Page 12

AJ

T aking my rolling suitcase out of the overhead compartment, I walked off the airplane. I’d cultivated a lot of clients in other places so that I’d have reasons to see Grif.

I hadn’t heard much from the pack today, other than they were meeting with Stu, and that tonight’s game was canceled because of a storm. This was shaping up to be a stormy winter.

Everything was fine, I was sure. I trusted Jonas. While sometimes he was a little pushy, he knew what he was doing regarding the pack, which was why he was head alpha.

Sure, I could do it. But he liked it, and I wasn’t about to fight him for it.

I had gotten a picture of Verity at a beautiful waterfall in Hawai’i. Yeah, no snow storms there.

Grif

Text me when you get in, I’m in the car lot.

Aww. How sweet. I’d planned on ordering a car.

Me

Thank you. On my way. Hungry?

Grif

Absolutely. See you soon.

I found my way to the pickup spot, wrapping my jacket around me against the January cold. Though the storm affecting the game wasn’t anywhere near New York.

Grif’s sports car stopped in front of me and the window rolled down. “Hey, good looking, need a ride?”

“Hey, Boo-Boo.” I tossed my suitcase, briefcase, and jacket in the tiny trunk and then climbed into the front seat. “Thanks for getting me. Sorry, the game was canceled.” Kissing him, I put on my seatbelt.

Soft music played in the background. Oooh, he’d turned the seat warmer on.

“It happens. Jonas and Dean are on a date, so I thought maybe we could spend some time together. We, um…” A wide grin broke out across Grif’s face, and his scent grew syrupy with happiness. “We got the pack contract.”

Elation flooded me. “You did! I… I’m so happy for you.”

Finally. I’d been afraid the team wouldn’t grant it. They weren’t obligated to.

His expression went bashful. “We don’t have to bond tonight, but… but we can. Dean and Jonas even offered to stay in a hotel if we wanted some privacy.”

“I’d love to. Though I haven’t courted you the way I’d wanted. Also, you’re going away for a couple of days.” Sure, I’d given him some gifts, but there’d been no fancy dates or lavish trips. Time had gotten away from us.

He whimpered. “I… I don’t need that. Only you.”

Inwardly, I flinched. Good going, dumbass. No, if he wanted me to bond with him tonight, I would. We’d make everything work.

I could give him gifts and take him on dates and trips after we bonded, too.

“You have me. Why don’t I take you out for a nice dinner, then we’ll go home, and I’ll show you exactly how much I love you,” I crooned, putting my hand on his thigh.

I didn’t have to work tomorrow, and he had the day off. So, I could fuck him all night, all day, then take him on a date.

Grif’s eyes blew out with desire as we drove away from the airport. “Perfect.”

“Would you like to change and go someplace fancy for dinner or as we are?” I asked, thinking of all the places we could go.

“Surprise me.” He grinned, eyes on the road.

While Grif navigated New York traffic, he told me all about Chet stealing his money and trying to wreck his career.

My heart dropped. “You’re going to sue Chet Chesterton? Be careful.”

Our families ran in similar circles. I disliked Chet intensely. He always told his dad on us, saying we didn’t like him because he wasn’t an alpha.

We didn’t like him because he was an asshole and a user who let his dad clean up his messes.

“He should be punished,” Grif snapped.

“Yes, he should. It does need to be handled carefully. His family’s even more concerned about appearances than mine. Chet’s dad always knows people’s secrets and how to exploit them.” Like who had gambling debts or was cheating.

I scrolled through an app that helped you find last-minute reservations at hotspot restaurants. Oh, there was a reservation there ? Perfect. We’d go fancy tonight.

“Do you understand what he did to me? I was convinced the Knights didn’t want me. That I wasn’t a worthwhile player.” Grif’s voice broke as salty sadness flooded the car.

“I know.” Squeezing his knee again, I shot off texts to my dad to warn him, since he did business with the Chestertons. Also, I’d text a few of my friends in case we needed help.

“Stu, the lawyers, and the police have it under control.” Grif shot me a confident smile. “Where are we going?”

Police? No. We might need the feds for this. I sent off another text.

“Let’s stop at our place to change. I hope you had a nice suit ready for the game that never happened.” Because I planned on giving Grif a night he wouldn’t forget.

“Dinner was amazing, thank you.” Grif sipped his wine as he stared out the window at the city below. Even though it was late, the restaurant was full of well-dressed couples, throuples, and packs, having a nice dinner out.

Skyline was on the top floor of the Stonefeld Manhattan Hotel, with lush place settings and cozy lighting. They specialized in multi-course tasting menus with beverage pairings.

Right now, it was a crème br?lée served with a sweet muscat. We’d had a great evening talking about sports, movies, puzzles–even the podcast I’d listened to on the plane.

“Did you want to do that puzzle house tomorrow? Or would you rather see a movie? I just want to spend time with you.” I’d guiltily enjoyed having more of him to myself with Verity away. If she moved in, I’d have him even less.

No. Not if. When . The past few days had been a whirlwind of moving my stuff out of my office and painting and decorating it. They’d also started renovating the bathroom and fixing up the guest room upstairs.

Well, hiring people to do it.

I didn’t know why they wanted to do everything so quickly. It wasn’t as if she’d move in as soon as she returned. After all, she and Grif still needed to talk about a lot of things.

Still, it made them happy. So, why not? It was only money.

“The puzzle house sounds fun.” He beamed at me as he took another sip of wine.

This. This was all I’d ever wanted. Tonight, I’d finally bond Grif. My love. My mate.

Our dishes were cleared and they served the last course, a plate of four beautifully presented truffles.

“The mignardise, paired with a vintage port.” Brandishing fresh glasses, the server filled them with the dark, sweet liquid. “Enjoy.”

Grif took a sugar-coated truffle, biting it in half and closing his eyes, his expression making me hard. “This is delicious. Cranberry.”

I tried a cocoa-dusted one. “Cognac. Try?”

As I fed him the remainder of my chocolate, my insides lit on fire when his lips nipped at my fingers.

“Delectable.” Grif’s gaze smoldered as his eyes met mine.

My cock strained against my pants. Soon.

I checked my phone.

Verity

Grif told me about the pack contract. While you don’t need my permission, I think you should go for it tonight.

She’d added a few suggestive emojis and a rather graphic meme. Well then.

Me

Oh, I will, Princess. Be jealous.

Verity

I am, Cow Boy. I am.

We finished our truffles, port, and my coffee, then I paid the bill. Taking his arm, we took the elevator downstairs, walked outside, and waited for the valet. He pressed me up against the wall, mouth smashing against mine.

Grif’s lips tasted of chocolate and port, the kiss itself laced with a cocktail of desire and passion. My arms wrapped around him as I kissed him back, letting him know my plans for tonight with my tongue.

“Take me home, Alpha,” he breathed, breaking it off. He gestured toward the driver’s seat when the valet brought our car.

He was letting me drive his precious car? That was his one extravagance and had come with him from Florida. While I had a license, I didn’t have my own car. If I needed one, I took our pack’s SUV.

When we got home, we went upstairs to our place, which glowed with the fairy lights near the piano that Dean refused to take down.

Pushing him toward my room, my mouth pressed against his. Our clothes came off, leaving a trail to my bedroom at the far end of the hall, and I kicked the door closed.

With a few pushes, I had him naked on my bed. There was no light on, just the city lights streaming in from the windows, which were the entire length of the wall with the balcony.

I grabbed the lube and wipes out of my nightstand. Other instruments of pleasure greeted me. Did I restrain him? Blindfold him? Maybe use some toys.

Later.

“Mine,” I growled, straddling him, my cock aching to fill him, my knot swollen and ready. “Mine.” I lubed up his ass and worked his hole as my kisses continued. “Mine.” My kisses trailed down his jaw to his collarbone, where I nibbled lightly as his hands ran up and down my back. “Mine.”

I bit down gently where I planned on marking him. My teeth ached with the need to claim him. Mark him.

Mine.

“I’m all yours, Alpha.” Grif melted under me, his sweet arousal permeating the room with his usual rain.

Those words went straight to my cock as I continued to prepare him for me. I lubed up my hard and aching cock. Straddling him, my eyes meeting his, I entered him.

“I love it when you’re inside me.” His voice grew low and needy, eyes closing.

“Open your eyes when I take you,” I ordered as I seated myself all the way inside him.

Grif’s eyes opened, and I stared at his face. That handsome face that snared me from across the rink all those years ago. Back when I left my team in Bucharest, where I’d been happy in hopes of actually achieving my PHL dreams and showing my parents I wasn’t wasting my time with my hockey nonsense .

He hadn’t had a beard then. I liked his beard. We’d grown them together one season, but I preferred my goatee.

“Will you be mine? Will you let me bond you right here?” I kissed the spot I’d chosen. “Mark you? Claim you? I love you more than anything.”

Even myself.

“I can’t imagine spending one more moment without you.” Years. I’d been waiting for years for this moment—the moment I made Grif mine.

“Please, Alpha. Make me yours.” Grif bent his neck, exposing his throat in beautiful submission.

How did I get to be so lucky?

I bit down on that juncture at his neck and collarbone. A needy whine echoed through the room. My teeth continued to ache and as I bit down all the way, the metallic taste of his blood filled my mouth.

“AJ,” he moaned in pleasure, his body writhing under me.

One of my hands held him down. He stilled under my touch. Good boy.

Warmth filled me as I continued to bite down, the proteins in my saliva entering his bloodstream through the bite mark, bonding us. That hit me square in the chest, hooking my heart to his, joining our very souls.

A happy growl burst from my throat as I released his flesh.

“You took my bite so good, Boo-Boo.” I started lapping at the mark to help heal it, so a silvery mark would be left behind.

Marked and bonded. I’d marked and bonded Grif. Finally.

Sparks of his pleasure, his happiness filled me. There you are.

And there he’d stay.