Page 25 of Wolf's Whistle
By midafternoon, Julien and Richard were cuddling on the sofa. Julien hadn’t got up the nerve to kiss Richard yet, but he would soon. Maybe he would encourage his Mate to read Colin’s books tonight. It was time for him to know the truth. Richard was complaining about his eyes and now saw a medium size rope.
After a huge lunch of shrimp creole and rice, Julien excused himself to make a few calls. “Richard, why don’t you read for a while if Julio is bugging you. He called at least twice this afternoon.”
“I know. Julio is like a dog with a bone. He doesn’t let go until you’ve done what he wants. I could refuse, but usually what Julio wants, at least when we were kids, was good for me, so I always cave.”
While Julien took the elevator up to his study, Richard rode with him to the fourth floor to read in his sitting room.
§ § §
Julien punched Armand’s number into his landline. “La Marche household, to whom am I speaking?”
“Hello, Pierre. This is Alpha Bellaire. Is The Alpha available?”
“I’ll check. I believe The Alpha and The Alpha Mate just finished lunch.”
Julien waited a few moments, and The Alpha came on the line. “Alpha Bellaire, what can I do for you?”
“My Alpha Mate is reading Alpha Mate Colin’s books today. I wanted to warn you in case the Mates are necessary.” Julien cringed, hoping he wouldn’t have to call The Alpha in the middle of the night as the others had.
“Don’t worry about the time,” Armand said as if he knew what Julien was thinking. “You’ll need to call me anyway, once he finds out. He’ll have questions that only the other Mates can answer. Try not to let him finish the books in the middle of the night, if you can. However, you should warn Isabel that we’ll need breakfast for twenty-eight and possibly, if he reads too quickly, pastries at midnight. She can call the other housekeepers for more information.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
§ § §
Richard went up to his suite and brought out his new phone and started the first of Colin’s new series.
At three Isabel came up with ham and cheese sandwiches and chips. Richard said, “Thank you,” took a sandwich then shoved it in his mouth and kept reading.
Julien knocked on his door at six, and Richard lifted head and saw the tether. He hoped his thoughts hadn’t leeched out onto his face.
“What’s the matter, mon ange? All the color just left your face. Isabel sent me up to tell you supper will be ready in ten minutes. We’re having T-bone steaks and mashed potatoes.”
Richard nodded absently and bookmarked the page, frowning. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.” Why do the characters in the books see the tethers? Was he seeing a tether? He was an engineer and wouldn’t jump to crazy conclusions without evidence. He’d finish the rest of the series before he said anything.
Richard couldn’t concentrate all through dinner. Those books seemed so real. Julien tried to engage him in conversation, and his answers were somewhat monosyllabic. His host frowned. Annoying Julien was not in his best interest, so he put his brain on hold and made polite conversation. However, as soon as he finished dessert, he said, “Please excuse me, Julien. I think I would like to finish Colin’s book.”
“You’re that close to the end? You read fast.”
“I’m at the end of the second book in the series and about to begin the third. I should be finished by about nine tonight.”
§ § §
Julien took a deep breath,nine isn’t really that late. Armand can’t object to nine.
“You read two books in three hours?” Julien was astonished.
“I’m a speed reader,” Richard told Julien in a bland tone that gave nothing away.
“You would tell me if I did something to offend you?” Julien failed to keep his voice from shaking.
“Of course, I would.” Richard’s voice was reassuring, but Julien wasn’t reassured.
“Go on up and read, then. Julio will be happy when you finish. Come down to my suite when you’re done and tell me what you think of the series.”
“Okay.” Richard pushed back his chair and turned to go toward the elevator.
“Richard,” Julien called. “Isabel will have a snack for us in my suite at nine.”
