Lamar did as asked, setting it on the bed. Needing a distraction, Lamar dragged his gaze away from his mate’s sexy body. It was easy to see the man worked out regularly. “So, how’d you break it?”
“Hockey accident. Me and another guy were skating toward the puck. Got my foot twisted when he checked me into the boards,” Rueben stated. He shrugged. “Bad luck is all. Knocked me out for the season.” After slipping into a pair of cut-off sweat shorts, he grinned. “Now, I’m kinda glad it happened.”
Lamar’s brows lifted. “Why?”
“Because I wouldn’t have been available to look for my brother otherwise,” he said, limping toward him. “I would have sent a private detective and missed out on meeting you.”
Swallowing hard at the feral gleam in his mate’s green eyes, Lamar backed a step. “You don’t know anything about me.”
Rueben grinned. “We’ll change that, sweet stuff,” he assured. “There’s no denying there’s something between us.”
Lamar couldn’t agree more. Rueben was his mate. He was just surprised the human could already feel it so strongly as well. Instead of confirming or denying, Lamar grabbed Rueben’s bag and handed the man his crutches. He headed into the bathroom to gather his human’s kit.
Hearing Rueben grunt, Lamar shoved the shampoo into the bag and turned. He found Rueben leaning heavily on the doorframe, his already pale skin nearly white. “Damn, maybe you should sit back down,” he urged, heading toward him.
Rueben shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Lamar snorted. “You’re not fine. You—”
“Hey, guys. Got a new room all set for ya,” Sam said, shoving the broken door open and pausing behind Rueben. He took in the man’s pale face and stance. “You okay, dude?”
Clearing his throat, Rueben pushed away from the wall. “Yeah, I’m good. Lead the way,” he demanded gruffly.
It hit Lamar that his mate really didn’t like being weak. The guy worked out, seemed good at sports, and came off as a pretty active human. Having a broken bone must really frustrate him. Watching his mate limp along behind Sam, Lamar wondered how the guy would take him being a shifter. If they bonded, his lover would heal three times faster. He’d probably be out of the boot in a couple weeks.
Nibbling his lip, Lamar tried to decide on the best approach. He knew his friends would help if he asked, just as they’d helped him break into Rueben’s room—literally. When he’d heard the pain in his mate’s voice, he’d been frantic to find a way to get to the man. Sam had seen his agitation and immediately assisted.
He lost his train of thought when Rueben turned to look at him and gave him a lascivious smile. “So, you gonna take care of me for a few days?”
“Yes,” Lamar answered immediately, before catching himself. “Uh, I mean—”
Rueben chuckled. “Oh, no taking it back now, sweet thing. Come in and tell me all about yourself.” He led the way into a new motel room.
Sam actually snickered as he handed Lamar the card key. “Like that’s gonna happen,” he muttered.
Lamar rolled his eyes, then said, “I appreciate your help. Thank you.”
“Any time,” Sam replied. He rubbed his thumb up and down the scar on his cheek.
Lamar recognized the big bull shifter’s move as one of unease.
“Let us know if you, uh, you know.” Pulling his hand away from his face, he waved it toward the room and the man who’d disappeared inside. “If you need help.”
“Thanks,” Lamar said, smiling. He rested a hand on Sam’s arm and squeezed. “I know I can count on you guys, but I appreciate the reminder.”
Sam nodded and headed down the hall.
Screwing up his courage and trying to keep his dick in check, Lamar followed his mate into the room. He arrived in time to hear Rueben grunt, then heave a sigh, as he stretched out on the bed. Lamar’s gaze devoured all the man’s smooth pale skin for several seconds.
“Hmm,” Rueben hummed. “I like that look on your face, sweet. Why don’t you come over here so we can…get to know each other?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Fighting back a snort of amusement, Lamar grabbed the ice bucket. “I’ll be right back,” he said. He picked up the motel info book and tossed it onto the bed beside his mate. “Find somewhere to order food.”
Before the man could come up with something else provocative to say, Lamar fled…to the ice machine. He rested his head against the thing as he filled the container. His blood pounded through his veins. Every minute in Rueben’s presence acted like stimulus to his body. He’d never been a particularly sexual person, and wasn’t certain how to deal—or even control—the sensations that Rueben aroused in him.