Page 67 of Starlight

“Oh.” His cheeks burned. He didn’t want another monster in his life. One was plenty.

“I look forward to distracting you later.” Akai released him.

Cole got up and grabbed his clothes before heading to the house to use the bathroom and dress in more than his pajama pants and T-shirt. The scent of bacon, sausages, and eggs drifted toward him, and his stomach grumbled. As much as he wanted to go into the dining room to eat, he needed to ditch his bundled-up pajamas, and he didn’t want to go into the dining room by himself.

Akai was dressed and had already rolled up the bedding and put it in the truck by the time Cole stepped back outside. He tossed his pajamas on the back seat and glanced over at the others still by the fire and figured that if he whispered, they’d be fine. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Akai glanced at the house.

“Liar. If you’ve changed your mind about me coming to solstice, just say so.”

Akai grabbed his hands. “No. I think you will like it. You will like breakfast too. And I want you to enjoy. It is me…I…” He swallowed and leaned down to whisper in his ear. “They all think you are my mate.”

“Why would they think that?” Was it because they were traveling together?

“Because I told them.”

“What?” His voice was too loud, and he sensed the attention of the other monsters.

“It was the only way we could stop here, and I wanted to see how you’d be around other monsters.” Akai didn’t look him in the eyes; his gaze was on the ground. “Please don’t dissuade them of the notion.”

“I won’t.” He smiled. Akai wanted him to play at being his mate, so that is exactly what he’d do.

Akai narrowed his eyes. “You are planning something.”

“Me? No, you are the planner and schemer.” He took a step back

“Cole…”

“Akai…” He kept his voice low. “Speak too loud, and everyone will hear.”

Akai muttered a curse. “Please do not do anything reckless.”

This entire road trip was reckless. He’d taken three weeks off work and may not have a job to return to. He was taking a monster across several state lines, and now Akai had all the monsters here convinced that they were mates. “Me? Your mate?” Cole placed his hand over his heart. “Do you not trust me after everything we have been through?”

“You seem far too gleeful.”

Maybe he was laying it on too thick, but he didn’t care. Akai could be the one feeling awkward. “You don’t want your mate to be happy?”

“Of course I do.” Akai tilted his head as if sizing him up.

He’d played football against bigger guys…well, heavier ones if not taller ones, and Cole was pretty sure he could handle himself if things got physical. But there was only one way he wanted Akai to grab him, and it wasn’t in a tackle.

“Then what is your problem?” Cole lifted his eyebrows, grin in place.

“You have a look in your eyes, and not the one I like to see.”

“And which one is that?”

“The one when we are exploring, and you get excited about nests and rocks.” Akai stepped closer and placed his palm on Cole’s cheek. “The one when I kiss you.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to Cole’s in a chaste kiss. “They also think you found me injured and saved me. They cannot learn the truth.”

“I figured that.” He wasn’t a fucking idiot…unless it involved Akai. Then he was willing to drop everything for more monster dick and a party. But that wasn’t real life, even if they were pretending it was to make things easier. It all felt very real. He clasped Akai’s hand. “Let’s get some breakfast, okay, mate?”

“Please stop saying that.”

“I thought you wanted it?”

Akai closed his eyes. “You say it like it’s a joke, and I do not want that.”