by Shea Balik
“As hot as that was, would you two hurry up?” Gibson called through the door. “The first movie is almost over, and I need Kai to help teach the dances for the second movie.”
Bodhi’s head dropped onto Kai’s shoulder. “This can’t be happening. Maybe a hole will open up under me to take me away.”
Kai tried not to laugh, he did. The last thing he wanted was for his mate to be even more embarrassed, but he just couldn’t help it. Bodhi’s inner commentary, which he had a hard time actually keeping inside, was too funny.
Bodhi’s head snapped up, glaring at Kai for laughing. “You’re not supposed to laugh at me,” the man accused.
Oops. Hoping to salvage the situation, Kai leaned down to place a kiss against his mate’s lips. Like a match to dry wood, the sweet kiss turned wild in seconds. Everything about his mate did it for him, amping up the need that seemed to always be just under the surface.
Even after a mind-blowing orgasm, Kai wanted more. By the way Bodhi was squirming to get closer, his mate felt the same way. That he was still impaled on Kai’s cock, the squirming turned to thrusting, and just like that they were once more having sex.
Bodhi’s moans matched his own as Kai slowly pulled his hips back, loving the feel of his cock dragging along his mate’s tight channel, before pushing back in. It was ecstasy.
Thump, thump, thump. “Seriously? I’m standing right here at the door, and you’re at it again? All I have to say is you better be quick. I need Kai in ten minutes, and I will have Talon break down this door to drag your ass out of there and onto that stage no matter what you’re doing.”
“Although maybe this time you could keep it down. It’s hasn’t been easy to explain to the kids what’s going on in there,” Paytah yelled through door.
Kai froze, worried what his mate would do after hearing that. What he hadn’t expected was to hear Bodhi laugh so hard he started crying. Still hard as a fucking rock, his mate’s body moving as he laughed was erotic as hell.
“Are you okay?” Sure, his mate was laughing, but up until now, Bodhi’s response to being embarrassed was to hide, so Kai felt it was a valid question.
Bodhi shook his head back and forth. “Honestly?”
Kai nodded.
His mate shrugged his shoulders. “I’m over it. Normally I’m not really worried about the impression I make, but I was trying really hard to impress you. I think I can officially say that isn’t going to happen, so I might as well get over it and find the humor in the situation.”
Kai smiled. “Oh, my little butterfly, you did so much more than impress me. You stole my heart.” He was glad to hear Bodhi could laugh at himself. He’d been a little worried. His friends could be a bit much with their constant jokes, and having a mate who couldn’t handle that would make things more of a challenge.
A groan was ripped from his throat when he felt his mate’s muscles flutter around his cock. “Damn, little butterfly, that feels fucking amazing.”
Bodhi leaned forward to place a kiss against his lips. “Glad to hear it. Now we only have ten minutes, so fuck my ass like you mean it.”
“You only have nine minutes now,” Gibson yelled from outside the door.
Kai’s gaze met Bodhi’s, and they both broke out laughing even as Kai pulled his hips back and thrust deep.
Chapter 8
The second round of dance lessons had been just as much fun as the first, but Bodhi was in hot water with the kids. He’d never brought them popcorn. Now he had to stand in a line that was still ridiculously long to get them their treat or risk retribution when they went home.
“Looking for this?”
Three little words had Bodhi smiling like an idiot, and his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. Kai stood there with several bags of popcorn in his arms, along with a half a dozen bottles of water.
“I wasn’t sure how much to bring. I hope this was enough.”
Considering there were ten kids, his parents, and the two of them, it probably wasn’t going to be near enough, but it would be a good start. “It’s perfect.” He wanted to climb up Kai’s body like a monkey and kiss him when the man smiled down at him. He bit back the groan that threatened to spill as the man’s dimples showed themselves.
He took several bags of popcorn out of Kai’s arms. “Let’s get these back to the horde.”
Kai’s eyes got really big. “What horde?”
Laughter bubbled up inside Bodhi, spilling over as he thought about Kai meeting his family. As great as they were, Bodhi wasn’t blind. Ten kids, not to mention his parents, could be a bit…much for anyone, even him. “My parents have ten foster kids ranging in age from two to fifteen.”
“Ten,” Kai squeaked, then cleared his throat. “Ten.” This time his voice was normal. “That seems like a lot of responsibility.”
That was putting it mildly. “It is.” He turned to make his way to the spot his mother had picked out to watch the movie. Over his shoulder he called, “Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
Weaving around the various families as everyone was excitedly practicing their dance steps for the movie was challenging, but they managed. People were having a great time. Bodhi wished he could join in on the fun, but the popcorn he was holding would end up all over the ground if he started doing the steps. That didn’t stop him from shaking his hips as he walked.
He was pretty sure he heard Kai say, “Fuck me, that’s hot.” But with the noise around him, it was hard to be sure. Still he put a little extra something in his moves.
In the next second, he felt Kai’s hard length pressed against his back as the man moved right up against him. “You’re killing me shaking that tight ass.”
Bodhi couldn’t respond as they arrived to where his family was. Cynthia and April saw him right away and squealed loudly when they saw him with the popcorn. “Popcorn!”
Zaina, who was seven, turned to Bodhi. “Look, Bodhi, I’m dancing.”
Bodhi beamed back at her. Zaina was painfully shy in public, so to see her dancing without worrying about all the people around her had Bodhi’s heart soaring with pride. “You sure are, Zaina. Let me introduce my mate to everyone, and we’ll join you.”
Her eyes landed on Kai, and she suddenly stopped dancing and practically dove behind Papaw to hide. He let out a sigh. He hated that she reacted that way, especially when he could see Kai’s crestfallen expression.
Damn.
He wrapped an arm around his mate’s waist. “Don’t take it personally. Zaina’s really shy. It takes time when she meets anyone new to warm up to them.”
Kai nodded as if he understood, but the sadness that lingered in his eyes said he didn’t. It touched Bodhi that Kai felt so deeply. Grissom had never wanted anything to do with Bodhi’s family. Of course, part of that was because the guy was a douche, but it was obvious with Kai that he’d never have to choose between his mate and his family.
“Come on. I want you to meet everyone.” He pointed to his mom. “You already met my mom, Sunshine.”
Moving on he pointed to his father. “This is my dad, Whim.”
Kai held out his hand, but Bodhi’s father ignored the gesture, hugging Kai instead. “I’m so happy Bodhi found you.”
“Not nearly as happy as I am to have found him.” Kai’s words were strained as he spoke, and if Bodhi wasn’t mistaken, the sheen of tears coated his eyes. “I swear upon all that is holy, I will take care of Bodhi and make him happy.”
Bodhi hadn’t expected the declaration. Moved by his mate’s words, he leaned closer to the man, kissing his upper arm. He wished Kai hadn’t put a shirt on. Bodhi suddenly wanted a little extra contact.
As if sensing Bodhi’s feelings, Kai’s arm wrapped around him, pulling him even closer. Bodhi fit perfectly in Kai’s embrace, like they were made for each other. Damn, he better watch it or he’d find himself head-over-heels in love by the end of the night.
It took more effort than he would have thought to get back to the task at hand when all he wanted to
do was go back to that little closet and be loved by his mate. He cleared his throat, willing his cock to behave in front of his family.
“These three are ‘the olders,’ Solon, Wendy, and Nat.” He pointed to the three oldest kids, who stared up at Kai in awe.
Kai smiled down at them, offering his hand to each one. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Each shook his hand but continued to stare with their mouths open for several minutes. It was Nat who finally found his voice. “Are you really the enforcer?”
Bodhi wasn’t sure how Nat even knew that. Because Bodhi was painting murals on the walls of the Amphitheatre, the older kids had met Gibson and whoever happened to be protecting him that day. But Bodhi hadn’t been aware the kids knew the men belonged to the Alpha’s inner circle, or who the other members were.
Kai nodded. “Yes, I am.”
Nat looked like he wanted to say more but was unsure. Kai won a piece of Bodhi’s heart when he knelt down in front of Nat. “As Bodhi’s foster brother, know you can tell me anything. I will always listen.”
Nat nodded slowly, still unsure. Just when Bodhi thought the boy had decided not to say anything, he spit it out. “My uncle is Roberto Barrios.” The moment the words were out of his mouth, Nat looked ready to run.
Bodhi had no idea who Roberto Barrios was, but it was clear Kai did from the sound of his soft gasp. Fortunately that was the only indication Kai gave that he knew who Nat was talking about. “Thank you for telling me, Nat. I promise, I will never hold it against you. You are not your uncle, and I would never hold you responsible for his misdeeds.”
Nat looked like he was about to faint in relief. “He…” The boy shook his head when the words wouldn’t come out.
Bodhi’s father put his arm around Nat’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Son. I’ll tell him if you want.”
Nat’s big brown eyes went from Kai to Papaw, then back to Kai. The boy’s Adam’s apple moved up and down as he swallowed. “No, Papaw. I need to do it.”
Pride shone from the man’s eyes as he looked at Nat. “Whatever you want, Son.”
When Nat tried once more but still couldn’t get the words out, Kai gave him an out. “Tell you what, Nat. It sounds like what you have to tell me is pretty important.”
Nat’s chest puffed up a little at Kai’s words. The boy gave a sharp nod of agreement but kept silent.
“Since the movie is just about to start, why don’t I come to your house tomorrow morning, and we’ll sit down and talk. Would that be okay?” As if to give credence to Kai’s words, the screens lit up, and the title of the movie appeared.
The tension flowed right out of Nat’s body. “That would be okay.”
With that settled, Bodhi introduced the squirts, munchkins, and, of course, half-pint. Kai seemed a bit overwhelmed but handled each kid beautifully. That his mate hadn’t run screaming was a big plus in Bodhi’s book, especially when all three munchkins decided they wanted Kai to hold them for the movie.
He tried not to laugh at the sight, but it was hard. Wally had insisted he sit on Kai’s shoulders. His little legs could barely straddle their width, so Kai had to keep one hand up behind the little guy so he wouldn’t tumble off. The ledge Kai’s bent arm created apparently was the perfect spot for April. She climbed up, put her legs through the opening, wrapping her arms around his forearm, perfectly content.
Tonya was the only one who sat in the man’s lap, happily sucking on her thumb as the bars of the first song played. The only problem Bodhi could see was there was no place for him. He never thought he’d be jealous of a three-year-old before, but he was. Would it be rude for him to kick Tonya out and curl up in his mate’s lap instead?
He could hear Kai chuckle before the man’s one free arm reached out to pull Bodhi up to the side of his body. Happy to have found a spot, Bodhi leaned into Kai, loving the feel of the man’s arm around him, holding him.
Chapter 9
Kai had no idea how he ended up surrounded by kids, watching a movie while cuddling with his mate. It was surreal to say the least. Yet he’d never been happier.
He knew in large part that had to do with finding his mate, but he also admitted to enjoying the kids’ squeals of laughter, especially when it was time to jump up and start dancing.
As an only child, Kai didn’t have much experience with children. Heath, Rune and Carver’s son, was the first time he’d been around a kid since becoming an adult. He loved spending time with Heath, but Kai hadn’t been sure liking one kid, who happened to be great, meant he actually liked children. As he danced and sang with Bodhi’s foster siblings, he found he did.
Several years ago his own parents had decided to move to Lake Louise because they wanted to help the Alliance any way they could. His mother was a nurse, his dad a teacher. Kai had been proud of them for helping and had no problem with their moving to the Northern Territory, especially when he’d been in another country working for the military.
But when they announced they were taking in foster children, Kai hadn’t known how to respond. A part of him was jealous to have his parents’ attention taken from him, which he knew was absurd since he hadn’t even seen his parents in years. Still, he couldn’t help what he felt. Another part of him wasn’t sure how he felt about being around the children they had taken in.
In the end, because it had taken nearly six years until he could get to the Northern Territory to visit, the foster children had already gone away to college, so he never had to deal with any of his feelings about the situation. He wasn’t sure why his parents hadn’t taken in more foster kids, but at the time he was glad they hadn’t.
Now he wondered if it was because of his reaction the first time. He really needed to call them. They would be over the moon that he found his mate. His own parents weren’t mates, but they loved each other deeply.
“Kai. Dance, dance,” Wally chanted from his perch on Kai’s shoulders. His little feet were already moving, kicking Kai’s chest. Who knew such a little kid could kick that hard? He plucked Wally off his shoulders and put him on the ground, laughing as his little legs tried to follow the steps of the others.
Bodhi’s soft hand covered the one Kai was using to rub the spot Wally’s feet had clobbered. “Hurts more than you’d think, huh?”
Joy filled him as he looked down into his mate’s smiling face. “You’re telling me. I swear he had bricks instead of shoes on his feet.”
Bodhi leaned up and kissed the area Kai had been rubbing. “Poor baby. Maybe later I could make it feel better.”
Blood left his upper body in less than a heartbeat, heading straight for his cock, at his mate’s husky voice. “Damn, little butterfly, the things you do to me.”
A sweet, melodious sound filled the air around him as his mate laughed. “I’m not doing anything, just talking. Trust me, you’ll know it when I’m doing things to you.” The hand that had been covering his moved down. One nail scraped across his nipple.
He knew he had to keep it kid friendly, but Kai wanted to taste his mate’s happiness for himself. Leaning down, he captured Bodhi’s mouth, taking in the man’s laughter as if it was food from the Gods.
Little hands on Kai’s legs got his attention, and he broke the kiss to look down at Cynthia, whom he was beginning to wonder if she might be one the children the Alliance was looking for. It wasn’t anything obvious, but there was just something about her that rang every warning bell in Kai’s head to protect her at all costs.
“Kai, can you show me the steps again?” Cynthia asked.
Taking her hand he said, “I’d be happy to, Cynthia.”
She tilted her head to the left, scrunching up her nose, making the most adorable face. “You can call me ‘half-pint’ like Bodhi does.”
Not for the first time since sitting down with Bodhi’s family, Kai was choked up at their easy acceptance of him. “Why thank you, half-pint. Now let’s dance.”
* * * *
“One more book, Kai.” Zaina, who apparently ha
d warmed up to Kai sometime during the night, looked at him with her pretty brown eyes, and her lower lip out in an adorable pout. “Please.” That’s all it took, and Kai found himself caving.
He still wasn’t sure how he ended up agreeing to help Bodhi and his parents get the kids home. That wasn’t true. He knew exactly how. Bodhi just batted those pretty lavender eyes at him, and Kai and his coyote sat up and begged. It should have been embarrassing to see how easily manipulated he was, but he honestly didn’t care, not when it was his mate doing the manipulation.
Zaina hopped off the bed to pick her next book, which looked as big as a dictionary.
“Don’t you think that’s too big for a bedtime story?” he asked.
The little imp shook her head, brown curls bouncing in the process, and got up onto the bed, grunting a little as she pulled the heavy book up with her. She climbed onto his lap, book firmly clasped against her chest. It wasn’t until she’d wiggled around, finding just the right spot to be comfortable, that she handed him the book. “Start at the beginning, please.”
Kai had to bite his tongue not to burst out laughing at her matter-of-fact, yet polite, demands. He opened the well-worn cover, letters too faded to read, to find Grimms’ Fairy Tales written on the inside cover. “Um, Zaina, this is more than one story.”
His heart clenched when she tilted her head up to gaze at him with those big brown eyes and sweet little smile adorning her impish face. “I know. My favorite is ‘Snow White and the Red Rose.’”
Dumbfounded, Kai just stared at her.
Little fingers turned the pages to the first story, “Hansel and Gretel.”
“We need to start before Bodhi comes in.”
The mention of his mate cleared Kai’s head enough to speak. “But we agreed to one more story. This is…” He looked at the large book, sure there had to be dozens of stories. “Well, it’s more than one.”
The curls around her face bounced once more as she shook her head back and forth. “No, Kai.” Her voice was very serious as she spoke. “We agreed to one more book.” She emphasized the last word. “You didn’t say how many stories.”