STORY EXCERPT

After she shuffled away, his gaze slid back toward produce. Mountain Man stood there squeezing a melon in each firm hand, committing agricultural crimes in broad daylight.

Danny nearly passed out.

Stop watching!

But his thirsty eyes were fully locked on and refused to abort.

Which was why it caught him off guard when he heard Mr. Pike’s voice right behind him. The manager materialized from whatever circle of retail hell had spawned him, bald head gleaming under the fluorescents like an angry cue ball. He had a face like a disappointed potato and the personality to match. His usual cluster of pens were shoved into his collar like he was on the verge of a midlife crisis.

Isaac immediately turned his attention toward them, crossing his arms, waiting to hear what meltdown Mr. Pike was going to have this time.

“Daniel.” The corporate tone struck like a parent using your full name, and suddenly half the store was staring at him like they were rubbernecking a car crash. “We need to talk.”

A phrase capable of sending cold dread down anyone’s spine. “We do?”

“This is a workplace, not a punk rock show.” His gaze dragged over Danny in open disdain. “Company policy, Daniel. You represent the store, and we expect professionalism. Not…this.” He gestured at Danny’s hands, as if the black nails might sprout bat wings and start attacking people.

The prick was having a bad day and decided his anger needed a victim. Normally Danny’s aesthetics weren’t an issue, but today, the color of nails was a company embarrassment.

A woman with a toddler in her cart was outright staring at him like he had a moral failing. The old guy by the bread display backing her up like it was jury duty. Heat crept along Danny’s face, scorching the tips of his ears.

The spotlight had always made him uneasy. He’d never liked becoming a focal point, especially if humiliation was involved. So much for company professionalism. Mr. Pike wouldn’t know what integrity was even if it slapped him on his bald head.

“Got it, sir.” Danny shoved his hands into his pockets, jaw clenching.

“You’ll adhere to policy before your next shift, or we’ll have a conversation about your future employment here.” Mr. Pike marched off, already eyeing another employee who was texting behind the customer service counter then disappeared around the corner leading to his office.

Snatching a pack of disinfectant wipes stashed beneath his register, Danny scrubbed at his nails like the paint was a stain on his worth, but the polish gleamed defiantly against the chemical assault. For a moment he just stared at his fingers, chest tight with anger. How could something as harmless as nail polish matter so much to people like Mr. Pike and Brad and everyone else who’d ever tried making him invisible. He wiped his hands on a paper towel then threw everything into the trash tucked under the conveyor belt.

Isaac appeared at his side, staring after Mr. Pike with contempt. “You want me to grab a shovel from the home goods aisle?” His gaze swung to Danny. “We just need to come up with an airtight alibi. We could pin it on the pharmacist. Call it a gift to his wife.”

There were times when Danny wasn’t sure if Isaac was joking or serious. He was loud, feisty, and loyal to a fault. But something dark peeked out from behind those amethyst eyes every now and again.

This was one of those times.

“I’m taking my break.” Translation, I’m going to go scream into a walk-in freezer before I start constructing an alibi.

“Go catch your breath.” Isaac rubbed Danny’s back in a slow, circular motion. “Take as much time as you need.”

What Danny needed was for everyone to stop staring at him like he was some kind of circus freak. Turning on his heel, he headed toward the back, past the dairy coolers and their constant hum, past the smell of cardboard and overripe bananas from the stockroom. His eyes stung with tears, and a burning lump formed in his throat. You will not cry in the fucking dairy aisle. You better hold it in until—

“Hey.”

Danny came to a hard stop, like someone had yanked an emergency brake inside him.

Oh no.

Mountain Man stood two feet away, and up close, he was somehow worse. Better. Worse. Eyes the color of whiskey in lamplight. And he smelled… God, he smelled like woodsmoke and pine and something darker, earthier, like sin had a cologne line and this lumberjack was the spokesman.

Get a grip.

“Sorry to bother you.” The deep timbre in his voice held Danny’s attention hostage. “But I’ve been wandering around for ten minutes trying to find the steak that’s on sale. The signs in this place are basically useless.”

Say words. Any words. You work here. This is literally your job.

ADULT EXCERPT

Ash chuckled, relieved his mate was back with him. “That guy happens to be Boba Fett. A clone of a legendary bounty hunter, Jango Fett.”

“That’s a lot of Fetts.” His grip on Ash’s wrist loosened. “I want to leave my shirt on.”

Leaning forward, Ash rubbed their noses together. “As long as you give me access to your cock, wear anything you want…except socks. Sex and socks is a hard line no man should cross.” He pursed his lips in thought. “Or sandals and socks.”

“What did socks ever do to you?” The tension in Danny’s body eased.

Ash groaned. “You’re a socks-and-sandals guy, aren’t you?”

“They’re a comfy combination.” His fingers glided up Ash’s arm then yanked him down. “Now, what were you about to do, teddy bear?”

A deep growl vibrated in Ash’s chest. He’d thought he wanted Danny’s submission, but his mate’s sass was a goddamn turn-on. “About to suck your cock and make you come down my throat.”

Danny sucked in a sharp breath. “Then why are you still talking? Get your ass down there already.”

Playtime was over.

Jeans unfastened, Ash hooked his fingers into the waistband and pulled them away, along with his mate’s black boxer briefs. Danny’s erection sprang free, slapping against his stomach. Girth made up for the shorter length, and Ash couldn’t wait to wrap his lips around Danny’s cock.

“Such a fucking beauty,” he murmured. His gaze flicked to Danny’s face, noticing the tension in his eyes. It was evident someone had erroneously convinced Danny proportion was more important than pleasure. Ash was about to prove otherwise. “I’m going to devour your fat cock.”

Settling between spread legs, he licked a stripe up Danny’s inner thigh then bathed the wrinkled sac with his tongue. Heat exploded up his body, sucking with pure hunger, never letting up on the pressure.

Fingers gripped his hair, tugging and urging him toward his mate’s neglected cock as needy, helpless noises spilled from above him. Ash smirked. Even silent, his mate was bossy as shit. Pushing slightly upward, Ash took the head into his mouth, pre-cum spilling on his tongue.

He’d just found his new addiction, but it wasn’t just the taste of his mate. It was seeing Danny’s face glowing with pleasure, lips parted, that twisted Ash inside-out as a piece of his soul and sanity were stolen.

Ash slid his hands under a perfectly shaped ass, holding the tender flesh hostage, using the leverage to push Danny’s cock farther down his throat. His bear growled, demanding the claim, but Ash had his beast leashed, even though he wanted to ravish Danny’s body—ruin him, cherish him, protect him, and wipe out the wreckage that son of a bitch had left behind. Replace every trigger Danny had with unwavering certainty he was loved and desired and would never shed another goddamn tear.

A ragged groan tore from Danny, his legs trembling, the tight grip pulling Ash’s hair harder. His only focus now was bringing Danny off.

His mate’s legs grew taut seconds before a breathless shout ripped out of him that sounded like a mindless chant of Ash’s name. Hot cum pulsed, and Ash didn’t waste a single drop.

When Danny shoved at him, Ash pulled back in confusion, wondering if he’d triggered something. Then realized the only thing he’d triggered was Danny flipping to his hands and knees, baring that perfect ass thrust into the air.

Motherfuck. Ash had never seen a more gorgeous sight. Danny on all fours, ass begging to be taken.

“Fuck me.” Danny rocked backward, moaning so filthy Ash lost brain cells.

The ability to think beyond filling that puckered hole with his cock was shattered. He’d never yanked open his nightstand drawer so hard and fast, slicking his fingers in record time. But he had enough control not to slam his fingers into Danny’s ass. Ash was lost in desperation, not cruelty. But as soon as he’d sank into the first knuckle, Danny shoved backward like he didn’t have the patience for slow.

“It’s been a year since I’ve had sex,” Danny panted, the confession stunning Ash. “I don’t need a slow and careful stretch. Not with fingers.” He looked over his shoulder, narrowing his eyes. “I need you to make me forget those names.”

“Damn right I will.” Still, he made sure Danny was slick and stretched before gripping the base of his cock. “Spread your legs wider for me.”

Knees slid over the sheets, ass lifting higher. Ash swallowed, praying he didn’t come too soon. If Danny’s ass had squeezed his fingers that hard, his dick didn’t stand a chance. Ash was willing to take the risk. He’d wanted to take his time, savor the buildup, but those needy whimpers awakened a primal urge deep inside him.