STORY EXCERPT

“What the hell?” Jared straightened, pushing off the wall. His cousin was terrified of motorcycles, no thanks to Jared. A few years back, he’d borrowed his uncle’s bike and convinced Kia to ride with him.

Jared didn’t know what he was doing and ended up crashing. His cousin’s back still bore the scars from that dumbass decision. 

Now Kia had his arms locked tightly around Suero’s waist, forehead smashed against the wolf's back like he was trying to fuse their bodies together.

Suero cut the engine and kicked down the stand. Kia didn’t move, still holding on tight like he would fall off a parked bike.

“We’re stopped, gatito,” Suero said in a calm, soothing voice. “You can let go now.”

“I’m trying. Stop rushing me,” Kia mumbled against Suero’s back. “I’m pretty sure I felt death brush against my ankle back there.”

Suero chuckled, reaching back to pat Kia’s thigh. “You’re fine, cariño. We were going twenty under the limit.”

“That’s still eighty in death units.”

Jared snorted. “He was going so slow you could’ve beat him walking.”

Hearing Jared’s voice, his cousin’s head shot up, eyes wide. “You didn’t tell me you were coming. Is everything okay?” His eyes narrowed. “Did Xavier send you to check on me?”

“Everything’s fine.” Jared glanced down at his phone, still annoyingly blank “And no, Xavier didn’t send me.” Because he has no idea I’m even here.

Finally, Kia let go of Suero and climbed off the bike, his cheeks flushed, green eyes shining. His mate hugged Kia from behind and kissed his neck. The scene was so cozy and intimate, and Jared was so freaking jealous of their happiness.

Only because he craved the same closeness with a guy of his own.

“You were amazing, elegido,” Suero whispered to Kia. “I knew you could do it.”

Jared headed toward the entrance. With his cousin there, he had a reason to be at Sin’s without looking thirsty as hell for a certain wolf. “You guys coming or are you gonna keep making out in the parking lot?” he called over his shoulder, not waiting for an answer.

The inside was a welcome escape from the heat. Jared exhaled a sigh of relief and bee-lined straight for the bar. Behind the counter, Cesar was serving a drink to a guy perched a few stools over from where Jared claimed a spot.

“Back for my famous wings and fries, or are you branching out this time?” Cesar teased with a smirk. Jared hadn’t eaten that many the last time he was there.

His anxiety had tied his appetite into a pretzel. “Ridiculous question, but do you serve wine coolers? Need something cold and fruity to keep me from melting into a puddle.” Also, to calm his nerves. He was dying to ask Cesar if Miguel was around, but kept his mouth shut. Miguel hadn’t texted him back, and Jared didn’t want to come off as desperate.

“Sorry.” Cesar shook his head. “We don’t even have wine.”

“Try a Cosmo,” a blond said as he came from the hallway leading to the rest of the tavern. “They’re delicious.” He slid onto the stool next to Jared. “Hi, I’m Percy.”

“Jared.” He smiled, wondering why this guy was being so friendly. He was cute, but not Jared’s type.

“Cesar, this bitch needs a Cosmo, and make one for my friend.” He slapped the counter. “¡Mi cabello gordo necesita fuego!” My fat hair needs fire!

With a roll of his eyes, Cesar walked off, probably to make their drinks since Jared had no clue what Percy just said.

Percy turned to him with a wink. “I just asked him to bring us some food. I’m starving, how about you?”

Jared frowned. “Have we met?” He was pretty sure he’d remember someone as lively as Percy.

“Nope.” He smiled. “But I know you’re Kia’s cousin. Since Kia’s a part of this pack now and you’re here, I figured we could get to know each other.”

“You mean, like really get to know each other?” Was Jared supposed to read between the lines? He’d tried that with Miguel, but look where that had gotten him. Alone inside Sin.

Percy looked at him like he’d just asked about the existence of unicorns. “You’re as adorable as a rainbow, but I’m already taken. See that guy by the dartboard?” He nodded toward the far wall. “That’s my mate, Santiago.”

“Which one?” There was more than one guy standing there.

“El sol lloverá sobre las gallinas!” Percy shouted. The sun will rain on chickens!

The biggest guy turned around, grinning at Percy with love shining so brightly in his eyes, Jared was momentarily blinded. “It sure will, cariño.”

Chuckles erupted, but one glare from Santiago caused their smiles to fall.

“Which wolf do you have your eye on?” Percy asked. “They’re all good-looking, but none of them hold a candle to Santiago.”

He asked as if the wolves were options in a catalogue. “None of them,” he lied.

Cesar set down two pink drinks in front of them, and Jared grabbed his immediately, taking a long sip through the straw. The sweet, tangy liquid cooled his throat and calmed his nerves a bit.

“So,” Percy said, taking a sip of his own drink, “who’s your wolf?”

Jared nearly choked. “I told you—”

“Honey, your eyes have been darting to that door every five seconds since we started talking.” Percy’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Trust me, I know thirst when I see it.”

Before Jared could deny it again, the door swung open, the sound of multiple bikes rumbling outside. His heart did a little flip-flop dance in his chest. He casually glanced over his shoulder, trying to appear completely uninterested while secretly hoping it was Miguel.

Then he walked in, leather jacket slung over one shoulder, and looking devastating in black jeans and a faded gray T-shirt that clung to his chest in all the right places. His dark hair was windswept, falling across his forehead in a way that made Jared’s fingers itch to brush it back.

Jared straightened, trying not to look too eager while simultaneously fighting the urge to run his hands through his own hair, check his breath, and adjust his shirt all at once.

“Looks like your ‘none of them’ just walked in.” Percy smirked then took a sip of his drink.

Miguel glanced around, then his eyes landed on Jared.

ADULT EXCERPT

Miguel’s mouth trailed down his mate’s throat. Every point of contact between them burned like a brand—Jared’s fingers twisted in his hair, their legs tangled together. The need to taste more of him, to map the landscape of his body with lips and tongue, drove Miguel lower.

His teeth grazed Jared’s collarbone, drawing a hiss from above. Hands tightened in his hair, not guiding, just holding on while Miguel explored the terrain of his chest. The flat planes, the subtle ridges of muscle. All of it begged for attention.

“What are you—” His mate’s words cut off as Miguel’s tongue circled his nipple.

“Thought that was obvious,” Miguel murmured, tongue tracing lower. “Better than I imagined.”

Jared’s stomach muscles contracted under his mouth. “You’ve been imagining this?”

“Every night.” A confession breathed hot against skin. “Since the first night we met.”

His hands found Jared’s hips, thumbs pressing into the hollows there while he dragged his open mouth down the center line of his torso. Each kiss soft, each lick an exploration of new territory.

Miguel pressed his mouth to Jared’s stomach. The muscles contracted beneath his lips, a reflexive response to the heat of his tongue.

When he reached the waistband of his mate’s jeans, he paused, looking up through his lashes. Jared’s face was flushed, eyes wide and dark, lips parted. The sight struck something heavy in Miguel’s soul. “Unless you want me to stop?”

A flush spread across his chest. “God, no.”

Satisfaction curled through Miguel as he popped the button open, sliding the zipper down tooth by tooth. The sound filled the quiet room, punctuated only by their breathing and the distant rustling of Psycho wreaking havoc somewhere in the house.

“Lift,” Miguel commanded softly. He tugged the fabric over narrow hips, down lean thighs, raising goosebumps across newly exposed skin. The jeans caught briefly at his ankles before Miguel removed them completely, tossing them to the floor.

His gaze traveled over Jared’s body—athletic and lithe, all compact muscle beneath smooth skin.

“Fuck,” he murmured, taking in the sight before him—Jared stretched out on his couch, wearing nothing but boxer briefs.

“You planning on just looking?” Jared’s voice held a hint of nervous tension beneath the teasing.

Miguel’s laugh was low, almost predatory. “Appreciating the view.” His hands skimmed up his mate’s calves. “Patience, elegido.”

Beneath his palms, Jared’s thighs trembled slightly. Not from fear—Miguel could smell the heady scent of arousal—but from restraint. From wanting. Every touch seemed to draw a twitch, a soft exhale, fingers flexing.

The cotton of his boxers did nothing to hide his arousal, the fabric stretched taut.

His thumbs hooked into the waistband of his mate’s underwear, dragging the fabric down in one smooth motion. Jared’s cock sprang free, flushed and hard against his stomach. Miguel wrapped his fingers around the base, his mouth watering to taste.

“Beautiful,” he murmured. He lowered his head to press his lips to the inside of Jared’s thigh. The skin there was softer, more sensitive. Each kiss drew a quiet gasp from above.

“These still sore?” Miguel asked, thumbs pressing into the muscle of his mate’s thighs.

“Can’t remember,” Jared breathed. “Something about your hands makes it hard to think.”

A smile curved Miguel’s lips. “Let’s see if I can make you forget completely.”

He worked his way inward, tasting salt and heat, feeling muscles quiver beneath his touch. When his mouth finally reached Jared’s cock, Miguel paused, breath ghosting over sensitive flesh. The anticipation built between them, tightening like a spring.

Then he took him in, one fluid motion that had his mate gasping, fingers clutching at the couch cushions. The weight of him felt perfect on Miguel’s tongue—hot, heavy, incredible. He hollowed his cheeks, drawing him deeper, savoring the strangled sound that escaped Jared’s throat.

Glancing up, Miguel found his mate watching him, lips parted, eyes dark with need. The sight sent heat coursing through him, pooling low in his gut. He held that gaze as he pulled back slowly, tongue dragging along the underside.

“Fuck, your mouth.” A low purr resonated in his mate’s chest.

Miguel took him deeper, until the head nudged the back of his throat. Lips stretched around his width, tongue pressed against the underside. A raw sound escaped Jared. Not quite a whimper, not quite a moan.

Lifting his hands, Miguel spread Jared’s thighs wider, pushing them back slightly to expose more of him. Every subtle twitch of Jared’s hips told him exactly what felt good.

“Holy shit,” Jared gasped, one hand sliding into Miguel’s hair. “Your mouth should come with a warning label.”

His own arousal strained heavily against his jeans, demanding attention he refused to give. Not yet. This moment belonged to Jared.

“Miguel—” His mate’s voice caught as Miguel took him deeper, nose brushing against the soft skin of his pelvis. His tongue traced the underside, following the prominent vein while his fingers caressed Jared’s balls, rolling them gently.