Arrow Inferno
Chapter 52: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks ~ Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… Surprise acceptance!

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Ryan sat in the Jacuzzi with his eyes closed in pleasure, listening to Jeremy's voice as he spoke to someone on phone. Jeremy was on the phone when Ryan had come in with a towel around his waist. He'd gestured for him to go into the bathroom whilst he continued his conversation. There was an opened bottle of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay with two filled glasses on the ledge of the Jacuzzi when Ryan entered Jeremy's huge bathroom. He'd sat back in the bubbling water and helped himself to the smooth, expensive champagne although he wasn't really a fan of alcohol. But he'd been through a lot that day, Ryan thought. A little booze wouldn't hurt, he told himself. And so far, Ryan was loving both the champagne and the exquisite feel of the massaging heat against his body. He didn't even notice when Jeremy stopped talking.

"Feels good doesn't it?" Ryan heard Jeremy right beside him and opened his eyes.

"Feels great." He purred, pointing at the bottle of champagne. "Trying to get me drunk?"

"I have no ulterior motive here if that's what you're driving at." Jeremy drained his own glass and climbed inside, opposite Ryan without taking off his boxer briefs.

The alpha knew that those boxers could definitely not hide his erection if he got one. But he just wanted to make an effort to conceal it...when it eventually reared its head as he knew it would. Hell, he was in a Jacuzzi with the most gorgeous guy on earth. An erection was a given.

"Champagne," Ryan murmured. "Care to tell me what we're celebrating?"

"My badass mate." Jeremy grinned. "All that use of power today...you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. I honestly thought there was something wrong with me. But Gloria says I'm fine." Ryan took a sip of his champagne. "She said because I'm your mate, these things...shouldn't be strange." Yeah right! Jeremy thought to himself. Blame it on the Ojah Alpha, Mama. "She's the elder." Jeremy shrugged. "How did it feel? Using all that power... Seeing yourself in total control like that..." Ryan gave a deep sigh. "It felt...natural. I felt like I could do anything. I was in control the whole time. I knew I could stop at any point." Ryan said. "But it also made me hate myself." He added quietly. "At least you were in control," Jeremy mumbled with a faraway look in his eyes.

Ryan couldn't help the pity he felt for Jeremy at his words. He could imagine how disturbing it would be not to be in control of your actions. "Sorry." He murmured.

"I'm used to it," Jeremy said quietly. "Just make sure you never allow it to control you okay? Hey, are you okay?" Jeremy asked with worry when he saw Ryan's eyes close and his head begin to fall back. "I think I'm getting drunk."

"No, you're not. It takes a lot for a werewolf to get drunk. You're nowhere near there." Jeremy said.

"Dude, I don't drink much. In fact, I hardly do. This is sorta going straight to my head."

Jeremy turned his head to look at the bottle of champagne and let out a whistle. "You must really like this then." He chuckled. The bottle was already down to half. Ryan had obviously taken in a lot. "Oh, it's good. In fact, everything feels good." Ryan raised his head to take another sip. "Thanks for suggesting this."

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Jeremy relaxed and watched Ryan from beneath his lashes.

But instead of answering, Ryan slipped down into the bubbly water for about two seconds and then came out, laughing at the look on Jeremy's face.

"Oh my God, you are drunk." Jeremy watched as Ryan drained the glass. "Okay, that's it. No more champagne for you. Come here."

Jeremy leaned in and drew his mate to him, making him sit between his legs so that Ryan's back was plastered against his front. When Jeremy wrapped his arms around Ryan's waist from behind, he gave a sigh of contentment and leaned the back of his head on Jeremy's shoulder.

"Damn, you feel so fucking good against me," Ryan murmured, closing his eyes.

"Hey, don't sleep." Jeremy chuckled. "Time for you to tell..."

"I want us to go through the mating ceremony." Ryan blurted out.

Jeremy froze. That was the last thing he'd expected to hear from his mate. "Is that the booze talking or..."

"Dude, I'm not that drunk." Ryan drawled. "I'm serious."

"Are you sure?" Jeremy wanted nothing more but he couldn't help but feel Ryan was not ready for it.

"I thought that was what you wanted." Ryan retorted but without anger.

"What do you want?" Jeremy shot back.

"I want us to do it," Ryan said simply.

"What are your reasons?"

"Why do I get the feeling you're trying to talk me out of it?"

"I'm doing no such thing." Jeremy protested firmly. "I only want to know the reason for the change of heart."

"That scene with you and that naked woman alone should make me change my mind, don't you think?"

Jeremy turned his head to look at Ryan's relaxed face. His eyes were drawn as if by magnet to Ryan's full lips. Fuck he wanted to kiss those lips so bad. Jeremy looked away.

"Give me your other reasons." Jeremy insisted. Going through the mating ceremony was a huge step. And he definitely didn't want Ryan regretting it afterward because that would be even more devastating to his wolf.

"Okay, here goes." Ryan started. "I want the attacks to stop. I don't want to make enemies with your... with pack members. I hate moving around with a bodyguard. I don't want any avoidable incidents in school. I hate not doing what's expected of me. Did I say how much I hate moving around with a bodyguard?"

"Uh-huh."

"Don't get me wrong...I love Vincent. I just want to be free to go and come as I please. Are those enough reasons or do you want more?"

"That makes sense," Jeremy said. "But I..."

"I'm ready to do this with you, Jeremy," Ryan said quietly. "I...you're a part of me now. I might as well have it all. I want to know how it feels like to be really mated to you."

"You can't take it back if you decide you don't like it after going through it."

"I don't plan on changing my mind. I want this." He whispered, wincing when Jeremy's arms suddenly tightened around him. "Oooh ease up," Ryan murmured, tapping Jeremy's arm to get him to loosen his hold.

"Sorry," Jeremy whispered throatily as he turned his head and buried his face in Ryan's wet hair. He began to lightly rub Ryan's flesh to soothe the pain his squeezing had caused.

Ryan could feel Jeremy shaking against him, knew how overwhelming his acceptance had been to the alpha, and remained quiet to enable Jeremy process the news. They sat that way...in silence, for a long moment, with Jeremy

absentmindedly rubbing Ryan's skin. But the fact that Jeremy was only trying to soothe the flesh he'd squeezed didn't register in Ryan's brain. Each languid stroke, rather than soothe Ryan, was beginning to arouse him unbearably. He knew that the bubbling water wouldn't hide his growing arousal for long. Shit!

Jeremy finally broke the silence. "Do you know what the ceremony entails?" He asked, raising his head from where it had been buried in Ryan's head.

"Gloria told me all about it this evening. She's going to set up a meeting with the council so that you can officially introduce me tomorrow. Hopefully, they'll allow us to do it tomorrow."

"Are you sure you want this?" Jeremy asked shakily. "The pack will...see you."

Ryan knew exactly what Jeremy was talking about. He turned his head and looked up at the side of Jeremy's face. "I know." He said quietly. "It's okay. Just try not to hurt me too much." He said in a small voice.

Jeremy turned his head to look at his mate's face. "You have my word." Came his hoarse whisper.

"I'll hold you to it," Ryan answered in a voice as smoky as the look in his eyes. "So...do we shake or kiss on it?" He asked huskily, his heavy-lidded eyes hot on Jeremy's mouth.

"What do you want?" The alpha husked, the blatant arousal in his mate's eyes stirring a deep craving inside him.

"I want to kiss you so fucking bad right now," Ryan whispered, swallowing hard.

"What's stopping you?" Jeremy breathed.

That was all the encouragement Ryan needed. He turned around and straddled Jeremy. There was no time for words. He cupped the alpha's face and slanted his lips over his. The kiss started out soft and slow, with Jeremy allowing Ryan to lead. But when Ryan slid his hot, wet tongue between Jeremy's lips, the kiss became something else. Boy did he kiss the alpha. Ryan probed deep, running his tongue along the ridge of Jeremy's teeth, the roof of his mouth, and then finally sucking erotically on Jeremy's tongue. Jeremy was so shocked at the intense ripple of delight that streaked down his spine he moaned hoarsely into the kiss. His senses reeled as desire pumped through him.

"Fuck!" Jeremy growled, tearing his lips from Ryan's. Deep blue eyes stared into lust-glazed green ones, both men breathing hard. Jeremy didn't know what to think. For an inexperienced person, Ryan was hotter than hell. The man's mouth set fire to his senses. Jeremy had never wanted anyone as much as he wanted Ryan that very moment. "Damn Ryan..." With that husky whisper, Jeremy leaned forward to claim and devour his mate's moist mouth. He kissed Ryan senseless.