Page 17 of Beautiful Butterfly

“You’re blaming yourself for the way I acted?” That would be a first. Alister was the worst at handling stress, fear, anxiety, or any number of negative emotions and situations. No one understood how damaged he was and how acting like a complete fool gave him a small measure of control over whatever was wrong with him.

Except Paris. The guy knew Alister like the back of his hand.

There were also incidents where the person deserved Alister’s wrath. But Wyatt hadn’t deserved it. His mate had tried to be reasonable earlier. It was Alister who turned into a raving lunatic.

“I’m blaming myself for not seeing past your behavior to the core of the problem,” Wyatt said. “I let my frustration get to me.”

Laughter erupted in Alister’s belly as he leaned against the door, one arm curled around his midsection. With the heel of his hand, he wiped at the tears his amusement created.

“Care to tell me what’s so funny?” The side of Wyatt’s mouth curled upward as he looked at Alister.

The laughter finally died down, but the grin remained. The sudden burst of hilarity was the tension release Alister had needed. His fear and anxiety shot out of him like a geyser and blew away on the air rushing past his open window.

“I have no idea what’s so funny.” Alister jerked across the seat and planted a kiss on his mate’s cheek. Wyatt’s gray eyes glowed with pure delight as a boyish smile appeared.

Wyatt personified strength and masculinity, his body honed like a weapon. There was an air of deadliness to him, especially when his eyes filled with a lethal calm.

Yet, there was also an undeniable warmth and kindness that radiated from him. At times his gaze filled with uncertainty or a heavy weight that he masked with humor and charm.

Alister peeled his gaze away from Wyatt and stared out his window, noticing the scenery but not noticing it. His brows furrowed, and then he rubbed his hands down his thighs.

“Alister?” Not even Wyatt’s dreamy voice broke through his shock. “You’re breathing a little too fast, sweetheart. Tell me what’s going on.”

Wyatt pulled into the space next to Alister’s Mercedes and shut off the car.

“You don’t have to talk to Kayla right now if you’re not ready to go inside the bakery.” He gripped Alister’s nape in a gentle hold. “Look at me, baby.”

Blinking slowly, Alister turned his head and stared into his mate’s worried eyes.

“Breathe with me.” Wyatt sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Alister just watched him.

“It’s not the bakery,” he finally said.

“Then why do you look so terrified?” Wyatt brushed a hand over Alister’s face. “Your cheeks are bright pink, butterfly. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I have no idea why I’m reacting this way.” Alister chuckled then frowned as he lowered his gaze. “It happens all the time. The crazy thing is, in a hundred and forty years, it has never happened to me.” He lifted his eyes to meet Wyatt’s. “It’s terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. My heart is fluttering like crazy.”

“I need you to connect the dots because I’m at a complete loss, hon.” Wyatt’s strong, warm hands cradled Alister’s face. “Are you having another moment? Do you need a hug?”

A bark of laughter bubbled up and out of Alister’s throat. “I’m almost positive I’ve fallen in love with you. I love you, Wyatt,” he whispered. Then he talked super-fast, not once stopping to take a breath. “My insides are all twisted up and I’m even more of a mess now then I was before. Is love supposed to make you feel like you’re white-knuckling a rollercoaster as it shoots upward then you’re free-falling, your stomach dropping as you plunge at break-neck speed toward the earth? I’m rambling, aware of the fact, but can’t shut up. Why in the hell can’t I stop talking?”

Wyatt just sat there the entire time staring at him. Alister finally took a deep breath.

“I blame the heat,” he continued, his words still coming out in a rush. “The humidity makes my hair frizzy, so it’s only logical that it’s making my brain frizzy, too.”

Wyatt’s lips crashed down on his, at the same time yanking Alister over the console and dropping him onto his lap. He wiggled around until he was straddling Wyatt, their lips never detaching. Anyone could walk by and see them tongue wrestling, could see Alister grinding his cock against Wyatt’s chiseled abs—abs that were rock-hard and perfect for the kind of friction Alister’s dick needed.

This was such inappropriate behavior in public. It was a hot summer evening, residents out enjoying the weather, and Alister was acting slutty as fuck with zero restraint. His hands had a mind of their own, tugging hard on Wyatt’s hair, squeezing his mouthwatering pecs, sliding between them to knead the steel rod trapped behind silk shorts.

With a firm grip on Alister’s hips, Wyatt purred into his mouth. His mate thrust upward, pulling Alister down to meet his powerful lunge. Their lips and teeth teased each other, facial hair scraping sensitive skin.

Alister was breathing roughly as he rose a little higher and rotated his hips until the head of Wyatt’s cock stabbed in the crease of his ass.

Wyatt tore his lips away and grabbed Alister’s forearms, pinning them in place. He was breathing just as heavily, his hair a disheveled mess, his kiss-swollen lips moist from Alister’s saliva.

Wyatt’s eyes burned with an insatiable hunger that threatened to consume Alister in the most delicious way possible.

Then Wyatt closed his eyes.

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