Chapter 2 The Perils of a Teacher Crush #2
He chuckled and took a deep gulp of his whiskey.
“You’re most welcome.” His eyes were glued to his husband, the blindingly gorgeous Leonard Sullivan, né Chase, who stood a few yards away, talking to some Bracknells.
I couldn’t keep track of the Bracknell clan—they were way too many and kept procreating—but I spotted Emanuel, the diminutive but formidable omega patriarch.
Then my eyes were drawn back to Davidson’s husband.
In my defense, Leonard had that effect on most alphas.
He shifted their firstborn on his hip and planted a soft kiss on the toddler’s temple. Then he handed the child to Emanuel Bracknell and stretched his back. A little baby bump stuck out from underneath his loose shirt.
“Another kid already?” I asked Davidson.
He shrugged, his expression terribly smug. “I like Leo pregnant.” He sighed contentedly and wiggled in his chair, sinking deeper into the cushions. “And he likes it too.” The energy coming off Davidson was undeniably sexual. Lucky bastard.
“But don’t tell me you like this.” I waved my hand toward the busy lawn. Davidson was the last person here who I’d expect to enjoy himself at a garden party, and yet he was throwing them.
“I hate it. It’s horrendous. I can’t wait to kick everyone out.
” A wide grin stretched his lips, contradicting his words.
I followed his gaze to find Leonard walking toward us.
He was indeed breathtaking, his white shirt billowing around his lovely form, eyes bright, his regal features alight with a sweet smile he seemed to reserve for his husband.
He had the glow of a happy dragon mate, shining so bright I might as well put on my sunglasses.
“Hello, Pascal, having a good time?” he asked me, sparing me a brief glance before focusing on Davidson.
“Not really. But at least I don’t have to run after all those children.”
Leonard let out a carefree laugh and fluidly sank onto Davidson’s lap. “And what about you, my master? How are you holding up?”
Davidson tugged at the collar around his husband’s neck, the somewhat archaic symbol of their bond. “I’m annoyed. In fact, I haven’t been in such a bad mood since my last birthday.”
Leonard brushed his lips over Davidson’s. “I fear you will take it out on me.” He didn’t sound the least bit afraid.
“Oh, I will. This party was your idea, and I’ll punish you for putting me through it.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at their exchange. “I’m still here, you know.”
“Did you hear something?” Davidson asked against Leonard’s lips.
“I only hear your voice.”
I groaned. “Seriously?”
They both laughed out loud and turned to me, Leonard cradled in Davidson’s lap, Davidson’s hand possessively on Leonard’s rounded belly.
“How’s work, Pascal?” Leonard asked. “Are you staying in the city indefinitely?”
“Looks like it.”
“Pascal got tenure at Ardaine University,” Davidson told Leo. “He’s stuck here with us.”
“Congratulations,” Leo said pleasantly. “Impressive.”
“Thank you. The job is great. I’ll just miss the freedom Ontario offers.”
“That’s the downside,” Davidson said. “It’s not like you can just lift off your roof in the middle of the day and fly for a hundred miles north, nothing but trees and lakes below you.”
“But Cross River is nice,” Leonard said. “Ernest and Lawrie go flying there almost every week.”
Davidson grunted. “I don’t enjoy flying in Cross River as much as I used to.”
Leonard petted his cheek. “It’s been so long. I barely think about it anymore. We could go together next weekend. I think I’d like it.”
Leonard’s kidnapping some years ago had caused quite the uproar, and the rumors spread among dragon shifters all the way to Canada. Rogues, or crows as some people called them, were rare, so when one turned up and was eliminated, it became the talk of the dragon community for a decade.
Davidson looked worried but nodded agreeably. “Okay.” He pecked his husband on the lips, and Leonard laid his head on Davidson’s shoulder.
“Davidson told me you’re celebrating an important life event next Saturday,” he said. “Where’s the party invitation? Or are you going on an opulent cruise? Or getting a new car? A motorbike, perhaps?”
Leonard’s tongue was sharp. If I were in Davidson’s place, I might yearn to punish him too. But something told me—mainly the collar and the way they were around each other—that their games were way out of my comfort zone.
“Your alpha should have kept his mouth shut,” I replied.
Davidson nodded knowingly. “It’s coming for you, my dear Pascal. The formidable forty.”
“Ugh.”
“Hurry up. A single dragon alpha above forty is a disaster,” he stated.
Leonard rubbed his cheek against Davidson’s shirt. “You weren’t that bad.”
“I hear he was the worst,” I said. “He’s only been tolerable since you’ve turned up.”
Davidson didn’t protest, and Leonard smiled happily at him. He truly was too beautiful for words. Davidson kept petting his pregnant stomach, and suddenly, the marital bliss got a bit too much for me.
“I should be going. The talk about flying has me on edge.”
Davidson frowned. “You’re lucky. It’s the last good day. The weather’s supposed to go bad tomorrow.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you in the city next week. Lunch?”
“Check with my assistant.”
“I will.”
I snuck out without saying goodbye to anyone.
Some might consider it rude, but with the amount of people at the party, I’d spend an hour doing the rounds before I’d be able to leave.
Hopefully, Davidson would understand and make excuses for me if anyone asked, but most probably, nobody would even notice.
After checking the map on my phone, I drove straight for Cross River National Park.
Hugo was right. I’d been moody lately, which wasn’t like me.
I truly missed the freedom to fly whenever more than I’d anticipated, and it was making me restless.
The familiar, jittery energy in my chest grew as I drove.
I couldn’t wait to spread my wings.