by Fel Fern
“Ah. I’ve nearly forgotten. You’re staying over at Maddie’s tonight?” Ethan opened the front door to see Miriam’s best friend Maddie, and her mother, Mrs. Hill.
“I’ll bring her back the same time tomorrow morning, Ethan,” Mrs. Hill said.
“Will do, you girls have fun,” Ethan planted a quick kiss on Miriam’s forehead. He
ignored Maddie’s giggle and Miriam’s glare. “Text me when you get there, buttercup.”
Once Mrs. Hill ushered the two twittering girls (already busy sharing the latest school gossip) to the elevator, Ethan shut the door. Well. He certainly hadn’t foreseen this unexpected opportunity, and Ethan intended to make use of it.
“I’ll be on my way as well, Ethan,” Remy said from the dining table. The tutor had
finished packing his materials in his bag, and had slung it over his shoulder, ready to leave.
Ethan’s spiritual wolf nearly snarled at that, but Ethan leashed it back and reminded the beast to be patient. He had gone hell and back, trying to get the wolf under control. For a werewolf not bound to any pack, Ethan had to learn to deal with the change on his own. Lately though, having Remy around strained the limits of his control.
“It’s lonely having dinner alone on a Friday night. Do you have any plans for the evening, Remy?” Ethan inquired.
Remy bit on his lower lip, a nervous gesture Ethan noticed Remy did whenever Ethan
asked an uncomfortable question.
“Aside from catching up on the latest episode of Game of Thrones, no. I mean, I’d love to have dinner.” Remy looked like he was having second thoughts, but Ethan gently clasped Remy’s arm.
“Wonderful. Relax, unwind, its after work hours now. I’ll make us dinner,” Ethan
smoothly, pleased Remy didn’t push his hand away.
“You can cook?” Remy blurted out.
“Does it appear I don’t?” Ethan asked curiously, showing a teasing flash of his slightly sharpened canines. Did Remy expect him to suddenly shift, run out, and drag back some poor human prey for dinner?
Remy quickly shook his head. Ethan took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and pulled out the apron hanging on the kitchen hook. Curiosity must have won Remy over, because Remy placed down his bag and lingered near the kitchen doorway to watch him. Brave pet. Remy let out a laugh when Ethan put on the apron.
“World’s Greatest Dad, Werewolf and Cook?” Remy read out loud.
“Miriam gave it to me last week for my birthday,” Ethan explained as he pulled out the asparagus and prime rib he bought from the market on his way home. He remembered to buy additional portions for himself, because Ethan’s wolf was always starving when horny.
“Oh, I didn’t know it was your birthday. Belated birthday wishes.” Remy looked a tad
adorable, Ethan thought.
Remy finally overcame his shyness to take a seat at the kitchen counter.
“I wish I’d gotten you a gift—an appropriately professional gift,” Remy corrected at the last minute. Remy nervously began playing with the items on the island.
“I’m sure you can make it up to me in other ways, if you’d allow it.” Ethan took the
gamble, hoping Remy would get his gist. Ethan worked indifferently, chopping up his vegetables and placing the steaks on the pan, and pretended he hadn’t noticed Remy’s growing discomfort.
Hell, his beast liked that, Remy being nervous, but unlike some of the sheep that instantly backed away after learning he was werewolf, Remy didn’t give a damn.
“Ethan,” Remy finally ventured. “Is…this a date?”
A date? How sweet. Poor pup. How would you react if you know my wolf wants to mate you? Do you have any idea what that means?
“Last I heard, a man asking another man out for dinner constitutes a date. Am I mistaken then?” Ethan checked on the vegetables and potatoes roasting in the oven, before going back to the steaks. “How do you like yours?”
“Medium rare.” Remy looked liked he finally summoned the nerve to ask, although
Ethan knew he wasn’t a skittish rabbit by any means. “I see you like yours rare.”
“Of course. I’m a werewolf afterall. We like our meat bloody.”
From what little Remy revealed about himself during their brief chats, Ethan had learned quite a bit about the young man tutoring Miriam. A small town boy looking to make it to the big city, Remy didn’t choose to take the easy route like most desperate men and women did. Instead of selling himself or stripping, he stuck to odd jobs and now, intended to return to his first passion—teaching kids. Remy was apparently pretty good at it too, judging from Miriam’s results and his natural charisma towards kids.
“And no, you’re not wrong,” Remy continued. “It’s just, don’t guys cook for other guys only on special occasions?”
Ethan chuckled. “This counts as a special occasion, doesn’t it?”
Remy didn’t prod further, but Ethan could see he was intrigued.
“I can’t do this,” Remy suddenly said after Ethan set their plates and food on the table.
“Do this?” Ethan asked, taking off his apron.
“Date you. I have a policy to never date my employers. If things go south it would be bad for all of us, especially for Miriam. I mean, I’m sure there are other qualified tutors you can get, but there won’t be another Remy.”
Ethan heard the genuine concern in Remy’s voice. Knew his concern for Miriam hadn’t
been faked, unlike some of the men and women who only wanted to get him in bed by
pretending to be interested in his daughter.
“Relax, Remy. Breathe in and out. This isn’t a marriage proposal. We might not even end up liking up each other,” Ethan pointed out, pulling out a chair for Remy.
He lied, but it was a necessary one. The chemistry between them was obvious. While
physical attraction had been one aspect, Ethan had also been attracted to Remy’s personality and honesty.
Not only that, it had the potential to erupt into something else more than a one-night stand. Usually, Ethan gravitated away from anything more permanent and lasting after
experiencing two divorces and going though a third one, but Remy was different. In the shifter community, they used the word ‘mate’ to potential individuals who would share half their souls.
Ethan received the bite during his second marriage, but he’d never given his mating mark to his second wife or his third, even though Lindsay was a shifter herself, simply because shifters mated for life and he sure as hell wouldn’t want to be tied down to bitches.
Remy though…could he be the other half Ethan believed he’d never find?
“Okay, you’re right.” Remy sat. Shivered again slightly when Ethan gently squeezed the back of his neck.
They ate. Remy slowly eased up, began to be more comfortable around him and Ethan
managed to find out more about his daughter’s tutor. He learned a little more about Remy’s background, his family, and his friends. Remy in turn, had shed any initial shy inhibitions and asked him about Miriam, his likes and dislikes, how Ethan became a wolf and if he had any funny shifter stories. Nothing about his work, wealth or connections, but then Remy didn’t seem to be capable of harboring any hidden agendas. Damn, that was refreshing to find in another human being.
“This tiramisu is amazing. I can’t believe you managed to make it in this short amount of time,” Remy remarked, taking a generous forkful.
“Thank the Food Channel chefs and their fifteen minute quickie desserts.” Ethan smiled, showing teeth.
“I didn’t know werewolves could have a sweet tooth too.”
“I like desserts when I was human, nothing changed much when I became shifter. I
simply eat more red meat, and have the urge to run during the full moon, although I can shifter whenever I want,” Ethan explained.
“Ah, well you’re lucky I’m not a diabetic or a vegetarian,” Remy pointed out.
“Lucky me,” Ethan agr
eed.
Ethan found it pleasure, watching Remy eat. He was the kind of guy who seemed to want
to enjoy life, and savor every experience to the fullest. Again, very unlike the anorexic models or actresses, even some prissy vampires, both male and female, he’d dated in the past who would only take a couple of polite bites. What a waste of food.
Lindsay, Miriam’s mother, had been the perfect example. Lindsay came from a family of
natural born shifters. Old money, and was more obsessed about appearances rather than being a good mom.
Remy offered to help him clean up, surprising him again. Ethan recalled Remy did grow
up with three sisters. Once the dishes were loaded in the washer, Ethan touched Remy’s shoulder.
He wanted to run his hand up Remy’s spine, but decided against it. Inside, his wolf kept screaming one word. Mine. Mine. Mine. But how could Ethan be so possessive of a man that wasn’t even his yet?
“Have you seen the view from the balcony?” Ethan asked.
Remy shook his head. Taking a couple of beers from the fridge, Ethan led Remy to the
balcony connected to the living room. Seeing the view of the street below and the brilliant skyline of New York City behind the apartment buildings, Remy let out a gasp.
“Not exactly in front of Central Park, but it’s passable, yes?”
Remy’s vivid blue eyes shone with excitement. “Of course it is. The view’s splendid.”
Ethan handed him a beer.
“Thank you.” The street below them was relatively quiet. Somewhere nearby, a talented
pianist worked the keys, playing a haunted melody.
“It’s a beautiful neighborhood, Ethan. Perfect to raise a kid.”
Noticing Remy began rubbing his knuckles, Ethan closed his hand over his. “Are you
cold? Perhaps we should head back inside.”
He nodded, following him back in. “I had a wonderful time, thank you.”
“You’ve already said that,” Ethan asked, bemused. He flushed. Cute. “If you’re thinking of leaving, then let me get your coat. Before that though, won’t you give me one kiss, Remy?”
“A kiss?” Remy whispered. Ethan saw how Remy struggled with his emotions.
Usually, a werewolf alpha didn’t ask. He simply saw and took whatever and whoever he
wanted, but Ethan planned to take it slow with Remy, because the quiet tutor wasn’t like the bold out-of-the-closet, confident gay men Ethan had gone out with before. Something he hadn’t done with anyone else. If Remy knew the brand of sex he favored, Remy might flee before they could get anywhere else. Even though Ethan’s cock twitched in his pants, begging for release, Ethan would keep things simple on the first date.
A kiss wasn’t much too ask wasn’t it? But a single kiss would clear up a lot of questions.
Confirm if there was any truth to the tension between them. A tiny spark, the promise of an inevitable inferno, a little teaser to sate his wolf—that was all Ethan needed.
“You promised me a birthday gift,” Ethan said, closing the distance between them.
Remy swallowed, but didn’t back away. “That’s all you want? One kiss?”
“Indeed.” Ethan patiently watched his internal struggle, although it took every bit of him not to rip open his respectable white button down shirt. See those buttons fly and unveil a yummy expense of skin. Yank those stupid jeans down and see Remy’s need bared for Ethan for the very first time.
Ethan breathed hard, clenching and unclenching his fists. The things this human male did to him. Ethan couldn’t quite remember the last time he wanted someone this much.
“Okay. I can do a kiss,” Remy finally said.
Chapter Three
One kiss. Simple thing to ask really, and hadn’t Ethan been a perfect gentleman through and through? In his short time in New York, Remy didn’t have the time to date. He doubted any of the men Trish wanted to set his up on a blind date with would show the same courtesy, the same elegance and refined predatory grace Ethan did.
Talking to him and getting to know more about him didn’t help his situation. Over the
past four weeks, he expected a bored rich and arrogant werewolf alpha to appear. Not this thoughtful down-to-earth guy who just happened to be a shifter.
Still, with so many rumors surrounding Ethan, there should be some grain of truth in
them somewhere. Besides, Remy didn’t just need his job. He liked it. Tutoring bright-eyed kids like Miriam reminded his of his passion and why he became a teacher in the first place. He liked kids, especially loved guiding them and showing them the ropes.
Part of Remy refused to separate the walls between professionalism and personal desire though.
Something about the intensity and dark desire in the way Ethan looked at him made
Remy refuse to back down. Ethan’s smoldering gaze dared his to take the leap. Besides Ethan hadn’t asked much, only a kiss, and what can a kiss do?
Maybe it would only affirm they hadn’t been compatible afterall, and the sinful fantasies Remy that left Remy flushed each night was only that. Fantasy.
“I’m waiting, Remy. I’m not a terribly patient man”
At Ethan’s deep and husky voice, Remy closed the last few inches between them. They
touched, and despite the fabric covering their bodies, Remy felt the heat. Slow at first, it smoldered, practically begging for them to take off their clothes.
Electricity rammed right to his chest and cock. Throughout dinner Remy kept worrying if Ethan could somehow see his shaft straining against his jeans, but he kept his eyes respectfully on his face. This moment though, Ethan took in all of his reaction—from his face to the rest of his strung up body. Ethan looked at Remy like he was the most desirable morsel he’d ever lay his eyes on. Good enough to eat then fuck senseless, and God, Remy wanted to be devoured.
Ethan banded one possessed arm around his waist, drawing him suddenly close.
“Arms around my neck, Remy,” Ethan commanded. Remy obeyed, closing his eyes
briefly to take in the scent of him—cologne, mint, soap, sweat and undeniably male. “Give me your lips.”
Remy could feel his member, straining, begging for release. Damn it. He swore to not
come like some horny undisciplined teenager. He opened his eyes to see Ethan leaning over, brushing his lips over his forehead, the curve of his nose, before finally reaching his mouth.
Remy leaned closer, wanting so much more, but Ethan let out a little chuckle.
“Impatient are we?”
Before Remy would formulate a smug response, Ethan started nibbling on his bottom lip.
He moaned, aware of his cock so close to bursting. Who knew Ethan Drake could be such a tease? Finally, Ethan took his lips, and thrust his heat into his. Remy responded with fervent passion.
Usually Remy let his partner lead the dance, but something about Ethan prompted his to take action. Their lips and tongue tangled. Remy felt Ethan tightening his hold on him, his possessive hunger a heady concoction.
When he released his lips, Remy groaned. Both of them panted. Wide-eyed and
overwhelmed, Remy realized wanted so much more. His head spun and his heart hammered
against his chest, but the sane logical part of his told his to back off now. Ethan had his kiss, but his body refused to pull away from his embrace.
Ethan ran a hand down his spine. Remy shivered, feeling the press of his erection against his stomach.
“Stay the night, Remy,” Ethan murmured. He made little kisses on the side of his neck, making it hard for Remy to think.
Remy reined in his emotions. He clutched at his shoulders, looking up at him. He tried to read his emotions, but all he saw was passion equaling his own. “I can’t. This isn’t right. You’re my employer. I value my job, and what about Miriam?”
Silly little Remy. Losing his job was probably the last thing on Ethan’s mind, because a man like him would have no trouble finding
a more qualified replacement.
Ethan growled, the sound more animal than human, but Remy wasn’t frightened. He then
nipped at his ear, making Remy tremble.
“I promise you, Remy. Whatever happens tonight won’t affect your job. You’re a good
tutor and Miriam likes you, even sees you as an older brother. I won’t take that away from Miriam or from you.”
Remy never had a relationship with a man of Ethan’s standing, but he knew enough that
men could be accomplished liars. Hadn’t Remy run himself through the mill with Ted, his old high school boyfriend?
And the reason Ted gave when he found him sleeping with another guy? That Remy
pushed him into it, because he couldn’t give more. That he had trust issues and was incapable of fully surrendering himself to another human being.
Remy had enough. Enough of being the shy guy who couldn’t let go of his insecurities.
Ethan found his attractive enough hadn’t he?
Whether he saw his as a worthy conquest for his wolf, or someone worth having a
relationship with, only time could tell. Remy had to find out. Besides, months of solely focusing on his job tired Remy out. It was about time Remy unleashed all the frustrations building in his body.
“Are you staying or leaving, Remy?” Ethan tilted his chin. His gaze speared through his, frightening and intense, the pupils changing slightly to wolf-amber, but Remy saw the rare patience and understanding there as well.
“I’m staying,” Remy whispered.
“Wonderful.” Ethan cupped his jaw and kissed him again. No holds barred this second
time round. He plundered his lips, and last of Remy’s resistance crumbled to a heap.
Keeping one hand banded around him, Ethan gently squeezed the bulge in his jeans,
sending another jolt of pleasure right to Remy’s insides.
“Take off your shirt. I want to see you undress,” Ethan said after parting from his lips.
Ethan let him go.
Feeling bold and reckless, Remy’s hands fumbled for the buttons of his shirt He hesitated for a fraction of a second. Remy wondered who the hell his confident guy suddenly was. The Remy he knew would dart away like a frightened mouse when a domineering man issued him commands.