Chapter Sixteen
Titus realized he was actually having a good time.
It wasn’t that he was going through motions with a fixed goal in mind.
He didn’t have to put on the act necessary to get someone into bed, and Apollo wasn’t a man trying to sell him a deal or a collaboration.
When was the last time I just enjoyed a meal out before meeting Apollo?
Whenever that was, it was too far back for Titus to care or remember.
The meal had finished, and he was enjoying a bottle of locally made beer, which, as Apollo had suggested, he did appreciate. But Titus was getting more pleasure out of watching Apollo’s people watching.
Apollo was very discreet about it. It wasn’t like he was leaning on the table, glaring at people, or turning his head and tracking people as they went past. Instead, he was sitting back in his chair, his one leg folded across the other as he sipped quietly on a glass of red wine.
He was just watching – a part of the festivities, but apart as well.
Occasionally he would smile at people if they happened to catch his eye, but he made no effort to involve them in any conversation. It was as if he was content to just be out as one of the crowd. He truly does enjoy this . Titus could tell from the contented buzz coming through their bond.
For Titus, that was a weird realization.
He had been born as part of a pack. Being around people was easy for him because he’d grown up that way.
But he had to wonder what that would feel like for a god.
Titus got the impression, from the few things Apollo had said, that he didn’t even grow up as such – he came into being and lived his life surrounded by different people at different times, and spent a lot of time alone.
Apparently, that was one of the reasons Apollo had gone into business with Artemis.
“I wanted to be a part of something, even though I have no idea what my sister is doing.” But Apollo had also made a point of letting Titus know that Artemis knew nothing about his volunteering at the youth center or the other art projects he’d flitted in and out of over the years.
“You heard her,” Apollo had said the night before. “Artemis doesn’t care about mortals or about fitting in with them. For me, fitting in is something that brings me joy, even if it’s just for an hour.”
He looks like he fits in now, Titus thought approvingly.
His mate was wearing a pair of smart gray pants and an open-necked pale pink shirt.
He had thrown on a suit jacket, just like Titus had, simply because the night air could get a little chilly, and while Titus didn’t feel the cold, he did know how to fit in with others who didn’t have an animal side keeping them warm.
Apollo’s look wasn’t fancy in any way. There was nothing about him that people might look at him and think, “That’s an ancient god.
” And yet, by the same token, Titus could see how Apollo still stood apart from everyone else.
He wasn’t overly tall, and he wasn’t overly big.
Unlike me , Titus thought. Apollo was definitely a stunning man, but Titus realized he was attracted to that air of calm Apollo had about him, even as his eyes twinkled and a small smile hovered around his lips.
Could I do this sort of thing forevermore?
Titus wondered as he tipped his bottle back and took another swig from it.
Why make a glass dirty when it was just as easy to drink out of the bottle?
Living a life of ease with Apollo was so tempting, and yet there was a tiny part of Titus that held back from taking that leap.
I’ve worked so hard, pushed for so long. ..
Titus thought about the two trucks that Apollo had mentioned he’d sold in the past. That was a business deal that went completely wrong, and one of Titus’s most epic failures. He really hoped Apollo would never be interested in learning the details about that one.
He’d been a cocky, “everything I touch is gold” type at the time.
And I got scammed big time. What basically happened was akin to putting money down on a real estate deal when the land didn’t even exist. He and Regis had been in Las Vegas.
Regis hadn’t been keen on the deal, but the dealer had offered Titus a few “incentives” that Titus had enjoyed to the point of ignoring the fact that he couldn’t scent any lies because of the man’s overuse of cologne. I was such a fool back then.
Titus learned from that, and he built his business back up again, even though Regis had teased him for years over the needs of his dick costing him two trucks.
But seeing how happy Apollo was now, enjoying a simple meal with him, just having fun being out – that means more to me than my business, and a lot more pleasurable than spending all my time guarding against people taking advantage of me or my company.
Titus didn’t have to prove anything to his mate.
Apollo was happy simply being in his company, and he let that be known in a dozen little ways.
He gave a passing thought to Cassius. Yes, Titus had always loved the idea of having a son.
I bet he’d love a trip like this, he thought idly.
The only reason Titus knew Lorna traveled was that every year the picture he received had been taken in a different location, and any legal communications came from lawyers in different countries.
The boy had always been small and pale, and Titus figured that was because of the vampire side of his genetics, but now he’d never know for sure.
Because he’s not mine. There was still a small part of him, for all his talk about lawyers and DNA, that was quietly sad that that part of his life had effectively been cut off.
Maybe I’ll have a chance to have an actual son with my mate one day.
One, I can help to raise and be a part of his day-to-day.
Titus mentally shook himself. He’d been made a fool of more than once in his past, and he wasn’t keen to continue the tradition.
Stopping the payments to Lorna was about the principle of the thing.
When he believed Cassius was his blood, he would’ve kept paying out until the child became an adult. But now he knew that wasn’t the case…
Stop dwelling on the past, his wolf snapped. We have a mate to care for who is ours.
His wolf’s grumpiness was understandable.
They hadn’t shifted in a while. Titus was really looking forward to his proposed hike in the morning.
His other half was also right. Having Apollo in their life didn’t make missing the idea of Cassius any less painful.
But Titus had never met the boy he thought was his son, never seen him in the flesh, or taken in his scent and recognized the family bond.
Whereas Apollo was sitting next to him, enjoying their evening out. Titus could smell him, touch him, smile at him, and later he knew he’d be doing a lot more with him.
Stretching out his legs and resting his hand on Apollo’s shoulder, Titus considered his business. Yes, he should be talking to Apollo about it – getting his thoughts and opinions, too – but Titus wanted to make sure his ideas were settled in his own head before he brought it up with his mate.
Giving up Titus Industries entirely wasn’t something he was prepared to do. His trucking business was his main business, and he still owned the hotel in Vegas, which fell under the same business umbrella.
Other deals he’d done successfully were more investment-type deals – he’d definitely learned after his first efforts resulted in him being scammed.
In deals he’d done over the past five years, Titus put up the money with an ironclad contract ensuring he got his money back plus dividends over time.
The interest rates were better than leaving the money in the bank, most of the time, and he wasn’t expected to do anything else regarding the projects.
He only worked with people he’d vetted in every way, and that dividend income paid off well for him.
But it was his trucking business where Titus typically checked into his office every day.
Regis would be more than happy to manage the trucking side of the business.
That would free me up to take a lot more time off.
After the road trip, Titus got the impression that Apollo wasn’t going to be happy sitting in his office all day, and Titus didn’t want him roaming without him.
Apollo could end up watching polar bears in Alaska for all Titus knew, forgetting about the time or getting something to eat, and Titus would have no way of getting to him.
What would that be like , he wondered, traveling with Apollo? Seeing the world . Titus had never been outside of North America. We could go anywhere, do anything. Apollo definitely had the power to make that happen.
But what if I get bored? I’m used to working damn near every day. People call me driven for a reason.
Titus had a sudden light-bulb moment. It was so bright in his brain, he quickly looked at Apollo, thinking it might have been a message from him. But Apollo was slowly swaying his head from side to side, clearly listening to the two musicians across the square who were still playing.
All right. It came from me. I can deal with that. Living with a god, Titus thought it was a good idea to check in with himself.
I’ve been pushing myself since I shifted for the first time, he realized. That competitiveness and need to do well originally came from growing up as an alpha heir to a pack alpha. But those habits hadn’t abated once Titus and Regis left the pack to make their own path.
I’ve been pushing myself to succeed, always chasing the next deal, the next business opportunity, the next fuck, because I was looking for something. Not a thing. A person. Someone special. That missing person in my life who would take the place of my pack in my heart.
Regis’s loyalty and ongoing friendship helped, but Titus realized in that moment he’d always needed more.
That’s why I kept working…always restless…always with that relentless need for control and micromanaging things better left alone.
Titus almost laughed out loud, and he knew if he did, Apollo would laugh with him, even though he didn’t know what Titus was thinking.
But when it all came together in Titus’s head, he truly felt that he could see clearly for the first time in decades.
Yes, he had been striving, yes, he’d been pushing, yes, he was determined to be seen as a successful businessman, as an alpha in all aspects of his life.
But then this man came along who wasn’t a man at all, but an ancient god. I don’t have to go looking for anything anymore because I have everything I need right here. In that moment, Titus was ready to jump up and start spinning cartwheels right across Larimer Square.
“Ah, you’ve relaxed.” Apollo’s quiet voice cut through his thoughts. “Have you come to any conclusions during your thinking session?”
Titus chuckled as Apollo raised his empty glass. Of course his mate would know what he was doing.
“You’ve got good timing,” Apollo added. “Did you want to do anything else?”
Titus did. He wasn’t ready for the night to be over.
“Did you want to go dancing? There’re a lot of gay clubs here in Denver we could check out if you like.
” Titus was more of a quiet pub and game of pool type of guy as a rule, but he’d handle the noise and overwhelming scents for a chance to have Apollo in his arms.
“Clubs are fun, but far too loud this time of night.” Apollo leaned closer to him, totally ignoring the people around them. “The noise, smells, and all those people in an enclosed space are going to freak your dear other half out. He’d be so protective, you wouldn’t have any fun.”
Of course, Apollo was right, and Titus basked in the idea that his mate was always considering his welfare. “I’ve got an idea, if you’re up for it. Let’s see if this works.” Titus shoved a handful of notes underneath their plates and tugged Apollo to his feet. “I still want you to dance with me.”
They wandered off across the square to the street performers who looked as if they were just packing up for the night. Most of the foot traffic had clearly gone to the establishments they’d already planned to get to, and there was barely anyone around.
“Excuse me,” Titus said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a hundred-dollar note that he dropped into the male’s guitar case.
“I do realize you’ve put in a lot of hours and are probably looking to head home or have a meal.
But could you play one more song just for us, please?
My husband and I would like to dance. Can you sing or play something that we could dance to?
” He coughed and added, “Something slow and romantic, perhaps?”
“Right here?” The woman had her hands clasped against her chest, beaming at Apollo. The male with her had his eyes on the hundred-dollar note.
“Why not?” Apollo said, shaking back his hair. “When you have the urge to dance, you should do it anywhere.”
“Well, if you need the music,” the young man said, reaching back into his guitar case. Titus’s hundred-dollar donation disappeared into his pocket, and then he pulled out his guitar. “We’re more than happy to oblige.”
He started to play something low and slow. Titus didn’t recognize the tune, but his female companion did – she might have been his sister or his partner. Titus had no idea. But after the opening bars, she started to sing. It appeared to be a jazz number, and it was perfect for Titus’s needs.
Turning to Apollo, ignoring a few looks from a couple who were wandering past, Titus said, “Can I have this dance?”
“You can have all of them,” Apollo said, as Titus took him into his arms and they started to move together.
In that moment, Titus wasn’t worried about being seen as an alpha, or a businessman, or even someone successful. He didn’t care that a few more people had stopped to watch them. He wasn’t ever going to be ashamed of his mate.
Apollo was in his arms. Beautiful music was playing. And as Titus glanced up through the buildings at the mountain shapes barely visible in the dark sky, he let out a long breath. I am content.
“You’re very good at this,” Apollo murmured quietly, his head resting on Titus’s shoulder.
“You can thank my sister when you meet her,” Titus said as they continued to sway to the music. “She was insistent that I partner with her during her dance class phase. Thank you for showing me how much fun we can have while doing nothing at all.”
“This is hardly nothing. In fact, some would say this is everything.” Apollo chuckled, but his arm around Titus’s waist tightened, and Titus knew he’d been heard.