Matt looked up, searching for a star to wish on. Aubrey made him feel special, like he belonged, because he was him, not because of what he did. His brothers would laugh at him for his romanticizing, but he didn’t care. He didn’t want to give this up.
Matt continued to gaze up at the sky and…the tiny twinkling lights?
Ooh!
Those lights moved. He tilted his head, trying to get a better look. Something zipped right past the end of his nose. Lightning bugs.
Oh cool.
He’d never seen them before.
A quiet bark, a
hey, over here
kind, came from beside him.
Aubrey stood with his front foot out from his body a little, staring at it. Catching Matt’s gaze, he yipped and bobbed his head.
Oh no, had Aubrey hurt his foot somehow? Matt moved closer. Leaning against his mate, he tried to offer comfort. But Aubrey was no longer staring down. He was staring at Matt. The awareness tingled down Matt’s spine.
Slowly, Aubrey lifted his paw. On the ground was a tiny lightning bug. It stayed there stunned long enough for Matt to get a good look at it. Its whole backside flashed light.
Amazing.
He nudged it with his nose, and it flew. Matt watched until it disappeared from sight.
He turned his head and came nose to nose with Aubrey. Matt wanted to hug him and tell him thank you. Holding his mate’s gaze, Matt hoped Aubrey saw his appreciation.
Closing his eyes, Aubrey rubbed his muzzle along Matt’s and walked away.
Matt trailed after him. For as long as it took, he’d wait for Aubrey to claim him. He’d follow this man anywhere he led.
The next morning something between Matt’s legs nestled up against his balls from behind.
Oh no.
It dawned on him what that something was, and he scrambled to move.
A firm arm held him in place.
Matt opened his eyes, looking for witnesses.
“Stay. We’re alone. Mom and Dad left for their cruise, Martha and Thompson took off for their daughter’s house and all the pack’s cars are gone.” Aubrey’s voice was husky with sleep. He kissed the back of Matt’s neck. “Besides, where we are, we’d see anyone coming before they saw us.”
Matt relaxed marginally. They were beneath a weeping willow tree and mostly covered by its long, swaying branches. It was very cozy, like being in a private cocoon. The tilt of the tree and the slope of the ground made it a perfect hiding place. The bottom part of the columns on the mansion were visible. But because of the incline under the tree, they were likely hidden from view. Regardless, Matt didn’t want to be the cause of someone finding out about them. He knew Howard was right, it would be best for Aubrey to tell everyone in his own time.
Another kiss landed on his nape. “Relax.” Aubrey rubbed his belly. “We have the whole place to ourselves until we go back to Atlanta.”
The heat of his mate against his back was nice. Thinking about them being alone here was exciting. Matt closed his eyes and enjoyed the smooth glide of Aubrey’s palm on his stomach, hip and chest. He was already hard, but the soft caresses made him ache. Reaching back, he stroked Aubrey’s thigh, as little kisses, licks and bites trailed across his neck and shoulders. It would be wonderful to wake up this way after every full moon.
Aubrey’s cock flexed against Matt’s balls.
“Mmm…” Matt shivered. Aubrey’s hand was everywhere but where Matt wanted it. He rolled his hips to give his mate a hint.
Aubrey chuckled against Matt’s shoulder in between kisses. The rough sound brought goose bumps to Matt’s arms. “What do you want, sugar?”
You.
Ignoring the flutter in his stomach at the immediate reaction, Matt tried to decide if it were true. Did he want things to go that far this fast? They’d already been intimate, and it seemed to have made them closer, if last night was anything to judge by. He belonged with Aubrey. “Make love to me?”
Chapter Eleven
Oh man.
Aubrey closed his eyes and prayed for patience, trying desperately not to let the scent of his mate get to him any more than it already had. His prick was so hard it was painful, and it had nothing to do with morning wood. There was no doubt he shouldn’t do this, but he was going to. It was a punch to the gut the way Matt had whispered “Make love to me” in such a shy voice. It should’ve been corny as hell, because who actually said that outside of movies and books? But it wasn’t. It was
so
Matt. The wording alone should have Aubrey running for the hills, but this would be his one and only chance to do this here, at home. He wanted the memory. He
needed
it for all the lonely years ahead of him.
Aubrey patted Matt’s hip and got to his feet. “Come on. We need a shower.” He offered Matt a hand.
Matt blinked up at him. It took only a matter of seconds for that bewilderment to morph into hurt. He’d misunderstood. Pushing himself to his feet without assistance, Matt looked everywhere except at Aubrey.
That would never do. Aubrey grabbed his hips and pulled him close. Before Matt had time to move away, Aubrey slanted his mouth over Matt’s.
It took a second, but Matt kissed him back. His arms wrapped around Aubrey’s waist, and his body pressed close. Pushing little moans into Aubrey’s mouth, he hungrily took over the kiss. His prick branded Aubrey’s stomach.
Aubrey traced his tongue over Matt’s teeth and his bottom lip. Had anyone ever tasted this sweet or reacted with as much abandon? He loved how Matt just went bonkers when touched. Matt had a shy streak, but you’d never know it by the way he acted once you got him going. Aubrey wondered if he was the only one to see this side of his mate. He’d never dared to ask about Matt’s experience. If Matt had a string of old lovers… The thought bothered Aubrey. What could he say? He was a possessive bastard. Or maybe he was just a bastard, because after Matt went back to New Mexico, Aubrey wanted him to remain celibate. If Matt was a virgin, he didn’t want to know that either, especially if Matt had saved himself for his mate. Because how shitty was it that Aubrey would gladly take that honor and not give a commitment in return?
Groaning, Aubrey broke the kiss before his conscience ruined things. “Come on, we stink.” He caught Matt’s hand and tugged him toward the house.
From behind him came a loud sniff, making Aubrey chuckle. “Trust me, we do, and we aren’t getting into my bed smelling like wet wolves.”
“Technically we aren’t wet right now, but if we get in the shower…” Matt’s amused voice trailed off into that adorable giggle.
Lord have mercy, Aubrey’s stomach tensed in anticipation. He quickened his pace. The sooner he got Matt inside, the sooner they could fuck.
Crossing the lawn butt naked with a hard-on while holding another man’s hand was a bit nerve-wracking. Even knowing no one was around, Aubrey opened his senses, listening, smelling and looking everywhere. A pang of resentment hit him. It was a useless emotion, but he couldn’t help it. It sucked having to be so paranoid.
As if sensing his thoughts, Matt squeezed his hand. Lord, he was something.
Aubrey opened the back door and stepped aside for Matt to enter first. He let go of Matt’s hand and locked them in. When he turned back, he was rewarded with a great view.
Matt had such a perfect ass. Hell, who was Aubrey kidding? Matt had a great everything. Aubrey wanted to bend him over the kitchen counter and fuck him silly. Maybe they could try that later. He shook his head to clear it of the images that brought forth.
Bed first, Aubrey. Focus.
He needed a shower, a bed, some lu— Son of a bitch, he didn’t have any lube here. “Go on to my bathroom and start the shower.”
“Where’re you going?” Matt swiveled and ran his fingers down Aubrey’s arm.
Goose bumps radiated out from the touch, and a small shiver racked his body. He closed his eyes and sighed. If just a touch could do this, what would it be like when they actually had sex? It was a scary thought. “I’m going to lock up the rest of the house.” He kissed Matt and patted his butt. “Go.”
He watched Matt’s fine ass all the way out of the kitchen and headed toward the front door. It was already locked, so he started up the steps. He’d search Keaton’s room. His brother-in-law, Chay, was the king of lube. The last time Aubrey had stayed at their house he found the stuff stashed everywhere. Keaton had jokingly said he was going to buy stock in K-Y. After Aubrey had found a bottle on the shelf in the laundry room with the detergent, he’d thought maybe his brother was on to something.
Bypassing his brother’s nightstand, Aubrey went right to Chay’s side of the bed. The water turned on down the hall, and the image of Matt wet and naked popped into Aubrey’s head. He moaned and flung the drawer open.
Chay’s top nightstand drawer held two tubes and four bottles, three of them flip-top, the other one a pump. Rolling his eyes, Aubrey took the pump bottle. Maybe he’d buy stock in lube companies too.
In his room, he set the borrowed lube on the nightstand and headed into the bathroom. His erection had dwindled during his search, but the sight that greeted him hardened him right back up. It had his pulse ringing in his ears too. The image in his head hadn’t compared to the real thing. This picture would be branded in his brain every time he stepped into the bathroom.
Matt stood in the glass shower enclosure in the corner facing away from Aubrey. A line of bubbles trailed down the middle of his back to the cleft in his ass. The lean muscles in his shoulders and arms rippled as he washed his hair. Best of all, he was humming a song. Every few notes he’d shake his butt just a little.
Only Matt.
Torn between watching the show and joining his mate, Aubrey smiled. He never wanted this to end. What if there was a way he could keep Matt? Could he be convinced to go into business instead of criminal justice and become a partner? Or maybe he could persuade Matt to go into agriculture and they could turn Reynolds Hall back into a working plantation. Matt would live here and be waiting every time Aubrey came home.
And when you marry? What then, idiot?
As if sensing his presence, Matt turned. The front view was even better than the back. A beatific, butterfly-inducing smile lit his face. He held Aubrey’s gaze and dipped his head back in the water to rinse. Suds ran down the middle of his chest, bisecting his stomach. They collected briefly in the black pubic hair before separating into two rivulets as they reached his cock.
Aubrey strode forward. Figuring out what to do about their future could wait.
Matt’s erection stood out from his body, taunting Aubrey. He knew what it felt like in his hand. Would it fit as perfectly in his mouth? His mouth watered just thinking about it. He wanted to try everything with Matt over and over again. It was unsettling and exciting. This infatuation couldn’t last, could it?
Opening the door, Aubrey stepped into the heated spray.
“Hi.” Closing his arms around Aubrey, Matt rubbed his back.
The soft touches felt good, and Aubrey arched into them. He ran his hands down Matt’s stomach and around his hips, petting the smooth skin. “Hi, yourself.” He pressed them tighter together. Because of their height difference, Matt’s prick mashed against Aubrey’s stomach. It was nice but not enough. He maneuvered Matt until he could squash his own cock against Matt’s thigh. Oh, yeah that was better. It put a little pressure on his balls too, just enough to edge up his desire. Damn, he was so turned-on it was a wonder his legs were holding him upright.
Matt didn’t help matters any. He squirmed, rubbing their bodies together as his mouth found Aubrey’s. The sound of wet skin slapping and Matt’s grunts surrounded them.
They kissed for several seconds, both exploring and gently caressing. It wasn’t a rushed kiss or as intense as the other times. This was a seductive melding of mouths.
Of two souls.
Aubrey groaned. Good Lord, what the hell was he thinking? Breaking their kiss, he opened his eyes.
The look of pure, relaxed bliss made Matt even more beautiful. Which was no easy feat since Matt was almost ridiculously pretty. After running a finger down Matt’s cheek, Aubrey forced himself to turn away and toward the spray. His stomach tied up in knots. It was an odd feeling to have at a time like this. Wanting to fuck was one thing. This was something entirely different. He grabbed the shampoo and washed his hair. He shouldn’t be this off kilter. It was just sex. He’d been doing it since he was sixteen. So why did it feel like it was? The need to analyze this new reaction was as scary as the feeling.
Matt’s hands ran over his back. “Did I do something?”
“No.” Turning his head, Aubrey smiled and gave what he hoped was a provocative waggle of his eyebrows. “I just want to hurry and get showered. This stall is way too small to start anything. For what I have in mind we need the bed.”
Matt blushed and his eyes bled out into canine eyes.
Damn, that was hot. Aubrey’s muscles tensed, making his cock jerk. He nipped Matt’s chin. “That isn’t going to help me wash any faster.”
“What?” Matt’s voice came out as a whisper.
“Your eyes shifting like that.” Aubrey couldn’t seem to take his gaze off Matt’s face. The wolf eyes added a mystical element to his loveliness. It reminded Aubrey of their bond. His own vision blurred. “Good gawd, sugar.” He kissed Matt’s nose and turned back to rinse his hair.
As Aubrey was soaping up with a mesh sponge, Matt grabbed his ass. He squeezed and caressed, petting all over. It was the first time he’d really touched Aubrey. Aubrey loved his mate’s hands on him.
Pretty soon Matt’s arms wrapped around Aubrey, and Matt’s chest nestled against Aubrey’s back. The warmth and the firmness of his body were intoxicating. The head of his cock hit right in the small of Aubrey’s back. Matt’s hands never stopped moving. They continued around to the front, fondling Aubrey’s prick hesitantly.
“Oh fuck.” Aubrey arched into his mate’s hand. He closed his eyes and laid his head back on Matt’s shoulder.
Matt tightened his grip, getting more aggressive. His breath panted in Aubrey’s ear.
Aubrey couldn’t take any more. Turning off the water with one hand, he freed his dick from Matt’s fist with the other. He opened the door and nudged Matt out of the shower. When he grabbed two towels and tossed one to Matt, it hit him right in the face and slid down his body.
Blinking, Matt stood there dazed. It was adorable and bothersome all at once. He seemed so damned guileless standing there dripping wet, with wolf eyes and an erection. No one should look innocent with a hard dick. “Matt, dry off.”
“Oh yeah, okay.” He nodded but made no move to grab the towel at his feet. Instead he watched every move Aubrey made. Aubrey swore he could actually feel that gaze on his skin.
He was about to bust. Aubrey finished toweling off and dried Matt too. “All right. Bed.” He pushed Matt between the shoulder blades to get him moving. If he didn’t get this gorgeous man horizontal soon, he was going to go stark raving mad.
Matt wandered into the room, pausing at the side of the bed as Aubrey climbed onto it. He bit his bottom lip. “Is this a good idea?”
Oh no. He was having doubts now?
Aubrey kept his face blank, but it wasn’t easy. He wouldn’t pressure his mate, but he didn’t want to stop.
“I mean the bed. Is it a good idea?”
What? Where did Matt think they were going? “Yeah, it’s fine.” He patted the mattress next to him.
Matt crawled onto the bed beside him and lay on his side facing Aubrey. “You said the bed is over two hundred years old. It’s like part of history.”
Aubrey grinned and pushed Matt onto his back. “Sugar, the whole house is part of history. We aren’t going to hurt the bed. I’ve slept in it for the past thirty years, or near enough.” He’d used a baby bed for a year, which was every bit as old as this bed, but he didn’t want to get into antiques at the moment.
Matt licked his lips and his gaze fastened on Aubrey’s mouth.
“Mmm…” Aubrey kissed him and scooted against Matt’s side. It was like getting shocked from static electricity. That more than anything said this was not normal, casual sex. This was something altogether different.
His hand found its way down Matt’s torso until it encountered the leaking tip of Matt’s prick. In response, Aubrey’s teeth grew to their wolf fangs. His entire body became supersensitive.
Abandoning their kiss, he propped himself up on his elbow and watched more precome ooze from the slit in Matt’s cock as he dragged his hand upward.
Matt’s belly flexed. “Oooh.”
Yeah, ooh.
He had to know what his mate tasted like. “Be still, okay?” He ran his tongue over his canines and scooted down the bed, making sure Matt knew why he didn’t want him to move.
Swallowing so hard his Adam’s apple bobbed, Matt nodded.
Aubrey’s lips closed over the head, and the tangy taste of Matt exploded on his tongue. Goodness, Matt even
tasted
better than other men. He was going to be a hard act to follow. Rasping his tongue over the tiny slit, Aubrey took his time laving Matt’s cock. He was going to savor this as long as he could.
Matt’s legs moved restlessly, and his head and shoulders came off the mattress. “Oh God. Oh God, ohmigod.”
Taking the tip into his mouth and sucking it, Aubrey got to his knees. He needed leverage. He wasn’t planning on turning loose of this lovely piece of meat anytime soon. It felt good in his mouth, warm and smooth. Using one hand to hold himself over Matt, he used the other to play with Matt’s balls. Oh, they were tight. Someone was close. Aubrey backed off a little, wanting this to last for both of them.