11. LIP SERVICE

JULIET, LIP SERVICE

Taking advantage of the beautiful, spring sunshine Luke lays out a blanket and picnic – slices of meat, cheeses, crackers, vegetables and some basic fruits along with waters and sodas. Considering he put it together with minimal supplies and no prep time – it’s wonderful and incredibly romantic. I sit cross-legged while he lays out on his side and we talk throughout our meal, the conversation as always never lapsing.

“I like you, Juliet,” Luke says suddenly, his eyes scouring my face for any sign of a reaction. I’m not surprised because I’ve suspected it for awhile – no man spends this much time with a woman and her children simply because he enjoys travelling hours in winter weather on foot but I’m still stunned to hear the words out loud. Having Luke verbalize them makes his feelings ‘official’ and something we have to recognize, whether I’m ready or not.

Thing is, I think I am.

I take his hand in mine in an effort to reassure him I’m not going to freak out, break into tears or run away crying and he exhales roughly – like he was holding his breath waiting on my response. I look into his eyes before answering.

“I like you too, Luke,” I tell him with a smile. His smile in response is huge but dampens slightly with my next words. “But there’s never been anyone else,” I implore him to understand what I’m trying to say but can’t find the words for. I’ve never loved anyone else – it’s only ever been Markus, both emotionally and physically. The thought of opening myself up to someone new both terrifies and excites me, and I don’t know how fast or slow I’m going to be able to go at – I only know I’ll be able to go at ‘my’ pace. Luke squeezes my hand.

“You’re worth waiting for – in all ways,” he states simply before letting the topic drop. Before long, it is time to head back because the girls will be waking up but not before we part from our ‘date’. After everything is packed up from the picnic, I turn and wrap my arms around Luke’s neck. I have to stand on my tippy-toes to even reach but he immediately cooperates and stands in place, leaning down to make him easier to access.

“Thank you for today,” I tell him and kiss him gently on the lips. The kiss is quick but firm, soft yet meaningful. He kisses me in response but that is as far as either of us go. I know he’ll wait until I make the next move and I’m not ready for anything further, not yet anyways but I do have to admit he is a great kisser.

I pass the days until his next visit dreaming of his lips.

LUKE, LET’S MAKE A DATE

We have dates on my next three visits – one more picnic, one afternoon at the beach and one playing a board game because it was raining outside but we didn’t want to waste the opportunity of being alone. Quentin is awesome and is happy to watch the girls while they nap so we can spend some time alone together, otherwise we spend the day together as a foursome and it is always incredible. My feelings for all three of them have grown beyond simple ‘like’ and the time has come for me to take the next step with Juliet.

“Hell yeah it is! It’s time for this guy to come out and play!” ‘Chase’ shouts, excited that it is time to finally make the big reveal. My relationship with Juliet is progressing to the point that before we get any more involved, I need to let her know that I’m a shifter and she is my bond mate. I’m nervous – this is the make it or break it part of our relationship, she either accepts us or she doesn’t. If she doesn’t… well, it is kind of the end of things for ‘Chase’ and me. “We’re not going to worry about that because I’m fucking amazing and she’s going to love me!” ‘Chase’ insists, refusing to entertain thoughts to the contrary.

I pick her a bouquet of wildflowers on my way and as always, the girls are excited to see me. They’re getting so big now and are a constant going concern. The terrible two’s started early with these two and they egg one another on – you wouldn’t believe it if you didn’t see it in person. Doesn’t matter though – they’re little darlings and absolutely adorable and I couldn’t love them more if they were my own.

Yeah, I said love.

“Cubs,” ‘Chase’ shrugs, already accepting them as his own and just as protective. Every time we leave it gets more and more difficult to the point it is physically painful now, and every minute away it only grows worst. Only returning to this family of three does the hurt go away to be replaced by love and joy, even… contentment and fulfillment.

“Juliet, there’s something I need to tell you and it’s… it’s big,” I start. The girls are with Quentin again while Juliet and I are a ways off in the woods, ‘hiking’.

I simply needed her a distance away in case she freaked out and started screaming.

“You’re scaring me, Luke,” she says worriedly from her perch on a large rock where she watches me pace back and forth in front of her. I stop and walk over to her and her take her hands in mine.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to freak you out – I’m fucking this up before I even start,” I say, chagrined. She gives my hands a squeeze to reassure me and with a deep breath, I start. “What do you know about shapeshifters, Juliet?”

“Just what I’ve seen in the movies, I guess. Why?” She asks, confused. If her only knowledge is based on Hollywood’s variations, I’ve got a lot of educating to do, especially when it comes to the mate bond. We aren’t all primitive Neanderthals yelling ‘mate!’ at the top of our lungs and running off with her thrown over our shoulders, despite what most people think.

“Just do it!” ‘Chase’ encourages me, well – shouts at me. He thinks he is being helpful but he really isn’t.

“I’m a shifter, Juliet,” I tell her with as much seriousness as I can muster. Her face explodes into a thousand different expressions – incredulousness, shock and disbelief to name a few. It is clear to me she isn’t buying what I’m selling so there is only one option left to me.

I show her.