13. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
B ennett was pleased with Lucas’ work. His little mate had taken the initiative and after less than a week, he had rearranged the office in such a way that made it more efficient and accessible to customers. Customers bringing their boats in for repairs had to enter the office first.
He had found a beat-up bar-type counter in a shed out back.
Lucas had dragged it into the office and used it as a counter-slash-divider so that was the first thing the customers saw upon entering.
He’d even cleaned the counter up, staining it and fixing all the little scars.
Then he’d put a couple of signs on the garage doors, directing customers to the side entrance which led them into the office.
Already Bennett was interrupted less by customers, either in person or on the phone. Lucas made sure he didn’t, and it made a big difference in Bennett’s daily production. By the end of the week, Lucas instinctively knew what was important and what was not in Bennett’s world .
Bennett was impressed that Lucas even knew how to do all of that. He knew better than to say as much, though. Most likely Lucas would take offense.
He longed for the small bits of interaction Lucas gave him, even if he did keep it all business. Every time Lucas looked at him, it was with a steely resolve.
There were moments when Lucas didn’t think Bennett was paying attention that the longing would appear, but that wasn’t often enough.
Four days, and every second drove Bennett crazy, which put him in a bad mood. He almost snapped at Lucas yesterday, but restrained himself at the last minute.
They moved around each other with a tense silence, which seemed to eat away at the small connection between them by slow degrees.
Bennett’s dragon roared in frustration, just a little bit louder with each passing day.
He wasn’t even sure if Lucas was really all that mad anymore or if he’d grown comfortable with the avoidance tactics.
Bennett was bound and determined to rectify the situation, even if it meant apologizing. Again. For the seventh time. Yes, seven times.
And all Lucas would say was, “we’ll fight all the time. I can already tell.” He’d roll his eyes and walk away.
If saying the same words over and over again weren’t working, he had to come up with something else.
Problem was, words weren’t really his forte, but he had a feeling Lucas liked them a lot when they were pretty and truthful at the same time.
Bennett had had his work cut out for him, until about a half-hour ago, when he’d finally figured out what he was going to say to Lucas that might help their situation.
That morning Bennett had noticed Lucas looking at him with heat in his eyes as if the separation was getting to be too much. Bennett had even caught him fanning himself a couple of times as if the lust he felt was making his body heat up. So it seemed like the right time to implement his plan.
Bennett wiped his hands on a rag and walked out of his garage into his house, knowing Lucas was in there somewhere since he wasn’t in the garage with him. Lucas had a habit of cleaning up after Bennett when there was nothing else to do, as if it was part of his job description, which it wasn’t.
He found Lucas in the kitchen, making sandwiches for them both. Again, something else he didn’t have to do.
“Lucas,” Bennett said quietly as he sat down.
“What?” Lucas never even turned. Lucas’ brow shone with sweat.
“Can we talk? This is getting ridiculous.”
Lucas shrugged.
“Turn around, Lucas.”
Lucas did, folding his arms in front of his chest. He stared at something over Bennett’s head as he waited for him to speak.
“I’m beta of our clan. Second in command behind Ramsey. I’m used to giving orders.”
“Well, you can’t with me.”
“Yeah, I got that loud and clear.”
“Look, I get that I made a big mistake.” Lucas looked at Bennett. “But you did treat me like a kid and could have handled that differently.”
“I know. I—”
Lucas held up a hand. “Don’t apologize again.”
Bennett smirked. “Wasn’t going to. I was just going to ask if you wanted to see a movie after work today.”
Lucas sighed. He fanned his face with his hand. “Okay. I can’t take the separation much longer anyway. Might as well give in to you. ”
Bennett grinned and leaned forward, gently taking Lucas’ hand. He pulled until Lucas walked awkwardly toward him as if he was still holding back a little.
“I blame the mating thing,” Lucas said once he got all the way to Bennett.
“Are you sure that’s the only reason?” Bennett asked, wrapping his arms around Lucas’ waist. Now that he finally let Bennett touch, he wasn’t about to give Lucas up anytime soon.
“No, but that’s part of it. The other part is because you’re so fucking sexy.” Lucas sighed and ran his fingers through Bennett’s thick dark hair. “I’ve never really been the jealous type, but somehow you’re different.”
“I’m the same way, baby. It’ll get a little better once we're bonded.”
“What does that mean?” Lucas pulled away enough to straddle Bennett’s lap. Lucas cupped the nape of Bennett’s neck, the fingers of his other hand laced through Bennett’s hair.
“Your skin is hot, baby. Are you okay?” Bennett asked with no small measure of concern.
“I’m fine. Just been hot lately. Feels a little better now that you’re touching me, though.” Lucas shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “Tell me more about bonding.”
Lucas’ complete focus was on Bennet’s mouth as he spoke. Clearly, Lucas wanted to kiss him.
“It means that I bite you, drink your blood, and then come inside you at the same time. Well, most of the time it’s done together. Once we do that, there’s no turning away from each other. We won’t be able to leave each other physically or emotionally. We’ll be tied together forever.”
“During sex,” Lucas whispered. Their lips pressed together for long seconds, before Bennett took control of the kiss, which must have been why Lucas waited.
Lucas arched his back, pressing his chest into Bennett.
Bennett pulled Lucas closer as he made demands.
The second Lucas let him in, Bennett got a taste.
He wanted more. His dragon rose to the surface and Bennett knew his eyes had changed at the same time his teeth had dropped down. Lucas pulled away instantly and looked at him in surprise, his body tensed.
“Can’t help it. My dragon wants to bond.”
Lucas relaxed again. “Just surprised me when I felt your teeth against my lips is all.” Lucas reached up and then hesitated. “Can I touch them?”
Bennett smiled. “Of course, baby.”
Lucas put a finger at the end of one of his pointed teeth. “It doesn’t feel that different from a human’s. Just bigger and a little pointy.” Lucas pulled his hand away and kissed Bennett on the lips once again, keeping the kiss brief and light. “Can I see your dragon? It won’t eat me, will it?”
Bennett chuckled. “No, baby. I won’t eat you. At least not in the way you mean.” Bennett wriggled his eyebrows at Lucas, making him chuckle and blush. “I’m still me in my dragon form. Completely cognizant.”
“That’s a relief.”
“I can show you after the movie if you like.”
“I have to meet your mother here later. She’s going to show me how to control my magic. Will we have time for a movie?”
“We’ll make time.”
Lucas smiled and laid his head on Bennett’s chest.