Page 145 of As The Shifter World Turns

“Okay.” I wasn’t so sure but wished Martin and Toby had hung around a while longer.

His hands went to my zipper. “I needed an excuse to see you and I’m perfectly happy where I’m living. Much as I love this apartment, I’m not interested in being your tenant.”

“Right.” I choked out the word. This alpha was full of surprises. With the zipper undone, he put his hand in and stroked my dick. I gulped in a mouthful of oxygen and he paused his hand. “But if you want me to stop, I will.”

“Don’t,” I panted.

He peered over his shoulder. “Though I expected there to be some furniture in here. I guess the carpet will have to do.” He dropped to his knees and pulled my cock out. Licking down one side of the shaft, he looked up at me. “Mmmm.” He lapped along the other side.

“Wait.” If I was getting a blow job, and it appeared I was, I wanted my pants out of the way.” I undid them and they puddled at my feet and I kicked them away before yanking my briefs down. My hands were trembling and I almost tripped as I stepped out of my underwear.

“No need to be in such a hurry,” Nate murmured as he licked the tip of my dick. “We have time.”

Trying to control my breathing and my racing pulse, I took in deep breaths. The last thing I wanted to do was come too fast.

And then Nate swallowed my cock, and I whimpered, “Yes, just like that.”

58

RAIN, RAIN, GO A—FINE YOU CAN STAY

Ryder

After seeing the baby, we kissed. It was no big deal. Just all the feels from knowing that our baby was healthy. That’s why he hadn’t mentioned it again. Not because he regretted it. Nope. Of course not that.

I’d been telling myself this same stream of logic for the past three days and each time I was left wondering what I’d done wrong. The kiss was sweet. And we said we loved each other. That should mean all was right in the world. But if that was the case, why were we ignoring it?

We were also avoiding the K word and that was a complete shit storm. Kellan leaving should’ve made everything better. Or maybe not should've, but I wanted it to. I wanted to move past all of that.

Did I own all the blame on that crap? Not really. Ivor was irrational when it came to him too. We both let him drive a wedge between us and now that he was gone, it would be up to both of us to remove that barrier.

I drove to get Ivor from work, my stag adoring that our mate was allowing us to do this for him. I used to try to argue with my beast about claiming him as ours, but he was determined and I agreed with him. If only it were that simple.

He was waiting outside as I arrived. I’d have gladly gone in to get him, but he always stood there ready to jump in citing that I wouldn’t have to figure out parking. And while parking was always a pain in the butt, I’d have gladly done it for him, especially on days when it was drizzling like today.

“Thanks for coming to get me,” he said as he climbed in, just like he did every time. “You know there’s a bus.”

“And I have a car.” In this way we were like an old married couple. So predictable. “I need to grab something to eat. I’m starving.”

I was lying. I wasn’t that hungry. But he’d only brought crackers for lunch as much as I tried to give him a sandwich, and he had to be famished.

If Archer and Micah had been right as they regaled Ivor with advice about morning sickness on the roof one night, he needed more protein, and crackers were very much not that.

“Okay.” He buckled in. “Where are we going?”

That was a good sign.

“Wasn’t sure yet. I was thinking drive thru because it’s fast, but maybe a sandwich place?”

“Or Mediterranean?” My heart skipped a beat at him adding in his desires like that. It was a baby step, but a step.

“Yes! A gyro sounds about right.” I knew the perfect place too.

“I was thinking chicken shawarma.” And now I really was hungry.

We drove to the little place not far from home and opted to eat in. There was a slight date vibe to it and I loved it. We ate our fill, brought home some salads and hummus for the fridge, and pulled up to the manor just as the skies opened up.

“It’s raining.” He let out a sigh. “At least we’re home so we have towels to dry off.”

---