Page 3 of Cider
Billy and I had been best friends since elementary school. I know. A fox and goat. We were opposites in every way.
He was a vegetarian. I loved meat like I loved sweets. He was built like a mountain man axe thrower (It annoyed him when I said that. So, of course, I had to continue calling him that). He worked out, and it showed in the muscles in his arms and back. I, on the other hand, worked on binging my favorite shows and making sure my plumpness stayed that way. He was the sweetest mountain of a man and I, usually, was a total pain in the ass.
But we both supported each other through thick and thin. I helped out with his books for his landscaping business, Mountain Goats Landscaping, Llc.
His company was actually a hit around here because he used other goat shifters to keep his company ‘green’. Need a field cut down? Flowers need to be trimmed? The goats have you covered. They even picked up after themselves when they left, if you get my meaning.
He helped me with my recipes. He cooked most nights, even though he worked just as much as I did.
His sister, Maya, liked to tease us that we were like an old married couple without the sexy time benefits. She wasn’t wrong. It felt like that sometimes.
My best friend was a stud muffin. His girlfriends had a habit of saying he wrecked them. Most of them refused to leave his bed the first week.
“Hey, you okay?” Billy called, it sounded like he was heading toward my room.
“Not really.” I pulled the hood over my head. “I have a mate.” Silence greeted me. I kept my head down as I pulled my hair out from under the fabric. “Can you believe it?”
“What do you mean that you have a mate?” Billy’s sock covered feet appeared in my view. “Cider?”
Sighing, I lifted my head. Our eyes met and the world collided. His brow was furrowed as his one blue and one brown eyes widened in shock.
Oh, hot cocoa and marshmallows!
A mate bond snapped. Another one. Between my best friend and I.
I go my whole life without a mate and now, it’s just wham bam thank you, ma’am.
“What… how?” Billy cleared his throat. His hands cupped my cheeks, pushing the hood back. “How is this possible?”
My fox purred, chattering at his goat. She pressed against me, urging me closer to him.
That’s when Billy pressed his lips to mine with no hesitation. My hands gripped his shirt as my knees weakened. His beard was rough against my cheeks as the kiss deepened. His tongue swept into my mouth as if he were starving and it was the only thing that would save him.
My skin felt like it was going to ignite as his hands moved from my cheeks to the back of my neck. His big hands engulfed it, making me shiver, as he squeezed.
His tongue and mine danced, setting off fireworks inside of my stomach when the oven timer rang loudly enough that it shocked us out of whatever this was.
Billy pushed back away from me abruptly. I stumbled backward. If it weren’t for my fox’s quick reaction time, I’d have taken another assfall within an hour of the first.
“What the hell, Billy?” I grabbed onto my bed post.
The mating bond was clear to see between us. It was bright and a warm color. Comforting.
“Cider.” He started to pace. Billy pulled on his hair. “How can this be possible? Mates? We’ve known each other all our lives! Of course I love you, but how is this possible?”
The timer went off again. Billy turned abruptly, leaving me on my own as he muttered under his breath.
I sat on the bed. I touched my lips gently. That kiss had been life changing.
I had two mates. My best friend was my mate. I scrubbed a hand down my face. I loved him. Always had, but I haven't kidded myself into thinking that anything could ever happen between us. I was happy being friends.
But now, that had all changed. His reaction said it all. He didn’t want this and I didn’t want to force anything on him. Rejection stung deep within me, swirling through my blood and making tears pool in my eyes.
He may not want me, but as soon as that bond had settled into place, my entire being called out for him to be mine.
And there wasn't anything that I could do to stop it.
Even though my stomach rumbled, I turned around and crawled onto the bed, curled around my stuffed fox pillow, and closed my eyes.
