“You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?” Chi’s mouth widened in a pleased grin.
“I have a feeling you can keep up, big guy,” Alfie bantered back.
Alfie’s stomach made itself known again before Malachi could reply.
“First food, then you have to tell me what other positions you always wanted to try.”
Nineteen
Alfie
Alfie wasn’t sure what had got into him being so brazen with Malachi, but the more time he was in the man’s presence, the more he was drawn to him. And the more drawn to Malachi he was, the more comfortable he felt around the man.
Alfie didn’t know all the ins and outs of being mates, and he honestly wasn’t going to worry about it. Although there was this freedom to knowing that you had found the person meant for you. Now it was up to them to create their forever.
Somehow, that soothed his mind. There was a part of him that worried he would have to be perfect because of how long Malachi had been searching for his mate… for him.
“You just relaxed in my arms,” Malachi said, “Penny for your thoughts?”
Alfie smiled, of course the man would feel the tension leaving his body. Even though Chi had put him down to get dressed, he’d picked Alfie up again afterwards. Apparently, Malachi liked having him in his arms.
Alfie bit his lips and thought about how to tell Malachi what just occurred to him, but then he decided,fuck it, he was going to be straight up with the guy.
“I was just worried that I would disappoint you, you know?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Axel explained how all of you searched for your mates, and I was worried that you would feel cheated for ending up with me.”
Malachi didn’t reply immediately, but waited until they were downstairs. When they were standing in the foyer, he finally put Alfie on his feet. Alfie’s heart plummeted. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe this was where Malachi told him that there were parts of him that needed to change.
Like Rupert had.
Rupert had tried to make him someone he was not. He’d shopped for Alfie, picked his hairstyles, even selected the friends Alfie was allowed to keep in touch with. Back then he’d found it all so romantic, thinking it was Rupert’s way of taking care of him, looking out for him.
But now he knew it was just the other man’s way of controlling him and making Alfie more presentable… yeah, that was the word Rupert had used. One day, after he’d got dressed for an outing with Rupert, the man had made him change into something elsehe’dpicked, then said, “There, now you look presentable.”
With distance and not trying to get Rupert’s attention anymore, Alfie realised the man had thrown several subtle digs at him and his family. He’d even made fun of the way Alfie spoke once when they were out with friends.
Alfie didn’t realise he’d taken several steps away from Malachi, or even that he’d been speaking out loud. But it all poured out as more of the memories invaded until he was lifted against Chi’s body again. This time, they were face to face instead of Malachi carrying him like a groom about to be carried over the threshold.
“Look at me, Alfie.” Malachi’s voice was pleading. Alfie released a breath and slowly looked up to find Malachi’s eyes on him, his gaze soft. “I don’t need you to be anything more than who you are. Who you are is exactly perfect for me.” Malachi’s eyes held his, his gaze steady, and Alfie saw the truth in them.
Alfie nodded, his throat too choked to speak. Maybe all roads had been leading him here to Malachi.
Alfie sealed their lips together and sighed into the kiss. He didn’t know anything about fated mates, but he knew a good man when he saw one, and for now, that was good enough for him.
Malachi broke their kiss, his eyes on Alfie sparkling with joy… Alfie wasn’t sure if he should be terrified or excited by the fact just his existence had caused such a reaction.
His belly interrupted their moment again, and they both chuckled.
“Come on, let me get you fed.” Malachi turned towards the kitchen without putting him down.
“I can walk, you know,” Alfie teased.
“I know, but I do love the feel of you in my arms,” Malachi replied, before releasing a sigh and placing Alfie back on his feet.
Alfie went on his tiptoes and placed a kiss on Malachi’s cheek. “I have a feeling I’m going to love being in your arms.”
Malachi’s face split into a wide smile, and he took Alfie’s hand as they walked the last three steps into the kitchen. Alfie loved how tactile the man was, as he was a fan of being touched, but Rupert hadn’t been—especially not of PDAs, although that may have had more to do with the whole being married thing.
When they finally stepped into the kitchen, Axel and Malek had apparently already had dinner. They were nowhere to be found, but they’d left the table in the kitchen set for two. There was also a note saying they should have fun.
