before meeting his gaze again. “You’re making it very difficult to resist kissing you, Cardin.”
“I-I am?”
Nodding once, Leortis licked his lips.
Cardin swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Cardin,” Leortis whispered, unable to deny the pull he felt.
Dipping his head, Leortis once again prepared to kiss his mate.
“Sire?”
Warzer’s voice cut into his haze of need, and Leortis lifted his head. Breathing heavily, he asked huskily, “Yes?”
“Cardin’s boyfriend, Shawn, is at the gate.”
Cardin tensed in Leortis’s hold. “He is?”
Leortis didn’t like the squeak in his sweet human’s voice as he heard Warzer confirm his statement.
Frowning, Cardin wondered aloud, “How’d he find me?”
When Cardin began to rise, Leortis moved his hand to his hip and held him in place. “Stay, beautiful,” he urged, rubbing his human’s back with his other hand, hoping to help soothe him. “Let’s see what he has to say about that?”
Cardin didn’t look convinced, and he remained tense and sitting upright, but at least he nodded.
“Allow him entrance, Warzer,” Leortis ordered, even though it wasn’t even his home. Then he turned his attention to Vicar. “How about some of that amazing food I smell?” Gently massaging the knobs of Cardin’s spine, Leortis asked, “What would you like to eat, beautiful?”
Chapter Four
Cardin knew he should get up as he answered, “A cheeseburger, please. Bacon, too, if there’s any.” He should move to another chair. No way should he face his cheating boyfriend while sitting between the legs of another man. Except, Cardin enjoyed the feel of the big man’s hands on his body.
I just hope no one notices the bulge behind the fly of my jeans.
“You smell good,” Leo murmured into Cardin’s ear. He winked as he cast a pointed glance downward. “Can’t wait to explore why.”
Feeling his heart thud in his chest even as his blood heated further, Cardin nibbled his bottom lip.
So much for no one noticing.
“And your lip.” Leo hissed as he moved the hand from Cardin’s back and cupped his own groin, blatantly adjusting a very large bulge. Continuing to hold Cardin’s gaze, Leo told him, “Once I have you, I’m going to kiss you every damn time you do that.”
“Really?” Cardin would forever deny the squeak in his voice. “Y-You like it when I nibble my lip?”
Shawn hated it.
Leo leveled a heated smile upon him that sent a fresh wash of heat through Cardin’s veins. “Oh, yes.”
Unable to help himself, Cardin smiled shyly even as he nibbled his bottom lip.
His grin turning feral, Leo rumbled, “Oh, I can see you’re going to be trouble, beautiful.”
“I-Is that good?” Cardin didn’t know where he gathered enough bravado to ask that.
Leo’s eyes narrowed as he leaned closer and whispered in Cardin’s ear, “Very, very good, Cardin.”
“Sire, uh, Sir?” Vicar cut in after clearing his throat. “I have some plates for you.”
Cardin looked up and saw how Vicar managed to juggle four heavily laden plates between his two hands. Feeling impressed, he wondered if the guy had been a waiter at some point. Reaching up, Cardin took the two plates off the big black man’s left arm while Leo did the same from his right.
“Here you go,” Vicar continued, dragging a small side table close to them. “I’ll go get drinks. What would you like, Cardin?”
“Um, a beer would be great.”
While Cardin figured eleven-thirty in the morning was a bit early to drink, he’d noticed a bunch of the other guys enjoying one. Besides, he could use a little liquid courage to deal with what he knew was coming. Cardin couldn’t decide what made him more nervous—facing Shawn or staying near Leo.
“You got it,” Vicar headed away.
“He didn’t ask you what you wanted,” Cardin commented, meeting Leo’s gaze. “That was kinda rude.”
Leo chuckled softly as he reached for what had to be a bratwurst, judging by the size of the dog within the thick bun. It was loaded with cheese, pickles, chili, onions, ketchup, and mustard. “He knows what I want, beautiful,” he told him, cradling the food in a napkin. Then Leo winked at him. “But thank you for being concerned.”
Cardin peered over the offerings, trying to get the heat he felt from just that wink under control. Picking up an orangish-colored potato chip, he murmured, “How long have you known Vicar? I assume he’s your bodyguard, right?” There was no other explanation for their watchful attitudes.
“Yes, and I’ve known him...” Leo trailed off on a hum. “Well, a long time that feels like a lifetime.”
Cardin nodded as he chewed, picking up the cheeseburger, pleased to see the