by Julia Talbot
And being used as a mattress.
Jaxon. Oh, that felt good, being pressed together.
He nuzzled Jaxon’s jaw, tasting the man’s skin.
Jaxon hummed, stretching, sliding against him. “What time is it?”
“Dark.” He wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter.
“’Kay. You feel good.”
“I do. You hungry?” He closed his eyes, petting Jaxon slowly.
“I could eat.” Jaxon nibbled on his pec, making him laugh. “You’re different here. Easy.”
“This is home.” He felt safe here, like nothing could reach him this high up.
“I’m glad.” Jaxon stroked his belly. “I’ll do my best to make it so you can stay here.”
He didn’t want to worry about that, about that nagging voice that swore Uncle Ron would demand he take over the business, take over the pack. Go to Boulder.
Right now he just wanted to rest and recharge his battery. Work in his studio. He loved how Jaxon had explored as if he belonged here.
“This bed is amazing, babe. Like a cloud.”
“I love it.” He liked how Jaxon felt in it too. The temptation to point out that Jaxon was on him and not on the bed was huge, but it all felt too good.
Jaxon chuckled. “Am I squishing you?”
“Not a bit.” He patted Jaxon’s butt, nice and gentle.
“Oh good. You’re my favorite part of the house, you know.”
“What does that mean?”
Jaxon laughed a little. “It means I’m here for you.” Those clever fingers stroked his chest.
He hoped so. Jaxon said it wasn’t a job. He wasn’t just a job.
Jaxon kissed his breastbone. Then his stomach growled. “Okay, hungry.”
“There should be food. Nan came down to clean and resupply.” Nan was an old mama bear who had been his friend, his housekeeper, and the defender of his den for decades, and she was as constant as Uncle Ron had always been.
“I can cook something if you want. I’m pretty handy.” Jaxon popped up out of the bed. “Whoa. Brr.”
“I’ll go grab firewood, huh? It’ll take the chill off.” He had a fireplace in the main room and up here, because it felt romantic, because some days he wanted to watch the winter from where he belonged.
“Perfect. I’ll see what there is to eat.” Jaxon leaned down to give him a kiss before bounding off in the direction of the stairs.
Sebastian wandered downstairs, finding a pair of boots by the back door that had been just waiting for him to come home and stomp them on so he could run out and get wood.
He opened the back door, beaming as he found that Nan had filled the rack just outside the door and not only that, the snow was beginning to fall.
Perfect. So wonderful. He grabbed a carrier full of wood to bring back inside. The fire would be amazing.
“It’s snowing, Sebastian.” Jaxon held a mug of something steaming. “Snowing.”
“It is. We made it in time.”
“We did. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve seen snow? There’s this amazing soup. I’m heating it up.”
“Coffee?” He headed for the fireplace.
“Hot cocoa. This one is yours. Are you a whipped cream or marshmallow type?”
“Whipped cream, please.”
“Oh good. I was right.” Jaxon brought him the hot drink.
“Thank you. You like snow? If not, I need to get you on a plane south.” He stacked three logs and placed the starter before taking a deep drink of the cocoa. Oh. Yum.
“I love it. I’m from the Sierra Nevadas.” Jaxon settled on one of the sofas, feet tucked under him.
He started the fire, then started some music. “Everything is voice activated—TV, movies, music. Even the lights.”
“So what do you do when you’re all wolfed out?” He couldn’t tell if Jaxon was teasing him or not.
Sebastian flushed, shrugged. “It can understand basic barks.”
“No shit?”
“No shit.”
Jaxon toasted him with the hot cocoa. “That is too fucking cool.”
“Yeah. It’s really basic, but it lets me in and out, turns on the lights and music.” He sat down, not next to Jaxon, but on the sofa.
“Damn, that’s so smart.” Jaxon move over, then snuggled up to him, his scent blending right in.
He hummed softly, his body relaxing like he’d taken a Valium. So nice. This was… well, he’d never brought someone here.
Not someone like Jaxon.
Hell, had there been someone like Jaxon?
“Nope. I’m unique.” Jaxon nibbled him again.
“Are you?” He took another drink, then a hard, needy kiss, just because he could.
“Mmmmph.” Jaxon reached out, quickly setting their cups on the side table. Smart man. “Don’t let me forget the soup.”
“You’ll have to focus.”
“Hmm. Multitasking is easier when one thing isn’t sexy fun.”
“It’s your superpower, though, isn’t it?” He worked his hand underneath the too-big sweatshirt to stroke Jaxon’s flat belly.
“Uh… uh-huh. Oh.” Jaxon arched up, giving him better access, so he took advantage of it, fingernails scratching just a little bit.
Jaxon’s low noise was almost a bark, and he could see the hot flush rising in Jaxon’s cheeks.
Okay, this was fun. He scratched again, careful not to cut but needing Jaxon to feel him.
Squirming, Jaxon caught his wrist. “You’re making me crazy.”
“Is that bad?”
“No. No, it’s so good.” Jaxon sat back up to crawl into his lap.
“Are you always this hungry?” He pulled the shirt up and off.
“No.” Jaxon tilted his head. “It’s going to sound awful, but I’ve always been kind of a lazy lover.”
“Huh.” Lazy wasn’t what he’d call Jaxon. Not at all. Not when the man was gnawing on his neck and rubbing that sweet ass against his dick. He kept one hand on Jaxon’s hip, the other on the back of Jaxon’s head.
They rocked together, and Jaxon burrowed under his shirt with both hands, finding his skin, fingertips sliding over his chest and belly. He swore he could see the light trails under the cloth. Everywhere Jaxon touched tingled. He could hardly bear it.
“I like that. I like how you’re hard for me, babe.”
Sebastian growled happily. He was hard as diamonds, aching with his need. He grabbed that hot little ass and ground Jaxon against him. Their cocks rubbed just so, the fabric of their pants dragging.
“Want you.” Jaxon bared his teeth. “I need to—let me go turn off the soup.”
“I’ll come with you. We can eat. You’re hungry.” He nibbled along Jaxon’s jaw.
“Okay.” Jaxon took his hand, then hopped up. “But hold that thought.”
He grabbed the mugs and chased Jaxon’s tail to the kitchen.
Jaxon dodged around the center island, and they played hunt the fox for a few minutes before he caught Jaxon and roared against his neck.
Jaxon groaned, damn near toppling him, dragging down Sebastian’s sweats as he climbed. “Fuck me. The soup will wait.”
“Turn off the stove.” He bent Jaxon backward, and Jaxon flipped the switch. That way nothing got burned and they could really go at it. “Never did this in the kitchen.”
Truth be told, he went to Denver for a one-off when he did do it.
“I want to try out every room. Unless your uncle stays here, and then not that room.”
“No one stays here but us.”
“Then every room.” Jaxon gripped his cock, just holding firmly.
“Every room.” He nodded, panting hard. His blood thundered in his ears, his heart racing. He pressed his fingers into Jaxon’s lips. “Suck.”
Jaxon immediately latched on to his fingers, sucking hard. Getting him wet. He cried out and went up on tiptoe, rocking up. Oh, he wanted in.
“Mmm-hmm.” Jaxon nodded, bobbing up and down on his f
ingers, sucking hard enough his cheeks hollowed.
“Yes. Fuck. I want….” Hell, he needed. Now.
“I’m not made of glass.” Jaxon lifted up, balancing on his shoulders like a freaking acrobat.
He pressed in, slicking and spreading Jaxon quick and dirty. He worked that tight, tiny hole open, then lifted and moved and turned so his cock was right there and Jaxon had a counter to lean on.
“You okay?” he growled.
“I’m flying.” Jaxon’s eyes glowed, wide and almost drugged-looking.
“Good.” He slammed in, taking the sweet hole. His eyes crossed, heat surrounding his cock.
“Fuck!” Jaxon’s legs wrapped around him, tightening like a vise.
“Yes.” He drove in, his thighs shaking as he pistoned.
“This is nuts. No one ever….” Jaxon arched, which shoved him in deeper than ever.
“Feel you.” His eyes burned in his skull.
“I sure hope so.” Jaxon laughed, the muscles around his cock fluttering.
He popped Jaxon gently, then started fucking with sure, sharp thrusts.
Jaxon leaned on the counter in order to slam against him, taking no quarter and giving none. His balls swayed, a deep ache building in his belly.
They stared at each other, and Sebastian swore he heard every thought in Jaxon’s head. He moaned, the need and hunger and desire and lust overwhelming. This was his lover. In his house. In his den.
“Yes. Yes, babe. Here with you.”
He nodded, gripping Jaxon’s ass to keep him dangling in midair. Those muscles were working overtime. Jaxon grabbed his shoulders, fingers digging in to hold him.
“That’s it. Tight and hot.” He couldn’t get enough.
“Mmhmm.” Harder, babe. Make me moan.
He could so do that. Sebastian planted his feet and thrust, his hips sawing back and forth. His balls drew up, he bared his teeth, and his ass clenched.
“Soon. Soon. I want your come.”
“Yes.” He growled and surged forward, teeth sinking into Jaxon’s shoulder; the fierce sting of Jaxon answering his bite pushed him over the edge.
“Uhn!” Jaxon arched his head back, the tight ring of muscles around him clamping down as Jaxon came.
The world spun in a lazy circle, making him dizzy.
“Babe? You okay?” Jaxon slid free, landed on the floor, and wrapped both arms around him.
“I am. That was—” He didn’t have words.
“Shh.” Jaxon held him, melting into him. I know, babe. I know.
How? How is this happening?
Hmm? Jaxon patted his ass. “Shh. There’s soup and bread for us.”
Sebastian chuckled. “I like soup.” And he was hungry. And he needed to get them a towel.
Maybe two.
“Let’s wash up?” Jaxon was so much more relaxed, he thought.
“There’s a powder room right here by the laundry.”
“Good deal. Soup ho!” They held hands on the way to the bathroom.
“Yeah. Soup, bread—it smells great.”
“It does.” Jaxon washed them both up quickly, and he found himself standing there, cheeks on fire.
The towel went into the tiny wicker hamper in the powder room; then Jaxon was kissing him again, up on tiptoe.
He moaned softly, lost in this maelstrom of passion. How could this be possible? Jaxon took him out of himself, making him part of something bigger.
It was terrifying and shocking and somehow wonderful.
They clung together a few more minutes, and then Jaxon’s belly snarled again. Sebastian’s answered.
“I need to feed you. You want to sit in there by the fire?”
Sebastian nodded, hoping his smile wasn’t too wolfy. “Yeah.”
“Cool!” Jaxon gathered up bowls of soup and plates of bread and spoons.
“What can I do?”
“Go make sure I have somewhere to set the tray?”
“That’s easy. I’ll grab the mugs too.”
“Yay!” Jaxon led the way, not bouncing now but swaying some.
They settled in front of the fire, and Sebastian turned some music on for them. Jaxon leaned against him, nibbling a piece of bread.
The soup was spicy and rich—pumpkin, he thought, with shredded chicken in it. He approved.
“Mmm. That is—wow. Now I’m all intimidated to cook for you.”
“You like to cook?” He could make cereal and scrambled eggs.
“I do. I worked for two years for this chef from Italy. He was in a wheelchair due to MS, and he made me cook for him. He was super demanding. After that I picked up local cuisine everywhere.”
“No shit?” Okay, that was cool. Well, not the MS part, but the cooking part. “Can you make lasagna?”
“Yes! I can make red or white, and any kind of meat you want.” Jaxon beamed.
“I’ll try all of them. I love lasagna. It’s my favorite.” He’d never met one his wolf didn’t love.
“Then I’ll make some this week as soon as I get my bearings.” Jaxon sopped up the rest of his soup with the bread.
“There’s a Safeway in Estes. I—I’ve never had someone here, daily.”
“Oh, well, there. See? I can help.” Now Jaxon was full-body leaning.
“Is this… odd for you?” Do you sleep with all your… whatever he was-es?
“Yes. I mean, it’s odd for me. My last employer was geriatric.” Jaxon sighed. “This is just as weird for me as it is for you, but it makes me happy.”
“As long as we’re both in it, huh?”
“Exactly.” Jaxon’s hand landed on his belly.
He nodded and relaxed, breathing deep into his belly. Jaxon stayed right there, hand rising and falling with his inhalations.
The flames danced and leaped, the smells were perfect, and he was home.
Finally.
JAXON CALLED Tyrone after a few days of soup and casseroles. He needed to go to the store. He had a list of shit to make lasagna, and he had a ton of alone time, because he’d urged Sebastian to go work in the studio… then promptly lost him for the whole evening. Sebastian had come to bed at about four and had gone back to the studio at nine, after Jaxon had fed him bacon and muffins.
The happy song—both in his head and in his ears—proved this was where Sebastian belonged, no question.
Tyrone answered the phone, the man’s voice vibrating through the line. “Yo.”
“Hey, man. It’s Jaxon. It’s not too early, is it?”
“Nope. I’m just sitting on the porch watching the sun shine. What’s up, man?”
“Well, I want to go to the Safeway. I need to know what car I can take without getting in trouble.” There were a plethora of choices, but he was betting on one of the older Jeeps.
“Shit, Seb isn’t a diva, not about the cars. The one Jeep—the red one—is stable and has all the bells and whistles. It’s great to drive and not so big you can’t park it.”
“Cool. I don’t need chains just to drive into town, right?”
Ty chuckled. “It didn’t snow that much. There are some in the toolbox in every car, though.”
“Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.” They hung up, and armed with his list, which had hamburger and canned tomatoes and wide noodles, Jaxon headed for the store.
Estes Park was lovely, and he managed to buy a slew of clothes and enough groceries to keep his wolf fed. Then he bought some books and lube and a huge amazing espresso and headed home.
Home sounded odd to him, but Jaxon knew it really wasn’t. He was a fox. He adapted to his surroundings. Hell, historically, foxes took over other animals’ dens. The room Sebastian had given him would look like a hoarder house pretty soon, he would bet.
He needed to check their stores too. What if they got snowed in? What if they wanted cookies at 3:00 a.m.?
He would make more lists. Sebastian had told him they would go to Boulder next week to meet with Ron, so he could hit the big-box stores there and really st
ock up. It was the human equivalent to storing his nuts in a tree log, but it would work.
His phone rang, Sebastian’s name appearing, and he hit the hands-free.
“Hey. I’m just out getting lasagna fixings. Did you need anything from the store?” He could always go back in.
“Did you get good coffee? At the store? This shit sucks.”
“I did. I also got you a latte.” Go him, thinking about the coffee situation. Which was dire at the house. The as-yet-unseen housekeeper liked Folgers. Jaxon shuddered.
“I’m keeping you. Thank you.”
“You are so welcome. I’ll be back at the house in ten.” The drive down had been a little harried, but now Jaxon had remembered how to drive in slush and was pretty confident.
“Good deal. I’ll come help unload.”
“Thanks! See you soon.” Woot. If Sebastian was out of the cave, that meant he could get some me time in with the man. That was becoming precious to Jaxon, even if they simply sat and watched a movie. There was something about Sebastian that made him want… he didn’t know if he even had words to make that thought sensible.
He sang loud with the radio on the twisty road up to the house. Life was darned good.
Almost as good as the sight of his shaggy wolf in a huge sweater and rainbow socks and house shoes, ink smudged on one cheek.
Jaxon jumped into Sebastian’s arms before unloading the groceries. A hug and a kiss were more important than all those bags. Sebastian wrapped around him with a happy growl, catching him easily.
“Hey! I didn’t want to interrupt. Did you find my note?” He’d left one, but he’d bet Sebastian hadn’t seen it.
“No, but I heard the car leave. I knew you’d need to get out, buy some pants.”
“I got undies and socks and some good warm stuff.” He kissed Sebastian nice and hard.
“Good deal. I worked. I’m caught up. I need a break now.” Sebastian bit his bottom lip, tugging hard.
“We should put the groceries away. Then we should do something fun.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“And you promised coffee?” Oh, look at those begging eyes.
“Oh!” He climbed down so he could lean into the car and grab out the coffees. “Latte.”
“My hero.” He got a toothy kiss for his troubles.