A grunt escaped. His hips rocked, and Jude swallowed everything, never once breaking eye contact.
“What’s taking so long?” Ned’s voice was far too close.
Mack’s chest heaved with each breath. He called out, “Had to finish what I was doing.”
Jude sat back on his heels with a smile that was pure sin on his lips. Even though it was Mack who’d come, he had the feeling that Jude had gotten exactly what he wanted.
His breathing was too fast, and the musk of sex of the air. He wanted to bend down and kiss Jude, but Ned was in the shop and waiting.
Mack fixed his clothes, then put his finger to his lips, warning Jude to be quiet while he got rid of Ned. He prayed that he could school his face, so his features didn’t reveal the real reason he was taking so long.
“I thought you were dodging me.” Ned grinned. “How’d your date go?”
“Fine.” He did not want to talk about this now. His blood was still hot, and he wanted to get out the back.
Ned leaned on the counter. “No details? Come on.”
Mack considered his friend for a moment. If Jude hadn’t been in the workshop, he might have said more—nothing about witches and shifters. Ned was a friend, but he didn’t know all of Mack’s secrets. That was one of the reasons they were only friends. That and they’d been terrible together—they’d tried, but neither of them enjoyed bottoming. Ned was the only person he’d ever tried it with.
That Jude was his magical mate; was that one witch in a million? And he was a bottom. And he’d arrived in Mercy…Jude had virtually been gift wrapped and placed at his feet. He should be holding him close and never letting go. And if Jude hadn’t been a witch, or he hadn’t been a familiar, then maybe he wouldn’t have been so hesitant. But he was a bear not a cat, and witches weren’t to be trusted.
“I’ve seen him around town—”
“And I’m still seeing him.” He did not want Ned chasing after Jude. The idea grated more than it should’ve. They barely knew each other, but Mack wanted more.
“Ah, like that.” Ned stood up and nodded. “Damn, I wish I’d won the toss.”
A little part of Mack died. He clamped his teeth together. “Was there anything you needed? I’ve got a big job I’m working on.” Not a lie, but he didn’t want to continue this conversation.
“I was going to see if you wanted to get dinner, but you probably have other plans.”
He didn’t, but dinner was an excuse. Ned wanted details and maybe more. Mack held his friend’s gaze for a moment before looking away. They both needed to break the habit, or they’d still be doing this shit in ten years’ time. He wanted more than a casual fuck buddy. “Another time.”
Ned did his best not to look wounded, but it flickered over his lips and settled in his eyes. Mack wanted to put his arm around him, but the counter was in the way. Ned turned and walked out of the shop.
“Won the coin toss?” Jude leaned against the doorframe.
“Yeah. It’s a thing.” He couldn’t look at Jude.
“You and he have a thing.” Footsteps came close.
Mack smelled that clean, storm scent. “Had…just after high school. We’re still friends.”
“Don’t bullshit me.”
Mack spun. Jude was three paces behind him. “Fine, we still get together sometimes.”
Jude was silent for a moment. “If Ned had won the toss, I’d have asked him to introduce me to you.”
“So you could zap me.” He didn’t want to be reliving that night again. It wasn’t his finest moment.
Jude shook his head. “I didn’t know until I saw the light reflect in your eyes. Before that, I just wanted to get your attention.”
“And now you have it.” And everything else. He was counting on Jude being true to his word that he wouldn’t use magic to compel Mack. Witches had a history of abusing magic and lying. That humans had risen up and tried to purge them out of existence had been the wake-up call the witches had needed to get their people under control. How good was Jude, as a witch and as a man?
“Did you break up with him because of what you are?” Jude asked softly.
“Yeah.” That had always been the sticking point in all of his relationships. How could he hide such a big part of himself? He didn’t like the dishonesty, but at the same time he was afraid of telling anyone. He didn’t want to be laughed at. Worse, he didn’t want to break up with someone and have them use it against him. Then there were the rules about not telling humans. Shifters sometimes did, but it didn’t always end well. There were accidental shifter deaths.
“It must be hard being the only paranormal in town. Why did your parents stay here?”
“My family has been here for generations. Bears aren’t social and we’re the only shifters in town.”
“Both your parents are shifters?”
Mack nodded. “I told you we get together for marriages and funerals. My parents locked eyes over a grave and have been together ever since.” That was how they told it, but there was more to it. His mother had already been promised to another, and his father had literally had to fight her betrothed. Bears out here clung to tradition. Some of them still expected Mack to marry. They kept putting their daughters in front of him, hoping to change his mind. He hadn’t told them he was gay. His parents knew, and people around the town knew. Even though his favorite bar held the occasional social night, it wasn’t something that was discussed.
“What about your parents? Do you come from a long line of electro-mages?”
The smile shattered on Jude’s lips. “I don’t know who my parents are.”
“And your magic?”
“I discovered that all by myself and by accident. It was a few more years before I came to the Coven’s attention.”
Mack couldn’t imagine shifting
