Page 34 of Mated to the Human: Volume One

Cane looked up, and sure enough, Jake was pulling into a parking spot along the street. “How long have you been circling to get a spot this close?”

“I’m very patient when I need to be.”

Cane believed that. He hung up the phone and jogged over to the car, climbing in beside Jake.

Jake pulled the car back out into traffic. “Dinner preference?”

“Hot and plentiful.”

With a snort, Jake stopped at a red light and flicked on the turn signal. “So, how was your day, dear?”

It was Cane’s turn to laugh. “Oh, you know, did the boring orientation thing, met my coworkers, almost punched a cop in the face.” He shrugged. “The usual.”

It was comical how fast Jake’s head snapped around. “Tell me you’re joking. Were they hassling you about the fight?”

Cane studied him for a moment. Was Jake…coming to his defense? Clearing his throat, he shifted around in the seat. “No. It was just one cop, and he was harassing that new coworker I mentioned. Hollis. He’s newly mated to the hellhound Alpha.”

Jake nodded. “Derek’s a good guy. Why was a cop bothering Hollis?”

“Apparently, the cop is Hollis’s cousin, and the police commissioner is his uncle. They want something from him. I don’t know what. Hollis didn’t say, but they’re not above dragging Hollis out of a diner in the middle of the day to make their requests.”

Jake pulled the car smoothly into a parking spot in front of a line of storefronts. He turned off the car and looked over at Cane, his brows furrowed. “Derek won’t stand for that. We, uh, paranormals tend to be pretty territorial over our mates. Demons and vampires, especially.”

Cane tilted his head. “But not warlocks?”

“Oh, we definitely are.” Jake’s deep brown gaze held him captive. “I am.”

That look told Cane a hundred things, but even if it hadn’t, Jake’s actions already had. This man was on his side. Even after the scare he’d given Jake over the fight and despite how little they still knew of each other, Jake wanted him. Wanted to keep him. Even more shocking was how entirely mutual that feeling was. When his mother bullied him into agreeing to be one of the human mates, he’d never dreamed this would be the outcome. Still holding Jake’s gaze, he nodded. “So am I.”

Jake leaned over the center console, reaching out to get a hand on the back of Cane’s neck. Cane met him halfway in a clash of lips, teeth, and tongue. Jake nipped at Cane’s bottom lip, drawing a moan out of him.

With the hand on the back of his neck, Jake moved Cane where he wanted him, changing the angle of their kiss. Cane’s world narrowed down to the firm grip on the back of his neck, the hot glide of Jake’s tongue against his, and the earthy scent of Jake filling his head. It was so good Cane lost himself to it in a way he never had with anyone else.

Jake pulled back, breathing hard and resting his forehead against Cane’s. “Fucking hell.”

Cane wasn’t ready to stop. Sliding his hand down, he settled his palm on the firm bulge at Jake’s groin, rubbing back and forth.

With a gasp, Jake started to pull his hips away, only to press back into Cane’s hand a second later. “What are you doing?” It came out strangled while Jake fought with himself.

Cane smirked, amused and so turned on he couldn’t think straight. The little helpless thrusts of Jake’s hips damn near making him lose his mind and his control. “Well, I was thinking about getting you off.”

“Here?” Jake squeaked, head popping up and looking around. “We’re in public, Cane!”

With a chuckle, Cane pulled him back in, kissing him soundly. “Should have gotten darker tinted windows if you didn’t want anyone to see.” He clicked Jake’s seatbelt off and reached for the button of his jeans. Before he unfastened them, he met Jake’s gaze. A question.

Jake swallowed hard and gave a little nod.

Cane’s smile turned wicked, getting Jake’s jeans open and reaching a hand inside. He wrapped dry fingers around Jake’s cock, groaning at how hard he was. Maybe there was a little exhibitionist in Jake after all. He stroked, gathering up the wetness at the tip and rubbing it all over the throbbing length of him.

It was cramped with the way they were leaning toward each other. On every stroke, Cane’s arm thumped against the center console and the car was heating up, making sweat bead along Cane’s hairline. It was all worth it for every little gasp and whimper falling out of Jake’s mouth.

The cock in his hand swelled just as Jake stilled against him. In a rush, Jake released his breath as he came all over Cane’s hand.

“Fuck,” Jake panted, hands fisted in Cane’s dress shirt. “Shit, I can’t believe we just did that.”

Cane chuckled and kissed Jake again. “Tell me you have napkins or something in here.”

If possible, Jake’s blush turned even darker. “Here.” He leaned back enough to open the console and grabbed a handful of fast-food napkins, handing them to Cane.

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