Chapter Fifteen
J ost couldn’t believe he’d done it. He’d taken that picture and sent it to Apollo and Apollo had sent him one back that had Jost having the fastest orgasm on record. Even faster than the one in the car when Apollo had sucked his brains out through his dick.
“Jost! Breakfast.”
Ugh. He wanted to stay in bed and dream of his mate, but he had to get ready for work and he was excited to see all the smiling faces of the young ones he looked after. Jost loved his job, but that morning he would have liked an extra ten minutes to think about Apollo, but it wasn’t to be. “Coming!”
Throwing back the covers, Jost got out of bed and grinned. He was happy. Like inside happy and not pretending on the outside happy. Apollo had done that, and they’d only known each other a couple of weeks. Maybe that was how it should be between mates. They were the other half, that missing piece, and once they found each other, everything fell into place. Jogging downstairs, he went into the kitchen and smiled. “Morning.”
“Someone’s happy. Date go well?” Anslem asked.
“We had so much fun at the adventure park. I can’t wait to go again, and I found out there is a mini one for young children, so I’m going to look into it for the cubs. It would be perfect for them to burn off some energy and have fun at the same time.”
“I heard one had opened up in town but forgot to tell you.” Ella put a plate of sausages, bacon, and eggs in front of him, and Jost’s stomach growled. “Someone’s hungry.”
“I guess I didn’t eat as much as I thought I had yesterday, but I was having too much fun to notice. You should take Otto there, and I can’t believe I just suggested that. Ugh. Where is he?”
“He was vomiting during the night. Surprised he didn’t wake you up.” Anslem tapped away on his tablet. “Have you seen the news? They want to raise taxes. How raising taxes up will improve our economy, I don’t know. You can’t tax your way to growth.”
Watching Anslem read his tablet reminded Jost of his grandfather, Arlon, rustling his newspaper as he read it. The memory made him smile, and he thanked Ella when she gave him a cup of coffee. Otto stumbled in, looking like death warmed up, and grimaced when he saw the food. He slumped on a chair, and Ella placed her hand on his forehead.
“You should go back to bed.”
“I’m thirsty,” he whined.
“I’ll get you some water, then you can go back to bed.” Ella kissed his forehead, and Otto must be ill because he didn’t complain. Jost quickly ate his breakfast, then put his empty plate in the sink, then jogged upstairs to get ready for work. When he entered his bedroom, he heard his phone beep and picked it up as he smiled. Apollo had sent him a message.
Opening it, he gasped and almost dropped the phone, then clasped it to his chest and spun around, rushing to the door to close it. He snuck another glimpse at the photo and shivered. Apollo’s chest all naked and wet like he’d just got out of the shower and taken the picture. Jost could see his happy trail, and he wanted to see more.
Jost rubbed his dick and bit his lip, then quickly stripped naked and lay on his bed. He stared up at the ceiling, deciding what he should send back. He liked doing this. It didn’t feel so real sending photos like there was distance between them and he made a quick decision, spread his legs and snapped a picture of his dick.
Sitting up, he stared at it then dropped his phone on the bed, sucking his lips in. Did he send it or not? His phone beeped again, and he saw Apollo had messaged him again and when he opened it, he almost dropped it. Apollo’s ass. Jesus, that thing was prime meat. All thick and juicy and Jost wanted to bite. Instead, he called Apollo, whispering, “you can’t send me that,” when he answered.
“Why not? Don’t want to send me the one you took?”
“How did you know I took one?” Jost stared at his phone. Then put it back to his ear. “How?”
“Because I would have. What did you take and why haven’t you sent it to me?”
“It’s… I’m, you know, naked.” Jost could feel the heat flood his cheeks and closed his eyes.
“Perfect then. I saw you last night, Jost. I held you in my hand. Tasted you on my tongue.”
“Apollo,” Jost whined. God, he wanted Apollo, and yet he wanted to run away at the same time. The want was growing, and he quickly sent the photo. “I sent it,” he whispered.
“Jesus, Jost. I want you so much. Shit. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that—”
“I want you too,” Jost rushed out. “I want you, but I’m scared you’ll… I’m scared.”
“Tell me what he did. Can you do that, or is it too much?”
Jost sank to the floor and closed his eyes as painful memories rushed at him, but he needed to tell Apollo. He wanted his mate and so he needed to tell him. “Can I call you after work or can we meet for a coffee?”
“Yeah, we can meet at the cafe we went to when we first met. It’ll have to be eight, though. I have an after-school club.”
“I don’t mind waiting for you. I’ll see you there and enjoy the picture.” Jost hung up and licked his lips, then wrapped his arms around his legs. He was going to tell Apollo everything, and it terrified him, but he wanted to face the fear because if he wanted a future with his mate, then he needed to.
The rest of the day passed far too quickly for him but also not quick enough, and before he knew it, he was sitting inside the little cafe they’d first had a drink in, waiting for Apollo to arrive. All day he’d gone over and over what he was going to say and now that the time had arrived, he had no idea how to begin. He’d loved Jenrick. Had loved him for a long time, even when he should have walked away, he’d still loved him.
Sighing softly, he sipped his drink and stared outside of the large window thinking of his ex. Jenrick. Tall and slim, with auburn hair and pale blue eyes. Jost had hesitated when he first met Jenrick and now he knew it was his instinct telling him to back away. He’d ignored it because Jenrick had showered him with praise and gifts and made him feel cherished. It had been the first time another shifter had shown him so much attention and Jost had fallen for it.
“Jost.” Jost looked up, seeing Apollo standing next to the table. He slid into the seat opposite and took hold of Jost’s hands in his own. Those dark green eyes showed concern, and Jost smiled. “Do you want another drink?”
Shaking his head, Jost held Apollo’s hands and murmured, “I was young and foolish, and he hurt me.”
Apollo let go of Jost’s hands and reached up to cup his face. “Tell me what you can. Don’t force it. If it becomes too difficult, then stop.”
Jost nodded, then sighed heavily. “I had just turned eighteen. I was at a party, and he arrived, and I didn’t think much of him really, but he was nice to me, and he didn’t seem to see me as just an omega. I liked that. When he asked me out on a date I agreed because I wanted to be seen as Jost and not omega Jost. We had a few dates and things happened.” Jost stopped and sipped his coffee, avoiding Apollo’s eyes. “When he suggested we live together, I jumped at the chance. We hadn’t been living together long when he hit me the first time. He said he was sorry and cried and swore it wouldn’t happen again. I believed him because I loved him.”
“But he did it again.” Jost nodded. “How long were you together?”
“Just over two years.” Jost glanced up at Apollo, who gave him a soft smile. “He didn’t just hit me. If I said no, he made me feel like I was in the wrong to deny him. He made more money than me and worked harder than me and was older than me…” Jost shrugged.
“So, you gave him what he wanted even when you didn’t want to because you knew he would hurt you.”
“He hurt me anyway,” Jost whispered. “I was small and thin and couldn’t satisfy him, so he needed… others. He hurt me. Made me…” Jost sat back and took a shaky breath in. “I couldn’t say no because I would be punished, and when I said yes, he hurt me so I lived in fear, but I kept thinking it was me and if I could be better for him and do what he wanted, then he would be nice like in the beginning. I cooked his favorite foods and did all the things he wanted me to. I cut off my family and friends to please him and I still wasn’t good enough. He hurt me, and I let him because I wanted to make it all better, and it was my fault he did it.”
“You know that’s not true, right? You know he was the one at fault.”
“I do now, but back then, when I was stuck in the middle of it, I believed him. I believed him for a long time after, but now I know he was in the wrong.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Jost nodded. “Did he hurt you in bed?”
“In bed. Out of bed.” Jost shrugged. “I couldn’t please him.”
“What he said about you isn’t true.” Apollo ran his fingers over Jost's cheek, and he leaned into his touch.
“I know.”
“Thank you for telling me. I know that can’t have been easy.”
“I kinda feel better for telling you.” Jost smiled because it was true. Telling Apollo a little about his past had lifted some of the pressure he’d felt since they’d met. He straightened and smiled at Apollo, and it felt. Like the first proper smile since Apollo had entered the cafe.
Apollo ordered a coffee and Jost had his refilled. “That’s good. There is nothing you can’t tell me. Nothing. No matter what, I will never think less of you. You met someone who should have cherished you, but he didn’t. He never realized what a special person you are.”
“You have to say that because you’re my mate,” Jost teased.
Snorting, Apollo shook his head. “No, I don’t, and when you meet my family, you’ll hear all about the stupid things I’ve done as a kid and my over appreciation of mashed potatoes.”
Jost giggled, then covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes wide. “Mashed potatoes?”
“My mom makes these awesome ones, and she mixes things in like garlic or mustard or herbs and spices. They are so good. What do you like to eat?”
“Food? I don’t really have a favorite because there is so much good stuff out there. Why limit myself? But when I’m ill, nothing beats my mom’s chicken soup.”
“Oh same.” Apollo stroked Jost’s hand. “When I was young,” he gave Jost a small smile, “she always added her special ingredient.”
“What was that?” Jost leaned closer, watching Apollo’s fingers on his hand, feeling the heat from the pads soak into his skin.
“Love.”
“Oh, you sap,” Jost laughed, but was touched Apollo had told him. “My mom gave medicine and soup. No special sprinkle of anything.”
“Bet you got lots of hugs, though.”
Jost flushed and nodded. “Nothing beats your mom’s cooking.”
“I go home every Sunday for lunch with my family.”
“What’s it like being the alpha of your dazzle? Are they proud of you?”
“My parents had a party for me.” Apollo threaded their fingers together. “Now they give me advice.” Apollo grimaced, then shook his head. “All part of being leader, I guess.”
“Tell me what it is. We’re mates, so let me help.” Apollo had listened to him, so now it was Jost’s turn to be there for his mate.