Patience Page 14

  “So, what is it you do, Jamie?” Molly asked as she served him pot roast.

  “I’m a student—”

  “He works with me,” Chad said at the same time. He frowned and looked over at Jamie. “Well, I guess until you go back to school. I never thought to ask if you wanted to finish. I just sort of assumed you would.”

  Jamie blinked at him. “I figured you’d want me to, especially if I’m working with you.”

  Chad snorted. “That piece of paper isn’t going to matter to me.”

  “Huh.” Jamie shrugged. “If you don’t care, I certainly don’t. They’re all gen eds, anyway, like I told you. I was certainly not looking forward to another year of school.”

  Chad nodded. “It’s up to you, baby, really.”

  “I’m still here,” Molly reminded them.

  Chad laughed. “He was a criminal justice major at Pitt. He’s got great instincts—already helped me on the job I’ve got now.”

  She smiled at Jamie. “Well, isn’t that wonderful! How did you two meet?”

  Jamie froze, gaze meeting Chad’s. How the hell did they explain this? “I, uh, ran into him, almost literally, in Oakland. He, err, helped get me out of some trouble.”

  She blinked at him, then raised an eyebrow. “Trouble?”

  “He was about to get a ticket, and I helped talk the guy out of it.”

  “A ticket? In Oakland? What was it for?”

  “Speeding—”

  “Parking—” They stared at each other, blushing.

  “Uh-huh. Which is it?”

  Shit. “Um… actually it was for having my dog off his leash,” Jamie blurted, then stuffed some pot roast in his mouth.

  Chad glared at him and mouthed Chicken.

  “Your dog? He has a dog?” she asked, turning to Chad.

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “What kind of dog?”

  If Jamie didn’t know better, he’d have sworn she knew something. Her facial expression said she didn’t believe a word of this. He sighed and cleared his throat. “It’s not a dog. And it’s not mine. I guess, if it’s anyone’s, it’s Chad’s,” he said, quietly.

  Her lips twitched and she looked between them. “Let me guess. It’s got blond fur, black eyes, and shows up once a month around the full moon?”

  Jamie stared at her. Did she know…?

  “Actually, he shows up more often than that,” Chad said, nodding, as if that proved anything.

  She nodded too. “So, are you destined mates, then?”

  Jamie choked on his pot roast, and Chad pounded him on the back, though he looked as stunned as Jamie felt. “Uh…,” Jamie said, blinking as he tried to breathe. Both he and Chad stared at her for a long time.

  “You’re a shifter, right?”

  Jamie coughed, glancing at Chad before focusing again on Molly. “Uh, you… know about them?”

  She smiled and nodded. “Yes. I knew a shifter a long time ago. So, you are, then?”

  Jamie nodded. “Yeah, I am.”

  “And you’re destined mates?”

  Chad still hadn’t spoken. He was stunned enough, Jamie wasn’t even sensing his emotions. “Mom? How? I….”

  She laughed. “There are… tells, if you know what to look for. For one thing, their first instinct seems to be to smell everything. I noticed Jamie smelling me as soon as he stepped through the door.”

  Jamie blushed, knowing it was way too true. He remembered sniffing her the second he stepped inside the house. Then sniffing for the dog, at least.

  “Also, though, you almost called him mate twice on the phone the other day when we were talking about dinner. You corrected yourself quickly, but I caught it. And no, I’m not one. I’d think you would have noticed me turning into a wolf once a month. I just knew one and spent a lot of time around them. Sworn to secrecy, but I suppose it’s okay to talk to you about them, right? Have you spoken with the local alpha?”

  Chad shook his head hard. “Wow. Uh, well, okay. Yeah, I met him the other day. And, uh, yeah. Jamie is my mate. My destined mate.”

  She beamed at him. “Oh, that’s wonderful! I didn’t know there were same-sex destined mates!”

  Jamie finally gathered his wits. “I didn’t either until a few years ago. My best friend is the destined mate of the future alpha for our pack.”

  “So, how about you tell me how you really met,” she said, taking another bite of her pot roast.

  “SO, PICKING locks is legal?” Jamie teased as they drove back toward the Strip District later that night. Dinner with Chad’s mom, after she admitted she knew about shifters, ended up being wonderful. After pot roast, she’d served apple pie and spent the entire evening asking Jamie about himself—not shifters—had accepted the entire destined mates idea, and even gave them ideas for what to search for when they went to Rome.

  Chad snorted at him. “I don’t have to be legal.”

  Jamie laughed. “Right. So what was that about staying legal earlier?”

  “It’s easier to catch us electronically.”

  “True,” Jamie allowed, nodding, though he was still snickering.

  Chad stuck his tongue out, but otherwise ignored it.

  “Don’t you think his nosy neighbors are going to notice?”

  Chad didn’t answer right away. “I doubt it. I’m thinking Miss Sex Kitten is going to be preoccupied, the mom will probably be dealing with the toddler—or trying to get some peace without him—and Grandpa and Grandma next door will already be in bed.”

  Jamie considered that for a moment, then nodded. “How long will it take you?”

  Chad shrugged. “I never timed myself, but usually under a minute. It’ll have to be quick. There are video cameras in the hallways.”

  “Yeah. Two, though the one on the southern end of the hall isn’t on.”

  Chad looked over, eyebrows raised. “You saw that?”

  Jamie nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Well, see? I knew you were good.”

  Jamie snorted. “So… you really think she likes me?” he murmured.

  Chad grinned. “She loves you. And holy hell, was that a surprise.” He paused and Jamie grinned at the blush. He knew what Chad was worried about, but he let his mate stew for another moment. “Uh, not that she loves you, that she knew a wolf.”

  Jamie laughed and kissed Chad’s cheek. “I know that and I bet it was. Do you know who it could have been?”

  Chad shook his head. “No idea. But it brings up a good point. We should probably have a story for people who ask how we met.”

  “Yeah, we should. Maybe we could say my dog got off his leash or something. Still close enough to the truth—”

  “—while not giving the shifters away, yeah,” Chad said, nodding. “Okay, here we go.”

  They didn’t speak as they went into the building and back up to Quincy’s floor, taking the stairs this time. Jamie listened carefully at the young woman’s and the old couple’s doors. “Both asleep,” he reported, and Chad nodded. Jamie loitered between Chad and the camera, looking around like he wasn’t sure which way to go. But what could only be about thirty seconds after he knelt in front of it, Chad opened the door and slipped inside.

  Jamie followed, pushing the door closed behind himself. He frowned as he looked around. “No security system.”

  Chad turned around. “Huh. That’s a little surprising.”

  “Well, either he doesn’t expect anyone to break in or he’s got anything he’s worried about well hidden.”

  “I’d guess some combination of the two,” Chad suggested, turning around.

  Jamie noticed Chad had his weapon out.

  Chad apparently saw his raised eyebrows, even in the semidark. “Can you shoot?”

  “No. Never learned. I sort of figured I would at the academy, for when I can’t use my claws.”

  Chad nodded. “I’ve got a couple other weapons. I’ll take you to the range and teach you. For here, well, I never know what I’m going to run into.”

&nb
sp; Jamie chuckled and looked around. “Not very big,” he murmured.

  “No, but you might be surprised at the places people can hide. Stay behind me a moment.”

  He did as Chad asked as Chad went through the apartment quickly, checking each room. He didn’t bother pointing out he could have handled anything they ran into just with a partial shift. He figured they could have that conversation later.

  “Clear. How about you take the bedroom and I’ll go here?” He pointed toward what looked like a study as he handed Jamie a pair of rubber gloves.

  Jamie nodded as he took them. “Sure.” He was surprised when Chad leaned in and kissed him before heading into the other room. He blinked, then shook his head and turned his attention to the task at hand.

  He stopped in the bathroom and noted some of the medicine cabinet seemed empty—not a whole shelf, but seemingly random spots. He didn’t find any shampoo or soap in the shower either. The bedroom closet was only half full, with a number of hangers bare, though the laundry hamper on one end was also empty. Just as Jamie was about to close the doors, he spotted metal in the corner. Closer inspection showed him a safe, open and as bare as the rest. He still checked as carefully as possible to make sure nothing had been left behind, but it was clean.

  He went through the rest of the room, but the side tables and dressers simply told the same story. Back out into the living room and open kitchen, he looked in the refrigerator to see old milk and not much else.

  Chad came out then and Jamie turned to him. “I think we’ve seen enough.”

  Jamie nodded and they left, closing and locking the door behind them. He noted Chad had left one of the gloves on until the door was closed, then tucked that hand into his pocket.

  A few moments later, they settled into the Challenger and headed home. “Well, that was informative,” Chad mused, after they’d driven for a bit.

  “He’s gone to ground.”

  “Yup. The question is, why?”

  “My guess?” Jamie asked and Chad nodded. “He’s the one that fixed his records. That tells me he knows what he’s about when it comes to playing around in back doors and other not-so-legal avenues. Someone noticed.”

  “That’s what I was thinking too. I think we’re going to have to hunt up Mr. Uther Isaacs.”

  “I think so too,” Jamie agreed. “I asked Tanner, by the way, if he’d show me how to get to the other information. He sent me his notes—encrypted, of course—so I should be able to dig through. I’m thinking we’re looking, at least, for bank accounts, e-mail accounts, and a cell phone or two. Probably a credit account or three, as well.”

  Chad glanced over, grinning. “It gets me all hot, hearing you talk like that.”

  Jamie blushed. “Just, uh, logic.”

  “I know,” Chad said, taking the turn onto Bigelow. “Doesn’t make it any less hot, coming from you.” After he’d parked, he turned to Jamie. “You know.” Chad’s voice dropped into the almost growl Jamie was coming to know meant sex. Chad leaned in and cupped Jamie’s quickly hardening cock. “I still haven’t felt that gorgeous cock of yours in my ass.”

  Jamie refused to admit he whimpered. That was not the sound that came out of his throat. He was too busy dealing with vision gone gray and dropped teeth. Then he didn’t have time to worry about it because Chad kissed him, obliterating higher thought.

  He didn’t remember getting into the apartment. He knew, logically, they had to get out of the car, through the building’s front door, then through the apartment door, but he couldn’t conjure a single memory of those movements. All he felt was kisses and groping hands and grinding. All he knew was gasping breath and pure need.

  Their clothes formed a trail through the living room and into the bedroom. Shoes and socks and T-shirts made haphazard piles as they went. By the time they stood next to the bed, they were mostly naked, jeans and underwear all that were left. Chad stored his weapon in the bedside table, then turned back to Jamie.

  Jamie’s vision and teeth still hadn’t gone back to normal. He was so aroused, he could barely think, and having Chad’s hands all over his body was not helping. He needed a short break, needed to be able to gather his wits.

  He dropped to his knees, tugging open Chad’s jeans at the same time, looking up over Chad’s sculpted chest. The heat in his mate’s eyes was obvious even without color. He refocused on undressing Chad, kissing a line along the waistband, then down as he tugged denim and boxers over Chad’s long legs.

  Chad’s cock dripped, making Jamie hungry, and he ran his tongue over the tip, licking up the precum. With effort he forced his teeth to retract so he could swallow Chad’s cock. He savored the taste and feel of it on his tongue, moaning around the length.

  “Fuck, baby, you keep that up and I’ll go off too soon,” Chad groaned.

  Jamie looked up, pulling back, but instead of moving off, he took it all in again, eyes sliding closed. He moaned again, sucking hard, but before he could do more, Chad pulled at his hair.

  “Please, baby….”

  He could admit it felt good that he could reduce his mate to begging. He found the will to let go and stood, catching Chad’s lips in another kiss, as deep and thorough as those before. He threaded his fingers through the soft locks as Chad worked at his button and zipper.

  When they were both naked, Jamie lay back onto the bed, Chad following him down after grabbing the lube from the bedside table. He tossed it next to Jamie, then moved in, as if he couldn’t stand to be apart for more than a moment.

  Jamie certainly understood—he didn’t want to be.

  Chad bent forward, kissing him again but keeping it brief. “I should tell you,” he whispered, “that I’ve never bottomed before.”

  Jamie’s eyes widened and he stared up at Chad. “Never?”

  Chad nodded. “Never.”

  He knew Chad felt the awe filling him because the happiness that came back showed him. “Wow. I… that’s really cool.” He frowned. “I don’t… I don’t have anything to give you like that.”

  Chad shook his head. “You don’t need to. So, uh, just be sure to stretch me well, okay?”

  Jamie nodded, picking up the lube as Chad lay back on the bed. Jamie coated a finger, then slid it over Chad’s taint until he found the puckered muscle. The few times he’d topped, the bottom hadn’t been new to it, so Jamie was grateful he’d calmed down a bit and could focus enough to be careful.

  His mate, on the other hand, didn’t seem interested too much in careful. Despite the need to be stretched, by the time Jamie worked three fingers in, Chad was trying to get Jamie to give up. Jamie refused, not wanting to hurt Chad, and almost chuckled when Chad nearly growled.

  “I swear there’s wolf in you,” Jamie said with a laugh, finally coating his cock.

  Chad flashed a sharp grin. “Maybe there is.” His dark eyes were focused on Jamie’s hand, stroking his cock to spread the lube. “And I might just grow teeth and bite you if you don’t get that fucking cock into my ass.”

  “Demanding pup,” Jamie grumbled, but grinned as he got into place, lining up.

  “Pup? I’m older than you, pup,” Chad reminded him.

  Jamie’s chuckle was cut off by a groan as he pushed the head of his dick through the tight ring of muscle. “Fuck, even with stretching, you’re tight,” he moaned. He gritted his teeth as he pushed until finally the tip popped in. “Holy fuck, you feel good,” he whispered, meeting Chad’s gaze.

  Chad wrapped his legs around Jamie, then pulled until Jamie lay against him. He ran his fingers up into Jamie’s hair, then brought him in, kissing him softly.

  Jamie savored the love he felt coming across their link, thrilling in the happiness mixed in with it. He did everything he could to send it back, wanting Chad to know how good it felt.

  He hoped the empathy continued after the claiming was complete. He really liked knowing what his mate was feeling.

  Even if part of that was impatience.

  He broke the kiss and grinn
ed as he slowly pushed the rest of the way into Chad. When he bottomed out, he held himself still. The heat and tightness surrounding his cock was amazing. He needed to get a better hold on his control, or he’d go off way too soon.

  And he wanted—needed—them to come together. He wanted that last bit of strengthening they could have to their bond.

  After he took the moment he needed, he started moving, thrusting slowly. “Okay?” he whispered.

  Chad nodded. “Better than. Feels fucking amazing.”

  Jamie smiled, then moved enough to be able to thrust harder, go a little faster. He loved seeing Chad’s eyes slam closed and the scramble to grip the headboard. Any hope of holding back evaporated then.

  He took Chad’s cock in hand and stroked, matching his rhythm the best he could. It didn’t seem to matter that he wasn’t close with it, because Chad’s moans and grunts got louder. Jamie’s own sounds were gaining volume, but he couldn’t care. His mate felt way too good.

  Wanting to stretch it out, make it last, he slowed, then pulled out, hoping a position change would help.

  Chad looked up at him, eyebrows up, but Jamie lay down, tugging on Chad’s hand. With a grin, Chad straddled him, steadied his cock, then moved down until he was buried completely in Chad’s tight body. “Fuck, I love how you feel, baby.” Chad leaned forward, and the kiss was sloppy but oh so good.

  Jamie cupped Chad’s face, studying the amazing expression, the need and heat, the love he saw in those beautiful eyes. “Love you,” he whispered, suddenly more than a little overcome.

  “Oh, love you, baby. So glad we found each other.” Chad kissed Jamie again, but kept it brief, then sat up. He lifted himself until only the tip was still inside, then dropped himself.

  “Oh fuck,” Jamie groaned.

  Chad grinned. “Exactly.”

  Jamie laughed. “Then get to it, pup.”

  Chad snorted and rose up again. Then he dropped back down and they both moaned. That seemed to be all Chad needed, and he rolled his hips, riding Jamie hard. He leaned back, bracing himself on Jamie’s thighs, and the angle was damned near perfect. Chad’s sounds got louder again, and he was almost pounding himself with Jamie’s cock.

  Jamie wrapped his hand around Chad’s length and stroked it, putting everything into it he’d learned about how to please his mate. He was close and worked to bring Chad with him. When Jamie’s balls drew up, he tried to force out some sort of verbal warning.