Page 24 of Forbidden Moon
“You’re going to be fine, and Jonah? I’m thrilled you found your mate. Love you!”
Jonah ended the call and paused to take a few deep breaths. The man was temptation on legs and didn’t realize how much Jonah wanted him. He could remain professional for a little while and pretend to be a human. Right. Easy peasy. No problem. And if he failed, he’d end up having to clean the breakroom before he left for the day.
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MEANWHILE, IN THE OTHERroom
Until Jonah stepped away, RJ didn’t realize how desperately he needed space to breathe. The man smelled like nothing he’d ever encountered before. Indescribable. Enticing. Overwhelming. With a face and body of a model! He’d never seriously considered a relationship with a white guy, though before his Ma’s death there were no relationships ofanykind. RJ wondered what his mother might have said if he’d showed up one day with Jonah on his arm.
The fascinating man paid no mind to the color of his skin, looking deeper to where it genuinely counted. If they did end up seeing one another, what kind of reception could they expect from the locals? RJ took himself to task, for it was far too early to be thinking such things five minutes after meeting someone for the first time! Explaining that to his throbbing hard-on made no appreciable difference. Was love at first sight a real thing? Well, notloveexactly, but wow, the sparks were flying in here a few minutes ago!
Focus, RJ! Do what you came here to do—learn about wolves from the expert and don’t touch the man. You’re a professional. Act like one. Oh, but you want to touch, and so much more, don’t you? You’ll never get the chance to find out if he comes back out here and finds you drooling. Cool it before you scare him off!
A door opened, and Jonah returned to the front of the building, lit up by flickers of lightning. The subsequent thunder required a near-shout to be heard over the racket.
“Sorry about the wait. Why don’t we get started?”
Jonah motioned towards a small round table and chairs in the reception area, and they both took their seats. RJ scooted forward, accidentally brushing their knees together. Jonah gasped and then tried to hide it with a strangled cough. Red-faced, he opened the conversation.
“I’ve met with many of your fellow agents, either one-on-one or in groups. May I assume you came here to learn about wolves?”
While Jonah’s unusual scent made him almost dizzy, RJ steeled himself and answered the question.
“Yes. Chief Toomey highly recommended I come to see you, as my last post did not include working with wolves. I don’t know much about their habits, diet, or pack structure, but they’ve always fascinated me—even as a kid.”
Jonah’s wolf liked what he heard, head cocked and tail wagging in interest. Jonah couldn’t help but smile.
“You’ve come to the right place! Let me start by explaining what a wolf pack is and how it’s led. A pack is a nuclear family consisting of two parents and their children rather than a random group of individual wolves. Sometimes the older pups will remain with the family for a while, but there is always a single leader.
“The pack Alpha isn’t the most aggressive, simply a paternal figure who co-parents offspring with his mate. He treats his family with love, generosity, and kindness, and it’s not unusual to find him teaching or playing with his pups. He projects quiet confidence, leads by example, and does what is best for the others. Even so, wolves are dangerous apex predators, and the Alpha will ferociously protect his pack against a threat when he must.”
RJ listened attentively as Jonah spoke, learning more from him than anything he’d ever read on the subject. He made the facts come alive as if he’d grown up among the beasts. It reminded him of Mowgli in The Jungle Book stories his Ma read to him as a boy. Though RJ asked occasional questions, he preferred to listen and watch Jonah’s expressive, handsome face.
Rain and thunder were their only audience, ignored by both men as the lesson continued. Drawn like filings to a magnet, they slowly inched closer around the table. Mutual scents intermingled, leaving the air saturated with pheromones and their thighs pressed together. Jonah’s blue eyes, blown wide by now, drank in the details of his mate’s masculine face, plush lips, and dark stubble. RJ stared back, taking his own inventory of Jonah’s features without saying a word.
A mighty thunderclap shook them from their revery, and Jonah glanced at his watch, surprised to find it nearly five o’clock.
“I guess our time is up for today. Do you have any more questions?”
RJ nodded.
“Yes. Why do you smell so good? Are you wearing cologne?”
Jonah gulped.
“N... no. It’s just me. You smell good, too.”
RJ’s broad smile showcased dimples and straight white teeth.
“I do, huh? No one’s ever said that before.”
Jonah blinked, distracted by the warmth of RJ’s leg pressing against his own.
“I have a very... sensitive nose.”
RJ reached under the table to scoop up Jonah’s hand, warm and soft, with a fine layer of hair across the back.
“I know you need to close up, but I don’t want to leave. Do you think we could... I mean, would you like to go out...
