by Jana Downs
JP turned and kissed his mother on the cheek. “See you for breakfast. We might be one extra.”
“I’ll make sure I make him some acorn pancakes as well then,” Maggie said, hugging her son tightly. “Enjoy yourselves and be careful.”
It was so strange to meet the parents on the second date, but Billy was glad he had. Their quirkiness explained a lot about his mate. He needed to get their parents together soon. Maybe JP’s would cause Billy’s to loosen up.
“We will, Mom. No worries.”
He grabbed his wallet out of a bowl shaped like a pumpkin on a nearby shelf and then walked over to Billy. “Let’s go.”
Billy took his hand and headed out of the door. It was time to take their relationship to the next level. Ink was the way it was done in Billy’s world. He hoped his mate was ready.
Chapter Nine
JP was going to throw up. “I think this is the point I tell you that I’m terrified on needles,” he admitted as he secured his seat belt. “I’ve dated many a tattooed man but never felt the urge to go get one myself.”
“That’s why we’re going to grab some subs and settle down before your appointment,” Billy said. “My intention was not to kidnap you and brand you before sitting you down and telling you a few basic things. I want you happy. I don’t want you afraid.”
The idea was a comfort. He was glad Billy didn’t see him as a possession, as a thing to be controlled. He’d been worried when Billy had called earlier. Turned on to a large degree, but definitely worried. “I think everything about mates is a little vague for me still. I know it’s a forever relationship and I know it’s animal attraction and an absolute connection, but I don’t know what that means emotionally.”
Billy backed the car out of the drive. “I’m sorry. I think I take for granted what I know about mates and what I know is true of mates. I grew up understanding the relationship so I didn’t think to explain it properly.” After he’d cleared the driveway, he put the car in gear.
“I would appreciate one.”
“When a wolf finds his or her mate, it’s as if they finally learn to see. I won’t say it’s instant love, because long term relationships, even loving ones, take more work than instant chemistry. But my wolf fell absolutely and irrevocably in love with you from the instant he caught your scent. The human half is a bit harder to win over. That part of us requires compatibility in more than sex and tolerance.”
“So you’re already half in love with me?” It was a startling revelation. A cascade of events lined up nicely in his mind. The subtle events that led to this moment were telling. In every action he could see Billy’s care.
He’d known from that first day that they had the potential for more than he’d ever had with anyone else. Maybe that was part of the fear he’d had.
“I think I’m well on my way to that end.”
“Oh.”
Billy turned out of JP’s parents’ housing complex and onto the main street. “I understand humans don’t fall in love like that. I understand it will take time.”
“Can I be what you are?” The more he thought about the term “turning” the more it sounded like something out of a vampire movie. He would become a freaking werewolf, as mind blowing as that was.
Billy nodded. “Yes. If we complete the bond and mate, you’ll be what I am. I’ll help you through the transition and after a few months of training you should be able to walk around just like any other member of the pack. You’d be assigned to a position to help the pack in some way and would expected to follow our laws.”
He swallowed. “Does it hurt?”
“There is fever and body aches. The first time you turn won’t be painful from what I understand. My first time didn’t hurt anyway. It’s as natural as breathing.”
That was one relief. “And this tattoo thing?”
“Almost every event in a wolf’s life is celebrated with some sort of ink. It’s a mark of permanence. I have a tattoo to commemorate my graduation as a Circle-certified physician. It’s an expected aspect of our lives. I promise, the only ink you’ll have to get is this one. However, you might find you enjoy them. A lot of people do.”
JP shuddered. “I’m not a big fan of needles.”
Billy chuckled. “It doesn’t feel like an injection. It’s hard to explain the sensation.”
They pulled down a busier street, the GPS guiding the way with interjections now and again. JP had frequented the shops around here since he was a kid but recently, the number of stores had increased significantly and he didn’t know all the new businesses.
“I think it’d be pretty cool to be a werewolf,” he mused. He had always been fascinated with putting himself in other people’s shoes. If he’d ever wondered how wolves thought, felt, or experienced, it would be the best way to find out.
“It doesn’t suck most of the time,” Billy agreed. “Though you’d be a werewolf. I’m a wolf shifter. It’s a pedigree thing.”
JP barked out a laugh. “Did you just call me a mutt?”
Billy’s cheeks darkened. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know. I’m just teasing you.”
They pulled into a shopping center on the corner and pulled into a parking space outside Salvador Deli’s sandwich shop. JP was tickled by the sign with the melting clocks.
“This place is awesome,” he said.
“You’ve eaten here before?” Billy asked as he cut the engine.
JP shook his head. “No. But anyone who would name their shop Salvador Deli is a person I want to hang out and drink tea with.” He opened the door and unbuckled his seat belt, suddenly hungry despite his nerves. “Come on. I want a big sub and chips. It’s not adequate compensation for the fact that I am going to have to endure pain on this little date of ours.”
Billy laughed. “I’m bribing you with sandwiches. Well, at least I know you’re easily pleased.”
JP didn’t say so but Billy was really the first guy to treat their dates like they meant something. His exes hadn’t paid for much, ever, and nothing had ever been planned out like it was with Billy. JP had always secretly wanted a little bit of romance in his life and with Billy he could see it actually happening. Flowers and subs might not be much to the average dater but to JP the moments were pure gold.
They got out of the car and headed inside.
After stuffing himself with a foot long sub, a bag of potato chips, and good conversation, JP and Billy headed to the tattoo parlor on the other side of town.
Apparently Billy had to buy the guy a plane ticket to get here so JP hoped that he wouldn’t end up with something misspelled on him. Billy had shown him the image of what he would be getting on his phone and the cool tribal-looking thing wasn’t as bad as he’d initially thought it would be.
If he were honest he’d admit that he’d been anticipating something along the lines of a cattle brand with “Billy’s Human” in bold black letters in the center. Trying to explain that to people would’ve been particularly awkward and uncomfortable. Being able to write it off as art to those not in the “know” was a relief.
“You know, I’ve had other boyfriends try to talk me into tattoos. None succeeded,” JP said.
Billy glanced over at him. “I’m not anyone, JP. I’m your mate. I will be here to hold you when you’ve had a bad day, to lift you up when you can’t lift up yourself, and I will love you until the day I die.” It sounded like a pledge. “I know we’re not to love yet, but I want that for us. If you’ll do me the honor of being my mate.”
JP was so ridiculously tempted to say “yes” right that second. “Remind me of this conversation when I’m in pain from this lovely tattoo I’m getting.” He had to play it off, to make it a joke. He couldn’t wrap his mind around love just yet.
Billy just smiled at him like he knew exactly what he was thinking even if he wasn’t saying a word. He reached over and took JP’s hand in his own before he pressed a kiss to the knuckles. “I will.”
Man, I co
uld get used to this. He’s like a prince out of a fairy tale. Ha! A werewolf hero. Who would’ve thought?
“Billy?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have a hotel around here?”
Billy nodded.
“I want to stay the night with you.”
The low growl of answer was sexy as hell. “If you stay, you’ll be mine, JP. Have you had enough time to think about that? Forever is a very long time.”
JP shrugged. “Sometimes you have to have a little faith about things. I don’t know everything. Does it scare me? Yes. Is it way too fast? Absolutely. But even I feel the pull we’ve got going between us. If you promise to always talk to me, I promise not to run away and to really listen. Deal?”
“Deal.” Billy reached out and put a hand on the back of JP’s neck to draw him forward. He crashed his lips down on JP’s like a demon sealing a covenant with a sinner. And, man oh man, did JP plan to do all sorts of wicked, nasty things with this man. Billy’s tongue pressed against the seam of his lips, seeking entrance. JP gave it gladly, welcoming in the invader like he’d welcome him into his body tonight. He was ready to have Billy between his legs, pounding away at his core while he worked his cock like he owned it.
He groaned. He really wanted to see Billy in action. The man was a balance of command and sweetness, a balance that JP desperately needed.
“I want you so bad,” he admitted between kisses.
Billy reached down and popped the button on his jeans.
“What’re you doing?” he asked, panting for breath as his cock lurched at the contact.
“Stay still.” The order wrapped around JP like a vice.
“Yes, Sir.” He loved being commanded in the bedroom. He loved having a man bend him to his will. There was something infinitely satisfying about that.
Billy slowly lowered his zipper and pulled his cock free. JP hadn’t put on underwear, he hadn’t had any clean but a pair of Superman undies that he wore because he had a twelve-year-old’s fascination with comic books. He gasped as Billy expertly jerked his cock, twisting his hand on the upstroke in a way that drove him mad.
“Billy!”
“Put your hands on your headrest and leave them there,” Billy commanded.
JP did as he was bid.
“Good boy.”
Billy leaned forward again and claimed his lips while continuing to jerk him off. There was something kinky as hell about being jerked off in a car without tinted windows. Anyone walking down the sidewalk would be able to see them. The busy barber shop a few stores down was hopping with guys coming in and out.
Billy’s other hand crept under his shirt to tease his nipple. The action caused the little bud to tighten and pucker up for him, begging for more attention. Yes. Please, right there. Oh. His hips pushed upward of their own accord, fucking into Billy’s tightly caressing palm. Despite the fact that he was already ready to come, his mate kept him on the edge of release, torturing him in the best of way.
“Come for me,” Billy growled against his lips.
JP did, crying out as he was pushed over the edge of release. His come shot out, caught in a napkin Billy held over his tip. Billy kept playing despite the overwhelming sensitivity the action evoked. JP shuddered and shook, moaning as every last drop of pleasure was wrung from him.
As he sagged in exhaustion, Billy spoke. “There. Now I think you’re in the right submissive frame of mind, don’t you think?”
He nodded, numb. He’d always heard of subspace but he’d only ever teased the edges of it with his submission to other men. They’d ruined it with too much pain or not enough power. Billy was a balance of both, a perfect fantasy come to life.
“Acknowledge, boy.”
“Yes, Sir,” JP whispered. It felt right to call him “Sir.” It didn’t feel forced.
Billy leaned forward and kissed JP’s nose. “You’re so sexy when you’re high on me.”
JP swallowed, thirsty. “I aim to please.”
His wolf man nodded toward the tattoo shop that advertised Rum Runners Tattoos, Piercings, and Cosmetics. He was going to be fascinated to find out what sorts of cosmetics a tattoo shop had.
“We need to get inside, sweet,” Billy said, pulling his attention away from the neon sign.
Someone had probably seen Billy and him in the car. God that’s so hot.
“You still with me, JP?”
JP nodded. “Yeah. Sorry. Just a little sex dazed.”
“Good. I want you to be relaxed instead of anxious.”
JP was pretty sure he couldn’t feel anxious if he tried.
* * * *
Billy wanted to eat him alive. There was nothing sexier than JP coming undone for him. He couldn’t wait for the tattoo to be done so he could drag JP back to his room at the Hilton and ravage him. He’d given his consent and his wolf had taken him at his word. John Patrick Barnes would be theirs tonight.
Rum Runners was a small shop, but it made up for it in personality. The floors were done in a dark hardwood that reminded Billy of a barroom floor. The whole theme seemed to revolve around all things nautical and seafaring with model ships in glass bottles displayed on shelves lined with thick tanned ropes interspersed with other pirate motifs. There was even a live parrot hanging out on top of a cage, eyeing the shop’s occupants with a curiously intelligent expression.
“Alpha Jordan,” Billy said, extending his hand for a shake. The big ice-blond Alpha was a gregarious man whose pack Billy had helped on more than one occasion. He was very generous toward those who had helped him and his. “I appreciate you flying out here.”
“It’s not an issue,” Jordan said with a firm shake. “You know you and yours are welcome in my territory anytime. Besides, it wasn’t a long flight.”
“Still, I appreciate you donating your time for us.” Billy pulled JP out from behind him. “I’d like to introduce my mate, JP. JP, this is Jordan Solis, Alpha of the Seneca Falls pack.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, JP,” the Alpha said, inclining his head out of respect. One did not touch another man’s submissive without express permission, not even to shake hands.
“Thank you.” JP eyed the man in the next chair getting his triceps worked on.
The buzz of the gun did seem awfully loud to Billy. He hoped it didn’t freak his sweet boy out too badly.
“Nervous?” Jordan asked.
JP nodded. “It’s my first tattoo.”
Jordan laughed, the sound a rolling baritone. “Oh goodie. I love virgins.” He winked, clearly trying to put JP at ease. “No worries. I’ve got a gentle hand, and Billy can hold yours the entire time. Think of how pleased your Sir will be when you’re declaring to our whole world that he was lucky enough to win you over.”
The idea did please Billy, but he hadn’t wanted to use it as a tactic because he felt it added pressure to do as Billy wished. He already felt like he’d given JP little choice in the matter.
JP slowly returned Jordan’s smile. “All right. So long as I get to be a big baby about the whole thing.” He looked at Billy. “I want ice cream afterward.”
Billy nodded, grinning. “Whatever my sweet wants, my sweet gets.”
“Goodie.”
“Great,” Jordan said. “Now, let’s figure out where you want it. From what Billy told me, he’s leaving the placement completely up to you.”
“Hm, can it be small?”
Jordan shrugged. “I can make it as big or as small as you want it. I would recommend that you at least get it big enough to make it readable.” He placed his hands about six inches apart. “No smaller than this.”
JP nodded like that made sense. “How about on my back?”
“The back is a big canvas.”
His mate looked at Billy, bewilderment all over his face. “Need help?” Billy asked.
“Please,” JP said. “I think the back is good, but I don’t want a tramp stamp.”
Billy blinked. Whatever that was. “Okay.” He turned JP aroun
d so he could get a look at his back. He ran his hands down the line of his spine. “How about right here?” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his left shoulder blade.
“Sounds good to me,” JP said, shivering slightly. The smell of renewed lust perfumed the air. They already smelled like sex from their earlier escapade. Jordan was probably going to think they were just young and newly mated. Unreasonable horniness was par for the course at this stage.
Jordan nodded. “Great. Let’s get your shirt off and get this done. I’ll try to be quick.”
“Just don’t misspell anything,” JP warned.
Billy chuckled. Only his mate would warn an Alpha of anything.
Chapter Ten
JP was hard. He’d been hard since the tattoo gun had skated across his skin and had continued to be hard until the last drop of ink was etched into his skin for all eternity. Billy’s pupils had dilated and his nostrils had flared the more turned on JP got. He knew the wolf probably smelled how much he wanted him, and that just turned JP on more.
I want to be fucked so damn bad.
He ached in a way that he’d never ached before and it was really so damn good. It was weird that he enjoyed the tattoo so thoroughly but he absolutely had.
Billy had paid for the ink and ushered him out the door under the knowing look of the Alpha. He’d been in a hurry to get where they needed to go and JP didn’t care where it was so long as it had a bed.
He pressed his forehead to the window of Billy’s rental car and took several deep breaths. He needed to calm down. He needed to not act like an animal. He needed to be absolutely and thoroughly taken.
“We’re going to your hotel right?” JP asked, his voice low and saturated with lust.
Billy nodded, pulling some evasive maneuvers via the car dodging that he was doing. “Yes. I want you naked in half an hour’s time.”
JP shuddered and reached down to knead his cock through his jeans in an attempt to give himself a little relief. “Are there any rules I should know about?”
“The only rule is to listen to what I say and let me do my worst.”
