His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,73

a couple’s massage. Soothing jazz played in the background as they lay on separate benches. They held each other’s hand as skilled masseuses worked the knots loose. Kenny had to temper back his growls as Morgan groaned from his massage. Morgan tilted his neck to the side, showing Kenny his claim mark, reminding him that they were bonded, that they were mates. It was a bond no one could ever break. They still made sure the masseuse knew not to touch his neck, and she seemed fine with it, not asking any questions.

After the massage was the mud bath. They changed into Speedos and shared a small tub of mud. The scent was earthy and not too much for either one of them. Morgan sat in between Kenny’s legs, leaning his head back but careful to keep his hair out of the mud.

“This is so relaxing. I didn’t know I needed this,” Morgan said.

Kenny placed a kiss to the side of his head. “I agree.”

They soaked in the mud for a while before getting out. Mud clung to their skin; apparently letting the mud dry was good. They spent the next hour lounging on beach chairs as the mud dried on their skin. They were given an arrangement of fruit and champagne. Shifters could get drunk, but it took a lot more alcohol than for a human; with their fast healing and fast metabolism, it burned through them quickly and wasn’t really worth it. They talked about Ava’s school and more ideas of what Morgan wanted to do now that he didn’t have his old pack hunting him down.

“You know there is no rush for you to get a job,” Kenny said.

Morgan nodded. “But I want something to do. I’m just not sure what yet.”

Whatever Morgan decided on, Kenny would support full-heartedly. They finally got to wash the mud off, and Kenny had to say his skin did feel softer afterwards. They were escorted to a booth-like seat that curved at the top and sides, giving them somewhat of a private feel. They were served a light dinner for two.

By the time they made their way back up to their hotel room, it was dark out. The moment the door closed, Kenny grabbed Morgan and pushed him against the door and kissed until his lungs burned from lack of oxygen.

“I love you,” Morgan said.

Kenny’s heart felt full and his snow leopard content. “I love you too.”

Morgan slipped away from him and nervously looked over at his bag. “I want to spoil you too.”

Kenny moved closer to his mate. “Oh? How?”

“I, umm…” Morgan kissed him before grabbing his bag and running into the hotel bathroom.

“Are you okay, Piglet?”

“Yes, I brought something,” Morgan said.

Kenny was a little confused, but the bathroom door opened and a blushing Morgan held up a black box with a white ribbon tied around it.

“Is it a gift for me?”

“Kind of. I mean, it is, but I’m the one who’s going to wear it,” Morgan said bashfully.

Oh. Flashes of the baby blue lingerie Morgan had worn before flashed through his mind, and Kenny was even more intrigued to see what his mate had picked out. He grabbed the box, removed the ribbon, and opened it. A lacy lavender one-piece lingerie lay surrounded by tissue paper. The garment looked nice, but Kenny knew it would look ten times better on Morgan.

“Do you need help?” Kenny asked.

Morgan bit down on his bottom lip. It looked as if he wanted to say yes, but instead he shook his head.

“If you help me, I don’t think it will get all the way on,” Morgan confessed breathily.

The bond was full of desire and love. Kenny took another step forward; they were so close but too far at the same time.

“I can’t wait to see,” Kenny admitted against Morgan’s ear before nipping at his earlobe.

Morgan took in a sharp intake of breath. As he reached out, Kenny handed him the box and took two steps back from his mate. Morgan was right—if he helped, he would get the garments halfway on his mate before taking it back off, and at the moment, he wanted to see what his mate looked like in the lacy lingerie.

Morgan looked torn as he looked to the box in his hand and then at Kenny.

“Go ahead and get changed.”

Morgan surprised Kenny by dropping the box and closing the short distance between them in a second. Getting up on his tippy toes, he looped his arms around Kenny’s neck and