Chapter Eight
W incing, Apollo gingerly rolled onto his knees and looked up at Jost, who was desperately attempting not to laugh. They’d been on the ice for a grand total of five minutes, and Apollo felt certain he’d spent over four minutes of them on his ass instead of on the skates.
“You really aren’t very good.”
“Nope, but it’s fun.”
Jost giggled, then bit his bottom lip. He held a hand out and helped Apollo stand, then braced when Apollo almost fell again. “Take my hand and I’ll guide you.”
Apollo grunted. “More like you’ll be holding me up.”
Jost carefully moved his arm around Apollo’s waist and Apollo kept his smile to himself. It felt nice having Jost’s arm around him, even if it was keeping him on his skates. “Ready to move?”
“I think I can move a few inches without falling.” Apollo grinned when Jost giggled again. “When we go paintballing, your ass is mine. I think pink or baby blue. Those are the colors I’ll shoot at you.” They slowly moved over the ice, and Apollo’s skates wanted to do something completely different to what he wanted. “Then I’ll treat you to a nice curry. Do you like curries?”
“I don’t think there is anything I don’t like, but maybe being shot at with balls of paint might be one of them.”
“Nah, you’ll enjoy it. You’re a predator. You’ll see where I’m hiding and shoot me instead.” Apollo gripped Jost’s arm as his legs went everywhere but forward. After a few deep breaths, he slowly moved again. Jost’s arm tightened around him until he stood steady.
“Does it bother you that I’m a predator and you’re not?”
“Fuck no. I’m not that insecure that having a predator for a mate would make me question my manliness. And you’re you. You are gorgeous. I’m proud that I’m your mate.”
Jost blinked up at him, his light green eyes wide. “Really?
“Yeah. Who wouldn’t be proud to be seen with you? I know I am. I couldn’t wait to tell my family about you.” Apollo smiled, then his skates went in any direction they wanted, and he went down, pulling Jost with him. Jost landed on top of him and Apollo grunted, then laughed at the look on Jost’s face.
Jost scrambled up and stood, easily balancing on the ice, and Apollo sighed. It wasn’t fair how easily it was for his mate to stand on the ice when Apollo struggled to crawl on it. “Want to take a break?” Jost gave him a small smile, but Apollo shook his head.
“You would think as a zebra I’d have better balance than this, but nope. I think I’ve spent longer on my ass than on the skates. I hope I’m not ruining this for you.”
Jost shook his head. “I’m having fun watching you fall,” he murmured.
Apollo chuckled. “I bet you are. Come on and help an old zebra up.” Jost hauled him up, and it reminded Apollo that even though Jost was an omega, he was still a lion shifter. Apollo wind milled, his arms flailing until Jost held him still. “This has been one hell of a workout for me.”
“Ten more minutes, then we can go.”
“Ten more minutes of torture.” Apollo saw the smile on Jost’s face and couldn’t help but give him a quick kiss. “Right. Let’s do this.” Jost didn’t respond as Apollo attempted to skate and when Apollo glanced at him, he saw Jost touch his lips with a small smile on his face. “I’m giving myself less than a minute before I hit the ice again.”
“Thirty seconds.” Jost sucked his lips in. “Maybe.”
“Wow. I feel so encouraged.” Chuckling, he slid forward and managed to move a few feet. He turned and grinned at Jost, then his feet went out from under him and he was flat on his ass again. “I think you were more accurate than me.”
“Can we have hot chocolate now?”
“Embarrassed to be seen with me?”
Jost shrugged and looked away, then whispered, “Can I admit to feeling sorry for you?”
“Not at all, because I feel sorry for myself.” Holding a hand up he said, “Help me up and then let’s go eat. There is only so much ice I can take, and my ass is wet.”
Once again, Jost helped him up and held him steady as they slid over to the side. Once Apollo was on solid ground, he sighed and straightened. “Now I feel so much better.”
It didn’t take long for them to swap their skates for sneakers, then Apollo led Jost outside. “Where would you like to eat?”
“There is a small restaurant not far from here. I found it when I was learning the area.”
Apollo’s brow furrowed. “You mean Dev and Lou’s place, The Leaky Cup?”
“Yes. I’ve been working my way through their menu.”
“I’m happy to go anywhere as long as there is some warm food and a place to dry my ass.”
Jost giggled, then began walking. “Have you lived here long?”
“All my life, but our dazzle moved here when I was young. Lots of places to graze and soak up the sun in.”
“That’s why we like it. I like to find a sunny spot and let the heat soak into my fur.”
“We can do that one day. Soak up the sun together.” Apollo smiled and saw the way Jost’s eyes lowered. “If you want to. No rush though. We have plenty of time.”
“Thank you.”
Apollo slowed and looked at Jost. “What for? I know you need time and I’m more than willing to give it to you. You’re my mate. You’re worth it.”
“I wish I’d met you first.” Jost’s eyes widened, and he shook his head. “I shouldn’t—” Apollo stepped closer and reached out to hold Jost’s hand.
“Me too, but you didn’t. We have now though, so let’s get to know each other. No pressure. We both know what it means to be mates, so let’s enjoy this time.” He squeezed Jost’s hand, then released it. “We’re not far now and I don’t know about you, but I need something inside me.”
“I am hungry now. Helping you was fun, though.”
Snorting, Apollo murmured, “I bet it was. The big bad alpha spent more time on his ass than on his feet.”
Jost moved closer and whispered, “I liked helping you.”
Now Apollo was more than happy to hear that he hadn’t ruined their date by being appalling on the ice. “Yeah? Want to do it again sometime?”
“After the paint thing we can.”
“You’ll probably beat me at that too.” Apollo pointed up the street. “There it is.”
Jost walked ahead and looked over his shoulder at Apollo. “Food is waiting.”
Laughing, Apollo caught up and then opened the door for Jost. Jost ducked his head, a faint blush on his cheeks, and Apollo wanted to keep that look on his face. The small smile, the wide green eyes like Apollo’s but lighter, the soft pouty lips he wanted to kiss.
Letting the door close, he followed Jost to an empty table and smiled when Dev waved over to him. Sitting opposite Jost, he took his coat off, then stretched his legs out, wincing from the numerous aches he felt. He caught the smile on Jost’s face and grinned back at him. “I think I’ll feel it tomorrow.”
“I’m glad we came.”
“You know what? Me too. You looked like you were having a good time and I’m sure the more times we go, the better I’ll be at falling on my ass.”
“I’ll help pick you up.”
Arching an eyebrow, Apollo refused to comment. Picking up the menu, he glanced at it then said, “I think I’ll have a burger with fries. What about you?” Leaning closer he whispered, “Just so you know, I have no problem with you picking me up.”
Jost’s eyes grew wide and the faint blush on his cheeks deepened. He looked at the table, glancing up at Apollo a couple of times, then murmured, “I like it.”
“Good. What do you want to eat?” Apollo figured that small admittance was good enough for now, so changed the subject. “The steak is good here, but I think I’ll have a burger.”
“I think I’ll have the same as you, but I’d like cheese with my burger.”
“Good choice. What drink do you want? I’m driving, so I’ll just have a soda. What about you?”
“A beer?” Jost nibbled his lip.
“Okay. I’m going to ask. Did he like you drinking or not because I don’t have a problem with it. I like a few beers too, but I don’t drink and drive. At all, so I don’t have a problem with you having a beer or two.” Apollo watched Jost’s face tighten as he began to speak, then relax.
“He did have a problem with it, so I stopped in the end.” His voice was low, so low Apollo struggled to hear it. He wasn’t having his mate afraid to talk to him. He wanted to grab this ex and beat the shit out of him, but for now he’d make sure Jost knew he had no problems with him having a drink. Damn, to even have to say it…
“So, in case I didn’t make it clear, you can have a beer or two. If we go somewhere and neither of us are driving, I’ll be joining you.”
Jost gave a wobbly smile. “I’ll have a beer then, please.”
“Let me place our order, then.” Apollo left the table and waved at Dev, who shook his hand as soon as Apollo reached him. “How are things?”
Dev gave him a close-lipped smile. “What do you know about Brenner?”
“I know he’s a pain in my ass. Has he said anything?”
“He’s told people my food gave him food poisoning, even though he hasn’t eaten here in months. Now I’m struggling.”
Apollo clenched his teeth together. “Shit, I’m sorry. He’s causing nothing but problems for me, but I had thought it was just me. Do you have proof it was him?”
“Just hearsay so I can’t do anything about it, but it’s clearly having an effect.” Dev looked around the restaurant and Apollo copied him, seeing that the place was less than half full. “I know it’s a weekday, but I’m usually busier than this, and weekends have taken a hit as well.”
“I can’t say anything to him without proof, but I can make it known that the food and service here is excellent, and so can Jost. I’ll also get my parents to help.”
“If I didn’t know better, then I would think he wanted me to close so he could have this place. I heard rumors he wants to set up some out of towner.”
“I’ll look into it, but in the meantime, I’ll get the word out about how amazing the food is here.” He placed their order, then returned to the table, smiling when he saw Jost. God, his mate was beautiful, and Apollo watched him mess with his cutlery. “You’re beautiful, Jost.”
Jost’s eyes snapped up to his and his cheeks reddened. “Oh, well. Er. Okay.”
Apollo grinned. “I wanted you to know. Tell me about the nursery you work in. It has to be easier than dealing with hormonal teenagers.”
“Oh, I don’t know. One of the lovely little cubs in Sed’s room didn’t want to put his diaper on, so shifted and ran off, then pooped on the floor.” Jost leaned over the table. “They give you these cute little faces like angels, then become the devil.” Sitting back, Jost smiled. “I love my job.”
Chuckling, Apollo agreed. “There are some hard days. Days where we question why we’re doing the job we are, but then you have days when you see a student understand what you’re teaching. You see it click for them. I teach for those days and those students.”
“I love seeing the little ones begin to understand letters and words. See the way their eyes open wide with happiness when you praise them.”
Apollo nodded. “Tell me more. I want to know all about your job and the children you look after.”
Jost’s face lit up, and Apollo smiled. Seeing his mate happy made him happy, and he hoped to have many more dates like this.