leer, “but we make it work because I know there’s no place I’d rather be than by his side. He didn’t sign up for a pack of orphans when he met me, but he stuck by me and makes it work. He could’ve been a different kind of mate and stuck to his hellhound duties. No one would have thought less of him. What he does, what the Goddess has tasked him with doing, is a great honor. But he makes sure me and these kids have the best of both worlds. You’re gonna do that for Toby, Marigold, and Daisy. There’s no one better for the job.”
Brooks tried not to get choked up at the faith Nick had in him. “Thank you, Alpha.”
“Ugh, don’t get all serious on me now. Feelings are sticky, and it’s sticky enough around here without ’em. Hey, did you notice that the sign on the bowling alley looked like a giant dick?”
Brooks choked out a laugh and grabbed his bag from the back of the truck. “Yep.”
“Dude, someone should tell ’em. Then again, maybe not. Because a giant dick sign is epic.”
“Night, Nick,” Brooks said as he walked back onto the porch. He glanced over to the alpha once more and found Nick staring thoughtfully up at the sky.
“Everything okay?” Toby asked as Brooks left Nick to his musings and walked inside. “I heard you talking and saw Nick out there.”
“Yep. He was checking on us.”
Toby blushed. “Is he… does he know you’re staying?”
“He does. I told him we were taking things slow. I hope that’s okay.”
Toby nodded. “I… um… I thought I could read to you a little if you wanted. Um. In my room. God, this is so awkward. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m going to get changed. Meet you in there?”
Toby nodded, and Brooks went into the bathroom to change into a T-shirt and pajama pants. He brushed his teeth, then stared at himself in the mirror. Anyone looking could see the brightness in his eyes.
Hell, Tasha would probably say it was coming out of his pores or something and make him put another one of those gross masks on his nose. He grinned and tossed his stuff back in his bag before making his way into Toby’s bedroom.
He found his mate propped up on a stack of pillows with a book in his hand. Brooks dropped his bag in the corner, then climbed onto the bed beside him. “What are we reading?”
“Pride and Prejudice. It’s one of my favorites. Have you read it?”
Brooks shook his head. “I’ve heard of it, though.” Toby smiled, and Brooks scooted closer. “Lean against me?”
Toby swallowed but rearranged so his back pressed against Brooks’s chest and his head rested just under Brooks’s chin. He opened the book and began to read.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”
Brooks couldn’t have said how long Toby read. He closed his eyes and absorbed the words, smiling at the antics of the Bennett family. When Toby finally yawned and closed the book, Brooks opened his eyes and smiled down at him. “That was good.”
“Yeah?”
Toby grinned and put the book on the nightstand before turning off the lamp they’d been using for light. Hidden in the shadows, Toby’s breath quickened once more.
Brooks pulled back the covers and settled down on his side of the bed, facing his mate but not touching him. After a moment, Toby lay down as well, then rolled over so he faced Brooks.
“Can I kiss you goodnight?” Toby asked softly.
“Yes.”
Toby scooted closer, then closer still, until they were pressed together. Brooks rested his hand against Toby’s waist, stroking the small strip of skin he found there. Toby trembled and wiggled closer, pushing his leg between Brooks’s and wrapping his arms around Brooks’s waist.
“Brooks.”
Brooks gave his mate what he wanted, at first a gentle brush of their lips. Once, twice, then a third time. He bumped his nose against Toby’s, then kissed his way over Toby’s cheek to his jaw. His spot. The one that smelled like them. He breathed it in, then nipped it gently.
Toby whimpered and arched his neck to the side. Brooks slid his hand down and rested it on the swell of Toby’s ass as he explored his neck further.
“You smell so good,” Brooks rumbled. His throat ached with the need to growl, to shift and bite down, to claim and be claimed in return.