Kelan reached for the zipper on Jake’s jeans, pulled it open roughly and slid his hand inside. He took hold of Jake’s cock and released it from the confines of his pants. Jake gasped when Kelan squeezed him firmly then began to stroke, his thumb brushing over the sensitive nerve endings on the head of his cock.
Kelan trembled as he tugged Jake’s cock, grinding his hips insistently against Jake’s leg. Jake wasn’t surprised to see Kelan’s eyes shift to their wolf form and his incisors break free from his gums.
Kelan was afraid, Jake was certain of that. The man was practically desperate in his movements and he looked barely able to contain his wolf. Jake couldn’t blame him. Kelan must have been as worried as all hell about him. Jake knew he would feel exactly the same way if the situation was reversed.
“Feels good,” Jake said, his hands moving to Kelan’s jeans and fighting with the button to get his lover’s cock out, too. He was in urgent need of the contact.
Kelan growled when Jake took him in his hand and started stroking. The sound was loud to Jake’s ears, especially in the stillness of the deserted alley. It sent a shiver of anticipation along his spine. That, and the feel of Kelan’s firm hand working his own cock, was enough to send Jake close to the finish he was now so desperate for.
Even in the darkness, Jake could see a flicker of emotion in Kelan’s eyes, but he was afraid to put a name to it. When Kelan growled again, more loudly than the first time, and gripped his cock harder, Jake could not hold back his orgasm any longer. He cried out when the force of it rocketed through him, his eyes never leaving Kelan’s.
Jake’s orgasm set off Kelan’s own. He threw back his head and shouted out Jake’s name as he came, coating Jake’s stomach with his seed.
It took Kelan a couple of minutes to stop juddering from his release. When he did, he looked down to meet Jake’s eyes.
“Don’t ever do that to me again, understand? If I lost you, I…”
Jake couldn’t contain the sob that tore from his throat as he looked up into Kelan’s eyes and saw the worry, relief and affection all shining back at him.
“I promise.”
* * * *
“Here, drink this,” Cody said, placing a large scotch in Jake’s hands.
Jake still felt like shit, but at least his head wasn’t hurting anymore and the acute pain in his leg had lessened to a dull throb. He still hadn’t plucked up the courage to take a look at it. Even though he’d told Kelan the scars wouldn’t bother him, he was afraid they’d be worse than he imagined.
Sure, Kelan had said they wouldn’t put him off him but what if they did? His looks were the best thing he had going for him, weren’t they?
“Thanks,” Jake said, taking a sip of the scotch. He moaned as he felt the familiar burn in the back of his throat. “I needed that.”
Kelan took a seat on the sofa next to Jake and studied him, a frown playing on his lips.
“What the hell were you doing in the back alley of a bar, Jake?”
Cody shuffled from foot to foot. “Uh, I’m just going to see how Stefan is getting on in the kitchen,” he said, practically tripping over his feet in his rush to leave the room.
Great, so now even Kelan’s brother thought that Jake was screwing around. Jake waited until Cody had left before meeting Kelan’s eye.
“It’s not what you think.”
“Really. And what am I thinking exactly?”
Jake shrugged. “That I went out there to hook up with some guy.”
“Did you?”
“No, I didn’t.” Jake put his glass down on the coffee table in front of him and took hold of Kelan’s hand. “I don’t want anyone else, I promise you that.”
Kelan looked torn. Like he wanted to believe Jake, but he wasn’t sure if he did. After a moment, Kelan sighed, his thumb rubbing over the back of Jake’s hand.
“I believe you. But that doesn’t answer my question. What the hell were you doing out there alone? How could you be so careless after everything that’s happened in the last few days? You need to take better care of yourself.”
Jake tried not to be offended. He could take care of himself…well, usually. But now that there was a pissed off panther shifter out to get him, maybe he needed Kelan’s protection more than he’d first realised.
He settled back on the sofa and proceeded to tell Kelan the whole story about Cary, omitting nothing. He was terrified his tale would make Kelan realise what a horrible person he was mated to. What would Kelan think when he found out how much of a slut Jake had been? How he’d used people for his own ends? Maybe this would be the breaking point for Kelan. Jake didn’t know what he’d do if the big, handsome wolf realised he could do better than him.
It had hurt Jake when Matt had left him all those years ago. However, he now knew that his feelings for Matt were nothing compared to what he felt for Kelan. It would quite literally break him to lose Kelan now, his feelings were so strong.
When he’d finished his story, Jake leaned his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes, waiting for Kelan’s harsh words. They never came. After a few moments of silence, Jake cocked one eye open and peeked at Kelan.
“Well? Aren’t you going to say anything?”
“Yeah. Looks like we found our stalker.”
That certainly wasn’t what Jake had expected to hear.
“You really think it could be Cary?”
“Who else could it be? Unless Tony followed you from the bar.”
Jake slapped his palm to his forehead.
“Fuck! Tony! I forgot all about him. He was waiting for me. Shit, he’s gonna be pissed. There’s no way he’s gonna forgive me again.”
“Look, we don’t know for certain that Tony is innocent yet, although from what you’ve told me it does sound like Cary is our panther. Do you know where he lives?”
“No, he came to my place,” Jake said, feeling his face fill with heat.
Jake did not want to be having this conversation with Kelan. Although it was fair to say Kelan knew by now he wasn’t a saint before they met, he still didn’t want Kelan to hear about the men he’d slept with. He sure as hell didn’t want to know about Kelan’s conquests.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find him,” Kelan said.
“What about Tony? I’d better call him.”
“No, I think it’s best if we go and see him tomorrow. That way I’ll know for sure if he’s the shifter, and if he’s not, we can rule him out. Then it has to be Cary. It will probably be better for you to apologise to Tony face to face anyway. If he’s as good a friend as you say he is, he’ll understand.”
“Understand? What the hell am I going to tell him? That I was attacked by a giant, black panther? Somehow I don’t think even Tony would swallow that one.”
“You don’t have to tell him the truth. Don’t worry, you’ll think of something.”
“I don’t know. I don’t think he’ll forgive me for this. Besides he’s probably better off without me in his life. I’ve treated him like shit one too many times.”
“Then you can make it up to him.”
Jake sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“What else is bothering you?”
Jake stared at Kelan. “Can you read my mind or something?”
Kelan chuckled. “Or something.” At Jake’s raised eyebrow Kelan continued, “Your scent changes when you’re upset. It’s subtle, but I can still tell something is wrong. What is it?”
“I’m not a very nice person. Why would you still want to be with me?”
Kelan shook his head. “You may have done some things that you’re not proud of but who hasn’t? Besides, you can’t live in the past. It’s what you do from here on out that’s important.”
Jake felt a lump rise in the back of his throat. “I’m so lucky to have found you.”
“No.” Kelan took Jake’s face in his hands and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “I’m the lucky one.”
* * * *
“What did they say?�
�� Kelan asked, helping himself to a coffee from the pot.
Jake shrugged. “Not a lot they could say. I haven’t taken a sick day since I started at the company, so I figure I was long overdue one.”
“Did you call Tony?”
“I tried. His secretary said he was in a meeting but I know he’s avoiding my calls. After last night I can’t blame him.”
“So what are we going to do now? You want to wait until he finishes work and go to his apartment?”
Jake thought about his options for a moment, then shook his head.
“He probably wouldn’t let me in. I think our best chance is to catch him when he goes out to lunch.”
“How do you know where he’ll be?”
Jake grinned. “Tony is the most predictable man I know. He eats lunch at the same restaurant every single day. Twelve fifteen on the dot. If we show up there, we’ll definitely get to talk to him. I know Tony, and he’s not going to make a scene in his favourite restaurant.”
“Fair enough, twelve fifteen it is, then,” Kelan said, checking his watch. “What are we going to do to amuse ourselves for the next three hours?”
Jake chuckled and straddled Kelan’s lap.
“I’m sure we can come up with something.”
Kelan leant forward and gave Jake a long, leisurely kiss. He traced his hands over Jake’s sides and up his back, causing him to shiver. Jake was already hard and aching as Kelan’s hands ghosting over his body made him hotter still.
The wounds on Jake’s leg had healed considerably since the attack the night before, but the scars were a deep shade of pink, and angry-looking. After having a look at them, Kelan had promised him the scars would fade until they were barely noticeable, but Jake wasn’t as bothered by them as he would have been months, even weeks ago. They didn’t seem to bother Kelan in the least, and that was all that mattered to Jake.
Until it was time to meet with Tony, Jake allowed Kelan to distract him with kisses and touches. He became pliant in Kelan’s arms and let the wolf love him until he forgot all his worries and could barely remember his own name.
* * * *
Jake lifted the newspaper higher to shield his face and peered over the top of it. Kelan chuckled at his side.
“All you need is a raincoat and a dodgy moustache and you’d be good to go, Inspector Clouseau.”
Jake folded the paper and threw it onto the table in front of him.
“I’m trying to be inconspicuous.”
“Why? We’re not on a stakeout. As soon as Tony arrives, we’ll be going over to talk to him. What does it matter if he sees us?”
“It doesn’t, I guess,” Jake mumbled. “I think this is all pointless anyway. No way is Tony a shifter. I’d know.”
“You’re probably right, but I’m not taking any chances until we know for sure.”
“Shit, there he is,” Jake said, ducking behind Kelan.
Kelan rolled his eyes and got up from his seat at the café table opposite the restaurant.
“Come on, let’s get this over with.”
Jake followed Kelan across the street and stopped outside the entrance to the restaurant. He grabbed hold of Kelan’s arm and yanked him back before he could walk inside.
“What the hell?”
“Maybe I should talk to him on my own first.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I trust him, Kelan, and I think I should apologise to him first before he sees you. He’s not going to start anything in a busy restaurant, is he?”
“Okay, fine, five minutes and I’m coming in,” Kelan said, crossing his arms over his chest, brooking no argument.
Jake nodded, took a deep breath and pushed open the door. He spotted Tony in the corner of the crowded room. He had his nose buried in a menu—although what he was reading it for, Jake didn’t know. Tony ate here every single day. He must know the damn thing by heart.
Jake crossed the room and took a seat at Tony’s table. His friend’s eyes widened when he looked around the menu and saw Jake seated opposite him.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked, throwing down the menu.
“I came to apologise.”
Tony snorted. “Yeah, good one. Isn’t that what you were supposed to be doing last night? You remember last night? It’s when you ditched me…again.”
“Yeah, about that…”
“I don’t want to hear it, Jake,” Tony interrupted. “I’ve heard enough of your bullshit to last me a lifetime. Why don’t you leave?”
“Not until you’ve heard me out.”
“I’m not interested in anything you have to say to me. You’ve done that to me one too many times. I’m through with…whatever this is.” Tony waved his hand vaguely. “It sure isn’t a friendship, at least not on your part.”
“Look, I know I’ve been a dick…”
“You think?”
“But last night wasn’t my fault, I swear. Something urgent came up and I had to leave.”
“That’s your excuse. Really? Something urgent came up. Is that the best you can do? Why don’t you tell the truth for once in your life? You left for a booty call, plain and simple.”
“No, I didn’t, I swear. I…”
“Hey, baby,” Kelan said, leaning over Jake and placing a kiss on his lips. He took a seat next to Jake and smiled over at Tony. “Hello, Tony, good to see you again.”
Tony’s mouth fell open. “What is he doing here?”
Jake glanced sideways at Kelan. When his lover gave a slight shake of his head, Jake answered his friend.
“He came to meet me. Tony, if you’ll just let me explain properly…”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Tony said.
“But I…”
“Jake was attacked last night,” Kelan interrupted.
Tony’s head swivelled back and forth between Jake and Kelan before finally resting on his friend’s face. His features softened, the angry expression disappearing to be replaced by concern.
“What? Attacked? What do you mean attacked? What the hell happened?”
Jake glared at Kelan.
“Uh, it’s not as bad as it sounds,” Jake said, turning to face Tony. “I was mugged.”
Tony sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just shook me up is all. I hit my head, think I was knocked out for a while, but I’m all right now.”
“Christ, Jake. I’m sorry. If I’d have known, I…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Jake said. “You didn’t know. I can’t blame you for jumping to conclusions. I would have done the same thing under the circumstances.”
“You sure you’re okay?” Tony asked quietly.
Jake nodded. “I’m good. So how did your date go the other night?” he asked his friend.
“Turns out we didn’t have a lot in common after all.”
“Damn, I’m sorry.”
Tony shrugged. “I’m used to it. To tell you the truth, I’m tired of the whole dating game. I’ve given up on finding someone special.”
“You should never give up.” Kelan smiled at Jake fondly. “There’s someone out there for everyone.”
* * * *
“He’s in love with you,” Kelan said as they climbed the stairs to Jake’s apartment.
They hadn’t spoken on the way home from the restaurant, but Kelan had to say what he thought was on both their minds. He’d had to grip the table at the restautant and take deep breaths to stop the growls that threatened to break free from his chest whenever he saw the affection shining in Tony’s eyes.
“I think so, yes,” Jake agreed.
“Do you love him?” Kelan prayed Jake wouldn’t give him an answer that would break his heart.
“I love him, yes, but I’m not in love with him. Tony and I have been friends for a long time. Haven’t always treated him right, but I do care about him.”
Kelan nodded, relief seeping through his bones. He wasn’t sure what he would h
ave done if Jake had said yes. Jake had become the most important person in his life, and the bond between them was strengthening with every passing day. He didn’t know how he’d cope if he lost his mate.
As they approached the corridor to Jake’s apartment, Kelan’s relief was quickly replaced with anger.
“He’s been here again,” Kelan gritted.
“Who? Tony?”
“No, the shifter. I can smell him.”
When they reached Jake’s door there was a note pinned to the front of it.
This is your last warning.
Stay away from him or next time you won’t be so lucky. You won’t always have the wolf around to protect you.
“Stay away from him? Stay away from who?” Jake asked, confused.
Kelan frowned. “I think we need to pay Cary a little visit.”
Chapter Eight
“Hi, Andre, I’ll take a scotch, no ice. Thanks. Kelan?”
“I’ll have the same.”
Andre nodded and turned to fix the drinks. While they waited for them to arrive, they scanned the faces in the busy room.
“You see him?” Kelan asked.
Jake shook his head. “No. What are we going to do if he doesn’t show?”
Kelan used his wolf sense of smell to search for any sign of shifters, but he wasn’t picking up on anything.
“You think anyone here knows him?”
Jake shrugged. “Could be.”
Kelan paid for the drinks when they arrived and tossed a few dollars into the jar. Before Andre was called away again, Jake decided to try his luck.
“Andre, did you see the young guy I was talking to last night?”
“You mean Cary?”
Jake was so relieved he could have kissed the man.
“Yes, you know him?”
“Sure, I know him.”
“You know where he lives?”
Andre narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you? I’ve seen you with him a couple of times.”
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