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“I need a few days in the office. I need to see how things are going to work with me splitting my time between here and there. It feels like I’ve forgotten what the inside of my apartment looks like, and I really need to get my truck, so I’m not relying on Saint to chauffer me everywhere.”
“How long do you think you’ll be gone for?”
“Three, four days at the most.” He smirked. “I’ll be back well before the ceremony on the weekend.”
Aaron narrowed his eyes. “Do you really have business back in town, or are you trying to escape our mothers?”
Marshall’s eyes widened, a shocked expression on his face. “I would never,” he gasped. Unfortunately, his innocent act was ruined by the thread of amusement running through their bond.
“You bastard,” Aaron growled. A wide grin broke out on Marshall’s face. Laughter exploded out of him as Aaron launched himself on top of his mate.
Laughter soon turned to moans as Aaron plundered Marshall’s mouth before tracking kisses down his throat. He couldn’t get enough of his mate’s scent and taste, and he nibbled and sucked at the tender skin, capturing the last stray drops of moisture dripping from Marshall’s hair. He returned his mouth to Marshall’s, languidly kissing him, trying to temper the heat coursing through his body.
He pulled away and looked into hooded emerald eyes, dark with desire.
“What?” Marshall asked, his voice husky.
“I love you,” Aaron said, finally voicing the feelings that had been swirling within him the last few days.
Marshall tensed beneath him, and Aaron felt a block fall across the soul bond.
Aaron pushed himself up off Marshall’s chest, trying to get a read on the man. Neither of them spoke for a few moments, and then Marshall sighed and sat up. He gave Aaron a tender smile.
“I thought so,” he finally said.
“But?” Aaron said, quashing the pang of hurt that Marshall hadn’t returned the sentiment.
“But I’m not sure I’m there yet.” Marshall squeezed his hand. “I mean, I care for you—a hell of a lot — and I respect you both as a person and as Alpha.” He broke off and sighed again. “I’m sorry, Aaron. I just need some time.”
Aaron’s stomach dropped, and he quickly tried to block the disappointment that Marshall’s words invoked. He wanted to bombard his mate with questions.How much time? Did he think he would fall in love with Aaron?”Aaron’s wolf whimpered quietly, not understanding why their mate didn’t feel the same way they did.
He took a calming breath before asking, “Is this why you’ve been quiet since yesterday? Why you’ve been blocking the soul bond?”
“Partly, yes. I just need some time to get things sorted in my head. It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, but everything has happened so fast, and I’m just not sure how true my feelings are for you. For all of this.”
“And you think a few days apart will help you decide?”
“Yes. No.” A frustrated growl broke free. “I don’t know.”
Aaron gave his own sigh. He couldn’t say no to the man. If he needed time out to get his head on straight, of course, Aaron was going to give him the space he needed.
“Promise me you’ll call if you change your mind.”
“Change my mind? About what?” Marshall cocked his head to the side. “About us?”
Although Aaron was trying to keep his emotions locked away, something must have shown on his face or snuck along the soul bond because Marshall closed his eyes for a second before leaning over to kiss him.
“I’m not changing my mind about us. I promise.” He kissed Aaron again, his mouth lingering for a few seconds. “Trust me.”
“I do trust you,” Aaron replied. “Just know, though, that if you are one second late in getting back for the ceremony,youare dealing with our parents and taking full blame for everything.”
Marshall grinned. “Fair deal.” He pulled Aaron into his arms, and some of the tension eased from Aaron at the gesture. “Now, grab the remote. We still have another two episodes ofRandall’s Questto watch.”
Chapter 23
Marshallstareddownatthe gym floor from his office window. He smiled as Jodie instructed a group of teens through some basic self-defense moves. It felt good to be back at the gym he and Saint had opened four years ago. They had top-notch staff who had all been happy to see him back and at full strength.
He itched to get down onto the mats himself, but he’d pulled out of the class schedule when he first got sick. A proposal for a new schedule was on his desk, but he was struggling to make it work. He hadn’t realized just how much he’d missed all of this–the comings and goings at the gym–until he’d stepped back through the doors two days ago.
