Page 123 of As The Shifter World Turns

123

A WEEKEND ALONE

Daire

Glancing at Nate’s expression told me he wasn’t happy about something. And as he was glowering at me, I was probably the source. As always. Here I’d been looking forward to us having a weekend alone and instead, I’d be making up for whatever I’d done. Maybe I could get on my knees and apologize. One that involved sucking him off. That image had me grinning but Nate didn’t smile in return.

Neil pulled me aside. “Congrats on the decision to have kids. You and Nate will be great dads.” He lowered his voice and leaned in close. “But have you and Nate discussed this?”

“Not exactly.” I looked over Neil’s head at my mate who had his arms crossed. “But he loves Charlie.”

“Daire!” Neil’s voice had an edge to it. “Don’t you think we should have talked about having children before you broadcast the news to all of Sunshine Manor?”

“Ummm yeah,” I agreed as I thought back to me blabbing without consulting my mate. That would account for his face of thunder. I shared what I wanted with our friends without asking Nate if he was ready to start a family.

“Go home. Apologize and make this right.” Neil shoved me toward my mate.

I outstretched my hand toward Nate but he ignored it and put down his beer. “I’m going home.” And he wished everyone good night and stalked down the stairs. I was on the official clean up duty this evening but Neil who was holding a sleepy Charlie said he’d ask Martin to do it. I figured the fox shifter would agree ‘cause he'd done a lot of bad shit and wanted to make it up to Neil.

I followed my mate down the stairs, the memories of everyone who had lived in the apartments flitting into my head as we climbed down. But Nate didn’t wait for me when we were outside. He used the side gate I'd installed and it slammed in my face as he stalked into our building.

“I know you’re angry,” I burst out as I raced into our apartment. “And I was an inconsiderate ass. Sorry.”

Nate grunted and got out his weekender bag and threw some clothes in. What the fuck? He was leaving me ‘cause I was an idiot.

“Nate, please, let’s talk about this.”

With his back to me, he said, “I agree.”

“Don’t do this—” Wait, backtrack. He agreed with me. “So, why are you leaving?”

He strolled into the walk-in closet and tossed my bag at me. “Pack. We’re going to your folks’ lake house. Here someone’s likely to text you about going to the gym or Neil needs us to look after Charlie. Maybe Toby needs a ride to his friend’s place ‘cause Martin’s at work. We need to be alone and as your family rarely uses the lake house, let’s go.”

He gave me a peck on the cheek as he passed. “Hurry up before I change my mind and toss you out on your ass.” His smirk gave him away. That and him feeling me up.

“Yes, sir.” I saluted and grabbed clothes and toiletries, and we were out the door in ten minutes. We picked up groceries, though the lake house pantry and fridge should be fully stocked, and got take out because neither of us had eaten much on the manor roof. An hour later we were at the lake.

“Let’s go skinny dipping,” my mate suggested as he flung off his clothes and waded into the water. “We can heat up the food and eat later.”

“Or, we can eat now.” I rubbed my cock against his.

Nate tweaked my nipple as it hardened but pushed me away. “Talk first. Eat later.”

I waggled my brows. “Thai food or cock?”

“Daire. Stop messing about. We need to have a serious talk.”

Right. “I’m sorry for what I said on the roof. It was thoughtless and selfish and put you in an awkward position.”

He nodded. “It was and thank you for apologizing.” He floated on his back and I did my best not to stare at his dick and lick my lips. “I love kids. You know that because you’ve seen me with Charlie.”

I sensed a but coming but stifled a question, allowing my mate to continue.

“This is a huge decision. Once we make the commitment, it’s a lifelong one.”

“Are you saying you’re not ready?” I interjected.

“Still talking, Daire.”

Oops. “Sorry. ”

“And I think I am ready.”

“Me too.” Once again, I’d cut him off. “Maybe you should spank me later for interrupting you.”

“I intend to.”

That made my cock hard, despite being in the water.

Nate stood up and splashed me, before draping his arms around my neck. “How about we hit pause on the wanting children decision for a couple of months and really explore how we feel and how our life will change.”

“Okay.” I doubted I’d change my mind but waiting for two months? I could do that.

“If we still want to move forward, I can fuck you morning, noon and night until we make a baby.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“The fucking part?”

“No. I mean yes.” Now it was my turn to splash him. “You did that deliberately, didn't you? Just to trip me up.”

“I’ll take the fifth.” He swam away but I was a faster swimmer and I caught him.

“Here or on the grass?” I pressed against his crotch, enjoying the sensation of our cocks rubbing against one another.

“No idea what you’re talking about.” He grabbed my lower lip between his teeth and I whimpered. “Unless you’re referring to dinner. In that case, out of the water.”

“I’m talking about eating but not food. I’m thinking your cock, or you could eat my ass before fucking me?”

“Choices, choices. How do I decide?” he grinned. “But whatever we decide, it’d be better out of the water.”

He was right. No matter how sexy it looked in the movies, it was anything but in reality. Nate’s dick was huge, but even it suffered from shrinkage when in the lake.

“On the grass now and assume the position,” he teased.

Gods, he was going to shove his dick in me and I had trouble breathing. I scrambled onto the grass, getting on all fours and shoving my ass in the air so the first thing he saw as he got out of the water was my butt, dripping with water and slick.

The water sloshed, telling me Nate was getting out. I shivered as a breeze cooled my skin. Hands were on my ass, and fingers were probing my hole. “I want your dick, Nate, please.”

“Soon, babe.” But as his fingers slid into me, they froze. “What the…?”

I peered over my shoulder. “What is it?”

“Do you hear that?”

The gentle lapping of the water and my own panting was all I could hear.

“A car. No, two cars and maybe one of them is the van.”

I swiveled my head toward the direction of the road that was hidden by trees. “It’s probably someone heading to the neighbors. There was a bigger estate further along the road. We waited, hoping the vehicles wouldn’t turn into our entrance. But the cars slowed and yeah, they were headed here.

No one had mentioned coming here to shift. Way to ruin an evening, guys.

We put on our clothes and Nate went inside saying no one was getting his Pad Thai. It was Neil’s favorite and no matter how full he was, he’d be up for another helping.

I greeted them as they piled out of the van and car. Everyone was here, except Anthony who was human and visiting family. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Been for a swim.” Ivor flicked my wet hair.

“Mmmm.”

“Do I smell Pad Thai?” Damn Neil could sniff that out from a hundred yards away and he didn’t have a shifter’s sense of smell. He headed into the house, holding a sleeping Charlie.

“Don’t eat it all,” I said to his retreating back.

“Did we interrupt something?” Micah asked.

I folded my arms. “Why do you say that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. You have a pained expression on your face.”

Archer chimed in. “That and whenever you and Nate come here without telling anyone, it’s usually to have alone time.” He put the last two words in air quotes.

“Very funny.”

“It’s true though,” Ryder nodded before walking slowly into the house.

“Well if we did want to f?—”

“Daire,” Martin interrupted, jerking his head at Toby.

Gods, it wasn’t just Toby but Elune was old enough to start asking questions about what Uncle Daire had said. “We don’t mind having company, especially when it’s the Sunshine Manor family,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Great.” Micah slapped me on the back as he held Jasper.

Archer giggled. “We’re only here to shift. Once we’re gone you and Nate can get back to doing what you were doing.”

“Grumble grumble.”