Chapter Three

How the hell did I let him convince me to go on a date, Warner wondered while glancing in his rearview mirror. He spotted Geoff about fifty feet behind him, following on his motorcycle.

Oh, right. He's sexy as hell, seemed so very sweet, and he offered for us to meet in a public place.

The guy who'd held Geoff back from the jerk customer had even agreed to accompany them. Although he would be sitting at another table nearby with a couple of other friends.

So, safe and open, not alone, and the fact that the sound of his deep voice makes my prick stand up and take notice has nothing to do with it.

Yeah, right.

Warner made it a habit never to lie to himself. The big bruiser of a guy pushed all his buttons. Maybe that was why his mother had loved his father so much when they got together. They both had a similar type.

When Warner had been younger, he'd seen his parents dancing in the kitchen together. He knew that, at one time, his father had had a softer, kinder side. That had just slipped away after Warner failed to become anything like the son his father had wanted. Then, when his mother had died, his father must've decided Warner was everything he hated.

Pushing those thoughts from his mind, Warner focused on reaching the destination for his soon-to-be date— World of Aquatica . He'd never been to the place, although he'd read some fantastic reviews about it. They even had a show with a tiger shark... which Warner thought was cool and scary all at the same time.

Why would a person willingly go swimming with a shark?

Warner avoided the ocean at all costs. After all, there were so many animals within it that could eat him... or just kill him by accident. Still, he thought the creatures within their depths were beautiful. Unfortunately, due to saving money over the last couple of years to get out of his father's house, Warner hadn't felt the need to splurge in that area at any point.

Maybe that's why I decided to accept his dinner date and exploration of the marine park. I've never gotten the chance to go.

Plus, I love seafood... which I also can't afford.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Warner turned into the park's parking lot. He made his way toward the nearest space. Just as he chose one—the place was busy, so it was some distance from the entrance—Geoff, on his motorcycle, pulled up next to him and tapped the glass of his window.

With his foot on the brake, Warner rolled his window halfway down. "Um, yeah?"

Geoff smiled at him and pointed. "Follow me. I'll show you to the VIP lot."

"Oh, uh..." Warner's mind blanked for a second, even as he realized he should decline. Feeling his cheeks begin to heat, he admitted, "Um, I really can't pay for that right now."

"You won't have to pay." Geoff offered a roguish grin and wink. "Trust me, sweetheart. Follow me."

With a beckoning wave, Geoff started forward, passing Warner's car. For a few seconds, Warner froze. Indecision warred within him.

The honk of a car behind him jolted Warner. He saw Geoff look back at him and beckon again. Blowing out a breath, Warner released the brake and started forward, following the big man on the bike.

Warner parked where Geoff indicated, and the area was definitely a lot closer to the gates. The vehicles near him all had a placard hanging from their rearview mirrors, obviously a VIP parking pass. Worrying that they would tow his car because he didn't have one, Warner hesitated to get out.

Once again, Geoff appeared at his window, on foot. Smiling at him, he held up a pass.

Opening his door, Warner tentatively reached out and took it. "Th-Thank you." After hanging it, he began sliding out of his car. "You had an extra?"

Geoff shook his head. "Naw." Gently, he slid his big hand under Warner's upper arm and helped him to his feet, not that he needed it. "I carry one in my motorcycle, just in case."

"Just in case?" Warner glanced at Geoff's hand on him for a second, the skin of his arm warming from the contact as the hairs there stood on end. "Um." Locking and closing his car door, he asked, "Do you come here often then?" Another thought struck him, and he peered up at the larger man in concern. "Won't your motorcycle get towed or you get a ticket or something?"

"No, I won't get towed or anything," Geoff claimed. Instead of releasing Warner, he skimmed his hand down his arm and gently gripped his hand, threading their fingers together. "I work here. They know my bike." With a gentle tug to start them moving, Geoff added, "Plus, I texted our tech guy, Ovram, letting him know my bike's here without a tag."

Warner glanced down at where Geoff held him, surprised that the big guy would be so open about them being together.

Geoff squeezed his hand lightly, redrawing Warner's attention. "This okay?" He lifted their hands a little, obviously meaning the hand-holding.

"I-I guess." Warner had never held anyone's hand before. Well, outside of his mother when he was little. "Just, um, never, uh—" Warner snapped his mouth shut, feeling his cheeks heat once more.

Furrowing his black brows a little, Geoff peered at him with concern. "Are you not out?"

"Oh, I am," Warner assured, then shrugged. "I guess." Seeing Geoff's arched brow, he scoffed. "I mean, look at me." He indicated his face, referring to the eyeliner and lip gloss he wore. "No one's going to mistake me for being straight." When Geoff roved his gaze over his face and smiled, Warner wondered if he was imagining the heat that suddenly filled his eyes. Clearing his throat, Warner quickly muttered, "Just surprised you're so open, is all. No one would guess about you."

"No, they probably wouldn't," Geoff agreed affably, still smiling at him. "But I'm proud to be the guy at your side, and I don't give a shit who knows it."

"Proud?" Warner repeated softly, shock filling him. "Why?"

Why on earth would this mountain of sexy muscle be proud to be with an overweight nothing like me?

"Oh, sweetheart." Geoff used the hold on his hand to stop him and turn him to face him. Resting his other hand on Warner's shoulder, he rumbled, "Because it's true."

Then, to Warner's shock, Geoff bent and pressed his lips lightly to his. The warmth and softness took his breath away, and he gasped. Feeling Geoff's tongue slide between his lips, Warner felt as if his body heated from the inside out, and only one thought reverberated through his brain.

Oh my god! My first kiss!

* * * *

Geoff knew it wasn't the time or the place—and he really didn't yet have the right—but he couldn't resist the allure of Warner's lip-gloss gleaming lips. Plus, his lust-addled brain could think of only one way to wipe the confusion and disbelief off his mate's face. To that end, Geoff kissed him.

When Warner gasped, Geoff took advantage and dipped his tongue in for a deeper taste. His mate's delicious masculine flavor burst across his tastebuds. Warner tasted delicious with a hint of saltiness that Geoff knew he could easily become addicted to.

Only registering the gentle, inexperienced pets of Warner's tongue against Geoff's own kept him from deepening the kiss. As he eased the kiss to an end, he realized his sweetheart didn't seem to have much practice.

That's okay. I'm happy to help fix that.

Geoff lifted his head and peered into Warner's eyes, seeing the slightly glazed look. The flush of his cheeks made him seem to glow, and his faintly swollen lips bespoke of Geoff's kiss. In his mind, his mate couldn't look sexier.

I plan to put that look on my mate often.

Sliding his hand up from his shoulder, Geoff teased his thumb along the corner of Warner's mouth. "You're stunning," he uttered, unable to help himself.

Warner blinked once, twice, then ducked his head.

With his shyness evident, Geoff searched for a way to ease the situation. The answer came when he licked his lips and tasted the gloss left behind from kissing his human. Geoff hummed, getting Warner's attention, before licking his lips again, a little more exaggeratedly.

"Oh!" Warner's eyes widened, and the smell of embarrassment began creeping into his normally delicious scent. "I'm so sorry."

Warner even began to lift his free hand as if to wipe off his mouth and the gloss remaining there.

"Don't," Geoff urged, catching his hand. He winked. "Tastes good." It did, too. "Strawberry?"

Warner's cheeks continued to darken, but at least he nodded. "Yeah."

After squeezing Warner's hand again, Geoff released him. "Feel free to use that anytime." Then he slipped his arm around his mate and started them walking again. "Come on." He pointed toward the gate, indicating Craeg, Kayson, Dare, and Price. "The guys are waiting."

The group was loitering off to the side of the gates, talking amongst themselves.

Even as Warner began moving again, he gasped. "D-Did they see us, um... kiss ?" He whispered the last word.

So cute.

"Most likely." Squeezing Warner's hip, Geoff winked at him. "Don't worry. They'll get used to it."

"They will?" Warner still sounded confused as hell. "Why?"

"Well, we're a demonstrative group," Geoff began slowly, knowing he couldn't explain how a shifter loved to touch his mate. Considering how possessive they were, they liked everyone to know their mate belonged to them. "We're not shy when we're with someone we're attracted to."

Considering they were reaching Geoff's friends, Warner just nodded.

"Glad you could join us," Kayson teased with a chuckle. He smiled widely at Warner. "I'm Kayson, by the way." After the other shifter introduced the others, he asked, "Have you been here before?"

When Warner shook his head, Dare grinned broadly. "Well, you're in for a treat. Our Mini Barrier Reef Cantina serves the best seafood around," he claimed. Turning, he slung his arm around Price's waist and began leading the way into the park. "Come on."

"Um, don't we need passes or something?" Warner asked, glancing furtively at another line where someone was punching passes that a couple were presenting.

"No," Geoff told him, focusing a warm smile on him. "Several of us work here, so no need." He pointed where Dare tapped a card against a reader, and the gate buzzed and opened, allowing them entrance.

"Oh, right," Warner murmured. "You said that already."

Geoff figured his poor mate was getting a little overwhelmed, and he hoped the relaxing dinner atmosphere of the restaurant would help.

"Um, so what do you do here?" Warner peeked at him through his lashes before offering, "Security?"

Chuckling, Geoff winked. "You'd think so, wouldn't you?"

Geoff lifted his free arm and flexed his muscles, appreciating the way Warner's eyes widened at the sight of his big guns.

Wait a sec. Is that a hint of fear I suddenly detect?

Shit!

Quickly, Geoff lowered his arm and pointed. "Dare and Price are in security," he told him. Tapping his chest, he explained, "I'm one of the park's engineers. I help keep the aquarium's pumps and things running."

"An engineer?" Warner repeated in obvious surprise. "Wow." His voice turned quiet as he mused, "That must have required a lot of schooling. Where did you go to college?"

Geoff hesitated, not wanting to outright lie to his mate. "Uh, I didn't, actually." Spotting Warner's confused expression, he explained, "I took online courses directly related to my field, so technically, I don't have an actual degree." With a self-deprecating smile, Geoff admitted, "No way would I have had the patience to sit through tons of classes that weren't geared toward my interest." He offered an exaggerated shudder as he muttered, "Like history or literature."

To Geoff's pleasure, Warner barked a laugh, and his beautiful hazel eyes lit up.

"Gods, you're sexy," Geoff whispered, unable to keep back the words.

Immediately, Warner flushed and ducked his head. He didn't do it quite swiftly enough to hide the fact that he nibbled his bottom lip. Warner even used his free hand to rub his neck.

Geoff used a pair of crooked fingers under Warner's chin to urge his mate's head back up. "No need to hide, sweetheart," he purred. His mate continued to nibble his bottom lip even as he peered at him from beneath his lashes. Unable to help himself, Geoff used his thumb to tug that bit of flesh free while whispering, "I hope I'll get to suck on this later, so don't damage it on me."

Once again scenting embarrassment, Geoff dipped his head, pecked a kiss to the corner of his mate's mouth, and straightened. Then he released the man's jaw and urged him to start walking again. As they moved, Geoff noticed a displeased expression on a couple of guys' faces, but a glare from him had the pair turning away quickly enough.

Homophobes. Too bad we can't bar them entrance to our park.

Even with that thought, Geoff knew that was just his overprotective nature talking.

It didn't take long for them to catch up with Geoff's friends, considering they'd stopped to chat with William at the stingray petting pool. Their pod beta had probably chosen to take a shift as a monitor there to get a glimpse of Geoff's mate. Plus, the guy enjoyed being part of just about every aspect of the marine park, from top to bottom.

Well, everything but the mechanic's bay.

Their pod mechanic—Colton, a seahorse shifter—didn't allow anyone to work in there with him except his mate, Waylon. As it'd turned out, the big human was a pretty good mechanic in his own right, but he only worked in there every once in a while. Waylon's presence was more of a distraction to Colton than a help. Instead, Waylon preferred to work behind the bar at the Cantina.

After greeting and introducing Warner to William, they continued on their way.

Geoff glanced over his shoulder at the pod beta, earning a wink, a thumbs up, and even an approving smile from the male. Warm satisfaction filled him upon getting the man's approval. With a bit more strut in his step, Geoff led Warner to the restaurant.