Rueben grinned largely and his gaze rested on Sam and Yuma. “Hello, again. So, did Ricky switch teams? Is he your boyfriend?” he asked, looking at Yuma.

Yuma shook his head, his lips curving into a wry grin. “No, your brother seems to be completely stuck on the wrong side of the fence.” He shook his head. “Too bad, really. He’s just Sam’s type,” he said, poking his friend, still settled in his chair happily eating his Chinese.

At that, Sam snorted, cutting a look at a now-frowning Ricky. “He’s kidding, dude.”

Suddenly, Lamar found himself the recipient of a smoldering stare from his mate. “How about you, sweet stuff? Are you available? My foot may be busted, but I can still give you a hot night you’ll never forget,” he said, winking lasciviously.

Lamar’s heart pounded in his chest at the knowledge his mate found him attractive. He opened his mouth, searching his stuttering brain for an appropriate response.

“You horn ball,” Ricky interrupted. “Always thinkin’ with your dick. You’ll fuck anything on two legs. Anything male, anyway,” he added in a grumble.

Completely unremorseful, Rueben grinned widely. “That just means I’ve had plenty of experience.” He swept Lamar’s body with a heated gaze. “I know how to please my lover.”

Clenching his jaw, Lamar struggled to control his responses. He was a private person, for the most part. Even when the gang had gone to bars to pick up men, Lamar had rarely indulged. Rueben was obviously not that way. It sounded like he was a player. Lamar hadn’t ever thought his mate would be virginal, but internally he grimaced. He wasn’t sure he could handle having his sex life as gossip fodder.

He needed time to think, and he couldn’t do that around the heavy pheromones this guy was putting off.

Clearing his throat, Lamar murmured, “Tempting offer. Perhaps I’ll give it some thought.” He shifted his gaze to Kontra and saw his alpha’s questioning look. “I’d like to take a walk.” Although he said it as a statement, his alpha recognized it for what it was. A request to head to Vail’s father’s place who lived in the forest, and shift and stretch his peacock’s wings.

“Of course,” Kontra said. He looked at Sam and Yuma. “Why don’t you two head out, too.” Which meant, Go with him.

Lamar didn’t mind, at least not much. He’d need someone to talk to.

Surprisingly, Vail grinned. “I’d like to visit my dad for a bit. You okay here, babe?” he said, resting a hand on Draven’s shoulder.

“Of course,” Draven responded, cupping Vail’s jaw and pressing a quick kiss to the man’s lips.

“Now that looks like a fantastic idea,” Rueben murmured.

Rueben gripped Lamar’s arm in a firm grasp and tugged him close. Taken by surprise, Lamar didn’t fight him. Seconds later, he found himself pulled tight against the much bigger man’s solid chest. Rueben wrapped his free hand around the nape of Lamar’s neck, lowered his head, and claimed Lamar’s mouth possessively.

Instinct to submit to his mate caused Lamar to open quickly to Rueben’s questing tongue. Rueben plundered his mouth, tilting their heads to get deeper. Lamar gripped Rueben’s biceps, not caring that he was clinging as he sucked Rueben’s tongue.

When breathing became paramount, Rueben jerked up his head and stared down at Lamar, his expression somewhat dazed. “Fucking hell, you are sweet. I’m in room one-oh-eight, baby. Swing by when you’re done with your walk.”

Lamar stiffened. His face flamed. Mate or not, he couldn’t believe his behavior. He eased away. For a second, Rueben’s grip tightened, then released him.

“I’ve got to go,” Lamar mumbled. Unable to meet anyone’s gaze, he turned and hustled from the room.