Page 55 of Wolf's Whistle
Julien was waiting for them at the entrance. He pulled Richard into his arms. “I missed you. Thank the gods that we’re going to work together after you get your degree. I don’t think I could stand not seeing you for eight straight hours.”
“I’ll be gone for school.”
“I know. I hope it gets better after the mating because right now, I go nuts when you’re out of my sight.” Julien grabbed his hand. “Did you enjoy the spa? Etienne reassured me that all the Mates go before their wedding.”
“I feel good but I’ve never been so prodded and polished. I must look like a spit-shined shoe.”
Julien burst out laughing and took him by the hand. “Marcel has put out some things you might want to take with you. We’ll be in Oregon for about four days. I sent him to L.L. Bean to get you some outdoor clothing to wear up there. Let’s go upstairs and see what he purchased.”
§ § §
Julien’s Townhouse
Master Suite
Evening
“We have to go to sleep. We’re due on the tarmac at seven, and that means we have to leave at six to get through the morning traffic. I want you wide awake for the mating, so notelevisiontonight.” Julien gave him a stern expression.
Richard got into bed and wiggled into Julien’s arms.
“Mon ange, if you keep doing that, I’ll have to sleep upstairs. I want to hold you, but I’m on tenterhooks, so no wiggling.”
Richard laughed. “You’re no fun!”
Julien replied in a hoarse whisper, “You’ll find out just how much fun I can be tomorrow at midnight.”
Richard turned to face his soon-to-be Mate. “I guess I will. Did you buy condoms and lube?”
“We don’t need condoms. I can’t get human diseases, and if you had one, my seed would kill it. But I haven’t forgotten the lube. I bought two kinds while you were out today, a numbing lube and a good regular lube. Armand said the numbing lube is for the first time and after that, we use the regular kind.”
“You asked Armand?” Richard raised both eyebrows.
“Who do you think the others asked?” Julien smirked. “It’s not as if I can ask my father, he’s married to a woman. Besides, Armand brought up the subject. He asked me if there was anything I needed to know.”
Richard giggled. “Somehow I can’t picture Armand going to the store to buy intimate products.”
“He doesn’t.”
“Don’t tell me he sends poor Martin or Rene.” Richard couldn’t stop giggling.
“Don’t be disrespectful. Armand orders from Amazon.” Julien narrowed his eyes.
Richard guffawed. “Armand and one-click for lube. I can just see it now. Armand in the dark furtively going to the page and ordering sex toys.”
Now Julien laughed. “Don’t do this to me. I have to show respect, or I’ll wind up in the pit, and you’ll be responsible because every time I see him, I’ll giggle.”
Richard became alarmed. “Armand wouldn’t take you to the pit for laughing at him, would he?”
“No, mon ange. But he may get frosty and search for a replacement for me on the council. To work together, we have to know our place. It would be disrespectful to laugh at him. Especially since I brought the subject up by asking the question.”
Richard pursed his lips. “You’re right. I’m sorry for being so flippant.”
“You’re forgiven. Now cuddle close, it’s near eleven, and we have to be up by four thirty to make sure we have everything we need to go to Oregon. I have a list. There are some things my parents don’t have because we were supposed to mate in Redmond.”
Richard didn’t answer. He’d fallen fast asleep. For Julien, it wasn’t that easy. Although Stawski now resided in Riker’s Island, until trial, he was worried about the brother-in-law Stawski tried to so ineptly protect. The Serbian mob now knew of Garou, especially Julien. He could defend himself, but Richard, he was another story. He was planning on bringing back a few Enforcers from Oregon and Redmond. It wasn’t as if he had no place to put them. On Etienne’s advice, both he and Alexei bought apartment buildings or two bedroom co-ops nearby just in case, although at the time, Etienne had been thinking about the Russians.
Richard started to toss and turn. Julien settled down and rubbed concentric circles on his beloved’s back, coaxing him out of his nightmare.
