“I’d rather keep going.”
“That was the best kiss of my life, but I need to feed you,” Brian insisted.
“That was the only kiss of my life and I’m going to need you to never remind me of your past conquests.”
“Shit.” Brian winced. “Why do I keep saying the wrong things? I’m not usually like this.”
“It’s okay. You’re thirty-three years old and you’ve probably had a normal life, so I understand that you have a past, but I’m going to pretend nobody has ever touched you and you’re not going to pop my delusional bubble by comparing me to them.”
“There’s no comparison,” Brian said sincerely. He was still confused about having an Alpha as a mate, still distressed about Keith’s past, still concerned about his health, but there was one thing he knew with absolute certainty: This man was his and he’d protect him with everything he had. Nobody would hurt Keith ever again.
“Excellent. Let’s never speak of them.” Keith arched his eyebrows and looked at Brian meaningfully. “I’m an Alpha and I have the possessive temperament that goes with it. I’m sure you understand.”
“I do.” He had known this man less than a day and he was certain he’d eviscerate anyone who laid hands on him. “I’m proud to be the only person who will ever share pleasure with you,” he admitted. For the first time, he regretted his past. “I’m sorry I can’t give you that, but the others—”
“Seriously?” Keith said. “What did wejusttalk about? Is your condition pathological?”
“Damn it.” He squeezed his eyes shut, sighed, and opened them. “Maybe it is?”
“Thank goodness you’re pretty.” Keith took hold of his hand. “Come on. Show me to your food so I can check that box off your list and we can go back to the kissing.” He pulled Brian toward the bedroom door. “I need to rewrite the memories you definitely don’t have of absolutely no other people.”
Brian liked to believe he was one of the smartest people in any room, but every conversation he’d had with his mate left him feeling like he was running in slow motion during a sprint. “Wait,” he said when they reached the door and his brain finally caught up to the situation. “We’re not dressed.”
Keith stopped, turned around, and dragged his gaze from Brian’s face to his feet. “I know. That’s why I took your towel. I like this view.”
His cheeks heated. “I thought you said you took it to dry me off.”
Smirking, Keith said, “I did dry you off.”
He was definitely downloading on dial-up internet. “What?”
“Maybe you’re the one who needs to eat. Did you skip lunch?”
He nodded because he hadn’t eaten anything since that morning before he’d driven to Green Field. After that, he’d been too busy tending to the situation with his mate.
“Don’t worry.” Keith’s voice gentled. “I’m not horrible in the kitchen. I spent a lot of time there with Lorraine when I was a kid. I’ll make you something you’ll enjoy for dinner.” He turned back around and opened the bedroom door.
Brian followed along for a few steps and then remembered his earlier concern. “Wait,” he said again as he dug in his heels. “We’re naked.”
“We’ve gone over this, remember?” Keith turned to him and smoothed his fingers over Brian’s forehead. “Did you skip breakfast too?”
“No, but”—he waived his free hand back and forth between them— “we should get dressed.”
“Is there someone else here?” Keith stilled, tipped his head to the side so his ear was raised, and inhaled deeply. “I don’t hear anyone or smell anyone.”
They were upstairs and the house was large, so that wasn’t an answer to his question, but Keith happened to be right. Brian had sent the healing team away earlier and nobody else lived at the Alpha house or had the right or ability to access it without his permission.
“We’re alone,” he confirmed.
“Great. Let’s go.” Once again, Keith flipped around and headed to the stairs, dragging Brian behind him.
“This is delicious,” Brian said after swallowing a mouthful of an omelet that contained more sausage and ham than eggs. “I love meat.”
“You’re propositioning me in the kitchen?” Keith said, eyes wide and expression scandalized. “Well, I suppose if you insist on eating my meat, there’s nothing I can do to stop you.”
Brian laughed. The day had been ridiculously stressful. He was worried about Keith’s health. He had made an enemy of a neighboring pack. He had an Alpha for a mate. There was so much he needed to think about and manage, but somehow this man overrode all of that and made him giddy.
Keith set down his fork, planted his palms on the table, and rose from his chair. “Where do you want me?” He made a show of slowly panning the room. “I guess I could clear the table?” He reached for Brian’s mostly full plate.
