Maybe Zack really had lost his mind.
Chapter Six
Not exactly how Colton wanted to reveal his cat. Damn thing was so content around their mate, it had forgotten to hide its presence.
Now he wondered how Zack would react when he found out about mates. He still appeared flush, eyes too wide to be calm. But Colton didn’t want to hide anything else from his human. Preternatural were given only one mate, and Colton had waited nearly three centuries to find his. He refused to screw this up. “There’s something else.”
“You’re married,” Zack whispered. “Oh, god. How could you cheat on your husband? Wife?”
Colton stared incredulously at his mate then shook his head. “Not married, and I’m very loyal.”
“Like a dog,” Zack mumbled.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Zack waved a dismissive hand. “I fainted. Possibly cracked my head on the floor. Brain scrambled. By the way, thanks for catching me. Real valiant of you.” He rubbed the back of his head. “Thank god no goose egg. My head is already lumpy enough.”
The things his mate said. Colton fought a smile, pretty sure Zack wouldn’t appreciate it at the moment.
“So what else is there?” Zack lowered his hand. “As you witnessed, I’m not built for shock and awe. I have delicate sensibilities. Blood pressure bottoms out and I drop faster than a baby twink on his first drinking binge. Helpless and hopeless.” He rubbed his temples. “Worst night of my life.”
“How many drinks took you out?”
His mate held up three fingers. “Banana margaritas. Watered down. My shame is scandalous.”
Laughter bubbled up before Colton could suppress it. Zack sounded so rueful, as if passing out after downing some froufrou drinks was somehow worse than finding out about the preternatural world.
Zack shot him a glare. “Even you think it’s disgraceful.”
“I never said that,” Colton argued. “Don’t put words in my mouth, Blue.” His lips twitched. “Just wondering how many glasses of lemonades it takes before you’re sprawled on the floor.”
His arm instinctively shot up to shield himself as Zack pounced like a kitten with claws.
That only made Colton buckle with laughter. “Attacking a jungle cat might get you spanked, sweetheart.”
“Insulting me might get you the same.” Zack frowned. “As soon as I figure out how to roll your big ass over. Seriously, how much do you weigh and is it all muscle? Are those muscles even real?” He poked Colton’s bicep. “Sweet hell. It’s like poking a concrete wall,” he said in wonder.
Colton flexed.
Zack sucked in a sharp breath, jerking his finger back. “For a second, I seriously thought they were about to go off like grenades.” A burst of laughter bubbled out of him, face softening with pure joy. Colton had never witnessed a more breathtaking sight. It was forever burned into his memory. It was also in that exact moment that Colton knew he was screwed. He’d kill anyone who stole that look from Zack. Step over their dead bodies to keep his Blue safe.
“Only if I squeeze them hard enough.” Colton flexed again. Didn’t care he was preening for his mate. Zack didn’t seem to mind. His opinion was the only one that mattered.
“Careful you don’t detonate. Might damage your face.” Zack rested his chin on folded hands, right over Colton’s gut. “I’ve grown fond of it.” He yawned. “So, what’s the other thing? No hubby or wifey. Can’t turn me furry, which thrills my cockles immensely, no offense. If you make me keep guessing, my assumptions will only get weirder and darker until I’m convinced you want to throw me into an active volcano like some virgin sacrifice.”
The corner of Zack’s lip twitched first, then the rest followed, face softening all at once. “Sorry to inform you that train choo-chooed from the station already.”
“Shame.” Colton brushed aside strands of hair from Zack’s forehead. “Guess my virgin-throwing days are over.”
“Finished.” Slim finger traced a slow pattern along Colton’s side. “I’ve only had one boyfriend. Maybe your god’ll accept a ‘gently used’ offering instead.”
“Rather keep you for myself. I’m greedy and possessive that way.” Not many things made Colton hesitate, but hell if he could get the words “you’re my mate” out of his damn mouth. Like they were jammed there.
Fathomless blue eyes gazed up at him. “Is it really that bad? See, you’re making me think the worst things, Colton. Stop making me spiral or I’ll grab another magazine.”
“So much violence stuffed into a tiny body.” An exaggerated purr rumbled in Colton’s chest. “Turns me on.”
“You…are so weird.”
