Chapter Seven
The sun crept up past the curtains. Alex woke with Wade pressed against his back.
There was actually a warm, half-naked, fully muscled wolf shifter spooning him in a very cheerful, slightly possessive way.
If comfort had a flavor, it would taste like this. Skin against skin, sunlight hitting their faces, and, somewhere in the vicinity, the faint scent of coffee drifting up from the kitchen.
If this was what mating looked like, Alex couldn’t really find the motivation to protest.
He might have moved, shoved Wade’s arm off, and started plotting an escape. But there was something about being held, maybe the way those strong fingers curled around his hip, that made leaving seem like a tragic misuse of opportunity.
Instead, he just lay there, watching dust motes spin in the sunlight, letting the wolf’s presence settle into him.
It took a moment to process. This was now “home.” This was his “mate.”
The memory of last night drifted in. Rain, adrenaline, handcuffs, and finally this bed, where Wade had just wrapped around Alex and refused to let go.
For once, the nightmares had stayed away.
He risked shifting a little, only to discover Wade’s arm was slung over his waist and both of Alex’s legs were tangled in the comforter, bunny-style.
Getting free wasn’t really a thing unless Wade consented to it, and judging by the little huff of breath on the back of Alex’s neck, that wasn’t happening any time soon.
So. This was the new normal. Helplessly pinned by a wolf who could probably bench-press a Prius.
Most people would panic.
Alex decided to enjoy it.
The heat of Wade’s skin bled right through Alex’s shirt, sliding down his back with every subtle movement.
His mate’s hand rested low, suspiciously close to some very interesting territory.
No matter how Alex shifted, Wade’s chest pressed firmly into his back, every exhale fogging the fine hairs along Alex’s nape. Wade’s cock, already stiffening with that blessed, predictable morning wood, nestled against the cleft of Alex’s ass.
His mate shifted again, hips rolling lazily. Now the cock pressed harder against Alex’s ass.
He wasn’t sure if Wade was really awake. Maybe wolves sleep-humped. Maybe this was a medical issue and should be addressed by a specialist. Or maybe—and this seemed most likely—his mate was doing it on purpose.
Alex waited, seeing if anything else would happen. One minute passed then two. He counted his own heartbeats, acutely aware of the heat building behind him. Sweat slicked the back of his neck, but he didn’t hate it.
Another breath. Then, out of nowhere, Wade’s hand snaked under the shirt and landed flat on Alex’s stomach.
“Morning,” Wade murmured, voice rough and low, rumbling directly into Alex’s ear.
Alex almost startled, but the hand on his stomach held him firmly in place. His mouth worked for something clever, but all that came out was, “Hey.”
Smooth, Alex.
Wade’s thumb moved in slow circles across Alex’s skin. “You’re warm.”
Could have said the same. Instead, Alex just raised a skeptical eyebrow, which, given the current position, went unnoticed.
“Do you always snuggle like this?” He tried for sarcasm, but there wasn’t much air in his lungs.
Wade’s nose nuzzled up behind his ear, mouth grazing the spot gently. “Only when I’ve got something worth holding on to.”
Those words steadied Alex, maybe because he’d never been anchored to anything before, unless you counted trauma.
