A resounding ‘awwww’ went around the club and Ross narrowed his eyes. “You wouldn’t sing.”

  “I would,” Cole motioned to Olivia. “Okay, get it going.”

  Ross stood transfixed as the music actually started. It was Katy Perry’s ‘Unconditionally.’

  “Wait! No, God, please don’t sing. You’ll forever scar these people!”

  “Will you dance with me then?” Cole came down from the stage as Olivia took over and began singing.

  Ross took the flowers from Cole. They were gladiolus. He looked into Cole’s eyes and saw the sincerity and apology in them.

  “All right,” he sighed.

  “I’ll just take those.” Noah grabbed the flowers as he walked by.

  “Ass.” Ross glared at him.

  Cole’s arms came around his waist and Ross leaned into him. He jumped slightly when Cole’s hand cupped his cheek. He looked into the blue eyes and almost moaned.

  God, he’d missed Cole.

  “Are you listening to the song? Unconditionally, Ross. I will love you no matter what or who you are. Do you hear me? I’m in love with you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re it, you’ll always be it and I want us to be together in every way.”

  “Meaning?”

  “I want you to bite me.”

  Ross jerked his head and locked eyes with Cole. “You what?”

  Cole leaned in to Ross’ ear. “I want you to bite me — change me and make me yours. Then I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I would do anything, kill anyone for you, Ross. I love you. Unconditionally. Please tell me you forgive me for being a ginormous asshole.”

  Ross inhaled Cole’s scent and wrapped his arms around his neck. His body responded immediately. His mate was in his arms and he finally felt whole again.

  “You’re my mate, Cole. For life,” Ross whispered.

  “I am. I’ll always be with you. There’s no one else for me.”

  “I love you, Cole,” Ross leaned his head back and gazed into Cole’s eyes.

  “I fucking love you like no other,” Cole growled, taking Ross’ mouth.

  The crowd erupted in applause and Ross tightened his grip as the kiss heated up. God, he didn’t even care they were being watched by everyone in the bar.

  They were the only people in the room as far as Ross was concerned.

  Strong hands gripped his ass and Ross gasped in Cole’s mouth. Cole broke the kiss and caressed Ross’ face.

  “Marry me.” Cole searched Ross’ eyes.

  “Ross Ryker?” Ross tilted his head.

  “You’ll have a ‘Star Trek’ name,” Cole pointed out hopefully.

  “Hell yes, then!” Ross laughed and jumped on Cole, wrapping his legs around Cole’s waist, kissing him fiercely.

  “Oh, hell yeah!” Chaz stood up on the table clapping and whistling. He waved at the DJ booth. “Dark Horse!”

  “On it!” Skylar cued up the next Katy Perry song.

  Ross laughed as the song started. Cole put him back down on the floor and they began dancing slowly. Ross turned in Cole’s arms and rubbed his ass over Cole’s crotch. The rest of the guys rushed the floor, giving their congratulations. They formed a line as they all danced to the song. Ross couldn’t stop laughing. They looked like an X-rated conga line.

  Cole held him close and they kissed as everyone danced around them. This is what he’d been missing.

  Love.

  ~*Chapter Thirteen*~

  By two, they were on their way home. Ross sat in the middle of the truck, leaning against Cole’s warmth. His wolf knew his mate was at his side, and it was itching to come out and bite Cole. They pulled into the driveway and Cole got out, running around to open Ross’ door for him. It was sweet. They walked hand in hand to the front door and Ross let them both into the quiet house. Ross shut and locked the door. He turned to find Cole on one knee in front of him.

  “Cole?”

  “I wanted to wait until we got home to give you this.” Cole took a box from his pocket and opened the lid.

  Ross peered in and lifted a gold band out. He squinted and shifted his eyes.

  “ ‘I know?’ ” He looked to Cole for an explanation.

  “Mine says ‘I love you.’ ” Cole winked.

  Ross cracked up. “That is so cool! That’s what Han said to Leah just before he got frozen in carbonite. Wait, so you’re the princess in this scenario?”

  Cole stood up and took the ring from Ross. He took his hand and slid the ring on his finger.

  “I’m whoever you want me to be, as long as I’m with you.”

  “Oh my God, we are such geeks!” Ross laughed. “We have ‘Star Wars’ wedding rings?”

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love it!” Ross took Cole into his arms. “I love you.”

  Cole began walking backwards, pulling Ross along. “Let’s go upstairs.”

  Ross nodded and followed Cole. They kissed all the way up the staircase, touching each other along the way. Cole’s shirt disappeared and Ross’ followed it seconds later. They were down to their boxers by the time they got to the bedroom, their clothes littering the stairs. Ross closed the door and crossed the room to the bed. He crawled up it and settled in on his back, letting his legs fall open.

  “No,” Cole whispered.

  “No?” Ross sat up.

  “I want you to make love to me, Ross.”

  “You… you’re going to bottom?” Ross choked out.

  “Yes, I am. I trust you, Ross, with my life.”

  Ross crawled off the bed. He palmed Cole’s face and searched his eyes.

  “Are you absolutely sure?”

  Cole nodded. “Make love to me.”

  Ross trailed his hands down Cole’s chest. The skin trembled beneath his palms. He leaned in and kissed Cole’s neck and, letting his canines drop a fraction, he grazed it. Cole shivered under his touch and Ross smiled and licked a path down Cole’s chest to his belly button.

  They’d been here before, Ross on his knees, worshiping Cole’s beautiful dick. Ross licked his lips as he eyed the glistening member in front of him. He licked at the head, swallowing the precome with a groan.

  “Jesus, Ross!”

  “On the bed.” Ross stood up and moved aside.

  Cole got on the bed and waited for instruction. God, he was nervous. He hadn’t bottomed in five years. Ross padded up the bed and hovered over him like a predator eyeing its prey. Cole’s pulse raced as Ross reached down and touched a single digit to his hole.

  “By the way,” Ross licked his finger and sucked it, spreading it with saliva. “Being a werewolf means I can’t catch anything, therefore I can’t pass anything on.”

  Cole’s eyes widened as Ross sucked on the finger, sliding it slowly back and forth in his mouth. He was smiling at him and Cole blinked.

  “Wait, what?”

  “The lube, Cole. It’s under the pillowcase.”

  “Oh.” Cole grabbed it and stared at Ross as he poured some in his right hand, while the left hand was circling his hole with the spit-slicked fingers.

  One finger entered him and Cole’s back arched. Ross lifted his leg and placed it on his shoulder. Cole was open-mouthed as Ross settled between his legs and began feasting on his ass.

  “Oh. My. God.”

  Ross’ tongue delved into his core and Cole’s eyes rolled back in his head. He’d been rimmed before, but not like this. Ross’ tongue seemed to be swirling around inside his ass. Cole’s breath hitched as a slight burn radiated up his spine. Ross’ fingers worked alongside his tongue. Cole’s legs dropped further apart and Ross adjusted the leg on his shoulder. Cole’s ass was half off the bed as Ross continued to drive him crazy.

  Cole’s chest tightened as another finger slipped inside him. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe evenly. Ross’ head popped up from between his legs and he applied more lube to his fingers. Dropping Cole’s leg on the bed, he moved up his body and propped above him as he inserted more fingers.

  “How many is that?” Cole sucked in a breath.

  “Two.”

  “Two?”

  “Three.”

  “Ohh, shit,” Cole whispered.

  Ross’ fingers scissored and crooked up, and Cole almost flew off the bed. A cry of pure pleasure spilled from his lips as Ross began to finger-fuck him in earnest. The pain was suddenly gone as Cole rode Ross’ fingers. He hadn’t felt like this in ages. Sweat ran down his chest as Ross kissed him slowly. Their tongues tangled and Cole could taste himself on Ross’ tongue.

  Ross broke the kiss slowly and locked eyes with him. Cole nodded as Ross asked permission without words. Ross placed a pillow under his hips and Cole closed his eyes, waiting for the pain to come.

  “Look at me,” Ross whispered.

  Cole opened his eyes. The way Ross looked at him — no one had ever looked at him like that. There was such love in his eyes. The ring twinkled in the light from the soft lamp in the corner and Cole smiled.

  Ross was his.

  Cole kept his eyes on Ross as he entered his body slowly. There was no pain, only the pleasure of knowing Ross was making love to him. They moved together, Cole wrapping his body around Ross’. Cole gasped as Ross’ thighs hit his ass.

  “Oh God, Ross,” Cole whispered.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, God, that feels so good! Move!”

  Ross chuckled softly and began a slow fuck. He hadn’t been with anyone in a long time, either, and being bare in Cole’s ass? He wasn’t going to last long at all. Cole was wrapped around him tightly, arms around his shoulders and legs clamped around his hips. The tight heat of Cole’s body caressed him as he moved slowly, not wanting to hurt Cole and also wanting to draw the pleasure out as long as possible.

  Cole was giving himself to him freely. For a man who said he’d never bottom, Cole was definitely letting it be known he was enjoying himself.

  Soft moans filled the room as Ross struggled to keep himself from moving too fast. Every in-stroke made him gasp for breath and hold on to what little control he had left. He pushed in and buried himself to the hilt. Cole’s low groan moved down his spine as their lips remained fused. Pulling out slowly, Ross slid the head of his cock in, and then pulled out.

  He repeated it over and over again until Cole’s fingernails punctured his back and a mewling noise left the fireman’s lips. Ross stood on the precipice of release, but he wanted Cole to come with him. He wrapped his hand around Cole’s luscious dick and began stroking him, upping the tempo as he began thrusting with more force. Cole’s hips arched and his grip on Ross’ shoulders tightened. Ross rolled his hips and Cole’s eyes flew open. The cry that left him triggered Ross’ own release and they both came, Cole’s spunk coating Ross’ hand.

  Ross slumped forward and buried his face in Cole’s neck. His heart was racing a hundred miles an hour and his canines were itching to sink into Cole’s flesh.

  “You didn’t bite me,” Cole whispered.

  Ross raised his head and searched Cole’s eyes. “It’s enough for me that you want me to. I want you to be sure it’s really what you want and you’re not just doing it to prove a point to me.” Ross tilted his head. “Besides, wouldn’t that be cheating in your cage fights?”

  Cole’s brows furrowed. “I’ll quit.”

  “Is that what you want? I want you with me; I don’t care if you fight — or don’t. I’ll support you no matter what you want to do. All I want is you here with me. This is where you belong, Cole.”

  Cole framed Ross’ face in his hands. “You want me to move in?”

  “Well, you did propose.” Ross arched a brow.

  “Yes, I did.” Cole smiled. “I never thought I’d want to get married, but I do. I just needed to find the right man.” Cole kissed Ross softly. “Now, bite me.”

  “Is that an order?” Ross trailed his lips across Cole’s softly.

  “It’s a request.”

  Ross studied Cole’s features. He looked nervous and a little scared.

  “Look, I’m right here with you, okay? I will walk you through everything. It’s going to hurt like you wouldn’t believe, Cole.”

  “I was burned and paralyzed. If it hurts worse than being almost burned alive, I’ll let you know.”

  Ross’ dick thickened as he licked his lips, allowing his canines to drop fully. He turned Cole’s head to the side and hovered above the juncture between his neck and shoulder.

  “I love you, Cole.”

  Ross sunk his teeth in and bit down. A loud cry came from Cole as Ross’s fangs hit bone. He drew back and searched Cole’s face. The pain was there already, and Cole was trying to hold it together.

  “Let it go, Cole. I’m not going to think less of you.” Ross caressed Cole’s face.

  “Oh shhhhiiiit!” Cole’s body shuddered as the pain spiked in his back. Heat flared throughout his body and his breathing became shallow. “So…fucking…hot!”

  “I know,” Ross tried to soothe Cole as the change came. The first bone broke in Cole’s thigh and Ross’ heart ached at the wail Cole let loose.

  “I’m going to die,” Cole choked out.

  “You’re not, I promise. I’m right here.” Ross kept eye contact with Cole as more bones broke throughout his body. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

  The pain was unbelievable. Cole’s back arched — then broke, and he cried out in pain. Ross was there holding him as his body made the transformation. How the hell did anyone survive this? It seemed like an eternity and then Cole struggled to open his eyes. Everything was black and white. Ross was running his fingers through his coat. Wait, his coat? Cole tried to get up and fell back down. A soft chuckle came from Ross.

  “Slow down there, get used to having four legs.”

  “Oh, this is so weird!”

  Ross moved off the bed to allow Cole to move. He took up most of the queen-sized mattress. Cole tumbled off the side and Ross immediately moved to his aid.

  “Are you okay?” Ross buried his hands in Cole’s luscious black fur. God, but he was beautiful as a wolf.

  “I hear everything; it’s so weird. The room is black and white.”

  “It’s going to take time, Cole, but you will get used to it. Calvin’s doing very well, but that might be because he’s younger.” Ross studied Cole’s face. His pupils were contracting. “Um, you’re about to shift back.”

  “How do you —”

  Cole roared in pain as his back leg spasmed and broke. He fell to his side and jerked as his body began to shift back. Ross tried to comfort him, but the pain was intense. Cole bit back a scream and then shifted. He blinked rapidly as the room began to take shape and color. A sinfully delicious scent caressed his nose and he licked his lips, looking at Ross.

  “Oh shit, you smell so fucking good.”

  Ross backed up a bit. “Oh fuck, you’re going into ‘mine’ mode.”

  Cole got on his hands and knees and inhaled sharply. He eyed Ross and moved forward.

  “Want you.”

  Ross nodded. “Uh huh.”

  “Mine!”

  Ross fell on his back as Cole jumped on him. It was a whirlwind of kissing, licking and probably one of the best fucks of his entire life. He came screaming as Cole thrust into him repeatedly — biting down on his shoulder and marking him. A loud snarl shook the room as Cole came, pounding his way through orgasm.

  Ross sighed, sated as Cole draped over him breathing hard.

  “Damn,” Cole whispered. “That was intense. I felt like I had to take you right then. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  Ross smiled as Cole kissed his shoulder softly.

  “Hell, no. I loved it. I’m yours.” Ross wrapped his arms around Cole.

  “Yes you are, Ross. For life.”

  ~*~

  Morning brought a whole slew of new sounds and scents. Cole tried to block out the noise, to no avail. He could hear everything. The trash men, the neighbors, and the dog five blocks away. His head began to pound at the sensory overload. He moaned and covered his ears. Soft lips caressed his and he pulled Ross into his embrace.

  “I know it hurts, listen to my voice, okay?” Ross whispered. “I want you to concentrate on me and me alone. Block out everything else. It’s just you and me right now. Close your eyes and focus on just that. I’m right here and I’m going to help you through it.”

  “People are talking.” Cole’s brows furrowed.

  “I know; it’s the rest of the packs. I want you to shut it off. Breathe in and out slowly and imagine a switch on the wall. Do you see it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, now walk over to it and flip it off. Deep breaths in and out.”

  Cole focused on a switch on the wall. He crossed the room to it and flipped it down. The silence was a relief and he opened his eyes to see Ross smiling at him.

  “It worked.”

  “Good, now to turn it back on, you do the same thing. Imagine that switch on the wall, okay?”

  Cole framed Ross’ face in his hands. “You are so damn beautiful. I see you even more clearly now. You were meant to be mine.”

  Ross nodded. “I didn’t realize I’d been slapped with the mate bond at first. Funny, I’ve heard all the others talk about it — but I guess it’s different for everyone. Preston knew Wyatt was his mate the second he saw him; same when Tucker met Austin. I knew I felt a pull to you the moment our eyes met in the club. I just didn’t associate it with the bond because it didn’t move the Earth.”

  “So we’re mated for life.” Cole pulled Ross on top of him. “I like it.”

  “I’m so glad it was you.” Ross leaned in to kiss Cole. Their lips met in a soft kiss and Ross moaned as Cole’s hands gripped his ass.

  “Sure about that?” Cole grinned against Ross’ lips.

  “Yes, I’m positive. Now I know why I didn’t feel the bond with Stuart. It was you all along.”

  “I’m not sure I like Stuart very much right now.”

  “He’s lonely. He knows that letting you think we had been together was wrong. I told him I love you.” Ross traced Cole’s lips with his fingertip.

 

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