Bowie, staring at Kari, now acknowledged his past was encroaching on his present, and if he wanted what Kari was sowillingly offering, then he had to work on accepting what Kari believed. He was worthy of being loved by this man. Presented with Kari’s own fears, he could see that by not trusting Kari, he’d hurt him. That was something he had never wanted to do.
During those fearful hours, he’d gone over what Kari had talked about and how he wanted to be Bowie’s mate. Bowie wanted that, he did. Could he be daring and ask for what he wanted for himself?
Bowie reached up to stroke Kari’s cheeks, feeling the day’s beard growth, searching his gaze. “You mentioned mating with me… do you think we could do that first?”
Kari blinked, gulped noisily and said nothing.
Have I got it wrong?
I’m telling you right now to stop this nonsense and give him the time he gave you to think. Look at his eyes, he’s in shock.
His hands trembled while Bowie accepted what his animal was saying. It took effort not to slip into his old habit and hide when it was what he always did to protect himself.
When Kari pressed his forehead against Bowie’s, air hissed from between his teeth in utter relief at the love he could see. “Is this really what you want?”
Unmistakable need. Bowie couldn’t quite catch his breath. Would they do it now? He nodded, licking his lips, working on finding his voice. “Yes,” he croaked out. “Now?”
The deep chuckle came with a wide grin. “You in a rush, Babycakes?”
Yes, we are,his animal side insisted,tell him.
Kari’s earlier confession was a bucket of icy water hitting his skin and a warm blanket wrapping around him. The two opposing feelings had his animal side easily pointing out how silly he’d been for doubting Kari. He could see that easily now that he understood Kari’s behavior. Would him eagerly saying yes appear to be a knee jerk reaction to Kari’s upset at himhiding, when he still wasn’t quite ready to let everyone know what Kari was to him?
“You’re overthinking.” Kari, who’d moved, tapped at the side of Bowie’s temple. “How about this, we have the entire weekend to ourselves, let me use it. Take my time and romance you the way I want to. Make this special, not something rushed. Will that work for you?”
How had the terror that had lived inside Bowie, turned to this lightness? The man currently looking at him with such adoration, such love…that was why. Pulse skipping away, Bowie released a shaky exhale. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good.” Kari came forward and brushed their lips together. A mere touch that held a world of promise. “Have you eaten this evening?”
The very idea of food had made him feel ill earlier, and Bowie dropped his gaze, not wanting to share that.
“I’ll take that as a no.” Kari kissed the top of his head. “Let’s fix that.”
The scent of pancakes roused Bowie, and he sat up groggily, rubbing at his eyes. The blinds were partially open, so a quick glance about the empty bedroom hinted at late morning. He rarely slept past eight in the morning on weekends. The upheaval of the day before was to blame in part. Emotional outbursts always made him tired, and sleep had been difficult, when it came, with his mind going in ten different directions at how he’d ended up here, with this man.
Around two am he’d come to a realization Kari had changed something inside him. His animal, that fateful day all those years ago, had become his biggest cheerleader, but somewhere along the way Kari had taken away the need to rely on it. Hadgiven Bowie the strength to be his own cheerleader. Yes, he could slip back into old habits of believing he was at fault. It was far easier to do when the loss of his family had been so devastating. What he understood at two am was that losing Kari was something he’d never recover from. The love Kari offered freely had none of the strings his family had tied around him. It was why Kari had gotten hurt, because he’d put Bowie’s needs above his own. It was liberating to understand he didn’t need to be anything more than himself to be enough. Love, he needed to give that to himself before he could give it to anyone else. He could see that clearly now.
That’s all great and wonderful. I appreciate the acknowledgement. I do, but let’s focus on what is going to happen.
I’m going to be mated.
We’re going to be mated,his animal stated, loud enough to make Bowie’s ears ring.
Do you need to shout?
Sorry, I’m excited, and you’ve just said how much of a support I was. This is me being supportive.
Me too, but you’ll make me nervous if you keep going on about it.
There was a huff and a grumble, then his animal went silent.
Bowie pushed the covers off him and rolled out of bed, naked. He didn’t think about clothes when his stomach rumbled noisily at the smells Kari was creating in the kitchen.
Dressed casually in navy sweats, which did something for Kari’s ass and highlighted its pertness, and a loose powder blue T-shirt, Kari hummed along to the tune playing on low from the docked iPhone. He was at the stove, a plate piled with pancakes resting on the counter at his elbow. A familiar sight, yet it left Bowie swamped with feelings of love.
He must have made a sound as Kari’s head twisted to look over his shoulder, a slow smile spreading over his gorgeous face.
“There’s my sweet boy.” Kari’s gaze roamed over Bowie, and his body reacted to the heat of desire in those expressive blue eyes. “As much as I love the view, clothes are needed to stop derailing Daddy’s plans for the day.”
