by DJ Bryce
It was lovely.
“You said you’ve known Kai since you were little, can you tell me more about that? About your childhood?” I asked Mal.
We were sitting on the boat, not quite ready to head back in yet, even though it was getting close to dinnertime. Mal took my hand in his and trailed his fingertip along my palm.
“I don’t remember much about my life before I met Kai. The first thing I remember is the hunger. When I ran into Kai, he didn’t want anything to do with me, but I eventually wore him down. I followed him everywhere. Tracking him to where he slept and caught fish. I watched him closely, mimicking the things he did to stay alive. The day I caught my first fish was one of the best of my life. The feeling of satisfaction, and the full belly, made me think I was on top of the world. One cold night, Kai took pity on me and let me share his fire. It was all over after that.”
Mal chuckled, and I felt a tug in my heart at the look on his face.
“You love him,” I said softly.
“As if he were my own flesh and blood,” Mal said, then shook his head and amended his statement. “Actually, better than blood, because I chose him and he accepted me. We chose to grow up together, having each other’s backs, hunting and fishing together… I trust him more than anyone on this planet.”
“I’m happy you found each other.”
“Me too,” Mal admitted with a chuckle. “I’d probably be dead by now if I hadn’t been so persistent.”
I squeezed his hand in mine, then brought it to my lips and brushed my lips gently across his palm.
After a few moments, Mal asked, “Are you ready to head back?”
“Yeah,” I said, looking into his kind eyes. “I’m getting hungry.”
“Then we’d better hurry,” he quipped, then stood and went behind the wheel to drive us back home.
I sat up, enjoying the wind in my hair and spray against my cheeks as we sped across the lake. When we neared the cabin, I saw Kai. He was standing on the shore, hand in his pockets, his dark eyes trained on us as we pulled into the dock.
He moved to help Mal secure the boat, then held out his hand to help me step out.
“Thanks,” I said, my tone coming out breathless. Whether it was from the thrill of the boat, or the touch of Kai’s skin against mine, I wasn’t entirely sure.
“Sorry I didn’t make it out with you today, I had some business,” Kai said.
“That’s okay,” I replied, thinking I would have been on pins and needles all day if Kai had been with us.
“Are you going to start dinner?” Kai asked Mal.
“Yup.”
“Do you mind if I take Tori for a walk? We’ll be back in time to eat.”
I looked between the two of them, surprised, and a little nervous.
“Yeah, of course. Take your time,” Mal said, then he shot me a grin, squeezed my bicep, and left us on the dock.
“Shall we?” Kai asked, gesturing toward the woods.
“Mmmhmmm,” I muttered, then stepped in front of him and started walking.
We walked side by side in silence for the first few yards. Long enough that my nerves were beginning to turn to downright panic, then Kai reached over, took my hand in his and stopped.
“Will you tell me what happened?” he asked.
I looked up at him, confused.
“What do you mean? Today? This morning?” I asked, thinking he was talking about me going from him to Mal, and my cheeks began to heat.
“No. What happened to make you come here? To leave your people, your home, and come here for the trial. What are you running from?”
“Nothing. I mean, I’m not running from anything. I’m trying to run to something. To make a life for myself,” I replied.
“But something did happen…” Kai persisted.
I sighed and looked away from him, staring unseeing at the trees around us.
“I had a boyfriend, if you can call him that. This guy I met who said he loved me, wanted to be there for me and build a life with me… Turns out, it was all a con. He took all of my money, my stuff, and left me with nothing. Not a roof over my head, or a cent to my name. My friend, Stacia, offered to let me stay with her and her husband, but I couldn’t hijack their lives that way. And, I couldn’t go back home to my parents, so, I heard about the app and how men were looking for mates, and thought I’d give it a try.”
Kai had stiffened when I mentioned Kale taking all of my stuff and his eyes were wary when he asked, “Why can’t you go home to your parents? You’re still young, surely they’d help you get on your feet.”
I shook my head.
“No, they told me I wasn’t welcome back when I moved out to live with Kale.”
“Kale?”
“That’s the guy’s name,” I said with a grimace.
Stacia was right, it really was a stupid name for a man. I should’ve known…
“What if your parent’s said you could come back, or your friend said you wouldn’t be a burden?” Kai pressed.
“Kai,” I stepped closer and took both his hands in mine. “I’m serious about this, I swear it. I’m not going to run off and leave you guys. I’m here for the trial because I want to find my place in this world. To have a family, a life. Hopefully, I will find those things here, with you and Mal.”
Kai watched me for a moment, seeming to ponder my words.
After a few seconds, he nodded, then turned back toward the house.
“We should get back, Mal doesn’t like it if dinner gets cold.”
Tori
It seemed like Kai was satisfied with my answer to his questions. Although he was in no way jovial, he definitely seemed more relaxed and less suspicious of me. He even opened up a little at dinner.
“Tomorrow, if you want, I can show you where Mal and I work. If you decide to stay, you can always get a job with the company, work somewhere else, or stay at home. It’s totally up to you,” Kai told me as we dug in to the stew Mal had cooked in the crock pot.
“Oh, yes, that sounds great. I’d love to see where you work,” I replied, thinking it was nice that I’d have options.
Although waitressing was something I knew how to do, I didn’t necessarily enjoy it, or want to do it for the rest of my life.
“Where do you guys work?” I asked, dipping my buttered bread into the delicious stew.
“Yonaweti Camping and Fishing,” Mal replied. “It’s a chain of sporting goods stores. We work at the original store in town.”
“Cool,” I said, wondering what I’d be able to get a job doing at a sporting goods store. I wasn’t exactly an athletic person. “This is so good, Mal. Thank you. If you ever need help in the kitchen, or want a break from cooking, I’d be happy to pitch in.”
“Thanks, Tori,” Mal said with an easy grin as he pushed back from his empty bowl. “That would be a nice change around here. This one,” he pointed his thumb toward Kai, “Can’t even boil water.”
“No, but I can catch and clean fish faster than you can, and cook it over an open fire,” Kai countered.
“This is true, but inside a kitchen, he’s hopeless,” Mal joked with a grin.
Kai didn’t seem bothered by it though, he just shrugged and didn’t reply.
“Well, I’m no gourmet chef, but I learned a few things working at the diner. I can do burgers, meatloaf, and fried chicken… and I can cook a mean breakfast.”
“You’re on,” Mal said. “I look forward to trying it all.”
He stood up and started gathering dishes, but Kai stood as well and stopped him.
“I’ll take care of this, why don’t you and Tori go relax outside with a drink, or watch some TV, if she’d like.”
Mal looked to me and I suggested, “A drink and TV?”
“Sounds good,” Mal said easily and went to go grab some beers, while I took my plate to the sink and said, “Thanks, Kai. I can help with the dishes, too. I want to help out where I can.”
Kai nodded and said, “There’s plenty of
time to figure it all out. I’ve got it for now.”
I placed my hand briefly on his bicep, then left him to go to the living room.
“Here,” Mal said, handing me the remote. “We don’t watch a lot of TV, so I wouldn’t know what to put on. Go ahead and pick whatever you’d like.”
I accepted the remote and sat on the sofa, curling my legs under me and saying, “Thank you,” when Mal placed my beer on the end table next to me. I pressed the power button, then scrolled through the guide to see what was on. When I saw a reality show I liked, I stopped searching and put the remote on the couch next to me.
“This okay?” I asked Mal.
He tipped his beer at me and said, “Works for me.”
We sat around watching mindless television and drinking beer for a while, but before long, I was yawning. The day outside had really taken it out of me, and I found myself exhausted.
“I’m gonna hit the hay,” I told Mal.
He stood and crossed to me, dropped a soft kiss on my lips and said, “Sweet dreams.”
“Good night,” I replied, and started up the stairs.
I was about to go into my room, then figured I’d better hit the bathroom before crawling into bed.
Without thinking, I opened the door, then froze when I saw Kai standing in the glass shower, water streaming down his back, his hand on his long, beautiful cock.
I must have made a sound, because Kai looked up. I knew I should turn and leave, give him some privacy, but he was still stroking his cock, and now he was looking at me while he did so.
My breasts started to tingle and got heavy as my nipples peaked, and my pussy began to throb as I watched his hand fist his cock.
Thinking of earlier, and how Mal had taken me aside to give me pleasure, I shut the door behind me, then walked slowly toward the shower, never taking my eyes off Kai. I opened the door and gathered all of my courage.
“May I?” I asked, looking pointedly at his dick.
Kai didn’t speak, but he removed his hand and stepped back to give me room.
I didn’t care that my clothes were getting soaked, or that my hair was sticking to my face, I pushed the hair back and got to my knees.
I reached out with both hands, moaning softly at the first touch of velvet covered steel. Kai was long, so I placed one hand at the base of his cock to jack him while I sucked him off. The other hand I moved under his cock to his balls. I cupped them softly, as I licked the head of his cock, then sucked it slowly into my mouth.
Kai’s groan was guttural as I took him inch by inch, pausing to give myself time to adjust, licking and sucking as I moved.
Soon, I found my rhythm, playing with is balls as I jacked and blew him. The sounds he was making had my pussy thrumming with need, my hips bucking instinctively, even though there was nothing for me to brush against.
Kai’s hand came to my head and fisted my hair as he thrust into my mouth.
“Fuck, I’m gonna come,” he warned, but I didn’t back away. I sucked harder and stroked faster, giving his nuts a squeeze that had him exploding down my throat.
Tori
I slept like a baby.
Kai and I had parted ways after the blowy in the bathroom, and although it didn’t end with a kiss or sweet bidding of goodnight like I’d had with Mal, I felt closer to Kai now.
I awoke refreshed and excited about the day. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so content, so happy. So full of hope. It was a nice feeling and I was more and more convinced that I did the right thing by signing up for that mating app.
I went to take a shower, this time knocking on the door before barging in, and spent a little extra time on my hair and makeup. I was going to see where Kai and Mal worked, and I assumed, meeting some of their co-workers. Maybe even friends. So, I wanted to make a good first impression.
I was wearing my only skirt, which brushed about mid-thigh, and a frilly tank top that I’d borrowed from Stacia.
“Good morning,” I called as I walked into the kitchen.
Kai and Mal were drinking coffee. Mal was making eggs, and Kai was leaning against the counter watching.
“Morning,” Mal replied. Kai just raised his mug in greeting.
“Mmmm, smells good. I’m going to get spoiled being here with you guys.”
“You should be spoiled,” Mal said with a sweet smile.
“Coffee?” Kai asked. When I nodded, he poured me a cup, then looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Just milk,” I said in response.
He poured the milk in my coffee and handed it to me.
“Thank you.”
“You guys go ahead to the deck, I’ll bring the food out when it’s ready,” Mal suggested.
I sighed happily as I settled in the chair and looked out over the water, coffee in hand and Kai to my right.
“You sleep okay?” Kai asked softly.
His tone was so quiet I almost had to strain to hear him.
“Yeah, great, you?”
“Better than I have in a long time.”
I looked over and smiled at him over my mug, feeling good that I’d been able to do that for him.
“Good,” I whispered, then looked back at the lake.
We didn’t say anything else until Mal came with the food, both of us content to sit in silence and enjoy the sounds of the morning.
“Do you need help?” I asked when Mal placed a steaming plate of food in front of me.
“Nope, I got it. Dig in.”
I waited until Kai had his plate and Mal had joined us before starting to eat, I didn’t want to be rude, but once that first bite of eggs hit my lips, it was all over.
“Wow, that was so good,” I said when I was done. I blushed when I realized I’d finished everything on my plate without pausing for a breath, let alone to speak. “Did you go to culinary school, or something?”
Mal grinned, pleased at my compliment, but shook his head.
“No, I learned mostly by watching YouTube videos.”
“Really?” I asked, leaning forward with a smile.
“Yeah, he used to drive me crazy watching those things all the time. I eventually broke down and bought him every cookbook I could find,” Kai grumbled, but I could tell he was joking.
“It’s true, I have an entire library of cookbooks.”
“I’d love to see them,” I said, thinking maybe I could find something delicious to make them, to thank them for letting me be here.
“Sure, I’ll take you in there later, we can find something to make for dinner. For now, let’s get this cleaned up and go into work.”
We cleaned up, piled into the Land Cruiser and went to town.
I’d heard of Yonaweti Camping and Fishing and had seen their website, but I’d never been to one of their stores. I was surprised by how massive it was, like a giant wood cabin, bursting at the seams with sporting equipment. They specialized in camping and fishing gear but had an array of sporting goods.
“Wow, this place is incredible!” I exclaimed as we walked through, my head spinning as I tried to take it all in.
I followed them up the stairs and into what looked like the private offices. There was a large meeting room, a few smaller offices with desks inside, and the big office in the back, which you could see through the large window. There were two desks inside, a pool table, and a small seating area.
We walked into that big office and I asked, “So, where do you guys work?”
“Here,” Kai said simply, rounding one of the desks and sitting behind it.
I turned around and looked out the window into where the employees were manning the phones and working on their computers.
“You manage it?”
“Actually, it’s our company. We own this, and all branches of Yonaweti Camping and Fishing,” Mal replied.
I looked at him in shock.
“You own them?”
Mal nodded.
“We opened the first store eight years ago, never imagining it
would take off the way it did. We’ve been slowly expanding ever since. Now, we have over five hundred employees in eight stores in four states.”
Mal
I still felt pride every time I thought of what our company had become, and seeing the awe on Tori’s face, only made my chest swell even more.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” she breathed. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I said, walking to stand next to her and look out the window at our busy team. “So, if there’s any job here that you want, I’m pretty sure we can secure the position for you.”
I shot her a wink, hoping it came off as playful and not creepy, then took her hand.
“Want me to give you the tour?” I asked, knowing Kai would be at the desk for a while.
“Yes, please,” Tori said, her tone eager.
I grinned and took her hand.
“We’ll be back,” I told Kai, who waved us off, then steered Tori back out of our office.
I showed her the break room and upstairs offices, then took her back down the stairs to where the fun stuff was.
I loved walking the floor and seeing all of the sporting goods on display. We had everything for the outdoorsman, except hunting goods. For obvious reasons, we didn’t include those in our inventory.
Victoria was looking through the women’s wear, when my good friend, and one of our tour guides, Bane, came strolling over.
“Hey, Mal, what’s new?” Bane asked.
Bane was a little shorter than me, coming in around six feet, with brown hair and eyes. He was a wolf and lived on some land outside of town with his pack. He’d been working for us since we’d opened and was one of the best trackers around.
“Just showing our guest around,” I said, gesturing to Tori, who was holding up a lightweight jacket.
Bane let out a low whistle.
“What kind of guest?” He asked, looking at Tori with interest.
“From that dating app I told you about.”
“No shit?”
Bane had been skeptical when I’d told him about the app. He’s already met, and lost his mate, and didn’t believe you could find such a connection online.
