Page 31 of Chaos Claimed

“He’s not interested in Macey,” Santiago said. “He’s gay. He just sees your mom as a maternal figure, something he didn’t have growing up.”

Well, shit. “Why didn’t you mention this before I embedded my foot deep inside my mouth?” Percy didn’t mind sharing Macey, as long as it was in a motherly way. She was the best mom a guy could ask for—loving, caring, and able to put anyone at ease.

Anything beyond a motherly role? Not an option.

“You didn’t give me a chance,” Santiago pointed out as large raindrops began to fall. “They probably just hit it off last night.”

Now Santiago sounded disappointed in him. So much for a quiet morning with my coffee. “Can you tell him I’m sorry?”

Santiago shrugged. “It would mean more coming from you.”

Percy stood. “I think I need more sleep.”

“Need a body pillow?” The way Santiago asked, Percy was melting. Every time he used that radio voice, Percy was ready to give him whatever he wanted.

“Sleep only,” he warned, giving Santiago a look that said he’d better behave.

Santiago rose from the swing, towering over Percy. “¿Esperas que me comporte cuando mi compañero estará acostado a mi lado en la cama?” Do you expect me to behave when my mate is lying next to me in bed?

Percy narrowed his eyes. “Puedo cocinar una buena sopa.” I make a good soup.

Leaning forward, Santiago kissed Percy’s temple. “Never change, cariño.”

Chapter Nine

Santiago felt the moment Percy stirred beside him, felt his mate watching him. “Sleep well?”

“How did you know I was awake?” Percy ran his fingers over Santiago’s scruff, his nails scraping in just the right way.

“I already told you. I know mi elegido very well.” He opened his eyes, taken aback at just how beautiful his mate looked propped on one elbow, staring down at him with a soft smile. It punched him right in the heart, swept him up and shook him around. And fuck if he wouldn’t do anything to keep that smile on Percy’s face.

“I give up.” Percy grinned, his green eyes sparkling with a playful humor that was impossible to ignore. “What is mi elegido?”

“My chosen one.” Santiago traced a gentle path along Percy’s jawline, the skin warm and smooth beneath his touch. As he reached Percy’s Adam’s apple, his fingertip curved delicately over the subtle rise and fall, feeling the rhythm of the man’s breath, like a soft whisper against the pad of his finger. “My mate.”

“I heard Sully say that last night.” He swallowed, searching Santiago’s eyes. “It doesn’t mean friend, does it?”

He wanted to claim his mate in every goddamn way. Not just his body, but every single layer hidden from the world. His sweet Percy, a man desperate to find himself, but he was already found. He just had to open his eyes and see what Santiago saw.

A sass-filled fireball, with a big heart and such a capacity to love it sucker punched Santiago every time he was in the man’s presence.

“Not in the way wolves use it.” Santiago slid his hand around Percy’s nape, pulling him closer. “It means my wolf has chosen you to bind souls with.”

“It…w-what?” Percy’s lips parted, his brows sliding upward.

Santiago didn’t want to talk right now. Percy’s sweet lips were begging to be kissed, and Santiago wasn’t going to deny them. He claimed Percy’s mouth, his tongue delving inside to taste his mate’s passion.

Santiago kissed him how he’d wanted to for months. Teeth and tongue, hands tight on Percy’s body. Taking and giving, a push and pull and Percy gave right back, biting Santiago’s lower lip, just as desperate, just as needy.

Burning like the fire Santiago knew his mate was made of.

All the unspoken things between them poured into that kiss, into that melding of mouths, silent words passing between them like a thousand truths.

Percy was everything Santiago had ever wanted. Stronger than he gave himself credit for, fierce and afraid, hard lines and soft curves. Enough to drive any man insane.

And he was Santiago’s, his very heartbeat. With a small growl, he slid his fingers into Percy’s golden hair, urging him to tilt his head, to moan in the best fucking way.

Santiago was staking a claim, laying down the gauntlet, daring Percy to deny what they both knew was between them. Had been building between them since the moment they’d met.

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