Chapter 29 #2
Zak lay on his stomach so Orrin could bandage the burning, bloodied stripes on his ass and upper leg. The marks hurt more than he’d expected, especially now that they’d paused their lovemaking. As Orrin applied antibiotic ointment, Zak asked about their new connection.
“What happened? I thought the bond was one-sided and I wouldn’t feel anything.”
Orrin sent his mate a wave of affection before speaking, and Zak gasped in surprise.
“You sensed that, didn’t you?”
Zak managed an amused grunt.
“Yeah, I did. I love you, too, mate . I’m just wondering how it could be possible.”
Orrin continued the first aid as they conversed.
“Your genetic mix must have allowed some level of the bond, though I don’t think it’s as strong as what I’m feeling.
Maybe it will change over time, but it will be interesting to see what we can do.
Most shifter couples can detect emotions, locate their mates from a distance, or even send simple messages to one another.
It’s all non-verbal, and nobody understands how it works.
The downside is that secrets are hard to keep. ”
Orrin finished placing the large white bandages protecting Zak’s mating marks, though the brief pressure made him wince.
“Sorry, my love. I know it hurts, but it will be so beautiful when it heals.”
Amused and curious, Zak rolled over on his right side and Orrin lay down to face him.
“You picked an odd place to mark me, my love. Any particular reason?”
Orrin growled in response.
“My bear didn’t have a preference, but I don’t want anyone seeing your marks except me. You’re mine! ”
Zak kissed him deeply; fingers threaded through Orrin’s thick, luxurious hair.
“Yes, yours. As it should be. I’m proud to wear your marks.”
Purring with satisfaction, Orrin pulled Zak on top of him. The man soon fell asleep, and he drew the covers over them where they were. The mating drive would reassert itself soon enough, and he’d have no choice but to take his mate as many times as he could handle. Until then, they rested.
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Meanwhile, at the Pocono Ridge Resort
It had been eons since Andrew and Melody shared a restaurant meal with little ones.
The children had been here once before with several other families, and spent the meal telling them about it.
First-rate food and service made supper even more enjoyable, and the dessert was both rich and satisfying.
Afterward, they wandered through the retail shops, stopped at the Delicious storefront for chocolates, and then returned to their room in the shifter wing.
As parents of a quasi-shifter whose needs were different from theirs, the Halls were uniquely qualified to see that Rayn had a good time.
The small bathroom in their combination suite didn’t have a tub, so the kids got to experience their first shower—guided by either Grandma or Grandpa.
The jammies went on next, followed by brushed teeth, before they gathered in the main room for story time.
Both kids were tuckered out and ready for bed by the time the story ended.
The suite had two sleeping areas—one with human beds and one without.
They chose the room designed for bears, but made a sleeping pad with blankets for Rayn.
The others shifted and formed a rough circle with her in the middle.
The little ones were given several good licks before the pleasant rumbling of three bears lulled them to sleep.
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Monday morning, May 5th
Zak picked up his half-naked mate and parked his gorgeous ass on the kitchen countertop.
“Stay right there, Orrin, while I cook breakfast. It’s safer if you watch from there, and then I can sit on your lap while we eat. Deal?”
Orrin growled in frustration, but nodded his agreement.
Their new bond’s strength made it more difficult for him to be anywhere but in Zak’s pocket.
Neither he nor his bear were happy when they weren’t touching or holding their mate, and being out of sight caused a great deal of stress.
The insecurity and intensity would begin to fade soon, but honestly, Zak didn’t mind.
Their bonding week was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and if Orrin needed to be his second skin for a few days, Zak welcomed it.
It wasn’t as if Orrin were the only one enjoying himself, and who would want to deny their mate anything within their power to provide?
Besides, it made Zak feel loved and essential to have a kind, sweet, sexy shifter desire him like his last drink of water.
He’d never abuse their connection or hurt his beloved, but it was difficult not to feel inferior to Orrin in many ways.
A lifetime of cutting remarks and societal rejection could do that to a person, though Orrin had never—not once—made Zak feel like he was somehow… less .
By the time Zak finished cooking up their breakfast, Orrin was huffing quietly from his perch on the counter, shaking with the need to touch his mate again.
Zak quickened his movements, transferring things to the table so they wouldn’t have to break contact later.
Once he’d grabbed the carafe of coffee and a loaf of warmed sweet bread, it was time to eat, and he scooped Orrin off the counter and into his arms. The man melted against him, snuffling at his neck and purring to beat the band.
It took some patient persuasion to get Orrin into a chair, only to be pulled onto a cushion in his lap and kissed silly.
Orrin couldn’t decide which he wanted more—Zak’s mouth or the food—so he took turns enjoying both.
Feeding one another had become a habit since their first post-mating snack late Friday night.
Crumbs that fell in intimate places were chased after with nose or tongue, always resulting in an orgasm or two.
Actually, they had enjoyed sex in nearly every corner of the house, spending most of their time in shorts or boxers—garments easily discarded when duty called.
Though Zak’s mating marks were healing, the deep scratches were still tender, making him uncomfortable if he sat for too long.
Orrin sensed his pain and adjusted the cushion so Zak was resting on the other butt cheek for a while, all while murmuring ‘mine’, ‘my mate’ over and over.
Once they’d demolished the food, Orrin noticed that Zak was thinking about something he’d failed to mention out loud.
“What’s on your mind, love?”
Zak gave him another smooch.
“I just remembered that it’s my birthday today.”
Orrin looked perplexed and a little sad.
“It is? What day is it, anyway?”
“The fifth of May.”
Orrin gave him an owl-eyed stare.
“What? But May fifth is my birthday! How old are you?”
Somehow, Zak knew where this was going.
“I turn twenty-eight today. How old are you?”
Orrin threw back his head and laughed.
“The same! I can’t believe we never talked about this before. What were the chances of being born on the same day and year? Well, a very happy birthday to you, beloved, and I’m sorry I didn’t get you a present.”
Zak prepared to say something that would probably sound cheesy, but he really meant it.
“Ah, but you did. You gave me your heart, and it’s the best gift I’ll ever get.”
Orrin purred his way through a multitude of kisses until they finally came up for air and he thought of something.
“We have a small cake in the freezer. Remind me to get it out, and we’ll have it for lunch. I even have some candles we can blow out.”
Zak’s playful grin appeared, and he slipped off Orrin’s lap to kneel before his mate while tugging down the man’s shorts.
“Sounds good. Meanwhile, there’s something else I want to blow.”