STORY EXCERPT

Drake’s gaze followed the sound of the voice and landed on the most gorgeous man he had ever seen coming from what Drake assumed was the kitchen. His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but stare openly at the stranger.

The guy was tall with broad shoulders and a lean physique. He wore a black apron over a tight-fitting T-shirt and jeans that hugged his hips so perfectly that it should have been illegal. His dark gray eyes twinkled in the dim light of the café, and his blondish-brown hair was styled perfectly, giving him the kind of bad-boy edge that Drake couldn’t resist.

And didn’t want to resist.

The man-candy could do whatever he wanted to Drake and Drake would only beg for more. He looked away, his lips going tight, telling himself not to make a fool of himself before he glanced back at Mr. Yummy.

The man walked his way, and Drake’s breath hitched. The barista was covered in tattoos, and each one only added to his beauty. One tattoo snaked up his neck, disappearing under his collar, while others adorned both of the guy’s arms, though Drake wasn’t sure what they were because he forced himself to look away so the barista wouldn’t think he was a total creep for ogling him.

“Welcome to Bluebird Café,” the man said, his voice smooth as silk. “My name is Ajax. Is there anything I can get for you?”

Drake felt a jolt of lust shoot through him, and it took him a moment to gather his thoughts. He just loved a guy with a beard, and Ajax had the best one Drake had ever seen. Okay, that was an exaggeration, but it was still nice. “Um, do you have anything healthy?”

Ajax raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Healthy doesn’t exactly come to mind when you think of a café, but I could make you a smoothie with whatever fruits and veggies you want.”

Drake nodded, liking the idea of a smoothie. It was better than a salad. “That sounds good. Could you do a strawberry banana smoothie?”

“Sure thing.” Ajax turned toward the counter to gather the ingredients.

Drake followed him with his eyes, admiring his lean, yet muscular figure and scrumptious backside. What a nice ass the guy had. Drake found himself getting even more turned on.

Ajax turned back around and flashed him another smile. “Anything else?”

Your phone number? Or better yet, you, me, naked and sweaty.

Drake shook his head, forcing his lustful thoughts to calm the hell down before he embarrassed himself. His day was already shitty from dealing with Brody. He didn’t want it to get worse by saying something he would regret, like how fine a man Ajax was. “No, that’s it. Thanks.”

Ajax nodded and went to blend the smoothie. Drake sat down in one of the comfy chairs, taking in the peaceful atmosphere of the café. He felt himself relaxing, forgetting all about the stress of his living situation with his cousin.

Ajax walked over with the smoothie and placed it on the table next to Drake. Good grief. Ajax’s muscles flexed even though all he’d done was set something down. Drake was enthralled with him. It was that heart-stopping feeling of meeting and talking to a gorgeous stranger, the kind of feeling that sent you into the clouds and you never wanted to come back down.

Drake’s heart raced like crazy. His mouth had grown dry. His breathing was shallow as he stared into the depths of Ajax’s dark gray eyes and felt as if he could get lost in them forever. He wanted to get lost in them forever.

“Enjoy,” Ajax said, and then he frowned. Drake had no idea why, but Ajax leaned in and sniffed him.

What the hell? Drake leaned back. “Excuse me?”

“Sorry.” Ajax smiled again, and damn if that smile didn’t wreak havoc with Drake’s body. He was getting hard and prayed Ajax didn’t notice, though he was still trying to figure out why the guy had sniffed him. “I was just admiring your cologne.”

Now it was Drake’s turn to frown. “I’m not wearing any cologne.”

Ajax furrowed his sexy brows. Yes, brows could be sexy. “That’s strange. You smell like—” He paused, taking another deep breath. “Like home.”

What in the hell did that mean? Drake had no idea, and even weirder was the magnetic pull he felt toward Ajax. The kind of magnetism one felt when a hot person smiled at them, only a gazillion times stronger.

Ajax was still leaning in close, and Drake caught his scent—something musky and masculine, like pine trees and leather and spices that made his eyelids flutter out of pure appreciation for that smell.

Drake realized that he was breathing in deeply, taking in Ajax’s smell, and he forced himself to stop. What were they having, a sniffing contest? It was the oddest thing Drake had ever been a part of, and though Ajax smelled wonderful, this was too strange, and now Drake felt a bit weirded out.

“Thanks for the smoothie.” Drake stood quickly, nearly dropping his smoothie. “It was nice meeting you.”

Ajax rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re leaving already?”

“I—” Drake didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t be around Ajax without feeling like his body was lit the fuck up. He’d never wanted someone to kiss him so badly before, and he was barreling toward total mortification if he stayed. “I should go.”

Ajax’s face fell, but he nodded and smiled again. “Okay. Come back soon.”

Drake practically ran out of the café, feeling like a fool. There was something about Ajax that drew him in, something that felt both dangerous and safe at the same time. That thought alone sent him running. Safe? He didn’t even know the guy.

ADULT EXCERPT

“Whatever you have is fine,” Drake said. “As long as it’s not alcohol.”

Ajax turned and faced his mate, so close he could see tiny flecks of brown in his green eyes. “Afraid I’ll have my way with you?”

Drake sucked in a breath, his eyes widening slightly. Ajax thought his mate was going to remind him that they were taking things slow, so what Drake said next stunned him. “I could only hope for that kind of evening.”

Ajax moved toward him like a rollercoaster climbing toward the top, heart racing, excitement filling his veins. His breathing just as erratic as Drake’s, he reached out. Drake came to him willingly.

Then the rollercoaster plunged down the other side as their lips collided. He pressed Drake against the wall behind him, his hands on his mate’s hips.

Drake cocked a leg over Ajax’s hip, grabbing at him, pulling Ajax so close it was as if Drake wanted the two of them to become one body. He slid his hands down Drake’s thighs then behind them before lifting his mate up, which forced Drake to wrap his legs around Ajax’s waist.

“I don’t know how you just did that,” Drake said as he rolled his head to the side, allowing more room for Ajax to suck at his smooth neck.

“Do what?” Ajax nipped Drake’s Adam’s apple and smiled when his mate squeaked.

“Lift me up so easily, like I don’t weigh a thing.”

“You don’t.” Ajax knew exactly what Drake was doing, and he wasn’t having any of it. The guy thought he was overweight.

Ajax thought he was fucking perfect. To prove his point, Ajax slid one hand over his mate’s side, over his stomach, and up his chest, resting his hand on the guy’s throat. Drake shivered and gripped Ajax harder, moans escaping his mouth.

Drake was like Ajax’s very own candy land, and he wanted to lick and nibble every inch of his mate’s body. He pulled away from the wall, moving quickly toward the couch.

If his mate wanted to be ravished, who was Ajax to deny him? He would go as far as Drake let him, and further if they both lost themselves to this.

Claiming his mate was on Ajax’s agenda, at least now it was. But that wasn’t the only thing on his mind. When Drake had asked to come to his house, Ajax had thought maybe they’d talk, have something to drink, and then he would take his mate home.

Ajax still wanted to talk, to cuddle, to get to know Drake. But right now, his dick was doing all the thinking. His little head was in charge and demanding that Ajax make this a night Drake wouldn’t soon forget.

He sat, Drake straddling his lap, their lips devouring each other as Ajax slipped his hands up Drake’s back and then down again before he cupped his mate’s perfect ass, gripping the sweet, sweet globes in his hands as he kneaded them.

Drake leaned into him, gasping, pressing his palms into Ajax’s chest. “You move fast.”

“Is there any other way?” Ajax nibbled his way along Drake’s throat. “Just let me know if you need me to slow down.”

Drake groaned. “I need you to go faster.” But he said it softly, his alluring green eyes finding Ajax’s. In that one look, Ajax was punched in the gut. His breath was stolen right out of his lungs.

“You do realize what you’re saying?” Ajax held his breath, his hands tightening on his mate’s ass. His dick was so hard he thought it was trying to punch its way past his zipper.

“That you’ll claim me.” Drake bit his bottom lip. “Then you’ll make me yours.”

A low, you’re-seducing-my-wolf growl came out. Ever so slowly, Ajax lifted Drake’s shirt over his head, tossing it to the cushion beside them. Wild desire, more powerful than Ajax was already feeling, filled him as he ghosted his hands over his mate’s chest.

Ajax lifted his head and pressed his lips to Drake’s again. He didn’t waste another second as he carried Drake to the bedroom, laying him down gently on the bed. He pressed his body into Drake’s, their skin and muscles molding together like two perfect pieces of a puzzle.

Ajax became lost in his mate. Everything about Drake, his scent, his touch, his taste, it all blended together until Ajax lost himself in his mate. He kissed Drake hard and urgent, pouring out all the passion he had been keeping inside.

“Naked,” Drake breathed when their kiss broke apart. “We have to be naked.”

Ajax wasted no time in stripping the rest of his clothes off, standing proudly and completely naked in front of his mate. Drake let out a gasp, his eyes widening as he took in Ajax’s body, the look of pure desire evident in them.

Then Drake shoved his jeans and underwear down before cursing because he’d forgotten to take off his shoes. Ajax smirked as he watched his mate kick them off then peel the rest of his clothes off.

Ajax crawled on top of Drake, pressing his chest to his mate’s and exploring the contours of his body with every inch of his skin. He never wanted this moment to end, until he heard Drake moan into his neck.

The sound did something to him, igniting the fire inside and sending it raging throughout his veins.

They needed lube. He got up, grabbed the lube from the bathroom, then returned. His mate pulled him back down onto the bed, pressing their bodies together again.

Ajax kissed Drake with an intensity that stole his breath away. He massaged the lube into Drake’s tight hole, ready for the right moment to claim his mate. When he felt Drake’s muscles relax and his breathing deepen, he pushed inside.