Read Online Justice by Bailey Bradford - Free Book Online Page B

figured you knew. They liked my hair and freckles, just as much as I hate them.”
    Justice had no idea what to say. From his understanding, mates were able to develop a mental bond, but he wasn’t feeling any of that with Paul. Maybe it just takes time, or he probably has up some massive walls, considering.
    “I like the blond.” Justice shrugged, even though Paul wasn’t looking at him. The fact was, he’d like Paul with any colour of hair, or none at all. And he loved the freckles—they’d always driven him nuts on a lover.
    “Why?” Paul did look at him then, a shuttered expression that Justice couldn’t read. “I mean, why did you follow me today? Do you do stuff like that often?”
    Translation —w as I just an easy piece of ass? Justice turned to face Paul fully. He looked him over from head to toe, noting the erection that matched his own. Every bit of Paul’s exposed skin right down to his fingertips was blushing. Justice met Paul’s gaze.
    “No, I don’t. I’m not saying I haven’t ever had a one-night stand, but I saw you and something inside of me recognised you.” He watched Paul start to fidget, knew he was trying not to ask the question on the tip of his tongue. Paul finally asked anyway.
    “Why? I’m nothing special. If you’d have known who I was—”
    “I’d still have followed you,” Justice admitted, “But I’d have tried to talk to you instead of sucking you off in the restroom.” He slowly reached for Paul’s arm, just needing to touch the man briefly. He wanted more, but he would settle for the quickest touch to that soft skin.
    And it was soft, and warm. Justice brushed his fingers over the ridge of muscle and Paul shivered. “You are special, Paul. You have people here who care about you.”
    “Preston,” Paul said, then he sucked on his bottom lip.
    Justice nearly came on the spot. Down, warped libido! Now wasn’t the time or place. “Marybeth, and I bet Nischal too. Mates are very close. They share almost every feeling.” He swallowed as Paul’s lip was released. It glistened and was darker from being bitten. “Mates need each other. It’s a craving, an urge that lies dormant until the two meet, then it comes to life and demands the two touch, talk.”
    Justice moved an inch closer. So did Paul as he looked up at Justice with big, hope-filled eyes. “They do?” Paul asked.
    Justice nodded and caressed Paul’s arm again. “They do. I’m sure you’ve seen the way your brother and Nischal can’t seem to be apart. It’s hard on mates, or so I’ve heard. They want to be with each other. Sometimes, I guess, they can’t, not right away.” Gods, he didn’t even know what he was trying to say. He just kept rambling as Paul inched ever closer.
    “I’m a mess,” Paul uttered. His eyes were streaked with red, as if he were battling back tears. “You’re the first person I’ve touched like that since—” He broke off and started to move away.
    Justice cupped his elbows. “Please.” He waited, not holding Paul, just touching him. “You don’t have to tell me anything. Just don’t leave yet.”
    Paul trembled, but after a moment, he raised his eyes to Justice’s. “I hope your sister can help me.”
    “She can,” Justice asserted. “More importantly, you can help yourself. You want things to be different, you recognise the necessity for it.”
    Paul bobbed his head. “I do. I can’t keep going on like I was.” Then he edged closer. “They found me, two of the wolf shifters, in Denver. That’s when I broke down, after some other guy stepped in and attacked them. I just lost it when I got home. I don’t even remember—” He shook his head and took another half-step towards Justice. “I was so scared, and I couldn’t breathe. Then Preston was there. I might be crazy.”
    “No, you’re not.” Justice brought a hand up to run his fingers along Paul’s jaw. There was a hint of prickly stubble that shone golden under the sunlight.