RufflingThePeacocksFeathers Read Online Free PDF Page B

and down the scar on his cheek.
    Lamar recognized the big bull shifter’s move as one of unease.
    “Let us know if you, uh, you know.” Pulling his hand away from his face, he waved it toward the room and the man who’d disappeared inside. “If you need help.”
    “Thanks,” Lamar said, smiling. He rested a hand on Sam’s arm and squeezed. “I know I can count on you guys, but I appreciate the reminder.”
    Sam nodded and headed down the hall.
    Screwing up his courage and trying to keep his dick in check, Lamar followed his mate into the room. He arrived in time to hear Rueben grunt, then heave a sigh, as he stretched out on the bed. Lamar’s gaze devoured all the man’s smooth pale skin for several seconds.
    “Hmm,” Rueben hummed. “I like that look on your face, sweet. Why don’t you come over here so we can…get to know each other?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
    Fighting back a snort of amusement, Lamar grabbed the ice bucket. “I’ll be right back,” he said. He picked up the motel info book and tossed it onto the bed beside his mate. “Find somewhere to order food.”
    Before the man could come up with something else provocative to say, Lamar fled…to the ice machine. He rested his head against the thing as he filled the container. His blood pounded through his veins. Every minute in Rueben’s presence acted like stimulus to his body. He’d never been a particularly sexual person, and wasn’t certain how to deal—or even control—the sensations that Rueben aroused in him.
    Lamar knew that once Rueben accepted he was a shifter, accepted his peacock, and they bonded, he wouldn’t have to control himself. Until then, he had to figure out how to resist the urge to find out if the man bottomed. The guy was obviously—if the way he’d pounced on Lamar was any indicator—a top. As long as they kept it that way, even if Lamar bit Rueben in the heat of the moment, and he had a funny feeling he would, they’d be just fine.
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    Rueben waited impatiently for Lamar to return. Of course, now that he was beginning to understand the slender man, he couldn’t show his impatience. He’d never been good at waiting for things, but even he—a tactically challenged jock—knew he’d have to figure out some kind of strategy for getting into this skittish man’s pants.
    It didn’t matter that any idiot could see Lamar wanted him. Something must have happened in this guy’s past. A bad relationship perhaps? Either way, that he’d been burned, and feared being hurt or rejected again, was apparent. He just hid it behind his uptight exterior. Rueben would have to prove that he could be an understanding guy…because he really looked forward to rumpling the man a bit.
    To that end, he prepared to seduce his skittish love interest with a soothing hand. The fact that he’d never tried that before didn’t escape him. Normally, if a guy played hard to get, he’d let them go, rationalizing that there were far too many fish in the sea to worry about drama.
    Except, this time, he couldn’t let it go. He wanted—needed, even—to see what lay between them.
    Resting his back against the headboard, Rueben carefully laid his still throbbing leg on an extra pillow. He searched through his backpack for the extra strength Ibuprofen , grateful Lamar had left the bag within easy reach. Then, he grabbed the information book and chose a couple restaurant options.
    When Lamar returned, looking nervous as hell, Rueben restricted his greeting to a welcoming smile. Watching him wrap several pieces of ice in a hand towel from the bathroom, he commented, “I appreciate you doing this. Thank you.”
    Lamar paused in his actions and looked at him. A confused smile curved his lips. “Of course.”
    Rueben frowned when the other man focused on his leg and carefully wrapped his booted foot in a towel, added some ice in strategic locations, then added another layer of towels to hold