Chapter Nine
Connor didn’t usually do emotions. He had learned a long time ago not to let the pettiness of other pack members about his lack of sexuality bother him, preferring to show his worth through his fighting strength and inner power.
When he was with Davis or a few of the other pack enforcers he could let his guard down, laugh, and relax with the best of them.
He wasn’t anti-social in any way, but he never got worked up about things.
But seeing Leyden swamped by his enforcers stirred a rage in Connor he’d never experienced before. He would have cheerfully ripped out the throats of all eight men, and then started on the pack members. He was infuriated that none of Leyden’s pack had supported the man.
He’d also been worried, and Connor by nature, wasn’t a worrier.
When Leyden had slipped his arm around Connor’s waist, Connor expected to feel itchy and uncomfortable.
But he didn’t, so he went with it, slipping his own arm around the man in return.
He could feel that Leyden was still unsteady on his feet, and Connor would do anything to ensure his mate didn’t fall on his face in front of the pack.
But hearing Leyden’s enforcers and pack members confirm what Lonnie had told him, had Connor worrying big time.
He didn’t want Leyden to lose his pack simply because Connor needed more time to feel comfortable with his mate.
The man was a walking sex god, and Connor could appreciate that from an aesthetic viewpoint.
But he wasn’t sure that he actually felt the desire that Leyden had been talking about on their one and only date.
As he showered in one of Leyden’s guest bedrooms, Connor tried to understand what else he was feeling.
He hadn’t minded being physically close to Leyden, which was a first for him.
In fact, if he examined the feeling more carefully, he would admit to liking it.
Leyden was big, tall and strong, and yeah…
the man was his mate, so Connor was pleased he wasn’t physically repulsed with the idea of touching the man.
Connor had also taken their week apart and thought about all of the things he did know about his mate.
He wondered if there was more he could explain about how he felt, but honestly Connor was getting a bit sick of the fact that all anyone seemed to think about was the sexual side of things.
Could his support, protectiveness, and possessiveness, which Connor admitted to having in spades, be enough?
Still mulling over the idea, Connor strode through the house, looking for the kitchen.
The last time he had been in Leyden’s home, the place had been full of people.
Now it was eerily quiet and Connor wondered why that was.
As he walked into the kitchen he stopped short.
Leyden was standing by the kitchen counter, which was full of Tupperware containers.
Leyden looked up and grinned. “It seems some of the pack women were worried we might get hungry,” he said. “Come and grab yourself some food and we’ll take it into the living room.”
“All of this is for you?” Connor asked as he came forward, lifting lids and sniffing the contents.
“For us, apparently,” Leyden said. “My pack members might not be fighters, but they can cook up a storm when they want to.”
Connor shrugged and got down to the serious business of filling a plate.
As he lived alone he didn’t have people cooking for him very often, and the thought of eating something he hadn’t had to prepare himself had him salivating.
Once Connor had filled his plate, Leyden led him through to a large living area.
It was homey and comfortable, and seemed to have all of the necessary equipment, including a huge television on the wall.
Connor hovered, not sure where to sit, but when Leyden patted the spot beside him on the couch, he got over his nerves and sat down. Fighting made a wolf really hungry.
The two men sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the food and the peace and quiet. When Connor had finished eating, Leyden took his plate and put it on a small table to the side of the couch, and then took Connor’s hand in his, leaning back on the couch.
Connor’s first instinct was to pull his hand away, but he realized that was more habit than anything else.
Leyden’s hand felt good against his. Hot, smooth skin with callouses that Connor knew could only come from hard work.
Connor leaned back on the couch as well, his shoulders rubbing against Leyden’s, and savored how good he felt being back with his mate again.
“I should thank you for helping me out today,” Leyden said quietly as though unwilling to break the peace. “But I know you will always have my back. Did you know I was in trouble, or was it divine coincidence that you turned up when you did?”
“Little shit Lonnie came and told me.”
“Little shit…” Leyden laughed. “That’s a good name for him. I will have to remember it. I have a feeling he’s responsible for the gossip around the pack.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t know about that. But Leyden, you know, this picking a mate business. I know that you were aroused by the scene we walked into in your room, but honestly, you need someone just a tad stronger by your side. It doesn’t have to be me, but it can’t be someone like Lonnie.”
“I have you,” Leyden said firmly and then he half turned and looked Connor right in the eyes. “And what do you mean aroused by the scene in my room. Are you talking about our date night? For fucks sake, you thought my hard-on was for them?”
“Yes, wasn’t it?”
Leyden laughed again. “Idiot. My dick has come up for you, and only you, since we met. I’d been half hard all through dinner. You were coming to my room. I was going to sleep with you in my arms. Of course I was fucking aroused. I can’t help that.”
Hmm, okay, that made sense. Connor thought about what Leyden had said and moved closer so that their bodies were plastered together at the side.
Connor might not appreciate touch, although he was getting to like it with Leyden.
His mate was a wolf shifter with normal urges, and he would appreciate the physical closeness even if nothing came of it.
“You know I wish I could give you what that little shit was talking about, don’t you?”
“You are who you are, Connor. I like that. I like you. Once I’ve bitten you I will know if I make you uncomfortable through our mind link and can do something about it.
You’re going to let me claim you, aren’t you?
You didn’t come to save me, just to walk away from me again?
” Leyden said, dropping Connor’s hand and putting his big arm around his shoulders instead.
“Someone’s got to watch your back,” Connor said, ignoring the flutter of butterflies that suddenly attacked his stomach. “That fucking Rolf wouldn’t have even been in the challenge if I’d been here.”
“You know most people only want to be around me for the sex, and the thought of being close to the alpha. You truly do want to watch out for me.” Leyden’s voice sounded awed, and Connor was struck by how empty a life that only had sex could be.
Leyden had people falling all over him all the time, but there was a hint of loneliness in his mate’s voice.
For all of his bed partners, Leyden hadn’t found anybody who totally supported him, who wanted a connection with him as a person.
Leyden needed him.
That thought struck Connor like a lightning bolt.
Casual sex could only make a person feel good for a short amount of time.
Leyden was known for his variety of bed partners, but the man was still lonely.
His mate was looking for the same connection he was.
Another piece of the puzzle fell into place and Connor knew he wasn’t going to walk away this time.
Turning to Leyden, Connor tilted his neck, far more than considered submission.
“Bite me,” he said.
Leyden looked stunned for one split second, but he didn’t hesitate.
Fisting one hand in Connor’s hair and the other tugging at his waist, Leyden pulled Connor across his chest and bit deep into the offered neck.
Connor arched up, unprepared for the moment of pain.
But what followed was such unimaginable bliss, that Connor cried out and waves of pleasure flooded his body as he felt a decided stickiness in his jeans.
He’d fucking orgasmed - with another person!
Damn, the mating bite was powerful stuff.
As Connor came down to earth, he felt Leyden remove his teeth and lick gently over the bite mark.
A scar would form in a matter of hours. A permanent warning to anyone that Connor was now claimed.
Connor looked at Leyden, thrilled to see that besides the obvious lust, the man had such a look of wonder in his eyes.
“Now me,” Leyden demanded, trying to tug Connor into his lap.
Connor let the man rearrange him as he wanted, his long legs bracketing Leyden’s thighs, their bare chests inches apart.
Connor didn’t have to be a wolf shifter to know how aroused his mate was - he could smell it and see it.
But Connor refused to allow that arousal to distract or upset him.
Leyden was being true to his nature. The scent of a mate to a wolf shifter would trigger arousal in almost all cases, and the combined scents of both men were all Connor could smell.
Connor knew this moment was important. It would govern how the two men lived the rest of their lives.
Leyden would know his every thought, as he would know those of his mate.
They would be bound for eternity, and nothing but death would keep them apart.
And while Connor knew that some might think him silly, he wanted Leyden to do a little thing for him, before he claimed the man.
“Can I have a kiss first?” he asked, looking deep into Leyden’s shiny gray eyes.
Leyden’s eyes widened. “Have you ever?”
Connor shook his head. Leyden smiled then, a truly beautiful smile.
“My pleasure,” he said, his voice husky, and he leaned forward.
Connor expected Leyden to devour him. To take his lips, plunder his mouth with his tongue and yep…literally consume him. Although Connor had never allowed anyone to do it to him before, he’d seen enough packmates kissing to know how it went. But Leyden surprised him yet again.
Soft breath ghosted over his lips, long fingers in his hair, big hands gently cradling his scalp, Connor couldn’t help closing his eyes as Leyden came closer.
And then he felt it: the gentle press of Leyden’s soft lips against his.
Connor inhaled sharply as a myriad of feelings swamped his body.
Before he knew what was happening or had a chance to process anything, Leyden backed off slightly, tilted Connor’s head just a little bit, and then Connor felt lips on lips again.
Slightly firmer, but still… There was so much caring in Leyden’s actions - a response Connor hadn’t believed possible.
Leyden’s stubble tickled his chin. Connor found he was breathing in sync with his mate.
Leyden’s lips moved, alternating between the softest nibbles and the simple glide of skin over skin.
Connor was unsure of what he should do, but Leyden didn’t seem to notice.
Annoyed at his own lack of response, Connor brought his arms up, cradling Leyden’s head, and matched Leyden’s movements.
Leyden’s skin was clean and smelled slightly of soap.
But his lips were plush, warm, and so inviting, and when Connor attempted a little nibble of his own, the taste of the man seared his lips.
On and on the kiss went, no pressure, no tongues, nothing but the gentle pressure of Leyden’s mouth on his.
Without realizing it, Connor found his breath was coming faster, still matching his mate’s, and he found himself wanting to push forward harder, to feel more.
But Leyden pulled his head back, his fingers still in Connor’s hair. Leyden’s face was flushed, the man was pulsing with desire - Connor could see it, smell it - hell, he could damn near taste it.
“Bite me,” Leyden whispered, pulling Connor’s head to his throat.
Taking a long sniff of Leyden’s unique scent, Connor opened his mouth and bit down hard.
Like everything else about his mate, Leyden’s blood was sweet, warm, and strong.
Connor caressed the essence over his tongue, savoring every drop.
Oh my fucking God, Leyden’s voice sounded in his head as the man in question pulled Connor forward until they were chest to chest. Seconds later Connor sensed Leyden’s orgasm and the man climaxed with a spectacularly deep groan.
Being careful not to rip his mate’s skin, Connor disengaged his teeth and lapped the blood from the bite mark. Leyden held tight to Connor’s shoulders, his head thrown back, soft moans leaving his lips. When Leyden was clean, the man lifted his head, a soft smile on his face.
“That has to be the most intimate thing I have ever done,” Leyden whispered. “Thank you.”
“So it doesn’t have to be all sex and fireworks to feel good?” Connor said, enjoying the feeling of his mate in his arms.
“Hell no, honey. By the time we get around to having sex, I think it’ll probably kill me.”
Connor couldn’t help smiling as he climbed off Leyden’s lap and the two men headed toward a shower.
Sticky jeans were not fun, after all. But with Leyden’s hand firmly in his, Connor felt the stirrings of the connection he had dreamed of all his life.
He imagined that his libido would soon follow.
And even if it didn’t, Connor knew that with Leyden in his life the two men could rewrite the ideas of what intimacy was all about.
He didn’t know if or when he and Leyden might have sex.
Hell, he didn’t know if his mate was even going to be alpha the next day.
But as Connor followed Leyden into the room they would now share, he found he really didn’t care.
He’d been claimed, and he’d had the most perfect first kiss a guy could ask for. Anything else was just frosting.