by Fel Fern
“How old were you here?” he asked.
“Thirteen.” A clipped reply, telling him he shouldn’t push, not yet at least. “Want to see the second floor?”
Back to Nash’s normal voice.
He nodded. They climbed the stairs. The second-floor seemed bigger than he imagined with four rooms.
“The master bedroom’s mine,” Nash explained, gesturing to the nearest door. “Beside it is my private office. The two rooms are guest rooms. You can take those. Does your daughter sleep with you?”
He nodded, still unsure of the feelings brewing in him. One thing was certain. He could no longer place Nash in the boss category or a mere acquaintance.
“Nash,” he began, hesitated. “Why are you doing all this? I mean, you already explained you were looking for renters, but you went out of your way to bring me here, show me the house you grew up in.”
“Let’s go back downstairs. I’ll fix you a cup of coffee or do you prefer tea?”
“Coffee please.” Neil didn’t intend to leave, until he’d secured all the answers to his questions.
Chapter Seven
Nash’s wolf watched the little human perch himself on one of the chairs of the kitchen counter. Neil took a sip of his coffee, eyes widening.
“Wow, this tastes good,” Neil exclaimed.
His wolf paced inside of him, tense and wary. Nash knew it had been a hell of a risk, bringing Neil here, because now, he couldn’t let Neil go unless the human agreed to his proposal. It was the protector in him that had made the invitation. Nash had lied. He had no plans of renting the place out. This home was special to him, but he’d make an exception for Neil and his daughter.
“You asked me why I took you here,” he began.
Neil sat up straighter. The brave human met his gaze. His wolf approved of that, liked the fact Neil wasn’t afraid of them.
Neil seemed to weigh his next words carefully, because he took a couple of seconds before he replied, “Yes, I have a feeling you usually don’t bring strangers to your home.”
“No, I don’t,” he agreed.
Aside from his brothers, the only people he invited here were their mates. They were part of the family now, and his wolf had grown to welcome Wren, Henry, and Dale into his heart. Nash had come to a frightening conclusion during his nightly runs, which were becoming frequent. The whisper of a promise had come to him, but he didn’t dare believe for a second it be true.
Neil could be the one man he’d been searching for all his life. Could be. Might be not. Nash didn’t dare hope, because hoping was lethal. He knew the animal in him was more broken than his brothers. By reflex, he rubbed at the scars on his neck, a reminder that the feral werewolf he’d fought long ago could have been him if he had lost control.
“Because we’re friends?” Neil asked. “Bullshit. When you drove me home that night—”
Neil faltered, as if unsure.
“Both the man and wolf wants you, little human,” he answered, because God knew Neil needed the honesty.
Neil bit his lower lip. Fuck, but those lips were tempting. Nash wanted to jerk the human close, seal the deal with a kiss, because he’d known for a while that the sexual tension between them was going to erupt sooner or later. They could pretend to want nothing more than to be friends, but then, they would be lying to themselves.
“You talk as if you and your wolf are separate,” Neil finally said.
“In some ways, we are. My wolf’s broken, Neil, always has been since I was a child.”
“Is that why you can’t decide what I am to you?” Neil asked. Nash was grateful Neil didn’t demand an explanation, but he could see Neil was curious as to why he made that statement.
“All of this is confusing, wrong,” Neil muttered, then looked at his cup. “I want you, too, but I can’t.”
“What’s holding you back?” Nash asked, all too aware only a thin barrier stood between them now. The animal in him hovered at the fringes, wanted to take and claim what they deemed was theirs because when it came down to it, Nash had already thought of Neil as his. It was the reason why he always checked up on the human in the office, why he couldn’t take his eyes off Neil.
“Because another werewolf hurt me before,” Neil admitted, clutching at his cup. “That’s why I left the city, the pack that took me in. Janine was the kid Lyle and I adopted. I thought we were going to be a family, but in the end, there was a reason he kept delaying giving me the mating mark. I wasn’t his mate.”
Nash let out a growl that filled the kitchen space, his wolf pissed at this shifter, who couldn’t seem to comprehend what a genuine treasure Neil was. “This asshole left you and your daughter?” His words came out accompanied by a snarl, but he couldn’t help himself.
“Lyle offered to send some monthly monetary support, but I refused. Maybe it’s pride, but I’d rather cut him completely out of my life. Seeing him with someone else hurt too much.” Neil finished his coffee. “There I go again, telling you things I don’t usually tell anyone else.”
“There’s something between us, little human. Can’t you feel it?”
Neil rose from his seat. His wolf screamed at him to move, to not let Neil leave, but he wasn’t the sort of man who forced anyone. Nash expected to Neil to walk out, his answer clear, but instead, Neil approached him almost shyly.
“I’m tired of guessing, wondering, too. Let’s find out?”
Nash marveled at this boldness of this human, brave enough to approach a broken shifter like him despite having scars of his own. Enough second-guessing. If Neil was bold enough to face his fears, so was he. Time to take a risk. Nash banded one arm around Neil’s waist, tugging Neil close until their bodies touched.
Neil let out a surprised breath. “Wow, you are made of solid muscle, aren’t you?”
Nash could sense the human’s arousal in his air and feel his dick straining against the zipper. Finally, he had the chance to have Neil all to himself, but he knew a taste wouldn’t satisfy him. Nash wanted, needed more. They both did.
Tipping Neil’s chin, he sealed his lips over Neil’s, the possessive hunger in him nearly driving him insane. He ran his tongue over Neil’s bottom lip and sucked on Neil’s upper one. Neil parted his mouth, moaning, and he took that opportunity to thrust his tongue down Neil’s throat.
Neil sucked down, delighting him. He untucked Neil’s shirt, sliding underneath to touch hot, wonderful flesh.
He ran his hand lower, to fumble at the button of Neil’s pants, then the zipper. Nash took out Neil’s dick, already at half-mast.
“W-we shouldn’t be doing this,” Neil said, panting after Nash released his mouth.
“Too much?” he asked. God knew his control was frayed, his skin seemingly stretched tight over his body.
“It’s just, you’re dangerous. I want…” Neil whispered.
“What exactly do you want?” Nash edged them to the closest wall, until he caged Neil with his body.
Neil leaned in close, and he plundered the human’s mouth once more, savoring the taste of him. Mine, his wolf all but screamed inside him. Nash held the animal back, urged it to let him take over the reins and miraculously, the beast retreated. Neither man nor wolf wanted to rush the courting process and end up losing Neil right after they found him.
“You,” Neil replied. “I’ve had a crush on you for ages, frequently fantasize about you.”
“Do you, now?” So, the little human was thinking of him, as much as Neil preoccupied his thoughts. “Tell me some of your fantasies.”
“One was exactly like this, you pressing me against the wall, stripping me bare, fucking me.”
He growled, aroused by the words, driven to make them true, because he shared the exact same fantasy. Nash began uncorking the buttons of Neil’s shirt, unveiling a creamy line of lean flesh.
“Yes,” Neil murmured, just like that. Oh, Nash was liking this confident, sexual side of the human who always seemed wary around him. He always thought it was beca
use he was a shifter, but he finally understood that some careless fucker had messed with his human, made Neil afraid to trust again.
Well, trust worked both ways, and he didn’t intend on breaking his anytime soon.
“What’s going to come out of this?” Neil asked, still not making a move to stop or indicate they should slow down or talk.
Good, because Nash didn’t think he was capable of either.
“I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “You wanted to find out. No regrets.”
“No regrets,” Neil agreed.
“I can’t stop thinking of you, ever since that day.” Nash ran a possessive hand down Neil’s chest. Neil helped him along by tugging off the rest of his shirt and chucking it aside. The human grabbed the hem of his plain white tee, and he jerked it out of the way. He didn’t fail to notice Neil admiring the hard planes of his chest for a couple of moments. “You like what you see?”
“Oh, absolutely. You’re even better up close than the guy in my dream.”
“Time to show you the real thing’s better then.”
He nuzzled Neil’s throat, scraping his teeth against the spot where the neck flowed to the shoulder. Neil tensed up. The human had been raised by werewolves, so he knew the significance of that stop. Nash reeled in his animal. The wolf wanted to mark, make Neil forever theirs, but this thing between them—whatever it was—was so new, uncertain. He forced his mouth away and took Neil’s lips again.
The human relaxed, began working at his belt buckle, and he did the same. Both of them were in a hurry to get out of their clothes. Once they were fully undressed, Nash kicked the pile of clothing aside, because he didn’t have any spare clothes that might fit Neil’s frame in case they made a mess.
Flesh to flesh was a lot better. He curled his fingers around Neil’s shaft and started to stroke, liking the little moans that spilled from Neil’s mouth.
“God,” Neil whispered. “Just like that.”
Nash flicked the pre-cum from Neil’s tip, circled the cockhead, before he started sliding his hand up and down Neil’s shaft. He worked the human faster, until Neil’s breathing changed.
“If you keep doing that,” Neil began, “I won’t be able to hold back.”
“You’ll come on my command.”
Neil stared at him for a couple of moments in disbelief, before throwing his head back when Nash gave his balls a squeeze.
“Do it,” Nash urged. “Come for me. I want to see you undone.”
A few pumps and tugs at Neil’s prick and the human came, groaning, spilling his seed all over Nash’s fingers. The sight of Neil’s languid expression, those eyelids fluttering shut, made his own dick hard as steel.
“I haven’t fucked you,” he stated. “Don’t fall asleep yet.”
“Then fuck me. Please?” Neil sounded like a lazy, sated cat.
Nash grabbed his jeans from the floor and took the lube from his wallet. He always carried it, along with condoms, just in case he wanted a little action after a tiring day at the office. Not that he’d had any action since Neil came into his life. Nash didn’t miss those one-night stands that left him empty. The wait was sure worth it though.
“No condom,” Neil said in a clear voice, the post-orgasm bliss clearing. “I know shifters don’t catch anything and I’m clean. I even have an app that has my medical records. Need to see?”
“An app?” Nash couldn’t help it, he laughed, which was a mistake because Neil glowered at him.
“I’m serious.”
“Good then, and no, I believe you.” Nash dispensed with the condom and began uncapping the lube. “In this fantasy, how did I take you?”
Neil’s eyes widened. “I still get a say?”
“Of course, but remember, I’m the one in control. Always.”
“You dominant wolves and your need to be the driver.”
“You like it,” Nash said simply.
Neil swallowed, nodded, then whispered, “From behind. In my dreams, you pound me against the door and shoot your load inside my ass.”
Chapter Eight
Oh God. Neil couldn’t believe those words just came out of his mouth. What would Nash think of him? But it had been so long for him, and Nash was the only man he could trust. Nash would never hurt him intentionally, he knew that, although he couldn’t explain why. The Alpha claimed his wolf was broken, but he didn’t think so.
Neil might be human, but he could sense the energy from Nash, like the wolf was always on the surface. He didn’t feel threatened though, but sensed a certain flair of possessiveness and protectiveness from the animal.
What was clear, though, was that a side of him he didn’t realize existed came out the moment Nash sealed his lips over his. This new him scared him a little. He wasn’t experienced when it came to sex. The only he’d been with was Lyle. Nash probably had plenty of lovers, but Neil took satisfaction in the fact that none of them had ever come close to knowing the real man underneath the wolf.
His mind went back to Nash, clamping his mouth against the side of his neck, teeth scraping against his skin. Even now, the visual gave him goosebumps. He knew for Nash, it was a sign of losing control, but it was the very same thing he’d wanted, longed for, to truly and fully belong to someone. Good thing Nash got a handle on his emotions though, because he had a feeling he wouldn’t have resisted.
Apprehension filled him when Nash didn’t say anything, but clear hunger burned in those gorgeous blue eyes. It turned out he had nothing to worry about, because that devious, killer smile appeared on Nash’s lips.
“You get your wish, little human. Next time, we do things my way.”
There was a next time? Before excitement took hold, Nash then slammed his mouth over his, but this time, the kiss was unexpectedly sweet, slow, and tender as if to make up for before. Heat uncoiled from his insides, traveled right to his groin. His dick woke up, and he was certain pretty soon he’d get his second orgasm of the day—which never happened.
How was it possible that this werewolf Alpha was capable of playing his body like a familiar instrument? Neil loved every moment of it though. He’d always known he was a submissive in the bedroom, liked it when his lovers took control, and Nash was an Alpha who knew how to lead the dance.
Then Nash spun him by the shoulder, so his front brushed against the wall. The Alpha gathered his wrists and placed them above his head.
“Keep your hands above your head.” Definitely a command, not a question. He liked it though. Nash didn’t bother with restraints, trusting he’d hold his end of the bargain of behaving.
“I’ll try.”
The Alpha’s hot breath brushed against the nape of his neck, then teeth. He shuddered as Nash bit, not hard enough to draw blood, but enough to bruise.
Oh God. Nash marked him.
His heart raced, his dick thickened. Excitement crawled down his spine, coupled with adrenaline. High. That was exactly how he felt. It felt like the entire world and its problems faded away, their defined roles crumbling away.
Nash was no longer just his boss, but a man who wanted him, gave him what his body needed and had craved for a while now. The only danger lay in the Alpha werewolf being precariously close to claiming his heart.
Now wasn’t the time to think about that, he decided, moaning when Nash nudged his legs farther apart.
“Hold still.”
Feeling bratty, he thrust his ass at Nash, a provocative gesture, yelping when Nash’s hand came down on his ass cheeks. Shock entered his system, not by the playful swat, but how that single action aroused him.
“You like some bite to your pleasure, little human?”
“Oh, I do.”
Nash chuckled behind him, and he felt Nash’s cool, rough fingers at his entrance a second later. He moaned, surprised Nash pushed up until the knuckle first, before the rest. The Alpha added a second finger, made twisting motions, stretching his inner muscles.
“Are you teasing me on purpose?” he grumbled.
&
nbsp; “Just getting you ready. I’m not exactly small.”
That much was true. The first time he had seen the monster hanging between Nash’s legs, he’d wondered if that huge dick could fit into his tiny hole. Time to find out. He mewled when Nash reached over and gave his prick a warning squeeze.
“So hard for me already and I haven’t fucked you yet?” An amused voice. “Don’t come. Not without permission.”
“That’s hard.” He whined and got another smart whack to his left ass cheek. He groaned and pressed his chest, his dick, and his balls against the wall. Finally, Nash took out his fingers and Neil felt the wet head of Nash’s cock against his hole. He tensed. Nash ran his corded arms above his own, not to restrain him, but to hold him. Nash spread his fingers against the wall and planted his bigger ones above them.
“Ready?” Nash whispered in his ear.
“Yes. Please. Fuck me.”
Nash didn’t wait a second longer. The Alpha pushed inside him, one torturous inch at a time. God, Nash made his point. The Alpha was huge, stretching him. It burned, but he gritted his teeth and took it, knowing Nash was probably controlling himself from sliding all the way in.
“Relax for me, that’s it.” The Alpha’s voice was soothing, had a calming effect. Once Nash pushed past the thick ring of muscles, the burn eased. Finally, Nash sheathed himself all the way in. Neil gasped, finally feeling Nash stretching his inner muscles fully.
“Good job, baby,” Nash said, nipping at his ear.
Baby. He didn’t know why, but the term of endearment—which might have accidentally slipped out—sounded good on Nash’s lips. Neil hadn’t been anyone’s anything for a long time, and it was nice, belonging to someone again, even for the next few moments.
“Now,” Nash said, growling in his ear, making his spine tingle. “It’s my turn to make you feel so fucking good, it’ll feel like flying.”
Then Nash began to move in and out of him, finding a steady rhythm, and he soon forgot about the initial pain because it was replaced by sheer ecstasy. Nash curled his fingers over his, squeezing them, touch reassuring, comforting.