With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4

straight to Matt’s heart. How cool was it that his
    mate took off from work to spend time with him? What more could a man ask for? Matt grinned, wanting
    more than anything to kiss his mate. “We can use the help. Will you start by doing me a favor?”
    For a split second Matt thought Aubrey might lean forward for a kiss, but he didn’t. Darn it. He cleared his throat and raised a brow. “What’s that?”
    “Wrestle the phone away from Tara.”

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    J.L. Langley

    Checking the time on the computer screen, Aubrey leaned back in his office chair and stretched. It
    was two in the morning, and he’d finally caught up on all the work he’d missed today due to leaving the office early. And still there was no word on Boskie. Jarred and a few other trusted pack members hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the man, and they’d started looking fifteen minutes after Aubrey opened that
    envelope. A chill raced up Aubrey’s spine thinking about the pictures.
    Boskie had just up and disappeared after the party the other night. His wife didn’t know where to find
    him nor did his secretary. As Martha would say, it made Aubrey as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He wasn’t sure if the older wolf was threatening Matt because he was in Aubrey’s care or if he’d somehow found out they were mates. Had Aubrey given them away? It didn’t matter. It was his word against Boskie’s and Boskie had to be found regardless. This was now a pack problem. Matt was a pack guest. And the Alpha’s mate. Aubrey scoffed at himself, rested his head on the chair and closed his eyes. “Yeah, right.” Like he could tell the pack that. Geez, his head throbbed.
    He’d been worried about Matt all day, even after he’d left his office to watch over him. It had been
    pure hell being outside in the open at Tee’s house. Aubrey hadn’t been able to relax and let his guard down for an instant.
    When he and Matt came home, Aubrey spent several hours trying to stop constantly touching Matt.
    He’d done good though. He didn’t think Matt had any idea there was something wrong, and that was how
    Aubrey wanted to keep it. Matt had enough to brood over with the problems in his family lately. Besides, it was Aubrey’s job to keep him happy and safe.
    Sniffing, Aubrey located Matt. He’d caught himself doing that off and on tonight when Matt was out
    of his sight. Aubrey took his glasses off and ran his hands down his face. His eyes hurt from staring at the computer for too long. He should get some aspirin for his headache. It was time to check on Matt as well.
    Aubrey shoved away from his desk. Aubrey, ole boy, you’re way too attached. There was no way he was going to be able to let Matt go back to New Mexico when the time came. Aubrey froze just inside the living room. The realization hit him like a fist to the gut. Was he too involved? No, that wasn’t it. He was just concerned for Matt’s safety. Anyone in his position would be. Matt was his responsibility, after all.
    Uh-huh. Damn, even his conscience wasn’t buying that heap of bullshit. He didn’t want to think about it. Not now, not ever. Forcing it from his mind, he continued toward their bedroom. There were more
    important problems to solve at the moment anyhow.
    The living room was very dark with the blinds closed. Aubrey’d had to do some fast talking to keep
    Matt from opening the shades tonight. Matt loved the view. He was mesmerized by the amount of trees,
    even in the city. Nearly every day after school Matt would park himself in front of the table to stare out the window. Aubrey grinned. There were ever-present forehead smudges on the glass.
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    With Abandon
    When he reached their room, Matt lay on his back with his face turned toward the door. His mouth
    hung slightly open, and a soft snore filled the air. The glow of the moon outside the window cast light over his bare chest exposed by the covers. The big sleigh bed made him seem smaller than he actually was. He appeared peaceful and innocent. Of course, Matt always looked innocent because that was exactly what he was. Aubrey doubted even being a homicide detective would touch that vitality. What would it take to
    destroy that precious candor? Whatever it was, he never wanted to see it.
    Smiling in his sleep, Matt rolled to his side. He tucked his hands under his cheek distorting his face a little. The light added an element of