I open the outside door to my apartment, tucked around the back of the building at the top of a decently sized balcony, and see Magnus. He looks the same as when he dropped us off this morning, extremely handsome in worn, ripped jeans and a t-shirt old enough that the color had faded and was butter soft from many, many washes. I catch a glimpse of his brain melting smile before Magnus’s hand is on the back of my neck pulling me into a kiss.

“I missed you today.” He mutters against my lips.

A hum of agreement leaves me as I’m enveloped by the tangy raspberry and mint of his scent. I sink into the feeling of his lips moving on mine and the tingling sensations wherever his skin meets mine. The sparks created from being touched by my mate is an intoxicating and addicting sensation and all I want to do is feel that all over my body.

Reluctantly I pull away from his lips.

“Zhen is waiting in his room. He asked if you could read him a story.”

I tried not to laugh at the look on his face.

“In English, I hope. It’ll be a long time before I can say anything in your native tongue, let alone read a book.”

“Don’t worry Mister Bruin, it’s English and I’ll have you speaking Cantonese soon enough.” I chuckle extracting myself from his embrace.

“Still Mister Bruin, Gorgeous?”

“For now,” I look over at him, a flirtatious smile taking form on my face, “maybe I’ll call you something else later.”

I don’t miss his sharp inhale and quietly muttered curse when I turn and walk toward the kitchen. The jeans I changed into earlier showed off some of my better… assets.

He doesn’t let me get far before wrapping one arm around my chest, pulling me back against him. His other hand landing on my hip. I could feel his body mold into my back, his warm breath ghosting across my neck.

“I’ll hold you to that.” He whispers in my ear before disappearing in the direction of Zhen’s room.

Gripping the counter in front of me I take a few deep calming breathes as my knuckles turn white. Being around him lately was taking a lot of self-control. He had been careful about physical affection, small touches when he was near, chaste kisses that stopped just short of heated, coming up behind me, pulling me into his chest and whispering into my ear. Never pushing for more.

I appreciated the effort he was making to not push me to far physically, to show me that I was more than another one of his one-night stands. However, he was driving me to distraction.

Simply put, I’ve never felt so much physical desire for someone, and I was about ready to rip my hair out.

Snap out of it Jing, you are not ruled by your hormones or emotions.

Gathering myself back together I go into the kitchen to check on the dinner I had started earlier. I had a clam chowder simmering in my crockpot and I had put rolls into the oven just before Magnus had knocked on my door.

The smell of fresh bread was starting to waft from the oven combining with the warm calming scent when I lifted the lid off the crockpot to stir the chowder. I quickly begin to grab the necessary dishes and utensils needed for dinner.

His footsteps came back down the hall much faster than I expected. Looking over my shoulder I see him lean against the breakfast counter separating the kitchen from the main room.

“That was fast. Did you speed read Mister Bruin?”

“No, he fell asleep after the first page, I’m amazed he managed to stay conscious for me to get here.”

I feel a smile start as I go to take the rolls from the oven.

“It wasn’t without great effort on his part, I assure you. I tried to inform him that he would see you tomorrow and he did not need to wait up but he insisted.”

He watched my movements around the kitchen with an intensity that stirred a feeling in my core I had never truly felt.

True desire and need.

Clearing my throat, I turn back to the crockpot, hoping that not looking at him would calm the tension building between us.

“I hope you like chowder Mister Bruin.”

Suddenly I feel him behind me, his hands settling on either side of me, caging me in against the counter as he stepped close to my back.

He skims his nose up my neck as he breathed deep. His tongue tracing the shell of my ear before he bit the lobe gently.

“What if I’m hungry for something else.” His low voice sends a shiver down my spine and I can’t help the moan that escapes me.

Magnus’s hands move, one crossing my chest to grip my shoulder, pulling me tight against his chest while the other slides over my chest, exploring.

My head falls back on his shoulder as his mouth blazes a trail from my ear to my shoulder. He bites down gently at the junction of my neck with a growl, making my blood rush south and my cock jerks.

I can feel his smirk against my skin, knowing what he was doing to me.

“What if I’m hungry for something a little…. Meatier.” Magnus whispers as his hand slides down and ghosts over my rapidly growing erection.

“Well,” I swallow, the heat from his body and his teasing hand making it difficult to focus. “You…can have…hmmm….meat….if….that’s what you….want.”

He growls against my neck again, spinning me around and pressing his lips against my own.