31. THIRTY ONE
THIRTY ONE
Vera
Bas pulls me onto his big warm chest, and I sigh contentedly. He places the covers over us so I won’t get cold, and a chuckle shakes his whole chest and me along with it. “Think you can shift again to go home?”
I flush. “Oh yeah, I didn’t really think of that.” If I can’t, I’m going to be walking home naked in human form, since I left my clothes at home.
He smooths a large palm down my back. “I’m only teasing. I’m sure you can.”
We’re quiet for a while. I lay my head back on his chest and listen to his heartbeat and the gentle sounds of his body. My belly grows sticky with drying cum, but I don’t want to move.
“Now what was it that you felt you had to keep such a secret from me?” he says.
“I, ah… I got an interview for a job… in Florida.” I don’t dare look at him as I stutter out the words, sure he’s going to react badly. “I’m going to turn them down, of course.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
Now I look up, studying his face, but his expression is unreadable. Through the mate bond I’m getting only calm and concern for me. Guess I should have known better than to doubt him after all. “Yeah, of course. I want to be with you, silly.”
“Well who says you couldn’t? What if I quit my job and we both move to Florida?”
I frown. “You’d hate Florida. Too hot. Too many bugs. You love Black Pines.”
He sighs. “I do, but I love you more.”
“Awwww.” I squirm up until I can drop a kiss on his nose and grin down at him. “You’re the cutest. Seriously, though, I don’t think I want to live in Florida, and I have been giving some thought to what you said about going all trad mate and yeah, maybe there’s merit in that. At least for a while.”
“Oh thank all the gods.” He sags under me and I laugh. “I really don’t want to move to Florida, you’re right.”
“And I was actually looking forward to getting to know Adley again now she’s back in Mosswood. She’s lovely. Besides, if we move to Florida, then we won’t be here to watch all Riley’s awkward attempts to be a dad. And that would be a travesty.”
Bas rolls me over, nudging between my thighs. “You know what else would be a travesty?”
“Mmm? What else?”
“Not claiming that pretty pussy so I can knot you. Do you have another round in you?”
I can already feel that he does. His cock is hot and heavy against my inner thigh.
“Mmm, I might. But oh! We didn’t book or anything. Won’t the owners be mad if they find us here?”
He shrugs. “Gryff took one look at me when I arrived and offered me a place to hole up and lick my wounds, but we should do something to thank him.”
“We definitely should, right after we give them plenty of reasons to need thanking.” I reach between us and stroke his cock with my hand, making him thrust into my grip. “Starting with making a proper mess of these sheets.”
We leave a long thank-you note before shifting to make the trip back home.
Both of us felt the need to reconnect there, and with Bastien’s parents gone, it’s starting to feel more like my true den.
I could still use more pillows on the bed and some softer lighting, but Bas says I have free rein to decorate the place however I see fit.
It’s midnight by the time we get back, and I had completely forgotten about Riley’s promise to wait for me. When we trot back into our drive, Bas stops to lean back and nuzzle my nose before shifting.
Riley pushes up from his position leaning against the doorframe to grin at us both. “I take it this means you were successful, Ver.”
It feels a little strange to shift back to human and stand in front of my brother completely naked, but I force myself to do it, determined to act like any other shifter would.
To Riley’s credit, he doesn’t react other than to give me a proud smile.
“Look at you, shifting like you’ve been doing it all your life. ”
I do feel rather proud of myself. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
He brushes off my thanks with a half-shrug.
Bas laughs. “Well at least you didn’t have to punch me this time.”
“Maybe I should have, though. What were you thinking running out on my sister like that?”
Bas looks a little sheepish. “Ah, I guess I wasn’t thinking. And I would probably deserve it. You’re right.”
I step between them, hands raised. “Listen, no more hitting each other, OK? I’ve had enough drama for one day and…” I break off and look down as my stomach growls angrily.
Bas laughs and pulls me against his side in a hug. “Sounds like someone is hungry. I remember what it was like my first few shifts. I think I ate through a week’s worth of groceries. Let’s fix you something to eat. You coming in, Riley?”
My brother scents the air and makes a face. “I take it you’ve reconciled and I won’t have to see anything that will make me want to scrub my eyes with bleach, so yes. I could use a beer, now that you’ve offered.”
I sit on the kitchen counter in my pajamas and eat pickles out of the jar—don’t judge me, I’ve always had a thing about pickled vegetables—while Bas makes grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone.
We’re in the middle of a friendly argument about whether the Jacks should have traded their most experienced running back in favor of a younger player who came at considerable cost, when I go looking for my phone to settle the debate about player stats.
When I find it, it’s tucked down the side of the couch, and I blink at the notification on my screen for a full minute before I work up the courage to open it.
New email from Ireena Starkis, Superintendent of Regional National Parks Operations - Mosswood Highlands District.
That has to be good, right? It’s good news.
Bas wraps his arm around my shoulders, nudging me out of my stupor. He hands me a plate with a grilled cheese on it, but I can’t take it yet. “Hey, you good?”
“Yeah, I just—” I turn the screen so he can see the notification. “What do you think this is?”
“Won’t know until you open it.”
Riley stops monologuing about the Jacks’ quarterback and looks over. “What is it, Ver?”
I swallow around the lump in my throat and open the email, and my eyes immediately tear up.
Dear Ms Ballard,
I was thrilled to receive your proposal for landscaping work at Black Pines National Park.
It’s not often we get such a promising intern, especially in our quiet neck of the woods.
I trust that you enjoyed your internship with Sebastien Powell and found it valuable.
Sebastien is a highly accomplished ranger.
I am pleased to note that a position with our service has recently become available, and if you are interested, I would like to offer you a chance to interview.
I understand you are due to graduate this summer.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. I hope to have the chance to meet you in person.
Kind Regards,
Ireena Starkis
Mosswood Highlands District Superintendent
National Parks Service
It’s Riley who breaks the silence. “Ver, that’s exactly what you always wanted! Why are you standing there looking like you just got struck by lightning?”
A laugh bubbles up and escapes me, and I look at them both, my grin straining the muscles at the corners of my mouth. “I know. It is. It’s real, right? Someone pinch me.”
“Not a chance.” Bas actually lets me go and steps away.
“Don’t look at me.” Riley lifts his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I have no interest in getting mauled by a bear.”
I shake my head. “Still treating me like a baby after all these years.”
They share a horrified look until I laugh.
“Would you two relax? OK. I’m doing this, aren’t I? There’s no question.”
“You’re doing it,” they say together.
With shaking hands I type back a quick reply, accepting the offer and opening the next chapter of my life.
THE END