No. Too much. He wasn’t ready to imagine that yet.
Instead, he focused on what hehaddone. The warmth of Leyden’s chest beneath his palms. The ridge of muscle down his spine. The careful way Leyden had touched Connor’s hips, gentle and yet firm all at the same time.
Connor’s breath hitched. He imagined pressing his mouth to Leyden’s claiming bite, feeling his mate shudder. Running his tongue along Leyden’s collarbone, tasting salt and want and…
His orgasm hit hard, pulling a gasp from his throat. Connor braced himself against the sink, shaking through the aftershocks.
This is what sexual desire feels like for me.Not the raw, immediate lust other shifters described. Not seeing someone attractive and instantly wanting them naked. His desire was wrapped in love, trust, and building an honest connection - of knowing Leyden would never push for more than he was ready to give.Holy shit, this is intense.
Connor cleaned up, then sat on the edge of the bathtub, processing – trying to sort everything into a list of facts he could deal with.
He wanted his mate, genuinely wanted him. Not in some abstract future sense. Immediately. Well, not completely immediately but definitely whenever Connor felt ready to explore further.
He had the emotional connection with Leyden. Connor appreciated him physically. That appreciation led to wanting him…
Connor’s chest felt full, almost painfully so. Years of feeling different, out of kilter with everyone else he knew - and yet,despite the odds, he was still panting after an intense orgasm, all because he was experiencing desire for another person, in his own way, on his own timeline.
Not lesser. Just different. Not as a typical wolf shifter, but in his own way.
Wiping his eyes, Connor stood, catching his reflection again. Same face, same body. What had changed couldn’t be seen, but Connor felt it.
Now all I’ve got to do is work out what happens next, and when.Connor knew, as he made his way quietly back to bed, that he still had a few things to work through before he started ripping Leyden’s clothes off.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Leyden locked his office door for the third time that week and leaned back against it, breathing hard.
Connor had brushed past him in the hallway twenty minutes ago. Just a simple movement, nothing unusual. His mate’s hand had trailed across Leyden’s lower back as he passed, his touch deliberate and warm through the thin fabric of Leyden’s shirt.
That same freaking touch that had sent a heat signal straight down to Leyden’s groin.
He palmed himself through his jeans, already half-hard. Again. Always. His body existed in a constant state of awareness now, hyperalert to every glance, every touch, every moment Connor looked at him with those intense green eyes – eyes that looked at him differently now,noticingthings.
Unzipping his jeans with shaking hands, Leyden was circling his cock with his hand even as he was thinking,this is getting ridiculous.
Three days since he’d stood like a barely held together statue when Connor asked to see him naked…and then touched him. Three days of more touching, longer looks, and Connor’s scent was changing.
It’s not like I can help it. Connor is my mate.Leyden’s body interpreted every touch as foreplay, every look as an invitation. Leyden knew it wasn’t an invitation to anything. Connor was still figuring himself out. Leyden’s body hadn’t got the memo.
Leyden stroked himself quickly, efficiently. No romantic thoughts or filling his head with useless fantasies that might never come true.I just need a release so I can function for at least a few hours without my damn dick getting pushy.
Connor’s name was on the tip of his tongue as he climaxed. He went through to the small washroom and cleaned up, fixinghis clothes and washing his hands. Checking his reflection he couldn’t hide the flushed face and dilated pupils.Connor’s going to know what I’ve done the moment he sees me.Although, as he went back to his desk Leyden reminded himself that thanks to their bond, there were no secrets between mates. Connor always knew.
/~/~/~/~/
That evening, Connor settled beside Leyden on the couch after dinner, close enough that their thighs pressed together. Leyden’s body immediately responded in it’s typical fashion. His blood headed south, and every cell of his skin prickled with awareness.
Connor didn’t seem to notice – he was just reading, scrolling book pages on his screen. Through the bond, Leyden caught flickers of contentment mixed with something else. Something that felt like curiosity edged with heat.
Leyden shifted, adjusting his position to hide his growing arousal.Stop being so damn ridiculous. They were just sitting together. There was nothing sexual about it.
The scent change was more noticeable when they sat so close together. Connor’s scent was warmer, spicoer somehow.
Connor glanced up from his screen. “You okay?”
“Fine.” The word came out rougher than intended.
Connor’s gaze dropped to Leyden’s lap, then back to his face. Understanding flickered across his features, followed by something that might have been guilt.
