JASON
Jason knew he was going to get teased to hell and back by Bryce for turning up late with the scent of a guy all over him. Even so, he wouldn’t have missed the time with Riley for anything. He only wished it hadn’t come to such an abrupt end.
He stepped hard on the gas as soon as he was out of town, Riley’s reaction to learning he was a shifter playing in his mind. It had never occurred to him that Riley didn’t already know, becauseeveryonein town knew. For an instant, Jason had braced for the worst—disgust, rejection, the threat of violence. The way it had so often been from non-shifters before.
But Riley had simply been surprised, and once he understood that, Jason had been able to breathe again. Until Riley, he hadn’t known how badly he’d needed someone to justseehim, not as useful or reliable, but justhim.
All he had to do now was run the gauntlet of a very nosy and keen-nosed pack, and then he’d be able to retreat to his roomand relive the time he’d just had with Riley. He’d be able to think about how Riley had felt against him, the way he’d kissed Jason, and just how other things had felt too. Jason shifted slightly in his seat, remembering how Riley’s mouth had felt on his cock, slick and hot and so amazing that he’d forgotten to be shy or self-conscious—forgotten everything butwant.
As he turned into the driveway, he took his lower lip firmly between his teeth and commanded himself to get a lid on this, fast. Bad enough to turn up with Riley’s scent all over him. How much worse to turn up with thatandevidence that he was still excited just by the thought of the guy? Bryce wouldneverlet him forget it.
He pulled in at the side of the house, debating with himself whether he should go in and apologize first, or if he might be able to sneak to the bunkhouse and have a quick shower before finding Matt. And then he saw a still figure on the porch. Matt was out there, waiting for him.
Despite himself, Jason’s knees wobbled as he got out of the car. Matt was a good man—the best—but he was Jason’s alpha. And Jason had skipped out on one of his commitments to the pack.
He walked up to the porch and found his head dipping in submission, even in human form. “Matt.”
“Jason.” Matt’s voice was quiet, giving no clue about his thoughts.
“I’m really sorry about dinner,” Jason said earnestly. “I lost track of time, but it won’t happen again.”
“See that it doesn’t,” Matt said. He wasn’t angry, but his steadiness was somehow worse. Jason had never heard that tone from him before. “I realize you had something a bit more exciting than cooking on offer, but Cale’s still out there somewhere. I need you to be where you’ve said you’ll be.”
“I will, Matt.” Jason’s voice wavered. Hearing Cale’s name was enough to twist his stomach. It had been months, but he stillcouldn’t forget the attack—Cale and his pack trying to take Jesse like he was property. The blood and the fear. Jason had never seen violence like that before, not up close. And even now, there was always the chance they’d come back.
He still didn’t fully understand why Jesse was so important, why an Argent mattered so much. But Matt said he was, and Jason trusted Matt.
After a moment, Matt nodded toward the porch, inviting Jason to join him.
Jason stepped up and leaned against the railing, mirroring Matt as they both looked out at the driveway. A few rabbits had ventured back to continue their evening grazing now that Jason’s car was safely past.
“So,” Matt said, turning his gaze on Jason, his eyes uncomfortably penetrating. “You and the writer guy, huh?”
“How do you—”
“He came to see me, research for his book,” Matt said. “And, not to put too fine a point on it, his scent’s all over you right now.”
Jason’s cheeks flared with heat, but he also smiled at the thought.
“Are you seeing him again?” Matt asked.
While from Bryce it would have been pure nosiness, Matt had the right to ask. Since the mess with Cale, Jason knew Matt made it his business to check out every stranger who came to town.
“Tomorrow,” Jason said.
“Is it serious?”
God, Matt made it sound like smallpox or something. “I like him,” he said, meeting Matt’s gaze. “A lot. But he’s not staying.”
“Well, bring him up here on Saturday for a cookout, anyway,” Matt said, turning his attention back to the rabbits. “Be good to find out more about the guy you’ve been spending time with.”
That was unexpected, to say the least, but Matt’s tone had sounded friendly. Maybe he thought there was more between Jason and Riley than there was—oh, God, hewished—and that was behind his invitation.
“Thanks,” he said numbly, not sure whether he was pleased, horrified or just plain terrified at the prospect of inviting Riley here. “I’m just going to—if that’s all—”
“There’s leftovers in the fridge if you want some,” Matt said. He grinned suddenly. “I’m not saying they’re edible.”
Likely not, if someone else had cooked. Deciding not to risk it, Jason headed for the privacy of his bunkhouse. He wasn’t due on patrol till midnight, so he would have plenty of time to lie on his bed and remember every single thing he and Riley had done. The way he’d shuddered every time Jason’s fingers had hit a certain spot on his hip. The way he’d kissed Jason like he never wanted to stop.
