Lone Wolf Pack 04.1 - Bonded to His Werewolf Lover (2 page)

The joy in his voice—which seemed omnipresent when he talked about something he loved—dimmed slightly at the mentioning of his family. Nate instinctively reached for Val's hand. He had a small moment of panic when he thought he'd been too forward, but Val simply pushed the coffee aside and tangled his fingers with Nate's.

His palm was warm, and while Nate could have blamed it on the coffee, he suspected it had more to do with Val simply being himself. He didn't say he was sorry—he'd always hated hearing the words when his parents had died. Instead he held onto his mate's hand and met Val's sad blue eyes.

"When I was young, I used to live with my parents. I remember my father scowling at me when I got in fights, then squeezing my shoulder and telling me that I should keep being brave. My mother would tsk and tell me to get along with my cousin, then she'd hug me and say bravery is not recklessness. I remember all the things they taught me, their patience, their love. I remember them smiling when I finally became an adult, and I'll never forget that." He swallowed around the knot of emotion that suddenly appeared in his throat. "I don't know anything about your relationship with your father, but what the two of you had—painful, beautiful, sad or happy—will always stay with you, in your heart."

Val's eyes now glittered with unshed tears, and the shine made the orbs look like sapphires. "You're right. I just... He was always there. I expect a call any moment now with him berating me over not sleeping and eating enough and over forgetting I'm not actually a machine."

Nate scowled. "Looks like it's my turn to berate you." He waved the server to their table again. "Okay, I'm feeding you."

Val tried to protest, but Nate would have none of it. Now that Val had mentioned it, the man did look a little pale. Nate had thought it was just Val's complexion, but apparently not.

In the end, he managed to coax Val into consuming a healthily-sized steak. Nate was surprised at how much food Val put away once he got past his embarrassment, but it also made him happy to see his mate slowly lose his previous misgivings.

Naturally, Nate ordered a steak of his own, and they continued to chat—sometimes about their families, other times about their current lives, their likes and dislikes. They even spoke about societal issues, since Val was very opinionated when it came to certain issues, such as bullying. It was strange, how the topics kept flowing, melancholic, inquisitive, serious, occasionally flirty. And no, Nate had definitely not expected it to go his way.

The natural chemistry between them had sizzled under his skin ever since he'd first scented Val, but now it had developed into a hunger he simply couldn't sate. He took in every word Val said, every detail his mate revealed, but it didn't help, instead fueling the fire of his need. Every second spent at Val's side filled in the puzzle of Val's heart, of his identity, creating the image in Nate's head.

Time flew by, and he was torn between the yearning to learn more about his mate and the desire to touch all the skin he was currently denied access to. He was just so fascinated by the way Val's mind worked, by the gestures he made when speaking, his smile, his piercing eyes.

He ended up telling Val all about his earlier troubles.  Well, he couldn't exactly say 'I'm a werewolf, and I'm supposed to take over my pack because my uncle and my cousin are dead', but he found something that would adequately explain his predicament. "I'm supposed to lead my family business, but no one's given a shit about me since my parents died. And yeah, I know that it sounds like I'm feeling sorry for myself, but really, I don't want the responsibility. Is that too much to ask?"

"Well, to be honest, I don't really know," Val admitted. "It depends a lot on circumstances, perhaps on who else is affected by your decision. What will happen if you refuse? Will your business go bankrupt? Will someone else take over, and if so, how will they handle the employees? Most importantly... What does your heart tell you? You don't have to carry the weight of the world if you don't want to."

What did Nate's heart tell him? Well, it was pretty obvious, wasn't it? He might have been in a conundrum before, but now, not so much. After all, he'd just found his very human and very male mate. Given what had just happened with Dean Simmons, he doubted his pack would want him as an Alpha after this, and Nate had no interest in exposing Val to that kind of vitriol.

Still, Val's obvious desire to help touched Nate to the core. He would have probably said something really embarrassing and possibly corny, but the server showed up and cleared his throat. "Err... Excuse me, gentlemen. I hate to say this, but we're nearing closing time."

Nate blinked in shock and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost ten thirty pm. "Holy shit. How did that happen? Check, please."

The waiter returned with the bill—which was considerable given how long they'd stayed here. Nate paid without comment, drawing spluttering protests from Val. "We should share the bill," his mate said as they were leaving the bar.

"Too late now." Nate shrugged. "Maybe you can treat me next time."

His mate didn't immediately reply, and the uncertainty that had gradually faded throughout their conversation returned with a vengeance. "Unless... You don't want to... Have a next time, that is," Nate added, stealing a look at his mate's beautiful face.

Val's eyes widened. "That's not it. That's not it at all. I enjoyed myself a lot today."

"So did I," Nate replied with a smile.

Val fidgeted, looking uncomfortable. "The truth is... I don't really do this. I mean... Jumping into things. I don't have the best track record with... uh... relationships."

The human was obviously wary of calling their bond a relationship, and Nate could understand that, since it was far too soon. He debated over what he was about to say, then finally replied, "Some things are worth taking a chance for, but I don't want to push you. There's nothing I'd like more than to spend more time with you." He let out a self-deprecating laugh. "To be honest, I wish we didn't have to end our... date. Or whatever it was."

Val took a deep breath, as if bracing himself for something. He must have decided Nate was right, because he said, "Maybe we don't have to."

Just when Nate thought his mate couldn't surprise him anymore, Val went ahead and did exactly that. "What?"

Val licked his lips, his obvious nervousness an echo of the excitement Nate himself felt. "I... We could go someplace else. To my house, maybe."

There was no mistaking what those words meant. In a daze, hardly able to believe he could be so lucky, Nate nodded. "Yeah. I think I'd like that."

****

It was almost eleven pm when they reached the small house. Val and Nate—like the man had practically demanded to be called—had driven separately, but it had given Val just enough time to mentally flail at his behavior. What in the world was he doing? Why was he jumping into sex—because, yes, this was clearly what they were heading towards—with a man he didn't know?

He panicked up until the point when he parked in front of the house and got out of the car. He heard Nate follow his example and faced the other man, and just like that, the need that had urged him to suggest this returned with a vengeance. Well, it had never really faded away. Val had just been focusing on his panic instead. But when Nate looked at him and smiled... Nothing, not fear, not uncertainty, not self-denial could withstand that. Nate's smile was like Val's kryptonite.

Val retrieved his key and unlocked the front the door. He gestured his guest inside, the flutter in his belly no longer related to the thought that this might be a bad idea. Nate stepped into the house and released an appreciative hum. "This is nice. When did you say you were here last?"

Val closed the door behind himself and looked around the cozy living room. "Oh, it was a long time ago. The house has been empty for years, but I never had the time, or the heart to come here. Somehow, this time it felt right."

He couldn't have said why that was, why he'd picked this particular day to visit when he'd waited for so long without doing so, but whatever it had been, he could only congratulate himself for the idea.

His thought was confirmed moments later when Nate wrapped strong arms around him and pulled him close. "What about this, Val? Does this feel right?"

Val shivered at the husky tone of Nate's voice. He'd never thought his name could sound so sexy, on anyone's lips, but apparently, he'd been very mistaken. "You know it does," he replied, somehow managing not to stammer.

Whatever composure he'd preserved faded into nothing when Nate finally pressed their mouths together. After hours of teasing each other with platonic touches that promised more without really assuring Val of a result, the kiss was a God-send. And really, Val should have expected the man would be an amazing kisser, but somehow, when Nate thrust his tongue into his mouth, Val still went weak in the knees. Quite frankly, he didn't think anyone could have blamed him.

He melted against Nate's chest, moaning as the other man's flavor exploded on his taste buds. Perhaps he would have been embarrassed if Nate hadn't been right there with him, apparently just as desperate as Val felt.

Val didn't even know what was going on, and he didn't have time to figure out what Nate was doing. The world tilted, and suddenly, he was on his back on the couch, with Nate above him, still kissing the breath out of him. His fevered brain couldn't process how Nate had moved so quickly, but right then and there, it didn't matter. Nothing did, except feeding on Nate's mouth, breathing the air from Nate's lungs.

The couch wasn't very large, but that was fine with Val, since the cramped space encouraged the proximity between them. Even so, it wasn't enough. Val wrapped his arms around Nate's neck and tried to get even closer. He wanted to crawl into Nate, to wiggle his way into Nate's body—or better yet, have Nate buried inside him. He clawed at Nate's shoulders, struggling with the material of the other man's clothes. How was it that they were still dressed? It seemed ridiculous, and a problem that needed to be solved at once.

He couldn't quite figure out how to do that without having to break away from Nate, but his soon-to-be lover was more efficient. Val heard the distinctive sound of material ripping, and then, Nate was discarding his shirt on the floor. Val's followed, although it took some wiggling. For the most part, Val was too distracted by the expanse of bronze hot skin now exposed to him, and he couldn't help much. It only got harder when they actually had to take off their pants.

Nate slid his hand between their bodies and rubbed Val's groin, massaging Val's very interested cock. Unfortunately, the cramped space didn't allow them to attempt anything adventurous, and the caress was more of a tease than anything else. They would have to actually break apart and take things someplace else if they wanted to do more.

Despite that intellectual knowledge, Val still whined in protest when Nate separated their bodies. Nate didn't give him the chance to dwell on the disappointment. He grabbed Val and draped him over his shoulder, his big hand landing on Val's right buttock. "Bedroom. Where?"

The husky tone of Nate's voice had Val's head spinning. Or maybe it was the way Nate held him in. Not that it mattered. Val was more than thankful for the view—God, the man had a nice ass—and if Nate's tone was to be believed, he wouldn't spend too long in this position.

"Corridor," he managed to gasp out. "First door to the left."

Nate didn't delay in following Val's instructions. He stalked to the bedroom, moving so quickly Val's brain could barely process it. Maybe he was too hypnotized by the feel of Nate's heat, by Nate's strength and his scent. Either way, before he knew what was going on, Val landed on the mattress with a light bounce.

Val had just enough time to be thankful that his housekeeper had kept everything in pristine condition, and then Nate was on him, devouring his mouth. It was so good, so perfect, and yet it couldn't quite satisfy Val's rising need for Nate. Val released a frustrated huff, and Nate bit his lip in response. If it was meant to be a punishment, it didn't work. Val had never thought he was into pain, but the slight burn made his cock throb. He arched his back, seeking more of Nate's touches, more of the caresses, simply more.

To his credit, Nate seemed just as desperate. In a frustrating repeat of their earlier predicament, they still couldn't get enough of one another. Or maybe they actually required oxygen to survive—Val couldn't quite remember. Still, Nate broke their kiss and moved back, making Val even more aware of how much he burned for the other man.

He would have reached for Nate again, but something held him back. It was the look in Nate's eyes, so intense, so mesmerizing. Val couldn't quite describe it beyond the fact that it captivated him, the scorching heat in them having the strange effect of freezing him in place.

And then, Nate smiled at him, and the spell broke. Or maybe it twined around Val tighter. Val couldn't tell. He recovered the use of his vocal cords, and he expressed exactly what was on his mind. "Nate, please. Fuck me."

Impossibly, Nate's gaze seemed to get even hotter. He didn't reply, at least not through words, but Val didn't need sentences to understand Nate. The man's hands were suddenly on Val's body, reaching for his belt, tugging down his jeans and underwear. Val managed to toe off his shoes, but it was all a whirlwind, and things that shouldn't have happened so fast almost seemed instantaneous. Val's train of thought became disjointed, his reason surrendering to the sheer carnal rightness of what he and Nate shared.

Given everything Nate made him feel until now, he'd have thought he was ready for everything, but he wasn't, not by far. The moment Nate got him naked, the man lowered his mouth over Val's cock. Pleasure exploded over Val as wet heat surrounded his aching shaft. He fell back on the bed, his vision blurring, his attempts to encourage Nate so frantic he might have been embarrassed by them had his mind been able to process anything remotely similar to shame.

Nate didn't tease. He bobbed his head up and down Val's shaft, a man on a mission, as greedy for Val's orgasm as Val himself. The man's hunger for him couldn't possibly be mistaken for anything else, and Val felt it, in every cell of his body, in the way Nate's touch simply burned him.