Page 67 of Bear Creek Father's Day
Monday morning, May 5th
Zak picked up his half-naked mate and parked his gorgeous ass on the kitchen countertop.
“Stay right there, Orrin, while I cook breakfast. It’s safer if you watch from there, and then I can sit on your lap while we eat. Deal?”
Orrin growled in frustration, but nodded his agreement. Their new bond’s strength made it more difficult for him to be anywhere but in Zak’s pocket. Neither he nor his bear were happy when they weren’t touching or holding their mate, and being out of sight caused a great deal of stress. The insecurity and intensity would begin to fade soon, but honestly, Zak didn’t mind. Their bonding week was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and if Orrin needed to be his second skin for a few days, Zak welcomed it.
It wasn’t as if Orrin were the only one enjoying himself, and who would want to deny their mate anything within their power to provide? Besides, it made Zak feel loved and essential to have a kind, sweet, sexy shifter desire him like his last drink of water. He’d never abuse their connection or hurt his beloved, but it was difficult not to feel inferior to Orrin in many ways. A lifetime of cutting remarks and societal rejection could do that to a person, though Orrin had never—not once—made Zak feel like he was somehow…less.
By the time Zak finished cooking up their breakfast, Orrin was huffing quietly from his perch on the counter, shaking with the need to touch his mate again. Zak quickened his movements, transferring things to the table so they wouldn’t have to break contact later. Once he’d grabbed the carafe of coffee and a loaf of warmed sweet bread, it was time to eat, and he scooped Orrin off the counter and into his arms. The man melted against him, snuffling at his neck and purring to beat the band. It took some patient persuasion to get Orrin into a chair, only to be pulled onto a cushion in his lap and kissed silly.
Orrin couldn’t decide which he wanted more—Zak’s mouth or the food—so he took turns enjoying both. Feeding one another had become a habit since their first post-mating snack late Friday night. Crumbs that fell in intimate places were chased after with nose or tongue, always resulting in an orgasm or two. Actually, they had enjoyed sex in nearly every corner of the house, spending most of their time in shorts or boxers—garments easily discarded when duty called.
Though Zak’s mating marks were healing, the deep scratches were still tender, making him uncomfortable if he sat for too long. Orrin sensed his pain and adjusted the cushion so Zak was resting on the other butt cheek for a while, all while murmuring‘mine’, ‘my mate’ over and over. Once they’d demolished the food, Orrin noticed that Zak was thinking about something he’d failed to mention out loud.
“What’s on your mind, love?”
Zak gave him another smooch.
“I just remembered that it’s my birthday today.”
Orrin looked perplexed and a little sad.
“It is? What day is it, anyway?”
“The fifth of May.”
Orrin gave him an owl-eyed stare.
“What? But May fifth ismybirthday! How old are you?”
Somehow, Zak knew where this was going.
“I turn twenty-eight today. How old are you?”
Orrin threw back his head and laughed.
“The same! I can’t believe we never talked about this before. What were the chances of being born on the same day and year? Well, a very happy birthday to you, beloved, and I’m sorry I didn’t get you a present.”
Zak prepared to say something that would probably sound cheesy, but he really meant it.
“Ah, but you did. You gave me your heart, and it’s the best gift I’ll ever get.”
Orrin purred his way through a multitude of kisses until they finally came up for air and he thought of something.
“We have a small cake in the freezer. Remind me to get it out, and we’ll have it for lunch. I even have some candles we can blow out.”
Zak’s playful grin appeared, and he slipped off Orrin’s lap to kneel before his mate while tugging down the man’s shorts.
“Sounds good. Meanwhile, there’s something else I want to blow.”
Chapter 30
Friday May 9th, Bear Creek Courthouse
Following an exchange of simple vows, the smiling clerk efficiently guided Orrin and Zak through the legal forms and signature requirements for their no fuss wedding. Once the initial bond had tapered off, they were able to leave the house for a short time and take care of this final step before life got in the way. The other reason for dealing with it swiftly was to get Orrin’s last name changed so they could submit Kip and Rayn’s adoption paperwork. That way, as he’d explained, “we’re all in the Hall together.”
Nearby, DeeDee Tillman and Dash Hawthorn waited their turn to sign as witnesses, as well as offering the couple friendship and moral support. Zak wanted DeeDee there because she’d been the one who brought him to Bear Creek (and Orrin) in the first place. Orrin asked Dash to be his witness because it was his generosity that had provided him a home and the chance to spread his wings.
