Chapter Six

Gavin didn’t see Dale again that day, and he spent Friday morning working in the library and then had lunch with Paige at the same restaurant he was entering again that evening. His entire body shook as he walked into the diner in town to meet Dale.

The “date” had been arranged through text a half hour before, and Gavin was nervous as hell. He never met men in public. Not any he was sleeping with at least. This was way out of his comfort zone, but Dale had been insistent, and Gavin needed to trust that the man wouldn’t do anything to make him uncomfortable.

Gavin had walked to the diner. It was only a few blocks from the apartment he was staying in, and he’d hoped the slight exercise would calm his nerves. It hadn’t worked.

When he stepped inside, he scanned the room and found Dale already seated at a booth in the back, lifting a hand to wave.

The place looked like something out of a movie, vintage 1950. The scent of greasy burgers and fries assaulted his nose for the second time that day.

Gavin slid into the bench seat across from Dale, who looked good enough to eat. He wore a black button-down shirt, and his hair—almost as dark as his shirt—was loose and tucked behind his ears. Gavin wanted to run his fingers through it and then kneel in front of him and suck him off. Why the hell was it necessary for them to go to dinner? In public no less.

“Kid, relax.” Those were the first words out of Dale’s mouth. “I swear I will do nothing to out you. We’re here for a reason.”

Gavin wiped his palms on his jeans, glad he’d put on his favorite silky burnt-orange shirt instead of a T-shirt. It was warm enough that he hadn’t worn a jacket. He lifted a brow at the man across from him, wondering what reason could possibly be dictating their need to play nice in public.

“So, that woman, Kelly?”

“Yeah, the one spying on Wyatt’s house. What about her?”

“Well, turns out she shadowed Paige this morning collecting data at the grocery store.”

“I know. I met Paige for lunch after Kelly got bored and ditched her. Gotta say, Paige was relieved. That woman rubs her wrong.”

“Rightfully so. She puts off a strange vibe you can’t even imagine.”

How often was Gavin going to find himself left out of the loop living in a town where over half the inhabitants had a sixth and a seventh sense about things? “I’m pretty clear.”

“A few people followed her this afternoon.”

That got Gavin’s attention. “Yeah? Anything interesting?”

“Oh hell yes. She spent hours lurking around the edges of several properties spying on everyone.”

“What the hell?” Gavin tensed. “I was hoping she was only following Paige. And that’s weird enough by itself, but Paige always sees the best in people, so she assumed Kelly was trying to catch her not working. She thinks the woman is a brown-nosing snitch.”

Dale shook his head. “I think it’s more than that.”

A waitress showed up, but all she did was drop off two beers and disappear again.

Dale pushed one across the table. “This one’s from Mountain Peak Brewery. You’re branching out.” He winked and took a long swig.

Gavin lifted his and took a sip. It tasted the same as yesterday’s. Light. Not bad.

“Anyway,” Dale continued, “where’s Paige tonight?”

“With Wyatt.” Gavin smiled. “In fact, she moved her stuff to his place this afternoon.”

Dale’s expression softened as his eyes widened. “Awesome. I didn’t think she would cave that fast.”

Gavin chuckled. “Me neither. She dug her heels in. But I’ve spoken to her several times this week. She needs to move on.”

“What about you? You planning to move on too?” Dale asked. He waved a hand between them. “Don’t answer that. It was rude. Forget I said it. Back to Paige.” He leaned forward. “So she’s with Wyatt? Safe?”

“Yes. You think Kelly is dangerous?”

“No idea. I just don’t like what I’m hearing. It occurred to me she could just as easily be watching you as Paige.”

Gavin stiffened. “Why would she be watching me?”

“Maybe she thinks she knows something about your preferences or perhaps someone sent her to spy on you. Would your family do that?”

Gavin furrowed his brow. “No way. They have no clue. What makes you think that?”

Dale shrugged. “Just an idea. I mean she followed you to Wyatt’s house and then took pictures. Paige wasn’t even outside.”

He had a point, but it was far-fetched. “Seems unlikely.”

“Agreed. Just putting it on the table.”

The waitress showed up again, this time sliding plates onto the table. She disappeared just as quickly.

“Dude,” Gavin began, “how long have you been here?”

“Just long enough to order. Hope you don’t mind. I knew you liked burgers. Marcel makes the best ones in a twenty-mile radius. So I ordered for you.”

Gavin couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“What’s funny?”

Gavin picked up his burger and took a giant bite, swallowing it before he spoke. “Yep. You’re right. And it’s even better the second time.”

“You’ve already been here.” He sighed.

“Lunch. Today in fact.” Gavin grinned.

Dale groaned. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Gavin shrugged, enjoying the fact that he was tipping this alpha male a little off-kilter for once.

Dale shook his head, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Why did it make Gavin horny that Dale had taken care of everything? The beer. The burgers. It was kinda high handed for the man to order for him. He should be pissed. All he could manage was a hard-on though. He shifted in his seat, still holding the thick juicy burger.

“You okay? Did I go too far?”

Gavin lifted his gaze. “No. It’s perfect.” His face was flushed. The heat rose by the second. His emotions were jumping all over the place.

A slow smile spread across Dale’s face. “You’re turned on.”

Gavin rolled his eyes. “I hate your ability to know that.”

Dale winked. “It comes in handy when I’m on a date.” He lifted his burger and took another bite, moaning around it as his eyes slid closed.

Gavin nearly swallowed his tongue. How could watching the man eat be so erotic?

When Dale opened his deep brown eyes, he was grinning. “You’re so easy.”

Gavin narrowed his gaze. He leaned forward, glancing around to make sure no one was listening before he spoke. “You telling me you’re just sitting across from me cool as a cucumber? Because if that’s the case, our relationship is seriously lopsided, and I should go.”

Dale swallowed his bite and took a drink of his beer before he also leaned in closer at the same time he extended his leg under the table to rub against Gavin’s. “There’s nothing lopsided about this relationship, baby. I was hard before you arrived, and it makes me incrementally harder knowing you’re aroused. Don’t doubt that for a second. If you ever do, all you need to do is reach over and grab my junk. You’ll always find it stiff. Anytime you want. I might be able to scent the come leaking from your dick, and I’m sorry there’s no way for you to do the same, but remember I can’t hide my physical reaction to you. Test that fact anytime you feel like.”

Gavin smiled slowly. They were leaning so close to each other he could have closed the distance and kissed his lover on the lips. And for the first time in his life, he almost didn’t give a shit what anyone else in the room thought.

Suddenly, he had another thought that climbed up his spine and made him uncomfortable. “I can’t hide my feelings for you from half the people in this restaurant, either, can I?” He closed his eyes, imagining how many patrons were probably shifters and could easily tell Gavin was not only gay but head over heels for Dale.

Dale winced. “No. But none of them will say anything. Nor will they judge you.”

Gavin lifted a brow. “Are shifters more accepting of homosexuality?”

“Yes.” Dale nodded. “We’re programmed to be more in tune with scent. Take Wyatt and Paige for example, she told you she knew the moment she met Wyatt he was hers.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, that’s an inherent thing we know by scent. It’s a feeling. We don’t deny it like humans do. Shifters would never say sexual preference is a ‘choice.’ We fall for whoever Fate lines up for us, and we accept who we are inside. Not every single shifter, but the percentage is far higher than in the human population.”

Gavin nodded.

“Now, don’t get me wrong, plenty of grizzlies meet their spouse and date and fall in love first, but eventually they know. Inherently. And they can’t deny it. It’s not possible. We aren’t as quick to condemn.”

Gavin played with his fries for a minute, swirling one of them in a pile of catsup. “It’s hard for me to grasp that. Humans are more judgmental.”

“I know.”

“I’m kind of overwhelmed.”

“I know that too.” Dale set a hand on the table and inched it across toward Gavin. He didn’t touch him, but he seemed to be letting Gavin know he was there for moral support. “We’re just having dinner.”

Gavin straightened, his voice a little higher when he spoke. “In a room where most of the people know we’re going to fuck next.”

One corner of Dale’s mouth lifted. “Well, not next. First, we’re going to follow Kelly and see where she goes after dinner.”

“She’s here?” Gavin fought the urge to look around.

“Yep. Sitting at the other row of booths eating a salad.”

“Is she alone?”

“Yes.”

“Did you know she would be here? Is this why you invited me?”

Dale nodded as he took another bite of his burger.

Gavin also lifted his own burger to his mouth, still eyeing Dale.

Dale swallowed. “She asked a few people in town where to eat dinner.” He winked. “We’re on a mission.”

Gavin chuckled. “I hope it doesn’t get us killed.” He shuddered, praying his joke was just that—a joke. Surely the woman wasn’t dangerous. Just fucking strange.

The two of them devoured their food and finished off their beer too. It was indeed growing on Gavin. He considered ordering another, but when he glanced at Kelly for the millionth time, it looked like she was almost finished.

“You don’t have to keep looking at her, you know,” Dale pointed out. “I’ll know as soon as she moves.”

Gavin nodded. “Habit.”

“Glancing at women?” Dale joked.

Gavin rolled his eyes again. “Especially not that one. She’s a hot mess.”

Dale fiddled with the edge of his napkin, his face serious. “What about others?”

“Other what?” Why did he often find himself unable to follow Dale’s line of thinking?

“Women.”

“Are you asking me if I find women attractive?” He leaned forward.

“Yes. Just curious. Have you ever dated a woman?”

Gavin shook his head. Wow. Serious conversation. Perhaps most normal guys had this chat at some point early in their relationships. “No. I mean I’m not blind. I know what a sexy woman looks like. Paige being one herself. I’m just not interested. Never have been. I’ve known for as long as I can remember. You?”

“Nope. Never. I was in second grade when I knew. Another kid—Jeremy Shepherd—challenged me to kiss this cute girl in our class. All the boys were making goo-goo eyes about her. I realized I would much rather kiss Jeremy Shepherd than the blonde they were ogling.”

Gavin laughed. This dinner was so…normal. He’d never felt so comfortable before, not with any man. His limited experiences had always involved few words, lots of groping, and then moaning. With the exception of the few men he’d fucked more than one time, he had no experience with relationships. And it was becoming apparent that he could hardly call any of the liaisons he’d had relationships.

Even his last “boyfriend,” Reese, had only come over to fuck. When he’d grown bored of not being able to leave the apartment, he’d bailed. Gavin couldn’t blame him.

And here he was having dinner with the sexiest man he’d ever been with and enjoying himself immensely. He’d never been so relaxed. Comfortable.

Sure, he was also horny, and his dick had been hard for the entire meal, but the conversation was stimulating too. And Dale was true to his word—he did nothing to draw attention to them.

“Oh, time to go,” Dale announced.

Gavin twisted to find Kelly sliding out of her booth and heading for the door. Hopefully, she’ll go home so that I can too. He didn’t care whose home they went to—Dale’s house or Gavin’s apartment—as long as they did so soon. If crazy Kelly went back to her apartment one story above the one Gavin now occupied alone, it would be super convenient to head straight for Gavin’s temporary home and do everything it took to ease the pressure on his cock.

As the two of them followed Kelly out to the sidewalk, he realized he was not going to get that lucky. The woman stepped into a bar.

“Interesting,” Dale murmured.

“Tipsy’s?” Gavin asked as he leaned his head back to make sure he’d read the sign above the door right.

“Yep. Silvertip’s only bar.” Dale held the door open, and Gavin ducked under his arm to enter in front of him. The simple act made his heart beat faster. This fucking amazing, gorgeous, hot bear of a man was the perfect amount of chivalrous and dominant. It came naturally to him. He wasn’t working to impress Gavin. He just was being himself.

Well, okay, there was no way to be sure he wasn’t taking extra strides to engrain himself in Gavin’s heart, but his actions were so fluid that Gavin knew he treated all his dates with the same respect and no doubt his own mother and other women too.

The bar was crowded. It was a Friday night. As the door shut behind them, Gavin felt the gentle touch of Dale’s hand on his lower back. It was brief, but it sent a rush of excitement up Gavin’s spine when it should have set him on edge.

His life was surreal—as if spending the summer in Silvertip gave him a get-out-of-jail-free card to do as he pleased and damn the consequences. After all, no one knew him. What if he loosened up a bit and tried living as a gay man? Would the world end? It’s not like anyone would tell his parents. They would never know. He could do a practice run and see how it felt to live authentically instead of in hiding.

He shuddered, not at all sure he was ready to make take that step. Besides, Dale hadn’t offered him more anyway. Sure, the man was kind and comfortable in his own skin, but that didn’t mean he wanted to take their relationship to the next level. They’d known each other less than five full days. They’d had sex twice, sent a bunch of texts, and now they were on a date—a date that was more of a convenient arrangement in order to spy on a batshit reporter.

Dale had made it clear that he wasn’t looking for a boyfriend. In addition, Gavin suspected Dale was even more averse to dating a human. He seemed jaded, and perhaps it had something to do with the previous human he’d dated. It must have ended badly, though it didn’t escape Gavin’s attention that it was unusual for a shifter—especially Dale—to get so involved with a human that he was actually wounded when the relationship came to an end.

“She’s ordering a beer,” Dale whispered in Gavin’s ear, yanking him out of his thoughts at the feel of his lover’s warm breath so close to his sensitive skin that he shivered.

Sure enough, Kelly had taken a seat at the bar and was now tipping back a bottle whose label Gavin couldn’t read from this distance.

“Come on.” Dale slid a hand down Gavin’s back again and nudged him forward before passing him up and making his way through the crowd toward an empty booth on the far side of the room.

Gavin followed, the skin on his back heated from the contact with Dale’s hand. Yeah, he was in so much trouble. There was no way to pretend he was hanging with Dale just because he was a good fuck. It was difficult to keep his mind on the task at hand because he was so aroused—a feeling that was not diminishing with time.

Dale flagged down a waitress and ordered two beers almost before Gavin’s ass hit the bench seat. The woman was fast too, dropping two cold bottles off in less than thirty seconds.

“Which one are you plying me with this time?” Gavin asked as he lifted the bottle to see the label. The Glacial Brewing Company label was unmistakable, and underneath their logo was the word IPA. He took a long drink, enjoying it on several levels. First of all, it was cold, and Gavin was thirsty. Second of all, he knew the alcohol would help him relax. And lastly, the taste was indeed growing on him as Dale had promised.

“You like it?” Dale asked.

“Yes. It’s more bitter than the other two you’ve forced down me, but it’s good.”

Dale chuckled, the sound going straight to Gavin’s cock.

Yeah, he had it bad.

“Shit.” Dale’s face fell, and he sat up straighter. “She just spotted us. She’s heading this way.”

“Please tell me you’re kidding,” Gavin responded without looking.

“’Fraid not.”

Five seconds later, Kelly’s arrived at their table, holding a full beer. Had she already downed the first one and started a second? “Hey.” Her smile was too wide. Syrupy. “So nice to see someone I know. I thought I’d be stuck sitting alone all night.” Without asking, she shoved Gavin farther into the booth and plopped down next to him.

Gavin couldn’t even find words for this woman’s behavior. His foot got tangled up with Dale’s across from him on the way by, however, so that was a plus. In addition, Dale clasped Gavin’s ankle between both of his and held his leg hostage. Heat rose on Gavin’s face as he stared at the man he’d rather be fucking than sitting in a crowded bar with. Especially now that crazy Kelly had joined them.

In her overly loud, high-pitched voice, Kelly spoke to Dale, lifting her hand to shake his across the table. “We haven’t met. I’m Kelly.”

Dale looked as skeptical as Gavin felt as he shook the woman’s skinny hand and then dropped his just as fast. “Dale.”

“Are you friends of Gavin and Paige?”

“Yes.” Dale didn’t elaborate.

“Awesome.” Kelly beamed like this was the best news she’d heard in a year. She glanced back and forth between the two of them and then giggled. “So, this is like a guy’s night out or something? How cute.” She didn’t even wait for a response. “Did Paige tell you about our morning?” She asked, turning toward Gavin before continuing without a breath. “Booorrring.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how that girl is going to remain sane if she spends the entire summer standing in the grocery store collecting surveys.”

That’s what she came to Silvertip to do, Gavin thought to himself. There was no need to speak. Kelly didn’t seem to require responses between her bursts of information. Curiously, in between each outpouring of words, she took another long drink of her beer.

She turned back to face Dale. “I’m a reporter. From U of C. University of Calgary, you know,” she informed him as if there was a chance Dale was unfamiliar with the giant university located two hours to the east.

Dale didn’t respond either except to give a slight nod.

Kelly was unfazed. “I’m doing an internship too. My professor sent me to Silvertip to shadow Paige and write a story.” She polished off her beer just as the waitress came by to check on them. Tipping her head back to meet the woman’s face, she spoke again. “I’ll have another of these when you have a chance.” She lifted her bottle and tipped it back and forth as though it were necessary to prove it was empty before she was eligible for another.

The waitress nodded and rushed off to the next table.

Gavin took a slow drink from his beer, peering at Dale over the top. For the first time in his life, he wished he could communicate with someone telepathically. It would be amazing if he could silently shout a resounding what the absolute fuck into Dale’s mind right about now.

He felt like he was on a roller coaster that wouldn’t end. Every time it returned to the beginning, it merely paused a moment and then went around again.

Kelly kept rambling about how horribly boring Paige’s task was. She knew nothing about urban anthropology, and she made it clear she had no interest. This information was incongruent with the amount of time she’d spent badgering Paige to spend every waking moment with her.

Gavin considered asking Kelly why the hell she bothered to spend her time doing something she clearly hated, but he didn’t want to encourage her to ramble any more than she already had. Besides, she was drunk. And, he really didn’t give a shit.

After the waitress dropped off Kelly’s third beer, Kelly tipped it back and took another long drink as if she were parched. She’d finished two already before Gavin and Dale had even gotten halfway through their first.

Gavin was shocked the woman even drank beer at all. She was such a goody two shoes most of the time. Even tonight she was wearing the most ridiculous ensemble—a pleated gray skirt that reached her knees and a white blouse buttoned up to her chin. The clothes were too big for her frame, and her stringy brown hair hung over her shoulders and down her back. She didn’t have any jewelry on. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her wear any.

She was just…weird. There was no other way to put it.

But that was nothing compared to what she said next to make Gavin nearly wet himself. She leaned forward conspiratorially and glanced back and forth between the two men, smiling. “Are either of you one of them?”

“One of what?” Dale asked, his words carefully chosen and slow.

Gavin held his breath.

“One of the bears.” She waved a hand through the air. “You know, one of those werewolves?” Then she laughed and corrected herself. “Or I guess they would be werebears.”

Dale schooled his face fairly well considering he had to be shitting himself across the table.

Gavin didn’t think he did as good a job. He could feel his eyes bugging out of his head.

Dale fielded the question, thankfully. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She smirked. “Right. I’ve seen you.”

“Seen me what?”

“Well, not you specifically yet, but others. Half this town is filled with bears. Brown ones. Maybe they’re grizzlies.”

Dale swallowed visibly. He gripped his beer tighter, and Gavin figured what he’d really like to do was pound it and then six more. But he remained outwardly calm, brow furrowed. “I’ve seen a few bears in the area. They aren’t that rare, but they don’t come down from the mountains,” he deflected. Damn, he was good. Gavin had yet to come up with a coherent sentence.

Kelly took another swig and rolled her eyes again. “Don’t be coy. You know I’m talking about you, not real bears.”

Dale turned pale finally, as pale as his dark skin could possibly look. “I think you’ve had way too much to drink, Kelly. You aren’t making any sense.” He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and set several bills on the table. “Come on. We’ll walk you home.”

She pouted as Dale slid from the bench and then grabbed her hand to lure her out next.

Gavin was grateful. One more minute trapped against the wall listening to her shrill pitch would have driven him mad. At least she’d had the wherewithal to lower her voice when she accused half the town of being shifters.

She was unsteady on her feet as Dale held her arm and led her from the bar.

Gavin flanked her other side, but he didn’t relish the idea of touching her if he could avoid it.

Luckily Kelly didn’t mention bears again on the walk to the apartment. It was only a few blocks, but it seemed farther listening to her yammer on about not being too drunk. She kept leaning into Dale as if she thought he might be interested in her.

That made Gavin bite his lip to keep from laughing.

The ride up the elevator to the fourth floor felt like it lasted an hour, and when they finally arrived, she set her palms flat on Dale’s chest and pressed herself against him. “You want to come in? I know Gavin has a girlfriend, but you could stay.”

Dale visibly cringed as he peeled her off him. “No thanks. You need to get to bed.” He wrestled her keys from the outside pocket of her purse and propped her against his hip as he opened the door. Ten seconds later, he shut it in her face and leaned against it. “Thanks for all the help,” he teased, his voice not indicating aggravation.

Gavin blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “You had it under control.”

Dale lifted one brow. “It didn’t seem like I had anything under control. Fuck.” He pushed off from the door and headed back toward the elevator. “We have to go talk to Wyatt and Paige.”

Fuck was definitely the first word that came to Gavin’s mind too. They were so close to his apartment, just one floor down, a nice warm place with four walls, a door, a lock, and most importantly his bed. Too bad that wasn’t in the cards.

As if Dale read his mind, he turned toward Gavin in the elevator. “You live in this building too, right?”

“Yes.” Hope…

Dale reached for the keypad as they entered the elevator. “What floor?”

“Third.” More hope. Paige and Wyatt could wait a few minutes, right?

When the elevator stopped, they stepped off, and Gavin led Dale to the apartment he was subletting from Alton Tarben. Until today, he’d been sharing it with Paige. Now he wasn’t even sure why he was still considering staying in Silvertip. Paige was not going to have Gavin on her radar in the near future, and Gavin had only come along at her urging to play buffer.

He glanced up at Dale’s large frame as he unlocked the door. Right. The reason there was no way Gavin was going to be in a rush to leave town.

As soon as they were inside, Dale flattened him to the door, cupped his face, and kissed the daylights out of him for nearly a minute before releasing his lips and moaning. “Grab some stuff. We have to get to Wyatt’s, but I want you to come home with me after.”

The fact that Gavin wasn’t going to get any immediate relief for his suffering cock was disappointing, but the thought of taking a bag to Dale’s—which implied spending the night—made his cock twitch and swell further. All Gavin could do was nod as Dale released him and then swatted his ass as he headed for his bedroom. “Damn you make my blood pump, kid. You have no idea how fucking hot your innocence is.”

Gavin was already in his bedroom when Dale spoke those words, and he had to set a hand on the mattress to steady himself. Deep breaths.

They were back in the elevator two minutes later.

Dale was right. This was serious. If Kelly thought she knew about bear shifters, they were in way over their heads.

Dale glanced at Gavin while they were in the elevator. “Well, I guess my theory that she was spying on you got blown out of the water.”

“No kidding.” The elevator opened, Gavin hoisted his backpack onto his shoulder, and the two of them rushed back outside and down the street back toward town. “You have a car?”

“My truck’s at the diner.” Dale slowed his pace when he glanced back. “Sorry. I walk fast.”

“Understandable.” Gavin could keep up. This was important.

When Dale stopped walking next to a black, extended-cab F-150, Gavin was impressed. It was top of the line. He decided to joke instead of commenting. “I wasn’t sure you even owned a form of modern transportation. Thought you magically arrived everywhere on foot…or paws.” He smirked as he rounded the hood and opened the passenger door while Dale climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Wise guy.” Dale started the car, but before he put it in drive, he turned to face Gavin. His expression had changed, and he leaned forward, closing the gap between them. Two seconds later, he had ahold of Gavin’s shoulders, and his lips were on Gavin’s mouth. He angled to one side and deepened the kiss.

It didn’t last long, just enough to bring Gavin’s pent-up arousal to the surface again and make his dick harder. And then it was over.

Dale met his gaze, inches separating their faces, his hands still gripping Gavin’s shoulders. “Let’s get this over with so we can go back to my place.”

“Can’t you just call Wyatt or something?” Gavin suggested, hopeful. “Or I could call Paige.”

“You can try while I drive, but this is a big deal. Wyatt needs to be fully informed so he can let the authorities know what happened ASAP. His dad is the leader of his pack. He’ll know what to do and who to contact.”

Gavin dialed Paige. The phone rang. No one answered. Not shocking. It was late on a Friday night. Hopefully, Paige was engaged in activities far more interesting with her new man than answering the phone. Next, he tried Wyatt’s phone. And then Paige’s again. Finally, she picked up.

Relieved, he took a deep breath. This night was about to get interesting for a human guy who had learned enough about shifters in the last week to last him a lifetime.