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.
WhereasApollo 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 liketo 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.
