Page 6 of Sex and Suspicion

He held him and shared with him the highlights of mating with a shifter, especially a wolf shifter. The healing, which Jake was already experiencing since his injuries were all but gone apart from the stitches on his shoulder, was of particular interest, as was the extended life span. He told him of the connection they would share that extended to the sharing of some thoughts and emotions.

“You will be able to read my mind?” That seemed to concern him but not terribly.

"No, really, it's more that I will be able to read your moods and thoughts that are emotionally laden. But remember, you will be able to read me too.” That seemed to calm any concern.

It pleased him that Jake did not seem bothered by the fact that they lay there together in each other's arms, and Hayes was completely naked. Jake appeared to find Hayes’ body of particular interest. He cuddled into his side and continued to run the palm of his hand over Hayes' arm and side and chest andhip, causing a growing and hardening concern that Hayes would soon have to deal with.

“What’s going to happen to me?” Jake asked suddenly, and Hayes did not understand the question.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw you and Jimmy. I know the secret of Bay Harbor.” Gradually, Hayes realized that Jake did not understand anything that he’d tried to explain. He thought he’d been so clear and that the relationship was on track, but actually, they were still standing firmly on square one.

"Nothing will happen to you, my love. You are my mate. Everything I have told you is true. You are my Fated mate, and I will love, provide, and protect you until my last breath.” He cupped Jake’s cheek and kissed him hard and exacting.

“I trust you not to share the information you have been given. I trust you to protect our secret because we are connected, you and me. We are predestined, written in the stars. Fate has brought us together, and there isn't anything more powerful than that." Hayes hit all the high points with a solid determination to make himself crystal clear.

Jake was stunned by his declarations and the power with which he put them forward. He'd listened, but somewhere in his thinking, it struck him that they couldn’t allow him to have the information and knowledge of the wolves and still let him go about his life.

He assumed there would be a cost to this awareness that he’d inadvertently gained. Hayes had said many lovely things that pointed to a life together, but how could that be. Mates, bonding, meant to be all sounded good and struck him as realand sincere, but his own fears kept circling him back to how and why.

He genuinely thought that they would threaten him or do something dastardly to gain his secrecy. But every time he looked at Hayes, he saw honesty and truth, and that did not mesh with the random fears that flashed through his mind. How could this gorgeous man of significant distinction be satisfied with him, a nineteen-year-old human who is still trying to find his place in the world? Why would Fate choose him?

“You are my mate. What happened with Jimmy was unfortunate, but either way, I still would have brought you in on the secret eventually. You having been front and center for a live presentation just made it easier for me.

You're not the only human mate in the Pack, and I'm sure there will be more in the future. It takes time to adjust, and I understand that, but open your mind and let it happen. The truth will come to you.” It was coming to him now the warm understanding, the feeling of being the center of someone’s awareness.

Hayes held him there, cuddled together on this bed, and it was the most natural thing ever. Jake was at home in this man’s arms. This was the truth and the acceptance he was talking about.

“You're all I need, sweetheart. You’re all I’ll ever need.” Hayes seemed to know exactly what he needed to hear. “You’re old enough to know your own mind and fearless enough to venture ever so close to the unknown, searching to satisfy your curiosities and your desires.”

"That sounds a little dirty," Jake whispered teasingly, feeling a sudden easy playfulness growing between them.

“I hope so.” Hayes moved his hand from Jake’s shoulder down to caress his hip and then moved to unfasten his jeans. Jake joined in by smoothing his hands over Hayes’ hot body, feeling the muscles tense and relax under his touch. It was hypnotic.

Hayes nuzzled his face into the crook of Jake’s neck and whispered. “I want you, Jake. Tell me you want me; tell me you want this too.” Jake started squirming out of his jeans in response to Hayes’ request.

"I want you, Hayes. I want this. Please don't stop. I was fascinated and drawn to you from the moment I saw you standing at the end of the property, watching me.” Jake was going to be honest, completely honest.

“I couldn't see you clearly, but everything about you, the turn of your head, the way your hair moved in the evening breeze, and the way you stood so tall and strong made my heart race, and I couldn't take my eyes off you. I wanted you then, and that need has just grown.” This was sudden, yes, but natural and necessary.

Jake wanted this. He wanted this man to make love to him more than he wanted his next breath. He felt like he might die if Hayes did not take him now, immediately. He was looking his future right in the eyes, and it was going to be fucking amazing.

CHAPTER FOUR

Aidan found Jake’s Dodge in the parking lot adjacent to the boat launch at the Bay. It was locked and empty; wherever Jake had gone, he took his photo equipment with him. Aidan looked around the large area. It was early morning, but soon, the lot would be full of trucks. The launch was always busy on a Saturday. Jake would not have left his car parked there unless he had no choice.

He looked down the beach and saw the lights of the Bay Harbor community, and terrible things came to mind. He didn’t know who or what these people were, but the secrecy alone spoke of trouble.

They were strange, and that was a fact. According to what Aidan had heard since moving to Eastport, they could be unpredictable and protected their own . . . at all costs, whatever that means. Aidan took it to mean violence was not off the table with them.

The border of Bay Harbor was about a half mile from the parking lot and Jake’s car. It was likely he was down there somewhere, or at least he had been down there. Aidan headed in that direction in hopes of getting a lead on where Jake might be.He continued to call and text, but Jake did not respond. The sun was up, and the morning air was cool and crisp off the Bay.

His worry grew with each step he took toward the large, main house of the community. It was a sprawling mansion of four stories with a yard that was huge and perfectly manicured. They didn’t like people being on the beach near their property and had beefy security that put the run on anyone who got too close. Did Jake get too close?

There was no sign of Jake nor any of his equipment, but Aidan looked carefully for any sign that he'd been there. He walked along the beach and looked up at the large imposing structure and then down along the shore in front of him. Two guards stood there dressed in suits, staring back at him. Aidan looked out at the Bay and recognized the scene. This was where Jake had taken his previous pictures, so it was likely he was there last night.

Taking a few steps closer to the grass line that delineated the public beach from the private property spurred the guards to start walking in his direction. He didn't cross the boundary, so when he stopped, they stopped. He had to find a way to get inside because his gut was telling him that these people had something to do with Jake’s disappearance.

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