Page 17 of Alpha's Touch
It also hadn’t gone unnoticed just how sweet the guy was. “Too late. The bribery has been offered. You have to accept it.” He planned on filling up his mate’s kitchen with food. When Preston had gone for the cream last night, Zeppelin had seen just how bare his fridge was.
And that frozen entrée? He still couldn’t believe his mate had been willing to share it with him. But fuck if Zeppelin would take food out of his mate’s mouth.
Still, the offer to feed him had touched Zeppelin deeply.
“What exactly is at a farmer’s market?”
“Fresh produce, local honey, artisan breads.” Zeppelin wiped a smudge of frosting from Preston’s chin with his thumb. “Worth getting out of bed for.”
Or you could drag me under those covers.
Preston’s cheeks flushed at the touch. “I need to shower first.”
“Take your time,” Zeppelin said, leaning back against the headboard and making himself comfortable. “I’ll wait right here.”
Preston rolled his eyes but smiled as he climbed out of bed. His T-shirt rode up as he stretched, revealing a strip of pale skin above the waistband of his boxers. Zeppelin watched, not bothering to hide his appreciation.
He wanted to slide the cotton underwear down his mate’s legs and devour the guy. Suck his mate off until Preston was writhing and begging beneath him.
The bathroom door closed with a soft click, and soon the sound of running water filled the apartment. Zeppelin tried not to think about his mate naked and wet just a few feet away.
Instead, he used the time to glance around the bedroom. Like the rest of the apartment, it was sparsely furnished. There was just the bed, a dresser with a cracked mirror, and a small nightstand. No photos, no personal touches.
It looked like a place someone was passing through, not living in.
When the bathroom door opened again, a cloud of steam rolled out, carrying the clean scent of soap.
Preston appeared in the doorway, water droplets clinging to his bare skin, a white towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was darker when it was wet, and his body was flushed pink from the hot water.
Zeppelin’s mouth went dry. His cock became hard as fuck. His gaze swept across his mate’s chest, then dipped, catching on the gentle roundness just above the towel. Preston moved without hesitation, and Zeppelin took in every inch like he was starving for it.
Because he was.
Preston padded farther into the bedroom, then froze when he spotted Zeppelin still resting on his bed, like he’d completely forgotten he had company.
“Oh!” His hand strangled the side of the towel. “I thought you’d be in the living room.”
Zeppelin took in the sight before him, the nervous way his mate shifted his weight from one foot to the other. The pulse visibly jumping at the base of his throat. Those love handles and small belly Zeppelin wanted to map with his mouth.
“Should I leave?” he asked, not moving an inch.
“Yes. No. I mean—” Preston gestured vaguely with his free hand. “I-I need to get dressed.”
“Don’t let me stop you,” he said with a slow smile.
“Out,” Preston ordered, pointing toward the door, face flushing a delicious pink.
Zeppelin rose slowly, deliberately brushing against Preston as he passed. “Need any help?” he asked, voice dropping lower.
Preston’s flush deepened, spreading down his neck toward his chest. “Out,” he repeated, though with less conviction.
“Fine,” Zeppelin murmured, letting his gaze drop to Preston’s lips. “But only because you asked so nicely.”
He let his fingers brush against Preston’s bare arm, just the lightest touch, but Preston’s sharp intake of breath was audible.
In the living room, Zeppelin waited, listening to the sounds of drawers opening and closing. Five minutes later, Preston emerged wearing jeans and a faded blue T-shirt that made his eyes look greener. His hair was still damp, the ends curling slightly.
“Ready?” Zeppelin asked, trying not to stare at the way Preston’s jeans hugged his thighs.
