Page 28 of Mink Hijinks
“I best head out,” Buckle says. “Great to meet you, man. Hope we can do this again.” He shakes my hand, but that won’t do, and I pull him into a hug.
Pax hugs him, and Buckle scents him, but it doesn’t bother me. Friends scent friends, and I doubt Pax even knows Buckle’s doing it. Buckle shrugs when he notices me watching. I just shrug back, making him smile.
“See you soon,” Pax says. They’ll be back at the garage in a few days, and I hope to make the most out of our time left. He yawns again and we watch Buckle walk to his truck.
Pax turns to me and sinks into my arms. Something clearly isn’t right. “What’s wrong, my Omega?”
“Sorry, my brain is being silly.” He refuses to look at me and I tip his chin up.
“I’m sure it’s not.”
He nibbles on his bottom lip like he does when he’s nervous.
“Darlin’, tell me. Please. Or I’ll make something up like you want to reject me and be with Buckle instead.”
His eyes go wide and he shakes his head. “I love him, but I never really thought romantically about him.” As if it’s possible, his eyes get even wider. “Did I string him along?Shit.”
I press my fingers to his lips. “He’s content with his life, can’t you tell? He’s happy to have you as a friend, but I think his romantic thoughts died years ago and he just wants to be around you. Pax, you’re a sweetheart, and people like being around you. Didn’t you notice all the kits wanting to be in your orbit? You tell stories from the heart and you’re animated. Youcareabout people and how they feel.”
He blushes again. “Sounds like you’re describing yourself. I feel silly thinking like this, but I hate the idea of you leaving. I want to lock you in my bathroom and never let you leave.”
“I think that’d be pretty boring, to be honest.”
“Obviously, I’d give you coloring books or something to keep you occupied.” Pax nuzzles into my neck.
“Okay, so we need to decide what we want to do. If I’m super honest, I don’t want to leave either.”
“But you’d miss your family.”
“I would. But we have to live our lives and we can make our own little community here if you wanted.”
Pax shakes his head. “I don’t know. I just know the thought of being apart makes my heart hurt.”
“I did bring enough clothes for an extended stay. And you have a laundry room. I don’t have to leave immediately. I have my tablet and laptop. I can work from your apartment. It wouldn’t be bad.” I look around. “I can add some fun details to your apartment if you want.”
“Do you want to stay?” he asks, searching my eyes.
“More than anything.”
PAX
Having Aaron live with me has been bliss. We blend with each other seamlessly. Every morning we wake just a little early to enjoy each other before I head off to work and he tirelessly designs more and more new stuffies.
He released a line of dinosaurs for Valentine’s Day and he’s been texting me nonstop all day about how well the launch is going. I tried to get the day off for his birthday more than anything, but Larry, my boss, said no. To be fair, we’re down two mechanics and he keeps eyeing me ever since I got back from the cabin.
“So,” Buckle starts when I wash up for some lunch. “What did you get Aaron for his birthday?”
“He wanted a certain kind of specialty fabric we can’t find here, so I ordered him a bunch. I can’t wait to see his face.”
“How romantic?” Buckle scrunches his nose a little.
“He’ll love it.” My stomach revolts, and I press a hand to my mouth as I rush to the bathroom.
Buckle waits for me on the other side of the door and hollers. “I think you have a better present for him.”
After throwing up, I wash my hands and answer, “We always use condoms. Plus, I haven’t been in Heat since December.”
“Condoms can break, bestie.” He clamps a hand on my shoulder. “I think.” He leans in to sniff along my neck. “No,I know, you’re baking a little bun in that oven of yours.”
