Tanzil’s Second Chance (Bear’s Cove 2) by A.J. Stone

Excerpt:

He felt Logan’s hand on his arm, the thick fabric of his work shirt no match for the heat of the younger man’s touch. Feelings zinged through Tanzil — desire and possessiveness — originating at the point of contact.

Being a Warden meant he was more in touch with the primal pieces of his shifter nature than most other bears. Right now, his inner bear roared for Logan Fordline. Heat washed through his body, a flame that could only be assuaged by this omega.

“Omega, I am barely holding on right now. Please refrain from touching me, and it would be best if you left the room.”

He expected Logan to perhaps be hurt or upset. Pouting would be welcome because that was a huge turn-off for Tanzil. He waited for Logan to flounce away, but he only moved closer, wrapping his arms around Tanzil’s midsection and resting his cheek against the back of Tanzil’s shoulder.

“You didn’t leave me to suffer alone, and I won’t leave you.”

Tanzil snorted, chuffing a sharp warning. “Young one, it isn’t my grief that threatens you right now; it’s my alpha nature. My bear wants you, and it’s difficult to fight it with you so near.” His bear hadn’t wanted anyone since Namir, and the force with which it strained against its bonds stole his breath.

Logan’s arms drew away, and he stepped back, but not far enough to quell the rising havoc inside Tanzil.

“Farther,” he growled. “Go into the living room.”

“I can’t make lunch from there,” Logan returned. “How about you go into the living room? Or you could go take a cold shower. Or you could just kiss me.”

It was too much, and Tanzil was out of practice reigning in his alpha nature. Whirling, he lifted Logan, holding the smaller man’s body against his own as his lips sought sustenance. He closed his mouth over Logan’s, demanding submission from this omega. Logan softened against him, his arms twining around Tanzil’s neck as the omega’s lips parted on a sigh.

Tanzil’s alpha nature stood up on its hind legs and let loose with a mighty roar. He deepened the kiss, plunging his tongue deep to stake a claim. The taste of him was like nothing he’d experienced before — sweet and spicy, and somehow liquid. It filled his senses and traveled his veins. He felt it in every corner of his body.

His hands roamed Logan’s back, exploring the hard planes before venturing lower to squeeze handfuls of each delightfully rounded cheek. Small, gruff moans issued from Logan, feeding Tanzil’s frenzy. He wanted to rip away the fabric covering Logan’s body and bury his cock deep inside the submissive man, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to temper his violence.

So he broke away, a brutal severing of their connection that sent his bear into a rage. Before he could do something he’d regret, he snagged his shifter pack from the counter, threw it around his torso, and bolted out the back door. He shifted to his bear form mid-step, shredding his clothes.

He ran from his home, his refuge.

He ran from the unexplained feelings he couldn’t control.

He ran from the man he’d left standing in his kitchen who did things to him no man had done since his heart had died that horrific night so many years before.

Mostly, he ran from himself.