“My home.” Pulling Mark close, Alec dipped his head and ran his nose up along his throat.
The shuddery breath Mark took made Alec hold him tighter for just a second. “Let’s go.”
* * * * * *
Mark got out of the SUV, now dressed in some of R-pack’s spare clothes. He looked up at Alec’s building. The last time he’d been there, things hadn’t gone all that well.
As though reading his mind, Alec reached for his hand. “Nothing will happen to you now.”
“Nothing?” Mark grinned up at him, some of his nerves falling away.
Alec laughed, the sound still so unexpected it took Mark by surprise. “Nothing bad, anyway.”
They went inside and took the stairs up to Alec’s floor. Neither of them spoke. Mark didn’t know who was around, and to be honest, he was wary of anyone knowing he was there. They’d smell him, but—
“Stop,” Alec chided softly. “I can hear you thinking.”
“After everything that happened, what I did, are you absolutely sure I’m welcome here?”
Alec stopped on the stairway and pushed Mark against the wall. “Yes. I’m sure. No one blames you. And besides….” Alec leaned close and traced his teeth over the side of his neck. “Cam gave his blessing for anything that we choose to do.”
“Oh.Ohh.”
One more nip of his teeth and Alec drew back. He met Mark’s gaze, eyes dark and hungry, and all the blood in Mark’s body rushed south. “Come on.”
The hall outside Alec’s flat seemed empty, but Alec groaned, and when they turned the corner, Mark saw why. Tim Walters, R-pack’s hot doctor, propped up against the wall next to Alec’s front door.
He glanced up as they approached and raised his hand. “Before you start, Cam sent me to check on the two of you. I understand you had to fight.” He glanced between the two of them. “Each other.”
Alec sighed. “That’s right.” His eyes narrowed and he caught Tim’s arm. “What about Nathan? Weren’t you supposed to be checking on him?”
Mark cursed silently for not asking himself. Nathan had saved his life.
“I’ve already seen him.” Tim pinched the bridge of his nose. “He’s fine. Though I’d be happy not to see him covered in blood again. Even if he had almost healed by the time he got here.”
“I’m sure.” Alec’s expression softened, and Mark remembered what he’d told him, that night now seemed a lifetime ago. Had something happened between them? Had they sorted out their differences? He’d ask him later. Much later.
Alec opened the door to his flat and ushered Tim in. “Let’s not do this in the hallway.”
Following them, Mark marvelled at the inside of Alec’s flat. For some reason he’d expected it to be white and barely furnished. That was so far from the truth it was funny. He smiled as he looked around. Warm tones covered the walls in the hall and living room. The large corner sofa appeared soft and inviting, its huge mink-coloured cushions begging Mark to sprawl out on them. He looked up to find Tim and Alec staring at him. “What?”
Tim grinned. “Nothing.” His gaze flicked back to Alec. “I just never thought I’d see Alec so—”
“Shall we get this over with so you can leave?” In one smooth move, Alec pulled off his shirt. The tattered remains of his other one sat on the back seat of the SUV, along with Mark’s.
Alec turned this way and that. “See. I’m all healed.”
Mark licked his lips, his gaze wandering over Alec’s bare torso. He never thought he’d get to see him like that again and his cock hardened in his borrowed jeans. Alec arched a brow as their eyes met, and Mark flushed.
Tim cleared his throat, lips twitching in amusement. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”
“That would be appreciated.” Alec undid the button of his jeans and let them fall to the floor, unashamed of the obvious bulge in his underwear. He turned in a slow circle, arms out wide, and Mark’s mouth went dry.
Rolling his eyes, Tim turned to Mark. “Sorry, I need to check you out too. Alpha’s orders. Although I’m beginning to think he’s upstairs laughing right now.”
Mark was inclined to agree with him. He pulled his T-shirt over his head and had a quick scan over his body. Alec had inflicted the least amount of damage possible, unlike him, and Mark had fully healed on the journey home. “Jeans too?” Everyone in the room knew he was sporting a hard-on, but he’d rather avoid putting it on display if he could. Alec had had spare jeans and a T-shirt in the car, but only one pair of underwear.
Tim nodded, so Mark started to undo his jeans.
