RufflingThePeacocksFeathers (10 page)

“I’d never make you choose me over your family, Lamar,” Rueben assured. “I’m not that guy.” He cupped Lamar’s jaw and tilted his head so they were looking eye to eye. “I’d planned on discussing it over dinner, but I can see you’ll just worry and gnaw a hole in your lip if we wait until then.” Gently, he used his thumb to tug Lamar’s bottom lip from his teeth.

“From what you, my brother, and Sam have said, returning to play hockey next season isn’t going to be an option for me. My sudden newfound speed and hardiness might raise suspicion, and I know how important anonymity is for you all.” Rueben smiled. “I plan to travel with your gang. I’ve always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. Figured I’d get to it after my hockey career ended, and it seems that’s now.”

Lamar’s heart raced at his mate’s words, blown away at his acceptance. “You’d drop everything just like that?”

Rueben chuckled. “You’re worth it, Lamar. I find I just might be falling in love with you.” He winked. “I know I ruffle your feathers a bit with my brazenness, but now you’re stuck with me. You’ll just have to get used to it.”

“Wow,” Lamar whispered. “Thank you for not running, for coming to find me, for giving us another chance.” His throat closed and he swallowed hard. He’d come so close to losing his mate. Rueben was the strong one in this relationship, and Lamar planned to do everything in his power to keep his mate happy.

Lowering his head, Rueben planted a gentle kiss to his lips. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop. There’s nothing to thank me for. We’re in this together, and nothing makes me happier.”

“Gods above,” Lamar breathed. “I’m so close to loving you, too, Rueben. You’re amazing.”

Rueben grinned. “Just you keep saying that when I drag you out onto a rink and teach you to skate. My little bird skating over the ice,” he murmured, making it sound almost sensual as he rubbed his nose along Lamar’s neck.

Wait, what? Ice?
“You want me to what?”

Laughing, Rueben nipped his lower lip, then claimed his mouth possessively. Instead of answering, Rueben eased away and said, “Come on. Let’s get back to the hotel. Something tells me you’re dying for a shower.”

He really was, so he let it go. If teaching him to ice skate would please his mate, Lamar would do it. Besides, Yuma would love it. The penguin shifter didn’t get to enjoy the cold nearly as much as he tolerated the heat for the rest of them.

Lamar smiled, feeling lighter. It took him a second to realize it was joy, expectation. He looked forward to his future with his mate and all they had to learn about each other.

“I look forward to it,” Lamar admitted, taking a second to kiss his mate one more time before stepping back.

“Good.” Rueben grinned cockily and glanced over at Lamar’s bike. “And you’re gonna teach me to ride that thing, right?”

“Fair trade,” Lamar agreed.

Rueben’s grin eased into something softer, his expression filling with affection. “Drive safe, Lamar.”

Feeling sappy and light and almost floaty, Lamar nodded, then hustled to his bike. After stowing his bag, Lamar pulled his phone from the same saddlebag and spotted several messages. One from Vail and one from Sam, both congratulating him. Another was from Eli, asking him if he needed him to check Rueben’s foot. The final was from Kontra, telling him to check in as soon as possible.

Lamar smiled, appreciating his makeshift family’s well-wishes and concerns. As he followed Rueben’s truck down the road, back toward the motel, Lamar knew they had a lot to discuss, a lot to figure out between them, but he loved that his mate was willing to leave hockey for him. Although, he really looked forward to learning to ice skate—sweaty though that might be—Lamar knew they’d have plenty of fun doing it.

He couldn’t wait to get started.

About the Author

Charlie lives on a mini ranchette in Utah with her husband and furry, four-legged children. She started writing fantasy when she was eight, and after stumbling onto her first erotic romance at age nineteen, she realized her true calling. She now focuses on writing erotic romance, normally of the paranormal variety, with heroes and heroines of all kinds. You can often find her curled up with her laptop and a cup of tea or glass of wine, creating her next adventure. Charlie enjoys exploring the mountains on horseback, 4-wheeler, or motorcycle. Her favorite exercise is jumping lessons with her Arabian gelding Apache or her Thoroughbred mare Repo. And she can’t get enough of sexy highlanders with their kilts and swords. Right now, she and her muse are working with dedication on her Wolves of Stone Ridge series and Kontra’s Menagerie series.

She can be reached at

[email protected]

Or visit her at www.charlie-richards.com