Aubrey nodded. “Well, Keaton can’t hold a candle to our mother. Your mom may not know how to boil water, but mine? I’m pretty sure she could burn it.”
They shared a laugh.
“I hid out in the kitchen with Martha a lot trying to avoid chores. It never worked though. Instead I ended up helping her.” Aubrey shrugged. “But it beat shoveling out stalls or trimming back kudzu.”
“You had horses growing up?”
“Still do.”
Matt’s nose crinkled. “And what in the heck is kudzu?” Picking up the pan, he flipped the tilapia again.
Aubrey’s jaw about hit the floor. “Oh good Lord, I gotta take you home. I can’t believe you’ve never seen kudzu. It’s a nuisance, that’s what it is. It’s a vine that grows like crazy and will take over anything and everything if you let it.”
Replacing the pan, Matt cocked his head. “Isn’t this home?”
Thunder boomed outside, making Aubrey flinch. He shook his head. “This is a sort of home away from home. A place to stay while I work. Home is Reynolds Hall.” He couldn’t help but smile. “We’re going there this weekend to meet pack and hunt. You’ll see more kudzu than you care to, and we can ride horses if you want.”
“Oh, hey, speaking of pack.” Matt grabbed the pan again and slid one piece of fish onto a plate with some of the mushrooms and the sauce, then dumped the rest on another plate. “I got a call from Corde today after I came in from school.” He brought the plates to the bar.
“And?” Aubrey picked up their dinners and silverware then headed to the table. “Let’s eat over here and watch the rain. Bring the bread.” He took a big sniff, letting the delicious aroma fill his nose. Man, he was gonna get fat with Matt staying here. Maybe he could squeeze in an extra hour of working out a week. “Did you tell him I’d call him back?”
“No. I was going to, but he asked my advice on what to do with his friend. He was still in the doghouse over peeing on the house.” Smirking, Matt set down two glasses of tea and went back for the bread.
Rolling his eyes, Aubrey snorted over the doghouse remark. Should Matt be taking up pack matters? How would it look? “What did you tell him?” This was nice…homey. Matt had such a family-guy kind of vibe to him. Mom and Dad were going to love him. Even if they’d never know Matt was his mate, they’d still welcome him and be sad when he was gone. Aubrey would too.
He pulled out his chair just as Matt returned with the basket of bread. When he set it on the table he bent over, giving Aubrey a great view of his ass. His slacks weren’t overly tight, but they sure showed off his butt to perfection. Aubrey’s cock got harder.
“I told him to take the guy a steak and if he had any more problems to call me back.” Grinning, Matt sat down and picked up his knife and fork. He looked pleased with himself.
It was sound advice, but Aubrey still wasn’t sure Matt should be giving it. Technically, Aubrey wasn’t Alpha yet. Though he stood in for his dad more often than not lately. The younger generation already took it for granted that Aubrey was in charge, and if Matt were speaking for Aubrey…well it didn’t look right. But this once no one would question it.
“Don’t let them take advantage of you.” Aubrey took a bite of the fish and moaned as it melted in his mouth. Oh yeah, he was gonna be spending more time doing cardio at least. Could Matt make Mexican food?
Aubrey loved Mexican food.
“It’s okay. I like helping. I gave him my cell number and told him to call me if he needed anything else.” Matt took a swig of tea then cut off a piece of his fish. He said something else, but Aubrey didn’t hear it.
Aubrey sat up straighter and closed his eyes. Matt was acting as his mate by encouraging the pack to go to him with problems when they couldn’t reach Aubrey. Helping with pack squabbles wasn’t something fostered pack members did. It spoke of permanence and authority within the hierarchy, which as Aubrey’s mate, Matt would have.
“You need a cast-iron skillet. This would taste much better cooked on one.” Matt reached for the bread.
Aubrey dropped his fork with a clank and pinched the bridge of his nose. Matt fit the role of Alpha’s mate to perfection. Why did he once again have to be everything Aubrey needed in a mate? Everything but female. Goddamn fate!
“What’s wrong?”
“Why’d you give Corde your cell number?” He tried not to sound terse, but he wasn’t entirely successful.
Matt finished chewing the bread and swallowed hard. His shoulders sank. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to help.” He kept his head down and took another bite of food.
“Matt… You can’t let anyone know who you are to me and—”
“I know. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds.” He continued to eat, not looking at Aubrey. His feelings were hurt.
Damn it.
He hadn’t meant to scold Matt. But no way could he allow Matt to take the role Aubrey’s future wife would have to take. It would make Aubrey marrying that much harder on them both, not to mention the suspicion it would cause in the pack.
They finished the rest of their dinner in silence. As soon as he was done, Matt took his plate to the sink, washed it and put it in the dishwasher. “See you in the morning.” He crossed the living room and disappeared into the guestroom before Aubrey could stop him.
Son of a bitch.
Aubrey got up, dumped his tea out and filled the glass half full with whisky. He was an ass. Helping out was Matt’s nature. It’s what he did to feel like he belonged. He’d done it in his own family and he did it in his home pack by helping with the pups. He wasn’t trying to silently proclaim Aubrey his mate, he was trying to fit in. Aubrey groaned and downed the entire glass of whisky in one swallow.
Aubrey stood in front of Matt’s door staring at it, trying to make up his mind. Should he knock or wait for tomorrow? He hated admitting he was wrong. It was a fatal flaw that ran in his family. But he owed Matt an apology. Did partaking in liquid courage beforehand make him a pussy?
Oh, who cares.
He was doing the right thing, that’s all that mattered.
Using the back of his hand, Aubrey quietly rapped on the door. “Matt?”
“Yeah?” His voice was barely audible over the pitter-patter of rain and the soft rolling thunder.
Turning the knob, Aubrey eased the door open. “Can I come in?” He peeked around the frame and nearly swallowed his tongue. Matt lay on his bed with his back—his bare back—toward the door, looking out the floor-to-ceiling window opposite the bed. The comforter was pulled down, leaving his entire upper body and just a hint of his hips exposed. He was nude beneath the sheets and heavy comforter. The light coming from outside cast the edge of his body in a blue glow while the rain trickling down the window gave the shadows movement and sensuality. It was a picture right out of an ethereal fantasy.
“You can’t sleep either?” Matt continued to stare out the window, watching the storm.
His whispered question brought Aubrey out of his daze. He moved forward and perched himself on the edge of the bed. “I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.” He stroked the slim, sleek back and the muscles rippled under his hand. It wasn’t quite a flinch, but it was close enough that more regret stung Aubrey. “I’m sorry, sugar. Do you think you can forgive me? I should’ve thanked you instead of yelling at you. I know you were only trying to help.”
Rolling on to his back, Matt met his gaze. “I shouldn’t have done that without your permission.
I’m
sorry.” His eyelids fluttered, and his lips quirked to the side. “I just wanted to do something to help you out. Make things less stressful for you, not more. I promise I wasn’t trying to publicly stake a claim to you or anything like that. I wish I could tell everyone, but I won’t. I’d never do that without your approval first.”
Aubrey stared at Matt. His mate was as beautiful inside as he was out. “I know. And thank you. I don’t want you to feel out of place. It’s gotta be hard being here without family and people you’re close to. I forgot that.” Aubrey shrugged. “I’ve never really been away from my own family.”
“I’ll survive.” Matt grinned. “Is it wrong to admit that in a way it’s nice? Being away from home I mean.” He rested his hand on his chest. He had big hands, a man’s hands. They were a sexy contrast to the rest of him. Not that he was small, but against his slender chest his hands seemed massive. He was lovely.
Chuckling, Aubrey shook his head. “Nah. It’s understandable.” Sometimes he wished he could escape too.
A frown marred Matt’s face, and he caught his bottom lip between his teeth. It was a bashful expression, but somehow so Matt it stirred Aubrey’s blood.
Aubrey ran his index finger over Matt’s chin, encouraging him to quit abusing his lip. “What?”
Releasing his lip, Matt shrugged. “Can I tell Logan we’re mates? He can be trusted, I promise. He’s great at keeping secrets, and I have a lot on him. He wouldn’t dare tell.”
Aubrey touched the smooth expanse of Matt’s chest and watched the shadows play over it. His cock ached along with his heart. How could he not give into that request? It was a small thing and would probably make Matt feel better. Maybe it’d make up for Aubrey being an ass earlier. He was worried, hesitant even, because he didn’t know Logan and he didn’t want to take the chance of word getting out. But he also knew how things were between brothers. He’d been that close to his own brother once upon a time. Truth be told he was envious and a little jealous of Matt’s relationship with Logan.
“If you want to.” Aubrey nodded without looking away from Matt’s chest.
“Thank you.” The words were whispered with just a hint of admiration.
Aubrey stroked his fingertips over the planes of Matt’s warm stomach. A shadow seeped across the back of his hand along with the rivulets of water running down the glass. The steady rhythm of rain mingled with their breathing, adding an erotic element. Aubrey caressed lower, knowing he shouldn’t.
The covers over Matt’s groin tented, and the scent of his arousal filled the air. His breath hitched, and his legs moved restlessly beneath the covers. For several seconds he did nothing, just watched, then a moan escaped and he clutched Aubrey’s wrist. He didn’t try to dissuade Aubrey’s progress, only held on. He stared at Aubrey’s hand, even arching toward it as it edged under the covers.
Aubrey could swear he heard the word
please
, but maybe it was his wishful thinking. However, there was no mistaking the tip of Matt’s prick nudging the back of his hand. As long as Matt didn’t protest, what was the harm?
Aubrey pushed the covers down to Matt’s knees and ran his palm over the hard length of his mate’s erection. He took it slow, giving Matt plenty of time to object. When he didn’t, Aubrey took Matt’s cock in hand, squeezing the hot flesh. It flexed in his grasp, followed by a gasp and more arching as Matt gave in to the sensation. He was sensual…hedonistic. It was amazing to watch. And Aubrey had always loved to watch.
His mouth watered, and the urge to take Matt into his mouth was strong, but he didn’t. His body was on fire with yearning, but for now he was content to fulfill his voyeuristic streak and watch his mate bask in the pleasure.
The dark color of his cock was such a contrast to Aubrey’s paler skin. Slowly he dragged his hand up over the hard column, and back down.
Again, Matt gasped and lifted his hips. Matt’s eyes were closed and his mouth slightly parted. His tongue darted out and wet his lips.
“That’s it, sugar. Gawd-almighty-damn you’re sexy.” Aubrey groaned and lay down beside him, his hand still caressing. He captured Matt’s bottom lip between his teeth then slanted his mouth over Matt’s.
Wrapping his arms around Aubrey, Matt kissed him back. Just like the previous times, he became a wild thing, writhing and bucking, making his dick slide through Aubrey’s fingers faster. His tongue delved between Aubrey’s lips as a lusty sound escaped.
Aubrey’s own body tensed on the edge of restraint, begging for satisfaction, but he ignored it in favor of pleasing his mate. There was no way they were going to keep from fucking much longer. Together their self-control flew out the window. It was a natural mating instinct and fighting it was futile. Surely Matt realized that. Who would’ve thought being with one’s mate would feel like this…so powerful.
Matt pulled Aubrey until their chests touched and continued to feast at his mouth. It was amazing, but Aubrey had to see this gorgeous creature find his release. Breaking their kiss, he propped himself on his elbow and watched Matt’s cock slide back and forth in his hand. Matt twisted his upper body and followed, keeping his arms tangled around Aubrey, reluctant to let go.
“Come for me, sugar.” Precome oozed out the slit, and the reflection of the rain rippled over Matt’s thrusting body. Groaning, Aubrey stroked faster, feeling his own balls pull tighter, aching. “Darlin’, you’re beautiful.”
A whimper left Matt’s lips, and his breath grew even harsher. He clung to Aubrey’s neck, panting in his ear, and within seconds Matt’s body stiffened and his butt lifted off the mattress. Come spurted onto his stomach and Aubrey’s hand. It was breathtakingly stunning and naughty all at once. It made Aubrey want much more. He wanted to watch Matt thrash and beg as he fingered his ass, or licked his balls, or… Aubrey moaned. Oh man, the things he wanted to do to Matt…
Releasing the spent prick, Aubrey came to his knees, ripping at his slacks. The rending of fabric sounded loud amidst their panting and the rain, but he didn’t care. He was ready to explode at any moment. Matt reached for him, but he batted his mate’s hand away. If Matt so much as breathed on him he’d come. When he finally got his cock out, it was nirvana. His hand felt good, warm and slick with Matt’s spunk.