Page 30 of Iced Out Mate

“No, that’d be too much. Besides, there’s no way he even checks this account anymore.”

“It could be worth a shot.”

I considered it for a brief moment. My finger hovered over the message button. It would be nice, reconnecting and finding that part of my life again. We were older now. He likely wouldn’t be as concerned with family drama as he was when we were in our teens.

But then what would happen when he didn’t answer? Or, even worse, if he answered and just said he wasn’t interested in talking to me?

I swiped out of his profile. “I think I should just leave it. These photos are old. He probably never logs on. Who knows where the hell he is right now, anyway.”

Miles cocked his head. His eyes searched mine for an answer to an unspoken question of his. “There are ways to find people these days. If it’s worth it to you.”

“I know, I know. Hell, there’s a druid around here who’s a professional tracker. I know I can find him, I guess I’m just scared to.”

Miles narrowed his gaze. I felt like I was being examined. As if he were peeling back layers of me that I tried desperately to keep glued on. But for what reason? If Miles really was my fated mate then he could peel back as many layers as he’d like. Then again, the jury was still out on that. Even though just scenting him sent my heart fluttering like a caged bird between my ribs. If it wasn’t reciprocal, though, then what the hell was the point?

It was all too much to think about right now. I was still beating myself up for my performance in tonight’s game, I didn’t want to sink into a deeper spiral over broken friendships and non-existent relationships. I pocketed my phone and went over to the entertainment console underneath my television. I opened one of the side panels and grabbed two PlayStation controllers from their charging stands. “Enough of us playing family detective, it’s time to kick some ass in FreeWatch.”

Miles paused for a moment, considering me with those hazel eyes of his. I could tell he wanted to push the topic further. He must have known how much it really meant to me. But, thankfully, he grabbed the controller instead and let the subject drop for now.

“Let’s do it,” Miles said as he went over to the couch.

I turned the TV on and sat next to him. It was a large couch, but we were both in the center, close to each other. Just how I liked it. There was a tug at my core that made me want to throw a leg over his but I decided to try and keep my feral tendencies to a minimum. At least for tonight.

“All right,” Miles said as he leaned forward, his forearms resting on his legs as he held the controller in his hands. “I’ll play tank this round if you want to heal.”

“Works for me.” I took a second to admire him. The way the muscles beneath the hair on his forearms twitched with the movements of his fingers on the controller. The gentle pulse throbbing in the vein along his neck.

I pried my attention off him before it was my body that would need to be pried off him. We entered a game and started to play. Then we jumped into another game, and another, and another.

Before I knew it, the both of us were yawning as we realized it was well past midnight. “Holy shit,” I said through a stretch. “How did it get so late?”

“I totally lost track of time there. Sorry for keeping you up.”

“Miles, you never have to apologize for keeping me up.” I wondered if he caught the double entendre I intended to make. His sneaky little smirk told me that yes, he had. I considered making a move to try and cap the night off with a happy ending, but another yawn spread from Miles to me. Although my shifter genes meant I wasn’t necessarily sore from playing the game today, I was certainly exhausted and it appeared like Miles was too.

“I should get going,” Miles said as he stood up. Nike lifted his head from his perch on the windowsill before dropping it down again, his big amber eyes fluttering shut. “This was fun. We should do it again.”

“I’m down,” I said as I walked him over to my front door. I wanted to grab his hand and tell him to stay, to sleep over, but his hand was already on the doorknob. His eyes dropped to my lips. If I wasn’t going to ask him to stay, then I was going to at least get a kiss from him. I moved forward without second-guessing myself. Miles didn’t turn me down. He kissed me back. Short and sweet. Tender. Different than the sexually charged kissing we’d done in the bathroom.

I licked my lips as we separated, savoring the taste of him. My body thrummed with need. I started to get hard, wanting to explore more of him.

Tonight wouldn’t be the night for that, though. We had a great time just hanging out, and that made me happy enough. It also left me excited for future hangouts, when there hopefully wouldn’t be unspoken tension between us.

“Text me when you get home,” I said to him.

“I will.” He turned to leave but before he did, he looked back at me and leaned in for one more kiss. This one was less sweet and more spicy, with a little more tongue than before. My hand went to his stomach. Tugging gently at his shirt.

Please. Say you want to stay.

The kiss broke and Miles left for the night. I ignored the flash of disappointment that colored my thoughts. It had been a great night. I couldn’t be greedy. Couldn’t force anything, either.

I closed and locked the door. Now that I was alone, I did the first thing I usually did at home. I took off my shorts and got comfortable.

“Don’t judge,” I said to Nike who was eyeing me as he jumped off the windowsill and sauntered over to the bedroom. I looked out the window on my way to the kitchen. Miles drove off down the road, not turning around like I wished he would. Another car, a dirty red Toyota I didn’t recognize, kicked on its headlights and left out of my neighbor’s driveway. Huh. I lived next to an older couple who—as far as I knew—didn’t have any kids or grandchildren. It was a bit odd for them to have had a guest over at this time, but maybe they were one of those pineapple couples? I certainly wasn’t one to judge. If they were having a good time, then by all means, go ahead and have it. Life was way too short to hold back.

Speaking of a good time, I needed to hop in the shower and give myself a good time so that I could go to sleep without feeling so pent up.

Maybe next time I’d have Miles help me out with that.