Tim closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Are you doing this on purpose?”
When he looked again, Seb was fully covered and trying to sort out his hair.
Seb’s expression turned sheepish. “Sorry. I thought I’d be dressed before you got back.”
Part of Tim wished he’d run back from the shop and seen more. He managed to successfully hide that growing part with a well-placed shopping bag. “I’ll just put these in the fridge.”
“Okay.”
Unfortunately, Seb trailed after him, and Tim willed his hard-on to go away. This whole scenario was awkward enough.
“So….” he started.
Seb looked up from where he was buttering a slice of bread. He set down the knife and gave Tim his full attention. “Is this the part where we—?” he gestured to his crotch, and Tim’s eyes followed the movement. Although Seb sounded teasing, his eyes didn’t match his tone.
“I think scenting you will be enough for now.”
“Scenting?”
Tim took a step towards him, raising his hand. “Can I?” He pointed to Seb’s neck.
“Yeah. Go for it.”
Was he imagining the sudden roughness in Seb’s voice? A quick glance confirmed his claws were safely sheathed—which, all things considered, was a relief—so Tim reached out and placed his hand at the base of Seb’s throat. Seb swallowed and Tim felt it under his fingers. Taking his time, he slowly and deliberately rubbed his palm around to the side of Seb’s neck and up behind his ear until he cupped the back of his head.
Another step closer brought them almost flush. Tim tilted Seb’s head to the side, but he froze at Seb’s sharp intake of breath. “Relax,” he whispered, smiling as Seb shivered in response. “I won’t bite you.”
“Better fucking not,” Seb muttered, but he was already tilting his head more, giving Tim what he wanted.
“Promise.”
This close, Seb’s scent clung to him, thick and heavy. Tim’s eyes fluttered shut as he leaned in and ran his nose along the side of Seb’s neck. He always had trouble putting scents into words, but Seb reminded him of the outdoors, something fresh and summery. It filled him with a thrill similar to shifting, something wild and exciting coursing through his veins, and he buried his face in the crook of Seb’s neck, greedily breathing it in. “You smell so good.”
To his surprise, Seb laughed.
Stung, Tim pulled back and went to take a step away from him, to put some distance between them. Seb’s hand on his arm stopped him. “Sorry. It’s just such a shiftery thing to say, and… well….”
“What?”
“You’re not a typical shifter. It just struck me as funny, that’s all.”
Tim couldn’t decide whether to be offended or flattered. “What do you consider a typical shifter?”
“You know—arrogant, growly, quick-tempered exhibitionists.”
Flattered, then.He smiled. “I’ll let Nathan know what you really think of him. And Alec and Cam.”
The look of horror on Seb’s face made Tim laugh out loud.
Seb moaned, “Fuck no. They’d eat me.”
Tim grinned at him, flashing all his teeth. “And I won’t?”
His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out, still smiling. The smile dimmed a little when he saw it was from Alec.
Heads up. P-Pack heard S is back home. Coming by later to offer apology.
“Bollocks.” He typed a quickOk thanksand sighed.
