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Well, you took a complete stranger home. Diana said he
looked like he was strung out on drugs. I was worried!
I did not! Diana s muffled cry could be heard in the
background. I never said that!
You said he looked like he was strung out, Edwin
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snapped, obviously no longer talking to Dillan. That means
drugs.
No, it doesn t, Diana responded. Sorry, Dillan!
It s fine, Dillan replied, shaking his head. Edwin,
focus.
Edwin huffed. Well? What s this about him being your
mate? Did she at least get that right? he snarked.
Edwin, Dillan growled in warning. Tell me what s
really bothering you.
Sighing, Edwin muttered, I haven t seen you in six years.
You show up, say you re going to spend a few days with me,
then disappear again.
I ve missed you, too, Edwin, Dillan murmured. Now,
get your head out of your ass and be happy for me.
Dillan heard a masculine snort in the background which
he guessed was Byron. It seemed Edwin s mate was in the
room with him, now...or too. Dillan had no idea if Diana had
left.
Edwin remained quiet for a few seconds, then he
mumbled, I m sorry, Godfather.
You re forgiven, Dillan responded.
It was an old custom. One they d used many times over
the years as Dillan raised Edwin...on both sides. If one of
them did something thoughtless and stupid, the other
person could call them to the carpet on it. If no harm was
done and the first person apologized, then the second would
accept the apology. Then, they could both move on with a
clean slate. No grudges.
So, tell me about this guy? Edwin urged. Byron hadn t
recognized him. Who is he?
His name is Derek Sommers, Dillan replied without
hesitation. Once his shifter secret was out to his godson, they
hadn t hidden anything from each other. He is new in
town, my guess having just arrived since he hadn t even
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Charlie Richards
found a hotel room, yet. He s in the midst of some kind of,
well He paused, wondering how much he should
actually share, since it wasn t his story. Finally, he decided it
was safe to say, I think there s some family problems. His
father s a bigot.
Wait. Did you say Sommers?
Dillan nodded, even though he knew Edwin couldn t see
it. He says he has a brother in town. One that had been
kicked out of the family, he told Edwin. I m thinking he s
trying to figure out how to make amends.
Deke, Edwin mumbled.
What? Dillan scowled, confused. No, Derek.
No, Edwin countered. Deke Sommers is mated to the
wolf shifter Luther. Word around the pack is that he has an
estranged brother. His tone took on a speculative quality,
his analytical mind probably going at full speed. What do
you want to bet your Derek is the brother?
My Derek.
Dillan liked the sound of that.
Hmmm, Dillan mused. That very well could be. He s
finishing up a shower and then heading back to sleep right
now. Hearing his stomach rumble, he realized that, once
again, he d forgotten to cook food. Damn.
Uh, what s wrong?
Oh, I d just planned to cook for him and got a little
distracted, Dillan admitted. I wonder if he wants
something before going to sleep.
Maybe soup or a grilled cheese, Edwin teased.
Dillan chuckled. Actually, that s not a bad idea. Look,
we ll need to pick up his car tomorrow. Why don t we meet
you tomorrow for breakfast?
We? You want to introduce him to us already?
Actually, Dillan began, an idea forming. Would Byron
be willing to contact his pack-mate Luther and set up a
surprise meeting at the diner? Well, it ll be a surprise for
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Paws for Change
Derek, anyway, he continued, thinking out loud. I assume
Luther won t want to keep the fact that Deke s brother is in
town away from his mate?
Probably not, Byron said, his voice a bit echoey, making
Dillan realize that Edwin must have put him on speaker
phone. Are you certain you want to spring something like
that on your mate? Won t it just cause problems later on if he
finds out?
Dillan sighed. Yeah, he hadn t thought this entirely
through. You re right. It could cause problems, but He
frowned, remembering how Derek had been evasive,
defensive, hell even self-recriminating regarding his
family dynamics. I m not certain he... Dillan sighed, then
told him, I ll deal with that when he figures it out.
Very well, Byron responded. I ll give them both a call.
I m sure this will be just as hard on Deke, depending on why
they were estranged.
Wait, wait, Dillan said, waving his hand. How about a
new plan. Would you come by early tomorrow? I ll make
breakfast if you bring Derek his car.
Good morning, Derek murmured.
Dillan didn t miss how his mate wouldn t meet his eyes as
he walked into the dining room. Nor did Derek join him in
the kitchen, although he did see the longing in his
expression as he gazed at the coffee pot.
Deciding to nip the awkwardness in the bud, Dillan
swept his gaze over Derek s body. His hair was slightly
mussed, his arms were crossed over his chest, and he wore
only Dillan s sweatpants. Just as Dillan had figured they d
be, the sweatpants were a bit tight...showing off everything.
Delicious!
You look sexy in my sweatpants, Dillan stated. The
fact that they re a bit small shows how you re not wearing
underwear. He hummed. Fucking sexy. Then, with one
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Charlie Richards
hand he pulled a clean mug from a cupboard and set it on
the counter. With his other hand, he held the coffee carafe
over the mug. Coffee?
For several long seconds, Derek just stared at him, his
eyes wide. Finally, he jerked a nod. Y-Yeah. Yeah, thanks.
As Dillan poured the coffee into the mug, he asked,
Cream? Sugar? Milk?
Uh, no. Black is fine, Derek replied.
Dillan nodded. He pointed to one of the wooden bar
stools on the other side of the counter. Sit. Drink your
coffee.
He slid the mug across the counter to a position in front of
where he knew one of the stools was situated. Dillan
watched with most of his attention while he refilled his own
mug. He waited until after Derek had taken a sip of his
coffee and placed his mug back on the counter.
Then, leaning on the counter opposite him, Dillan closed
the distance between them. He held his own mug between
his palms as he stared at Derek. Dillan waited until Derek
looked at him.
Smiling, Dillan stated, There is no elephant in the room,
Derek. He softened his voice to a throaty purr. I am
attracted to you, and I know you are attracted to me. Seeing
Derek suck in a shocked gasp as his eyes went wide, Dillan s
smile widened into a grin. While soon I do plan to show
you how pleasurable it feels to have my dick in your ass,
Dillan rumbled, narrowing his eyes as he carefully watched
Derek s response. If you d like to know what it feels like to
fuck me, I will bend over for your cock any time.
Derek had a white-knuckled grip on his mug as he stared
wide-eyed at Dillan. H-How can you just blurt out shit like
that?
Dillan chuckled roughly. I am...a few years older than
you, Derek. I came to grips with my desire for men long
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ago. He gave him a wry smile. From what you said last
night about your father kicking out your brother, I m going
to assume that your family would not approve of a
relationship between the two of us.
Most definitely not, Derek immediately whispered.
Humming and nodding, Dillan eyed his mate. And what
about you? Have you come to grips with what happened
last night? He smiled as he watched the warm flush creep
up Derek s cheeks. Because I sure would love to explore
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