Page 5 of Sex and Suspicion (Bay Harbor Wolves #9)

“You didn’t know me when you were down the beach and giving me the stink eye?” Jake’s lips curved slightly into a soft smile.

"I didn't know you. I thought you were very handsome but also a little suspicious." Hayes pulled him snugly into his arms, and Jake ate up the attention. The fear and trepidation of a few minutes ago had completely faded away. Seeing Hayes shift and interact with the wolf made everything so clear.

“I should have known. I was compelled to watch you, feeling a draw to be near you. At the time, I thought it was instinct alerting me to trouble. But it was Fate bringing my mate to me." Jake looked up at Hayes, and their eyes connected, and what happened next was wonderful and natural.

Hayes looked down into those light brown eyes, and his heart went to pieces. He’d never felt such warmth and attraction as was emanating from this young man. He was laying himself wide open to Hayes, so honest and pure. Hayes couldn't stop himself, and he didn't try.

He took those plump red lips in a kiss that branded and claimed.

It burned to the soul, leaving no doubt as to his desire.

The touch and the taste were unlike anything in this world.

His mate made his blood burn, and his heart beat out of his chest. The excitement was incredible.

His wolf was demanding they mark and claim this gorgeous man, and Hayes was of the mind to agree with him. Why wait? What would be gained?

The kiss ended slowly, with Hayes trailing moist kisses down Jake's throat and across his shoulder, paying special care to the wound that was now nearly completely healed.

“You’re my mate," Hayes said the word again, feeling the surge of pride and longing rush through him. "Every shifter is promised a mate given to them by Fate. They are their perfect match, their partner in life and eternal lover.”

Hayes knew he was giving way more information than Jake was probably capable of processing at the moment, but he needed to get across to him the importance of their connection.

He needed to start to build the bond that would, in the end, seal them together as one. It was a compulsion and a burning need.

He held him and shared with him the highlights of mating with a shifter, especially a wolf shifter.

The healing, which Jake was already experiencing since his injuries were all but gone apart from the stitches on his shoulder, was of particular interest, as was the extended life span.

He told him of the connection they would share that extended to the sharing of some thoughts and emotions.

“You will be able to read my mind?” That seemed to concern him but not terribly.

"No, really, it's more that I will be able to read your moods and thoughts that are emotionally laden. But remember, you will be able to read me too.” That seemed to calm any concern.

It pleased him that Jake did not seem bothered by the fact that they lay there together in each other's arms, and Hayes was completely naked. Jake appeared to find Hayes’ body of particular interest. He cuddled into his side and continued to run the palm of his hand over Hayes' arm and side and chest and hip, causing a growing and hardening concern that Hayes would soon have to deal with.

“What’s going to happen to me?” Jake asked suddenly, and Hayes did not understand the question.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw you and Jimmy. I know the secret of Bay Harbor.” Gradually, Hayes realized that Jake did not understand anything that he’d tried to explain. He thought he’d been so clear and that the relationship was on track, but actually, they were still standing firmly on square one.

"Nothing will happen to you, my love. You are my mate. Everything I have told you is true. You are my Fated mate, and I will love, provide, and protect you until my last breath.” He cupped Jake’s cheek and kissed him hard and exacting.

“I trust you not to share the information you have been given.

I trust you to protect our secret because we are connected, you and me.

We are predestined, written in the stars.

Fate has brought us together, and there isn't anything more powerful than that.

" Hayes hit all the high points with a solid determination to make himself crystal clear.

Jake was stunned by his declarations and the power with which he put them forward. He'd listened, but somewhere in his thinking, it struck him that they couldn’t allow him to have the information and knowledge of the wolves and still let him go about his life.

He assumed there would be a cost to this awareness that he’d inadvertently gained.

Hayes had said many lovely things that pointed to a life together, but how could that be.

Mates, bonding, meant to be all sounded good and struck him as real and sincere, but his own fears kept circling him back to how and why.

He genuinely thought that they would threaten him or do something dastardly to gain his secrecy.

But every time he looked at Hayes, he saw honesty and truth, and that did not mesh with the random fears that flashed through his mind.

How could this gorgeous man of significant distinction be satisfied with him, a nineteen-year-old human who is still trying to find his place in the world? Why would Fate choose him?

“You are my mate. What happened with Jimmy was unfortunate, but either way, I still would have brought you in on the secret eventually. You having been front and center for a live presentation just made it easier for me.

You're not the only human mate in the Pack, and I'm sure there will be more in the future. It takes time to adjust, and I understand that, but open your mind and let it happen. The truth will come to you.” It was coming to him now the warm understanding, the feeling of being the center of someone’s awareness.

Hayes held him there, cuddled together on this bed, and it was the most natural thing ever. Jake was at home in this man’s arms. This was the truth and the acceptance he was talking about.

“You're all I need, sweetheart. You’re all I’ll ever need.” Hayes seemed to know exactly what he needed to hear. “You’re old enough to know your own mind and fearless enough to venture ever so close to the unknown, searching to satisfy your curiosities and your desires.”

"That sounds a little dirty," Jake whispered teasingly, feeling a sudden easy playfulness growing between them.

“I hope so.” Hayes moved his hand from Jake’s shoulder down to caress his hip and then moved to unfasten his jeans. Jake joined in by smoothing his hands over Hayes’ hot body, feeling the muscles tense and relax under his touch. It was hypnotic.

Hayes nuzzled his face into the crook of Jake’s neck and whispered. “I want you, Jake. Tell me you want me; tell me you want this too.” Jake started squirming out of his jeans in response to Hayes’ request.

"I want you, Hayes. I want this. Please don't stop. I was fascinated and drawn to you from the moment I saw you standing at the end of the property, watching me.” Jake was going to be honest, completely honest.

“I couldn't see you clearly, but everything about you, the turn of your head, the way your hair moved in the evening breeze, and the way you stood so tall and strong made my heart race, and I couldn't take my eyes off you. I wanted you then, and that need has just grown.” This was sudden, yes, but natural and necessary.

Jake wanted this. He wanted this man to make love to him more than he wanted his next breath. He felt like he might die if Hayes did not take him now, immediately. He was looking his future right in the eyes, and it was going to be fucking amazing.