Chapter Eleven

 

Cade shooed Dean off to the shower while he figured out something to make to eat. Dean wasn’t sure what he’d come up with but wasn’t going to complain. The evening had been one shock after another following hard on the heels of a sit on his thumbs day. A slow, hot shower would help unwind his nerves. At least he hoped so.

Drying off then dressing in clean jeans and a light sweatshirt, he emerged and was instantly hit with the smell of warm maple syrup, pancakes, and eggs. Breakfast for dinner? Worked for him.

“God, that smells good.” He curled his arms around Cade’s middle. Dean pressed a cheek between shoulder blades, savoring the strength he held.

“I hope it’s okay. At least it’s soft stuff.”

“It’ll be fine.” He nuzzled close. “Thank you.”

Cade rubbed over Dean’s knuckles resting at his waist. “Any time.”

Dean reluctantly released him to pull plates from the cabinet. Once they were settled, they ate in calm silence at the table. Cade had left his hair untied after… Well, after the whole wolf thing.

It wasn’t a facet of his day he was willing to focus on yet. Soon, but not right then. He didn’t have the fortitude to break down everything he’d seen tonight. Not at the bar. Not in his living room.

Dean blinked when he realized he was staring blankly across the table. What caught his eye? Cade had swept a swath of hair over his shoulder. The move made Dean’s fingers itch to feel its warmth. This was twice Cade had been with him and he’d left his hair loose. He hid his smile, wondering if he’d done it on purpose. He couldn’t help that he was drawn to it.

Cade gave him a hand in cleaning up afterward, asking, “Do you mind if I take a shower?”

“Help yourself.” He waved toward his bedroom. It was pretty clear to him that Cade would be sharing his bed.

“Thanks.”

Dean watched him pad across the rooms until he was out of sight. A few minutes later, the rush of water could be heard through the house pipes. Done with the dishes, he checked the thermostat for the night and locked the doors, making sure the back door was secure. He frowned while running a finger over the damaged metal of the frame. He’d unearth his tools in the morning and fix it. The house wasn’t much but it was all he had. All he needed really.

With that done for the night, he went to the bedroom. It felt odd having someone in the bathroom. Even when he’d lived with Daniel, they’d had a two bedroom apartment. Shared the bathroom, but they’d been sharing since they were babies. This felt different.

He kicked back on the bed and crossed his ankles, his hands on his stomach. His eyes drifted shut and he relaxed. The sounds of Cade moving around lulled him. It had been a while since he’d had a boyfriend. The fact that Cade wanted to be there for him hit a spot inside that was hungry for the attention. Possibly more? Affection? He had no idea.

Cade was so new to all of this. Dean didn’t want to hang his hat on this as a sure thing, not yet, anyway.

The bed dipped at his thigh as Cade slid in next to him. “I found a toothbrush in the cabinet. I slobbered all over it, so I guess it’s mine now.”

Dean chuckled. “Sure. I forgot to tell you they were there.” He lifted heavy eyelids and landed his gaze on the hunk of goodness lying beside him. Toweled damp hair flowed over his shoulder. “You’re more redhead than Chris. I hadn’t noticed.”

“It comes out when it’s wet. Somewhere in the family tree stuff,” he teased warmly. He threaded fingers through the strands. “I don’t know why, I’ve always liked it long.”

“I won’t complain,” he assured him. “I happen to have a thing for longer hair.”

Pleasure sparkled in his gaze. “Lucky me,” he said with a breathy tease.

Dean slithered down to lay flat on the bed. “You have no idea.” He reached with a hand and caressed Cade’s bare chest, stroking the light strands of hair beneath learning fingertips. The man wore underwear, a sexy pair of hip hugging, short cut underwear, and nothing else. His ribs flexed with each breath. It was no secret how much he turned Dean on.

Lying close together, body heat rolled over Dean in waves. The cautious touch of fingers to his neck stilled him. Not out of fear. He could see Cade’s worry in his expression.

“I’m fine,” he whispered, able to read his thoughts plainly.

“What if I’d actually left?” he asked.

“Don’t play that game. You didn’t.” He captured the wandering hand and curled it into his palm. “I’ll be careful until they get this guy. I don’t plan on being caught like that again. I’d like to kick his ass myself.”

Cade smirked.

“Hey, just because you’ve never seen it, don’t think I can’t.”

“Wasn’t saying anything.”

“Uh huh.” Dean wasn’t buying his innocent act. He’d already guessed Cade was the manly man type of guy. That didn’t bother him, so long as he didn’t forget Dean was too. Daniel had been the gentler of the two boys.

After a drawn out silence, surprisingly, maybe, Cade was the one to make the first move. He lowered to find Dean’s lips, brushing over them with light strokes, testing. Dean’s heart jolted into a new speed.

Wanting. He was drowning in it. He grasped at Cade’s hair, fisting it into his palm, tugging as yearning boiled higher.

A low growl slipped from Cade and the hesitancy of his kiss vanished. Broad shoulders pinned him. Hard chest met hard chest. Dean’s free hand glided down Cade’s side, gripping flesh when he could reach no further.

Cade’s hips ground into him in answer, digging his hardening length into Dean’s thigh. Dean kissed him through the confusion as Cade’s body came alive for him. There were stutters, a few gasps. Shocks. Sensations he’d never experienced. Dean was flying being the one to give that to him.

Wiggling beneath his hard frame, he pressed upward and urged Cade to roll to his back. Cade relented, breaking their kiss with a gust of air.

“Is there anything you don’t like?” Dean nibbled on his jaw, letting him know he wasn’t going to rush anything.

“Not like?”

“Or are super sensitive to?”

Cade blinked, his brain clearly not being overly helpful in filling in blanks. “I— I don’t think so. So much already feels different.”

Dean slowed, hefting up on braced arms to stare into wide eyes. “Different?”

“Not bad. I’d tell you if it were.”

Dean nodded once. “Good.” He was glad to hear that.

Cade’s palm captured him from behind and tugged him down for more of those deep kisses.

Dean obliged, centering himself above Cade, nestling neatly between his thighs. He groaned. Now here, here he could die a happy man. With nothing but two layers of thin cotton underwear between them, heat scorched. Nerves sparked, making cocks pulse. His skin felt alive, tightening with need.

“Oh, man,” he groaned, rocking slowly. His eyes sank shut as sensation rushed through him. He wasn’t sure how much longer he’d even be able to string coherent thoughts together. He pushed down, heat building between them.

Cade’s hands delved beneath elastic. Dean’s thrust stuttered until Cade’s insistence got him moving again. Cade wasn’t being hesitant in exploring his desires or what he could find beneath his palms. Broad hands left no misunderstanding, gripping firmly to keep Dean moving.

Dean found his lips, claiming them as desires flared brighter. Harsh breathing filled the quiet of the bedroom.

When Cade nudged at his underwear, Dean didn’t argue. He arched his rear and Cade rolled them down his hips. Dean worked them lower until he could kick them free. Hooking Cade’s in his fingers, he did the same for him, ripping them away. They joined Dean’s on the floor.

Something needy and seductive swirled in Cade’s gaze sucking in Dean when he climbed onto the bed.

Dean wasn’t going to baby the man, questioning every little action. He trusted Cade to know his own limits, and to say something if Dean was pushing him for more than he was ready for.

He had nothing to worry about. Hovering over him, before he could decide between laving his chest or going right for his mouth, Cade made the decision for him. He yanked Cade straight down, wrapping a single leg over the back of Dean’s thigh.

Cade’s groan was sheer hunger. Need.

Then Dean was being kissed senseless. Strong hands never stopped touching, grasping, caressing.

Braced above him on elbows, he returned the kisses, devouring Cade as ferociously. It seemed to be exactly what the man wanted. Grunts and growls escaped on panted breaths. Dean started rocking again. His body knew what it wanted, knew what he craved. Flesh to flesh. Every contact shot lust-filled surges over nerves and muscle, clenching and grinding to meet Cade’s movements.

Everything he needed was packed into Cade’s hard frame. Rubbing dick to dick, they challenged each other, strived for more. Weeping fluids from both eased the strokes until Dean was gliding seamlessly against skin.

Dean groaned Cade’s name when he broke from the kisses. Cade cupped his ass, bringing him closer, harder. His eyes glittered, pinned on Dean.

Dean knew that look and he wasn’t going to taunt either of them, not their first time. He needed this as much as Cade.

Flexing his hips, his aching length was captured between their slicked bodies. The need to come launched through his system, racing through veins. Cade was waiting for him, watching him.

Dean gasped when a twitch of pressure near his entrance added to the growing fire in his blood.

“You want me there, don’t you?” Cade’s voice rumbled.

Dean nodded.

“Picture it. Me taking you.”

Dean did. He thrust harder in reaction. Every muscle locked up as he spurted between them unable to stop the rush. Liquid heat pooled between his and Cade’s abdomens.

Cade shuddered. Pressing into the pillow to arch his body into Dean’s, he followed, adding to the spunk. His throbbing shaft pressed into skin as he found his release, making Dean moan.

Panting, Dean sank close. He tucked against Cade’s shoulder, each trying to catch their breaths. A thumb stroked in circles over a butt cheek where Cade lightly held him. Dean sighed. He wasn’t one for pillow talk, but he loved after sex cuddles. He supposed it could be called a weakness but he honestly didn’t care.

“That was okay?”

Dean smiled and kissed Cade’s throat below his ear. “It gets even better.”

“You keep saying that,” Cade pointed out.

“Have I been wrong?”

Cade twisted on the pillow to find his lips for a brief kiss. “No.”

“Then don’t sweat the small shit.” He hefted up onto his palms, his gaze landing on Cade’s flushed face. Sharp pants were slowing. “Let’s get cleaned up.”

“I have to get up early. Still on at the vet clinic.”

“I’ll set the clock.”

Cade followed him to the restroom, both washing up at the sink. Dean spotted his furrowed brow in the mirror’s reflection. He hoped the man wasn’t regretting what they’d shared. He’d seemed fully on board at the time.

“Don’t go cold on me again, Cade,” he warned.

“What?”

“You’re frowning.”

Cade raised his chin, his features smoothing some. “Not over this. Not about what just happened.” He threaded the towel on the hanging bar to air out.

Dean caught the light as they both sauntered to the bed. When Cade didn’t bother with his underwear, Dean followed suit. So he was a bare skin sleeper. Like Dean would complain about sleeping next to his naked body?

“So if it wasn’t this…” He left it out there, waiting for Cade to fill in the blanks.

“I don’t like the idea of you being here alone.”

Dean studied the man. On one side of the coin, that was a nice thought. It made him think that maybe this could be more for Cade, eventually. That he was thinking about Dean for more than sex.

The other side of the coin wasn’t as pleased with the implication that Dean couldn’t handle himself alone.

“Cade…” He stressed it with a disgruntled sigh. He set the clock for the other man with a quick check of time.

“I know. It’s partially me, and partially the wolf. It’s his ingrained survival instincts to be close to—” He bit it off. “To be close. I’ll leave it at that for now.” He sank down onto the bed and Dean copied him, tugging up blankets.

“So there’s like two voices pushing at you?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” He stretched out an arm in invitation. “Humor me, okay?” he added when Dean balked. “I know you’re not a woman. I like to hold.”

That was exactly what Dean wanted to hear. He softened his reaction with a smile. “I’m good with that.”

“I’m not trying to challenge you being a man. Adjustments are going to take time. I’m not doing anything to undermine who you are. I’m simply doing what feels right, being me.”

Dean nodded, stretched along his side. “That’s all I can ask.” When quiet filled the room, he wondered what else the man was thinking. Dean could tell he wasn’t asleep. “Just spit it out. I’m not going to kick you out of bed.”

Cade grunted low in his throat. “You haven’t said anything about how you feel about the wolf.”

Dean felt his tension, heard the trepidation mingled in his words. They were touching in several places with Dean draped down his side resting on Cade’s shoulder. This close, there was nothing Cade could hide from Dean.

“I’m not sure yet, to be honest.”

Cade took his time before asking, “Does it scare you?”

“The animal itself? No.” A slow rise and fall of Cade’s chest revealed more than he was saying. Hard muscles relaxed in waves a heartbeat at a time. “You said it was inherited from your father.” Cade nodded. “Can you pass it on?”

“Any of us can. It’s a sub-gene, I guess. It looks like anything else in a DNA test, but it’s not. I’m not even sure that’s a right description.”

“It’s camouflaged? Like a chameleon?”

Cade hummed in thoughtful musing. “Yeah. Never looked at it that way. That’s probably why only men can pass the gene. Women have the ability to take on the wolf but can’t pass it on.”

“So it doesn’t fall within the female chromosome chain. I can see why you don’t want science or anyone finding out about you guys. You’d be one heck of tool to exploit.”

Cade sighed. “Yeah. We have to be careful. As a pack, we protect our own.”

“As a pack… So, Jamie and Chris?”

“Are part of the pack. Quade and Maya, too. Well, she will be. I doubt he’ll fail with her. She’s smart. Fear can only survive when there is ignorance. She’s far from that.”

“I got that, too.” Dean laughed ruefully. “I think he’s got a handful, woman or not. She’s a natural redhead.”

Cade grinned, joining him in the humor. “Poor bro.” They snickered in unison.

Dean found strands of hair and twirled it around his fingers. “If the wolf doesn’t scare me,” he said thoughtfully, “and I happen to really like the guy he’s a part of…” He watched Cade’s facial expressions where he stared upward at the ceiling. “I mean, how can I be upset or scared by an animal that stopped a murderer? One of these days, I want to see you…change? Is that what you do?”

“Pretty much.”

He played with the hair he held for a few minutes. “I’m coming to terms with it,” he finally admitted. “I’m also making a stab in the dark that this is a very elite, private type of club.”

“Very private. But it’s twofold. While you protect us, and our secret, we protect those in the pack.”

“Pack?”

Cade rolled his head a little on the pillow to meet his stare. “Why don’t we leave it there for tonight? We have time.”

“All right.” Dean curled up closer a moment later and Cade wrapped him fully into his side. He waited as the tension that had been building in Cade’s frame gradually lessened. He had to assume there were things either Cade wasn’t ready to share, or that he felt would be too much for Dean to handle, one shock on top of another, after another. This had been one of the oddest days of his life.

He’d been face to face with the wolf and never once had it acted threatening toward Dean. The wolf was a part of Cade, from what he could understand. The animal had responded when he’d spoken to it, so there was some facet of Cade that existed within the animal when he was wolf. Not even the smartest dog could comprehend questions or conversation to answer with human-like gestures. To Dean, it came down to they were one and the same.

He replayed frames of the animal, of its behavior, of its attack on the other man. Dean realized the wolf had made sure to only go after the man struggling with Dean. Was that what Cade meant in protecting their own? He had a feeling it wasn’t that simple, and it wasn’t the end of the conversation.

Dean’s gaze flowed over Cade’s resting profile while his mind churned with all the new information. Gray eyes had finally closed in sleep. It took him a little longer for his brain to stop dissecting the day’s events, but he eventually managed to do the same.