Page 15 of Mane Full Of Stripes
“More like are you ready?”
No, Jost wasn’t ready at all.
Chapter Eight
Wincing,Apollogingerlyrolledonto his knees and looked up at Jost, who was desperately attempting not to laugh. They’d been on the ice for a grand total of five minutes, and Apollo felt certain he’d spent over four minutes of them on his ass instead of on the skates.
“You really aren’t very good.”
“Nope, but it’s fun.”
Jost giggled, then bit his bottom lip. He held a hand out and helped Apollo stand, then braced when Apollo almost fell again. “Take my hand and I’ll guide you.”
Apollo grunted. “More like you’ll be holding me up.”
Jost carefully moved his arm around Apollo’s waist and Apollo kept his smile to himself. It felt nice having Jost’s arm around him, even if it was keeping him on his skates. “Ready to move?”
“I think I can move a few inches without falling.” Apollo grinned when Jost giggled again. “When we go paintballing, your ass is mine. I think pink or baby blue. Those are the colors I’ll shoot at you.” They slowly moved over the ice, and Apollo’s skates wanted to do something completely different to what he wanted. “Then I’ll treat you to a nice curry. Do you like curries?”
“I don’t think there is anything I don’t like, but maybe being shot at with balls of paint might be one of them.”
“Nah, you’ll enjoy it. You’re a predator. You’ll see where I’m hiding and shoot me instead.” Apollo gripped Jost’s arm as his legs went everywhere but forward. After a few deep breaths, he slowly moved again. Jost’s arm tightened around him until he stood steady.
“Does it bother you that I’m a predator and you’re not?”
“Fuck no. I’m not that insecure that having a predator for a mate would make me question my manliness. And you’re you. You are gorgeous. I’m proud that I’m your mate.”
Jost blinked up at him, his light green eyes wide. “Really?
“Yeah. Who wouldn’t be proud to be seen with you? I know I am. I couldn’t wait to tell my family about you.” Apollo smiled, then his skates went in any direction they wanted, and he went down, pulling Jost with him. Jost landed on top of him and Apollo grunted, then laughed at the look on Jost’s face.
Jost scrambled up and stood, easily balancing on the ice, and Apollo sighed. It wasn’t fair how easily it was for his mate to stand on the ice when Apollo struggled to crawl on it. “Want to take a break?” Jost gave him a small smile, but Apollo shook his head.
“You would think as a zebra I’d have better balance than this, but nope. I think I’ve spent longer on my ass than on the skates. I hope I’m not ruining this for you.”
Jost shook his head. “I’m having fun watching you fall,” he murmured.
Apollo chuckled. “I bet you are. Come on and help an old zebra up.” Jost hauled him up, and it reminded Apollo that even though Jost was an omega, he was still a lion shifter. Apollo wind milled, his arms flailing until Jost held him still. “This has been one hell of a workout for me.”
“Ten more minutes, then we can go.”
“Ten more minutes of torture.” Apollo saw the smile on Jost’s face and couldn’t help but give him a quick kiss. “Right. Let’s do this.” Jost didn’t respond as Apollo attempted to skate and when Apollo glanced at him, he saw Jost touch his lips with a small smile on his face. “I’m giving myself less than a minute before I hit the ice again.”
“Thirty seconds.” Jost sucked his lips in. “Maybe.”
“Wow. I feel so encouraged.” Chuckling, he slid forward and managed to move a few feet. He turned and grinned at Jost, then his feet went out from under him and he was flat on his ass again. “I think you were more accurate than me.”
“Can we have hot chocolate now?”
“Embarrassed to be seen with me?”
Jost shrugged and looked away, then whispered, “Can I admit to feeling sorry for you?”
“Not at all, because I feel sorry for myself.” Holding a hand up he said, “Help me up and then let’s go eat. There is only so much ice I can take, and my ass is wet.”
Once again, Jost helped him up and held him steady as they slid over to the side. Once Apollo was on solid ground, he sighed and straightened. “Now I feel so much better.”
It didn’t take long for them to swap their skates for sneakers, then Apollo led Jost outside. “Where would you like to eat?”
