Declan - Heart of a Tiger (Royal Taiga Streak #1) - J.R. Loveless Page 0,52
“They’re like diapers?”
A bark of laughter escaped Declan. He supposed they could be related to diapers in a way. “I think I’ll let Rose explain what these are for when we get back, okay, baby? It’s something only a woman knows the true secrets of.”
Brows furrowed, Sean nibbled his bottom lip, confusion clear as day. “Okay. I’ll ask Rose.”
Declan couldn’t wait to hear how she explained tampons and pads to Sean. “Why don’t you go pick out a candy bar while I get these in for them to fill?”
Sean tilted his head a bit. “What’s a candy bar?”
“It’s chocolate.”
Delight brightened Sean’s face. “I had chocolate once. One of the cubs had some when Carl brought him to us and they shared it with me. It’s so good. Can I really have one?”
“You can have as many as you want,” Declan choked.
A sound of pleasure rattled in Sean’s throat and Declan guided Sean to the rack of candy. It took every bit of control Declan possessed not to buy the entire stock just for his mate. “I’ll be right over at the counter,” Declan murmured and let Sean’s hand go.
Sean made a noise of acknowledgment, but he didn’t take his eyes off the array of boxes and packages. Declan ensured Sean never left his sight as he passed over the paper to the pharmacist and let him know they were going to be waiting for them. By the time the pharmacist finished processing the forms in the computer, Sean had two items in his hands. He seemed to be unsure of which one to settle on. Declan could see one was a Hershey’s chocolate bar and the other was a package of two Reese’s peanut butter cups.
He walked over, took both packages from Sean and returned to the counter. “We will take these as well.”
“Declan,” Sean whispered anxiously.
Ignoring his mate’s protest, Declan paid for both candies and the prescriptions. “We’ll be right next door at Harley’s.”
“Oh, Harley’s is amazing,” the pharmacist crowed. “You have to try his new salted caramel stuffed scone. It’s to die for.”
“We’ll do that. Thank you,” Declan said, smiling. He handed the bag with the chocolate in it to Sean. “Let’s go next door and take a look.”
Sean hesitated, but then accepted the bag from Declan. When they were outside on the sidewalk, Sean said, “I didn’t need both.”
Shrugging, Declan placed a hand on Sean’s lower back and guided him to the bakery’s front door. “I wanted to. You can have one on the way home and another for later.”
The smell of bread, sugar, and various fruits assaulted them the moment they entered the shop. Several customers were already in the store. Two were seated at one of the four small tables chatting between bites of pastry while three more were in line to pay. The walls were a delightful shade of sunshine yellow with the counters and tables a bright white with chrome trims, both of which offset the lighter shade of yellow floor. It was almost too bright for someone with eyes as sensitive as Declan’s. Pictures scattered across the walls illustrating Harley’s first day of business along with many other major events in his life since separating from his pack.
None of the humans in the shop knew Harley’s true nature of being a llama shifter. Declan only knew from scent. He also knew Harley chose to live without a pack because of how many horrors he’d suffered at the hands of his last one. Declan left an open offer for Harley to join his streak should he ever need those kinds of ties again.
Declan waved at Harley behind the counter. “Declan!” Harley boomed.
Sean started at the loud voice and Declan soothed him with the brush of his fingers along Sean’s spine to his shoulder. “Sean, I’d like you to meet Harley, the creator of these amazing desserts.”
Harley grinned and stuck out a beefy paw over the top of the display counter. “Nice to meetcha, Sean.”
Declan encouraged Sean to return the gesture. It took a couple breaths before Sean placed his much smaller hand in Harley’s. “You’re a skinny one, aren’t you?” Harley chuckled, squeezing Sean’s fingers gently and letting go. “Now, what can I get for the two of you?”
Declan looked at Sean. “Is there something you see that you’d like?”
Sean shook his head and kept his gaze on the floor. Declan frowned. He slid a finger under Sean’s chin and tilted his face upward until Sean’s gaze met his. “Is something wrong, baby?”