Chapter Six
Bradley couldn’t believe his luck. The man of his dreams was softening in his arms, becoming pliable and relaxed. His sighs of appreciation were music to Bradley’s ears and his now roaming hands a balm to his nerves.
“Let me show you,” Bradley murmured, “how sincere my words are. How I’ll always be yours.”
“It’s been a while,” Terry said without opening his eyes but sliding his palms up then down Bradley’s back. It was as if he’d been kissed into a stupor. “Since I…”
“That’s about to change.” Bradley urged him flat and spread kisses down his neck. He couldn’t get enough of Terry and didn’t know where to start. But he settled on kissing his collarbones, first the left then the right. He headed lower and began to play with his nipples, sucking and tugging and giving a few light nips with his teeth.
Bradley’s cock was hard and pressing against the buttons on his jeans. But he ignored it. This was all about Terry and ensuring his mate had maximum pleasure.
And Bradley was sure he was the man for the job.
“Mmm…” Terry murmured as he slotted his hands into Bradley’s thick hair. “So good.”
Bradley wondered just how long it had been since his mate had been with a man. But the idea of Terry bending over for someone, being kissed by someone else, didn’t sit well with him so he pushed the thought from his mind.
He traveled lower, to Terry’s soft belly, touching the tip of his tongue into Terry’s navel. He tasted of sunshine and man, of all the things Bradley hadn’t even known he’d needed in his life.
“Bradley,” Terry murmured. “What are you…?”
“Shh, just enjoy.” As he spread butterfly kisses over Terry’s stomach, Bradley popped the button on his chinos.
“But—”
“I want to show you how much you mean to me, Terry. How much you’ll always mean to me.”
Terry’s hand slipped to Bradley’s cheek.
Bradley turned and kissed the palm. “Just close your eyes and let me pleasure you,” he whispered.
He glanced upward and was pleased to see Terry resting his head back on the grass. The sunshine sliced over his features, which were taut, his jaw tense and his teeth gritted.
When Bradley ran his palm over Terry’s groin he found the cause of the tension. Terry had a raging hard-on.
Through the material he fondled then kissed the wedge of flesh straining to be free, enjoying the soft moans Terry made and the way his fingers tightened and relaxed in his hair.
He then tugged at the zipper, slowly, oh so slowly, almost teasingly.
“We can’t. Not here,” Terry said.
“Of course we can. There’s no one for miles around.”
Bradley had indulged in sex in much riskier, inhabited places. For him, right here in the forest, with a beautiful view and the sun above them, was the perfect location for him to become acquainted with his mate’s cock for the first time.
He smiled as he tugged at Terry’s pants and boxers and got sight of the only cock he’d want for the rest of his life. It was long and slim, the head wide and the color of beet.
“Beautiful,” he murmured. “Fucking beautiful.”
“What are you doing?” Terry’s voice was tight, his words said on an outward breath.
“This.” Bradley leaned forward and took the tip of Terry’s cock into his mouth. He swiped his tongue into the slit.
“Oh god,” Terry moaned as he gripped Bradley’s ears.
Bradley closed his eyes, loving the texture of dick on his tongue. So smooth and sexy and hot. He took the shaft in his hand, pulled in a breath then sank deep, taking Terry to the back of his throat and cupping his balls.
“Ah fuck.” Terry released Bradley’s ears and set his hand on his shoulders. “More.”
Bradley held in a smile as he sucked back up.
He set a fast pace, using the base of his tongue to hug Terry’s cock on each plunge.
Terry bucked his hips and dragged his nails over Bradley’s shoulders.
A drip of pre-cum spread in Bradley’s mouth and he congratulated himself on his blow job skills. It hadn’t taken long to get his new mate on the verge of coming.
He moved his position so he could take Terry deeper and faster. Within seconds Terry had his hands back in Bradley’s hair, clinging to the roots.
“I’m coming. Oh god…I’m gonna…in your mouth…”
That was what Bradley wanted and he upped the speed and the pressure.
Terry let out a long, low wail and stilled. His shaft pulsed and a shot of cum burst from the slit.
Bradley swallowed it down and kept working the cock throbbing in his mouth. So damn hot. He was high as a kite. High on oral sex, the taste of his mate’s pleasure the ultimate flavor.
“Jesus, no more…” Terry shoved at Bradley, hard.
Bradley was forced to release his cock. He looked up at Terry.
Panic washed over Terry’s eyes. He was breathing hard, his cheeks flushed, and his chest rising and falling.
“What? What is it?”
“No. No, get off, get away.” Terry sat and scooted backward, his cock tapping against his belly.
“What’s the matter? That was fucking awesome.” Bradley frowned and held out his hands.
“No, no, it was a joke. I don’t know what the hell you’re playing at.” Terry shoved his cock back into his pants, fastened the button, then stood.
Bradley looked up at him. His own dick, which had been fit to burst, was rapidly deflating.
What the hell is going on?
Terry looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
“A joke?” Bradley said. “Let me tell you something, I take blow jobs very seriously, and my first one with you, the most serious of them all. Do you see me laughing?”
“Not now, but you probably will later, with your buddies.” Terry took a step back, then another, toward the forest.
“Later? Later I intend to be with you. What’s going on?” He stood and dragged his hand through his messy hair. His heart was beating fast. Confusion swarmed in his mind. They’d just shared an amazing moment…hadn’t they?
“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Terry said. “At worst I’m a joke, at best a passing phase for you, something to kill time while you’re in camp.”
“That’s not true. I explained it already.” Bradley held out his hands. “I’m in love with you.”
“Stop saying that. It’s not true.”
“They’re the truest words I’ve ever uttered.” He took a step toward Terry. How could this sweet man not believe what was in his heart?
“No, stop. Stop right there.” Terry held out his hand. “This isn’t happening.”
“It is. Hell, you just came down my throat, I’d say we’re happening all right. I can still fucking taste you.” Irritation was beginning to grow inside of Bradley.
“No.” Terry moved back farther, the first shadow of the forest engulfing him. “You’re a ten, Bradley, I’m a four on a good day. We’re not a match, don’t you see? Guys like me don’t get guys like you.”
Bradley’s mouth hung open. Is that really what Terry thought? “Don’t be ridiculous, I think you’re a ten, hell, an eleven, twelve, fucking twenty.”
“Shut up.” He frowned.
“It’s true. You’re beautiful inside and out. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. A dream come true.”
Terry’s face twisted, as if in pain. “No, don’t say that, and don’t come near me again.” He turned and burst into a run. Within seconds the forest had stolen him away.
“Goddamn it.” Bradley clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. What the hell was he going to do now? Terry didn’t believe in his love and it seemed nothing he could do would convince him.
He stared at the spot Terry had disappeared into. It wasn’t even the path they’d used to get here.
He’ll get lost.
There was only one thing for it, he’d have to shift and follow him. Quickly he pulled off his jeans and shoes and shoved them into the rucksack along with the remains of the picnic. He dashed to the tree line and shoved the rucksack under a shrub. He’d retrieve it at some point. Right now he had more important things to do.
He summoned the familiar tingling in his spine that would kickstart his shift. As the burning, stroking sensation took hold he fell forward. His vision blurred for a second as his face changed shape. He landed on paws with the overwhelming need to tuck his tail between his legs. His unhappiness at the situation had followed him into his dog form.
But he didn’t linger in self-pity—instead, he burst into a run, nose to the ground so he could follow Terry’s trail. As he went he was aware of Terry’s flavor in his mouth, even stronger now than when he’d been human, his taste buds much more acute.
Weaving between trunks and termite mounds, he kept up a swift pace. Terry’s scent was strong.
He wasn’t much farther ahead, and to Bradley’s delight he seemed to have changed direction and was heading the right way for the camp.
Bradley’s paws sank deep into the pine needle carpet that spread over the forest floor as far as the eye could see. Though he was getting hot, he resisted the need for a drink at a small stream he passed and kept on moving.
Eventually the trees thinned and the camp came into view. Bradley hadn’t been far behind Terry and he spotted him dashing into the cabin they were sharing and slamming the door.
The sound echoed toward Bradley and it fueled determination in him. He couldn’t let Terry’s lack of understanding about their situation, about the wonderful future they could have together, go on for another minute. He had no idea what to do to persuade him of his love and desire but he’d do anything Terry wanted.
Still in dog form, Bradley trotted into the camp. All was quiet. No screams, no barking, nothing.
For a moment he paused and looked around. A few dogs wandered, restless, near the Jeep that again had its hood up. This time Patrick was bent over the engine, apparently deep in thought. Aleco’s door was shut tight, as was Raul and Malec’s.
Then suddenly, through the stillness, a piercing baby cry filled the air. It was a proper, gutsy wail filled with indignation and surprise.
Joy rushed through Bradley. The baby had been born.
A couple of dogs near the Jeep barked.
Bradley joined in. He hoped Flo hadn’t had too rough a time and all was okay with both mother and child.
He returned his attention to the cabin that held his mate. Walking up to the front door, he knew he’d have to shift to open it.
Rearing onto his back legs, he summoned his human form. It arrived fast and as his fur slipped away cool air circled his naked body.
He twisted the handle and stepped into the shade of the cabin.
For a moment he paused. Terry was sitting at the table, his head in his hands.
Bradley had never seen body language so despondent, so defeated and weary. It made his soul hurt to see the man he loved this way.
“Terry,” he said, closing the door.
Terry looked up. “Go away.” His gaze dipped down Bradley’s naked body, his eyes widening a little as his attention settled on his cock.
Bradley shook his head. “No, I can’t go away. I really can’t. My life is with you now.”
Terry turned, wiped at his eyes and sniffed. “You’re teasing me.”
“I’m not. I promise. You have to believe me.” He stepped closer.
“Put some damn clothes on.”
“I don’t have any.”
Terry scraped back the chair and stood. He turned to the window and folded his arms. “Please, just go. Leave me alone.”
Frustration burned hotly in Bradley’s veins. It was like lava circulating in his body. “You really want me to leave? After that kiss, that blow job? Jeez, can’t you feel the chemistry between us? It’s off the fucking scale.”
Terry said nothing.
“If you’re absolutely sure you don’t want me.” Bradley paused. He knew saying the next words was going to be like a knife twisting in his guts. “If you one hundred percent believe there could never be anything between us then I will walk away.” He grimaced as he finished the sentence.
Still silence.
“But at least give us a chance,” he went on. “Give us a week to be together. Let me show you how much I want you in my life. I want to care for you, be with you, have happy times with you, comfort you when you’re sad. Terry, the stars have mapped it out that we be together, the same way as Jude and Neo.”
Terry glanced over his shoulder at Bradley.
Bradley had a glimmer of hope. “And they look different, don’t they? Never would have put them together in a crowd yet they’re so happy and in love.”
“I guess.”
“Yes. That’s right.” Bradley stepped around the table, holding it for support. His knees were a little weak. The situation was grave. It was so important that he handle Terry the right wa .
He couldn’t ever remember having such an important conversation.