STORY EXCERPT

“Hey,” Dustin called to Kip, walking to him. Kip jumped at the sound of his voice, face slightly red to be caught staring after Taylor. “You heard all that, huh?”

“I did. I’m sorry for listening in. It’s none of my business,” Kip blurted out loud.

Kip was never able to handle his emotions well. The human started to tremble and all Dustin wanted to do was wrap Kip in his arms and stroke Kip’s back until the human visibly calmed down. Boundaries, Dustin reminded himself. Being around Kip already distracted him. What would touching do?

Frowning, Dustin followed Kip into the break room. Kip scanned his card and headed for the lockers, blinking when he noticed Dustin was beside him.

“W-what are you doing? I said I’m sorry for eavesdropping.”

Kip opened his locker to shove his backpack in, blocking Dustin’s view. Dustin slammed the locker door shut, making Kip flinch. Cursing himself for being rough, Dustin breathed in and out to calm down.

“Taylor doesn’t mean anything to me. He’s a slut and everyone knows it. He was here to cause trouble.”

Kip finally looked him in the eye, and the anger there shocked the hell out of Dustin. Unlike his friends, who thought Kip was in need of healing, Dustin knew there was steel in Kip’s backbone. Christ, it shouldn’t turn him on his human was jealous of Taylor when he shouldn’t need to be.

His human.

Dustin’s wolf liked the sound of that.

Wait. Dustin should control himself.

“You don’t need to explain yourself. I know exactly what you are.”

Dustin crossed his arms. “Tell me.”

Kip hesitated. “You like to sleep around.”

Dustin snarled. “Is that so?”

“What do you want me to say, Dustin? I see you with a different man or woman every time.”

Oh, Kip was furious now. Dustin knew there was anger underneath all that. The pack healer said Kip’s abuser destroyed Kip’s sense of identity, but Dustin thought otherwise. As a part-time paramedic, Dustin had seen his share of victims. To survive and protect himself, Kip buried his real self and only now Kip had a chance to be himself again.

“Should I be touched or alarmed you notice who I’m with?”

“You’re so full of yourself.” Kip began to leave, but Dustin caged Kip with his body, shoving his arms against either side of Kip.

Kip’s breathing started to hitch, but the feisty human wasn’t terrified of him, a good sign. Maybe Dustin had underestimated Kip severely. His encounter with Taylor gave Dustin new perspective. Against all odds, Jaime and Trent found their mates. Shouldn’t Dustin take a chance with Kip, too? Kip deserved better, but it looked like Kip wasn’t interested in anyone else but him.

“We’re not done talking, human.” God, standing this close, Kip’s amazing scent filled Dustin’s nostrils.

“What else is there to talk about?” Kip demanded.

“Taylor and all those men and women mean nothing to me. There’s only been one man on my mind.”

Kip swallowed. “Who?”

“Don’t ask questions you know the answer to.” Dustin nuzzled Kip’s neck to take another whiff of Kip. “Kip, you smell so fucking good. Do you taste good as well?”

“Why don’t you come find out?”

Kip’s answer stunned him. Dustin traced the side of Kip’s neck with his nose. In all the time Kip had been with Hook, the werelion never left a permanent mating mark on Kip’s neck. That gave Dustin immense relief because it meant Hook never tied his tainted soul permanently to Kip’s pure one.

“Tell me to stop, Kip, and I will,” Dustin said, looking into Kip’s eyes.

“Don’t stop,” Kip whispered.

Seeing a reflection of his lust burning in Kip’s eyes, Dustin did what he’d been dreaming of for a long time. Closing in, Dustin claimed Kip’s lips. Kip froze, but soon responded, yielding against the press of his lips.

Slipping his hands under Kip’s shirt, Dustin moved his hands up Kip’s silken flesh. More. Dustin wanted to scent and touch, kiss, and suck more of Kip’s tempting body. At least Kip was no longer skin and bones compared to the first time they met. Dustin moved his hands lower, past the hem of Kip’s jeans to cup the smaller man’s ass. He could feel his hard-on pressing against his jeans and smell Kip’s arousal.

Their tongues and teeth tangled. Dustin nipped and sucked, unable to stop. One taste of Kip and he nearly lost it. He could take Kip now. So easy to yank down Kip’s jeans, command him to turn and spread his thighs so Dustin could sink his dick into Kip’s sweet, little, pink rosette. Kip wouldn’t fight him, Dustin knew. The human wanted him, too. Dustin could smell Kip’s need a mile away and still taste the jealousy in him.

That was fine. Dustin was possessive, too. He’d forgotten why he’d kept his distance in the first place. So foolish of him to continue suffering in silence, knowing Kip felt the same way.

Someone cleared their throat. With obvious reluctance, Dustin pulled away. The moment he did, Kip moaned into his mouth, clearly begging for more, but Dustin reeled himself back.

ADULT EXCERPT

Neither of them wanted to stop, Dustin knew that when he claimed Kip’s lips. Kip tasted of acquiescence, and the bold little human reached for his belt buckle. When Dustin grabbed his hand, Kip drew a sharp breath.

Dustin pulled his mouth back. “I lead the show here, pet. First, I want to taste you. Let’s get these annoying bottoms off you.”

He helped Kip back to his feet. Kip kicked off his shoes and yanked down his jeans and boxers with hurried movements.

“I want to see you, too. Can I?” Kip asked.

A surge of pride filled Dustin at Kip’s initiative. Dustin grinned. “Come help me.”

Shyly, Kip approached him, helping him out of his shirt. Dustin didn’t fail to notice the way Kip’s gaze lingered on his torso. Licking his lips, Kip cleared his throat when he noticed Dustin looking at him.

“You like what you see, human?” Dustin asked, amused.

“You know I do.”

“Come see the rest of me.”

To Dustin’s shock, Kip knelt between his legs. Before Dustin could say anything to protest, Kip clutched a handful of his denim fabric.

“Don’t tell me not to do this. I want to,” Kip said.

Dustin didn’t imagine the confidence in his voice. Kip was turning out to be a surprise, a gem. Dustin helped Kip with his belt buckle and let the human put aside his shoes, and pull down his jeans and boxers. Seeing the cock hanging between his legs, Kip drew a sharp breath.

“So big,” Kip whispered.

“Intimidated?” Dustin asked, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice.

“Not one bit.” Kip leaned forward but didn’t push Dustin away when he gently threaded his fingers through his hair.

Dustin didn’t bother giving Kip the discourtesy of asking if he was sure and ready because Kip’s look said he was. Kip licked away the pre-cum off his tip like it was something tasty, swirling the tongue over his head. Groaning, Dustin let Kip take over. Kip licked the length of him, not neglecting his balls. The human took each of his balls into his mouth, sucking them.

“Baby, your mouth feels amazing on my dick.”

The compliment made Kip blush, though he was busy giving Dustin head. It spurred Kip on, though. Kip took his length between his lips, gagging at first, but quickly adjusting to his size. Warmth flooded through Dustin’s chest. It amazed him this wonderful man would do such a thing for him because he wanted to, especially knowing Kip’s past.

Kip bobbed his head up and down, seemingly full of energy. The pressure continued to build inside Dustin as Kip continued to service his fat cock, so close to busting.

“I’m going to explode soon,” Dustin warned.

He began to pull away, but Kip latched onto his mouth. His balls drew in tight against his body. With a growl, Dustin shot his load into Kip’s waiting mouth. Kip worked his cheeks and jaws, taking every bit of his seed.

“God, baby. What should I do? You’re slowing working your way into my heart,” Dustin said after, recovering.

“Sometimes, I think you purposely chose your words to make me blush,” Kip muttered.

“Red is such a wonderful color on you. Now let me return the favor.” Dustin rose to his feet and helped Kip out.

“W-what do you mean? Where are we going to?”

“To my bed, baby. Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? I want to taste every inch of you. That includes your dick and the rest of you. Fuck, you can’t imagine how long I’ve wanted to do this.”

“My body? But it’s tainted.” Kip bit his lower lip.

Dustin snarled at that. “Kip, don’t let me ever hear you say that about yourself, understand?”

“Okay. You overwhelm me at times, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

Communicating was good, Dustin mused. Twining their fingers together, Dustin led Kip to his bedroom. Tonight might have started tentative, uncertain, but Dustin finally saw glimpses of the real self Kip kept buried behind to survive his ordeal. Dustin let go of Kip’s fingers, turning to face him.

Kip trembled slightly, staring at the room, gaze lingering on the bed. Dustin wondered if bad memories plagued him at the sight of any stranger’s bed, but Dustin wasn’t merely any stranger. He was his mate.

“Hey,” Dustin began, taking his lips. “Talk to me, pet.”

Kip leaned against him, closing his eyes. When he opened them, there was surety in his voice and look. “I want this, need you. How do you want me?”

“Good.” Dustin nodded to the bed. “Lie on your back.”

Climbing on the bed, Kip let out a nervous laugh. “I’m not used to this position.”

“No?” Dustin asked. He planned on showering Kip with kisses, every inch of him, so Dustin could thank Kip for his bravery.

“Usually, Hook takes me on fours, doggy-style. I can’t see him or anyone he brings along to play with me.”

Dustin blanketed his body over Kip’s, planning to eradicate any thoughts of Hook from Kip’s head, starting now. “I want you like this. This way, I can see the expression on your face when I ride you.”

He kissed Kip on the lips again, slow and easy like they were two shy young men making love. Dustin went lower, kisses getting bolder. Moaning, Kip gripped his hair as Dustin moved down his throat and closed his mouth over his left nipple. He sucked on the bud, teasing Kip until Kip hardened under his mouth.

Moving to the right tit, Dustin could feel the wetness of Kip’s dick pressing up against him, and his own prick thickening with every needy whine Kip emitted.

“Dustin,” Kip murmured. “You’re so good with your mouth. You’re going to drive me mad.”

Dustin released Kip’s right nipple, grinning. “Say that after I taste your dick.”

“My—” Kip faltered, blushing.

His mate was so fucking adorable, and Dustin couldn’t wait to taste the rest of him.