They’d texted a couple of times throughout the day, mostly with Knox checking up on Matt, but also random conversations. He wanted to see Knox again, yet was nervous to ask. He didn’t want Knox to think that he only wanted him for the support. It was so much more than that.
A high-pitched giggle drew him to Danny. “What’s up, Danny?”
Danny pointed to the window. Disbelief rocked through Charlie. Framed by the window, Knox was dancing about with Cora. Her long curls were flowing out behind her as Knox spun her around.
Oh, hot damn, he looked fucking sexy today. Knox was dressed in pale jeans that molded to his thighs, accentuating every curve, and cupping his bulge perfectly, at least as far as Charlie could tell from that distance. He wore a plaid shirt that was rolled up, exposing his forearms, revealing a smattering of hair and Charlie couldn’t help but lick his lips. There was something about a man’s forearms that Charlie found intensely irresistible.
“They’re dancing, Danny.” Charlie scooped up his nephew and, holding him against his hip, moved to the doorway. Leaning against the frame, he watched them dance about as music played out of the café’s outdoor speakers. Sam and Alfie were clapping and cheering them on, and Tyler stood to one side, shaking his head. When he spotted Charlie in the doorway, he walked over.
“Who is this delightful bundle?”
Danny giggled.
“This is my nephew, Danny.” Charlie tickled Danny.
“Ah, Lane’s boy.”
“That he is,” Lane himself called from behind them. Leaning over Charlie’s shoulder, he brushed a kiss on his son’s head before he turned to Tyler. “How are you?” He pulled him into what Charlie called the classic guy clench. “Uh, what is your brother doing?” Lane was shaking his head.
“Dancing, I think.” Tyler pursed his lips. “Damn idiot has been in a good mood since we got back.” He stared at Charlie accusingly. “It’s all his fault.”
“What did I do?” Charlie spluttered.
Lane snorted, and Tyler shook his head. “He’s happy because you went out on a date with him. Damn, I’d say you’re almost as much of an idiot as he is.”
“Hey!” Charlie protested. “Why do I get called an idiot?”
Lane lifted his son from Charlie’s arms. “Maybe not an idiot, but I would definitely say you're currently a bit loved up. You have that secret smile. You’re alternating between that and the frown when you think of Matt. Your poor emotions, and facial muscles for that matter, are suffering from whiplash.”
Tyler snorted. “Nice one.”
“We aim to please.” Lane blew on his knuckles, then pretended to polish them on his sleeve.
“Would you stop teasing my poor brother,” Evie scolded as she joined them. “What are we looking at— oh! Hot damn, the man can move.” She shared a look with her brother.
“Hey!” Lane complained.
“What? He can move,” she insisted. “He’s much better than you are.” She shrugged. “I love you anyway.”
“You’d better,” Lane grumbled, making Charlie laugh.
Just then, as Knox spun his sister, he caught sight of the group in the doorway, and his already smiling face deepened into one of absolute joy. Cora held her hand out to Tyler.
“Dance with me,” she called out.
“M’Lady, it would be my honor.” Tyler gave a dramatic bow and moving forward, grabbed his sister, and immediately dipped her, making her giggle.
Knox’s gaze never left Charlie. “May I have the honor of this dance?”
Charlie’s own smile reacted to the happiness on Knox’s face. “You may.” He held out his hand, trying not to sigh as Knox grabbed on. Knox pulled him close before spinning him back out and twirling him around. Dancing with Knox lifted Charlie’s spirit. The stress of the day lifted from him. The worry of what was going on with Matt, the organizational issues of the party, everything disappeared, and just the fun of the moment remained. When the music finally stopped, he was breathless, and not only from the exertion of the moment.
“I was thinking we could go and see Matt, then I wondered if you wanted to go for a run?”
“A run?” Charlie stopped dancing.
“Yes, in tiger and unicorn form.” Knox smiled down at him.
“Really?”
“Do you not want to?” Knox reached out and traced a path over Charlie’s cheek.
“I would love to.” Charlie cocked his head to one side for a moment. “Are you going to chase me?”
“My tiger would love to chase you. He loves the thrill of the chase. He’s playful when he wants to be. He’s eager to meet you and your unicorn.”
Charlie stared into Knox’s eyes, searching for something, anything. Years of worry about exposing his unicorn, about hunters, had him worried about ever showing his inner beast. But then, this was Knox, who had shown him nothing but compassion, friendship, and the chance for more. Knox didn’t say anything, he just waited Charlie out. Knox waiting, his lack of attempts at persuading Charlie, and Charlie’s instinctive trust in the man himself convinced him all would go well. “Okay.” He breathed out a long sigh.
“Okay?” Knox’s dimples appeared.
“Yes, I’ll run with you. But only after we’ve checked on Matt. That has to come first.”
“I planned on that. We can go there first and run in the forest afterward. That is, unless there is anything we need to stay at the hospital for. We will, of course, postpone it if we need to.”
“Thank you.” Charlie wrapped his arms around Knox, soaking up his warmth.
“We’ll shut up the shop,” Lane called from the doorway.
Charlie hid his head in Knox’s chest. “I can’t believe I forgot we have an audience.”
“We both did. You probably don’t want to look at the grins on their faces right now.”
“You’re right, I don’t.”
“Then let’s go and visit Matt. Do you need anything from the shop?” Knox’s voice was slightly muffled against his head.
“No, my keys and phone are in my pocket. Everything else can wait.”
“Then let’s run.” Knox gently wrapped his hand around Charlie’s and nodded.
When Charlie returned the nod, Knox spun on his heel, and broke into a run, Charlie barely a heartbeat behind him.
“Hey!” Evie called, “You’re chicken, you know that, Charlie?”
“Close the shop for me, sis! Love you!” Charlie yelled.
“No, you don’t!” Evie bellowed right back. “Or you’d let me have my fun.”
Charlie kept running.
Matt peered closely at Charlie. “Why do you look all sweaty?"
Orin, the evening shift nurse that Charlie had already met, was shaking in the corner with suppressed laughter.
“Eh, maybe you don’t want to answer that.” Matt grimaced.
Charlie snorted. “We ran away from both families.”
“Huh, that will do it. Especially if the Vaughns are anything like Evie and Lane.” Matt looked a little brighter.
“Is there any news?” Charlie looked from Matt to Orin.
“We’re still waiting on test results, but Matt’s vitals have been getting better. He’s stable, and his magic hasn’t so much as peeked out to say hello.”
“That’s good. How long do you think he’ll need to stay here?” Knox moved over to talk to Orin.
Charlie watched as Matt’s gaze bounced between him and Knox. “Have you spent any time apart yet?”
“Yes!” Charlie shook his head. “I’ve been at work all day, I’ll have you know.”
“Is everything ready for the release day party?” Matt looked crestfallen. “I’d better be out of here by then. If not, you’re going to have to stage a jailbreak.”
Charlie snuck a look to make sure no one was watching them. “I promise I’ll get you out of here for it. Although, hopefully, you’ll be out of your own accord and we don’t need to resort to shady tactics to manage it.”
“If he�
��s good, behaves, and does as he’s told, I’ll make sure he gets out for your event,” Orin called over.
“Shit, he heard us!” Matt hissed.
“How?” Charlie looked stunned.
“You weren’t as quiet as you thought you were.” Knox shook his head at them both, and Charlie was sure they look like a pair of kids trying to steal an extra cookie before dinner.
“Oops.” Charlie tried to pull off as innocent an expression as possible, but from Knox’s expression, he really wasn’t buying it.
“Are they always like this together?” Orin asked.
“I haven’t seen them together enough to be sure.” Knox studied them carefully. “I can only imagine they are worse though.”
“I’m insulted,” Charlie insisted.
“No, you’re not, because you know it’s true.” Knox winked, his dimples on full display.
“It’s not fair. How can you be angry with dimples like that?” Charlie turned to Matt. “How will I ever win an argument against them?”
Matt sighed dramatically. “You’re doomed. You might as well accept it now, and try and come up with your own secret weapon.”
“Oh, I like that idea.” Charlie sent Knox a smirk. “I’ll have to see what I can do.”
“Be afraid, man, be very afraid.” Orin clapped Knox on the back.
“Be good, or we won’t be going out to play.” Knox tried to act stern.
“You’re the one who suggested it!” Charlie protested.
“Suggested what?” Matt’s head was going back and forth between the two men.
“He wants to go out for a run after we’ve visited with you.”
“In animal form?” Matt’s eyes widened. “You’re going to show him your unicorn?”
“I am. My unicorn wants to meet him. He’s not scared of being around his tiger at all.” Charlie was surprised himself at that, and judging by the look on Matt’s face, he was gobsmacked.
“Damn. That’s big.” Matt turned to pin Knox with his gaze. “I hope you realize how privileged you really are getting to see his beast. Charlie always has to be careful. You’d better damn well protect him. If I find out something happened, and you didn’t help him, you’ll have me to deal with.”
“And me,” Mama Alice called from the doorway. “And I am far scarier than my son.”
Mama Alice was right about that. She might be considered a diminutive woman, but she was feisty and incredibly powerful.
“I promise, I’ll look after him. If you’re that concerned, I can ask my brothers to run with us? They’ll keep out of our way, yet still be on guard,” Knox offered.
“Mama Alice, I’m capable of looking after myself. I know you’re worried anytime I shift, but please, trust us.” Charlie really didn’t want any sort of chaperone.
“Fine, but so help you, Knox Vaughn, if anything happens to our boy here, you’ll face my wrath.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“I like that boy. He has manners.” Alice kissed Charlie on the head before leaning down and embracing her son. “You’re looking better tonight.”
“I’m feeling it. Bored, but I guess if I have the strength to feel bored, that’s a good thing.” Matt looked at Orin as if he wanted the reassurance.
“It is.” Orin looked up from his machines.
Charlie lost track of how long they chatted, enjoying merely spending time with his friend. Matt, ever one to take advantage of a situation, took immense pleasure in talking about which nurses were hot, which were evil, and which were lovely.
It wasn’t until a hand went to his back that he realized he’d been lost in the moment with Matt. He looked up to see Knox smiling down at him.
“You missed all that. Orin was just saying Matt’s dinner will be here any minute. You want to get out of here for a bit?”
“Wow, I didn’t realize so much time had passed. Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry for. I wouldn’t have bothered you, but we’re being thrown out.”
“Asked to leave, nicely…” Orin scoffed.
“Yeah, okay, nicely.” Charlie shrugged. “End result is the same. We need to leave.”
“You do. I promise we can come back whenever you want. I can come with you, or you can come by yourself. Whatever is best for the two of you.” Knox wrapped his hand around the back of Charlie’s neck, his thumb rubbing back and forth along the edge of his hairline.
Charlie’s eyes fluttered slightly at the sensations. Matt was smirking at him, and he stuck his tongue out in reply. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Matt. Get better, and sleep.”
“Do as you’re told, and I’ll bring you something to read.” Knox offered up the perfect bribe.
“How am I supposed to sleep now?” demanded Matt. “I have to go all night wondering what you’re going to bring!”
Knox chuckled. “I’ll be getting a report off Orin, so you know what you have to do to get the goods.”
“Oh, Charlie, your new man is evil.”
“I’m starting to see that.” Charlie grinned at his friend.
“No, no smiling. You’re supposed to be on my side.” Matt crossed his arms.
“I’m on the side where you do what you’re told, so you get better soon.” Charlie shrugged. “That’s all I want, and I’ll do anything to make sure I get it.”
Matt slumped. “I’ll be good, I promise. Trust me, I want this sorted as well. Being here by myself is boring. There’s nothing to do.”
“I’ll tell you what…” Knox suggested. “I’ll see if my brothers are free to come around and visit you tomorrow.”
“Lane will come with them if they can.” Charlie was already sending a text to Lane.
“Why would they bother coming to visit me? They don’t know me.” Matt looked puzzled.
“They were the ones who came racing to the house, no questions asked,” Charlie told him.
“They’ll come because you’re a decent guy, you need some support, you’re Charlie’s best friend, and he’s my… something.”
Matt chuckled at the word something. Charlie turned to Knox, “I’m just something?”
“What do you want me to call you?”
“Oh, no, I asked first. What do you want me to be?” Charlie turned around to look directly into Knox’s eyes. Behind him, Matt, Alice, and Orin were rapidly whispering.
Knox pursed his lips before he seemed to come to a decision. “If you’re happy with it, I’d love to be your… shit, I don’t know the right word. Partner, boyfriend, lover, other half, mateling, mate… I mean there’s so many words to use.”
“It’s a bit soon to be mate, or even mateling. We’re not ready to pledge our lives together yet.” Charlie cocked his head to one side. “How about… boyfriend?”
“That works.” Knox brushed a kiss across his lips.
“And here I was hoping that I could start planning a mating ceremony.” Alice pouted.
“There’s plenty of time for that, Mama.” Matt hugged her.
A rattle at the door brought Matt’s dinner.
“I’ll be around tomorrow. In the meantime, rest up,” Charlie ordered, and gave Matt one last hug before he took Knox’s outstretched hand and walked out the door.
Chapter Twelve
Nervous energy thrummed through Charlie. It had been years since anyone other than Matt and his family had seen his unicorn. The only thing keeping him from backing out was Knox’s steady presence by his side. The area was patrolled by the FDF, or Forestry Defense Force, and there were convenient lockers all around for clothes and gear to be stored. Each one was easily spelled to someone’s DNA, so they couldn’t be opened by anyone else. The FDF had been created partly in response to some of the rarer breeds being hunted, but Charlie was still exceptionally wary.
“I’ll protect you, I promise. You’re too precious to me already to risk losing.” Knox lifted their joined hands and kissed Charlie’s knuckles.
“Thank you.” Charlie’s smile was wobbly as they stopped beside a coup
le of lockers.
Knox quickly stripped. “I’ll go first, that way I can protect you at all times. There doesn’t seem to be anyone about, but even if there is, they won’t be able to tell what you are until you start shifting. Use the bell on the locker to summon the FDF if you’re worried at all.”
Charlie bit his lip but nodded. His heart was hammering, yet he couldn’t deny the yearning in him to run free. It had been so long since he’d done more than trot around either his or Lane’s house under his sister’s mate’s watchful eyes. The chance to run free, to feel the wind in his mane, the leaves swirling around his hooves and the smells of the forest was something he couldn’t deny he craved with all his soul.
He watched as Knox closed up the locker, and with a final wink, dropped into a crouch. He was captivated by the play of muscles as Knox’s anatomy shifted from that of the man to the Siberian tiger. Legs elongated, hair receded, and fur appeared. It was a seamless shift and was over in a matter of seconds. It was obvious that Knox was more than used to shifting. He could only hope that his shift was as quick.
When Knox stood on all fours and shook out his coat, Charlie got his first real glimpse of the tiger. The classic orange coat, with black stripes, stood out brazenly against the green tableau of the forest. There was nothing shy or retiring about this tiger. The fur on his face was thick and a mix of white and orange, overlaid by the tell-tale black stripes. His eyes were yellow, with coal black irises, his nose a pale pink, and his whiskers were brilliant white. He yawned wide and deep, exposing his ferocious canines, before he shook himself again. Charlie got a glimpse of the backs of his round ears, seeing the prominent white spot on the back, surrounded by black. They were ocellus or eyespots. He’d forgotten tigers had them. He turned back around, and his real eyes focused on Charlie.
Charlie immediately dropped to his knees, not wanting to stand over the beast, and held out his hand, waiting for the tiger to approach him. He took a moment to realize he wasn’t shaking. In fact, he wasn’t even slightly nervous about meeting Knox’s tiger. He should be. This was one of the most magnificent predators in their world, the intelligence of the beast shining out from his sharp gaze. With a huff, the tiger padded forward and nudged Charlie’s hand with an extremely cold nose, making him chuckle. “Your nose is cold.”
A Tale of Two Horns (Corent City Tales Book 1) Page 11
