Evin's arms tightened around him. "Sounds very familiar," he began, his deep voice crawling inside and infusing Mason with additional heat. "Different situation, but still very much the same."
"Not a pleasant family experience when you decided to come out?" Mason glanced up. For a split second, he could have sworn what looked like a wave of pain washed over Evin's face, but then it disappeared.
"Something like that," he murmured.
"How long ago—"
"I heard you tell your father it had been a wolf that caused you to run off the road?"
Well, that was subtle... Mason clamped his mouth shut on the rest of his question. Apparently Evin's coming out wasn't a story they would be reminiscing about over coffee this morning. That was okay and something Mason could definitely understand. He wasn't all that eager to reveal his skeletons either. It felt too nice, at least for a little while, to forget who he was, where he came from, and what was waiting for him back home.
"I knew you'd hit a ditch, but I didn't get a chance to ask you about the details." Evin released his hold, left the bed, and made his way over to the dresser.
Mason followed his movements with his gaze as he crossed the room. Evin had pulled on a faded pair of blue jeans since he'd last seen him. A pair of denims that looked as if their creation had been inspired by the man's ass. Evin leaned over, rummaging through a drawer, sticking that perfect behind up for his inspection. Blood rushed to Mason's cock, sending him straight back to rock hard. Shit. He had to get Evin out of his system, because hanging around much longer wasn't an option.
"Yeah... It was one of those freakish, one-in-a-million type of things. This big white wolf appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the road as I came around a curve. Largest damn wolf I'd ever seen, with these big blue eyes." Mason propped his back against the headboard. Keeping one leg on the bed, he allowed the other to slide off. Since he was still nude, there was no hiding the fact he appreciated the view across bedroom.
When Evin didn't respond, Mason realized the other man hadn't budged. He stood with his back to Mason, staring at the shirt in his hands.
"Hey... Evin... You okay, man?"
Evin swung his head around. "Huh?"
"You were standing so still. I wasn't sure you'd heard what I'd said. Where'd you go?"
"A large white wolf. Yeah, I heard you." His gaze trailed from Mason's eyes and roamed lower until it rested on the hard length of his cock. "And in answer to your other question"—blue eyes darted back to Mason's—"I didn't go anywhere." Evin flashed him a smile that could only be described as sinful, right before he tossed his shirt over the footboard and crawled back onto the bed. Muscles bunched along his arms and across his shoulders as he slinked over the mattress. A primal beast moving in to take what was his. The knowledge that he was the primary focus of Evin's hungry gaze sent a bolt of lust sizzling along his nerve endings. Mason shivered.
Evin reached out and circled his fist around Mason's length. Mason sucked in a harsh breath through his teeth. With his other hand, Evin grasped the hair at the back of Mason's skull, yanking his chin up and putting them face-to-face. The tug at his roots and the pressure of the other man's fist around his cock had his heart hammering against his chest. God, how did Evin know exactly what drove him out of his fucking mind?
"Why would I want to go anywhere," Evin began, "when I have you?" His rough palm slid up and down his shaft. Mason groaned. "Right here." Evin leaned in and feathered his lips over Mason's. "Where I want you," he breathed against his mouth.
Chapter Five
Evin slid his spatula beneath the hamburger patty on the grill and flipped it onto its other side. Flames leaped from the coals and licked at the edges of the meat. The tantalizing smell of char-grilled beef invaded his nostrils, stimulating another rumble in his stomach. He glanced from the grill to the trees that lined the back of his property as Mason's words tumbled over and over in his head.
"A large white wolf with blue eyes..."
"Bigger than I'd ever seen."
It had been over forty-eight hours since he'd learned the details about what had sent Mason into that ditch, but Evin still couldn't shake the feeling that what Mason had seen that day hadn't been any ordinary wolf. And based on the description, there could only be one logical conclusion. But who the hell from the KinKaid pack would be sniffing around Dover? Many of their females, and a few select males, were blue-eyed with a white coat.
Pack law clearly stated that it was forbidden to contact one who had been banished. They risked expulsion themselves. Besides, there was only one person he knew of from his former life who even gave a crap whether he was dead or alive: Rosa.
Damn. Evin shook his head. For God's sake, Rosa, if it is you, what are you up to?
"Wow, that smells great."
The sound of Mason's voice yanked Evin back into the present. He turned and watched as Mason stepped from the screen door onto the deck. It felt so natural having him here. It was as if they'd been living together for months, not days. Mason had this uncanny ability to read his moods, knowing when he needed a few moments of alone time—and especially when he didn't. There was no denying the chemistry between them. He couldn't remember ever staying so fucking hard around a man. So asking him to find another place while his car was being repaired were words Evin couldn't find the will to utter.
They'd picked up some of Mason's belongings from his BMW on Saturday, giving him a few changes of clothes. Tonight he looked like he'd just stepped out of a Tommy Hilfiger catalog, in his sandals, white cotton shorts, and dark blue polo. The colors suited his fair complexion and blond hair. And those chocolate brown eyes... Evin melted every time he looked into them.
Mason pulled out a patio chair, sat, and then kicked back, stretching out his long legs. He wasn't quite as tall as Evin, probably only reaching about six feet. But when they came together, he fit Evin just right.
A flash of memory from last night flooded his mind: Mason's legs wrapped around his hips, Evin buried balls-deep as his cock spewed over and over... An odd flutter inside his gut had Evin reaching for his abdomen and rubbing his palm over the sensation. But this time, he knew it wasn't the need for food gnawing away at him. This particular hunger was for a whole different kind of sustenance.
And he needed to get his damn head examined.
If everything went as planned, and he managed to get his car back together, Mason was out of here tomorrow. Evin had known this from the moment he'd brought Mason back to his place.
And for Christ's sake, Mason was human.
A human and a shifter did not make a healthy choice for a long relationship. There was way too much at risk—for both partners involved: the continued secrecy of his kind's existence and the safety of the human.
"I'm starved."
Swinging his attention back to the grill, Evin said, "Yeah. Me too."
"Burgers almost ready?" The sound of aluminum scraping against wood came from Mason's direction. Evin glanced up as Mason left his chair and approached.
"Yup. I think so." Evin turned back to the coals. The warm feel of Mason's hand slid up the center of his back, followed by the hard nudge of his chest against Evin's arm. Evin closed his eyes and forced back the shudder of pleasure that wanted to grip him, the growl that wanted to roll from his throat. He gave his head a slight shake.
Dinner. Think about food. They needed to eat. "Do you like potato salad?" The words came out more croaked than spoken.
"What did you say?" Mason stepped back.
"Potato salad. Do you like it?" Evin grabbed the plate next to the barbecue and began moving the burgers off the grill.
"Oh. Sure. Yeah, I like it."
Cocking his head at Mason, Evin pointed the spatula toward the cabin. "On the bottom shelf in the fridge. Would you grab the container for us?"
"Coming up." Mason pivoted and made his way back into the cabin.
Evin moved to the patio table with the burgers and set the plate in its center. H
e dropped both palms to the surface, bracing himself on the acrylic, and breathed deep. What had he got himself into? This connection he felt with Mason had him reeling. His head spun, and his stomach roiled as if he were on some kind of roller coaster. Four days with Mason wasn't going to be nearly enough time to get the human out of his system. Then again, it was way too long. Because Evin had a bad feeling it wasn't going to take many more nights at all for him to lose his mind—and his soul to the guy.
By the time dinner was over, the sun's warm glow had turned the lower edges of the skyline to a brilliant orange, red, and yellow. Evin lifted his beer bottle while studying Mason's profile and took a swig. Mason had kicked his feet up in an opposing chair, looking quite relaxed. A much different pose than the one he'd been in a couple of days ago when he’d come out of the bathroom and found Mason on the phone with his father. The tension that had lined the other man's face had long vanished, but Evin hadn't forgotten the words he'd overheard from the other end of the line, thanks to the excellent hearing provided by his shifter DNA. The fact that Mason had settled for a life that wasn't his dream didn't sit well with Evin. He understood all too well the pain of living one's life to fulfill another's expectations. But unlike himself, Mason had remained at home, trying his best to make his father proud. Evin couldn't help but respect the other man for the love he held for his family.
"So Mason, tell me, if you weren't the assistant vice president at your father's company, what would you do with your life?" Evin lowered his Sam Adams to the table, leaned in, and propped his forearms along the clear surface. Mason turned in his seat, bringing his body around to face Evin.
"You really would like to know, wouldn't you?"
"Sure I would."
"Would you believe no one has ever asked me that before?"
Damn. Emotion nearly clogged Evin's throat as he narrowed his gaze on Mason. "So tell me, Brown Eyes. Who is Mason Thorne II, and what is he really into?"
"Easy." Mason tossed back a swig of his beer, swallowed, then said, "Music." He lowered his arm, taking the bottle back to the table with a clink of glass against the solid top. "I love playing the guitar. It's all I've ever wanted to do. It's hard to describe the peace I feel when I'm able to sit back and channel my thoughts and emotions into music."
"I'd like to hear you play sometime." Evin couldn't imagine how his family had failed to notice how Mason's eyes sparkled with life when he talked about his passion for the art.
"Sure." Mason nodded. "I'd love to play for you," he said and flashed a little smile.
Evin visualized Mason's hand and fingers moving over the long arm of a guitar, the other hand strumming the instrument and coaxing it to life. The mental picture accompanied by that damn sexy grin across the table had blood rushing to his cock. How could anyone ever resist giving him exactly what he wanted with a look like that? Evin dropped one arm from the acrylic and leaned back, allowing his palm to stroke the length of his denim-covered shaft. Mason hadn't missed the maneuver, judging by where his gaze was now fixed. Arousal flooded Evin's veins.
The sun had set, and the sound of the awakened creatures of the night filled Evin's ears along with the beating of his pulse. The wolf stirred under his skin. It wanted Mason.
He wanted Mason. Now.
Raw.
Wild.
Under the moon.
Evin pushed up from his seat, and Mason leaned back in his chair, his gaze following Evin's movements.
"I want to take you somewhere," Evin said and reached out, offering Mason his hand. With a quizzical look, Mason slipped his fingers around Evin's.
"Where?"
Evin pulled Mason to his feet and brought them chest-to-chest. "Come with me." Evin tossed him his best sly grin. "I promise you won't be disappointed."
"With you, Evin, I'm sure I won't be," he whispered, then leaned in and traced Evin's lips with the soft tip of his tongue. To his credit, though, he'd remembered not to slip it inside. Evin groaned with the overwhelming need to open and sample the sweet flavor of Mason's mouth.
Using every ounce of self-control he had, Evin pulled free. "Wait here," he managed to say. "Let me grab my keys." Evin brushed past Mason and stepped back inside.
"Your keys?" The muted sound of Mason's voice filtered through the screen door and the walls of the cabin.
Evin grabbed the few items he needed from the bedroom and was back outside in less than a minute. "Yup." He held up the key ring to his bike. "We're going for a ride to the back of the property line." Evin motioned with his head for Mason to follow and led him down the deck steps and around the side of the house to where he'd parked his Ninja. "We could walk, but I'd like to show you the area before it gets too late." Evin swung his leg up and over, then handed Mason his helmet. "Hop on."
Mason snagged the helmet from his hand. "What about you?" He slid the shell over his head, then positioned himself behind Evin.
"I'll be fine," Evin said over his shoulder. "We're not going far. I'd rather you be protected since you have to hang on."
The hard feel of Mason's body wrapped tight around him had Evin's cock hot and throbbing against his zipper. He stirred on the seat, hoping to ease the burn. But it proved useless. The only thing capable of temporarily dousing the flames was the man who kept the fire stoked.
As if on cue, Mason found the hem of Evin's T-shirt and slipped his hands underneath. The warm feel of his palms exploring the planes of his abdomen had his pulse thundering inside his head. Evin turned the key and revved the engine before burning out across the expanse of the grounds. He had to get them moving—now—or he was going to fuck Mason right there in the backyard. And he had much better plans.
Evin knew this area like the back of his hand. For over a year now, it'd been a private haven for him to allow his wolf to roam. About a mile and a half in, he slowed to a stop underneath the canopy of several moss-covered trees and cut the engine. The slight elevation provided a perfect view of the small pond fed by the creek that ran along the property's boundary.
Mason's arms dropped away from Evin's waist, and the rustle behind him told him Mason had removed his helmet.
"Wow. Beautiful, Evin. I feel so trapped sometimes in the city. So many people, lights, sirens, traffic." The weight of Mason's palm returned and traveled up his spine. Evin straightened under the stirring sensation. "No wonder you like living out here."
Evin set the bike on the kickstand and dismounted, then headed toward the precipice that faced the pond. Mason followed close behind.
"I've never brought anyone out here before." Evin didn't have to look over his shoulder to know Mason stood directly behind him. His skin literally vibrated beneath the surface when Mason was near. His blood heated. His cock ached. Damn. He stayed so rock hard around the man, he didn't know whether to fuck him or to run like hell. Mason was too perfect. Too much like everything he'd been searching for. But as much as he wanted—needed—to stay away from the human, shit, he didn't have the strength to make it happen.
"Why me?"
Evin whipped around, lifted his hands, and smoothed his palms upward and over Mason's chest. Mason lifted his chin and closed his eyes, appearing to savor the contact. God, just touching him felt so good.
"Because you drive me crazy, and I had to. Had to have you here." He dug his fingers into Mason's shoulders and pulled him close. Evin leaned in and nuzzled the corded length of his neck, inhaling the spicy scent that was Mason. His canines nearly throbbed with the need to sink into the human's flesh. To mark. To dig in and hold him tight while Evin took what belonged to him. Evin couldn't contain the growl that rolled from his throat.
"Damn, it is so fucking sexy when you do that." Mason's words barely registered in Evin's fogged brain. But it was enough to rattle him back to reality. The reality that he held a human in his arms. Evin moved up to the corner of Mason's mouth and kissed him before pulling back.
"You like that, do you?"
"Yeah. I do." Mason reached up and cupped the bac
k of Evin's head, then yanked. "Come back here and growl some more for me. Better yet"—Mason gave a slow and deliberate lick of his lips—"why don't you come here and make me growl."
A rumble started deep in Evin's chest, then radiated out, becoming a literal tremble along his arms and down his legs. Fuck. His vision went red. Evin sucked in a deep breath. Get a grip, KinKaid. He's human. You can't take him like a fucking animal. Evin curled his fingers into fists, allowing his claws to dig into the flesh there. Control. You can do this. You can have him; just dial it down.
On exhale, Evin unclenched his hands, reached up, and took Mason by the nape with one, then locked on to Mason's arm with the other. He pushed forward, reversing Mason's steps until his back bumped into the trunk of a large spruce. As one, their arms dropped and their chests collided. Evin braced his hands against the bark, his gaze never leaving Mason's.
"I wanted you from the moment I saw you," Evin whispered, their lips a breath away. "It was all I could do not to touch you."
"Shit. Me too." Mason brushed his five o'clock shadow against Evin's own unshaven cheek. The scratch of his beard detonated like minibursts of fireworks along Evin's nerve endings, setting off another trembling wave through his extremities. "God, I wanted you so bad." Evin brought his lips down over Mason's, inhaling the soft utterance of his words. Mason's fingers sank into his hair. Evin grasped his arms and pried himself free despite Mason's grumbled complaint and stepped back.
In one move, Evin yanked his T-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. "Take your shirt off," he commanded. Mason complied and tossed his where Evin's had landed. Evin moved in close but not enough to touch. Mason reached up, his hand going for Evin's bicep. "Stop." Mason froze. "Not yet. Let me look at you, baby." Mason dropped his arm back to his side. Evin lowered his gaze, reveling in the soft glow of Mason's pale skin. The moon wasn't quite full yet, but there was still enough light that, with his enhanced vision, he could enjoy the view. "You have no idea what you do to me, do you?"
The only reply was the sound of Mason's breath hitching. Evin tilted his head and found Mason's dark gaze watching his every move. Slowly Evin leaned in, making sure not to touch, and whispered in Mason's ear, "Are you hot, Brown Eyes?"
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