Chapter 12 Rey #2
Anger surged through Rey at his mate’s words. He stroked a couple of fingers over Carter’s hip. “I know, sweetheart. That’s not even a thought.”
They got back to the diner, and thankfully, the cereal seemed to lower Carter’s caffeine high. Carter smacked a hand over his face. “Did I really go into the store across the street and fill a cart with feminine hygiene products?”
Rey let out a booming laugh, drawing the attention of the few diners still in the restaurant. “Yes, little wolf, you did.”
Carter dropped his head onto the table. “Shoot me now.”
“Don’t worry. Only the owner’s daughter, Polly, saw you. Though you may want to apologize for loading up a cart with stuff and just walking out without buying it or putting it back on the shelf.”
A groan vibrated on the table, and Rey grinned.
Caffeinated Carter was interesting, but Rey would keep Carter from consuming coffee in the future.
He owed Nick an apology, even if the man hadn’t known Rey’s thoughts about Nick’s opinion regarding Carter’s reaction to caffeine.
Taking out his wallet, Rey dropped enough to cover the bill and leave a decent tip for Bridget. “Let’s get out of here.”
Carter trailed behind him. Rey nudged Carter’s shoulder once they were out on the sidewalk. “Don’t worry about it so much, sweetheart. No one realized what was going on.”
“Okay,” Carter mumbled as Rey opened the passenger door for him.
Rey leaned in to kiss Carter briefly before closing the door and heading around to the driver’s side.
Once on the road, Rey talked about Senaka’s history, how long the pack had been there, and pointed out the various stores Carter would most likely find interested in his services.
By the time they pulled up in front of Rey’s mechanic shop, Carter had relaxed and seemed more interested in learning everything about Senaka and the pack.
“Featherstone Auto,” Carter said, peering out the window at the modest building with two garages and a small office. There were several cars already parked in the lot, with two in the bays. Rey saw Nevada had one up on the hydraulic lift and was currently working with a socket wrench.
Exiting the truck, Rey went around to open Carter’s door, all the while wondering what his mate thought of the simplicity of his business.
A string of curses flooded one of the open bays, and Rey frowned.
He didn’t care if his guys swore, but he did if there were customers around. The voice belonged to Jake.
Nevada spotted them and smiled, giving a slight wave. He set aside the wrench he held, pulled a rag from his back pocket, and wiped off his hands. “Hey, boss. How’d the summit go?”
Rey nudged Carter forward. “Nevada, meet Carter. My true mate.”
A wide grin split Nevada’s handsome features. “Way to go, boss! Congratulations! He’s a cutie for sure!”
Growling, Rey glared at Nevada. “Hands off.”
Nevada chuckled and held his hand out to Carter. “It’s nice to meet you, Carter. I’m Nevada. The guy currently turning the air blue back there is Jake.”
“Hi,” Carter said. He glanced at Jake, who had his back turned. “This is a really nice place, Rey.”
The scent of grease, sweat, and motor oil hung heavily in the garage. “How’d things go this weekend?” Rey asked Nevada, flicking his gaze at Jake and then back to Nevada.
He shrugged. “Got all the ones scheduled for maintenance done and out on time. Had a tow emergency yesterday, but it ended up their battery had died. Nothing too interesting happened. Business as usual. Even with that one.”
Rey nodded, glancing around the garage with a keen eye.
Nothing appeared out of place. Nevada clapped Rey on the shoulder.
“Relax, boss. The place didn’t burn to the ground while you were gone.
But your computer is acting up again. I tried to invoice a customer yesterday afternoon and the dang thing wouldn’t cooperate. ”
“I can look at it!” Carter exclaimed. Rey saw the eagerness to handle the issue in Carter’s features, or he probably would have declined Carter looking right then.
But he could use the opportunity to speak to Nevada about Carter’s situation.
Darryl may not have Carter’s new number, but that didn’t mean the prick had given up on finding Carter.
“Sure, sweetheart. Straight through that door over there. Do whatever you need.”
Carter eagerly trotted across the garage to the office door, opening it and leaving it partially open. Rey waited until Carter was out of earshot before he pinned Nevada with a serious look. “I need you to keep your eyes and ears open.”
“What’s up, boss?” Nevada asked, a frown on his face.
The longer Rey talked, the darker Nevada’s features got. More cursing split the air, but this time it was Nevada, and for an entirely different reason. “Someone beat on that little guy? And he’s still alive?”
“Only because I haven’t met the fucker yet,” Rey said with a snarl. “I’m going to see if I can get a picture of what he looks like. I doubt the guy will find his way here, but on the off chance he does, I want to know immediately.”
“Sure thing, boss. I’ll put the word out to watch for him. Without telling them why,” Nevada tacked on at the end.
“Thanks, Nevada,” Rey said gratefully. They moved on to the various maintenances, services scheduled for the week, and a minor issue with one of their more stubborn customers.
When they were done, Rey greeted Jake, then entered his office to find Carter engrossed in something on his computer.
He closed the door behind him. “Did you figure out what the issue is?”
Carter jerked and looked up at him, his nose wrinkled. “Yeah, this thing’s like a dozen years old. When is the last time you got a new computer?”
“Uh… when I opened the garage eight years ago.”
Snorting, Carter clicked on a couple of things, then typed something on the computer. “I’ve streamlined it the best I can. Someone was looking at porn on here.”
Carter gave Rey a pointed look, and he immediately shook his head and held his hands up. “It wasn’t me!” he protested.
“Well, someone has. There were two viruses that I wiped clean. I installed an antivirus program and a scanner for malware.” Carter gave the thing a disgusted look. “You really need a new one. The memory in this one stinks, and I’m surprised it hasn’t crashed on you before now.”
“That bad?” Rey asked, grabbing a nearby stool to sit beside Carter. He hadn’t understood a damn word his mate said, but he could see the excitement in Carter. It was obvious he loved what he did.
Carter nodded, the disgust gone, replaced by a serious countenance.
“Yes. You really need a new one. By the time a PC is a year old, it’s pretty much outdated.
I can help you pick something out. You wouldn’t need anything too powerful, so it shouldn’t cost a whole lot.
Oh, and your inventory manager is atrocious.
There are so many better programs out there.
I can think of at least two which would be much clearer and easier to log your products into. ”
Rey shrugged. “I just went with one that seemed user friendly. Why don’t you order what I need? Have it overnighted here, and I’ll be your first official customer.” He took out his wallet and handed Carter his credit card.
“You’d trust me to do that?” Carter asked, surprised.
“Of course. You’re my mate.” He’d make it a point to tell Carter that as frequently as possible. One day, his mate wouldn’t question his trust in him.
Carter beamed. “I’m great at finding the best deals on computers. I promise to find you something you’ll be happy with.”
“I trust you, Carter. Do what you think is best.”
Pure exhilaration overcame Carter’s features, and he leaped up from the chair, throwing himself against Rey. “Thank you!”
Rey caught Carter easily, wrapping his arms around his little wolf. “Always, sweetheart,” he murmured into Carter’s dirty blond hair.
Carter went to pull away, but Rey tightened his hold. “Not yet,” Rey said, breathing in the cinnamon and strawberry scent of his mate’s skin.
Relaxing, Carter laid his head on Rey’s shoulder, his hands clasped behind Rey’s nape. “I should get the order for your new computer done,” Carter said.
Rey hummed, nuzzling at Carter’s temple. “It can wait.”
“Okay,” Carter replied, his voice almost a whisper.
The clanks from tools being used, music from a radio, and the occasional chatter between his two employees drifted through at a muffled volume, but Rey tuned them out.
Instead, he focused on how amazing it felt to hold Carter.
From the moment a shifter was old enough to understand, they were told about mates.
How they were the other half of your soul.
They would make you feel complete in a way you never would without them.
Rey hadn’t truly understood just how accurate that was until now.
A serene calm settled inside Rey in a way he’d never experienced—something meditating had never truly accomplished, yet holding Carter in his arms brought him such peace, Rey knew he’d destroy anyone stupid enough to threaten what was his.
He lightly gripped Carter’s chin and tilted his face up, pressing his lips to Carter’s.
Carter opened without hesitation, flicking his tongue out to drag over Rey’s lower lip.
Rey gave a low growl and deepened the kiss, thrusting into Carter’s mouth, mapping every facet all over again.
Carter’s fingers tangled in his hair, once again freeing the long strands from their confinement.
His mate apparently had a fetish for his hair being free.
If Rey could, he’d leave it loose every day, but it would be hazardous around the vehicles.
Not to mention, his duties as enforcer could have him in situations where it would be very dangerous to leave his hair untied.
“You like my hair, sweetheart?” Rey asked.