words. Work him over with sex and love and confidence. Show him how right he was to gift Judd with his trust. But that was the enforcer burning in him, the wolf. That was action and physicality and getting lost in passion. Judd needed to guard against that part of his nature or he’d scare Colin away.
“Second lesson, Gingersnap. I know it’s not your thing, but I always want you touching me – petting, leaning, grabbing, riding, humping. Any or all of that. Your hands on me are about the best part of any day. I only just started getting them and already I want more. All the time. Anytime you like.”
Colin dipped his head, smiled. Put his hands back on Judd. This time he reached forward to stroke Judd’s bicep. Judd was leaning on his elbows to look up at Colin.
“I want those hands around my cock. I want those long graceful fingers of yours opening me up.”
“Oh. Fuck. The things you say.” Colin was lobster red.
“Would you like that, baby? Your strong lily-white hands on my hips gripping and digging in as you fuck me?”
“Judd.” Colin’s voice was a low, shaken hiss. “You’re so much more than I should get to have.”
Judd decided not to unpack that. Decided instead to roll over, expose his belly – offer seductive vulnerability. Show Colin that he was turned on, eager.
Colin gave a little gasp. “I thought you said…”
“Not tonight, yeah? But see, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to. Doesn’t mean I won’t talk dirty. Doesn’t mean we can’t talk, share what we like. What you want to try.”
“With you? I want to try everything.”
Judd let his head drop back. Looked at his mate upside-down.
Colin licked his lips, his eyes avid on Judd’s groin. Made Judd wonder if Colin had eyed his ass while he’d been curled the other direction. His Gingersnap seemed to like his ass a whole lot. He hoped that was a sign Colin really did want to fuck him.
“I’d say you could explore further. But your hands all over me right now would be too much.”
Colin was clearly turned on but also overwhelmed and terrified. He let out a long, shaky breath. “That’s nice to know. But you said you wanted to wait and I’m gonna respect your boundaries. Even though you’re a tease. I’m not sure how I’m gonna get to sleep.” He moved to his knees and pushed up, gesturing down so Judd could see the large bulge that pressed against his loose sweatpants.
Judd chuckled. “What a pair we are.”
“Tomorrow, the real lessons start?”
“You’ve had some already.”
“You know what I mean. Tomorrow, you promise?”
“I promise. Now let’s brush our teeth and climb under the covers. Even if we can’t sleep, it’ll be nice to cuddle. You can pet me some more.”
“Oh I can, can I? Seems you get more out of it than I do.”
“You love it.”
Colin climbed out of bed, made his way out into the hall towards the bathroom. “I really do.”
10
I’m So Lonesome I Could Howl
Colin awoke to the warm joy of being held. He awoke to touch down the length of his body, something he’d never had before. He didn’t flinch away but he did come awake with his heart stress-beating, terrified by need. The smell of want and other overwhelmed him. His own lust and desperate desire transformed instantly into a terrifying red flashing behind his eyelids. Need, fear, need, fear like a heartbeat, like the throbbing in his cock.
He thought he might hyperventilate.
And he really had to pee.
Grateful for the excuse, he threw himself out of Judd’s bed and dashed to the bathroom down the hall. After washing his hands, he leaned hard on the sink, stared at his scared white face in the mirror. Tried to hate himself only a little for what he knew he’d do next – leave Judd to wake up alone.
Walking back, he paused at the door of his own bedroom. He let himself look longingly down the hallway towards Judd’s room. For some reason, in that moment, a part of him wanted desperately to change into a wolf. Him! The shifter who rarely shifted. He supposed choices were simpler in that shape.
Marvin emerged from the master suite at the far end of the hallway, fully dressed. Or as fully dressed as Marvin got. He wore a wide-necked pink shirt, raspberry yoga pants, and fuzzy socks.
That decided Colin. He couldn’t possibly walk to Judd’s room with Marvin watching him do it. Marvin, who was