His Perfect Mate [Nehalem Pack 6] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) by AJ Jarrett (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📕

but this was a fresh start. Not just for him but for Casper as well. He’d spend every day right down to his last breath doing whatever it took to give Casper the life that had been stolen away from him. And with the help of his mate he knew it was possible. “I like that.”

“Me too.” Jake leaned down to kiss Carl’s knuckles. “There’s something I want to ask you.”

“What?”

“Would you like to move back to Nehalem with me?” Jake rushed the words out so quickly like he was afraid Carl would say no.

“I’d love too but I need to ask Casper what he thinks. I love you, Jake, but I’m not going anywhere without my brother.” He didn’t want it to seem like he was giving his mate an ultimatum but it was how he felt. If Casper didn’t want to go with them then Carl would stay with his brother. He’d owed Casper that much.

“Then it’s a good thing that Casper’s already agreed to it.” Jake grinned.

They sat and talked until Carl yawned so wide his jaw popped. Jake told him to get some sleep and they could talk more in the morning. Carl tucked his hands under his chin and lay staring at Jake until his eyes drifted shut. He couldn’t believe that this sweet man was his.

* * * *

A few days had past and Carl was up and moving around. Jake borrowed Seth’s Jeep and went into town and bought his mate and Casper some new clothes. They planned to head back to Nehalem the next day and Jake wanted Carl and Casper to have some things of their own.

Jake was happy to see his mate smile and joke around with his brother and the others. He seemed like a different person. Jake had to guess being free of Tobias had to be a major relief for both the brothers. Just hearing them talk above a whisper was music to Jake’s ears.

As he pulled up Seth’s drive, Carl stood outside leaning against a tree. A flirty smile graced his pink lips and Jake groaned at the sight. He was happy to see his mate being so open with his affection but Jake didn’t want to push Carl too far too soon. He wanted his mate, no doubt about it, but Jake still thought Carl needed more time to heal.

“You want to go for a walk?” Carl asked as he got out of the Jeep.

Carl’s head tilted to the side and his hair fanned across his pale face. The sun bounced off his light-blue eyes and Jake felt trapped by his mate’s beauty.

“I should really get these bags inside.” Jake’s voice cracked as he spoke. His cock start to thicken and he snatched up one of the bags to cover his growing bulge.

“Oh come on.” Carl had a little hop to his step as he walked toward him. “We haven’t had any time alone. It’d be good for us.” Carl batted his eyelashes innocently up at him. “Please.”

Jake cursed under his breath and tossed the bag back into the Jeep. “Okay, but not too far. You’re still recovering.”

Carl’s lower lip stuck out in a pout. “You’re no fun.” He started to giggle. “Now let’s go.” Carl grabbed his hand and led him to the beaten-down path that ran through the trees behind Seth’s cabin.

Carl walked a step ahead of him and Jake didn’t mind lagging behind him. It gave him the perfect view of Carl’s little bubble-shaped ass. The things he longed to do to it. First he’d start out kissing it, massaging the firm globes apart to make way for his tongue, then once his mate was nice and prepared he’d enter his warm body, making them become one.

Jake looked around the property, looking for a spot that just might be fitting for a little sexy time.

You’re such an animal. You know that? His conscience snapped at him. Your mate deserves only the best and a romp in the woods is so not the place to make Carl feel special.

Jake let his head hang down toward his chest. He had to get his mind off of how cute his mate was and how much he wanted to be with him. The thoughts running through his mind made him feel like he was no better than Tobias. Jake didn’t have a clue if Carl realized he was flirting with him. His mate could very well just be being nice.

“We’re here!” Carl sang out the words.

Jake stumbled to a stop, running into his mate. He looked up to see what Carl was referring to. A blanket laid out on a flat piece of ground not covered in trees or weeds. He looked from the blanket to his mate. Words failed him at the moment.

“Don’t you like it?” Carl’s face scrunched up.

“It’s…” Jake rubbed his hand over his mouth. “What is this exactly?” He thought it was better to not assume anything. Carl could just want to kiss and cuddle for a while, which was fine with Jake.

“I thought”—Carl turned in his embrace and snaked his arms up and around Jake’s neck—“we could finally be together. I’ve been looking forward to this since the first time we kissed. And after everything that happened with Tobias I don’t want to wait. Life’s too short, don’t you think?”

Carl reached up on his toes and kissed Jake along his jaw. He closed his eyes and sunk into the warmth of Carl’s lithe body. His arms moved of their own accord to bring Carl even closer. Carl moaned as Jake skimmed kisses over his face.

Jake brought his hand up to grip Carl lightly around the chin. “Are you sure?” he asked as his eyes darted between Carl’s looking for any signs of doubt.

“I’ve never been surer about anything in my entire life.” Carl tightened his arms around Jake’s neck, urging him down.

When their lips connected Jake growled into the kiss. He lifted Carl up off his feet and carried