Available [Marked 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove)

by Jana Downs

  Ryan chuckled. “Why thank you for giving me permission.” He disentangled them and stood once more before helping Bradley up and sitting him down on the stool that was in front of the vanity. “I’ll be right back. We’ll continue our conversation when we get back to the table. Think about anything you want to try and any questions you have.”

  Bradley nodded and smiled at him in the mirror. Someone in heaven must’ve been listening to his pleading over the past few months. He looked at the two of them side by side in the mirror before Ryan turned to the door and left out of it. They looked like they fit together.

  Bradley was smaller than Ryan, but he was toned, cut. His piercings, each one given by Ryan, saved him from looking too innocent with his mop of blond hair that he was always forgetting to cut and his big hazel eyes. Ryan was huge, towering, and just as cut as Bradley was except his muscles were probably more from the gym than from his natural build. He was tattooed on both arms, and when he wore a tank top, the line of dermal piercings that ran the length of his spine was visible. He looked edgy without trying but with the extras looked like he was the last person someone would want to run into in a dark alley. His dark hair and eyes complemented Bradley nicely. His eyes skated over his arms. He hoped to become a part of the story on the half-sleeve of ink that was on his right arm.

  * * * *

  “I’ll be right back, Mac. I’m ducking out to the car for Bradley’s bag,” Ryan said, letting the owner know that he wasn’t ditching out on his meal. Kira was keeping their plates under a hot lamp, thank God.

  Mac rounded the bar and matched his steps. “I’ll walk with you.”

  Uh-oh. He was in trouble.

  “What’s up, Mac?” Ryan asked as they passed the double doors and came into the parking lot.

  “How long have you been with that sub you’re interviewing?” The question wasn’t unexpected. Despite being inferior in the pack hierarchy, Mac was older than him by ten years and had been settling down when Ryan had been an unruly pup. That gave him the right to tell the beta exactly where to get off as far as Ryan was concerned.

  “He was a client at Howlers the past few months.” He couldn’t even lie and say he’d “known” Bradley. Other than the thirty-minute flirtations they’d engaged in when Bradley came in, every time Ryan had run into him in public, he’d made it abundantly clear he didn’t want to know Bradley in a more intimate setting. He’d been running away from Bradley’s advances ever since he first realized he was genuinely attracted to the boy.

  They made it to Mustang’s work truck, and he hit the unlock button on the key. Mac slapped him on the shoulder and turned him around so they were facing. “Do you think ducking into the back during negotiations to scratch an itch is the best way to go about getting to know him well enough to Dominate him in a scene?”

  “I’m not hurting him, Mac. I’m going to train him as an available and then turn him loose.” It was his new mantra. He would find the strength to walk away at the end of it all. He had to. For his salvation and for Bradley’s. He would make a fine mate for someone else. The low growl in the back of his mind told him that his wolf was telling him he was out of his fucking mind.

  “You don’t look at a sub with all that want and trepidation without them being your mate. It’s plain as day for anyone with eyes. You’re going to hurt the both of you if you keep denying the instincts God gave you. Fair warning, you hurt a new sub and you and I will have more than words. Got it?” Mac asked, his voice deadly.

  Ryan resisted the urge to snarl. He knew Mac was just being protective of a new sub in the pack. Even if they weren’t really pack members, availables were an intricate and valuable part of it. However, it felt a lot like his territory was being invaded, and he really didn’t care for it. “I will care for my sub as I see fit,” he bit off.

  Mac crossed his arms over his chest. “Stupid pup, look at what you just said. Your sub. Yours. Trainers don’t own availables anymore than the men and women that the availables cater to do. Your job is to teach him to be a submissive. At the end of the night, it’s not supposed to be an intimate tussle. Read your training manual before you jump in headfirst without looking. There are precautions to take—”

  “Don’t lecture me, Mac,” Ryan interrupted. “I’ve had enough people doing that today. You, Kira, Mustang, and my brother have all given me hell over that boy, and I didn’t even want him to begin with! He followed me. He inserted himself into my life. I didn’t pursue him! As far as I’m concerned he should be grateful I’m even taking the time and energy to indulge him in training after the shit he’s pulled!”

  Mac didn’t flinch from Ryan’s bellowed statement. “If you resent him that much, you need to walk away now, Ryan. You don’t deserve his submission.”

  Ryan gaped. “What?”

  “Get in your damn truck and go. Leave his bag and I’ll give it to him,” Mac demanded, holding his hand out supposedly for Ryan to hand over Bradley’s bag.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you? He’s my responsibility!”

  Mac snorted. “And I’m sure Alpha will find someone who won’t think of him as a burden to be tolerated. He didn’t let you be the hunter in your relationship. So what? Would you be any less persistent in your pursuit of someone you liked? I seem to recall a time when you followed David around like a goddamn puppy. You showed up here more than once with only enough money for a coffee just so you could sit in his section. He said ‘no’ how many times before he went out with you?” Each word felt like an ice pick being driven into his chest over and over again.

  “Yeah?” he asked, his voice brittle. “Look how that turned out. It’s not healthy to like someone that much.”

  “Love turns us all into fools,” Mac said softly. “You’re a grown-ass man. Stop being afraid of being a fool. You’ll only end up looking more like one if you deny it.”

  Ryan turned away and grabbed the bag out of the floorboards. “I’m trying.”

  “I don’t mean to be harsh on you, Ry. I just want you to be aware of how you’re goin’ about this. Your heart is not the only one who stands to be crushed under your boots if you let it. If you need help—”

  “You’re here. I got it.” Ryan shut the door and locked it back. “I’m lost with him.”

  Mac nodded. “Ain’t no finer place to be, boy.”

  Ryan disagreed. It felt awful to be in this position. A few weeks. A few weeks of normal Dom/sub stuff and then I’ll walk away. The memories would keep him warm. They would have to.

  Chapter Six

  Bradley pulled the overalls up his hips and fastened the first shoulder then the other. It wasn’t the height of fashion, but it would do in a pinch. He stuffed his other pants in the bag and straightened. Ryan leaned against the doorframe, looking at him with an odd expression on his face. Bradley smiled. “Okay. I’m ready to eat. I’m starving.”

  “I need to apologize to you,” Ryan said. Bradley’s heart clenched. God, what now? He didn’t think he could take anymore of Ryan’s yo-yoing today. He was more confusing than any man Bradley had ever met, bar none. “I haven’t exactly given this a fair shot. Yes, you came to me unconventionally, but it doesn’t mean I should treat you like a freak. I’m sorry about that.”

  Relief scalded him. “Thanks. I just want to make you happy.”

  “I know. I’m a little leery of anything that looks like a permanent collar, but that is my issue. I’m going to treat you right, Brad.”

  “Bradley,” he corrected automatically.

  The corner of Ryan’s mouth lifted in a semblance of a smile. “Not Brad?”

  “No. I hate when people shorten my name. It’s Bradley.”

  Ryan openly laughed then. “All right. I can respect that. I won’t call you Brad.” He offered his arm up for Bradley, and he looped his arm in the wolf’s almost instantly. “Did you think of things you want to try?”

  “Yes. I thought about a few things that I wouldn’t mind trying. I read about this flogging scene in
my book, so I’d like to feel that,” Bradley said, trying not the blush as he answered Ryan’s questions.

  “That’s doable. What else?”

  Bradley swallowed and took the plunge. “I really want you to fuck me.” He saw Ryan’s shoulders tense and hurried to finish. “I know that it doesn’t have to go there, but I want it to. I need to know if it’s on the table and if I got a vote, what I wanted to vote for.”

  Ryan hesitated. “Fine. It’s on the table. When we’re ready and not until.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Don’t push it, smartass.”

  Bradley sighed. “You take all the fun out of teasing you.”

  “I’m the second-highest-ranked person in my pack. I don’t usually get teased by availables,” Ryan said, cutting a pointed look over in Bradley’s direction.

  “What do they usually do?”

  “Swoon,” Ryan rumbled. It took him a minute to register that Ryan was teasing him back. He laughed, loving this side of the Dom. “Flogging and fucking. Anything else?”

  Bradley shrugged. “I’m not sure really. I don’t know a lot about it. What’s that long thing that people use to smack horses with?” They’d made it back to the table, and Ryan motioned for him to regain his seat. Kira came over a second later with their food.

  “I went ahead and put in Mustang’s order. It’ll be up when you guys finish up,” Kira said as she sat the plates in front of them. It seemed like sheer BBQ heaven, and Bradley’s stomach rumbled in admiration. When was the last time I ate? He couldn’t remember. Not since yesterday afternoon. “Someone is hungry.” She winked. “Wave me over if you need a refill. I’ll let you two talk.”

  “Thanks, Kira,” Ryan said. As she walked away, he turned his attention back to Bradley. “The thing is called a crop. I’ll show you when you come over. I have all kinds of goodies for you to go through. If something strikes your fancy, just let me know and we’ll give it a try.”

  “Oh and I just remembered something I was reading about in one of the forums I found today in class about erotic asphyxiation. It sounded hot—”

  Ryan’s face turned to stone. “No.”

  “But—”

  “No fucking ‘buts.’ It’s dangerous, and I won’t do it,” Ryan snapped. Bradley felt like he’d been slapped. His cheeks heated, and he felt like every single person in the bar was now staring at them.

  “Fine,” he muttered. “It was just an idea.” They fell into an awkward silence as they ate. Bradley pushed the green beans around on his plate, not hungry anymore. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know that it was off-limits.” He swallowed. “I’m seriously just throwing ideas out there.”

  Ryan sighed. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to bite your head off. It’s just a trigger for me. I had a friend who really enjoyed it. He nearly died, and ever since I’ve been more than a little touchy about breath play.” The whole thing was said in a rush as if Ryan felt the need to explain but wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible.

  “I’m sorry about your friend,” Bradley said. “We don’t have to do it.”

  Their eyes met. “Thank you for understanding.” Ryan waved to the food. “Eat. You were starving a second ago.”

  Bradley did, settled now that he knew it hadn’t been his freakish fantasy that had made Ryan lose it on him. “So are all wolves into BDSM?” He bit into the chicken and starbursts of flavor invaded his mouth. It was a little spicy like some Cajun food he’d had in the past but it had the rich taste of BBQ sauce under it. Delicious.

  Ryan nodded. “Any born wolf is raised in the lifestyle. Dominants take care of the submissives, and submissives nurture the pack. It’s just the way things are done. That’s why I said to relax in here. Everyone who works for Mac is pack, and the few humans that come in here are mostly availables anyway.” He took a swig of water before he continued. “I’m not an easy Dom. I’m rough and have a short temper. I wouldn’t have chosen me for your first Dominant.”

  “So why did you?” Bradley asked, already knowing the answer. The more he knew about werewolves, shifters, whatever, the more he realized he’d been right. Ryan was his mate and was just being overly stubborn about it.

  Instead of the denial he’d been expecting, the wolf just winked. “Like you said, smartass, you’re irresistible.” Bradley laughed. “So tell me about this infamous book of yours. Was it S&M 101?”

  “No. It was called Under a Blood Red Moon by Emily McShayne,” Bradley said, grinning at Ryan’s instantly confused expression.

  “What the hell is that?”

  “It’s a BDSM romance novel featuring a vampire Dom, Chris, and his pet werewolf, Shane.” Bradley pretended to swoon. “It was…awesome.”

  “Pet werewolf?” Ryan asked, wrinkling his nose. “That sounds god awful.”

  “No way!” Bradley said, feigning outrage. “It was fucking hot. Especially when Shane was naughty and Chris spanked him and called him a bad dog.”

  Ryan sputtered. “What the hell kind of trash do they produce nowadays? Jeez. No wonder you know next to nothing.” He harrumphed and took a drink of his water. “Now if I wrote a novel on the lifestyle and werewolves, it sure as hell wouldn’t be some cheesy rendition. ‘Bad dog’ my ass.”

  Bradley giggled. “Oh come on! You haven’t even read it. Are you saying that if you turned me into a werewolf you wouldn’t spank me and call me a bad dog?”

  “Hell no,” Ryan rumbled, his eyes sparkling with a heady mixture of amusement and seriousness. “I’d call you my bad pup.”

  Bradley couldn’t help but shudder at the tone in Ryan’s voice. The tone of the conversation shifted, and the lighthearted joviality of the moment was lost to heavier things. He shifted, uncertain of what he was supposed to do as the tension rose. He knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to slip into Ryan’s side of the booth and climb into the other man’s lap. It was so easy between them. What complicated matters was Ryan’s denial of their connection.

  “I’m supposed to be honest, right?” Bradley asked, his hands playing nervously with the edge of his napkin.

  “Yes,” Ryan said, his eyes thoughtful.

  Bradley breathed. “Then I can honestly say that I want to be close to you in a very naked way right now.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes.”

  “We were going to wait.”

  “You were going to wait. I was going to masturbate a lot.”

  Ryan’s booming laugh startled him. “You are trouble. What if I forbade you from jerking off until I got you off?”

  Bradley grinned. “Then I’d have some pretty blue balls by tomorrow night.”

  “Tomorrow night?” Ryan sputtered. He dug in his pocket and got out a couple of bills to pay for their food. “We’ll pay for the Howlers’ orders at the register. You think I’m easy, huh?”

  “I do not think you’re easy,” Bradley murmured. “You are many things, Ryan, but easy isn’t one of them.” But he liked it that way. He liked that his soon-to-be mate wasn’t just some sweet paper-pusher. Ryan was a good man, but he was also an edgy, tattooed Dom. As an artist, Bradley tended to be a difficult person to live with which was why he lived alone now. His tiny studio apartment was over a hardware store within walking distance of his job and the college. So he didn’t have to bring his bike with him everywhere if he didn’t want to. He loved the accessibility of the place.

  Ryan slid out of the booth and waited for Bradley to do the same. “I want to take you home, Bradley. I just don’t want you to start picking out our mating tuxes. Until I’m ready to let you have me, how about I lay down some rules to heighten the anticipation?”

  The idea appealed. Bradley got out of the booth and twined their hands. “A test run, huh?”

  Ryan grinned and nodded as they walked from the table to the front register. “Yeah. A test run until Friday.”

  “All right. I’m game.”

  Kira appeared at the register a second before they got there. She must’ve come fro
m the kitchens, but he hadn’t been paying attention to anything other than how good Ryan looked in a tight pair of blue jeans. “I put the rest of your orders in a grocery bag, Ryan. You bring cutey back with you when you come.”

  “I can’t promise he’ll want to come back, but I guarantee if he does, we’ll stop in,” Ryan said, handing over a credit card. “I forgot Mustang’s card in the car, so just use mine for all of it. We’ll even it out later.”

  She swiped his card and handed him the slip to sign, and Bradley waited patiently for him to finish. In no time Ryan had the two grocery bags of food in hand and was ushering Bradley back out the door and to the truck, the advertisement for the tattoo shop blazing along the side of the black vehicle in bright green-and-yellow font. He really needed to design them a new logo. That one was a bit hard on the eyes.

  When they were ensconced once more in the comfort of the truck, Ryan looked over at him and cranked the engine. “Your first task will be to deliver these bags of food to the shop and to tell Regan to reschedule my appointments for tomorrow or to take my clients. When you get back, I’ll give you three rules to follow until Friday, and if you disobey them, there will be consequences.”

  Bradley resisted the urge to squirm happily. “Okay.”

  “You’ll want to start tacking on the honorifics so you’ll get used to using it. Most Dominant wolves will want a ‘Sir’ at least. If he’s a particularly large asshole, he’ll demand a ‘Master.’ I would suggest that you avoid any wolf who doesn’t get to know you first and demands to be called ‘Master,’” Ryan lectured. “You won’t have to worry about submitting to other wolves for a while, but when we go out and you meet other Dominants you’ll be expected to ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’ them appropriately. Our hierarchy is a little rigid, so it’ll take some getting used to.”

  Not as much as it should be. “Then I’ll use the honorifics, Sir.” Oh that felt fantastic. It was just right.