Page 52 of Abundant Moon
“I’m toying with several options, but haven’t decided. Don’t worry – I’ll keep you in the loop when I make a final decision.”
When the call ended, Ash lifted Robert into his lap, breathing in the scent of discouragement. His mate was accustomed to supporting himself by doing something heenjoyed. Now, with the final ties to his carefully ordered world severed, he felt adrift and uncertain. Ben tried to help several weeks ago by showing Robert a number of possible business opportunities in Gladstone, though none were a good fit. Ash decided to share the idea he’d come up with, allowing Robert to use his skills while working from home.
“I thought maybe you should write a book about your career. Throw in the lessons you’ve learned and maybe some favorite recipes, too. Even restaurant owners want to know how to improve and keep customers coming back for more. Give it a catchy title, and who knows where it might lead?”
Robert sat up straighter, the wheels in his head turning furiously. The idea intrigued him, and he’d always found the writing part of his career the most fulfilling. He had, in fact, considered authoring a book of some sort in the future. Maybe now was the time. He leaned in to give his wonderful mate a fiery kiss of thanks, pulling back before they both lost control. A growly Ash, all worked up and horny, settled back down reluctantly to hear what Robert needed to say.
“I like it! I have all kinds of stories and the photos to go with them. Making it interesting to both the average diner and restaurant owner might be a challenge, though. This will take some serious thinking.”
Ash smiled, pleased his idea seemed worthy of consideration. He began unbuttoning Robert’s shirt.
“Did you know Zane’s mate, Trisha, is a freelance editor? I’ll bet she’d help polish the manuscript or maybe put you in touch with interested publishers.”
Robert’s growing excitement and arousal were tempered by the reality of their finances. Even so, he began fingering Ash’s mating scar.
“It could be months or longer before I received any income – if at all. I can’t expect you to pay all the bills while I...”
Ash silenced him with a soft kiss, hands roaming over his now-naked chest.
“We can easily live on my salary alone if we stay in the apartment and put off the house for a while. I want you to succeed, and you can have all the time you need to find a new career - or just stay home and be my sex slave. Your choice.”
“I’m yours anyway. Get your clothes off.”
Robert stood to strip, urging Ash to hurry, and grabbed the lube they’d stashed in the ottoman. He slicked up his cock while Ash watched with glowing eyes, panting heavily. In a heartbeat, Robert pinned his mate up against the wall with a loud whump. He reached down to ensnare both their dicks and began to stroke in tandem. Ash moaned, leaning in to nibble at Robert’s mating scar. The man responded with a lusty growl and a new demand.
“Turn around and bend over.”
Ash obeyed, loving it when Robert got all bossy on him. Two lubed fingers worked their way inside, stroking and stretching before the swollen crown of his mate’s cock followed suit. Ash felt the burn until Robert reached around to pinch his nipples. The extra stimulation turned discomfort into need, prompting Ash to cry out.
“More, Robbie. Faster! GIVE IT TO ME!”
Robert poured on the power with relentless strokes, shoving Ash’s junk against the plasterboard with each thrust. Seconds later his fangs dropped and he sank them into Ash’s mating scar, claiming his man all over again. No longer in control of his responses, Ash painted the wall in front of him with fragrant cum as reedy screams rent the air. When his knees gave out, Robert caught him - holding tight while he licked the quickly-healing wound. When Robert stopped trembling from his own intense orgasm, he led Ash to bedroom.
Laying him on his side, Robert scooted in behind, easily entering his loose and slippery ass once more. This time, he chose a slow, steady rhythm – allowing the orgasm to build slowly. Meanwhile, he sprinkled Ash’s neck and ear with wet kisses; reaching around to stroke his mate with feather light touches. Shifters were blessed with a short refractory time and increased endurance, enabling the pair to get each other off repeatedly without waiting. Robert took advantage of it, exhausting themselves to sleep.
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IT WAS NEARLY MIDDAYwhen they awoke. First came a make out session, followed by mutual blowjobs in the shower. Driven by hunger, the pair put off more sex until they could refuel – making it to the packhouse just before the lunch hour ended. They served pizza today, heavy on the meat, and cake for dessert. Robert insisted on lingering over the triple decker concoction, built with layers of lemon filling between slabs of yellow cake, and topped with lemon zest cream cheese frosting. Ash almost creamed his pants simply watching his mate eat the thing, and they ordered a couple pieces to go for later.
Having been cooped up inside all day, Robert’s wolf decided to go for a run, shifting before they even made it back to the apartment. Ash didn’t miss a beat, taking the dessert and Robert’s clothing inside before shifting himself. He always enjoyed exploring packlands in wolf form – pleasure now doubled with Robert by his side. The arrival of spring, and subsequent lack of snow cover, meant his mate’s curiosity inevitably led to every fallen tree, pile of scat, and swollen stream along the way to one of Ash’s favorite spots. Some fifteen miles from the central compound, on the southernmost tip of the peninsula, lay the remains of an old lighthouse.
It sat on a slender finger of land extending down into Lake Michigan, reduced now to little more than a weedy pile of rubble by the ravages of time, storms, and treasure seekers. It did, however, provide an excellent panorama of the lake and enough cover to remain hidden from view. Ash found the sunshine and scent of water an invigorating change from the surrounding forest land - saturated with life and nearly overwhelming to lupine senses. Robert’s wolf seemed to agree as they sat together, watching passing watercraft and feeling the stiff breeze ruffle their fur.
They’d been together now for over two months, and while Robert’s wolf grew used to cooperating with his human, he still made demands from time to time. Wisely, Robert did not fight him, giving him as much time as he needed to run free. This, along with missing his mate, were the primary reasons he could no longer travel for employment. Given what he’d done to the poor wolf, it seemed like fair exchange.
Ash made a habit of checking with his mate before they left the house in case Robert’s wolf was in one of his moods. It wouldn’t do to shift in public or in the car, for instance, though Ash kept clothing and shoes in the back of both vehicles. Robert’s little sports car had already fallen victim to his new life in the U.P., having been exchanged for a more practical vehicle. He now owned a sturdy four wheel drive jeep, like Donna’s, only bright fire-engine red instead of dark blue.
More often than not, the mated pair spent a portion of each day in wolf form; hunting, running, or even curled up together on the couch at home. It wasn’t unusual to see them around the central compound in mixed forms – something their packmates now took in stride. Robert would have to be extra cautious with all the construction starting next week; maybe taking some of the pressure off his wolf by offering him a short mid-day run where he wouldn’t be spotted by human eyes.
When it came time to return home, they broke up the usual pace with shorter bursts of speed, covering the fifteen mile distance in about two and a half hours. Nearing the compound, they crossed a narrow portion of Black George Creek. On the opposite bank, they stumbled across two of their naked packmates getting busy under a large, leafless red maple. Nolan hung upside down, legs curled over a low hanging branch, while Garrett remained standing. Perhaps the most inventive position for a sixty-nine either of them had ever seen.
Chuffing in amusement as they passed, it got the juices flowing again, and they poured on the speed. Their pheromone-drenched arrival did not pass unnoticed by those outside at the time, announcing why they were in such a hurry. Undeterred by catcalls and laughter, including from an amused Donna and Lou, they wove their way around people and obstacles to reach the apartment door panting with effort and lust. Ahh, spring was surely in the air!
