Chapter 28
“Wow,” Hunter remarked after eating his third hors d’oeuvre. “Your friend is a great chef.”
Fionn smiled, too busy enjoying his wine to say anything.
After a few sips of a fine California Pinot Grigio, a flush of pleasure coursed through him, removing the stress he’d felt about the dinner.
Picking up a spinach puff, he popped it into his mouth, savoring the taste and texture of it.
“Theo loves cooking,” he said, licking his fingers one by one.
Hunter was mesmerized by the sexuality emanating from Fionn’s chewing and licking; it went straight to his cock causing it to harden.
Groaning softly in frustration, he reached down, trying to relieve the pressure on his bulge, knowing any fucking would have to be delayed till later tonight or he’d face the wrath of Quin for wrecking Fionn’s surprise.
As the night wore on, dinner became an exercise in frustration for him as he watched his mate eat.
Glistening full lips, wet from Fionn’s tongue, beckoned to him and teased Hunter about what awaited him later.
His mate’s exuberance for each course, the gusto with which he attacked his food, the profuse thanks he gave Norm each time a new dish was served—all gave Hunter a new appreciation for the simple act of dining.
It was an evening Fionn would never forget.
Everything was amazing from the flickering candles, to the guitar music, to the sumptuous meal, to his mate who was the perfect dining companion with his quick quips woven into their conversation that kept Fionn smiling throughout.
His nervousness long gone by the time he and Hunter finished their main course, Fionn leaned back in his chair while Norm cleared the table.
Then a hush fell on the clearing as the guitarist stopped playing, causing Fionn to look questioningly at his mate.
Slightly shaking his head in response, Hunter replied, “I have no idea what Quin is going to do, pet.”
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Quin waited impatiently for Kieran and Theo to join him on the path. It was time to serve the special dessert and give Fionn and Hunter their special surprise. Watching the bobbing flashlight beam come closer as his friends headed towards him, he felt Norm come up behind him.
“The table is set for dessert,” Norm whispered.
“Great. Theo and Ki are almost here,” Quin murmured, shifting from one foot to the other. He’d ditched his high heels tonight since he knew he’d be running back and forth on the dark path, delivering different courses along with an ample supply of wines for Norm to serve.
“Hi, pooh bear,” Theo whispered, as he and Kieran arrived. “Wait until you see what I made for dessert. Kota helped me but it was my idea to flambé it.”
“What’s flambé?” asked Norm, softly.
“It’s on fire…I thought it was perfect since Fionn’s a dragon,” replied Theo, quietly.
“No way! That’s freaking awesome, honeybunch,” whispered Norm.
“Quin, you ready?” asked Kieran.
“Yup, so is Robin.”
“Good,” Kieran whispered. “Theo, show Norm what to do.”
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Looking around, Fionn’s eyes landed back on the musician, now drinking some bottled water. Squinting at him, Fionn was trying to remember where he’d seen him, but came up with nothing. Turning to Hunter, he asked, “Mate, do you know the guy with the guitar?”
“Yeah, he’s my brother Robin.”
Fionn’s eyes widened. “Really? He’s really good. Does he sing?” Before his mate could answer, Fionn heard a voice call out to him. Turning his head, he saw a beautiful young man entering the clearing.
“Hi Fionn. Welcome to the family. I’m Quin, Hunter’s youngest brother. Theo has prepared an unbelievable dessert. Norm, if you would,” he said, stepping aside.
Fionn’s eyes shifted to Norm, widening when he saw what his friend was carrying on the tray. “Oh my gods!”
Placing a small flaming cheesecake in front of each of them, Norm stepped back, smiling. “It was Theo’s idea to simulate dragon fire for your dessert, in celebration of who you are, Fi.”
Quin then announced, “Please enjoy while listening to the magical voice of…Red Force!”
Leaning over, Hunter murmured, “In answer to your question, yes, Robin can sing.”
“What-t-t-t?” Gobsmacked, Fionn’s jaw dropped as he stared at the man who began to sing.
Deep in the shadows, I search
For something, but what?
Never seeing what the future holds
When will I finally be free?
Hearing the words that meant so much to him sung by the artist who wrote them was…
amazing, no, more than that…unbelievable…
yes, but…but…it’s fanfuckingtastical! Oh my gods!
It’s official…I will never ever forget tonight!
Then, when his idol began the second verse, Fionn joined in, knowing the words by heart.
Somewhere there’s a place for me
With all the love I need,
Free from the hate and evil
That seems to be my fate
My paws pound the ground,
As my heart spins round
Running wild, running free
Is just right for me
Serenaded for the next hour by the singer whose music helped him survive the horrors of his life before he found his new family and home, Fionn became overwhelmed with emotion.
And now with his mate at his side, he finally emerged from the darkness that had held him in thrall.
Fionn glanced over at Hunter, joyfully grinning at him, before turning back to sing along with Red Force.
After Robin paused to take another sip of water, he looked at his brother and Fionn.
“Welcome to the family, Fionn, and thank you for giving my brother back his smile. I was surprised when Quin and your friends told me what a big fan you are because I didn’t think anyone overseas had ever heard of me.
So trust me when I say, I’m very happy the Fates gave you my brother as a mate because I know what music you’ll be playing. ”
Giggling Fionn leaned over and whispered in Hunter’s ear. “I hope you like your brother’s songs because I play them a lot.”
Smirking, Hunter threw Robin a friendly finger, then whispered to his mate, “Don’t ever tell my brother, but I love listening to them.”
Robin laughed, before continuing. “When Quin asked me to write a love song for you two, I was honored to do it. So without further ado, here it is…it’s called, I Will Love You.
” Looking down at his guitar, Robin began to strum softly, letting the emotion of the melody wrap around the lovers for a moment, before beginning.
Didn't happen in a noisy way
Didn't seem too special at the start
No fireworks or parades
No trumpets set the stage
No choir singing as you took my heart
And here we are, two fools in love
Greener than the grass we're lyin' on
But I will love you in the daylight too
I will love you from this moment on
The words penetrated Fionn’s heart, making him a part of a world he never thought would be his again, a world he thought lost to him when his mother died.
Yes here we are, two fools in love
Makin' love like it's a marathon
But I will love you when it's way past new
I will love you from this moment on
I will love you like I'm s'posed to do
I will love you from this moment on.
When the last notes faded into the night, Fionn gazed at his mate, tears slowly trickling down his cheeks at the love he found in Hunter’s eyes.
An all-encompassing love, filling Fionn’s heart until it was overflowing and, at that moment, something else happened.
He fell in love with Hunter—totally and unconditionally—and Fionn knew he would do anything for his mate, no matter what it was.
When Hunter opened his arms to him, Fionn flew from his chair into his embrace.
Burying his face in his mate’s neck, he slid his arms around his waist, holding on, never wanting to let go.
Somehow the Fates had done it, somehow they gave him the world, one filled with love and joy, one that filled the cracks in his heart, erased the scars and made him whole again.
Licking the salty sweat on Hunter’s skin, Fionn moaned when his mate’s flavor exploded on his tongue.
Lifting his head slightly, he whispered into Hunter’s ear, “I love you so much…now and forever.”
“I love you too, my pet.” Resting his cheek on his mate’s head, contentment washed over Hunter, making him smile. He was exactly where he was meant to be.
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Hiding in the bushes, Quin sighed at the scene before him; everything had turned out perfectly, but best of all, Fionn loved Hunter. Surrounded by his co-conspirators, he looked at them and whispered, “Love Queens, we were successful. Thank you all for helping me.”
“It was so romantic, right pooh bear?”
“It was, honey bunch,” Norm replied, pulling Theo in for a hug.
“It was simply perfecto!” Kieran whispered, clasping his hands to his heart. “It gave me so many more ideas for Theo and Norm’s wedding. I think we outdid ourselves, Love Queens.”
“Uh-huh, we sure did,” murmured Quin, his eyes drawn back to the love swirling around his brother and Fionn.
“I knew it…it’s just like in my books,” he whispered to himself.
Staring at the lovers, Quin was sure one day he’d find someone who’d love him just as he was, because, after all, it always happened in the romance stories he loved to read.
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