Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 31591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
It was lovely to think that Talon and I were placed in one another's path instead of crossing by coincidence; that our love was crafted by a higher power. It also made me wonder what would make my friend as happy as I was, so I asked, "What do you need in a partner?"
"Hmm…" Cedric thought a moment before answering, "I love taking care of these guys, but I need someone to take care of me. Not in the domestic sense of cooking and cleaning and such; I still want to spoil him like that, but I want him to take care of my body. I want a man to take control and make me feel cherished in a very special way."
I wasn't positive what he meant, but I told him honestly, "I hope you find everything you're looking for. You deserve it."
"Thank you," he replied with a smile and another squeeze of my hand. "And I'm thrilled that you and Talon found each other. You both deserve all the happiness in the world."
I flinched when thundering footsteps sounded behind me. I turned around just in time to see a bare ass naked Talon bursting into the room. "Brandon! There you are! I woke up and you were gone." He hustled over to me and sank his nose into my fluffy hair, taking a big sniff. He loved to sniff me, and I found it oddly comforting.
But all comfort vanished when Talon growled when he caught sight of Cedric's hand intertwined with mine. He leaned down into Cedric's face and demanded, "What the fuck are you doing?"
Cedric rolled his eyes, let go of my hand, and stood up to face Talon. He was a head shorter than my man, but he didn't appear intimidated in the slightest. "I was telling my friend how happy I am that you two are together."
Talon's body deflated and he replied with a sheepish, "Oh. I'm sorry."
"Look, I get it. I do. It's instinctual for you to be territorial and protective, but you're getting aggressive towards the people who love you the most. It's time for you to have the conversation with Brandon because things are only going to get worse." Conversation? What conversation?
"You're right," Talon sighed. "I really am sorry." He turned to me and brushed his fingers through my hair. "I'm sorry to you too, sweetheart. I trust you wholeheartedly. I just got pissy when I saw him touching you."
"It's okay," I assured him. There was no need to be jealous, but I wouldn't like walking into a room and seeing someone holding his hand when he was only half dressed either. "What do you need to talk to me about?"
Talon's gaze darted to Cedric and back to me. "Let's take a walk and I'll explain everything." I nodded and stood up, and his eyes widened when he saw the bag of peas in my chair. "Oh god, I did hurt you!" He dropped to his knees, lifted the hem of my shirt and kissed my bare ass cheeks. "I'm so sorry."
My face lit on fire as I tried to pull my shirt down. When Talon spread my cheeks, I managed to wiggle away and said without thinking, “You didn’t want Cedric touching my hand but you’re okay with him seeing my asshole?”
Talon gasped before grabbing me around the waist and growling at his friend again. “Don’t look at his precious little hole!”
Cedric snorted loudly and went back to stirring whatever was in the bowl in front of him. “As amusing as all of this is, you’re going to blow out your O-ring unless you calm down. Take Brandon on that walk and don’t come back until you’re bonded. Then we’ll have breakfast; I’m making triple berry muffins from scratch.”
I was confused, but Talon seemed to understand as he took a deep breath and nodded. “Are you okay to walk?” he asked, dropping his gaze to my bottom. “Or I can carry you.”
As much fun as it sounded to be toted around, “I can walk.” The ice pack had done wonders. “Just let me grab some pants and I’ll be ready.”
After a quick visit to Talon’s bedroom where we collected our jeans (and my comfy sweater) from the night before, Talon led me outside. The air was cool and the early morning sky was still dark, but the stars were fading.
Talon was quiet as we followed a dirt path into the woods. I could tell that he was thinking and I didn’t want to disturb him, so I turned my attention to the beauty all around me. Trees towered above the path, lush green leaves sprouted from every direction, and birds warbled from their nests. “It’s so peaceful here,” I thought out loud.
Talon squeezed my hand and replied, “I spend a lot of time out here. There’s no one around for miles; I feel free in these woods, and my friends feel the same way.”