“What is it?” Riley asked, rolling over and watching Jason drag his jeans on.
“I’m late for dinner,” Jason said. “And as I’m supposed to have cooked it, that’s not ideal.”
“It’s not like you’re going to be in trouble, though. Are you?” Riley asked, wondering what the hell kind of situation Jason lived in.
“Worse,” Jason said, looking up with a rueful smile. “They’re all going to knowwhyI’m late and tease the everlasting hell out of me.”
“They all?”
“The rest of the pack,” Jason clarified, pulling his t-shirt on over his head. “Fuck,”he said, as he saw it was inside out, and pulled it off again.
Riley sat bolt upright, his heart slamming against his ribs. He had a couple of precious seconds to bring his expression back under control while Jason put his shirt back on.
“Pack?” Despite his best effort, his voice was thin. It felt as if all the air had been punched out of him. For a split-second, something vile crawled in his head. Something he hadn’t even realized was there, and which sounded like his father’s voice.Different.Dangerous.Wrong.
He shoved it down hard. That wasn’t him. He knew better than that.
“You’re a shifter?” he asked, and it sounded—not happy.
Jason froze. When he looked at Riley, there was fear in his face and his body was tensed, like he expected a blow. His voice was low and tight. “Is that a problem?”
Riley breathed, trying to control the pulse that was still hammering. No, it wasn’t a problem. His reply should have been automatic, but he realized he’d hesitated when he saw Jason tense even further.
Shit.Shit.“No,” Riley said swiftly. “Of course not. I just…” He gave a shaky laugh and got out of bed, moving over to Jason without thinking. “You surprised me, that’s all.”
Jason’s wariness eased a fraction, though Riley could still see shadows in his eyes. He reached out, brushed his fingers against Jason’s jaw. “Seriously,” he said, softer now, making sure he heldJason’s gaze, “You just caught me off guard. Nothing more, I swear.”
Jason’s smile crept back, the one that did dangerous things to Riley’s heart, as relief lit his face like sunrise. Riley kissed him before he could think better of it.
“I’ll see you after work tomorrow,” Riley said, when he finally, reluctantly had finished exploring every last part of Jason’s mouth, just in case he’d missed a bit earlier.
Jason looked happier, but there was still a flicker of uncertainty that had Riley wrapping one of his dark curls around his finger and tugging it. “You took me by surprise, is all,” he said. “Nothing more, I promise.”
Jason’s smile dawned again, the one that had Riley wanting to write symphonies and paint masterpieces. Anything to try and convey the beauty of it.
Once Jason had gone, Riley locked the door and slumped back against it. The room was still thick with the scent of sex, of Jason, of something too tender to name. He rubbed a hand across his face, then pushed off and stumbled toward the bed. The sheets were a mess, but Jason’s warmth lingered.
He lay down carefully, like he might disturb something if he moved too fast.
Jason was a shifter.
He should’ve known. Should’ve asked. Should’ve seen it. But all he’d seen was Jason—soft and shy and surprising. Funny without meaning to be. Gentle in ways Riley hadn’t expected and couldn’t stop wanting.
And now? Now he was fucked.
He was sleeping with someone inside the story he was here to break. Not merely connected but central to it. He hadn’t just crossed a line—he hadn’t even noticed the line was there.
This was supposed to be the story that made him. Nothing personal about it, and certainly not someone who made him feel like he wasn’t constantly auditioning.
And now… he didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t keep seeing Jason. That would compromise the story. Hell, it probably already had.
But the thought of not seeing him again made something in Riley flinch. Something he didn’t want to name.
He closed his eyes and tried to breathe. He’d wanted this so badly. To be successful, for the first time in his life. To get his father’s attention, to behappy.
But he hadn’t planned on Jason. And now there was no clean way out.
Chapter Twelve
