“Come in and be quiet,” he said, pulling open the carved wooden panel. “My parents are in the main house and they would be none too pleased to see us together.”
“Fuck that.” Paul pushed his way inside and turned to face Laurent, hands curled into fists at his sides. “What the fuck did you do to me?”
“Besides saving your life, you mean?” Laurent shut the door, keeping his eyes trained on Paul. He had known the wolf would be upset when he found out about their connection but he realized now he had underestimated exactly how upset.
“You might have saved my life but you fucked up my head. Why can’t I stop seeing you? Why can’t I stop thinking about you even for a minute?”
“Maybe because you’re in love?” Laurent asked lightly. It was the wrong thing to say. He knew it the moment the words came out but it was too late to call them back.
Paul shoved him against a wall and pressed close so that their faces were barely inches apart. “You hijo de puta. I oughtta rip you apart.” His voice was a low, menacing growl. “I’m only going to ask you one more time. What the fuck did you do to me?”
Laurent had to bite back a moan as their physical contact intensified the connection.
Suddenly he could feel Paul’s worry and confusion much more clearly and he knew the were could feel his emotions as well.
“Paul, please, give me a moment to explain,” he murmured, hoping to defuse the situation. He could feel not only the were’s confusion but his desire as well. It was like a fire burning just below his surface, an untapped well of need so immense it made Laurent shiver just to feel it. Paul’s chest was warm against his, the worn material of his red T-shirt soft against Laurent’s bare skin. The scent of fur and leather and spice filled his senses.
For a long moment they looked into each other’s eyes, close enough to kiss but neither one of them moving. Laurent longed to close the distance between them but he didn’t quite dare for fear he would send the situation spiraling out of control. Paul would have to make the first move this time. He’s never had another man before and his need is so great. Like a volcano ready to blow.
“Stop putting your thoughts in my head—of course I’ve never fucked another guy.”
Abruptly, Paul released him and stepped back. “But you’re right about one thing—I’m about to explode I’m so pissed. So talk. Explain. What is this…this thing between us and how do we get rid of it?”
“You are so eager to sever the bond?” Laurent had expected nothing less but it still hurt to hear the other man say it out loud.
“I’m eager to get my life back. Ever since I met you things have been going crazy and now I can’t even shift forms.”
Laurent frowned—this was something he had not anticipated or picked up from his limited connection with the were. “You are unable to call your inner wolf?”
“More like I can’t channel the power of the moon. It’s like you’re in my head blocking the signal—it almost lost me my place in the pack tonight.”
“My deepest apologies.” Laurent bowed his head. “I would never wish to interfere with such an important aspect of your life.”
“So don’t. Take it back—fix it, whatever it is you did. Just fucking fix it.” Paul’s frustration crackled through their connection like lightening.
“I am afraid it may not be that easy.” Laurent sighed and went over to the couch to sit down. He patted the cushion beside him. “Come, I’ll try to explain—in so far as I understand, anyway.”
Paul came over and perched warily on the far edge of the couch. “Okay, so talk.”
“You are so afraid to be near me?” Laurent raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t trust you.”
“Maybe it is yourself you do not trust. Do not forget, Paul, the connection we have works both ways. I know perfectly well that you want me as much as I want you.” He held up a hand to stop the other man’s protests. “And please, do not tell me again that you are not a lover of men. You insult both my intelligence and your own with such lies.”
Paul’s face was red. “You said you saw for yourself I’ve never been with another guy.”
“Other than me, you mean?”
“That doesn’t count. I was—”
“Not in your right mind. Of course.” Laurent sighed. “Very well, let us put aside your sexual desires and come to the point. Last night when I took your blood and you took mine a bond was formed. It was by no means a complete bond, however, which is why it is giving both of us so much trouble.”
“Both of us?” Paul frowned. “It’s been messing with your head too?” “It’s very distracting,” Laurent admitted. “Not that being able to see you and hear you from time to time isn’t interesting and enlightening but the connection between us makes it very difficult to concentrate on anything else. I could barely keep my mind on the conversation earlier when I was speaking to my mother.”