Nick woke to Logan’s arms around him, the kind of hold that made it clear Logan never planned to let go. Not that Nick wanted him to. Sunlight slid hot through the gap in the curtain, crawling across the sheets.
He could have sworn the whole room had gone from icebox to sauna in five minutes flat. Summer in Crimson Hollow was no joke, and neither was the man wrapped around him like a weighted blanket.
No cramps. No nausea. No weakness. Each breath came easy, slow, like Nick’s body had finally quit the painful protest it’d been staging all his life.
Didn’t feel hollow.
Didn’t want to puke.
Didn’t even mind being up this early.
Nick rolled to face Logan, careful not to elbow him. The wolf shifter looked like a damn underwear model, hair all wild, face half-buried in the pillow, stubble covering his jaw. Logan’s lips were parted, that sweet rumble of sound barely there. The only thing louder was Nick’s own growling stomach.
He grinned. Not exactly the way he’d pictured waking up after losing his mind and biting the guy, but hell, he’d take it.
Going by the stains on Logan’s neck and the way his shirt was basically in shreds, last night hadn’t been a hallucination. Unless Nick was still dreaming, in which case… Please don’t wake me up. Ever.
At least this dream didn’t involve blood on his chin and cheek.
Nick tried to pull away, but Logan only grumbled and drew him back in, tucking Nick tight into his side.
“You trying to sneak off?” A gruff, sleepy mumble right into Nick’s hair.
“Just thinking about breakfast.” He nuzzled under Logan’s jaw. “Also, I’m covered in jizz. Is there a hazing ritual for new mates, or is this just what happens when you join a shifter pack?”
Logan snorted. “Hazing comes later. First you get fed.”
Nick let himself melt into the touch for a second longer. If this was real, if the cramps were gone, nothing else mattered.
He caught Logan watching him, his dark gaze heavier than any weighted blanket.
“You really okay?” Logan’s thumb traced circles right below Nick’s ribs, like he’d memorized every spot that made him unravel.
“Peachy.” Nick grinned, enjoying the attention. “Didn’t break you, did I? You look like a man who’s been debauched by a vampire.”
That got him a wolfish grin. “Happy to let you try again. Right now, though, you need your energy back.” Logan’s hand slid to Nick’s hip, giving it a squeeze. “Can hear your stomach from here.”
“Rude!” Nick’s belly rumbled again, loud enough to drown out the rest. You’d think, after draining a pint or two from his mate, it’d shut up, but human needs still called. Good to know.
Logan rolled out of bed, naked and unapologetic about it. Nick stared, because why the hell wouldn’t he?
The guy had the kind of body you’d pay to see in a magazine, all cut abs and broad shoulders and a dick that made Nick’s mouth water.
Logan arched an eyebrow the moment he noticed Nick’s gaze dragging over him, and that smirk…God. It said he liked being looked at.
“You undressing me with your eyes?” He didn’t bother with boxers, just tugged on his jeans like he wasn’t built like a Greek god.
“I’d rather undress you with my teeth, but you look busy.” Nick forced himself up, running his hands through hair that had lost a fight with his pillow. He tried not to notice the dried stickiness between his legs, either.
“Come on, mate. Let’s get you cleaned up.” Logan headed for the bathroom. Nick followed, leaning on the doorframe while Logan filled the sink.
Gentle hands on his hips then Logan was scrubbing him down with a warm washcloth. Nick tried to protest, but his mate just held him still, cleaning off the sweat and cum like it was the best part of his day.
“Don’t want you going to the pack house smelling like I’d tried to disassemble you last night,” Logan said, his mouth curled in a warm smile. “Though I don’t mind explaining it, if anyone’s nosy.”
Nick snorted. “You’re a menace. Keep touching me like that and we’re never leaving this apartment.”
There was a flash in those dark eyes, and then Logan nipped the tip of Nick’s ear. “Promises, promises.”
