STORY EXCERPT

A huge part of him wanted to stop by since he was in town, but he feared rejection and decided against the idea. Besides, if his father didn't want to talk about things over the phone, he damn sure wouldn't say two words in person.

“I've been fine.” He smiled as he gazed around. There were a few new additions to the place, but all in all, it hadn't changed much. “I was visiting a friend and decided to take a walk.”

Thomas patted his back as if he could read Kevin's mind and knew his troubles. “Well, you picked the perfect day to come,” Thomas said. “We're gearing up for our bake sale that will be held this Sunday. Care to help?”

Why not? It wasn't like he had anything better to do. “Sure.”

“I have a few volunteers from the firehouse working in the kitchen. I'll pair you up with someone.” Thomas tapped Kevin's upper arm with his fist. “It's so good to see you.”

Kevin smiled and followed Thomas down the hallway. He could already smell the baked goods and his sweet tooth went into overdrive. He was dying for a cupcake. Thomas led him into the kitchen and toward the back. The coordinator stopped short and waved a hand toward a man who had Kevin's heart accelerating.

“This is Denver Macias,” Thomas introduced. “He's a paramedic and you two will be working together.”

And the paramedic was a cougar shifter. Kevin could see the man's animal as clear as day.

Kevin was at a sudden loss for words. He stared up into the most amazing hazel eyes he'd ever seen and felt like a total gober as he stood there and drooled. Thomas continued to smile as he turned to Denver. “And this young man used to volunteer here all the time years ago. His name is Kevin Martin.

Denver wiped his flour-covered hands on a towel and then extended it. “Nice to meet you.”

Kevin shook the offered hand. “S–same here.” He pumped Denver's hand until he realized he'd been holding it for a good minute. He didn't want to let it go. It was strong, warm, and all Kevin could think about was having that hand on other parts of his body.

“Well.” Thomas cleared his throat. “I'll leave you two be.”

Kevin only nodded as he continued to stare into Denver's eyes. The paramedic tapped Kevin's hand. “I'll need that to bake with.”

“Oh!” Kevin released Denver's hand and felt his face and ears burn. He glanced away, cursing to himself for acting like an idiot that required a drool bib. Flirting had never been his strong point. His time in Zeus's territory had proven a dismal failure when it came to dating. He stammered when he liked a guy, became a klutz, and said the stupidest things.

At this rate, he'd never get laid.

“So, do you know how to bake?” Denver asked as he spread flour over the counter. Kevin was an okay cook at home, but baking had never been his thing.

“I can burn,” he said and then mentally slapped himself.

Denver smiled and Kevin turned into a puddle of goo. “That so?”

“What I meant to say was that I can bake a can of biscuits from the store, but I have taken them out too early from time to time. The center was still gooey and I had to throw them away. Not that I waste food, because I don't. I know there are plenty of starving people out there and I try not to—”

Denver held up his flour-covered hand. “Hey, slow down. I'm only getting half of what you're saying.”

Where was a hole he could crawl into when he needed one? Kevin decided to go for casual. He leaned his arm on the counter, intent on appearing laid back when he knocked the steel bowl over, wincing as it clattered to the floor. He turned to pick it up and slipped on the eggs that had been inside, effectively falling on his ass. He sat there. It was better that way. If he moved, he just might kill Denver in the process.

One of Denver's brows rose higher than the other. “You okay down there?”

Kevin lifted his hand and spread his fingers, watching as the eggs dripped from his hand. “Not really.”

The sexy paramedic squatted next to Kevin and flicked flour on him. His smile was wide and so damn beautiful. “There, now you're ready for the oven.” The guy held out his hand. Kevin took it. Denver pulled to help Kevin to his feet when he slipped on the eggs and landed next to Kevin with a loud harrumph.

Kevin burst out laughing at the shocked expression on Denver's face. It was as though the man had never fallen on his ass before. “Looks like we're both ready for the oven. Are you hurt?”

Denver frowned. “Just my pride. As soon as I find it, I'll get up.”

“I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to roll in the ingredients,” someone said on the other side of the table.

“Shut up, Travis,” Denver groused. “This is an old recipe that requires us mix the eggs and flour with our butts.” The paramedic winked at Kevin. “You're just jealous that I have a sexy partner for my task.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Kevin cried out as he began to writhe under Denver.

If Kevin put an end to this, right here, right now, Denver wasn't sure he would be able to stop. It felt as if he were burning up inside. His need to get inside Kevin was all-consuming to the point that the need bordered on insanity.

Denver licked his way up Kevin's abdomen and then over to his mate's hip where he nipped gently at the man's tender skin. He lifted his head slightly and said, “Please tell me you have some lube.”

It was as if Kevin couldn't understand what Denver was saying. He shook his head, his eyes filling with confusion. Denver glanced around and spotted a bottle of olive oil sitting on the counter. He pulled his fingers free long enough to grabbed the bottle and then returned to his mate.

“My own personal playground,” Denver murmured as he coated his fingers with the oil. But this time he inserted three fingers instead of two. Kevin gasped as his head rolled to the side and his eyelids fluttered closed.

Denver worked to relax Kevin's tight muscles as he used his other hand to touch every inch of his mate's body. He smoothed his hand up Kevin's chest and growled when his mate shirt impeded him.

“Take your shirt off,” Denver said. “I don't want anything between us.”

Kevin fumbled around until he finally yanked the shirt over his head and then tossed it aside. Denver smiled as he ghosted his hand over each of Kevin's nipples, watching as the small nubs hardened. He leaned forward and captured the right one between his teeth.

“O–oh god,” Kevin cried out.

Denver teased the nipple between his lips as his fingers fucked Kevin's hole. His own cock pulsed between his legs, begging for release. It took every ounce of control that Denver possessed to take his time. He wanted to savor every sensual moment. He wanted to memorize every erotic sound that Kevin made.

He pressed kisses over Kevin's chest as he moved to the man's left nipple. As he laved at the heated skin, Denver pulled his fingers free and spread a generous amount of the oil on his cock. His cougar purred in anticipation as Denver straightened and pressed the blunt head of his cock against Kevin's entrance.

Denver locked eyes with his mate before he pushed past the ring of muscles.

“Wait, wait, wait.” Kevin held up his hand as he grimaced. He shook his head slightly and clenched his jaw. Denver didn't move. His hands pressed into the back of Kevin's thighs, curling the man's legs toward his chest.

Sweat broke out over Kevin's face as he panted heavily, licking at his lips. He squeezed his eyes closed and then blinked a few times. “Fuck, that burns.”

Denver's legs shook as he forced himself not to move. His fingers tightened against Kevin's thighs. He prayed like hell that Kevin didn't make him wait much longer.

“I just…” Kevin let out a long and steady breath. “This is…”

“Amazing,” Denver finished for his mate.

Kevin's eyes bugged slightly before the man furrowed his brows. “That wasn't exactly the word I was looking for.”

Denver thrust forward until he was buried to the root. Kevin shouted as his fist slammed into Denver's chest. “Are you fucking insane?”

Denver winked at Kevin. “Just tearing the Band-Aid off.” He began to move in slow, short thrusts. “Trust me when I tell you that this is going to feel amazing.”

As he increased his strokes, he watched Kevin's body slowly relax. Denver slid his hands to Kevin's hips and gripped them tightly before he pounded into his mate's ass and then stopped.

“W–why'd you stop?”

Denver's lips curled into a slight smile. “Just making sure you're okay down there.”

Kevin arched his back and rolled his head to the side. “I'm okay.” His mate gave a slight chuckle. “I'm more than okay.”

That was exactly what Denver wanted to hear. He pulled Kevin down the table and to his mate's ass was hanging over the edge. Denver braced his feet apart and then began to fuck Kevin in slow, measured strokes.

Kevin's ass was like a tight fist around Denver's cock. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, drowning the in the pleasure that wrapped around him and stole his very breath.

Denver didn't know what would happen once he claimed Kevin. Would his mate finally accept him or would Kevin go back to pushing him away? Denver didn't want to think about that right now but the thoughts weren't too far away. He gazed down into Kevin's beautiful eyes and something inside Denver snapped into place.

He would never let this man go. He didn't care that Kevin was recluse or that his mate shut the world out. Denver was determined to take Kevin's wall down, brick by brick. It wasn't as if Denver had a whole lot of friends or spent a great deal of time socializing. But he truly believed that a person should have at least one friend in his or her corner.

Although Denver got along with everyone is a firehouse, he often wondered if he would ever find his mate. And now that he had, Kevin could push all he wanted. Denver was going to push back. He wasn't going to allow his mate to shut them out. Not again.

Denver thrust harder, captivated by the raw pleasure on Kevin's face. He fisted Kevin's cock and began to stroke the heated flesh as he pounded into his mate's ass. Kevin's cries of passion became louder, filling the kitchen.