With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4

by J. L. Langley

  Aubrey raised a brow and glanced around. “Who has an adorned cock?” He scanned the street both ways.

  “Logan got a Prince Albert. Or at least I think that’s what it’s called.”

  “What?” Aubrey turned back toward him. “A Prince Albert, huh?” His eyebrows shot up and he blinked. “Should look interesting in wolf form.”

  The thought had never occurred to Matt. “Eww…”

  Aubrey chuckled but didn’t stop studying his surroundings. “To each their own.”

  “What’re you doing here? And what are you looking for?” Not that Matt minded, but something told him it wasn’t a social visit. Aubrey was uneasy. Matt wasn’t sure why he thought that because his mate’s scent was normal, but something about how distracted he was seemed odd.

  Aubrey shrugged. “Just seeing how the neighborhood has changed.” Smiling, he cuffed Matt’s arm, rubbing a little. “I came to hang out with my two favorite people.” He squeezed Matt’s arm, seeming reluctant to let go, and winked.

  The playfulness and affection was genuine and shot straight to Matt’s heart. How cool was it that his mate took off from work to spend time with him? What more could a man ask for? Matt grinned, wanting more than anything to kiss his mate. “We can use the help. Will you start by doing me a favor?”

  For a split second Matt thought Aubrey might lean forward for a kiss, but he didn’t. Darn it. He cleared his throat and raised a brow. “What’s that?”

  “Wrestle the phone away from Tara.”

  Checking the time on the computer screen, Aubrey leaned back in his office chair and stretched. It was two in the morning, and he’d finally caught up on all the work he’d missed today due to leaving the office early. And still there was no word on Boskie. Jarred and a few other trusted pack members hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the man, and they’d started looking fifteen minutes after Aubrey opened that envelope. A chill raced up Aubrey’s spine thinking about the pictures.

  Boskie had just up and disappeared after the party the other night. His wife didn’t know where to find him nor did his secretary. As Martha would say, it made Aubrey as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He wasn’t sure if the older wolf was threatening Matt because he was in Aubrey’s care or if he’d somehow found out they were mates. Had Aubrey given them away? It didn’t matter. It was his word against Boskie’s and Boskie had to be found regardless. This was now a pack problem. Matt was a pack guest. And the Alpha’s mate. Aubrey scoffed at himself, rested his head on the chair and closed his eyes. “Yeah, right.” Like he could tell the pack that. Geez, his head throbbed.

  He’d been worried about Matt all day, even after he’d left his office to watch over him. It had been pure hell being outside in the open at Tee’s house. Aubrey hadn’t been able to relax and let his guard down for an instant.

  When he and Matt came home, Aubrey spent several hours trying to stop constantly touching Matt. He’d done good though. He didn’t think Matt had any idea there was something wrong, and that was how Aubrey wanted to keep it. Matt had enough to brood over with the problems in his family lately. Besides, it was Aubrey’s job to keep him happy and safe.

  Sniffing, Aubrey located Matt. He’d caught himself doing that off and on tonight when Matt was out of his sight. Aubrey took his glasses off and ran his hands down his face. His eyes hurt from staring at the computer for too long. He should get some aspirin for his headache. It was time to check on Matt as well.

  Aubrey shoved away from his desk. Aubrey, ole boy, you’re way too attached. There was no way he was going to be able to let Matt go back to New Mexico when the time came. Aubrey froze just inside the living room. The realization hit him like a fist to the gut. Was he too involved? No, that wasn’t it. He was just concerned for Matt’s safety. Anyone in his position would be. Matt was his responsibility, after all.

  Uh-huh. Damn, even his conscience wasn’t buying that heap of bullshit. He didn’t want to think about it. Not now, not ever. Forcing it from his mind, he continued toward their bedroom. There were more important problems to solve at the moment anyhow.

  The living room was very dark with the blinds closed. Aubrey’d had to do some fast talking to keep Matt from opening the shades tonight. Matt loved the view. He was mesmerized by the amount of trees, even in the city. Nearly every day after school Matt would park himself in front of the table to stare out the window. Aubrey grinned. There were ever-present forehead smudges on the glass.

  When he reached their room, Matt lay on his back with his face turned toward the door. His mouth hung slightly open, and a soft snore filled the air. The glow of the moon outside the window cast light over his bare chest exposed by the covers. The big sleigh bed made him seem smaller than he actually was. He appeared peaceful and innocent. Of course, Matt always looked innocent because that was exactly what he was. Aubrey doubted even being a homicide detective would touch that vitality. What would it take to destroy that precious candor? Whatever it was, he never wanted to see it.

  Smiling in his sleep, Matt rolled to his side. He tucked his hands under his cheek distorting his face a little. The light added an element of peacefulness. It illuminated his smooth, tanned skin. The light? Aubrey glanced out the window. Damn. Matt had opened the shades.

  Crossing the room, Aubrey focused out the window. He didn’t see anything suspicious, but he wouldn’t this high up. Those pictures of Matt in the living room had been taken from the building across from them on the west side. There was no immediate structure next to the north side of the apartment. That reminded him, he had to check out the building those pictures had been taken from. The angle indicated they’d been shot from slightly above, at least a floor higher than theirs. He needed to look out the window and at the picture and compare now that Matt slept. Tomorrow he’d check out that building on the net. After he got his aspirin. Rubbing his temple, he took the window blind remote off Matt’s nightstand and pushed the button.

  “Mmm… What’d ya do dat for?” Matt’s sleep-heavy purr startled Aubrey.

  He turned, setting the remote back where he got it. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  Lying on his back, Matt stared at him with heavy-lidded eyes. A slow smile eased over his lips, and he held his hand out. His fingers wiggled, beckoning. “I don’t mind. Did you finish your work?”

  Lifting Matt’s hand out of the way, Aubrey crawled onto the bed and positioned himself on the edge. “Yeah, I just came in here to get something for my headache.” He held Matt’s hand in his lap.

  “I’m sorry you had to work tonight, but I have to admit I enjoyed getting to spend the day with you. Did you get the stain out of your shirt?”

  Aubrey chuckled and brought Matt’s hand to his lips. He kissed it before lowering it. “Nah. The shirt’s toast, but it was worth it. I enjoyed hanging out with you and Tee. I don’t mind working from home occasionally.” Especially when taking off work meant protecting Matt.

  With a slow, sexy grin, Matt tugged his hand, pulling Aubrey off balance. His voice, already a bit husky from sleep, dropped lower. “C’mere.”

  Catching himself on his elbow, Aubrey leaned forward, knowing exactly what his mate had in mind. Unbelievably, his cock began to harden. It was pretty impressive considering the throbbing in his skull. He kissed Matt. Matt was healthy and happy, and that more than anything made Aubrey want to partake in what his mate offered.

  Flicking his tongue along the seam of Matt’s lips, he inhaled the intoxicating smell of arousal. When had taking care of Matt become tied to Aubrey’s own contentment? No matter where Matt was or what he was doing, Aubrey would always want him to be happy…even when they were apart. And Matt was very happy now, if the size of the erection nudging Aubrey’s hip was anything to judge by.

  Squirming closer, Matt tugged at the hem of Aubrey’s shirt and kissed his way around Aubrey’s jaw and neck. Soft grunts accompanied the constantly moving hands. He couldn’t seem to decide whether to try and strip the shirt of
f or to touch the skin underneath.

  Aubrey smiled against Matt’s mouth.

  “Mmm… Too many clothes.” Matt jerked Aubrey’s shirt up to his armpits and bucked his erection against Aubrey’s hip.

  Groaning, Aubrey extracted himself from Mr. Octopus Arms and pulled his shirt off.

  The covers slid down, revealing the dark hair above Matt’s prick. His abdominal muscles flexed as he writhed and trailed his fingers up Aubrey’s stomach. “Hurry.”

  Good gawd, that long lean body made Aubrey harder. Matt’s thumb brushed his nipple and traced his pectoral muscle. Matt was fascinated with his chest. It made Aubrey want to work out more.

  He nipped Matt’s bottom lip and removed the busy hands from around his neck again. “Let me get my pants off.” As Aubrey stood, Matt moaned out a sound that was pure sex.

  With his pants and boxers off, Aubrey went around to his side of the bed to retrieve the lube from the nightstand. Matt followed Aubrey’s progress. He gave the impression of a predator about to pounce as he raised up on his elbows.

  Aubrey tossed the tube on the bed and straddled his mate’s thighs. “Patience. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Matt was on him immediately, sitting up and mashing their stomachs together. Wrapping his hands around Aubrey’s waist, he bit into the flesh between Aubrey’s neck and shoulder.

  Chill bumps broke out on Aubrey’s arms and legs.

  The wet tip of Matt’s dick pressed against his own cock, and already Matt was panting.

  Dislodging Matt from his shoulder, Aubrey kissed him and opened the lube. He had to slow his anxious mate down. Matt had yet to learn to savor the pleasure. He was all about satisfaction and gaining it as quickly as possible.

  Aubrey pushed him back to the mattress. When Matt made to rise again, Aubrey shook his head.

  Whimpering, Matt laid back, watching Aubrey’s every move.

  Slicking up his fingers, Aubrey met his mate’s stare. “I want you to touch yourself, but I don’t want you to come. Can you do that for me?” He pushed two fingers into himself, barely feeling the burn.

  Matt nodded and grabbed his cock. Slowly his hand moved up and down. The dark head peeked out from his fist, looking plumper than usual. He was beautiful the way his stomach rippled and his breath caught with each upward stroke. Wetness glistened on the tip, smearing with his movements.

  Aubrey’s balls drew up. Matt’s actions were such a contrast to his innocence it felt naughty and forbidden, like Aubrey was corrupting Matt. Hell, maybe he was. Adding another finger, he stretched himself. It’d been awhile since he’d done this.

  Aubrey moaned, working his fingers in deeper. He didn’t know what he was looking forward to more, the feel of Matt’s dick inside him or the look on Matt’s face when Aubrey lowered himself onto Matt. Both were going to be breathtaking. Every new experience with Matt was amazing.

  When Matt’s thighs tensed underneath Aubrey, he pulled his fingers free and grabbed the lube again. Placing his hand on Matt’s, he unwrapped those long fingers from Matt’s prick. Using plenty of lube, he coated Matt’s cock and crawled forward.

  Matt gasped, probably at the coldness of the gel, and his eyes widened. “Aubrey,” he whispered with so much longing it sounded like a plea.

  “Yeah, sugar.” He positioned Matt at his hole and slid down slowly. It took some effort not to close his eyes and drop his head back.

  Squirming and panting, Matt fisted his hands in the covers. His gaze focused on where they joined, and sweat dotted his forehead.

  Aubrey was impressed with the restraint. Sinking all the way down, he leaned forward, bracing himself above Matt. For several seconds they stared at one another. Finally, Matt reached up, raking his fingers through Aubrey’s hair. “That feels so good.” His voice cracked. He lifted his face, nuzzling it along Aubrey’s jaw, and kissed Aubrey’s chin.

  “Yes it does, darlin’.” From the small tremors racking Matt’s body, this wasn’t going to last long. Aubrey moved, fucking himself on his mate’s cock.

  In no time, Matt joined his efforts and thrust up each time Aubrey came down. Every third thrust or so hit Aubrey’s prostate, sending a pleasure so intense it was uncomfortable surging through him. His cock was already leaking.

  He sat up straight and grabbed Matt’s hands, untangling them from the sheet. With fingers entwined, he moved up and down, back and forth. He kept it up until Matt squeezed his hands, arched and cried out beneath him.

  The warm heat of Matt’s climax filled him, marked him. Like he wanted, needed to mark Matt. The urge to claim his mate was all-consuming.

  Matt’s still-hard cock slipped from Aubrey as Matt collapsed beneath him. Aubrey grabbed his own prick and inched up Matt’s body, making spunk run down the inside of his thighs. Aubrey stroked his cock and pleasure arced up his spine. “Close.” He straddled Matt’s chest, watching Matt’s pleasure-induced daze. Matt’s eyes were open but unfocused. His breath came in sharp chops, and his head rocked side to side. He was the most beautiful thing Aubrey had ever seen. And he’s all mine.

  Catching Matt’s chin, he held his face still, focused on those full lips. He wanted to see his seed splattered over that gorgeous mouth, Matt’s chin and cheeks. Claiming Matt was an ongoing urge Aubrey hadn’t been able to shake.

  Oh gawd yes! Aubrey fell headlong into orgasm with a hoarse grunt. Aiming his pulsing erection down, still stroking, he painted Matt’s face with his semen. The whitish streaks dotted across the pretty tanned skin, marking him. Matt met Aubrey’s gaze as the last shudder left his body.

  Blinking, Matt gave him a slow, sensual smile. He touched his cheek and pulled his fingers away, looking at the come.

  Aubrey smiled in return. After scooting backward, he bent and lapped Matt’s cheek clean.

  Matt chuckled and clutched the back of Aubrey’s neck with both hands.

  Aubrey nipped Matt’s bottom lip and thrust his tongue inside his mate’s luscious mouth. For several minutes he lingered, kissing Matt. When he pulled back, he wiped the remaining come from Matt’s face with his fingers.

  Sighing and stretching, Matt closed his eyes, looking for all the world like a boneless heap of contentedness.

  Aubrey stayed still, watching, until his heart stopped racing and his breath evened out. Lying down next to Matt, he pulled him close and breathed in the comforting, now-familiar scent of his mate. He rested his cheek against the top of Matt’s head and closed his eyes.

  Huh, imagine that. His headache was gone.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The smell of bacon teased Matt into full wakefulness. Stretching his arms over his head, he yawned and smiled. Oh yum, breakfast. His stomach concurred by growling. Sunday was the last time he’d had a real breakfast. A granola bar here and a donut there on weekdays just didn’t cut it. He really missed his dad’s homemade breakfasts every day of the week, but he was just too lazy to make a sizable meal every single morning.

  “I already told you I’ve people looking into it.” Aubrey’s agitated voice came from the other room.

  Who was he talking to? Matt listened for a few seconds. No one answered back. Aubrey must be on the phone. Wait. It was Thursday. What was Aubrey still doing at home? And what was with the bacon?

  Matt rolled his head to the other side, searching for the clock. 6:13 a.m. Dang, why was it so dark in here? Oh yeah, Aubrey had closed the blinds last night. If he repeated what he did after he shut the blinds, Matt could get used to not waking to sunshine. Last night was…wow. If he hadn’t already been hard, he’d have gotten that way just thinking about it.

  But this was not getting him answers. Something’s afoot. Matt giggled at his own idiocy. Sometimes it was a good thing no one could read his mind.

  Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, he stretched again. He ran his hands down his face and encountered something crusty. What the—? Oh yeah, Aubrey had marked him again. He grinned, hurried to the bathroom and peered in the mirror. Yep, a flakey smear of
dried semen covered his left cheek. He had two hours before he had to leave for school and Aubrey was still here. Maybe they could repeat last night? Matt’s dwindling boner came back with a vengeance.

  After washing his face, a trip to the toilet and dressing, Matt went to the open part of the condo as quietly as he could. Aubrey was still on the phone, but he turned and smiled at Matt.

  Matt returned the gesture. He didn’t want to disturb his mate’s conversation. He suspected it was a business call. He tried to listen and distinguish the voice on the phone. It was a female, but not someone he knew.

  “Call the credit-card companies and see if there have been any recent charges. I’ll let you know if I find out anything on my end.” Aubrey handed Matt a glass of orange juice. The lady on the phone started talking again, her voice high-pitched, whiney and broken like she was crying. She hurt his ears, so Matt tuned her out.

  He wasn’t the only one, because Aubrey snapped out a “Hold on” and covered the receiver with his hand. Leaning in to kiss Matt’s cheek, he asked, “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

  Basking in the show of affection, Matt shook his head. “No. Is that bacon and eggs?” His stomach rumbled again.

  “And sausage, toast and hash browns. Give me a minute.” Aubrey turned back toward the stove and took the skillet off the burner. He shrugged the phone between his ear and shoulder and put the sausage on a plate. “I’m going to Reynolds Hall in a few hours. If you hear anything at all, I expect a call on my cell phone. I gotta go.” He pulled the receiver from his ear, hit end and tossed it on the counter before turning back to Matt. “Do you have any tests today or tomorrow?”

  Shaking his head, Matt maneuvered the barstool out and sat down. He wondered at the cold response toward the woman on the phone, but since he had no idea who she was or what she’d done, he decided to let it go.

  Whoa, wait a minute. Aubrey was going to Reynolds Hall?