Page 36 of Love in Unexpected Places

“I didn’t,” Sullivan confirmed.Matty settled next to him, and Sullivan wrapped an arm around his shoulders.He needed Matty close.

“Can you tell us what happened?”

“There’s not much to say.I don’t know how Oliver managed, but he broke the spell that was keeping him unconscious.He was trying to escape, but more mages arrived, and they would’ve hurt him if I hadn’t stepped in.I couldn’t allow that to happen when I was right there and able to do something.”He hoped Chance wouldn’t blame him for ruining the plan they’d been working on.

Sullivan was supposed to stay with the coven, convince as many people as he could not to fight for their leaders, and keep an eye on the leaders and their decisions.He wouldn’t be able to do any of that anymore.He might be able to reach out to some of his allies, maybe even Braden, but that depended on what the leaders would decide.Sullivan didn’t have to be at the house to know they had to be pissed.

Chance nodded.“So you escaped together.”

“I couldn’t stay after people saw me helping Oliver.I probably wouldn’t be alive right now if I had.”His family might not be.Sullivan wasn’t sure what he’d do if he’d caused them harm.He would never forgive himself.

“I got a call from Braden.He told me he managed to get your family out before the dust settled.He contacted them as soon as he realized what had happened and bundled them up into their cars.They’re on their way here.They and you are welcome to become pack members.”

Sullivan blinked.“Really?”

“It’s the least I can do for what you sacrificed.I hope that you’ll be able to return to your coven if that’s what you want, but it won’t happen for a while.In the meantime, I want you and your family to consider the pack as your home.”

“Some of your people won’t be happy with that decision.”

“It doesn’t matter.They would be even less happy if the coven attacked them or their families.I’m the one in charge, and if they don’t like it, they can leave.Francis did.”

Sullivan was curious about that situation, but he didn’t ask.There was too much on his mind already.

That didn’t change—not when his family arrived and he saw that all of them were safe, not when they had a chat with Chance, and not even when Oliver thanked Sullivan.Sullivan had already been exhausted when he and Oliver had landed, but it was nothing next to how he felt by the time he was done eating dinner with Chance and everyone else and ready to stumble into bed.

“You can stay with me,” Matty said.“You don’t have to stay in the same bedroom if you don’t want to.We have plenty of empty ones, even with Sabrina living there.”

“What if I want to stay with you?”

Matty’s cheeks flushed, but he nodded.“I’d like that.I’m going to tell everyone we’re leaving.”

Sullivan was glad to be left on the couch and relax for a moment.He was still tired, but suddenly, the thought of spending the night with Matty had him feel completely awake.

* * * *

Matty stood in thedoorway of his bedroom, his heart pounding in his chest.The room was dimly lit by the lamp on his nightstand, casting warm, golden light over the bed and the clutter in the room.He swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry, as he took in the sight of Sullivan looking around.He seemed interested in the room, but only until his gaze found Matty again.When it did, he looked at Matty with an expression that made Matty nervous and hopeful.He’d been sure of what he wanted when he’d asked Sullivan if he wanted to spend the night, and he still was, but that didn’t make him any less anxious.

“Are you sure about this?”Sullivan’s voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried clearly in the quiet of the room.

Matty took a tentative step forward after closing the door.“I wouldn’t have invited you to come in if I wasn’t sure,” he replied, his own voice trembling slightly.

He could feel the heat of Sullivan’s gaze on him, and its intensity made his skin tingle.He stopped inches away from Sullivan, his breath hitching as he looked at the man who’d come to mean so much to him in such a short time.

He almost couldn’t believe how fast this was going, but also how right it felt.

Sullivan’s eyes flicked down to meet Matty’s, and for a moment, they stared at each other.Then, Sullivan reached out and placed a hand on Matty’s hip.His fingertips brushed lightly over the fabric of Matty’s jeans, and even though he wasn’t touching skin, it sent a shiver through Matty’s body that he couldn’t suppress.

“We don’t have to do this,” Sullivan said softly, anchoring him in place with his touch and his gaze.“Not unless you really want to.I know you don’t have a lot of experience.We can wait, take things slow.”

Matty’s heart skipped a beat at the words.He leaned in until his lips were just a breath away from Sullivan’s.“I want to,” he murmured.“More than anything.”They didn’t know if both of them would make it out of the upcoming fight, and Matty wanted to be with Sullivan.

Sullivan’s eyes fluttered closed as Matty’s lips met his in a kiss that was soft, tentative, but full of promise—for tonight, but also for the future.Matty had to believe they would have one.

They kissed for a long time, exploring the contours of each other’s mouths with gentle, lingering touches.Matty’s hands found their way to Sullivan’s shoulders.He dug his fingers into the muscles as he pressed closer, seeking more of the connection and heat that had been building between them.

But even as the kiss grew deeper, more urgent, there was still an underlying gentleness to it, a tenderness that spoke of feelings like affection and maybe even love.

With a soft sigh, Sullivan pulled back slightly, breaking the kiss but pressing his forehead against Matty’s.His eyes opened, dark with desire, and he smiled.“I can’t believe how lucky I am that you chose me.”

---