by Jana Downs
Bradley beamed at the words. Christian had dropped by the studio unexpectedly to collect the pieces he’d bought from Bradley for his new hotel in Amsterdam. “Thank you. I hope my professors are as enthusiastic about the showing as you are.” He still had all summer to get the collection in order and arrange it, but still. He was nervous about the whole thing. It had been almost three weeks since that awful day when Bradley had gotten out of the shower to find Ryan near death on the kitchen floor and fought his would-be assassin until help arrived. They had been the best weeks of his life. He reached up to touch the golden chain with a matching lock that dangled from his throat. Everything was just as it should be for the first time in his life.
Christian nodded his head, his light eyes almost glowing with enthusiasm. “I’m sure they will. I have big plans for you either way. When the series completes, I want the whole lot. I don’t know what has encouraged this passion, but I hope it continues.”
Bradley was still hung up on the “I want the whole lot” bit of the sentence, so Christian’s statements about passion went completely over his head. “I, uh, wow. Thank you.”
A familiar voice interrupted whatever other stuttered reply Bradley was forming. “I hope that his passion only grows with time.” Bradley turned to see Ryan standing just inside the studio door, a dozen roses in hand.
Christian chuckled. “Ah, so here arrives the reason behind the intensity in the art. Very nice.” He took three strides in Ryan’s direction and stretched out his hand for a shake. “Christian Svengard.”
Ryan gripped his hand in what looked like a firm shake. “Ryan Adamson. You’re the guy my Bradley has been telling me about.” The thrill that shot through Bradley over the possessive way Ryan said “my” should have made him embarrassed, but it didn’t. He’d waited too long to hear those words to be upset about them. “You buy his work?”
“Indeed, I do,” Christian said. “Bradley Gage is soon to be a name synonymous with sex on canvas if I have anything to say about it. They can hang a master’s degree from wherever. The boy has more raw talent in one pinky than most struggling artists do in their entire bodies. I’m afraid if he goes off to some fancy school they’ll try to rein that in. If his muse is here, I’d love for him to stay here.”
“I think I can guarantee he won’t be going anywhere for a while,” Ryan said, grinning and winking in Bradley’s direction. Bradley smiled. They’d discussed the possibility at length, and it had been decided that Bradley would stay in town, work part-time at Howlers, and work on his art the rest of the time. With the connections Bradley was making in the industry, there wasn’t really a reason to move after graduation even if his professors were encouraging him to further his education. His heart was here.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around. Here is my card.” Christian handed him the card. “I’ll need to get in touch with him over the summer to arrange to pick up the pieces I commissioned. I’m assuming I need to talk to you.” Bradley bristled a little bit at the words, but then the meaning of the sentence struck him. Was Christian Svengard in the lifestyle?
Ryan shrugged. “He can talk for himself, but I’d appreciate an update whenever you have one.”
Christian nodded. “That I can do. Anyways, I have to get on the road since the pieces are packed. I’ve got a flight into Chicago that I have to make. Bradley, I’ll see you this summer.”
“Thanks again, Christian,” Bradley said, waving at the man as he stepped around Ryan and waltzed out of the room with all the tightly bundled energy that he filled it with.
Bradley turned his attention to his lover and completely forgot about Christian. “For me?” he asked, motioning to the bouquet of roses clutched in Ryan’s fist.
“Of course it’s for you,” Ryan rumbled, handing them over. His wolf’s shadow bumped against Bradley’s in greeting, and a shiver went through him. The foreign part of him now had full form and tended to have a distinct mind of its own. Mate. He resisted the urge to sigh as his body started thrumming with energy. Ever since Ryan had taken him out running two nights ago, his wolf was eager to come out and romp with his Master’s.
“What’s the occasion?”
Ryan grinned. “Can’t I just bring flowers to school for you?”
Bradley shrugged. “I suppose you could, but it’s a little unusual, especially given the fact that you were supposed to be booked for the afternoon. Did you get a cancellation?”
“Nope.”
“Then what is the deal?” He rubbed his nose against the soft petals of his flowers. He hadn’t expected to see Ryan until he got back home after eleven.
“The appointment is for you. I’m fixing your available tattoo.”
Bradley blinked. “All right?”
Ryan chuckled. “Was that a question?”
“Um, don’t think I’m an idiot or anything, but why does my available tattoo need to be fixed?” Bradley asked, curious.
“I don’t want anyone to mistake you for an available even if the rest of the pack knows you’re my mate,” Ryan explained.
Ah, now that explained it. Ryan was all about slapping on as many proofs of commitment as he could since he’d decided to commit. It was cute really. Bradley smiled at him. “Whatever you want, my sweet Master.”
Ryan took his arm and grabbed Bradley’s backpack off the floor. “Then let’s go. I want to fix your tat and then take you home so I can claim you.”
Bradley did roll his eyes then. “Again?”
Ryan’s lips twitched. “Was that a protest I heard, sub?”
“No,” Bradley said, suppressing the laughter that bubbled up at the thought. His lover was insatiable. “Lead on, Ry.”
* * * *
Ryan smoothed his gloved hand down the freshly inked skin, rubbing a healing ointment into the agitated flesh. Bradley had long since descended into subspace, drifting along as Ryan inked the words of his heart into his sub’s skin. Available for Ryan. It was appropriate. The only person that Bradley was available for was him, and Ryan liked it that way.
It was hard to believe that a few weeks ago he had been cringing at the prospect of being in a committed relationship. Now if he had to go more than eight hours without seeing his beloved, his world was somehow less full. Bradley had taken his fears and turned them into joys. What more could a Dom ask for?
He nuzzled the back of Bradley’s neck after wrapping the new ink. “I love you, Bradley.”
“Hmm, love you, too, Sir.” Bradley turned his head and speared him with his beautiful hazel gaze. “Take me home?”
“Of course, sweet,” Ryan said, unable to resist pressing another kiss to Bradley’s neck. When Bradley moaned at the touch, Ryan wasn’t sure if he was ready to go just yet. “Problems?”
“You make me want,” Bradley admitted, pushing his ass up into the air as if waiting to be mounted. If he kept up the animal come-fuck-me attitude, Ryan would probably take him up on it. The brush of fur against his skin from his wolf’s shadow told him that his other half was in agreement. They needed to take his Bradley before they left for home.
The sharp knock on the door interrupted whatever sensual act that had been tickling Ryan’s brainpan. He huffed. “What?”
Mustang’s muffled voice came through the wood. “Take it home, Ryan. I need both private rooms for pack ink in about ten minutes. Last-minute booking.”
Ryan gave a frustrated rumble. “Okay, Alpha. We’ll clear out.” At Bradley’s whimper of protest he smoothed a hand down his cute backside. “Shh, sweet. We have an entire playroom at home to indulge your needs in.”
“Yes, Sir. Let’s hurry.”
Impatient boy. He loved Bradley’s eagerness. Maybe tonight he’d finish the largest canvas he was working in the room Ryan had given him for his art. He helped his lover put back on his shirt in between long, drugging kisses that ate up the ten minutes Mustang had given him a deadline over. He broke the kiss with a sigh and ran his hand through Bradley’s golden lock
s.
“We have all the time in the world, sweet,” he promised, twining their hands. They had the rest of their lives to make love and enjoy one another’s company. The issues with the other pack still had to be resolved, and Bradley was still getting used to being wolf himself, but Ryan was sure about one thing in their lives and that was the strength of their relationship. He tugged his lover from the room.
“You two go on home. You coming in to intern tomorrow, Bradley?” Mustang asked as they got to the main reception area.
Bradley nodded. “Yes. My last day at Denny’s was yesterday.”
Mustang waved them on. “Good. See you both then.” He returned his attention back to the group of men who had congregated in the front of the shop. “All right, boys. Let’s have you fill out these forms.” It was just another night at Howlers.
He pulled his lover out of the shop before putting on the helmet Bradley had gotten him and getting on his bike. His lover mirrored his actions on his own back, blowing him a kiss before he straddled the body and cranked the engine. His sub was stubborn, beautiful, and strong willed. Ryan wouldn’t have Bradley any other way.
“Let’s go home, Master,” Bradley said over the roar of the engine.
Ryan nodded. “Let’s.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jana Downs lives in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina with three cats, one dog, several dozen fish, and a very understanding partner in crime who hates to read but makes exceptions for her stories.
You can usually find her either watching bad reality TV, buying way too many books on Amazon, or dreaming up another man or two to occupy her time because life is good but several drop-dead-gorgeous nonexistent men is just better.
For all titles by Jana Downs, please visit
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Siren Publishing, Inc.
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