Chapter Twelve
Desmond
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten such a hearty meal.
Sure, I enjoyed a good steak every now and again, but the wolf shifters I’d gotten to know in my family seemed to forget the rest of the meal, focusing all the flavor on the meat.
It was nice to savor other types of food again.
Sitting with Kane and his family made it extra special.
Almost like being with the part of my family that wasn’t around anymore.
I’d expected Kane’s father to question me about Conn.
Everyone did once they found out we were related.
My answers seemed to relieve their worry, and it appeared they might even approve of me.
I hoped so considering how attached I’d grown to Kane.
We hadn’t been together for even a month, and I’d already met his parents.
Heck, I spent Christmas, one of the biggest holidays of the year, with them.
If that didn’t show them how bad I had it for their son, I didn’t know what would.
He wasn’t a fling. Not when my wolf craved spending any and all time with him.
As much as I yearned to be more intimate with him, I refused to push him further than he was ready for.
I would wait for him to ask. To initiate.
To take. I didn’t want to lose him by forcing him to cater to my needs.
“We’re heading out now.” Kane’s brother, Cam, gathered all their bags at the door. “Thank you all for everything.”
Will came flying at me, wrapping his arms around my waist and his legs around my shins. “Thank you for the present. I hope you stay with Uncle Kane, become his mate one day.”
I patted his head and smiled. “That’s all up to your uncle, but I hope to see you again.”
After Cam and his family left, I took that as my cue to head out, too. I didn’t want to overstay my welcome with Kane’s family. I retrieved my coat from the front closet. “Thank you for having me. The food was delicious, and it was nice meeting you all.”
Kane appeared beside me, clasping my arm. “Would you take me home on your way? If you don’t have anything else planned, that is.”
“No plans.” I shook my head. “I can definitely get you home safely.”
He squeezed my bicep. “Okay, hang on. Let me get my things.”
After another round of thank-yous and goodbyes, I drove Kane through the snowy streets of Saramto with his overnight bag, all his presents, including the one from me he’d yet to unwrap, and a bag filled with various containers of leftovers.
His dad made sure he wouldn’t starve over the holidays.
It made me a little jealous of how close they all were, the way I’d been with my mom.
At Kane’s building, I got out to help him with all his belongings, leaving my car running. When I opened the door for him, he grabbed my hand. “Will you come up? Stay for a bit? That way, we can exchange presents face-to-face.”
“Sure.” My heart raced at the idea of going up to Kane’s apartment.
Aside from driving in my car, it would be the first time we were alone together.
Walking up the stairs behind him with the leftovers in my arms, anticipation buzzed under my skin.
I had no idea what his intentions were, only what my wolf yearned for.
As he unlocked the door, I reminded myself to breathe and tried to calm my racing heart. Getting ahead of myself wouldn’t lead me where I wanted us to go.
Once inside, I glanced around the apartment, one large main room with an island to divide the kitchen from the living room.
There was a four-person table tucked into the corner with a bunch of folders stacked in a pile on top.
He had a plain brown couch that faced the average-sized television hanging on the wall with a game console sitting on the coffee table in between.
To the left were three doors, which I assumed to be a bathroom, bedroom, and perhaps a closet or another bedroom.
It gave off cozy vibes rather than the chic and ultra-modern ambience I often found in the homes of those I worked with.
I carried the food containers over to the counter and began placing those that required cooler temps in the refrigerator.
A chance for me to see he kept food in it, not someone who often ordered takeout, like me.
I tried to eat better but ended up discouraged at the idea of being the only one at my place to cook for. It always seemed like a waste.
I turned around to find him behind me, holding out his hand.
“Come.” He pulled me out of the kitchen. “Thank you for putting that all away, but I think we should open our presents now.”
With a nod, I released a heavy breath. I hoped my gift wouldn’t mess things up between us, that he took it as the joke it was supposed to be.
When he sat on the couch, he patted the cushion beside him. “Sit, and I’ll open your gift first. I want to know what you didn’t want me to open in front of my family.”
Angled toward him so our knees touched, I handed him the wrapped box.
Careful not to rip the paper, he pulled off the tape before tossing the wrapping aside. When Kane had the box open, he held the shirt with his arms outstretched. “I’m cute. But only my mate can pet me. Huh.” He glanced over at me. “There’s only one problem. I don’t have a mate yet.”
My wolf tried to jump out of me, ready to remedy that problem and make him mine.
As I attempted to calm myself, Kane stood and removed his shirt. All the bare skin in front of me was like a display of pastries at a bakery. I wanted to touch and taste and make him mine.
He quickly covered up again with the T-shirt I’d bought him. Twisting from side to side, he posed for me. “What do you think? Does it look good on me?”
With a gulp, I nodded. “It does, but I think it would look better on the floor.”
With a giggle and a playful swat, he returned to sit beside me. “Okay, open my gift next. I hope you like it.” He handed me a paper Christmas bag.
Inside, I pulled out a small leather zippered case. “What’s this?”
He tapped my knee. “Open it.”
I unzipped the case, finding a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, cologne, body wash, and more. All the brands and scents that I already used. “Oh, thank you.” I appreciated not having to buy them for a bit, but the gift left me a bit confused.
Kane squeezed my thigh. “It’s an overnight bag.” He leaned forward as if waiting for me to understand the gift. “For when you spend the night here.”
“Oh.” I appreciated the sentiment before I fully understood the implication. “Oh. Okay, well, thank you. Does this mean—”
Kane straddled my lap, his lips on mine while my brain tried to catch up to what was going on.
The suddenness of his actions left me in a spiral of confusion and lust. Finally in control of my body, I grabbed his hips and pulled him closer to me.
My cock swelled between us as I savored the push and pull of his lips, enjoyed him taking what he wanted.
Fisting the front of my shirt, he pulled back and rested his forehead to mine. “I’ve wanted to do that since the moment I saw you today. I never thought I would fall for someone so fast, but there’s just something about you.”
I tried to comprehend his words as need coursed through me. As much as I wanted him, yearned to make him mine, I needed to know what he desired. “You…” I struggled to catch my breath and keep my thoughts straight. “You feel like home to me. I can’t stop thinking about you.”
He sat up and pulled off his shirt before tossing it to the floor. “I feel the same way. I’m not ready for a mate yet, but I want to be with you. I want you to fuck me.”
My brain short-circuited as he stood and headed toward one of the doors.
He unzipped his pants as he did, stepping out of them as soon as they hit the floor.
Once he opened the door, he turned and crooked his finger at me.
“Come on, now. And be sure to grab some of the condoms in the overnight bag I got for you.”
I wasn’t sure if this was actually happening, or if I’d fallen asleep somewhere, but I refused to deny Kane what he wanted. By the time I reached the bedroom, he lay on his stomach, naked across the covers. All that skin exposed for me, his whole body there for me to explore.
I set the condoms on the nightstand then removed my own clothes, my cock bobbing and ready to find his tight hole. First, I yearned to taste the omega and get a feel for his pleasures and limitations. I wanted him wet and willing before I plunged into him.
Crawling onto the queen-sized bed, I kneeled between his spread legs. At his soft gasp, I leaned forward and kissed the soft skin across the back of his shoulders.
“Mmm,” he moaned, closing his eyes with his head turned to the side. “Keep going.”
After pressing my lips to his cheek, I continued to explore his body, touching, tasting, and kissing my way down to his round ass. The heavens had certainly blessed him with a fine body. Cupping one globe, I nipped at the bottom of the other where it joined his leg.
Kane released a heavy groan. “Oh, I like that.”
I tapped his ass, hard enough to cause a slight sting, but nothing lasting. “Lift your hips and keep your legs spread.”
He obeyed, giving my full view of his puckered hole. Oh, how I wanted to fuck deep inside him, but he wasn’t ready for me yet.
I reached between his legs, cupping his balls and cock, full and erect, demonstrating his own need. Massaging them in my hand, I watched as Kane’s legs quivered and felt his slick drip into my palm. “You are so responsive to my touch.”
He huffed out a breath. “You know exactly where to touch me. I can’t wait to feel you inside me.”
“Not yet, omega.” I held onto the globes of his ass, rubbing them in anticipation of the moment when it did happen. Not yet. I lay on my stomach and licked his balls all the way to his tight ring.
With the reverberating moan he elicited, I knew it was almost time.
I explored the area with my tongue, enjoying all the twitches and sounds he made. Then I returned to my knees and spread the slick around his puckered hole. With one finger, I applied a little pressure before sliding it into him.
“Yes,” he hissed, rocking into my hand. “Keep going. I need more.”
As willing as he was, I didn’t want to rush anything, didn’t want to open the possibility for the moment to turn sour. I continued with one finger for a bit, reaching around with the other hand to hold his shaft.
When I added a second finger, he lunged forward, nearly falling on his stomach. “Fuck, I love the way you fill me. But I need more. I need your cock. I can’t wait anymore.”
After grabbing one of the condoms from the nightstand, I slipped it on then lined up my swollen, throbbing tip with his hole. I took a deep breath before grasping his hips and pushing gently inside.
Kane threw his head back and bellowed in a way I didn’t think was human. Through the fiery pleasure ricocheting through my veins, I couldn’t observe any indication that he was in pain, so I kept going. In and out, faster and faster as the sound of skin slapping against wet skin filled the room.
“Fuck, yes,” Kane cried. “I’m so close.”
His words drove me on. I yearned to give him the ultimate pleasure as I sought my own. Pure instinct took over as I chased the need. My cock throbbed. In and out. Harder. Faster.
It struck like a blast. Kane released, his insides squeezing me until I exploded in him. A dizzying euphoria of pleasure. I struggled to catch my breath. To even see.
I panted as I flopped down beside Kane, resting my arm across his back.
I don’t remember falling asleep, but I woke to him facing me and running his fingers along my cheeks.
“Hi.” He smiled, making my heart skip a beat.
“Hi. Sorry I dozed off. I guess I should get cleaned up.”
His smile disappeared. “Will you stay? Spend the night?”
“Of course.” I leaned forward and kissed his nose.
“Anything for you.” Words I meant with all my heart.
I didn’t know how to describe what I felt for Kane.
Love seemed like too simple of a word. The connection was so much deeper than that, something I felt through my entire body as well as my wolf. I never wanted to leave his side.