Page 13 of Destined Prey
Ben slipped his hand in Jack’s, and let himself be led into the darker recess of the alley. “It’s real, if you mean what we’re feeling.”
“I thought I knew what real was when it came to wanting a man, but I learned that I was an idiot. I don’t know if I can trust this.” Jack stopped, turned and looked his way. “Shit, it’s dark. I really hope you’re not out to hurt me.”
“Never,” Ben vowed. He couldn’t hurt Jack. That was one thing he knew without having to examine the why of it. Ben glided his free hand over Jack’s hip, back to his injured side.
“Oh,” Jack whispered, shivering again. “You keep touching me there.”
“You hold yourself like it hurts.” Ben gently stroked. “Does it?”
Jack licked his lips, and Ben damn near came in his pants.
“Yes,” Jack hissed, tipping his chin up, asking without words for a kiss.
“Why?” Ben asked, freeing his other hand from Jack’s so he could cup Jack’s neck, feel that pulse beating soft and fast against his palm.
“W-why what?” Jack stuttered, leaning in, inching closer, until their bodies were pressed together from chests to knees.
Ben forgot what he was asking. Need roared through him like a fire over gasoline-doused tinder. He sealed his mouthover Jack’s, no gentle start to it as the lust driving him grew stronger. The kiss hit like impact, all heat and demand, and Ben let himself drown in it. Jack’s soft whimper vibrated against his lips, sending a rush of need down Ben’s spine. Every sense was full of him—the faint taste of coffee, the warmth of his breath, the trembling way his fingers clawed for Ben’s shirt. It was overwhelming, terrifying, and addictive in the same breath. Ben was saturated in Jack’s scent, in the touch, taste, sound of him. The slight growl Ben swallowed down as Jack trembled in his arms only made Ben want the man more.
He thrust his tongue against Jack’s at the same time he rutted, driving his hard cock over Jack’s. The grind of cotton briefs and denim pants was almost enough to make Ben come. It wouldn’t have taken much had he not retained some modicum of control.
Instead of giving in and just rubbing against Jack like an animal incapable of controlling himself, Ben stopped moving his hips, and just kept his groin pressed to Jack’s as he explored Jack’s mouth.
Jack was sweet, in scent and taste, and Ben loved those things about him. He used his hold on Jack’s neck to encourage him to tip his head a bit for a better angle.
Jack whimpered and grasped at Ben’s shirt. He parted his legs and another sweet, muffled sound was fed from Jack to Ben.
Ben wanted to devour Jack on a sexual level, something he’d never wanted before from a man. He’d been horny, he’d been infatuated and maybe he’d even been a little in love, but none of his past relations with lovers had anything on what he felt for Jack.
Heburnedwith need for Jack, and it was terrifying, enough so that Ben gentled the kiss as he tried to keep from freaking out. He had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to walk away from Jack, maybe not ever.
“Nngh,” Jack mumbled, then, “No, don’t stop! I need…I need…I—”
Ben slipped the hand he had on Jack’s ribs down between them, until he was cupping Jack’s cock through his jeans.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Jack thrust into his palm. “Oh, Jesus, I’m so close!”
Ben wasn’t sure if he should get Jack off or not. If Jack came, Jack might be done with him. If Ben made him wait—
The door banged open. “Jack! Jack!”
Jack went stiff in an entirely not-fun way as Ben let go of him. Ben recognized Rhett’s angry voice.
“Shit, he sounds pissed.” Jack ran one shaking hand through his dark hair. “God. Like I’m not an adult or something.”
“He’s your brother. He worries.” Ben took a step back. His instincts warred within him. He wanted to stay, to fight for Jack, but fighting Rhett would be foolish. Jack loved his brother. Ben also wanted to leave Jack wanting him, and that seemed to be the best course of action for now. “I’ll be in touch, soon.”
“What does that even mean? How? How will you do that?” Jack called out, but Ben turned and trotted off as Rhett bellowed like a mad bull behind him.
Again, he felt an almost painful tug as he left Jack. Ben forced himself to keep moving, even if his coywolf railed internally against him for doing so. Something weird was going on with him, and Ben was afraid to delve too deeply to find out what the problem was. By the time he made it back to the truck, where Casey was waiting, Ben was sweating and he felt dizzy.
“You look like shit, bro,” Casey said when Ben had got in the car and buckled up. “Seriously. What’s wrong with you?”
Ben leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “I don’t know. I was fine until I left Jack.”
The admission hung in the cab like smoke. Ben rubbed at his chest, unsettled by the ache lodged there. It wasn’t justlust. It wasn’t even simple longing. It felt like a thread had wrapped tight around his ribs, pulling, demanding he go back. That wasn’t normal. That wasn’t safe. And it sure as hell wasn’t something he could explain to Casey—or to himself.
“Hm.” Casey didn’t say anything else as he drove out of the parking lot, and Ben was glad for that at least.
