Chapter Four
Bradley slumped on a chair and rested his forearms on the table. Dropping his head onto them, he allowed a tear to escape. His world had tipped on its axis and he was struggling to retain balance. What kind of joke were the gods of fate playing by mating him with a geeky guy who hated him? Had he done something terrible in a former life? Was this his penance for roaming around and searching out fun with any hot guy who was up for some?
Probably.
After a few minutes he lifted his head and wiped his damp cheeks. The door was still shut and no noise came from inside. Was Terry lying on the bed listening to music? Was he upset by their encounter? Maybe he’d gotten hard and was seeing to himself and trying to be quiet about it.
Bradley adjusted his position on the chair. Damn, just thinking about Terry masturbating was enough to make his dick hard. What would it be like to suck on Terry’s cock? How would he taste? Was his pubic hair that same black wiry texture as it was on his chest?
Bradley stood. Once again he walked to the door. For a moment he considered barging in with the hope of catching Terry in a compromising position. Maybe he’d be invited to join in? But then he recalled the fury in Terry’s eyes when he’d told him to get out.
There was no point attracting even more of his mate’s anger. Not today at least.
But he’d have to figure this out somehow. Make Terry see he was his one and only love now.
Sighing, he headed out of the cabin. His feet were heavy and his limbs ached as if the meat on them had been cooked and was hanging off his bones. The sensation was unnerving and made him unhappy, or perhaps that was just how unhappiness felt.
Several groups sat around the wall chatting and eating. They were all at ease and appeared content with their lot in life.
He spotted Malec and wandered over.
“Hey,” Malec said when he saw Bradley. “Come and join us.”
Bradley managed a smile. “Hi, Raul. Hi, Flo.”
Raul held out his hand. “Great job with those dogs. So glad it worked out.”
“Yeah, it’s a different town now. Dogs and owners all paired up.”
“I’m proud of you,” Flo said, resting her hand on her swollen belly. “Not knowing how long it would take to rehome them all must have been hard. You could have been there years.” She paused and a brief grimace crossed her face. “At least I know how long I’ve got to be in this whale-like condition.”
“How much longer do you have?” Bradley asked.
“Any day now, or at least that’s what we’re hoping for,” Raul said, stroking Flo’s hair.
“You okay, sweet pea?”
“Fine, just the usual pains.”
“Sure?”
“I think so.” She smiled up at him. “But would you get me a raspberry leaf tea?”
“Of course.” Raul jumped up. “Be right back.”
Malec reached for her hand. “Can I do anything?”
She glanced down at her feet, which were encased in flimsy sandals. “Some socks, my toes are cold.”
“Coming right up.” Malec stooped and swept his lips over hers. He then dashed off in the direction Raul had gone.
“Sit, Bradley,” Flo said. “You look like you could do with taking the weight off your feet.”
Bradley felt as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. It had been a long day. He sat on the wall next to Flo and found himself staring at her huge belly. It was beach- ball round and impossibly big. He didn’t think he’d ever been so close to a pregnant woman.
She rubbed her hand over the bump, rucking the loose black T-shirt she wore. “So how are you settling in?”
“Okay.”
“Just okay?”
“It’s cool. I’m happy to be here.”
She tipped her head. “So why isn’t your smile going to your eyes?”
“What?”
She laughed. “I know I’ve only met you briefly before, but yours isn’t a smile to forget, Bradley. It could grace adverts for toothpaste, sunscreen, hell, I’m sure Armani would die to give you a modeling contract.”
He shook his head and grinned. “Nice of you to say so but not my thing…advertising, that is.”
“I guess it would get tricky if you shifted mid photo shoot.”
“True.” She winced.
Alarm went through Bradley and he glanced at the cabin, hoping one of her mates was returning. They weren’t. “You okay?” he asked, nervous of the answer.
“Yes, it’s just practice contractions. They happen when it’s getting close. Or so I’ve been told.”
“How close?”
“Days or weeks. But I hope it’s not weeks, though I’ve heard shifter babies can stay in for up to forty-four. Must take extra time to create.”
“Really?”
She shrugged then blew out a breath.
“It’s awesome to think there’s a little one of us in there.” He nodded at her belly, wishing he could see through it and catch a glimpse of the child.
“Yes, it is.” She smiled. “Want to feel it kick?”
“Kick?”
“Yes, it’s kicking now. Must have woken up.”
“Er…okay .”
Flo took his hand and rested it over the bump.
Bradley was amazed at how hard it was and the skin stretched so tight. He didn’t think she could get any bigger. Suddenly a little flutter swept across his palm. “I felt it.”
Flo smiled.
It happened again, then again. Wonder filled Bradley. He’d never known anything like it. New life pushing against his hand. He blinked rapidly, refusing to let tears prick his eyes for the second time that day. “It’s so exciting for you all,” he managed. “And if I’m here, in camp, and there’s anything I can do, then let me know.” He pulled his hand away.
“Thanks, that’s sweet of you.” She tipped her head and studied him again. “So what’s bothering you?”
He rolled his lips in on themselves. Should he tell her his dilemma? Would she laugh and tell him it was ridiculous? She was human, after all.
“Bradley,” she said quietly. “I’ve lived amongst shifters for many years. You might be surprised by how much I’ll understand.”
“It’s Terry.”
“Terry.” She nodded slowly and her expression didn’t change.
“I think he’s my mate.” He waited for her to gasp and say they’d only just met. That it was ridiculous. And perhaps he should head out of camp and move on the way he always did.
But Flo said none of those things. Instead she smiled. “Congratulations.”
He gnawed the inside of his cheek.
“Finding a mate is very special, sacred to shifters, here at least.”
“Yeah, I know. It is to me too, but…”
“Ah I knew there was a but.” She frowned slightly. “Let me guess, Terry doesn’t believe you.” She raised her eyebrows. “Is that it?”
Bradley held up his hands. “He won’t even talk about it. Locked himself in his room and told me to get out, stay away. How the hell am I going to do that?”
“Perhaps, with hindsight, it might have been better to establish a friendship with him before professing your undying love within minutes of meeting.”
“How do you know I did that?”
“I can tell by your face.” She glanced at the cabin. “And also it’s what Raul did to me, which, as you can see, worked out okay in the end.”
“But you were shocked to start with, right?”
“Yes, it was a bit full on and Raul, well, he’s…”
“What?”
“Big, brash, determined. A little overwhelming to begin with, until I realized he was a softie on the inside.”
Bradley thought Raul was likely only a softie with Flo and Malec—other than that, he seemed pretty hard.
“I don’t know what to do.” He sighed. “I feel like I’ve messed it all up big time, before it even started.”
“No, you haven’t, you’ll see. You just have to be more reserved about it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Get to know him.”
“But he won’t even talk to me.”
“He will. He’ll have to, you’re living in the same cabin.”
Bradley shrugged and thought of the closed bedroom door.
“Invite him for a walk,” Flo suggested. “East of here there’s a wonderful spot with views over the valley. It’s romantic, peaceful, an ideal place to sit and ponder the world. Take him there and play it cool with the you’re-my-mate talk. Just be friends and I’m sure it will grow.” She paused and smiled. “Because I’m damn sure no gay man has ever been able to resist you, Bradley.”
He didn’t answer, but she was right. He’d never had any problem getting bedroom action.
“Here’s your tea.” Raul appeared at Flo’s side, holding a steaming mug.
“Oh, thank you.” She took it.
“Why don’t you get some food, Bradley, there’s plenty on the table over there,” Raul said.
“Yeah, I think I will. Got a bit of an appetite after my journey.” An appetite for more than food, but for now he’d have to put his libido on the back burner. He liked the sound of Flo’s plan. Taking Terry somewhere beautiful and quiet so they could talk was a good idea.
Now all he had to do was persuade Terry it was a good idea, too.
****
Bradley ate steak and indulged in a beer, something he didn’t often get the chance to enjoy. Then as the light faded he bade goodnight to Patrick, Greg and Carlos, who’d kept him entertained with tales of adventures with the Jeep’s engine, and headed to the cabin.
Terry hadn’t appeared again all evening, but the light shining from beneath his doorway told Bradley he was still awake.
He loitered outside the door, wondering if Terry might appear and get some more water or use the bathroom. But after ten minutes he gave up and went to bed himself.
The bed was large and soft. The plain white sheets held the scent of flowery soap. For a moment he reveled in luxury after putting up with the hut’s creaky, stuffy sleeping arrangements for so long.
But despite the comfort he couldn’t sleep. Images of Terry kept racing through his mind. He was tormented with the mystery of what he smelled like up close, what he tasted like, how he’d kiss, how he’d fuck.
“Damn it.” Bradley took hold of his cock. It was fully erect. It was clear thinking dirty thoughts about his mate had the ability to make him hard in super-fast time.
He lay on his side, facing the wall that separated him and Terry, and worked his shaft.
His balls were tight and his skin coated in the prickling sensation he always got when turned on, as if it was hypersensitive.
Reaching for a tissue, he decided the only way he was going to get any sleep was if he tossed out a quick one. He sped up and held in a groan. Working with a firm, industrious motion, he set about reaching his goal—climax.
With his eyes closed, he allowed an image of Terry sitting on the bed to fill his thoughts. With his top half bare and his pectorals exposed, he was truly beautiful. Bradley was also sure there was a tantalizing streak of hair running from his navel to beneath the waistband of his chinos. It would lead to his cock, like a perfect path for Bradley’s fingertips or tongue to trace.
“Ahh…” Air stuttered from his lungs. He sped up, the sound of the friction of the sheet and his arm loud and competing with his pulse thudding in his ears. He was getting close.
He tensed his buttocks and clenched his asshole. His balls retracted and he gripped his cock tighter.
Then it was there. The pressure overspilled and burst up through his cock and into the tissue. One spurt, then another and another. All the time he thought of his mate, of sharing the exquisite sensation of orgasming with him. Of making Terry come over and over until he was hot and sated in his arms.
He released the breath. Coming always felt good and he knew it would relax him. But damn if he didn’t wish to holy heaven and back that it could have been Terry’s hand on his dick. He reckoned he’d still be shooting now if it had been.
He screwed up the tissue and set it on the bedside table.
Flopping onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling and waited for his heart rate to settle. One thing he knew for certain was the most important few days of his life were upon him. Because if he messed this up he’d never get another chance at mating.
Terry had to be his, in the same way Bradley belonged to him.