With Abandon: With or Without, Book 3 by J. L. Langley Page B

night?”
    “I did. How’d that turn out?” Hmmm, maybe he’d found at least one way he could help lessen the load in his mate’s life. This was a way for him to be useful.
    “Well, that’s why I’m calling.”
    Lightning struck a high rise across the street, or rather the rod on top of it, making Matt flinch. Was it safe to be this high up in such a storm?
    “Jase still isn’t speaking to me.” Corde didn’t sound happy about it.
    Matt wasn’t surprised. Just from what he’d learned the other night he’d surmised that Jase was a stickler for werewolf etiquette. “Try taking him a steak.” Matt pressed his forehead against the cool glass, trying to look down to street level.
    “Seriously?” Corde sounded incredulous.
    “Yes, seriously. When you take it to him make sure you offer your neck in submission as you apologize.”
    “I’m not submissive.” The grumbling tone shouted proud redneck about as loudly as the peeing incident.
    Matt suppressed a chuckle, knowing Corde wouldn’t appreciate it. “It doesn’t matter. He’s the more experienced wolf. You were made, right?”
    “Yeah.”
    “It’s a respect thing. He sees you as a less-dominant and less-experienced wolf, which is probably why he didn’t accept your apology. Trust me. I come from a long, proud line of wolves. I know wolf culture inside and out.” Wolves were a lot like children at times. Through trial and error, Matt had learned that when dealing with kids and wolves, keeping things simple was often the best approach. Both kids and wolves dealt in emotion and instinct first, logic second.
    “Okay, I’ll try that. Can I call you back if it doesn’t work?”
    The lights from the surrounding buildings came on as the darkness took over the sky completely. Mesmerized, Matt nodded and realized he was on the phone. Doofus. “Sure.” Matt gave Corde his cell number and told him goodbye.
    “Thanks.” The line went dead.
    No sooner had Matt hung up the phone the front door clicked open.
    “Matt?”
    “In here.”
    A light flicked on, adding a tiny glare to the window, and keys jangled. “I’m glad you got home before the rain started.”
    Rolling onto his back, Matt watched Aubrey stroll toward him. “Tara texted me and demanded I head home to avoid the gully worsher.”
    Aubrey hesitated for a second, then he chuckled. “Yeah, that sounds about right.” He set down his laptop case and continued toward Matt with a box in his hand. “She teaching you the local dialect too?”
    “Yep. She show is,” Matt teased.
    Aubrey snorted. “That’s Tee for you. She’s show nuff a reg-lar jawjah peach.”
    Wow, that accent was hot. It wasn’t in the least fake sounding coming from Aubrey like it had been when Matt was doing it.
    “It’s a great view, isn’t it?” Aubrey sat beside Matt and stretched his legs out in front of him, to where his feet were even with Matt’s head. He set the box on the ground next to them.
    “It’s gorgeous.” Matt sat up, wanting to greet his mate, but not knowing how or what Aubrey expected. They were very close now and already Matt’s heart raced with the thrill of his mate’s nearness. “What’s in the box?”
    “A surprise.” Shrugging off his suit jacket, Aubrey started on his tie. When both pieces of clothing lay on the floor, he loosened the top two buttons on his shirt. A small patch of blond hair poked out of the dress shirt. Matt had yet to see his mate shirtless and he wanted to. Aubrey’s muscle tone was obvious by his wide shoulders, but knowing and seeing were two different things.
    “For me?” Matt licked his lips and shook his head. His throat was suddenly dry.
    “Oh damn, sugar.” Aubrey groaned and caught the back of Matt’s neck, dragging him close. He slanted his mouth over Matt’s and swept his tongue between Matt’s lips.
    The kiss mirrored the storm blowing outside, the intensity fierce. Matt’s cock hardened and his teeth lengthened. The desire flared into a