Page 7 of Restoring His Howl

Chapter Four

Cinders followed Dillon up to the second floor and into Dillon’s room. Shame washed over him. He’d gone berserk when Avan and Rocco had given Dillon the eye. He had no hold on Dillon and no rights to him, but his protective streak had come out. He wanted to apologize again, but he had no idea what to say.I’m sorry that I’m a jackass and I’m trying like hell to get you to want me?Honest, but a tad blunt.I didn’t like the way they looked at you?He’d said most of that and dug himself into a deeper hole.I hate seeing the underdog being kicked, and I perceived their actions as demeaning?Oh, boy, he was reaching…

Dillon opened his door “Welcome. It’s not much, and the bathroom is shared, so if you have to go, be warned. Oscar likes to monopolize it. Make yourself at home.”

Cinders scoped out the space. He’d been blessed with a suite, and his roommate spent more time out of the room than in. He sat on the bed. “So do you remember everything I said outside?”

“I do.” Dillon nudged the door shut and leaned against it. “How could I not? You sounded pretty insistent.” He half-smiled. “I’m flattered.”

“I’m glad.” Cinders folded his legs beneath him. “I meant it.” He patted the mattress. “Sit with me?”

Dillon hesitated then crossed the room. He perched on the edge of the bed and faced Cinders. “You like me?”

“I do.” He rested his hand on Dillon’s. Warmth seeped down to his bones. Sizzles shocked his heart. He hadn’t had a reaction like this in a long time. He focused on Dillon. “I want to be honest. I’ve had a checkered past. I’m not the best guy, but I’m not stripping any longer, and I’ve got stability now that I’m here. I like you. I’d love for you to like me, too. I’m too blunt for my own good. I’m protective. I hate bullies, even though I could be one when I was younger. I would love for you to trust me, but I understand why you wouldn’t. You don’t know me. Would you be willing to give me a chance?”

Well…damn.He’d poured his heart out. He tried to gauge Dillon’s reaction but couldn’t figure him out.

Dillon stared at him for what seemed like an eternity. “I would,” he whispered. “I’m cautious, but I want this.”

“You want what?” Dillon’s change in attitude—slight but there—confused Cinders. He frowned. “I’m lost.”

“I’ve been knocked around by life, but I know a good thing when I see it.” Dillon leaned into Cinders and kissed him.

Holy shit. Cinders hadn’t seen the kiss coming. He caressed Dillon’s hand as he tasted him. He’d never kissed a wolf shifter before. Excitement resonated in his brain and woke his jaguar. The big cat clawed at him from within. Did it approve? He wasn’t sure. The jaguar paced and growled. What a needy bastard? The cat wanted to sink into Dillon, but not with his claws. He wanted to claim the wolf.

Cinders nipped Dillon’s bottom lip and thought about what the wolf shifter had said. Knocked around by life. He wondered how. Should he try to get Dillon to open up?

Dillon pulled away. His eyes widened, and red infused his cheeks. He said nothing but stared at Cinders.

“Did I push too much?” Cinders asked.

“No.” Dillon’s blush deepened. “It’s been too long since I was kissed.”

“That’s a shame. I’d like to try to rectify your problem.” He smiled. “You’re a good kisser.”

Dillon tasted sweet, and Cinders liked the way Dillon’s dusting of whiskers abraded his cheeks. He hadn’t thought he’d want a guy with gray hair, but on Dillon, the look worked well. Maybe, he had a thing for silver foxes—er, wolves—after all.

“I’m not that easy,” Dillon blurted. He started to smile then paled.

“I never said you were.” He laced his fingers with Dillon’s. Whatever had spooked Dillon, Cinders didn’t want to do it again. “You’re hard to get, and that’s what’s sexy. Plus, you’ve got gorgeous eyes, a chiseled, rugged thing going on and you’re a good-hearted man.”

“None of that’s a turn-off? You’ve been moaning about getting laid for the last month.” Dillon didn’t pull away, but he also didn’t get closer.

“I’m sorry I’ve been complaining. When you find someone special and the time is right, that’s when you should…get laid.” Christ, he sounded like a greeting card. He wanted to hold Dillon and reassure him. “I can’t change who I am to fit your needs. I’m blunt, stubborn, I speak my mind and I like sex, but I’d like to be all of those things with you. Not saying we have to fuck right now. Eventually. Mostly, I like being around you.”

“Is this your way of working up to asking me to that party?” Dillon murmured.

“Exactly but not completely.” He grinned. “I’m not dressing up in something ridiculous and going alone. You’re going with me, right? I’ve got a strange way of asking, but yeah. You and me tomorrow night.” They could be a twosome for the rest of tonight, too, and he’d be happy. So would his jaguar. The big cat wanted to rub all over Dillon and mark him, so when they attended the party, everyone would know Dillon belonged to him.

“I am now.” Dillon relaxed a bit. “It’s a silly idea for a get together. Dressing up. Do you think the others will want to go along with it? From what I’ve gathered, they’re either paired up or loners.”

“You’ve done a lot of watching.” Cinders shrugged. “Knowing some of the guys here, yeah, they’ll want to go all out. They’ll probably have someone take them into town to find the right outfit. There are two other dancers here, not counting Ryan and Avan, although neither are fromStiff. I knew them from scoping out the enemy, so to speak.” He scooted closer to Dillon. “I’ve seen you watching from the shadows. You know how most of the shifters are, and you knew about me. We’re in a safe place. A lot of the others are opening up. You can, too. No one will judge you.”

“Except I can’t.” Dillon balled his hands. “Are you trying to create a support group?”

“Nah. I think Ryan is.” He crept closer until his knees touched Dillon’s. “You’re opening up more than you think. You let me in, and I know that’s huge.” He cupped Dillon’s jaw. “I didn’t think you would.” He could rub his fingers over Dillon’s soft skin for hours and not tire. He liked the way Dillon smelled—woodsy and earthy but sexy. He wanted to drag Dillon onto his lap and try out a few more kisses.

Dillon pressed his lips together but rubbed his cheek on Cinders’ palm.

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