Chapter Five #2
“Of course. You two take your time looking around and just let me know if you have any questions.” Brodie nodded and went back to eagerly inspecting the figurines. “ He’s lovely, sir ,” Evan told me in a vampire whisper. “ Congratulations on finding your mate .”
“ Thank you, my friend. ” I patted his back again and Evan bowed his head before leaving Brodie and me alone. I watched my mate adoringly as he pored over the sculptures, keeping his hands in his pockets as if to not be tempted to touch. “So, which is your favorite?”
“I love them all; I don’t think I could choose a favorite.” I chuckled and put my hand on his back; it’d been only a few minutes since I touched him, but it was still too long.
Brodie pointed out how cute all of the animal figurines were, and talked about how nice the vases would look with flowers tucked inside them.
He then marvelled over a collection of glass fruit which he said looked good enough to eat.
We slowly made our way to the front of the shop, where we came across a display of handcrafted jewelry made from glass beads.
“These are so pretty,” Brodie complimented as he looked at a collection of bracelets.
“Would you like to try one on?” Evan offered from his seat close to the display case, and I felt the mix of my mate’s excitement and confusion.
“Is something wrong?” I asked him quietly.
Brodie stepped closer to me and replied in a low voice, “Men can wear jewelry?”
Oh, my Brodie. I could only imagine the things that he’d heard from his father about what it meant to ‘be a man’.
“Absolutely. I know many men who wear jewelry. But Brodie, it doesn’t matter what is ‘normal’ or ‘accepted’.
You don’t need permission for anything; do what makes you happy.
You could wear silk knickers and lipstick if you want and it’d be no one’s business but your own. ”
His eyes widened for a moment before a wide grin spread across his lips. He turned to Evan and announced, “Yes, I’d like to try one on.”
Evan tapped his chin. “I’ve got a very special piece I think you may like.
” From the case, he lifted a bracelet which held a single glass orb centered between two black braids.
“The straps are made of dyed wool from a local sheep farm,” he explained as it tied it around Brodie’s wrist. “And I call this design ‘dragon’s fire’. ”
Brodie held his wrist up for me to inspect. The bead in the center was black, and was filled with a swirling orange design. “What do you think, m’anam?”
“I think it’s absolutely gorgeous.”
“Then you shall have it.” Brodie gasped and I kissed his forehead.
“He’ll wear it out,” I told Evan as I handed him a stack of cash.
Gratitude, surprise and affection rolled off of my mate, and I was greedy for more.
“ And can you wrap up the hummingbird for us please? Along with the...which vase was your favorite, Brodie? The blue one?” He nodded with wide eyes.
“The blue vase as well.” I gave Evan more money as he winked at me.
He knew damn well that I was spoiling my mate, as was my right to do so.
I was blessed with vast financial resources, and I knew no better way to spend them than by making my Brodie happy.
“I’ll get those packaged for you now,” Evan replied before grabbing a couple of boxes and heading back towards the shelves.
Brodie brushed his fingers down my arm, leaving a trail of heat on my skin, even through the thick wool of my sweater. My body craved his; being this close to him without being bonded was the sweetest torture imaginable. He tickled over the back of my hand before tangling our fingers together.
“Callum, I don’t know what to say. Thank you, but...it’s so much.”
“ Nothing is too much for you.” I bent down and gave him a gentle kiss to his lips. Just when Brodie gave a quiet moan, Evan reappeared and my mate jumped away from me.
“I’m so sorry.” Brodie ducked his head and his cheeks flushed pink.
“No apology necessary,” Evan insisted. “Though I must admit I’m jealous of your bond. I’ve always dreamed of the day I’ll meet my own soulmate.”
“What do you mean by soulmate?” Brodie asked curiously.
Evan’s eyes jerked to mine. “ He knows nothing of vampires, ” I explained to him in a whisper.
“ I’m sorry, sir; I didn’t mean to speak out of turn .”
“ You didn’t .” Evan didn’t say anything wrong; by vampire standards, Brodie and I should already be bonded and planning our eternity, but humans moved at a slower pace. Especially humans like my Brodie, who’d never been in a relationship in the first place. “ But please allow me to explain. ”
“ Of course. ”
I turned to Brodie and said, “Soulmates are people who are meant to be together.
It's as if one soul inhabits two bodies, and each half cries out for the other until they are united. When the couple come together, they finally feel complete. They make each other happy and love one another very much, and will do so for the rest of time.”
“That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard,” Brodie whispered. He chewed his lip as his trepidation pierced the air. I pushed comfort and strength through our bond, and he took a deep breath before asking softly, “And that’s us?”
My heart beat wildly in my chest at Brodie’s hope and acceptance.
I took both of his hands in mine and rested our foreheads together.
“That’s us.” I pushed my love and happiness into him, wanting him to feel how much he meant to me.
After a moment, Brodie’s breath hitched and he jumped back, releasing my hands.
It seemed that after a lifetime of being unwanted and unappreciated, feeling such great love overwhelmed him.
After catching his breath, Brodie turned to Evan and lifted a shaky hand. He patted my friend’s shoulder and told him, “I really hope you find your soulmate soon.”
“Thank you, Brodie. Me too.” Evan passed over Brodie’s new treasures and shook my hand before bidding us farewell.
When Brodie and I stepped back onto the cobbled path, my mate was quiet and seemed distracted. I worried I’d put too much on him, and was positive it was best to wait to have important conversations.
I only wanted Brodie to be happy, so to lift his spirits again, I led him back into each of the shops we’d passed so far and bought him more gifts even though he insisted I didn’t have to.
When I argued that I wanted to, he didn’t stop me from buying him a few candles for our home, a bottle of cologne (after he’d sprayed himself thoroughly), and a navy blue and gray knitted scarf, which was now displayed proudly around his neck.
“Are you getting hungry?” I asked as we passed the last shop.
“Very.”
“Me too.” It was no wonder; Brodie slept through lunch and I didn’t eat without him. But now the sky was dark and my stomach was rumbling; it was dinner time and I didn’t want Brodie to have to wait any longer. “There’s a place up ahead I think you’ll enjoy.”
“We’re not eating at Lachlan’s place?”
I chuckled and squeezed his hand. “You really enjoyed his pastries, didn’t you?” Brodie’s cheeks flushed as he nodded. “Trust me, so do I, but Lachlan’s Bakery is only open for breakfast and lunch. He takes evenings off.”
“And he works all alone?” I nodded. “He needs someone to help him.”
“I’ve told him that for years, but he says he enjoys the workload. I think he doesn’t want a coworker because he believes no one can bake as well as he can.”
“I think he might be right,” Brodie shrugged, making me laugh again.
“Well, even though it’s not Lachlan’s pastries, I think you’ll be pleased.” I kissed his knuckles and led him towards the restaurant in the distance.