29. Finn
Finn
O ctober turned into November, bringing with it colder weather and shorter days. My morning swims became a thing of the past, but I didn’t mind it. My mornings were still spent naked and with Chester’s attention on me. The difference now was that he could touch me.
And he was naked too.
We were taking things slow, going out on dates a few nights a week. I still stopped by his shop every Friday, ordering a bouquet just to see my man smile. He rolled his eyes each time, but his pleased blush told me how he truly felt.
Along with how he’d display the flowers in pride of place on his mantelpiece, fussing with them each time he passed.
Chester liked to be spoiled, and I liked to spoil him.
Not everything was sunshine and roses though.
Despite all the time we were spending together, most of it was done away from prying eyes.
While I didn’t mind having Chester to myself, I didn’t want to hide him away.
I wanted to introduce him to the wider clan.
To take him to dinner at fancy restaurants.
Most of all, I wanted to introduce him to Danny. I’d never been able to share about my feelings before for obvious reasons, but with Chester? I wanted to scream about it to the world. Especially to Danny. He’d really pushed me to take this step, to let go of Sarah and move on as he had.
I wanted him to know I’d listened. That it had taken me longer than expected, but that I’d found my person.
Just as he had.
To do that though, we’d have to travel down to Southampton. Danny lived in a highly populated supe community, thanks to the presence of the sons of Lucifer. Supes flocked to Southampton knowing the demonic brothers didn’t tolerate any bullshit happening in their vicinity.
While I trusted those Danny was closest to not to see Chester as a target, I didn’t trust anyone else who lived in the area. Taking Chester there before we were mated was too much of a risk.
As was asking Danny to visit…but for different reasons. The shifter community was well aware that I was the leader of the McCarthy Clan, but they were also aware that Danny would step up if needed. He wouldn’t hesitate to intervene to protect us.
If the Clarkson Clan discovered he was visiting so soon after Clyde had crossed our borders, it could escalate things. They might assume we were preparing an attack and decide to strike against us pre-emptively.
All in all, it was too much of a risk. Chester’s life wasn’t something to play with.
Nor was the safety of the clan. Introducing Chester to Danny would have to wait, as would dating him publicly.
It sucked, but only a little. The main thing was spending as much time as possible with Chester.
Thanks to the support of my inner circle, it was something I was able to do.
The three of them had happily picked up my slack, allowing me to be where I truly wanted to be—at Chester’s side.
With Chester busy prepping for a slew of winter weddings at the shop, I was back at the clan house. Even though I’d been letting the others shoulder the responsibility for me, I still made sure to check in regularly.
Evan was filling us in on his most recent visit to the Clarkson Clan. “Clyde is insistent he just wants to see Reid because he cares for him.”
I tapped a pen against my leg as I studied the younger wolf. “And you don’t believe him.”
“Fuck no.” Evan cracked his knuckles, glaring into the distance. “I don’t. There’s something else at play here, I just can’t figure it out. It’s fucking killing me.”
I exchanged a knowing look with my brother. He too had noticed the dark circles under Evan’s eyes. The weight he seemed to have lost over the past few weeks. The spark that had sputtered out in him ever since the truth of his past with Reid had come to light.
I made a mental note to speak to Calan after this. We needed to approach Evan carefully so as not to exacerbate the situation.
Unfortunately, I’d forgotten to account for Logan.
“That’s not what’s killing you,” Logan said sagely.
Evan frowned at Logan. “What?”
“Logan,” I said warningly as Calan flicked his pen at his face.
Naturally, he ignored us both. “You look like shit, Evan. You have done for weeks now. Killing yourself trying to figure out what’s going on with Reid and his clan isn’t going to fix that.”
Evan’s voice dropped into a murderous register. “Fix what?”
“The guilt you’re carrying around about Reid.” Logan didn’t seem fazed by the death stare the other wolf was giving him, nonchalantly sipping his lime green monstrosity. “You won’t feel better until you sort shit out with him.”
I braced, waiting for Evan’s explosion. Beside me, I knew Calan was doing the same.
But it never came.
Instead, he slumped lower in his chair, looking more miserable than ever. “He won’t speak to me. And I don’t blame him.”
“You’re not to blame—” I started, but Evan cut me off with a lazy wave.
“Save it,” he said, exhaustion heavy in his voice. “I’ve heard it all before, and it won’t change how I feel.”
Calan sat forward. “Are you really going to sulk forever?”
Evan glared at Calan. “No, I’m going to figure out what his family wants with him.” He paused, taking in each of our dubious expressions and sighing. “Then I’ll go back to sulking.”
At least he was willing to admit there was an issue. Often, that was half the battle. Besides, I couldn’t see Reid staying mad at Evan forever. Now that Chester and I were…involved, he was bound to become a bigger part of our lives, especially given his links to the shifter community.
“Are you sure I can’t take over a shift watching him?” Evan turned to me with pleading eyes. “I won’t interact with him, I swear. ”
I rubbed a hand over my jaw as I debated it. “Do ye really think it’ll help?”
Evan blinked sluggishly. “I just need to see him with my own eyes. To know he’s safe.”
Calan sent me a look that suggested I’d be mad to agree, but I felt for Evan. It hadn’t been too long ago that Buddy was dragging me through the trees to watch over a man we barely knew. If Evan was fighting a similar battle with his wolf, it must have been making his life a nightmare.
“Okay,” I said finally. “You can be added into the rotation.”
“Really?” Evan shot upright, life finally sparking in his eyes again. “You mean it?”
“Yes. But you aren’t to talk to him under any circumstances. Understand?”
His head bobbed rapidly. “I promise.”
He practically skipped out when the meeting was over, oblivious to Logan’s teasing voice following him.
Calan let out a long-suffering sigh. “That’s going to come back and bite us somehow.”
I grunted in agreement. “If it does, it’s on me.”
“I think Evan will take the blame regardless. Seems to be his go-to where Reid is concerned.”
“I’d probably feel the same,” I admitted. “It’s hard enough knowing Chester was abused, and I didn’t know him then. But Evan did know Reid. Worse, he was a child. A child who asked for his help. That’s bound to fuck a guy up.”
“Do you know who abused Chester?”
“No,” I grumbled. “I’ve got a first name, but that’s it.”
Calan got to his feet and stretched before clapping my shoulder. “Well, if you get any more, I’ll delight in tracking the fucker down with you. ”
I patted his hand. “Thanks, brother.”
Love and murder—keeping supe families together since ancient times.
C hester’s smile when he first spotted me was rapidly becoming my favourite sight.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, coming around the counter to kiss me. “I thought you were busy this afternoon?”
“Meeting ended earlier than I thought.” I tugged him close for a kiss. These brief ones were extra delicious because they hinted that there’d be time for longer ones later. “Decided to stop in and make my weekly order early.”
Just as he did every time, Chester flushed and rolled his eyes. “You really don’t need to keep doing this.”
“But I want to,” I murmured, enfolding him in my arms. “It makes you happy, and you being happy makes me happy. Besides, how else will I learn all the different flower languages if you don’t continue to teach me?”
Chester’s hand stroked over my back as he grinned at me. “You’re incorrigible. Fine, what message would Sir like sent this week?”
I gripped him a little tighter, rocking my crotch against his. “I think I like it when ye call me Sir.”
His tongue flicked out over his lower lip. “If you’re very good, maybe I’ll call you it again.”
This flirty side of Chester was another one of my new favourite things. “Keep that up and you won’t have any more time for flowers today. You’ll be too busy bracing against one of the counters out back while I fuck you senseless.”
Chester groaned as he reached down to rearrange himself. His knuckles brushed my own bulge as he did so, making me ache harder. “Tempting as that is, Reid will be back any minute.”
“I don’t think he’d be disturbed finding you in such a position.”
“No, he’d probably pull out his phone and film it.” Chester shivered lightly. “I’m not sure what would be worse—him doing so for his personal use or to upload it to the internet.”
“Hot as it is to imagine watching that, I think you’re right, we shouldn’t risk it.
” I pulled out of his hold reluctantly. If I stayed there, I might end up saying ‘fuck it’ and throwing up a compulsion net to keep Reid out while I drove Chester crazy.
Given Logan was currently watching him, and would definitely come and investigate if Reid couldn’t get into the shop, it was definitely safer to skip it. “Tonight though?”
Chester’s fingers skimmed down my chest, like he was as powerless to stop himself as I was. “What’s happening tonight?”
“Well, the flowers are going to ask you out for a romantic evening,” I said in a whisper. “One that ends with lots of filthy sex.”
He bit his lip hungrily. “I might have to break out my flower dictionary, but I’m sure I can find some options that cover everything.”
“Good.” My business was concluded, but I found myself lingering, searching for an excuse to stay.
Just then, Chester’s stomach provided one by rumbling loudly .
“Sorry,” he muttered, pressing a hand to it. “Might’ve missed lunch.”
My brows rose. “It’s two-thirty, m’eudail.”
He waved me off. “It’s fine, I’ll eat tonight.”
His stomach rumbled again and I took the decision out of his hands. “Come on. Text Reid to say you’re going to lunch and put a note on the door.”
Chester fiddled with his bracelet, shifting on his feet. “I shouldn’t leave the shop unattended.”
Hmm. I didn’t want to push him and make him uncomfortable. Pivoting, I pulled out my phone and I clicked Logan’s contact. In just a few seconds, I had the answer I needed and hung up. “Reid’s three minutes away. We can wait and then we can go and get food.”
The tension left Chester in a rush. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Of course not.” I put my arm around his shoulders. “I want to do whatever you’re most comfortable with…but also make sure you’re fed. This way I can do both and I get to spend more time with you.”
Chester kissed my cheek. “You really are the best. You know that, right?”
Mate. Make him ours.
I frowned internally. My wolf had been getting progressively louder lately where Chester was concerned. I wanted Chester to be ours as much as he did, but there was something I wanted more.
For Chester to be happy.
I ignored my wolf and smiled at Chester. “So long as you keep thinking so, I’ll be a very happy male.”