STORY EXCERPT

“Wow, my SUV is exactly where I parked it,” Tucker said to Mason as he entered the underground garage. “Surprise, surprise.”

Then again, Tucker had taken to hiding his keys so the mates wouldn’t steal his ride. He wasn’t even sure why they always picked his vehicle when they were sneaking out. There wasn’t anything special about his SUV.

“I guess the mates don’t have an adventure planned.” Mason chuckled. “You should feel privileged that they are always taking yours.”

Tucker stopped and stared at Mason. “You’re joking, right?”

“What I am is starving.” Mason slipped into the passenger seat as Tucker climbed into the driver’s side. “Since Darius mated, he hardly ever cooks anymore. Maybe we need to hire someone.”

“You know how newly mated wolves act.” Tucker started the motor, loving how quiet it was.

“Sickening,” Mason said. “That’s why we’re bachelors. Darius is so far up Richie’s ass that he could probably tell what his mate last ate.”

“You sound jealous,” Tucker teased as he pulled out of the garage. “Mad you don’t have anyone to suck face with for the rest of your life?”

“Damn straight.” Mason smiled. “I want my own little huggable mate.”

Tucker snorted. “You make it sound like mates are the next collectables.”

“Just take me to the diner before I start gnawing at your arm.” Mason rolled his window down. He was like a little kid as he stuck his head out the window and closed his eyes, enjoying the breeze.

Or a dog if he stuck his tongue out.

“I just love the smell of country air.” Mason sat back. “Gets the blood pumping. It also works up my appetite.”

“Do you ever stop eating?”

“Nope.” Mason’s grin widened. “I need the calories since I burn off a lot.” He flexed his biceps. “Gotta keep my guns in good shape.”

Tucker was more lean than muscular. Mason, on the other hand, was built like a bull and loved flexing in front of anyone who would notice him.

Especially in front of single guys. “Has anyone ever told you how obnoxious you are when it comes to your body?”

“They’re just jelly.” Mason winked. “If you got it, flaunt it.”

“I think I have some extra modesty in the cooler behind my seat. Why don’t you help yourself to a healthy dose?”

Mason chuckled. “Dude, I’m just pulling your chain. I’m not that conceited.”

Tucker knew he wasn’t. Mason was a sweet guy with a goofy disposition. That was one of the things Tucker loved about him. Mason would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. As surly as their pack was, the wolves would help anyone who was in dire need.

He pulled into the space next to a tacky yellow car. That was definitely a chick car, but who on earth would purposely pick that color?

Tucker got out and headed inside the diner. It was breakfast time, and the diner was packed. Luckily, he spotted one booth open, though the table still needed to be cleared.

“Go ahead and take that booth,” Sydney said as he passed. “I’ll come by and clean it off in a second.”

Tucker’s stomach rumbled at the smell of bacon and French toast. Now he knew what he was going to order. They slid into their seats, and Tucker was a bit grossed out at the leftovers on the plate. Someone had clearly spit out their food, and it looked disgusting.

“If I weren’t so damn hungry, I’d lose my appetite.” Mason shoved the dishes toward the end of the table and then grabbed one of the unrolled napkins, opened it, and laid it on top of the mess. “That’s better.”

“I didn’t know you had such a delicate stomach,” Tucker teased.

“Tell me that didn’t look disgusting,” Mason said. “You’d be lying if you said it didn’t.”

“Didn’t kill my appetite.” He wasn’t going to admit that it nearly had.

“Sorry, guys.” Sydney came by and cleared the dishes. When he returned, he smiled. “What’s your poison?”

“French toast and bacon,” Tucker said. “And a big glass of orange juice.”

“We really do need to get a cook at home,” Sydney commented. “But at least I keep my job if you guys continue coming in.”

“Are you offering to cook at home?” Tucker asked.

Sydney snorted. “I serve food, not cook it. If I did, you guys would be at the hospital most of the time.” He looked behind him. “I’ve dropped hints to Kennedy to cook at home, but he just looks at me like I asked him to do a striptease in a mini skirt.”

Tucker didn’t blame the owner of Bent Spoon. If Tucker had to cook all day and then come home to cook, he’d lose his mind. Though, technically, Kennedy didn’t do the cooking at the diner. He had hired someone for that.

Maybe Mason was on to something when he’d said on their ride here that they needed to hire someone. Tucker glanced around the crowded diner, seeing a lot of familiar faces.

But one face caught his attention. A stranger sitting at the counter. The guy was texting on his phone, the plate in front of him forgotten. His dark hair was combed perfectly to one side, the sides trimmed low. He was slim, with pretty lips and a great side profile.

Tucker might have just found what he really wanted for breakfast. He excused himself and got up, crossing the diner, the twink’s nose still in his phone.

 “Is anyone sitting here?” Tucker took a seat next to the guy. The stranger kept typing away, not giving a single glance to Tucker. So he sat and nodded at Sydney, who brought him his orange juice. “Thanks.”

“He’s had his nose in that phone since he got here.” Sydney placed the glass in front of Tucker. “He looked up long enough to place his order, but that’s about it.”

“I can hear you.” The guy grabbed a piece of toast from his plate and took a bite. “Happy?”

“What’s your name?” Tucker asked.

“Last name Business, first name Nonya.” He finally looked at Tucker, and fuck, his eyes were amazing. They were the color of amethysts. A purple so pretty that they stole Tucker’s breath.

ADULT EXCERPT

“Tell me about it.” Peanut lay down next to him. “You want to go raid the fridge? I got a sweet tooth.”

“What I want is for you to behave while you’re here. There have been many complaints about you.” Viridian sat up. “Can you at least try?”

Peanut eyed him. “I’m going to see if there’s access to the roof. I need to feel the sun on my face. Maybe while I’m up there I’ll spontaneously grow wings so I can fly away.”

“It’s dark out.” Viridian lost hope that Peanut would cooperate. He understood that his cousin didn’t want to feel trapped like he did when he was captured. But this was different in so many ways. Nothing heinous was happening to Peanut. He was free to come and go from his room, free to raid the kitchen, and free to explore the house.

He just couldn’t go outside.

It wasn’t like they were in some hovel. They were in a mansion, for crying out loud. Viridian had been there for three days, and he still hadn’t explored the entire place.

“Let’s go see what junk food is in the kitchen.” He got up and headed for the door. When he opened it, Tucker was right there, his hand out, as if he was just about to open it himself.

The sight of his mate had Viridian’s pulse rising.

Tucker smiled. “Hey, Peaches.”

“I’m gonna go to my room and gag.” Peanut brushed past them and walked down the hallway. Maybe he would stay gone long enough for Viridian and Tucker to consummate their mating.

Tucker walked in and closed the door. This time he locked it. “I see Peanut is in a foul mood.”

“He just has things he needs to work out.” Viridian took a step back, clasping his hands behind him. “I thought you had things to do.”

Tucker held up a book Viridian hadn’t seen in his hand. “Was looking for something to read.”

Viridian pursed his lips. “You were hiding from Peanut.”

“Was not.” Tucker gave him a devilish grin as he tossed the book onto his dresser. “I happen to be an avid reader.”

“I don’t blame you. Peanut can be a handful, but he means well, even when he’s acting bratty. He just has a lot of issues that I’m not going to go into.”

“Fair enough, but I think you need to talk to him about his attitude.” Tucker slid his arms around Viridian’s hips. “And no more interruptions.”

Viridian whimpered at the heat coursing through his veins. “I already spoke to him. He said he’ll try to do better.”

“Somehow I highly doubt that.” Tucker grabbed the hem of his shirt.

Viridian’s eyes widened, knowing exactly what his mate was about to do. “Um, so do I.”

Tucker gave him a shit-eating grin as he tore his shirt over his head. Next, he toed his shoes off. He slid his jeans and underwear down his corded thighs and then removed his socks. He stood there gloriously naked, and all Viridian could do was stare at the man as he drooled.

Holy mother of pearl. His body was just as ripped naked as it was clothed. They’d been sleeping in the bed together for a few nights but never got passed taking only a few articles of clothing off since Peanut had kept interrupting them. Seeing Tucker naked had been well worth the wait.

“I have a feeling, by the time this is over, Peanut will have pissed off the entire house.”

How was Tucker still talking? How was he concentrating on the conversation when Viridian’s brain had melted against his skull?

Afraid they would be interrupted again, Viridian kicked his shoes off, tugged his shirt over his head, and then shoved his shorts down his legs. He dropped to the bed and ripped his socks off before throwing them onto the pile of clothes gathered at their feet.

“Excited?” Tucker gave a tiny growl as he pulled Viridian close to his amazing body. The heat coming off of his mate made Viridian shiver.

“Yeah, that’s an understatement.” His gaze dropped to Tucker’s erection. The man’s cock was long, thick, and Viridian’s mouth watered for a taste. He just hoped he could fit the girth in his mouth.

There was only one way to find out. Dropping to his knees, he took half the length into his mouth. Tucker hissed as Viridian swirled his tongue and then flicked it over the flared head. Pre-cum leaked onto his tongue as he gripped the base of the cock, detracting inches so he wouldn’t choke himself.

“God yes.” Tucker moaned. “You don’t know how badly I’ve been dying for you to do this. I kept picturing it in my head, but the real deal is so much better.”

The salty musk exploded over Viridian’s tongue. He bobbed his head as he took Tucker just a bit deeper and then pulled back, licking along the thick vein that ran under the man’s dick.

Viridian reached down and squeezed his own cock, trying to stop himself from coming so quickly like he’d done in the wine cellar. He had to show Tucker that he wasn’t a five-second man, that he had stamina and could be a great lover. At least he hoped so. Viridian felt a bit intimidated since Tucker was such a viral man and probably had a lot of experience under his belt, whereas Viridian did not.

He wasn’t a virgin, but he wasn’t worldly either. A part of him feared disappointing his mate.

“As much as I want you to finish this, I need to be buried inside of you.”

Tucker pulled Viridian up and then turned him over. Viridian bent over the bed, excitement making him shake as Tucker pulled something from out of the nightstand.

Lube.

He smiled, and then his eyes crossed when wet fingers drove inside of him. Tucker stretched him, hitting Viridian’s sweet spot over and over again, making him actually drool as he thrust backward, getting off on his mate’s fingers.

He was close to coming when Tucker pulled his hand free and replaced his fingers with the flared head of his cock.