by Maggie Walsh
“You have got to be shittin’ me? No way,” Gage said, shaking his head fiercely.
Ronin raised a brow. “No one cries the way Sutton has if the heart isn’t involved. Also, you need to remember something else. Sutton and Casimir are paranormals, Gage. That means the mating pull is also in effect. Fate feels as if they are meant for each other. That might seem crazy to you, but I’ve heard that the pull is very hard to ignore.”
“So, you’re telling me that Sutton is willing to risk having his heart sliced to pieces… yet again… because fate says so, and he’s in love with the same guy who wanted to hide him away as if Sut was his greatest shame? That just makes no sense,” Gage said, shaking his head in disgust.
Sutton felt his anger rise as he turned to his friend. “I don’t expect you to understand, Gage, and although I wish I could have your support, I understand your hesitation. However, if you cannot sit through a meal and be civil, I want you to go now, because I am doing this whether you think it’s stupid or not. Casimir is my mate. I told you he explained a great deal to me and I understand more than you on why he did what he did. So, either back me the fuck up, or go home.”
Gage shook his head once more, standing up. “I’m not leaving you, Sutton. I just don’t want this guy to hurt you anymore. That night at The Cage about destroyed me, Sut. You were hurting so bad and there was nothing and no one that could console you. You’re more than just a friend to me. You’re my family, and I just don’t think I can take seeing you hurting like that again and not kill the son of a bitch for doing it. Just… just be careful this time.”
Sutton jumped up and hugged Gage close. “I will be very careful, Gage, and thank you. Thank you for being my friend and for being my brother.”
“I’ll get the door,” Ronin said, as he stood up.
Sutton pulled back, saying, “No one rang the…”
The sound of the doorbell had Sutton shaking his head in wonder. “How the hell does he do that all the time?”
Gage laughed. “Beats the shit out of me. Let’s go make nice, nice with your mate.”
Sutton laughed as he smacked Gage on the shoulder. “You better be nice, nice, or I’m gonna short sheet your bed at the station and put itching powder in your underwear.”
“I don’t wear underwear,” Gage stated, with a laugh, then stopped short when he got a good look at the men walking in. “Holy mama.”
A group of men walked into Sut’s house, each carrying a bowl of food in their hands.
Sutton looked over and about swallowed his tongue when he saw Casimir dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt that looked to be a size too small. Damn, his mate was built like a brick shit house. Sutton’s mind instantly went to all those times those same thick arms wrapped around his body and those gorgeous thick thighs rubbed against his own. Every part of Sutton wanted to leap across the room and jump into the man’s arms, begging Cas to rush him to bed and take him to the stars like he had so many times.
“Sweetie, if the plan is to get to know the guy, I suggest you stop stripping him naked with your eyes,” Gage murmured in his ear.
Sutton jumped at Gage’s words and noticed Casimir looking at him with just as much heat in his eyes before he blinked, then took a deep breath. Casimir walked to Sutton. “You look gorgeous.”
Smiling shyly, Sutton replied, “Thanks. You look good yourself.”
“I hope you have a grill. I brought some steaks. If not, I can just cook them in the broiler,” Casimir said, with a smile.
Gods be damned, that smile was sexy as fuck on his mate. Every time Casimir smiled, it made his beautiful royal blue eyes sparkle, and Sutton could feel himself getting sucked right into the man.
Gage slapped Sutton on the back, saying, “I’ll show Casimir where the grill is.”
Blinking out of his stupor, Sutton stammered, “Uh… ye-yeah… the… um… the grill. Okay.”
Sutton watched as Casimir walked out into the back yard with Gage. He was so focused on the two men he didn’t hear anyone walk up on him. “Sutton, how are you feeling?”
Gasping in surprise, Sutton turned to see Doc Rob standing there with five other men. Two he kind of recognized from The Cage. Placing his hand out, Sutton smiled. “Hey, it’s great for you to have come tonight. I’m Sutton.”
Smiling, the large one said, “Yes we know. Dad told us all about you when he asked us to join him for his dinner date.”
“Lon stop teasing the man. He’s had a rough time lately and doesn’t need your shit.”
“Ahh, Casius, I wasn’t giving him shit. I was just letting him know we knew who he was,” Lon replied.
Rolling his eyes, Doc Rob said, “Can you two go two minutes without bitching? I really would like to check on Sutton, then we can do introductions.”
“Doc, I’m doing fine. No cough, dizziness, or nausea at all. I slept well last night… or as well as can be expected. I was nervous about tonight’s dinner, so I had a bit of trouble, but once I fell asleep I was out like a light. You can ask Gage and Ronin,” Sutton said, with a smile.
“I’d still like to listen to your lungs,” Doc said, pulling out his stethoscope.
Sighing heavily, Sutton sat on the arm of his chair, saying, “Fine.”
Rob did a small exam, then replied, “There’s still a bit of wheezing in your lungs, Sutton. So I’m going to ask that your friends stay, but it is sounding better than yesterday, for sure.”
“Thanks Doc,” Sutton answered, then stood up.
Doc Rob looked at Sutton and smiled wide. “I am officially off duty. Please call me Robert. Allow me to introduce my mates. This sexy beast behind me is Asbuth, and the foxy creature next to him is Casius, and as you know this adorable morsel is our Benji. The two Neanderthals here are Ozzoz and Torzan, brothers of Dougaff.”
Sutton’s eyes went wide. “You two are Dougaff’s brothers? The ones opening the new BDSM club across town?”
Nodding Ozzoz replied, “That would be us.”
Sutton could tell the two men were brothers with how similar their cheekbones and jawlines were. Even their eyes were the same shape and color. Both men were at least six foot four and over two forty or more. Ozzoz had long pin-straight jet black hair going past his ass, and his brother’s was just as long and straight, but white. It was odd how they kind of reminded Sutton of Jensen in that angelic, ethereal way. “Wow, Benji, you didn’t tell me how sexy these two were. You don’t look like any demons I ever met before. Shit, you two look as angelic as Jensen. And damn, look at that hair. Holy shit, I’m gonna have to hold Gage back from you, Torzan. With that long white hair and those lavender eyes, he is going to go nuts.”
Torzan smiled. “Please don’t hold your friend back. I would love to show him how truly blessed he could be with a demon as a lover.”
Benji muttered, “I didn’t tell you, because they are serious pains in the ass and I didn’t want to lose a friend.”
Sutton laughed. “That won’t happen. If I lost you, who would I get to sing with me on stage on Karaoke night?”
“Very funny. I hope you don’t mind them tagging along. Casius insisted we introduce them to people around Maddox since they’re new to the town, and since I couldn’t bring Gorgon with me, I agreed that Beavis and Butthead could tag along instead,” Benji explained.
“That’s fine. I’m happy to have them here,” Sutton quickly replied.
“I set the outside tables up if you all want to come outside,” Ronin called out.
“Well, I guess that’s our cue. Come on and let’s have some fun,” Sutton said, just as the doorbell rang.
Sutton was curious as to who could be at the door. When he opened it he was surprised to see Wyndingo and Ollie along with Jett and Zev. “Hey guys, this is a surprise.”
“Casimir asked if we would like to come for a BBQ. He said the more the merrier. In my single days I might have agreed with that statement,” Jett said, as he laughed.
A low growl next to him had Jett laughing even
harder. “Oh stop, you. Everyone knows that you are the only man for me.”
Jett pulled Zev in for a long deep kiss, and Ollie whined, “Not this again. Guys, can’t you keep it in your pants for a couple of hours?”
Jett pulled back with a raised brow. “This coming from the man that spent the entire drive over here with his hands down his mate’s pants. The pheromones damn near choked us all out of the car.”
“Okay, guys, just come in and make yourself at home. Everyone is in the back yard,” Sutton said, with a laugh.
Just as Sutton was about to close the door, Pascal and Zen drove up the driveway. Pascal got out of the car and approached him as he held out a dish. “Hey, hope we’re not late. I brought a peach cobbler.”
Zen held out another dish, saying, “Twix was sorry he couldn’t make it, but sent you some fried chicken.”
Sutton blinked, then asked, “Casimir called you as well?”
Nodding, Pascal said, “Yep, and Nick and Jagger are on their way, so you might as well stay at the door.”
Sutton didn’t know what to think or say, instead he quietly said, “If you don’t mind, I think all the food is outside with everyone else.”
“No problem at all,” Pascal said, with his sweet smile, and walked through the house heading straight for the back yard.
“Sutton, is everything alright?” Casimir asked.
Sutton turned around, asking, “Just how many people did you invite?”
Casimir looked nervous as he answered, “I called Robert first and asked him if it would be okay to have a BBQ. I know I should have asked you first, but I wanted to surprise you. You seemed upset when I suggested our first date be a home meal, because the point of our dating is not just to get to know each other, but to prove to you I’m ready to tell the world you’re mine. I know you still aren’t in any shape to go out, so I thought… well, I would bring the people from the outside here. I made some potato salad, macaroni salad, regular salad, and brought a bunch of steaks. Everyone else is bringing something as well, and… I hope you don’t mind the small change in what type of date we’re having.”
The doorbell rang and Sutton turned and opened it. Sure enough Nick and Jagger stood there with Deja and Shadow, each holding something in their hands, and Deja jumped forward, hugging Sut close. “I am so glad you’re alright. We brought food and a Karaoke Machine. Let the fun begin.”
Sutton felt tears stinging the back of his eyes. “Thank you all for coming. Everyone is in the back yard. Please go and enjoy.”
Turning back around, Casimir stood there looking nervous and unsure. Sutton realized that Casimir really did understand his need to be seen as a couple. He understood and he acted on it. Taking Casimir’s hand in his own, Sutton looked into those beautiful blue eyes, whispering, “Thank you.”
Casimir lightly squeezed Sutton’s hand, whispering back, “You’re welcome.”
CHAPTER 12
Sitting on the exam table, legs hanging over the edge, feet dangling, hands clasped between his knees, Sut sighed as he looked around the drab, beige room. His mind filled with thoughts of his mate, as it always seemed to do most days, but these days the thoughts that took over his brain were different.
Before his decision to distance himself from Casimir and try to go on with his life without his mate, Sut’s thoughts were always about why Casimir was so distant? Why he never wanted anyone to know they were mates? Why Casimir kept him a dirty little secret? Why he allowed it in the first place? And how could he change their situation? But, now his thoughts of Casimir had shifted into what he would do next to prove to Sut that he was serious about them, about their mating, and about how he had changed? And Sut did acknowledge that his mate was changing. With everything he had witnessed since his time in the mine, Sut knew that Casimir had changed. Now he only hoped it was all real and not just a way for Casimir to get back into his life and his pants, as then things would change back to the way they were before once Sut gave in to his love for his mate. And he did love Casimir—had for a very long time.
During the past week since he had been home healing from his ordeal, Casimir had come by for that first time when his house had been filled with their friends. The night had been wonderful and Sut had an amazing time. Yes, it had all been a surprise to him, but it was a good surprise. They had eaten some amazing barbeque, listened to music, talked, played some games and everyone seemed to have a good time. Sut had even sat and got to know Casimir’s sons, Lon and Casius, along with Casius’s mates. Yes, he had known Doc Rob for a few years now and had worked with him on occasion, but Sut didn’t really know Rob and Caius’s other mates, Benji and Asbuth all that well, so it was nice to get to know them a little, and Sut really liked them.
It had been really nice and sweet seeing how nervous and unsure his mate was when dealing with his sons, but Sut also saw how much Casimir was trying when he pulled Lon and Casius aside and the three of them ended up across the yard playing horseshoes, laughing, and just having a good time together. The moment brought tears of happiness to Sut’s eyes as he watched the trio, and he found a small crack form in the armor he had put up around his heart for Casimir.
The next morning Cas had shown up with breakfast, and the two of them sat out back on the deck as they ate, talking about the previous night, and Casimir had asked him out on date for that night. Sut wanted to say no, putting more space between them and forcing them to go slow, but he found he couldn’t deny Casimir, which had him worried again. Sut didn’t want to fall back into old patterns.
He sighed heavily as that thought hit, but then smiled when he remembered their dinner date. It was nothing big or fancy, but it had been unexpected and wonderful. Cas had picked him up and taken Sut to the park in the center of town, then laid out a blanket and served them some sandwiches he had picked up from Twixie’s, along with potato salad, some fresh fruit, and a bottle of sparkling cider—non-alcoholic, because Casimir was afraid of Sut drinking while healing. Their picnic had been a nice, quiet night, and Sut really enjoyed it. Again, he had felt another crack form in his armor.
But, since that night four days ago, Sut hadn’t seen too much of his mate. Cas did stop by in the mornings to have breakfast with him, then after he would leave saying he had things to get done, but he would call later—which his mate always did—to wish him goodnight. Sut found himself looking forward to the mornings, and then the calls, but what shocked him the most was realizing he missed Cas. It all confused him.
As much as Cas said he would give Sut all the time he needed and they would take things slow, and he seemed to be sticking to his word by not hovering over him every day, Sut was a bit annoyed by it, if he was being honest, which only pissed him off.
The door clicked open and Doc Rob’s voice proceeded him into the room. “Hello, Sut, how are you feeling today?” Doc asked, as he stepped in, closed the door behind him, and crossed the room to shake hands.
“I feel great, Doc. So, when can I go back to work?” Sut asked, hopefully.
“Let’s take a look at you first, then I’ll see if you’re ready to return to active duty. Lay back,” Doc replied.
Sut did as asked and lay back on the exam table. Doc placed his stethoscope in his ears, then started his examination. He listened to Sut’s heart and lungs, then pressed on his abdomen, checked his pulse and reflexes, then had Sut sit up.
“So, Doc?”
“I’d say everything sounds good. Your lungs are clear, your heart and pulse are normal. If you were human I would say I wanted a chest x-ray to doublecheck, but being a Silver Fox shifter I know I don’t need that. I know you don’t want to hear this, but seeing as today is Friday, I think you should take the rest of today off, of course, but I also think you should take the weekend. I’ll sign all your forms and put Monday’s date for you to return to work,” Rob said, as he scribbled on the chart on the counter.
Sut sighed. “Monday? But why would I need the weekend off? Like you said, Doc, we’re paranormals and wit
h our healing abilities I’m good now. I’ve been fine for days,” Sut protested.
Doc closed the cover on the file and turned to look at him. “I know, but I’m still hesitant, because of how much crap filled your lungs to begin with, and I would really feel better giving them a few more days. There’s also the fact of the uranium levels. It wasn’t harmful when we checked them coming in to you, but that doesn’t mean that in the beginning when you first got trapped that it wasn’t higher. I honestly have no idea what uranium could do to our kind, Sut, so I would like to be careful here. I’ve also put the same restriction on Logan because of it.”
“How is Logan? I tried calling him the other day, but I couldn’t reach him, or Jensen,” Sut asked, as worry filled him.
Doc smiled as he sat on the rolling stool. “He’s good. We kept him in the hospital for a few days, as I know you are aware, until his animal healed all his wounds. I sent him home two days ago on the condition of bed rest for a few days. He was here this morning before you for his checkup and he looks great too, but I still want to watch the two of you for a few more days.”
