Chapter 13 #2
“No. Do not take it back. We are his parents now.” Bayu pressed his lips to Carleigh’s temple, inhaling. “I’m glad he has you and your family. I do not know what he remembers, and I am afraid to ask. I do not want to upset him by speaking of my parents and Kiki.”
“Juniper said when he woke up during the night, he didn’t ask for them or Gemi. He wanted me.”
“Carwee! Wook!” Juni was sitting on a noodle, bouncing up and down.
“Oh, wow! Are you having fun?”
“Yep!” He bounced too hard and fell off. Carleigh gasped, taking a step toward the pool, but Bayu stopped her. Juni swam to the surface and grabbed hold of the noodle once again.
“He is a good swimmer. I’m not sure who taught him, but I’m glad they did. My mom taught both Kiki and me when we were small.”
Cailín walked over to sit on the side of the pool, and Juni flopped off the noodle, swimming toward her so he could hang off her feet. The female bounced him up and down.
“Everyone is so good with him,” Bayu mused.
Carleigh snaked her arm around Bayu’s waist and laid her head on his bicep. “All little ones are precious, but there is something about Juni that steals hearts quickly.”
Bayu couldn’t disagree. If Juni weren’t his brother, he would still love the little cub immensely.
“Did Major leave?”
“Nekoma came and got him. Like we assumed, his Gryphon voice wasn’t able to override whatever spell prohibited Sondra from speaking about the Black Lotus, but he did convince her to find a different, better way of life.”
Bayu understood the concept of traveling by portal, but it still amazed him it was possible. He wasn’t sure he trusted it though. “Did they find the man who disappeared?”
“No, but Nekoma is going to hang around after everyone else leaves. The car is still there, so unless the man took off walking, he’ll need to retrieve it at some point.”
“Do you think Nekoma is as skilled as the mage?”
“I sure hope so.” Carleigh rose up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’m thinking with this many people, I’ll grill burgers and hotdogs. Keep it simple.”
“You want some help?”
“I’d love some. Hey, Mom,” Carleigh called out.
When Kat looked up, Carleigh pointed at herself and Bayu, then the house.
Kat nodded. Once inside, Carleigh pulled the meat out of the fridge, then got a large bowl from a cabinet.
She instructed him where the platters were kept, and she began mixing spices and steak sauce into the meat.
As she patted them out, she said, “Juni is having a ball.”
“He is. I thought about making him get out since he’s been swimming so long, but I didn’t want to upset him. I have no idea if that was the right decision or not. I bet he sleeps well tonight.”
“We can always ask my parents for advice. They did manage to keep June and me alive all these years.”
“And a fine job they did.” Bayu placed the plate of wieners on the table. “What else can I do?”
The two worked in tandem getting everything ready. Bayu took the meat outside, and Julian had the grill ready. He assured Bayu he was fine on grill duty. Bayu returned inside and helped Carleigh with the sides, slicing vegetables, and gathering plates and cutlery.
Within an hour, all the food was demolished, and a little cub was curled up on Bayu’s lap, worn out from swimming all day.
It warmed his heart his brother had chosen his lap instead of Carleigh’s for once.
Bayu didn’t begrudge his brother’s usual preference.
Hell, Bayu wanted to curl up with Carleigh too, but it felt good to be wanted.
While he appreciated her family being there for him, he was ready for some alone time with his mate. Earlier, when they were in the kitchen, he asked if her house was always filled with so many people.
“In the summer, everyone likes to come over to swim and cook out, but it’s not all the time. And they always ask first. If we don’t want company, I’ll tell them that, and they’ll respect our wishes.”
Bayu didn’t want to sound ungrateful, so he told her he didn’t mind. Carleigh smirked at him. “Maybe I mind.” She had snaked an arm around his neck and pulled him down for a passionate kiss. “Maybe I want you all to myself.” Bayu stared at her, dazed, as she went back to preparing the lettuce.
Now, Tabitha, Anthony, Elle, and Cailín had said goodbye, leaving Carleigh’s immediate family and Silas. Julian and Kat offered to clean up their food items, and Juniper was gathering all the toys and storing them in the pool house.
Carleigh ran her fingers through Juni’s fur, but the cub didn’t stir. “Do you think he’ll be okay without a bath?”
Juni returned to his skin. “Me take baff?”
Bayu laughed at his brother. “He does love the water.” He stood, holding Juni tight in one arm while pulling Carleigh to her feet with his free hand.
They tag-teamed bathtime, and once they convinced Juni it was time for bed, Carleigh read to him.
She was on the third book when he fell asleep.
A nightlight shone on the far wall, but they still left the door cracked so they could hear if he called out for them.
Bayu was also ready for bed, but he didn’t want to be rude, so he followed Carleigh downstairs without complaint.
Juniper was curled up on one of the sofas reading. She glanced up and hooked her thumb toward the back doors. “Mom and Dad are out there. Dad wanted to hole up in the office, but Mom wasn’t having it.”
Carleigh sat on the other sofa, patting the space next to her. Bayu lowered himself next to her and put his arm around her shoulder. Carleigh leaned against his chest. “Anything he’s looking for will send out an alert. She knows this.”
Juniper lowered her voice. “She does, but you know how he is. He’s been restless since retiring. He needs to feel useful.”
“I know the feeling,” Bayu muttered.
Carleigh leaned back so she could look up at him.
“You are useful, my tiger. Before you argue, you have been through a lot this week, have lost so much, so give yourself a little grace. What you need to know to fulfill your Nuhuala responsibilities is hidden from you, and that is not your fault. We are going to figure out how to get Tiger back as well as your ability to read the ancient scrolls. When that happens, you’ll probably be busier than ever before, so maybe don’t rush it? ”
“You’re right. I know you are, but it doesn’t sit well with me that you and your family are doing all the work.”
“And that’s one of the things that makes you a wonderful being.
You aren’t selfish or lazy. If you were, I doubt your god would allow you to take over the mantle from your father.
Like June said, our dad is thrilled to help.
He spent decades doing this kind of thing for our Clan, and until Henry Paloma came along, he did it by himself, so really, you’re doing him a favor.
Anyway, I think we should try to get some sleep before Juni wakes up and joins us. ”
Bayu stood, taking Carleigh’s hand. They bade Juniper a goodnight, then climbed the stairs, pausing to check on the little one. Juni was fast asleep, cradling Harry to his chest. When they got to their bedroom, Carleigh closed the door and locked it.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Carleigh stepped closer, pressing her palm to Bayu’s cheek.
“I’ve been thinking about this all day, and I want to give you my bite.
I want to exchange the words to make us mates.
We can let Tiger do his thing when you get him back.
My Gargoyle toxin has protective properties, and I want you to have it. ”
“Is that the only reason?”
Carleigh slid her hands under his shirt, scratching his skin gently. “No. I want you, my tiger. I want us to make love, and I don’t want to wait any longer.”
Bayu’s cock thickened. He was ready to get his beautiful mate naked. He’d been ready, but he also wasn’t. This should be a private moment, and yet, her family was in the house. “Carleigh, your parents—”
“Are outside. The bedroom is soundproof. Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
Bayu stepped back and pulled his shirt over his head, then pushed his shorts and underwear down his legs, stepping out of them. He stroked his erection, and Carleigh licked her lips. No, he hadn’t changed his mind. In fact, he was so ready, he was close to blowing.