Page 107 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

The third, a tall, imposing man, was staring at Rudy, lips parted, eyes wide.

What the hell?

Then Rudy froze as the most delicious scent tickled his nostrils. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from the man with the buzz-cut dark hair, a firm jawline, and the bluest eyes Rudy had ever seen.

Eyes that were locked on his.

A rhythmic thud filled Rudy’s head, the sound of a beating heart. Except it wasn’t his—it was the stranger’s.

What the fuck is going on?

Rudy walked slowly, as if in a daze, not stopping until he was barely an inch away. His nostrils filled with that same aroma and something else. A spicy, warm scent that Rudy associated with sex.

He’s attracted to me.

Rudy was experiencing that same thing. Heat barreled through him, blood surged south, and his fingers itched to touch, explore, penetrate….

The guy’s breathing hitched. “I thought it was all lies.”

“What was?”

“The concept of mates. And yet here you are, so real.” The man touched Rudy’s face with tentative fingers, andholy fuck, electricity shuddered its way through Rudy, his synapses firing, his body burning with need.

Then his words sank in. “Mates?”

A voice in his head shoutedYes, yes, yes.

“My name is Valmer Cooper.”

“Rudy Myers.” Gods, the urge to kiss him was all-encompassing.

Valmer’s nostrils flared. “If you tell me you’re straight, I’m in real trouble. Because the things I want to do to you right this minute….”

Shit. Rudy’s dick reacted. “Maybe we should share lists. Except I’m not in a hurry to get arrested for indecent exposure—or worse.”

Valmer groaned. “My hotel is half an hour from here.”

“Mine’s closer.”

“Then what are we waiting for?”

RUDY LAYwith his head on Valmer’s shoulder, tracing invisible lines over Valmer’s chest with his fingertips, loving the shivers that rippled through him when Rudy brushed over his nipples.

Rudy had never had sex like that in his life, not even with partners he’d shared years with. The intimacy he and Valmer had achieved in just a few hours left every relationship Rudy had ever had in the dust.

“This is crazy,” he murmured.

Valmer chuckled. “Beyond crazy.”

Rudy dipped his finger into Valmer’s navel before heading south, reaching the tight curls of his pubic hair, his dick lying limp to one side, yet reacting to the slightest touch. “You’re real.”

Another chuckle shook Valmer. “I think we’ve proved that three times already, but I’m game for a fourth attempt.” He peered at his crotch. “Or I will be. Gimme a few minutes.” He laughed. “I haven’t gone more than three rounds in one night since I was in my early twenties.”

Rudy craned his neck to stare at him. “And I’ve never fucked a guy’s brains out when all I knew about him was his name.” He snorted. “Except that one time, and it was a sex party, so that was okay, right?” He pressed his lips to Valmer’s chest. “You could be an ax murderer for all I know.”

Valmer cleared his throat. “Not an ax murderer. That much I can confirm.”

“But whatareyou?”

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