Page 31 of Feels Like Home

Ian curled his arms around Jace’s shoulders and rested his chin on the right one. Ian was a lot taller, so he had to bend low to get so close. His poor back.

“I can prove what I’m saying is true.” Ian rocked his chin back and forth. “I’d bite you right here during sex to bind our souls. You’d feel our connection deepen in ways you never thought possible.”

“Bite me?” Jace choked on the words.

Ian’s arms tightened around him. “Momentary pain for a lifetime of you and me, committed to each other. You’ll have me—mind, body, and soul, Jace. You’ll also acquire a few benefits.”

It was so much to think about. “I need time.”

“Take all the time you need.” Ian’s head lifted suddenly and snapped around.

“What’s wrong?” Jace withdrew from his arms and turned.

“Someone just pulled into the driveway.” Ian headed for the door.

Chapter Nine

Whoever was in the driveway better have a damn good explanation of why they were there.

As soon as Ian stepped onto the deck, he saw a dark blue SUV coming to a stop. This time he doubted it was someone who’d gotten lost.

The driver’s door opened, and Nolan stepped out. What the hell? Ian’s hackles rose as he took in the guy’s appearance, from the top of his bleach-blond hair down to his shit-kickers. He’d said he was passing by Midnight Falls, but Ian had declined meeting up with him.

“What an amazing house.” Nolan smiled but remained where he stood. Even though the music was low, Ian heard hip hop playing inside the SUV.

“How do you know where I live?” Ian reached back and closed the door, sealing Jace inside the house.

“I stopped in your lovely little town and asked.” Nolan’s smile grew a little wider. “It seems everyone knows who you are.”

But only a handful of people knew where Ian lived, and for damn sure they hadn’t told a complete stranger where to find him.

Nolan liked playing head games back in the day, and Ian doubted the coyote shifter had changed. The guy wasn’t there for a damn visit. He had an ulterior motive. “I thought I told you this wasn’t a good time.”

“It’s never a good time for you.” Nolan waved off Ian’s statement with a flick of his hand. “I’d have gray hairs sprouting everywhere if I waited on you to invite me to your house.”

Ian hoped that, by closing the front door, his mate would know not to come outside. There was a reason Nolan had tracked him down. They’d been frenemies, never buddies, and Ian wanted to know what was up with Nolan’s sudden interest in him.

Wearing an open, friendly smile, Ian crossed the yard. Nolan smiled in return, but it didn’t reach his green eyes.

When Ian was close enough, he shoved Nolan forcefully against the SUV, causing the driver’s door to slam with a loud bang. Ian held his forearm against the bastard’s throat. “No one would’ve told you where I live,” he snarled. “Why did you hunt me down? What’re you up to?”

There was a lethal calmness in Nolan’s eyes as the side of his mouth curved into a cynical smile. “That’s no way to treat an old associate, Ian.”

“Why did you hunt me down?” Ian repeated slowly and menacingly as fury burned inside of him, forcing his canines to descend. “Either tell me the truth or I swear to fucking god I’ll—” His threat quickly died when he heard the front door open.

Jace hadn’t stayed inside.

Ian forced himself not to react, not to look over his shoulder. He still had no idea why Nolan was there, and he didn’t want the coyote to take an interest in Jace.

Nolan’s gaze jerked toward the house. Curiosity filled his eyes, and then he looked back at Ian. “I guess this really is a bad time. You already have a visitor. Sorry to intrude.”

Ian refused to let Jace witness the violence he was capable of. Because of the pull, of their connection, it was inevitable that Jace would bond with him. But his mate was still coming to terms with Ian’s panther, and witnessing Ian brutally attack Nolan could cause Jace to go into shock again.

Jaw tight, Ian released Nolan then took a step back. “I think it’s best you leave.”

Even though his gut told him that letting the coyote shifter go was a mistake.

With a stony face, Nolan nodded. “Good seeing you again, Ian.”

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