“Hey, it all works.”
Unable to resist, Nix pulled Noah tight against him and tilted his chin up with one finger. Then he pressed his lips to his mate’s and savored them for a long moment, tasting and exploring. Noah smelled and tasted sweet, like vanilla and caramel, a scent unique to him. Nix’s wolf liked it, a lot.
Once they broke the kiss, it was apparent both of them had a slight problem. But Noah was still recovering and he couldn’t push, despite his wolf’s displeasure. Besides, am I really ready to make love to my mate? The truth was, he was nervous about their first time. His libido would have to suffer a bit longer.
“Come on, let’s get you settled. I want you to rest awhile before dinner.”
Noah bit his lip before asking shyly, “Will you lie down with me and hold me?”
“Sure,” he said, trying to keep the hesitance from his voice. It was the least he could do for his mate, right?
Taking his hand, Nix led him into the bedroom. Noah crawled onto the king-sized bed, and Nix helped him take off his shirt and shoes, then his own. Then he joined his mate in the middle of the big bed, got situated on his back, and settled in awkwardly. What the hell was he supposed to do now?
Fucking a guy, he’d done. This relationship stuff? Never. The idea was scarier than the danger posed by any demon or Sluagh Nix could ever battle.
Noah solved his dilemma when he smiled, happily cuddling into his side and laid his head on Nix’s chest, underneath his chin. Apparently, it was the perfect place. Pretty soon, Noah’s breathing evened out as he succumbed to a much-needed nap. Sleep wouldn’t come for Nix, though. Not right away.
Noah felt so odd in his arms. Different. Yet so good and right. So warm, and his.
The first real stirrings of something more than just protective instinct awakened inside him, in those quiet hours. Holding Noah. Just listening to him breathe.
And Nix knew he’d never again be the same.
3
The first thing Noah became aware of upon awakening from his nap was being comfortably pillowed on a warm man who smelled divine. Like pine and expensive cologne. He didn’t need a wolf’s nose to discern that, and it made him only want to get closer and go exploring.
The second thing he became aware of, upon cracking an eye open, was the glorious chest he was lying on. He found himself staring at a perfectly formed, taut nipple just begging to be licked and tasted. He’d never been one to deny himself such pleasure, and he sure didn’t want to start with his own mate.
Biting his lip nervously, he studied Nix’s sleeping face and wondered how he’d react to having his bones jumped. Would he flip his shit?
Maybe not. Nix might not be completely on board yet with the mating thing, but he’d come running quickly enough when Noah needed him. There’d been no mistaking how worried Nix had been, or the desire in his eyes when he looked at Noah. And when Nix kissed him.
Mind made up, he stretched languorously and wiggled onto his stomach so that he was lying half on top of Nix. Then he bent his head and went to work on the tiny nub, making sure to molest it as thoroughly as possible. The little brown bead tightened to an eraser point, and Nix moaned a bit in his sleep. Grinning, Noah continued his gentle assault, until long fingers wrapped themselves in his hair at the back of his head.
Noah froze, but Nix’s hand was encouraging, not trying to dissuade him. Emboldened, he continued his journey, kissing and licking his way over to the other nipple, where it received equal treatment. No point in leaving the poor thing out.
“Noah.”
His name, moaned with such longing, sent a bolt of arousal straight to his groin. The man might fight their mating every step of the way, but when his guard was down there was no mistaking his desires. He could lie in front of their friends, but not to Noah. Not now, like this.
Peppering kisses down Nix’s faint happy trail to the waistband of his shorts, Noah loved on every inch of skin. When he got to the button of the shorts, he undid them and looked up at Nix to gauge his reaction.
His mate was gazing at him through a fall of long, dark blond hair. His eyes were like glittering jade, the desire in them so white-hot that if they’d been a physical flame, Noah would’ve been burned to a crisp. He’d never seen anything sexier than Phoenix Monroe lifting his hips in invitation, without saying a word.
Indeed, no words were necessary.
Excitement caused Noah’s hands to shake as he slid his mate’s shorts and underwear off. Once he had them down over Nix’s ankles he cast them to the floor and returned his attention to the living god sprawled on the bed.