Page 2 of The Suspicious Mate

“I think your shy man is ready for introductions.” Noa kidded.

"Yes, he is." Zeke got up and started moving toward the skittish man, and it wasn't long before they disappeared into the back of Zeke's office. Well, one of them was going to have a good time, and it wasn't Noa. He continued to observe the room, but no one caught his fancy. After an hour, he headed back to the door to relieve Cross since Ames was still occupied elsewhere.

“No luck?” Cross offered with a smile.

"Not tonight." Noa responded good-naturedly. "I might as well man the door for all the action I'm attracting."

“Tomorrow is another day.” Cross reminded him.

“I haven’t given up on today yet.” He joked as he looked down the line that was still present outside the door.

"Then I will wish you luck." He said with a pat on his shoulder before turning toward the main room and motioning to Lowell, who was doing a masterful job of working the room and keeping people engaged. He used to be even better before he found his beloved. Lowell was one of the most popular in the pack, and people used to line up just for a chance with the man, but now he had eyes for only one man, and no one else interested him. Still, there were those who gave it a try only to be shut down immediately.

With Cross, Parc, Ames, Cade, and Lowell all bonded, it left only himself, Hofer, and Zeke still active and making use of the Club favors. They might have to look at hiring other paranormals to keep the clientele happy if more of them end up bonding. Noa knew that he would never tie himself to another. What a recipe for disaster and disappointment that would be.

Just the thought of being tied down in such a way made him anxious and irritated. He enjoyed playing the field, and he planned to do it for many years to come and maybe forever. He couldn't even imagine being satisfied with one man every day of every week every month of every year for the rest of his life. Again, the thought sent a chill down his spine. He might settle down someday, but it won't be with a Fated mate because, in his mind, they don't exist.

It was a surprise when he noticed his friend Mac standing in line. Mac was human, but one of Noa's closest friends. They met at a monster truck show a year ago and have been friends ever since. Mac was just a good guy with a good heart, and Noa enjoyed his company. It was unusual for Mac to show up at Zephyr on a weekday. It was normally Saturday when he'd stop by to soak up the ambiance, as he called it.

Mac worked Tuesday through Saturday, so he rarely went out during the week and definitely not out late, but here he was in line at eleven-thirty in the evening. Noa waved him forward and let him inside, to the distinct displeasure of several patrons standing in line. "Keep it up, and none of you will get inside." Noa warned, and everyone quieted down.

“Come on in.” He grabbed Mac by the shoulder and pulled him up the stairs and inside the first set of doors to the Club. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”

"I wanted to talk to you if you have some time," Mac explained.

"Go to the bar, and I'll meet you there shortly." He told him, and Mac nodded and headed to the bar while Noa shot off a request for a break to Lowell. It wasn't long before Parc relieved him, and Noa went to meet Mac at the bar. He smiled when he saw Mac with his back to the room, studying his beer and passing the time with Autry, Cross' mate. Noa slid in beside him and ordered a beer.

“What can I do for you Mac?” Noa took a long swig of his beer and waited for an answer. Mac’s phone began to buzz, and he answered the call and then laid the phone on the bar.

"Remember I told you about my cousin Kallan?" He began, and honestly, Noa could not remember them discussing a cousin. Noa shook his head and took another swig of his beer.

“He’s the one I’ve been trying to convince to move here to Cincinnati. He worked in the oil fields in North Dakota but was growing tired of that industry and was looking for something else.” Noa was starting to remember and began to nod his head.

“Yes, now I recall you said there wasn’t much in North Dakota where he lives apart from the jobs in oil, so you suggested he move here.”

“He’s here.” Mac smiled. “He arrived a few hours ago.”

"That's great; it's always nice to have family close by." Noa patted him on the back and ordered another beer.

"He's new in town, obviously, and I was wondering if you might ask him out." That stopped Noa in his tracks, and he swung around to stare at Mac. "You haven't been going out much lately, and I know you will like Kallan." Noa wasn't sure what to say, but he in no way wanted to date Mac's cousin. Mac's a great guy, but his cousin was from a small town in the plains and worked the oil fields, not someone Noa was even the least bit interested in.

“The day I have to start dating your baby cousin from North Dakota is the day I stop dating. I’m not going out much because I haven’t found anyone I’m interested in, not because I can't get a date. I'm not desperate enough to date your baby cousin." Noa was blunt and truthful.

"Kallan is a very sweet man and has a killer personality." Mac was trying to sell it hard, but everything he said just drove Noa's total lack of interest in the guy a little deeper.

"Not interested, Mac, I like my men small, sexy, sophisticated, and handsome as hell, and I remember you saying that you and Kallan looked a lot alike. You are not my type Mac; I love you like a brother, but I would never date you, man." Noa downed his beer.

"We looked alike when we were both younger; we look nothing alike now," Mac stated, but Noa was shaking his head.

"Not happening. I don't have time for pity dates. If Kallan is looking for action, have him go to the Underground Lounge. It's a dark club, and they don't pay attention to looks as much as the other clubs." He knew he was being an asshole, but Mac just wasn't getting the message. Mac reached over and took his phone off the bar and tucked it back into his pocket, and it was then that it dawned on Noa.

"Was Kallan listening." Mac nodded and then looked away. "Well, it's better that he hears the truth; Cincinnati is a tough town, socially speaking." Noa patted Mac on the shoulder, feeling guilty for having insulted the guy's cousin. "Why don't you bring Kallan around when I'm working, and I'll make sure you both get inside. I'm not promising anything, but maybe he'll find someone who's not too picky."

"God, you're a snob, Noa." Mac commented and ordered another beer. You're a good friend, but I would never want to be in a relationship with you."

“Why not?”

"Because you're a snob, Noa." Autry answered for him and then continued down the bar filling orders.

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