With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4

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    With Abandon
    wanted to hurt him. Maybe there was a chance for them. Maybe he could make Aubrey see that him being
    who he was wasn’t a bad thing.
    “Without my brother around to shoulder some of the load, I have to be the one to carry on the
    Reynolds name, the business, Reynolds Hall, even the pack. My family has such an amazing and proud
    history.” His voice took on a dreamy, wistful quality. Matt had heard it before when Keaton spoke of his ancestral home. “I can’t be the one who drops the ball. I never asked for the job, but it’s mine and I won’t turn my back on it. I’d always hoped Keaton would take over the pack at least, but it didn’t work out that way. In all fairness, I never should’ve expected it of him in the first place. It’s my responsibility and what I was raised to do.”
    Matt pulled his legs up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, resting his chin on his knees.
    He understood responsibility and not letting down loved ones.
    A finger ran down his forehead, soothing out the furrow. Matt hadn’t even realized he’d been
    frowning. Aubrey grinned. “You don’t get it do you, sugar?”
    Matt shook his head. He closed his eyes and laid the side of his head on his knees. His bubbles were
    disappearing. What a stupid thing to be aware of at such a time. He’d gone goofy.
    Aubrey carded his fingers through Matt’s wet hair. “This is the Deep South, Matt. Men in my world
    are not tolerant. No one wants to do business and risk millions with a fag. Too many people depend on me making money so they can have a paycheck. Being queer is seen as a weakness. Would you trust millions
    of dollars to a man you considered weak?”
    “It’s not right. They should see you for your abilities. They’ve done business with you in the past,
    they know—”
    “They’ve done business with my dad.” Aubrey rubbed Matt’s cheek with his knuckles. “I have to
    prove myself. It doesn’t matter that I’ve pretty much run the show for the past two years by myself. My dad’s name has been on all documentation. He’s been seen as the front man.” He froze, staring right at
    Matt. “That’s how things are. That’s how they will always be. Can you deal with it? With me?”
    Matt fully believed that in time people would realize that Aubrey was good at running the company.
    Eventually he’d be able to stand on his reputation and not the prejudices of others. Could Matt be patient until then? He turned his face into the caress, enjoying the feel of being stroked and petted. He could get used to this. He wanted to get used to this. Would Aubrey always be this affectionate? It gave Matt hope, but— “What about Carson?”
    “What about him?”
    “He’s your…what?”
    “Employee.”
    Matt’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. Carson was good-looking.
    Aubrey blushed. “We don’t have a relationship.”

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    37
    J.L. Langley
    “You’re friends?”
    “Not really, no. I mean, I like Carson just fine, but we don’t hang out or anything like that.” Aubrey
    sighed. “It was only sex and very infrequently.”
    Matt nodded, hoping Aubrey didn’t spy his hesitancy. “Okay.”
    “Okay? You’re gonna have to be more specific, darlin’.” Pulling his hand away, Aubrey cocked his
    head to the left, looking lupine. “What does okay mean? Okay, you understand why I didn’t tell you? Okay, you’re not mad ’bout Carson? Or okay you’re gonna stay?”
    If not for the sudden scent of unease, Matt would’ve thought Aubrey didn’t care about the answer. It
    put Matt on the spot because he didn’t know if he was ready to make this decision. “No more lies?”
    “No more lies.”
    He knew what Aubrey was asking. He wanted Matt to stay and commit to a relationship. A secret
    relationship. Funny, a few hours ago Matt would’ve jumped at the chance. But now? Matt took a deep
    breath and tried to push away his worry. A person only had one mate, and you had to give trust to get it in return.
    His face, or perhaps his scent, must have shown his resolve, because Aubrey’s face lit up and he
    reached for Matt.
    Chuckling, Matt leaned forward, offering his lips as Aubrey’s hand closed over his bare shoulder.
    Time to seal the deal with a kiss. Yeah, he was corny, but the show of happiness from his mate was encouraging.
    The next thing he knew, Aubrey’s lips were on his. He kissed Matt with as much passion as before
    when they