Available [Marked 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (17 page)

Regan snorted. “That man sleeps like the dead. I could set off a bomb in the kitchen and he wouldn’t wake up. The only reason I’m up is because someone was in the driveway a minute ago. No idea who and they’re wearing something to mask their scent, but they were there. Since I didn’t have anything else, I came up for OJ.” He motioned to the living area with the plush red leather sectional next to the fifty-six-inch flat screen. “Want to chill with me for a minute before I go? Not to be a creeper or anything but Ryan is in total denial about what is going on with you two, and I want the skinny.” He reached into the cabinet above Bradley’s head before handing him a cup out of it.

“Thanks,” Bradley said, setting it on the counter and pouring his juice in it. “Yeah. I can chill for a second.” He was too wired to go back into the bedroom and try to sleep, so it was a better alternative. He was feeling clingy, but just knowing that his lover was asleep in the other room gave him comfort.

Regan went over, plopped down on the couch, and grabbed the remote for the TV. He’d obviously done it more than once because he knew exactly how to work it. He turned it onto one of the rock and roll music stations and beckoned Bradley over.

Bradley went, sitting a couple cushions over for propriety’s sake, just in case Ryan came in and decided to get territorial over the space between them. “What did you want to know? I know you guys are close.” He had no qualms telling Regan his perspective on things. Ryan trusted him absolutely, so it only made sense that he do the same.

“You smell different,” Regan said, frowning. He sniffed the air. “I mean, you smell like wolf, sex, and Ry. Weird.”

Bradley shrugged. “He claimed me finally, if that makes a difference.” He rubbed his neck where Ryan had bit him. “I’m not sure if that means I’m going to turn furry or not.”

Regan reached out and tilted his head to the side. “Ah, I see. If that’s the case, then congrats. I’m glad my brother finally got his head out of his ass. To turn someone into one of us, you have to be marked, offer an act of submission, and take the Dominant’s bite. You might have accomplished all three. We’ll ask Ry tomorrow.” He smiled. “Welcome to the family, little brother.”

“Thanks.” It was nice to be seen as something to be welcomed instead of shunned. “I imagine he’s still going to have hang-ups about it though. I mean, whatever happened that keeps him from letting loose is still bothering him.”

Regan sighed and sat back in the couch. “Honestly, he needs to forgive himself for that. It’s been years, and he’s a grown man now. The damn elders and Mustang’s father really fucked him up in the head over it.”

“What happened? He started to tell me, but he’s not ready yet. You don’t need to give me details, but I’d like an idea so I can start figuring out how to help my Master.” Bradley wasn’t sure if that was appropriate, but he felt like it was his job to do so.

Regan considered him. “You really are an oddball sub. Most expect the Doms to just take care of them. You’re the sub who absolutely believes that it is your mission to care for and obey your Dominant. Am I right?” Bradley nodded. “Thought so. You’re a special kid, Bradley. I hope one day to be as lucky as my brother is. Ryan’s hang-up about relationships and his ability to have one comes from his first boyfriend. David was really into breath play, wanted it all the time, but they were both way too inexperienced to go there without supervision. Long story short, they got carried away and David almost died. Ryan blamed himself because he was David’s Dom and should’ve known that he was past the ability to safeword. Just the same, David should’ve safeworded way earlier but was a stubborn kid who thought he could take anything. When the axe came down from the Alpha, Ryan was punished, first in front of the pack with retribution to David’s family and then again in intensive ‘counseling’ sessions where the fucker basically told him that he couldn’t be trusted with inexperienced subs or even in any type of normal relationship until he was more experienced and a better Dominant. My brother was a sixteen-year-old kid, and as you can imagine, it rocked his confidence. He refused from then on to get involved with anyone who wasn’t an available and never took on a personal sub. He just doesn’t trust himself.”

Quiet horror settled into Bradley’s skin. “God that’s awful. He’s a wonderful Dominant and a good man. How can he not see that?”

Regan shrugged. “Got me. No one in his life has ever pushed the envelope and demanded more until you came along. He won’t listen to me or any of the other Doms, and subs, especially the ones who hang out at the club, don’t care to bolster a Dom’s confidence. They want our mastery, but they don’t really care about us as people and same goes for us for the most part. My brother has always needed a relationship but has been too stubborn to see it. That’s why I’m glad you came along.”

“This would explain why he freaked when I asked about breath play,” Bradley muttered, examining those instances where Ryan had been the most uncomfortable. “Poor Ryan.”

“Yep. I hope you take care of him, kid. If you don’t and you hurt him, I will bury you. We clear?” The threat made Bradley shudder. The look in Regan’s eyes said that he would make good on it if Bradley ever gave him reason to.

He nodded. “Yeah. I got it.”

“Good. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to come find me downstairs or shoot a text to my phone. You have the number?” He nodded. It was on the back of the card that Ryan gave him. “Awesome. I don’t expect you to attend the classes for availables anymore, so any pack questions, feel free to ask, too.” The wolf stretched, popping something as he did. “You going somewhere tomorrow?”

“Yeah I have a studio class I have to go to and work the next day.” He wasn’t sure what the point of the question was though.

Regan nodded. “Tell Ryan to take the car tomorrow. It’s supposed to rain. I put your bike in the shed out behind the tattoo shop whenever you go by there.” He slapped his hands on his knees. “I think I’m going to grab some shut-eye myself. We’re booked tomorrow, so I better get some rest. You should probably do the same. You wired?”

“A little bit,” Bradley admitted. Regan handed the remote to him.

“There are literally a thousand channels to choose from. Usually sub boys want to crash after a session, but you are just going to be different huh?” He smiled when he said it, telling Bradley that it was a compliment. Bradley smiled sheepishly and nodded. “Figures. My brother has all the luck. Speaking of sessions, you enjoy yours?”

Bradley grinned and gave him the highlights, proud that he had done so much in his first official session.

When he finished, Regan was grinning, too. “That is a hell of an ending to the night. Damn. He mates you at the end of it. That’s some real BDSM romantic shit right there.”

Bradley laughed at his phrasing. “I suppose so.”

“Right on. Well, I’m off to bed. If you need anything, don’t forget to yell.”

“Will do. G’night,” Bradley said, waving as Regan pushed himself to his feet and crossed the floor to the door in the kitchen.

The wolf paused as he opened the door. “You know, most people aren’t okay with me and Ry’s weird-ass connection thing. It doesn’t bother you that I’m here, does it?”

Bradley shook his head. “Nope. You’re as much a part of Ryan as I am. You feel right.” He couldn’t explain it adequately. Ryan needed Regan to be there just as Regan needed Ryan to be close. It would make Bradley one hell of a prick to try and break that up.

Regan smiled. “Cool, man. See you.” With that he disappeared down the dark staircase, shutting the door behind him. Bradley sighed and turned his attention back to the TV before giving up the fight to find something to watch and slinking back down the hall to Ryan’s room. He had hopes for tomorrow. As he slid into bed with his mate and was immediately enveloped in Ryan’s strong arms, he knew that his hopes were definitely within reach.

Two weeks passed, and Bradley could honestly say they were the best in his life. Ryan still wouldn’t say “I love you,” but he at least acknowledged that Bradley was his mate and had agreed to drop the whole “trainer” façade and register Bradley as his official mate despite the fact that he hadn’t turned him yet. That was fine with Bradley because their relationship was progressing nicely. He’d been able to move back into his apartment a few days previously, but he and Ryan still managed to see one another every day. The space only seemed to encourage Ryan to move things faster, and that was awesome in Bradley’s eyes.

Hey, Sir, just got out of class and am heading to work
, he texted as his professor called an end to their lecture and he started gathering up his things. His phone buzzed with a reply almost immediately.

Good. What time do you get off
?

His fingers flew over the keys.
My shift ends at 11. You want to come over
?

Pack meeting tonight. Probably won’t be done in time to do much but sleep
.

Bradley frowned. That sucked
. Oh…

That’s okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then. Breakfast at your place right?
He could take his bike over as soon as he got out of his early class at nine.

Yes. I’ll make chocolate waffles to make up for it. ;)

Bradley grinned. He loved Ryan’s waffles. He wasn’t sure what he did to them, but they were some of the best he’d ever eaten.
Session after
? He bargained. They hadn’t done a scene in three days, and he was jonesing for one.

LOL, minx. Fine. Session after. Serious note, be careful walking home tonight. Someone broke into the shop last night and went through my desk. He might still feel threatened by you. Also, Mustang gave me some info I need to share with you, but it can wait until tomorrow. Text me when you get home
.

He hadn’t thought about the other person who had been following around Ryan since the first night they’d been together two weeks ago. It hadn’t been really threatening since whoever it was ransacked his apartment. For the most part, the only signs that someone was even still following him around were when one of the twins claimed to have smelled or heard someone around their place. It was all very strange. He replied.
I’ll text you when I get in. <3 U
.

He tucked the phone into his jeans pocket and gathered up his laptop and backpack. There were a couple of projects he needed to finish up for his design class, and he still had to take his exams, but for the most part he was done with the semester’s responsibilities. All he needed to work on was finishing up the pieces for his senior art exhibit. He couldn’t wait for Ryan to see the full extent of the collection. It had everything from when they first met to the piece he’d finished last night to complete the three-piece set that he’d started after their first round of lovemaking. Professor McDaniels said that the whole collection was admirable and had been encouraging him to apply to art schools that had been after him. Bradley had tucked that want away, however. He wanted to stay here. His heart was here.

Besides, Christian Svengard, a big-name designer, club owner, and art collector had taken an interest in his work since he’d started working the “Adamson” pieces and was snapping up his work and commissioning him to begin work on a new collection over the summer. It was a big break and one that could possibly mean that he would be able to work on his art full-time once he graduated. He’d been saving that news as a surprise for Ryan. His Dom was already spoiling him rotten. He’d taken his studio at his house and converted it to one better suited to Bradley and his work. When he wasn’t in the playroom or in Ryan’s bedroom, that was where he spent his time.

He waved to his friends and classmates as he cut out of the classroom and took the side hall out to the entrance that would spill him out onto the sidewalk that ran parallel to the school and down the street to Denny’s. He couldn’t wait for his shift to be over. He hugged his jacket close and snuggled into his scarf. A few more hours until he could touch Ryan again. It wasn’t such a long time to wait.

* * * *

One of Bradley’s customers waved him over from his station as he refilled the glass of Sprite for table four. “Can I get some more coffee please?” he asked, raising his cup.

Bradley nodded and smiled. “Be right there.” He delivered the Sprite to four and rounded to grab the coffeepot for six. “Sorry about that. It gets a little busy this time of night.” The two hours after the last classes let out at the university and the morning shift were the busiest out of the day. Bradley preferred to work this shift out of any of the others. He wasn’t much of a morning person.

The brown-haired man smiled. “Not a problem. You’re the beta Ryan’s new toy aren’t you?”

Bradley froze, trying to think of what the hell to say to that. “Um, we’re seeing one another.”

“But you’re an available right?” he asked, looking a little too interested at the place where his available tattoo sat as if by sheer force of will he could see through Bradley’s clothes. It was creepy.

“Yeah, technically. Only for Ryan though.” He took a step back from the table. He couldn’t be rude, but at the same time, he really didn’t want the other guy to touch him.

The guy sighed wistfully. It was creepy as hell. “There was a time when being an available meant you catered to any Dominant who had the inclination.”

Bradley chose to ignore it. “Well, good thing we live in a different time. Can I get you anything else?”