Patience Page 16

  When they got to the other side of Harrisburg and saw the sign for the rest stop with Starbucks and that it would be another forty miles until the next one, they stopped long enough to refuel—both the car and their coffee cups—before getting back on the road. Chad wasn’t used to not driving and, in fact, offered to take over. But Tanner said he didn’t mind and he could go a good eight hours before it was an issue.

  They made one more stop just outside of Philly because none of them wanted to stop in Jersey. Fed and refueled, they got back in the car and, just over an hour later, were crossing the Goethals Bridge to Staten Island. Chad had never been there before, so he was distracted enough by the traffic on the Staten Island Expressway that he didn’t notice the tension and anxiety coming from Jamie until they were crossing the bridge into Brooklyn.

  He pulled Jamie into his arms and kissed a temple. “We’ve got hours yet. We’ll get you a drink or two in the airport, okay?”

  Jamie nodded and seemed to settle down a little. Chad just wanted to get to the airport at this point. Someday he’d bring Jamie back to New York when they could enjoy it. For now, there was still too much ahead of them for that.

  He held his mate, rubbing his hand up and down Jamie’s arm and doing his best to project calm through their bond as much as he could. Jamie seemed to be working to fight his own anxiety, but even so, as they turned off Belt Parkway and the first signs for JFK Airport started showing up, Jamie’s anxiety ratcheted higher.

  Chad checked his watch. “Breathe, baby. Just breathe. We still have over three hours before the plane even takes off.”

  “I know,” Jamie murmured.

  Chad was beginning to wonder if all this was worth it. He seriously considered just having Jamie bite him and let what would happen, happen. “You know, baby,” he said, stopping to kiss Jamie’s temple, “maybe it’s not worth all this. Maybe you need to just bite me and be done with it.”

  Jamie looked up at him and swallowed. “You’d do that? Just so I didn’t have to fly?”

  Chad nodded. “Yeah, I would. I don’t like seeing you go through this.”

  Jamie studied him for a long moment, and the anxiety coming through the link lightened. “That… just knowing that makes me feel better. I can do this, as long as you’re here. I don’t want to risk you like that, pup.”

  “If you’re sure….”

  Jamie smiled and nodded. “I’m sure.”

  Chad kissed him hard to try to show just how much that meant to him. He couldn’t put it in words, wasn’t even sure their bond would show it well enough. When they broke apart, Jamie looked a little dazed.

  “Hey, uh, what terminal again?” Tanner asked.

  Jamie sat up, digging in his backpack and pulling out the printout. “Seven. British Airways.”

  “Call us when you land, no matter what time it is here,” Finley said as Tanner navigated the exits and lanes.

  “We will,” Chad answered for them. “I doubt he’ll be in much shape to call.”

  Tanner laughed. “Probably not. It’s all trains from Heathrow, though, right?”

  “Yeah,” Jamie said, sighing. “Thank Mercury.”

  They all chuckled. Tanner followed the signs for departing flights and found the British Airways entrance. “Do you have everything?”

  “Gods, I hope so,” Chad muttered as Tanner pulled up to the curb, making them all laugh. He and Tanner pulled out the two suitcases that were his and Jamie’s as Jamie hugged Finley.

  “It’ll be fine, I promise. Tanner survived it. You’ve got your mate. Let him distract you,” Finley said, smirking.

  Jamie laughed. “Right.”

  “And make good use of the premium economy booze,” Tanner added, hugging Jamie next.

  When everyone had hugged everyone else, Chad and Jamie went into the terminal. They stopped long enough to locate their check-in desk, then hurried over. “You can check your bag there,” he said, pointing at the kiosk. “Go ahead, then have a seat and I’ll wait for her.” He tossed his head toward the ticket agent. “Then we can get through security.”

  Jamie made a face. “I’ll check in, then come back to you.”

  Chad grinned but nodded. “All right.” He wished he didn’t have to deal with it, but since he refused to leave his weapon behind, he had to get through all the crap involved in declaring it. And the surcharge. He shrugged it off, paid, presented all his paperwork, and finally they were able to go through security.

  Apparently, there weren’t a lot of people flying at that hour. It only took them a little over half an hour to get through security. By that time, however, Jamie was nearly jumping out of his skin.

  “Come on,” Chad said, taking his hand. “We need to get you a drink before you start sprouting fur and claws.”

  Jamie laughed and the anxiety dropped a little. They found a Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill and got a table in the corner. Jamie studied the menu as if it would be on his final exam. It took a few minutes for the waitress to approach, but finally she stopped by.

  “Two dozen wings with the tequila sauce and extra ranch, and one of your Can’t Drive 55 drinks.” He smirked at Chad, who grinned, remembering the trip to Reid’s well.

  “Hmm. No cocktails about love?”

  Jamie rolled his eyes, but was still smiling, which is what Chad was going for.

  He turned to the waitress. “I’ll have the nachos, the shrimp ceviche, and a Sam Adams.”

  “All right. We’ll get that started for you.”

  Chad turned back to his mate. “Have a couple of those cocktails, and I’m sure you’ll feel better soon.”

  Jamie nodded. “They won’t last, though.”

  “I know. We’ll keep ’em coming.” He checked his watch again. “We’ve got about an hour. How many of those do you think you can drink by then?”

  Jamie laughed. “No idea.”

  “Well, let’s make it a challenge, then.” Chad grinned. “For every one you put back, we’ll make a trip to the bathrooms on the plane.”

  Jamie’s eyebrows went up. “Think you could be up for that?”

  Chad shrugged his shoulders. “Even if I run out of juice, I could always blow you.” Chad loved the color that came to Jamie’s face at that comment.

  “You’re on.”

  Chapter 13

  JAMIE ENDED up downing only four of them, but that was just because Chad had overestimated the amount of time they had left. British Airways called their flight for boarding, and they had to scramble to pay the bill and get going. Thankfully, the tequila, triple sec, and Grand Marnier cocktails seemed to do their job, because Jamie was much more relaxed as they waited in line to board.

  Unfortunately, that lasted approximately two minutes, once they’d found their seats in the section British Airways called “World Traveller Plus.” They had two seats together on one side, which Jamie was grateful for, though he was most definitely not interested in the window. He closed the shade immediately.

  As the reality of what was about to happen settled in, Jamie’s wolf prowled under the surface again, wanting out of the little steel tube. He fidgeted in the seat once he’d stowed his backpack, not able to find a comfortable way to sit. He closed his eyes and sent up a prayer to Jupiter that he guard the skies and let them cross uneventfully.

  The flight attendant approached. “Good evening. My name is Sherri. Can I offer you a drink?”

  Chad answered before Jamie could. “Whisky. The strongest you’ve got.”

  Jamie waited until Chad thanked her and she left, then turned to his mate. “I’m sorry—”

  Chad shushed him, kissing him softly. “Don’t,” he murmured, shaking his head. “It’s okay. I don’t have a wolf, but I can understand well enough from what’s coming across the bond.”

  Jamie winced. “I wish you didn’t—”

  “I’m glad I can, baby. I want to know what’s going on with you.”

  Jamie frowned, but what Chad said felt like the truth, so he nodded. “Oka
y.” He took a deep breath. “Thank you for coming with me. It’s so far, but I really appreciate it.”

  “Baby, I would walk—”

  Jamie managed to chuckle, feeling absurdly good he knew that reference. “I think it’s more than five hundred miles. Not sure even The Proclaimers would walk across an ocean.”

  Chad grinned at him. “Have I mentioned you’re awesome?”

  Jamie blushed. “Not. ’Specially not now. Uh….” He took a deep breath, trying not to think any more about where he was. He saw the flight attendant up in the galley. “Yeah. Uh, bring on the whisky, yeah?” Jamie closed his eyes, trying to get a hold of himself. He had a plan. If he could work it out to get drunk enough, he might just pass out before they even took off. It was a long shot—he’d put four of those drinks away earlier with only the slightest effect—but he’d damned sure try.

  “Hey, baby,” Chad said, and Jamie opened his eyes.

  The flight attendant handed the glass to Chad.

  “Thank you. Keep ’em coming.”

  “I take it he’s not one for flying?”

  Chad shook his head. “No, my partner doesn’t fly well at all.”

  Warmth spread through Jamie at the title Chad used. He may be accepting the destined mate part, but his human side liked hearing the commitment.

  “I’m sorry to hear it. Let me know if I can help with more.” She smiled and turned back toward the front of the plane.

  Chad rubbed Jamie’s shoulder. “Baby. Here.”

  Jamie took the glass and downed the entire thing in one long drink.

  Before they could even look for her, the flight attendant brought another one.

  “Thank you,” Chad said, exchanging it for the used glass. He turned back to Jamie, who downed this one just as fast.

  It took four more, but finally Jamie’s wolf was calming down and Jamie was starting to fall asleep. He never noticed them even taxiing out of the gate.

  JAMIE HAD no idea how long he was out when his bladder woke him. He yawned, stretched, and shifted away from the—thankfully closed—window to see Chad watching him. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself. How are you?”

  Jamie considered the question carefully, prodding his wolf, who was still mostly asleep. “Okay for now. I need to use the bathroom.”

  Chad grinned. “Hmmmm.” He leaned sideways and peered down the aisle. “No line. How about you go ahead. I’ll wait a few minutes and follow?”

  “Ohhh. You really wanted to do that?” Jamie raised his eyebrows.

  Chad nodded. “Yeah. I actually think it might help. It’ll distract you for a few moments, and if your wolf is sexually satisfied, he seems calmer.”

  Jamie blinked. “You noticed that?”

  “Oh yes. It comes through with you. When our bond is strongest, I can feel his emotions as well. I don’t know how I know they’re his instead of yours, but I know.”

  “That’s really cool,” Jamie said. He thought it through, then nodded. “Give it about five. People should forget by then.” He frowned. “How will I know it’s you?”

  “You’ll know.”

  Jamie was glad to see there still wasn’t a line at the bathroom. It might have had something to do with the fact that most of the passengers were asleep or close to it. He glanced up to the monitor on the wall showing their path. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know they were over the ocean—his wolf stirred, sniffing at the air, and Jamie did his best to calm him—but he noticed they were about three hours through their flight.

  He slipped into the bathroom, trying not to think about where he was. That was a bit harder in the tiny room because the sounds of the plane seemed louder in there. He shook the thought off, took care of business, and was washing his hands when he got a blast through his link.

  He didn’t know if he’d never noticed or if they’d just never telegraphed arousal like that before. But there was no doubt Chad was on the other side of the door. He better be, or whoever it was that knocked right then was going to get the scare of their lives when they saw Jamie’s black eyes and pointed teeth.

  He unlocked the door and Chad slipped in behind him.

  “Oh, fuck me, I love it when you look like that,” Chad whispered.

  It took some maneuvering, but they both managed to fit enough to lock the door. Chad nipped at Jamie’s neck, sliding his hand over the front of Jamie’s jeans. He’d never bothered to button or zip, and Chad’s path to Jamie’s cock was unimpeded.

  It was also rock hard and dripping.

  “Mmm. I guess it worked,” Chad murmured in Jamie’s ear, running his hand over Jamie’s dick, then stroking it once slowly from base to tip.

  Jamie nodded, trying not to whimper. “Yeah, it worked. How—never mind, we’ll talk about it later. Right now, you need to fuck me before I shift.”

  Chad chuckled and pushed Jamie’s jeans down.

  Jamie heard the click of a cap and glanced over to see Chad with a tiny bottle of lube. He didn’t remember seeing that in the little toiletry bag, but he had been more than a little nuts when they went through security.

  His train of thought derailed when Chad’s slick finger found his hole. “Oh gods,” he whispered.

  “Mm-hmm,” Chad murmured, as he slipped two into Jamie, spreading them to stretch.

  Jamie braced himself on the wall, moving his feet to spread them as much as he could so he didn’t lose his balance. “Don’t need to do that,” he said quietly when Chad pushed three fingers into him. “I’m still fine from last night. Hurry!”

  “Now who’s the impatient pup?” Chad asked, chuckling.

  Jamie found himself laughing, which morphed into a moan when Chad’s cock probed his ass. He cut it off in an attempt to stifle sound. Then Chad was pushing in, and before Jamie had a chance to get impatient again, his mate was buried completely.

  “Oh fuck,” he whispered. “So good.” He looked over his shoulder and managed an awkward, sloppy kiss. Then he rolled his hips, pulling himself almost all the way off Chad’s cock.

  Chad grabbed his hips and tugged at them and thrust at the same time, pegging Jamie’s prostate and making him bite his lip to keep in sound. He had to be careful or he’d pierce it with his canines, but he had to do something.

  “Do that again,” he whispered and Chad obliged.

  “Fuck, you feel amazing, baby,” Chad whispered in his ear. He gave up the long, slow thrusts he’d started doing, pumping faster and harder instead. “Stroke yourself, baby. We don’t have a lot of time.”

  Jamie nodded, wrapping one hand around his cock. He rocked against Chad, matching the thrusts, and worked his fist over his cock to the same rhythm. Pleasure built at a dizzying pace, and Jamie knew he was going to go off really fucking fast. When he grunted a “Shit, soon,” Chad hummed in his ear and sped up a little, thrusting hard now, hitting Jamie’s prostate on almost every stroke.

  “Gonna come, baby,” he said, then bit down on Jamie’s shoulder.

  Jamie’s balls drew up and that was it. He lost it, gritting his teeth as the climax hit, shoving him forcefully into orgasm. The pleasure was hard, sharp, yanking the cum from his balls to paint the wall white with his spunk.

  The bite on his shoulder got a little harder as Chad’s thrusts turned erratic. The cock in Jamie’s ass twitched as it unloaded, and the softest of moans escaped in Chad’s voice. The slightly frayed strands of their bond solidified, and pleasure not his own slid into Jamie. It was enough to push an extra spurt of cum out of him.

  A moment later, Chad’s arms slid around him, pulling him tight against his mate while still filling him. “Love you, baby.”

  “Love you, pup,” Jamie replied, looking up. Their lips met, the kiss light and soft, if still a little awkward from the position.

  “I guess we should clean up, though you ought to leave that in as long as you can.”

  Jamie considered it, then nodded. “It might help. Go on. I’ll follow in a few minutes.”

  Chad eased out, snatc
hing up some paper towels to clean himself, then tucked everything away. With another quick kiss, he slipped out, and Jamie locked the door behind him.

  Jamie took a little time to prod his wolf, but he was quiet. Chad had been right. Sexual satisfaction did a lot for him.

  He hurried to tuck himself away and clean up the wall he’d painted. He flushed, then checked to make sure he didn’t have cum on him—visible cum, anyway—then left. No one seemed to even be paying attention to him. He slid into the seat next to Chad, who had a drink on the little spot for it between the seats.

  “Whisky. It’ll take a bit for you to drink enough. I thought we might watch a movie—or try.”

  Jamie tilted his head, then nodded. “Sure. He’s quiet right now. I think I could watch one.”

  Chad grinned. “Yes!”

  Jamie laughed. “Thank you.” He kissed Chad softly.

  “Hey, that was my pleasure. No, really….”

  With a grin, Jamie shook his head. “So, what do you want to watch?”

  “Let me pull out my computer first. It’ll be easier to watch that way, anyway. I got a headphone splitter for it.”

  A few minutes later, they both had fresh drinks and Chad’s laptop set up across their two tray tables. Chad opened up a folder of movies and glanced over. “Ever seen The Breakfast Club?”

  Jamie shook his head. “Is this another eighties thing?”

  Chad grinned. “Only the penultimate in eighties movies. John Hughes—the director—is legendary for teen angst movies during the eighties, and Breakfast Club is, like, the top from him.”

  Jamie chuckled. “All right. Go ahead.”

  They put their headphones on and Chad clicked Play. Jamie recognized the song that started as one he’d heard on Chad’s Pandora station a number of times. He grinned at the screen, whispering along to the lyric about not forgetting. He only remembered a few of the lines, but Chad, of course, was mouthing along with the whole thing.

  He got lost in the movie, surprised to find himself thoroughly enjoying it. It wasn’t that he didn’t like comedies, he’d just never seen himself as an ’80s teen angst fan. He actually had to stop himself from whistling along when the students did. He slapped a hand over his mouth a few times to keep from laughing out loud. And when Bender pumped his fist as he crossed the football field at the end, Jamie did too, right along with Chad.