Page 28 of True Calling
CHAPTER 11
Berk was nervous. He knew what he wanted to do, but it wasn’t like he had any experience in doing it.
Looking to where his parents were sitting and talking to the others, Berk turned to Garth. “Can we talk?”
Garth looked surprised by the request, but simply said, “Of course. How about we go to your room?”
Nodding, Berk started up the stairs, but when he went to turn into the one he was supposed to use while they stayed here, Garth tugged on his hand, “I meant the one you put me in.”
Berk felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment. “How did you know that’s my room?”
Garth just walked up the next flight of stairs as he answered, “Your scent is all over the room. It’s faint, but it’s there.”
Of course, it was the shifter nose. Berk had forgotten all about it. “I just figured your dragon would like the balcony.”
“He does, very much so, but you didn’t have to give me your room, Berk. I would have been fine in one of the others.” Garth said as he opened the door and led Berk inside.
“Maybe so, but I really wanted you to have it. I wanted... I...” Berk sighed heavily, “It was like Ineededyou to be comfortable in my parents’ home.”
Smiling, Garth replied, “It’s the mating pull. Even though we’re not bound yet, you still feel the need to take care of me, like I do you.”
“That’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.” Berk said, unable to look at Garth. Damn this was embarrassing. What if he said what he had to say, and Garth rejected him? What would he do? How could he ever look the man in the eyes again if...
Hands on his shoulders brought him out of his panicked haze as Garth softly said from behind him. “Hey, what’s wrong? It’s all going to be alright. I told you I’m not going to rush you into anything you’re not ready for.”
Licking his lips, Berk whispered so low he barely heard himself, “But what if I want to rush?”
Garth went still as a statue. He didn’t say anything for so long, Berk was afraid the man might not have heard him at all. Berk had been hoping that the shifter hearing he constantly was told about would help him out here, because Berk didn’t know if he could ask the question again.
Slowly Garth turned Berk around, so they were facing one another, “What do you mean by that?”
Berk felt himself shaking slightly, but he had given this some really deep thought and he knew what he wanted, and he had to do what he could to make Garth see that want, so he drew in his courage and looked into his mate’s emerald-green eyes. “I want you as my mate.”
“You... wait, I am your mate, Berk.” Garth said, either not understanding or not believing what he was hearing.
Shaking his head, Berk said, “No. I want us to... what did you call it? Bond? I want us to do that.”
Garth blinked. Berk saw a quick glimpse of shock and then a flash of fire, “You don’t... I mean you said...”
“I know what I said. I want us to get to know each other, Garth and we will. It’s just that... I’ve done a lot of thinking... hell it seems like I’ve done nothing but think since I answered that ad on the internet.” Berk said.
Garth looked confused, but didn’t say anything as Berk continued to speak. “My life after my parents’ deaths was scary, unstable and lonely. I realized that it didn’t have to be that way. I let what one kid say influence everything. I let fear rule who I turned into and as a result I pushed kids away that wanted to be friends. I pushed away the families that took me in and I even... on some level, pushed away those wonderful people downstairs. I’m done pushing, Garth. I’m done’ being scared... okay, that’s not one hundred percent true, because I have to say that what I know we’re going to do terrifies the fuck out of me... but I still want to do it. I want to know what it feels like to share the good times and bad. I want to snuggle on the couch and watch bad movies together, and throw popcorn at the television because of it.”
Berk ignored Garth’s raised brow as he plowed on. “I want to know what it’s like to be the little spoon and to wake up with a smile and a kiss. I want to know what it’s like to be loved and cherished and... I want that with you.” Sighing Berk said, “I don’t understand how I got to feeling like I do, Garth. Maybe it was how you are so patient with me, even though you’re taught since practically birth what it means to have a mate. Maybe it’s because of how you eat whatever I put in front of you without question and are willing to try new recipes I come up with. Maybe it’s the way you look at me when I walk in the room, or the gentle way you speak to me when you know I’m nervous about something. Maybe it’s because you’re so damn sexy. I dream of what it will be like to be in your arms. I don’t know and I’ve never, ever felt this way about someone before. I hate being in a room without you in it. I hate the thought of not hearing you laugh, or just the sound of that deep baritone voice you have... the one that says I want to fuck your brains out... at least in my head that’s what it says. I hate waking up after dreaming about you all night and realizing it was all just a dream. Is that love, Garth? I don’t know... but it’s how I feel, and what I do know is that I don’t want to wait another minute to be your bonded mate.”
Garth didn’t wait another second. He walked Berk backwards until Berk felt the bed hitting the back of his knees. The fire grew in Garth’s eyes as they began to slant, and the emerald green became brighter. Berk just knew he was looking into the eyes of Garth’s dragon. With shaky hands Berk brushed Garth’s hair back as it fell forward when they lay on the bed, “Hello there, dragon mate. I look forward to seeing you one day very soon.”
Garth didn’t answer as he brought their lips together in a soul-searing kiss. Tongues and teeth warred with each other, and breathing was becoming difficult. Berk was grinding his cock into Garth’s hard bulge and could only whimper when Garth pulled back and stepped away from him. He was about to argue until he saw Garth removing his shirt and kicking off his shoes.
Getting with the program, Berk quickly did the same, lifting his hips, but still never taking his eyes off of Garth as he stripped to reveal his perfectly formed body. “Holy fuck, you’re so god-damn gorgeous, I could eat you alive.”
A flash of sharp teeth was disclosed when Garth smiled, and a small billow of smoke came from the man’s nostrils. Berk knew that Garth was struggling with his dragon and Berk didn’t understand what he was saying, but felt it was really important that it be said. “It’s okay to let your dragon join us, Garth. Just so you don’t go all lizard on me, I’m okay with it.”
When turquoise and gold scales started forming along Garth’s arms and legs, Berk couldn’t hold back his gasp, “Wow!”
“I can’t control it.” Garth said in a low gravelly tone.
“You’re not going to go completely dragon... right? I mean, the room is big, but I don’t know if it can take your dragon size.” Berk said in wonder.