His immediate concern warmed Dante’s core. None of his chosen brothers understood his love for the birds. “No. The sooty shearwater is near threatened, but luckily not endangered.”
Ollie’s eyes widened. “Near threatened sounds ominous.”
“It’s not so dire. They’re two classes away from officially endangered.”
“Oh right. Well, that’s good.” Ollie gazed into Dante’s eyes and seemed to lose track of his words. He shifted subtly closer, his head tilted up.
What if Dante leaned down and covered Ollie’s lips with his?
“Yes, it’s a good thing the birds have Dante to look after them,” Ash said with a laugh, sliding past them into the kitchen.
Ollie blinked and took a step back, averting his eyes as he sipped his drink. “Do you need a hand with anything, Ash?”
“No, I’m good.” Ash grinned as he tied a small apron around his massive body. “Relax and enjoy your evening.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice. I’m going to put my feet up.” Ollie’s attention returned to Dante. “Wanna join?”
“Lead the way.” Dante would follow his mate anywhere. Do anything. But he’d start with getting to know him.
2
OLLIE
Ollie sunkinto the couch cushions and had another sip of beer. There were worse things to do on a Saturday evening than sit around with a hottie like Dante while Harper’s equally attractive boyfriend cooked dinner.
Dante sat beside Ollie. He could totally wrap Ollie up with those strong arms. All Ollie needed to do was get a little closer… He bit back the urge.
Stick to harmless flirting, not cuddling, geez.
“Tell me more about the shearwaters.” Ollie rested a hand on Dante’s forearm. He couldn’t help himself. The contact sent a shiver through him, and his pulse spiked.
He withdrew his hand. Holy shit, his blood was rushing south from one little touch. He crossed his legs, doing his best to ignore the beginnings of arousal.
Dante’s dark gaze lingered on Ollie’s hand. He had the most gorgeous eyes. His irises were a dynamic black, deep and inky, with the darkest brown flecks. His attention was ten times more intense than anyone Ollie had met.
“The shearwater population here is unique. Most of the species migrate across the globe, but not the individuals here.”Dante ran a large hand through his curly black hair. “I could go on, though it’s not always the most interesting topic.” He gave a tiny, almost shy smile.
It wasn’t fair for a man like Dante to be bashful. It made him more attractive, and he needed no help. Dante was at least six feet of lean muscle. His simple T-shirt stretched across his toned chest. And fuck, Ollie was picturing all the perfect brown skin and black chest hair that lay beneath.
The last time Dante had been at his and Harper’s apartment, Dante hadn’t been wearing a shirt. It’d been weird because Ash hadn’t had a shirt on either, but that was the day Ollie had learned his roommate had escaped a satanic cult, so he’d been too distracted to ask why everyone was walking around half-dressed.
Some guys used any excuse to strip down and show off, but Ollie didn’t get that impression from Dante. Or Ash.
“I think conservation is interesting,” Ollie said. “How could it not be? We should care about how we impact the planet and all the animals.”
Dante beamed. “I agree.” He seemed so pleased Ollie was showing interest in the local seabirds.
It was fucking adorable.
Ollie’s phone chimed. That stupid app, going by the sound. Damn, he should have silenced it. He didn’t even want to check the notification. Hooking up with his latest match had lost all its appeal.
That guy had nothing on Dante, who had launched into an explanation of shearwater mating habits and how most flocks migrate to the Southern Hemisphere, of all places.
Dante was smart and hot. And probably not a total dick. Ash was too much of a softie to have an asshole best friend. He lived to spoil Harper, and Ollie supported it one hundred percent.
The more Ollie learned about Harper, the more he wanted to wrap the guy in bubble wrap and destroy anyone who’d been mean to him. But Ash seemed to have that covered. He was a good guy, and Ollie was only letting good people into his life from now on.
He’d had more than enough of assholes.
