Hidden Passions (Hidden, #7)(5)

"Ah," Chris responded like the weird moment hadn't happened. "Hold on. I think I saw some in the store room next to the silver polish."

He went to get them, leaving Tony a little sweaty and a lot off balance. Chris came back with the desired items.

"These?" He held them out to Tony. He was on the same side of the island now. He smelled good, like a hot grassy savannah.

"Thanks," Tony said, accepting them.

His throat was scratchy, his answer rough. Do not blush again, he ordered. With a minimum of fumbling, probably due more to luck than self-control, he pushed the enchanted soap packs into the proper slots. When he pushed the ON buttons, both Brownie Hygienics purred.

Given how hard his heart was thumping, he doubted the dishwashers' action could mask the sound. Chris still stood beside him, tiger tall, shifter warm, radiating the sweet wild scent that prevented Tony's rigid cock from relaxing. He couldn't force himself to look at the cat. His cock was a fricking flagpole, aching for things Tony--despite being out--hadn't managed to give it yet. If the man beside him looked down . . . if he even moved an inch closer . . .

"Tony," Chris said, as serious as an undertaker. "Are you discreet?"

"Discreet?"

"Do you feel compelled to blab everything you know, or can you keep . . . sensitive information to yourself?"

Tony knew what discreet meant. He simply didn't understand why the cat was asking. Reluctantly, he turned his head to his companion.

Chris's eyes had brightened, lemon glints flaring in the orange.

"Why?" Tony asked.

Chris's gaze searched his. Tony realized the other man's breathing had altered. It was shallower now, quicker, and totally sexified.

"Answer the question first," he said.

"I'm a cop," Tony said. "Knowing when to play my cards close to the vest comes with the job."

Chris stared a heartbeat longer. Tony's whole body tingled at what he thought he saw in his face. Maybe getting stuck on cleanup duty was a blessing in disguise.

"I think--" The tiger's Adam's apple jerked as he swallowed. "I think we have mutual interests we could . . . see to together."

Tony's underarms prickled. "You're gay?"

"I'm not out," Chris said hastily. "I can't afford to have people know. My men . . ."

Chris was more imposing than Tony. Older too--to go by his vibe. Even so, Tony abruptly stopped feeling like his junior. "I understand. Shifters can be terrible homophobes. You can trust me not to give you away."


He put his hand on Chris's upper arm. Though the man wasn't flexing, his bicep was hard as steel under the short sleeve of his navy RFD T-shirt. The tiger's self-control broke a bit at the touch. He glanced down Tony's body and licked his lips.

Seeing the flush that crawled up his cheeks made Tony so-not-sorry for giant boner he was sporting.

"Would you . . . want to do it here?" the tiger asked hoarsely.

Tony's grin split his face. "On the kitchen floor, if you want."

Chris laughed, a hint of relief in it. "I might last long enough to get you to a bed."

"We'd have to change Nate's sheets after. He really is a neat freak."

Chris let out an extremely sexy growl, took Tony's face in his hands, and slid his tongue deep into his mouth. Every nerve in Tony's body immediately shot off fireworks. He gripped the tiger's muscled back and dove in, sucking, licking, not caring that his canines lengthened right away or that his moan of desire sounded like a dying calf. He'd never kissed a man before. Knowing he was gay was something Tony's body told him without real world experience. He saw he'd underestimated how powerful giving in to his preference was.

Kissing Chris was birthdays and steak and howling at the moon all rolled into one.

Tony guessed the other man didn't mind his enthusiasm. His fangs slid out to clash with Tony's. The cat was grinding their hips together, rubbing and undulating like a stripper. His erection was as thick and solid as Tony's. Tony found this so exciting it took some doing not to come in his underwear.

After a couple insanely nice minutes, Chris broke off and looked at him. To Tony's pleasure, he was panting.

"Don't stop," Tony couldn't help pleading.

Chris's tigerish eyes glowed with pleasure. "You in a hurry?" he teased.

"You're the first man I've kissed."

Chris's hands had been sliding sexily up and down Tony's back. They stopped at his confession. "You're kidding me."

Tony shook his head.

"So you never . . . You never f*cked a man? You've never been f*cked by one?"

"Please don't tell me this means you'll stop."

Chris blinked, his perplexity obvious. "I'm not planning to stop. I just-- I've never been with someone who hasn't done this before."

"I'm pretty sure I don't need flowers."

Chris blinked again and then laughed. "Lube," he said firmly.

Maybe it was strange, but the word made Tony shudder with arousal. "I think . . . Nate . . . probably has some in his bathroom."

Chris's eyebrows went up, but he didn't ask how he knew. He gestured Tony on with one arm. "Lead the way, wolf boy."