STORY EXCERPT

“Do you drive cabs?”

“No, I’m fulltime security,” Cayson replied, throwing a look at Lachlan. “Why?”

“Because I asked,” he answered coolly. “You’re the junior member of this team, so you don’t question me unnecessarily.”

Cayson snorted. “That might work with your panther pals, but I—” A hard growl cut him off.

“Did I ask for commentary on my life? Something you know nothing about, mutt?”

Cayson glared at him. “You’re a son of a bitch,” he muttered.

“I’m what?” Lachlan stopped in mid stride to look down at him.

Cayson bit back the pithy retort and looked off into the trees. “This is our turn off,” he retorted.

“Thanks for pointing that out, enforcer,” Lachlan said. “I want you to bunk in with me for the duration. What time is your watch?”

“I’m not bunking with you, and I have the morning shift most days.”

“I’ll need you to work with me for the next few mornings, so Reno will have to change it.”

“Someone else can work with you,” he replied coldly. “I’m not shirking my duty to my pack.”

“Do you give a damn who killed your alpha?” Lachlan asked and Cayson bristled at him. Lachlan cocked a brow and the younger man looked away. “I’ll talk to Reno and if you refuse to bunk with me fine, but I want you at the cabin at seven.”

“I’ll have to get up earlier,” Cayson complained.

“Your problem,” Lachlan said. “Your security never did pinpoint the source of the community attacks?”

“No.” He frowned. “The team Reno assigned never came up with anything.”

“Is there any place else here in the den that Xavier works out of, an office?”

“You’ll have to get permission from Reno to enter it,” Cayson muttered.

“I will.”

They walked on in silence until they reached the cabin. Not far from it was a second leading to a stream. Cayson didn’t come out this way often and had forgotten how pretty it was. The cabins were mainly for visitors, but they didn’t get any unless they were family members of the pack from out of town.

Lachlan unlocked the door and pushed it open and motioned for Cayson to go ahead of him. He gave him a curious look before striding in.

“Plans with your girlfriend tonight?” Lachlan asked, setting his bag down on the coffee table and looking down at Cayson.

“Jenny’s not my girl,” he said. “Our parents want us to together, but it’s not happening.”

“She’s pretty,” Lachlan commented. “Nice body, so what’s wrong with her?”

“You want to take her out?” he demanded angrily.

“Naw.” He shook his head, his gaze sliding slowly over Cayson.

His perusal was like an intimate caress that made Cayson feel branded. He quickly looked away. Men didn’t look at him like they liked what they saw and wanted to put their hands all over him.

He couldn’t be doing that around here. The macho wolves would kick his ass.

“You’re not seeing anybody then?”

Cayson glanced at him. The statement was a lazy drawl that made his entire body tingle.

“No, but I wouldn’t let that interfere with my job,” he said. “What about you?”

Lachlan gave him a curious stare. “What about me?”

Cayson studied him. He was too gorgeous, every lick-able chocolate inch of him. His worn jeans fit his hips snug and showed off legs and a firm ass he wanted to grab. His T-shirt was snug over his broad chest and his eyes—his beautiful copper eyes— and lips that were begging to be kissed.

“I-I just hope your girlfriend isn’t a problem to the case.”

Lachlan laughed a rich sound as he snagged his bag from the low coffee table. “Come on, pup. Do straight men look at you like they’re checking you out?”

“No!” He exclaimed and followed Lachlan’s retreat down the corridor. He couldn’t help but follow even though he wanted to be as far away from the man as possible. He was too damned attractive, and the last thing he needed was to get involved with him.

He wasn’t going to. He was too arrogant.

But he was fascinated by the panther.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching Lachlan make the bed with the sheets left on the chair across from it.

“You don’t have a girlfriend?”

“Come over here and I’ll answer that,” Lachlan said.

Cayson licked his suddenly dry lips and shook his head slowly. The man was looking at him like he’d fuck his brains out if he got close enough.

“You’re a virgin?”

“That’s not your business,” Cayson said defensively.

“I—” Lachlan broke off as his cell phone rang. He glanced to the chair. “Pass it.”

Cayson obeyed, sneaking a peek at the display. Lachlan’s alpha. He handed it over and their fingers touched. Cayson jerked back, his senses rioting, his pulse hammering, and his skin going hot from the inside out.

He had to catch his breath as electricity zinged through him.

“What’s up?” He walked across the room to stand before the window. “Why the change? I thought Reno wanted us here.”

His body tautened and Cayson wondered what was being said. His hearing was good, but the alpha wasn’t talking loud enough for him to pick up more than a few words.

“No,” Lachlan answered tightly. “You know—” He sighed. “Fine. I haven’t started work yet. I guess it wouldn’t be a problem for me to handle the cab company end. I’ll leave as soon as my relief gets here.” He disconnected and turned to look at Cayson, who watched him curiously.

“I guess you’re going to get your wish,” he said as he strode to where Cayson stood. “I’ve been called back. Someone else is being selected to take my place.”

“What? Why?”

“Gonna miss me, baby?” Lachlan taunted. “I’m glad.” He reached out to touch Cayson’s cheek. “You’re too pretty. I guess Reno’s afraid I’ll take you to my bed.”

“I can take care of myself,” he said huffily and shook Lachlan’s hand off. The man’s touch made his skin heat and his wolf hunger for a taste of Lachlan.

“There are some things a man can’t defend against, pretty boy,” Lachlan murmured, caressing Cayson’s bare arm.

He wore his work uniform, which consisted of a short sleeved brown shirt and khakis.

“Your mouth is so tempting. I could just sit around all day kissing you.” His fingers brushed Cayson’s.

Cayson’s breath caught as he was drawn into a storm of sensual seduction that left him powerless.

“Have you ever just let a man hold you and make love to your mouth all evening?”

“N-no,” Cayson answered shakily.

Lachlan closed the distance between them. “I’m going to,” he whispered. “Can’t stop that.” He kissed Cayson’s cheek, lips brushing his skin just barely. Then, he backed off. “Lorcan’s here.”

The rap at the door was light but like a shot gun going off. It rattled Cayson’s nerves and he fought to get his heartbeat under control as Lachlan went to the door.

ADULT EXCERPT

Lachlan studied him and rubbed his jaw. “What are you so nervous about? I can smell it on you like cologne. You walk off your shift or something?”

“No. I’m off, and I needed to get out of the den.” He wasn’t supposed to be here. Reno and his father had told him to stay away from here. Of course he figured out it was because this was where the object of his wolf’s interest was.

“Then what and why isn’t Lo coming? He asked you to bring me a message?” Lachlan demanded.

“Actually—” He moved on the desk so his thigh was touching Lachlan’s and the cat growled in warning. He jerked back.

“Damn wolf, what are you doing?” Lachlan demanded tightly.

“I didn’t know my touch was that offensive,” he snapped. “I guess I was just going to be one of many notches on your bedpost.”

Lachlan got to his feet. “Go home mutt,” he said coldly. “I need to finish up here. I’ve got a hot date with a waiter tonight.”

He stood too and the wolf surged fully to the surface in a jealous wave. He’d wondered if Lachlan was sleeping with someone else these last few nights, and it had about driven him crazy. He hadn’t slept for the images that kept replaying in his head.

“You’re an arrogant ass.” He threw a punch before he knew he was doing it.

Lachlan caught his fist and twisted his arm behind his back before shoving him face down on the desk. Cayson struggled and Lachlan pressed harder against him, his erection flush up against the seam of Cayson’s ass.

“Guilty, but I’m too much man for you, so go find someone your own speed to play with,” he whispered. He straightened and jerked Cayson upright.

Cayson whipped around, glaring at him. “If I see you with someone else I’ll slit his throat.”

Lachlan laughed. “You don’t have the stones for it. Now, stay away from me, mutt.” He started for the door and Cayson launched himself at him.

Lachlan turned. His fingers closed around Cayson’s throat as soon as he was close. He squeezed as he muscled the younger man up against the wall.

Cayson struck out and Lachlan grasped his hand and slammed it up against the wall above his head. He landed a punch with his other hand and Lachlan grunted before grasping it and securing it above his head with the other.

He leaned in close enough that their noses touched. “Stop pushing me damn it, before I really lose my patience.”

Breathing hard, Cayson stared at him confusedly and incensed, but unable to break free. “Let me go,” he ordered breathlessly.

“I give the commands, not you,” Lachlan murmured and then nipped Cayson’s bottom lip. “You’re too fucking pretty to be a guy, but I guess that’s not a pair of socks pressing against my thigh all hard.”

“Shut. Up.”

Lachlan pressed his thigh harder against Cayson’s cock, and he groaned. Lachlan shackled both of Cayson’s hands in one of his before gliding his free hand down Cayson’s chest to rest between his legs.

Cayson gasped. “Lachlan,” he said breathlessly.

He stroked Cayson’s bulge and his lips parted. He rested his head against the wall as his eyes drifted closed.

“How can you do this to me and think about going to another man?” He kept his eyes closed.

“Look at me,” Lachlan ordered softly. “You said you couldn’t handle it. There are men out there who can even though they’ll mean nothing to me. I won’t kill to be with them, to have them in my bed.” He kissed the corner of Cayson’s mouth. “But I have to take the edge off, Cayson. Jacking off doesn’t help.”

“Then let me do it for you,” he said softly.

Lachlan took his mouth and Cayson sighed. The first taste was the sweetest and his wolf growled in pleasure as the man hummed. He strained closer, his body growing tighter, his arousal stronger with each sweep of Lachlan’s tongue into his mouth, each stroke against his.

He tried to free his hands even as he thrust into Lachlan’s hand. His fingers were driving him insane with the way they stroked his cock through his pants. His balls were so tight they ached.

He was going to freaking come in his pants.

Lachlan kissed Cayson’s jaw. “Don’t lose it, Cayson.”

“I can’t help it. I’m going to come.” Lachlan withdrew his hand and Cayson whimpered. “Please, don’t.”

“God.” Lachlan backed away. “Fuck.” The word was a hard exhalation. “I could just suck you off right here and then fuck that tight ass of yours until we both pass out.”

“Lachlan.” Cayson’s voice held a plea as he slid his hands up Lachlan’s chest. “Let’s get out of here.”

Lachlan laughed shaking his head. “Uh-huh, pretty,” he said. “Go home. I have work to do.” Lachlan wiped his mouth and headed for the door. He turned the knob.

“Lachlan.”

“What?” he demanded tersely.

“I meant it,” he said softly. “I better not catch you with anyone else.”

“And I meant what I said. Keep your hands off me.” He stepped out of the room closing the door quietly behind him.

Cayson sagged against the wall, body still vibrating with arousal. He let out a low growl of frustration and then went into the small bathroom to jack off.