The Birthday Bear, page 9
"I wasn't. He was sitting there, and I thought mine."
"Which would've been fine if he was a shifter and knew he was yours."
"When do we tell him what we are?" Gabe didn't know how long they could keep it a secret without someone fucking up. He'd already growled a couple of times.
"I don't know. If we tell him too early, he'll run. If we keep it from him for too long, he'll feel betrayed."
Great. There was no winning.
"We'll figure it out. Now, go."
Gabe did. He changed clothes and shoes and headed out the back door. The library was only a few minutes' walk away from the bakery. The air was nippy, but at least it wasn't raining. When the old stone building towered over him, he took a deep breath and jogged up the stairs.
There was a certain smell to libraries, and he inhaled as he looked around to see if he could spot Riley somewhere. He couldn't.
Behind the counter was a dark-haired woman about his age. He took a step in her direction. "Hello."
"Good morning. How can I help you?" She had a good smile. It made her look younger than she was.
"I'm looking for Riley."
"Oh." She turned and looked over the low wall behind her. Then she went up on tiptoe and looked downward. "I think he's on the floor below, by the hobby shelf."
"The hobby shelf?"
"Sewing, crocheting, basketry, that sort of thing. Down the stairs and then directly to your left. You won't be able to miss him."
"Thank you." Gabe nodded and walked past some shelves with children's books before he reached the stairs.
When he was halfway down, he heard a male voice below calling Riley's name. The bear inside growled, but Gabe clamped his lips shut. This was not the time or the place. He jogged down the last few stairs and spotted Riley by one of the shelves. He hadn't seen Gabe though. He was busy looking across the room at what Gabe assumed was the owner of the voice.
"Mr. Collins." Riley's voice was neutral enough, but Gabe wanted to snarl.
Steps grew closer, and Gabe half-turned to watch Mr. Collins approach. He wasn't as tall as Gabe--few were--but he was a good bit taller than Riley, and while Gabe would guess he was in his mid-fifties, he was fit and healthy-looking. Not at all what he had expected. He'd pictured him as a pot-bellied, heavy-breathing, unattractive man. It was not the case.
"Babe." Gabe took a step forward, pretending he hadn't noticed Collins approaching. "You forgot your keys at my place."
Riley whirled around and stared at him. "Oh? I did?"
"Yeah." Gabe stepped closer and wrapped an arm around his waist before bending to nuzzle his neck. Riley's fingertips dug into his upper arm, but he did nothing to increase the distance between them.
When someone--Douglas Fucking Collins--cleared his throat, Gabe looked up with murder in his gaze. He made sure Riley didn't see it, though. "Yes?"
"Riley is working."
"I know, hence me coming to find him here."
"Eh...Mr. Collins, this is Gabe Callan, my boyfriend."
Boyfriend wasn't the word Gabe would use, but it was better than friend or acquaintance. Gabe held out his hand in greeting. "Nice to meet you." Not. "You're the library manager?"
Collins straightened and took Gabe's offered hand. "That's right. How did you know?"
"Oh, Riley and I talk. Don't we, babe?" Gabe gave Riley a sweet smile.
* * * *
Riley looked between Gabe and Collins. He was glad Gabe was here, but he wasn't looking forward to how Collins would act when he'd gone.
"I see." Collins gave Riley a hard look. Great. "Well, if you're done disturbing him while he's working, then maybe you can let him get back to what he was doing?"
"Absolutely." When Gabe smiled, Riley was surprised by how prominent his teeth were. He'd never noticed before. Gabe turned to Riley as if Collins wasn't there. "I'm sorry about this morning, honey."
"It's okay." Riley's brain was working overtime to try to decipher if Gabe was making a pretend apology for something he hadn't done or if he was apologizing for earlier. Again.
"Do you want me to pick you up when you end your shift, or will you come by the bakery?"
"Bakery?" Collins glared at Gabe. "You're Callan from the bakery." He gestured at Riley. "The cookies you bring?"
"Callan's, yes. My brother and I own it. I'm the baker. Raphael takes care of the customers." He smiled at Riley. "I have to get back before the kitchen gets out of control. I only wanted to swing by and let you know about the keys."
The keys were in Riley's pocket. He stepped closer to Gabe, not wanting him to leave, and it wasn't only because it would mean he'd be alone with Collins. Riley's heart hammered uncomfortably as he tilted his head, silently asking for a kiss and hoping Gabe wouldn't make things awkward.
He didn't. He bent down as if they did this every time they were to part ways, making Riley wish they'd done this every time they parted ways. Though, had Gabe tried to kiss him a couple of months ago, he'd have slapped him, so it was for the best he hadn't tried. His thoughts ran away with him, and he was hardly aware of what he was doing until Gabe's hand slid from the small of his back up to caress the bare skin on his nape. He shivered at the touch, and Gabe's lips stretched into a smile, ruining the kiss.
"Come to the bakery when you finish for the day."
Riley nodded, not finding his voice.
Gabe gave him a quick peck, squeezed his hand, and sauntered up the stairs.
"You're dating a baker?" There was scorn in Collins' voice, but Riley didn't care. He was busy watching Gabe climb the stairs.
"Yeah."
"A little old for you, isn't he?"
"Younger than you." Riley turned to grab a book, refusing to cower as if he expected to be struck despite half expecting to be.
Collins huffed but walked away. Riley held his breath for several seconds, expecting him to call for him to join him, to meet him in his office, or something along those lines, but he didn't say anything.
He worked in stunned silence for several minutes before quick steps approached. He looked up to find Hadley coming toward him with a grin on her face. "Who's the hunk and what happened to Collins?"
"What?"
"He came up from here all growly, puffed his chest, and argued with Linda right in the middle of the history section." She made wide eyes but looked as if she'd burst out laughing any second.
Riley shrugged. "I don't know. He came looking for me, but right as he found me, Gabe showed up."
"Oh, Gabe? Tell me more." She wiggled her eyebrows, and he snorted.
"He's the baker. There are cupcakes in the staff room."
"I love you, Riley. Now, who is Gabe and when are you getting married? I want to see the wedding cake."
He wished he had something he could throw at her, but he had to settle for a slight slap on her arm. "There will be no wedding. A few kisses is all."
"You need to climb him like a tree."
Riley shook his head. "He's a friend." Though, the words didn't taste right. Riley didn't kiss his friends.
* * * *
Chapter 12
"We need another party." Quillian was leaning his elbows on the baker's table, getting flour on his forearms.
"Why?" Gabe glanced up from the brioches he was braiding for an order for this evening. A woman would be by to pick them up right before closing time.
"Because Rook is moping, and I want to hear Riley talk about stupid books again."
"And a party would help?" Gabe glanced at the clock on the wall. He didn't know when Riley ended his shift, but he kept hoping he'd show up around every full hour. He had to come soon.
"Yes! A few drinks, a few laughs, some good food, maybe even cake."
"You realize we've had a party every damn week lately, and we never have parties." Normally, Gabe would have turned him down the moment the word party was out of his mouth, but if he could get Riley to come to the house again...
"Yes, and see how much better everything has been."
Gabe grimaced because apart from getting to touch Riley, not much had changed. Or more like Rook had turned into a shadow of his former self, and Gabe had no idea why. He didn't think it was the crappy one-night stand. "Maybe ask Rook if a party is what he wants."
"I don't think he knows what he wants."
Gabe nodded. Sometimes you got stuck in a rut. They'd moved here, they'd bought the house, and they'd opened the bakery, but since they wanted some security, they didn't want everyone working in the same place. So, Rook had taken a bartender job. It wouldn't help them if the business failed. Rook's pay wasn't enough to cover the bills, but it was something. They'd made sure they weren't intruding on any other shifters' territory. Conflict wasn't what they wanted. All they wanted was to live their lives without having to fight for their existence, and they'd come a long way, but maybe it had been wrong to have Rook work in another place.
The rest of them were together several days a week, but Rook was often left out. And it wasn't because they didn't want to include him, but they kept different hours, and often they talked about little things that happened during the day, which he hadn't been part of. Gabe grimaced. Fuck. But could they afford to hire Rook too? Did he want to work here?
The bakery was doing okay, but he wasn't sure it could support them all. Especially not if they wanted to have Riley working more--and they did.
"What do you think?"
"About?" Gabe looked at Quillian.
"About what I said." Quillian glared at him. "You didn't listen, did you?"
Gabe grimaced and placed one of the braided breads in a baking pan.
The back door opened, and both Gabe and Quillian turned to it. When Riley stepped in, Gabe grinned.
"What do you think, Rye?" Quillian took a step in his direction.
"About?" Riley looked confused, and given he'd crossed the threshold only moments ago, he had the right to be.
"About having a party."
Riley scrunched his face. "What kind of party?"
"Something to cheer Rook up. He's moping, and I think he needs to have some fun. Some good food, a few drinks, relaxing."
"He said he needs a week of cuddling on the couch, so I don't think a party is what he wants."
"He said that?" Gabe wanted to pull Riley to him, but he was still in the process of taking off his jacket and changing shoes, and Gabe had more loaves of bread to braid.
Riley nodded. "Said he's having a midlife crisis, and maybe he should switch jobs or open a nightclub of his own, but you and Raphael work all the time, so he doesn't know if it's worth it. And he needs a week to cuddle on the couch...or a good fight, but I vote for cuddling on the couch."
Quillian groaned. "Movie night? We bring a few beers, some popcorn, and have a puppy pile on the couch?"
"Eh...puppy pile as in?" Riley was scrunching his face again, and Gabe fought the urge to laugh. Quillian, on the other hand, looked confused.
"As in a puppy pile. How many ways could you have a puppy pile?"
"As in sitting close together and quietly watching a movie, a real movie not porn? Or a puppy pile as in an orgy, and please don't say you're into puppy play, because I don't know if I can deal with that."
Quillian's eyes went wider than Gabe thought he'd ever seen them.
"Riley, I've always considered myself a man pretty educated in debauchery, but you make me feel darn right innocent. I meant cuddling on the couch watching a movie--not porn. I think you're forgetting the whole thing about us being guys without poly bones, not to mention Raphael would kill anyone who so much as breathed on Laura."
Right as Quillian mentioned Laura's name, Raphael pushed through the swing doors. "What about Laura?"
"That no one will touch her."
"Damn right, no one will, but why are you talking about Laura?" Raphael's voice turned a little growly.
"We're having a movie night, and Riley tried to turn it into a gangbang."
Riley spluttered. "I did not!"
Raphael ignored Riley's outburst and focused on Quillian. "When?"
"Don't know. Rook must be off work."
"He's off tonight. Something about covering for someone some time back and getting tonight off. I think he's at home now. I can call Laura to check." He disappeared again without waiting for anyone to reply.
"I guess it's movie night tonight." Quillian grinned at them. "We're having beer, right? Or wine? What do you want to drink, Rye?"
"Oh...I don't--"
"Tonight, you are, for Rook."
Gabe rolled his eyes. "You don't have to drink anything Riley and don't let him bully you."
"I wasn't." Quillian looked outraged, but it was all play.
"I like girly drinks."
"Of course you do." Quillian shrugged. "Raphael and Laura do too."
"Raphael?" Riley looked as if he was about to laugh.
"Yup, the sweeter and pinker, the better." Quillian winked at him before turning to Gabe. "Can I go? Riley can help you, right?"
Gabe shook his head. "Riley has already worked one shift today."
"It's okay. I can work." He reached for an apron at the same time as Quillian untied his.
* * * *
Nerves filled Riley as he was left alone in the kitchen with Gabe, and it didn't help that he was watching Riley's every move.
"So...eh...good day?"
Gabe crooked his finger at him, and Riley walked over.
"It's better now." He bent to nuzzle Riley's neck, and he anticipated the shiver before it came. Gabe knew exactly how to touch him to have goosebumps erupt.
"How did it go with Douglas Fucking Collins?" His voice was no louder than a whisper.
"Pretty good. He thought you were too old for me, and when I told him he was older, he stomped off, and I didn't see him for the rest of the day."
Gabe winced. "Am I too old for you?"
Riley stared at him. They were not having this conversation. "What do you need me to do?"
Gabe raised an eyebrow at him.
"I'll check for dishes." He hurried out through the swing doors. About half of all the tables were occupied, but there was no one by the counter. Raphael was speaking low into his phone, to Laura Riley assumed. Riley went and grabbed the tray stand to have something to do. As he rolled it into the kitchen, Gabe was putting the last piece of the braided dough into a bread pan and placed it in the proofing cabinet.
Riley filled a plastic tray with glasses and cups and started the dishwasher. As he stepped back, Gabe was standing by the baker's table, watching him with his arms crossed over his chest.
"What are you doing?" Riley couldn't help but chuckle.
"Watching you."
"Why?" Walking a little closer, Riley tried to ignore the way his heart sped up.
"Because I like watching you."
"Mr. Callan, I think ogling the help is a waste of time."
Gabe shook his head. "Not in the slightest."
Riley took another step closer. He was still out of reach, but if Gabe took a step forward--
One second, he was leaning against the baker's table watching Riley. The next, Riley was in his arms, being lifted off the floor. A yelp of surprise escaped, but before he could question what the fuck Gabe was doing, he'd placed him on the table, his ass on the floury surface. He looked around himself and groaned. "Gabriel!"
Gabe laughed.
"Now I'm all floury."
"It's a fantasy of mine. Getting you all floury, though not with Raphael and customers on the other side of flimsy swing doors."
Riley stared at him, and Gabe stepped closer. Spreading his legs, Riley didn't realize what he was doing until Gabe stepped in between his knees. Oh, fuck.
Slowly, Gabe placed one hand on the table on either side of Riley's thighs. "Okay?"
"I'm not sure you're allowed to put me on the table, health regulations and such."
Gabe looked into his eyes before leaning forward. Riley tilted his head, inviting him to kiss. His heart stuttered as Gabe's lips brushed over his, followed by a swipe of his tongue. Riley opened and invited him inside. Gabe groaned into his mouth, which was fucking hot.
Sliding his hands up Gabe's strong arms and over his shoulders, had Riley pushing closer. He wanted to wrap his legs around him, but this was not the time nor the place. He broke the kiss but didn't move away otherwise. "We should get back to work." He trailed his fingertips along the hairline of Gabe's neck, playing with the idea of burying his hand in his hair.
"You okay with this?"
"Huh?" Riley leaned back a fraction, so he could see Gabe's eyes. They were lighter again. The light in here was strong, but they shouldn't be lighter.
"Me grabbing you, kissing you."
He frowned. "Of course."
"No, it's not of course. You've shied away from every touch for a year, and you weren't okay with it this morning. I don't want to cause you any distress, Rye."
Riley scowled. "This morning was a power display. I was having a chat with a friend, and you barged in and took over. It wasn't about the kiss, it was about not giving me a choice, not respecting my wishes, and preventing me and Rook from having time together. You can kiss me, you can touch me, but you can't force control over me. I've been there, and I'm never doing it again."
Gabe made a sound and leaned forward to rest his forehead on Riley's shoulder. "You're mine. I've known you're mine since the first time you stumbled in here, black and blue and terrified of everything that moved. It was hell not to hold you then, and now when I can, I don't want to ever have you out of arm's reach. And I know Rook is your friend, and I know you're not interested in him that way, but you went to him before you looked for me, and I...I don't know." He shrugged. "I needed them to know you're mine."
"Did you catch the caveman virus or what?" Riley didn't know if he should be happy or terrified. It was nice to be wanted, but a few kisses shouldn't inspire a you're-mine-speech, unless Gabe was a shifter, of course. Maybe he'd been listening to a fated mates story and identified with a werewolf. Riley could work with that, maybe. They could buddy read. He loved fated mates stories. "What are you listening to?"
