Billionaire Bear Shifters A Paranormal Romance Complete Series Boxset - Brittany White Page 0,134

it drop. Instead, he pointed his fork at Cody and said, “So what’s the something?”

“Uh... ” Cody pulled a face and shrugged. “Oh, nothing important. Just some life stuff she has to figure out. How’s Emily doing? How’s Alanna?”

Nathan burst out laughing at that and shook his head. “Wow. That was an absolutely deft switch in subjects. Seriously stealthy. I didn’t even notice.”

“Okay okay,” Cody said, rolling his eyes.

“They’re great!” Nathan said, and Cody was relieved that Nathan at least indulged him even if he knew Cody was holding back. “I mean it’s corny, man. But I’ve never been this happy. It’s not always easy. Don’t mistake me. Sometimes I am so tired but at least I’m a shifter. Extra stamina. Though, believe me, that little cub of mine has stamina too. Cries twice as long, twice as loud. Gets twice as hungry. But goddamn... she is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s like Alanna and I are just having these little epiphanies and making these little discoveries all the time, man. It’s totally wild. And we’re discovering all these things about each other too. It’s not like we’ve been together long. It’s awesome. Anyway. Yeah. Things are great.” He grinned and ate up the rest of his breakfast in three bites and Cody sighed.

He wanted what Nathan had. He felt like he was very close to getting it. He just had to be careful.

“Kids are cute,” Cody muttered. He was smiling fondly, thinking of Mary’s cute little smile and the way Molly held her carefully as if she might break.

He snapped his mouth shut, frowning as he ducked his head. He made himself busy sipping coffee. He’d just given himself away. He was always giving himself away. It was another reason he was so bad at lying and why the way he projected his feelings was always so transparent.

“Kids are cute?” Nathan said, chuckling. “I thought you hated kids?”

“I don’t hate kids,” Cody snapped. “I’ve never said that. I don’t think I ever thought about it, either way, I just... No yeah. They’re cute. Ya know. Especially bear cubs. Pretty adorable.”

“Dude... ” Nathan stared at him. “Does Jessie have a kid? That would make sense, wouldn’t it?”

“No!” Cody sat up straight. He ran a hand through his hair and tried very hard not to look shifty. “No, she doesn’t have a kid or anything. It’s just something I was thinking about. I mean since you have a kid. And your kid is cute. That’s all.”

“I forgot what a shit liar you are!” Nathan threw his head back and laughed. “I swear, I can smell it on you. Smells like fear. Alright, buddy. Keep your little secrets. If you told Jessie you wouldn’t tell anyone about her secret kid, then I won’t push it. But it’s a little hinky if you ask me.”

“Hinky,” Cody said flatly. He supposed he would have to take this amused agreement not to push from Nathan. It was better than nothing anyway.

“Hinky,” Nathan said. “Like suspicious.”

“Hinky,” Cody said again, rolling his eyes.

“Hey, Cody.” Nathan reached out and clapped Cody’s shoulder. “In all seriousness, bro. If anything changes, if you need me or anything. You know you can always talk to me. It’s not like I’m gonna tattle shit to Connor.”

“Right.” Cody nodded. “Thanks, man.”

“Now get to work,” Nathan said, winking. “Geez, man. Breakfast ain’t gonna fix itself.”

49

Cody

That night, Cody went to Jessie’s place again. This time, he brought a big pot of spaghetti and meatballs with him. He made a very good Caesar salad and packed up chocolate cake for dessert. There was so much food, he had to load it onto a cart to take to his car. He’d included some easy breakfasts that Jessie could easily heat up in the morning, even though he’d just bought the cubs fresh milk and several boxes of cereal. He couldn’t stop himself.

The night had passed pleasantly, and once the cubs were safe and silent in bed, Cody had taken Jessie out into the woods to shift. They didn’t go far, but it was still a giddy kind of joy to run around the forest with Jessie, the two of them in their bear forms. They’d splashed in the creek and rolled around in the mud. Finally, they’d both been so riled up, they’d shifted back into human form and fooled around. It was bold, even stupid maybe. But Jessie had climbed on top of Cody had guided him inside her and ridden him right there