Chapter Sixteen

Rocky tried to go about his day as normal, but his gut churned with anxiety. He worried about Henri who had a bodyguard in the forest outside and one inside the house with him. Vaughan was a big help in that regard, organizing it so Echo and Lucas had people watching them as well. But Rocky still felt an urgency to get to Henri.

He told himself he was being ridiculous and that it would take a while for the humans to attack but it didn’t help to quell the fear. He tried to stay calm, forcing himself to continue with the bookshelves. He didn’t want Henri to feel his emotions, but he didn’t hide them. The only thing that made him continue was knowing how happy they would make Henri.

They constructed four in quick succession and were ready to install them. Rocky, Gabe, Ramsey, and Garridan drove two of them over. The rest of the guys were back at the shop, finishing up two more. They would do it all over again tomorrow. Their small cabin would have a proper library soon.

As soon as they pulled into the driveway, Rocky felt Henri’s excitement spike through their link. With it also came confusion because of the sudden change in Rocky’s mood. Three-point-seven-five orgasms. And Fane hasn’t helped at all.

What made Henri happiest? The shelves or the promise of sex. Rocky didn’t know. Either way, his enthusiasm was cute.

He sometimes rambled about whatever book he’d been reading. Rocky let him because he would learn something, so it was a win-win as far as he was concerned.

Rocky had one end of the bookshelf, and Garridan had the other. The shelf was heavy with it being real wood, and it was awkward to get inside the door because they had built it tall and wide, to maximize the space.

Gabe and Ramsey were behind them, carrying a second one.

Ramsey tried to lighten the mood. No one wanted to think about what they’d learned. “Does the reward system work?”

If Rocky had to take some teasing so they could forget for a while, then so be it.

Rocky growled, but with no heat. “Don’t say anything to him. He embarrasses easily.”

“Could be fun to try something like that with Shawn.” Gabe sounded intrigued.

“Like you and Shawn need another excuse to do it. You already fuck every damn place you can.” Garridan sounded more amused than anything.

Everyone shut up when Henri opened the front door. “Oh, my gosh. Thank you, guys, so much. It’s amazing.”

Rocky winked at him and helped carry the shelf inside. Fane sat on the couch reading, probably a borrowed book from Henri. He didn’t look up when they entered or tried to help.

Henri had cleaned up a lot in his new library and the living room too. Rocky wasn’t sure where he’d put all the books, but he hadn’t stacked them in big piles anymore. “You did an amazing job with the books, baby.”

Acknowledging it had the desired effect. Henri blushed and bit his lip. Can I round up to four? No one can have three-quarters of an orgasm.

The sex is too good not to round up.

Henri smiled but it was laced with concern. Do you want to talk about what’s wrong?

Later. Let’s enjoy the rest of the day.

Henri nodded.

Getting the shelf around the corner into the library was the tricky part. It took them a considerable amount of time to figure out how to maneuver it in so that it fit, but they placed it in the far corner.

The bookshelf Gabe and Ramsey carried went a lot quicker, having learned from Rocky and Garridan. When they had them in place, Henri entered the room. He hugged Rocky tighter than he ever had before. “Thank you. All of you. Seriously. This is great.”

“You can start filling them up whenever you want.” Rocky suspected Henri had put the stacks of books in the bedroom and kitchen. Those rooms had the most space. The sooner the books were on the shelves, the more he’d get his living spaces back.

“I won’t be in the way?” Henri met his gaze.

“You should be fine. We have two more to put in today. They’ll go against the wall next to the others.” Rocky planned to fill the room with shelves, but it would have to be another day. He was tired and hungry. He also hadn’t spent time with Henri.

Henri kissed Rocky before releasing him. He met everyone’s gaze. “Thank you all so much. An honest-to-goodness library is a dream come true.”

They installed the other two shelves next. It didn’t take long.

The entire time they were putting them in, Henri seemed in his element, organizing his books on the shelves. He was careful about how he ordered them. Each book made sense to the others, in Henri’s mind. Henri was in his element. He even mumbled to himself.

Henri’s reaction was why Rocky didn’t want to tell him until later. Henri deserved to have his moment and the peace that came along with it. Rocky wanted to protect it as much as he wanted Henri to stay safe.

Gabe elbowed Ramsey, getting his attention. He nodded at Henri, who was in his own little world. They smiled to each other as if they thought the hard work was worth it too.