Page 10 of Manifesting a Mate

“To bring you nuts?” He nods. “It was more of an instinct, I think. I wanted to give you something that my land offers. Not something artificial. I wanted it to come from Mother Nature.”

“You have walnut trees on your land?” He asks with excitement.

“Several, yes.”

He gently places the box on top of the dashboard like it's something precious and reaches inside the pocket of his shorts, pulling out… balls? Noticing my confusion this time, he turns to face me, that bright smile back on his face.

“These are my walnuts.”

“Nuts?” I ask disbelievingly. They look almost perfectly round. Leaning across the console to take a closer look, I can make out the natural wood-like grain of the shell beneath the surface that gleams a warm, honey-brown luster. In places, it shines like polished mahogany or aged amber, made more prominent by the deep creases remaining dark like blackened veins searching for the heart. They look rougher, ridges that make a beautiful pattern, but as I reach out to trace my fingertip over one, I realize even they’ve been smoothed, encapsulated somehow. “How are they so smooth, sweetheart? Did you find them this way?”

“I roll them.” He explains, doing just that, producing a satisfying click each time they connect with each other. I’ve seen people use sensory balls like this at my old job. Metal balls used to stimulate the senses and provide calm while occupying the hands. I asked a colleague once why they always rolled those balls along their fingers during meetings, and he said it helped him focus.

“How long have you been rolling these nuts to make them so smooth?”

“A very, very long time. Since I was a child. I think perhaps they’re due for retirement.” He puts the shiny balls inside the wooden box on my dashboard and puts the walnuts I brought him into his pocket.

Stunned, I stare at the box in my hand, the contents feeling far heavier. Not the actual weight but the significance “You are gifting these to me?” I ask, unsure why he would give me something he’s carried around with him for most of his life.

He is the one to lean into me this time. “Of course, I am silly. Now you have something of mine that you can carry around with you. You can even show them to people, I love showing people my balls.” He grins, taking the box from my hands and holding it safely. “So, where are we going?”

Instead of answering his question, I surge forward and crash my lips to his, swallowing his gasp turned moan. As much as I wish I could deepen this kiss, reach over and pull him onto my lap so I can thank him thoroughly for such a thoughtful gift, we are still parked on the street outside the cafe, unfortunately.

Reluctantly pulling back, I drop several light kisses on his lips, pressing my forehead to his, hoping that my actions speak louder than any words I could form to express what this gesture means to me. Preferring privacy for a conversation like that. I chose to answer his question instead.

“It’s a surprise but what I can tell you is that there are a few walnut trees around, so if Syril wants to go nuts again, he can.”

“Will we have privacy to shift? I would love to meet your bear and I know Syril would very much like to climb all over that big body.”

The rumble of the engine as I start my truck rivals the growl that bubbles from my throat. My sweet little omega has no idea what images those words create in my brain. I'm almost sure he meant that comment innocently and literally, but I can’t help picturing my pretty little omega climbing all over me, wriggling and writhing in desperation.

“Yes sweetheart, we will have privacy, not another soul around for miles so we can be as loud as we want, take as long as we need, and even make a mess if the occasion arises.” My cadence drops low as I sneak a sideways glance to check if my tone has the intended effect on my Omega.

Everett physically shudders, and I don’t miss how he subtly clenches his thighs. His easy responsiveness has my cock hardening painfully behind my zipper. I want nothing more than to pull my truck over to the side of the road and taste every inch of Everett. I promised I would be good though. I want to treat my omega right, so fully loaded innuendos will have to suffice.

Being a gentleman sucks. My bear chuffs his agreement.

CHAPTER 9

“Put your loving hand out baby”

Everett

I should probably be embarrassed that the scent of my slick is rapidly filling the cab of Henry's truck, but I'm too distracted by our surroundings. Which I suppose is a good thing, otherwise I'm not sure I would be able to keep my dick in my pants or my fingers out of my ass. Especially with the way he’s practically torturing me, sitting there all sexy, talking about being loud and messy in that gravely tone that promises debauchery.

Henry’s been driving with a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel for the past ten minutes as he heads out of the city toward the Hera district. I don’t think I've been out this far before, I’ve visited the mall a few times but never as far as the forest surrounding us, which is a real shame. It’s absolutely stunning.

Gone are the brick and metal buildings, fumes from cars, and noise from the thousands of people who work and live in Valleywood. Replaced by rows and rows of thick, tall tree trunks shaded by lush green leaves. I can’t resist rolling down the window to fill my lungs with the fresh scent of forest and rain.

“Where are we? It’s beautiful here Henry. Is this your land?” I ask my voice high pitched with a mix of wonder and excitement. If this is where my mate lives, does that mean I get to live here too? Wake up each morning to the songs of the birds, have a safe, open space for Syril to leap from tree to tree and an endless supply of walnuts.

Henry’s soft chuckle brings me back to reality but I’m so overwhelmed with the prospect that not only did the fates grant me a six-foot four bear shifter as a mate, who just happens to be the sweetest man I’ve ever met, but finding out he lives in the forest, with walnut trees as far as the eyes can see. A small part of me, deep down in the depth of my stomach, wonders when the other shoe will drop. Could I really have manifested this much perfection?

“Yes sweetheart, this is my land. I can tell you like it here.” He winks. “That makes me and my bear very happy. I had hoped for a mate I could share it with.” He tells me with a playful glint to his eyes. Probably because I'm wriggling so much in my seat. Henry is the sweetest, sexiest man on the planet. It’s too soon to tell him I love him right? Yeah, that would be weird. I should at least wait until he gets a taste of my honey buns.

“Are we going to your house?” I couldn’t hide my excitement if I tried. I have zero chill.

He growls, whether at the scent of my arousal spiking or the way my gaze drops to the significant bulge in his pants is anybody's guess. Either way, my dick leaks at the sound.