Page 24 of Embracing the Stalk

Doc Picker chuckled, wearing an amused look as he watched our interaction with interest. “I’ve had worse. Red, was it you making breakfast?”

Red nodded. “Omelets.”

“Why don’t you finish the omelets first? I’d love one too if there are enough eggs? Do you have any bell peppers?”

I was about to protest that one of the others could take over when I caught Doc giving me a pointed stare and I got it. He wanted Red to be focused on something else. I had the perfect distraction, but we couldn’t get down and dirty in the kitchen. I guess fun times would have to wait until later.

Is the bed finished?Red asked, sounding like he was looking for an escape route.

Five minutes and it’s done.

Of course Tim was listening in.Finish it off and we’ll help Red.

I scowled at his order and held Red even closer. Shouldn’t I be the one with my mate, especially when he melted against me like this? I never wanted to let him go, and it worsened when he got distressed.

Someone slapped me on the back. “Come on, Gordon. Let’s get this finished.”

Great, now my alpha was joining in.

Red reached to kiss me. “My brothers want some stalk time with me. I’ll make you breakfast. We can share an omelet before I talk to Doc.”

The forced gaiety in his voice meant I might argue with my pride, but not my mate.

If you need me, just call. I’ll be here in two shakes of a goat’s tail.

Yes, I know that’s not what the saying was, but I’m a goat in love with a rhubarb, so cut me some slack.

“How did I get so lucky?” he whispered against my lips.

“I’m the lucky one,” I assured him.

Ignoring everyone, I cupped the back of his head and pulled him in for a kiss, tangling our tongues together for a brief but thorough exploration of his tonsils. When I pulled back and licked my lips, I relished his taste, making sure he knew just how much I loved it.

It’s time my goat explores your rhubarb.

“Later,” he promised, giving my ass a pat.

I headed for the kitchen door, retrieving my pitchfork, aware of Red’s eyes on my butt. I may have added a sway of my hips just for his benefit. Did I care that someone snickered? Hell no. This was just for my mate. He loved my ass.

Tease.But he gave a sweet chuckle.

Ya know it.

I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face as I headed into the yard.

Maximus turned to me as we reached the newly turned soil. “It’s not easy, loving a stalk. But it’s worth it.”

As Maximus had spent the first half of their wooing running away from Tim, thereby subjecting the whole town to a frantic disco soundtrack until he gave in, I considered it a mature thing not to laugh in my alpha’s face.

Okay, I’m not mature.

The laughter came in big belly rumbles until he scowled at me, then I laughed harder still, head down, hands on my thighs, tears rolling down my cheeks.

“What’s so funny?” he groused with a touch of amusement he couldn’t hide.

“You hafta be joking. You ran away from Tim.”

“I didn’t know what to expect,” he snapped, all lion teeth. “I gave you and the others the chance to know what to expect!”

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