“Seriously?” Corde sounded incredulous.
“Yes, seriously. When you take it to him make sure you offer your neck in submission as you apologize.”
“I’m not submissive.” The grumbling tone shouted proud redneck about as loudly as the peeing incident.
Matt suppressed a chuckle, knowing Corde wouldn’t appreciate it. “It doesn’t matter. He’s the more experienced wolf. You were made, right?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s a respect thing. He sees you as a less-dominant and less-experienced wolf, which is probably why he didn’t accept your apology. Trust me. I come from a long, proud line of wolves. I know wolf culture inside and out.” Wolves were a lot like children at times. Through trial and error, Matt had learned that when dealing with kids and wolves, keeping things simple was often the best approach. Both kids and wolves dealt in emotion and instinct first, logic second.
“Okay, I’ll try that. Can I call you back if it doesn’t work?”
The lights from the surrounding buildings came on as the darkness took over the sky completely. Mesmerized, Matt nodded and realized he was on the phone. Doofus. “Sure.” Matt gave Corde his cell number and told him goodbye.
“Thanks.” The line went dead.
No sooner had Matt hung up the phone the front door clicked open.
“Matt?”
“In here.”
A light flicked on, adding a tiny glare to the window, and keys jangled. “I’m glad you got home before the rain started.”
Rolling onto his back, Matt watched Aubrey stroll toward him. “Tara texted me and demanded I head home to avoid the gully worsher.”
Aubrey hesitated for a second, then he chuckled. “Yeah, that sounds about right.” He set down his laptop case and continued toward Matt with a box in his hand. “She teaching you the local dialect too?”
“Yep. She show is,” Matt teased.
Aubrey snorted. “That’s Tee for you. She’s show nuff a reg-lar jawjah peach.”
Wow, that accent was hot. It wasn’t in the least fake sounding coming from Aubrey like it had been when Matt was doing it.
“It’s a great view, isn’t it?” Aubrey sat beside Matt and stretched his legs out in front of him, to where his feet were even with Matt’s head. He set the box on the ground next to them.
“It’s gorgeous.” Matt sat up, wanting to greet his mate, but not knowing how or what Aubrey expected. They were very close now and already Matt’s heart raced with the thrill of his mate’s nearness. “What’s in the box?”
“A surprise.” Shrugging off his suit jacket, Aubrey started on his tie. When both pieces of clothing lay on the floor, he loosened the top two buttons on his shirt. A small patch of blond hair poked out of the dress shirt. Matt had yet to see his mate shirtless and he wanted to. Aubrey’s muscle tone was obvious by his wide shoulders, but knowing and seeing were two different things.
“For me?” Matt licked his lips and shook his head. His throat was suddenly dry.
“Oh damn, sugar.” Aubrey groaned and caught the back of Matt’s neck, dragging him close. He slanted his mouth over Matt’s and swept his tongue between Matt’s lips.
The kiss mirrored the storm blowing outside, the intensity fierce. Matt’s cock hardened and his teeth lengthened. The desire flared into a burning need.
With little urging, Matt straddled Aubrey’s lap. He wrapped his arms around his mate’s shoulders, throwing himself into the kiss. His cock ached for attention, and his heart pounded. His body had a mind of its own. The arousal consumed him, and he yearned to ease it.
The intense longing frightened him as much as it made him ache. With one last swipe of his tongue, Matt pulled back, panting.
Aubrey moaned, still holding Matt’s face. His breath painted across Matt’s chin. They stayed motionless, only their chests heaving in and out. The way Aubrey held his face so tenderly, comforted as much as it inflamed. Matt could almost let himself believe this was special and that Aubrey cherished him.
A loud crack of thunder rattled the windows.
They both started, and Aubrey chuckled.
Finally, Matt opened his eyes. A drop of dark liquid welled on Aubrey’s bottom lip where his fangs peeked out.
Aubrey blinked, and his eyes shrank back to normal.
Matt’s own eyes had changed and the lust still pulsed through him, demanding to be assuaged. Shame at having been so weak as to give in to his instincts gnawed at him. He swiped his thumb across Aubrey’s mouth, wiping away the blood. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right.” A smirk curved Aubrey’s lips. “But you have got to stop attacking me like that.”
“Me?” Matt chuckled and began to relax. The playful tone of Aubrey’s voice worked wonders on Matt’s discomfort. He crawled off his mate’s lap, determined to ignore the throbbing ache in his groin and in his chest.
“Yeah. I’ll give you what I bought you anyway. No need for payment,” Aubrey teased. Reaching into the cardboard box, he pulled out a little black plastic thing.
“What is it?”
Aubrey pointed it at Matt’s shirt and pushed a button.
“Lavender,” the thing announced.
“Oh wow. How cool. It tells colors?” Wait. Matt frowned. He had on a light blue shirt. He groaned and slapped a hand to his forehead. “My shirt is lavender?”
Aubrey’s eyes twinkled with mirth, and he nodded.
“Gee, I can’t wait to see what color my pants are.” Matt snatched the color detector out of Aubrey’s hand.
Aubrey laughed and flopped backward on the floor.
“It’s not funny.” Matt put the identifier to his pants.
“Khaki,” the synthesized voice said.
“Well, that’s a relief. Does lavender go with khaki?”
Wiping tears from his eyes, Aubrey nodded. The fiend was still laughing.
Matt couldn’t help it, he started giggling himself. How cool was this? And how cool was it that Aubrey bought it for him. A warm happy feeling trickled through him, and he held the box up to his arm.
“Pale orange.”
“Pale orange?” Smiling, Matt shook his head. This was fun.
“Oompa-Loompa doompadee doo…” Aubrey started chortling so hard he snorted.
“Knock it off, shorty. If anyone is an Oompa-Loompa it’s you.” Matt pressed the color indicator to Aubrey’s ankle where his slacks had ridden up past his definitely black socks.
“Beige.”
Snickering, Matt nudged his mate’s leg with his foot. “Oh good, you’ll go nice with the drapes.”
Aubrey laughed, but no sound came out. “How—do—you—know—?” He was liable to have a seizure if he kept it up.
How would he know indeed? Matt groaned and joined in the laughter.
Aubrey’s face darkened.
If Matt thought he or Aubrey could survive it, he’d have tested their hair color.
It took several minutes, but finally they both stopped laughing. Matt was winded and worn out. “Thank you. This is way cool.”
“You’re welcome…” Aubrey sat up and kissed Matt on the lips. “Oompa-Loompa.”
Aubrey’s prick was so hard he was beginning to think it was frozen that way. He couldn’t remember ever being this sexually frustrated. Hell, even as a teen a few minutes alone took care of it, but jerking off in his office bathroom before he came home hadn’t dampened his lust. Matt’s scent just riled him up again.
He dropped his head on the cool granite countertop and rolled his forehead on it. Maybe he could talk Matt into a mutual handjob or something? No, the plan was to keep from hurting Matt when this thing ended. Sex would make it more difficult. Matt wasn’t the type to engage in casual sex.
Aubrey glanced up at Matt as he flipped the pieces of fish in the pan like a professional chef and set it back on the burner. Gawd, did everything Matt do have to be so fucking sexy? “Where did you learn to cook?”
Leaning on the cabinet next to the stove, Matt grinned.
“My dad. He’s a great cook. He insisted all of us learn. Which has kept us from starving a few times, when Dad is sick or goes out on the rare occasion, because I swear my mom can’t even boil water. How about you? This…” he swung his hands out indicating the kitchen, “…is not the kitchen of someone who doesn’t cook. Because, your brother? I think he’s an even worse cook than my mom.” He chuckled.
Aubrey nodded. “Well, Keaton can’t hold a candle to our mother. Your mom may not know how to boil water, but mine? I’m pretty sure she could burn it.”
They shared a laugh.
“I hid out in the kitchen with Martha a lot trying to avoid chores. It never worked though. Instead I ended up helping her.” Aubrey shrugged. “But it beat shoveling out stalls or trimming back kudzu.”
“You had horses growing up?”
“Still do.”
Matt’s nose crinkled. “And what in the heck is kudzu?” Picking up the pan, he flipped the tilapia again.
Aubrey’s jaw about hit the floor. “Oh good Lord, I gotta take you home. I can’t believe you’ve never seen kudzu. It’s a nuisance, that’s what it is. It’s a vine that grows like crazy and will take over anything and everything if you let it.”
Replacing the pan, Matt cocked his head. “Isn’t this home?”
Thunder boomed outside, making Aubrey flinch. He shook his head. “This is a sort of home away from home. A place to stay while I work. Home is Reynolds Hall.” He couldn’t help but smile. “We’re going there this weekend to meet pack and hunt. You’ll see more kudzu than you care to, and we can ride horses if you want.”
“Oh, hey, speaking of pack.” Matt grabbed the pan again and slid one piece of fish onto a plate with some of the mushrooms and the sauce, then dumped the rest on another plate. “I got a call from Corde today after I came in from school.” He brought the plates to the bar.
“And?” Aubrey picked up their dinners and silverware then headed to the table. “Let’s eat over here and watch the rain. Bring the bread.” He took a big sniff, letting the delicious aroma fill his nose. Man, he was gonna get fat with Matt staying here. Maybe he could squeeze in an extra hour of working out a week. “Did you tell him I’d call him back?”
“No. I was going to, but he asked my advice on what to do with his friend. He was still in the doghouse over peeing on the house.” Smirking, Matt set down two glasses of tea and went back for the bread.
Rolling his eyes, Aubrey snorted over the doghouse remark. Should Matt be taking up pack matters? How would it look? “What did you tell him?” This was nice…homey. Matt had such a family-guy kind of vibe to him. Mom and Dad were going to love him. Even if they’d never know Matt was his mate, they’d still welcome him and be sad when he was gone. Aubrey would too.
He pulled out his chair just as Matt returned with the basket of bread. When he set it on the table he bent over, giving Aubrey a great view of his ass. His slacks weren’t overly tight, but they sure showed off his butt to perfection. Aubrey’s cock got harder.
“I told him to take the guy a steak and if he had any more problems to call me back.” Grinning, Matt sat down and picked up his knife and fork. He looked pleased with himself.
It was sound advice, but Aubrey still wasn’t sure Matt should be giving it. Technically, Aubrey wasn’t Alpha yet. Though he stood in for his dad more often than not lately. The younger generation already took it for granted that Aubrey was in charge, and if Matt were speaking for Aubrey…well it didn’t look right. But this once no one would question it.
“Don’t let them take advantage of you.” Aubrey took a bite of the fish and moaned as it melted in his mouth. Oh yeah, he was gonna be spending more time doing cardio at least. Could Matt make Mexican food? Aubrey loved Mexican food.
“It’s okay. I like helping. I gave him my cell number and told him to call me if he needed anything else.” Matt took a swig of tea then cut off a piece of his fish. He said something else, but Aubrey didn’t hear it.
Aubrey sat up straighter and closed his eyes. Matt was acting as his mate by encouraging the pack to go to him with problems when they couldn’t reach Aubrey. Helping with pack squabbles wasn’t something fostered pack members did. It spoke of permanence and authority within the hierarchy, which as Aubrey’s mate, Matt would have.
“You need a cast-iron skillet. This would taste much better cooked on one.” Matt reached for the bread.
Aubrey dropped his fork with a clank and pinched the bridge of his nose. Matt fit the role of Alpha’s mate to perfection. Why did he once again have to be everything Aubrey needed in a mate? Everything but female. Goddamn fate!
“What’s wrong?”
“Why’d you give Corde your cell number?” He tried not to sound terse, but he wasn’t entirely successful.
Matt finished chewing the bread and swallowed hard. His shoulders sank. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to help.” He kept his head down and took another bite of food.
“Matt… You can’t let anyone know who you are to me and—”
“I know. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds.” He continued to eat, not looking at Aubrey. His feelings were hurt.
Damn it. He hadn’t meant to scold Matt. But no way could he allow Matt to take the role Aubrey’s future wife would have to take. It would make Aubrey marrying that much harder on them both, not to mention the suspicion it would cause in the pack.
They finished the rest of their dinner in silence. As soon as he was done, Matt took his plate to the sink, washed it and put it in the dishwasher. “See you in the morning.” He crossed the living room and disappeared into the guestroom before Aubrey could stop him.
Son of a bitch. Aubrey got up, dumped his tea out and filled the glass half full with whisky. He was an ass. Helping out was Matt’s nature. It’s what he did to feel like he belonged. He’d done it in his own family and he did it in his home pack by helping with the pups. He wasn’t trying to silently proclaim Aubrey his mate, he was trying to fit in. Aubrey groaned and downed the entire glass of whisky in one swallow.
Aubrey stood in front of Matt’s door staring at it, trying to make up his mind. Should he knock or wait for tomorrow? He hated admitting he was wrong. It was a fatal flaw that ran in his family. But he owed Matt an apology. Did partaking in liquid courage beforehand make him a pussy? Oh, who cares. He was doing the right thing, that’s all that mattered.
Using the back of his hand, Aubrey quietly rapped on the door. “Matt?”
“Yeah?” His voice was barely audible over the pitter-patter of rain and the soft rolling thunder.
Turning the knob, Aubrey eased the door open. “Can I come in?” He peeked around the frame and nearly swallowed his tongue. Matt lay on his bed with his back—his bare back—toward the door, looking out the floor-to-ceiling window opposite the bed. The comforter was pulled down, leaving his entire upper body and just a hint of his hips exposed. He was nude beneath the sheets and heavy comforter. The light coming from outside cast the edge of his body in a blue glow while the rain trickling down the window gave the shadows movement and sensuality. It was a picture right out of an ethereal fantasy.
“You can’t sleep either?” Matt continued to stare out the window, watching the storm.
His whispered question brought Aubrey out of his daze. He moved forward and perched himself on the edge of the bed. “I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.” He stroked the slim, sleek back and the muscles rippled under his hand. It wasn’t quite a flinch, but it was close enough that more regret stung Aubrey. “I’m sorry, sugar. Do you think you can forgive me? I should’ve thanked you instead of yelling at you. I know you were only trying to help.”
Rolling on to his back, Matt met his gaze. “I shouldn’t have done that without your permission. I’m sorry.” His eyelids fluttered, and his lips quirked to the side. “I just wanted to do something to help you out. Make things less stressful for you, not more. I promise I wasn’t trying to publicly stake a claim to you o
r anything like that. I wish I could tell everyone, but I won’t. I’d never do that without your approval first.”
Aubrey stared at Matt. His mate was as beautiful inside as he was out. “I know. And thank you. I don’t want you to feel out of place. It’s gotta be hard being here without family and people you’re close to. I forgot that.” Aubrey shrugged. “I’ve never really been away from my own family.”
“I’ll survive.” Matt grinned. “Is it wrong to admit that in a way it’s nice? Being away from home I mean.” He rested his hand on his chest. He had big hands, a man’s hands. They were a sexy contrast to the rest of him. Not that he was small, but against his slender chest his hands seemed massive. He was lovely.
Chuckling, Aubrey shook his head. “Nah. It’s understandable.” Sometimes he wished he could escape too.
A frown marred Matt’s face, and he caught his bottom lip between his teeth. It was a bashful expression, but somehow so Matt it stirred Aubrey’s blood.
Aubrey ran his index finger over Matt’s chin, encouraging him to quit abusing his lip. “What?”
Releasing his lip, Matt shrugged. “Can I tell Logan we’re mates? He can be trusted, I promise. He’s great at keeping secrets, and I have a lot on him. He wouldn’t dare tell.”
Aubrey touched the smooth expanse of Matt’s chest and watched the shadows play over it. His cock ached along with his heart. How could he not give into that request? It was a small thing and would probably make Matt feel better. Maybe it’d make up for Aubrey being an ass earlier. He was worried, hesitant even, because he didn’t know Logan and he didn’t want to take the chance of word getting out. But he also knew how things were between brothers. He’d been that close to his own brother once upon a time. Truth be told he was envious and a little jealous of Matt’s relationship with Logan.
“If you want to.” Aubrey nodded without looking away from Matt’s chest.
“Thank you.” The words were whispered with just a hint of admiration.
With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4 Page 9