STORY EXCERPT

“Since I have to wait, could I have a cup of chai tea and a slice of lemon cake?” The smell of bread had lured Raidh in, but the cake looked too irresistible to pass up.

“Go have a seat,” Ajax said. “I’ll bring it to you.”

“Thanks.” What a nice guy. Would he be so nice if he knew Raidh was a dark fae? Most preternatural hated Unseelie because they thought the entire race was evil.

Raidh turned around to find three humongous men who could easily pass as bikers behind him. They were deep in conversation while occasionally glancing at the chalkboard. Two of them were identical—though one wore his beard longer—while the third bore enough resemblance to likely be related.

Galamir had called Raidh rebellious? These guys made him look like a saint in comparison.

There was no denying all three were handsome, but Raidh liked his men a little less mountainous and hairy.

While hauling his tiny, skinny butt to one of the couches, Raidh realized the scent of wolf had grown a lot stronger in the café.

Those ginormous men were werewolves. Raidh steered clear of bad boys. They spelled trouble with a capital T for terrifying.

Putting the men out of his mind, Raidh sat and began to think about his current problem—where he was going to stay for the night.

Returning home was not an option.

Every year, like clockwork, Raidh would evade the first few days of the two-week prep. Despite his father thinking he needed the most practice, no one seemed to care about his absence. It was like they were relieved to have a respite from his endless mistakes.

But Raidh didn’t make mistakes. He allowed his father to think that in hopes he would finally leave Raidh alone.

The constant criticism and belittling from his father left a bitter taste in Raidh’s mouth, making him feel resentful and worthless. It was those feelings that ultimately pushed him to leave in the first place.

This year, instead of spending those few days with Elvine like he usually did, Raidh was using them to try to figure out a plan.

“I would totally do all three,” a female voice said from a couch behind his, her words carrying both excitement and mischief.

“Seriously,” another woman chimed in with a higher-pitched tone. “Your dad would kill you if you brought a guy like that home.”

The first woman laughed. “Please, those kinds of guys are for a fun time, not to bring home for your parents to meet. Tell me you wouldn’t do at least one of them.”

“Yes.” The second woman giggled in agreement.

Raidh wasn’t sure how he felt about them objectifying the bikers, but they would be downright mortified if they knew all three men could hear them with their heightened senses.

One of the men, the not-twin with the longest beard, glanced in their direction from where he stood in line, before turning back around.

The women let out dreamy sighs.

Raidh rolled his eyes. He didn’t want to hear them swoon over the men. Not because they were females but because he didn’t understand the appeal of bad boys.

After what felt like an eternity, Ajax finally made his way to where Raidh’s was seated with a steaming mug of chai tea and a delectable slice of lemon cake. “Enjoy,” he said with a smile.

“Thanks.” Raidh took the mug, feeling the steam tickle his nose as he blew on it before taking a careful sip. Instantly, his taste buds were enveloped in warm, complex flavors, with just the right balance of spices and sweetness.

This was undoubtedly the best chai tea he had ever tasted.

Ajax was a chai tea god.

At least, if Raidh was stuck in this small town, there was good tea. He then took a bite of the lemon cake, relishing its moistness and tangy flavor.

“It just feels good to get back home,” a deep voice rumbled as it drew closer.

Raidh looked up and saw the three men heading toward him, each holding a to-go cup in his thick hand. His mouth closed mid-chew as they settled in the cushy chairs around him, one of the twins sitting at the opposite end of the couch from Raidh.

Great, now he would have to endure the sound of those women giggling and dreamily sighing again. All he wanted was to relax and plan his next move while his phone charged.

 With a determined effort, Raidh focused solely on his delicious treats, pretending not to notice the men around him.

“After that grueling ride, all I want is to kick back and relax,” the twin on the couch said. His voice was warm, deep, and rich, like smooth whiskey poured over crushed ice.

For a brief moment, Raidh was drawn to it, but he made himself focus on his cake and tea.

“I just hate you made us stop instead of riding the remaining fifteen minutes home,” the one on the couch continued.

“Don’t complain, Jaytee.” The twin chuckled. “You know you love AJax’s coffee.”

“I’d love my bed even more now. That was a long-ass trip,” Jaytee said.

“I feel ya, Damon,” the not-twin replied to the twin in the chair. “But I’m with Jaytee. I’m gonna crash in my bed for the next twelve hours.”

Now Raidh knew the twins’ names. Damon and Jaytee. Not that he was interested in knowing them.

“I don’t know about sleeping that long.” Jaytee chuckled. “I’m thinking—” He stopped midsentence and sniffed the air, his nostrils flaring slightly.

Raidh couldn’t help but overhear their conversation since they were practically sitting right on top of him. Maybe his phone had charged enough so he could leave, because Raidh was getting an odd vibe from Jaytee. He couldn’t explain what it was but didn’t like how it made him all tingly inside.

Jaytee turned his blue eyes toward Raidh. He sniffed the air again before a wicked smile spread across his face. “Well, hello there, Moonbeam.”

What the hell? Raidh shot up when a rich, warm scent of leather and spice enveloped him and he felt a deep, overwhelming need to throw himself into Jaytee’s arms.

As his panic began to rise inside of him, Raidh bolted for the door, desperate to escape when he realized the wolf shifter was his mate.

ADULT EXCERPT

His warm breath tickled Raidh’s ear as he whispered in a husky, seductive tone, “Then let’s indulge in some dirty fun, my naughty fairy.” 

“Fae,” Raidh corrected with a playful growl.

But his correction only seemed to stoke the fire in his mate’s eyes. Jaytee’s lips brushed against his ear as he continued, “Tell me all the nasty things you want me to do to you, my sexy little mate.”

Raidh’s breath hitched in his throat, desire and heat pooling in his core. “You want me to talk dirty to you?”

Pressing against Raidh’s entrance, Jaytee teased him mercilessly with the tip of his throbbing cock. One forceful thrust and his mate would be buried deep inside.

Jaytee’s gaze was locked on Raidh, waiting for his response, his mate’s breaths coming faster. The guy wasn’t going to give in until he heard all those filthy words. 

Raidh chuckled, enjoying the playful banter between them. “So you want me to be completely silent during sex?”

“That’s not what I meant.” Jaytee furrowed his brow, clearly perplexed. His hand stroked through his beard, making him look even more adorable.

And it made Raidh want him even more.

“Shit, I can’t hold out,” Jaytee snarled.

With a forceful thrust, his cock punched into Raidh’s body, his erection stretching Raidh to the limits, causing Raidh to cry out from pleasure and pain. He dug his fingernails into his mate’s chest as he panted, sucking in deep breaths.

Jaytee held Raidh’s body tightly against his cock, trapping his throbbing erection inside. They were frozen, neither able to move a single muscle, adjusting and just breathing in the moment.

“My dick looks so incredible buried in your ass,” Jaytee groaned.

With his hand, Jaytee traced the contours of Raidh’s stomach. The contrast between the rough palm and soft skin was pure heaven.

With a sudden surge, Jaytee began to move, his hands gripping Raidh’s hips tightly. He pulled out slightly before plunging back in with a powerful force, causing their bodies to collide on impact.

Jaytee’s muscular arms and taut body were a sight to behold as he increased his speed, using Raidh’s hips to thrust even deeper.

Yes! It was exactly what Raidh craved—the intense friction, the sound of their bodies colliding, their ragged breathing and fervent moans.

“Holy muffin,” he moaned in a drawn-out breath.

“Such a potty mouth,” Jaytee teased with a chuckle.

“You’re such a bad influence on me.” Raidh grinned.

He devoured Jaytee’s lips, the kiss filled with hunger, need, and desperation. But then Jaytee took control, growling fiercely into Raidh’s mouth. He thrust hard and fast, their bodies sliding against each other with every movement, causing delicious heat to radiate between them.

When they finally broke for air, Raidh struggled to catch his breath, his lower jaw tingling from the roughness of Jaytee’s thick beard.

Sweet crackers, the man could kiss. It was as if the act was an art form to him.

Jaytee leaned back and gazed down to where they were joined, his movements slowing. “Damn, you should see how gorgeous your ass looks with my cock buried inside of it.”

The pressure was intense, making Raidh glad his mate had taken the time to prepare his aching entrance with his thick fingers. Still, the burn had him hissing as his mate continued to rock inside of him.

Holy...dang. Who knew slow was just as good? Raidh shouted a protest when Jaytee unexpectedly pulled out without warning. “I want you to ride me, Moonbeam.”

He dropped to his back on the grass with a smirk.

“You’re one unpredictable puppy,” Raidh teased as he straddled Jaytee’s waist.

“Keeps things interesting.” His mate gripped Raidh’s waist to steady him then thrust back inside Raidh’s ass with a deep moan.

With his feet planted firmly on either side of Jaytee’s hips, Raidh pressed his hands against his mate’s solid, muscular chest before beginning to bounce up and down, taking in every inch of his mate’s cock.

As the intensity grew, his wings shot out and fluttered wildly behind him.

“You’re so incredibly beautiful,” Jaytee breathed as he grabbed the back of Raidh’s neck and pulled him down for a toe-curling kiss.

With one hand curled around Raidh’s waist and the other holding him steady, Jaytee thrust upward with such force it almost knocked Raidh off, but his mate’s firm grip prevented him from falling.

Raidh’s heart pounded furiously, the sound echoing loudly in his ears as he felt Jaytee’s canines lengthen during their kiss. How had he forgotten about the crucial step of biting necessary to bind their souls?

Pulling away from Jaytee, he trembled as he stared at his mate’s long, sharp teeth. He met Jaytee’s gaze and saw the desire to bite him, but it was evident his mate was holding back.