[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
drawn to the man, he wasn t ready to give it to Drake yet.
After receiving instructions to the area of Colin where the
business complex resided, they lapsed into a companionable
53
Accepting His Animal
silence. He rested his hand on Drake s leg, enjoying the feel
of the muscles under his palm. Drake sighed and rested his
head against the headrest and stared out the window.
It took forty minutes, but eventually Drake snapped his
head up and looked around. We re close, he whispered.
Ailean could scent the waves of tension and fear rolling
off his mate. He wanted to turn the vehicle around, take him
to his home, and tuck him away from anything dangerous.
But since he couldn t, he said, Easy, little mate. We only
need to stay a few minutes, just long enough to show Grady
where you found Lyle.
Drake smiled, and the effect on Ailean s cock was
immediate. It filled swiftly, pushing against the confines of
his slacks. Getting off with his mate had been nice, but it
didn t ease the ache caused by his desire to actually claim
the man. He d heard how some of the wolves had dated
their human mates before claiming them. Ailean hoped he
didn t have to do that, because he didn t know if he could be
patient.
Here s the turn, Drake said, drawing his attention.
He turned the car onto a side street, checking the rearview
mirror to be sure the detective still followed. The tiger shifter
turned his truck behind them, following closely. Which
one? he asked, looking over the many office buildings.
It s that one.
Nodding, his gaze swept over the structure his mate
pointed at for a few seconds. It looked like a standard,
modern office building with steel and glass construction.
Ailean turned his car into the parking lot across from it. At
Drake s questioning look, he smiled grimly. Sorry, little
mate. I don t want you getting too close to them.
Drake nodded. Me neither.
Grady parked next to them and climbed from his vehicle.
This the place? he asked, after they all stood together.
54
Charlie Richards
It s that one, Drake said, pointing. That s the building
where I meet my contractors and other scientists.
Nodding, Grady surveyed the area, his hands on his hips.
Well, considering the state you found him in, I can t
imagine he came from very far.
Ailean agreed. What are you going to do?
Come back tonight with Carson. He grinned coldly.
He got back from Georgia yesterday, so we ll see what we
can sniff out.
Who s Carson, Drake asked curiously.
Grady spared him a glance before refocusing on the
buildings around them. A friend.
Another officer?
Ailean chuckled. His little mate really was too curious for
his own good. He sobered and exchanged a glance with
Grady. He had to tell him something or his mate wouldn t
stop asking questions. Some of the authorities are
compromised, Ailean revealed. Not all of them can be
trusted, that s why Lyle asked specifically for Grady, and
why Grady asked you to bring him to me. Carson is a
military trained friend who is helping us figure out how bad
the situation really is.
Drake s brows lifted, his pretty brown eyes rounding.
What can I do to help?
Nothing, Ailean replied quickly. You ve done enough.
The detective will take it from here. He turned to Grady.
Do you need anything more from us? His mate s scent
was driving him nuts. He needed to get the man alone.
Grady s gaze snapped to his, and he smirked. Not for
now. Where can I find Drake should I need to question him
later?
I m scheduled at the hospital at three this afternoon. I ll
take him back to Declan s before then. He hated the idea of
leaving his mate at the wolf s house, but he didn t want
55
Accepting His Animal
Drake to be alone in Colin City until he knew he was safe.
Nodding, Grady turned and headed to his truck. Got it.
See you later.
Get in, he said, opening the door for his mate.
Where are we going? Drake asked.
He grabbed Drake s arm before he could climb into his
car and pulled him close. My place, Ailean whispered
before claiming his lips. He delved his tongue into Drake s
mouth, licking his gums and tangling their tongues. His
mate s mewls of pleasure and the way he pressed his body
close, as if trying to meld them together, enflamed Ailean s
desire to a near fever pitch. When the need for air became
paramount, he broke the kiss and grinned at Drake. To do a
little more of that.
Okay, Drake panted.
The chuckle behind him had Ailean releasing Drake and
ushering him into his seat. After closing the door, he glared
over his shoulder at Grady. The man stood with his hands
on his hips, not looking at him, so Ailean rounded the car.
Before he opened the door, Grady called, It s nice to see you
this& happy.
I ll be happy after I claim him, he snapped back.
There s a lot to talk about first. He is human, after all.
Grady finally turned his head and looked him in the eye.
Do you think you can handle that?
He growled in irritation. Of course I can. He s my mate.
Grady s eyes narrowed slightly and the man frowned. I
hope so.
When he turned away and climbed into his truck, Ailean
growled low in his throat. So what if he d kept clear of any
long term entanglements with humans for nearly eighty
years. This was his mate. Of course he d make it work.
Ailean opened the door and climbed into the car.
Drake looked at him. Everything okay? he asked.
56
Charlie Richards
Forcing a smile, Ailean nodded. Of course. He leaned
over and gave Drake a quick peck. Let s get out of here.
Another thirty minutes of driving, Ailean checking his
rearview mirror often during that time, and he pulled into
his home s driveway, a single story, three-bedroom house
that Ailean used for his sanctuary. He hadn t brought
anyone here since he d moved in a year and a half ago.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]