Wild Warrior (The Weavers Circle 2)

“But Clay is right. The soul mates will make a big difference this time,” Jo said firmly.

“Look, I know that I’m not a Weaver or even a soul mate, but I am happy to help in any way that I can. Even if it’s just running errands or doing research. I’ll do anything.” Wiley cringed a little, but he added, “I’ll even be a test dummy if you need me to.”

Baer didn’t fight the urge this time. He wrapped an arm around Wiley’s shoulders and pulled him tight against his side. “You’re not being Grey’s test dummy. No fucking way,” he growled while glaring at the Soul Weaver. He might trust his brother, but there was no way in hell he was going to let the man go mucking around in Wiley’s brain.

“Ahh…come on, Baer. Let me play with your new friend,” Grey teased.

“Fuck off, hack,” Baer snapped.

Wiley’s shoulders shook with laughter, and Baer was surprised when the smaller man wrapped an arm around his waist. “Thanks for protecting me, Baer.”

“Just don’t piss him off. He’ll turn into an actual bear and sit on you,” Grey muttered.

“You so had it coming,” Baer shot back.

The kitchen rang with laughter, and for a few hours they managed to forget that the pestilents were somewhere in the growing darkness, plotting the demise of the world. For now, Baer was happy to relax with his new family and try not to think about how good it felt to have Wiley pressed up against him.

Maybe he’d spoken too quickly.Chapter 6Wiley gathered up his sweat pants and a clean T-shirt and went into his private bathroom. A shower would help clear his head. Dinner had been amazing, but a part of him still mourned the thought that he wasn’t really a part of this world. He was just a visitor—a temporary one at best. He wouldn’t be getting any cool powers, and he’d always be an outsider.

His mind was still reeling from meeting goddesses. From eating food they’d cooked.

And then there was Baer.

Wiley stood in the middle of the bathroom and softly groaned at the thought of all that sexiness packed into a fitted T-shirt and tight jeans. The man just flat-out did it for him. His shapeshifting abilities were cool, but Wiley had a feeling he’d be drawn to the guy even if he didn’t possess magic. There was something magical about Baer’s personality to begin with.

Baer had this wonderful easygoing nature that made Wiley think he could adapt and roll with whatever the world threw at him. Nothing rattled him.

Wiley, on the other hand, tended to freak out and lock up if too much in his life changed or went wrong at the same time. It was stunning that he’d not had a panic attack or meltdown when Baer had informed him that he had to move into the plantation.

Just that lazy smile and sparkle in his eye had Wiley relaxing. One freaking look from Baer and he knew everything was going to work out fine.

What was not to appreciate about a hot guy who didn’t make his medical condition worse? That was a freaking win in Wiley’s book.

But there was nothing to be gained from ogling Baer, his sexy butt, or his amazing chest. His libido needed to go back to sleep. It was safer if he simply focused on work.

Luckily, being surrounded by magic had his imagination working overtime. He’d had a new idea for a comic series, and his fingers were itching to hold a pencil so he could start making sketches. As images floated around in his head, he stripped, then reached into the shower to turn it on.

Nothing happened.

Twisting the knobs, he quickly realized the shower wasn’t working. That didn’t make any sense. He’d used the shower several times already in the past week, and he’d not had a single problem. Why now when he was sticky and sweaty from playing with Ruby in the backyard after dinner? He’d never get to sleep like this.

One option was to suck it up and ask Dane about it tomorrow morning at breakfast rather than disturbing him now. The man had already turned in with his sexy boyfriend. No freaking way was he knocking on their bedroom door.

Another option was to ask Baer. If Baer couldn’t fix it, maybe he could borrow Baer’s shower or another bathroom that might be working in the house.

Of the two options, the second one seemed the least embarrassing.

Throwing on his sweat pants without underwear, he walked down the hall and knocked on Baer’s door.

The redhead opened the door, wearing only jeans, leaving his broad, tattooed chest on display. A smattering of faint, red hair decorated his pecs and made a line from his navel into his pants.

Wiley could not keep his gaze from roaming that fantastic body and for a moment, he couldn’t get his tongue—hell, his brain—to work. Damn. Really…just damn.