7. Brandon

7

brANDON

Brandon woke hot and horny. He blamed both on the extremely attractive man sleeping on the other side of his bed—his mate and now his lover.

Riley's amazing scent had grown stronger since they brought each other to climax, and Brandon knew that would continue until they consummated their relationship, and he placed a mating bite.

His cock was painfully hard, tenting his sleep pants. Brandon pressed his hand against the base, trying to reduce the urgency. If they were an established couple, Brandon would have awakened Riley with a sleepy hand job or picked up the blow job where he had left off.

But they had a lot of territory to cover before they reached that point of comfort and consent and a lot of communicating, so he sighed as he willed his errant cock to soften with thoughts of shredded wheat and cleaning out the refrigerator.

When that didn't work, Brandon kissed Riley lightly on the shoulder and slipped out of bed, padding to the bathroom to take care of his "problem." He thought about taking a run in his fur, but the likelihood of discovery was too high, and they hadn't yet had the "talk."

Dreading that conversation was the dick-wilter Brandon had been searching for, deflating the earlier urgency.

How do I tell him? "You know how some people have hidden talents? I can turn into a moose."

Too direct.

Did you ever daydream about being able to be your favorite animal? I've got something cool to show you.

Ugh.

Hey Riley—watch me turn a person into a moose. This time, he thought the words in Bullwinkle's voice.

Definitely not.

Say it with pride. Claim your heritage, his moose spoke up.

It's complicated.

Reaching twigs at the top of a tree is complicated, his inner moose said with a snort. It's not difficult—just tell him the truth.

What if it scares him off? He's new to Fox Hollow. All this stuff isn't what he's used to, Brandon fretted.

If he's really our fated mate, he'll understand.

Brandon wished he could have his moose's confidence. Yes, Riley had been chill about psychics and learning more about his own gift. And he had certainly heard by now that Fox Hollow was also a haven for shifters. But Brandon feared that there might be too big a gap for Riley between considering that shifters might exist and learning that the guy he had gone to bed with could turn into a moose.

You won't know until you try.

Brandon went to the kitchen and started a fresh pot of coffee, found a box of pancake mix, and put bacon in the oven. While his moose was vegetarian, Brandon indulged in a few favorites—like bacon and hamburgers—in his human form.

Before long, Riley shuffled into the kitchen looking adorably rumpled. "Smells good." Riley made a beeline for the coffee maker.

"Mugs are up above, sugar is in the bowl on the counter," Brandon directed as he flipped the first batch of pancakes. "How did you sleep?"

"Really well. The bed was comfortable, and the company was even better." Riley gave him a broad wink as he filled his cup, and Brandon felt his heart jump.

"I hope you weren't too warm. I run hot," Brandon replied.

"Didn't bother me at all. Best sleep I've had in a while."

Brandon served up the first plate of pancakes and took the bacon out of the oven. He had already put a pitcher of maple syrup on the table. "Help yourself. I have to cook the rest of the pancakes. There's plenty of everything for both of us."

Riley dug in, and Brandon felt a deep sense of satisfaction to see him eat well.

We provide for our mate. His moose sounded pleased.

Brandon made a plate for himself and sat across from Riley. For several minutes, they focused on the food and coffee, and Brandon liked the comfortable domesticity. He had been content living alone without even considering a roommate. Now, he never wanted Riley to leave.

"Still want to learn a little about cross-country skiing this morning? I have an extra set of skis that shouldn't be too long for you," Brandon offered. "We don't even have to leave my yard—plenty of room to show you the basics. Then next time, we can try an easy trail."

Riley grinned. "Sure. Sounds fun. But if I'm hopeless at it, no fair laughing."

"I promise I won't laugh—cross my heart." Brandon made the motion over his chest.

When they finished the food and cleared the table, Riley came up behind Brandon and wrapped his arms around him. "Thanks for breakfast. And for last night."

Brandon turned, keeping Riley in his embrace, and kissed him. "My pleasure." They kissed for several minutes, and Brandon knew they were both growing hard.

"How about we shower together? It's big enough for two, and we can take care of each other before we get the day started." Brandon dropped to a low tone that made Riley shiver.

"That sounds like a great idea."

They walked toward the bathroom together. Brandon felt completely comfortable with Riley, despite the sexual tension that fairly crackled in the air around them.

"We can get dressed in the bedroom afterward. There's a little more elbow room. So don't worry about bringing in clothes—I've got plenty of towels."

Both men stripped and kicked their sleep pants toward the door. Brandon adjusted the water temperature. Riley made no bones about ogling Brandon.

"See something you like?" Brandon teased as he gave Riley a very thorough once-over.

"Oh, yeah."

Brandon stepped into the large shower and held out his hand for Riley. His gaze fell immediately to the purpled hickey on Riley's shoulder where a mating bite would go.

"I hope I didn't hurt you," he blurted.

Riley shook his head. "I like the reminder. It'll keep you with me when we're apart."

Brandon stepped under the warm water and drew Riley with him. They took turns washing each other's hair, although Brandon had to bend a bit for Riley to reach the top of his head. The shampoo smelled of mint and thyme, and the soap's cedar fragrance was earthy and grounding.

"Smells good," Riley said as Brandon carefully lathered and rinsed him. "And I like you touching me."

"Good thing, because I like touching you."

Brandon let his hand work its way down to Riley's cock, which rapidly hardened in his grip. "Let me take care of you," he murmured against Riley's neck, licking the tender hickey and getting a groan in response from his partner.

He kept one arm across Riley's chest to steady him and splayed his feet wide for support. Riley leaned back against him, letting his head fall on Brandon's shoulder. Brandon's hand, slick with conditioner, worked Riley's cock and stroked his balls. It didn't take long before Riley came all over Brandon's hand and splashed the far wall.

Brandon nipped gently at the hickey and Riley moaned. Mate.

With a contented sigh, Riley turned in Brandon's arms. "Come here," Riley growled.

Riley wasn't as tall as Brandon, but his solid, toned body supported Brandon as Riley began to stroke his cock. Riley peppered Brandon's back with kisses and ground his still-soft cock against Brandon's ass.

"That's it," Riley coaxed as Brandon's breathing hitched. "Just enjoy it—and let go."

Moments later, Brandon cried out Riley's name as he shot, covering Riley's hand with his come.

"Good morning." Riley planted a kiss between Brandon's shoulders.

"You can wake me up like that any time," Brandon sighed.

They finished in the shower and toweled off. Both men skipped shaving and dressed quickly in the bedroom.

Brandon took Riley in his arms and drew him close. "I'm not rushing you or trying to make you feel pressured, but I want you in every way you'll have me. We can take our time. But I thought you ought to know."

"So many things I want to do with you." Riley shifted so their cocks brushed against each other. Even soft, the friction sent a jolt through Brandon.

"Good. We'll get to do all of them and then start over again," Brandon promised. "I want that too."

Tell him about me, his moose prodded. We're a package deal.

I will, Brandon promised. When the time is right.

His moose huffed in frustration and retreated to the back of Brandon's mind to sulk.

Brandon dried off Riley, taking his time to appreciate his partner's toned body, looking forward to learning everything that gave him pleasure. Riley returned the favor like a sensual ritual, and Brandon reveled in his nearness, and the intimacy in such a simple gesture.

Once they dressed, they got coats and boots and headed to Brandon's garage where the skis were stored.

"Once you get the hang of it, skiing is very peaceful," Brandon told him as he looked over the gear he had accumulated, including boots and skis in several sizes. "When you learn to move, it feels natural."

They found a set that fit Riley well enough to get him started and carried the gear outside.

"If you get hooked, you'll want to buy your own and have them properly fitted." Brandon helped Riley get into the boots and attach them to the skis. "But this is good enough to let you get started."

He made quick work of his own skis and saw Riley swaying, trying to keep his balance and afraid to move his feet.

"Here." Brandon laughed and handed Riley two poles. "Once you get used to the skis, you'll forget you've got them on. But at first, people say it's like having boards on their shoes."

"I'm afraid I'll fall over and not be able to get up," Riley admitted. "I don't want to step on myself or get the skis stuck in the snow."

"You'll do both those things and fall over as well," Brandon said. "It's part of the learning curve. I personally prefer skis to snowshoes, although they really are two very different things for different purposes. The best part for me is that after you catch onto the movement, it's second nature, and you can move through the woods almost silently."

They spent the next two hours practicing in Brandon's yard. Riley's excitement and high spirits just intensified Brandon's attraction. Despite pratfalls and some initial awkwardness, Riley took his tumbles good-naturedly, laughing at himself and the "butt prints" he made in the snow and lobbing snowballs at Brandon.

Despite Riley's protests that he wasn't super outdoorsy, he proved a quick learner, and before long, he had the rhythm and movements down well enough that Brandon proclaimed him ready for an easy, flat trail.

Riley beamed as they headed back to the garage. "That was a lot of fun. And you're right—once I got the rhythm, it was a lot easier."

Brandon got out of his skis with practiced ease and then helped Riley. "The skis start to feel like extensions of your feet when you get used to them. You'll learn to get them on and off and how to maneuver better."

"I still step all over myself trying to turn around," Riley admitted. "It's embarrassing."

"Everyone does it—and they all get better at it," Brandon assured him. Riley's cheeks were red from the cold, and he was slightly out of breath, looking absolutely scrumptious.

Back in the house, they stripped off their boots and wet clothing. Brandon brought out robes for both of them and tossed their clothes in the dryer.

"Since you're nearly naked, stay for lunch," Brandon urged with a wink.

"I'd love to. Thank you for teaching me. It was fun." Riley practically glowed, and Brandon felt struck all over again at his good looks.

"We can go out whenever you want," Brandon offered. "And if you get to the point where you want to buy your own skis, I can go with you and help you make sure they're right for you."

"You know, you might just win me over to this outdoors stuff," Riley teased, accepting a cup of hot coffee and cradling it in his hands, breathing in the hot steam with an ecstatic expression.

Our mate is handsome. Very fuckable.

Brandon choked on his coffee at his moose's observation. He waved off Riley's concern. "Just swallowed wrong."

Riley's phone pinged an alarm, and he sighed. "Unfortunately, I need to run some errands in case the big storm hits this time around."

"The road crews do a good job keeping things clear, but if it comes down too fast, it can get ahead of them," Brandon warned. "And they can't do as much for ice as for snow, so watch out."

Riley nodded. "Steve promised I could stay at the hotel if it got too bad to go home. Which takes a load off my mind. My Pilot is good in snow, but I've never tried driving in a blizzard."

He got dressed, gathered his things, and grabbed his backpack. "I really enjoyed being with you," he told Brandon, meeting his gaze. "And I want to see you again."

Brandon's heart warmed, and he leaned in to kiss Riley slow and long. "I want to see you again too. Real soon. Be careful with the storm."

"I will. You too."

Brandon drove Riley back to where he had parked and helped him clean off his SUV. They took a few more moments to kiss before Riley reached for the door handle.

"I'll see you at your gig," Brandon told him. "I already miss you."

"I was thinking the same thing." Riley added one more peck on the lips. "See you soon."

Brandon stayed until Riley had safely gotten into his Pilot and started it, then watched him pull away.

Damn, I'm utterly smitten.

He's our mate. Of course you are, his moose returned confidently. So bite him already.

Brandon sighed in fond exasperation. I intend to. When the time is right.

The time is always right to bite your mate.

You're hopeless.

No, I'm your moose, silly.

As he turned around and drove back to the cabin, Brandon hoped that everything would be as simple as his moose predicted.