“I’m a lawyer,” Carter explained.
“Huh. I figured you were an NHL player or something, given how big you are,” John said. He blushed the minute the words were out of his mouth, like he couldn’t believe he’d said them. Carter laughed.
“No, they don’t let werewolves play in the NHL. We have an unfair advantage. If I were going to play it would be in the werewolf league, but I’m not nearly big enough for that. Those guys are beasts.”
John blinked, looking shocked. “Wait, you’re actually a werewolf?” he asked, sounding like it was the worst news he’d heard all day. Carter leaned back in his seat, dismayed. He hated hitting on a guy only to find out he was a bigot.
“Is that a problem?” he asked, his voice cold.
“No! It’s just… I didn’t think werewolves liked humans.”
“I’m the exception to the rule.” Carter’s voice was still cold. This was his sore spot, and he didn’t like having it poked at by someone he’d just met—no matter how cute he might be.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.” John hunched his shoulders, and Carter sighed.
“It’s fine,” he said. “Some werewolves like humans, but we’re a pretty small minority. It’s not something that most weres like to admit exists. It’s not your fault you haven’t heard of it.”
“That sucks,” John said, summing up the situation succinctly.
“It does,” Carter agreed. “Which is why my pack has no idea that I’m a human lover, and why I travel all the way to Builder Falls to meet guys.”
Saying the words out loud made Carter feel pathetic.
“So you’re in the closet, basically.”
“Basically,” Carter agreed. “But enough about that. Tell me about you.”
John looked away, shrugging minutely.
“There’s not much to tell. I’m twenty-three, I work as a police officer in the BFPD, and I’ve lived here in Builder Falls my whole life.”
“A police officer, huh? I had you pegged as a college student,” Carter said, his cock twitching as he imagined John all dressed up in his uniform. “Do your colleagues on the force know that you’re gay?”
“A few of them,” John said. “I don’t lie about it, but it’s not something I advertise either. I just keep my head down and do my job. I like my work, and I haven’t had any problems with anyone so far.”
“That’s good.”
Carter and John both sat silently for a minute, listening to the noise of the room behind them. It was a slow night—at least on the second floor—but there were enough people mingling that it wasn’t too quiet.
“So a lawyer, huh? What’s that like?” John asked, sounding like he was just trying to fill the silence.
“It pays the bills,” Carter said, leaning his elbow on the bar and studying John. They were close enough that all Carter had to do was lean in and they’d be kissing. “What’s it like being a cop?”
“Not as exciting as I thought it would be, but then sometimes too exciting. I like it.” John licked his lips, looking like he wanted to say something but was holding himself back.
“What?” Carter asked.
“What did Max mean when he asked if you wanted a room upstairs?”
Carter grinned. John was obviously a horny little fucker, and Carter couldn’t wait to show him a good time.
“The club has two types of playrooms: the public dungeon downstairs where everyone can hangout and watch the action—and join in when welcomed—and a series of private playrooms up on the third floor. The private rooms have different themes, and no one is allowed in without the permission of whoever booked it.”
“And you asked Max to book one of the private rooms tonight,” John said. It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. Do you want to go up and see?”
John took a sharp breath, nodding his head and blushing beet red in the process.
