Grover [Wounded Hearts 3] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Fel Fern

  “Fine, be like that,” Dusty said at his silence. “Do you think I should get a dog, too?”

  “I hear,” Grove said in a serious tone. “Hedgehogs are becoming more popular.”

  To his left, Abram gave him a sharp nudge and Mike coughed at that comment.

  “Seriously?” Sometimes it was fun to jerk Dusty’s chain, because the younger man always followed their advice, even if they were no longer serving in the same unit.

  Grover let the conversation wash over him, wondering if he should be the one to ring up Eric instead. Was that being too presumptuous? What if Eric had forgotten him already? Fuck. Grover was no good at this. Aiming a rifle at a target seemed much easier than navigating the waters of—what, a relationship?

  God. Once, he woke up each day wondering if it was his time to die. Now, he was reduced to a broken shifter clinging desperately to the hope that the stranger he’d bumped into might be remotely interested in him. If Abram and Mike hadn’t found their mates, Grover would have never considered the notion guys like them had a chance at finding their soulmates.

  Now he did, and hope was fucking dangerous.

  Grover found himself reaching into the inner pocket of his jacket, reaching for his phone. Startled when it suddenly vibrated, he took it out and fumbled for the answer button, suddenly not remembering where it was.

  “Give me that,” Mike, the prick, insisted and snatched it from his hands. He growled, his jaguar was awake and eager to hear good news. A second later, Mike said, “Grover’s phone. Who’s this? Oh, Eric? Wait, he’s right here.”

  Then Mike thrust the phone at him.

  Shit. He didn’t like knowing all the other guys were listening in. Why the fuck were they acting like a bunch of nosy teenagers?

  “Hello?”

  He must have sounded grumpy, because Eric hesitantly asked, “Is this a bad time?”

  “No. What’s up?”

  Grover preferred to have this conversation elsewhere, but that meant stirring Pancake up and fumbling his way outside. Pancake was insistent on being with him everywhere, even outside the restroom. It was kind of adorable. At first, Grover had been irritated the puppy followed him everywhere, even though Pancake was just doing his job. Then without realizing, he’d started falling for the mutt.

  “About that coffee,” Eric began, and when he didn’t continue, he realized Eric was expecting him to say something.

  “Yeah, you owe me coffee.”

  Abram gave him another nudge. What the hell was he doing wrong?

  “My treat,” he corrected.

  “Oh, you don’t have to. Are you free tomorrow after lunch?”

  “You’re not working?” Shit. Grover shouldn’t have mentioned that testy subject.

  “I’ll be done then,” Eric said quickly. Grover heard a man shouting in the background and Eric quickly said, “Meet you at the park? I need to go.”

  “See you.” Eric cut the call and Grover frowned. So many questions swam in his head. Eric sounded terrified when that man in the background shouted. A father, an older brother? Never mind, tomorrow he’d find the answers.

  Chapter Four

  “I’m going out, see if I can find more marks,” he told Evan in a low voice.

  His brother nodded, still looking pale and miserable, and buried himself further under the blankets. Eric touched Evan’s forehead. The fever was going down but Evan still needed rest. He bit his lip, hating to lie to his brother. In a way, he was still doing his job. He’d still come up short for their quota, so he was going to find a few more loose pockets before meeting Grover for their date. Risky of him to meet Grover, but never before had he wanted anything so badly in his life.

  One date, one taste of what it was like, being on a date with someone he was attracted to. That was all he asked. Eric had been working hard and felt worn down to the bone. He needed some down time and he knew the protector he paid to watch over Evan at Sanctuary while he wasn’t there would do his job. Still, he hesitated.

  “I’ll be fine. Go away,” Evan muttered.

  “Are you sure?”

  Evan snorted. “I’m not a kid, Eric. Bring home some valuables and when I’m all better, I’ll pay you back.”

  “I’m your brother, family. You owe me nothing,” he whispered fiercely.

  Evan snuggled further into the blankets.

  “I’ll be back soon,” he said.

  It still wrecked his heart to see Evan curled up in blankets by their corner of Sanctuary. Sanctuary. Ironic name for an abandoned warehouse Jackal had converted into a den for his thieves, because all it gave was the safety of illusion. Back when he’d been Evan’s age, it’d made him proud to be part of something. It was better than being a cast-off of society. Hell, it beat sleeping in the streets.

  Now that he was older, he saw what Jackal had built—a greedy little empire for himself. Eric cast a glance at their neighbors. Jackal didn’t care for age or any specific paranormal species over another. Old or young, man or woman, vampire or shifter, Jackal found a use for everyone.

  Alice, an old witch, smiled at him, but the rest seemed busy in their own little world. “Don’t worry your little head off, Eric. I’ll watch over him.”

  He nodded, but before leaving, he searched for Boone, one of Jackal’s enforcers whose first loyalty was to money and who was on guard duty outside the warehouse.

  “I’m heading out,” he told Boone—code for “keep a look out for Evan.”

  “Happy hunting,” the werewolf muttered.

  The werewolf enforcer and he had an arrangement. If Eric was out on a job and Evan was here, Boone would make sure no one else came near his brother. They weren’t friends, more like Eric was paying off Boone, but it was a beneficial arrangement. Boone avoided his gaze and his stomach plummeted. What happened when he couldn’t pay Boone any longer?

  Refusing to think about that now, he hurried onward. Eric took the bus to the neighborhood that somewhat made up the town’s financial and business center. He’d dressed up a little better today, both for the date with Grover, and to blend in with the rest of the suits. He wore a neatly pressed button-down suit, black jeans, and a blazer he’d take off later. Glasses, neck tie, and a computer bag—sans computer—completed the look. He stooped his shoulders and took on the appearance of a haggard intern while he quickly picked wallets.

  He moved fast toward a coffee place a lot of suits frequented. He bought coffee and a cookie for two bucks, then fished out wallets and a gold watch from some patrons, and exited before anyone figured out they were missing anything. Eric dumped the belongings into the bag and sipped his coffee. He wrapped the cookie as a treat for Evan later on.

  Eric followed the same pattern several times, moving to a deli next, then another cafe before retracing his steps back to the Cherry Hill park where he’d first met Grover. He shrugged off his jacket, loosened his tie, and collapsed on the nearest bench, exhausted.

  He studied his surroundings. Aside from an old man walking his dog and a harried-looking mother pushing a stroller, no one took notice of him. He pawed through his loot of the day, stomach sinking at the realization it wouldn’t be enough. Shit. Collection day was at midnight.

  “Looks like you’ve been busy,” a familiar deep voice remarked.

  He jumped in his seat, relaxing a fraction as he saw Grover. His heart still hammered at the sight of the big jaguar shifter. “I didn’t even hear you,” he muttered, then noticed Pancake was missing. “Where’s Pancake?”

  “At the vet. He was sick this morning. I think one of the neighbor’s kids fed him chocolate while I was talking to the kid’s mother.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. You can manage to get around without him?” Eric asked, intrigued by the notion Grover could get around without his guide dog.

  “He’s helpful, but I can. I just need to be extra careful when crossing the streets or when I’m looking for directions, I have to rely on my nose and ears for familiar scents and sounds,” Grover expl
ained. “You ready?”

  “Yeah.” He zipped up his loot and stood. “How did you know I was busy?”

  “Sound of clinking and other scents. I’m treating you to dinner tonight, no arguments.”

  Eric snorted. “But I asked you out. Are you being nice because I’m a thief and you assume I have no money?”

  Grover frowned. “Why do you overthink things?”

  The jaguar shifter was being nice, he realized, and he’d reacted defensively. “I’m sorry. I accept then. Can I give you a kiss then?”

  Grover’s mouth curved to a delicious-looking smile. “Oh? How did I get lucky?”

  “Because,” he muttered. Brave now, he ran his fingers up Grover’s chest and groaned. Eric badly wanted to touch, to pet, if Grover would let him. A growl rumbled out of the jaguar shifter, making him shudder. “I’ve been thinking of that kiss we had, and wanted you to do it again. I want more.”

  “Demanding little cat, aren’t you?” Grover reached out and he leaned in close to make it easier for Grover to grab the back of his neck.

  “Don’t miss and end up kissing my nose instead,” he whispered.

  “Are you making fun of me?”

  “Nope, just wanting that kiss.”

  Grover didn’t miss. The jaguar shifter sealed his lips over Eric’s and sent Eric over the moon. He shut his eyes. The park and all his problems bled away until all that was left was this big, delicious, dominant male crushing his body. His dick thickened and he could tell Grover was aroused too because of the bulge in Grover’s jeans.

  Fuck, but the jaguar shifter was all heat too and Eric curiously rubbed himself against the bigger cat. Grover let out that vibrating growl again, amplifying his need.

  “Let’s not go to a restaurant,” he said, panting after Grover released his lips. He took a step back so he could think.

  “What’s your suggestion?”

  “Let’s go back to your place, order in, watch a movie, and enjoy each other.”

  He didn’t tell Grover that he didn’t want any of Jackal’s spies catching him and reporting his extracurricular activities back to their boss. Jackal discouraged interactions with outsiders. Usually, Eric followed all the rules to ensure Evan and his survival, but screw it. The rules didn’t matter now, not when he felt like he was on the verge of something important.

  Mate, his tabby cat whispered, but the revelation didn’t startle him. Grover was his mate and that explained why he couldn’t bear to be apart from the jaguar shifter for so long. Still, it was dangerous because he didn’t want Grover to be involved in his mess. Better for him to stay away, but he couldn’t keep his distance any longer. Need ate at him, consumed him until there was nothing left.

  “I like the sound of that,” Grover replied. “I live on Cherry Blossom lane.”

  Despite the pretty name, that wasn’t a neighborhood Eric usually frequented when looking for marks.

  “Rough neighborhood,” he said but nonetheless followed Grover out of the park.

  He took out his phone and inputted the street so he knew where to go. Grover didn’t seem to mind either when he reached out and closed his fingers over Grover’s. The jaguar shifter gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Oh. This was nice. For tonight, Eric could pretend. Pretend they were this cute little ordinary couple that held hands and did wild things once in the bedroom.

  Why then did his chest constrict so painfully, like his heart threatened to burst out of his rib cage? Eric knew the answer. He wanted this so much, it hurt. To be with Grover, to—no. Eric refused to linger on that trail of thought. Hope was a weed he had to kill before it reached full bloom.

  “It’s okay. Most of the folks don’t bother me. I have nothing worth stealing and my jaguar usually scares them off.”

  “Was that jab directed at me?”

  Grover laughed. “No. Your choice of profession is questionable, but I’m in no position to give you advice.”

  “Questionable sounds about right,” he muttered.

  “Did something happen?”

  Hearing the concern in Grover’s voice, he changed the topic. “So, what do you do? I mean, in your free time?”

  Grover didn’t press him about his personal troubles, which suited Eric just fine. Maybe the jaguar shifter thought that he’d open up when he was ready. Too bad that was never. Keeping Grover out of that aspect of his life would ensure Grover would never get hurt. Still, he knew he couldn’t keep this up forever.

  Mate or no, Grover could never find a place in his life. God. Just thinking of Jackal or one of his enforcers hurting Grover made him sick in the stomach. His tabby didn’t like that though, the notion of eventual separation, but at least his animal understood it was to keep their jaguar mate safe.

  He shook his head. Only the present mattered. Eric would think about the consequences of his actions later.

  “I have army pension but I usually work remotely at home for extra cash. I don’t like being out in public or socializing much, although I keep in touch with old army buddies.”

  “Remotely?” he asked, curious.

  Eric wanted to know so much. Not a good idea forming any attachments. Too bad Grover had already managed to find a secret door to his heart without even realizing it because Eric never cared so deeply about anyone before, aside from his own brother.

  “Customer service for a company that sells military apparel and bags to the public,” Grover said, making him laugh.

  “Seriously?”

  “Does that surprise you?”

  “Nope, I mean, it’s still an honest way of earning a living.”

  “I have the distinct feeling you’re forced into your current profession.”

  “I did it so my brother and I could survive.” Eric didn’t know why the truth came out so easily. Grover was a good listener and the only soul Eric felt comfortable with emptying his overburdened heart. He needed to shut up though, avoid leaking any more secrets. “Can we not talk about that? Please?”

  “For now,” Grover said, voice firm.

  “Fine.” He noticed they’d entered Grover’s street now. A couple of kids called out to Grover, harmlessly teasing, asking if Eric was Grover’s date.

  “Fuck off,” Grover said in their direction, but he could tell Grover was familiar with them.

  “Never expected you to be Mr. Popular,” he remarked.

  “They’re good kids, just misdirected. We’re near my building.” Grover gave him his address and he found the building.

  They entered and he tugged Grover to the elevator, and when the jaguar shifter claimed his lips, Eric knew it wouldn’t be long before Grover possessed his body, and his heart wouldn’t be far along.

  Chapter Five

  Grover didn’t know what had come over the little cat today, but he liked the fire in Eric’s eyes. They stumbled from the elevator to his unit with Eric helping him open the door once he took out his keys. They crashed into his one-room apartment. Once the front door shut behind them, he was about to lock it when Eric grabbed a fistful of his shirt—the eager little thing.

  Something had changed in Eric; he could sense it. Grover planned on getting the answers he wanted from his little cat, find out the source of Eric’s fear, but he’d put them off a little while longer. Needing to be in control, he spun Eric by the shoulders and shoved the tabby cat shifter against the wall.

  Eric was ravenous and slipped his hands beneath his shirt, touching, exploring. Usually Grover didn’t let anyone have touching privileges, but Eric was different. His mate. No use overthinking what that word implied yet. Eric’s need echoed his own and he slammed his lips over Eric again, savoring Eric’s sweet taste of submission on his tongue. He pushed his tongue past Eric’s tongue and the little cat opened up for him and sucked down hard on his tongue.

  Fuck, what a little hellion he had on his hands, and his jaguar liked that. There was steel underneath Eric’s smooth supple flesh. Beneath that steel, lay a heart that beat as furiously as his own. He ran his ha
nds down Eric’s sides, annoyed at the obstruction of fabric, so he ripped that off. A moment ago, he’d brushed against tiny, rounded things. Buttons. This was easier.

  Eric gasped, but soon recovered, peeling his shirt away. He let out a breath, probably taking the sight of him in. Before Grover had lost his sense of sight, scars had crisscrossed his body. He knew his rough flesh was a sharp contrast to Eric’s skin. Grover waited, not the least bit self-conscious. He couldn’t change what he was, or what he’d seen and lived through.

  “Mmm, so many places to explore,” Eric said and Grover felt quick fingers on his shades a second later. He gripped Eric’s fingers without warning. “I want to see.” The little cat insisted.

  “It’s not pretty.”

  “I don’t care. These scars are part of you.”

  “It will ruin the mood.” And Grover sure as hell didn’t want that. It had been so long for him, that so much longing surged through him.

  “Nonsense.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  Grover let Eric take the sunglasses off, wondering if he should take a step back because soon, Eric would tell him he’d changed his mind. Grover didn’t blame the little cat. Unlike some of his brothers, he didn’t bother finding out if other men would still be attracted to a broken shifter. He knew no one would willingly bed a monster. But he felt Eric’s cool fingers brushing across the ragged scars. The little cat’s touch was comforting and, fuck, did Eric have a heart so huge, it was mind blowing.

  “That’s not so bad, right?” Eric whispered.

  “No,” he agreed, deciding he wanted to play now that it was certain Eric wouldn’t run away from him screaming.

  He dragged his nails down Eric’s slender body, petted and stroked, memorizing every detail in his head. It didn’t help when Eric sighed against him, like a cat in heat. Once he reached the button of Eric’s jeans, the little cat’s breathing turned shallow. Smiling to himself, he pried the zipper open and curled his fingers around the velvet, slick heat of Eric’s cock.