When Harvey is reminded of his upcoming anniversary with Castille, he’s grateful for all the family’s suggestions for a gift. He’s particularly taken with his older nephew’s suggestion of a tattoo. One to match Castille’s rose.
He and Jake are disappointed to find the rose isn’t a tattoo, but something far more complex, related to Castille’s past. Therefore Harvey cannot duplicate it as a visual sign of belonging to Castille as he’d wanted.
However, when their anniversary night arrives, both will receive a gift and a surprise that will change their lives.
When Harvey came home, Castille could see his beloved was both excited and anxious at the same time. With a smile, he hugged Havey, pressing close into his lover’s bigger body, rubbing his cheek against the tufts of chest hair peeking out from the T-shirt Harvey wore.
Easing back, Castille framed Harvey’s face in his hands, and drew him down for a kiss. He felt the tension ease from his beloved’s body as their tongues slid together. Then he stepped back, and took Harvey’s hand.
“Let’s sit together and you can tell me what has got you is such a state.”
A few minutes later, with Harvey in his favourite armchair and Castille curled on his lap, Harvey related his babysitting revelations.
“Everyone came up with ideas for our anniversary, Castille, but there was one that I have to tell you because you’d need to be there.”
Castille burrowed closer at the sudden spike in nervousness in his beloved.
“What is it?” he asked. “It’s tripping your anxiety button.
“Your tattoo.” Harvey hovered a finger over it, but didn’t touch him. “Jake mentioned getting one to match, and I thought I could get one the same. To show we belonged together.”
“Oh, Harvey.” Castille shifted in his lover’s lap, and peppered the beloved face with kisses. “I do adore you. But this isn’t a tattoo. I know I haven’t told you much about my history, and I’ve introduced you to very few people, but this is a sign of the clan to which I belong. You can’t get a tattoo to match it.”
“Belong? But you’re rogue.” Harvey’s eyes grew wide. “Would they come after you? Harm you?”
“I was ... I wasn’t always rogue.” Castille wrapped his arms around Harvey. “Look, I’ve been working on something for our anniversary. But I can’t discuss it. Not yet. But if it does work out, then maybe we can do something around the rose.”
“I always thought you kept your previous life secret because you’d be in danger,” Harvey whispered.
“There are some who’d come for me.” Castille nodded. “But I have those who watch and listen. Having a mate, having you in my life has brought change I never expected. Can you be patient? A little while longer?”
“Anything for you.” Harvey kissed the tip of Castille’s nose. “I’ll find a way to let Jake down about the tattoo. But I have some wonderful ideas from the others.”
“How about we retire for the night?” Castille grinned as Harvey frowned.
“But you don’t get tired.” Harvey cocked his head, and Castille licked a stripe along his beloved’s neck.
“Who said anything about sleeping?” Castille asked in his most sultry tone, and Harvey nodded energetically.
“Retiring is an excellent idea.” Harvey shifted into his more physically powerful rabbit form to scoop Castille into his arms as Castille laughed softly. “I’m glad you thought of it.”
“Me, too.” Castille kissed Harvey’s downy nose. “Me, too.”
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