STORY EXCERPT

“Okay, let’s get him to the vet.” He scooped the little goat into his arms and stepped over the side of the enclosure. “Go get your car while I try and calm Shoeshine down.”

The goat was still shaking like crazy, but he’d tucked his head into the crook of Nando’s arm. The poor little thing. Nando rubbed its back, making soothing sounds while Trey pulled out front.

“Lock up,” Nando said when he came outside. “My arms are full.”

Trey jumped out and locked the door as Nando tucked the goat into the backseat, putting the seat belt around him. “If we’re going to be transporting animals to the vet, we need to invest in a company van.”

The previous owner, Mr. Chesnee, had transported the animals in his car, which Nando always thought was unsafe. Nando had been an animal lover for as far back as he could remember, and their health and safety was his top priority.

Trey chuckled. “I should have bought a car seat for this trip.”

“Or a booster seat.” Nando grinned. Seriously, did they make car seats for tiny goats? He’d have to look that up on the internet, if for nothing else but to satisfy his curiosity.

“Do you think he’ll potty on the seat?” Trey frowned. “Ben just bought me this car, and it still smells brand-new. I don’t want the goat peeing or pooping back there.”

“If you stop yapping and get going, maybe he won’t.” Nando decided to ride in the back with Shoeshine. The goat was still shaky and bleating. His eyes were too dang wide, and Nando suspected the goat was terrified of the car.

“It’s okay, buddy.” Nando stroked Shoeshine’s head as Trey pulled away from the curb and drove to the veterinarian’s office. Since Mr. Chesnee always took the animals to the vet, Nando had no clue who the town vet even was.

Clearly Trey knew where they were going, because he pulled into the back of the small brick building and parked. Nando eased Shoeshine out of his restraints and carried him to the back door.

When they entered, Nando saw they were in a waiting room. The back must have been the front. The walls were a pale yellow and decorated with patterns of dog prints. There was even a large container on the reception counter filled with dog treats.

“Can I help you?” a short, slim guy with wire-rimmed glasses asked. He looked like a hipster who should have been working in a coffee shop rather than a vet office.

“Something’s wrong with Shoeshine,” Nando said. “We need to see the vet.”

There were two other people in the waiting area. One guy had a large dof on a leash. The dog sniffed the air and then began to bark. The owner shushed him, but the dog started whimpering instead.

A woman sat there with a cat carrier on the seat next to her. She stared curiously at them, her gaze falling on the goat.

“I need you to fill out these papers.” The receptionist handed Trey a clipboard. “Have a seat and Dr. Scott will see you when he has time.”

“Has time?” Nando asked.

“You’re a walk-in,” the guy said. “Appointments are seen first. Don’t worry. Shoeshine will be taken care of.”

Nando wanted to argue that the goat needed to be seen now, but he kept his mouth shut when the receptionist gave him a shy, friendly smile. It wasn’t the guy’s fault that they had to wait, and even though Nando was concerned, he wasn’t going to take his worry out on the man.

Once they were seated, Shoeshine tucked his head back into the crook of Nando’s arm. Nando felt like a protective mother as he bounced his leg, waiting for what felt like a century before the receptionist waved them to the back. They were escorted into one of the exam rooms and told to have a seat.

“Okay, I’m sorry,” Trey said when the door was closed. “I shouldn’t have bought him on an impulse. That was irresponsible of me, especially when I have no idea how to care for a goat.”

“I can’t stay mad,” Nando said. “I know how you feel. As soon as I saw him I fell in love with him.”

“Right!” Trey laughed, seeming relieved that Nando wasn’t still pissed at him. “As soon as I saw him on the website, I knew I had to have him. He’s just so dang adorable.”

“Hey!” Nando struggled to keep Shoeshine in his arms, but the goat wiggled so much that he ended up dropping him. Shoeshine hit the floor, bleated, and then ran right into the exam table.

“What the hell is wrong with him?” Trey asked as they raced around the room, trying to grab the little guy. Nando shouted when he and Trey bumped heads.

“What is all the ruckus?”

Nando swung around at the sound of a deep voice. He collided with the table, slipped on a loose shoestring, and face-planted on the floor.

“Crap,” Nando groaned as he lay there, his cheek against the cool tile. “I think I just got a concussion.”

Shoeshine hopped over to him and licked Nando’s face.

“Oh, now you want to behave,” Nando grumbled.

Trey grabbed Nando’s arm and pulled him to his feet. “Let me see.”

“Stop.” Nando waved away Trey’s hands when his friend started probing at his head.

“I don’t feel any bumps.” Trey turned. “Hey, Dr. Scott. We have a goat who is shaking. Can you tell me what’s wrong with him?”

Nando glared at Shoeshine before turning to the vet. His cheeks felt as though they were being touched by the sun. Nando’s face caught fire as he gaped at the sexiest man he’d ever laid eyes on.

The vet had dark blond hair that looked silky soft and blue eyes that were filled with humor as they studied Nando.

Nando’s breath caught, and his heart thundered as he struggled for something to say. He didn’t normally become flustered around gorgeous men, but Nando’s brain had shut down.

ADULT EXCERPT

“Uh, what’re you doing?” Nando damn near drooled when Evan revealed the upper half of his body. Nando wasn’t a virgin, but he also wasn’t that experienced with sex, either. He could count on one hand how many lovers he’d had, and seeing this gorgeous man strip down had him hard in seconds.

“Getting into something more comfortable,” Evan said.

If the guy got any more comfortable, he would be naked. Not that Nando would object. He’d already seen Evan in his birthday suit, and what a great suit that was.

Nando kicked off his shoes and tucked his feet under him. “Like into pajamas?” he asked.

Evan winked at Nando from over his broad shoulder. “I sleep naked.”

Nando nearly swallowed his tongue. “It’s k-kind of e-early for bed.”

After removing his jeans and socks, Evan, in only his boxer briefs, walked over to his bed. He slid onto the mattress then patted the spot next to him. “Why don’t you come over here so we can talk better?”

“I can hear you just fine from over here.” Nando looked down at his hands, which were nervously tugging at his shirt. “What did you want to talk about?”

Evan got up, crossed the room, and took Nando’s hands in his. “It’s something we have to talk about on the bed.”

Nando went, though he was shaking like crazy. Who wouldn’t be nervous around such a hot guy? Nando’s past lovers paled in comparison to Evan.

“No need to be shy.” Evan gave him a charming smile. “We’re just talking.”

“Then why do I feel like the fly that’s being lured into the spider’s web?” Nando sat on the edge of the bed. “So what did you want to talk about?”

Evan crawled in behind him and curled his arm around Nando. “Mates. I didn’t mention how we have to seal the deal.”

Nando had a pretty good idea already.

Evan pulled Nando into his arms then ran his tongue along Nando’s lips. He skimmed his teeth as Nando opened for him. Evan sucked Nando’s tongue into his mouth as he kneaded his ass.

Fuck. The guy could kiss like a dream. Nando found himself panting as he tried to get impossibly closer, running his hands over Evan’s bare chest. Evan had some chest hair, and Nando found himself playing in it as Evan sucked on his tongue, his hands gliding over Nando’s backside.

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” Evan said against Nando’s lips. “I need them off.”

Nando was lost in what Evan was doing to him, and the words barely registered in his addled brain. “Got it. No clothes.”

Evan chuckled. “But you’re not taking them off, hon.”

With a frustrated groan, Nando wiggled free of Evan’s arms and kicked his clothes off so fast that it had to be a world’s record for undressing. He shoved aside thoughts of Evan being a wolf, of the fact that he said they were mates, and that Nando was about to “seal the deal” by having sex with the guy.

It wasn’t the brain on his shoulders that was thinking right now. Nando’s cock was so hard that it painfully throbbed.

All of Nando’s senses came alive, from the smell of Evan’s dark cologne on his skin to the way his whiskers abraded Nando’s face, giving form to something more, mouthwatering, simply divine, and sensual.

How long had it been since Nando had had sex? Months? An entire year? It was sad that he couldn’t recall. That spoke volumes about his lack of a sex life. Hopefully that was about to change.

Nando slid his arms around Evan’s neck as he pushed his cock into Evan’s abdomen. He broke the kiss and licked his own lips. “Need to taste you.”

Evan’s nostrils flared as he rolled onto his back. Nando’s muscles drew tight with pleasure as he kissed his way down Evan’s body. A moan left Nando’s throat at the taste of his mate’s skin. It had been rare when Nando gave head, and now he wished he had more experience with the act.

What if Evan didn’t like the blowjob? What if he kicked Nando to the curb because he sucked at it?

Stop doubting yourself and do your best.

Nando’s cock ached as he licked the length of Evan’s dick. Evan spread his legs farther apart, and Nando settled between them. Fuck, Evan was hung. His cock was hard, and pre-cum dotted the slit.

Nando stroked Evan’s cock a few times before he glided the mushroomed head across his lips. Nando’s hands trembled slightly as he ran his tongue across the smeared drops, the taste exploding in his mouth. He glanced up to see Evan watching him, his eyes slanted in lust. He must be doing something right for his mate to have that lusty look.

And it surprised Nando that already he thought of Evan as his mate. It felt too natural, too right, and who was he to argue otherwise? Did Nando really want to throw this away just because he was afraid of the unknown? No, he didn’t. As Evan had said, this was their happiness, and Nando wanted every bit of it.

Nando opened his mouth wider as he wrapped his lips around Evan’s cock.

“Fuck.” Evan groaned, his hand coming down to run over Nando’s head.

It still felt like a dream. This hot vet actually wanted him, desired him, and the feeling rubbed his ego in all the right places.

Nando looked up once again at Evan, a blush fanning across his face and neck at the intimate way Evan was seeing him.

Evan gave a low growl. Nando took him deeper, humming as his tongue swirled around the hard shaft. Evan thrust his hips, and Nando gagged. His eyes watered as he pulled back.