Swipe Right for Love

by DJ Bryce

  She was clutching a baby doll to her chest, eyes on me as he lowered her to the ground. Once her feet hit dirt, she was running.

  “Hi, Kat-ya. Daddy said you’re nice and pretty and you’ll play dollies with me,” she cried as she came toward me as fast as her legs would allow.

  I came down the steps to meet her and crouched down so I was eye level.

  “That’s nice of your daddy,” I said, grinning at Bane over Sloane’s head. “And, yes, I’d love to play with you.”

  “We’re having pizza for dinner,” she added, stopping in front of me.

  “Oh, yum, I love pizza,” I said, taking in her big eyes and features that reminded me of Bane. She was precious. “I made cookies, too. If you’re dad says it’s okay, maybe you can have one while we wait for the pizza.”

  “What kind of cookies?” Sloane asked, cocking her head to the side, her face serious.

  “Chocolate chip.”

  “Ohhhhh, Daddy,” she yelled.

  “Right behind you, Sloane. No need to yell.”

  She turned to look at her father, who was loaded down with bags and blankets and asked, “Can I have a cookie? Kay-ya made my favorite… chocolate chip.”

  “How about we go inside, get all of your stuff put away, and then you can have one. Deal?”

  Her little shoulders dropped a bit, but she replied, “Deal.”

  “Do you need help?” I asked, gesturing to his full hands.

  “No, thanks, I’ve got it.”

  We all went inside, me going toward the kitchen to give them a chance to get settled. After about ten minutes, Sloane came bounding in, climbed on one of the stools at the counter, and looked at me sweetly.

  “Can I have milk, please?”

  “Of course,” I said, putting a cookie on a plate before turning to get the milk out of the fridge.

  When Bane came in, Sloane already had a milk mustache and only half a cookie left.

  “Those look good,” he said, grinning at his daughter as he lowered and pretended to take a bite from her cookie.

  “Daddy,” Sloane cried as she pulled her treat away. “That’s mine.”

  “You won’t share?” he asked woefully.

  “There’s a bunch,” she argued, pointing toward the plate of cookies.

  “Okay, I guess I’ll get my own then,” Bane said, reaching for a cookie.

  Before he could change his mind, Sloane shoved the rest of her cookie in her mouth.

  I smiled as I watched them, my heart melting at the sight of Bane with his daughter. I already liked him a lot and knew I was in danger of falling… hard… but, seeing them together really magnified those feelings.

  I bit my lip and thought, I’m in big trouble.

  “How was your day?” Bane asked before taking a bite of the still warm cookie.

  He had a smudge of chocolate on his lip, and when his tongue darted out to get it, I had to bite back a moan.

  I cleared my throat and answered, “It was good. Thanks for having Shonda come by. I really like her a lot.”

  “Shonna’s here?” Sloane asked, excited.

  “Oh, no, honey, she was here earlier, but she left,” I replied.

  Her little face fell.

  “Don’t worry, she’s going to watch you tomorrow night,” Bane assured her.

  I looked at him, curious.

  “We’ve been invited to my friend Mal’s for dinner,” he said, answering my unspoken question.

  “Yay,” Sloane said, her expression clearing back up. “I love Shonna.”

  “Any special requests for your pizza?” Bane asked.

  “Pepperoni,” Sloane cried.

  “I know what you want, munchkin,” Bane said with a chuckle, ruffling her hair. “I was asking Katja.”

  “Kat-ya, you like pepperoni?” Sloane asked me.

  “I sure do,” I replied, then looked at Bane. “I like everything except anchovies and onions.”

  “Got it,” he said, taking out his phone and walking out of the room.

  I looked at Sloane, who was done with her milk and cookie.

  “Do you want to go play in your room?” I asked her.

  “With you?”

  “Yes.”

  She crawled off the stool with a speed that had me chuckling, then rounded the island and grabbed my hand.

  Sloane led me to her room, chattering the whole time about her toys, bed, room, and favorite things. When we walked inside, she let my hand go to start pointing things out.

  “This is where my dollies sleep, we have to brush their hair when they wake up… here’s my bestest stuffed bear, and my blankie. In here are my books, we read them at bedtime… this is where I like to sit to color sometimes… do you want to color?”

  “Yes, I love to color,” I said, as I sat on the floor next to her little table.

  Sloane grabbed a coloring book and placed it in front of me, then pushed the box of crayons across the table.

  “Color,” she demanded, so I opened the book, picked out a blue crayon and began to color.

  Twenty-One

  Bane

  Last night and this morning were perfect.

  I got a glimpse of what life could be like, and I wanted to take it. To keep it. To hold on and never let it go.

  Katja had taken to Sloane, and Sloane lit up around her like a Christmas tree. We enjoyed pizza and a movie together, then read Sloane a book and put her to bed. Afterwards, Katja and I went outside and enjoyed a drink on the deck.

  This morning, Sloane had helped Katja make pancakes, and we enjoyed a picnic lunch outside.

  We’d played hide and seek, took Katja for a walk around the property, and had rounded out the afternoon with a board game.

  Of course, I realized that every day of our lives wouldn’t be so carefree and easy. There would be bad days, disagreements, differing moods, but that didn’t worry me. As long as the core of my family was tight, good, loving… we’d get through the rest.

  That was just life.

  By the time Shonda came over to watch Sloane, and we headed out to Mal’s, I was happy and convinced that I’d made the right choice with Katja. And, that at the end of this trial, she would stay on to become my mate and Sloane’s mother.

  I drove with a smile on my face and a lightness in my soul that I hadn’t felt in at least five years.

  “Bane?” Katja called, breaking me out of my happy trance.

  “Yeah?” I asked, glancing at her briefly, before turning my attention back to the road.

  “I was wondering, if and when we finish the trial and go through with the claiming ceremony, what exactly is my role?” she asked, shifting toward me in her seat. “We haven’t really talked about whether or not I will get a job or be a stay at home mom. We also never discussed children. Do you want more? Or are you done having kids?”

  “Great questions,” I said, ‘cause they were and I was really happy that she was asking them because that meant we were on the same page so far. We were both seeing the trial as a success and wanting to move forward. “And something I definitely think we can discuss. As for your first question, Sloane will be going to school full time in the fall, so if you want to work, I think that would be a great time to start. You could take the summer to really get to know her and we could find our rhythm. But, if you don’t want to work, I’m okay with that too. I’m not a rich man by any means, but I do okay. The house is paid for, as is my Jeep, and I have some savings for the future. As long as it’s not an extravagant life you’re looking for, we’d be fine. What were you thinking?”

  “I’ve always worked, but that no longer has to mean being gone for all hours of the day. There are a few possible jobs that would allow me to work from home that I’m interested in learning more about. I think taking the summer sounds like a good idea, and if I do end up working from home, I’d be there before and after school for Sloane.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “And… more kids?”

  I glanced at her
again and saw her watching me expectantly.

  “I’d like to have more kids, but only if you do. If you don’t, I’m happy with just having Sloane,” I replied, truthfully.

  “I’d like to have kids,” Katja said softly.

  I reached my hand across the seats and laid it on hers.

  “Okay.”

  She shot me a beautiful smile and squeezed my hand.

  “Okay,” she repeated.

  When we got to Mal’s cabin I was feeling better than ever. I took Katja’s hand and walked her to their door.

  “Oh, shoot, did I mention they’re a threesome?” I asked.

  “What?” Katja asked, just as the door opened.

  Oops.

  “Bane,” Victoria greeted with a smile. “I’m so happy you guys could make it. You must be Katja.”

  Victoria embraced a still shell-shocked Katja then moved to give me a kiss on the cheek.

  I had to lower myself so she could do so, and I returned the gesture.

  “Thanks for having us,” I said.

  “It’s lovely to meet you…”

  “Sorry, this is Victoria,” I told her.

  “Tori, please,” Victoria amended, then moved aside and said, “Come on in.”

  “What’s up, man?” Mal asked as we entered, moving forward to give me a quick hug.

  “Living the life,” I replied, then lifted Katja’s hand and said, “Katja, this is Mal.”

  “Hi, you have a lovely home,” Katja said, holding her hand out to shake Mal’s.

  He took it and tugged, pulling her in for a hug as well.

  “Thanks, we like it,” he replied, then grinned at her as he let her go. “You’re welcome anytime. Tori loves having company.”

  “He’s right, I really do,” Tori said easily as she put her arm around Mal’s waist. “My guys keep me busy, but sometimes I need some girl time, you know.”

  I could see by Katja’s face that no, she didn’t know, and knew she was probably hung up on the my guys comment. I mentally kicked myself for not thinking to inform her of the relationship here.

  While triad relationships weren’t uncommon in the paranormal world, I knew they were virtually unheard of in the human community.

  She was bound to be confused, curious, and maybe a little uncomfortable about the whole thing.

  Just then, Kai joined our little party. He was very tall, dark, and had a perpetual scowl on his face. In fact, the only time I’d ever seen him smile was at his mating ceremony with Tori and Mal.

  I glanced at Katja and saw her watching his approach with wide eyes.

  She looked ready to bolt.

  Twenty-Two

  Katja

  My heart was pounding and my palms began to sweat.

  “Kai, ease up, you’re scaring our guest,” Mal said, and I felt my cheeks redden at the realization that they knew I was afraid.

  “Sorry,” Kai muttered, then his face cleared and his body seemed to relax. He stopped next to the duo and put his arm around Tori’s shoulders. “Welcome to our home.”

  “Thank you,” I managed to say without my voice shaking.

  He did look a little less intimidating, but was still a formidable man.

  I took in the trio. Tori in the middle, with Mal on her right and Kai on her left, both men claiming her and I realized what Bane had meant at the door.

  They were a couple… well, obviously not a couple, but they were all together. Like, together together. A relationship made up of three people. A committed one if the rings on both of Tori’s fingers, and the little belly bump she was sporting were any indication.

  Wow, was all I could think.

  I couldn’t imagine trying to keep two men happy, in the bedroom or outside of it. Especially if one of them was Kai.

  Mal seemed like an easygoing guy, but Kai was next level.

  “Who’s hungry?” Tori said, with a sweet smile, breaking the awkwardness that had descended in the room.

  We all agreed that we were, so Bane and I followed the trio through the house and out onto the back deck.

  Their table was all decked out with place settings, flowers, more food than I could ever imagine eating, and a pitcher of margaritas.

  “Our Tori puts out a spread,” Mal said as I gaped at the table.

  “I can see that,” I said with a chuckle.

  “I hope you like Mexican food,” Tori said, her voice a little hesitant, and I realized she was nervous about pleasing me.

  “I love it,” I assured her, returning the grin that blossomed on her face.

  After a margarita, I began to relax and really enjoy myself. Although Kai didn’t say much, it was obviously he had the respect of Bane and Mal, and that he doted on Tori. He’d gone into the house a couple times for things she’d forgotten to put out, and another to bring her a cold bottle of water.

  “Thanks, honey,” Tori said when he handed her the water. He just nodded and dropped a kiss on her forehead, before returning to his seat.

  When it was time to clean up, I was shocked when the guys all stood and began clearing the table, leaving Tori and I to enjoy the evening and get to know each other better.

  “So, it looks like your trial period is going well,” she said softly as we gazed out at the lake their cabin overlooked.

  “You know about that?” I asked, surprised. I hadn’t realized Bane had discussed it with anyone other than his brother.

  Victoria nodded.

  “Yes, actually, Bane heard about the app from Mal. See, that’s how I met him and Kai, I came here on a trial.”

  “Really? Wow, I didn’t know that. Obviously things worked out great.”

  She laughed.

  “Yes, they did, although, when I accepted the trial, I didn’t realize I was coming to be a mate for two men. I didn’t even realize such a thing was possible, so I’m sure you could imagine my surprise.”

  I covered my mouth, which had dropped open in shock.

  “I bet. What did you do?” I asked.

  “I decided to take things one day at a time and see what happened. And, I’m so happy I did. Now I have the love of two men, and a family of my own.”

  Tori placed her hand on her rounded stomach and smiled softly.

  “How far along are you?” I asked.

  “Not as far along as it looks by our standards, but the gestation period for bear shifters is a bit faster than humans. I’ll give birth in about four months.”

  My mind reeled at this new information and about a million questions popped in my head.

  “Is it definite then that your baby will be a shifter? Is it possible it could be human? At what age would you know the difference? Will you have multiple children at once? Do you go to a OB/GYN, or is there someone else that you go see? Someone in the Paranormal community? Is there any other difference in the process?”

  Tori laughed sweetly at my barrage of questions.

  “Believe me, I had a lot of questions too, and some of them I won’t get answers to until I live them, but I’m happy to share with you what I know.”

  “Thanks,” I said with relief. Bane and I had barely broached the subject of children, and I hadn’t even thought about the fact that I’d be breeding with a wolf shifter, and the pregnancy may be different than what I was used to.

  Well, not used to personally, of course, but different from everything I’d been taught.

  “Yes, my baby will be a shifter. That gene is dominant… although, I won’t know what type of bear until he or she actually shifts, because… well, I can’t be sure who the biological father is…” Oh, right. “Anyway, Kai said he shifted for the first time at five years old, while Mal was a little older, so I guess it depends on the kid, and probably on the species. You’ll want to ask Bane about wolves.” I nodded and she continued. “More than likely, I will have two or more, but again, we don’t know for sure yet. I have an appointment to see the OB, who is a Paranormal, next week and we should be able to tell then. I also have a list of questions
to ask when I go, like how big will they be… especially if there are more than two… do they breast feed, use a bottle? Do I need to do anything for a shifter baby that I wouldn’t have to do for a human one?”

  “Wow, there’s a lot to learn,” I muttered, my eyes on the water as my insides freaked out.

  “There is,” Tori agreed, “But, I promise you, it’s all worth it.”

  “Yeah?” I asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  Twenty-Three

  Bane

  “Daddy, daddy, Sylvie’s over there, can I go play?”

  Sloane was jumping up and down and pointing to the slide. I looked over to see a woman and her daughter playing in the distance.

  “Okay,” I said, getting up from the bench. When she took off like a shot I called out, “Be careful, I’m right behind you.”

  She gave me a thumbs up without turning around and kept barreling toward her friend.

  I chuckled, cause really, she cracked me up.

  I’m guessing the thumbs up thing came from Gray, because it sure as hell didn’t come from me, and she’d been doing it constantly.

  By the time I made it to the slides, the girls were climbing the steps while the woman I assumed was Sylvie’s mother watched with a smile.

  “Hi, I’m Bane, Sloane’s dad,” I said as I approached. I’d gotten pretty used to introducing myself over the years. As a single dad, I was often the only man at the park, Chuck E Cheese’s, or the mall with my kid.

  “Hi, Meg,” she replied. “Sylvie’s stepmom.”

  The girls came down the slide giggling furiously and came running over to us.

  “Daddy, can I go to Sylive’s house and play? Please?” Sloane asked.

  “Sloane, honey, you can’t invite yourself over to someone else’s house,” I said, crouching down and speaking softly, so as not to hurt her feelings, but knowing a lesson needed to be taught. “It’s rude.”

  “I didn’t i-vite myself, Sylvie i-vited me,” Sloane argued, not understanding my point.

  “It’s okay, really,” Meg said kindly. “We’d love it if Sloane could come over and keep Sylvie company. She’s been really bored this vacation.”