Page 70 of Slick Trip

I was meticulous when I toweled him dry, my movements tender and—let’s face it—bordering on worship. Finally, I laid my hand over his red skin, the warmth radiating through my palm.

“Does it still hurt?”

“A little,” he admitted. “But I think I learned my lesson. For today at least. And maybe for tomorrow too, because I am sore.”

Laughing, I lowered myself to kiss the tip of his nose. It felt ridiculous, but then again, Cooper had a very kissable nose.

After the shower—and the pizza we ordered—we settled on the bed. Once we were under the covers, Cooper burrowed into me, tucking his face into the crook of my neck.

“Don’t ever leave me,” he whispered, his eyes fluttering shut as he went limp against me. “Even if I act stupid in parking lots.”

“Not a chance,” I said, pulling him closer. “I’m keeping you.”

He fell asleep almost instantly, his deep rhythmic breathing lulling me to sleep soon after.

24

Grandpa

COOPER

The house Grandpa now lived in with his husband was beautiful—it had a wide porch and something I guessed was bougainvillea crawling up one side. The California sun made everything look magical. Even the grass looked greener. Or maybe I was just feeling sentimental, because it was suddenly very easy to imagine a life like this with Jon. Someday, I reminded myself. But I couldn’t help thinking that Jon would be an amazing dad. Oh, God. Now I was actually picturing him singing a lullaby to a mini version of himself. A lump rose in my throat.

“What’s wrong?” Jon asked.

“Our baby is going to be adorably grumpy.”

Jon’s expression softened. If he was surprised that I was thinking about babies, he didn’t show it.

“Our baby will be a little brat,” he laughed, his thumb tracing small circles on my arm. “Keeping us awake just because they can.”

His words made me smile. We shared a look, the kind that would definitely annoy other people.

“Thank you for coming on this trip with me,” I said, reluctant to leave the car. I almost asked if we could keep on driving, if not forever, then for a few more days.

“It’s okay,” Jon said, like he was a mind reader. “We don’t end just because the trip ends.”

I blushed. He knew me so well.

“I told you I’m keeping you,” he reminded me. I leaned closer to give him a kiss. “Your entertainment value alone is priceless,” he added with an undignified snort.

I collapsed back against the seat with a sigh. “Way to ruin a moment, Alpha.”

The front door opened, and Grandpa stepped out. He looked the same as always—silver hair, checkered shirt, khaki shorts. Ian stepped onto the porch beside him, slightly younger than Grandpa and definitely better dressed. I got out of the car, ready to hug them, when a strong, smoky scent hit my nose.

“Shit.” I’d forgotten to tell Jon about Grandpa being an Alpha.

“Well,” Grandpa said, nostrils flaring. His gaze was sharp in a way I had never seen before. “Can’t say I’m surprised.”

Jon stepped out of the car. He came to stand slightly in front of me, lacing our fingers together. Soon, two heavy, suffocating waves of competing Alpha pheromones flooded the driveway.

Jon assessed my seventy-year-old grandfather carefully. He was measuring him back. Both were ignoring me. Rude. I turned to Ian, who was a Beta, if I remembered right. At least he smelled mostly of soap.

“Inside,” Grandpa said gruffly, his focus still on Jon.

“Take it easy, sweetheart,” Ian murmured.

The endearment warmed my heart. But other than that, I didn’t feel warm. I felt overwhelmed by their strong scents. Jon squeezed my fingers, then leaned in to nuzzle my neck. He pressed a kiss to the spot he’d marked this morning, and it soothed me. If he was annoyed that I hadn’t remembered to tell him, he didn’t show it.