The Human's Complicated Wolf [Nehalem Pack 5] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) (4 page)

“So what brings you all the way to Southaven? Andrew said you live in Silver Creek,” Ethan asked after the waitress left with their order.

Did you really want to tell a hot guy that you believe werewolves exist and that you’re attracted to one? And because of all this crap you ran off like a scared little boy.

“I just needed a break. A little
me
time if you will.” It might make him a coward, but he wasn’t about to admit to any of the unexplainable things he had witnessed. Ethan was nice man and Jensen wanted to see him again. But if he told Ethan about Josh and the dog thing, the man would take off without looking back and Jensen couldn’t blame him if he did.

“I can totally relate to that. That’s why I’m moving to Camden. City life just isn’t for me anymore.”

“Oh, yeah, where did you live?”

“I moved out here from San Francisco.”

“California? What brings you all the way out here?” Jensen had never visited the West Coast, but some day he’d like to. The fact that Ethan came from there made him just a little bit more interesting.

“I’m a writer, and I needed a change of scenery so that my muse wouldn’t dry up.”

“You’re a writer? I would never have pegged that an author would look like”—Jensen motioned with his hand toward Ethan—“you.”

“What did you envision? An old man with a long beard who never leaves his home?” Ethan asked playfully.

“No.” Jensen looked down at his hands then glanced up through his eyelashes. “You just look more tan than I expected.”

“I get that a lot.”

The waitress brought out their food, and once she left Jensen asked, “What do you write?”

“Mostly paranormal mysteries involving vampires and werewolves.” Jensen’s eyes went wide, and he dropped his taco. Ethan must have sensed his distress. “All my books are complete fiction. I don’t believe that those things actually exist.”

Jensen let out a soft chuckle.
If he only knew.

“Enough about me. How about you?” Ethan changed the subject.

“Like Andrew told you, I was born and raised in Silver Creek.” He took a sip of the beer the waitress left for him. “To me it’s the most beautiful place in the world.”

Jensen talked about his hometown all through dinner. So much so Ethan said he’d love to visit Silver Creek. Jensen told him about the scorching-hot summers and cold, snow-filled winters that graced Silver Creek every year.

Autumn was Jensen’s favorite. The weather would be turning from hot to cold, and the leaves changed their colors to different shades of reds and golds. Jensen had been so consumed with describing the season that he didn’t even notice when the waitress picked up their plates and left the check.

“Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I rambled on for so long.” He laughed nervously and looked away from Ethan. “I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be.” Ethan reached for his hand, and Jensen turned his palm up to entwine their fingers. “Listening to you talk about Silver Creek has me looking forward to visiting the town sooner rather than later. Would you be my tour guide?”

Jensen grinned over at Ethan. The man had been the perfect date. He took his mind off of Josh for just a little bit. “Most definitely.”

They fought over who would pay the bill, but he finally relented when Ethan said he could pay on their next date. He was so thrilled that there would be a second date he let Ethan win the battle over the check.

Ethan held the door open for Jensen as they left the restaurant. A soft breeze cut through the parking lot, and Jensen could smell the sweet aroma of the flowers in the pots hanging from the ceiling around the building.

When they reached Jensen’s car, Ethan tugged on his arm until Jensen turned to face him. He let the taller man walk him back against his car. The scene was so familiar yet so different from what he had experienced with Josh.

“So when will our next date be?” Ethan’s voice was low and deep, and Jensen’s eyes drifted shut. Ethan wrapped one arm around Jensen’s waist and used his other hand to trace a line down the side of Jensen’s face then circled his lips.

“Whenever you want,” he whispered. Jensen opened his eyes slightly and stared up at Ethan, and the man tilted his head closer and he could feel the warmth of his breath on his face.

“How about breakfast?” Ethan asked with a slight tilt of his upper lip.

Jensen smiled and fisted his hands in the front of Ethan’s shirt. “I think I’d like that.”

Ethan lowered his head, and time seemed to stop. Jensen moistened his lips, preparing for the man’s kiss. Their mouths were a hair’s breadth apart when a loud ear-popping howl ripped through the night. Jensen jerked his head to the side just in time to see a shock of bright white dart across the parking lot.

“It can’t be,” Jensen whispered low under his breath. He’d only seen Josh in his wolf form once, but he’d never forget the sleek white fur or the size. Josh’s wolf form stood taller and wider than an average wolf.

“What the hell was that?” Ethan’s hands fell away from Jensen’s body, and he turned to look behind them.

“A werewolf,” Jensen said without thinking.

Ethan arched an eyebrow. “A werewolf? You’re kidding, right?”

“Huh?” Jensen shook his head. “No, not a werewolf. I meant a wolf.” He let out a nervous laugh. “Werewolves don’t exist.” A good way not to get a second date would be
to spout off about his belief in werewolves. “Ethan, I had a really good time tonight, and I’d really like to do it again.”

“Are you packing it in already?” Ethan’s lips stuck out in a pout.

“Yeah, I’m sorry.” He placed his hands on Ethan’s chest. “I’m exhausted, and besides, if I give it up on the first date you might not want a second.”

“Not a chance.” Ethan wrapped his arms around him and dipped down and covered Jensen’s lips with his own.

Jensen moaned and snaked his arms around Ethan’s waist. Ethan’s tongue traced the outer edge of Jensen’s lips, and he opened wider. Another howl followed by growling had Jensen jerking away from Ethan.

“Son of bitch,” Jensen bit out.

“Everything okay?” Ethan asked.

“Yes, but I really need to get going.”

“Sure. Can I call you tomorrow?” Ethan took a step back, and Jensen opened his car door.

“I’d be offended if you didn’t.” Jensen looked to the trees on the other side of the parking lot and thought he could see the glow of two eyes. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” Ethan shut Jensen’s door for him then turned and walked away.

Jensen put his key in the ignition then reversed out of the parking spot. He kept looking in the rearview mirror to see if he was being followed, but he didn’t see anything. Darkness covered everything in sight, and he only had his headlights to guide his way.

He must have imagined it all. Southaven was known for its camping grounds and wildlife. There were probably a ton of wolves populating the area. What he saw didn’t necessarily mean Josh was out there watching him. Maybe subconsciously he wanted it to be Josh, but that was just his wishful thinking. Why would the man come all this way to see him?

The house came into view, and Jensen turned up the long drive and parked his car in the garage. He got out of the car and went into the house through the back door. A loud knock came from the front of the house, and Jensen headed for the front door. He turned the knob and opened it just a crack. A large hand forced it the rest of the way open, and he had to take a step back or be smacked in the face by the door.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?”

Jensen’s breath stuttered in his chest. Josh stood on his doorstep, and the man did not look happy.

* * * *

Josh stood there glaring down at his mate. He couldn’t fucking believe that Jensen had actually kissed another man and had almost gone home with the guy. Did Jensen not feel their mating connection? Surely he felt some guilt for almost committing the unthinkable.

“Well?” Josh pushed himself the rest of the way into the house. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Me!” His mate pointed a finger into his own chest. “I’m sorry, but what are you even doing here?”

Whatever shock his mate had suffered from seeing him on his doorstep had vanished, and now his little mate’s cheeks burned a bright red. “That’s not the point.”

“Excuse me?” Jensen threw his hands into the air. “What exactly is your point?”

“That you cheated on me!” he yelled. He wasn’t being fair because Jensen had no clue they were mates, but all rational thought flew out the window when he saw his mate in the arms of another man.

Jensen barked out a laugh. “Okay.” He pointed at finger toward Josh. “Now I know you’re freaking crazy. We aren’t even dating.”

Josh fisted his hands, and his nails dug into his palms. He could feel the trickle of blood as it ran down his hand.

“And if I remember correctly, you aren’t even gay.” Jensen spit the words out as if it pained him to say. “Your words, not mine.”

Jensen reached out and shoved him in the chest. Josh grabbed his wrist and walked Jensen back until he stood trapped against the wall. Being this close to his mate had Josh’s body reacting. His cock started to fill, and his pulse sped up. The spicy scent of his mate had Josh’s skin tingling.

“That might be what I said, but that’s obviously not how I feel.” He bumped his erect cock into Jensen’s stomach. His mate sucked in a breath that came out on a whimper. He bent his head down until his lips brushed against Jensen’s ear. “Can’t you feel what being around you does to me?” Jensen gave a shaky nod of his head.

He let go of Jensen’s wrist and trailed his hands down his mate’s sides. Jensen’s body jumped and twitched under his fingertips. Josh rubbed his nose along the side of Jensen’s ear, taking in more of his scent.

“Kiss me,” Josh said in a rough voice.

Jensen’s hands came up to his chest and pushed at him but Josh refused to move back. Josh looked down in Jensen’s blue eyes and could see the anger mixed with arousal that warred inside the man. His mate wanted him but Josh’s actions had caused Jensen pain. He so desperately wanted to take back his actions from that night.

“Please,” Josh begged.

Jensen let out a harsh curse then pulled Josh closer to his chest, smashing his lips against Josh’s in a brutal kiss. Josh growled as he nipped and sucked at Jensen’s soft lips. He licked his tongue inside his mate’s sweet wet heaven and moaned at the moist erotic pleasure it gave him. The slick wet glide of their mouths had a direct connection to his balls, and he could feel his orgasm begging to be set free.

He jerked when Jensen’s warm fingers wrapped around his cock. His hips thrust forward into the tight grip. A primal urge to satisfy his mate had Josh grabbing for Jensen’s zipper. A thick bulge pressed the material tight against Jensen’s cock. Josh popped the snap, tugged down the zipper, and then stuck his hand into Jensen’s black briefs. The spongy head leaked juices, and Josh ran his palm over the tip.

The kiss became hurried, and they each worked their hands in time with one another. Josh had never done this before with another man, so he just did what he liked to have done to him, and Jensen seemed to love it. He moaned and bit down on Josh’s lips.

Needing more, Josh pulled Jensen’s pants down to his thighs and bent his knees. He lined up his cock with Jensen’s, grinding their lengths together.

“Oh, god,” Jensen cried out.

“I know.” Josh growled into the side of his mate’s neck. “So good.”

His release shot up his shaft, and Josh could feel his canines extend. He grazed them over the flushed skin of Jensen’s neck but held back. He wouldn’t mark Jensen until he had his permission. Josh owed that to his mate no matter how much he wanted to do it.

“Josh!” Jensen’s shouted as his body went tight. Hot splatters of cum splashed onto Josh’s cock

“Fuck yeah.” Josh grabbed Jensen by the ass cheeks and pulled him close. His release shot out of the tip of his dick and mixed with Jensen’s. Aftershocks ran through his body. In his whole life he could never remember an orgasm feeling so mind blowing and life altering.

Jensen’s firm lips kissed along his neck, and Josh let his head tip back. A warm fuzzy sensation consumed his body. “I could get used to you being my mate.”

The lips on his neck stopped moving, and he took a step back. Jensen squinted up at him.

“I’m your what?”

“Did you just call me your mate?” Jensen asked when Josh didn’t say anything.

“Um, yeah.” He didn’t mean to just blurt it out like that, but now that the cat was out of the bag he felt relieved.

“What does that mean exactly?”

“Well.” Josh stared up at the ceiling. Words had never been his strong suit. That had always been Cole’s forte. Him, he was more of an action kind of guy. Now he fished for the best way to explain to Jensen what being mated meant. “How can I explain this? Oh, I got it. It’s like being married.” That sounded right.

“What? We’re married?” Jensen started to sweat, and his face had gone pale. Josh wrapped his arm around Jensen’s shoulders and helped him to the couch in the living room.