Glancing down at their joined hands, Tim started to speak. All his concerns spilled out as he let the frustrations of the last two days get the better of him. “After they raided that warehouse, I thought that was the end of it. For the most part, we’ve had peace amongst the packs for the last ten years. There’s been the odd incident, but nothing bad. I’ve not had to deal with injuries that severe for ages—Nathan’s in particular.” He looked up, expression serious as he met Seb’s gaze. “I know what shifters are capable of, and if any did escape from that warehouse, they’re going to be angry, out for revenge with nothing to lose.”
Seb frowned, biting at his lip for a second. “What about Newell being behind all this? I thought—”
“I know what I said before. But Alec seems to think the threat from the rogues is real. Whether Newell is involved or has an agenda of his own, we can’t be certain.”
“They’ll be waiting for Nathan, though, right? All of them seem to have a grudge against him, not me. And if he’s not coming here, then I’m not in as much danger as you thought, am I?”
Seb’s hopeful expression made something twist inside Tim. Was he so eager for all this to be over?
“I’m not sure. I mean, Alec and Cam suspect that with me here and not Nathan, Newell’s plans might have changed—if he had any in the first place. But they have no idea what he might do now.”
Seb rolled his eyes. “Wonderful. And what about the other ones?”
“Nathan’s scent is all over this building—faint, but still there. They might not stop to ask questions.”
“Great.” Seb stared at his hands in Tim’s for a second; the slight tremor in his fingers was the only sign that the conversation unnerved him. “But all this could still be for nothing. I might not be on anyone’s radar.”
Every one of Tim’s instincts said Seb was in danger from something, but he forced himself to think rationally. “It’s a possibility, I suppose. But after today, I think it’s safer to assume that it’s not for nothing.” He held his hand up when Seb started to protest, knowing full well what he was going to say. “It probably was the P-Pack guys you sensed following you back from the shop. But what if it wasn’t?”
“Mark and Will didn’t scent anyone nearby.” Seb eyed him curiously as though he wasn’t making sense. And maybe he wasn’t, but Tim couldn’t shake the feeling that Seb wasn’t safe.
He took Seb’s hand in both of his own again. “I can’t explain this in a way you’ll understand, but please trust me. I canfeelthat something’s wrong—” He brought their joined hands to his chest. “—in here. Whether it’s Newell and his pack or the escaped rogue shifters, I don’t know. But there’s something orsomeoneout there. And they aren’t friendly.”
Seb’s gaze flicked from his face, then to where their hands were still pressed to his chest, and then back up. “So you’re asking me to trust your instincts? Right?”
“Yes.”
Seb shuffled closer and Tim breathed in the scent of him, letting it fill his lungs. “You want me to ignore all the facts and put my life on hold because of a feeling.”
“Yes.” Daring to risk a rebuff, Tim tugged him closer and leaned in to nuzzle the base of his throat. Seb’s sharp intake of breath gave him the green light, and he trailed barely there kisses up the side of his neck until his mouth rested on that spot behind Seb’s ear that made him shiver. Seb didn’t disappoint this time, either. In a deep, growly voice, Tim asked, “Can you do that?”
The moan he got in answer wasn’t exactly a yes or no, and Tim pulled away to meet Seb’s eyes. He added, “We don’t know what Newell has in mind, if anything, but neither Alec nor Cam trust him.”
“What are you suggesting?” Seb lay back on the sofa, spreading his thighs and tugging Tim down to settle between them.
Tim went willingly, keeping a careful eye on Seb’s cast so as not to knock it. “Keep doing what we’re doing.”
Seb’s fingers were in his hair now; the loose grip was enough to keep Tim where he was. With his eyes closed and Seb wrapped around him like this, Tim let himself imagine what it would be like to have this for real, not some convenient, friends-with-benefits scenario that had an expiration date.
Another deep breath in filled his lungs with Seb’s scent once more, its nuances so familiar to him now, he could pick it out anywhere. Opening his mouth, Tim set his teeth—still human—against the thrumming pulse point in Seb’s neck. If he bit down hard, Seb would be his, maybe even a wolf to run at his side during full moons.
A surge of want rushed through him, the force taking him by surprise, and he immediately pulled back with a gasp, away from temptation.
Seb tensed underneath him. “What’s wrong?”
Tim hesitated until his teeth were safely back to normal. It took longer than he was comfortable with.
“Tim?”
As his control returned, Tim placed a soft kiss on Seb’s skin, relieved. “I’m fine, just got a little carried away. You always smell so good, but this spot right here?” He smiled as he trailed his lips up behind Seb’s ear again. “This is my favourite.”
Seb tilted his head to the side, sighing as Tim took the invitation and carried on kissing him there. “That spot’s good, but are you sure it’s your favourite?” As he spoke, Seb thrust his hips up, the hard length of his cock pressing into Tim’s stomach.
Tim laughed. “Okay… maybeoneof my favourite spots.”
“That’s what I thought.” Seb continued rubbing up against him, small movements, but enough to get Tim straining against the fabric of his work trousers. “We should make sure I still smell like you. Don’t want it to wear off.”
The smell ofthemhad hit Tim as soon as he walked in the door. A strong hint of sex lingered in the flat, and anyone coming into contact with either of them would know what they’d been up to. “No,” he whispered, leaning up on his elbows, and meeting Seb’s gaze. “We don’t want that.”
