“It’s time to party.” Daniel Meade sat in the back of his Logata Impeza and debated going into the club. His wolf wasn’t in the mood to dance or carouse. Hell, the wolf wanted to go back to the cottage and return to prowling. The wolf loved being freed. But staying in his wolf form wasn’t going to get him a date.

Part of him wanted to say forget going to the club. He didn’t need a date, did he? He’d gone this long on his own and it hadn’t bothered him. That said, being alone bothered the wolf. The animal needed to be part of a family unit. A pack. He was included in his brother’s pack. He was the second-in-command. He handled the money and he’d helped his brother, Dixon, make more money than any family ever needed. Now that Dixon had his mate, Sidney, he spent his time with his lover.

Fine. Dixon didn’t need to be hanging around with his brother other than to give him financial advice. He had someone.

Not Daniel.

Damn it. He should go into the ridiculous club. Maybe he’d find someone for the evening. The person didn’t need to know he was a billionaire shifter. They didn’t need to know he owned the club or that he could buy love if he so chose.

So why not go in there and find someone?

He hesitated. He didn’t want to enter the club because he didn’t want to set himself up for failure.

“Boss?” Hanford, his driver, turned in his seat. “You going in?”

“I don’t know.” He hated this indecisiveness. God. He wasn’t this timid when it came to working deals for his brothers and the family. He just pushed ahead, let the wolf lead him and he made assloads of money. It was truly obscene sometimes how well he’d done for the pack.

“What’s under your skin?” Hanford asked. “You’re never this twitchy. Is your wolf upset?”

“No.” His wolf wasn’t doing much of anything. The animal wasn’t upset, but it also wasn’t running around or giving him guidance. It was just sort of existing within him. He needed the wolf’s guidance. What did it want?

“So you don’t want to go in? Would you rather we go home?” Hanford stared at him. “I can take you back to the cottage.”

If he left and remained indecisive, he’d never give himself a chance. Besides, he hadn’t gone dancing in forever. Maybe the wolf would want to get lost in the throng of people. It couldn’t hurt to try.

“Boss?” Hanford asked. “What’s it going to be?”

“I’m heading in. I want you to wait for me,” Daniel said. He’d fucked around for long enough. It was time to go in and give himself a chance to find love, if only for tonight. “I’ll be back.”

“Sure. I’ll be here in the parking garage.” Hanford dropped Daniel at the door and waited for him to go in before driving off.

He held up his ID as he ventured into the club. The bass music throbbed and his wolf reacted. The animal hopped on point and alerted. Someone here at the club had the wolf’s attention. He wondered who would’ve drawn such a big reaction. The animal practically pushed him across the room toward the dance floor.

He wasn’t wild about mixing this much. Not because he didn’t like people, but because he disliked crowds. He hated being touched by people he didn’t know.

Still, the wolf wanted him there and he refused to argue with the animal. He made his way to the dance floor, but instead of stopping in the middle of the people, he headed across to the alcoves. As he looked over the men there, he spotted a younger man with striking blue eyes and streaks of gray in his dark hair. He had a thing for slender men and this one fit the bill. The guy struck him as the active type, too. Would the guy be interested in him, too? He could only hope.

Daniel stopped at the bar and summoned the bartender. “A scotch and soda.” He turned his back on the alcoves. “Have you served the young man in the second arch?”

“I have.” The bartender slid the drink to Daniel. “Do you have an issue with him?”

“I don’t, but I wanted to know what he’s drinking.” He accepted the glass. “Thank you.”

“He’s a regular,” the bartender replied. “Loves to dance and is of age. I’ve checked. He doesn’t necessarily leave with anyone. He’s had a boyfriend, but they must’ve split because I haven’t seen him in a couple months.”

“He’s on his own?” Interesting. He wasn’t wild about being a rebound, but who said this had to go that far? He wouldn’t know if he didn’t ask this guy for a dance. “I’d like to buy him a drink.”

“Sure. He drinks ginger ale.” The bartender poured the drink. “And his name is Rory.”

Rory? The young man struck him as a Rory. “Thanks.” Daniel picked up the second drink and headed over to Rory’s alcove. He half-expected to see him dance off with someone or be hesitant about his approach. Instead, Rory smiled.

“I brought you something to drink.” Daniel offered the second glass. “I hear you like ginger ale.”

“I do.” Rory’s smile increased in intensity and appeared genuine. “Do I know you?”

“I doubt it. I just saw you and wanted to get to know you.” It was a terrible come on, but whatever. He wasn’t great at the dating game.

“I’m glad you did.” Rory held the drink with both hands. “My name is Rory.”

“I’m Daniel.” He stood beside Rory. “Are you having fun here?” God, he was really bad at flirting.

“I am.” Rory turned his back on the crowd. “You saw me? Among all those other beautiful men out there?”

“I did.” He couldn’t tell him the wolf had chosen him. The animal scratched him from within and begged to be unleashed. He didn’t understand the strong reaction, but he’d worry about it later.

Rory sipped the drink, then toyed with the condensation on the glass. “Want to dance?”

“Sure.” He wasn’t sure why he’d said that—he hadn’t done much of it lately—but when he looked at Rory, he wanted to take a chance. He abandoned his drink on the ledge and held out his hand.

Rory grasped his fingers and allowed Daniel to sweep him into his arms. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He barely heard the music or noticed the tempo change. All he saw was Rory. His wolf calmed the moment he and Rory touched. He eased his arms around Rory, holding him close and swaying to the tempo they created. Up close, he noticed the flecks of gray in Rory’s eyes, the few freckles on his cheeks and the way a blush crept over his face. He also liked the way he smelled—like lavender.

His wolf paced within him. He’d always been a fool of the scent of lavender. How would Rory know that? He rubbed along Rory’s back, loving the feel of his strong, but lean body in his hands.

“I’m glad you noticed me.” Rory nuzzled Daniel’s cheek. “I like this.”

“Do you?” His wolf did. He brushed his nose on Rory’s and blood rushed to his cock. HIs wolf’s interest grew. He wanted to pull this man into one of the alcoves and make out. God, he hadn’t felt that way in forever. “Come here.”

Rory allowed Daniel to tug him to the dim light of the alcove. “Want to dance here instead?”

“Yes.” He kissed Rory, allowing his desire to be his guide.

Rory didn’t fight him and instead ground on Daniel’s thigh. Need and the sheer craving of his wolf spurred Daniel on. He pushed the kiss deeper and when Rory opened to him, he sucked on his tongue. He liked the way Rory tasted, too. The more he touched Rory, sliding his hands along Rory’s ribs, then down to his hips, the more he liked him.

Rory continued grinding and smoothed his hands over Daniel’s chest. He drew a growl from deep within Daniel and his wolf growled in tandem.

Daniel pressed Rory to the wall. Every ounce of his being needed Rory. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead on Rory’s. “You make me crazy.” His wolf wanted to mark this man and keep him—odd since he’d never been this drawn to someone.

Rory grasped the lapels of Daniel’s jacket. “You’ve got me all turned around.” He panted and his breath warmed Daniel’s skin. “I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone. This is…I don’t know what to think.”

“Me neither.” He wanted to let his wolf guide him, but his wolf had steered him into trouble before. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.” Rory held on to Daniel’s jacket. “All I know is that I want to be with you.”

He wanted that as well. He resumed dancing and swaying with Rory. As he looked into Rory’s eyes, he understood some of the connection. Rory was a wolf shifter. He knew that peculiar feeling and the shimmer of gold in Rory’s eyes. No wonder his wolf wanted to be with this man—he’d found a kindred spirit.

Should he slow down? Or let this continue to unfold between them? He swayed with Rory, allowing the chemistry between them to grow. He barely heard the music. Rory consumed his attention.

“Is this your first time here?” Rory asked. “At the club?”

“No.” He breathed the scent of Rory in. “You?”

“No. My boyfriend liked this place and once we split, I kept coming back,” Rory said. “I like the vibe.” He blushed. “That sounds strange, doesn’t it?”

“It doesn’t.” Had Rory sensed something about the club that had drawn him in, too? He kissed Rory again, brushing his nose along Rory’s and his hands over Rory’s ass. God damn, the man had a fine ass. Just right for squeezing and probably perfect for smacking during sex. Daniel’s erection pressed against his zipper and need like he hadn’t felt in forever rushed over him.

He wasn’t sure if he wanted to take Rory to the car for a quick fuck or try heading upstairs to the private rooms for sex against the wall. Either way, he craved satisfaction.

Rory eased his hands down Daniel’s chest to his abs, then groaned. “Strong.”

“I am.” He preferred lifting weights and eating right to most cardio, but he wasn’t averse to the elliptical machine. “You?”

“I work out.” Rory sighed. He slid his hand over the bulge in Daniel’s pants. “Fuck. You’re harder than I am.”

“Want me?” He didn’t tend to go for one-night stands, but right now, he needed this one. “Right now?”

“I do.” Rory nodded and rubbed himself on Daniel. “I need it.”

“I can’t give you more than right now,” Daniel said. “Not looking for long-term.”

“Who said I am?” Rory’s eyes flashed again. “I don’t want complications. I want you.”

“Me?” He chuckled and desired more of this playful spark between them. He swore the electricity in his veins practically jumped off his skin. He needed more from Rory.

“Yes.” Rory panted and continued to caress Daniel’s cock through the fabric of his trousers. “Want this in me.”

“This?” He nibbled on Rory’s neck. “Or me?”

“You.” Rory stroked faster. “Want you.”

“Got me.” He grasped Rory’s hand and led him from the main club floor to the private staircase. He waved to the bouncer, who permitted them entrance. Why wouldn’t he? Daniel owned the damn club. He tugged Rory to the alcove to the left of the stairs and stopped at the stone bench built into the wall.

Rory gasped and shoved his hands beneath the lapels of Daniel’s jacket. He opened a few of the buttons on Daniel’s dress shirt to touch the skin beneath.

The second Rory touched his bare chest, Daniel bit back another growl. His wolf loved this—being touched. The wolf wanted this man more than anything.

Daniel opened Rory’s tight jeans, popping the button then pulling on the zipper to unwrap his prize. He freed Rory’s dick from behind his briefs. Holy fucking balls, this man was packing. He curled his fingers around Rory’s shaft and stroked. The silken heat pleased him.

“Yes.” Rory groaned. He ground in Daniel’s hand. “Fuck me.”

“I will.” He kissed Rory, memorizing his taste. His wolf cried out again, needing to bite Rory. Why? Were they meant to be? Fuck, it was too damn soon to know. The wolf had to be so starved for sex that the animal wanted anyone. He sucked on Rory’s tongue and kept stroking him.

Rory fumbled to open Daniel’s pants. He unzipped Daniel’s trousers and kicked the heat within Daniel up a thousand degrees.

Jesus Christ. Daniel broke the kiss and turned Rory around. “Stroke yourself while I fuck you.” He wrestled his cock free from his boxer briefs and sucked in a ragged breath. The heat from Rory swept through him again. He withdrew a packet of lube and a condom from his breast pocket. His need overwhelmed him as he held the condom foil in his teeth while he tore open the lube. He dumped the lube on Rory’s ass, working it into his hole.

Rory grunted and moaned. “Fuck, yes. More.”

Rory’s declaration spurred Daniel on. He barely knew this man, but he loved his style. He tore open the condom wrapper and sheathed himself in seconds, then rubbed his cock over Rory’s hole. “Is this what you need?”

“Christ, yes.” Rory shivered. “Do it.”

“Relax.” He ground on Rory’s ass and nibbled on the back of his neck. “Breathe.” He didn’t want to hurt Rory. He continued to murmur against Rory’s skin.

Rory pressed one shoulder to the wall and turned his head. He panted as he trembled, stroking his dick. He widened his stance. “Yes, do it.”

“Relax, babe.” He slid one hand between their bodies and breached Rory’s hole with his middle finger. Fuck, Rory was so tight. “You need to breathe. Bear down on me. Let me in.”

Rory shivered again. “Trying to.” He whimpered. “More.”

“Breathe.” He didn’t want to hurt him, but his need swept over him, too. He worked his finger in and nearly out of Rory, loving the snug fit and the heat radiating from him. Each push sent tingles through his system. His wolf howled within him. The animal craved claiming Rory.

So fast? It wasn’t possible. Sure, the animal knew its mate sooner than the human side, but this was warp speed. Besides, he’d just met Rory. Sure, Rory was a wolf shifter, too, but he might not be interested in something beyond right now.

Rory arched his back, sticking his ass out to Daniel. “Fuck me.”

“Not yet.” He kept pumping, stretching and prepping Rory. The more he touched Rory, the more he wanted him and not just for now. He tried to shake the lusty thoughts and focus on this moment, despite his desire to keep this going. What if he came back to the club tomorrow?

Rory bucked and groaned. “Please? Need you.” He growled and tipped his head back.

For a split second, it sounded like his wolf had roared. His own wolf roared right back. Fuck. He withdrew his finger and stroked his dick, then lined himself up with Rory’s hole. He’d never had this kind of overwhelming, all-consuming need before. He sank deep into Rory and something within Daniel cracked.

“Yes.” Rory bucked against him again, pushing into a perfect rhythm. He tipped his head back and ground his hips. The change in angle sent Daniel deeper into him and kicked his desire up a few more notches.

Daniel clawed at Rory’s hips and swatted him. “Fuck. So tight. You’re pulling me in.”

“I want you.” Rory panted and braced one hand on the wall while he stroked his own cock. “I need it.”

“Do you?” He slid one arm around Rory, holding him to his chest as he pumped faster into him. Every last bit of him wanted Rory. He sucked on Rory’s neck, muffling his own cries against Rory’s skin.

“Fuck.” Rory shivered. He widened his stance and whimpered.

Daniel lost all control. Nothing else mattered, not the people in the club, the music or even the chance they could be interrupted. Fuck it all. His wolf wanted this man, and his human side was connected just as much. “Want to come?” His orgasm started in his belly and spiraled through his body. He tensed and swore his wolf tore at him. He trembled all over. “Come with me.”

Rory clawed at the wall. He turned his head enough to kiss Daniel. “Can’t hold back.”

Neither could he. He surged into Rory even harder and gave in to the orgasm. Everything in the world evaporated except being with Rory. The climax pushed him over the edge and held Rory to his body as he came. He muffled his growl against Rory’s neck. Holy fuck, he’d never felt like this before.

Rory tensed beneath Daniel and pushed back hard on Daniel’s cock. He bowed his head and shuddered. Cum spurted onto the wall. He panted and braced both hands on the cement blocks. “Jesus Christ.”

Good enough for him. He wished he could’ve formed a rational sentence as a response. His head swam and he brushed his mouth across Rory’s shoulder.

“Damn.” Rory slid one hand over Daniel’s and caressed his fingers. “That felt good.”

“It did.” He pressed a kiss to Rory’s neck, then pulled out. He removed the used condom and tossed it into the trash, then stuffed his cock behind his zipper and fastened his pants. He’d needed that release. “You’re a hot young man.”

Rory straightened and eased his dick back into his pants. “You’re a hot guy.” His eyes flashed. “Will I see you again?”

“I don’t know. You might.” Daniel kissed Rory. He couldn’t be sure they’d run into each other again. Hell, he wasn’t fond of clubbing and might not come back for a while. But he had sweet memories of Rory.

“No strings?” Rory tugged on Daniel’s necktie. “I like it. Come find me again. You’re a good fuck.”

“So are you.” At least they knew where they stood. He lingered another minute. Walking away so fast wasn’t smart. He’d used Rory, but Rory had used him, too. They’d gotten what they wanted—an orgasm.

Rory winked. “See you around, sexy.”

“You never know.” He righted his clothes, then left the alcove. He walked straight through the crowd to the door and left Rory in the midst of the noise and action. His car waited and it was time to go home. He wasn’t built for romance or a relationship. This was his future—one-night stands and hot guys at clubs.

He strode out to the car and settled on the backseat.

“Time to go home, boss?” Hanford asked.

“Let’s go home.” He’d find Rory. If Rory hung out at the club the way Daniel had been told, they’d see each other again.