fingers touched.
Liam had never believed in fated mates. Sure, he’d read the romance books and enjoyed the stories. But if such a thing did exist, Liam had convinced himself it was for other types of shifters—wolves, bears, big cats.
Did foxes have fated mates? And if they did, could a fox and a wolf possibly be soulmates?
Being a librarian meant knowing how to research. Liam decided he had a new project—to find out everything he could about fated mates.
With a groan, Liam put down his empty mug, staggered to the shower, and tried to clear his head.
He hadn’t just awakened to thoughts of Russ. He’d woken with a stiff, aching cock from a wet dream so vivid he’d creamed his sleep pants like a teenager.
Russ’s muscles looked even better naked. His solid body pinned Liam to the mattress just the way he liked it, and the bristle of his salt-and-pepper body hair against Liam’s smooth skin made every nerve tingle.
Strong thighs and a sculpted ass had Liam hard and dripping even before he’d gotten a glimpse of Russ’s thick, uncut cock and heavy balls.
All the better to fuck you with, my dear.
Liam knew he looked like a twink, but he was more than capable of topping, and he liked to switch. With a guy Russ’s size, the idea of taking it up against the wall sounded like something out of his favorite porn. But Dream-Russ moved slowly and carefully, not like he thought Liam was fragile, but because he thought he was precious. Valuable. Worthy of savoring.
Even when Liam had begged, the Russ in his dream took his time, a careful and generous lover, making sure Liam’s needs were met beyond his wildest expectations. Then Russ had chased his own release, shooting deep inside Liam’s ass, bareback so Liam felt his hot come marking him, filling him up. Liam had tilted his head, baring his neck, an unspoken invitation.
Russ had growled, and then his teeth pierced the skin, claiming Liam as his own—
“Holy shit, that was hot,” Liam muttered, unable to avoid noticing that he was already hard again, just from the memory.
My brain needed some good chemicals, and whipped up a perfect lover with Russ’s face and body, Liam told himself. Shit, I bet I could count on both hands how many times I’ve jerked off since Kelson and I broke up. Wasn’t in the mood. Now I meet Mr. Sexy Wolf, and I’m hot and ready?
I’ve got to get a grip. I think I’m losing my mind.
His fox swished its red, bushy tail, impatiently. No, we’ve found our mate.
Fated mates are only in romance books.
Amber eyes narrowed, unamused. He is our mate. His scent is unmistakable. Not like that other one.
Liam sighed. I was wrong not to listen to you.
That tail swish could have outdone the flick of a feather boa from every drag queen on every runway in the world. I tried to tell you, darling. You wouldn’t listen. But what do I know? I’m only your wildly intuitive other half.
Dramatic much?
The fox smiled at him, baring the tips of his fangs and a bit of his pink tongue. Always. Might as well add cunning and wily—we’re going to need it with a huntsman after this beautiful tail.
No one is getting your tail.
Maybe not mine, but you can give yours up to that gorgeous wolf any time, his fox replied, with an expression Liam could only consider a leer. He might be a wolf, but he’s a total silver fox.
Liam sighed in exasperation. He’s only a few years older than I am. Ever heard of premature gray?
Or as I call it, “hello, Daddy.”
You’re incorrigible.
Oh sweetie, I encourage a lot. We could do worse than having a wolf watching our back. No one is going to come through him to get to us. We’d be safe.
Liam cringed, admitting that the same calculation had crossed his very-human mind. Russ is a good guy. I’m not going to use him for protection. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.
I deserve to be a kept fox. I have expensive tastes. Raw rabbit disturbs my digestion.
I am not looking to be a “kept” anything. Give me a little breathing room. I need to figure things out.
That tail swished again, eloquent without words. Fated matings are never wrong. You picked the last few boyfriends, and how did that work out? But what do I know…
With that, his fox flounced off to the corners of his mind, but the glint in his amber eyes made