Chapter 7
Benedict was glad to climb into the van with his own clan, although he was surprised to see that his brother wasn’t in the vehicle as well. When he asked, one of the girls told him that she’d seen Theo climbing into the Tall Hills van along with a pale-faced girl with dyed black hair and a long leather coat. Realizing that Kane’s niece must still be babysitting Theo(it hadn’t taken him long to figure that out, since why else would a girl want to spend time with Theo otherwise?), he relaxed back in his seat and closed his eyes. He was SO ready to climb into bed! It had been a long day for him.
He thought of Kane. The importuning bastard was making him mental. Between Kane’s blandishments and his kisses, he was throwing Benedict for a loop. Three days ago, he’d thought that his life was in order. Neat, tidy, fulfilling…he’d thought that he’d make up with his old boyfriend and that he’d finish university and find some kind of employment. Then, in such a short time, he’d met an Alpha who claimed that he was his mate, and was now in the process of being swept off his feet. He was rational enough to see that Kane was already getting to him, that he was helpless against the handsome wanker’s charm and intelligence and pure sexiness. Two more weeks? It might as well be two more YEARS! He’d never be able to withstand Kane’s determined courting for that long.
He sighed wearily, rubbing at his forehead with his long fingers. He never should have made that deal with Kane, but if he hadn’t the Alpha would have followed him to the ends of the Earth. Besides, while becoming Kane’s mate would bring great changes to his life, they wouldn’t per se be BAD changes. Just different. Being responsible for the welfare of an entire clan would be a big job, but he’d only be Kane’s helpmeet. Everyone in the Tall Hills Clan would always look to their Alpha first, and then to his mate after that. Also, living here in San Francisco wouldn’t be onerous - it was a beautiful city. And with much better weather than England! He was sure that Kane wouldn’t mind taking him back home to visit his family occasionally, so that he wouldn’t feel homesick.
Benedict realized that he’d accepted the inevitable, but had also decided not to tell Kane about it. Let the Alpha continue to court him thinking that he might not be able to talk Benedict into accepting him. It would be good for the bastard to be uncertain for a bit. He didn’t think that he could handle the smugness that Kane was sure to exude if he got his way so quickly. If he gave in too easily, Kane would think that he could walk all over Benedict. And that was NOT going to happen!
Having made up his mind, Benedict felt the tension inside of him subside. He decided to relax and enjoy his courting, while leading Kane a wild dance the whole time. It looked like he was going to have a much better time at this Gathering than he ever would have imagined…
He emerged from the van to find Kane waiting for him, the Alpha’s lips lifting in a smile at the sight of him. That smile did funny things to his stomach, but he didn’t let this show on his face. “Did you want something, Kane?” he asked politely. “Because I’m not in the mood. I’m tired; I wish to go to bed.”
Kane shrugged. “I thought I’d escort you to your door and say goodnight,” he replied.
“Ah. Well then, come on,” Benedict walked away, and Kane fell into step beside him.
“Did you have a good time tonight?” Kane asked him after a moment’s silence.
“Actually, I rather did,” Benedict replied. When Kane beamed at him, he added dryly: “Except for having to endure your company, of course.”
Kane winced. “That wasn’t very nice,” he chided. ’You like me, you know you do.”
Benedict sighed in an exaggerated manner. “I suppose that in some ways I do,” he conceded, not wanting to be too mean to Kane. He wanted to lead the Alpha on a dance, he didn’t want to hurt Kane’s feelings. That wouldn’t be a very nice thing to do to your future mate.
Kane brightened up again at his words. “See, I knew it,” he said in satisfaction, making Benedict roll his eyes.
They entered the hotel and approached the bank of elevators. Benedict eyed Kane warily, but the Alpha behaved himself entirely for the ride up to his hotel room. Benedict wasn’t quite sure whether this fact made him happy or not. Remembering the kisses from this morning, he couldn’t help but shiver a bit. They emerged onto his floor, and he led the way to his door. “Goodnight, Kane,” he said politely as he swiped the lock with his key card.
The Alpha stepped in close, and his breath left his body in a rush. Kane leaned forward a little and very lightly kissed him on the mouth, a lingering thing that he seemed to feel right down to his very bones.
“Goodnight, Ben. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, then he turned and walked away. Benedict just stood in the hallway for a moment and watched his broad back retreated, before he sighed and entered his hotel room. He was really looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep. He felt unutterably weary after this very long day.
*****
Ari was bouncing on his bed. Theo sat in the only chair n the room and eyed her. She grinned at him, cocking her head. “Well, puppy, I should let you get to bed,” she remarked.
“Nah. I’m used to staying up all night,” he replied.
She laughed. “Well, I’m not. Except for when I have to pull an all-nighter when I’m studying for an exam, that is.”
“You go to uni?” he asked.
“Uni? Oh, college. Yes, I do. Although I was happy to get two weeks off for this thing. It’s a nice break. What about you, Theo? Do you go to college?”
“Fuck no,” he replied flatly. “Uni is for people like my brother.”
“Ah, I see. What do you do, then? Do you have a job?” Ari asked curiously as she folded her legs up under her in a lotus position.
He felt a streak of uneasy shame race through him. “No,” he said shortly, looking away.
“That’s okay. It’s not bad to be unemployed, especially in this economy,” Ari remarked soothingly.
He glanced back at her. “You’re the only one who’s ever said that to me,” he told her stiffly. “My Dad thinks that I’m a shiftless loser.”
Her brows shot up. “He TOLD you that?!” she exclaimed in horror.
He lifted his shoulders defensively. “No, but he doesn’t have to. I can see it in his eyes. He thinks that Benny shits gold bricks, and that I’m worthless.”
She came up off the bed and darted over to him. To his astonishment, she caught his hands up in her own and looked down into his eyes. “I think that you’re wrong, Theo,” she told him. “I think it’s the dominant/submissive thing again. Because he doesn’t pay much attention to you, you assume that your father thinks that you’re worthless. Bu you’re his cub. I highly doubt that he really thinks that about you, especially if he’s never actually said it to you. One thing you can say for we wolves - we’re pretty much open and honest about things. If your father’s never told you that he thinks that you’re worthless, then he doesn’t! maybe you just think that about yourself because you could never get your family’s attention. But just because they don’t pay attention to you doesn’t make you worthless. Not at all.” she squeezed his hands, making his breathing become erratic. “I believe in you, Theo.” she went on gravely, making his stomach muscles clench painfully. “I really do. I think that you can show your family and all of the clans just what kind of person you really are. You just have to try. Are you willing to try?”
He looked up into her eyes, and found himself nodding. She smiled, and he felt lost. “That’s great. Now, I’m going to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll talk some more. All right?”
He nodded again, and then to his shock she swooped down and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodnight, Theo. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” she winked at him and departed, leaving a thoroughly befuddled and bemused Theodore Cavanaugh behind her.
****
Benedict slept well and deeply, if you ignored the erotic dreams about a certain unbelievably sexy Alpha. Which was impossible, of course…just as it was impossible to ignore Kane in real life. He dragged himself out of bed late, and went to take a long, hot shower. He was debating having room service deliver breakfast when there was a knock on his door. Straightening the collar of his shirt, he walked over to open it. He was surprised to see Kane standing there, looking as handsome and sexy as ever. The Alpha smiled at him in greeting. “Morning, Ben,” he said cheerfully, “Thought I’d come and collect you. We could go grab some breakfast, then I’ll take you on a guided tour of the sights of San Francisco. I’m better than a professional tour guide, I swear.”
“I see. I suppose we could do that,” Benedict said, pretending to reluctance.
Kane chuckled. “I’m glad to see that you’re feeling enthusiastic about my plans for us,” he teased as Benedict stepped out into the hallway.
“I believe that I signed on to be courted for the next fortnight; I DON’T believe that I signed on to be enthusiastic about the whole affair,” Benedict replied tartly.
Kane grinned, not put out at all. “I’ll just have to find a way to make you enthusiastic,” he said with a wink.
Benedict felt uneasy about this statement. He was afraid of what the Alpha would do to build up his ’enthusiasm’. But he had no choice but to go along with it, come what may…
******
Theo was moodily eating breakfast when someone plonked down on the bench across from him. He looked up with a scowl, expecting to see his brother come to nag at him again. But his expression changed almost instantly when he saw Ariadne sitting across from him instead, leaning her elbows on the tabletop and smiling in greeting at him. “Good morning, Theo!” she called cheerfully.
He eyed her askance. “Are you always this chipper in the morning?” he asked her in a rather disgruntled tone of voice.
She grinned. “Yep! I love mornings. Don’t you?”
“No,” he grumped, resuming eating his food.
She laughed at him merrily. “Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed. That’s okay. I’ll be good and wait until the coffee kicks in to annoy you,” she leaned back on the bench and lifted a hand to get the attention of the waitress. “After we eat breakfast, I thought we might go do something together. I still want to grill you on what kind of girls you like.”
He scowled but said nothing, shoving scrambled eggs into his mouth. Not that he didn’t want to spend more time with her, but the knowledge that she was only interested in hanging out with him so that she could set him up with another girl made him mad. He might have protested, except for the fact that he was firmly convinced that a girl like Ariadne wouldn’t want to spend time with a guy like him unless she had a good reason. Like acting like a matchmaker for him, or babysitting him for her uncle. He couldn’t expect anything else. Story of his life, really.
******
“God, the view here is amazing,” Benedict exclaimed, staring out over the waters of the Bay. He and Kane were standing on the pedestrian walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge, in the middle of their tour of the sites of San Francisco.
Kane leaned on the railing, folding his arms. “Isn’t it? I like to come here just to watch the sunset or smell the ocean breeze,” he sniffed appreciatively. He glanced sideways at Benedict’s profile. “But now I think that the view here is even more amazing,” he added.
Benedict eyed him warily. Kane’s compliments usually seemed to be followed by sexual advances of some kind. Not that he was entirely against said advances, but since he was pretending that he was immune to Kane’s charm and insistent wooing of him, he had to continue to behave as he had all of yesterday when he was with the Alpha. “While I’m touched by your flattery, Kane…” he began.
The Alpha snorted. “Who said it was flattery? I’m just speaking the unvarnished, God’s honest truth,” he turned toward Benedict, smiling slightly. “You are amazingly cute, and sexy as all get out,” he went on. “I could look at you forever.”
Benedict felt the muscles in his stomach contract sharply. Wretched Alpha was so very, very dangerous! Especially to his equilibrium. “Well, I could say the same of you, but I don’t think that I will. That would encourage you far too much,” he said dryly.
Kane laughed. “As though I need any encouragement,” he replied, straightening up and stepping toward Benedict. “I want you whether you’re encouraging me to or not.” his nostrils flared, and his hot eyes scanned Benedict’s body in a way that made him feel over warm and rather weak at the knees. Arriving back at Benedict’s eyes, his lips spread in a sultry smile. “You could attack me and I wouldn’t fight back,” he purred, stepping closer and closer. “I’d just try to kiss you instead. All I want to do is kiss you. Well, and touch you, taste you, make love to you all night long…”
Oh, God, his brain was self-destructing! Benedict could only stand there helplessly as Kane’s long arms shot out, and those big hands caught him up and reeled him in. “Ben,” he husked, and the sound of his name finished Benedict off altogether. He didn’t resist in the least when Kane pulled him close and claimed his mouth in a long, devastating kiss.
Somehow his arms wound up around Kane’s neck, and he clung to the Alpha as Kane rocked his world. A thick tongue had slid into his mouth and was roving everywhere, and one big hand was cradling the back of his neck to hold his head in place. Benedict was only vaguely aware that he was moaning helplessly, his body pressed to Kane’s. it didn’t matter to him that they were pretty much out in the open here, and that anyone driving by on the bridge could see two men making out and trying to eat each other’s tongues. The wolf inside of him was in heat, urging him to give up and give in completely. To let Kane mount him and have his way with him for however long that he wanted to. This is your mate, the wolf pointed out. This is where you belong, in his arms.
Kane finally pulled back enough so that they could both breathe. He leaned his forehead against Benedict’s as they panted for breath. “Jesus, this courting is going to be hard,” he husked. “I could…do you right here and now, on this bridge for everybody to see. And I want to, so bad.”
Benedict shuddered, imagining that very scenario in his head. Kane stripping him naked and leaning him half-over the railing, taking him from behind while people watched from their cars…Good Lord, imagine the accidents they’d cause! He pulled away reluctantly with that thought, trying to straighten his clothes and smooth his hair. “I know that you have no control over your base urges, Kane,” he said as sardonically as he could, “But I’d really prefer not to have half of San Francisco watching us if I ever let you shag me.”
Kane looked keenly interested, cocking his head to the side like a curious dog. “Shag? Is that what they call it over in England? Cool. I think I like it. Mark my words, Ben, one day soon you’ll let me ’shag’ you,” he murmured, his eyes going lidded and full of a gleaming light that tied his stomach into knots.
“Perhaps,” he conceded, “But that’s still not the same as me agreeing to be your mate, now is it, Kane?” he drawled.
The Alpha winced. “You’re mean, Ben,” he said, pretending to pout. “You should be nicer to me.”
Benedict shrugged. “Well, we can’t always get what we want. For example, I just wanted to get through this Gathering and go home to finish school without running into any problems. So much for that.” he sighed in a long-suffering sort of way. “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to get back together with Danny before coming over here. I’ll just have to wait for a fortnight now.”
Kane straightened up, towering over him with a thunderous frown on his face. “Who’s Danny?” he rasped, his brows drawing down.
Benedict forced himself not to cringe at this display of power and anger. “Danny is - was my boyfriend. And he will be again, if I have anything to say about it,” he lifted his chin, refusing to back down.
Kane let loose an explosive oath. He strode forward and grabbed Benedict by his arms, his grip almost hard enough to bruise. His lips were drawing back from his teeth. “You belong to me,” he hissed, his eyes roiling with rage.
Okay, he’d pushed Kane too far. He should have known better. Benedict took a deep breath, refusing to show any fear. That would only drive Kane deeper into anger, and that wouldn’t be good for either him OR the Alpha. If Kane ended up hurting him, he’d be horrified and ashamed of himself later on when he returned to sanity. “I’m sorry, Kane,” he said evenly. “I shouldn’t have said anything about Danny. Not when you’re courting me. I don’t belong to you quite yet,” he added quietly, “But you deserve more courtesy than that from me,” he never looked away from Kane’s gaze, and the Alpha’s eyes slowly lost their too-bright light as the rage faded away.
Kane stepped back, releasing him. “I’m sorry too,” he said rather hoarsely. “I shouldn’t have grabbed you,” he ran a hand through his hair in an agitated way.
“No, it’s fine. I know better than to push an Alpha,” Benedict told him. “It’s not good to enrage one, especially not when he or she is courting. I know that. It’s entirely my fault.”
Kane shook his head. “You’re so reasonable,” he remarked. “Of course, I like that about you. I like everything about you, actually.”
Benedict let his breath go in a long exhalation. “So you’ve said,” He replied.
Kane nodded. “And I’ll keep on saying it until you believe me,” he told Benedict.
He found his lips lifting slightly in spite of himself. “I’m sure you will,” he remarked. “You’re nothing if not stubborn.”
Kane nodded. “One of my better qualities, actually,” he said in satisfaction. “Should we continue the tour? How about some lunch? We could go down to the Wharf for lobster.”
“That sounds great,” Benedict said. “I’d like that.”
Kane looked happy. “Let’s go,” he said, leading the way to his car.
Go to Next Chapter
Benedict was glad to climb into the van with his own clan, although he was surprised to see that his brother wasn’t in the vehicle as well. When he asked, one of the girls told him that she’d seen Theo climbing into the Tall Hills van along with a pale-faced girl with dyed black hair and a long leather coat. Realizing that Kane’s niece must still be babysitting Theo(it hadn’t taken him long to figure that out, since why else would a girl want to spend time with Theo otherwise?), he relaxed back in his seat and closed his eyes. He was SO ready to climb into bed! It had been a long day for him.
He thought of Kane. The importuning bastard was making him mental. Between Kane’s blandishments and his kisses, he was throwing Benedict for a loop. Three days ago, he’d thought that his life was in order. Neat, tidy, fulfilling…he’d thought that he’d make up with his old boyfriend and that he’d finish university and find some kind of employment. Then, in such a short time, he’d met an Alpha who claimed that he was his mate, and was now in the process of being swept off his feet. He was rational enough to see that Kane was already getting to him, that he was helpless against the handsome wanker’s charm and intelligence and pure sexiness. Two more weeks? It might as well be two more YEARS! He’d never be able to withstand Kane’s determined courting for that long.
He sighed wearily, rubbing at his forehead with his long fingers. He never should have made that deal with Kane, but if he hadn’t the Alpha would have followed him to the ends of the Earth. Besides, while becoming Kane’s mate would bring great changes to his life, they wouldn’t per se be BAD changes. Just different. Being responsible for the welfare of an entire clan would be a big job, but he’d only be Kane’s helpmeet. Everyone in the Tall Hills Clan would always look to their Alpha first, and then to his mate after that. Also, living here in San Francisco wouldn’t be onerous - it was a beautiful city. And with much better weather than England! He was sure that Kane wouldn’t mind taking him back home to visit his family occasionally, so that he wouldn’t feel homesick.
Benedict realized that he’d accepted the inevitable, but had also decided not to tell Kane about it. Let the Alpha continue to court him thinking that he might not be able to talk Benedict into accepting him. It would be good for the bastard to be uncertain for a bit. He didn’t think that he could handle the smugness that Kane was sure to exude if he got his way so quickly. If he gave in too easily, Kane would think that he could walk all over Benedict. And that was NOT going to happen!
Having made up his mind, Benedict felt the tension inside of him subside. He decided to relax and enjoy his courting, while leading Kane a wild dance the whole time. It looked like he was going to have a much better time at this Gathering than he ever would have imagined…
He emerged from the van to find Kane waiting for him, the Alpha’s lips lifting in a smile at the sight of him. That smile did funny things to his stomach, but he didn’t let this show on his face. “Did you want something, Kane?” he asked politely. “Because I’m not in the mood. I’m tired; I wish to go to bed.”
Kane shrugged. “I thought I’d escort you to your door and say goodnight,” he replied.
“Ah. Well then, come on,” Benedict walked away, and Kane fell into step beside him.
“Did you have a good time tonight?” Kane asked him after a moment’s silence.
“Actually, I rather did,” Benedict replied. When Kane beamed at him, he added dryly: “Except for having to endure your company, of course.”
Kane winced. “That wasn’t very nice,” he chided. ’You like me, you know you do.”
Benedict sighed in an exaggerated manner. “I suppose that in some ways I do,” he conceded, not wanting to be too mean to Kane. He wanted to lead the Alpha on a dance, he didn’t want to hurt Kane’s feelings. That wouldn’t be a very nice thing to do to your future mate.
Kane brightened up again at his words. “See, I knew it,” he said in satisfaction, making Benedict roll his eyes.
They entered the hotel and approached the bank of elevators. Benedict eyed Kane warily, but the Alpha behaved himself entirely for the ride up to his hotel room. Benedict wasn’t quite sure whether this fact made him happy or not. Remembering the kisses from this morning, he couldn’t help but shiver a bit. They emerged onto his floor, and he led the way to his door. “Goodnight, Kane,” he said politely as he swiped the lock with his key card.
The Alpha stepped in close, and his breath left his body in a rush. Kane leaned forward a little and very lightly kissed him on the mouth, a lingering thing that he seemed to feel right down to his very bones.
“Goodnight, Ben. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, then he turned and walked away. Benedict just stood in the hallway for a moment and watched his broad back retreated, before he sighed and entered his hotel room. He was really looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep. He felt unutterably weary after this very long day.
*****
Ari was bouncing on his bed. Theo sat in the only chair n the room and eyed her. She grinned at him, cocking her head. “Well, puppy, I should let you get to bed,” she remarked.
“Nah. I’m used to staying up all night,” he replied.
She laughed. “Well, I’m not. Except for when I have to pull an all-nighter when I’m studying for an exam, that is.”
“You go to uni?” he asked.
“Uni? Oh, college. Yes, I do. Although I was happy to get two weeks off for this thing. It’s a nice break. What about you, Theo? Do you go to college?”
“Fuck no,” he replied flatly. “Uni is for people like my brother.”
“Ah, I see. What do you do, then? Do you have a job?” Ari asked curiously as she folded her legs up under her in a lotus position.
He felt a streak of uneasy shame race through him. “No,” he said shortly, looking away.
“That’s okay. It’s not bad to be unemployed, especially in this economy,” Ari remarked soothingly.
He glanced back at her. “You’re the only one who’s ever said that to me,” he told her stiffly. “My Dad thinks that I’m a shiftless loser.”
Her brows shot up. “He TOLD you that?!” she exclaimed in horror.
He lifted his shoulders defensively. “No, but he doesn’t have to. I can see it in his eyes. He thinks that Benny shits gold bricks, and that I’m worthless.”
She came up off the bed and darted over to him. To his astonishment, she caught his hands up in her own and looked down into his eyes. “I think that you’re wrong, Theo,” she told him. “I think it’s the dominant/submissive thing again. Because he doesn’t pay much attention to you, you assume that your father thinks that you’re worthless. Bu you’re his cub. I highly doubt that he really thinks that about you, especially if he’s never actually said it to you. One thing you can say for we wolves - we’re pretty much open and honest about things. If your father’s never told you that he thinks that you’re worthless, then he doesn’t! maybe you just think that about yourself because you could never get your family’s attention. But just because they don’t pay attention to you doesn’t make you worthless. Not at all.” she squeezed his hands, making his breathing become erratic. “I believe in you, Theo.” she went on gravely, making his stomach muscles clench painfully. “I really do. I think that you can show your family and all of the clans just what kind of person you really are. You just have to try. Are you willing to try?”
He looked up into her eyes, and found himself nodding. She smiled, and he felt lost. “That’s great. Now, I’m going to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll talk some more. All right?”
He nodded again, and then to his shock she swooped down and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodnight, Theo. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” she winked at him and departed, leaving a thoroughly befuddled and bemused Theodore Cavanaugh behind her.
****
Benedict slept well and deeply, if you ignored the erotic dreams about a certain unbelievably sexy Alpha. Which was impossible, of course…just as it was impossible to ignore Kane in real life. He dragged himself out of bed late, and went to take a long, hot shower. He was debating having room service deliver breakfast when there was a knock on his door. Straightening the collar of his shirt, he walked over to open it. He was surprised to see Kane standing there, looking as handsome and sexy as ever. The Alpha smiled at him in greeting. “Morning, Ben,” he said cheerfully, “Thought I’d come and collect you. We could go grab some breakfast, then I’ll take you on a guided tour of the sights of San Francisco. I’m better than a professional tour guide, I swear.”
“I see. I suppose we could do that,” Benedict said, pretending to reluctance.
Kane chuckled. “I’m glad to see that you’re feeling enthusiastic about my plans for us,” he teased as Benedict stepped out into the hallway.
“I believe that I signed on to be courted for the next fortnight; I DON’T believe that I signed on to be enthusiastic about the whole affair,” Benedict replied tartly.
Kane grinned, not put out at all. “I’ll just have to find a way to make you enthusiastic,” he said with a wink.
Benedict felt uneasy about this statement. He was afraid of what the Alpha would do to build up his ’enthusiasm’. But he had no choice but to go along with it, come what may…
******
Theo was moodily eating breakfast when someone plonked down on the bench across from him. He looked up with a scowl, expecting to see his brother come to nag at him again. But his expression changed almost instantly when he saw Ariadne sitting across from him instead, leaning her elbows on the tabletop and smiling in greeting at him. “Good morning, Theo!” she called cheerfully.
He eyed her askance. “Are you always this chipper in the morning?” he asked her in a rather disgruntled tone of voice.
She grinned. “Yep! I love mornings. Don’t you?”
“No,” he grumped, resuming eating his food.
She laughed at him merrily. “Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed. That’s okay. I’ll be good and wait until the coffee kicks in to annoy you,” she leaned back on the bench and lifted a hand to get the attention of the waitress. “After we eat breakfast, I thought we might go do something together. I still want to grill you on what kind of girls you like.”
He scowled but said nothing, shoving scrambled eggs into his mouth. Not that he didn’t want to spend more time with her, but the knowledge that she was only interested in hanging out with him so that she could set him up with another girl made him mad. He might have protested, except for the fact that he was firmly convinced that a girl like Ariadne wouldn’t want to spend time with a guy like him unless she had a good reason. Like acting like a matchmaker for him, or babysitting him for her uncle. He couldn’t expect anything else. Story of his life, really.
******
“God, the view here is amazing,” Benedict exclaimed, staring out over the waters of the Bay. He and Kane were standing on the pedestrian walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge, in the middle of their tour of the sites of San Francisco.
Kane leaned on the railing, folding his arms. “Isn’t it? I like to come here just to watch the sunset or smell the ocean breeze,” he sniffed appreciatively. He glanced sideways at Benedict’s profile. “But now I think that the view here is even more amazing,” he added.
Benedict eyed him warily. Kane’s compliments usually seemed to be followed by sexual advances of some kind. Not that he was entirely against said advances, but since he was pretending that he was immune to Kane’s charm and insistent wooing of him, he had to continue to behave as he had all of yesterday when he was with the Alpha. “While I’m touched by your flattery, Kane…” he began.
The Alpha snorted. “Who said it was flattery? I’m just speaking the unvarnished, God’s honest truth,” he turned toward Benedict, smiling slightly. “You are amazingly cute, and sexy as all get out,” he went on. “I could look at you forever.”
Benedict felt the muscles in his stomach contract sharply. Wretched Alpha was so very, very dangerous! Especially to his equilibrium. “Well, I could say the same of you, but I don’t think that I will. That would encourage you far too much,” he said dryly.
Kane laughed. “As though I need any encouragement,” he replied, straightening up and stepping toward Benedict. “I want you whether you’re encouraging me to or not.” his nostrils flared, and his hot eyes scanned Benedict’s body in a way that made him feel over warm and rather weak at the knees. Arriving back at Benedict’s eyes, his lips spread in a sultry smile. “You could attack me and I wouldn’t fight back,” he purred, stepping closer and closer. “I’d just try to kiss you instead. All I want to do is kiss you. Well, and touch you, taste you, make love to you all night long…”
Oh, God, his brain was self-destructing! Benedict could only stand there helplessly as Kane’s long arms shot out, and those big hands caught him up and reeled him in. “Ben,” he husked, and the sound of his name finished Benedict off altogether. He didn’t resist in the least when Kane pulled him close and claimed his mouth in a long, devastating kiss.
Somehow his arms wound up around Kane’s neck, and he clung to the Alpha as Kane rocked his world. A thick tongue had slid into his mouth and was roving everywhere, and one big hand was cradling the back of his neck to hold his head in place. Benedict was only vaguely aware that he was moaning helplessly, his body pressed to Kane’s. it didn’t matter to him that they were pretty much out in the open here, and that anyone driving by on the bridge could see two men making out and trying to eat each other’s tongues. The wolf inside of him was in heat, urging him to give up and give in completely. To let Kane mount him and have his way with him for however long that he wanted to. This is your mate, the wolf pointed out. This is where you belong, in his arms.
Kane finally pulled back enough so that they could both breathe. He leaned his forehead against Benedict’s as they panted for breath. “Jesus, this courting is going to be hard,” he husked. “I could…do you right here and now, on this bridge for everybody to see. And I want to, so bad.”
Benedict shuddered, imagining that very scenario in his head. Kane stripping him naked and leaning him half-over the railing, taking him from behind while people watched from their cars…Good Lord, imagine the accidents they’d cause! He pulled away reluctantly with that thought, trying to straighten his clothes and smooth his hair. “I know that you have no control over your base urges, Kane,” he said as sardonically as he could, “But I’d really prefer not to have half of San Francisco watching us if I ever let you shag me.”
Kane looked keenly interested, cocking his head to the side like a curious dog. “Shag? Is that what they call it over in England? Cool. I think I like it. Mark my words, Ben, one day soon you’ll let me ’shag’ you,” he murmured, his eyes going lidded and full of a gleaming light that tied his stomach into knots.
“Perhaps,” he conceded, “But that’s still not the same as me agreeing to be your mate, now is it, Kane?” he drawled.
The Alpha winced. “You’re mean, Ben,” he said, pretending to pout. “You should be nicer to me.”
Benedict shrugged. “Well, we can’t always get what we want. For example, I just wanted to get through this Gathering and go home to finish school without running into any problems. So much for that.” he sighed in a long-suffering sort of way. “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to get back together with Danny before coming over here. I’ll just have to wait for a fortnight now.”
Kane straightened up, towering over him with a thunderous frown on his face. “Who’s Danny?” he rasped, his brows drawing down.
Benedict forced himself not to cringe at this display of power and anger. “Danny is - was my boyfriend. And he will be again, if I have anything to say about it,” he lifted his chin, refusing to back down.
Kane let loose an explosive oath. He strode forward and grabbed Benedict by his arms, his grip almost hard enough to bruise. His lips were drawing back from his teeth. “You belong to me,” he hissed, his eyes roiling with rage.
Okay, he’d pushed Kane too far. He should have known better. Benedict took a deep breath, refusing to show any fear. That would only drive Kane deeper into anger, and that wouldn’t be good for either him OR the Alpha. If Kane ended up hurting him, he’d be horrified and ashamed of himself later on when he returned to sanity. “I’m sorry, Kane,” he said evenly. “I shouldn’t have said anything about Danny. Not when you’re courting me. I don’t belong to you quite yet,” he added quietly, “But you deserve more courtesy than that from me,” he never looked away from Kane’s gaze, and the Alpha’s eyes slowly lost their too-bright light as the rage faded away.
Kane stepped back, releasing him. “I’m sorry too,” he said rather hoarsely. “I shouldn’t have grabbed you,” he ran a hand through his hair in an agitated way.
“No, it’s fine. I know better than to push an Alpha,” Benedict told him. “It’s not good to enrage one, especially not when he or she is courting. I know that. It’s entirely my fault.”
Kane shook his head. “You’re so reasonable,” he remarked. “Of course, I like that about you. I like everything about you, actually.”
Benedict let his breath go in a long exhalation. “So you’ve said,” He replied.
Kane nodded. “And I’ll keep on saying it until you believe me,” he told Benedict.
He found his lips lifting slightly in spite of himself. “I’m sure you will,” he remarked. “You’re nothing if not stubborn.”
Kane nodded. “One of my better qualities, actually,” he said in satisfaction. “Should we continue the tour? How about some lunch? We could go down to the Wharf for lobster.”
“That sounds great,” Benedict said. “I’d like that.”
Kane looked happy. “Let’s go,” he said, leading the way to his car.
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