STORY EXCERPT

Matt didn’t know what the hell happened. He was supposed to be here as a favor to Zack. Certainly, he didn’t expect anything out of the awkward evening. Zack needed him, so Matt came, despite not wanting to. The memory of Jordie’s high school graduation still burned bright in his mind. The press of Jordie’s lips against his own, and the way Zack’s kid brother looked, bright-eyed, eager, and fucking tempting. Matt fucked anything that walked on two legs and at that moment, his wolf wanted nothing but Jordie.

God, Jordie’s kiss felt like a wrecking ball, incinerating everything in its path. Never before had Matt and his wolf wanted anyone so badly, but it took him a second later to remember this was Zack’s kid brother and Zack’s only family. Damn it, but the fucking pack saw Jordie grow up from depressed kid to promising adult. So Matt kept his distance while Jordie nursed his wounds, thousands of miles away.

Matt told himself this was better. The kid would make new friends. Find some lucky bastard to love. Even though he had zero claims on Jordie, the thought rankled. Matt’s mind occasionally went back to that fateful day, full of so much revelation and sorrow, and he was green with envy each time Zack told him about the recent guy Jordie was seeing. Matt handled his jealousy in the only way he knew how, in drink and one-night-stands, but after Jordie’s kiss, no amount of casual sex could cure his obsession.

After hearing Jordie came back home, Matt still kept away, but since Zack was his best friend, he knew their paths would eventually cross. He’d employ the same tactic as he did before, except one glimpse of Jordie made him forget why he kept his distance in the first place. Matt hardly recognized the lean young man in front of him. Although Jordie had the same shaggy brown hair and sported the same yummy, slender physique, the shadows under Jordie’s eyes told Matt Jordie had ridden his share of rough roads. While they never communicated, Zack was always concerned about Jordie’s time in the city. The kid had it hard—no, Matt couldn’t keep thinking of Jordie as that.

Matt swore to keep this civil until Jordie riled up all the anger contained inside him when he blew Matt off and retreated to his room.

Pissed, Matt unthinkingly closed the distance between them, startling the human. Jordie let go of his crutches and Matt automatically caught him, not realizing his error. Once he'd got hold of Jordie, Matt refused to let go. His wolf caught wind of Jordie’s distinctive scent and it drove Matt mad with unexpected want. Years of keeping away made him suddenly long once more for the forbidden.

“Fuck, Jordie, you smell so fucking good.”

In those few damning seconds, Matt forgot Jordie was Zack’s brother, that Jordie was untouchable, because at that moment, Jordie was his. His for the taking if Matt wanted, and the way Jordie sagged in his arms told him Jordie wouldn’t refuse him.

“Matt,” Jordie whispered, his voice raw and cracking. That told Matt all his attitude earlier had been a façade. God, his name on Jordie’s lips felt right. Perfect. Matt wanted Jordie to say in again.

Matt sniffed the side of Jordie’s neck, and his tongue lashed out to circle Jordie’s racing pulse.

“God,” Jordie whispered.

Matt ground himself against the curve of Jordie’s back, letting Jordie feel his erection. “God can’t help you now, pet.”

“Matt, we can’t.”

“Why not? I can smell you, little human. You want this as bad as I do.”

“Because you’re a dick and after so many years of not talking, you want me now?” Jordie let out a bitter laugh. “I’m not one of your fuck-buddies, Matt. I’m not going to fall all over your feet just because you said so.”

Stung, Matt loosened his grip, letting Jordie pick up his crutches before letting the human stand on his own two feet. How a crippled human could reduce a werewolf’s stature to a hot mess, Matt didn’t know.

“This cuts both ways, Jordie. Don’t dump all the blame on me. Not a text, email, or a call from you for four fucking years. You can’t just waltz back into my life.”

“I should be the one saying that. Well, put your mind to rest, because I have no intentions of being part of your life,” Jordie fired back, although Matt could sense how much strength it took for Jordie to say those words.

“Darkfall is a small town, Jordie. You can’t avoid me forever.”

“I can try.”

Matt couldn’t bear to see it end this way. Fuck his pride, but he had no intentions of letting Jordie get away. One sniff, one touch, and his wolf knew the truth. Jordie was his mate, the one he’d waited all his life for, and he couldn’t let the human go. Never mind Jordie was Zack’s brother. Matt would worry about that later on. Now he should focus on repairing the damage he’d caused.

Jordie began to turn away, but he froze when Matt spoke.

“Jordie, please. Give me another chance. I didn’t mean to get off on the wrong foot.”

The fact Jordie paused told Matt volumes. Conflicted emotions crossed Jordie’s face. The human hadn’t let go of his feelings for Matt either. Matt’s heart soared, but he needed to play this cool. Jordie made an excellent point. Nothing in life worth owning was easy. Matt’s mother told him and his younger brother Mark that often enough.

“What?”

“Let’s start simple. Be friends. I’m part of Zack’s life and you’re important to him.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Unable to wait any longer, Matt yanked Jordie to him when the elevator doors hissed shut behind them. He kissed Jordie again, all tongue and teeth, liking the look of longing on Jordie’s face when he released him. They stood in the corridor of Zack and Jordie’s apartment. Matt walked up to their unit and used his spare key to open the front door. A part of him wondered if they should have gone back to his place instead. Matt didn’t deny there was a strange, forbidden allure though, taking Jordie in this place.

The three of them practically grew up together. Given Matt spent most of the time getting in trouble with Zack, Jordie was always in the background, the kid brother Matt never had—until Jordie kissed him during his high school graduation. Matt admitted he handled that particular incident badly, but he was a kid too, too ashamed of his feelings for Jordie. How could he pursue Jordie when Zack was practically his brother?

“I’ve had enough of the sun for one week,” Jordie muttered, limping in.

Matt locked the front door behind him, watching Jordie make his way to the living. Dumping his crutches to the side of the couch, Jordie slumped into his favorite spot— right in front of the TV. Even Matt knew that little tidbit. Hell, Matt knew plenty of things about Jordie.

“What’s wrong?” Jordie cocked his head to regard him, still frozen by the doorway.

Did Matt harbor second thoughts? Yes, but Jordie made a valid point. Sooner or later, Zack would know. Hell, Matt loved Mark, but his brother had a big mouth. Even if Mark didn’t say anything, too many people knew. There was Mack, for one, Michella, and probably Sergio too. What did it matter? Only Zack’s opinion did, but Matt couldn’t stop now. It didn’t help that Jordie looked so fucking tempting, with his shirt plastered close to his skin.

Matt walked over and leaned down to plant a kiss on Jordie’s lips. Careful of Jordie’s cast, he grabbed the hem of Jordie’s shirt, pulling it above his head with Jordie’s help. Seeing Jordie’s slender frame, Matt licked his lips.

“All for me,” Matt said, tracing a line of sweat down Jordie’s left pectoral to his flat stomach.

Jordie swallowed. He could practically taste the anticipation and excitement on Jordie. Not waiting for Jordie to change his mind or for Matt’s conscience to ram its ugly head, Matt kissed his way down Jordie’s tempting body. He sucked and nipped his way downwards. With every groan and whimper that came out of Jordie’s mouth, Matt’s cock hardened.

Finally reaching Jordie’s groin, Matt knelt between his legs. With quick fingers, he undid the button and unzipped Jordie’s fly.

“Matt, what are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” Matt grinned up at Jordie. “You little tease. Now I need to taste you.”

Jordie bit his lip.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just,” Jordie hesitated. “I’m the one usually doing the giving, not much on the receiving end.”

Matt swore under his breath at the mention of other men Jordie had been with. Jordie was an adult. Of course he’d been in other relationships, but the thought still rankled. Well, Matt would remedy that soon. Once Jordie had a taste of him, Jordie wouldn’t want for anyone else.

“Those fuckers didn’t know the first thing about being in a relationship then.”

As if Matt knew. He’d never lasted more than a week with anyone, but none of those hook-ups were Jordie either. Maybe, that was why he’d been restless all his life. Matt’s wolf simply waited for the right one and now that Jordie was within his grasp, he wouldn’t let go. Pulling Jordie’s jeans and boxers down, Matt exposed Jordie’s dick, already at half-mast.

He nuzzled his face against Jordie’s cock, feeling Jordie’s hand in his hair.

“Finally, I have something better than ice cream.” Jordie’s cheeks turning pink was a fine sight to see, Matt mused. Going right down to business, Matt flicked his tongue out, licking away the pre-cum on Jordie’s tip. He tongued Jordie’s slit, while Jordie gasped above him. Far from done, Matt licked Jordie from cock head to balls. He took Jordie’s left ball in his mouth, sucking hard before moving to the next.

“Christ, Matt. Stop teasing me.”

Matt pulled his mouth away to answer. “Only if you say the magic word, pet.”

“Are you serious?”

Matt answered by tracing his way back to Jordie’s tip, swirling his tongue over the head again.

“God,” Jordie whispered.

“No God, baby. Just us.”

“Please, Matt.”

Fuck, did that word sound gorgeous on Jordie’s lips. Matt took Jordie’s dick between his lips and began to give Jordie the best blow job of his life. The next time they did this, Jordie’s leg would be healed and their positions would be reversed, but Jordie deserved a reward for standing his ground against wolves like Mack. Matt wasn’t worried, because Jordie had steel in his back bone. Despite being human, Jordie could handle himself around shifters.

Matt bobbed his head up and down while Jordie’s dick turned steel-hard under his ministrations. Knowing he was close, Matt pulled away, rose from his knees, and curled his fingers around Jordie’s cock, pumping him with fast strokes.

“Go on, pet. Come all over my fingers. Do it now.” His command and a pinch on Jordie’s tip was enough for Jordie to let out a shuddering cry. Jordie exploded, spilling strings of his cum over Matt’s fingers. Seeing Jordie climax made Matt aware of his hard-on, pushing painfully against the zipper of his jeans. Jordie seemed to know it too, because his heavy lidded gaze settled on the bulge in Matt’s pants.

“Let me return the favor,” Jordie said, voice husky.