Howling For Love (Rock Star Alpha, #1) (3 page)

Stefan never made it to his best friend. The next thing he knew, a firm and powerful hand grabbed his arm and someone was breathing against his neck. Fear rammed into Stefan. He turned, expecting the worst, certainly not this...

Mick Badder grabbed his arm, looking at Stefan like he was some kind of tasty morsel.

“Found you,” Mick said. When the Alpha smiled, Stefan caught sight of the two rows of sharp canines lining the Alpha’s upper and lower teeth. What the hell was happening? Singers, rock stars weren’t supposed to halt a concert to reach a member of the audience.

“This isn’t real,” Stefan murmured.

That had to be it. He must have fallen asleep back in his apartment, after putting on his tedious make-up. Rory must have left without him and, exhausted from all his efforts, Stefan decided to go for a nap. That’s right. Things like this only happened in dreams, yet why did every second feel real? The sweat plastering his shirt, Mick’s large and callused hands wrapped around his waist and his heart thudding hard against his chest, it couldn’t be real. Yet Stefan couldn’t tear his eyes away from the rock star Alpha standing inches from him.

“Try again, human. This is real,” Mick said.

No, dream-Mick said that, because the real Mick Badder wouldn’t pick Stefan amongst a crowd of more attractive and interesting people. Why did it hurt to breathe though, like all the air in the room had been sucked out?

“Prove it,” Stefan demanded to dream-Mick.

If this all indeed was a fragment of his imagination, then it would be alright to be bold and reckless, unlike Stefan’s real self. Here in dreamland, Stefan could do whatever he wanted. Besides, Stefan was on a time limit. Once he woke up, he’d forget all this ever happened. Better to enjoy every moment of this fake memory.

“Prove it?” Mick sounded more amused than pissed. One tug sent Stefan right into Mick’s powerful arms. Crazy. Stefan hadn’t met or dated a man capable of lifting him without effort, like a sack of flour.

Their faces were touching now, his nose rubbing against Mick’s.

A hysterical laugh came out from Stefan’s throat. Those tempting lips stood so close to him. Up close, Stefan noticed Mick had more tattoos on his neck. That throat, Stefan thought, those vocal chords were capable of making amazing music. Everything about this man got to him, messed with his head.

Mick smelled of wolf musk, leather and sweat—a strangely good combination. It felt like Stefan hit a wall of immovable muscle and Mick’s sweat-slicked and hard exposed torso rubbed against the front of his body, the scent and feel of Mick so primal.

Stefan’s jeans grew unbelievably tight, tighter than Stefan thought possible because he swore he’d stretched out these infernal leather pants that clung to every inch of his skin. Mick’s hand dipped lower down his back, cupping his ass.

Cheeks reddening, Stefan moaned.

“I can smell your arousal, human. You’re so hard for me,” Mick whispered against his ear but Stefan had a feeling everyone there heard.

He should be embarrassed, ashamed to be caught in such a predicament. Stefan was the kind of guy who shone best in the background. To suddenly shine a spotlight on him...Stefan would combust.

Before that happened and before Stefan lost his nerve or woke up, he managed to blurt out his request. “Kiss me.”

A reckless gamble, but what choice did Stefan have?

This might be a fantasy he’d conjured up but he’d make it count.

“Demanding feisty human, I’d leash up whoever spoke to me like that,” Mick said against his ear, nipping at his ear lobe, at the fake earring there. Stefan wasn’t exactly the kind of guy who possessed any piercing, even one on the ear. Mick wasn’t done though, “for you, I’d make an exception. Tell me your name, human.”

“Stefano, my friends call me ‘Stefan’,” Stefan managed to answer.

How he was able to retain some measure of control over his body surprised him, but then it was like a firefighter gaining superhuman strength in an emergency. The presence of a hot rock star Alpha in front of him, touching him, was the closest Stefan would ever get to heaven on earth. Stefan would be damned if he let this opportunity slip through his fingers.

“Stefan then, you got your fucking wish.” Mick clasped the back of his neck with one hand, while the other slipped past the hem of Stefan’s tight pants.

Oh god. Stefan felt the imprint of Mick’s hand like a brand, sliding down to give his bare dick a squeeze. Stefan let out a whimper.

“No underwear? You dirty boy,” Mick said with a chuckle.

That laugh went right past Stefan’s skin and  to his bones. Such a sexy sound, but never in a million years would he tell the rock god in front of him that he didn’t wear anything underneath as a convenience, because the pants he bought were too tight. Stefan wasn’t a full commando kind of guy, but the exact opposite. He never thought a rock star Alpha would be drawn to him.

That’s what dreams were for anyway, right?

“For you, I’ll be anything you want me to be, Alpha,” Stefan whispered. Shame on him for saying those words, but this was his dream self. Restrictions didn’t apply.

Mick chuckled. They were in a middle of a concert, watched by thousands of eyes. Stefan knew that distantly, but that was just how much sway Mick held over him. With Mick, the rest of the world didn’t seem to matter. What was this man doing to him?

“All I want is for you to be yourself, pet,” Mick said.

Unnerved by those hungry golden eyes, yet seeing something there, something that told Stefan that Mick and he wouldn’t just be a fling, but the promise of more, he changed topic.

“You said you were going to kiss me.”

“You distracted the hell out of me, you sexy filthy thing.”

God, that voice. Stefan would never get sick of hearing any sexy word from Mick’s deep and confident voice.

“Kiss me,” Stefan pleaded.

Mick laughed again, the sound lighting his insides. “Demanding pet.”

Finally Mick leaned in close, brushing their lips for a second, as if the rock star Alpha was tasting him at first. Stefan’s heart nearly came to a sudden stop. What if Mick suddenly said he began having second thoughts, that Stefan wasn’t the one for him?

Mick kissed him harder now, all tongue and teeth. Yes, this was exactly how Stefan imagined an Alpha would kiss. Stefan could do nothing but respond to those demanding lips with equal passion. Mick gripped him hard, like he was terrified of losing Stefan and Stefan didn’t mind, because he didn’t want to wake up—now or ever. He could stay right here, caged in Mick’s arms.

Mick’s tongue pushed between his lips and Stefan opened up for him, letting the Alpha thrust his tongue down his throat. Oh, that felt good. The heat and taste of Mick flooded down his throat.

When Mick pulled away, albeit reluctantly, he looked at Stefan like he’d have Stefan right there and then, fuck him senseless on the sticky concert floor with everyone watching. Shame filled Stefan, not because of the act, but how much the thought turned him on.

Oh no. This wasn’t good at all. One kiss sent his mind spinning, his logical brain spiraling to the gutter and he didn’t care one bit. It was then Stefan blacked out, his heart seemingly giving way. It no longer just hurt to breathe, it was an impossible task.

Vision swaying, Stefan imagined collapsing on the floor in a puddle. So uncool, but what choice did he have?

“I’ve got you,” said a voice. Strong arms wrapped around his waist, taking all his weight.

Dream-Mick sounded more concerned than turned on, but it was fine. Fainting in Mick Badder’s arms as a way to end off this perfect evening before things took a dangerous turn....that was enough for a nobody like Stefan.

“I
can’t believe you interrupted our concert for one human,” Korey retorted. They were back in their private limo. Steel stretched out on the opposite end, annoying Korey, who sat on the same couch, because Mick needed his end of the seat for himself.

“The better question is,” Steel said, jabbing a finger at the unconscious figure lying on Mick’s lap. “Isn’t that considered kidnapping?”

“Not if it’s done with consent. His friend seemed eager. Stefan didn’t say ‘no’ either,” Mick pointed out, recalling the other human who was full of energy, like his Stefan moments ago. That human was also so loyal, being cute like that, making threats at Mick that if Mick hurt Stefan, there would be hell to pay.

What a wild little thing Mick had on his hands, wild but reserved. Did that make any sense? Well, what did it matter as long as Mick accomplished his goals? He knew what he did was a dick move, wrecking their concert like that, but he couldn’t focus either, not with Stefan’s scent constantly teasing him and egging his wolf on. They had to have Stefan no matter the cost.

“I hope he’s worth it,” Korey mumbled. The limo stopped in front of the high-rise pricy apartment the three of them were currently staying at while in town.

Steel chuckled. “Don’t you get it, Korey? This is the end of the line for our lead singer.”

“What do you mean?” Korey asked, frowning.

“There’s only one reason why Mick reacted like that. He’s finally found his mate.” Steel grinned at Mick, who returned his smirk. “Korey and I will be heading to the after party. Don’t expect us home anytime soon.”

“Thanks,” Mick said, meaning the words.

Once the limo dropped them off along with one of their bodyguards, Mick slung the unconscious human over his shoulder. Stefan’s heartbeat was strong and he breathed evenly, so Mick wasn’t worried. The heat and shock merely got to Stefan. To be fair, Mick was shocked too, but he might not get a second chance.

He knew Stefan was his mate the moment their eyes crossed. It was cliché, but damn true. Mick felt an invisible line tugging his soul and wolf that led right back to Stefan. Fuck, who knew tonight would change a lot of things?

Whistling, he entered the building. Neither the bell boy at the front or his bodyguard, Marcellus, remarked on the human on his shoulder.

His Angel on His Knees.

Oh yeah, Mick saw it all, the way his song reached Stefan’s heart and soul. Even amidst a crowd of thousands, Mick only saw one face, and zeroed in on one scent.

Stefan. His. His mate and beloved, the one man he’d been waiting for all his life.

It was as if the entire world ceased to matter.

They reached the top floor, the penthouse suite, without incident. Mick left Marcellus by the front door.

“No interruptions unless it’s an emergency,” Mick reminded Marcellus.

“Yes, Sir.”

With that, Mick shut the door behind him.

* * * *

S
tefan woke in unfamiliar sheets and in a room he’d never been in before. Jolting awake, he looked down at himself, appalled to see he was naked, stripped of all his make-up and accessories. The worst he’d feared finally came to past. He rubbed at his temples. Stefan still had his black nailpolish on. He really did go to that concert, hooked up with a stranger and dreamt of Mick Badder kissing him, taking him home.

“Good afternoon, pet.”

At the sound of that amused voice, Stefan whipped his head. All the rational thought in his brain flew away at the sight of Mick Badder, seated on the couch next to his bed, barefoot and wearing nothing but jeans.

“I—did we? Oh God. Is this still a dream?” Stefan blubbered, not making any sense.

“Calm down, pet. Don’t panic. Here, drink some water. You were badly dehydrated.”

Staring at that tattooed and muscled arm, Stefan still couldn’t believe everything that happened over the last few hours had been real. It was Mick Badder handing him a glass of water. Stefan’s body felt fine, if not, really thirsty. Then again, he doubted a man like Mick would take advantage of a bore like him.

Oh dang it. His cock jumped under the sheets again, excited by the thought of a rock star Alpha rutting him. Damn it. Stefan was a man of science. He shouldn’t be acting like an idiotic horny teenager around Mick.

“Hungry?” Mick asked.

Stefan noticed there was a plate of fresh greens by the table, salad topped with plenty of smoked salmon. He accepted the offered food, devouring it in seconds, before realizing Mick was watching him with a smile.

“What?” Stefan asked.

“I fucking love watching you eat. Hard to find a man who possesses a healthy appetite these days,” Mick said. “That’s why I hate male models, more than the females.”

Stefan swallowed. Those words reminded Stefan of harsh reality—that they come from two entirely different worlds. Finishing off his food, he placed it aside and finished his water.

“Why me?” Stefan managed to croak. “You must have slept with plenty of people, celebrities, models and actors...the list goes on. Why me?”

“Because your scent is the only one that matters.” Mick gave him an enigmatic smile.

“I think I overheard Steel saying in the car...he said you think I’m your mate. Doesn’t that mean something in the shifter community?” Stefan dared to ask. Why bother with being polite when he was naked, in a compromising position, in a rock star Alpha’s bed?

Stefan expected Mick to deny it with his last breath, to tell Stefan he was mistaken, but the Alpha did no such thing. Mick gave him a slow and hungry smile that both excited and frightened Stefan at the same time. There it was again, the undeniable heat between them, the promise of so much more.

“I don’t just think you’re my mate, Stefano. I know,” Mick said simply.

Stefan shut his trap. Of course a man like Mick had access to men who could find information for him. Mick waved something at Stefan, his cell phone. Stefan’s mouth went dry when Mick showed him his web search history.

“This, my misspelled name and the name of my band—this tells me you haven’t heard of us until now, am I right?” Mick asked, smiling.

Stefan couldn’t get a read on the Alpha, couldn’t tell if Mick was pissed, displeased or annoyed. Damn it.
Whatever.

Stefan went for the truth, because Mick’s declaration rocked his entire world and threatened to splinter it apart. Mates were serious business in the shifter world and even Stefan knew about it. Shifters supposedly mated for life, one man or woman until death do them part and it wasn’t like the concept of marriage where humans could divorce.