by Lee Oliver
Lunch was a huge success. Ranger might not have Cam’s moves but he did pay attention. All Aiden’s favorite foods had been included. Ranger did a mental shudder at the way Aiden poured ketchup over his fries but it wasn’t as though he had to eat them.
“I needed this,” Aiden said, pushing his plate away. “The view, the food, the amazing company.” Aiden stroked Ranger’s arm. Six months ago, he would’ve moved away. Now Ranger found he craved the connection. Which reminded him.
“I don’t have a problem with you touching me when we’re out, you know,” he said, topping up Aiden’s glass. Sweet mango juice. Ranger didn’t want Aiden’s pack mates seeing him drunk.
“I…er…I didn’t want to presume,” Aiden’s head was down and Ranger tilted it up, smiling at the blush he knew would be there.
“We’re a team, you and me, yeah?”
Aiden nodded.
“There’s nothing I won’t do for you.”
“Same here.” Aiden’s cheeks were still red but the smile was back.
“There might be some who’re jealous of our true mate bond, but that’s their problem, not ours.”
Aiden nodded.
“So, if you want a hug, or to hold my hand, you know sometimes I’d appreciate it.”
“You mean, keep you safe from the horny lady wolves that look at the bulge in your pants and think pups.” Aiden’s grin grew wider.
“I don’t have a problem with people knowing the true nature of our relationship,” Ranger said, although Aiden had hit the nail on the head. His assassin tattoo had a lot to answer for in a species that put a lot of value on strength.
“Cam told me when we first met; you were used to being alone. I just didn’t want to….”
“And you don’t,” Ranger interrupted quickly. “Has my life changed? It has. Has yours? Definitely. Are we in this together?”
“Indubitably.”
“Then how about you trust me with everything?” Ranger stared into Aiden’s eyes and knew his mate understood. In just a matter of weeks, Ranger had gone from being a tough assassin who preferred his own company to being Alpha Mate. Aiden’s dreams of simply being allowed to move out from under his father’s domain had come true, but the responsibilities he carried now were tough for young shoulders.
“I love you,” Aiden said simply, “and yeah, I do trust you. With everything. You’re my life.”
The two men sat on the grass, watching out over their territory. There was a lot of talking, some quiet times and some pretty hot make-out sessions along the way. But as they wandered back to the car, the picnic stuff cleared away, Ranger had one more question.
“You ever think about taking a vacation? We could let Cam and the others run this place for a while. Travel. See places.”
“Leave your weapons behind for a change?”
Ranger shrugged; he wasn’t going to promise the impossible. But as he drove the car back to their home, Aiden’s excited chatter about the places he wanted to see filled him with warmth he’d never had. Thanking the Fates, he joined in the planning of their holiday, knowing that wherever life took him, Aiden would always be by his side.
Epilogue
“Here you go; something towards your study expenses.” Cam handed the young blond a hundred.
“You don’t have to. It’s not as though we did anything, and I’m not a whore. All I did was sleep on your bed and you were on the couch,” the blond protested although Cam could see the need in his eyes.
“I’m not suggesting you’re a whore,” Cam said quickly, giving the young man a hug. “It’s just you told me about your studies and I know student life isn’t easy.”
“You sure?” The blond asked, but he was already slipping the bill into his pocket.
“Just remember our agreement,” Cam warned.
“Never tell a living soul what went on tonight, unless someone gets pushy. Then tell them you’re the best fuck I ever had.” The blond wore a cheeky grin. “I don’t mind finding out if that’s true, you know.”
“It ain’t gonna happen, kid, now beat it. You have classes in a few hours. And yawn a couple of times for me.”
The blond laughed and skipped out the door, full of the energy of youth after a good night’s sleep. Cam closed the door with a sigh. He went over to his dresser and pulled out the picture he’d hidden there before his “date.” It was a candid shot. Cam snapped it quickly during a job three years before and kept it ever since.
The man in the picture was proud, an arrogant look on his lean handsome face. His long black hair was similar to Ranger’s although there were no highlights or colorful streaks in it. His body was hidden under the long leather trench coat the man was barely seen without, but Cam remembered every detail of their one night. The strength of the man’s hands, the power of his thrusts and the unabashed pleasure that lined the man’s face as he climaxed with a roar and a bite.
“Fucking bastard,” Cam said sadly, stroking the features of the man’s face in the picture. “Why couldn’t I be good enough for you to stay?” he stared at the picture until a beep from his watch reminded him he had things to do. “I’ll see you tonight,” he said, popping the picture back in its hiding place. Checking his game face in the mirror, Cam smoothed back his hair, straightened his back, plastered on a smile and strode out of the room. With Ranger and Aiden on vacation, people were counting on him and he was proud of the fact he never let anyone down. Not even his mate.
About the Author
Lee Oliver is a pen name for author Lisa Oliver. Always known as “Tea-Lee” as a teenager because of her preference for that particular beverage, Lisa’s tea drinking habit has remained, making her nickname the perfect pen name. Lee Oliver will be responsible for the short, easy to read, and hopefully enjoy, stories she’s always wanted to write.
You can contact Lee/Lisa on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor, through her blog, http://www.supernaturalsmut.com or via email at [email protected].
Other Books By Lisa Oliver
Cloverleah Pack
Book 1 – The Reluctant Wolf – Kane and Shawn
Book 2 – The Runaway Cat – Griff and Diablo
Book 3 – When No Doesn’t Cut It – Damien and Scott
Book 3.5 – Never Go Back – Scott and Damien’s Trip and a free story about Malacai and Elijah
Book 4 – Calming the Enforcer – Troy and Anton
Book 5 – Getting Close to the Omega – Dean and Matthew
Book 6 – Fae for All – Jax, Aelfric and Fafnir (M/M/M)
Book 7 – Watching Out for Fangs –Josh and Vadim
Book 8 – Tangling with Bears – Tobias, Luke and Kurt (M/M/M)
Book 9 – Angel in Black Leather – Adair and Vassago
Book 9.5 – Scenes from Cloverleah – four short stories featuring the men we’ve come to love
Book 10 – On The Brink – Teilo, Raff and Nereus (M/M/M)
Book 11 – (as yet untitled) – Marius and (shush, it’s a secret) (Coming April 2017)
The God’s Made Me Do It (Cloverleah spin off series)
Get Over It – Madison and Sebastian’s story (Coming February 2017)
Bound and Bonded Series
Book One – Don’t Touch – Levi and Steel
Book Two – Topping the Dom – Pearson and Dante
Book Three – Total Submission – Kyle and Teric
Book Four – Fighting Fangs – Ace and Devin
Book Five – No Mate of Mine – Roger and Cam
Book Six – Undesirable Mate – Phillip and Kellen
Stockton Wolves Series
Book One – Get off My Case – Shane and Dimitri
Book Two – Copping a Lot of Sin – Ben, Sin and Gabriel (M/M/M)
Book Three – Mace’s Awakening – Mace and Roan
Book Four – Don’t Bite – Trent and Alexi
Book Five – (as yet untitled) – Captain Reynolds and Nico (Coming March 2017)
Alpha and Omega Serie
s
Book One – The Biker’s Omega – Marly and Trent
Book Two – Dance Around the Cop – Zander and Terry
Book 2.5 – Change of Plans - Q and Sully – short story, (Coming soon)
Book Three – The Artist and His Alpha – Caden and Sean
Book Four – Harder in Heels – Ronan and Asaph
The Portrain Pack and Coven
The Power of the Bite – Dax and Zane
The Fangs Between Us – Broz and Van – a Portrain Coven and Pack Prequel (coming soon).
Balance – Angels and Demons
The Viper’s Heart – Raziel and Botis
Passion Punched King – Anael and Zagan – coming March 2017
Shifter’s Uprising Series – in conjunction with Thomas J. Oliver
Book One – Uncaged – Carlin and Lucas
Book Two – Fly Free (Coming soon)