Page 41 of Mane Full Of Stripes
“Only to you, my amazing, gorgeous, strong mate. My sister wouldn’t think so.”
“I’ve met your parents, I think, but not your sister. I have an Otto to contend with.” Jost snuggled into Apollo, sighing when Apollo held him close.
“What’s an Otto?”
“An annoying younger brother. Freya isn’t too bad, but Otto is so annoying! Why couldn’t they have stopped at two? Why did they need a third child? God, he really annoys me, and he told me to bring lube and condoms.” Jost’s eyes widened. “We didn’t use protection.”
“You’re not in heat, so we should be fine.” Apollo kissed Jost’s forehead. “And if you are, then I’m happy as long as you are.”
“I wish I had met you first,” Jost murmured, then wiped his cheeks as tears spilled over.
“Hey, no tears. We’re in a good place, me and you. So, we mated. Big deal. Pfft.” Apollo tickled Jost, making him smile. “We can handle anything that comes our way because we have each other, and I promise to put the cap back on the toothpaste after brushing my teeth.”
“You leave it off?”
“I have been known on occasion to leave the cap off, yes.”
“That’s so bad. Almost as bad as leaving your dirty socks on the bedroom floor.” Jost fluttered his eyelashes. “I might have done that once or twice.”
“Now that’s a true crime against humanity. Dirty smelly socks on the floor? My dreams of you being my perfect mate have been shattered.”
Jost laughed and smacked Apollo’s arm. “Cap? Toothpaste? That’s far worse, especially when the toothpaste becomes all stuck and dried out.”
“I know, and who likes cleaning their teeth with that? I try really hard to remember, but sometimes I’m running late and then I’m rushing, and I forget.”
“How are you running late?” Jost leaned back in Apollo’s arms, watching a slight flush appear on his cheeks.
“I like to lie in the morning sun in my zebra form and relax before the day properly starts, but then I forget and end up rushing.” Apollo chuckled. “I need to remember to set my alarm.”
“Or have a mate to remind you.”
“That would work too. We could get up and have a few minutes soaking up those early morning rays, then get ready for work, and the best part is I get to kiss you goodbye.”
“Well, there is that.” Jost rose on tiptoe and kissed Apollo. “Did someone mention beer?”
Apollo pinched his butt. “Someone did. Get back into bed and I’ll bring it up.”
Jost took another long kiss that left him panting, then crawled back into bed as Apollo left the bedroom. He pulled the covers up to his neck and sighed as he inhaled Apollo’s scent. Smiling, Jost closed his eyes and listened to Apollo move around downstairs, then come up the stairs. When he entered the bedroom, he stood naked, holding two bottles of beer. Jost cheered and sat up, his hand reaching out for one. “Gimme.”
“Gimme? Making demands are we, my mate?” Apollo held the beer just out of reach, and Jost pouted, sticking his bottom lip out. “I think I should have a kiss for going downstairs to get them.”
“Come here then and I’ll give you your kiss.” Jost laughed when Apollo skipped over to him, holding the bottles of beer out in front of him. “Now that’s a sexy sight.” Apollo burst out laughing and swooped down to kiss Jost. Jost threw the covers back and patted the bed. “Get in.”
“Look at my sexy gorgeous mate waiting for me.”
Jost laughed again, feeling Apollo’s happiness pulse through their bond. Apollo put the beer down and got into bed next to Jost and pulled him into his arms, kissing him thoroughly. Jost moaned and leaned into him, his body responding to the closeness of his mate. “Apollo.”
“Hmm. What do we have here? My super gorgeous mate, who I adore.”
Jost kissed Apollo and knew what he said was true because he felt it inside. “You mean it. I can feel that you mean it.”
“I have been yours since the moment we met,” Apollo whispered. “In that club, I saw you and I knew my life was going to change. I can’t wait to see what our future brings.” He kissed Jost again and Jost melted, his toes curling from the emotions that swirled through him from Apollo. This bond between them told him so much, and it put Jost’s mind at ease. He knew he could trust Apollo.
Just being able to feel that way almost made him cry, and he held Apollo tight as Apollo hugged him. “Apollo.”
“Shh, baby. I have you and I’m not letting you go. You’re stuck with me until I’m old and gray.”
“That sounds really good.”
