Michel rubbed his fingers over the exposed flesh of Jason's upper arm, trying to ease the tension in his lover's body.
"Well, I'm fine, Mom. I'm sorry I didn't call you back. I've, uh, been busy," Jason responded.
"I see." Brianna lifted one brow imperiously. She waved acrylic-tipped fingers at Michel. "And this man is, what? Your boyfriend? You can't be serious."
Michel growled almost silently in his throat, but he knew Jason could still feel it, for his lover brought up his left hand and rubbed his exposed chest in reassurance.
Jason scowled at his mother. "Mother, I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak about Michel that way. I care deeply for him and enjoy his company. We enjoy the same interests, like hiking and cooking and nature. He's important to me and he's a good man."
He stopped and took a breath. Michel could see the woman gearing up to say something else, probably equally scathing. Jason evidently figured the same thing.
"Mom, why are you really here?" Jason demanded, his voice soft but firm. "Your view on me and my lifestyle was made quite clear when you allowed Arthur to knock me around."
Brianna had the decency to flush as she turned to peer at the trees around them. "I understand how Arthur's reactions can seem harsh, but he really just wants what's best for you."
This time, the soft growl didn't come from Michel, but Jason.
Feeling his brows shoot up, Michel watched Jason lift a hand and point a finger at his mother as he snarled, "Arthur would never have hit Alisha or Trina, and if he had, you would have intervened. You would have handed him his ass!" Jason's voice lowered and his gaze flicked toward Jared. "And if he had," he growled, "we wouldn't be having this conversation, because I would have gotten all three of us away from him."
"How dare you!" Brianna huffed.
"No!" Jason snapped. "How dare you, Mom! I love you, but your parenting skills need work."
Brianna's eyes narrowed and she lifted one brow, peering down her nose at him. "It's an empty threat. We both know it."
Scoffing, Jason shook his head, "Oh, no, Mom. It's not."
When Michel saw Jason glance toward Jared, who gave him a smug smile and slight nod, he fought to hide his curiosity. What the hell was going on here?
"You keep Arthur in line, Mom," Jason ordered softly, his voice cold. "Or we'll make sure he feels every strike he lays on my sisters."
And that answers that. Even as pride flooded Michel at watching Jason stand up to his odd, mayhap delusional mother, he hated scenting the rage and pain rolling off his mate. He wished he could track down this Arthur fellow himself and give him what-for. No one should lay a hand on his mate, and from the undertones, that was exactly what had happened.
Michel vowed to lavish his young lover with as much pleasure as he could … as soon as they were alone. He maneuvered around Jason until he stood behind him and wrapped both arms around him, one over his shoulders and around his chest, just below the neck, the other around his waist and palming his stomach. Michel rubbed his bearded cheek against Jason's bare one, just as he knew he liked.
"Easy, sweetheart. Calm down, love," Michel crooned, trying to ease his mate's pain through touch as he would another shifter. Since Jason was his mate, he figured it should work on him, too.
Jason sagged against him, the tension draining from his body. Turning his head, Jason accepted his kiss. After a few soft, rubbing of lips, Jason returned his focus to his now clearly seething mother, if her flushed face, narrowed green eyes, flared nostrils, and tight lips were anything to go by.
Shaking his head, Jason stated, "I get that I'm a disappointment to you, so I don't really know what you hope to accomplish by coming here. Whatever it is, I don't care. I'm here now, I have a job, I have a boyfriend, and I have new friends." He held on tight to Michel's arms before adding, "Don't worry. When I enroll in online courses, I won't ask you or Arthur for any money."
Of course, Jason wouldn't, Michel silently agreed. He'd provide for his mate, but that was a discussion for another time … when they'd settled in together a bit more.
Whatever counter-argument that Michel could see building up in Brianna's eyes was stalled by a loud squeal. Suddenly, a slender brunette came streaking out the door and threw herself at Jason.
Chapter Eleven
"Jason!"
Jason turned and opened his arms just in time to welcome Trina into a tight hug-made a bit awkward by his lover's arms still around him. Knowing how possessive wolf shifters could be, Jason eased his sister a few inches away from him.
Grinning, only too happy for the interruption, Jason greeted her. "Hey, sis," wanting to make it clear who she was to Jason right up front. The tension in the arms that held him immediately eased. "I didn't know you were here, too!"
"Well, sure," Trina responded easily. "I wouldn't miss the opportunity to see where my big bro ended up. It sure is beautiful here," she gushed. "Have you seen the forest? Been hiking, yet? And the men!" she added, lowering her voice. "Have you seen the sexy men here?"
Michel cleared his throat. Jason could feel his lover's chest shaking slightly, telling him his man struggled to hold in his laughter. "Trina, this is Michel. My, uh, my boyfriend."
Trina blushed, but rallied quickly. "Nice to meet you, Michel," she said, smiling, holding out her hand. Michel took it and gave it a brief shake before returning his hold to Jason's middle.
Jason really liked that.
"Likewise, Trina. Welcome to the mountains of Colorado," Michel responded.
Trina beamed up at him. "Thanks." She pushed back a dark strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail. "You sure work fast, Jase," Trina teased, returning her attention to Jason for a second. She winked and gave Michel a once over. "And not bad taste. You're a good looking guy, Michel!"
This time Michel didn't even bother to try hiding his mirth and his laughter boomed across the clearing. Jason felt himself flush. He mock scowled at his sister, who just shrugged and looked completely unrepentant. "Well, your Michel is a good-lookin' man." Then she winked and leaned forward, giving him a conspiratorial look. "So, can you tell me if the handsome blond is single?"
Jason racked his brain, trying to figure out whom she spoke of. "Sean?" Ah, shit. Was she hot for Uncle Raul's man?
Trina quickly shook her head. "Uh uh. Uncle Raul introduced him already. I'm not into men with kids. I'm not ready to be a momma, yet, although he is sort-of hot," she mused. Grinning, she told him, "The other blond. Looks to be in his early forties, is wearing faded blue sweats, and has the yummy piercings in his nipples."
His jaw dropping open in surprise, Jason turned to look at a still grinning Michel. His lover smirked. "Ye must mean Preall. As a matter of fact, he is single. Ye want me to introduce you?"
Realizing the guy must be one of Michel's wolf shifter buddies-which meant he'd be over three hundred years old and a wolf shifter to boot-reminded Jason of his sister's age. "Trina," he chided. "You're only seventeen."
"I'll be eighteen in a couple months," she replied, winking. "What? You're the only one who's allowed to like older men?" she teased.
Jason's spirit lifted knowing his little sister didn't mind the fact that, not only was he gay, but he'd found love with a much older man. Of course, at that point, Trina didn't know how much older, but if she got involved with a shifter, she would learn eventually, right? Could his sister be mates with this Preall guy? Jason would have to ask Michel about it eventually.
Grinning at his thoughts, Jason turned his head and peered up at his lover. He was about to ask for a kiss, when his stomach grumbled.
"Sounds like ye need feeding," Michel murmured into his ear.
Feeling his mate's semi-hard dick pressed against his ass, Jason could think of something else he'd like to eat. Too bad he couldn't right now. Sighing, Jason nodded. "Time for breakfast. Come on."