by Lynn Hagen
Ben curled his arms around Trey and hugged him close. “Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you?”
“No worse for wear.” Trey pulled back and stared into Ben’s gorgeous eyes. “I love you. I wanted to tell you that before I chickened out.” He peppered kisses all over Ben’s face. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
The smile Ben gifted him lit up Trey’s heart. “I knew my wooing would win you over.”
Trey rolled his eyes. “I see you have a healthy ego.”
Ben’s smile faded. “I thought I’d lost you. It was the worst feeling in the world.”
“I know.” Trey tapped his own chest. “I felt it here, like I wanted to cry because I thought I was going to be killed and never see you again.” His brows shot up. “Mr. Chesnee is in on this. I heard Manny and Clark talking.” He looked around. “Where is Manny?”
Ben hugged him again. “No longer a worry, sweetheart. He crossed the line when he had you kidnapped. He’s pulled a lot of stunts over the centuries, and I wanted him dead in the worst way, but when he involved you, he sealed his fate.”
Trey still wasn’t sure he could handle life with Ben. His world was insane, scary, and too much at times, but he couldn’t imagine his life without Ben in it.
“Thank you for rescuing me.” Trey gave him a slow, innocent kiss. “I owe you my life.”
Ben shook his head. “I owe you mine, Treyvon Victor. You’ve given me more than you’ll ever know.”
Trey smiled. “Let’s go home.”
* * * *
“You’re a vet,” Trey said for the hundredth time as he and Ben waited for Trey’s test results.
They were in the vet’s office, and Ben knew, that even though Dr. Evan Scott wasn’t a medical doctor for humans, he was a very capable man.
Ben clasped Trey’s hand in his while they waited for Dr. Scott to give them the results. If things were bad, they would deal with it, but Ben had just found his mate, and he would fight any enemy, seen or unseen, to keep Trey by his side.
His mate had already proven he was a warrior when he was kidnapped. He’d survived, and that was all that mattered.
Dr. Scott smiled. “I also studied human anatomy. And as far as I can tell, there is no physical reason for your headaches. You said they started after your car accident?”
Trey nodded as he squeezed Ben’s hand.
“What else was going on when your migraines started?”
Trey sighed. “I’d just moved to town, couldn’t find work, and…” He bit his lip. “Seeing hellhounds turning to dust didn’t help matters.”
Dr. Scott nodded. “I think your migraines are due to stress, Treyvon.”
“So now you’re a psychiatrist, too?”
“Just an observant guy,” Dr. Scott said. “A lot has been going on for the past six months. Different symptoms will manifest when your body is under a lot of stress. If you ask me, a long overdue vacation is in order. At the very least, you should take it easy, possibly eliminate some of those stress factors.”
Ben was seven kinds of relieved to know it wasn’t anything concerning the brain.
Trey snorted. “You have met my mate, right? Stress is an everyday part of his life.”
“Not true.” Ben kissed the back of Trey’s hand. “I told you things would settle down once this was over.”
They left the office, and Ben noticed Trey smiling. He also looked relieved. Ben drove them to Trey’s job. Ben had dealt with Mr. Chesnee. Even if the bastard hadn’t been involved, there had been too many complaints about the guy sexually harassing his employees. Ben had just found that out and had banished the human from Fever’s Edge with a warning that if he ever returned, Ben would end him.
“Why are we here?” Trey looked at Cute Cuddles when Ben parked. “I thought the shop would be closed until a new owner took over.”
“One has.” Ben got out and rounded his truck, opening the door for his mate.
“So I’m back on the clock already?” Trey didn’t look pleased, and it took everything in Ben not to crack a smile.
“In a way.” When they walked inside, Ben turned and dangled the store keys in front of Trey. “Say hello to the new owner.”
“You bought the place?” Trey’s brows furrowed. “Um, congratulations?”
Ben chuckled. “I did buy the business, but I’m not the new owner.”
“I’m totally confused,” Trey said.
Ben gave Trey a quick kiss. “You are the proud new owner, sweetheart.”
Trey’s brows shot up. “Are you serious? I’m a business owner? Really?” He squealed as he threw his arms around Ben’s neck. “I can’t believe you got me my own business!”
Ben smiled, happy at how joyous Trey was. “I’m still wooing you,” he said. “How am I doing?”
He frowned when he saw tears in Trey’s eyes. His mate was supposed to be ecstatic, not crying. The guy’s chin was even quivering.
“You’re doing great.” Trey dabbed at his eyes. “And I’m a complete wuss. This is too much, Ben.”
“Baby, nothing is too much when it comes to you. I’d give you the universe if I could.” He pressed his forehead against Trey’s. “I love you, sweetheart. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy.”
And that was the god’s honest truth. Ben finally felt whole, as if he had a new purpose in life, and spoiling Trey was now his life’s mission.
THE END
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