Matt grinned, looking a little surer of himself. Another shiver racked his body. The bubbles in his bath were starting to dissipate.
“You’re cold.” Aubrey stood and turned to the linen closet. He got down a big fluffy towel and switched on the bathroom heater before returning to the tub. He held out the towel. “I’d put it on the towel warmer, but you’re freezing now.”
“Towel warmer?” Matt sounded intrigued and surprised at the same time.
Aubrey pointed to the towel rack a yard away on the wall beside the glass shower. “There’s a little switch to turn it on in the inside of the post coming out of the wall.”
“Cool.”
Aubrey wiggled the towel. “Out.”
Matt frowned. “I can dry myself.”
“Didn’t think you couldn’t, sugar, but you said nothing about touching so I’ll take what I can get.”
“Uh-oh.” Matt giggled.
Aubrey chuckled. Would he ever get used to that giggle? He hadn’t planned on groping Matt. He only wanted to make him warm.
Standing, Matt held his arms up.
Aubrey couldn’t help it—like a magnet he zeroed in on the magnificent, slender form. Matt had smooth tanned skin with very little body hair. Matt had a nice prick too. Semi-erect, it was mouthwatering.
Fidgeting, Matt reached for the towel. His stomach tensed and drew Aubrey’s attention to his navel. A trail of dark hair led from above his cock right up to the shallow indention of his belly button and stopped.
Aubrey’s whole body tightened in anticipation. His cock grew so hard it was uncomfortable. Matt may want to keep things platonic between them for now, but Aubrey was going to get a hold of that gorgeous bod if it was the last thing he did.
Goose bumps rose on Matt’s skin, bringing Aubrey out of his study. “Come on.” He shook the towel, and Matt stepped into it and Aubrey’s arms.
Oh, that was nice. Aubrey wrapped the terrycloth around his mate and pulled their bodies together. Aubrey wanted to hold him, but Matt’s teeth chattered and cut the pleasure short.
Aubrey rubbed him dry, vigorously trying to get the water off him and get him warm.
After a few moments, Matt took the towel and dried his hair with it without an ounce of embarrassment for his naked, semi-aroused state. He was a typical wolf in that. “Thank you.”
Aubrey wondered if Matt knew how close he was to being thrown over Aubrey’s shoulder and whisked away to the bedroom. “For what?”
Looking bashful all of a sudden, Matt shrugged. “For agreeing to try and work through things.”
Had anyone ever thanked him for something so simple? Something that was a given? Aubrey cupped Matt’s cheek, reluctant to let him go. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”
Matt swallowed, making his Adam’s apple bob. He nodded, and his long lashes fluttered over the deep blue pupils.
The color bled out of Aubrey’s vision until he saw in monochrome. He swallowed and closed his eyes.
The tangy scent of Matt’s arousal increased. “Um, I better get dressed.”
“Yeah,” Aubrey said without opening his eyes. The less he saw of that lush naked body, the better.
Matt’s body heat disappeared as he walked away. Only seconds later, there was a thud, a “whoa” followed by a bigger thud, then laughter.
Opening his eyes, Aubrey rushed to his room.
Right outside the bathroom door Matt lay sprawled naked on the floor by Aubrey’s bed. His clothes were strewn from the pile they’d been in when Aubrey had stepped over them to go into the bathroom. The damp towel was clear across the bedroom, a good three feet from Matt. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what had happened. “Are you okay?”
Giggling, Matt nodded, making no move to get up from the spread-eagle. Given the position, he must have tripped and rolled.
Matt’s clumsiness, or rather the barrage of laughter that ensued as a result of the fall, should’ve dwindled Aubrey’s erection, but it didn’t. Matt’s ability to laugh at himself was just about the sexiest thing Aubrey had ever seen. Not five minutes ago Matt had sat in the bathtub unsure and nervous, and here he was sprawled on the floor, cackling like a hyena.
Aubrey smiled. Matt made him forget his everyday stress. Matt’s joy of life was addicting, something Aubrey could come to depend on if he let himself.
Aubrey shrugged off the thought. He needed to get Matt dressed before he lost his mind. There was just way too much temptation. “Ma—” A burning smell tickled his nose. “What’s that smell?”
Matt’s nose wrinkled, sniffing, and his eyes widened. “Oh no.” He scrambled to his feet and ran, still naked—what a nice view—out of the bedroom.
When Aubrey reached the kitchen, Matt stood in front of the oven, wearing nothing but an oven mitt, frowning at a pan of burnt cinnamon rolls in his hand. Aubrey couldn’t help it, he started laughing. Life with Matt around was going to be an adventure.
Chapter Six
Matt tilted his face up into the bright sunshine and let the heat thaw him as he stepped free of the lecture hall. He shrugged his backpack farther up his shoulder and rubbed his arms. Why were classrooms always cold?
The cheery bloop sound signaling he had a text rang out as the heavy door banged shut behind him. Not now. He groaned and flowed with the stream of fellow students anxious to leave the building.
Descending the steps, he headed toward a less-crowded patch of sidewalk. He was going to have to tell his brother that Tara wasn’t his mate. He couldn’t put it off any longer. If he did, his phone was going to drive him batty. Logan’s tenacity was legendary. Matt had managed to put Logan off for three days already by telling him Matt was still feeling his way on how best to break the news. Yesterday, Logan started demanding Matt figure out what he was going to do and do it. And now Logan’s patience had run out. Matt knew his brother was worried, but he couldn’t tell Logan the truth yet and he didn’t want to outright lie either.
Trying not to pout, Matt reached into his pocket for his phone. Maybe he could distract Logan by telling him about the ride to school. Squinting against the sun, Matt ambled toward the parking lot where he’d left his white steed, aka Aubrey’s new pearl white Ducati. Matt knew it was pearl white because he’d asked what the color was called. It wasn’t every day a guy got to drive a brand-new motorcycle. Matt smiled. Aubrey had shown Matt three vehicles yesterday—the Caddie, a Lincoln and the motorcycle—and held out the keys to each, giving Matt his pick. Matt tried to refuse, public transportation was fine with him, but Aubrey was a force to be reckoned with when he wanted something.
The phone chimed again.
“Oh shut up, you,” Matt mumbled, dread washing over him. He didn’t want to lie to his brother.
Glancing down at the phone, Matt read, well? when r u going to tell them?
So much for distraction, Logan got right to the point. Matt texted back, i was wrong shes not my mate. Maybe, if he was lucky—oh, please let me be lucky—Logan would leave it at that.
“Nice socks,” a deep male voice said from close behind. The tone didn’t sound sarcastic, but it was threaded with amusement.
Huh? Dropping his phone hand by his side, Matt glanced down at his hopefully khaki socks and black dress shoes. He was pretty sure his shorts were khaki—he’d asked his dad about them when he’d bought them—and his shirt was definitely a light blue. The shoes were without a doubt black, but he wouldn’t bet money on the socks. Guh. He hated color blends. They gave him fits. Greens and reds looked tan to him. Oh well, it was too late for a color check now. He’d have to go with it. The odd looks from people thinking him eccentric were better than the pity and the descriptive narrative of every color in the rainbow when they found out he was color-blind.
Turning around, he stared right at a cleft chin and square jaw. Matt suppressed a shudder and stepped way back, putting a good two feet between himself and the looming mountain. The guy had muscles on top of his muscles. Big men always reminded him of grade sch
ool. Even though he’d grown in size his brain still firmly associated big with being a bully. “Um, thanks.”
The guy stuck out his hand. “I’m Jordan. You’re in my psych and speech classes.”
Matt had noticed him in the lecture halls, but only because he was the only other wolf in any of Matt’s classes. Jordan wasn’t a guy who would normally draw Matt’s eye. He avoided the jock types at all costs, well except his brothers and Sterling. Keeping away from Logan, Chris, Johnny and Sterling would be close to impossible. Besides, they weren’t typical.
Taking the offered hand, Matt shook it. This larger wolf was no stronger than him. So, to keep from showing his neck, Matt stepped back another foot instead of lifting his head. “Matt. Nice to meet you.”
Smiling, Jordan glanced down at Matt’s socks. “Seriously. That’s cool. Not many people are brave enough.”
Oh great. Matt tried not to look embarrassed. Hopefully the heat in his cheeks would be confused with the sun and not a blush. The stupid socks were probably bright orange or fluorescent pink or some other hideous color. Not that he had a clue what those colors looked like, but if they were as bad as his dad described, he didn’t want to be wearing them. He shrugged and offered what he hoped was a smirk. “I like to be different.”
“You’re definitely different. Not what I expected.”
“Umm…thank you.” I think.
“Are you in the Atlanta pack?”
Matt shook his head. “I’m from New Mexico. I’m a guest of the Savannah pack while I’m here.”
“I’m hunting with the Atlanta pack. They have a few areas outside city limits where they meet.”
“Yeah? I haven’t been to Savannah yet, but I’m staying with the Alpha’s son here in town. His brother is my mentor and a good friend. He was in my first pack.”
“That’s cool. What’s your major? I’m here for football.” Jordan shrugged. “And economics.”
“And economics?” Matt chuckled. Football didn’t surprise Matt, but the economics did.
Bloop.
Speaking of football and jocks… Matt ignored the text message.
“Yeah, my dad is a broker back in Tennessee. I figured I’d go with what’s familiar. What about you?”
“Criminal justice.” Matt blocked his eyes from the sun with his hand as Jordan shifted out from in front of its glare.
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for the law-enforcement type.” Jordan noticed he’d been blocking the glare and sidestepped, getting in front of the rays again.
“What? You don’t think cops wear these kinds of socks?” Matt teased.
Jordan’s lips twitched. “Nope.” He adjusted his black backpack, making the keys hanging out of the side pocket jingle. “Where’re you headed?” He held out his arm, indicating Matt should walk. He seemed harmless enough, so Matt continued toward his—er, Aubrey’s, bike.
“Psychology was my last class. I’m headed home.”
Bloop.
Matt groaned but didn’t lift the phone.
“Do you need to get that?”
“It’s just my brother making a pest of himself.”
Jordan laughed. “Lucky you. I don’t have any siblings.”
“No, lucky you.” Matt glanced at the phone and read Logan’s messages. u just figured this out? The second bubble contained, how did u get it wrong? and how do u know?
Darn it. He should’ve known Logan wouldn’t let it go.
“So if you aren’t doing anything, how about a bite to eat? I’ll buy.” Jordan gave Matt a little wink.
Matt stumbled, his foot slipping off the curb he hadn’t realized was there. Was Jordan asking him on a date?
Jordan grabbed his arm to steady him.
“Thanks.”
“Welcome.” Jordan let go of Matt’s arm. “What do you say? Wanna go to lunch with me? Maybe we can share stories about our packs. I’d love to hear more about the Savannah pack and your home pack.”
“I, uh…” Matt shuffled his feet and glanced down at his watch. He’d told Aubrey he’d be home right after classes let out. “Um, maybe some other time?”
“Oh. Okay, I’ll hold you to that. I haven’t met any other wolves since I’ve been here. Well, at school I mean. I’ve met several at pack meetings. It’d be nice to hang with another wolf.”
The guy just wanted to be friends. How cool was that? Matt stopped at the Duc and rearranged his backpack, strapping it to the seat. “Yeah sure. Maybe we can have lunch tomorrow?”
“Yeah. That’d be cool. Wanna meet outside the— Oh man, is this your bike?” Jordan walked around the motorcycle, studying it. “Freaking awesome, man.” He paused at the back of the bike before letting out a whistle and shaking his head. “You surprised me again. I expected some little economy car.” He chuckled.
“It’s my ma—roommate’s.” He could’ve kicked himself. Keeping his mating a secret was going to be harder than he thought.
Jordan’s eyes widened slightly, but just as quick it was gone and Matt had to wonder if he’d caught the near slip. “And he lets you drive this? He must be really cool. Do you even have a motorcycle license?”
Matt nodded. “I got my motorcycle license before I got a regular license. I ride my dad’s Harley all the time at home.”
“Yeah?” Jordan’s voice rose along with an eyebrow. “I’ve always wanted a motorcycle. Let me see your phone.”
Without even thinking about it, Matt held his phone up to show Jordan.
Jordan took it and started pushing buttons. “Here’s my number.” He finished and showed the entry to Matt. Jordan Ackart.
Matt took his phone back, trying to decide how he felt about a stranger grabbing it and putting his number in the memory. Wasn’t that pretty forward? Was it a lack of privacy or something? Or maybe it was a wolf-camaraderie thing. Having never been away from home, Matt hadn’t encountered others who weren’t pack other than Aubrey, but they were mates and that didn’t count.
“Seriously, Matt, I’d love to get the chance to know you better. Call me. We can just hang out.”
“Uh, okay.”
Jordan turned to go but stopped. “Call me tomorrow before lunch, and we’ll meet up?”
“Sure.” As Jordan walked off, Matt put the helmet on and straddled the Duc.
As luck would have it, or rather bad luck would have it, his phone chimed before he could stuff it in his pocket. He thought about putting it away but pulled it up into view instead.
dont ignore me, matthew, its rude! what gives?
He squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds and typed in ive been stopped up. allergies i guess. Matt squelched down the guilt bubbling up inside making his stomach hurt. He’d never lied to Logan before. He started the engine, trying to convince himself it was for the best.
“Boskie, Boskie, Boskie…” Aubrey shook his head and swiveled his chair around to look out the window. He had no idea how to deal with this situation. And even if he did, at this point there wasn’t anything he could do short of calling Boskie and telling him to back off.
Aubrey spun around to his laptop. Carson’s smiling face stared back at him. Carson’s personnel file was spotless, and Boskie hadn’t made good on his threat because Carson was still employed. Likely if Boskie even hinted at firing Carson, it would raise questions. All Carson’s yearly reviews were exemplary. He’d gotten a raise every year he’d been with Reynolds Inc. His boss described him as hardworking, innovative and intelligent. There were no two ways about it, Carson was a real asset to the company.
Running his hands through his hair, Aubrey sat back. Maybe this mess will just blow over on its own.
The familiar scent of jasmine wafted through the air followed by, “Knock, knock.”
He glanced up as his mother swept into his office. “What’re you doing here?” Smiling, he bolted out of his seat and around his desk to meet her at the door. He hadn’t seen or heard from her since the last full moon.
A variety of shopping bags rustled f
rom around her wrists, but it didn’t stop her from throwing her arms around him and going up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “We came to see if you wanted to have lunch with us.”
“Dad’s here?”
Right on cue, his dad staggered in, weighted down with even more shopping bags. “Hi, son.” Dad gave him a goofy grin, set his armload on one of the chairs in front of Aubrey’s desk, then took Mom’s place squeezing the breath out of him and pounding him on the back. “You hungry?” He stepped back from the embrace, looking Aubrey over.
Aubrey nodded and checked his watch. 11:48 a.m. “Sure, I could eat. To what do I owe this honor? I know it wasn’t to see me.”
Mom had piled her purchases on top of Dad’s in the chair. “Who says?” His mom chuckled and pinched his cheek. “Can’t we come eat lunch with our oldest son?”
“Of course you can, but isn’t four hours an awful long drive for a meal and my company?” He pointed at the contents of the chair. “And what’s all this? You bringing me gifts too?”
Mom chuckled again. “This is for our trip. I needed an evening gown.”
“That’s a hell of an evening gown if it takes that many bags to carry it.” Aubrey smirked. Some things didn’t change. His mother couldn’t buy just one of anything.
“She needed new shoes, jewelry and a purse to go with the new dress. Oh and a new suit, tie, shoes and cufflinks for me so I’d match. Then we both needed whole new casual wardrobes because the new eveningwear made our old stuff look shabby.” Dad put his hands on Mom’s shoulders and pulled her in front of him. He shook her and pretended to choke her.
She stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth. “Don’t make me beat you, Howard.”
Aubrey laughed. They always played like that, and it never ceased to add a warm glow to his insides. Their obvious love for one another had always been a sort of mental security blanket to him. They were everything parents should be. “So, where is this trip to?”
“An Alaskan cruise. We’re going for our anniversary. Martha and Thompson are leaving for their vacation a few days after us, so your brother and Chay decided to take time off and come stay at Reynolds Hall and look after everything. You should take their friend out to see them while they’re here.” Mom’s brows rose a little bit. “Oh, did he get here okay? Did you get him settled in?”
With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4 Page 6