by Fel Fern
The wolf was a possessive predator, though, and it wouldn’t wait for long.
It didn’t matter, because soon enough, Tom would be his completely.
* * * *
Tucked in bed next to the big, dominant werewolf male, Tom snuggled a little closer, stealing more of that warmth. Raul tightened his embrace, even in sleep. After sex, Raul had been an incredibly caring lover, had nudged him to the shower and when he came out, changed the sheets.
When he asked Raul why the werewolf didn’t join him, the werewolf’s answer sent blood surging to his dick. “I might decide to fuck you in the shower.”
He’d hoped Raul would, but the werewolf played the gentleman instead. Now, lying in bed with Raul snoring softly behind him, he couldn’t sleep. It had been too long since he last had another man in bed. It was nice. Tom could imagine seeing his mate’s gorgeous face the first thing in the morning and ending the night like this, well-fucked and cuddling against his mate.
His mate.
Tom didn’t know when he started referring Raul as that, but that word took on a whole new meaning to him. Being Bradley’s mate was hell, he associated it with a world of neglect and loneliness. Being Raul’s mate, though, would be the exact opposite.
Raul might appear rough and dangerous on the outside, but he now knew the werewolf possessed such a huge heart. He could have the heart, the way he surrendered himself completely to Raul this night.
When he came home after the meeting with his father, he hadn’t realized what a wreck he’d been. For five years, he maintained the same routine. Tom knew he needed monotony to stay sane. The foolish boy in him kept hoping that he would be the one to make Bradley open his eyes. Soon enough, though, he realized the only emotion he felt for Bradley Morris was resentment.
Bradley took him for granted, treated him no better than his personal assistant. He had his own life to live, now. Tom wasted five years of his life, regretted all the time he spent wondering if he was the one who was flawed, wondered constantly why Bradley found him so unattractive, so lacking.
No more doubts, and no more looking back. His future lay just next to him. Maybe all those miserable years hadn’t been for nothing, because it led him to Raul.
His heart thudded. Tom brushed a hand on the side of his neck, recalled Raul’s struggle. The werewolf must have fought a tough internal battle between man and wolf not to bite him. Tom didn’t think he’d resist, but the decision was a right one, too.
Lips on the side of his neck. When he turned his head, amazing husky blue eyes flecked with yellow stared back at him, watched him.
“Can’t sleep?” Raul asked.
“I tend to overthink stuff,” he admitted.
“Talk to me. Did you,” Raul hesitated, “regret tonight?”
“No.” The vehemence in his response stunned them both. “It would have come to this, sooner or later.”
He pressed a hand against Raul’s pectoral, loved feeling the steady beat there, so sure, so confident. Tom looked his mate in the eye and told him the truth. “I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.”
Chapter Eight
After the meeting with a new client ended early, Raul checked his phone. No messages from Tom, but he knew his little human mate a little better now. Tom asserted he didn’t need Raul to hold his hand, that Raul didn’t need to take time off work for today.
Raul had initially decided Tom needed the personal time to say one final good-bye to his bookstore, but changed his mind. Tom needed him, plain and simple. His mate simply couldn’t see that. Their relationship was so new, still a little fragile, so Tom must have been afraid to ask for help.
That wouldn’t do. Tom needed to learn to lean on him, to call him when he felt like it, because Raul would always come running. He exited the restaurant where he met his client and went to his car. Raul phoned Asher on the way.
“I need to take care of something. I’ll be back at the office tomorrow,” he told Asher.
“A little something? That a code word for sex?”
He rolled his eyes. The guys at Alpha Eye, even Winter, who normally didn’t talk unless necessary, had been teasing him over the past week about Tom. It had been only seven days since Tom moved in with him, and Raul already wanted his mate to stay forever. Since Tom never brought up the topic of moving out to find his own place again, he didn’t either.
“See you tomorrow, Asher.” He ended the call, drove straight to Pages Fantasy.
Tom’s store was located at a comfy corner beside a café in an old neighborhood, a quiet part of the city. He understood what the store meant to his mate. This wasn’t just Tom’s business, but a reflection of his passion, also a little act of rebellion against his father.
They discussed at length whether to keep the store or file for bankruptcy. Raul offered him a loan, but Tom refused. His mate could be stubborn as hell, unrelenting. It was one of the things Raul loved about him.
In the end, Tom made the final decision. The business had been losing money for a year now, and Tom’s savings were almost drained. It didn’t help a big bookstore chain had opened two streets down at a more populated area.
With a heavy heart, he parked his car in front of the store and got out. Sale and discount stickers were plastered all over the glass window. Tom had modeled the store with an old-fashioned look. Inside, the store was lined with dark wooden shelves and classy displays. He entered the shop, bell on the door ringing. Most of the shelves lay empty now.
“Sorry, we’re closed,” came a voice from the counter.
Raul walked to where his mate sat on the floor, surrounded by a fort of books. Tom looked up, as if sensing his presence, although Raul hadn’t made a sound.
“You’re here,” Tom whispered. “You didn’t need to be. You said you had stuff to do at the office.”
“You’re more important. There any space for me?” he asked.
Raul understood his mate wanted to linger a little longer here. This place was important to Tom, and if he had the means, he wished he could help keep running it a little longer. Too bad he and the others could barely keep their own business afloat. Sometimes, they had plenty of cases, other times, none.
Raul pushed aside a stack of books. He helped, making sure they wouldn’t topple over Tom. He noticed they were the only ones left.
“What’s going to happen to all of these?” he asked.
“Donating them to the local library,” Tom replied, making space.
He found the perfect spot, sitting behind Tom, legs spread on either side of Tom’s body. Tom leaned against him, relaxing. It pleased him immensely that they managed to arrive at this level of comfort between each other in just the span of a week. Realizing what Tom might need was comfort, he wrapped his arms around Tom’s slender frame.
Trembles ran up and down Tom’s back. He kissed the nape of Tom’s neck.
“It’s going to be okay, baby.”
“Is it?” Tom muttered, staring at his books. “I loved this place, thought it could last a few more years. I was only deluding myself. It’s always been my dream to open my own bookstore. Hearing paperbacks were getting popular again gave me hope, but even so, most customers would just go to a big book store chain. They have more variety, after all.”
“You gave your customers a more personalized service. It’s why they kept coming back.” Raul had dropped by every day after work to meet Tom at the store. He’d spoken to some of Tom’s long-time customers that ranged from the young to the old. It broke his heart to see his mate smiling, even though Tom hurt inside. “You did good, baby.”
“You think so?”
“Everyone who bought your books knew you gave it your all.”
Tom didn’t know what he wanted to do next, but Raul supported whatever decision Tom made as long as it included him in the picture.
“It’s silly, isn’t it? I spent hours sitting here, just reading.”
“I think it’s a fine idea.” He gently tilted Tom’s head, givi
ng him a slow, burning kiss. “We’ll stay here as long as you like.”
Tom widened his eyes. “Even through the night?”
He nodded, knowing Tom had to officially close up shop the next day. There were only these books left, so there wasn’t much work left. Tom was methodical, organized, even in a situation like this.
“Yup. We’ll eat dinner here, fuck here, sleep here.”
Tom furrowed his brows. “Is sex all you think about?”
“Hey, was that the only part you heard about?” he asked.
“Well,” Tom mused. “I always wondered what it would be like.”
Raul easily flicked opened the top button of Tom’s jeans, slid his hand past the waistband of Tom’s boxers to curl his fingers around Tom’s shaft. Tom sighed, moaning as he began to stroke. Raul plundered Tom’s mouth again, enjoying the taste of his mate, wanting so much more.
“We’ll make a mess,” Tom murmured.
“No book’s in harms’ way,” Raul commented. He made sure of that when he joined Tom on the floor.
“What if someone walks in?”
He could taste Tom’s excitement in the air, though.
“Should I lock the door?” he asked, nuzzling Tom’s neck. Raul wasn’t worried. His wolf would alert him to the presence of an intruder if need be.
“Kiss me?” Tom asked instead.
He took Tom’s lips again, continuing to stroke the hot cock in his hand. Tom pulled away, groaning when he dragged a nail down the slit of Tom’s dick. He gave Tom’s balls a tug and squeeze, before returning his attention to Tom’s prick. Tom’s breath grew ragged, heartbeats accelerated.
Raul’s own erection strained against his jeans. “Wait. I might as well lock the door.”
Raul parted from his mate and quickly locked the door, before returning to Tom on the floor. An idea sparked in his mind. He wanted to see his mate on his lap, to gaze upon Tom in the throes of passion.
“Straddle me, baby,” he instructed.
Tom blushed, but didn’t disagree. “We still have clothes on.”
He smirked. “You little exhibitionist.”
“I just don’t want our clothes to get messy.”
“Sure, baby.”
Hidden behind the counter, they clawed at each other, naked in seconds. He kicked their clothing to one side, put the books a good distance away. Raul remembered to grab the lube from his back pocket, before crawling to his mate.
He sat on the floor again, gestured to his blushing mate. Tom got in position, legs on either side of his thighs, Tom’s dick exposed and hard, just like his own. Tom wrapped his hands behind his neck, holding on to him tight. The kiss of skin against skin felt amazing, the hard wood floor underneath their bodies cool to the touch.
He sucked on the side of Tom’s neck, continuing to give Tom a hand job. Tom panted against him, clutching at his shoulders hard, nails digging into flesh, but he didn’t mind. He always knew Tom had a streak of wildness in him, liked that about his human mate. Grabbing the lube, he uncapped it.
“Prep yourself for me.”
Tom blushed, but Raul could tell was excited, always eager to try new things.
“There’s no need for shame when you’re with me, baby.”
Nodding, Tom held out his fingers. He squirted lube on them, watching, his arousal growing painful as Tom slid a finger inside his hole, added a second. Growling in approval, he nipped the side of Tom’s neck. The human shivered, but bravely kept his gaze on him.
It was an erotic sight, Tom spreading his asshole open for his penetration. He could get used to this. Raul focused on making his mate come, stroking Tim’s prick faster, knowing Tom was close.
Tom expelled a sigh as he pinched Tom’s balls. Chest heaving, Tom let out a cry as he painted Raul’s stomach with jizz. He guided his engorged prick into Tom’s entrance.
“Do it,” Tom murmured. “Please.”
He pushed in, not pausing once, knowing his mate loved the burn, that Tom could take him now. Tom let out a moan as he buried himself all the way in. He muffled Tom’s cry by sliding his tongue between Tom’s slightly parted lips, thoroughly enjoying the taste and heat of his mate.
When he pulled his lips away, he said one word, “Faster.”
Tom eagerly met him for every thrust. His wolf rose to the surface again, and he was certain that soon the beast would no longer be content to wait. Not when Tom lay right in front of them, sheer temptation, his for the taking.
“Please,” Tom whispered again, locking gazes with him, and the last of his control threatened to break.
Chapter Nine
“What exactly are you begging me for, little human?” Raul asked in that deadly voice of his that told Tom he wasn’t just looking at the man. Raul’s wolf lay close to the surface.
A week. Seven days had passed since the first time they had sex. They had plenty more after that, each night leaving him sore yet feeling wonderful, like he floated on cloud nine. Some would say that wasn’t enough time to make such an important decision. However, Tom had never been so certain of anything in his life.
He wanted to be Raul’s mate, in every sense of the word. Hell, they practically lived together. Asher even once remarked they acted like an old couple. He knew everything there was to know about Raul, and Raul was the same.
“Make me yours forever,” he said without hesitation.
“You understand what you’re asking of me?”
“Didn’t you say that I was born to be yours?” He took Raul’s large hand, placed it over his heart, which beat a sure, steady rhythm. “Hear that? This heart beats for you.”
“Mine.” Raul smiled, flashed a bit of fang.
Not long ago, he would have been afraid but not anymore. Raul would never hurt him, not in a million years. As if spurred on by his words, Raul began to fuck him faster, harder, disabling his ability to form logical thoughts. It didn’t matter, because he’d told Raul what he wanted to say.
Raul shifted angle, slammed right into his sweet spot, making him gasp. He clung to Raul’s biceps, aware of his dick thickening. Raul nipped at his lower lip, eyes fully gold. Gorgeous. Hard to believe this sexy man wanted him with every breath, but he ceased doubting himself some time ago.
All he needed to make sure was that he supported Raul the way Raul supported him. Without the werewolf’s comforting presence throughout the week, he didn’t think he would be able to make it. Raul listened, became his sounding board when he grew angry and frustrated, always knew what he needed.
Raul brushed against his prostate repeatedly, making him gasp, his back arch.
“Baby,” Tom murmured. “I’m close. You?”
“Soon.” Raul reached for his dick once more. A few alternating strokes, and Raul shoved his mind over the edge of oblivion. The pressure inside him broke and he cried out, spilling his seed, feeling Raul’s growl a second later, and warmth filling his ass. Knowing what came next, he offered his neck to Raul.
Raul didn’t hesitate, didn’t ask him if he was certain of his choice. Raul unsheathed wicked-looking fangs and struck, teeth piercing teeth, hitting bone. He cried out, but kept still. Raul held him steady, balanced. It hurt, but not as much as he thought, not like the time Bradley bit him.
This wasn’t his first rodeo, but he understood the difference between being marked by a man who loved him as opposed to one who saw him as a disposable tool. He sensed Raul’s powerful wolf now, aware of the beast as it merged their life forces together.
“One last step,” Raul said, after pulling his mouth away.
He nodded and bit Raul on the left shoulder, leaving a smaller imprint of his teeth there to finish the mating dance. No crushing feelings of doubt like his first time, only a complete sense of peace and contentment.
Tom rested his head against Raul’s chest, shutting his eyes. He could sleep like this, tucked against Raul’s big, warm body. Seconds later, he felt Raul’s hand on the side of his neck, touch gentle.
“Does it hurt
?”
“Not at all.”
“Lie. I need to look at it. The first aid kit is still here, right?”
It took him a second to process Raul’s words. Right. He did keep a first-aid kit under the cash register after a kid once tripped in the store. It proved handy.
“You worry wart,” he murmured.
“Worry wart?” Raul sounded offended. “That’s the best you can do?”
“Let’s stay right here, just for a while longer.”
“You do look perfect, pressed up against me,” Raul amended.
He peeked at his mate. “Yeah?”
Perfect fit. He felt the same way whenever they were in bed together. Snuggling close to his mate, he nuzzled Raul’s chest. Today, he woke up, belly filled with dread. Tom didn’t think he could rise from the bed and finish up what needed to be done. Somehow though, he got through.
Raul constantly sent encouraging texts. His mate had wanted to take the day off, but he insisted he was fine. Raul read between the lines, though, and came right away. This man understood him so well, it was heart-warming. Tom finally started to believe in Raul’s words. That it really was going to be all right. No matter what the future brought, as long as it contained Raul, it was going to be okay.
* * * *
“It’s imperative you win Tom Meadows back to your side,” Joshua Morris said from behind his desk.
The old Alpha looked out the glass windows of his office, back turned to Bradley. Bradley quietly seethed. It was about time he showed the old man he was no longer an errant child but a fully gown werewolf strong enough to take over the reins of both the pack and the family business.
Bradley thought about the human’s harsh brush off a week ago. His enraged wolf moved under his skin, all but eager to rip that ungrateful bastard to shreds. No one ever refused him, much less leave him. The press certainly had a field day when Tom’s father released the news they were no longer together.
