Page 43 of Fur-Ever Home

This was the moment I dreaded. Instead of leading with crypto, something I knew he would hate, I changed tactics. "I'm between jobs right now, but I'm looking for something in finance, like Ben."

The alpha's gaze turned wary. If he were a wolf, his hackles would have raised. "Finance?"

"Well, I'm more interested in investments than banking," I said.

"What's wrong with banking?" The other conversations around the table hushed and Ben's family turned as one to look at me. All except Jeff, who was still pouting and staring down at his hands.

"N-nothing's wrong with banking," I said. "Money markets are more my thing."

"Don't tell me you're into blockchain," Pops said.

"Not anymore," I said, glad it was the truth. I thought about sharing my experience with digital art, but decided against that, too.

Ben tugged my hand from my lap and squeezed it between his before slipping his fingers through mine. "Connor's the kindest person I know, and he could sell ice to an Inuit. I'm sure he'll find something to do here in Orange County."

"Where are you from?" Matt asked, starting a more comfortable round of questions.

When we were ready to leave, Ben's pops handed me a business card. "I know you said you had no interest in banking, but you might change your mind."

I blinked. I thought he'd hated the way I'd answered his questions. "Thank you. I'll think about it."

I didn't have to think too hard. Ben hated how much the bank controlled his family's lives already. I wouldn't add to that, even if it meant starting my own company from scratch.

17

BENJAMIN

The ride homein the back seat of my dad and pop's sedan was glorious torture, the same as our earlier shower had been. I wanted to rub my face on Connor's chest and bask in his wonderful scent. Once I'd satisfied that desire, I planned to kiss him until we were both dripping sweat and precome.

These were not the best thoughts to have while avoiding PDA in my parents' car. Pops offered to help us with our bags, but the two carry-ons were no problem for me, especially now that Connor's was practically empty. They even stacked together so I could pull them with one handle.

I gave Pops a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll call you tomorrow after work."

Work. Fuck. I still had reports to write and spreadsheets to finish and analyze.

Not tonight. I had Connor all to myself, and I planned to make the most of it.

He easily deduced the small room with the single bed and desk was the spare room. I dragged him past it, one hand on his rolling suitcase. It was the same way he'd hauled mine through the airport to my gate in New York.

That seemed like a lifetime ago. I'd learned so much since then, about Connor, shifters, and fated mates. I didn't want to wait another moment to show him what he meant to me.

In the bedroom, I let go of his bag handle in front of the closet's accordion doors. I propped our carry-ons against the wall and cupped his face, pulling him down for a kiss.

"We fit together so well," I moaned against his mouth as I tugged at his t-shirt hem.

He took the hint and removed the shirt. "It's fate."

"It's something." My cock was already straining against my jeans' zipper.

I kept trying to speed things up, but Connor took his time kissing and nibbling my ear, throat, and along my collar bone to my shoulder before reversing course and nibbling up the other side. By the time he finished, I was a gibbering mess of want, begging him to fuck me already.

"Condoms?" he asked.

"No. I mean, I have a box, but I don't want to use them."

Connor took a step back, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. "What are you saying?"

"I'm all in on fated mates, baby." Nobody was more surprised than I was to hear me say that. "I want all of it. All of you."

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