by Lisa Oliver
“Oh we will be getting to that, precious. Don’t think for a second, I’m forgetting about that.” Asaph’s eyes made so many promises, and Ronan’s heart ached in response. Please don’t let this man reject our mating again. Please.
/~/~/~/~/
Asaph expected to feel embarrassed and self-conscious, walking around with his arm draped across Ronan’s shoulder, the man tucked firmly under his arm and a slim but strong arm encircling his waist. But as they chatted to people who worked for him and who knew him only as a hard worker and a ruthless businessman all he felt was pride…and a healthy dose of possessiveness. Ronan’s dance had broken the ice in a number of different ways, and more than one person greeted Ronan with flirtatious eyes and appreciative glances. Asaph wasn’t surprised at his wolf’s reaction, Alpha wolf equaled possessive nature, but his human side wasn’t faring much better. He wanted to snap his teeth and hide Ronan away from all the attention. Fortunately, Asaph realized that his skittish mate might not appreciate that sort of display, especially among humans.
After showing Ronan all there was to see in the finely equipped kitchen, the extensive bar area, the changing rooms, and even taking the time to sneak in another quick kiss in the pristine toilet areas, Asaph finally led Ronan back to the main part of the club. Bronson had clearly finished work for the day because he was sitting, chatting with Jeff and Marcos, drinks on the table. There was a blond twink sitting across Jeff’s and Marcos’s laps and Asaph raised an eyebrow at that, but Ronan didn’t seem surprised; not by the seating arrangement, or by the way the blond squealed, jumped up and came running directly at Ronan.
“So you’re some big time club owner now. When did that happen and since when do you date, and why, oh why, haven’t I heard about this possessive hunk of manhood that you’ve clearly been hiding away. You’ve wounded me Ro, positively wounded me. I thought we were best buddies and yet I find out all this stuff in one afternoon and you never mentioned a word of any of this to me before now. Wounded.” The blond finally stopped, although the pouty lips, crossed arms and tapping foot put Asaph’s wolf on edge and he swallowed his urge to growl. The little blond was human and clearly a drama queen, but Ronan didn’t seem upset, so Asaph tried to warn his wolf not to be either.
“I only found out about the club today, Enz darling,” Ronan said soothingly. “It was a surprise gift, and I’m very grateful but a little overwhelmed. They were asking about color schemes for the walls, carpets and drapes and I’m so glad you’re here. You know so much more about that sort of thing than I do. Can you help?”
Oh, my mate is a sneaky man. The little blond was immediately diverted, yelling at Marcos to grab his bag from his car and at Jeff to come and give him a hand – he had stuff to measure.
“Marcos and Jeff are paying for Enzo’s study as an interior designer,” Ronan murmured. “I hope you don’t mind, but it saved answering awkward questions.”
“I thought I’d made it clear that this was your club. You can do what you like with it. Did you want to check the paperwork again so you’ll be convinced?”
Bright green eyes shone in his and Asaph felt his heart tip – when Ronan said softly, “It’s okay, I trust you,” he felt it fall. His heart now belonged to his fated Omega wolf.
Chapter Fourteen
The water was cold on Ronan’s face, but he welcomed the bracing shock. His hands were shaking, his knees were rubbery, and he had so much going on below his belt he couldn’t think. He stared at his reflection. He still looked the same, but Ronan knew without a shadow of a doubt that the next hour was going to change his future forever.
Stay away from wolves. His mother’s voice was not helping. Her adage was all very well and good, and up until recently Ronan trusted and listened to his mother’s advice. Ronan’s omega status made him vulnerable to other wolves, and he’d always believed his mom would keep him safe. He wished, for one short moment, that she was alive to give him advice now. Their conversation on mates and sex had been short, embarrassing for both of them, and never repeated.
“Are you okay in there?” Asaph’s voice came from the other side of the door. Ronan took a deep breath. The scent of his own arousal hit his nose and he wondered if he should take a quick shower. The one in Asaph’s bathroom looked big enough for an orgy. But no, his mother didn’t raise a weakling. Asaph was his mate. The flowers he’d sent had been just a tiny part of him trying to win Ronan’s forgiveness. Ronan wondered if Asaph would ever realize that it was his acceptance of their physical closeness that’d sealed the deal for him. The flowers were lovely; the club was a definite over-the-top gift. But the way Asaph walked him around, introduced him to everyone as his partner – that was worth more than all of the money his mate appeared to have.
So now it was time to pay the piper; sing for his supper, jump on the rodeo, or whatever cliché might apply. Ronan had a feeling his brain was on a fried loop, and quickly opened the bathroom door before he chickened out. And then promptly wished he hadn’t.
Asaph was naked! Ronan had never been in a pack, so nudity was not something he was used to. In fact, the only time he’d seen another naked man was when he’d walked in on Enzo and his lovers one day in the dressing room. All he remembered from that was a blur of movement, and the shock he felt as he’d left the room. This though – Asaph; he was Ronan’s and without even thinking about it, Ronan found himself moving closer; his whole body tingling, his fingers itching to explore.
“Like what you see?” Asaph’s voice held a certain smug element, and on most men it would be annoying, but as Ronan drank his fill, he could see his mate had plenty to be smug about. The first word that came to mind when thinking about Asaph was big – he was big all over. All over. Well-defined muscles, tanned skin, no hint of a tan line anywhere. In fact, Asaph didn’t have a mark, tattoo or scar on him. Not that Ronan could see. Two small brown nipples and a crotch area were the only color changes on a tanned tapestry.
“You look amazing,” Ronan found himself saying as he reached the side of the bed. He longed to reach out, to touch, but this wasn’t a situation he was familiar with.
“You can touch if you want,” Asaph said, the grin on his face almost evil as he rolled onto his back. “But I warn you, the bed is a no clothes zone, and naked is the only way I want you on this bed.”
“Oh. Right.” Ronan felt his face flush. You’re a shifter. This is no big deal. He was acutely aware he looked nothing like his mate. He tugged at his t-shirt and pulled it over his head, and then bent to unstrap his boots, jumping when he heard Asaph’s growl of approval.
“Your ass looks amazing in those pants, baby.”
“Did you want me to leave them on?” Ronan straightened up, surprised.
Asaph laughed. “No babe, I think I’m going to like the view just fine with them off. Besides, I’ve never seen you without those high heels. How tall are you barefoot?”
“Five foot four,” Ronan muttered as he tugged off his boots. Thank goodness the ones he’d chosen to wear for the audition were only knee high; otherwise he’d be in the embarrassing position of having to ask Asaph to tug them off for him. Not that that might not be fun in the right circumstances, but right now Ronan’s nerves were a mess, and as his toes curled in the bedroom carpet, he forced his hands to his zipper.
/~/~/~/~/
Asaph was doing his best not to laugh. He could smell the nervousness in Ronan’s scent, and he figured he was going to have to take things slow with his new mate. Unfortunately, his cock and inner wolf had other ideas, and Asaph fisted the blanket so as not to grab the unsuspecting man. Naked, it was clear Ronan didn’t shift during the day. His skin was pale milk, and looked just as smooth. Like most wolf shifters, Ronan didn’t have any body hair, and just two pink nipples and a red cock broke up the color palette. Asaph licked his lips. His mate looked delicious from every angle.
He forced himself to wait as Ronan climbed cautiously onto the bed; although he damn near yelped when Ronan’s hot hand br
ushed against and then settled on his chest. Instead, Asaph flexed his pectoral muscle and was pleased to hear Ronan laugh. Ronan’s second hand followed, and as Asaph strained with his own control, those smooth hands followed a path from his chest, to his collar bones, across his shoulders and down his arms. The position had Ronan leaning over him, and his long, soft hair brushed against Asaph’s torso forcing a gasp to escape his lips.
Immediately Ronan tensed and sat up. “Did I hurt you?”
Okay, the nervous virgin bit had gone on long enough. Asaph didn’t want to come across as an insensitive prick – he’d guessed Ronan was a virgin from their first kiss. But he had needs; strong needs. He growled as he pulled Ronan onto his body, and then groaned as skin met skin. “I’m an Alpha wolf shifter,” he said, his voice raspy with lust. “There’s nothing you can do right now that’s going to hurt me, unless you bite my dick, and the way I’m feeling right now, I’d probably like it.”
“I’m lying on your bits,” Ronan said softly. Asaph was well aware of that and he held onto Ronan’s ass and gently ground upwards with his hips, loving the shiver that ran through Ronan’s body. Gods, he could eat his mate all up he was so delicious.
“I’ve never…I’m not sure…I want…can you tell me what to do?”
Completely virginal. Yes! Asaph did a mental fist pump and spread his hands so they covered those perky little mounds Ronan called a derriere. Each cheek fit Asaph’s palm perfectly and Asaph used his hold to apply more pressure to his cock, while his lips scorched along Ronan’s skin. He’d had sex before, often enough to consider himself an expert, even if Ronan was his first full-on male experience. But the feelings Ronan evoked with his small gasps, his moans and the way his butt cheeks flexed as Ronan rubbed himself against Asaph’s own length were intoxicating, and Asaph knew, gender aside because it really wasn’t important, this was going to be the most amazing experience of his fucking life.
“We gotta move this along, sweetness,” he groaned, running his tongue down Ronan’s arched neck. His mate didn’t even realize he was doing it, showing his submission, arching towards every touch and every lick, pushing the wolf inside of Asaph to want to stake his claim. Ronan was so responsive, his eyes half closed, moans falling almost constantly from his lips. But at Asaph’s words, Ronan’s eyes opened and a red flush ran from his neck, over his whole face.
“I think I’m ready,” the smaller man whispered, and it took a moment for Asaph to catch on, but when it did, it was Asaph’s eyes that widened. My gods, was that rumor actually true? Cautiously, Asaph changed his grip, letting his fingers trace his mate’s crease until he encountered dampness. Using a single finger, he carefully traced around Ronan’s hole – and as he brushed across it, the tiny starburst seemed to open for him, as though actively seeking penetration.
“Fucking hell, I have to see.” Asaph rolled them both, until Ronan was flat on his back and then he sat up, grabbing Ronan’s legs, pushing them up towards the young man’s chest and forcing them apart. Asaph whimpered. He fucking whimpered, because sure enough, the legends of the Alpha and Omega matings were true. As Asaph buried his nose underneath Ronan’s tight little balls the true scent of his mate overwhelmed him. Every thought rushed out of his brain and all he wanted was to push into that welcoming hole and fuck and rut until his balls were dry and begging for mercy. He quickly sat up, intent on his goal, but then he stopped as the word “virgin” flashed through his mind like a neon sign.
/~/~/~/~/
Ronan’s mouth went dry and he swallowed. The look on Asaph’s face was feral, his eyes completely wolf and lust was oozed from every pore. Ronan had never seen anything as magnificent in his life. Chest heaving, a solid cock dripping in anticipation, Ronan wanted to feel that length inside of him. His body ached for the man, his mate, to take him, claim him and never let him go. His nerves were still there, skittering under his skin, but the sight of Asaph hovering, as though almost scared to take the next step, had him opening his mouth.
“Do it, I’m ready for you,” he whispered. Bright blue eyes burned into him for one long second, and then Ronan felt the push of Asaph’s cockhead against his opening. Sucking in a deep breath, he breathed it out and let his body relax. Within seconds all he could feel was the pulsation of Asaph’s length inside of him. It was as amazing as his mother haltingly promised him it would be. Ronan was glad Asaph was still holding his legs, because his whole body felt like a limp noodle; he was so overcome with the pleasure of it all. He closed his eyes, centering his thoughts on his lower half, willing his mate to move.
Breathing deeply, Ronan concentrated on the fullness inside of him. It didn’t hurt, if anything it made him feel complete, and yet Ronan hadn’t even been aware before that moment there was anything missing. But as Asaph held his position, Ronan didn’t sense a single twitch; the tension in Ronan’s body grew. When he finally couldn’t stand it any longer, his eyes flicked open and he said, “Move!” Within seconds he got everything he didn’t realize he was asking for.
Asaph was like a powerhouse above him; Ronan couldn’t see anything else; just his mate’s broad shoulders, flexing torso and fevered expression. Somewhere in the move Asaph had dropped his legs, the width of his hips holding them apart. Asaph’s lower arms were like pillars on either side of his face. Needing something to hold onto, Ronan reached up and grabbed onto Asaph’s shoulders, pulling him down. For a moment he thought he’d upset Asaph’s delicious rhythm, but if anything the man’s hips moved faster.
Every slap of skin against his ass sent shivers up Ronan’s spine. Asaph’s grunts were music to his ears, and the tension, the smells of their combined arousal was like a drug Ronan couldn’t get enough of. He pushed his back into the mattress and thrust up with his hips, trying to push Asaph harder, faster, further – he wasn’t exactly sure. But with his body humming and his wolf panting with excitement he let his body guide him. He wanted Asaph, he needed his mate, and by the heavens his man delivered.
A deep growl had Ronan opening his eyes and he instinctively exposed his neck. Seconds later he felt sharp teeth pierce his skin, but instead of hurting, Ronan felt his cock spurt, and his body sing. Overcome with emotions he couldn’t describe, Ronan’s teeth found their own mark, and he swallowed as the sweet taste of his mate’s blood coated his mouth. Warmth coated his insides, and the hardness of his mate’s body against his ass let Ronan know he was bound to have bruises, but he didn’t care. In fact, in that moment, Ronan didn’t care about anything. He’d been bitten, claimed in every way and as Asaph disengaged his teeth, licked the wound clean and then softly kissed his lips, over and over again, Ronan felt nothing but happiness.
Chapter Fifteen
Asaph woke slowly; warm and with a delicious smell teasing his nostrils. As always his mind went through a checklist, just like a computer booting up – he was in his own bed, check; he wasn’t alone, unusual but not earth shattering; the sun was just setting – what the fuck? Slowly the visions of what had gone on hours before flashed through his mind and he turned his head slowly. Ronan was using his chest as a pillow, his face hidden by hair, a thin but strong arm wrapped firmly around Asaph’s waist.
I have a mate. I’ve claimed Ronan. A man. Did I do the right thing? What was I thinking?
Mentally slapping himself, Asaph reminded himself exactly what he’d been thinking when he sent bouquet after bouquet to Ronan’s dressing room; why he invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a rush job done on a club that was now in Ronan’s name, and why he spent every waking minute over the past five days making sure everything would be ready for the moment his mate walked through the door for the first time.
Because a wolf shifter only ever got one mate. Because the Fates didn’t care about gender and neither did his wolf. His wolf made sure that Asaph couldn’t get within kissing distance of a female or any other male; he’d been that way from the moment Ronan walked onto the stage weeks before. Ronan was the omega picked for him. His wolf started slobberi
ng over the idea of him from first sight, and had been gutted his human half hadn’t felt the same. When Asaph reminded himself it was about time he pulled on his alpha pants and stopped fucking worrying about what anybody else thought; his wolf was in hearty agreement.
“Having second thoughts? About claiming me, I mean.” Bright green eyes met his as Asaph looked down. Ronan had that look about him that suggested that he fully expected to be kicked out of bed. His mussed hair was pushed back from his face, and there was a hint of a tremble on Ronan’s bottom lip. Asaph soothed it gently with his thumb, considering how to frame his response.
“I was reminding myself of all the good reasons why I claimed you,” he said, knowing that was partially true, “and now I’m wondering what would be the best place to take you for a slap up dinner, because I don’t know about you but I’m starving and I’m not a good cook.”
“Are you going to spend the entire date talking to me about business again?” The way Ronan wrinkled up his adorable nose had Asaph guessing that his little mate wasn’t business minded. That didn’t matter because he knew enough about the world of business and investments for both of them. Another reason for not worrying about the opinions of others – he had more money than God. Asaph decided he rather liked the idea of taking his new mate out and showing him off and he grinned as he answered.
“Actually, I thought I’d do something totally out of character, and listen to you talking about yourself for a change.” Ronan laughed, and Asaph loved the warm feeling it gave him inside, knowing he was responsible for such a carefree reaction. “What sort of things do you like to eat?”
Ronan chuckled again and shook his head. “It’s a bit weird, isn’t it? In the human world people date and get to know each other before making a commitment. With us it’s one sniff, we’re in bed together, a quick bite later and we’re bound for life. Then we have to start getting to know each other’s likes and dislikes.”
