STORY EXCERPT

Nobody had said anything about Cory being home. Reagan stood outside his old bedroom door and stared at his brother. “That’s fine. You don’t have to say hi.”

Reagan had been staring at him for two seconds. God, he didn’t want to do this. Growing up, his brother always had an anger problem. He’d always been yelling about something. It was as if Cory didn’t know how to talk like a regular person. Everything was either a shouting match or said with attitude. He was one of the many reasons Reagan had left Willow Point. Being around Cory was stressful, and right now, Reagan didn’t need any more stress in his life. He was already working out in his head how much money he had in his savings and the cost of living if he got his own place.

Now that he knew Cory was there, Reagan was definitely looking for an apartment, and soon. Like, today. His parents had been stressed out enough while raising their children. Cory was forever in a bad mood, except when he was out partying with his friends. Then he acted like Reagan’s best friend.

Reagan was not going to go through that again. He grabbed his suitcase and bags from his old bedroom and stored them in his trunk. If he had to, he’d rent a room at a motel. Yes, it was that bad being around his brother.

Why was Cory back home? The last Reagan had heard, Cory was living in Brac Village working at the post office. Maybe he was just visiting, and if that were the case, Reagan would steer clear of him until he went home.

He could have taken a few days to decompress, to lick his wounds, but job hunting would take his mind off the prick that had fired him. What really bothered Reagan the most was the fact that he wasn’t bothered by the breakup.

Sure, it had been humiliating to be let go, but he wasn’t hurting over losing Matt. What did that say about their year-long relationship? There had never been real sparks between them. Reagan had never been excited to go out, and the sex between them hadn’t been stellar.

Now that he really thought about it, he’d gotten with Matt because he’d been lonely.

Reagan shook himself from his thoughts. He needed to head into town and forget Matt even existed.

Only, he couldn’t leave because Cory was parked behind him. With a deep sigh and praying his brother didn’t turn into a two-headed monster that breathed fire, Reagan got out and went back into the house.

Cory was in the living room with the remote. “I need you to move your car.”

“I just sat down,” Cory grunted. “Give me ten minutes.”

“It’ll take less than that to move your car,” Reagan pointed out.

“Stop being a pain in the ass,” Cory argued.

His brother tossed him a set of keys. Reagan caught them then set them aside. “What do you want me to do with those?”

“Clearly I want you to move the cars so you can get out of the driveway.”

Reagan counted to ten then did it again. Instead of arguing, he snatched the keys off the table and walked outside. After he parked Cory at the curb, Reagan took off. His brother was going to pitch a fit when he realized that Reagan hadn’t moved his car back into the driveway, and that he’d left the keys on the passenger seat, but Reagan hadn’t wanted to deal with his brother any more than he had to because being around the guy was like waiting for a keg of dynamite to explode.

Sooner or later it would happen, and Reagan didn’t want to be around when the explosion occurred. With Cory, Reagan couldn’t win for losing. No matter what he said or did, Cory always found a way to turn it into an argument.

Always.

Instead of going to the motel, Reagan decided to look into apartments first.

He pulled his car into the lot at the rear of the three-story apartment building and got out, locking it securely with a small click. He walked to the back door, but it was locked tight. Scrunching his brow in annoyance, he rounded the corner of the building and stepped inside the main entrance, where he surveyed a row of buzzers labeled with different names.

One was marked Manager, so Reagan pressed the button twice. Moments later, a tall figure stepped from a door farther down the hallway, catching Reagan off guard with his chiseled jawline and piercing gray-green eyes. The man hesitated for a moment before unlocking the inner door and opening it wide.

His voice was just as captivating as his looks—deep and smooth like whiskey—as he asked, “Can I help you?”

Reagan shook himself from his trance-like state and replied, “Hi, I’m Reagan Walsh. I was wondering if you had any apartments for rent.”

“Two units.” The guy stepped back and gestured for Reagan to enter. “One unit is a one bedroom, and the other has two.”

 “That’s perfect.” Now all Reagan had to do was find out how much they were going for. He’d only rented one place in his life, and the cost where he resided was ridiculous.

 As they walked back to the manager’s office, Reagan couldn’t help but admire the man’s firm physique, like he’d been doing squats since birth. His biceps bulged beneath the sleeves of his shirt as he opened the door of the unit.

Stop drooling over him and get your imagination out of his jeans, you perv. Reagan might have just broken things off with Matt, but there was no denying the manager was a hot piece of eye candy.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Reagan looked around the manager’s office…er…apartment. The place was nicely furnished, an array of plants cascading from every corner. Vines and leaves spilled down from shelves and hung from the ceiling. A light floral scent filled the air.

“My name is Eli Pestoria. I’ll need you to fill out some paperwork and show me two months’ worth of paycheck stubs, along with references.”

 As long as Eli didn’t ask to talk to Reagan’s boss—ex-boss—he would be okay. No way would Matt give him any kind of positive reference. The bastard would probably talk shit about Reagan.

“I’ll also need the name and phone number of your last landlord,” Eli said.

Crap. Reagan didn’t want Bernard to know he was breaking his lease, even though he’d left the key on the counter. That certainly wouldn’t look good for him. Maybe his dad could pretend he was Bernard, but then Reagan would have to explain why he needed to break his lease in the first place.

The situation was getting more complicated by the minute. Too bad Cory was such a jerk, or Reagan could ask his brother for help. But even if Cory agreed, Reagan knew there would be a hefty price tag attached—eternal gratitude and never-ending reminders of this favor for years to come.

How in the fuck were they related?

ADULT EXCERPT

Reagan leaned into Eli’s embrace then turned his head, and Eli captured his lips. Reagan sighed into his mouth, curling his arms around Eli’s neck.

Oh yeah, this was exactly what he’d needed to calm his nerves. To be with Eli, to be held by him, kissed by him, because damn, Eli was the best kisser Reagan had ever met.

As their kiss deepened, Reagan felt a rush of desire spread through his body. He pressed himself closer, wanting to feel every inch of him. Eli responded with a low growl, his hands roaming over Reagan’s body.

He didn’t even care that Eli was smoothing his hands over Reagan’s love handles. If his mate didn’t mind, then neither did Reagan. To hell with what Matt thought of him. It only mattered what Eli thought, and right now, Eli seemed all in.

Reagan moaned as Eli’s hands found their way under his shirt, tracing the lines of his chest. Reagan could feel the heat of Eli’s skin against his own, and he wanted nothing more than to lose himself in this moment.

As Eli explored Reagan, he couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp. The sensation was overwhelming, and his desire was growing with each passing moment. He leaned in to kiss Eli once more, his heart racing with excitement. Reagan had never kissed so much in his life, but he wasn’t complaining.

Their lips met in a fierce embrace, and Reagan felt the full force of Eli’s passion. Their tongues danced together, exploring each other’s mouths as they held each other tightly. Reagan’s own arousal was growing, and he knew that he wanted nothing more than to have Eli make love to him.

As they pulled away from each other, Reagan’s eyes locked onto Eli’s. There was a hunger in his mate’s gaze, and he couldn’t resist the urge to give in. Reagan was tired of fighting this, tired of trying to keep Eli at arm’s length. He wasn’t sure he was making the right choice, but there was no denying how he felt about the guy.

“Are you sure about this?” Eli asked as he pulled away from Reagan’s mouth. “Once we mate, it can’t be undone.”

Reagan wasn’t sure about anything except the fact that he wanted Eli with a desperation that bordered on madness. His body was primed, and all Reagan wanted to do was throw caution to the wind.

The moment was too intense to back down from. “Yes.”

Eli picked Reagan up from the couch and walked to his bedroom. Reagan threw his head back and laughed at the determined look on his mate’s face. “Eager?”

“Goddamn right.”

Eli gently placed him on the bed and hovered over him, their eyes locked in a heated gaze.

Reagan ran his fingers through Eli’s hair, pulling him in for a deep, toe-curling kiss. Their bodies entwined, their hands roaming over each other’s skin, igniting a fire that threatened to consume them.

Then they broke apart, and Reagan took that moment to yank his shirt off then shimmy out of his pants and underwear, tossing the clothing aside. Eli had done the same, and Reagan drank his fill. He’d seen Eli naked before, when the guy had turned into a wolf, but now Reagan could take his time and appreciate how well-honed Eli was.

Fuck, he wanted to map out the guy’s body and lick every single, glorious inch of it.

“I love your body.” Reagan spread his hands over Eli’s impressive pecs.

“Love yours, too.”

Eli pressed his lips to Reagan’s neck, trailing kisses down his chest and stomach. Reagan moaned at the feel of Eli’s beard scraping across his skin, his hands running through Eli’s hair, urging him on. Eli knew exactly how to touch him, how to make him feel sexy and desired.

As Eli’s mouth made its way lower, Reagan’s hips lifted off the bed, his body begging for more. And then Eli’s mouth was on him, engulfing Reagan’s cock, sending shockwaves of pleasure through Reagan’s body. Reagan lost himself in the sensation, his fingers gripping the sheets as he arched his back, offering himself up to Eli.

When he couldn’t take it anymore, Reagan threw his head back and shouted Eli’s name, his cum erupting from his balls. It was the most intense orgasm Reagan had ever had.

That was the fastest Reagan had ever climaxed. He’d been so excited, so needy, that he hadn’t lasted five seconds. Hopefully Eli didn’t hold that against him and think Reagan’s trigger was that easy.

He pulled Eli up to him, their bodies pressed close together. He looked into his mate’s eyes, seeing the need there, and knew he had to have him.

Eli smiled down at him, his eyes filled with something Reagan couldn’t discern. “You’re incredible,” he said softly, kissing Reagan’s forehead. “I’m so lucky to have you.”

Reagan smiled back, feeling a warmth spreading through his body. “I hope you’re not done with me.”

“Hell no.”