“I can do that. I really think we need to get away. Do you think we can talk to your school and put you on a short deferral until next semester?”
Faye actually thought that sounded okay. She was so overwhelmed with everything that was happening, that a break and some time to focus was needed. There was no denying that she wanted to be brave enough to tell Gideon that her heart was working it out. She cared about him. He needed her in some weird way. She could be that companion to him. It would be a good life. There was no denying that.
She didn’t want to ask if he would marry her. Kindred mates were as good as married. The government recognized mates just like married couples. It would be too much to ask of him. He was already offering her so much. Marriage wasn’t really something she’d ever thought she’d have, so being able to spend her life with someone that would never leave her was better.
“I think that might be a good idea. I want to finish. I really feel like working with animals is my calling.”
“Then you will. I just would like to have some time with you. Let me take you somewhere warm. We can lie on the beach, surf, and eat fish every night.”
“I’ve never been outside the state, or on a plane,” she admitted.
“Then that’s our first task. How many countries do you think we can hit next year?”
Faye laughed. “I think Hawaii is going to be enough.”
“Not even close. My girl gets the world.”
“Your girl?”
“You don’t like that? I can call you something else. How about, beautiful?”
Faye blushed. “You know I don’t believe you when you say that.”
Gideon didn’t frown this time, he actually smiled. “That just means I get to convince you.”
He leaned over, closing the space between them. His mouth touched hers and Faye kissed him. She led the kiss, sweeping her tongue into his mouth, taunting him to kiss her back.
A thought crossed her mind. She could kiss him whenever she wanted. Or better yet, he could kiss her, whenever he wanted.
“I like kissing you,” she said when she leaned back.
“I like kissing you,” he said. “I think it’s a very effective use of our time on the way to work.”
“What about them?” she said, tilting her head towards the two men in the front.
Gideon grinned. “They’re jealous. They would do anything to be in my place.”
Faye scoffed, blushing harder.
“Ma’am, he’s right,” Anson spoke from the passenger seat.
“Kindred wait for their mates. It doesn’t mean we aren’t happy for those that have found their hearts,” Royce added.
Faye covered her face with her hand and let out an embarrassed, “Oh, gawd.”
“It’s different for Kindred, beautiful. Our mating is going to be celebrated. We’ll have a party where I present you to the Clan. They’ll welcome you with open arms.”
“In front of people?”
“Not the whole Clan, but a lot of them. You’ll definitely meet Crystal, she’s the Head of our Clan.”
“Sounds intimidating.”
“Will it be intimidating if I’m standing right next to you?”
Faye looked into those eyes that had never lied to her. “Not as much,” she conceded.
“Good. Today, I’m going to make some arrangements for us. We are going to get away and get to know each other.”
“What about the pets?”
“They come with us. We’re a family now.”
Faye leaned into Gideon’s arms. She rode the rest of the way with her ear against his heart and her kitten purring against her chest.
Gideon had walked Faye to her office, dropping her and Nilla off. He told her that he’d have a litter box and necessary supplies brought down for her.
He hadn’t realized he was doing anything different on the way back to his office until people started stopping in their tracks when they saw him.
Royce was behind him and he turned. “Why are they looking at me?”
“You’re smiling, sir.”
“Smiling?”
“Huge, sir.”
Gideon shook his head at Royce like he was crazy. Surely him smiling couldn’t be that strange.
When he got to Sabrina’s desk, she frowned at him. “What happened?”
“Everything,” he said, walking past her.
Royce disappeared and Sabrina followed him in.
“Seriously, you’re… different,” she said.
“Faye’s my mate.” The words felt so good coming out of his mouth.
“Holy shit, the Crone was right.”
“The Crone?”
“Yes, she called me.”
“When?”
“I don’t know, a week or two ago? She told me that I needed to figure out how to get you and Faye around each other. Although I wasn’t sure it was Faye.”
“You knew?”
“I had a vague description. When you seemed interested, I backed off.”
“I can’t even be mad. I’m too fucking happy.”
“It’s weird,” Sabrina said.
“Get used to it. I need a few things from you.”
“Do tell.”
“First, find someone to run out and get a litter box, litter, dishes and food for a kitten. A set for here and at home. Deliver one set to Faye, the other one to my apartment. Then I want you to charter a plane, contact Kai Koa and let them know we want the suite farthest away from everyone. I want VIP staff and call KSI to see if they can bring down some more security or contact someone they trust in Maui. I don’t know if my guys will be able to go yet. Then Faye will need clothes, you can figure out what needs to be purchased. Also, I want movers to pack up her entire apartment and deliver it to my place. Royce or Tucker will have the key.”
“When will you be back from Hawaii?”
“I want to stay through Christmas. Have the hotel arrange for a tree and appropriate decorations by the time we arrive.”
Sabrina was taking notes, “Anything else?”
Gideon stared out the windows looking down to the street. He saw he was smiling, his reflection proving that.
“Yes, I need a pet sitter at the hotel. Someone to help with the pets.”
“Pets?”
“Nilla and Cornelius.”
“I’m sorry; I was with you up until that point.”
“I found out where Faye volunteers, called the director and arranged for her to get a new kitten and a dog that she really wanted from the shelter.”
“You have pets in your apartment?”
“I will. It’s Faye’s apartment now. Her dog is coming this afternoon. The kitten is with her.”
“This is going to be good,” Sabrina said with a smile.
Gideon turned back from the window. “It already is.”
Chapter 30
Faye felt like she was living in a dream. It had been two days since she and Gideon had started their relationship. At least that’s the way she thought of it. Gideon proclaiming that she was his mate and love of his life was a good place to start.
She had plopped her kitten into her cart and made her way through the office as she delivered the mail. Faye was stopped by people gushing over her sweet baby. She found herself telling people that Gideon had given her the kitten.
The looks she got ranged from shock to intrigue. Obviously, they had seen the pictures and knew what was going on.
Faye found herself accepting congratulations. The first few were uncomfortable, then she started graciously saying thank you.
It seemed that she was going to be a Kindred mate.
Turning the corner to where his office door was, she hesitated. Nilla looked up at her in confusion that her procession had stopped. There was a small thought in the back of her head that everything had been a dream. That she was going to walk by his office and drop off his mail to Sabrina like she always did. A part of her also wondered how Gideon would treat her in front of people. Would h
e act as proud as he said he was, or would it be business etiquette 101?
When she reached Gideon’s office, Sabrina wasn’t at her desk. She hesitated at the door, but before she could even make contact with the handle, the door whipped open and he pulled her inside and closed it. He kissed her up against the wall until they were both panting. He had started to purr as his hips pushed against hers. Faye wrapped her hands around his waist, feeling the knife he kept along the back of his belt. All Kindred had them, she knew, Gideon’s was blended into his custom-made belts.
Being worried that he didn’t want to see her seemed ridiculous now. He didn’t care who knew and it made her confidence swell. She knew how much he wanted her and it was flattering. She detangled herself from his embrace, gave him a knowing look, and got back to work.
He’d taken her home after work and they were met with more people wanting their picture. This time she tucked her arm through his as they walked to the building.
Inside Gideon had taken the kitten from her and cuddled the small creature into his arm.
“Please don’t be upset, but I took some liberties today.”
“Liberties?”
“I had your apartment packed up.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You said we had a future and you won’t be needing your place. I had movers go in, pack everything and it’s all in the spare room. I didn’t want you worrying about your place while we’re gone.”
Faye didn’t even care. Her ride to work had flipped a switch inside her. She couldn’t hide from her feelings anymore and she was going to see what the universe had in store for her.
“Okay.”
“Okay as in ‘okay I’m good’?” he’d asked hesitantly.
“Gideon, I’m here. I’m with you. Like I said, I’m not denying what we have. I’m just taking it slowly.”
“Me moving your stuff probably wasn’t slow.”
Faye had laughed at him. “I’m working on my feelings slowly. I don’t expect you to change who you are. You’re very efficient when you want something. Nilla appreciated the litter box at work.”
“She has a matching set here too. Sabrina is shopping for our trip. If you don’t like what she gets you, we will go shopping there. I’d love to take you shopping.”
“I’m not a big shopper, so it might be a skill I need to learn.”
“I’m good, but my sister is a master at it. Since we leave on Wednesday for Maui, I told them they can meet you when we return.”
“Holy crap, you are fast. Did you say your mom lived on The Big Island?”
“I didn’t want her intruding. Not that she would, but I thought you’d be more comfortable on neutral ground. I’m excited. I want to see your face the first time you stand with your toes in the ocean. That makes me think we need some photos taken. I’ll arrange a photographer.”
“Don’t you think we have enough pictures taken of us?”
“These are for us.”
Faye hadn’t argued. They had dinner together before Cornelius was delivered. Gideon at first looked a little disgusted at the tubby bulldog. He was a little drooly and sometimes had bad gas, but he was very loveable and she knew that Gideon would love him soon enough.
Sabrina had made sure there was a dog bed and food for Cornelius too. They spent the evening making sure the dog wouldn’t eat the kitten.
They didn’t need to worry, both animals decided they had moved up in the world and were happy to share their new digs.
That night, Gideon had curled around her, spooning her against his body. The dog was snoring on the floor on his own plush mat with Nilla curled up next to him.
Faye had soaked in the moment of normality. It was completely typical for a couple and she loved it.
She had rolled over to face Gideon and she kissed him. That night they had both come, with their clothes still on. Gideon didn’t seem let down by it. She hadn’t dated much when she was younger and it was as if she was making up for lost time in the fooling around category.
It was fun, it was sexy, and it was making her crave more.
The next night was much of the same. Faye had brought both of her new babies to work and luckily, a dog walker had shown up to take Cornelius for walks twice during the workday.
That night Gideon had taken her out for sushi then brought her back home and didn’t even bother with pretending he didn’t only have one thing on his mind.
It was another night full of orgasms and less clothing.
Today she was on a private jet with a mimosa in a crystal flute next to her elbow. Across from her was Gideon, looking oddly relaxed in a black t-shirt over jeans that were probably a new addition to his wardrobe. Sabrina had dropped off packed suitcases that Faye had been afraid to look in. Gideon suggested that she wear something comfortable. She found a set of soft linen pants and a comfortable shirt, figuring it might be hot when they got off the plane.
Nilla and Cornelius were sound asleep on a long sofa. The interior of the private jet was white and cream with wood trim and soft leather lounge chairs and sofas. A very nice flight attendant named Lyle kept offering them food and refreshments.
The pilots had greeted them outside the plane and she had to admit, she felt a little like royalty. It must have been the red carpet. Gideon arranged for additional security to drive them to the airport and make sure they safely boarded and departed.
Anson and Tucker had left ahead of them to meet them in Hawaii, so it was just her and Gideon on a plane that could carry a dozen or more people.
“Faye, are you nervous about the flight?” Gideon asked as they started to taxi.
“No, well, maybe. I’ve never flown before,” she admitted.
“Our flight is just shy of six hours. I was thinking we could keep ourselves occupied.”
Faye didn’t have to guess what he meant. “On a plane?”
“On a plane with a private bedroom and a bed,” he reminded her.
“Won’t they know?” Faye asked, shifting her eyes towards the flight attendant and the small door the pilots had disappeared behind near the front of the plane.
“Probably, but they’re paid to pretend they don’t.”
Faye thought the plane was over the top, the service too much; now Gideon wanted to really tick all the boxes for her first flight.
“You just like making me blush,” she said.
“I do, I really do.”
When they reached cruising altitude, Gideon unbuckled his seatbelt and held out his hand. She took it with a smile and they walked to the back of the plane.
A door sectioned off the back of the plane. Inside was a room with a queen-sized bed. Across the hallway was a bathroom that Faye was sure wasn’t standard size.
Gideon turned and locked the door behind them.
“I’m going to be so embarrassed when we go back to our seats,” Faye said. Although she wasn’t feeling embarrassed at the moment. Gideon had pulled her into his arms and started nuzzling her neck.
“They won’t care, trust me.”
Faye was quickly being distracted from her worry about what other people might think. She didn’t want hours of teasing like they had been doing. It was fun, and she enjoyed it, but it wasn’t completely satisfying.
“Gideon?”
“Yes, beautiful?”
“I want to be with you,” she said, a small moan escaping her lips as he sucked on her neck.
“You are with me, love.”
“No, Gideon, I want to be with you.”
Gideon stopped kissing her neck. “You mean?”
“I mean forever. I don’t want to be away from you. I’ve never been happier than I have been when I’m with you.”
“Faye, I promise I’ll make you happy. No matter what it takes.”
“I am happy. I still need to accomplish my goals. They’re important to me. But I want to be your mate.”
Gideon leaned down and kissed her, his chest rumbling into a deep purr.
“That makes
me very happy. You won’t regret it,” he said.
Faye didn’t think she would. Gideon didn’t seem to like to fail.
She kissed him this time, moving her hands to his waist and slipping them under his shirt to touch his skin. She’d had the pleasure of feeling his hard abs the night before. She’d grown bold in the dark, placing kisses over his stomach and chest.
Faye wanted to do it again. Pulling him towards the bed, she was emboldened when he growled.
Falling forward, Gideon fell on top of her. Faye didn’t want to take it slow. She felt like they had been doing nothing but foreplay for a week and the last few days had just ramped her up into a desperate state.
“Gideon, make love to me,” she gasped as he settled his hips between her legs.
“Yes, ma’am.” Gideon pulled his shirt over his head as Faye fumbled for hers.
She had never wanted someone as much as she did Gideon. Her body was primed, her pussy wet and she knew that Gideon knew that too.
Faye pressed kisses over his chest as he worked off his pants along with hers. Fumbling hands pulled and tugged at each other’s clothes.
When they were both naked, Gideon dragged his body up hers and settled between her legs. He reached up to her neck and pulled her hair out from under her, fanning it out on the bed. “I want to see your hair every time we are together like this. I want to fall asleep with it wrapped around me.”
Faye moaned at the delicious feeling. He was warm and hard against her, his cock trapped between their stomachs.
“Gideon,” she gasped.
“Faye, there’s no turning back from this. It’s forever.”
Faye could appreciate that he wanted to be sure. She wasn’t offended. There were some words she couldn’t give him right now, but this one was easy.
“Forever, Gideon,” she said as she hesitantly reached up to his mate mark and skimmed her fingers over the iridescent design.
His green eyes flashed at her silver to yellow, then back to his green. He was making that purring noise almost constantly, it was coming from deep within him and she loved it.
Gideon slid a hand between them, cupping her and teasing his fingers through her wetness.
“You’re so hot, beautiful. Your pussy smells like sugar,” he said, his voice rough.
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