STORY EXCERPT

“How can I help you?” the barista asked.

Zeke could think of many different ways the human could help him. He shoved at Cage when his pack member tried to nudge his way in. This was a solo deal, and Cage had lost the race. “Dunno. What’s your specialty?”

Cage snorted behind him and muttered, “Lame.”

“Uh, serving food and drinks,” the guy said. “If you’re looking for more, I hear the internet has those types of websites.”

Charming. “I was referring to drink and food. But when you get off”—he made the last two words sound elicit—”you can show me those websites you’re talking about.”

The worker crinkled his nose. “I think I’ll pass. If you’re not gonna order anything, can you please step aside so I can help the gentleman behind you.”

Zeke turned to see that only Cage stood there. He turned back to the human. “That’s not a gentleman. He’s a relic from the Stone Age.”

Cage shoved at his shoulder. “Get his number and get out of my way. I’m starving.”

“You can toss together a bologna sandwich for him,” Zeke teased. “So, you gonna give me your number?”

“Twenty-two,” the guy said. The number had to be his age. “Now move aside, please.”

With a low growl, Zeke stepped aside, but didn’t go far. In fact, he had taken only one step back. He glared at Cage. “No mooching.”

“You got to him first,” Cage said. “Don’t act like I don’t know the bro code.”

Zeke watched the guy take Cage’s order. The human’s nametag read Jalen. How had he not noticed that right away? Jalen tucked a stray, blond hair behind his delicate ear, and chewed at his lower lip as he nodded at Cage. Damn if Zeke didn’t want to run his hands through those silky strands as he bit that moist lip.

Jalen shot his hazel gaze at Zeke before he turned and started Cage’s order.

“Move.” Zeke shoved at Cage and glanced over the counter to stare at Jalen’s ass. Fuck me sideways. Jalen had the nicest, plumpest backside Zeke had ever seen. His cock got hard just staring at it.

“Do I need to get a spray bottle?” Cage asked. “Bend any farther and you might as well crawl over the counter.”

Zeke cast a glance over his shoulder. “It’s been a while, all right?”

Cage chuckled. “Just as long as you don’t try and hump my leg, be my guest. Every town needs a stalker.”

“I’m not a damn—” Zeke snapped his head around. He inhaled deep drafts of the human’s honeysuckle sent. His gut twisted, as if he’d just been sucker punched. Zeke took a step back, glanced at Cage, and then back at Jalen.

“Why the hell do you look constipated?” Cage asked. “What’s wrong with you?”

Zeke held up a finger. He inhaled again. Something primal unleashed inside of him and he had to force himself not to jump over the counter. His canines had slightly descended. His cock was so hard that it painfully throbbed. Zeke wiped a hand over his face and shook his head.

“Dude, seriously, what’s wrong?” Cage’s brows furrowed. “I told you not to eat that sushi from the gas station.”

Although Zeke had felt a stitch of pain earlier from the sushi, that wasn’t it. He looked at Jalen—who still had his back to them—and felt an overwhelming need to protect the human from…everything.

Zeke moved past Cage and dropped onto one of the love seats that surrounded the pass-through gas fireplace. He sat back, trying to reel his shit in. Jalen might try to stab him if Zeke tossed the human over his shoulder and ran from the coffeehouse. There were some pretty big knives behind the counter.

Cage sat across from him in a cushiony chair. He kicked his foot at Zeke to gain his attention. “Your fucking canines are showing,” he whispered harshly. “Whatever’s got you so worked up, you need to calm your shit.”

Sitting forward, Zeke rested his elbows on his knees and lowered his head, taking in deep breaths. It wasn’t working. “That guy…” Zeke shook his head.

“What about him?”

Zeke’s chest felt heavy as his wolf batted and snarled to get free, to get to Jalen. He curled his fingers in, and saw an inch of his black claws showing at the tips of his fingernails.

“Damn,” Cage said as he eased back into the cushion. “Never saw you this worked up before. It’s like that?”

It was like that and then some. Zeke glanced at the counter. Jalen had a tray in his hand as he moved around the display case and headed their way, his slim hips moving provocatively. Zeke groaned and looked away.

“He is damn good-looking,” Cage said. “Maybe I’ll invite him to sit on my lap while I eat.”

Zeke barked a growl at Cage, and then slapped a hand over his mouth. Cage dropped his jaw as he stared at Zeke. The loud growl only told Zeke how close he was to losing it. “Touch him and I’ll rip your arm from its socket.”

A knowing look entered Cage’s green eyes.

“Here you go.” Jalen sat the tray on the coffee table. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you.”

“No, I’m good,” Cage said as his gaze flashed from Jalen to Zeke.

Jalen swiveled around and smiled at Zeke. “Have you decided what you want?”

Zeke slowly rose from the love seat, towering over the short human. “Oh, I know exactly what I want.”

Jalen visibly swallowed as he took a step back. “You really do need to learn what boundaries are, mister.”

“Zeke. My name is Ezekiel Fergana.”

“Well, Mr. Fergana, if you want to order something from the menu, I’ll be behind the counter. If you want anything else, I’m invisible.”

Zeke’s heart galloped at Jalen’s wit. It turned him on and made him wonder if the man would be that fiery in the bed.

But before he could find out, Zeke had to get past the barrier Jalen had erected. And he would. Yes, yes he would.

When Jalen walked away, Zeke groaned, his attention fixed on the man’s ass.

Cage took a bite of his sandwich, chewed, and then swallowed. “Ain’t it peculiar that you were just talking about finding your mate, and bam, here he is?”

Lowering to his seat, Zeke kept his gaze locked on Jalen. “And if he thinks I’m that easily dismissed, he has another thing coming.”

ADULT EXCERPT

“You really don’t get it, do you?” Zeke caressed Jalen’s jaw. “I want everything. Forever. Tonight, tomorrow, eternity. I want you to drop your walls and be brave enough to take a chance with me, to take a chance with us.”

Jalen’s breath hitched. “But…why?”

“Because fate handpicked you for me, cupcake. I knew you were mine the moment I laid eyes on you, and I don’t plan to ever let you go. Tell me you feel just an ounce of that toward me.”

Jalen did, and the feeling scared him. He’d never wanted anyone as badly as he wanted Zeke. But what if his past caught up with him and Jalen had to run? Could he honestly leave Zeke behind? Could he trust Zeke with his secret? The thought of letting anyone in made Jalen feel vulnerable. “Yes.”

Zeke’s hand slid behind Jalen’s head. The man pulled him closer, their lips touching. It didn’t hurt because of the pain pills, so Jalen opened, sucking Zeke’s tongue into his mouth, moaning at how damn good the guy tasted.

His hand fell to Jalen’s leg, and then slid up, brushing over Jalen’s hardening cock. Zeke broke the kiss, but kept their mouths inches apart. “Can we go? Can I take you home and make love to you?”

“God yes.” Jalen grabbed the bread basket. They would have to do because food was the last thing on Jalen’s mind.

Zeke was out of his seat and pulling Jalen toward the exit in seconds. They were in the truck before Jalen could blink, and Zeke tore from the curb, driving them home as Jalen did his best to scarf down the bread.

Home. Jalen still couldn’t wrap his mind around that word. Zeke had called it their home. This had to be a dream. This kind of thing never happened to him—this feeling of complete happiness, utter need, and overwhelming craziness.

They had to have made it back to Desire in record time. The tires slid slightly over the pavement in front of the house as Zeke came to a stop. Jalen jumped from the truck, hurrying in behind his soon-to-be lover.

By the time they made it their bedroom, Jalen was wound so tight that he felt he’d come before anything got started. Zeke slammed the door behind them and bent to remove his boots. Jalen kicked his shoes off, tore his shirt over his head, and shoved his jeans and underwear down his legs. When he looked up, Zeke stood there naked, his thick, long cock jutting from between his legs. Jalen didn’t have time to wonder if he could handle the girth. Zeke pulled Jalen into his arms, his hand skirting through Jalen’s hair, tugging at the strands as their mouths collided.

Jalen was backed to the bed, and then fell, Zeke cushioning his fall as his lover climbed over him, his cock dragging along Jalen’s leg. Instinct had Jalen wrapping his legs around the man’s waist. He could have sworn he heard a growl as Zeke punched his hips, his cock running along the crease of Jalen’s ass.

As Zeke kissed along his jaw, neck, and ear, Jalen groaned, feeling so desperate that he was ready to beg the man to fuck him. His hole pulsed, his cock throbbed, and his heart sped so fast that he felt dizzy.

That could’ve been the meds, though.

“Mine,” Zeke said in a soft growl against Jalen’s neck.

Jalen ran his hands over the shaven sides of his lover’s head, and then pulled at the long hair on top, amazed at just how soft the strands were. Zeke’s beard and mustache scrapped his skin, making it burn, and Jalen loved it.

“Don’t move,” Zeke said as he got up and pulled the drawer to his nightstand open. Jalen pushed to his elbows and glanced over Zeke’s strong, muscled body. His ass was perfectly rounded, as if he’d done a thousand squats a day. His thighs were corded and well-developed. His waist was lean, with that sexy V-shape on either side of his stomach. His chest was solid, sexy. Jalen wanted to lick every inch of that muscly body.

When Zeke turned back to him, he held a tube of lubricant in his hand. He tossed it next to Jalen before crawling back over him, forcing Jalen to lower back to the bed.

“I wish my mouth didn’t hurt,” Jalen said. “God, I want to taste you.”

Zeke’s brown eyes darkened as he licked his lips. “We have time for that later.”

He sucked in a gasp as Zeke lowered himself and settled between Jalen’s legs. His warm breath skittered across Jalen’s aching cock, sending shockwaves of excitement all over his body. Jalen felt as if he was in an unbreakable trance as he watched this strong, powerful man open his mouth and take Jalen’s cock between his lips.

“Oh fuck!” Jalen closed his eyes, planted his feet on the bed, and grabbed Zeke’s hair, pulling at the silkiness as Zeke took Jalen all the way down his throat. Wet fingers breached Jalen’s hole, swirls of pleasure gripped him, and the world tilted sideways as Zeke lavished Jalen’s cock with his expert tongue.

Jalen hitched his hips, fucking Zeke’s mouth as he became lost, drowning in the pleasure, gasping for breath, and falling apart. He was on the flip side of sanity, millions of miles away from reality as Zeke did things to his body that had Jalen crying out.