Catlin's Appaloosa(24)
He grunted softly, enjoying his mate’s care as Catlin gently pulled the plug from his ass. After cleaning him up, his lover pulled Gallo against his chest, halfsprawled on him, and settled the comforter over them both.
“Why did you thank me?”
“Because you trusted me enough to do what was necessary for you to claim me, baby. Because now I get to keep you and love you for many years to come,” he replied.
Gallo’s heart stuttered.“You love me?”
Catlin cupped his cheek and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips.“I love you very much, Gallo.”
“I love you, too,” he replied, knowing he was sporting a goofy grin.
He’d almost drifted to sleep when Catlin’s quiet voice prodded him back to wakefulness.“Baby?” “Hmm?”
“I can’t really leave my job,” he murmured, and something in his tone had Gallo cracking an eyelid open. The pensive look on Catlin’s face worried Gallo. “Would you be willing to stay here with me?”
Gallo hadn’t even thought about that. First, he’d worried about his memory. After that came back, the rogue vampires needed everyone’s attention. Then the problem of claiming his mate consumed his every thought. Good thing Catlin planned ahead. Catlin tensed underneath him, and Gallo realized he hadn’t replied yet. “Yes,” he blurted.“I want to stay with you.”
The tightness in Catlin’s body drained away.“Good. Good.”
Chapter Nine
The next evening, Catlin came home from work, which had consisted of tons of paperwork to help Brock close the case, to see a dozen motorcycles outside his home. His brows rose. He hadn’t realized there were that many men in Gallo’s gang. Striding up the walk, he spotted his front door open and heard rock music blasting.
He stepped into the front room where no less than eight different big men hailed him with congratulations. Catlin’s brows shot up as a number of them came over and patted him hard on the back. He actually had to lock his knees to keep from stumbling.
Gallo peered out of the kitchen. Seeing him, he squealed with glee and leaped into his arms. Catlin caught him easily, claiming his man’s mouth in a deep kiss. He didn’t know how it was possible, but somehow ten hours was just too long to go without seeing his lover. After reacquainting himself with Gallo’s tonsils, Catlin broke the kiss and asked,“What’s going on? Are all these guys from your gang?”
Nodding happily, Gallo told him,“They want to take me running tonight.” “ Running?” It took him a moment to comprehend what Gallo meant.“Oh, your horse?”
Gallo nodded again.“Can I go?”
“Of course, baby.” Setting him down, Catlin glanced around at everyone.“Is this an outing only for shifters? Or can I come? I’d love to see your appaloosa again.”
“Sure,” Kontra replied from beside him.
Catlin barely stopped himself from leaping out of his skin at the man’s sudden proximity. He had no idea how the massive mountain of a man moved that quietly.
Kontra smirked, his knowing eyes taking in his reaction.“You can keep Ben company.”
“Ben?” He looked around curiously.
The ranks of men parted, revealing a slender brunet standing next to a large African with dreadlocks. Seeing everyone’s attention on them, the pair made their way over.“I’m Ben Moore,” the smaller man said. He held out a hand, which Catlin took.“I’m human, too.”
Chuckling, Catlin released the hand and nodded. “Good to know.”
“Hey, can I swim in your pool later?”
Catlin turned and spotted a short, flamboyantly dressed man with frosted black hair and brown eyes staring hopefully up at him.“Uh, sure,” he replied. “You can use it now if you want.”
The guy giggled.“I think the neighbors would be a little concerned if they saw a penguin swimming in your pool in broad daylight,” he teased.
“Penguin?” he whispered the question, looking at Gallo for confirmation.
Gallo must have sensed his bewilderment, for he wrapped an arm around him and said,“This is Yuma. He’s a penguin shifter.”
“Oh, right,” Catlin replied as if that explained everything, and maybe it did. His head was spinning as everything he’d learned over the last few days finally caught up with him. Shape-shifters were real. Vampires were real. He was in love with, and mated to, a man who could change into a horse. God, he had so many questions. But first, Catlin whispered,“I think I need a beer.”
In a daze, he headed toward his kitchen. Men— shifters— moved out of his way as he approached. He grabbed a beer, popped the top, and chugged the contents. Setting the empty bottle down, he reached for a second with the same results. The third he took a healthy swig from before resting the cold glass against his temple.