Page 30 of Tender Wild

Their fingers brushed as they both reached for their drinks. “You holding up okay?” he asked, voice low enough that only his mate could hear.

Jared drank the whiskey in one gulp, grimacing before he coughed. “Better now.”

Miguel knocked his back in one fluid motion, savoring the burn that chased away the taste of fear, wincing as the alcohol hit his split lip. He studied his mate through the amber glow of the overhead lights. Blood still crusted at the corner of Jared’s mouth. A bruise darkened his jaw where it had cracked against the floor.

“You handled yourself pretty damn well back there,” Miguel said, voice low enough that only Jared could hear. “Most people would’ve frozen.”

A hint of pride flickered across Jared’s face. “Turns out I don’t like being hunted.” He traced the rim of his empty glass. “Though I could've done without the part where he tried to choke me out.”

Miguel’s jaw tightened as he gazed at the red marks on Jared’s throat. His fingers itched to touch them, to soothe away the evidence of danger that had come too close.

“Need another?” he asked instead.

“Definitely.” Jared’s knuckles whitened around his empty glass.

“Another round,” Miguel said to Cesar, who obliged with a generous pour.

When Cesar brought fresh drinks, Miguel nursed his this time, watching Jared over the rim of his glass. The borrowed shirt hung loose on his frame, collar dipping to reveal the edge of a bruise forming on his collarbone. A surge of protectiveness swelled in Miguel’s chest.

“Come on,” he said suddenly, sliding off his stool. “Let’s play pool.”

Jared blinked, caught off-guard by the abrupt suggestion. “Pool? Now?”

“Why not?” Miguel cocked his head toward the back room. “Better than sitting here thinking about those bastards.” He held out his hand. “Ever played before?”

Miguel guided Jared away from the bar with a light touch at his elbow. Miguel led them toward the back of the tavern where the pool tables stood. The green felt glowed under recessed lighting, smooth and inviting.

Miguel selected two cues from the rack, testing the weight of each before handing one to Jared.

“Once.” Jared ran his fingers over the smooth wood of the cue stick. “I may have accidentally launched the cue ball across the room and nearly blinded someone.”

Miguel laughed, the sound genuine for the first time since the attack. “That's a hell of a first impression.”

“I’m full of surprises.” Jared tested the weight of the stick in his hands, holding it awkwardly like a sword. “Fair warning. I’ll probably be terrible.”

“Everyone is at first.” Miguel racked the balls, the click-clack of resin against resin oddly soothing. “It’s all about angles and patience.”

“Two things I definitely don’t have right now.” Jared attempted to mimic Miguel’s stance, bending awkwardly over the table. The cue wobbled in his grip.

A soft laugh escaped Miguel’s throat. “Not quite.” He moved behind Jared, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. “May I?”

At Jared’s nod, Miguel pressed against him, chest to back, one hand settling on his hip. “Loosen up here,” he murmured, breath tickling the shell of Jared’s ear. “You’re too stiff.”

“Can’t imagine why,” Jared muttered, but Miguel felt some of the tension drain from his shoulders.

“You’ve got to bridge your fingers, like this.” Miguel demonstrated the proper form, his calloused hand sliding over Jared’s to adjust his grip. The feeling of his mate’s skin beneath his fingertips sent a flutter of desire through his core. “That’s it.”

Miguel pressed closer, seemingly to guide Jared’s stance, but really just to feel the lean muscles of his back against his chest. His mate’s breath hitched as Miguel’s thumb traced circles on his hip.

“Now keep your eye on the cue ball,” he murmured. “Now breathe and stroke.”

His mate snorted. “That’s what he said.”

Miguel chuckled, the vibration traveling between their bodies. “Focus, kitty.”

Jared bit his lip in concentration, pulled back the stick, and promptly sent the cue ball sailing. It bounced across the floor with a hollow clack, rolling under a nearby table.

“Told you I was terrible.” Jared straightened, blowing hair from his eyes.

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