Page 25 of Wild Reckoning

Stewart was reeling as Killian’s lips slammed over his with a desperate need. His entire perspective of the world had just been flipped upside down, yet all Stewart cared about was kissing the guy, sucking his warm tongue into his mouth.

And the rage Stewart had felt was real. The thought of Killian not only having sex with someone else other than him but being so sweet to another guy made Stewart want to let his own claws out.

Unlike their kiss this morning, he didn’t feel an urge to run. Killian had been right about their connection. Stewart had felt it as soon as Killian approached him at his car—that strange stirring in his chest. He’d just been fighting against it, too afraid of being vulnerable and allowing another guy to hurt him.

But Ethan’s reaction to Killian was far different from his reaction to Clive. His nephew had been afraid of Stewart’s boyfriend from the moment they’d met.

With Killian, Ethan had trusted him almost immediately, becoming instant buddies.

Stewart chuckled against Killian’s lips.

“I must not be doing a bang-up job of kissing you if you’re laughing.” Killian bit Stewart’s lower lip, pulling at it with his teeth.

“It just hit me why you call Ethan cub.” Stewart grinned. “Also why Kalen thought it funny when he gave you that stuffed bear.”

Killian placed his hand on the small of Stewart’s back as he gave a low, throaty growl. “I like the sentiment, and Ethan loves the bear.” His lips glided along Stewart’s jaw, sending his pulse racing. “I’ve been dying to kiss you like this since I saw you standing on the side of the road looking like a lost angel.”

As much as Stewart loved kissing him, his back was starting to hurt. Killian was a good foot taller and had to bend down to kiss him, which made Stewart bend backward.

“I’m going to have to carry a stepstool in my back pocket just to kiss you without being bent in half.” He yelped when Killian lifted him off his feet and set him on the table.

“Better?” Killian went right back to kissing him, as if their lips had never parted. Stewart slid his arms around the man’s neck, drawing him closer, feeling just as needy.

“Much.” A groan slid free when Killian placed his strong, warm hand against Stewart’s back, turning his blood into molten lava. “I just have one question.”

“What’s that?” Killian asked between kisses, like the guy couldn’t get enough of him. The feeling was mutual. Stewart had to actively force his legs not to wind around the man’s waist or he just might beg Killian to take him right there on the table. Those soft, wet lips were making him lose his freaking mind.

Before Stewart said to hell with it and tried to strip out of his clothes, he placed a hand on Killian’s chest, pushing the guy back slightly so he could take a deep breath. “How did Ethan know you were a bear?”

With a frown, Killian pulled back. “Like I said, I have no clue,” he replied. “The little guy knew what I was the moment he looked at me.”

Stewart’s heart raced when there was a sound at the back door. They turned their heads at the same time, Stewart praying it wasn’t Frank’s grandson again. The guy had given off such a creepy vibe.

Killian charged over to it and yanked it open, sharp teeth bared. Sharp teeth. Stewart swallowed. The canines looked exactly like those of an animal, thick, long, and deadly.

“Jesus Christ,” Killian snarled, though his canines receded at the sight of his brother.

Ryker grinned. “If I waited for you to stop making out with your mate, these locks would never get replaced.”

Despite sucking Killian’s tongue down his throat, Stewart was still trying to wrap his head around everything.

Killian wasn’t human, which meant his family wasn’t either.

Mate. That single word circled his brain like a nonstop merry-go-round, and it was making him dizzy. Stewart needed to ask Killian to explain it further, but he wanted to wait until they were alone.

“I nearly took your head off,” Killian ground out. “You know better than to sneak up on a guy when he’s with his mate.”

“Stow the attitude,” Ryker bit back. “I’m trying to help you out.”

“It’s okay.” Stewart slid off the table, afraid of the rising tension. “Let him take care of it.” He placed a hand on Killian’s arm but spoke to Ryker. “Thank you for doing this for me.”

Ryker smirked at his brother. “Glad to see someone appreciates my efforts.”

While the two had a glare-off, Stewart went into the living room to check on Ethan. And to also catch his breath.

His nephew was still on the rug playing, trying his best to tell Quinton about his toys. It was a tangled mess of words, but Quinton lay there patiently listening to the toddler, a glint of humor in his eyes.

The guy looked like a fallen giant lying on his stomach, his ankles and arms crossed, making Ethan appear much smaller than he was.

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