“Tonight? In front of everyone?”
I ran a finger along the seam of his vest, skimming against his chest, and his breath hitched. “Mmhmm. And I’ll wear something tiny and lacy for you, too.”
A growlsounded, and his eyes flashed, but there was a note of uncertainty there, too. “I’m not sure I can maintain control knowing what you have under your clothes all night, or smelling your desire when you look at me.”
With my finger still trailing along his bare skin, I met his gaze. “You can, and you will. Besides, your wolf knows he’ll get a reward if he’s a good boy.”
A snarl sounded, and Rudy crashed his mouth against mine with a hunger that promised to devour me as soon as I gave him permission to. Fuck, I was so close to giving it. But not here. Not surrounded by humans. The risk was too great, and I wasn’t willing to put Rudy in danger for the thrill of the moment.
With as much willpower as I could muster, I pushed against his chest. He let me move him despite the ease with which he could overpower me, a fact that always excited me. “Later, Wolfie. You’ll get your reward, too.”
“Gods, I love you, Bowen.” Rudy gave me another quick peck and put distance between us before we both lost control.
“I love you, too, Rudy.”
He bought the leathers, keeping them on while we added some better-fitting jeans and tees for daily use. Seeing him walk around in the skin-tight leather and the looks people gave us as we passed them was deeply satisfying and exhilarating. This powerful man, who towered over me, followed me around like a pup, trusting me to guide him through an unknownenvironment. There was no leash or collar, but the bond tethered us all the same. I might have been a small, nerdy guy who clung to a messenger bag, but behind me… behind me was a beast of a man who could rip a person in two. Rudy wasn’t the only one who felt powerful.
After a couple of hours, we made it back to the island, depositing the bags of clothes in our living room. I changed into something a little dressier. Black slacks and a dark pink button-down that reminded me of my werewolf’s eyes. Rudy’s gaze roamed over me with hungry approval. There was one more detail I needed him to see before we went out. Stepping close to him, I grabbed his hands to place them at the back of my waistband. His thumbs swept inside the material, and when they caught against the thin strings of the thong I wore, he let out a loud growl and gripped my ass possessively, his large hands covering my cheeks.
“Holy hell, Bowen.”
My lips stretched into a wicked grin. “You gotta earn your reward, Wolfie.”
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he muttered as he adjusted his cock straining against his leather pants.Mmm. What a yummy sight.
“Yup. And you’re going to love every second of it.”
His arm swept around my waist, lifting me off my feet. “I already do.”
“Good, now let me show my hot mate off to everyone.”
Rudy’s cheeks flushed that sweet color I loved. “They’re my friends.”
“Which means they will celebrate you for who you are, just like I do.”
He scuffed his foot against the ground, looking so completely adorable despite the hot-as-hell leathers he wore. Damn, I loved this man in all his complexity. “Okay.”
With his hand in mine, we headed toward the pool area where colored lights glowed and music could be heard. Creature Comforts was celebrating its one-year anniversary and going all out.
Rudy’s hand squeezed around mine as we walked toward the crowd. Zee’s white feather hair could be seen over the heads of some of the guests, and I felt Rudy hesitate. He vibrated with a sense of vulnerability, but there was a hint of hope, too. Despite his apprehension, he had a longing to be able to show up and be accepted. His friends had accepted him, but he had his own walls to break down, too. Here he was, fully exposed, more so in his human form than if he were in his werewolf form.
“Show them who my mate is,” I said the same thing to him as I’d once said to his wolf. He was beautiful, strong, and powerful, no matter the form he took, and the whole damn world should get to see him the way I did.
Rudy held his head high and rolled his shoulders back, standing proudly. When Zee looked our way, hiseyes blew wide. He excused himself and hurried over, stopping in front of us. He let out a long whistle as he took in the full sight of Rudy.
“Hot damn, Wolfie! Who knew you were hiding all of that under those baggy clothes?”
I knew, I thought, as my lips twitched into a smile.
Rudy’s cheeks flushed, but he kept his chin up. “What do you think?”
“Fuck, man, I think Bowen better not let you out of his sight tonight. The pheromones in this place are going to be pheromoning so hard.”
I felt a wave of pride radiate out of Rudy, and his face lit up. Damn, he was gorgeous, especially now as he was glowing with confidence in a way he didn’t often portray beyond the two of us. Squeezing his hand, I gave him a wink. “Yeah, I’m not leaving your side.”
Rudy tugged me toward him. “You better not.”
With the apprehension behind him, Rudy was able to let loose. Looser than he’d ever been, and it was glorious. We ate, we drank, and we talked to his friends and some of the guests. I was pleased to see Bryan hanging out along the perimeter of the party.
