Page 21 of The Tech Guru's Heart

Ezra allowed his mind to spin with those thoughts as he hiked along.Enjoying the scenery, he made a mental list of questions.He didn’t want to lead Link on or anything, but he definitely wanted a chance to explore the big man’s sexy body.

And gods, the way his beard felt against my groin.So fucking fantastic.

Predictably, Ezra felt his dick begin to plump behind the fly of his cargo shorts.

Ugh, stop thinking about sex and Link.

That was harder said than done, though.For some reason, Link just pushedallof Ezra’s buttons.Even ones he hadn’t realized that he had.

Maybe that’s the mate-pull thing Link had mentioned.

To Ezra’s surprise, he found himself looking forward to his evening camp when Link said he would join him.

*

JUST AS THE SUN WASbeginning to sink behind the trees, creating long shadows and pockets of gloom around him, Ezra spotted a good spot to bed down for the evening.The space was flat and mostly clear, and he quickly cleaned up the few sticks and stones littering the area.He rolled out his sleeping bag and settled on it cross-legged.

Ezra placed his backpack on his lap and pulled out several soup packages.After deciding on the potato corn chowder, he hesitated, wondering if he should make a double batch so Link could have some.He hadn’t planned to consistently feed two people, and it would definitely eat into his stores.

Still, Ezra didn’t want to be rude by eating in front of him.

Setting aside two packages, Ezra put the rest away.He could at least give him the option.Ezra pulled out his small propane cookstove and set it up off to the right of his sleeping bag.After placing the small cook pot on the burner, he filled it with twelve ounces of water.He would add more if Link decided he wanted some.

As if conjured by his thoughts, Link appeared from between the trees...in human form.

Ezra felt a small measure of disappointment.He’d wanted to see Link’s big musk ox again.He wondered if he would be given the opportunity to pet the animal.

Would it be rude to ask?

Only one way to find out...but later.

“Hey, Ezra,” Link greeted softly, a hint of uncertainty in his tone.“How, uh...how are you doing?Have a good hike this afternoon?”

“Hey, Link.I did, thanks.”Feeling the strange desire to set Link a bit more at ease, Ezra patted the blanket beside him.“Take a load off.I’m making potato corn chowder.Want some?”

Link smiled as he eased his bulk onto the blanket, mirroring his position.Sitting cross-legged before Ezra, his thigh muscles bulged where they stuck out of his gym shorts.His shoulders bunched as he rested his forearms on his legs.

“No, thank you, Ezra,” Link replied, resting his satchel against his leg.“I don’t want to eat your food.I know you weren’t expecting me.”

Shrugging, Ezra pointed out, “There’s towns along the way.I can buy more.”It would cut into his timetable, but he could do it.It wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Shaking his head, Link told him, “I grazed quite a bit while walking, so I’m not really hungry.Plus, I brought a few things to supplement.”

“Grazed?”Ezra asked curiously.“What do you mean?”

Link pointed at his pot.“Your water’s boiling.”

“Oh.”Ezra quickly grabbed his package and opened it.“Thanks.”He poured the soup contents into the hot water, grabbed a spoon from the side pocket of his bag, and gave it a stir.“So, grazed?”

Nodding, Link told him, “As a musk ox, I can eat a lot of the vegetation around here.”He indicated the forest around them.“Grass, stalks, shoots, moss, flowers.That kind of thing.So I’ve been eating as I walk.”Reaching into his bag, Link pulled out a pouch of jerky and opened it.“And for a boost of protein.”He took a piece before holding it out, giving him a hopeful smile.“Want some?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Ezra took the bag and snagged a piece, then handed it back.From the pleased expression on Link’s face, he knew he’d made the right choice.He tore off a piece of the succulent jerky and chewed the surprisingly tender meat.

“Good,” Ezra murmured as he watched Link eat his own piece.Needing to move past the awkward silence, he searched his brain for something to say.He’d made a mental list of questions as he’d hiked, but suddenly, his mind was coming up blank.Finally, Ezra blurted out, “So, mating’s done through sex, and that’s how a shifter bonds with their other half, and that’s like marriage.Right?”

Ezra shoved another bite of jerky into his mouth to stop himself from continuing to ramble.At the same time, he fought down a blush.While he wanted confirmation, he couldn’t believe he’d just blurted it all out like that.

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