Chapter Eighteen
Brad
Brad could sense the difference in Lionel as they were escorted to the table in the busy restaurant. Laughter, murmured conversations, and the sound of clinking cutlery came with the scent of delicious food.
Lionel looked impressed as he glanced about and clutched Brad’s hand a little tighter when they stopped at the specific table Brad had requested. Candles in the glasses sitting in the middle of the table flickered in the soft evening breeze coming through the open windows.
The last of the evening sunset reflected over the water garden, and Brad high-fived himself for choosing this place.
It spoke of what Brad wanted to achieve for them on their first official date.
Romance. He hoped there would be many more like this in their future—in fact, he’d make sure of it.
His mate deserved to know he was special.
“Beautiful,” Lionel murmured as the server pulled out Brad’s chair first before seating Lionel.
“I love it here. I’ve been several times.”
A sense of unease came, and Brad glanced at Lionel; only his mate’s expression revealed none of his thoughts.
“My parents love this place, and they introduced me to the great food. Then, when I finish a work project that might have been particularly hard, I’d treat myself to dinner here and bring a book and enjoy the moment. ”
Lionel held his stare as the server placed the menus in front of them. “You didn’t come here…” with a date?
The question went unfinished, but Brad caught the thought and shook his head, aware that the server was holding the wine menu and was most likely trying to figure out when best to start the spiel about which wines were best with what.
“Do you want wine with the meal? I can recommend the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. It will go with pretty much anything you order.” So far, Lionel had only ever drunk wine when they were together, and Brad wanted Lionel to know he was paying attention to the details.
A beaming smile was aimed in his direction before Lionel looked to the server. “Could we have a bottle of that?”
The server gave a polite nod and left holding the menu.
“So what food would you recommend?”
Brad laughed buoyantly. “Everything. I’ve never had a bad meal here. Although I love their pad thai with shrimp, which is what I’ve already decided to have.”
Lionel shut his menu. “I think I’ll have that too.”
After the server returned with their wine and had taken their order, Brad linked one of his hands with Lionel’s as they sat opposite each other.
In a room full of attractive people, all Brad could see was his mate and how happy he felt to be with him.
“How was the pie you had at lunchtime? All I got was a measly sandwich, by the time I got down to the café, the good stuff was sold out!” he exclaimed dramatically for effect.
The grin Lionel gave him was all teeth and charm. “Amazing, she could make a fortune selling that pork pie.”
Brad’s stomach let out a protesting gurgle making Lionel chuckle as he reached for his glass with his free hand.
He took a sip and made an appreciative noise in the back of his throat, pleasing Brad.
He’d once or twice fantasized about bringing someone special to this place, and now he could say with authority it was so much more romantic than he’d envisioned.
“Although saying that, she’s a wonderful employee, and I would hate to lose her. She managed to complete all the paperwork Pennington generated—”
Brad narrowed his gaze, his hackles rising. “What did he do?” he asked before Lionel could say any more. “He’s already on my shit list.”
Lionel squeezed his fingers, lifted their joined hands, and kissed the back of Brad’s hand.
His eyes gleamed like polished glass and held Brad hypnotized.
“I was ensuring there were no issues for my clients and made some changes that generated a little more paperwork than usual. I’m happy to report that everyone else I spoke with has no such issue with my mating and isn’t concerned about Pennington kicking me out of the pride. ”
“I should hope not, or my shit list will grow, and I’ll have to flex my muscles again.”
The scent of Lionel’s arousal tickled Brad’s nose as he shifted on the seat, his cheeks flushed with color.
Brad’s smile widened. “You like that idea?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“I shouldn’t, but I do.” Lionel took another sip of wine, only this was more of a gulp and didn’t do any harm to Brad’s ego.
“Dad agreed to cut ties with Pennington after the stunt he pulled. So with the emails he’d have gotten today with our withdrawal from the two projects we signed up to, I hope that gave him something to think about.”
Lionel’s brows rose up his forehead. “Don’t you have contracts?”
“We did, but one had no clause because Pennington didn’t want to be hit with delay fees should the mall not stay within the timeframe allocated.” Brad shrugged off the concern. “And the other we’ll take on the chin.”
The wine Lionel had taken a sip of sprayed the table and their joined hands.
His eyes wide with alarm, as the glass hit the table and splashed the tablecloth, not that Lionel noticed.
“Your dad is happy about this?” he choked out, grabbing his napkin to dab at their hands and then his chin, while not looking at those who had turned to look in their direction.
“Yes, in fact he was insistent on being the one to tell Pennington to take a hike.” Brad squeezed Lionel’s fingers, offering a winning smile.
“You’re my mate, and as far as my family is concerned, along with me, no one is going to mess with you.
” Brad caught the scent of his dinner and glanced at the server, who was approaching.
“Great service as always. I’m starving,” he announced, sitting back and letting go of Lionel’s hand.
“Let’s see what you think of your meal.”
Brad kept the conversation light, sensing Lionel’s lingering disbelief that someone he hadn’t met would be so supportive of him. They talked about their friends and Ian’s sister Maisie, who had the baby.
Lionel gave Brad some insight into Hector and how he was before he met Morty.
“For someone who can create magic in the kitchen, it amazes me what absolute disaster he can rain down on those around him.”
“Did you hear how he met Hector?”
Brad nodded, swallowing the bit of shrimp that melted in his mouth. “At the Bucket List Buddies dance event.”
“No, well yes.” Lionel wiped his lips and took another sip of his wine. “Morty stepped on Hector outside the dance hall before they’d even gotten inside the building.”
Brad snorted and chuckled at just how easy it was to imagine Morty doing just that. “We all best hope he gets a little more coordinated when he’s caring for the baby.”
Lionel’s hair swung around his shoulders as he moved. “I believe Hector will do quite a lot of the baby duties.”
Brad tilted his head to the side picking something up from Lionel, but wasn’t sure what.
“How very modern. I like it.” Brad had given little thought to babies.
He hadn’t considered his career taking a back seat for quite some considerable time.
Although he’d not considered finding his mate so easily. Not that he was complaining about that.
There was also the little—or not so little—issue of how what hung between his mate's legs would fit inside him.
“I’m picking something up—through our link—although I’m not sure quite what?” Lionel questioned, his brows pinched together.
Brad hesitated and glanced about, seeing that no one was close enough to hear their conversation. He inhaled and met Lionel’s gaze. “I… it’s… you’re… large.”
Lionel’s lips twitched as Brad shared his thoughts with Lionel about what part he was referring to. “I’m just not sure how you’ll… manage.” Brad sat back a little and indicated from his belly button down with a hand span just how small he was.
A bright flush of color rode up the neckline of Lionel’s polo shirt, yet his eyes gleamed with mirth. “I’m sure we can figure it out. I mean, there are so many things we can do… instead.”
“I know… but don’t you want… more ?” Brad was conflicted because he wanted more. Only he was apprehensive about how enthusiastic his animal side could get, even when Brad was in his human form and drag him along for the ride— quite literally .
I knew you’d throw the blame at me.
Not having this conversation now while we’re having a lovely meal.
“Your poodle wants a say?”
The idea thoroughly enchanted Lionel, Brad could tell, whereas he, not so much. He nodded. “He always does. Is your lion the same? And will we get an introduction? I’d love to meet him.”
We? You mean we!
“Anytime you want.”
Lionel’s excitement had Brad glance at their now empty plates and over to where the servers were, raising his hand for the bill. As much as he’d like to linger, except to continue the conversation about other things…
Yeah, he wasn’t sure he was ready for that. This felt safer for now.
“Are we in a rush?” Lionel’s grin was devilish as he pushed back his chair, reaching into his pocket for what Brad assumed was his wallet.
“It’s my treat. You can pay next time.” Brad laid down a wad of cash from his wallet, enough to cover everything and a good-sized tip, and stood holding out his hand to Lionel.
Seeing they’d drunk the full bottle of wine, Brad took Lionel’s hand.
“Do you fancy a stroll home along the lakeside? I can get one of my guys to pick me up in the morning to collect my truck.”
Outside, Lionel stopped and bent closer, his lips hovering over Brad’s. The lights from the restaurant window cast shadows over his strong features. “Let’s Uber, then my lion won’t get impatient at having to wait to meet your poodle.”
Uber. Yes, we want the Uber.
He wasn’t asking you.
Lionel kissed him soundly, and Brad forgot what they were supposed to be doing.
When Lionel stood and pulled out his phone, Brad blinked repeatedly. It took way longer than it should have to figure out what Lionel was doing.
Lion. Lion. Lion. We’re going to get to play with our lion, his poodle side sang.
“I don’t think you quite know what you’re getting into,” Brad muttered as Lionel stared at his phone screen.
“We’ve met, remember, and your teacup poodle side is adorable.”
Brad rolled his eyes, though he did chuckle. “Yeah, you wait. He’s singing in my head right now, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.”