He's teasing me on purpose, thought James. The young man had been tenaciously poking and prodding all-night with his suggestive topics and manner of talk. Confident from the booze and aware of Claude’s subliminal questioning, James decided this was the time to start pushing back. "It's only natural to react to someone attractive," he replied.

 "So, you do have urges?" 

"What do you think?" 

"I think you're evading an answer. And well too."

"Am I?" James teased. 

" You'd make a great politician." 

“You’ve gotten me to reveal more than usually do. You’re gonna make a fantastic lawyer.” 

Claude laughed and then rested his head against James’s shoulder. 

 "Father, you’re quite the charmer..." Claude words were said low and breathy. With every vowel pronounced, a bit of his breath tickled James’s neck. The gentle action was stirring instinctual urges.

"You keep calling me father. Why is that?" 

"Isn't that what I am supposed to address you as?"

"If I were your priest sure but, you're not a congregant." 

“That…I am not," continued to whisper Claude.  

"So why do you keep calling me that?" 

“Would you like me to address you some other way?” 

"You're avoiding my question." 

Claude removed his head from James’s shoulder and mockingly faced James.  He smirked at him with an arrogant demanor and with his low voice mocked, "You've been avoiding mine."

James felt his heart beating a bit faster. His breathing was deepening and his body heat increasing. Claude looked on at him with that coquette expression but an intensity that closely analyzed James's every move. He too was breathing a bit heavier. The two continued to slowly dance, both unwilling to backdown. After some further silence, James  once more caved to the young man's questions, "I thought I met my love once, but it didn't work out." Claude looked on as if asking him to continue "We met in my junior year of high school on a museum trip. We kissed then one thing led to another and I was in love." 

"Ooh! How naughty!" exclaimed Claude, "Here I thought you were a nice church boy." 

"I was. I told my parents; they kind of sensed something had occurred." 

“And what happened?” 

James gulped. He’d never told this story to anyone except during confession to Father Michael. "Mother ended things for me and said I wasn't allowed to be with them. She called up the parents and accused them of a lot of horrible things. I wasn't allowed to go on another field trip after that." 

“That's horrible," stated Claude with a pained expression. "Was this person not an Alpha? Why would she react this way?” 

"H-They were alpha, just not the right Alpha." 

Claude raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Were they male?" 

"…Yes." 

"Did you stay in contact with him?" 

"Yes." 

"Ouch!" 

"I'll do you worse, I officiated his wedding." 

“…Do you think he was your one?" 

"No.” James smiled with a warm yet defeated look,  “After seeing his wife and their love for each other I knew what I had felt wasn't what they have."

Claude placed his head back on James’s shoulder and shifted his body closer to James. His method of questioning was so quick it took a moment for James to realize what he had admitted to. James panicked quietly but looking down at Claude, whose eyes were half-closed, and face pressed against his chest eased the tension slightly. It seemed the young man had known it all along. 

 "What happens if you find yourself in love?” Claude asked with a voice that was barely audible.

"I won't. This career does not allow for that… Not to mention, I'm nearly forty, I am an old man now." 

"You're not old and you're attractive to boot.”

“Ha-ha,I’m far too old for that kind of talk and those kinds of hopes.”

“No, you’re not and yes, you are handsome! Plus, the collar doesn't look half bad.”

“I am old—it’s okay. I have the salt-and-pepper to prove it.”

“Grey hair is sexy; it gives off mature, paternal, and experienced. I’ve personally always been quite attracted to it.” 

James raised his brows. He’d found an opening to deliver a killing line, "Huh- Is this  why you like calling me father?" 

To his surprise, Claude didn't respond. His complexion was already rosy from the drinks, but a rush of red spread to his ears and down his neck. Even the tips of his fingers blushed. "I-I only meant t-to tease you a bit," nervously muttered James, eyes wide with fear that he offended his guest. Claude burst into laughter so suddenly he began to cough. He collapsed onto James, finally stopping his dance, and resting his entire body into him. Between laughter, he took gasps till they gradually subsided. "I don't mean to offend you," continued James embarrassed about his brash joke. 

"Ah," exclaimed Claude wiping tears from his eyes "that was quick! You blindsided me. Don't worry it was great!" James sighed in relief. "But you're not too far from the truth." Claude turned his head to James and the two locked eyes.

The heat in both their bodies felt different. They could easily blame the alcohol like before, but it was undeniable that something had changed. The instantaneous silence between them created a thick atmosphere of primal awareness as if the two were in a forest, a hunter facing their prey. Claude had cast the net with his frankness and James fell victim. No words needed to be exchanged, no moves needed to be made. Their hearts beat faster, blood rushed through their veins making its way into their lungs, their cheeks, and their lips. Their chests rose and fell breathing the scents of delicate citrus and heavy honey bourbon that mixed delicately. Their pheromones complimented each other well, too well. It may have started as light teasing, but Claude had accidentally unearthed the slumbering instincts within James. He was toeing a very dangerous line. The sweet, shy religious man who piqued his curiosity had now captivated his gaze. James was looking at him hungrily—starved more accurately. 

Then there was a voice. It was low, almost like a growl that felt alien but rang of déjà vu. It simply asked, Are you sure you want to accept this? He felt dizzy as Claude loosely wrapped his arms around his neck. James’s had a mind of their own and wrapped around his waist. The voice inside his brain reiterated once more, Are you sure you want to accept this? Their faces were so close, James felt the heat of Claude’s breath against his mouth. They inched closer and closer. Their glacial pace heightening tension. Their eyes closed and tightened the grip they had upon the other. Their fingertips wanting to dig deeply into each other’s skin but constrained to remain retracted. 

When their lips finally met—ZAP! Their soft peck sent a shock throughout his body. It was painful and numbing as if an electric current had just zipped James’s body.  This sudden spark prompted both James and Claude to both take a step back. James looked to Claude who looked equally as confused. His face was lightly scrunched,  and mouth parted in soft panting; this was not enough to deter him. He took a step towards James  and leaned in for another kiss. This time, a duller yet heavier sensation overtook James’s body. Their mouth opened slightly, intensifying their kiss to be deeper. It felt weird at first as Claude’s mustache rubbed against his face. He’d never kissed someone with facial hair before. James tightly gripped Claude’s waist making Claude moan into his mouth. The sound vibrated from his tongue like a seismic tremor shaking James. It all tasted like lust, greed, gluttony, and  fear. 

The two stumbled onto the couch with Claude on top of James. His hands explored while their mouths remained interlocked. James’s hands busily gripped Claude’s chest feeling the muscles underneath the flimsily thin little shirt.  All the while Claude’s mouth broke away and caressed James’s ear, chin, and neck. His tongue softly trailing down in hot touch. James’s grabbed the back of Claude’s head and pushed it closer. Claude mouth sucked hard on James's neck and then with his teeth bit down. James to yelp in carnal delight and gasped. Claude then gently licked the wound before facing James once more. James slowly opened his eyes and saw the fire in his gaze. Claude’s face was deeply red, and his pheromones admitted his desire. The mouth interlocked once more. All they could hear was the sounds of their mouths sloppily smacking together and their air coming then going from their nose. Claude pressed his body against James and encouraged his hands to explore. 

Their hips moved against the other. James felt himself grow aroused at the feeling of Claude's thigh pressing down on him. His fingertips sunk into Claude's muscular back and trailed down to his rear. Claude moaned and began to loosen James's tucked shirt. His hands slid underneath the tacky polo and with his finger sunk beneath the curled chest hair. It all felt good. So good. Too good. It was the bulge pressing James’s leg suddenly brought him back to reality. No! This is a mistake! he yelled at himself and began to slowly move Claude from on top of him. Claude opened his eyes and slowly removed his hands from underneath his shirt. James gently nudged Clade leave his lap, sit back on the other side of the couch. Claude looked to also come back to reality. The room reeked of them, of their craving and compliance. Claude tucked in his shirt; his erect manhood very visible even in the dim lighting. Claude slowly sat up from the couch, his stare locked on James. 

"I think we should call it a night," stated James breaking their eye contact.

 "Sure," stated Claude still intently watching James, standing up and straightening his clothing. 

"Do you feel safe walking home?" 

“I drove here. I’ll be fine.” 

Claude began to walk towards the hall where James followed behind, keeping a distance. He'd would give his guest his bed this late at night, but he knew better than to provide that option. It would be risky to be in his current state alone with that pretty omega. Especially that now with his lucidity, it seemed to James that Claude’s pheromones were much more pungent than before. Claude turned the handle of the front door and stepped out onto the porch. In the moonlight, James could see his pink and red-blushed skin. The tips of his ears were still quite flushed, and his mouth stained from drinking. Beautiful, James thought to himself. 

"Thank you for dinner and for the entertainment," Claude stated, slowly turning to James. 

"Thank you for coming. We should do this again sometime," replied James, wholeheartedly knowing that it would be a bad idea for this to ever happen again.

 "Yes, let’s," replied Claude, his stare equal parts arousing and frightening. 

"Goodnight Claude." 

"Goodnight Father." And just like that, Claude turned away and strolled into the darkness.

James closed the door and covered his face with his hands. He was still stimulated. The pressure with which his trousers applied helped constrain his arousal and yearning. "Shit," he said quietly to himself. His curiosity had gotten the better of him. He hated to admit it, he had fun with Claude. He enjoyed his quick snapbacks, inquisitive nature, and vivacious personality. James was captivated by how blushed with his entire body. He was fascinated by how his chest rose every time he breathed. He wanted to know how Claude's skin would react to his touch—would it quickly redden as he had done just now? James made his way to the living room to collect the glassware they had spent their entire night nursing. The room still smelled like him. James glided his hand to his front, caressing his throbbing member. It was stupidly large and useless to him. He was about to unzip his trousers and instinctively relief himself before catching the movement. He wasn't allowed to waste seed.

He would usually wash his dinnerware before bed but tonight, he simply dropped them off at the sink. He climbed up the stairs and drunkenly undressed. James felt slight relief to break away from the constricting clothing. Drawing a bath, he then subjected his body to ice-cold water. He hoped the shock of the cool water would tame his arousal and perhaps keeps Claude away from his dreams.