Ward parked the car, but neither one of them moved. The silence between them was becoming embarrassing, so Jamie decided to take a risk.
“Do you want to…”
“What about…”
They looked at each other and a laugh escaped Jamie, with Ward soon following.
“I was trying to ask you if you wanted to come up, maybe have a last cup of coffee or something.”
“I’d love to.”
And Jamie knew he was saying the truth. He felt the same way, as if every small thing they did together was important. That was the reason Jamie knew he would come to love the man sitting next to him.
Walking up the stairs, Jamie took a deep breath and prayed he was doing the right thing.
* * * *
Just the trip up the stairs was making Ward crazy with lust. Seeing Jamie’s tight little ass swinging right in front of his eyes had Ward hard as a rock. Damn, he’d known the wanting and needing was usually off the charts with a mate, but he hadn’t expected this. He might come with their first real kiss at this point.
Jamie opened the door and Ward was relieved to see the apartment was empty. His mate gestured to him to sit down while he stepped into the kitchen, then came back right away with a piece of paper in his hand.
“This is for you.”
“For me?”
“Yeah, it’s from Keenan,” Jamie said, blushing. “If you don’t want to read it…”
“No, I’ll read it.” Ward was definitely curious to see what his soon-to-be brother in law wanted to tell him.
Jamie handed him the note and disappeared once again in the kitchen. Ward listened to him moving around before he opened the note.
Ward,
I went out tonight so that you could have your wicked way with my brother. Don’t disappoint me! I left you lube and condoms under the couch cushions and in Jamie’s nightstand. Wait, do you need condoms? Never mind. Do me proud, kitty cat!
Ward groaned. This had to be the most embarrassing thing he had ever experienced, especially when Jamie stuck his head out of the kitchen and asked him,
“Something wrong?”
Ward shook his head and waited until Jamie was back in the kitchen before letting his hand wander to his right until it reached the dark cushion and slipped under it, coming out with a strip of condoms. Jamie chose that moment to come back in the living room with two cups of coffee and caught him with the thing in his hand. Ward felt himself blush and tried to put it back where he had found it, but it was too late.
“It’s not what you think!”
“So that wasn’t a strip of condoms in your hand?” Jamie asked cocking a brow.
“Well, yeah, but it’s not mine!” Not sure how to explain it, Ward handed the note to his mate and waited for him to put the coffees down and read it. Jamie’s cheeks went from a light pink to a dark red in the handful of seconds it took him to read.
“I’m…I’m sorry. Keenan is a bit…”
“Yeah, I noticed.”
Jamie sat beside Ward, but the silence between them was awkward now, thanks to Jamie’s baby brother. Maybe he should have let Bryce eat him. Not wanting for anything to become even worse, Ward started to get up.
“Look, I’ll go.”
“No, no! Stay, please. Can we forget about…that,” Jamie said waving his hand to the piece of paper that now was on the coffee table, “and just talk for a while?”
How could he say no to his mate when he was looking at him with such longing in his eyes? Ward knew Jamie was fighting the mating pull he felt toward him, but it was obvious he wasn’t a hundred percent in control. Deciding to take a risk, Ward turned to face Jamie and cupped his cheek, lightly stroking his smooth skin.
When Jamie didn’t protest, Ward leaned in, inhaling his mate’s sweet and cinnamon scent. The pulsing in his pants intensified as he feathered his lips over Jamie’s, once, twice, then dived back for a deeper taste, nipping at Jamie’s lower lip and making him gasp. Taking advantage, Ward slipped his tongue inside Jamie’s mouth, and his mate’s taste exploded on it. Stroking, Ward explored his lover’s mouth, taking his time. He caressed teeth and velvety skin, his hand lowering to Jamie’s waist, joining the other one.
The kiss had started exploratory, but it quickly became more urgent. As the passion rose between them, Jamie’s hands became frantic, pulling at Ward’s shirt, trying to touch skin, but Ward had to be sure, so he moved away, taking Jamie’s flushed face between his large hands. Looking into eyes that were gleaming with so much lust and passion, he asked, “Are you sure?”
Jamie nodded before attacking Ward’s lips, sucking his tongue into his sweet mouth. He climbed on Ward’s lap, straddling his hips and rocking against his dick.
Ward groaned and gave in, hoping Jamie wouldn’t regret it. He let his hands wander, pushing Jamie’s shirt up and caressing his chest as he took it off. The skin there was soft and pale, encouraging touch, and Ward just had to taste. Leaning down, he latched on one small pink nipple, sucking and lightly biting the satiny skin into his mouth until it beaded.
Jamie moaned softly, and the sound was sweet to Ward’s ears. He released the moist nub and let his mouth travel along Jamie’s chest to the neglected nipple before giving it the same attention he’d given to its twin. Jamie’s hands clutched at Ward’s hair, pulling the short strands as he writhed under Ward’s care, and damn if Ward wasn’t proud to be able to make his mate react like that with just a few touches.
Ward flipped them quickly, laying Jamie down on the couch while thinking that maybe Keenan really had had a good idea stashing lube under the cushion after all. He didn’t think they would actually go all the way and make love tonight. Jamie wasn’t ready for it. Ward could still take care of his mate, however, and that was what he intended to do. He wanted to bask in his mate’s soft moans and whimpers, to let Jamie know that he already cared for him.
Ward’s body felt too tight, all of his blood rushing down to his hard shaft, making it impossible to think about anything that wasn’t his mate moving under him. Pulling his own shirt off, Ward leaned down for another kiss, enjoying the skin-to-skin contact as their chests slid against each other and the feeling of their cocks grinding together, separated only by a few layers of clothes.
Ward caressed and licked his way down Jamie’s flawless chest, grinding his teeth when his lover’s moans threatened to snap the control he had over his cat. The leopard badly wanted to claim his mate, but this was all about Jamie, about making him feel loved and wanted.
Ignoring his own rock hard shaft, Ward nibbled at Jamie’s bellybutton before licking his way down the trail of soft blond hair until he reached his mate’s pants. Snapping the button, Ward pulled the flaps apart and slid the pants lower on his lover’s hips while Jamie helped him by pulling up his sweet, sweet ass.
Using his teeth, Ward lowered Jamie’s underwear, revealing a dark-pink weeping cockhead. Jamie’s shaft sprung free, already moist with pre-cum, and Ward thought he had never seen anything sexier than the vision he had in front of him. Jamie was spread on the couch, his cheeks and chest flushed and his eyes dark with passion, his hands deep in Ward’s hair and his cock curving over his stomach, dampening it with pre-cum that Ward desperately wanted to lick.
Ward looked at Jamie’s face, still in awe at the trust his mate was putting in him so soon after their first encounter. Jamie’s teeth were biting down on his lower lip in anticipation of what was about to happen. Sliding his hands on his lover’s thighs, Ward stuck his tongue out and gave a first lick to Jamie’s dick, savoring the man’s pre-cum, spearing the small slit to drink it all.
Ward could feel his mate’s legs quiver and his hands caressing Ward’s scalp, his nails digging deeper when he opened his mouth and lightly sucked the head in.
“Ward,” Jamie said with a shaky tone before trying to pull his legs up but stopping short. Jamie’s pants were still just under his ass, and Ward needed more space to continue.
Helping Jamie to compl
etely pull off his pants and underwear, Ward tossed them away, then turned back to his mate’s throbbing cock. Swallowing it, Ward had to reach and still Jamie’s hips when the smaller man bucked under him, a cry escaping his lips. Running his tongue on the vein that ran along the shaft, Ward used his finger to tease Jamie’s heavy sac. The wrinkled skin felt good under his fingertips, and Ward wanted to taste it. Working his tongue down to Jamie’s balls, he lapped at them before sucking them one at the time into his mouth, running his tongue on them and enjoying his mate’s whimpers while inhaling his scent. It was spicier here, a heady musk that went straight to Ward’s head, pulling him closer to the edge.
Sticking one finger in his mouth along with Jamie’s ball, Ward got it wet before smoothing it on his mate’s perineum and slowly sliding it down to Jamie’s puckered hole, then returning his mouth to his lover’s prick. Taking it down his throat, Ward tightened the muscles while his finger slid in Jamie’s heat.
Straddling his mate’s thigh, Ward set a rhythm with his mouth and finger while grinding his cock on Jamie’s leg, enjoying the sigh of Jamie becoming unglued. It didn’t take long for Jamie to reach a breaking point, much to Ward’s delight. He felt Jamie’s channel squeezing down on his finger as his mate screamed Ward’s name, his hands tightening on Ward’s hair and pulling it slightly.
“Ward!”
Jamie threw back his head, his back arching as he came hard down Ward’s throat, hot seed filling his mouth. Ward licked Jamie’s cock clean and continued to kiss and lavish the softening prick while humping his mate’s leg a few more times. With a groan, Ward came in his pants, regretting that it wasn’t his mate’s tight ass but knowing it was way too soon for that. It was incredible that he had come without Jamie even touching him, just from the pleasure he had given his mate.
They both were breathing raggedly when Ward lay back down on the couch, draping Jamie on his chest and hugging him tight. He knew he should clean up, but he was willing to feel a bit of discomfort later just to enjoy his afterglow with his mate.
Ward chuckled. “Damn, it’s been years since I came in my pants.”
Running his fingers down Jamie’s naked side, Ward noticed how tense his mate was, how his fingers were tightly closed.
“What’s wrong?”
Jamie pushed himself up, avoiding Ward’s eyes while he reached for his shirt. Putting it on, he grabbed his pants and held them in front of his cock while he searched for his boxers.
“Look, I think you should go,” Jamie said, never looking at Ward.
“Jamie, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” Ward didn’t think so, but he wanted to be sure.
“No, I’m fine. I just…I need time, okay?”
Ward nodded. He could understand that Jamie was confused, but he didn’t like thinking that his mate might regret what had happened between them. Deciding to give his lover time, Ward stood up and put his shirt on. He wished he could go in the bathroom and clean up, but from Jamie’s face that wasn’t an option, so he would have to wait to take off his sticky pants.
Reaching down, Ward stroked Jamie’s cheek and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. His mate was still avoiding his gaze, and he didn’t like it, but at least he didn’t avoid the kiss.
“I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch?” he asked, hoping the answer would be yes.
Jamie hesitated before answering. “Yeah.”
Giving his mate one last kiss, Ward left Jamie near the couch and stepped out the door.
Chapter Three
Jamie had panicked. He knew what was going to happen when he had asked Ward to come in, and he had been okay with it, more than okay. And the blow job…Jamie got hard whenever he thought about it, and he had been thinking about it almost nonstop since last night, making himself damn uncomfortable in his pants.
Everything had been perfect until reality had crashed down on him. He was scared. Ward was becoming too important, too fast, for him to be comfortable with the situation. It wasn’t even because he was a shifter anymore. As strange as that was, Jamie was actually fine with it. No, it was opening his heart again that scared him to death.
Colin had dumped him only a few months ago, and after what had happened, he was terrified—not only of opening his heart again, risking being hurt, but also of starting a new relationship. It had been so easy with Colin. They had been together for four years, knowing each other, being sure of the other’s love. Then again, now Jamie could see it wasn’t exactly true. But starting a new relationship was a jump into the unknown, so yeah, he was scared.
Still, Ward didn’t deserve this. Sure, they had met only a few days ago, but the guy hadn’t done anything to deserve being pushed away without at least an explanation. Jamie had seen the hurt in his eyes, and he hadn’t liked it. But he had been helpless to do anything else at the time. Hopefully he would understand once Jamie told him what happened.
Ward hadn’t done anything that Jamie wasn’t okay with, and their evening was wonderful. His mate was kind, easy going and so, so sweet. Jamie definitely had some groveling to do to make it up to him, and hopefully he wouldn’t freak again.
Groaning, Jamie let his head roll against the back of the couch, his eyes closed as he tried for the hundredth time to understand his fears and to let them go, but they were still there.
“Sooo…did you get lucky last night?”
Jamie cracked his eyes open to see Keenan approaching. His brother sat down on the couch next to him, slouching as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He probably didn’t. He snatched Jamie’s beer from his hand and took a drink before giving it back.
“I fucked it up, Keenan,” Jamie said, rolling the bottle in his hands.
That got his brother’s attention. He sat a bit straighter before asking, “What happened?”
“Well, Ward got your note, and I found him with a strip of condoms in his hand.”
“Tell me you didn’t throw him out for that?”
“I didn’t. I know you all too well not to know that was your plan. Ward doesn’t seem like the type of man who expects me to put out on the first date.”
“So you didn’t? Put out, I mean?”
Jamie blushed a bit and a slow grin spread on his brother’s face.
“Come on, spill the beans!” Keenan was nearly bouncing on the couch.
“Well, we did…stuff, and afterwards, he started cuddling, but I freaked out and pretty much threw him out,” Jamie said with a sigh. Was there anything more embarrassing than discussing his sex life with his brother?
“But why? Did he force you?” Keenan‘s voice was almost a growl. He was as protective of Jamie as Jamie was of him.
“No, no! I very much wanted it, but I’m scared, Keenan.”
“Is this about Colin?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on, he’s a jerk! He cheated on you and would have continued if that girl hadn’t told him she was pregnant and was ready to scream it on the rooftops.”
“I know, but what if I’m not enough for Ward? I mean, he’s hot, and he’s a shifter, and he has his own business. Me? I’m a plain human who works as a clerk! What if in four years he gets tired and wants to leave me? He won’t be able to, and he’ll hate me for it.” Jamie wasn’t going to let the tears run down, but damn, it was hard.
Keenan sighed and grabbed his hand.
“Jamie, you can’t let the fears and what ifs lead your life, I already told you that. You’re a great guy, and you deserve to love and be loved. Of course it’s going to be hard trusting again. But Ward hasn’t done anything to make you think he doesn’t deserve your trust. And he wouldn’t go out with you if he didn’t like you. Talk to him, try to work things out, but give him a chance. He can wait for you, and he will, if he really wants to build something with you.”
Jamie squeezed back. “I know. But it’s hard, you know? My heart wants to let him in, like, now, but my mind keeps telling me to wait, and I don’t know which one I want to listen to anymore.”
“Well, sinc
e you usually listen to your mind and it hasn’t worked out well up to now, I suggest you try the other way this time.”
Jamie laughed, giving his brother a small shove.
“Come on, you know it’s true! You were the one who told me you weren’t sure about Colin, but you stayed with him anyway even though you knew something wasn’t right.”
Keenan was right. As carefree as his brother always seemed, Jamie knew there was much more to him. Keenan saw things much better than most people, and he read people really well.
“What do I do now?”
“You apologize, you explain what happened and that you might need a little time to learn to trust Ward, and you put out. The guy really deserves it,” Keenan said with a smirk.
Jamie pulled his brother into a bear hug. “Thank you.”
Keenan patted him on the shoulder. “I’ll always be there for you. And you know I’m joking, right? Don’t do anything if you don’t fell like it.”
“But I do feel like it! I’m not sure Ward will be as enthusiastic after what happened yesterday, though.”
“Of course he will. I’m sure once you talk, you two will be okay,” Keenan said, leaning back in the couch. “So, want to tell me exactly what you two were up to last night?” he asked, wiggling his brows.
Oh god, he wanted details! Just like that, serious Keenan was gone, but Jamie knew it would always come out whenever he needed it. He was lucky to have his brother.
“I’m not telling you, that’s just…too weird.”
Keenan pouted, his lip sticking out. “Come on, go get ready for your date.” Keenan waved him away and reached for the remote, flipping the TV on another animal documentary. “Oh, by the way, I’m going out with Bryce tonight. Not sure when I’ll come back, so if you let Ward stay over just put a tie on your door or something.”
“Bryce, uh?”
“Yeah, he’s a nice guy.” Keenan turned back to the TV and Jamie knew that he wouldn’t get anything out of his brother. Jamie knew that while Keenan was straight, he didn’t have any problems experimenting, and he wondered if there was something more between him and the cougar. But even if there was, it wasn’t his business to know about, and Keenan was big enough to know what he was doing.
Whitedell Pride 1 - Jamie Page 4