Chapter Twenty-Three
Toby
“Mom, you can let Ernest go now.”Toby held back his amusement because his mate had already had his fill of his family.Heck, he’d been drowned in them.Toby had never been more grateful that not all of his family had come for the weekend.His two mated brothers were busy with their families, but planned to come another time.
When will that be?
The question came with hesitation.Not for a couple of months, at least.He promised after discovering Ernest hiding in the shed.Yep, Toby totally got it as he watched Mom give Ernest another hard squeeze before finally letting go.
Ernest’s relief flooded through their bond upon being released.
Toby worked hard to keep his lips from twitching when Ernest was too polite to do anything more than pat Mom on the hand.
“I just want Ernest to know that he’s a part of our family now.A blessing to all of us because he makes you smile so brightly.”She wasn’t in the least put out at Toby telling her to let go, it was her way.She wanted Ernest to feel included in her blessings.It’s how Toby had learned to count his.Mom always believed it made life better, and so did Toby when the proof was blushing in front of him.
Toby slipped an arm around Mom’s waist guiding her purposefully down the porch steps, to the packed minivan.Dad finished putting the bags in the trunk, and his brothers were already inside.
“Come on, love, we don’t want to outstay our welcome.”Dad winked at Toby.
“I’m sure Ernest doesn’t feel that way.”
Ernest, who had followed them down the steps, paused.“Not at all,” he assured Toby’s mom.“It was lovely to meet you all.”
You are a sweetheart, and I’ll be rewarding you as soon as they leave.
Ernest helped—encouraged—Mom into the minivan, as Dad got into the driver's seat.It was clear to Toby how much Ernest wanted a reward.
It took a few more minutes of fussing before Dad drove off.Toby slid an arm around Ernest’s waist and rested his head on his chest as he waved at the departing minivan.When it was out of sight, Toby looked up at Ernest, giving him a wicked grin.“Shall we have a race?”
“Race?”
“Yes, the first one to get naked and on the bed wins—”
Ernest gulped.“Is… is there a prize?”
Ernest’s question was so strained that it made Toby consider what would be a suitable prize for the winner, especially when the thought filled Ernest with excitement.His mate, it seemed, was competitive.
He had gotten a gift from Niall one Christmas; one to date, he had not felt inclined to use.It was a small vibrating prostate massager with a remote control that promised the user a trip to heaven.If someone else had control of the remote, now that would be a reward worth having.
Toby nodded, the mischievous side of him, which he rarely indulged in coming to the fore.“Yes.The winner gets to use the remote control for a vibrating prostate massager the loser will have in their ass.”
Ernest clutched at the front of his trousers, eyes so wide, his scent so strong Toby’s cock hardened painfully.“You game?”
“Y-yes… yes!”
“Right, on my count of three.”
“So, on three,” Ernest clarified, stepping back and rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a fight.
“Yep.”Toby got into position next to Ernest.“One… two… three,” he called out, right as he allowed his bird to take charge, its excitement matching Ernest’s.His clothes dropped to the ground on top of his sneakers and socks, as he took flight.
“There was no mention of shifting!”Ernest called behind him, laughing, his boots thudding on the stairs as he gave chase.
Toby’s giggles were all in his head before he flew into the bedroom and shifted.His ass landed on the bed right as Ernest charged into the bedroom, breathless and smelling like nirvana to Toby.“I win,” he declared through the giggles.“I win.”
Ernest tore at his clothes, his lusty gaze traveling over Toby.“I believe I won, too, because I got you.”
Toby really couldn’t argue with that.
