Zane knelt and looked up at Aidan’s flushed face. “Lift your foot.” He tugged off Aidan’s boot and sock, then did the same to the other foot. Zane stood and unbuckled his mate’s belt, the aching need in Zane’s prick keeping him from taking the time to pull the belt free from the jeans. He unbuttoned Aidan’s pants and slid his fingers under the elastic waist band of Aidan’s underwear, shoving the final pieces of clothing to the floor.

  Before Aidan could step out of the clothes Zane took his mouth in a hungry kiss as he ran his hands up and down Aidan’s strong back. Aidan slid his hands to the back of Zane’s neck, loosely linking his fingers together. Zane’s cock was pressed so hard against his zipper that he ached. If Aidan continued rubbing his body up against Zane’s, this might end before it really began. That thought had Zane stepping back and gesturing to the bed.

  Aidan stepped away from the clothes pooled around his ankles and sat, scooting to the centre of the bed before laying back. He bent his legs and brought his heels to his ass and Zane felt his prick leak at the sight. Zane simply stared, his gaze raking over ever inch of Aidan’s sculpted body. He watched as Aidan’s prick bobbed with each heartbeat, tapping out a white-beaded rhythm on Aidan’s stomach.

  “Zane.”

  Aidan’s voice drew Zane’s gaze back to his mate’s dark eyes. The smouldering look Aidan gave him had Zane removing his clothes quickly. He grabbed the lube and crawled onto the bed until he was kneeling between Aidan’s spread legs.

  “Pillows.” Zane reached over Aidan and began grabbing pillows and placing them under Aidan’s hips. His gaze was drawn to the small pink hole nestled beneath Aidan’s balls. It looked too small.

  “I don’t know if this is a good idea.” Zane stared at the puckered skin until he couldn’t help but trace it with his fingertip. “It doesn’t seem like this… “ Zane touched the tip of his cock, “can fit in there.” He traced a circle around the tight ring of muscles.

  “Zane, it’ll be fine. Okay, maybe not at first, but your ass is so fucking hot and tight, and this fills your ass perfectly.” Aidan fisted his cock, his eyelids drooping down so low they were almost shut. “Now either fuck me or I’m going to flip you over and ride your ass until neither one of us can walk!”

  “Well, when you put it like that…” Zane still had his doubts, but Aidan might never want to try this again. “Would you rather be on your hands and knees?”

  Aidan shook his head almost violently. “No.” He let go of his prick and grabbed the back of his thighs, pulling his legs up. The position spread his ass cheeks wider and sent Zane’s need rocketing into overdrive.

  “Fuck, Aidan!” Zane was trying to get the cap off the lube as fast as he could.

  “I’m trying to get you to do just that,” Aidan pointed out.

  Zane grunted, too busy trying to open the lube while taking in the near-orgasm-inducing image of Aidan’s ass being offered to him, his heavy balls hanging low and his hard prick leaking glistening drops of precome.

  The cap finally popped off, and Zane poured a liberal amount on his cock first, because he wasn’t sure if he would be able to touch himself without coming in a few minutes. He poured more of the thick stuff onto his fingers, and more again directly under Aidan’s balls. Zane traced the lube running down Aidan’s perineum, working as much as he could around Aidan’s virgin opening.

  He teased the wrinkled skin, pressing almost hard enough to penetrate. Aidan tensed even as he moaned softly. Zane’s fingertip slid in to the snug hole and Zane froze, studying Aidan’s face for signs of discomfort. What he found in his mate’s gaze was impatience and need. Aidan nodded and Zane worked his finger inside, marvelling at the heat and tight squeeze of muscles.

  Zane thrust his finger slowly at first, giving Aidan time to get used to the feeling of having something in his ass. He twisted his wrist and moved his finger around until he found Aidan’s prostate—and there was no doubt that he had. Aidan gasped and nearly lost the grip he had as his thighs as his body jerked.

  “Never felt anything like that, have you?” Zane couldn’t help smiling at the stunned—and horny—expression on Aidan’s face.

  “Do it again.” Aidan was pushing his ass down, trying to get Zane’s finger back on that magic spot.

  “Yes, sir. But first… “ Zane pulled his finger out then pressed two into Aidan’s snug channel. Aidan hissed, and Zane fisted Aidan’s cock with his other hand, stroking hard to distract his mate from the discomfort of taking two fingers. He moved his fingers, searching again for the spongy little gland and grinned when he found it. Zane pumped Aidan’s cock and stroked his prostate at the same time until Aidan was writhing and his balls were drawing up to his body. Then Zane released Aidan’s cock and pumped his fingers in fast strokes, scissoring them a little more every few thrusts and tapping Aidan’s gland often enough to keep his mate moaning. When he slid in the third finger without any resistance, Zane moaned himself. He pulled his fingers out and reached for the lube.

  “Zane, damn it…” Aidan wiggled his hips. “Get in here!”

  “Is that topping from the bottom?” Zane poured a glob of lube onto his fingers and quickly smeared it over Aidan’s stretched hole.

  “Quit talking and fuck me!” Aidan glared and Zane shook his head. He should have known Aidan would be a top whether he was giving or receiving.

  “Okay, but move your hands.” Zane’s hands took the place of his mate’s, gripping the backs of Aidan’s thighs. “You should probably stroke your dick while I…” He let go of one of Aidan’s thighs long enough to line his aching cock up to the snug hole he had prepared so carefully.

  Aidan fisted his prick and nodded. Zane moaned as he began pushing the flared head of his cock into Aidan’s ass. He tried to go slow, wanting to savour each second.

  “Aidan. So fucking tight, can hardly get in.” Zane had to push. He groaned and thrust as gently as he could manage. Aidan didn’t protest, so Zane did it again, and this time, Aidan bore down. Zane’s shout overpowered Aidan’s, but not by much. Zane tried to hold still, but Aidan squirmed and squeezed his inner muscles all around Zane’s cock.

  “Move!” Aidan pumped his prick faster and faster, his breath coming in short panting sounds.

  Zane pushed Aidan’s thighs up as far as he dared and began moving his prick inside Aidan’s scorching ass in short, rapid strokes. He glanced from Aidan’s cock down to where his own dick was buried deep inside his mate’s body. The sight of that ring of muscles, stretched wide around his prick as he thrust into Aidan’s ass, the wrinkled skin nearly white from taking in Zane’s girth had Zane’s balls drawing painfully tight. His thrusts became harder and erratic as he watched Aidan’s hole take his prick. He was going to come soon, and Aidan… He wanted Aidan to come sooner. Zane canted his hips and buried his cock to the hilt.

  Aidan shouted and pearly strings of spunk shot from his cock, coating his hand, stomach and chest. His orgasm sent clenching ripples through his tight channel. Zane let out a strangled yell as his cock swelled and pulsed, spurting out jet after jet of his seed. When the last bit of come was drained from his prick, Zane let go of Aidan’s thighs and stared in wonder at his mate. A smug smile stretched Aidan’s lips.

  “Shouldn’t I be the smug one?” Zane was pretty damn sure he had cause to be.

  Aidan laughed and shook his head. “But I taught you everything you know; therefore, I get to be the smug one.”

  “Damn it!” Zane couldn’t think of a way to refute his mate’s logic. “You do have a point.”

  “Of course I do.” Aidan pushed himself up on his elbows. “And I have another point for you.” He gestured to his semi-erect prick.

  “God, Aidan, that is just bad,” Zane rolled his eyes. He carefully withdrew his softening prick from the warmth of Aidan’s body.

  “Really? If you don’t want it then… “ Aidan’s voice trailed off as he sat up and swung his leg over Zane so that he could get up off of the bed.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t want it, just that your joke was a bad one.” Zane scrambled to get off the bed and follow Aidan into what he discovered was a huge master bathroom.

  “But it wasn’t a joke,” Aidan insisted.

  Zane stopped and planted his hands on his hips. “Okay, then. What was it?”

  Aidan wiggled his eyebrows and leered. “An offer.”

  Zane wasn’t stupid; he decided to take the out. “That’s different then.” He looked at Aidan’s prick and leered back. “That is a very fine offer that I will gladly accept.”

  Laughing, Aidan reached for him—and then proceeded to show Zane just exactly how fine of an offer it was.

  Epilogue

  Aidan stood behind Zane, his arms wrapped around his mate as they stared out the window. The snow had started falling hours ago, not too hard, but slowly, steadily—and enough that they were both worried that their guests wouldn’t be able to make it to the cabin. Or that, once Gabe and Mika arrived, they might all be stuck here for days.

  That wouldn’t have bothered Zane or him normally, but this wasn’t a normal visit. This was getting together to prepare for the ceremony that would make Gabe one of them, without the painful biting. Just the thought made Aidan shudder.

  “Me, too,” Zane muttered, “So feel free to quit sharing those particular thoughts.”

  “Sorry, sort of,” Aidan teased, nipping at Zane’s neck before resting his chin on his mate’s shoulder. “I would have thought Marcus would have been here already.” The fact that he wasn’t worried Aidan. Marcus had to be here for the ceremony to work.

  Zane turned his head, worry in his silver eyes. “Try to call him again. Maybe he’ll have signal now.”

  “Maybe, but there’s several stretches between here and Gila where service sucks, or doesn’t exist at all.” Aidan released Zane and stepped back, digging his phone out of his back pocket. He dialled Marcus’ number but it went straight to voice mail. Again. Aidan shook his head at Zane’s questioning look.

  “I’m sure he’s okay.” Zane’s voice was soothing, but the frown he wore wasn’t. The frown deepened as Zane tapped his chin with his index finger. “But you know, even taking into consideration multiple stops, he really should have been here already.”

  The sound of tires crunching snow had them both hurrying to the door. Aidan flung it open and, while he wasn’t disappointed to see Mika and Gabe, he was even more worried now.

  “Your face is going to freeze that way, Aidan!” Gabe glanced from Aidan to Zane. “Okay, what’s wrong? Did you find out there was something incredibly painful involved, after all?” Mika grabbed a duffle bag from the cab of the truck in one hand and took Gabe’s elbow in the other, pulling his mate towards the door.

  “It’s not that at all.” Aidan smiled despite his concern for his brother. It was hard not to be delighted by Gabe and Mika. He stepped back and ushered them inside, waiting until Zane had been hugged and greeted by both men before offering his hand to Gabe.

  “Yeah, right.” Gabe rolled his eyes and batted Aidan’s hand aside, diving in for a hug as well. Aidan met Mika’s amused gaze over Gabe’s shoulder as he patted Gabe’s back. “You should know better, Double D,” Gabe scolded as he stepped back.

  “Yes, I should.” Aidan extended his hand to Mika, fairly certain that would be fine with the man. Mika’s firm shake turned into a one-armed hug with a quick tug.

  “He’s rubbed off on me,” Mika claimed. His eyes grew wide as he realised his mistake.

  “Duh. I rub off on you every chance I get. Not to mention—umph!” Mika silenced Gabe with a long kiss. Gabe’s face was flushed when the kiss ended. “Shit, caveman. Geez.”

  “I think that’s the first time I’ve seen Gabe flustered,” Zane murmured so softly. “Looks good on him.”

  “Works, too,” Mika agreed.

  “Very funny, jackasses.” Gabe looked around the living room. “Speaking of which, where’s Marcus?”

  Worry hit Aidan again and he frowned. “That’s the problem. He isn’t here yet. We were expecting him hours ago.”

  “Is he not answering his cell?” Mika was frowning now as well.

  “Goes straight to voice mail. Maybe I’m worrying for nothing, but it isn’t like him, and this is important.” And he was going to babble if he didn’t watch himself.

  “What do his guards say?” Gabe’s eyebrows tipped up when Aidan didn’t answer. “You haven’t called them?”

  “The thing is, only Alex, the captain of Marcus’ guard, knew he was coming here,” Aidan confessed. “This ceremony isn’t something we want everyone knowing about, you know?”

  “Right,” Mika nodded, “Since it works on people who aren’t mates as well as mates. Could be a disaster if it became common knowledge.”

  “Exactly. But maybe…” Aidan glanced at Zane, “we should call and ask Alex if he’s heard from Marcus.”

  “I’ll do it, if you want to show Gabe and Mika to their room?”

  “Okay.” Aidan gestured for Mika and Gabe to follow him. “Different room this time, guys. We put you two in the room beside ours in case there are any complications—”

  “What? Complications how?” Gabe’s voice had a tinge of panic to it.

  Aidan laughed and shook his head. “Sometimes the first shift is kind of painful, and the shifter can be rather graceless, I guess you might say.”

  Gabe grabbed Aidan’s arm and spun him around. “How painful? I thought the whole point of this ceremony was to avoid something painful!”

  “Gabe, it won’t be that bad,” Mika soothed, prying Gabe’s hand from Aidan’s arm. “Really. And certainly not as bad as having me bite your prick.”

  “Better not be,” Gabe muttered, “Or I reserve the right to bite yours.”

  “I’ll bend you over my knee if you try it.” Mika’s threat might have backfired on him, Aidan mused. The scent of Gabe’s arousal as soon as the words were spoken.

  Mika realised it as well. “Try it and my hand won’t slap your ass for a year.”

  “I wouldn’t do it, caveman. I love your dick—and the rest of you—way too much to hurt you like that.” Gabe patted Mika’s groin softly. “This guy here is my friend.”

  “Aidan,” Zane called out.

  Aidan turned to see Zane walking towards them. “Did you find out anything?”

  “Only that he left when he told us he would. No one has heard from him since he left Gila after checking in on the pack there.” Zane put his arms around Aidan’s waist. “Alex is doing some GPS-thing and will call us back as soon as possible.”

  “Hey, he may be just fine,” Gabe offered. “Let’s give him a few more hours before we decide he’s lost.” He punched Aidan on the arm. “Besides, you two are twins; don’t you and Marcus share any of that much-vaunted twin mojo?”

  “Twin mojo?” Aidan shook his head before Gabe could start asking questions. “Marcus does. He can’t read my mind, but he’s sometimes sensed things—injuries and such, like broken bones, you know? Sometimes even when I’ve been really pissed or upset.” Surely Aidan’d know if something horrible happened to his brother?

  “Right. Maybe he just found an irresistible piece of ass and made a little detour.” Gabe wiggled his eyebrows as he teased Aidan.

  “Better be a damn great piece. Why don’t you put your things up and join Zane and me in the living room?”

  “Will do, though we might shower first.” Aidan couldn’t believe Mika said that with a straight face.

  “You do that.” Aidan didn’t bat an eyelash, either. Instead he took Zane’s hand and led him into the living room where he pulled his mate down onto the soft leather couch.

  “You’re still worried, Aidan.” Zane’s eyes held a great deal of worry as well.

  “I don’t believe he’s dead, or badly injured, but I still don’t know where he is or why he isn’t here.” And it was going to worry him until he saw Marcus pull up, safe and sound.

  Zane leant in for a soft kiss, barely brushing his lips over Aidan’s before pulling back. “I understand, but remember, you have Gabe and Mika here to help you. And me, of course. I’ll do whatever I can. But you have friends, too.”

  Aidan smiled. “You’re right, babe, and you’re all that I need, but it is nice to have my brother, and our friends, as well.” Aidan held Zane tightly, sighing when his head rested on Aidan’s shoulder. His mate was an exceptional man, his brother was alive, and soon they would be in the company of good friends.

  It was more than many people had, and Aidan knew it. He nuzzled his face into Zane’s hair and smiled. Everything was be better than fine with Zane at his side.

  About the Author

  A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are resounds for pounding away at the keyboard, as are the early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn’t happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey’s brain, demanding to be let out.

  Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey’s office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey’s presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

  Email: itsbaileybradford@yahoo.com

  Bailey loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

  Also by Bailey Bradford

  Southwestern Shifters: Rescued

  Southern Spirits: A Subtle Breeze

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

  www.total-e-bound.com

  Take a look at our exciting range of literagasmic™