Page 57 of Wolf's Whistle
“Of course, I promised you I wouldn’t give Charles the slip, and I didn’t even go out.”
Julien thought about that. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t try to go out, you might have run into someone connected with Stawski.”
Richard peered at him, slight annoyance darkening his eyes.
Julien changed the subject. “What did you get me?” he asked like a small child. His angel made him feel so untested.
“You have to wait until after the mating,” Richard said, laughing as Julien started to pout.
“Since you’re not going to give me my present, I’m going to get ready. We can’t keep Armand waiting. If you’re still hungry, Isabel made egg salad with bacon sandwiches for the car.”
Richard laughed harder. “You’re actually sulking.”
“I am not.” Julien moved in a huff as he pulled back his chair.
Richard stood and walked over to his Mate. “Yes, you are. It will do you some good to wait for something you want. You had me in two days. You’re spoiled, but I love you anyway.” Richard leaned over, giving Julien a buss on his cheek. “I’m going to get my computer bag out of your office. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
§ § §
Richard opened his computer bag and reached down for the box. Mr. Blanc had wrapped the solid gold pen and pencil set with the gold-leafed, burgundy leather-covered journal he bought in silver paper with a black ribbon, reminiscent of Julien’s furry coat. Julien had only Bic pens in his desk drawer. The other packages were beside it. A single pink three-quarter-carat diamond earring for Julio’s ear to go with his beloved tuxedo, and hand-worked platinum wolf’s head money clips for the others all wrapped in gold foil.
He had thought long and hard before he decided to buy Julio something different. However, Julio was his oldest friend and had saved him for the second time in his short life. He deserved something special. He zipped up his bag and bounded down the flight of stairs to the vestibule to Julien’s waiting arms.
“I’m sorry, mon ange. I was pouting. I’ll wait, just like you have to wait to see what I got you.” Julien had a twinkle in his eye as he whistled on his way out the door. Richard followed him, laughing.
They arrived at LaGuardia and drove to the private hangars and right onto the tarmac. In order of precedence, they boarded the plane. As Isabel walked by his seat, she handed him a large picnic basket. She leaned over and whispered, “Don’t worry, they’ll also have food service on the plane. This jet is full of loup garou, all of whom have huge appetites in everything they do.” She winked at him as she made her way to the back of the plane.
Richard rolled his eyes. The heat between Julien and him was combustible. Tonight, it would burst into flames. He didn’t have the experience of Julio and Donal or the naiveté of Kane, Ian, and Colin when it came to sex. The experience he brought to the marriage bed more paralleled Sean’s, a few affairs, but minus Sean’s hook-ups. The breadth of his experience was pretty thin, but then again, Julien had none, so he should be able to please his Mate. Julien, with the little they could do so far, sure as hell pleased him. He definitely anticipated the night to come.
His wolf motioned him over. “Please, come sit on my lap. I’ll put the extension on the seat belt so we can safely sit together. I need your arms around me. I’ve dreamed of tonight since I reached my majority at twenty-five, that one hundred and twenty-four years I’ve been waiting for you. I had begun to despair that I would never find you. You are my own personal miracle given to me by the grace of the gods.” Julien chastely kissed Richard’s forehead.
Richard put his head under Julien’s chin and kissed his neck to the catcalls of the other Mates.
“From what I understand, you guys were just as affected by the mating imperative.” Julio frowned at the lot of them.
Sean laughed. “We were only teasing. I remember being just as bad. It’s a long flight. Use the recliner and try to get some sleep. You certainly won’t get any tonight.”
Richard didn’t care that the others were making fun of him. He rested his head on Julien’s chest and could hear his wolf’s heart beating. It beat for him. That was enough to make all the teasing in the world totally irrelevant. He snuggled in closer, and Julien carded Richard’s hair with his fingers. His wolf’s chest rumbled as he whispered, “Your beautiful hair fascinates me. It’s so thick and soft. I love the idea that I’ll be doing this for three hundred years. I adore the tone of your skin and the few freckles that cross your nose and cheeks. You are perfect in my eyes, mon ange. Never forget that.”
“Oh, Julien, I know I’m not beautiful or even remotely handsome, but I thank the gods every day that in your eyes, I am.” Julien started to stroke his back. After his restless night, Richard began to nap and didn’t wake up until his stomach rumbled in anticipation of his next snack.
He woke to Julien’s soft voice. “Someone is hungry again.”
“I’m ravenous.” Richard glanced around the cabin for Isabel’s basket.
“Sit beside me, and I’ll have the steward put your meal on the tray.” Julien moved Richard off his lap.
“What’s for lunch?” He sniffed the air and smelled something delicious and redolent of rich seasonings.
“Michelle made jambalaya.”
Julien called the steward.
“I’ve heard of jambalaya. That’s the Creole dish with andouille sausage, shrimp, pork, and chicken. I’ll have to thank Michelle. I’ve read that it takes time to make a good jambalaya.” Richard started to shovel the food into his mouth then suddenly stopped and whispered, “Has everyone else eaten? I don’t want to screw up on the order of precedence.”
“This meal is just for you. The others ate while you slept.” Now, Richard didn’t hesitate. He ate quickly, speaking to Julien between mouthfuls.
“What is your home in Oregon like?”
