Without Reservations

position, wincing. “Yeah. I…uh, yeah. I’m sorry. Chay has been my friend for a long time and if he chooses you, well then—” Remi’s eyebrows pulled together, his eyes narrowing. “Who are you?”
    Jake stood, depositing Pita in Keaton’s lap on his way to the couch.
    “I’m Jake Romero. I’m Keaton’s bodyguard.” He held out his hand to Remi.
    The faint scent of fear permeated the air. Remi scooted back on the couch a little, staring at Jake’s hand. He checked Jake out from head to toe and the smell of lust filled the room. His body was probably reacting to the scent of blood in the air, but Chay didn’t relish telling Remi that.
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    Remi shifted side to side, trying to hide his growing erection, then drew his knees up. He finally lifted his hand and shook Jake’s.
    “Remington Lassiter. Nice to meet you.”
    Dipping his head, Jake smiled and let go of Remi’s hand. “Likewise.”
    Remi’s nose twitched and he frowned. “I feel really weir—” His eyes widened and he glanced down at himself. He grabbed a pillow, placing it in his lap. “What happened to my clothes?” His brow furrowed. “Chay?”
    Keaton nudged Chay’s shoulder and Jake cleared his throat. Great.
    Of course they were going to make him break the news.
    Chay got up and went to sit on the couch beside Remi as Jake sat on Remi’s other side.
    Remi looked at Chay expectantly. “I passed out and peed my pants or something, didn’t I?”
    Chay grinned. “Er, no. I mean, you didn’t pee yourself.”
    “Well, thank God for that. It’s bad enough that I fainted.” Remi rolled his eyes.
    “Listen, Remi. What I have to tell you is going to be a little shocking.
    I…we…hell. The wolf attacked you and almost killed you and the only way we could save you was to make you a werewolf.”
    Remi blinked three times then after several silent seconds, threw his head back and laughed.
    Bit shook his head. “Oh good Lord, Chay.”
    Jake stared at Chay like he’d grown two heads, his mouth hanging open.
    Chay shrugged. “What? There isn’t an easy way to tell someone that.
    Besides I didn’t see either of you offering up explanations.”
    They both groaned.
    Finally, Remi’s guffaws turned into chuckles. After a few more seconds, he stopped, wiped the tears out of the corners of his eyes and grinned. “Okay, I deserve that for being an ass. I’m sorry I was such a dick to Keaton. I actually heard about the cut brakes from Bobby and 188 www.samhainpublishing.com

    Without Reservations
    came to make sure everything was okay. So, what really happened to my clothes?”
    Chay knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but… well hell! What was he supposed to do?
    “Okay, I’m not shifting. He already thinks I’m an abomination. Let him hate one of you for being a werewolf. I’ll stick to being hated for being gay. Someone else is going to have to show him.” Bit tucked his feet underneath him and sat up straighter. Damn him, he almost looked amused.
    Chay gave him the evil eye.
    Bit only grinned. “What? I’m just saying…”
    “Yeah, whatever.” He rolled his eyes. “Jake?”
    Remi tilted his head to the side. “Joke’s gone far enough, Chay. I said I was sorry, all right?”
    Jake stood and started stripping off his clothes.
    Remi looked at him and jerked back. His hands came up. “Whoa, hey!”
    Jake ignored him and continued to strip. When he was naked, he moved back. “Ready?” he asked Chay.
    He nodded.
    Remi started to get up. “Okay this is going too far, I mean rea—”
    Chay grabbed his arm to keep him from leaving.
    He glared at Chay then turned back to Jake. Remi’s eyes widened. All the blood fled from his face and he let out a strangled gasp.
    Chay followed his gaze to the large black wolf as Keaton pointed at Remi and yelled, “Chay.”
    Chay turned just in time to catch Remi as he fainted.
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Chapter Nineteen
    Keaton sighed, sitting down hard on the edge of his and Chay’s bed.
    Damn, Remi being Jake’s mate sucked. Jake was a nice guy, he deserved better.
    “What’s that for? Did you and Jake get Remi settled?” Chay came out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. The man was fine, all that smooth tan skin and lean muscles. It was enough to distract a man out of his doom and gloom ponderings.
    “Yeah. Remi is still out of it. Jake carried him to the guest room. He’s going to sleep on