Deciding to let him, Keith pressed closer to his warm, firm body. “The twenty-eighth of next month. When’s yours?”
“The third of last month.”
“What’s your favorite color?” Keith asked as they crossed the bathroom threshold.
“My favorite color?” Brian frowned at him.
“We’re getting to know each other, right?”
“How are you this upbeat and alert?” His expression, voice, and scent telegraphed his confusion. “I can feel your protruding ribs, your skin’s pale and clammy, there are circles under your eyes. I was worried I’d lose you, and now you’re fine?”
“Wow! Thanks for that. I was hoping to be attractive to my mate, but I guess that train can run on a one-way track,” he joked and realized that he did feel upbeat. He was happy and relieved. Timothy Tillers hadn’t been his mate. He hadn’t failed the person destined for him. He still had to figure out what had happened back then, but despite not knowing the details, an insurmountable weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“That’s not what I meant.” Brian shook his head. “Even with all those things, you’re beautiful.”
“Even with.”
“That’s not…” Brian sighed in frustration. “I'm messing this up.”
“You’re fine.” He patted Brian’s chest and stepped away from his hold and over to the shower. “I’m kidding around.” He turned the dial and put his hand under the stream.
“Careful.” Brian darted forward and wrapped his arm around Keith’s waist.
“I’m not going to collapse.” He turned in Brian’s hold. “I promise you, mate, I am much, much more powerful than I look.” He met Brian’s dark eyes. “I’ve had to be.”
“What does that mean?”
He contemplated his answer before speaking. “My father died under mysterious circumstances when I was a baby. My mother took up with her ex from another pack. He moved to Green Field with his teenage son and stepped into the Alpharole. The pack hated him, but they relented and said he could stay until I came of age. My mother passed not long after that, leaving him as my guardian until I grew old enough to take his place. You’ve met Rupert Jackson and his son?”
Looking stunned, Brian nodded.
“Then that should answer your question.” He reached his right arm over his shoulder and pulled off his shirt. “I’m getting undressed. If you don’t want to see even more of my pale, boney body, avert your gaze.”
Slack-jawed and wide-eyed, Brian remained in place as Keith stripped off the rest of his clothing. When Keith pushed the curtain aside and raised his foot to climb into the tub, Brian shook off his stupor and grasped him again. “Wait. I’ll go in with you. I don’t want you to fall.”
“I’m not going to fall. But sure.” He leaned his left shoulder and hip against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ll need to take your clothes off first. I’m excited for the show.”
“I don’t understand you,” Brian said quietly.
Keith wasn’t sure if he was talking to himself or to him, but he answered anyway. “You don’t understand why I’d want to watch you get naked?” He arched his eyebrows. “Have you come across a mirror lately.” He tilted his head to the right. “There’s one right there. Take a look and you’ll get it.”
“How are you like this? You were almost dead.”
“I’m sure it seemed that way, it always does, but…” He shrugged. “I actually feel better than I have in years.” He looked meaningfully at Brian’s shirt. “Go on, take it off.”
“You’re serious? I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“I’ve been angry at Mother Nature for a very long time. I’m pretty sure you’re her apology gift.” He straightened and dropped his arms from his chest. “Should I unwrap you myself?”
“Nobody’s ever talked to me like this,” Brian said, sounding and looking dumbfounded. “You’re very assertive.”
“That’s in our nature.” He moved his hand back and forth between them. “But don’t worry. I’m all talk. Having your arm around me is the closest I’ve come to another person without violence being involved.” He licked his lips and then chewed on the bottom one. “We’re losing hot water. Should I get in or are you going to…” He pointed the same hand at Brian and moved it up and down. “Because if you’re getting undressed, I’ll wait. I don’t want to miss the show.”
After several seconds of hesitation, Brian said, “Fuck it,” and yanked off his clothes.
“Very nice.” Keith dragged his gaze over his mate’s body. Firmly muscled legs, a thick cock and well-sized balls, a flat stomach, lickable nipples, and a kind face. “Let’s see the other angle.” He raised his finger and twirled it.
Brian gaped at him yet again.
