Page 84 of Buckle Up, Buttercup

I smile. “Something like that. But so are you, little mate.”

Her smile overtakes her face. “It’s such a non-human thing that’s gonna take some time to get used to.”

I chuckle. “Wait until we tell your family, and I can love you in the open. I’m gonna be all over you all the time.”

“Good,” she huffs. “The more I think about it, the more irritated I am that we put our own feelings aside just because of Jasper. Like…how dumb?”

“It’s more than that,” I offer. “I mean, it’s that, of course, but it’s a deep respect for all of our friendships. It’s a worry about losing something that’s been so steady and constant. I get it, and I was worried too, even though the rational part of my brain wants to say fuck it, he’ll deal.” A laugh burbles from me, although it’s wry. “He’ll deal tomorrow, so we’re almost there.”

She rolls off me with an adorable grumble. “Don’t remind me. I need to stock up on tequila for both our places, because we’re gonna need it after he finds out.”

We’ve hashed this topic out so much that I can’t find anything to add, so I watch in silence as she pulls her clothing back on. She’s covered in cum, and we probably both need a shower, but I love that she doesn’t bother to hide the evidence of what we just did. There’s something supremely satisfying about that.

Half an hour later, I’m anything but satisfied. Bluebell flits from group to group, checking on monsters and doing an all-around bang-up job as part of the committee. I’ve already busied myself for a half hour checking on Petra and Iggy. They’re having a great time playing chase in the pumpkin maze with Iggy’s mom.

Me? I’m drowning in our combined emotions and desperate to lavish affection and adoration on her. We just completed the bond; I want to stand up on a stage and shout it out to all of Main Street.

She can feel it too, blue eyes flicking to me as she stands with Lemon and Oz. Her breath hitches, and I feel that too, even from across the street. Leaving her friends, she picks her way through the crowd to rejoin me, rubbing at her chest. Long blue hair covers the swollen spot on her neck where I bit her.

“Hay—I—let’s get outta here,” she whispers. “Surely this is enough showing my face, right? I need you.”

“Fuck yes,” I growl out, reaching for her hand just as Jasper and Jack appear from the crowd. For the first time in the years I’ve known him, Jasper looks…harried. Black brows are bunched together, his mouth dropping open when he sees Bluebell.

“Bloob, thank fuck I found you. I’ve comm’d you three times!” He lifts both arms in exasperation as she spins to face him.

Jack glances from Jasper to me to Bluebell and back again. My tail starts lashing of its own accord at the inherent demand in Jasper’s tone. In the brand-new bond, concern and irritation swirl from Bluebell to me.

Jasper huffs out an irritated sound. “Did you get my stuff done yet? I don’t have any more time today. I’ve been prepping all morning, and I didn’t even eat lunch.”

Bluebell’s mouth drops open. “No, I haven’t done your shit yet, Jasper. I literally just walked out of a meeting thirty minutes ago. I didn’t eat breakfast or lunch, and I’ve only had one coffee. Your shit is gonna have to wait an hour or two, but I’ll get it done la⁠—”

“No!” he snaps. “I was counting on you, Bluebell. I can’t tackle this shit today, and you⁠—”

“Will get it done after I have a damn drink,” she says reasonably.

The bond swirls with anger, although I can see she’s trying to temper his response. Balling my fists, I resist the urge to push him away from her. My mating bond throbs, my need to protect making me see red.

Moving my hands to Jasper’s chest, I urge him to look at me. “I’ll help her as soon as she has a moment to decompress.”

He shoves my hand away. “No, dude. I need to be able to count on her. This is what she does for our business. This is her part in it and⁠—”

“I’m not technically on the Tucker Greens payroll,” she says with more bite in her tone. “I help you so you don’t have to, but you don’t pay me, and it has to come after my other responsibilities. That’s always been true. But I’ll get it done later, like I said.” Her voice is full of clear warning, dark blue brows furrowed in anger.

“Let me grab you a drink,” I offer, hoping to defuse the situation before I start yelling. I don’t like the way Jasper’s looking expectantly at her, like he might launch into an even more ridiculous tirade. “Or we can head back to Tucker ranch and help you in your final⁠—”

“Dude,” Jasper snaps. “Stop, alright? Today of all days, just stop.”

Frustration rises in me, and I ball my fists.

Today of all fucking days? The day I claimed my mate and kept it a fucking secret to protect his mental wellbeing?

I think fucking not. I’m done protecting Jasper Tucker, third-level mastery test be damned.

“I don’t want to start arguing right here,” I say in the coolest tone I can muster, “but you need to step away from this and focus on your test tomorrow. Bluebell and I will help you later, but her schedule does not revolve around you.”

Jasper turns to me with a fierce look, stepping into my space despite me standing a full head taller. “Whose fucking side are you on, Hadrian?” He slaps both hands to my chest and shoves.

I see his move coming a mile away, so I lean in, and when he pushes, I don’t move an inch. “Step away, Jasper,” I snarl.