Chapter Six #2
“I care!” Aaron’s own voice rose.
“Well, you shouldn’t!” Bas snapped. “Why can’t you see yourself the way we see you.”
“Because I feel weak! Like the weak link. Every time you and Leo have to protect me. I have these vague dreams or visions that don’t even help.” Aaron fought back the tears that wanted to fall.
“You are not weak!” Bas shook him again. “You’re stronger than me and Leo combined. And your heart is the best part of you. Even after all that we’ve been through, you still care so much about other people.”
“I do care,” Aaron said.
“I know. I’d already given up on people, human or paranormal. I was willing to help those in need, but I always expect the worst out of them. Leo is different now that he’s found Gavin, but even he’s waiting for something to happen. You though…you see the best in everyone.”
“Not that it does me any good.” Aaron hated feeling so useless.
“Let us help you,” Bas said. “We can do the heavy lifting. And from what I’ve seen from your mate, Carter has the need to protect and help as well. That’s why he is perfect for you.”
“Maybe,” Aaron allowed.
Bas hummed before pulling Aaron into a hug.
Taking advantage of the fact that Bastian really wasn’t a touchy-feely person, Aaron hugged his old friend hard. It didn’t make him feel any better, yet Aaron was totally going to take advantage. Hugs were the best.
“Just so you know,” Bas said as he drew away. “Carter is a smart man. He might not give you the choice of whether or not you’re going to have the conversation you’re trying to avoid.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Aaron admitted.
“Great!” Bas smacked him on the back. “At least you get dinner out of it.”
Aron groaned.
“Fun times!” Bas said. “I’m so glad I found my mate first.”
“Shup up.” Aaron stomped all the way down the steps.
* * * * *
Aaron
Carter finished setting the table as Aaron played with the puppies in the living room.
Aaron had offered to help but he’d also already admitted to being a complete disaster in the kitchen.
Carter liked things the way they were. Allowing Aaron to relax after working all day as Carter took care of him.
It hadn’t been until Carter had taken full custody of Hudson that he realized his love language was taking care of others. Carter might not have ever figured it out if it wasn’t for his brother.
Aaron laughed loudly before he gently scolded Legolas for jumping on Aragon.
Moving toward the fridge so he could peek into the living room, Carter smiled. Aaron was on his back, allowing all three puppies to climb over him. Drawing out his phone, Carter snapped a few quick pictures.
It was nice having Aaron home with him. The scene happening in the living room was exactly what Carter had hoped for when he relocated. A future with someone like Aaron.
He’d been thinking a lot since his and Hudson’s talk. Hudson and Bas had spent a good half an hour visiting with Aaron and the puppies as Carter started dinner. Giving Carter the time and space he needed.
Whatever mates meant to the paranormal community was one thing.
Carter had his own thoughts. While it was obvious that Hudson was all-in and committed as soon as he learned Bas’s secret, that wasn’t the way that Carter worked.
It wasn’t that he wouldn’t mate with Aaron.
He just wanted to get to know the man who was supposed to be picked for him by the fates better before taking such a big step.
If Aaron didn’t bring up the subject of mates by the time dessert was finished, Carter would bite the bullet.
This needed to be dealt with. Carter wanted to date Aaron while learning more about his partner and the paranormal world.
He was hoping that Aaron would understand the need for Carter to take his time.
Mixing customs from both their worlds would be a nice compromise.
The buzzer from the oven went off, and he hurried out of view so Aaron didn’t notice that Carter had been watching him.
Carter turned off the timer before pulling the dinner rolls from the oven.
“It smells so good in here.” Aaron was gripping the edges of the doorframe leaning forward with a grin. The three pups were around his ankles, jumping on the gate that kept them out of the way.
Picking up a couple of gates to block areas that the puppies could get hurt in had been a good suggestion from the vet. He appreciated that after admitting he was new at being a pet owner, she hadn’t judged him and made a list of suggestions to make his life easier.
Carter had been telling Hudson the truth earlier when he said that he was glad Hudson and Bas would be in the house to help with Aragon, Legolas, and Arwen. And Aaron had volunteered to take the puppies into the office when both he and Hudson were working.
“It’s almost ready,” Carter said as he realized that he hadn’t responded to Aaron. “Why don’t you take them out for a quick bathroom break while I finish up?”
“I can do that,” Aaron replied. He bent over, picking up the three little ones, giving Carter the perfect view of his round ass.
Carter burned to get his hands on that body, yet he knew it would have to wait until he and Aaron talked things through.
He didn’t want to mess up by making a move that might mean something different in the paranormal customs. Carter wished he’d asked his brother more questions.
Not about sex. Because no. They might be close, but Carter did not want to know about what was happening in Hudson’s sex life.
It was bad enough he’d been responsible to have “the talk” with his brother when Hudson hit puberty and later about condoms and lube.
“You just got a really weird look on your face. Everything okay? Aaron asked.
Carter waved the hand that was still covered by the hot pad glove. “I can’t even start to explain. Go ahead.”
“O…okay.” Aaron grinned, stepping over the gate with the three wiggling pups.
Carter moved before he even thought about his actions. He was blocking Aaron’s path to the back door. Once he was standing in the way, he faltered.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Aaron asked quietly.
Carter nodded as he dropped his gaze down to Aaron’s lips. He really wanted to kiss the other man.
“You still want me to take the pups out back?” Aaron questioned sounding adorable confused.
Carter nodded again.
“Are you going to let us pass? And if you nod again, I might kick you.”
Realizing that he was still staring at Aaron’s lips, Carter lifted his eyes. “Thank you for coming over.”
Aaron smiled sweetly. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“I want to invite you again,” he blurted out.
“To dinner?” Aaron asked.
Carter moved closer. “Yes. Will you have dinner with me again?”
“Yes. When?”
Reaching out, Carter grasped Aaron by the upper arm. “Tomorrow?”
“Don’t you work tomorrow?”
“Yes. After. I’ll make you dinner again,” Carter said.
“I could grab us something, so you don’t have to cook again,” Aaron offered.
“I want to,” Carter confessed quietly. “Please let me cook for you again.”
Aaron licked his lips as he leaned into Carter. “Okay.”
“Yeah?” Carter allowed his smile to grow. “Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Can I kiss you now?” Carter asked.
“Please,” Aaron replied while his eyelids fluttered closed.
Closing the distance between them, Carter pressed his lips against Aaron’s before they could get interrupted again. He expected the jolt from the few times that they’d touch as Carter settled into the kiss.
He coaxed Aaron’s lips open and plunged his tongue inside, taking control.
Aaron pressed against Carter’s chest as the kiss deepened. Carter started to wrap his arms around Aaron’s back to pull him even closer before there was a bark and tiny teeth caught his stomach.
Carter jerked back before laughing as Legolas peered up at him with his tongue hanging out. “I better let you take them out before I end up dragging you to my bed.” He stepped back, putting space between them.
“Fuck,” Aaron muttered softly before heading for the back door.
Carter chuckled as he walked away. He finished setting the dishes on the table before cleaning up while he had the chance. Carter hated leaving a mess and mostly cleaned as he cooked. And he didn’t want to waste time that he could be spending with Aaron.
Was this the mate bond that Hudson had whispered in Carter’s ear before leaving with Bas for the night? It had taken all his control not to yank Hudson back in the house when his brother had smirked at him. Little shit.
Once everything was perfect, Carter wondered if he should have added candles or flowers.
Hudson had talked about planting flowers in the back yard before and Carter wished he would have followed up on that request. Then he would have flowers at his fingertips.
And candles? Hudson might have some in his room but Carter sure the hell didn’t.
The back door opened and Aaron entered, looking a little worse for wear.
“What happened?” Carter asked as he strode across the kitchen. He took the puppies from Aaron as he huffed.
“Arwen was jumping on me and I stepped back and tripped over Aragon then Legolas jumped on me and tried to eat my hair.” Aaron frowned. “Are we sure that we can handle three puppies?”
“It’ll be fine,” Carter told him sure that the two of them could handle anything as long as they tried together. “I’ll get them settled while you wash up for dinner. Hurry. You don’t want the food to get cold.”
“Sure. Sure.” Aaron glanced up. “Maybe a kiss would make me feel better.”
Oh? Was that how this was going to go? Carter lifted an eyebrow.
Aaron smiled and Carter decided that maybe it would be a good way to reward Aaron for asking for what he wanted. Making up a reward system had worked for a teenage Hudson.
Leaning down, Carter brushed his lips over Aaron’s in a gentle caress.
He pulled back before things could get too heated. “Go clean up, he ordered.
Aaron shuddered at the command. “Yes, sir.”
And now Carter’s cock was hard.