Page 36 of A Bridge to a Troll's Heart
Next from the sack came a brown tarpaulin made of heavy canvas material nearly as big as the blanket and layered with oil to keep out water. A length of rope accompanied the strange gift.
Curious as ever, Toby looked from the items to Arlo, but the troll wouldn’t meet his eyes.
Arlo stared at his feet and grunted. “Uh, so, I thought maybe you might like some company next time the moon is full and you turn into a wolf? But if we were to be in the woods for three nights, me without a fur coat and all, I thought we’d need a tent and something to sleep in. Plus”—Arlo lifted the rucksack—“something to carry it all. So I traded some tributes in order to have everything I’d need to come along.” Arlo glanced up, his cheeks blazing purple. “If you want.”
Toby opened his mouth, closed it, then stuttered, “You…you traded your tributes for me?” This was the most thoughtful gift Toby had ever received. “You were already planning to spend the night away from your bridge? Just to stay with me when I shift?”
“Of course I was,” said Arlo as if that should have been obvious.
“Before you even had a bridge here?” Toby couldn’t bring himself to believe it. Someone who didn’t care that he couldn’t control his shift. Someone to be there with him in spite of it.
Arlo nodded. “Well, yes.”
“I had no idea!” Toby felt his smile from the inside out as if his whole body were smiling.
“If you want me to, that is,” mumbled Arlo. “You still haven’t answered whether or not you’d like my company when you’re stuck in your wolf form. I could understand if you don’t.”
“I always want your company, Arlo. Spending the full moon with you will be a dream come true.”
Arlo’s smile finally matched Toby’s. “Even if I can’t keep up with you? Wolves must be very fast.”
“Where would I run to but your side?” Toby reached for him.
Arlo held him in his arms, kissed his hair, and murmured into his ear, “Love you. I always want you by my side.”
“Then that’s where I’ll be.” Toby returned the kisses. “I can’t wait for the next full moon.”
“You could catch me dinner,” Arlo suggested. “There isn’t much room left in my pack for provisions. I’ll be counting on you.”
“Gladly. I’m particularly fond of rabbit.”
“I’m particularly fond of you.” Arlo leaned in for another kiss.
Toby framed Arlo’s face with his hands, admiring the lovely freckles. “Time to sleep in my bed for a change.”
Arlo grinned. “Gladly.”
CHAPTER13
Christmas Morning
Arlo
Arlo would nevertire of waking with Toby in his arms each morning. This one was all the better because it was their first Christmas together—and a white one at that.
Cuddled snugly in Toby’s loft bed with a view of the snow-covered pines outside their window, they were warm under a mountain of fluffy covers. The air around them had turned frosty, so cold Arlo’s breath floated in little white puffs into the rafters. Toby’s soft hair tickled Arlo’s chin from where the wolf shifter lay, still heavy with sleep, upon his chest.
Christmas Eve had outshone his wildest dreams. First, Gran’s sweet gift, then a bridge Toby had built, and finally, the anticipation of joining him under the next full moon. His heart full to bursting, Arlo had scurried up the ladder behind Toby, eager to show him his appreciation.
Arlo closed his eyes, held Toby even tighter, and relived their night.
Flashes of skin, panting breaths hot on his neck, hands caressing every sensitive inch of flesh. Arlo knew himself best when he got lost in Toby. To please Toby was to live in a world where each touch felt better than the last, each kiss brought them closer, and each moment gave pleasure he hadn’t known possible.
Toby had been wild beneath him, over him, next to him as they rolled around on the overstuffed mattress, eager to rid each other of clothing…
“Naked, Arlo,”Toby demanded, eyes sparkling. “I want to see you.”
Arlo was happy to comply. His nerves tingled with excitement at Toby’s every whim. Eager for the next command, Arlo tore open the column of buttons on his shirt. Somehow, Toby always knew what Arlo wanted without Arlo having to say anything. Like magic, only better, because magic didn’t have the soft trail of black hair that disappeared into Toby’s waistband.
