Page 19 of Guarding the Runaway Omega

That sucks.

“Okay,” Hawk was stretched out on a sleeping bag he’d laid on top of a tarp. Even though it had stopped raining, the ground was still soaking wet. He patted the spot next to him. “Ask away.”

Jasper considered the very tempting offer. If he laid down next to Hawk, he doubted they’d be doing much in the way of talking. They might use their mouths, but there wouldn’t be words involved. So, he crossed his ankles and stayed where he was—leaning against a log and facing his Alpha. He was met with Hawk’s furrowed brow.

“I think it’s best I sit here for now.” Jasper’s first whiff of fated mate scent had been enough to make him want to drop trou. Not that Hawk needed to know that. “My mind gets fuzzy when we’re too close.”

Hawk arched his eyebrows. “Ah, I see. Well, if it’s any consolation, my head also gets fuzzy around you. Although, some other parts of me behave much differently.” Hawk winked.

Much to his embarrassment, Jasper flushed hot. “Yeah, well…”

As if blushing wasn’t bad enough, Hawk also had him tongue-tied. He averted his gaze and focused on the best way to bring up the subject of monogamy amongst wolf shifters. Especially since he’d always been told how loyal wolves were.

He sucked in a breath. Might as well just go for it. “So, I heard that Cam guy tell you how he loved you, so obviously, he’s your boyfriend.” Jasper chanced a peek to catch Hawk’s reaction. Jasper frowned at how unconcerned he appeared. “And for me personally, that’s not gonna work. I’m sure Cam’s an awesome dude and all that, but no kissing—or anything else—while he’s still in the picture.”

“Exactly.” Hawk gave a sharp nod. “It’s just you and me. No one else for either of us from now on.”

Jasper straightened. “Well, damn. Don’t you think you should let the poor guy down easy first? That’s kind of mean, Hawk.”

Hawk sputtered laughter then slapped his knee. “Oh my gods. You are so adorable.”

Jasper crossed his arms and pressed his lips together. “First, you call me little. Now, I’m adorable. I don’t think I approve.” He jumped to his feet. “And it’s not funny breaking another person’s heart! I don’t know the guy, but he sounded sincere and you’re being an ass.” Jasper snatched up one of the blankets. “I’ll be sleeping in the truck.”

Hawk bounded to his feet and rushed over, grabbing Jasper around the waist and tugging him close. Jasper struggled, pushing at him, but losing the fight miserably.

Fuck. It’s like when I was so horned up in prison. Only with Hawk, it was much more potent. Has to be the mating pull. Jasper collapsed against Hawk’s chest and let himself drown in his Alpha’s amazing scent, breathless and back to being incapable of forming a rational thought.

Hawk cradled him, wrapping him in his arms and stroking his back. “Hey, all kidding aside. Cam isn’t, and never was, my boyfriend or lover. We’ve been buddies, friends only, since we were about five years old. Somewhere along the way, he fell in love with me, wanted more. But I’ve never been attracted to him and didn’t want to ruin a good friendship for sex when I didn’t feel the same way.” Hawk gazed down at him. “See? I’m not that awful of a beast. I never led him on. I’ve always been truthful with him.”

Jasper squirmed in Hawk’s embrace. His body kept betraying him by not allowing him the chance to stop and really listen to what Hawk was trying to say. But he thought he had the gist of it.

I was jumping to conclusions and behaving like a fool. Got it.

Jasper swallowed hard. “But…you’ve had other lovers, right?”

“Yeah, of course. Haven’t you—?” Hawk’s eyes widened. “Oh. I see.”

Dammit. Jasper didn’t like Hawk’s expression at all, like they were back to the thing with him being a kid again.

Jasper sighed. “Before you comment on that, I need you to understand something about me.”

Hawk nodded, but never stopped caressing him. He fucking loved that Hawk was touching him that way, but at the same time, how could he be expected to think straight?

“I’ve been waiting to meet my fated mate my whole life.”

Hawk carded his fingers through Jasper’s hair. “I think we all have.”

Soooo distracting. “Sure, but what I mean is that I’ve never gone out with anyone or tried to get laid or anything. I’ve been saving myself for the one I was destined to be with.” Jasper locked eyes with Hawk. “I’ve been saving myself for you.”

Everything else fell away and Jasper forgot why he’d wanted to sleep in the truck as Hawk took him in a deep kiss, tasting him over and over until Jasper could no longer tell where he began, and Hawk ended.

The way I always knew it would be.

* * * *

Hawk had slept fitfully, on alert for any sign that they’d been discovered. Before they’d dragged the sleeping bag into the tent, then zipped the second one to it so they could share them together, Hawk had made certain no more smoke tendrils rose from the campfire and had circled their perimeter with sage and other potent herbs to mask their presence should any of their pursuers pass by too close. One of the main things he’d packed into the duffel had been his stash.

Holding his mate in his arms while cocooned in the bags, spooning Jasper and keeping him safe, brought a peace to Hawk’s soul he hadn’t realized was missing. The desire to claim Jasper had hit him again as they’d crawled into bed, but he hadn’t gotten any sleep in more than twenty-four hours, and he knew how drained Jasper was too.