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from his room after he pulled his jeans up over his hips. There was no use giving the guy more fuel. Armando loved to tease, and he had no qualms about Phoenix being his target. It was all in good fun, but Phoenix wasn’t feeling it today.
    “What is it, sweetheart?” Armando strolled in already dressed. Where was he going this early?
    “Matt asked me out to lunch. He wants to meet up at Della’s.” Safety first. Phoenix had to tell Armando where he was going, or Armando would kick his scrawny ass this side of Sunday for meeting a stranger and not letting him know where.
    “Let me know if you two go anywhere else. Until you get to know him, I want to know every move you make. Yes, that includes sex.” Armando winked.
    Phoenix threw the towel at Armando’s head. “You need to get some dick so you can stop drooling over my sex life. You are in the beginning stages of a becoming a perverted old man.”
    “Beginning? Honey, I’ve always been perverted. You know this. Go ahead and brag about you having a sex life. I can remember a squirt I know,”—Armando looked Phoenix right in his eyes—“who was in a dry spell himself until last night.”
    Phoenix hugged his roomie. “You’ll find Mr. Right. I know you will. You’re too big of a catch to stay single for long.”
    Armando became misty-eyed and slapped Phoenix’s shoulder. “Go on now. You have me all teary-eyed. I’ll have to go reapply my makeup now.” Armando turned to leave the room and then looked back at Phoenix. “Have fun but be careful.” He kissed Phoenix again then left him to get ready.
     
    * * * *
     
    Matt walked into the diner to see his mate sitting at a back booth. Damn, he looked like a lost angel. He crossed the floor with an impatient feeling to be with his mate. Matt pulled Phoenix from the booth as soon as he approached it and held him close in his arms. The urge to claim Phoenix was once again overwhelming. Matt had used their mating bond to visit Phoenix in his dream last night, but having the real deal was a thousand times better.
    Phoenix held firm to him. Matt knew the need to be near him was strong in Phoenix. He smiled as he ran his hands over Phoenix’s back as he wondered how much it had hurt his mate to be away from him. Matt didn’t want his mate to be in any pain or discomfort. But he knew that the bond would only grow stronger and Phoenix would soon go crazy if out of Matt’s sight.
    It was a hindrance when it came to working, but Matt hadn’t been able to stop himself from claiming Phoenix last night. His wolf had practically taken over and shoved Matt aside when he scented Phoenix in the club.
    “Hi,” Phoenix said shyly, and Matt’s instinctive need to protect his mate slammed into him hard. He had to fight to keep his wolf at bay. Grabbing Phoenix and running home wouldn’t be a wise move.
    “Hey, Phoenix. Did you order any food yet?” They seated themselves, Matt pulling Phoenix by his side instead of letting him sit on the opposite bench where he had been. He placed his mate between him and the wall, not wanting anyone near him. God, this mating thing was already kicking in full force, and Matt had only met the man last night. He wondered how bad it was going to get.
    “No. I was waiting on you.”
    Why was his mate acting so timid? Was it his natural nature? Matt liked it. It made him feel ten feet tall, strong and masterful. But it wasn’t the man he had met in the club. Phoenix had no inhibitions last night, leading the way and asserting himself. What had changed?
    “Then let’s eat.” Matt waved a waitress over. She took their order and brought back a carafe filled with coffee to set on the table for them.
    Matt put his left arm over the back of the booth behind Phoenix. He was being selfish with the man, cocooning him in for only his eyes, his pleasure. He never sat with his back to the door, but he wanted privacy. This would be their first time together without a room full of drunks or the