“Oh, that I do know.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Leo questioned.
“No problem,” Bas said quickly. “I just need to figure out how to tell a human about our world. And get to know him at the same time so that I can take care of him.”
Leo nodded. “Start by remembering that your mate is the one perfect person for you.”
Well shit, Leo was right.
“And Hudson might not know about paranormals now but that doesn’t mean he’ll run screaming.”
Bastian had the silliest image of Hudson running from his cabin while screaming and shouting about monsters. That just wasn’t realistic to him.
“He runs into burning buildings for a living so I’m pretty sure he can handle a few shifters and other paranormal creatures.”
Bas did not like the reminder of the danger that his mate could be in. He scowled at Leo.
Leo laughed as he held up his hands. “I’m just saying.”
Bastian’s phone chimed before he could respond. He swallowed hard at the message from Trevor that Hudson was pulling up. He looked up at Leo. “He’s here.”
“You better go meet him.” Leo smacked Bas’s shoulder. “And relax. It’s just a date.”
Just a date? This was the most important date of his life.
* * * * *
Hudson
Pulling up in front of the big house on the edge of the state park, Hudson put his truck into park. He took a deep breath and replayed Carter’s words.It’s just a date.Just a date? Hudson had never been this nervous about a date. At least he knew for sure about Bastian’s interest.
He turned off the engine and climbed out of his truck, catching movement coming his way.
Jeez! How did Bastian get even more attractive since the few hours that Hudson had seen him? Dressed in faded jeans and a black T-shirt with black boots, Bastian should look like every other man in town. Instead, he stood out with the tattoos that peeked from under his color and up both arms. His brown hair was messy but didn’t take away from how sexy he was.
Hudson closed the door as Bastian approached. “Hi.”
“Hi, Hudson, I’m glad you came.”
“Six o’clock,” Hudson replied. He immediately wanted to groan. Why had he said that? Bastian knew what time it was.
Bastian grinned before leaning forward and kissing his cheek.
Hudson knew that his face was flaming red. He couldn’t help it with his light complexion.
“I’m really glad you came,” Bastian told him.
“Me too,” Hudson admitted softly.
“How about I show you around the main property really quick then head inside my cabin for dinner?” Bastian asked.
“I’d like that.”
Bastian offered his hand and Hudson was thrilled. He loved holding hands but not everyone did. As Bastian began to tell him about the property and everyone who lived there, Hudson did his best to listen closely. He was so curious about this group and how they all came to love together. Or maybe not together. As they walked hand in hand around the big house to the back of the property, there were gorgeous cabins lining the property.
“This is amazing!” Hudson gushed. It would be awesome to be so close as a group of friends that you were basically family. All Hudson had was his brother. Sure, he had friends—EJ from the firehouse was someone that Hudson felt like he’d known his whole life. The mayor had also become a great friend, but Hudson couldn’t imagine asking them to buy property together just to stay close.
Carter would probably hate it. Hudson’s brother loved his privacy and often found being around too many people at once annoying. Hudson was quite the opposite.
