Chapter Eleven

Spending time with Myla and Inez was quickly becoming Ian's second favorite pastime. The two women were like rays of sunshine.

His first, without a doubt, was touching Jace. Feeling his mate's warm skin beneath his fingertips, watching his sexy blush spread across his cheeks like wildfire, the scarlet coloring saying more than words ever could.

Hearing his mate groan with pleasure or seeing the way he nibbled on his lower lip when he was deep in thought.

Every moment spent with Jace was like a guilty pleasure for Ian. From the way his mate had opened up like a nourished flower in the sun to his shy moments, where he was sometimes at a loss for words, Jace captivated him completely.

Ian adored the confident side of his mate that stood up for himself and the introverted side that made Ian want to shield Jace from the world.

"I still can't believe someone vandalized your car," Myla said when she placed the dessert Ian and Jace had picked up from the bakery on the table. It was a decadent triple-layer chocolate cake, drizzled in caramel goodness with crushed toffee sprinkled over the top. One bite guaranteed a sugar-induced coma.

But it would be worth it.

"Send those hooligans my way and I'll straighten them out." Inez nodded. "Kids are too spoiled these days. They're filled with a sense of entitlement. I had to work for everything, including the mattress I slept on."

"You did not." Myla rolled her eyes, looking at Ian with a smirk.

"Maybe not the mattress." Inez giggled, an empty shot glass next to the half-eaten food on her plate. "You boys don't know how good you have it." She reached across the table and gave Ian's hand a loving pat. "Get to my age and you'll be a lot wiser, young man."

Ian was nearly four times her age.

"You're the wisest woman I know." Jace grabbed the cake knife from one of the drawers but stopped and stared wide-eyed at his mom. "The second wisest, since Mom is the all-supreme, sharpest, most beautiful sage-wielding woman on this planet."

Myla winked at her son. "Nice save, buddy."

"That's because I want a piece of that cake," Jace mumbled so softly that only Ian picked up on what his mate said. Clearly the ladies didn't because they hadn't reacted to Jace's cheekiness.

When Jace sat down, Ian rested his hand on his mate's back. Myla served the slices, setting a huge piece in front of Ian.

"I'm going to bounce off the walls," he said.

"You bought it, so you get the biggest piece. Unless you want to switch with Jace." She tried to grab Ian's plate, but he yanked it out of her way. Myla chuckled. "That's what I thought."

"I didn't say I wasn't going to eat every last crumb." Ian grabbed his fork from his dinner plate and dug in, his other hand still touching his mate.

Myla went to the refrigerator and returned with a gallon of milk. She poured everyone a glass then sat down and took a bite of her cake.

"Oh my." She pressed her fingers to her lips. Ian's muscles tightened, wondering if she didn't like the cake he'd chosen for dessert.

"What's wrong?" Jace asked.

"This is amazing." Myla took another bite, her eyelids fluttering closed. "I swear Sanjay has the power of heaven in his fingertips. I've been to Sweet Spot so many times I'm surprised they haven't named a dessert after me. I'd trade my first born to know how Sanjay creates these masterpieces. Mama needs her sugar fix."

Ian's body relaxed at seeing her enjoy the dessert.

"I'm your firstborn!" Jace scowled indignantly at her.

"You're her only born." Inez laughed. "No one beats out chocolate, dearie."

Jace whipped his head around and glared at Ian who had half his slice already eaten.

"I'd pick you over chocolate any day, kitten," Ian said casually but truthfully.

"Aw." Inez pressed a hand to her chest. "You're sweeter than this cake."

"Grandma," Jace groaned.

"Kitten is a cute nickname," Myla said. "Your dad used to call me snuggle bear."

"He also called you angel tits." Inez hooted with laughter.

"Inez!" Myla gaped at her then sat back and smiled devilishly. "I was a sex goddess at one time."

Ian laughed so hard he choked on the milk he'd just drunk. Jace sat there looking horrified. He reached across the table and snatched Inez's shot glass away from her. "You two have officially scarred me for life."

Myla tilted sideways with laughter. "That's probably mild in comparison to what Ian calls you."

Not a chance in fucking hell was Ian going to admit to anything. He got up and took his dishes to the sink, ignoring the women's curious gazes.

"Nope." He turned on the faucet.

"Or what Ian says to Jace." Inez winked.

Jace shot up from his chair, his face crimson. "Who are you guys and what have you done with my sweet mom and grandma?"

"He opened the door with the kitten endearment," Inez replied with a snicker.

Gathering his dishes, Jace hauled ass to the sink. "They've lost their minds."

"I say we make a break for it," Ian whispered, even though he found Myla and Inez highly entertaining.

"We can't until we clean the kitchen," Jace whispered back. "I say we put tequila in their milk, and then we can escape."

Myla brought her and Inez's dishes to the sink. When Jace took them from her, she planted a loving kiss on his cheek. Then she pulled Ian down and a placed a tender one on his. "You two are perfect together."

Jesus Christ, he was not about to cry, even as tears stung the back of his eyelids. How did this tiny woman turn him into an emotional mess?

When she sauntered away, Ian caught his mate watching him. The side of Jace's mouth tugged upward. "No matter how old you are, a mom's kiss hits you in the gut."

"If you don't put those dishes in the water to soak, we'll never get out of here." Ian needed to buy them a dishwasher. The novelty of scrubbing dishes by hand was wearing off, though he loved standing by his mate's side while they shared the chore.

Jace nudged Ian's arm with his elbow. "Admit it, you melted."

Ian splashed a little water on Jace. "What will you give me if I admit it?"

"My undying respect." Jace chuckled and splashed soapy water at Ian. The front of their shirts were soaked by the time they were finished washing the dishes. Jace swept the floor and wiped off the table as Ian took out the trash.

When Ian came back inside, Jace placed the hand towel over the handle of the oven. "We are officially done."

Ian made sure Myla and Inez weren't around, and then he pulled Jace into his arms. "Ready for a sleepover?"

"But you said…" Jace twisted his lips to the side, his hands resting on Ian's chest.

"We can always find other ways to occupy our time." Ian traced the shell of Jace's ear with his tongue, eliciting a gasp from his mate.

"Let m-me grab some things." Jace pulled out of Ian's arms and nearly collided with the counter.

Ian winced as he grabbed his mate and steadied him.

Shaking his head, Jace hurried from the kitchen. Ian chuckled at how discombobulated his mate seemed.

Ten minutes later, Jace returned, a backpack slung over his shoulder. "We're heading out, Mom!"

"Condoms!" Inez shouted back.

Jace looked incredulously in the direction of her voice. "She did not just say that. I swear to god they've never acted like this before. I think the cake had liquor in it."

"Yes, ma'am!" Ian hollered, though preternatural couldn't contract or transmit diseases. He looked down at his mate. "We're fine, though I doubt the cake was soaked in booze."

Jace smacked at Ian's arm. "Stop encouraging my grandmother. And you can't get drunk off of human alcohol, so how would you know?"

Ian slung his arm around Jace's shoulders. "I find her an adorable riot and enjoy the banter." He steered them toward the front door. "And I know the cake wasn't filled with alcohol because I would have smelled it."

"Then why are they acting like giggling teenagers?"

"They were having fun." Ian closed the door behind him then helped his mate into his truck. "You have to admit they were hysterical."

"They were—" Jace's brows furrowed. "Ugh, forget it."

The ladies had let their hair down with Ian there, making him feel like a part of their family.

When they arrived at his house, Ian kicked off his shoes. "I'm getting out of this wet shirt." He wiggled his brows. "Care to see my bedroom?"

Without waiting for an answer, he took Jace's backpack and headed toward his room. Ian stopped when he felt his mate behind him.

Jace looked around, a wrinkle forming between his eyebrows. "There aren't any doors in this recessed area."

He pressed his palm against the oak wall. Jace gasped when a section of the wall swung inward to reveal Ian's master bedroom.

"Your bedroom door is a secret panel?" Jace wandered inside, glancing around. "Your bedroom is bigger than my kitchen and living room combined."

Ian closed the door behind them. "But your rooms are filled with love and laughter." He set Jace's backpack down then pressed another section of wall to enter his walk-in closet.

His mate peeked inside. "You've got to be kidding me."

"You can come in." Ian pulled his shirt off and tossed it into a nearby hamper. He didn't bother putting on another shirt. He pulled off his pants, and they joined his shirt.

"You have a washer and dryer tucked away in this corner. Who has a washer and dryer in their closet?"

"Someone who hates doing laundry." Ian peeled off his socks.

"I thought you said you were changing your wet shirt?" Jace ran his hand over the custom-made wooden shelving, opened a few drawers, and then wandered out of the room.

"I'm in for the night." Ian walked out and closed the door. "I'm getting comfortable."

Jace stood there looking at the wall of glass behind Ian's bed. "Aren't you afraid someone will see you in here?"

Ian had to admit he loved showing Jace the different features of his home. He picked up a two-button remote and handed it to his mate. "Go ahead and press the top one."

"Get out of here!" Jace squealed when the transparent glass turned opaque, making the windows completely private. He hit the bottom button and the glass was once again transparent. Jace played with the remote with giddiness, laughing every time the window switched back and forth.

Ian crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, enjoying the look of wonder on his mate's face.

"Will I break something if I keep doing this?" Jace turned around and set the remote on the nightstand.

"I'll just have to charge the remote more often." Ian led Jace to his bed. "Movie?"

"Can we eat popcorn in here? Do you have any?"

"After that big dinner and sugary dessert?" Ian chuckled. "Yes, I have popcorn, and, yes, you can eat it in bed. I'll go make it while you get comfortable."

Ian left the bedroom door open in case Jace wanted to follow him, but his mate didn't. When Ian returned to the bedroom, Jace stood in front of the glass wall, wearing nothing but his boxers.

But Ian could feel a shift in his mood.

"I was going to turn on the television, but I couldn't find it."

"It's here." Ian crossed the room and slid aside a concealed section in the wall.

"Nothing is what it seems." Jace tilted his head as he followed Ian's movements. "Secret doors, panels, and walls that hide the interior of your home. It's like a fortress."

"I like cool technology." Ian set the bowl of popcorn and two bottles of water on the end of the bed, wondering where Jace was going with this. Just moments ago, he'd seemed fascinated by all the wonders.

"You said your house was a reflection of you." Jace watched him closely, as if trying to unravel a mystery. "Tell me, are you nothing like you seem? Are you a fortress? Do you have secret doors and privacy windows that hide the interior of who you really are?"

As Ian carefully considered his mate's words, he reclined in the chair by the door. "I could ask the same of you, kitten. Are you an open book, or do you also have hidden parts that you keep guarded from others?"

Jace sat on the bed, running his hand over the blanket. "You know as well as I do that you're going to claim me tonight. I can't help it if I see your house and wonder how much of it is really a part of you."

Now Ian knew why Jace's demeanor had changed. He pushed from the chair and sat next to him. "For the first time in my life, I've opened those doors…for you. I don't want to hide anything from you, sweetheart."

"I'm being myself, aren't I?" Jace glanced up at him. "I'm overanalyzing while my insecurities are trying to take over."

"You should have packed your butt quacks." Ian chuckled as he slid his arm around his mate, knowing that his touch soothed Jace. "Right now, we're just chilling. If it happens, it happens. If not, there's no rush."

"What kind of movie do you want to watch?"

"First, we have to get settled." Ian pulled Jace onto the bed then they scooted back to the pillows. "The popcorn."

His mate crawled toward the bowl. Ian should have gotten the popcorn himself. Hs cock jerked beneath his briefs, and he caught a purr before it rumbled free. Jace's ass was perfect, just the right amount of flare. Hot sensations prickled Ian's skin at the thought of sinking into his mate, those slim legs wrapped around his waist.

"Okay, got it." Like a tether was tugging Jace back to him, his mate slid backward, the bottles in his lap, the bowl resting on his thighs.

Ian hadn't been lying when he said that he was opening doors inside himself for Jace. At first, it was the thrill of finding his mate, discovering that undeniable attraction that made Ian push Jace to ride his thigh, to watch the passion burst across his gorgeous face.

But now, there was no denying that Jace did things to Ian's heart. Sweet emotions burned inside Ian, leaving him all twisted up inside.

Jace handed him a bottle of water. "Have you decided?"

If they weren't going to have sex, Ian needed a cold fucking shower. Jace was sitting so close, their hips nearly touching. Why on earth had Ian thought this was a good idea? Why had he fooled himself into thinking he could handle being in bed with Jace and things would remain PG?

"I'll be right back." Ian got up and walked to the bathroom, closing himself inside. Jace didn't need him acting like a caveman. His mate had only said that in jest. Ian had said they were just chilling. That there was no rush.

Tell that to your dick.

He splashed some water on his face. He had to get his body under control, or he'd have to take Jace home.

"Is everything okay?"

"No." Ian gazed at the water running down the drain, a representation of his control.

His muscles trembled when Jace placed a hand on his arm. Ian's panther was close to the surface, demanding their mate be claimed.

Not gonna happen if Jace isn't on board.

"I can't stop thinking about it, either." His mate slid his hand down Ian's arm, leaving a firestorm in its wake. He squeezed his eyes shut, wondering if he looked as out of control as he felt.

"Baby, please stop touching me," Ian gritted out. "I want you too badly, and I'm barely holding on."

Jace didn't pull his hand away. He slid it over Ian's back then over his ass, causing that firestorm to rage wildly.

With a snarl, Ian spun and lifted Jace into his arms, their kiss like a nuclear bomb. He set Jace on the counter. That was more like it. Now Ian's hands were free. He cupped his mate's head, claiming Jace's lips the way he wanted to claim the man's body.

Jace thrust his tongue inside Ian's mouth. Like a starving man, Ian sucked on it, delirious with need. Sucking as if his mate's tongue was his cock, savoring every single goddamn moan spilling out of Jace.

Slim legs curled around Ian's waist, trying desperately to pull him closer. He went willingly, reeled in by the scent, touch, and taste of heaven.

Jace grasped at Ian's shoulders, and then his hands tangled in Ian's long hair, pulling and massaging, fingernails scraping his scalp.

"Fuck me," Jace begged against Ian's lips. "Bend me over and pound into my ass."

Ian yanked Jace off the counter and carried his mate toward the bed. They fell onto the mattress, nothing but limbs and mouths, cocks hard as concrete.