Chapter 09 #3
“And you’re mine. I’ve never been happier,” Drake whispered as he clasped Jaxom to his body. Jaxom never wanted him to let go.
“I think I could handle doing that with you for the rest of my life,” Jaxom whispered. He grinned as Drake squeezed him.
“Me, too. I never thought it could be like that. Intense,” Drake sighed. They lay that way for a while, just enjoying the moment.
“What if we get cleaned up and have some ice cream?” Jaxom asked as they both cooled down.
He could feel Drake getting somewhat uncomfortable.
He couldn’t tell if it was emotional or physical discomfort, yet.
Time would give him the clues he needed to respond appropriately to his mate.
In this moment, he needed to keep his guy relaxed.
There was no pressure to perform or please.
In Jaxom’s experience, ice cream fixed everything.
“I could go for that. What types do you have?” Drake grinned at Jaxom as he got off the bed.
“We,” Jaxom emphasized, “have vanilla, maple nut, and caramel.”
“We,” Drake laughed as he emphasized back, “have some work to do to help out all those neglected ice creams.”
Jaxom slipped into the bathroom first to get washed up. He laid out a pair of shorts and a shirt for Drake. They’d forgotten all about Drakes’ luggage so his guy had no clothes. At least he wasn’t that much bigger than Jaxom. Stretchy shorts and a large t-shirt would fit his mate just fine.
Jaxom could feel their wolves were curled up around each other. The two big guys were sleeping. Jaxom’s wolf was so content. It was a level he’d never felt in the furry mutt before.
When Jaxom got done, Drake was sitting up in bed like some beautifully sculpted piece of art. He blushed as Jaxom stared at him. Jaxom returned the blush as he realized he couldn’t stop staring.
“I got some clothes set out for you,” Jaxom said softly.
He didn’t want to move but he also didn’t want to be creepy.
Drake had the right to have a private moment.
All Jaxom really wanted to do was crawl back in bed and sleep on top of his mate.
He wanted to feel him breath under his cheek all night long.
He blushed even brighter and ducked out of the bedroom.
Three scoops of ice cream. He didn’t know which was Drake’s favorite.
Nerves were setting in hard and fierce. It was surprising to realize how intent he’d been on claiming his mate but was now so nervous, like a teen at the sight of his first crush.
They knew so little about each other. The need to really get to know his mate was filling him.
Drake came out of the bathroom and smiled at the overloaded bowl of ice cream. Jaxom thrilled as he sat down close to him. A soft kiss of his cheek had Jaxom blushing again.
“So, you think I’m going to eat all of that?” Drake teased. He picked up the bowl and took a big bite of the maple nut ice cream. “I’m probably going to eat it all. We burned a lot of calories today.”
“Yeah, we did,” Jaxom couldn’t stop smiling. “Just so you know, we have the new member ceremony tomorrow at 2. Then we get to come back and get to know each other.”
Drake handed Jaxom the untouched ice cream bowl. He readjusted and leaned into Jaxom, sitting shoulder to shoulder. The tingles soothed Jaxom’s nerves. Apparently it was his turn to be anxious about their relationship.
“You okay?” Drake asked as he ran his hand up and down Jaxom’s back.
“I’m good, really good. It’s just, I’ve never done this before, actually build a romantic relationship with someone. I’m feeling all squirmy with you.” Jaxom leaned into his mate’s embrace.
“That I understand.”
“I really like your tattoo of the wolf howling in front of the moon. What got you started getting tattoos?” Jaxom asked.
“Anger. Lots and lots of anger. My dad’s dad, grampy Trip, said I should do something positive with all that anger. He didn’t expect tattoos,” Drake chuckled. “I figured the pain of getting the tattoo was a representation of what was going on inside. It was kinda cathartic."
“They look amazing on you. You didn’t go overboard, either.”
“You could get the wolf tattoo, too,” Drake suggested shyly. “We’d match that way.”
Jaxom couldn’t stop the grin of enthusiasm, “Yes. Done. ”
“Do you like to read?” Drake asked as he smiled at Jaxom. His handsome mate looked so happy.
“I do. It’s necessary to take a break from reality. Reading does that for me. I’m in the middle of the Shard of Sienna series.”
“I’ve never read that.”
“You want me to read you a chapter while you finish the massive bowl of ice cream I shoved in your willing hands?”
“I’ve never had anyone read to me, well, other than teachers reading to the class in school. I bet you have the perfect voice to play narrator,” Drake said with a husky note to his voice.
Jaxom got up and found book one of The Shard Of Sienna. No one should go through life never having been read to. The moment he sat back down, Drake pressed in close as Jaxom opened the book.
“Prologue: The Kingdom of Solara had always been a land of peace,” Jaxom read. “The people had thrived under the protection of the Sienna Tower…”