Page 27 of Feels Like Home

“Daisy,” Sandra groaned.

Ian hunkered down in front of the little girl. “Sorry, sweetie. I’m all out of snacks. Why don’t you help your grandma and buckle yourself into your seat?”

“Boring.” Daisy let his hand go then marched to the car, climbing inside.

“Thank you for your help,” Sandra said to Ian. “Again, I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“It was no bother,” Ian replied. “Turn left and stay on Bask Road. Drive safely.”

“I will.” Sandra walked to the open driver’s door, adjusted the seat, and slipped in.

“Bye, Daisy.” Jace waved.

“Bye!” Daisy waved enthusiastically, a huge grin on her face.

“Cute kid,” Jace said when Sandra pulled down the driveway.

Ian was surprised his mate had spoken with the woman since he was so shy. When they’d been at the ice cream hut, Jace had stuck by Ian’s side, refusing to look at anyone around him.

Had that only been yesterday?

“Did you really bring home a stray?” Ian watched the taillights vanish out of sight.

“More than one,” Jace replied. “I never could talk my parents into keeping any of them.”

Ian looked down at his mate at the same time Jace glanced up at him. “How’re you feeling?”

Jace walked to the couch on the deck and sat down. Ian didn’t take that as a good sign as he sat next to his mate.

“I keep thinking about the time we’ve spent together.” Jace rubbed his palms over his thighs, drawing attention to the fact that his legs were bare from the knees down. Black wisps of hair clung to his shins and calves, but they were barely visible.

Since he’d put on those shorts all Ian had thought about was sliding them off.

“I can’t deny…” Jace’s top teeth sank into his bottom lip. He brushed off something from his knee and settled his hands in his lap. His brows furrowed, and then he shook his head. “I can’t deny how attracted I am to you.” He looked up, those hazel filled with an emotion Ian couldn’t discern.

Ian just sat there while Jace collected his thoughts. They sat silently, but Ian didn’t feel any tension building between them, so he took one of Jace’s hands in his, hoping the contact helped him.

“I have to admit you terrified the hell out of me.” Jace started talking bullet-fast like he had when they were in his kitchen earlier. “The whole ‘human’ thing and all. Then seeing that cat, your cat, by my car terrified me even more. I don’t think I’ve ever passed out before. Like ever. In spite of what happened here, I caught feelings for you. Not love, but deep feelings, more than lust, and I don’t want to throw away what’s between us because I more than like being with you.”

“You need a hit of oxygen?” Ian asked amusingly.

“I need a hit of something.” Jace stood so abruptly he startled Ian. “You got any tequila?”

“No.” Ian pulled Jace back down then leaned back, pulling his mate into the side. “I can’t get drunk off of human alcohol, so I don’t keep it around the house.”

As much as Ian wanted to take Jace inside and strip him naked, he wasn’t going to claim the guy until he told him about mates. At least, Jace had stopped blinking so damn much.

Even so, Ian wanted to give him time. So, for the rest of the afternoon, he was simply going to enjoy spending time with his mate.

Chapter Eight

Jace stood with the glass cleaner in one hand, absently wiping the same spot on the mirror in front of him. Not even the sound of weights banging or feet jogging on nearby treadmills was enough to snap him out of his headspace.

Despite the terrifying revelation, Ian made Jace feel things he hadn’t felt with anyone else. Whenever they kissed, it was like bright, explosive fireworks going off in his head. Whenever Ian touched him, it was like a warm, protective blanket wrapped around his insides. Intimacy. God, sex with Ian was beyond phenomenal.

Everything about the guy was exhilarating. Jace felt alive for the first time in his life.

And Ian’s black panther? Jace was still blown away by that. But Ian was still the sweet, passionate, and patient man Jace had gotten to know. He just happened to have a deadly black panther living inside of him.

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