7. CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 6
“Want to talk about it?”
Channing jolted at the sound of Braydon’s voice as he stood on the shore of Salvation Isle. It had taken two days to get there but considering all the Council had gone through to find him, it was hard to be annoyed they hadn’t been able to come straight here where he felt relatively safe with Saleh.
He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that their Council Leader, Saber, had authorized a search for him, especially when it had taken thirteen months to find him. Then again, having been rejected by his baby’s daddy, as well as his parents, it was difficult to imagine anyone giving a shit enough to look for him for more than a few minutes.
“Not really,” Channing told his best friend. Except… He did. He just feared he’d find out his mate would have preferred Braydon had been his mate instead of Channing. Not that he would blame Baz if that were the case. Tad had reminded him all the time how lucky he was that Tad had given him the time of day, considering how plain his looks were.
“You sure? I don’t know what happened between the time Karim and I left you with Baz and when you got to the boat after we found you, but clearly something had made you miserable.” There was no point in denying his friend’s observation, so Channing said nothing.
After several minutes of silence, Braydon sighed. “I get it. Just know mates may be fated to be but that doesn’t mean they don’t have misunderstandings. In the end, no matter what we must do to fight for our mating is worth every single minute of pain or anguish.”
Channing wasn’t so certain when that was true if his mate hadn’t wanted him in the first place.
“I would rather help with whatever happened between you and Baz, but Saber and Yosi are waiting to speak with you,” Braydon told him.
The Council Leader was intimidating as hell, but his mate, Chadwick, scared the fuck out of Channing. When he’d met the pair after arriving on the island they’d used as a base during the search, he’d clutched Saleh as close as possible and turned his body to protect her from the knife the man had been tossing as if it were nothing more than a toy.
“Is Chadwick going to be there?” he asked as he stepped closer to Saleh, who was currently doing her best to shovel sand into a bucket. She never got more than a few specks into the hot pink bucket that oddly enough Chadwick had given her, but she was having a ball.
Braydon snorted as if he were trying to stop himself from laughing. “You’ll get used to him—eventually. But always assume if Saber is around, so is Chadwick. They rarely aren’t together, from what I’ve seen.”
“I don’t suppose you’d watch Saleh?” He hated leaving her with anyone, but in this case, he was willing to make an exception. “Those knives are a little too dangerous for my peace of mind.”
“I won’t let her get hurt.”
Channing’s body stiffened at the sound of Baz’s voice. His mate had tried several times to talk to him, but he hadn’t wanted to hear it. It might make him a wimp, but he just didn’t think he’d be able to handle hearing Baz tell him he wasn’t enough, and he’d rather be with Braydon.
“Can you give us a moment?” Baz asked Braydon.
Channing tried to refuse, but Braydon beat him to it. “Of course. I’ll just let Saber and Yosi know you’ll be there shortly.”
“Traitor,” Channing muttered.
Braydon grinned. “One day, you’ll thank me.” He gave Baz a wink. “Take as much time as you need and if you want me to watch Saleh for a while, just holler.”
As much as he’d tried not to, Channing found his gaze going to Baz, who was grinning. “I see why he’s your best friend.”
If Baz had punched him, it would have hurt less. “Of course, you do,” he grumbled as he turned back to study the waves that were crashing several feet from where he stood as the surf came in.
Silence followed except for the surf and occasional clapping or giggles from Saleh. After several minutes, he heard Baz let out a frustrated breath. “Look, I know I fucked up my explanation, but I swear I’ve never felt anything for Braydon. The only pull that was there was because I scented your blood.”
Tears pricked Channing’s eyes. No way was Baz telling the truth. He knew it. Compared to Braydon, he was… well, plain and uninteresting. “It’s fine. I get it. Braydon is gorgeous.”
A growl erupted from Baz. Then a hand gripped his arm and twirled him until they were face to face. He kept his gaze fixed on their feet as his heart wasn’t strong enough to see the disinterest in those dark gray eyes that had sucked him in the moment he’d first seen them.
“You are gorgeous,” Baz insisted.
When Channing still refused to look at him or even acknowledge his words, Baz grabbed his hand and placed it on the hard bulge of his pants. “ This is what you do to me. I don’t even have to be near you. All it takes is thinking about you and I go rock hard with need. I don’t give a fuck about Braydon, or anyone else, for that matter. You, my beautiful mate, are the only one I care about.”
His heart ached to believe it, but Channing was positive Baz was lying. Why he would do that was anyone’s guess, but no one had ever really wanted Channing.
A growl of pure frustration was his only warning before Baz gripped his upper arms and yanked him against that hard body before his entire world tilted on its axis. Firm lips captured his in a searing kiss that fried his brain cells and caused Channing to melt against Baz. His hand curled into the folds of his shirt as he clung to his mate even as he tried to push in closer.
Soaking up the heat of Baz’s muscled body, he couldn’t help but gasp in surprise when teeth clamped down on his lower lip. Apparently, his mate had been prepared because he seized the moment by slipping his tongue into the recesses of Channing’s mouth.
Moaning softly, he felt his knees weakening, but he didn’t have to worry about falling as Baz wrapped his arms around him to hold him up.
“Dada,” Saleh screamed as if she’d already tried to get his attention and he’d committed the sin of not noticing her. Instantly, his body stiffened as he realized what he’d been doing.
Sure, Baz was his mate, and the attraction was… intense, but he knew better than to open himself up to heartbreak. After all that had happened to him since meeting Tad, one would think he would have learned that lesson. But noooo. There he was, once more getting ready to leap into a situation with someone who couldn’t possibly want a relationship with him.
So why did Baz take the time to lick Channing’s lips as if regretting having to stop the kiss? He looked down at Saleh, who was holding her arms up to be held. His mate grinned as he kept one hand on Channing’s waist to keep him steady, which was sweet, considering he wasn’t entirely certain his legs would hold him without the added support. Even while keeping him steady, Baz bent down just far enough for his other hand to reach Saleh and scoop her up.
“Now, Saleh, is that anyway to talk to your dada?” he admonished lightly. “Now, how would you like to play with some kids for a little while I talk to your dada?”
Not giving her any time to pitch a fit, Baz called for Braydon, who must have been hovering nearby, for he was by their side in seconds. “You remember Braydon,” Baz kept his voice happy and playful. “He’s going to take you to play with his nieces and nephew so you can have lots of fun.”
There was a look of stark fear on Saleh’s face for a moment, but Channing placed a hand on her back to soothe her. “It’s okay, sweetie. You’ll have lots of fun and dada and Baz will come get you soon.”
She didn’t look convinced, but Braydon having already dealt with three small children for more than a year, didn’t dawdle. Striding quickly away, he kept up a line of nonsensical chatter that distracted Saleh enough to keep her from crying. He hoped. It had worked until they were out of earshot, anyway.
Then Baz scooped Channing into his arms and strode toward the main house where he currently had a suite. He bypassed the main doors, which was smart since Saber and Yosi might have been waiting for them.
His body stiffened at the thought. “Aren’t we going to get into trouble for ignoring Saber and Yosi’s summons?” He glanced nervously at the front door one last time before Baz went around to the side of the enormous house.
Baz just chuckled. “No. Mating trumps everything. Trust me. Braydon will call and let them know not to expect us until later.”
Channing didn’t know if that was true, but he had to admit, he wasn’t ready to give up the chance to be with Baz. He still wasn’t certain that his mate really wanted him over Braydon, but if this was to be his one chance to be with Baz, he figured he better take it.
Yeah, he’d most likely have his heart broken, but never in his life had he lost himself in a kiss. If that was what it felt like with something so simple, he would be an idiot to give up the chance to be with his mate at least once.
He just hoped he didn’t end up regretting his decision.