by Fel Fern
Bowen decided to say what he came here to say in the first place. “I’ve moved in with Mike, but we’re thinking of getting a bigger place.” He hesitated, then found the strength to continue. “Brad, thank you for taking care of me, but I’m okay on my own now. I have Mike, and I like this town.”
“I admit was skeptical of Mike at first. Broken shifters are different than the rest of us, but I can see he’s good for you.”
“Mike’s not broken. I mean, he still has issues, but we’re working on it. I couldn’t have asked for a better mate,” he said, coming to his mate’s defense.
“Little bro,” Brad said softly. “You’re grown.”
“Yeah?” he asked.
Brad nodded. “Mike told me about your life here. How you’re scheduled for a job interview at an accounting firm?”
He nodded. “My life’s getting back on track. How about you?”
Brad let out a breath. “Talking to Mike about our days in the army made me miss it, too. I think I might go back, but I’ll check in on you every now and then.”
“That’s good news.”
Brad nodded, reached over to ruffle his hair, like he did when they were kids. Bowen scowled. “But you’ll be staying in town awhile right? The monthly pie baking contest is coming up.”
Brad frowned. “What’s with this town and festivals?”
“I know right? They’re fun though.”
“I’ll think about it. Now shoo, Wheel of Fortune is on and I think Mike and you have plans.”
“I’ll visit you tomorrow.”
“Don’t baby me,” Brad chided. “I’ll be out tomorrow.”
“Mike and I will pick you up, we’ll have steak dinner together and you meet his other friends,” he said cheerfully. “Abram’s mate, Kane, is fun, and he’s beginning to be one of my good friends.”
“I’m glad you decided to settle here, little bro,” Brad said in a sentimental tone. Before his brother started to do something off-script like cry, he swiftly made his exit and waved good-bye. He found Mike in the waiting room. As if sensing Bowen, Mike looked up and grinned.
“All done?”
“Yep. What’s this about Brad saying you have plans? Are we heading out for dinner or something?”
“Something like that.”
Bowen squinted suspiciously at his mate. “You know I don’t do well with suspense.”
Mike got up from the couches and they began walking out of the hospital and back to the parking lot. The tiger shifter shrugged. “Nothing much. Dinner and a staycation at the River Valley Inn.”
He squealed. “Really? I’ve always wanted to know why the rooms at that inn are always booked. Wait, what about Brownie?”
“She’s staying over at Abram and Kane’s place. We’ll pick her up in the morning.”
“Seems like you’ve figured everything out. How long were you planning this, and how did you keep it from me?” he demanded as they reached Mike’s car. They got in, and after tucking Mike’s crutches in the back seat, Mike started the engine.
“I just thought it would be nice to celebrate with just the two of us.”
“I like that.” Feeling mischievous, he asked, “After dinner, am I going to be dessert?”
Mike snarled under his breath, and his pulse quickened at the hungry look his mate flashed him. “Oh yeah, my little lynx for dessert would be good.”
“Shit. You have that wicked look in your eyes.”
“I hear they serve a very good black forest cake.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” he asked.
“I like it when you’re clueless.” Mike, the frustrating bastard, didn’t say anything else as they drove past town to the inn.
The River Valley Inn was located on the outskirts, a former farmhouse converted into a charming B&B with sprawling gardens. It was one of the pricier inns in town, and a favorite place for couples to honeymoon or hold events.
“How did you get a room and dinner reservation last minute?” he asked.
“I bribed someone,” Mike said with a knowing glint in his eye.
He rubbed his hands in eager anticipation at the prospect of some alone time with his mate. They’d been busy over the last three days, Mike helping Abram and the private contractor sort out the mess back in Mountain Valley while he moved his stuff over to Mike’s place and got that call for an interview.
After asking around, Abram found out that this wasn’t the first time Blank did this, that the rogue panther Alpha hunted down weaker shifters who caught his interest, and his victims always ended up missing and never found.
It chilled him to know what kind of monster Brad and he had been running away from, and was glad that Mike and the others delivered a kind of justice to men like Blank who thought he was above the law—human or supernatural.
“What are you thinking about, little lynx?” Mike asked, probably noticing the distracted look on his face.
“About Blank and others like him,” he muttered. “If you guys didn’t step in, he would still be rampaging around the country with his wild crew, and Brad and I would be dead.”
“It’s all over now. He’ll never hurt you again.”
“I know, baby. I have you to thank for that.”
“If you weren’t there, I wouldn’t be able to return to human form either. Let’s put the past where it belongs and look toward the present.”
“Totally agree.”
Finally they reached the River Valley Inn, and Mike managed to find a parking spot. It was nearly full, he noticed as they got out. They entered the double doors. Inside looked as quaint as outside. The reception area was manned by an elderly couple, who smiled at the sight of them. Mike retrieved their room key.
“The dining hall is through there, we have a table for you two,” said Mrs. Denby.
Mike thanked her and they headed to the dining hall. The waitress quickly found them a good candlelit table facing a window that looked out to the woods beyond the inn.
“This is all so romantic,” he gushed and realized this setting felt slightly familiar. He furrowed his brows, then it struck him. “Wait a second. You copied this from one of the books I was reading.”
Mike raised an eyebrow and pretended to study the menu really hard. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You read my romance books when you thought I wouldn’t notice,” he declared.
An elderly shifter couple sitting at the next table gave them smiles. Mike looked embarrassed and cleared his throat.
“I’m thankful,” Bowen said quickly. “Baby, you’re so sweet.”
“I’m not sweet,” Mike grumbled.
“Aw, are you blushing.”
Mike growled, but his ferocious mate only looked adorable as Bowen unveiled his ruse. “I’m counting.”
“Counting what?”
“How many times you mouthed off to me and deciding on your punishment.”
“What, seriously?” He pretended to sound appalled, but really, excitement hummed in his veins.
The waitress came back and they both ordered lamb chops, apparently the house’s special. Dinner flew by quickly, and he sipped a lot of wine, although he was pretty sure he wasn’t drunk, he felt giddy all the same. Still hard to believe that he was no longer running, or worrying his ass off for Brad.
Without realizing it, Bowen had fallen hard for his protective but broken tiger shifter and little by little, the town. Three days ago, when Mike said they were going home, something fluttered in his belly, a strong emotion. He finally realized it was contentment. Home had been the house Brad ad he grew up in, but when Blank and his crew arrived at their hometown, they changed things. Brad and he became nomads, but those days were over.
“Little cat, are those tears in your eyes?” Mike asked.
Chapter Eleven
At Mike’s question, Bowen hastily wiped at his eyes. Mike looked at his mate with suspicion. Had he done something wrong? Mike was certain he read the situation right, though,
copied what the protagonist in that novel Bowen sighed over did. Well, he made modifications of his own, but those books were helpful. Mike made a note to tell Abram to take some tips from romance books, if Abram wanted to spice up his love life with Kane.
Finally, Bowen answered him. “They’re tears of joy, not sadness.”
Well, that was all right then. Mike picked up his fork. The lamb chop was delicious, so was the rest of the meal, although what he was really looking forward to was the dessert Bowen mentioned. He’d already taken aside the waitress when Bowen excused himself to go to the men’s room and asked her to bring up a slice of black forest cake with plenty of icing to their room.
“Shit. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy,” Bowen muttered, wiping at his eyes.
Mike felt the same, but all he could think about was taking Bowen’s fucking tempting lips. He could already imagine Bowen rubbing his slender body and cock against Mike. His mate could certainly be a little hellcat in the bedroom, and he was looking forward to retreating upstairs to show his mate how much he’d missed Bowen. Three days of clean-up work and no Bowen to pet, kiss, fuck, and play with. It didn’t help that he tasted eagerness on Bowen’s lips when he kissed Bowen earlier.
Well, his patience was about to pay off.
Bowen stopped crying at last, sniffed, then studied him closer, a suspicious look on his face.
“You’re looking at me like I’m good enough to eat. You’ve just had your main course.” Bowen pointed at his empty plate for emphasis.
He laughed. He liked it when uncertainty lit Bowen’s eyes, but he could taste Bowen’s excitement in the air, too. Bowen’s arousal. His own dick strained against the zipper of his jeans and he couldn’t wait to have his mate beneath him again, squirming, begging him for more.
“Stop saying provocative things, because if you continue, I’ll toss you over my shoulder and carry you up to the room.”
Bowen swallowed. Physically, Mike wouldn’t be able to manage that, but he would experiment after he’d finished all his physical therapy sessions. Abram was proud of him for taking that step, so was Grover, and it was good seeing Bowen’s expression of delight when he announced the news. Bowen made it clear that he respected Mike’s decision either way, but Mike wasn’t just doing this for Bowen.
Well, being able to do more naughty things in the bedroom with Bowen was incentive, but he wanted to learn how to walk on his own for himself again. Unlike Grover or even Dusty, who’d never be able to see or hear again, he had the chance to walk again. It was past time he put aside his self-pity and help himself for a change.
Back when he lost his leg, it felt like something vital had been torn from him, but it was returned when Bowen entered his life. His life fell to pieces the day bombs dropped on their campsite, but he wanted to pick them back up, offer Bowen the best he could be.
Bowen wisely stopped making suggestive comments. “Back to the room or do you want to walk around the gardens?”
“We’ll explore the place tomorrow,” Mike decided.
Bowen practically jumped out of his seat and actually purred at him. The little hellion really wanted it as badly as he did. “Come catch me, big cat.”
Bowen, disregarding the fact they were still in the dining hall, sprinted out the door. Mike took out his wallet, paid for dinner. The other guests only watched Bowen’s exit with amusement. He guessed it was commonplace or something, and hurried after his mate. Naturally, Bowen slowed down so he could catch up, but Mike was in no hurry.
At the elevator, Bowen held out the room key, and he wondered when his little lynx managed to snatch that out of his grasp. Smiling, he hurried after Bowen.
* * * *
“Oh wow, this room is amazing,” Bowen declared when they entered the room.
Mike had to admit he was pleased. Mrs. Denby mentioned she upgraded them to a suite, hearing they were celebrating. When he had called yesterday morning, all the rooms were booked, but when he drove up to the inn and explained the situation, Mrs. Denby found him a room.
Bowen took off his shoes and plopped down on the king-sized bed and sighed. “Oh! Mike, the sheets are so soft. Come see.”
Mike stood there a couple of moments, amused Bowen looked like an excited puppy, looking at the room, exclaiming about how big the bathroom was, before noticing the plate with the cake, and the bottle of champagne new to it.
“Oh, baby, this is perfect.”
“Take off your clothes,” he instructed.
Bowen blinked at him, a smile curving on his lips. “Are we playing a game?”
Playful little cat.
Mike put on his stern face and Bowen finally pulled off his shirt, jeans and boxers following until his gorgeous mate was naked and waiting on the bed to be devoured. He approached the edge of the bed, surprised Bowen had his jeans unbuckled the next second, then Mike tugged him down. He didn’t care about his crutches clattering to the soft carpeted floor.
Mike gripped Bowen’s jaw and slanted his lips over Bowen. His mate responded eagerly, hungrily. Bowen began to unhook the buttons of Mike’s shirt. They paused, parted lips for a moment, so Bowen could take Mike’s shirt off. His jeans and briefs followed. Mike was no longer shy about his body like the first time they had sex. He knew with or without a leg, Bowen accepted all of him.
Bowen ran his fingers down the faint dusting of chest hair and licked his lips. Mike let his mate pet him a little. Bowen seemed to like touching him, and it was nice, being adored by his mate. Besides, tigers were patient. He’d let his little cat enjoy the moment, before taking over.
His dick thickened with need but he culled the urge to take his mate then and there. Mike grabbed his jeans from the floor, pulling out the handkerchief there.
Bowen’s eyes widened at the bright red fabric. “What’s this?”
“A little fun.” Mike joined Bowen in bed and then grabbed Bowen’s wrists, planting them above his head. “You trust me?”
“Of course. Why, you going to tie down this little bad kitty, Mr. Tiger?” Bowen teased. He could smell their need in the air and their inner beasts, eager to play.
Mike secured Bowen’s wrists with the fabric and reached for the plate of cake. Knowledge flashed through Bowen’s eyes.
“So you really took me being dessert literally?”
“Be quiet, little cat,” he chided, taking a forkful of whipped cream and cake, and spreading it over Bowen’s chest.
He went lower, leaving a trail, before heaping the rest of the cream over Bowen’s hardening dick. Mike might not be able to walk on his own yet but he’d been building strength in his upper body and arms. Going down on his mate would be easy, and the look of surprise on Bowen’s face was priceless.
He smirked.
“Now, you really look good to eat,” he declared, his face at the same level as Bowen’s dick. He flicked at Bowen’s tip with his tongue, tasting pre-cum and the sweet mix of cream. Mike decided he liked the taste very much.
Bowen groaned above him, but dutifully kept his hands above his head. Good kitty.
Mike took his time, using his mouth to the best of his abilities. He licked Bowen’s cockhead like a lollipop, tonguing Bowen’s slit, playing with the sensitive nerves under Bowen’s head.
“Mike, you’re being a damn tease,” Bowen complained, but Mike was enjoying himself too much.
After cleaning off the cream and cake on Bowen’s dick, he moved upward, finishing the cake. Mike grabbed the champagne, uncapped the bottle, drank, eying Bowen, who pouted cutely at him.
“Want a sip, little cat?”
Bowen nodded and he pressed the bottle to Bowen’s lips, letting Bowen drink. He had fun ideas with the champagne. He poured a bit on Bowen’s belly button and drank from it.
“Mike!” Bowen gasped, clearly as turned on as he was.
He dribbled more on Bowen’s chest, set the bottle down and lapped it all away. “Champagne-flavored little cat tastes fucking amazing.”
Bowen only w
himpered in response.
“What was that?”
“Please!”
Taking one flat nipple in his mouth, he sucked. Bowen buckled underneath him as he bit down.
“God, Mike. Fuck me already, because I’m going to come soon.”
“Not yet, and you’re going to hold it back.”
Bowen pouted. “Bossy.”
“You like it when I take control.”
“Oh, I do,” Bowen breathed. “But don’t you want to take me already?”
Mike’s control was unraveling. He had to rut his mate soon, but he decided to play a little more. This was too fun, and besides, denying Bowen now would only add to the build-up and the mind-blowing climax later.
He left a path of bite marks down the length of Bowen’s body, admiring his handiwork for a couple of moments before returning his attention to Mike’s needy prick. Mike gave a couple of licks to Bowen’s dick before taking the lynx shifter’s shaft into his mouth.
It was worth it, watching Bowen’s pupils dilate and Bowen’s mouth parting to let out a moan. He bobbed his head up and down, but just when Bowen was on the verge of coming, he drew back.
Bowen hissed at him in frustration, but looked appeased when he lifted Bowen’s legs over his shoulders, exposing Bowen’s rock hard dick. He played with Bowen’s dick a little, until Bowen begged him.
“Need you in me, baby. Please.” Bowen’s breathing was ragged and Mike wasn’t sure he could hold back any longer, either.
He pushed a finger inside Bowen, checking if his mate was ready. Bowen groaned, wiggled as he added a second. Bowen was slick and primed for him, and he smiled at that. So fucking amazing, and Bowen was all his.
“What do you think about kids?” Bowen asked suddenly as Mike began making twisting motions, widening Bowen’s ass for his entry.
“Never imagined myself with cubs, but I like kids. Until I met you, I never realized I might want cubs who look like you and me.”
Bowen’s face lit up at that. “Really?”
“They’d be a handful, but worth the effort.” He guided his cockhead into Bowen’s entrance. “You ready for me, baby?”