“You’re right, it doesn’t,” Jordan agreed. “And I’m not going to deny my feelings for you.”
“Then why are we talking?” Duncan asked leaning forward to kiss him. Jordan put a hand on his chest stopping him.
“Have you thought about what you’re doing?”
“I’m tired of thinking,” Duncan sighed moving back. “I’m tired of fighting what I’m feeling for you.”
“This is crazy, Duncan, you’re being crazy,” Jordan said shaking his head. “What makes me so special? It’s as if this is not a big deal to you. I mean, if I were in your position I would be freaking the hell out.”
Duncan took Jordan’s hands in his. He leaned closer and kissed him gently on the forehead. Without releasing Jordan’s hands, he got up and sat in the chair facing his. He didn’t want to lie to Jordan or keep secrets from him, especially about the world he would be entering in as his mate. Duncan was already feeling the effects of accepting that he had found his mate. Specifically, the need to touch him constantly. They’d exchanged bodily fluids, and if he didn’t claim Jordan, he would soon experience flu-like symptoms. He had no idea how it would affect Jordan, but until he claimed him, Duncan would need to stick close to the other man. Jordan was his mate and complimented him in every way, Duncan hoped that Jordan would believe what he was about to tell him.
“There’s something I need to explain to you. I’m not freaking out because…” Duncan paused “…I’ve already had my moment or rather moments.” He wasn’t sure how to explain everything. “Remember the night we talked about having that one person who you felt was out there for you. Someone who will accept you for who and what you are?” Jordan nodded. “Before you and the twins came into my life, I never thought of having any sort of relationship, even after I took over being their guardian. I figured that I could wait until the twins were old enough.” Jordan didn’t respond and Duncan felt as if he wasn’t explaining himself properly.
“What are you trying to tell me?” Jordan asked. “Just spit it out.”
“Jordan, I think you are that person for me,” Duncan told him.
Jordan gasped and stared at him for a few seconds and it seemed as if he was about to respond when Ryland opened his office door. Instantly, Jordan pulled his hands away from his and stood up.
“Hey,” he said walking into the room looking at Jordan and Duncan, confusion shown on his face. “Shit, guys, did I interrupt something?”
“Yes,” Duncan answered, just as Jordan said, “No.”
“Which is it?” Ryland asked.
“You’re fine. I was leaving anyway; I need to get going. I promised my mom that I would help her with something.”
Duncan could tell that he wasn’t telling the truth. He turned to look at Duncan before walking out the door and closing it behind him.
Duncan stood up and gave his best friend a look shaking his head. “Couldn’t you have waited ten more minutes?”
“What? What did I interrupt?”
“Whatever you came in here to tell me better be more important, because you just delayed me explaining to him that he’s my mate.” Duncan walked around and dropped in his chair, slouching and leaning his head back.
Ryland stood in shock, looking from the closed door back to Duncan. “But you’re not gay,” he finally blurted out. “Or are you and just forgot to tell me?”
“Why does everyone keep saying that!” Duncan shot up from his chair facing his friend. “Does it matter what gender my mate is supposed to be? Was I surprised when I realized? Yeah, but I got beyond that. I still don’t know the mechanics of how it all works, but Jordan is my mate and I won’t reject him now or ever just because what he has between his legs.”
“Okay, calm down, dammit, Duncan, I’m just shocked, that’s all,” Ryland defended. “So, do you want me to leave? You obviously need to go and talk with Jordan.”
Duncan sat back down in his chair. “No, it’s fine,” he told Ryland, trying to bottle away his frustration until he could go for a run. “What did you need to talk to me about?”
“It’s not fine,” Ryland told him. “You’ve found your mate, what I need—”
“Drop it, Ry!” Duncan snapped.
Ryland stared at him for a few seconds and Duncan could tell he was trying to gauge if he should stay or go.
“I’m serious, Ry, I’m fine.”
“Alright.” Ryland nodded. “I got a call this morning from Derek Gutierrez, who was on duty last night.” Duncan knew who Derek was. He was a pack member who also worked with the local sheriff’s department. “I’d put the word out to some of our members that work in law enforcement. And he arrested a low-level dealer who he said was acting pretty cagey.”
“Okay,” Duncan said waiting for Ryland to get to the reason for interrupting him and Jordan.
Ryland leaned forward. “The dealer had an interesting story to tell.”
“Tell me.”
