Page 19 of Claimed By the Panda
Cody lifted his head and raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“You know about shifters now. About me. That’s... that’s a secret we protect. You can’t just leave.”
His smile turned knowing, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Right. I have to stay because I know your secrets. Just admit that something is happening. Or at least that you like me.”
I growled, rolling my eyes to hide how right he was. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re transparent.” He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my cock. “But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. And I’ll stay.” With that, he took me back into his mouth and settled next to me with a happy sigh.
Chapter 6
Cody
Time blurred into ahaze of hot sex and stolen moments with Jian. My body ached in the most delicious ways, marked with bruises and bites that told the story of his possession. I traced the deepest bite on my shoulder as I walked the stone path that wound through the retreat grounds, wondering if I could call in sick just one more day as my mind swirled with worry about the job I was probably losing and the rent I couldn’t pay.
None of it mattered when Jian was touching me, inside me, whispering filthy promises against my skin. But in the bright light of a crisp November afternoon, all the worries came hurtling back.
“Cody! What a wonderful surprise!”
I jumped at the booming voice, spinning to find Jian’s father emerging from a small garden shed, pruning shears in hand. Guo’s smile was wide and genuine, so unlike his son’s carefully guarded expressions. Where Jian was all tension and control, his father radiated an easy warmth.
“Good morning, Mr. Wei,” I said.
“Please, Guo,” he insisted, setting down the shears. “You are family now.”
My chest tightened at the word “family.” It seemed so soon, so permanent, but the way he said it made it sound like the most natural thing in the world.
“I want to thank you,” he continued, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. “For bringing such joy to my son.”
I blushed, images of the precise ways I’d been bringing joy to Jian flashing through my mind. “I haven’t done anything special.”
“Ah, but you have!” Guo patted my cheek affectionately. “I have not seen my son so alive in years. He smiles now!” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Do you know how long it’s been since he embraced his panda?”
I didn’t, but the pride in Guo’s voice made it clear this was significant.
“I think he’s been lonely,” Guo said, his voice softening. “Needing to find his place in our community. Already I see changes. He taught the children’s class yesterday without complaining and showed them his favorite form from when he was young.”
My heart swelled at the image of Jian surrounded by delighted children. “That’s... really sweet.”
“Thanks to you,” he insisted. “You spend so much time with him. Every night, yes?”
The implication made me blush harder. “I mean, I don’t really mind except...” I hesitated. “I might get fired from my job, actually. And it’s hard to be upset by that because my job is kind of shitty. All I do is make coffee for the guys who get to do all the actual art.”
Guo’s eyebrows shot up, but before he could respond, a jingle of bracelets announced Marissa’s approach. She floated toward us, colorful scarves trailing behind her.
“Cody!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a hug that smelled of jasmine and spices. “I was just thinking about you. The energy between you and Jian—it’s so perfectly balanced. Yin and yang in harmony.”
I returned her hug awkwardly, still not used to the Wei family’s easy physicality. “Thanks, I think?”
“Cody was just telling me about his job. He’s an artist.” There was something tense in Guo’s voice now, and I wondered if I’d upset him.
“Your job is in art?” Marissa asked. “May I see some of your work?”
“Oh, um. Well, I studied animation and illustration in school. My dream is to do character design. For video games and stuff.” I shifted from foot to foot. “I don’t have any here due to the, er, kidnapping.”
I’d meant it as a joke, but the word hung in the air like a live grenade. Marissa and Guo’s faces froze, identical expressions of horror blooming.
“Kidnapping?” Marissa’s voice rose an octave. “What do you mean, kidnapping?”
