“I don’t think so.” Cain frowned. “I suppose I like him because hedoesn’tquite fit in with them. When he first began attending the networking events, they treated him poorly. As if he was a pity hire. However, he stood up for himself and won’t let them push him around. It’s not only that, though. Jasper does the same thing for his clients, no matter who they are. He also has a knack for finding the clients that need him the most, and he moves mountains to help them. I believe I admire him because his priority is helping those who need it rather than making money.”
“Hmm,” Mal tapped his chin. “Okay, I may have a crush on Jasper too. He sounds like a badass.”
Cain laughed, surprised at himself. Mal had a way of making him smile even as he forced Cain to think about all the complex, muddled feelings inside of him. “Well, he’s taken. His fiancée is a good person, and they are disgustingly in love with one another.”
“Oh, well.” Mal shrugged. “I’ll have to find another crush toadmire. Hey, aren’t you a lawyer too? Don’t you fight for the innocent?”
“Presumed innocent,” he corrected. “Actually, I usually deal with corporate law. Jasper is our top criminal attorney. I am far less flashy, but I can negotiate contracts like no one else.”
Mal gasped, eyes fluttering. “Oh, my hero.”
“You sound sarcastic now but just wait until you need a sponsor contract looked over. You’ll mean your words then.”
Mal giggled, falling against Cain’s shoulder. “I’m sure I will. Anyway, about that trouble? Your friend named Roe?”
“Yes,” Cain drew out the word, letting all the anger, sadness, and frustration seep out. “He is having some issues with his ex-husband. Dangerous, life-threatening issues.”
“Oh, no.” Mal sat up and drew his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. “You can help him, right?”
“I’m trying to, but the town he lives in is not making it easy. The police there are in the ex’s pocket. They’ve even tried to kill Roe, but everyone is claiming it was an accident. In small towns like Loriston, the sheriff and county attorney have a lot of influence.” Cain pressed his lips together, trying not to reveal too much information. Mal was easy to talk to, but this was Roe’s business.
“He needs to get out of there,” Mal said, tone serious. “My cousin Mimi was in a bad situation with an ex-boyfriend. She was living in California at the time and didn’t have any support around her. The ex was extremely charismatic and manipulative, so no one believed her when she tried to report him for harassment and stalking. Instead, their friends made excuses for his behavior and law enforcement wouldn’t even make a report. It got bad enough that she couldn’t take it anymore. We went to her, helped her pack and escorted her back to Thorn Creek. He even tried to follow, but my eldest brother is…well, he’s just a bit scary looking. It didn’t take much to send the man running.”
Mal sighed. “It’s not fair that she had to leave a place she enjoyed, but safety comes first. With your friend, if the worst happens and Roe is injured, he needs people who will believe him and take him seriously. Otherwise, it may go from injuries to death.”
“Another cousin, huh?” Cain nudged him with his shoulder. “If she needs representation, my family know a lot of excellent lawyers all over the country. She should be able to do whatever she likes without living in fear.”
Mal smiled softly, blue eyes deepening almost to black. “You are a really nice person, Cain Benson. Not just because of the offer to help Mimi. I heard all about how you and your family swept in to rescue one of the Wilsons when your brother was dating Elijah. Heros come in all shapes and sizes, you know. A person whose first instinct is to help someone else is definitely a hero. You’re just as admirable as Jasper. Maybe I’ll have to crush on you.”
Cain’s cheeks heated and he cleared his throat. “I would not be opposed to that.”
Mal’s eyes widened in surprise. “What now? Are you saying I might be admirable enough to interest you?”
Cain struggled to find the right words. “There’s no competition, Mal. You’re a completely different entity.”
Mal’s plump lips widened into a smile, and he leaned forward. Cain watched him move in slow motion as he pressed his mouth to Cain’s in a sweet kiss.
Blood rushed to his head, and all he could hear was his own heart beating in double time. Mal tasted like coffee and Heaven. That was the only way Cain could think to describe it. Of course, he wasn’t thinking much at all.
His eyes closed as heat rushed through him and pulled the omega onto his lap. His fingers tangled with Mal’s silky soft hair, holding his head in place as he deepened the kiss, delving into him, soaking up every heated sensation he could. He wanted to stay exactly like that for eternity.
The heat intensified when Mal groaned and pressed as close as he could, wrapping his arms around Cain’s neck and grinding his ass against Cain’s dick.
Cain moaned and cradled the omega’s plump bottom, squeezing and pulling him down while he arched up. “Heavens, you feel good.”
Mal moved gracefully, as if he were dancing. He writhed and arched his body, pressing against Cain. They ground together, tongues tangling and bodies moving together as if they were already one being.
In seconds, Cain was there, pleasure peaking as he came hard, Mal’s body pressed tightly against him.
Mal clutched Cain’s head and moaned in pleasure, curving his body around him. Cain pressed his hand against Mal’s dick and traced him through the cloth. He increased the friction between them until he felt his omega’s body shudder as he came.
They lingered there together, breathing hard as their kisses softened, turning sweet. “That was unexpected,” Cain finally managed to say.
“A little,” Mal said, pressing their foreheads together. “I’ve been thinking about kissing you all week. Damn it, Cain Benson. Why do you have to be so addicting?”
“No one’s ever said that about me before. Boring? Several times. A workaholic? More times than I can count. Oblivious, frustrating, and cold? Yes. Addicting? Not at all.” Cain grinned. “I like it. That means you need me, doesn’t it? I like the idea of you needing me.”
“Your admirable omegas are idiots.” Mal hugged him tightly. “You made us come in our pants like fucking teenagers. This is embarrassing, but also completely glorious.”
