The amount of uncertainty in his voice made Ian nod. He wasn’t a cruel person. He also wasn’t a dominant alpha, but he was no push over either, and Rick was going to find that out as soon as he was healed.
They lapsed into an uneasy silence as Ian drove them back to Rick’s home. Where he parked and came around to help Rick hop up the path and around the side of the house to the back garden.
It was still relatively early in the afternoon, and the trees were dappled in sunshine, casting shadows over the grass beneath. Without words he led Rick to the garden swing and helped him ease down, helping him undress. It took effort to get his snug jeans off while sitting, and Ian was sweating despite the lovely breeze. Once naked Rick nodded and motioned for Ian to step back.
No sooner had he made some space did Rick’s gorgeous bear appear. He was a truly beautiful animal with dark fur that shone with vitality where the sun touched the fur. He growled, moving the broken leg as if stretching the bone back into place for it to heal.
Ian stepped closer and ran a hand over the fur, feeling the silky texture before murmuring, “You are so beautiful.”
The bears gaze held his wearing a toothy grin.
Shift, come on I want to crawl on his lap.
The bear waved his ginormous paw at Ian, and he took the hint. His honey badger was already getting pushy. Ian stripped and shifted.
He receded more than usual to allow his animal side to have its say.
He meandered over to the bear, sniffing around its legs. Their size difference was shockingly different as he peered up.
Pick me up,he demanded, making Ian blush, or he would do if he were in human form at the tone his animal used—bossy. Something Ian was not.
The bear scooped him up and cradled him carefully to his massive chest, giving him a speculative look.What are we going to do about this pair?
Please, it wasn’t my human side that went off half-cocked, needing to prove himself and giving me a heart attack. I never want to see my mate on the back of a bull again.
I didn’t want to do it, he just got it into his head that he needed this win.
The bear snuggled him closer to the fur that smelled like honey and sunshine, two of his favorite things.
Well, we need to be firm about this because I can’t cope having to witness that madness again. Promise me you won’t let him.
The bear nodded its head emphatically.I will. He’s learned his lesson. No more bull riding ever.
Good, now you lie on the grass on your back so I can stretch out on top of you and have a little snooze. I’m exhausted.
There were snorts and a gruff noise that sounded like a chuckle before the bear lumbered to standing and found the perfect spot to lie on, not letting go of his honey badger.
On the lush grass he placed them on his chest and relaxed.Icoulddo with a little snooze too.It is exhausting work avoiding what my human half was doing while trying to get ustrampled to death.
This good?
This is perfect,hummed the honey badger.I knew you’d be my perfect mate.
The bear closed his eyes grinning.Same. I’m one very lucky bear.
Ian’s mood had greatly improved with the nap, and how contented his animal side was now. Rick had gone for a shower, and Ian had made himself useful by getting dinner ready. He was starving, as was his mate, by the belly grumbling he could hear all the way to the kitchen.
He was plating up the fully loaded cheeseburgers as Rick strolled into the kitchen looking like a pin-up model for a male alpha calendar, all bare chest, still damp from the shower, hair a little wild and eyes dancing with lust when they ran over Ian, who had slipped on sweatpants and one of Rick’s T-shirts after his shower.
“I love seeing you in my clothes,” Rick rasped, taking the offered plate and coming in for a kiss.
Ian turned his head, and Rick’s lips caught his cheek. The lusty light disappeared and was replaced by uncertainty.
Rick turned away and went to the table Ian had set up for dinner. Ian grabbed his own plate and sat next to Rick. They silently ate the food, Ian picking up all of Rick’s unease.
He dabbed at his lips with the napkin before meeting Rick’s gaze once they had both consumed the meal. “I’m ready to talk now.”
“Okay.” Rick sounded anything but his confident self.
