STORY EXCERPT

Ned was beginning to be pissed off. “I said, let go!” He stumbled backward, only to have someone’s hands close around his waist and a warm chest press against his back. He whirled around to meet his new foe, only to stop in his tracks when he recognized who had dared to touch him. His chest constricted.

“I have got you, honey,” drawled the man in that impossible sexy voice. Ned’s belly fluttered. Zack pinned the two miscreants with an icy glare. “Is there something I can help you gentlemen with?” he asked sarcastically.

“No, man, it’s cool,” one of them hurried to say. They backed off.

Ned sighed in relief. That solved one of his problems, but there was still the other to contend with. “Zack! What are you doing here?” He was trying to sound calm. It dawned on him that Zack still had an arm around his waist and that he was still pressed against his chest. His wolf purred in satisfaction. He couldn’t allow that. As if scalded, he tried to pull back. Zack blinked at him in obvious confusion. He didn’t seem to get it. Ned hesitated, and then a flash of annoyance went through him.

“Let go.”

“I…”

“Zack! I said let go.” He gritted his teeth. With a sigh, Zack did as he was told, stepping back reluctantly. His fingertips brushed over Ned’s arm like he couldn’t resist it.

“Are you all right? They didn’t hurt you?” he asked anxiously. Ned shook his head.

“No. They were idiots but not dangerous.” He took a deep breath and forced himself to say, “Anyway thanks for your help.”

To his surprise, Zack’s mouth curved in a smile. Ned felt a pang in his chest. “Bet that hurt,” Zack said. His easy tone transported Ned back ten years ago when he still had his best friend.

“I guess,” he admitted grudgingly. “How have you been, Zack?” There was no reason not to be polite. He refused to entertain the thought that he wanted to spend more time with Zack. They had no future. He didn’t need to be hurt more than he already was.

“Fine. What about you?” Zack didn’t wait for him to answer. “You look good.” The heated look he gave him left no doubt as to what his thoughts were.

A lump lodged in Ned’s throat.

“I have got to go,” he said, turning away from Zack to do just that. Zack grabbed his arm. Ned narrowed his eyes at him. “What do you want, Zack?” He had easily slipped into his Upholder persona.

“Wait!” Zack seemed to hesitate. He glanced over his shoulder. For the first time, Ned wondered if he was alone. His lip curled. Of course he wouldn’t want to be seen with Ned.

“Are you…alone?” Why should Zack care? Ned blinked. It wasn’t a question he expected.

“Yes.”

Zack growled, yanking him closer. “You are coming with me.”

Ned stumbled. He landed practically on Zack’s chest, his scent wreaking havoc on his senses. He yelped, his voice muffled. He finally managed to straighten up. Zack maintained his hold on him.

“Coming with you, where?”

“Back to your hotel, I imagine.” Zack sounded impatient. Ned stiffened, not liking the implication.

“I can go back to my hotel myself.”

Zack snorted. “We both saw how that went over.” Ned opened his mouth to protest, but Zack was already moving.

“Come on,” he ordered. “Give me the address.”

“No.”

Zack hissed in exasperation, running a hand through his hair, a movement Ned was familiar with. Zack was wont to do it when things didn’t go as he expected them to. It brought him perverse pleasure, knowing he had caused it.

“Ned, I’m not in the mood,” he warned, enunciating every word. “Just give me the address, I’ll take you there, and that will be it.”

Hurt and anger flared inside Ned. “Right. You wouldn’t want to sully yourself with my company,” Ned remarked bitterly. He saw Zack’s mouth tighten.

“I don’t want to argue with you. Just give me the address.”

Ned knew from bitter experience he wasn’t going to make Zack change his decision once he had decided on a course of action. There was nothing he could do. With a sigh, Ned recited the address.

ADULT EXCERPT

Zack grabbed a handful of white hair and yanked, forcing Ned to throw his head back, and then pressed his lips on Ned’s. Ned stood frozen. Zack breathed in that hot mouth. He pulled Ned closer, turning him into his arms.

Lifting his head up, he yanked again, cruelly. Ned gasped. “That’s what they would do to you,” he said harshly. “And more. Are you really that naive?”

“Maybe I wanted it!” Ned answered, his mouth swollen from the kiss. He sounded angry.

Jealousy washed all over Zack, mixing with desire.

“That’s no problem.” He took a step back, not taking his eyes from Ned. He unbuttoned his jacket and tossed it on the floor. His shirt followed. Ned’s eyes widened. He backed up a step hastily.

“What are you doing?”

Zack only smiled. Barefoot, he crossed the distance between them in two long strides. He licked his lips. He saw Ned’s pupils dilate, a flash of desire and answering need he was sure was obvious on his face. Ned tried to step back only to gasp when his knees hit the edge of the mattress. He landed on the bed. Zack chuckled and climbed after him, straddling Ned. His breath hitched when Ned’s body pressed against the inside of his thigh. His cock jumped in anticipation. He leaned down until their faces were only an inch away. His hand tightened in Ned’s hair.

“Nice,” he breathed before closing his eyes and kissing Ned again. It was as intoxicating as the first time. His whole body was on fire. Ned’s hands tightened on his shoulders. When he tried to kiss him again, Ned turned his head. A flash of annoyance went through him.

“Zack!” Ned protested. Zack nuzzled his throat.

“Whatsa matter? You said you wanted it.” He didn’t know what came over him. He’d always denied the connection between him and Ned. His body was humming in anticipation.

He nibbled on Ned’s earlobe. His mouth slid down Ned’s throat and shoulder, teeth nipping gently. Ned shuddered under him, the scent of his arousal sharp in the air. Zack’s wolf preened smugly. Zack chuckled and pulled away enough to take down Ned’s shirt, and then his mouth greedily fastened on one taut nipple. Ned cursed, his hips slamming into Zack’s. By now, he was more than half-aroused.

“Mmm.” Zack eased his tongue over the tight bud.

“Still sensitive, I see.”

“Damn you!” Ned panted, but didn’t try to get away. Zack licked his nipple again just to prove his point. Ned shuddered under him. Mouthing Ned’s shoulder, Zack rolled over onto his side, dropping his hand to Ned’s waist.

He circled the denim-clad thigh, causing breathless moans before flicking the fly open and pulling the jeans down. Ned obediently raised his hips, letting Zack strip him. He tossed the unwanted cloth beside the bed and rose on one elbow to contemplate his lover.

Cheeks flushed, his hands fisted in the bedspread, Ned shot him an angry glaze. Zack’s eyes traveled down to his groin and fully erect cock.

“Nice.” His fingers closed over it. Ned gasped.

“Easy, baby, easy,” Zack soothed, his hand massaging the captive shaft and balls. “I won’t hurt you.”

Ned’s head fell back on the bed. He blinked in confusion when Zack let go of him.

“Where do you keep lube?”

Something flickered in Ned’s gaze.

“I don’t have it.”

Zack cocked his head to the side. He waited. Ned bit his lip. Zack slid a hand up his thigh to his hip, avoiding touching his cock. Ned’s breath hitched. Zack withdrew his hand. He straightened, abandoning the bed.

He went to Ned’s jacket and fished room keys out of one pocket. “I guess that means I will have to go down to buy some.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Ned’s face had a horrified look.

Zack grabbed his shirt. Ned gritted his teeth, reached for one drawer, and took out something.

“Here,” he said, tossing the small tube over to Zack and turned on his belly. Zack was over him in moments, his warm body covering Ned, fingers entwining with his. He kissed one bare shoulder.

“Please tell me you had lovers in past couple of months,” he murmured, unsnapping his belt and pushing his jeans down enough to bare his cock. It slapped against his palm already wet, pre-cum oozing from the tip. Zack tightened his grip, resisting the urge to spill all over Ned’s pretty backside. It wasn’t how he wanted this to end.

“Romantic, aren’t you?” Ned bit back sarcastically, spreading his legs.

Zack ground his hips against that tight ass, letting Ned feel just how “romantic” he was. His cock eagerly brushed over warmed skin.

“Do I have to prepare you, or can you take it?” He couldn’t believe how aroused he was. He let his cock rest in the cleft of Ned’s ass and felt the other man shudder.

“Tell me!”

Ned groaned. “Go ahead.”

Zack rose in one swift move, then opened the tube. He squeezed lube on his palm, and then reached for his cock, making it wet and slick. His other hand kneaded the bare ass in front of him. Ready, he leaned over Ned, bracing himself on one arm, the other one guiding his stiff prick in the puckered hole. He pushed in, feeling the tight channel close around him. He groaned, but kept moving until his hips were flush with his lover’s ass.

“Good?” he said, watching the set of Ned’s shoulders intently. There was no answer at first. Zack held his breath.

Please, baby, say it’s okay. It will kill me to pull out now.

Finally Ned gave a small nod.