s answer was firm. “None. Clean and celibate, until you crashed into my life.” “I was clean at my last physical, right before I met you actually.” Tingles were hitting his bloodstream. Excitement, love, desire. He wouldn‟t have been surprised if he were vibrating beneath Jake‟s stare. Jake‟s smile bloomed brighter than any sun. “Then make me yours,” he breathed.

Chapter Eleven Del did something he‟d never done, or thought to do, for another living soul. He stretched both hands above his head, clasped one palm in the other and roughly said, “Be my first.” Jake‟s gasp told him he understood. “As in never?” Del shook his head. Seeking green eyes, he said with all the affection and desire he felt coursing through his body, “As in only.” “I thought…” he whispered. Del shook his head. “Only for you.” Jake lowered, holding himself over Del‟s prone body, capturing him. Both were panting lightly, swept along with the tide of swiftly rising passion. “I love you.” Del‟s soul exploded into ecstatic colors. The kiss Jake gave him rocked his sanity. Sweet, tender, commanding, giving, demanding. It took all his willpower to not topple Jake over and sink his canines into some scrumptious part of his unbelievable body. He licked at Del‟s lips, hummed against his jaw, nipped at his neck. Del felt himself sink into the sensual overload. He arched with a whimpered moan when Jake bit his shoulder, not hard, but the meaning was clear and Del shivered as though he stood in an icy rain. “More,” he gasped. “God, don‟t stop.” Jake softly kissed a path across his chest, laving first one nipple, scrapping it lightly with his teeth, then repeating. Blood surged and raced through his body in answer. The linger of his mouth over his heart had him craving to reach out and hold onto the wonderful giver of those delicious sensations. Drifting back up, Jake swirled over his Adam‟s apple, lovingly stroking his neck. Again, he captured Del by the throat, holding him between gentle teeth. Del shot harder than steel in an instant, his entire body on fire. Releasing him, Jake nuzzled beneath his ear. Del gasped, panting hard, dazed. “Mine,” he said, strength wrapped in tenderness. “Yes.” Del groaned, licking his lips. Gradually his toes uncurled. “Yours always.” A low purr of pleasure rumbled up from Jake. He took his time, kissing and tasting Del‟s length, sliding over ribs and trailing his sternum. Delving into the muscled indent of his hip with the flat

of his tongue, then teasing him mercilessly by rimming his bellybutton. Del shivered and writhed. Jake shifted lower, and Del widened his legs in answer. “I love your cock, Del. Could eat and suck on you for days.” Fire raced up Del‟s spine, heating him until he knew his skin was hot to the touch. Del‟s air left him in a whoosh when Jake took the tip of him into his mouth, teething him gently, catching on the rim to pop his lips around him. He dipped into the slit with his tongue. Del‟s spine left the floor. “Fuck,” Del moaned. With a hand fisted around his hard length, Jake licked and sucked, pleasuring Del beyond sanity. When he calmly licked at Del‟s balls, rolling them over his tongue, Del‟s head swung side to side, delirious. “Oh shit! Ahh!” Del‟s voice filled the office. Jake held him as he licked over the sensitive skin of his rosette. “Jake!” He knew he was shouting, screaming; he didn‟t care. Jake was killing him. Unclasping his fingers sent tingles to his held palm. He‟d gripped the blood to a standstill in his hand. Del was holding on by a thread. The almost lazy pace of his cock being stroked, the sheer pleasure of Jake‟s tongue and lips. It was too much, he couldn‟t stand it, and so good, he craved more. Then it vacuumed into a tight light, a supernova in his mind that was pulsing to explode. A single slicked finger glided in with tender pressure to begin rubbing in and out of his channel. Wet heat encased his nuts as Jake loosened him with first one, then two fingers. Del was chanting, mumbling, growling. Begging. He didn‟t care. “Relax, Del, baby. I‟m not as big as you, but I‟ll still be careful.” Then Jake knelt. Del heard the liquid sound of the slick, felt the tremor of Jake‟s hand on his thigh as he prepped himself. Positioning himself, Jake eased his way forward. “Breathe, lover,” he crooned. “Oh, God.” Del groaned. He had to open his eyes, had to see the glorious reason behind all the pleasure. Intense, and deep, almost Kelly green now, Jake‟s eyes focused on him. A hand held his hip, his other propping Del‟s thigh. A hissed breath slid through his gritted teeth. “So fucking good. You okay?”

He nodded in a rush, unable to speak. Then he was moving, thrusting in slow measured strokes. Del pushed back. “More!” “Are you sure?” “God! Fuck me!” Del sobbed. No one, never, ever, had ever reduced Del into a living need. Until Jake. Jake adjusted them both. “Okay, baby. That‟s it.” Del‟s eyes slitted. Jake‟s face was flushed, his jaw tight. Then he used his leverage and drove home. Del screamed. He raked his nails over the carpet, pushing, needing. The supernova behind his eyes pulsed, beat in time as pleasure grew and came alive inside, a living, beating heartbeat within. His orgasm pulsed in time with Jake‟s thrusts. Heat flooded his blood. His cock thickened. “Gonna… Oh, fuck. Jake.” “Del.” Jake moaned. His hips jerked and he cried out. Del‟s shout echoed him. Ropes of white striped his chest in thin streaks as his orgasm erupted. Spots burst across his vision, on his eyelids as the supernova claimed him. He felt the liquid heat as Jake emptied himself and shuddered. Gasping, he went limp. Weak and spent, Jake let him stretch out, leaving his body with a whimper. He couldn‟t speak. He could barely breathe. Air rasped through his lungs, chasing tingles and sensory shocks from his neck to his heels. Tenderly, Jake licked at the spots on his chest and upper hip, lapping up the cooling stickiness. “Never like that,” he gently exclaimed. He gifted kisses between tongue licks. “Didn‟t even touch you.” Del chuckled then groaned. “I know.” He raised an arm, threading his fingers through Jake‟s wild length. “Never like that.” Del felt like Jell-O inside. “Love you.” Jake paused, his eyes seeking upward, his gaze tender. “Love you too.” Del grasped a handful of hair gently and tugged. “Come „ere.” Jake splayed over him, slick chests pressing together. “If I promise to fulfill your orders, can we do it at home? I wasn‟t expecting…” He drew a breath when he realized his words were slurring. “Want to love you right.” Tilting, he found Jake‟s lips, caressing them with a kiss. “Always,” he answered, returning the kiss. ****

Del‟s hand was on the door inside the garage before he remembered the state of national disaster he‟d left his home in. “Uh. I better warn you. Until this morning, I wasn‟t exactly in the right state of mind. The house needs cleaned.” Jake leaned against the wall, his fingers trailing Del‟s jaw. “So we take a day and air it out.” He grimaced, his face growing heated in patchy red. Irish blood, through and through. “I doubt mine is any better.” Del placed a soft kiss to his lips. “You‟re moving in with me, right?” Jake beamed. “I want to.” “Consider it done.” Then Del bit the bullet and opened the door. Walking in, his jaw dropped. “Okay, seriously. If this is a wreck, I‟d hate to see spotless,” Jake teased. “No, I left… It was…” Del scratched his head, confusion rampant. Jake walked through the living room, setting his keys on the kitchen table. “Here‟s your phone. And a note.” He read, “You owe me, Dennie. There‟s a P.S. Sierra says hi Jake.” He laughed. Del walked up behind him, and settled his chin on Jake‟s shoulder. “Do I ever owe them. If it weren‟t for them, I‟d have lost you.” He wrapped his arms around Jake‟s middle. “So you really never heard my messages?” Jake rubbed his head to Del‟s. “No. I‟m sorry.” “Why did you come today, then?” he asked quietly. “Because I knew I couldn‟t let you go without trying. When Sierra told me about the store,” he drew a breath then plowed on, “every fear I had that I‟d FUBAR‟d our relationship hit me square. All because I was too scared to share all of me with you. You didn‟t deserve that.” Jake folded a hand over the clasp of Del‟s. “I think I understand. It‟s not meeting the black sheep of the family. It‟s meeting the Secret Service, and having to keep that knowledge to your grave.” “You do understand.” Del dropped a kiss to Jake‟s neck beneath his ear. “I‟ll never betray that trust, Delany. Any of it.” “I know,” he replied, though hearing it, a weight lifted from him he hadn‟t been aware of. “There is one thing that is still bothering me, though.”

“Oh?” A relaxed easiness permeated them, standing together in the kitchen. One Del hoped to savor for the rest of their lives. “The store. Please don‟t close it. Reject the offer.” “Would you like it if I moved it closer?” “Could you relocate?” His earlier suggestion had been made out of desperation. He hadn‟t known if Jake could or not. “I don‟t see why not. There‟s shopping centers and lower rent strips here and by your offices.” A devilish grin flitted across Jake‟s lips. “I like being close to you.” Del groaned at the double entendre, chuckling lightly. “All I know is I want you to be happy. Going to work in a suit, would not make you happy. We‟ll both work this time to make sure you don‟t lose money.” Jake tapped a finger to the back of Del‟s hand. “Fair enough. And no, I wouldn‟t be. It‟s not me.” “No. Your heart is in those books. Makes all the difference in the world.” He purposely brushed his lips over the shell of Jake‟s ear, feeling the way he pressed more into Del‟s frame in answer. Jake‟s blush warmed Del‟s soul. His arm circled Del‟s head from above, holding his lips to his neck. “You feel good.” He nipped then laved over the mark. “Ready to finish what we started?” A shiver trickled down Jake, vibrating him against Del‟s chest. “To the very end.” The End

About the Author Diana DeRicci is the sexy, flirty pen name of Diana Castilleja. A romance author at heart, DeRicci’s writing takes you into a saucier spectrum of sensuality and sexual adventure, where a happilyever-after is still the key to any story. Diana lives in Central Texas with her husband, one son and a feisty little Chihuahua named Rascal. You can catch the latest news on all of Diana DeRicci’s writing and books on her website. Feel free to drop Diana an email. She’d love to hear from you. Visit her on the web at: www.DianaDeRicci.com Also available from Purple Sword by Diana: Watching Her Every Move Alpha Awakening Love’s Learning Curves Caged Embraced By Passion

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