Chapter 9
Simon was amazed by how at home he felt in Gray’s kitchen. Aunt Maggie bustled around the stove, flipping pancakes and stirring eggs. Garon manned the toaster, taking the pieces out and buttering them before popping new ones in.
Gray was in charge of setting the big oak table in the dining room. Everyone else moved around as well, taking care of getting the meal on the table. Simon was told to sit at the counter with a glass of juice. He figured everyone could tell he was a bit overwhelmed by all the activity.
Growing up, meals in his family home were quiet affairs. His parents took turns cooking and cleaning up. During the meal, they discussed their respective days and asked Simon about his, then they all went about their business.
At Gray’s, it wasn’t like that at all. Everyone pitched in to help, even the other pack members. Little Emma folded napkins and placed them beside each of the bright white plates. Blake laid out the forks while Jessie and Danny handled the spoons and butter knives respectively.
Gray and Emma’s dad had pulled the table apart and inserted several leaves into the center, making it stretch from one end of the dining room to the other. The other parents carried in extra chairs and put them into place. It was a well-oiled machine, a family.
And it was loud. Everyone talked and laughed over each other. Simon tried to keep up with the conversations around him but couldn’t. He could smile, though, enjoying the feelings of happiness that flowed from everyone around him.
“Simon, doesn’t the table look pretty?” It was Jessie, her long brown hair in twin braids down her back.
“It certainly does. You did a great job helping.”
She blushed and looked down. “Can I sit with you?”
“Sure,” he said, then lifted her up. She was wearing jeans and a light-purple T-shirt with some cartoon character on the front that Simon didn’t recognize.
“I’m glad you’re pack now. We missed you when you weren’t here.” Her voice was so certain, and Simon hadn’t felt this wanted in a long time. His chest burned with a familiar ache for a family of his own.
“I’m happy to be here. You guys sure are loud, though.” He grinned and tickled her side a little.
She giggled and swatted at his hand. “This isn’t loud at all. You should hear us when the whole pack is together. They’re so loud they made my ears hurt when I was little. Mommy said I cried sometimes, and she told them all to shush up.”
“And did they listen?”
“Well, Mommy said they tried, but wolves will be wolves, you know.”
“Hmm.”
“Mommy said that it was really brave of you to save us. Daddy said they owed you a life debt. I don’t know what that means, but it sounded bad. You won’t make them give you a life debt, will you, Simon?”
“Nope. Your mommy and daddy don’t owe me anything at all. But you owe me something. A big giant hug.”
She grinned and threw her arms around his neck, squeezing him tight. “I like giving hugs. Daddy says I give the best hugs ever.”
“You know, I think your daddy just might be right.”
The room had grown quiet, and Simon looked around to see everyone watching.
The adults were all smiling, and the kids were looking around trying to figure out what was going on.
He turned back to Jessie but spoke a little louder so everyone could hear.
“I think we’re even now. That hug paid off any debt anyone here thinks they owe me. ”
Jessie’s mother called her, and she hopped off Simon’s lap and ran to her mother’s side.
Gray locked his gaze on Simon, an unreadable emotion in them that Simon tried to interpret.
Before he could figure it out, Aunt Maggie was calling him into the kitchen.
“Simon, don’t just sit there like a lump.
Get the eggs on the table. They’re getting cold. ”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, very pleased to have a job of his own to do.
AFTER breakfast, Simon shooed Aunt Maggie out of the kitchen and helped Garon clean up.
Gray went upstairs to get dressed, then disappeared into his office to make some phone calls.
The rest of the group left for their own homes.
Simon found he liked the domesticity of the chore and could imagine he was part of a regular family.
The dishwasher was loaded, the pans cleaned, and the counters wiped down, so Garon rushed off to do some important task that probably involved playing a video game. Aunt Maggie was vacuuming upstairs, so Simon was left on his own to look around Gray’s home.
The living room had two large brown sofas and several matching chairs. Pale green walls held a variety of artwork, from the childish scribbles of a young Garon to framed paintings of mountain scenes. The side tables were clear of clutter, with only the occasional photo of Garon and Gray on them.
Simon paused by one and lifted it from its spot.
In it, Garon and Gray posed with an older couple that must be Gray’s parents.
He could see the resemblance between Gray and his father and ran his finger over Gray’s glass-covered face, remembering the feel of his skin under Simon’s fingers the night before.
“Not prickly,” Gray whispered in his ear, causing Simon to jump and spin around. He plucked the frame from Simon’s hand and placed it back in its appointed position.
“Not prickly at all,” Simon agreed once he’d caught his breath. He traced his hand over Gray’s face again and shivered at the sensation of those short hairs against the calloused skin of his fingers.
Gray let out a quiet gasp, letting his head fall back and his eyes drift shut. He reached out, found Simon’s sides, and pulled him a step closer. “Fuck,” he groaned, “that feels so good.”
Simon’s eyes drifted to Gray’s throat, where his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. It was the forbidden fruit, and Simon couldn’t resist taking a bite. He kissed it first, then licked and nibbled over that little nub as Gray pulled him closer until they were fully against each other.
He continued to explore Gray’s neck, his stubble rough against Simon’s lips. Simon didn’t care; he just enjoyed the taste of him. Gray moved his hand up to Simon’s neck, holding him in place for a moment before pulling him away.
“Come into my office with me?”
Simon nodded, and Gray took his hand and led him into the other room. Once the door closed behind them, he pulled Simon close again. “I’ve been wanting to do this since last week,” he said.
Simon didn’t have time to breathe before Gray’s mouth was on his, demanding Simon open to his questing lips and tongue.
Simon trembled, and he grabbed hold of Gray’s arms for balance.
Gray guided him against the door, the solid wood at Simon’s back giving him the extra support he needed.
Simon broke away, gasping for needed air.
Gray attacked his neck, his beard rubbing against the sensitive skin, while Simon shivered and arched into the touch. Simon lifted his hands to hold Gray’s head in place—there, at that spot that sent chills down his spine—and all his blood rushed to his now throbbing cock.
He arched his hips and pushed into Gray. Gray pushed back, his own dick hard and hot. He groaned against Simon’s neck at the contact, and the sound vibrated through Simon’s body.
Simon gasped, then grabbed Gray’s shirt and pulled it up, revealing his lightly furred chest. He rubbed against it, wanting to feel the sensation against his skin.
Seeming to sense his need, Gray pulled Simon’s T-shirt up and off before crushing them together again.
They kissed again, pressing their lips together, as Gray spun him around and moved Simon farther into the office.
Gray helped Simon down to the floor, onto a wool rug that teased the skin of his back. He raised up, pulled his own shirt off, and then lowered himself onto Simon. Their next kiss was slower, gentler, but had more heat than Simon could process.
His body was going up in flames, and he spread his legs to allow Gray to settle more deeply into the cradle of his hips. Gray broke away and traced his hand down Simon’s body to the waistband of his pajama pants. “Can I?” he asked, his voice a husky whisper.
“Please,” Simon said, “touch me.”
Gray pulled the pants down to Simon’s thighs, taking his boxer briefs with them.
The cool air against his erection made Simon groan.
Gray didn’t leave it uncovered for long.
He wrapped his big hand around Simon’s length and stroked.
Simon was sure his expression must be guiding Gray, his face showing when Gray had the right tightness, the perfect rhythm.
Simon reached for Gray’s head, curling up so he could grab him and pull them back together.
Gray continued his motion, but only kissed Simon briefly before beginning to explore his neck and chest. He paused at each pink nipple, sucking them into his mouth and licking around them until they were firm peaks.
He moved farther down Simon’s body, giving each muscle on his chest attention before drifting lower to Simon’s stomach. Simon sucked in his breath and pulled his stomach in as the hair on Gray’s face tickled then pleasured him.
By the time Gray reached his cock, Simon was nearly out of his mind with pleasure.
Gray teased all around, licking and nibbling everywhere but the spot Simon most wanted him, before he finally took the dark head between his lips.
Gray teased at the slit with his tongue, tasting the drops of precome that leaked out, then took Simon deeper, engulfing his length.
Simon couldn’t help but thrust deeper, but Gray grabbed his hips and pushed them back to the floor. His instincts were to keep trying, but Gray’s big hands held him still while he continued to use his mouth to pull Simon closer to the edge.
The pressure built, closer and closer. Simon wanted to warn Gray, knew it was rude not to, but he was out of his mind. He didn’t have to worry. Gray knew and pulled away, then scrambled to pull his jeans down his thighs before coming back to Simon.
Gray grabbed both their cocks and stroked them together. Simon tossed his head back and forth, finding purchase for his hands on Gray’s shoulders. He squeezed, desperate to fly apart but not wanting this moment to end. He pushed his hips up, and up again, into the tight hold Gray had on him.
Finally, it was too much, and come exploded from his cock, leaving a trail of sticky fluid over Gray’s hand.
Another stroke and another stream of come burst from him.
He cried out, couldn’t stop himself, and heard Gray reach his own crest above him.
Wet heat covered Simon, and he released his hold on Gray’s shoulder so he could wrap his hand around Gray’s as the strokes slowed to a stop.
Gray twitched and jerked above him, his head thrown back and his eyes closed. When he opened them and looked down at Simon, he grinned, gasping for breath. “Fucking hell, that was perfect.”
Simon was beyond speech, but he nodded his agreement and released Gray’s hand to rub at the dampness on his stomach. Gray watched Simon’s fingers swirl through the trails then lift to Simon’s mouth. He sucked in one finger, then a second, tasting their combined juices.
Gray grabbed Simon’s hand, jerked it free of his mouth, and brought it to his own, where he tasted Simon’s palm as well. They both groaned, and Gray lowered himself completely, finding Simon’s mouth again.
Their kiss lingered, sharing the flavor of each other. After a few moments, Simon regretfully had to give Gray a little shove off to the side. The alpha had taken his breath away and was squishing him so he couldn’t get it back.
Gray lay down on his side, supporting his head with one arm while the other trailed over Simon’s body. “Can you talk yet?” Gray smirked, his cockiness making Simon chuckle. He shook his head, although he could have responded. “Glad to know how to shut you up, then.”
Simon laughed out loud and punched Gray’s shoulder lightly. “Be quiet. You’re ruining the moment.”
“Nothing could ruin that.”
Simon had to agree. “I’m a mess. I need to get cleaned up.” He paused, realizing he didn’t have anything to change into. “I should probably go home and get dressed.”
Gray grumbled and threw one arm and a leg over Simon’s body. “You aren’t going anywhere.”
“Come on, Gray. It’s not like you have something that will fit me.”
“Fine. I’m coming with you, though. And you’re coming back here so we can talk to the pack later.”
“Oh, really?” Simon arched an eyebrow, not enjoying being ordered around.
Gray glared at him a moment, then relaxed. “I’d like to come with you so we can talk privately. Then I’d like for you to come back here so we can talk to the pack.”
“Better, and that sounds good. I really don’t want to meet any more of the pack in last night’s pajamas.”