Page 37 of Jacob

“You can do whatever you want.”

“You don’t really think that,” Taylor said as he squinted at Jacob.

“I don’t, but I won’t judge you if that’s what you do.I think that you’re overwhelmed and that Ben needs help.We need to focus on that before anything else.It will give you time to wrap your mind around what happened and understand yourself a little better.At the very least, you should talk to Ben, but not today.”Both Ben and Taylor could use some time, so hopefully, Ben wouldn’t push for more right away.If he did, Jacob would have to step in.

Taylor was his priority.Jacob wanted Ben to be okay, but Taylor came first.

* * * *

TONY LEANED AGAINSTthe doorframe of Jacob’s room with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the tiger shifter pace back and forth.The small space was warm and very Jacob, lit by a single bedside lamp that cast shadows across the room.Jacob’s broad shoulders were tense, and his movements were sharp and restless.He was anxious.After days of dancing around each other, of stolen glances and lingering touches while they were working, they were finally alone, with no distractions and no worries beyond each other.

Well, mostly.Jacobwasdistracted, but considering what had happened today, it wasn’t surprising.

“You’re going to wear a hole in that floor if you keep at it,” Tony said, his voice low but teasing.The situation was serious, but not in a bad way.

Jacob stopped mid-step, his gaze flicking toward Tony.There was something wild there, as if Jacob were scared, but there was no hesitation.“I just...”Jacob ran a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated breath.“This isn’t how I imagined this would go.”

Tony raised an eyebrow, stepping further into the room.“What did you imagine?”

A faint smile tugged at Jacob’s lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.“I don’t know.”He paused, his expression growing serious again.“This isn’t something casual.I don’t want to mess it up, but I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Tony had thought that Jacob was so worked up because of Taylor, but it didn’t sound like he was.It was a surprise.

The words hung between them.Tony could feel their weight and the vulnerability in Jacob’s voice.He hadn’t yet seen him let his guard down like this.Usually, he was quiet and confident, the kind of man who made others feel safe just by being near him.It was one of the reasons he was a good guard.Now, though, he looked uncertain and almost fragile.

Tony closed the distance between them.He reached out, placing a hand on Jacob’s arm.“Hey,” he said softly.“We’re in this together, Jacob.It’s not just on you to make it work.And besides”—he gave a smile, trying to lighten the mood—“you’ve got nothing to worry about.I’m pretty sure you’ve already got me hooked.”He might have even if they hadn’t been mates.They’d never know for sure, but Tony didn’t have to.

Jacob chuckled, but his eyes still held that flicker of doubt.“It’s not just about us, Tony.It’s about what I’ll be asking of you.The bite.The bond.It’s intense, especially for humans who don’t have to go through it if they don’t want to.”

Tony’s grip tightened slightly on Jacob’s arm as his pulse quickened at the mention of what would happen between them.He knew about the bonding.Every human in the world did.It wasn’t something taken lightly by most people, and it shouldn’t be.But for weeks now, ever since he’d first laid eyes on Jacob, he’d felt something shifting inside him.A pull.A need.

He wasn’t about to let fear get in the way of that and of the future he could have with Jacob.

“I’m not just a human,” Tony said firmly, his gaze locking with Jacob’s.“And I’m not afraid.If this is what it takes to be with you, then I’m ready.Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

For a moment, Jacob just stared at him, staring at him as if looking for any sign of hesitation.When he found none—there wasn’t any to find—something in his posture relaxed, and the tension in his shoulders eased.“You’re something else, you know that?”he murmured, his voice rough.

Tony grinned, stepping closer until their bodies were almost touching.“Yeah, well.You’re stuck with me.”And he was happy about that.

Jacob’s hands settled on Tony’s hips.“Good,” he said quietly, his breath warm against Tony’s skin.“Because I don’t think I could let you go even if I tried.”

Something between them shifted.Tony could feel the heat radiating off Jacob and see the way his eyes darkened with desire.It was enough to make his stomach clench, and his own body responded instinctively.

Jacob leaned in, capturing Tony’s lips in a kiss that was slow, deep, and tender.There was no rush, no urgency—just the two of them, savoring a moment that had been coming since they’d first met.Tony’s hands slid up Jacob’s chest so he could feel the hard muscle beneath his shirt and trace the contours of his upper body.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing harder.“You’re sure about this?”Jacob asked, his voice barely above a whisper.“We don’t have to bond now.We can wait as long as you want.”

“I’m sure,” Tony replied without hesitation.He didn’t want to wait.There was no reason for them to.

That seemed to be all Jacob needed.His hands moved to the buttons of Tony’s shirt.He unbuttoned them in a smooth motion and pushed the shirt off Tony’s shoulders, huffing at the sight of Tony’s undershirt.He grabbed the hem and pulled it off, too.The cool air hit Tony’s skin, making him shiver, but the sensation was quickly replaced by the warmth of Jacob’s hands on his bare chest.

“You’re beautiful,” Jacob murmured, his gaze raking over Tony’s body with undisguised hunger.

Tony’s cheeks flushed, but he didn’t look away.Instead, he reached for Jacob’s shirt, tugging it off to join his.The sight of the tiger shifter’s toned torso made his mouth go dry.Their lips met again, this time with more urgency as their kisses grew more desperate.Hands explored, mouths trailed hot paths along necks and collarbones, and their bodies tangled together as they stumbled toward the bed.

When they dropped onto the mattress, Jacob hovered above Tony.“The bite will hurt,” he warned.

Tony nodded.“I trust you.”

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