Ruffling The Peacocks Feathers(5)

At that, Sam snorted, cutting a look at a now-frowning Ricky. “He’s kidding, dude.”

Suddenly, Lamar found himself the recipient of a smoldering stare from his mate. “How about you, sweet stuff? Are you available? My foot may be busted, but I can still give you a hot night you’ll never forget,” he said, winking lasciviously.

Lamar’s heart pounded in his chest at the knowledge his mate found him attractive. He opened his mouth, searching his stuttering brain for an appropriate response.

“You horn ball,” Ricky interrupted. “Always thinkin’ with your dick. You’ll fuck anything on two legs. Anything male, anyway,” he added in a grumble.

Completely unremorseful, Rueben grinned widely. “That just means I’ve had plenty of experience.” He swept Lamar’s body with a heated gaze. “I know how to please my lover.”

Clenching his jaw, Lamar struggled to control his responses. He was a private person, for the most part. Even when the gang had gone to bars to pick up men, Lamar had rarely indulged. Rueben was obviously not that way. It sounded like he was a player. Lamar hadn’t ever thought his mate would be virginal, but internally he grimaced. He wasn’t sure he could handle having his sex life as gossip fodder.

He needed time to think, and he couldn’t do that around the heavy pheromones this guy was putting off.

Clearing his throat, Lamar murmured, “Tempting offer. Perhaps I’ll give it some thought.” He shifted his gaze to Kontra and saw his alpha’s questioning look. “I’d like to take a walk.” Although he said it as a statement, his alpha recognized it for what it was. A request to head to Vail’s father’s place who lived in the forest, and shift and stretch his peacock’s wings.

“Of course,” Kontra said. He looked at Sam and Yuma. “Why don’t you two head out, too.” Which meant, Go with him.

Lamar didn’t mind, at least not much. He’d need someone to talk to.

Surprisingly, Vail grinned. “I’d like to visit my dad for a bit. You okay here, babe?” he said, resting a hand on Draven’s shoulder.

“Of course,” Draven responded, cupping Vail’s jaw and pressing a quick kiss to the man’s lips.

“Now that looks like a fantastic idea,” Rueben murmured.

Rueben gripped Lamar’s arm in a firm grasp and tugged him close. Taken by surprise, Lamar didn’t fight him. Seconds later, he found himself pulled tight against the much bigger man’s solid chest. Rueben wrapped his free hand around the nape of Lamar’s neck, lowered his head, and claimed Lamar’s mouth possessively.

Instinct to submit to his mate caused Lamar to open quickly to Rueben’s questing tongue. Rueben plundered his mouth, tilting their heads to get deeper. Lamar gripped Rueben’s biceps, not caring that he was clinging as he sucked Rueben’s tongue.

When breathing became paramount, Rueben jerked up his head and stared down at Lamar, his expression somewhat dazed. “Fucking hell, you are sweet. I’m in room one-oh-eight, baby. Swing by when you’re done with your walk.”

Lamar stiffened. His face flamed. Mate or not, he couldn’t believe his behavior. He eased away. For a second, Rueben’s grip tightened, then released him.

“I’ve got to go,” Lamar mumbled. Unable to meet anyone’s gaze, he turned and hustled from the room.

Even though Lamar heard footsteps behind him, he didn’t stop. He ducked into his room, which he shared with Sam, and grabbed his helmet and leathers. Hearing the door open behind him, Lamar turned and spotted Sam leading Vail and Yuma.

The big bull shifter pointed at the corner of the bed and ordered, “Sit. Explain.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Lamar let it out slowly, his shoulders sagging.

Vail slouched into one of the chairs at the small round table and cocked his head. “Come on, Lamar. You didn’t really think you’d get away without saying something, did you? None of us have seen you openly make out before.”

Lamar glanced around at his friends, his cheeks warming. Then, he realized, if he couldn’t tell his pack-mates, who could he tell? “Rueben is my mate,” he admitted.

“I knew it!” Vail crowed, grinning. “Congratulations!”

The other two men added their best wishes, Sam leaning across the gap between beds and slapping him on the shoulder.

Grimacing, Lamar groaned. “Come on, guys. Look at him. What was Fate thinking?”

Yuma’s brows creased. “What do you mean? He’s a good looking guy, and obviously attracted to you, too.”

Lamar rolled his eyes. “Sure, but he’s loud, brash, brazen—” Frowning, he added, “Ricky’s brother.”