Excerpt for “MATES, INC”

Blurb:

Congratulations! You have a FATED MATE!

That was what the card said. Grey, an Alpha wolf shifter, laughed at it, though. Fated mate? What a joke! He had tried enough dating websites in the last month to choke a horse shifter and he was done with all of them. Besides, having a mate would mean joining a pack and that would just bring up a past Grey had no intention of doing.

But MATES, INC. had an agenda that would not be ignored or put off. Grey had a mate. And the powers that be were determined he was going to meet him come hell, high water, or a past best forgotten.

Excerpt

“Gotta feed the wolf.” 

That surprised him. “Excuse me?” he mumbled through his chewing. 

“Alpha, right?” 

“Mmm.” Grey nodded. How the hell had Kade known? Even though he was now probably considered a regular here, Coyote’s was open to anyone. Even humans, as Donlan had proven.  

As if Kade heard Grey’s unasked question, he leaned forward. “I could smell it.” He closed his eyes and slowly breathed in yet again, close enough to Grey to make him know that was exactly what he was doing. Kade stepped back and said, “I’m an Omega, after all. But you probably knew that.” 

Oh. Yeah. That made sense. For a second he was thrown off guard. The whole day had been unsettling, with the thought that his past had caught up to him and was front and center. Not that it would have been an issue. Just embarrassing. Alphas didn’t run away. Not good Alphas anyway. 

Suddenly, the appetite he’d thought he had was gone.  

Damn. He was over Nick. He was. Hell, the two of them had never even been together. There was nothing to get over. Still, he had dreamt about the man, had lost himself in daydreams of him. But lately, ever since he’d met Kade, he didn’t even think about the man. He was over that obsession. 

It was hard not belonging to a pack, though.  

Oh, he’d had offers. There were two or three major packs in the immediate area. But as hard as it was to not belong, to belong was harder yet. There was just so much to explain, and he wasn’t sure he was ever going to be ready. Not that a new pack would insist on knowing every detail. But they did need to know some things; like why he’d left, why a new pack was important to him, was he a danger to himself or others. Especially an Alpha. They would want to know the scars he carried so that they could figure out whether or not he would be a good addition or a detriment to his new pack. He knew that. He’d been on the committee in his old pack that had made those kinds of decisions and had seen some major, fucked-up scars on shifters. Oh yes, there was a long standard list of questions to answer. There was so much that a new pack had to consider, it was the reason he couldn’t move forward. His reasons for leaving were so…so…petty, so self-serving.  

But maybe that was the first step. Not finding a boyfriend or even a fuck buddy because that just seemed so wrong now. Finding a pack. Switching his focus to that would be better for him all the way around. 

Except even that decision made him feel absolutely pathetic. What the hell? Why was he so afraid to be alone? 

Crap, crap, crap! 

But was that it? He was afraid to be alone? 

No. Not afraid of being alone. Afraid of ending up alone. 

“Hey, something wrong with the steak?” 

Kade’s soft, encouraging voice broke through the fog of Grey’s black thoughts and he was grateful. It had been six months. Six solid months. It was time to move not only forward, but beyond. Point was, he had really been through absolutely nothing back then and he had put himself into this present hell hole. No one else was to blame.  

“No. Steak’s fine, just fine.” He absently took another piece into his mouth. Oh yeah. Steak was very fine. He closed his eyes as he savored it. That’s what he needed to do. He needed to think about the here and now. Not yesterday, when he’d thought Nick was who he wanted, and not tomorrow, when he had to face a life without Kade, a man he needed. Not even about this afternoon when he’d allowed something possibly very special to slip away.  

Only think about the steak.  

He licked his lips, capturing the juices and the flavor almost as if he were tasting that little wolf. He imagined that instead of losing him, he had caught him, forced him to surrender, forced him to submit. The smaller wolf would bare his throat and Grey would mark him with a mating bite.  

But, what about Kade? How could that small wolf out there in the woods have been his mate when all he could think about was Kade? Kade submitting, Kade baring his neck for the mating mark…

To buy: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2293-Mates-Inc.aspx 

Author bio:

Hurri Cosmo lives in Minnesota where she holds tight to the idea that there, where it’s cold a good part of the year, she won’t age as fast. Yep, she avoids the truth as much as she avoids mirrors. But one of the reasons she loves writing is reality doesn’t always offer up a “happily ever after” and being able to take control of that is a powerful lure. Being a happy ending junkie, writing just makes them easier to find. Oh, she doesn’t mind “real life” and she does try to at least keep it in mind when she writes her stories, but she truly loves creating a wonderful couple, knowing they will fall in love and have their HEA. Every - single - time. And, of course, that is exactly the reason she loves reading this genre, too. Give her a glass of red wine, some dark chocolate, and her computer, whether she is reading or writing, and she will entertain herself for hours. The fact she actually gets paid to do it is Snickers bars on the frosting on the cake.

You can find me at:

Website: http://hurricosmo.webs.com/
Blog: http://hurricosmo.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialHurriCosmo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HurriCosmo

Other books by Hurri Cosmo:
Amber Allure:
How West Was Won
The Superior Jewel
Ice Dragon Tales (contains the first two books in the series, The Servant Prince and The Servant King)
The One
Forgetting Yesterday
Saving Jack
Talasar’s Elixir (Book one in the Dragon for Hire series)
Amber Moon (Part of the Intoxicating Fantasies series)
Chase and Capture
Baby, Think it Over
The Door Keeper
LADDERS
A Place to Belong
The Neighbors – A Vampire Story

*_*_*

Mates, Inc. by Hurri Cosmo is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

LATEST PAX RELEASE - Perfect Connections

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Perfect Connections AmberPax™ Collection. Buy all five together and receive a 35% discount! To purchase any of the titles individually, click on the covers below to go to the books' separate pages. 

Making a Wish by Shawn Lane Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Mates, Inc. by Hurri Cosmo Novella (Gay)

Not Without My Phone! by Heidi Champa Novella (Gay)

Textual Attraction by K-lee Klein Extended Novella (Gay)

Thank You, Ranch Romances by Deirdre O'Dare Novella (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (11/22-11/27) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Mates, Inc. by Hurri Cosmo

Congratulations! You have a fated mate!

That’s what the card says. Grey, an Alpha wolf shifter, laughs at it, though. Fated mate? What a joke! He has tried enough dating websites in the last month to choke a horse shifter and he’s done with all of them. Besides, having a mate would mean joining a pack, and that will just bring up a past Grey has no intention of doing.

But Mates, Inc. has an agenda that can not be ignored or put off. Grey has a mate, and the powers that be are determined he’s going to meet him come hell or high water...or a past best forgotten...

Genres: Gay/Dark Fantasy/Werewolf/Shapeshifter/Paranormal/Romantic Comedy
Heat Level: 2
Length: Novella (22k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...Not letting out his wolf as often as he wanted to had made those first few moments in his fur awkward and sluggish. Tonight had been no exception. It had been at least a month. Pretty much ever since he started “dating.”

Another reason to stop that insanity.

Next he took a trail that led off the hill and straight toward the river. He had no intention of actually getting to the river, just grab the trail that ran parallel. That particular trail was clearer of obstacles and he could go full out. He simply wanted to run.

But at some point he also had to think as well. That was the real reason he’d come out here.

He slowed as he neared the water and the primitive path alongside it, then let loose and ran. He wasn’t sure for how long, ten minutes maybe. Finally he came to a clearing, shifted back to his human form and flopped down on the grass. This was also one of the things he missed. Lying naked in the grass after a good run under a rising Mating Moon, even if he wasn’t with someone. He sighed.

No, one night stands were not for him. He knew that. Even being the Alpha that he was, it just wasn’t right for him. To find his fated mate would be like finding heaven. Deep down it was what he had always dreamed of.

So what about this Mates, Inc. then?

First question…was he being watched? Had someone from his old pack come to check up on him since his membership had yet to be transferred? It was actually nice to think they would do something like that but, no. He didn’t think so.

Then what?

Okay. In thinking about it, he could understand the website using the terminology “today” because most people would check out something like that card right away. Even he had done it. It had been a logical guess on their part. If he went on the site tomorrow, it would still say the same thing. And in that case he would not have received the card that day.

Even their knowing Grey was gay wasn’t that big of a mystery. It was probably just a coincidence that the card said “he” and that was what he was into. They didn’t “know” anything.

But the Mating Moon wasn’t always just around the corner. That was the real kicker. There were months in the way of that, so their committing to the just in time thing? Shit. That was just crazy.

Okay, Grey, breathe. Even that was explainable. It was a Were mating/dating site, right? The Mating Moon may not always be around the corner like it was right now but it was always on the way. So maybe even that statement worked. He was just tired, that was all. He had simply had some bad experiences ever since coming to Davenshire. With no pack to rely on, no mate in sight, not to mention the bad luck he’d had in the dating department, that had to be what he was really upset over.

Yeah.

Had to be.

Then he heard a rustle in the woods right beside him. He looked over and saw a small, beautiful wolf staring back at him from the bushes and something clicked inside him.

Mate!

He shifted before he gained his feet, and was suddenly in hot pursuit as the little wolf howled a mating call and took off.

Shit, but he was fast!...

Interview with Bradley McFarren from “A Place to Belong” by Hurri Cosmo

Logan Perry was offered a job caring for an elderly lady a thousand miles from his home in Iowa. Looking for a place to hide, it seems to be the perfect opportunity to escape. So Logan runs to Texas. All he wants is a roof over his head and food in his stomach. So moving into the amazing McFarren Manor he believes is all he needs.

Bradley McFarren is only looking for someone to care for his aging grandmother. Too busy with the family multi-billion dollar real estate firm, he just doesn't have time. With no personal life to speak of, Bradley has kept his heart safe. As long as Gail, his beloved grandmother, is cared for, he thinks it's all he needs.

But what both their hearts truly desire is a place to belong.

So begins the journey of a love that will not be denied; a love bigger than the state of Texas.

What can you tell us about yourself, Mr. McFarren?

My grandmother would call me a workaholic and she’s probably right. I do spend most of my waking hours dealing with McFarren Properties.

Are you married?

Oh no. I vowed early on I would never subject a family to what this business can do to one.

What do you mean?

Like I said, I spend most of my time working on either putting a deal together, working on a pending transaction or trying to handle a crisis of some kind. I just don’t have time for a family. I have enough trouble finding time to see my Grandmother.

What is McFarren Properties?

(Laughs) Well, let me see, how do I put this? We buy and sell real estate all over the world, I guess, is the easiest way to say it. Some of them we keep and manage but most we broker off as soon as we acquire them.

Sounds exciting.

It was at one time. I’m kind of tired of it these days. 

Are you regretful you don’t have a child or children to hand the business down to so that you could retire?

Well, I’m only 45 at the moment so I really don’t want to think about retirement yet. But in answer to your question, no. I am not at all regretful I do not have children. I wouldn’t have known them, just like I didn’t know my dad. This business took him away from my mom and me, too, and likewise, his dad away from him. I needed to break the cycle. That’s why I chose the lifestyle I did.

Sounds rather lonely. Do you date?

I have in the past.

Not now? How come?

I… I’m not really sure. I used to see a few women off and on. We would go to dinner or dancing, something to break up the monotony of my life. Going to a restaurant alone is just too pathetic. But now… I don’t know. I don’t feel the need. Instead I hurry to McFarren Manor whenever I can. It’s where I feel most at ease, calm. I can honestly forget about life when I’m there.

You’re very close to your Grandmother.

Yes. But that’s not all of it. I hired a nurse about three years ago. A man. A gay man by the name of Logan Perry. (Laughs) He is a joy to both my grandmother and me. He’s funny, bright, efficient. He even runs the house although that was not his original job. Simply taking care of Gail was plenty but I guess in order to do that he felt he needed to take over the entire house.

Has that been an issue with the other staff?

Oh no, not at all. They all love him. Every one of them. They would do anything for him and I have to admit, I probably would, too.

A gay man, you said? How does that work? Does he date?

(Narrows eyes, rubs chin) No. I don’t think so. I… I’ve never asked him, though, so… 

Would that bother you?

That he dates? I… I’m not sure. I think it would. But… I’m not sure why.

How is your grandmother?

Unfortunately, she has a very serious cancer which originally we thought we took care of with surgery. When it came back, she refused all treatment.

So she’s not doing well?

We are all just taking it one day at a time. I try to get there as often as I can. In fact, I received a summons from her so I am headed there right after this interview.

A summons? Sounds serious.

Not sure. She said she has something she needs to discuss with me. (Laughs)

What? Why are you laughing?

She told me she was going to shock me.

Shock you?

Yes. She had something to tell me. Something she said I should have figured out three years ago but I’m too stubborn.

Three years ago? Isn’t that when you hired Logan?

(Eyes go wide) Yeah, it is. Weird. Anyway, I need to get going. I don’t want to keep Gail waiting. 

I certainly would like to know what it is she’s planning on telling you.

Oh wow. If it’s about Logan then so do I. So do I.

Buy Link: 

http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2259-A-Place-To-Belong.aspx

Author bio:

Hurri Cosmo lives in Minnesota where she holds tight to the idea that there, where it’s cold a good part of the year, she won’t age as fast. Yep, she avoids the truth as much as she avoids mirrors. But one of the reasons she loves writing is reality doesn’t always offer up a “happily ever after” and being able to take control of that is a powerful lure. Being a happy ending junkie, writing just makes them easier to find. Oh, she doesn’t mind “real life” and she does try to at least keep it in mind when she writes her stories, but she truly loves creating a wonderful couple, knowing they will fall in love and have their HEA. Every - single - time. And, of course, that is exactly the reason she loves reading this genre, too. Give her a glass of red wine, some dark chocolate, and her computer, whether she is reading or writing, and she will entertain herself for hours. The fact she actually gets paid to do it is Snickers bars on the frosting on the cake.

You can find me at:
Website: http://hurricosmo.webs.com/
Blog: http://hurricosmo.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialHurriCosmo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HurriCosmo

Other Amber Allure books by Hurri Cosmo can be found at Amber Quill Press.

*_*_*

A Place to Belong by Hurri Cosmo is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post, making sure to include your email so we have a way to contact you. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

LATEST PAX RELEASE - Texas Roundup

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Texas Roundup AmberPax™ Collection. Buy all five together and receive a 35% discount! To purchase any of the titles individually, click on the covers below to go to the books' separate pages. 

A Cowboy Out of Texas by Sean Michael Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Pearls, Porches, and Peanuts by A.J. Llewellyn Novella (Gay)

A Place to Belong by Hurri Cosmo Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Ride Your Luck by KC Kendricks Extended Novella (Gay)

Unwanted Hearts by K-lee Klein Novella (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (9/20-9/25) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

A Place to Belong by Hurri Cosmo

Logan Perry is offered a job caring for an elderly lady in Texas, a thousand miles from his home in Iowa. Since he has been looking for a place to hide, this seems the perfect opportunity to escape. All he wants is a roof over his head and food in his stomach, so moving into the amazing McFarren Manor is all he needs.

Bradley McFarren is looking only for someone to care for his aging grandmother. Too busy with the family’s multi-billion-dollar Real Estate firm, he just doesn’t have time for more. And with no personal life to speak of, Bradley has kept his heart safe. As long as Gail, his beloved grandmother, is cared for, that’s all he needs.

But what both men’s hearts truly desire is a place to belong. So for Logan and Bradley, thus begins the journey of a love that will not be denied...a love bigger than the state of Texas.

Genres: Gay/Contemporary
Heat Level: 2
Length: Novella (20k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...“Hello. My name is Bradley McFarren.” He had held out his perfectly manicured hand, and Logan was almost afraid to touch it. But then Bradley enveloped Logan’s fingers in his own, and it was almost as if he swallowed Logan in one gulp.

Logan remembered being thrilled at that thought. In fact, it had been the first time in a very long time that Logan had become aroused. Going to school and then working more than full-time kept him incredibly busy, and his life in a tiny conservative town had not allowed for him to do much in the way of exploring relationships of any kind.

“Hi. I’m Logan Perry,” he had breathed.

“Well, Logan Perry, please sit down.” Bradley had indicated a chair in front of a massive desk, and Logan had slipped into it, perching on the edge, trying like everything to hide his rabid interest. “I’ve looked over your resume and, I have to say, I’m intrigued. What makes a fine-looking young man like you even apply for this type of a position?”

Logan had smiled like an idiot when the gorgeous man called him “fine looking.” But Bradley had been right in that a young man wanting to take care of his eighty-nine year old grandmother had to seem odd. Logan remembered thinking he would never even be called for an interview, much less receive the job, but he needed to escape his pathetic existence in Iowa. When he received the tip, through a friend, of a private nursing job all the way down in Texas, he knew he had to try for it. Room, board, a small allowance, the use of a car and hundreds of miles away from Iowa, it was the perfect opportunity for escape. Now that he was here, he was determined to at least be considered.

“First of all, Mr. McFarren, I’m not sure that thirty years old is actually considered young, but I’m a well-trained RN. I’ve enjoyed years of working in rehab centers in their transitional care and assisted living areas. I am very patient and kind, and love the older generation. I trust you have checked my references. You will find I am a perfect choice for your grandmother’s companion.”

“But you’re a man. I have to admit, the only real reason I am interviewing you is because I wanted to know why a man would apply for this position. So far, all I have and all you have given me are your qualifications. Which are stellar because, in answer to your statement, of course I checked your references, but none of the ones on your resume. Having money gives me the ability to take the inside track. To be frank, I was impressed by your work ethic and standards. I found nothing but glowing reports of how wonderfully you do your job. But you see, Mr. Perry, I adore my grandmother. She means the world to me and I have no intention of allowing just anyone access to her. No matter how qualified. What I want to know is your motive in wanting this job.”

“Motive, sir?”

“You’re coming all the way from Iowa. Have you no family? Friends? Why are you running, Mr. Perry?”

Logan had been shocked at first but then decided the truth, in all its ugliness, was best anyway. If he was going to get the job, that truth would have to be known...

The Door Keeper by Hurri Cosmo

For a taste of what to expect, check out the video trailer!

*_*_*

The Minneapolis/St. Paul 77th police precinct has been labeled a group of misfits, but it’s actually rather unfair. In reality, the precinct has plenty of talent in its midst...paranormal talent. Of course, no one on the “outside” really knows that. And Nick, the boss of the 77th, keeps his team busy chasing, capturing, and returning to where they belong all those creepy-crawly things that tend to go “bump” in the night. Together, the officers of the 77th keep the twin cities safe and totally unaware that doors to other realms even exist, while Nick, the Door Keeper, maintains order in what would otherwise be chaos.

But chaos has materialized in the form of a dangerous vampire. Viciously brutal, he is a killing machine and must be stopped at all costs. So the last thing Nick needs is another partner, especially one as sexy and distracting as Arrain.

Yet Arrain intends to be far more than just a partner. He has come to be paired with Nick, something Nick cannot allow, mainly because he has a secret that he intends to keep.

Arrain, however, has a few secrets of his own, and one thing he knows is that the vampire intends to not only kill the Door Keeper, but to take his power. Now, Arrain might be the only one who can save Nick, and the twin cities, from total destruction.

To read an excerpt, head on over to Amber Allure.

*_*_*

The Door Keeper by Hurri Cosmo is now available at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all, and that's multiple chances to win!

LATEST PAX RELEASE - Tales from the 77th Precinct

Genres: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance

The titles listed below comprise the Tales from the 77th Precinct AmberPax™ Collection. Buy all five together and receive a 35% discount! To purchase any of the titles individually, click on the covers below to go to the books' separate pages. 

Crazy Joe by A.J. Llewellyn & D.J. Manly Novella (Gay)

The Door Keeper by Hurri Cosmo Extended Novella (Gay)

Eye for the Prize by Darcy Abriel Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Lime Gelatin and Other Monsters by Angel Martinez Novella (Gay)

Scarecrows and Devils by T.A. Chase Extended Novella (Gay)

 

In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Any comment made from today throughout the week (5/24-5/29) will be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

The Door Keeper by Hurri Cosmo

The Minneapolis/St. Paul 77th police precinct has been labeled a group of misfits, but it's actually rather unfair. In reality, the precinct has plenty of talent in its midst...paranormal talent. Of course, no one on the outside really knows that. And Nick, the boss of the 77th, keeps his team busy chasing, capturing, and returning to where they belong all those creepy-crawly things that tend to go bump in the night. Together, the officers of the 77th keep the twin cities safe and totally unaware that doors to other realms even exist, while Nick, the Door Keeper, maintains order in what would otherwise be chaos.

But chaos has materialized in the form of a dangerous vampire. Viciously brutal, he is a killing machine and must be stopped at all costs. So the last thing Nick needs is another partner, especially one as sexy and distracting as Arrain.

Yet Arrain intends to be far more than just a partner. He has come to be paired with Nick, something Nick cannot allow, mainly because he has a secret that he intends to keep.

Arrain, however, has a few secrets of his own, and one thing he knows is that the vampire intends to not only kill the Door Keeper, but to take his power. Now, Arrain might be the only one who can save Nick, and the twin cities, from total destruction. 

Genres: Gay/Dark Fantasy/Vampire/Paranormal/Mystery/Detective/Suspense/Thriller/             Action/Adventure
Heat Level: 3

Length: Extended Novella (36k words) 

Read a short excerpt...

...Arrain took two more steps, which brought him right into Nick’s personal space. Nick closed his eyes and breathed in Arrain’s scent. Somehow he had committed it to memory during that short, almost adolescent, make-out session they’d had had back in the alley. And now all he wanted to do was submit to this man who dominated his every thought by simply being in front of him.

But having his eyes closed was not good. How could he take in the nakedness of the god with his eyes closed? Except when he did open them, his whole field of vision was taken up by Arrain’s eyes. Then his lips were on his and Arrain’s tongue was pushing through them and into him. Oh! How could a tongue feel so good? Nick noticed Arrain’s arms circling around him and pulling him close. Somehow Nick’s arms were already around Arrain’s neck. When had he done that? Did it matter? Their bodies were pressed together, chest to chest, groin to groin and wait! What the hell were Nick’s arms doing up so high? There was naked flesh to fondle and touch and squeeze and places where his fingers would be oh so happy to go. What was this towel still doing covering this man? Towels should be outlawed, done away with totally.

Oh! Wonderful fleshy cheeks that obeyed Nick’s hands when he moved them and kneaded them and pushed his digits down between them. Was that a moan coming from Arrain?

Yes! Oh, such sounds, like he was enjoying Nick’s hands on him. Nick certainly relished using his hands. And his fingers. There. His opening. Could he push inside? Just a little?

“What are you doing?” Arrain’s voice was raspy as he pulled out of the kiss.

“Investigating.” Nick wished he had lube here, condoms. Damn. He hadn’t been with anyone in so long that he didn’t even carry any with him.

Arrain looked down on Nick. “You want to begin the pairing?”

“Wow. A true romantic.” Nick pushed his finger deeper. Arrain chuckled. Nick grunted. “Geez. You’re laughing. Also not the reaction I was going for.”

Arrain made a quick movement backward, which dislodged Nick’s finger. But what Arrain did next made Nick forget all about it. Arrain dropped to his knees and started to undo Nick’s pants. But, damn. He hadn’t showered and he really needed to. He stopped Arrain’s hands and stepped back.

“Wait, big guy. I need a shower first then we can play all we want.”

“No problem. I’ll help. It’ll go faster.”

It was Nick’s turn to chuckle as he finished with the button and fly on his pants. “I doubt that.”

“Okay. Let me change that statement. We’ll both come faster.”

“That what this pairing thing is, then? Slam, bam?” Nick stepped out of his filthy jeans, Arrain making it nearly impossible by moving closer to start unbuttoning his shirt. Once again his heady scent was driving Nick crazy.

“Well, this first time certainly will be for me. I’m so fucking hot, Nick. Seeing this body constantly, smelling you, wanting desperately to touch you all the time. I know I will not be able to hold out for long.”

Well, Nick had to admit, probably longer then he would.

And, yeah. The man was fucking hot.

Finally naked, Nick suddenly felt self-conscience about his older, skinnier body. His skin wasn’t tight anymore, he was pale everywhere, there were spots and scars. Nearly hairless except for his groin area, Nick was mortified when he saw all the gray mixed in with the black pubic hair. When the fuck had he turned old there? Shit. His heart beating wildly, he turned away, except now he was exposing his probably saggy old ass to the man of his dreams. His young dreams. Damn it...