***
When Ryan opened his eye two hours later, it was to find himself locked against Jeremy in a tight embrace. He looked up and realized that Jeremy was fast asleep. His first instinct was to get off Jeremy but Ryan just couldn’t bring himself to leave that heavenly embrace. He, therefore, took the opportunity to study the man who made him feel so content and safe despite the fact that he was the most dangerous and wicked person Ryan had ever had the misfortune of encountering. Damn, the man was gorgeous. That face…his striking patrician nose, that mouth…not to mention those beautiful compelling blue eyes which were hidden at the moment in sleep. And the man smelt divine. Ryan had a feeling that even if Jeremy was dunked into a barrel of urine, it would never diminish that sweet smell that made his mouth water.
Despite how powerful he knew Jeremy was, Ryan couldn’t help but acknowledge how young and peaceful he looked in sleep. He definitely didn’t look anything like the monster who had unleashed so much terror on him, Ryan thought. How could such a magnificently beautiful person be so horrible? And he had such a lovely mother too. Ryan dropped his eyes to Jeremy’s masculine chest and had to stifle his groan. The t-shirt couldn’t hide the hard muscles and well-defined body beneath. Jeremy was undeniably virile and…
“You really need to stop looking at me like that, Prof.” Ryan heard Jeremy drawl and gasped.
Ryan’s eyes shot up to Jeremy’s captivating blue eye and instantly felt the warmth of a blush in his cheeks. How long had he been watching him ogling his body, Ryan thought, totally mortified.
“How long have you been up?” He snapped, trying to push out of Jeremy’s embrace but he wouldn’t let him go.
“Long enough,” Jeremy responded huskily. “Ready to get out of here?”
“I…” Ryan began but then stopped and nodded. He was very hungry but didn’t want to tell Jeremy. He sure as hell didn’t want to ask the man for anything. If only he could communicate with Jeremy telepathically, Jeremy would know without him having to ask, Ryan fumed. But he’d asked Jeremy to get out of his head so he didn’t have that privilege.
But somehow Jeremy just knew what Ryan wanted. “Want me to open our link?” And at Ryan’s nod, Jeremy did exactly that. ‘Hey.’
‘Hey.’ Ryan couldn’t stop his chuckle. ‘Thanks.’
‘Pleasure. Your food is ready. Shall we?’
Ryan nodded and moved off Jeremy’s lap.
After thanking the doctors and nurses, Ryan followed Jeremy out of the hospital and to the most classically beautiful and obviously new and expensive bike he’d ever seen. It was a Harley Davidson Cosmic Starship. What Ryan didn’t know was that it was the most expensive Harley-Davidson bike, priced at a whopping one million U.S. dollars, had a powerful six-cylinder engine, and moved with lightning speed. He also didn’t know that Jeremy had purchased it, just to enable him get to him…his mate.
Ryan climbed onto the bike behind Jeremy and sat stiffly, virtually not touching Jeremy. After all, it was a big bike. When Jeremy turned on the engine, Ryan almost moaned at its undeniably unique and amazing sound. Fuck, that was power, Ryan thought closing his eyes in awe. He waited for Jeremy to move but he didn’t.
“Ryan?”
“Uh-huh?” Ryan opened his eyes.
“Put your arms around me,” Jeremy instructed.
“That’s not necessary.” Ryan snapped. “I…”
“Please Ryan.” Jeremy pleaded. “This is a new bike. I’m still not used to it.” Jeremy said, tongue in cheek. “I don’t want any surprises. These things tend to bounce sometimes. Please. It’s not a long ride.”
Ryan sighed and reluctantly wrapped his arms around Jeremy, not seeing Jeremy’s naughty smile at all.
“Thanks,” Jeremy said and then finally put the bike in motion.
Ryan would never forget that ride for as long as he lived. Admittedly, it was a short one. But he got so turned on that he squirmed on the seat till they got to the house. The feel of that powerful engine beneath his arse, the vibrations that shook his dicks and balls, the feel of Jeremy against him… Ryan was so hard he feared his dicks might explode.
“Are you okay?” Jeremy asked a flushed Ryan as he helped him off the bike.
“I’m fine.” Ryan rasped, looking anywhere but at Jeremy.
“Let’s go in,” Jeremy said and turned to go.
Jeremy knew Ryan was aroused. He could feel it. Hell, he was too. But he couldn’t complain as he’d made Ryan plaster himself against him for his own selfish pleasure. If only they could have ridden a little longer, he thought regretfully. Damn, Ryan had felt good against him, Jeremy thought as they stepped out of the elevator onto their floor. When they got to the door of Ryan’s room, Jeremy steered Ryan towards his room but Ryan stopped walking.
“This is my…”
“Not anymore.” Jeremy counted evenly. “You’re staying with me.”
“I’d rather stay here please,” Ryan said firmly.
“Ryan, I just don’t want…”
“I’m not sleeping in your room. Nor are you sleeping in mine for that matter.”
“I just thought you wouldn’t be too comfortable in there after…”
“You raped me in there?” Ryan finished the sentence.
Jeremy groaned. “I wasn’t going to put it like that but…yes.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not fragile or anything like that. Besides I’d rather I’m reminded of what you did. I get overwhelmed all too quickly when I’m around you. I don’t like that. This will keep me…grounded.”
“I understand,” Jeremy said grimly. He wasn’t about to argue with his mate. He’d proved just how powerful he was. “But Ryan, if I so much as feel any anxiety coming from you, I’m taking you to my room.”
“We’ll see about that.” Ryan sneered.
That pissed Jeremy off. After all, he was an alpha. And it was not in his nature to tolerate challenges. His eyes flashed. “And if you want to…wear any of your personal clothes, you can come into my room and get some. I’ll keep the connecting door open.” With that bombshell, Jeremy turned and entered his suite.
Ryan’s jaw dropped. He stared at the door through which Jeremy had disappeared. What did he mean by his personal clothes? Had Jeremy gone to his home and taken his stuff? How the fuck had he even known where he lived? And what right did Jeremy have to invade his personal space without permission?