Page 119 of Forbidden Moon
Raucous laughter erupted as Evan blushed and William kissed Jack’s grinning face. Ben raised his hand to quiet them so he could finish.
“Forgive me for keeping this short, but I don’t have the strength to speak with each of you. We will be holding a memorial service here in two weeks, and I hope you will join us in remembering the families who have lost a loved one. What we did here today means our people, wherever they are, can go on living peacefully in secret. I am proud of you all.”
Evan and Douglas Blair helped Ben stand as people waved and clapped until they disappeared through the connecting door. Conversation slowly returned, the crowd pleased with Ben’s words and presence. The stifling uncertainty of the last few weeks finally began to loosen its vise-like grip, and people gladly embraced their freedom.
####
MEANWHILE...
With both he and Jonah returning to work tomorrow morning, RJ made good on his promise to move in with his mate. They pulled up to the house, backing in the truck for easier loading. Though perfectly content to do the job by himself, Jonah insisted on helping, and RJ didn’t have the heart to tell him no. Besides, he didn’t want to spend any more time away from his mate than necessary.
He’d lived here less than a month and never unpacked most of his things. It took little time to collect clothing, toiletries, foodstuffs, and a few scattered personal items. With the truck loaded, they set about cleaning the place from top to bottom. The only thing left to do was gather the trash and wash up some bedding and towels. He could bring those back when he returned to mow the lawn one more time. RJ’s ringing phone stopped them as they were about to leave. It happened to be the one person he needed to speak to anyway.
“Hello, Carol Jo. I was going to call you later.”
“Mr. Wilson! So good to hear your voice. Forgive me for disturbing you on the weekend, but I have some distressing news. The homeowners have decided to sell the house and have asked me to put it on the market. You’re welcome to stay month to month until the new owner takes possession, or I can look for something else. I realize this is most inconvenient, and I do apologize for the short notice.”
Jonah’s excellent hearing heard every word, and both brows shot up in surprise.
“As it happens, I’m moving in with my partner and needed to let you know I would be vacating the premises. The house is already clean, and I’ll contact you later in the week to return the keys.”
“My goodness! This is serendipitous, isn’t it? I certainly wish you the best in your new relationship. Be sure to keep me in mind if the two of you are ever in the market for a home. May I ask who captured your heart?”
Both men rolled their eyes but didn’t see any reason to keep the information a secret.
“I believe you already know Jonah Blair?”
An unprofessional squeal of delight erupted through the speaker, and RJ winced.
“How wonderful! Such a sweet, handsome man too. What a lovely couple you’ll make! I’m so happy for you, truly. Tell Mr. Blair I will be stopping by the LRC office soon to congratulate him in person. Please give me a call when you’re ready to return the keys, and I’ll make arrangements.”
RJ ended the call, and they both broke out laughing. Jonah gave him a strange look.
“I hope you realize everybody—and I meaneverybody—will know about us in no time. Carol Jo means well, but news like this will travel fast. She’s been eager to marry me off for the last two years!”
RJ swooped in for a growly, possessive kiss.
“I don’t care if she tells the whole world. You are MINE, and I’m never going to let you go.”
Jonah’s eyes glowed amber as he pushed RJ up against the front door, hard cocks bumping through the denim of their jeans. A cloud of pheromones surrounded them as Jonah claimed his mate’s mouth in forceful, wet kisses, leaving them both panting.
“If we hadn’t just changed the sheets in there, I’d have you naked and horizontal so fast you’d have whiplash. Take me home, Rascal, and make me yours.”
Hard and horny, it was touch and go for a minute before they stumbled out of the house and headed back to packlands.
####
AS SOON AS RJ PULLEDinto the lot and parked, their plans for a fast and furious coupling suffered a quick death. Connor and Avary, Jonah’s older brothers, came out to help with the boxes and deliver a message—the family needed to leave for home soon and wanted some one-on-one time with RJ. Suffering blue balls wasn’t any fun, but they couldn’t say no.
With all the commotion and worry over Ben earlier in the day, there hadn’t been time to give the family's newest member a proper greeting. While RJ took it in stride, Jonah became nervous. Human mates were unknown, and he wasn’t sure how the family would treat him. No one would be allowed to disrespect his mate, including his father. He needn’t have worried.
Anita and Douglas met them in the entryway with hugs and congratulations, followed by more of the same from everyone else. Eventually, the whole circus ended up in the dining room for a late dessert. Jonah noticed Ben and Evan were missing.
“Is Ben awake? Is he all right?”
His sister, Meredith, answered.
“He made a brief appearance at supper, and then Evan laid down with him to rest. Donna says he won’t do much except eat and sleep for a couple of days to regain his strength. It scared us when Nolan called, and Dad decided we all needed to be here. I’m glad we came.”
