Following Remy between rows of grape vines while his mate chatted about making wine, Carson’s mind wandered back to his mate’s brothers, reminding him of the younger siblings he lost in the massacre. And while Jackson thought he was grieving for their father, it was really the loss of his younger siblings that triggered his tears. By the time they were born, Carson was a teenager, coming to terms about being gay and accepting the fact he’d probably never have children of his own. It was a rude ending to his dream of finding a mate and creating their own family.
“Hey, did you hear me?” asked Remy, stopping and turning to his mate. Searching his face, he saw sadness reflected there. “Carson…are you all right?” he asked softly, placing a hand on his mate’s chest.
Grasping Remy’s hand, Carson held it tight, willing away the pain that gripped him every time he thought of that night. Swallowing hard, he forced a thin smile. “I’m fine…what did you say?”
Lifting his other hand to Carson’s cheek, Remy caressed it, loving the feeling of his mate’s scruff. “No matter what you say, whatever you were thinking that was making you sad. Please…please let me in. Tell me, what was causing it?”
His mate’s soft voice, full of concern about his well-being, filled another of the many cracks in Carson’s heart—cracks he thought would never heal. Unable to refuse his mate’s plea, he murmured, “I was thinking about your brothers…they are the same age as the brothers I lost. And I was trying to imagine what my brothers would be like today.”
“You loved your brothers a great deal.”
“And my sisters, too,” Carson replied, “they all meant the world to me…sometimes I pretended they were mine…the only thing missing was my mate…but they made me so happy. You are very lucky to have your brothers.”
The pain in his mate’s voice tore at Remy’s soul. He couldn’t fathom what his world would be like if his brothers had also died with their parents. The grief would be unbearable. Then a terrible thought entered his mind. “I’m happy they’re with me…but will they constantly remind you of your loss?” he asked, holding his breath, afraid of Carson’s answer.
Seeing the worry written on his mate’s face, Carson rushed to erase it. “No…no, I made peace about that long ago. I still miss them…and there are times like this I think about how old they would be and what they’d be doing…stuff like that…but when I met your brothers, my first thought was how wonderful it was that the Fates gave me a mate and a family at the same time.”
Searching Carson’s face, Remy found what he hoped would be there. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
“Oh, I do,” Carson said, bringing one of his mate’s hands up to his lips and kissing it. “I’m looking forward to taking them camping and I know my brother Zane will give them a ton of video games we can play together…although not with Zane, because no one can beat him. Oh, and one other thing…never make a bet with him; he loves to cheat.”
“And you don’t?” Remy asked, smiling mischievously.
“Moi? Never. Nope, not at all,” Carson replied, grinning.
“Uh-huh…now why do I get the feeling you aren’t being completely honest with me?”
“No idea,” Carson said, laughing. “Now, what were you saying about making wine?”
“Hmmm…” Remy smirked at the change of subject. “I was pointing out it’s been a very good growing year for grapes. Based on the amount of fruit on the vines, we should be able to bottle twice as much as last year.”
“Hmmm,” Carson murmured, staring at his mate, his cock growing hard as Remy’s scent swirled around him. “That’s nice…when will your brothers be home?”
Startled, Remy tried to connect his mate’s question to his explanation about the harvest, but drew a blank. Giving up, he replied “Uhmm, three…four hours. Today, Mrs. B takes them to the farmer’s market before going to the park for a play date with their friends…why?”
Leaning in, Carson licked Remy’s neck up to his ear, before growling, “Perfect! Let’s go back to the cottage.”
Closing his eyes, Remy’s body shivered in response to the possessiveness in his mate’s voice. Whimpering, he thrust his groin against Carson’s, feeling the hard length of his mate’s cock rubbing against his. Heat flooded his body, pushing his need higher. Reaching up, he cupped the back of his mate’s head, pulling it down so he could kiss the plump lips that had been driving him crazy since yesterday. Sticking out the tip of his tongue, Remy traced Carson’s lips before pressing against them, surrendering to his mate’s overwhelming power. The kiss deepened, sucking Remy into an undertow of fire and ice flowing toward their mating. His tiny moans were swallowed by his mate as Carson’s tongue took possession of his mouth.
Lost in the sensations of Remy’s lips against his, Carson surrendered to his mate. The warmth of the sun on his skin, the scent of the ripening grapes, the feel of Remy’sbody against his—all drove his desire to claim his mate where they stood. But Carson had waited a long time for this moment and he wanted it to be perfect, wanted to show Remy how much he meant to him, wanted to cherish him until Remy forgot everything except how much he was loved. Softening the kiss until their lips were barely touching, Carson crooned, “I want to see you naked, lying next to me, in my arms. I want to kiss every inch of you until you are wild with pleasure before I finally enter you, filling you with my seed, claiming you for eternity. Let’s go back and let me give you everything you deserve.”
Remy’s lust-filled eyes stared at Carson—his body trembled at his mate’s words. The fire his mate ignited in him flared up, hindering him from whispering anything except, “Yesss, please.”
Smiling tenderly at Remy, Carson tucked him against his side before both of them headed back to the cottage.
~/~/~/~/~
“Oracle, Hunter just told me the news,” Jackson said, kissing her on the cheek before leading her to the love seat. “You’re flying to France right away?”
“Yes,” Oracle said. “Maximus is making the arrangements.”
“Good,” Jackson replied, sitting down next to her, “I’m happy for my brother…hopefully the sadness I felt lingering in him since the massacre will finally disappear. I’m assuming you’re going to give him his gift from the Fates. If he agrees, do you have any objection to Hunter joining you?”
“Not at all, but Carson’s mate must also agree,” Oracle replied.
“Oh…right,” Jackson murmured, “I understand.”
“Sorry, Jackson, I wish I could tell you myself, but…”
