Secret Chemistry (Shifters)

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Secret Chemistry (Shifters) Page 9

by Kat, Chris T.


  Tim couldn’t suppress a longing yip as he lay in the grass, watching Jay interact with Paula. Jay swiveled his head around at Tim’s yip, causing Jay’s father to cast an irritated glance at his son.

  Well, probably only his foster or adopted son, Tim thought. From what he understood, almost two decades ago, Jay’s father and sister had been killed by Thompson, Ralf’s former beta, and his followers. There had been no word about Jay’s mother, at least none Tim was privy to.

  Tim didn’t want to think about Richard Thompson or what had happened to Paula. All he wanted was to jump Jay, drag him away, and finally, finally mate with him. Tim moaned as his cock swelled even more.

  Jay coughed before turning abruptly toward the car. Annoyed, his father called out for him, “Jay?”

  “Just getting my coat. I’m freezing.”

  Freezing. The bulge in Jay’s jeans indicated a completely different kind of problem. One he obviously intended to hide behind a long coat.

  Jay emerged back with a coat that covered his crotch and ass. Jay’s father raised an eyebrow, which brought a tinge of red onto Jay’s cheeks. The poor guy couldn’t stand still for more than a few seconds.

  Tim watched Ralf approach and greet the two other men. Ralf asked Paula, “Where’s Tim? His car is here, but I didn’t see him anywhere.” To their guests he explained, “Tim is my son and responsible for showing our horses.”

  “Tim?” Jay echoed in a faint voice.

  The other three people looked at Jay in surprise. Mr. Cox was the first to recover and asked, “Do you know him?”

  “Uh, what? No, I… I just… the name sounded familiar,” Jay said.

  Mr. Cox’s eyebrows knitted together even further. Laying a hand on Jay’s forehead, he shook his head. “You don’t feel warm. What’s up with you? You’ve been out of it since we started driving this morning.”

  Tim could barely prevent himself from lunging at Mr. Cox. How dare he touch Tim’s mate so intimately? He growled, a low, rumbling noise in his chest, alerting the ponies of his presence. They pranced nervously in the pasture before taking refuge in the far corner.

  All the adults looked at the horses in concern. Ralf murmured, “I wonder what has them so nervous.”

  Paula took hold of Ralf’s hand, saying, “Maybe something frightened them.”

  Even from his hiding place, Tim could see that Paula simultaneously talked to Ralf telepathically. Ralf’s eyes widened before he directed his steely gaze right at the barn. Tim swallowed, suddenly feeling pinned.

  Tim winced upon hearing Ralf’s voice booming in his head, Whatever is going on—I don’t care. We have a business here, and I need you to show the horses to the Coxes. Get dressed and come out to meet us.

  Dad! I don’t think—

  Timothy! Now!

  Tim groaned in despair. He was headed for a disaster, he just knew it.

  Thirteen

  DAD! How am I supposed to get into the house? They’ll see me, Tim said, stalling.

  A stormy expression settled on Ralf’s face, the one that caused Tim to put his tail tightly between his legs, even as an adult.

  Seconds later, Paula’s voice reached him. Tim, we’ll offer the Coxes coffee in the kitchen. I’ll tell Robin to bring you some clothes to the barn.

  Okay.

  Tim? Are you sure you can do this?

  There doesn’t seem to be another option, does there?

  I’ll talk to your father and explain to him what’s going on.

  Tim huffed a breath, not really sure if he wanted Ralf to know his mate stood next to him, looking gorgeous and downright edible. Jay bounced slightly on his heels, obviously needing an outlet to get rid of nervous energy. He looked as if he didn’t know what was going on.

  Tim froze in shock. Mom? Mom! Do you… do you think it’s possible Jay doesn’t know he’s close to me? I mean, that he doesn’t know his mate is close by?

  Paula smiled at the Coxes before leading them inside. Jay had to be herded inside by Walter Cox because he kept staring at the barn.

  I think so, she replied.

  Tim groaned. Oh shit!

  Just be careful around him, she advised.

  And how am I supposed to do that? I can’t even think straight. How am I supposed to keep my body under control? Mom, I can’t… I can’t change back, Tim whined.

  Timothy Evans, you’ll do what you need to do. You’re stronger than that. You survived almost two decades without your mate; you’ll be able to control your instincts for an hour more, Paula said in her no-nonsense voice.

  Tim got up from his crouch, barely refraining from whimpering when the door closed behind his parents and the Coxes.

  You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about!

  Would you rather like to jump your mate in front of his father? Neither of the Coxes smell like a wolf—how do you think they’d react to a werewolf claiming Jayden Cox?

  They can’t…. Tim trailed off. Now was probably not the best time to inform Paula about Jay’s true nature, or that Mr. Cox most likely wasn’t Jay’s biological father.

  They can’t what?

  Never mind. You’re right. I’ll survive being close to my mate for another hour without claiming him. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my sanity, though.

  I’ll send Robin now.

  Okay.

  Tim waited until he saw Robin slipping out of the back door, a bag clutched in his hands. Robin headed straight for the barn, his baby-blue eyes large in his young face. At the barn, he whispered, “Tim, come inside.”

  Tim hastily walked past his brother. Robin followed swiftly, closing the door behind him. Tim shifted, all the while gritting his teeth. His body refused his commands at first, and only by collecting all his willpower was he able to shift successfully.

  Robin gasped, whirled around, and threw the bag in the rough direction of Tim, hitting Tim square in the chest.

  “Ow!” Tim protested. “Watch what you’re doing!”

  “Can’t. Too busy not losing my childish innocence completely,” Robin replied

  Tim frowned while he threw on his clothes. He hissed as he pulled up his briefs, trying to adjust his still-erect cock. Just the short touch of his fingers on his cock forced a drop of precome to spill from the slit.

  Robin slapped his hands over his ears. “Please tell me you’re not touching yourself. It’s bad enough to see my brother with a stiffie, but that… that’s just too much.”

  “I’m tucking myself in. If you know a way to do that without touching myself, I’d love to hear it,” Tim growled.

  Tim stepped into his jeans, groaning when the denim brushed over his erection. Zipping up and then fumbling the one button closed had Tim panting and sweating. He raked his hands through his hair as he became aware of his whole body trembling in need. “Oh, shit, I can’t do this. Robin, go tell Dad—”

  “The hell I am!” Robin said. He turned around, high color adorning his cheeks as he gestured toward Tim’s crotch. “You should put on your coat.”

  Tim gave him a lopsided grin. “I’m sorry this is embarrassing for you. We’ll talk about your bodily reactions when you find your mate.”

  “This is just gross. You’re my big brother! I should never have seen you with a… you know.” Robin broke off, waving his hands aimlessly in the air.

  Grinning, Tim said, “Since when are you so modest? It’s called a hard-on, stiffie, boner, what have you.”

  “Oh my God!” Robin moaned. “I’ll be having nightmares for the rest of my life!”

  Robin slapped his hands over his ears, covering them. He closed his eyes tightly and pinched his lips into a thin line.

  “Robin, come on, don’t be such a drama queen.”

  “Drama queen? Drama queen? Did you just call me a drama queen?” Robin sputtered. “By the way, your mate? He does not smell like a wolf.”

  Tim sighed. “I know.”

  “Won’t that make things, uh, weird?”

  Tim glare
d at his brother. Robin uncovered his ears and grinned cheekily at him. “You’re in an awfully difficult situation, brother dearest, huh? You’re all horny, sweating from unrequited desire, and you can barely control your wolf nature. That doesn’t sound pleasant, does it?”

  Robin bolted from the barn, laughing as Tim charged behind him. Within seconds, Tim caught up with him and tackled him to the ground. Once he had Robin pinned underneath him, he tickled him mercilessly, eliciting increasingly shrill squeaks and pleas to stop.

  Only when someone cleared his throat did Tim let go of Robin. Tim and Robin stared up at Ralf, who stood there with his arms crossed over his chest, looking anything but pleased. Tim swallowed, but before he could say anything, Jay’s scent overwhelmed him. He gasped and violently fought against the urge to howl and plunge in the direction of his mate.

  A hard slap followed by an equally hard tug on his shoulder jerked Tim around. Dazed, he stared down at Robin. His brother looked at him wide-eyed before he squeezed out, “Hey, do you mind helping me up?”

  Telepathically he added, You better control yourself, now. Mr. Cox is eyeing you quite warily.

  You’d better control yourself. This is impossible! Don’t you smell him? How good he—

  Stop! Baby brother, here, okay? I don’t need to know the details. Behave yourself.

  Tim couldn’t suppress the growl rumbling up in his chest. Robin coughed loudly to cover up Tim’s growl while loudly patting the dust from his clothes.

  Tim took in a deep breath, praying for his control to be stronger than he believed it was, and turned toward Ralf and the Coxes. He nodded a curt greeting before he extended his hand to the older Cox.

  “Pleasure to meet you, sir,” Tim said.

  “Same to you, but please call me Walter,” Walter Cox offered.

  Dry-mouthed, Tim forced himself to turn to the younger Cox and extended his hand to him as well. The scent radiating from Jay’s body almost made Tim sway on the spot, desire rushing through him hotly. Jay’s eyes were just as Tim remembered them. A light-blue color, sparkling with life and playfulness. Jay tilted his head sideways slightly, offering his throat in doing so. It had to be a subconscious gesture, but it thrilled Tim nonetheless.

  How much did Jay know about werewolves? He had to know who he was, right?

  “Hi, I’m Jayden Cox. Your dad said you’d be the one to show me the horses?”

  Tim could barely contain a whimper upon hearing Jay’s voice for the first time. It didn’t sound the way he remembered it, which was a given since Jay had only been three years old when they had met. The adult Jay’s voice sent pleasure through Tim, making his heart flutter.

  “Tim Evans. You want to go see the horses now?” Tim asked brusquely, his voice sounding hoarse and foreign to himself.

  Walter eyed Tim curiously, obviously sensing Tim’s agitation and unsure whether it was safe for Jay to go with the big man. Robin chose that moment to bounce over to Walter, enthusiastically shaking his hand and starting to chatter about the ponies. Robin dragged Walter behind him without giving him a chance to decline. Looking back over his shoulder, Walter asked Jay, “Jay, will you be okay or do you want me to stay with you?”

  “Dad!” Jay protested with a laugh. “I’m good.” Questioningly, he peered at Tim and asked, “Tim, uh, Mr. Evans, maybe you could take me out for a ride?”

  Robin choked, which effectively covered Tim’s distressed moan. Take him out for a ride, eh? I’m sure he’ll love it.

  Weren’t you the one who complained about getting too much information about my sex life?

  You’ve got a point.

  Tim shook his head to clear it, glanced at Ralf, and then said to Jay, “Sure, I’d like that, and please call me Tim. Follow me.”

  Tim was highly aware of Jay following close on his heels. Hell, Jay even sniffed the air. God! Tim would never make it onto a horse without losing his mind from the proximity of Jay.

  Tim? Ride southeast. The shelter there is fully repaired and should give you some privacy.

  Tim almost tripped over his own feet when he heard Ralf’s suggestion. Heat flooded his cheeks, but he managed to give Ralf a nod. Ralf smirked and followed Walter.

  Tim wondered if he’d ever survive the embarrassment of everyone in his family knowing what he was up to. After darting a quick glance at Jay, he knew he’d be able to survive anything once he’d finally claimed Jay as his mate.

  Fourteen

  TIM led Jay to the barn and then farther on, to the tack room. He pointed at a saddle and croaked out, “This is Starlight’s saddle. Her bridle is over there.”

  “Starlight? Is that the white one I saw outside?” Jay asked.

  Tim gritted his teeth, willing his canines to stay in their human shape. How could Jay talk as if nothing special was going on? Tim turned around to face Jay, ready to snap simply to release some tension.

  Jay’s pupils were dilated, almost taking up all of his eyes. A fine sheen of sweat covered his forehead, and a flush spread from Jay’s open collar over his throat and neck to his cheeks. Not so unfazed, then, Tim thought.

  After clearing his throat, Tim answered, “Yes, she’s very gentle and already trained in the basic dressage figures.”

  “Which one are you going to ride?”

  “I’m taking Ally, that’s the black mare with the four white socks.”

  Tim grabbed the saddle and bridle but stopped on his way out when Jay asked, “Do you have the grooming stuff outside already?”

  Tim barely refrained from slapping his forehead hard. Jay must think he was a fool or at least that Tim didn’t know anything about how successfully to run a stable.

  “Ah, no, sorry.” Tim smiled lopsidedly and added with a shrug, “I’m a bit out of it today.”

  “Oh, you too? My father keeps asking me if I’m okay, and I… um, sorry, I shouldn’t bother you with how I feel. I tend to talk too much. At least, that’s what my father always says.”

  Jay sucked in his bottom lip, biting into it before releasing it. He broke the skin on his lip, causing a very small drop of blood to ooze out. Tim’s jeans tightened around his crotch, the smell of Jay’s blood slamming into his oversensitive olfactory system.

  Jay’s hand on his chest jolted Tim to the core. Opening his eyes—when had he closed them?—Tim stared down at Jay. Tim wasn’t the tallest guy, only six foot one, but Jay couldn’t be taller than five foot six.

  “Are you okay?” Jay asked, tilting his head back to get a better view of Tim. He exposed his throat with that movement, sending a shiver up Tim’s spine. The urge to bite down hard at the junction between throat and shoulder was almost overwhelming.

  “Mr. Evans?” Jay tried. When he didn’t get a reaction other than a sharp intake of breath, he said softly, “Oh, sorry, I meant: Tim?”

  Tim swallowed heavily. In a daze, he watched himself reach out and rest both hands on Jay’s shoulders. Jay’s eyes grew big, and Tim felt a shudder run through his mate's slender body. Slowly, Tim slid his hands from Jay’s shoulders to his throat, until he cupped Jay’s face in his hands.

  Jay chuckled nervously but didn’t pull away. Instead, he closed his eyes and pressed his left cheek against Tim’s right hand, snuggling into it. Mesmerized, Tim watched Jay’s long eyelashes fluttering before they opened to reveal Jay’s eyes again.

  “Guess we have some sort of chemistry thing going on between us, huh?” Jay choked out.

  “You could say that.”

  “I’ve never felt this way before,” Jay confessed. “It’s scary but at the same time it’s not. I have the weirdest feeling I know you from somewhere. And now I sound like a complete idiot.”

  Tim opened his mouth to tell Jay they did know each other already, but something in Jay’s voice caused him to be cautious. What if Jay didn’t remember because he’d been traumatized? What if Jay didn’t want to remember? What if—

  “Tim? Did I freak you out?”

  “You, no, I….” Tim trailed off before ma
king another attempt at a coherent sentence. “This chemistry thing is driving me crazy.”

  Jay chuckled again. He pressed his other hand against Tim’s chest, right above Tim’s wildly beating heart. A throaty moan tumbled out of Tim’s mouth, eliciting a very pleased smile on Jay’s face.

  “I’d jump you here and now, which is something I usually don’t do, not ever, but my father would probably wonder why we don’t come out of the barn,” Jay said, his voice laced with deep longing.

  Tim stroked his thumbs along Jay's high cheekbones, feeling the soft skin. Slightly embarrassed, he heard himself puffing out air like a steam engine. He zeroed in on Jay’s parted lips, the tip of the tongue that slipped out to moisten them, and growled, “Tease.”

  Jay laughed, a light tone that hit right home, sparking a smile on Tim’s face. Throwing all caution to the wind, he bent down and kissed Jay hard. Jay gasped as he clutched Tim’s shirt tightly in his fists, opening his mouth to invite Tim in.

  Tim flicked his tongue against Jay’s, sending an electric jolt that bordered on painful throughout his body. Tim’s canines lengthened, fur spread all over his chest breathtakingly fast, and his balls ached fiercely. With a distressed groan, Tim pried his mouth off Jay’s and laid his head on Jay’s left shoulder.

  Tim breathed heavily, fighting with all he had against the shifting of his body, against the urge to throw Jay on the floor and have his way with him.

  Slowly, Tim regained control over his body, and Jay loosened his death grip on Tim’s shirt. Jay mapped Tim’s chest before he let his hands trail around and wander upward to Tim’s neck. He wrapped both hands around it, gave it a squeeze, and said, “If you fuck like you kiss, then I just found heaven on earth.”

  Tim crushed Jay to his chest, lifting him off his feet with the sheer force of his movement. Jay yelped but locked his arms tightly around Tim’s neck, holding on like this was the only thing that mattered to him. Tim understood because he felt the same way.

 

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