Chapter 64
Donovan told his story for the small group, calmly and quietly. He even added an eye roll or two to go along with a sarcastic comment or three.
TJ found himself watching Donovan with an avid eye. The man was built, that was a given. But, more than that, he was a fighter. He might be behind par when it came to all things shifter, but he was catching up fast. One only had to realize Donovan came barreling after TJ in response to the gunshots to find the culprit. That, even though he’d been grazed by a bullet. Another man might have ducked back inside the house where it was safe. Not Donovan. Instead, he’d shifted and kept to TJ’s heels as they both charged to the location. Courage and bravery. Donovan had both. Hell, without it, he’d never have testified against Bagsby.
All that goodness was now set in the crosshairs. With one wrong move, a bullet could end Donovan’s life, stealing him away from TJ for good.
I’ll rip the bastard’s head off first.
TJ smirked at his inner bear. You’ve got to beat me to him, buddy.
I guess that means we’re keeping him?
Oh, yeah.The promise came naturally and automatically. More than that, it felt right. 15
Two days later
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”
Donovan’s cheery voice drew TJ from his doze. He’d woken when Donovan climbed from the bed, just couldn’t bring himself to leave the comfort of the mattress. Instead, he’d drifted off again with the sounds of Donovan in the shower.
They’d had a decent evening. TJ had picked Donovan up from work and drove him home, smirking at the way Donovan held onto the door as if for dear life the entire way. Supper had been a quick affair, nothing fancy. Just hot food. Vegging in front of the television completed the evening before they both collapsed in bed for some much needed rest.
The underlying tension remained unchanged, hidden behind smiles and a few chuckles. Every time he peered over at Donovan, he saw the worry banked in his gorgeous blue eyes. That fact pissed off his grizzly and irritated him like a thorn stuck under his skin.
Donovan deserved happiness. With him. Not fear of what was around every corner. They’d squashed one threat. Or, Jonah had. That left one huge one to go.
He studied Donovan for a moment, found him to be fit and fine, and with a small grin on his face. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt that molded to his muscular core, Donovan leaned against the door frame as if he had all the time in the world. His expression and posture announced he was up to something devious.
Curiosity got the better of TJ. “What have you done?”
Donovan’s right eyebrow shot up. “Who says I’ve done anything?”
TJ snorted. “You’re like a damn squirrel who just found the stash of acorns on a cold winter morning.”
Donovan shrugged. “Not sure about the furry tail and the acorns, but there seems to be this gorgeous stud lazing around in bed, just waiting for company.”
“You think so, huh?” TJ fought to keep from grinning at the turn of their conversation. As it was, his morning wood hardened even more.
“Uh, huh.” Donovan licked his lips.
TJ nearly moaned at the sexy tease. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
Donovan lifted his shirt off and tossed it carelessly aside. Next, he unzipped his jeans, and slid them down before kicking them off. Nude, he stood back up and stared at TJ.
TJ didn’t miss the full, thick erection Donovan sported which only complimented Donovan’s physique. The scent of arousal filled the air along with the heady aroma of pheromones wafting thought the room. There was no doubt both of them were turned on. Big time.
“Ready to roll over and put that pretty ass of yours in the air for me to take?”
TJ’s heart thudded against his ribs as fire raced through his blood. The time had come and he eagerly embraced the moment. While he had never bottomed before, he wasn’t about to back down, either. This was a gift he wanted to give Donovan. Something special. Intimate. And just between them. “Absolutely.”
Donovan’s eyes flashed with excitement. Slowly, he approached the bed. “I’m going to send you over the moon, big guy.”
The promise alone certainly made for a nice starting point.
Donovan climbed into the bed and sat down near the center.
TJ mimicked his position and gave in to the overwhelming urge to touch. To taste. To re-explore Donovan’s prime body. He licked at Donovan’s lips while tracing a line over Donovan’s pecs, pausing long enough to lightly pinch his nipples into hard pebbles. He meshed their lips and thrust his tongue inside to plunder Donovan’s mouth while dropping his hands lower, over the six-pack abs, and down to ever so lightly scratch up Donovan’s thighs with his short nails.