Cool Nights, Hot Dreams: Wolves of Aurora 1

by Athena Blaez

  And lost the small bit of happiness he’d had in a long time.

  Ryder pulled back, tenderly brushing Sean’s bangs from his eyes. “What are you thinking, Sean Hastings?”

  Sean turned his head and kissed the palm of Ryder’s hand. “How lucky I am. Seems selfish to think that with my mother not even laid in the ground yet. I have a ton of things I need to do to get ready for the services on Sunday and all I can think is how much I want you to make love to me.”

  With a breathless move, Ryder rolled them, pinning Sean to the bed. His arms immediately came up to wrap around Ryder’s shoulders. “I will do everything in my power to make you happy, Sean. I knew it the first day I laid eyes on you that I would be with you. It made my heart sing then, and it still flies high overhead now, every time I look at you.”

  Sean laughed. The weight of his life until that moment cleared and he felt light as air. “Then show me.”

  Ryder worked Sean’s shirt up over his head. It cleared Sean’s arms and flung to the corner of a room. Ryder’s shirt followed suit and in the quiet of the early morning between kisses and moans, Sean found his completion with the most tender, loving, kind man he’d ever met in his life.

  It seemed weird to think that his mother died so that Sean would make room in his life for Ryder. To Sean, it made a certain amount of sense. His entire life was dedicated to keeping his mother safe and taking care of her. In hindsight, he needed to let her go in order for him to allow Ryder close enough to touch him within the dark recesses of his soul.

  He was loved so completely, even without words, as Ryder howled his love for Sean and collapsed on the bed beside him. Both of them sweaty and exhausted, tacky skin cooling in the early morning air.

  Sean rolled against Ryder, draped his arm and leg over the man as their hearts raced, for a moment beating in a synchronized rhythm. “Did you mean it? When you said you loved me so loudly?”

  “Do you want the neighbors across the street to hear it, as well?” Ryder kissed the top of Sean’s head. “I have loved you since the dream. And I love you now.”

  Falling silent, Sean closed his eyes and listened to the beat of Ryder’s heart. “I don’t know when I fell in love with you. It sort of crept up on me.”

  “I have that affect.”

  Sean laughed and bit Ryder’s chest playfully. “You do. You definitely do. Although, I do have one request.”

  “Shoot.”

  “I want to see you in wolf form again.”

  “Right now?”

  “No.” Sean snuggled closer. “I’m far too comfortable. But it happened so fast and was such a stressful night that I don’t have much memory of it. Just this big gray, furry blur racing across my backyard.”

  “One day, you’ll come to a pack meeting where I can introduce you to my pack. Then you’ll get your eyeful of wolves.”

  “Don’t need to see them, just you.”

  The buzzing of his phone was the biggest killjoy for their moment. Sean sighed heavily. He contemplated letting it go to voice mail but Ryder beat him to the punch. He glanced at the screen and held it up for Sean. “That’s Sheriff Bradley’s number.”

  Okay, fine, he had to take this one. Sean sat up to brace on one elbow, refusing to leave Ryder’s comforting warmth. “Hello?”

  “Sean, this is Sheriff Bradley. I had some news about your father. The DA believes they have enough to prosecute your father for murder. They will seek the maximum sentence, life without parole.”

  Sean sat up. “That’s…thank you, Sheriff. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

  He killed the call and tossed his phone to the foot of the bed. “Looks like Ernie is going away for good, Ryder.” With a deep breath, Sean finally felt like it was all over. His father couldn’t torment him anymore.

  Ryder pulled Sean to sit between his legs and guided them both to recline against the headboard. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “You’ll stick around, right? Until it’s all said and done and he’s finally away from here forever?”

  “And even after that.” Ryder whispered in Sean’s ear. “You’re stuck with me, Sean Hastings.”

  Sean closed his eyes. “You too.”

  Chapter 18

  There was a small gathering at the gravesite. Ryder wasn’t nearly as surprised as Sean that so many people showed up for his mother’s funeral. Sean had been so certain that no one cared about either one of them. The number of extended family who made it in from out of state told another tale.

  Many from Ryder’s pack were there, too. They may not have known Sean very well but they respected him as someone important to their alpha. In the coming months, they would get to know Sean much better as Ryder would see that they were both well acquainted with each other.

  His pack held great meaning for him, as did Sean. A meeting of those two worlds would ensure continued balance. As well as Sean’s gift of dreamwalking would be a great boon to them all. With Sean’s willing cooperation.

  Sean walked beside Ryder as they all drifted back to their cars. He slipped his hand in Ryder’s and their shoulders bumped playfully as they walked.

  “How are you doing?” Ryder asked.

  Sean shrugged. “Better than expected. I guess…I was ready for this, even before she died. We knew it was going to happen. The cancer was too far advanced and she was tired of fighting. I grieved for her for months. Now it’s time to let her go. It’s silly but I miss her.”

  “It’s okay to miss her, Sean.” Ryder squeezed his hand. “Just because you had time to adjust to this, doesn’t mean that you will suddenly get over the fact that she’s no longer here.”

  “I just hope no one tries to tell me she’s in a better place. It always sounds so trite to say that.” Sean stopped walking, and he rested his head on Ryder’s shoulder. One arm slid around Ryder’s waist. “But I’m glad she’s no longer in pain.”

  Ryder kissed the top of Sean’s head. “Me, too. She was a strong woman. And she raised a strong son.”

  After another deep sigh, Sean looked up at Ryder. “So what’s next? A small gathering at the house and hopefully people will leave after a few hours and then…fill in the blank, please. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

  They started walking again. Ryder opened the truck door for Sean to crawl in and buckle up before he slid behind the wheel. “Is that an invitation to stay the night?”

  “I’d like to talk to you about that, but for right now, yes, that’s an invitation to stay the night. Will you?”

  “That sounds ominous.” Ryder leaned across the middle console for a kiss. He couldn’t quite reach and waited patiently for Sean to meet him half-way. Sean placed a lingering kiss on his lips. When Ryder pulled away with a smile, “If you want me to stay, I most definitely will.”

  “Good.”

  It was much later in the evening when everyone finally left. Charlene was in the kitchen with Katrina as they cleaned up the last of the dishes.

  Ryder wandered in and kissed both the women on the cheeks. “Your staying and helping out has been amazing. Thank you.”

  “It’s what we do for our own,” Charlene said.

  Katrina nodded in agreement. “We couldn’t possibly leave it for Sean. That many people crammed in this small house, it was overwhelming for me and I’m just an employee.”

  “You’re more than an employee, Katrina.” Ryder saw Jeremy coming to the kitchen with the last of the dishes. “You’re Jeremy’s handler. That was a huge help.”

  “Hey now,” Jeremy protested as he set them on the counter next to Charlene. “I don’t need a handler.”

  Katrina and Ryder exchanged glances before laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” Sean wandered in, hands in his pockets. His eyes were red and hair a little mussed. He came straight for Ryder, wrapping his arms around Ryder’s waist.

  “Jeremy.” All three piped up.

  “I feel picked on.”

  “And they should all feel bad about
it. He handled the small fracas over who was closer to Mrs. Hastings like a pro. I thought they were going to come to blows over it. Family can be so weird,” Devan said. He shook Sean’s hand. “I’m very sorry for your loss, Sean.”

  “Thanks, Devan. I’m sorry it took so long for Ryder to introduce us.”

  “Well, it’s Ryder. He gets like that. I hate to run but I have an early day tomorrow.”

  Ryder grabbed Devan’s hand and pulled him in for a hug. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Sure thing. Does anyone need a lift home?”

  Charlene waved her hand. “My husband is waiting out at the car. I’m fine.”

  Katrina piped up. “I could use a ride.”

  “Me, too!” Jeremy said. “Unless you still need me, Sean.”

  “No…it’s fine. Thanks for being here. I don’t think I could have gotten through this without you.”

  Jeremy hugged Sean fiercely. Ryder saw how deeply the two friends felt for each other. Jeremy’s friendship with Sean was on par with Ryder and Devan. “And don’t be a doofus, take the next few days off. The shop will keep. I’m sure Katrina can handle it if Ryder sends support.”

  “Bennie has a roster all drawn up,” Ryder assured him.

  It took another five minutes to get the goodbyes said and everyone out. Sean finally shut the door and leaned heavily against it. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. “I am so tired. Too tired to sleep.”

  “I have an idea. It’s a novel idea. And one I think you’ll approve of. How about a shower? Hot water, beating down on tired muscles.” Ryder pulled Sean away from the door and wrapped his arms around the other man, goose-stepping back into the living room and towards the stairs leading up to the second floor. “I bet ten minutes in the shower and you’ll be ready to fall into bed.”

  Sean followed, holding tight to Ryder as he was guided for said shower. “You’re missing a key ingredient to your otherwise genius idea.”

  Ryder’s eyebrows lifted in question.

  “I need a body in the shower with me to scrub my back.”

  “Oh, so you want me to fall asleep with you, too?”

  “That was the plan. To start.”

  Ryder tilted his head back and laughed. Cupping Sean’s face, he drew him in for a noisy, sloppy kiss. “Go get the shower started. I’ll lock up down here.”

  Sean danced away when Ryder swatted at his ass, stopping midway on the stairs to give Ryder a hungry look. “Be quick or I’ll start without you.”

  “Start wha—oooh. I see. So it’s not about relaxing but relaxing. Go on, I’m right behind you.”

  Ryder checked the doors and windows. He made eye contact with his pack member who stood guard outside. Regardless of what the sheriff said, a guard in wolf form was far better than one in human form. Bradley may not like it, but that was tough. Ryder would do what he felt was necessary to keep Sean safe. Just because Ernie was in police custody did not mean he couldn’t get to Sean.

  The shower was running and steam rolled out of the cracked bathroom door when Ryder got to the top of the stairs. He shed his clothing right there in the hall before pushing into the bathroom.

  Sean held the curtain while Ryder stepped in behind him. He caught Sean’s arm and pulled him roughly to pin against the tile wall. Using his body weight, he kept Sean in place as they pressed knees to chest. He rocked his hips, his hard cock trapped between their bodies. Sean ground his hips up. One leg hooked around Ryder’s hips to keep them locked together.

  Ryder’s temperature rose higher than the steamy heat in the shower. “I’ll pull a muscle if I try to fuck you in the shower,” he said between impatient kisses.

  “For an alpha of a wolf pack, you have no sense of adventure.”

  “Death by bathroom misadventure is not how I want to be remembered.”

  “Spoilsport.” Sean shoved the scrubbie and bottle of soap at Ryder. “Wash my back so we can get out and you can fuck me into the mattress.”

  “So bossy.” Ryder took the items and soaped Sean up. With soapy, slick hands he pressed against Sean’s back, his cock sliding up the crease of Sean’s ass. One arm held Sean pinned against him, while his free hand reached around and started to stroke.

  Sean’s breath stuttered. “Not exactly what I had planned.”

  “It’ll do in a pinch,” Ryder whispered against Sean’s ear. “Feeling my cock maddeningly out of reach for you. Your ass so empty while I jerk you off.”

  “Tease.”

  “I can stop.” Ryder deliberately slowed as if he was going to pull away.

  Sean flailed out to hold Ryder’s wrist. “If you do, you’re sleeping outside with your pack member, in the rose bushes.”

  Laughing lightly, Ryder picked up the pace with renewed energy. Sean rocked against him, writhing, moaning, chanting Ryder’s name with breathy sighs. It wasn’t long before Sean stiffened and Ryder’s name was bouncing off the tile walls.

  “You undo me, Ryder,” he said, his arms falling weakly by his sides.

  Ryder smoothed his hands along Sean’s body, sluicing the last of the soap away. “Then I’ll put you back together again. Over and over for as long as you want.”

  Sean turned so he faced Ryder. His dark eyes searched Ryder’s face. He knew what Sean was looking for. Assurance that Ryder wouldn’t leave him.

  “Is that a promise?”

  As if it was possible for Ryder to walk away. From the moment Ryder laid eyes on him in the dream, he knew he needed this man in his life. He had Sean now, he wasn’t about to let go.

  “Well, it’s not a threat. Wolves mate for life, Sean. Whether you want me or not, I’m yours. I love you and that won’t change. There may be times when I need to tend to pack business that will keep me away for a few nights but I will always come back to you. I will always come home.”

  “Home,” Sean said with a dreamy blink. “I like the sound of that.”

  Epilogue

  Both lanes of traffic were blocked and backing up when Ryder approached the site of the wreck. He parked his truck on the side of the road and walked the rest of the way.

  Half a mile up, a Department of Corrections truck rested on its side blocking both lanes. Glass crunched beneath his feet and the smell of gasoline filled the air. The ambulance approached from the other direction, slowly driving up the shoulder to get to the scene.

  Sheriff Bradley and Devan broke from a group of officers and trotted to meet Ryder. “What a mess,” Ryder said when they were close. “What the hell happened?”

  “Jail transport. We were transporting about half a dozen prisoners to county for processing. The driver”—and Bradley motioned to the man in uniform leaning against a squad car—“said something came at him from the wood line. Collided with the van and tipped it sideways. Whoever it was proceeded to pull the locked back door off its hinges. The prisoners panicked, claiming it was a wolf man. He grabbed one of the prisoners, broke his restraints, and dragged the man off into the woods.”

  Devan gestured for Ryder to follow him down the embankment and into the wooded area. Thirty feet from the shoulder, a body was stretched out on the ground, covered with a sheet. Devan knelt next to the body. He lifted the corner to show Ryder.

  Ernie Hastings. His face was left intact but the rest of his body had been ripped to ribbons. Blood and chunks of flesh were scattered about the area. “Fuck,” Ryder said.

  Devan lifted an eyebrow. “Yeah. Did a real number on him. We’ll know for sure what happened when Frank gets a look at him but I’ll be honest, Ryder, I think whoever did this made this hurt a hell of a lot. One of the guards said he was alive when they found him. The screams traumatized most of them.”

  “Whoever did this?” Ryder laughed incredulously. “We know who did this.”

  “We can guess,” Devan said in agreement. “But we have no proof. Other than a few sightings around town, no one has been able to verify for sure Charlie Adler is still in Aurora.”

  “I thought he had use for Ernie.
” Ryder stared down at the body.

  “Guess that use ran out when Ernie offered to cut a deal and implicate his partner-in-crime.” Devan replaced the sheet. They both joined the sheriff at the road.

  “I’ll be by Sean’s later this evening to give him the news,” Bradley said. “I trust he’ll have an alibi, just to cover all the bases.”

  “If you consider me credible, I’m his alibi. But I know you have to do this through official channels.”

  Bradley stepped in close to the two men and lowered his voice. “I’m getting tired of cleaning up bodies in my county and having a goddamned out of control werewolf running amok, gentlemen. Get him under control or we will have a rain of shit on all our heads. When that happens, I can’t protect you.”

  Devan and Ryder both nodded. They watched the sheriff storm off. Once alone, Devan blew out a breath. “We need to get a handle on this, Ryder. Any ideas?”

  Ryder shook his head slowly. “I am at a complete loss.”

  “Has Sean been successful in getting into Charlie’s dreams?”

  “No.” Ryder raked a hand through his hair. “He said he thinks Charlie is actively blocking him.”

  “How the hell do we get around that?”

  Ryder looked up, an idea formed in his head. He wasn’t sure it would work but it was worth a try. “I may have an idea but I’ll need to talk to Sean first. I’ll get back to you.”

  “Don’t take too long,” Devan said. “We may not have much time.”

  “I’ve decided to close the shop one day a week.” Sean stopped chopping the bell pepper to nibble on a slice.

  Ryder tossed the lettuce for the salad. It was one of the few things Sean would actually let him do in the kitchen. Of the two, Sean was a better cook. “I think that’s a good idea. What day did you pick?”

  “When do you close the mine?”

  “Mondays.”

  “Then I will close the shop on Mondays, too. I want to spend the day off with you. Unless you plan your pack business on Mondays,” Sean said. He dumped the pepper on top of the salad and rinsed the cutting board.