After Cam and his family left, I took that as my cue to head out, too. I didn’t want to overstay my welcome with Kane’s family. I retrieved my coat from the front closet. “Thank you forhaving me. The food was delicious, and it was nice meeting you all.”
Kane appeared beside me, clasping my arm. “Would you take me home on your way? If you don’t have anything else planned, that is.”
“No plans.” I shook my head. “I can definitely get you home safely.”
He squeezed my bicep. “Okay, hang on. Let me get my things.”
After another round of thank-yous and goodbyes, I drove Kane through the snowy streets of Saramto with his overnight bag, all his presents, including the one from me he’d yet to unwrap, and a bag filled with various containers of leftovers. His dad made sure he wouldn’t starve over the holidays. It made me a little jealous of how close they all were, the way I’d been with my mom.
At Kane’s building, I got out to help him with all his belongings, leaving my car running. When I opened the door for him, he grabbed my hand. “Will you come up? Stay for a bit? That way, we can exchange presents face-to-face.”
“Sure.” My heart raced at the idea of going up to Kane’s apartment. Aside from driving in my car, it would be the first time we were alone together. Walking up the stairs behind him with the leftovers in my arms, anticipation buzzed under my skin. I had no idea what his intentions were, only what my wolf yearned for.
As he unlocked the door, I reminded myself to breathe and tried to calm my racing heart. Getting ahead of myself wouldn’t lead me where I wanted us to go.
Once inside, I glanced around the apartment, one large main room with an island to divide the kitchen from the living room. There was a four-person table tucked into the corner with a bunch of folders stacked in a pile on top. He had a plain browncouch that faced the average-sized television hanging on the wall with a game console sitting on the coffee table in between. To the left were three doors, which I assumed to be a bathroom, bedroom, and perhaps a closet or another bedroom. It gave off cozy vibes rather than the chic and ultra-modern ambience I often found in the homes of those I worked with.
I carried the food containers over to the counter and began placing those that required cooler temps in the refrigerator. A chance for me to see he kept food in it, not someone who often ordered takeout, like me. I tried to eat better but ended up discouraged at the idea of being the only one at my place to cook for. It always seemed like a waste.
I turned around to find him behind me, holding out his hand.
“Come.” He pulled me out of the kitchen. “Thank you for putting that all away, but I think we should open our presents now.”
With a nod, I released a heavy breath. I hoped my gift wouldn’t mess things up between us, that he took it as the joke it was supposed to be.
When he sat on the couch, he patted the cushion beside him. “Sit, and I’ll open your gift first. I want to know what you didn’t want me to open in front of my family.”
Angled toward him so our knees touched, I handed him the wrapped box.
Careful not to rip the paper, he pulled off the tape before tossing the wrapping aside. When Kane had the box open, he held the shirt with his arms outstretched. “I’m cute. But only my mate can pet me.Huh.” He glanced over at me. “There’s only one problem. I don’t have a mate yet.”
My wolf tried to jump out of me, ready to remedy that problem and make him mine.
As I attempted to calm myself, Kane stood and removed his shirt. All the bare skin in front of me was like a display of pastries at a bakery. I wanted to touch and taste and make him mine.
He quickly covered up again with the T-shirt I’d bought him. Twisting from side to side, he posed for me. “What do you think? Does it look good on me?”
With a gulp, I nodded. “It does, but I think it would look better on the floor.”
With a giggle and a playful swat, he returned to sit beside me. “Okay, open my gift next. I hope you like it.” He handed me a paper Christmas bag.
Inside, I pulled out a small leather zippered case. “What’s this?”
He tapped my knee. “Open it.”
I unzipped the case, finding a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, cologne, body wash, and more. All the brands and scents that I already used. “Oh, thank you.” I appreciated not having to buy them for a bit, but the gift left me a bit confused.
Kane squeezed my thigh. “It’s an overnight bag.” He leaned forward as if waiting for me to understand the gift. “For when you spend the night here.”
“Oh.” I appreciated the sentiment before I fully understood the implication. “Oh. Okay, well, thank you. Does this mean—”
Kane straddled my lap, his lips on mine while my brain tried to catch up to what was going on. The suddenness of his actions left me in a spiral of confusion and lust. Finally in control of my body, I grabbed his hips and pulled him closer to me. My cock swelled between us as I savored the push and pull of his lips, enjoyed him taking what he wanted.
Fisting the front of my shirt, he pulled back and rested his forehead to mine. “I’ve wanted to do that since the moment I saw you today. I never thought I would fall for someone so fast, but there’s just something about you.”
I tried to comprehend his words as need coursed through me. As much as I wanted him, yearned to make him mine, I needed to know what he desired. “You…” I struggled to catch my breath and keep my thoughts straight. “You feel like home to me. I can’t stop thinking about you.”
He sat up and pulled off his shirt before tossing it to the floor. “I feel the same way. I’m not ready for a mate yet, but I want to be with you. I want you to fuck me.”
