Chapter Sixteen

"Oh god."

Callum's studio was a mess. Every article of clothing he owned littered the floor and he was still only in his underwear, the tips of his hair still damp from his shower. Mason was due to arrive in less than five minutes.

"What the hell am I doing?" Callum pulled at his hair. He wasn't sure what he was questioning exactly. It could have been how he was behaving like a stereotypical preteen going on her first date, why he was so anxious, or even why he had even asked Mason out on this not-date that, if he was being honest with himself, was a date-date.

His phone beeped.

Mason: I'm out front.

Callum scrambled to put on the first set of clothes he got his hands on. He grabbed his wallet, keys, and phone before running out of his apartment. He got to the elevator before he realized he forgot to put on shoes, ran back to slip on his Converse, and then ditched the elevator to take the stairs.

After losing his footing too many times to count and nearly going down the stairs like a fallen barrel, Callum did his best to walk out of the building with a calm disposition.

Mason was parked right at the curb, arm resting in the window frame. He spotted Callum and waved.

"Uh, hey," Callum waved back, going around to slip into the passenger seat.

"You look great," Mason said, letting his eyes roam over Callum before flicking up to his eyes. Callum looked down to see what he had put on and was grateful for his aversion to colorful clothes. You could never go wrong with loose, dark jeans and a grey shirt.

"Thanks, um, you too," Callum replied. He took in Mason's appearance and couldn't help but let his eyes linger. Even though he was dressed similarly, there was a level of class and power that Callum didn't have. Mason's jeans were tighter on him, creating a skin of denim that hugged his muscular legs sinfully. His shirt was a V-neck, Callum personal favorite type because he could see a teasing hint of chest and collar bones, with the half sleeves rolled up a bit. Callum even caught a whiff of a faint woodsy cologne.

"You want to pick up snacks or something on the way?" Mason asked as he rolled his window up and pulled onto the road.

Callum shrugged, "Drinks and popcorn?"

"Then we'll make a quick stop. Grab whatever you want." Mason stopped at a mini 24 hour convenience store and the two got out. Mason went to grab drinks and Callum looked for snacks. When they met back at the register, Mason had a six pack of beer and Callum had popcorn and two packets of Sour Punch, one apple flavored and the other blue raspberry.

"Which one's mine?" Mason asked as the cashier rung them up while repeatedly glancing at him. Mason completely ignored the girl's attention, standing far closer than normal to Callum.

"Who said any of them were?" Callum retorted, shifting away so his thigh wasn't brushing against Mason's.

Mason pouted playfully as he pulled his wallet out to pay, "That's just mean, love."

Callum didn't say anything and simply grabbed the plastic bag, waiting for Mason to finish up before leaving the store and settling back in the car. With his nerves practically shot, Callum didn't pay much attention to his surroundings until he soon found himself sitting in Mason's living room, drinks and candy on the coffee table while Mason popped the popcorn.

Mason came back into the living room and Callum's nerves settled somewhat with the scent of hot popcorn. Mason handed the bowl to Callum while he set up the TV and quickly went through paying for the TV show to stream on the large display.

"Ready?" Mason asked as he settled on the couch next to Callum. Callum had set the bowl between their bodies. It wasn't much of a gap, but it was still a buffer.

"Yeah," Callum nodded, grabbing a beer and popping it open. He tucked his legs up under him and did his best to relax against the couch. Mason selected the first episode and it didn't take long for Callum to get sucked into the humorous show.

—

"That was fantastic!" Callum beamed, all nervousness forgotten during the course of the marathon. Each episode was full of bad humor and catchy musical numbers.

"Not the usual thing I watch, but it was pretty great. I hope they make a second season soon," Mason agreed.

Callum turned to look at the shifter and was startled by their proximity. The popcorn bowl had been moved to the table when it filled only with unpopped kernels and buttery oils, so without the flimsy barrier the two had migrated closer together, almost flush up against the other's side. Mason's arm had been thrown across the back of the couch and Callum realized that the back of his neck had been resting against it for lord knew how long.

"Uh, yeah," Callum looked away, hands going to the bottom of his shirt to twist the fabric as he shifted to put his feet back on the floor. He winced as the movement of his legs made them prickle as his previously compressed nerves were finally able to connect to his brain again.

"You okay?" Mason asked, nothing but concern in his voice.

Callum leaned over to massage his right leg, beginning at the calf, as he replied, "Yeah, my legs fell asleep, that's all. Pins and needles suck."

"I could help if you like."

Callum, unsure how to respond, simply made a humming noise that was neither negative nor affirmative.

Seconds later, Callum quickly found himself lying back against the armrest, his legs in Mason's lap.

"Wait, what?" Callum tried to sit up, but Mason had a firm grasp on his prickling leg, fingers making circular motions into the skin through his jeans.

Mason grinned at him, "Helping with the pain."

Callum blinked, "How did you move so fast?!"

Mason simply smirked wickedly and carried on with trading Callum's pain for soothing comfort with a touch of pleasure.

Callum sagged into the couch as the prickling fled and focused on Mason's hands on his leg with closed eyes. Even with the barrier of his jeans, the touch seemed to link directly to his nervous system, which in turn ignited a fountain of heat in his lower abdomen. He had to bite his lip and clench his jaw to avoid making any embarrassing noises.

Mason moved onto his other leg and the feelings seemed to only grow. The prickling had long since faded away but Callum was reluctant to tell Mason to stop. When Mason's hands halted, Callum's eyes opened in question. All the air in his lungs was sucked right out when he caught Mason's heated gaze. There was no doubt about Mason's state of mind. His skin was flushed, breathing heavy, and when Callum took the time to focus on his surroundings, the musky, heady scent of arousal was thick in the air. And it wasn't only Mason.

Callum swallowed and released his lip, his tongue going over the abused flesh even though most of the moisture in his mouth seemed to have evaporated.

Mason let go of his leg and Callum shifted so he was sitting up. He was all too aware of the bulge in Mason's pants as well as the one in his own. Mason's eyes were drawn to Callum's crotch when the halfie tried to inconspicuously lay his hands in his lap.

"Um…" Callum didn't know where to look. Mason's crotch was a horrible idea but his eyes didn't seem able to move. In fact, it seemed as if his entire body were paralyzed.

Mason, however, didn't seem to have any problems with mobility. He slowly shifted towards Callum, leaning forward until he had one hand braced against the back of the couch and the other was hovering near Callum's cheek.

Callum finally managed to move his gaze and they slid up to Mason's face, specifically, his lips. They were so inviting. So close. So warm.

Not really knowing when, how, or even who moved, Callum was in Mason's lap, hands gripping the shifter's shirt and hair while his tongue curled in Mason's mouth. Mason's hands were at Callum's jaw and hip, firm yet with a gentle possessiveness that only made Callum press against the wolf more.

"Callum," Mason mumbled, pulling a bit away. Callum followed the movement but Mason avoided the halfie's lips by trailing his own down Callum's neck. "If you don't leave, I won't be able to stop," Mason said into Callum's skin, his breath hot and heavy.

"Don't," Callum replied, the hushed word leaving his lips before he could think.

Mason removed his lips from Callum's skin and looked directly at the deliberating man.

"Don't what?" he asked carefully.

Callum bit his lip. He knew that this was an important decision. He knew that there was no going back. He knew that coming over would likely not end platonically. But he also knew that he couldn't deny his attraction to the wolf any longer. He found Mason attractive, beyond attractive, and that too in a way that went far beyond skin deep. He had to admit that he did like the shifter, for all his annoying qualities, that he made Callum that feel odd, heady mixture of nervous and excited. And he just really wanted to keep kissing Mason and be allowed to explore the shifter's body.

"Don't…" Callum whispered, "don't stop," before leaning forward and regaining possession of Mason's slightly parted lips.

It took a second, but Mason quickly responded and the two were soon stumbling and tripping over their feet between kisses to get to Mason's bedroom.

Callum was pulled onto the bed, back in Mason's lap with their chests and groins flush against each other, hips rolling in a quest for friction. Mason's hands slid up and down Callum's sides while Callum's were firmly threaded in Mason's dark brown locks. Mason had taken over the kiss, thrusting his tongue in and out of Callum's mouth, imitating a course of action they would be soon be in the middle of. His tongue stroked and caressed every inch of Callum's warm and wet mouth, drawing sounds of pleasure from the halfie's throat; groans, moans, whimpers, and even the occasional purring.

Callum's mind was lost in a haze of lust and affection. He was so hot. His skin was burning in a fever of desire, his blood boiling, simmering under his flushed skin. He ached.

Mason's hands finally stopped at the end of Callum's shirt and it took seconds for them to break away temporarily and divest Callum of the clothing article. With a new fervor, Mason's hands roved over Callum's bare skin, eliciting a long, drawn out moan from both men, though Callum was understandably louder. The wolf's hands were big and rough and warm and sent red-hot spikes of pleasure straight to the halfie's groin.

"Oh god," Callum groaned, rocking his hips harder against Mason. He gripped the bottom of Mason's shirt and pulled it over his head, mouth latching onto the other man's collarbone as his hands did their own exploring over the vast plains of Mason's chest. He curled some of Mason's chest hair around his finger then tugged lightly, loving Mason's reaction.

Mason growled, more animal than human, and Callum quickly found himself on his back, Mason holding himself above on his elbows.

They were panting, warm breaths mingling as they stared at each other, gazes locked with no sign of breaking. Callum stared right into Mason's dark eyes. The pupils were blown wide; swallowing his irises so only the barest hint of that darkened ocean blue was visible. Callum was sure his own green eyes were in a similar state.

"Fuck, I love you," Mason whispered, as if afraid that speaking too loudly would destroy the spell they were under.

Callum blushed harder. He leaned up to gently place his lips against Mason's in response. It wasn't a clear answer, or really an answer at all, but it was something, even if Callum didn't know what that something was.

Mason returned the chaste peck but they quickly grew hungry and the sucking, nibbling, biting, and licking started up again with no shortage of passion.

Callum let his hands slide down Mason's chest until his fingers came to the waistband of the other man's jeans. They definitely needed to come off.

Callum made quick work of the button and zipper, hurriedly tugging Mason's jeans down his thighs before Mason wriggled them off the rest of the way himself. The pair was carelessly tossed off the bed, landing unnoticed on the floor.

Callum's mouth watered at the sight of Mason in just his boxers, specifically the tenting at his crotch.

Mason smirked, "Like what you see, love?"

Callum nodded, adding coyly as he licked his lips, "But I think I'd like a closer look."

Mason was momentarily taken aback. Callum was well aware of the fact that he behaved like a completely different person during sex – his confidence skyrocketed. It often left people quite disorientated. The halfie took the opportunity to get up and push Mason onto his back, his head hitting the pillows. Callum fitted himself in between Mason's legs and began kissing and sucking at Mason's neck. He was careful to avoid piercing the skin, even though his fangs were throbbing to be dug in and his tongue longed for that unique taste of Mason's blood that was still quite fresh in his mind.

Mason groaned, urging Callum to continue, and he did. Callum kissed down to Mason's collarbone, biting a little harder and grinning when Mason arched his back and moaned Callum's name.

Encouraged, Callum continued his exploration down Mason's sternum, deviating to the left to press a feather soft kiss to Mason's nipple. He pecked around the area for a bit before licking a stripe up, then grazing his teeth down. Mason reacted nicely to the ministrations so Callum latched onto the pebbled nub, gently biting down, adding more and more pressure until it was almost painful before soothing the area with his tongue. Then he kissed along Mason's chest to the right, giving his neglected nipple the same treatment.

"Fuck, Cal, you're killing me," Mason gasped.

Callum detached his lips from Mason's body and grinned, "I haven't even done anything yet, Mase."

Mason raised a disbelieving brow, clearly having no idea of what Callum was capable of.

Callum chuckled and resumed showering Mason's torso with kisses, slowly working his way down to his navel, sticking his tongue in the cavern briefly before following the man's treasure trail until he was teasing the waistband of Mason's boxers. There was a rather impressive bulge trying to fight through the fabric but Callum was biding his time.

Callum grinned when Mason made impatient groans as he let his teeth graze the sensitive skin.

"Cal," Mason whined, almost whimpering like a tormented wolf.

"Fine," Callum said before shocking Mason by mouthing at the shifter's arousal through the cotton of his boxers.

They were already slightly wet from Mason's excitement and Callum's licking and sucking made them mold themselves to Mason's body. When Callum felt that he had tortured Mason enough, he backed off and made quick work of the restricting boxers, letting them join their other discarded clothing.

Callum stared down at Mason's erection. It was proportional to his body, standing straight up and blushing with need, tip coated with translucent pre-cum.

Mason was watching him with hooded eyes and Callum met his gaze. He slowly lowered his head until his lips were just barely brushing the tip of Mason's cock. His breath fell on the member and Mason was panting, anticipation and desire flooring him.

Being sure to keep steady eye contact, Callum gently kissed the tip of Mason. He pressed more kisses down and around him before he followed the same path with his tongue, being sure to press down on Mason's slit with his flattened tongue. He licked down Mason's shaft then pressed kisses to each of his balls before taking one into his mouth and then the other before returning to Mason's cock.

Mason had long since screwed his eyes shut, overtaken by his senses and Callum was enjoying himself immensely by simply watching Mason's face, taking note of every little indication of his pleasure. Callum himself was aching, his desire pushing against the confines of his jeans, but he could hold off for a bit longer. He was intent on pleasing Mason. He was always rather participative in the bedroom and often put his partner's needs before his own. He liked knowing he pleased his partner, and of course, he expected the favor to be returned in full.

Pressing one last kiss to Mason's tip, Callum wet his lips before parting them and slowly clamped them around Mason. Slowly, torturously slowly, he took more and more of Mason into his mouth, until he had Mason's pulsing heat completely.

Mason's eyes had snapped open when he felt himself encased in Callum's mouth and the sight of Callum between his legs, pink lips around him with green eyes staring, nearly had him come completely undone.

Callum let his eyes shut as he focused solely on bringing Mason as much pleasure as he possibly could with his mouth and tongue. He hollowed out his cheeks and sucked and swallowed and bobbed his head, relaxing his throat so he wouldn't gag and hurt himself. While his mouth and tongue worked, his hands went to Mason's balls, cupping and massaging them so they weren't neglected.

Mason's hands threaded themselves into Callum's hair and he gently thrust his hips, going deeper down Callum's throat. He was restraining himself and Callum was thankful for that. Mason was much stronger than him and Callum had his limits.

When Callum started humming, the vibrations of his throat made Mason push Callum away. Slightly stunned, Callum backed off and when he raised a brow at Mason in question, Mason blushed and looked away, "I was going to come."

Callum chuckled, "Then we best get on with it, huh? All this foreplay's really got me riled up." He put his hands on his hips, directing Mason's gaze to his own hard-on that was still trapped and suffocating.

Mason stared at Callum's crotch with unadulterated lust and Callum couldn't help but tease the wolf. He slowly slid his hands down his thighs then back up at an angle going towards his crotch. His left hand slid up his chest towards a nipple to tweak while he trailed the index finger of his right hand lightly over his bulge. Up and down and up and down and up and down his finger went, teasing himself but also Mason who was enraptured.

"Callum," Mason said, voice rough with arousal. "If those don't go right now you will lose those jeans forever."

Callum laughed but heeded Mason's warning, although he was still in the mood to tease. He hopped off the bed, standing at the foot of it and unbuttoned his jeans before slowly pulling down the fly, revealing the red of his boxer briefs that was stretched tight over his straining erection. He bit his bottom lip, the nerves finally catching up to him, as he watched Mason stare at him as he slowly pushed his jeans down his hips, revealing, inch by inch, his lower body until his jeans were finally pooled at his ankles.